Chapter 53: Just Call Him Third Uncle

Ruan Li instinctively pushed Fu Huaizhou away when she heard someone else’s voice. She quickly lowered her head to fix her hair and clothes.

Fu Huaizhou found her reaction amusing. “We weren’t even doing anything.”

Ruan Li let out a soft snort and stopped her movements. She wasn’t sure why, but being seen with Fu Huaizhou always gave her a guilty conscience.

“Get out of the car,” she said softly, giving him a gentle push on the shoulder. After all, Fu Xing Chuan was still waiting outside the car, and thankfully, the interior couldn’t be seen from the outside.

Fu Xing Chuan, who had been standing outside, had noticed his uncle’s car parked at the entrance for some time, but no one had gotten out. Just as he was about to knock on the window again.

The car door opened from the inside, and Fu Huaizhou stepped out with his long legs.

“Third Uncle,” Fu Xing Chuan called out quickly.

Fu Huaizhou gave a slight nod. Up front, Assistant Qin also got out and walked to the opposite car door. Fu Xing Chuan, noticing his actions, was a little surprised.

“Did Third Uncle bring a date today?”

His heart stirred with excitement. After all, his third uncle’s marriage was currently the family’s biggest concern. Most of them had almost given up, thinking Fu Huaizhou might truly be indifferent to romance and uninterested in women.

Fu Huaizhou lifted his eyelids and glanced at him indifferently.

Fu Xing Chuan’s eyes remained fixed on the other car door. He watched intently as a graceful figure stepped out. She was dressed in a cheongsam, exuding a gentle and elegant aura. He thought to himself that his third uncle truly had a preference for refined and quiet women.

As the woman got out of the car, she adjusted her shawl and slowly turned around.

Fu Xing Chuan was stunned when he saw that familiar yet unfamiliar face. The usually striking and vibrant woman had completely transformed her style. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen this side of Ruan Li before, but something felt different.

She seemed to have gained a layer of maturity compared to her previously spoiled demeanor. Or perhaps it was… a touch of allure, like a rose blooming with a hint of springtime charm, especially those enchanting peach blossom eyes.

“Ruan Li?!” he exclaimed in shock. “Why are you with Third Uncle?”

Ruan Li glanced at him as if he were a stranger, then walked to Fu Huaizhou’s side, slightly raising her chin. “The old lady asked Third Uncle to pick me up.”

Fu Xing Chuan, meeting Fu Huaizhou’s dark and unreadable gaze, felt awkward.

Fu Huaizhou bent his arm slightly, signaling for Ruan Li to take it.

Ruan Li hesitated. She had planned to enter separately, but then she thought, since the old lady had arranged for him to pick her up, walking in together wasn’t a big deal. In fact, she was curious to see the expressions on the faces of the Ruan family when they saw her with Fu Huaizhou.

She lightly rested her hand on the man’s arm. When she glanced up, she noticed the faint upward curve of Fu Huaizhou’s lips. Suspecting he was mocking her for relying on his presence, she discreetly pinched his arm.

Fu Huaizhou’s expression remained unchanged.

And Then

Fu Xing Chuan stood staring at the backs of the two walking away. He had always thought of Ruan Li as spoiled and high-maintenance. Now, seeing her beside his third uncle, she unexpectedly exuded the noble elegance of a true matriarch.

“Do you think Grandma asked Ruan Li here to reengage her to me?” Fu Xing Chuan asked the butler standing next to him.

“That’s impossible, young master,” the butler replied matter-of-factly. “The old madam has always thought you were unworthy of Miss Ruan.”

Fu Xing Chuan deflated instantly. “Whose side are you even on?!”

The butler remained expressionless. “The old madam brought me into the Fu household.”

As the hall doors were opened by the servants, all eyes turned toward the entrance. At this point, the only one missing was the third master of the Fu family, so the crowd grew increasingly expectant.

When their gazes landed on the tall man in a tailored suit stepping in, with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and an aura so cold it discouraged any closeness, their attention quickly shifted to the woman beside him. Her delicate features and radiant presence commanded the room.

The combination of her cheongsam and his suit struck an incredible balance, with a subtle hint of intimacy in the air.

“Fu Huaizhou actually has a female companion?”

“I thought today’s banquet was arranged to find him a match. Who’s the woman beside him?”

Suddenly, someone in the crowd gasped. Standing in the corner, Ruan Shu also recognized the female companion.

“Isn’t that Ruan Li?” someone whispered. “Doesn’t she look even prettier than before?”

“Didn’t the Ruan family kick her out? How does she still have the nerve to attend a Fu family banquet? Where’s the security?”

As the crowd murmured, Fu Huaizhou glanced down at the woman beside him. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and he assumed she was feeling uneasy. Just as he was about to place his hand over hers resting in the crook of his arm.

“Li Zai, this old woman has been waiting for you for ages! Why aren’t you coming up here yet?”

His movement halted. Looking up, he saw the figure leaning against the railing on the second floor, it was his mother.

Ruan Li smiled warmly. She quickly released Fu Huaizhou’s arm and lifted her dress slightly as she ascended the stairs, leaving the banquet hall in stunned silence.

Fu Huaizhou glanced at his now-empty arm, unhurriedly following her upstairs.

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This was Ruan Shu’s first time seeing the old madam of the Fu family. The Fu family was known for their strict traditions, their emphasis on filial piety, and even more so, their high regard for the role of a wife. Old Master Fu was famously henpecked. Ruan Shu had only heard from Ruan Cheng that the old madam was particularly fond of Ruan Li, which had led to the childhood engagement. She hadn’t expected the fondness to run this deep.

When Ruan Li reached the second floor, she handed the gift she brought to the old madam, intimately holding her arm. “Grandma, take a look. Do you like it? I didn’t know you’d be back after such a long trip.”

“That old man decided to come back last minute. I didn’t prepare anything, but whatever you bring, I’ll always like,” the old madam said affectionately. She motioned for a servant to bring a chair for Ruan Li to sit beside her. The old madam, a famed beauty in her younger years, had always adored Ruan Li’s doll-like features and charming temperament.

The old madam patted Ruan Li’s hand gently. “Third Master has already told me about the broken engagement. Don’t worry, Grandma will find you someone better. Honestly, I always thought Xing Chuan’s restless nature would make him unfit for you. He doesn’t deserve you.”

Ruan Li hadn’t expected the old madam to have such thoughts, and her heart swelled with gratitude. As they chatted about skincare routines, Fu Huaizhou joined them, taking a seat nearby.

“Mother,” he greeted with a slight nod.

The old madam hadn’t seen her youngest son in some time. “Now that you’re back in the country, it’s time to settle down. Take a look around the banquet tonight and see if there’s someone you like. If you do, let me know, and I’ll arrange it. That way, we can avoid any more introductions in the future.”

Hearing the latter part of her words, Ruan Li’s heart raced. The old madam noticed her unease and turned to ask, “Li Zai, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing, Grandma. I just walked too quickly and felt a little dizzy,” Ruan Li quickly explained.

The old madam didn’t think much of it. “If you’re not feeling well, you can stay here tonight to rest. And don’t forget, if you fancy any of the young men at the banquet, let me know. No one will dare look down on you.”

Fu Huaizhou, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke in a cold voice. “Mother, you’re not a matchmaker.”

The old madam, realizing her youngest son had just returned and might not know many people yet, introduced them. “Li Zai, this is my third son. Just call him Third Uncle.”