Chapter 81: The Heir of the Fu Family

Assistant Qin was momentarily at a loss for words. After all, for the CEOs of Beijing’s major companies, traveling abroad was a common occurrence. Perhaps Fu Huaizhou was being overly cautious.

“It’s probably just business-related…” Qin finally suggested.

Fu Huaizhou realized that he might have been too anxious lately so much so that he almost forgot that the Shi family’s business was primarily international. Frequent overseas trips were, indeed, normal for them.

“Who else?” He scanned the departure dates on the list.

“No one else seems to match,” Qin said cautiously. After all, while Miss Ruan’s social circle could be considered complex, those with emotional entanglements or close ties were few.

Fu Huaizhou fell silent. He wondered if he was investigating in the wrong direction, but Ruan Li had spent most of her life in Beijing, with little interaction elsewhere.

His slender fingers tapped lightly on the list. Given the current situation, the least likely candidate might actually be the most likely. Even though it seemed odd, he couldn’t rule out Shi Mu. Despite no apparent connection between Shi Mu and Ruan Li in recent times, he was the only one on the list who fit.

In a grave tone, he said, “Find out where Shi Mu is.”

Qin felt a jolt of surprise. Both Ye Ze and Shi Mu had grown up with Fu Huaizhou, and over the years, the three had never had any falling out. It was unthinkable that Fu Huaizhou would turn his suspicion on Shi Mu. Was this the classic case of abandoning brotherhood for love?

But Qin didn’t dare delay and immediately dispatched his team to investigate.

The Fu Corporation had connections and influence worldwide, which was why they had been able to track Ruan Li so quickly before. But this time, they encountered unexpected resistance, as the Shi family’s overseas influence was no less extensive perhaps even more solid.

Time crept into late autumn. As Fu Huaizhou glanced at the calendar, it had been a whole month since Ruan Li vanished. Each day felt like an eternity. The once-bustling mansion was now eerily quiet, suffused with a suffocating stillness.

“Mr. Fu, Shi Mu’s trail has been covered. We…we can’t trace him. However, you mentioned shifting focus to Shi Xun, and we’ve made some progress there.”

After several days of intensive information gathering, Qin finally brought back some leads, eager to report.

“Where?” Fu Huaizhou’s hope flared, like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline.

“At a hospital in Country S.”

Qin was surprised, too. Shi Xun’s whereabouts had been as elusive as Shi Mu’s, but they’d managed to find a pattern in the movement of medical experts converging at one specific location. Such coordination was beyond most, and the Shi family was among the few capable.

Without hesitation, Fu Huaizhou boarded a private jet to the site.

He recalled that Shi Mu had long sought top heart specialists, once sharing with Fu Huaizhou his search efforts. When asked, Shi Mu had mentioned an elderly relative overseas struggling with heart issues for years.

Thus, when this clue came to light, Fu Huaizhou was almost certain Shi Mu was there. If that elderly neighbor’s account was accurate, then Ruan Li might be there too.

“Are there obstetric specialists moving in that direction as well?” he confirmed with Qin during the flight.

Qin nodded vigorously, having kept a close watch on the hospital’s activities.

“Yes, Mr. Fu, and maternal nutritionists the best in the world.”

Fu Huaizhou went quiet, his suspicion solidifying.

Qin kept his silence; after all, no one had informed them that Miss Ruan was pregnant.

Those doctors and nutritionists certainly weren’t for Mr. Shi Xun. That left only one possibility Miss Ruan.

And the unborn heir of the Fu family within her.

---

“Ruan Li! Get down here right now!”

Shi Xun almost fainted at the sight of Ruan Li perched on the roof, enjoying the breeze.

“I’m just admiring the view…” Ruan Li quickly climbed down, worried about stressing the far more fragile patient next to her.

“Don’t get so worked up.” She sat beside him, teasing, “You’re not jealous because you can’t get up there yourself, are you?”

Shi Xun rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“The doctor recommended the wheelchair; it’s not like I chose it, okay?”

“I could still play badminton with you standing up right now. Wanna try?” he challenged.

Ruan Li thought to herself that even if he dared, she wouldn’t risk it in her current condition.

As the two bantered, Shi Mu approached, helplessly shaking his head. “Both of you are patients, so just behave.”

Nestled between the two brothers, Ruan Li felt warm. Shi Mu’s large hand gently rested on her slightly rounded belly.

“It’s starting to show.”

Ruan Li was equally delighted. With the attentive care of the two brothers, she had been in excellent health, and the little one growing inside her seemed quite content.

“I’m really curious what they’ll look like, and what their personality will be. Hopefully, not as dull as Third Brother,” Shi Xun mused, speaking his mind without restraint. Only afterward did he realize the atmosphere had grown heavy.

Ruan Li was momentarily lost in thought it had indeed been a long time since she had seen Fu Huaizhou, despite the news constantly circulating back home.

Rumors were rampant, with many speculating she had retired from the public eye since she hadn’t appeared at recent promotional events for her film, Jing Luan. Adding to the chatter was the turmoil at the Fu Corporation, with its chairman absent for an extended period, leading Vice President Fu Zhen to step in as acting CEO.

Many speculated that something had gone wrong between the couple.

“Don’t dwell on it.” Shi Mu’s arm encircled his sister’s shoulders. In his view, the fact that Fu Huaizhou hadn’t even realized she was pregnant and allowed her to leave indicated a lack of care.

“It’s said that nephews take after their uncles.” Shi Mu smiled warmly. “So maybe the baby will be like me let’s hope they aren’t as mischievous as Shi Xun. That would be a disaster.”

“Hey, you weren’t always so nice to me as a kid,” Shi Xun retorted with mock indignation.

Since her pregnancy, Ruan Li had been more prone to fatigue, often napping half the day away. Now, after a short time outside, she was already feeling achy.

Too tired to move, she laid her cheek against Shi Mu’s shoulder, seeking comfort.

The brothers, by now, had become used to this routine.

Bathed in golden sunlight under a clear blue sky, the trio found a peaceful moment together.

After a long flight, Fu Huaizhou finally landed and made his way to the hospital. He swiftly arranged for his men to discreetly neutralize the Shi family’s security.

As he approached the building, his eyes fell on a scene that made his heart tighten with rage.

There was Ruan Li, leaning against Shi Mu’s shoulder, a serene smile on her face, her belly unmistakably swollen with child. Their closeness was undeniable.

Unable to contain himself, he walked directly towards them. His voice, raw with emotion, came out strained and trembling.

“Lizi.”