Chapter 3: Refusal

Lu Yunshang was puzzled. Old Master Fu’s information network was quite efficient; he knew about their divorce so quickly.

Fine. She would clarify everything when she saw him, and then they could go their separate ways.

When she arrived at the Fu family’s old mansion, she noticed something was amiss. The entrance was heavily guarded, with many bodyguards in black standing watch.

When they saw her, they whispered into their earpieces before letting her in.

Butler Lin Haiyang came out to greet her and led her to Old Master Fu’s meeting room. As soon as she entered, Lu Yunshang saw Fu Hanzhou and Xiao Nianzhen kneeling on the ground. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she stood at the entrance, unsure of what to do.

Old Master Fu, sitting behind his desk, pointed to a chair beside him. “Girl, sit there.”

Only then did Lu Yunshang notice another man sitting beside her.

He was wearing a finely tailored silver-gray suit. His stunning features were as perfect as if carved, and his noble aura overshadowed everyone else.

He looked up at Lu Yunshang, then lowered his head and turned the dragon-shaped ring on his finger.

For no reason, Lu Yunshang’s heart beat faster, thump-thump-thump.

She sat down next to him, smelling a light, elegant woody fragrance. It suited him perfectly, she thought.

After taking a puff of his cigar, Old Master Fu put it down. “Yunshang, this is Hanzhou’s cousin, the current head of our Fu family. Changqing, this girl is Lu Yunshang, Hanzhou’s wife. This is your first time meeting, right?”

Lu Yunshang stole a glance at the man beside her. So he was Fu Changqing, the legendary Ninth Master. His whereabouts were extremely secretive; outsiders rarely saw him. She had always thought he was much older. He was so young, looking about the same age as Fu Hanzhou.

The bodyguards outside must be his men.

“Miss Lu, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Fu Changqing said with a slight upward curve of his lips, implying something more.

“Mr. Fu, I didn’t expect I’m so famous,” Lu Yunshang joked. “Let me correct you; I’m actually his ex-wife.”

Lu Yunshang turned her gaze to the kneeling couple.

Fu Hanzhou’s face was ashen, angry but unable to speak.

Old Master Fu’s face also fell. “Hanzhou, I didn’t expect you to be so reckless. Marriage is no child’s play. You made the decision to divorce without your elders’ consent. Do you still have me, your grandfather, in your eyes? Have you grown wings?”

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I was wrong, but…” Fu Hanzhou took his companion’s hand. “Nianzhen is pregnant. I can’t bear to see them, mother and child, wandering outside. I have to give them a name.”

“Nonsense!” Old Master Fu slammed his hand on the desk.

“Is the Fu family’s door open to just anyone? Forget about you messing around outside behind your wife’s back; can you decide on the Fu family’s status and give it away as you please? Do you still have me, your grandfather, in your eyes?”

“Even if you’re divorced, I will absolutely not allow such a woman to marry into our Fu family, to ruin our reputation.”

“Grandpa,” Fu Hanzhou’s eyes reddened. “Haven’t you always wanted a great-grandchild? Please, for the sake of Nianzhen’s unborn child, your great-grandson, let us be. Besides, it’s too late now; we’re already divorced.”

“You beast!”

Old Master Fu picked up a nearby teacup and threw it. It hit Fu Hanzhou squarely on the forehead. The teacup shattered on the floor. Lu Yunshang saw blood oozing from Fu Hanzhou’s forehead. Xiao Nianzhen screamed and grabbed Fu Hanzhou’s hand tightly.

“Can you guarantee that the child in this woman’s belly is yours?” Old Master Fu suddenly asked.

Fu Hanzhou froze. Xiao Nianzhen looked away, her gaze evasive.

Old Master Fu continued, “If you insist on keeping her, you can. But she can only be a concubine for life. A DNA test will be done on the child after birth, and the child will be raised by Yunshang.”

Lu Yunshang: “…”

What was this?

Old Master Fu wanted them to share one husband?

What year was it? Was he still practicing polygamy? Did having money mean you could do whatever you wanted?

“The divorce is null and void. You two are going to the Civil Affairs Bureau to remarry immediately,” Old Master Fu ordered. “Yunshang, you’re moving back to Bi Shui Pavilion immediately. As for this woman, Hanzhou, you’ll arrange a separate residence for her. From now on, pay attention and don’t neglect Yunshang.”

Fu Hanzhou looked at Lu Yunshang, relieved. He seemed quite satisfied with this arrangement.

“Yes, Grandpa. I know I was wrong. I will definitely make sure to treat them both equally from now on.”

Lu Yunshang was dumbfounded, so angry she almost fainted.

“Wait a minute,” Fu Changqing suddenly spoke. “Shouldn’t we ask Miss Lu’s opinion? Miss Lu, do you want to remarry? Can you accept that your husband has kept a woman and a lovechild outside?”

Lu Yunshang looked at Fu Changqing in confusion. Was it an illusion?

Why did she feel like he was protecting her?

Fu Hanzhou looked at her with disdain. “She’d love to remarry. That way, her family, the Lus, can continue to be vampires, sucking money from our Fu family. This is only beneficial to her; what could she possibly lose?”

“Heh…” Lu Yunshang sneered. “Fu Hanzhou, you really know me well, huh? I’d love to remarry? Do you think my brain is filled with water or that I’ve been kicked by a donkey? Could it be that it’s just your self-righteous delusion?”

“Grandpa,” Lu Yunshang stood up. “Thank you for your kindness, but I refuse.”

Fu Hanzhou looked at Lu Yunshang in astonishment. “Lu Yunshang, don’t be ungrateful.”

Old Master Fu pondered for a moment. “If that’s the case, Hanzhou, Xiao Nianzhen will have to get rid of the child. You two should never see each other again. Yunshang, do you think that’s acceptable?”

Xiao Nianzhen’s eyes widened, clinging to Fu Hanzhou’s arm. “Hanzhou, no! Don’t hurt our child. The child is innocent. I won’t compete with my sister. I’ll be well-behaved and won’t bother her.”

Fu Hanzhou held Xiao Nianzhen’s hand. “With me here, no one will dare to hurt you and the child.”

Lu Yunshang scoffed. “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear enough. I mean, I don’t accept Mr. Fu.”

“Grandpa, I came here today to make things clear. Mr. Fu and I are divorced. From now on, we’ll each go our own way. This will be my last time back to the Fu family. I wish Mr. Fu and Miss Xiao a happy marriage. You don’t need to send me a wedding invitation.”

Lu Yunshang turned around, raised her head, and strode away confidently.

Old Master Fu’s face was livid, and he glared fiercely at Fu Hanzhou. “Good-for-nothing! You’ve disgraced our Fu family! Get out! Don’t let me see you again!”

Fu Changqing lowered his head, turning the dragon-shaped ring on his finger, a slight smile playing on his lips.

As Lu Yunshang reached the gate, someone grabbed her.

“Lu Yunshang, are you crazy? What do you want?”

Fu Hanzhou was furious. “A strategic retreat? Are you playing games with me? I’ve already compromised. You can continue to be my young mistress. I advise you to accept it.”

Her arm hurt. Lu Yunshang frowned. “Fu Hanzhou, I’ll count to three. If you don’t let go, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

Fu Hanzhou didn’t let go; instead, he tightened his grip. “Come with me to the Civil Affairs Bureau to remarry immediately.”

Lu Yunshang curled her lips and put her other hand on Fu Hanzhou’s neck.

Xiao Nianzhen watched the two of them from afar, their intimate stance making her furious. She wanted to rush forward and tear Lu Yunshang apart.

But then a scream broke the silence of the old house.

Lu Yunshang looked at Fu Hanzhou, who was kneeling before her, clutching his crotch, and felt satisfied.

She slowly squatted down and whispered in his ear, “Do you think you really know me? Mr. Fu, I advise you to accept it. If you try to touch me again, I’ll really cripple you. I shouldn’t have saved you back then, and I shouldn’t have been so blind as to marry you.”

Fu Hanzhou was so angry his eyes were about to pop out. “When did you ever save me?”

Lu Yunshang froze.

Fu Changqing, who had followed behind, also stopped.

He turned the dragon-shaped ring on his finger and turned to leave.