Downstairs, an elegant woman dressed in a smart, formal black dress was looking up at her with a gentle smile, saying, “You’re awake.”

Qin Buwan felt goosebumps all over her body. Standing in front of Fu Yunyi, she felt incredulous. She never expected Fu Yunyi would chase her all the way to Chen Zaizai’s place. How did she know she was here?

“Sit down,” Fu Yunyi said, gesturing slightly for the Xu family butler to bring a chair for Qin Buwan.

Everything seemed so calm and composed, as if this were their Xu family home.

Qin Buwan didn’t say anything, obediently sitting down on the chair.

“Buwan, why didn’t you tell your aunt about your mother’s matter?” Fu Yunyi frowned slightly, her appearance beautiful beyond words, with a three or four resemblance to Fu Yunshang. Her features were softer and more delicate.

Fu Yunyi was the most beautiful woman in the capital when she was young, and no one could compare to her. Even now, she still retained her charm. At nearly sixty years old, she was as well-maintained as a beautiful young woman in her early thirties.

Qin Buwan could only feel ashamed of her own appearance in front of her.

Qin Buwan pursed her lips, remaining silent.

“Nanhe has been arguing with me a few times recently. Your aunt knows it’s all his fault. I’m not a bad child, so you shouldn’t bother with him so much, right?” Fu Yunyi picked up a bowl of bird’s nest stew from her side and handed it to Qin Buwan.

Although it was meant to be appeasing, it carried immense pressure.

Fu Yunyi and Fu Yunshang, as siblings, looked alike and had similar personalities, except Fu Yunyi was more outwardly gentle.

Qin Buwan hesitated for a moment, took the bird’s nest, and was about to speak when Fu Yunyi continued, “The opportunity at the University of Birmingham is truly rare.”

Qin Buwan didn’t know how Fu Yunyi knew about this. She was investigating her, and a chill ran down her spine.

“Your aunt also thinks that you shouldn’t give up such a good opportunity for the sake of romantic relationships. A woman who is completely dependent on a man is the most useless, isn’t she?”

As Fu Yunyi spoke, a bodyguard suddenly came in from outside and threw a woman, beaten beyond recognition, at Qin Buwan’s feet.

Qin Buwan was startled and instinctively recoiled. She looked down and recognized the manager from Xi Garden who had covered for Qin Zhiyu by saying the surveillance cameras were broken.

“Some people are born with mouths only for lying, so there’s no need for them to speak anymore.” Fu Yunyi asked softly, “Buwan, am I right?”

Qin Buwan looked at the man on the ground. She felt her back instantly soaked in cold sweat.

His face was covered in blood, and he was desperately opening his mouth, but no sound came out.

Where his tongue should have been, there was only a bloody, unrecognizable mess.

Qin Buwan was already dizzy, and seeing such a bloody scene made her even more uneasy.

She only knew before that Fu Yunyi had methods and abilities, but she didn’t expect her to be so ruthless.

She looked up at Fu Yunyi, who still looked elegant and poised, meeting her gaze with a gentle smile. “The Xu family has a major project recently. If it’s successfully negotiated, the subsequent return rate can reach 300%. However, this person has some connections to my ex-husband, so I can’t cooperate with Nanhe.”

Qin Buwan already knew that the Xu family had chosen her as their daughter-in-law because of her grandfather’s reputation as a founding general, what status. The Xu family lacked nothing, except for that.

“From now on, your aunt will back you up. Feel free to leave for three years. When you come back, the position of Mrs. Xu will not be taken by anyone else.” Fu Yunyi coaxed her softly, “Your aunt only recognizes you as her daughter-in-law. No one else is good enough for Nanhe.”

“As for your mother’s condition, don’t worry. I will take care of everything properly. There’s a hospital in Haicheng specializing in cancer treatment with a cure rate of over 90%. I will choose the best experts to consult for your mother. She will definitely be fine.”

“What’s more, Nanhe and I have already had an engagement banquet. We can’t break the engagement temporarily and let others call the Xu family black-hearted, right?”

Although Fu Yunyi’s words were meant to be comforting, Qin Buwan heard only threats in every sentence.

There had never been a forced sale in this world, but the Xu family could do it.

Fu Yunyi’s intention was to use Yu Feiyin as a handle to threaten her not to break up with Xu Nanhe.

Qin Buwan understood that Shen Chuan’s mention of Yu Feiyin’s surgery last night must have been arranged by Fu Yunyi.

She silently confronted Fu Yunyi.

After a long while, she said in a humble but firm voice, “Aunt, I’ve thought about it very clearly. I really don’t like Xu Nanhe anymore. I’ve already returned the engagement ring to him. I’ll find a way to pay for my mother’s surgery myself.”

“Silly child, why bother with an illegitimate daughter? Are you looking down on yourself or on our Xu family?” Fu Yunyi replied nonchalantly.

“You…”

Fu Yunyi didn’t let her continue, smiled at her, and pointed to the bowl in her hand. “Eat quickly, the bird’s nest is getting cold.”

Just as Fu Yunyi’s bodyguard dragged the man out to clean up the scene, Chen Zaizai returned from outside.

She was covered in shopping bags, throwing off her shoes as she rushed inside. “Buwan, are you awake? I bought you so many things! Come and get me!”

Qin Buwan got up and walked to Chen Zaizai. Before she could speak, Chen Zaizai shoved a bank card into Qin Buwan’s hand. “I thought about it for a long time last night. You’re right! So, I sold the diamond necklace I was going to use for my wedding. I sold it for over two million! I deposited the rest into this card for you. The password is my birthday!”

As she spoke, she suddenly noticed Fu Yunyi sitting in her living room.

She paused, looking at Qin Buwan in confusion. “Who is this?”

“Hello Zaizai, let me introduce myself. I’m Buwan’s future mother-in-law, Fu Yunyi,” Fu Yunyi replied, getting up with a pleasant smile.

When Chen Zaizai saw Qin Buwan off in the Xu family’s car, her face was still full of confusion.

However, seeing how much the Xu family valued Qin Buwan, personally coming to apologize to her and giving Chen Zaizai a lot of valuable tonics and gifts, Chen Zaizai was truly happy for Qin Buwan from the bottom of her heart.

Qin Buwan looked at her unstoppable smile and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Chen Zaizai didn’t know that she had already become Fu Yunyi’s second handle to control her.

…

It was a silent journey. As they approached the Xu Manor, Fu Yunyi suddenly reached out and adjusted Qin Buwan’s collar, saying softly, “Grandma hasn’t seen you in over a month. She misses you very much. You and Nanhe should go see her together later.”

Qin Buwan was beautiful enough. Even wearing a simple gray turtleneck sweater with a black cashmere coat made her look elegant and refined.

Fu Yunyi looked at her scarred face for a few moments, then reached out and took off a pair of pearl earrings from her ears, personally putting them on Qin Buwan’s ears.

The expensive, top-quality Australian black pearls made Qin Buwan’s fair face look almost transparent.

“This makes your complexion look fairer and more endearing. Grandma will feel more sorry for you,” Fu Yunyi said with satisfaction.

Qin Buwan didn’t say anything.

After Fu Yunyi withdrew her hand, she finally said, “Aunt, I want to discuss something with you.”

Fu Yunyi turned to look at her. “Yes? Go ahead.”

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of the Xu Manor.

Qin Buwan turned her head to look at the Xu family’s imposing gate. The words “Xu Manor” were written in a handsome and refined style, with a sense of boldness and imposing manner, coming from her ex-father-in-law’s hand, unexpectedly matching the Xu family’s domineering style.

Once, this was the place Qin Buwan had longed to enter day and night.

Outside the car door, Xu Nanhe was frowning slightly, waiting for them, looking somewhat impatient.

The moment he made eye contact with Qin Buwan through the slightly tinted anti-peeping car window, his expression suddenly became intriguing, with a sense of “I knew you were deliberately acting stubborn, I knew you would come back.”