Chapter 24: Can’t We Just Part on Good Terms?

Ruan Liuzheng stepped out of the living room and walked into the garden behind the old Fu residence.

The Fu family’s old home sat halfway up a mountain. In recent years, Old Master Fu had grown fond of gardening, and compared to when she first married into the Fu family, the garden now had a bit more life in it.

But it was still winter. Apart from a few plum blossoms, the vast garden looked bleak and desolate.

She stopped by the pond, staring in a daze at the frozen surface of the water.

Tonight, the moon was unusually round.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind her. The crisp tap-tap-tap of leather shoes on cobblestones was especially jarring in the quiet garden.

Ruan Liuzheng turned, calmly watching the approaching figure, her cool eyes filled with indifference.

She asked, “What are you doing here?”

Fu Yanshu smiled slightly. “I came specifically to find you. I have something to discuss.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s abilities were beyond question. Since she and Fu Yanci were now on bad terms, Fu Yanshu figured this was the perfect opportunity to win her over to his side.

If he could get her as a trump card before Fu Yanci’s position fully stabilized, he might still have a chance at taking over the Fu Corporation.

Ruan Liuzheng frowned slightly, her voice cold:
“No need. I don’t see anything between us that’s worth discussing.”

Fu Yanshu raised an eyebrow and stood in front of her.
“Don’t be so quick to refuse. You might end up thanking me once you hear me out.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s expression didn’t change. Her eyes remained calm, clearly uninterested in anything he had to say.

She turned to leave.

“It’s about Fu Yanci and Bai Wanqing!”

Fu Yanshu hadn’t expected her to be this immune to his bait, so he got straight to the point.

He blocked her path and gave a faint smile.
“Those two have been all lovey-dovey at the office these past few days. They don’t even care that you’re his rightful wife.
Don’t you want revenge?”

Ruan Liuzheng looked up at him—the same Fu Yanshu who used to be Fu Yanci’s fiercest rival.

Her eyes turned cold.

Fu Yanci was no good—but Fu Yanshu wasn’t necessarily any better.

She had already decided to divorce Fu Yanci, so there was no way she’d involve herself in the internal power struggles of the Fu family.

Her voice was indifferent.
“No, I don’t. And I know exactly what you’re up to, Fu Yanshu. Don’t try to tempt me. I’m not falling for it.”

“The fight between you and Fu Yanci—that’s your problem. It has nothing to do with me!”

Fu Yanshu’s expression turned frosty. The friendly smile on his lips vanished.

His gaze grew sharp.
“Nothing to do with you? Ruan Liuzheng, when did you become so spineless? He walks all over you, and you just take it? No wonder you couldn’t keep Fu Yanci’s heart.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes narrowed. Her voice turned cold.
“Whether or not I keep someone’s heart is my business. Fu Yanshu, let me give you a piece of advice—stop scheming.
You’re no match for Fu Yanci.”

Fu Yanshu’s eyes darkened. He let out a cold laugh.
“Fine. We’ll see. Let’s find out who wins in the end—me or Fu Yanci!”

“But Ruan Liuzheng…” he added with a mocking tone,
“Before that happens, I’ll enjoy watching you beg Fu Yanci to take you back, in tears.”

Ruan Liuzheng didn’t respond. She simply stared at him—her expression full of annoyance and disdain.

Seeing that, Fu Yanshu snorted coldly and turned to leave.

A useless chess piece like her wasn’t worth his time anymore.

After he left, Ruan Liuzheng stood there for a while longer. Only when she began to feel chilled did she decide to head back inside.

But as she turned around—

She ran right into Fu Yanci.

He had come specifically to find her.

“Do you have any idea how embarrassed you made me by leaving so suddenly?”
Fu Yanci stood in front of her, his lips pressed into a thin line. His handsome face was filled with icy frustration.

Ruan Liuzheng’s brow lifted slightly.

Oh. So this was Fu Yanci, here to accuse her of ruining his image.

She let out a low laugh, then looked up, her tone laced with irony:
“So what? Weren’t you chatting happily with your grandfather?”

Fu Yanci frowned, his voice like ice.
“Ruan Liuzheng, you never remember anything I say, do you? Seems like today didn’t teach you anything.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes grew colder.
“You have the nerve to bring up today? Fu Yanci, the fact that I even came was me saving you face. Don’t push it!”

Facing her, Fu Yanci suddenly laughed—soft and arrogant.

He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His dark eyes were filled with baseless confidence.

“Stop pretending, Ruan Liuzheng. I know you better than anyone. Just move back to the Beishan Villa. I’m giving you an out—don’t act so spoiled.”

Hearing his smug tone made Ruan Liuzheng want to laugh.

Spoiled? When had he ever pampered her?

He still thought she was the same woman as before—still believed she was hopelessly in love with him.

That just one gesture from him, and she’d come running back to him with joy.

Maybe once upon a time, that would’ve been true.

But that version of her was long gone.

She wasn’t going to debase herself again.

Her tone was calm.
“If you’ve forgotten, I don’t mind repeating it again.”

“Fu Yanci, I want a divorce. I’m not throwing a tantrum—I’m serious.”

Fu Yanci’s gaze turned stormy.
To him, Ruan Liuzheng had never been this stubborn—she suddenly felt like a stranger.

As if she couldn’t understand plain words.

He took a deep breath and said,
“Then let me be clear too—we’re not getting a divorce! There will be no divorces in the Fu family.
And Grandpa wants a great-granddaughter, so we’re starting baby plans tomorrow!”

His words were completely out of line with what she’d just said.

Ruan Liuzheng was exhausted.

Looking at Fu Yanci’s cold, domineering face, she let out a sigh.
“There won’t be another child. Fu Yanci, I’m truly tired.
Can’t we just part on good terms?”

“If we stay together, it’ll only be more torment for both of us.”

Maybe it was the sheer calmness in her tone, but Fu Yanci suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

As if he were really about to lose something important.

He pressed his lips together, but his voice remained cold.

“Impossible! We’re not divorcing—even if it means suffering together!
Be ready—I’ll be moving back to the Beishan Villa starting tomorrow.”

Ruan Liuzheng let out a soft, sarcastic laugh.

“Not worried about making your precious Bai Wanqing upset?” she said quietly.
“Why not just have her give you a baby and hand it over to your grandfather?
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

After all, it wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened in the Fu family.