Chapter 84: His Priority

The next morning, Zhou Niannian arrived at the house.

Zhou Niannian was completely different from the last time they met.

She had transformed from her previous delicate and fragile appearance to a bright and sophisticated style, showing no signs of her heart condition.

When she saw Mu Ruo, she even gave her a cheerful hug.

Mu Ruo was taken aback.

Had Miss Zhou finally stopped seeing her as a thorn in her side?

Would she no longer use her heart condition to exploit Mu Ruo?

It was clear.

Mu Ruo had overestimated things.

An hour later, Mu Ruo sat expressionlessly on the sofa.

Zhou Niannian was scrolling through news on her phone when she suddenly looked up at Mu Ruo. “Are you in the entertainment industry now? I heard that women in that field are very shrewd and use various unspoken rules to get ahead.”

Since Zhou Yanhui had commented that the image of a weak, sickly beauty wouldn’t attract Fu Jianzhi, Zhou Niannian had completely changed her style to become more radiant and sophisticated.

Zhou Yanhui couldn’t help but frown. “You’re acting in films? None of the women in the Fu family do such things.”

Mu Ruo had originally planned to ignore the aunt and niece.

These two seemed to enjoy arguing.

No matter what Mu Ruo said, they could always find a way to counter her.

But when she stayed silent, Zhou Yanhui became even more nagging: “If you’re off filming, who will take care of Jianzhi? If you don’t want to be a good wife, there are plenty of others who would.”

Mu Ruo replied, “Jianzhi has a nanny. They’re much more attentive than I could be. If I took over the nanny’s duties, they’d be out of a job.”

Zhou Yanhui was still displeased. “How much can you earn as an actor? It’s better to properly take care of your husband.”

Mu Ruo was truly irritated.

Zhou Yanhui was not actually old-fashioned.

She knew exactly what she was doing—intentionally picking at Mu Ruo to make her uncomfortable.

Mu Ruo smiled. “I’m worried that if I end up divorcing Jianzhi one day, I’d need a source of income. It’s important to have a job, right?”

This time, Zhou Yanhui and Zhou Niannian’s expressions darkened.

Especially Zhou Niannian.

The Zhou family had never been wealthy; they were an ordinary family.

Because Zhou Yanhui had climbed the social ladder by marrying Old Master Fu and had two sons with him, the Zhou family’s status had improved, and Zhou Niannian had become a wealthy young lady thanks to Fu family resources.

Zhou Niannian remembered when she was younger, her family lived in a modest house, and her parents constantly argued over a small salary.

Then, inexplicably, her family started a company, and her father became a prominent businessman. People began to bow and scrape before him, and she became the center of attention, with as many pretty dresses as she wanted.

She was also taken to the grand and opulent Fu residence by her aunt, witnessing the most unforgettable moments of her life.

The Zhou family was a classic case of one person rising and bringing prosperity to everyone around them, with all their wealth depending on Zhou Yanhui.

Their presence in high society was due to Zhou Yanhui’s marriage to Old Master Fu.

But in recent months, Zhou Niannian had become sensitively aware that things seemed to be changing.

Fu Jianzhi had long had the upper management of the group completely under his control.

But now, it wasn’t just about winning their respect.

He had ousted some who were loyal to Old Master Fu.

With those people gone, the Zhou family’s business connections were instantly severed.

Without the Fu family to rely on, the Zhou family was like a rootless float in the wind.

Over the years, neither in social conduct nor in business had Zhou Niannian’s parents accumulated enough connections and resources.

They liked to hear flattering words and avoided dealing with people who worked diligently.

After all, they had the Fu family backing them.

They had two Fu nephews.

But now that the two nephews couldn’t even secure themselves, they couldn’t possibly look out for their uncles.

The largest villa in Zhou Niannian’s family had already started being mortgaged.

Once Old Master Fu passed away—

Zhou Niannian recalled some moments from her childhood.

Of course, they were no longer as destitute as they had been back then.

However, it was also challenging to maintain their current glory.

Her high-end clothes, jewelry, and large house could potentially disappear overnight.

Mu Ruo could go to the entertainment industry to make quick money.

Zhou Niannian’s academic pursuits had been repeatedly delayed, and she couldn’t get a high-paying job—though she would never actually work, as that would be laughed at by her friends.

Mu Ruo didn’t even realize that her words had struck a nerve with Zhou Niannian and Zhou Yanhui.

After Mu Ruo returned to her room, Zhou Niannian couldn’t help but cry. “Aunt, when Uncle was still influential, you should have forced him to make Jianzhi marry me.”

Zhou Yanhui was somewhat anxious.

She had attempted to arrange that before.

But Fu Jianzhi always refused, citing that Zhou Niannian was like an elder to him.

Zhou Niannian was indeed older in terms of family hierarchy.

But she was younger than Fu Jianzhi!

He didn’t want to marry her, and Zhou Yanhui and Old Master Fu couldn’t force Fu Jianzhi to marry Zhou Niannian.

From childhood to adulthood, Zhou Yanhui and Zhou Niannian had tried countless times to make Fu Jianzhi responsible for Zhou Niannian, often using various schemes.

This led Fu Jianzhi to be as guarded around them as he would be against wolves.

As he grew up, he almost never came back, making it even harder for Zhou Yanhui and Zhou Niannian to succeed.

Later, when Old Master Fu pressured Fu Jianzhi to marry, he brought Mu Ruo into the family.

With Mu Ruo around, Zhou Niannian’s hopes were further dashed.

Zhou Yanhui’s eyes darted around. After a while, she approached Mu Ruo warmly, asking her to accompany her shopping.

Mu Ruo found this strange.

As Zhou Yanhui was her mother-in-law’s mother, she couldn’t refuse.

Moreover, Fu Jianzhi was with some male relatives, and Mu Ruo was bored at the Fu residence, so she went along with Zhou Yanhui.

In half an hour, Mu Ruo had carried ten or so bags for Zhou Yanhui.

When Zhou Yanhui wanted to buy more, Mu Ruo expressionlessly left the address of the Fu residence with the sales associate, asking for the items to be delivered home. She had no desire to be a bag carrier.

Zhou Yanhui was very sharp-tongued. “Ruo Ruo, can’t you carry them? Being so delicate, how can you be Jianzhi’s wife?”

Mu Ruo smiled. “My hands are full; if we add more, they’d have to go on my head.”

At this point, Zhou Yanhui saw that Mu Ruo had left the Fu Jianzhi’s address.

Mu Ruo was very obedient. “Grandma, you took me shopping, didn’t you want to buy things for me? Thank you, thank you!”

Zhou Yanhui’s face fell as she realized she had spent a few million for nothing.

Just then, Mu Ruo’s phone rang.

It was Fu Jianzhi calling: “Come back.”

Mu Ruo quickly called for a car.

Zhou Yanhui immediately became anxious and tried to use her status to pressure Mu Ruo. “I want to continue shopping.”

Mu Ruo replied, “Grandma, you said I should listen to Jianzhi. Be good, he takes priority. You can carry the items yourself and continue shopping.”

Zhou Yanhui: “…”