Chapter 88: Neither Virtuous Nor Loving

Zhou Yanhui’s eyes were filled with overwhelming anger.

For years, she had worked hard to maintain the image of a loving and generous elder in front of Fu Jianzhi, even going so far as to flatter him. At times, she had even convinced herself that she truly was that person.

But someone like Fu Jianzhi, cold and indifferent by nature, could never be swayed by mere acts of kindness.

“The Fu family is yours? Why should it all belong to you? You have two uncles!” Zhou Yanhui’s face turned red with rage. “Fu Jianzhi, don’t be too ruthless, or you’ll face retribution!”

“I’ve never believed in retribution,” Fu Jianzhi replied calmly. “If retribution does exist, then I am yours.”

Zhou Yanhui gritted her teeth. “I should never have let you live this long! You’re just like your lunatic father.”

Fu Jianzhi was unfazed by her insults and instead retorted with a serene yet mocking tone, “You didn’t want to get rid of me? You simply didn’t have the ability to do so.”

Fu Quan, noticing the tense exchange between Zhou Yanhui and Fu Jianzhi, hurried over, positioning himself protectively in front of his mother. Despite everything, Zhou Yanhui was still his mother, and he was genuinely afraid that her sharp words might provoke Fu Jianzhi into doing something drastic.

Fortunately, Fu Jianzhi didn’t seem inclined to argue with them today. Fu Quan quickly managed to pull Zhou Yanhui away, though she was trembling with anger, her teeth clenched tightly.

Fu Quan sighed, “Let it go, Mom. We can’t fight him. If we keep going, he’ll destroy us all. Fu Jianzhi is a monster.”

Though he always appeared to be a gentleman, calm and mild-mannered, beneath the surface, Fu Jianzhi was ruthless and devoid of warmth.

Over the years, anyone who had opposed Fu Jianzhi had met with a bad end.

Zhou Yanhui was in agony. “After what Niannian did, she’ll never marry Fu Jianzhi… What will happen to the Zhou family?”

Fu Quan, tired of hearing her worry about the Zhou family, grew increasingly frustrated and chose not to engage with her any further.

If it weren’t for the Zhou family’s bottomless greed…

If Zhou Yanhui hadn’t funneled so many resources and so much wealth to her greedy and incompetent brother over the years…

Perhaps Fu Jianzhi wouldn’t despise their entire family as much as he did.

In Fu Quan’s eyes, whatever fate awaited the Zhou family, they had brought it upon themselves. He only hoped that Fu Jianzhi would leave him with something, so the fall wouldn’t be too harsh.

Zhou Yanhui had been flattered by her relatives in her maiden family for years, and it had gone to her head. Everyone praised her for marrying well, for being lucky. She couldn’t bear to think that in the near future, the Zhou family might fall from grace and that everyone would blame her for being incompetent.

Fu Jianzhi, as the root of all this, was now the object of her deepest hatred.

The next day, when Mu Ruo asked Fu Jianzhi to leave, he had something urgent to attend to. Zhou Yanhui, however, could no longer maintain her previous calm demeanor, her expression remaining icy.

As Fu Jianzhi was about to leave, she finally spoke up, “Jianzhi, are you planning to visit your maternal grandfather’s family for New Year’s?”

The moment she said this, the expressions on Fu Quan and Fu Zheng’s faces changed. They couldn’t understand why Zhou Yanhui had suddenly brought this up and tried to signal her to stop.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yanhui was now entirely consumed by her dark, twisted emotions, and she only wanted to attack Fu Jianzhi as much as possible.

She smiled slightly. “Oh, I suddenly remembered that your maternal grandfather’s family no longer acknowledges you. Poor child, you’ve been alone since childhood, without a single relative who truly loves you. Those who speak for you are just distant relatives who like to cozy up to power.”

Mu Ruo’s face instantly turned cold.

She knew Zhou Yanhui was malicious, but she hadn’t expected her to be this cruel.

Fu Jianzhi had grown up without parents, and although Mu Ruo didn’t know why he had no contact with his maternal grandfather’s family, there was surely a reason for it.

For Zhou Yanhui to attack him by bringing up his lack of family was a blow aimed straight at his heart.

Before Fu Jianzhi could respond, Mu Ruo spoke up, “Grandmother, you’re wrong about that. Jianzhi is so outstanding that he has far more people who truly care for him than you can imagine. My family and I consider Jianzhi as one of our own. Today, he will be coming to my home to celebrate the New Year. With a virtuous wife like me to love him, he’ll be very happy.”

Zhou Yanhui was momentarily stunned.

Fu Jianzhi smiled faintly, “Well, then, we’ll be off.”

Once they were in the car, Mu Ruo let out a sigh of relief.

Fu Jianzhi said in a calm tone, “A virtuous wife? Loves me?”

Mu Ruo was at a loss for words.

Alright, she had made that up.

She wasn’t really virtuous, nor did she particularly love him.

Feeling a bit guilty, Mu Ruo explained, “I just can’t stand seeing her bully you all the time.”

In Mu Ruo’s mind, Fu Jianzhi was like a “Cinderella” who had suffered through a childhood and adolescence full of bullying. Even though he had risen above it now, those who had once tormented him still seemed to pop up from time to time to remind him of his past.

Fu Jianzhi’s lips curled slightly, but he didn’t explain anything.

Because it was the New Year, Mu Ruo indeed had to return home today. Not just to her own family, but also to visit Zhou Jian’s family to see Aunt Zhou.

When Mu Ruo was a child, she had been mistreated by her stepmother, Yao Wanzhen, often going hungry. During those times, Aunt Zhou had always helped her. So during the New Year, Mu Ruo definitely wanted to pay her respects.

Perhaps because Mu Ruo felt so unwelcomed by her own family, where everyone just wanted to exploit her, she could empathize with Fu Jianzhi’s experiences in the Fu family.

When Mu Ruo arrived home, she found that her entire family had gone on vacation to the seaside, leaving the house empty.

Zhou Jian’s home, on the other hand, was bustling with activity. His mother, Huang Xiaoping, had prepared a large meal to entertain friends.

The awkward part was that not only were Zhou Jian and Du Haili there, but Lu Beichen had also shown up.

Huang Xiaoping was as gentle and kind as always, remembering everyone’s favorite dishes, and she cheerfully told them all to wait for the dumplings she was making.

Lu Beichen, who had often joined them for meals during their school days, had fond memories of those times, so he had come uninvited today.

Huang Xiaoping still remembered Mu Ruo’s old crush on Lu Beichen, but now that Mu Ruo was married, she couldn’t help but ask, “Ruo Ruo, why didn’t your husband come with you?”

Mu Ruo replied, “He’s been very busy these past few days with important social engagements.”

Lu Beichen kept his eyes fixed on Mu Ruo.

In the past, Mu Ruo’s gaze had always lingered on him. But now, when she looked at him, it seemed no different than how she looked at anyone else.

Lu Beichen couldn’t figure out what had changed with Mu Ruo. She used to like him the most, willing to go to any lengths for him.

Taking a sip of water, Lu Beichen asked, “Mu Ruo, after you finish this movie, what project are you planning to work on next?”

Mu Ruo responded, “I haven’t taken on anything else. Why do you ask?”

Lu Beichen’s eyes darkened. “The company I’ve invested in is planning to produce a historical drama. Wanwan didn’t pass the audition, and we haven’t found a suitable leading actress yet. I think you’d be perfect for the role.”

Mu Ruo was taken aback.

Did the sun just rise in the west?