Vоlume 1 Chарtеr 14: Dоеs Xingxing Hаvе a First Lovе?
“She returnеd tо thе соuntrу yеstеrdаy, аnd I went tо see hеr.”
First lоve… Jiаng Xining listеnеd in а dazе. “Аnd then?”
Fu Jinghао didn’t miss thе slightеst сhаngе in her еxрrеssion. He had оriginallу thought Jiао Jiао would be hurt, wоuld be upsеt.
Вut hеr еxрressiоn was cаlm, nоt аngrу, nоr showing аny tracе оf аnnоуance, аs if shе hаd merеly hеard that thе wеаthеr was nicе tоday.
Оf coursе, shе didn’t undеrstаnd at аll…
Fu Jinghаo couldn’t tell whether he fеlt reliеvеd оr mоrе stifled. Sоmetimes he susрeсted thаt Jiaо Jiao’s affection was no different from the affection she held for family and friends. It was entirely possible that he and Little Uncle held nearly equal weight in her heart.
“She was my senior at school, and also the student council president. The first time I saw her was at the freshman welcome party…”
Fu Jinghao seemed to be transported back to those days. He prided himself on being aloof, but with Ah Xun, he felt defeated for the first time.
He never expected that, despite scoring 670 points to enter this prestigious university, he would become the “spoiled young master” in her eyes?
Despite not coming from a particularly wealthy family, she was so dazzling, always determined, moving forward unwaveringly toward the path she believed in—just as she had when she left him.
He loved her stubbornness, but also hated her obstinacy.
“That time, the student council organized an event, but we encountered a knife-wielding assailant in the square seeking revenge on society. She evacuated everyone but exposed herself to the attacker’s blade. It was me who saved her.”
Fu Jinghao said, “Ah Xun said she wanted to repay me. I teased her, saying she should offer herself in marriage… and she agreed.”
From then on, they were together.
Jiang Xining listened, half-understanding, and murmured, “You… liked her?”
Oh, first love—so that’s what liking someone means.
But Dou Dou’s kind of liking seemed different from hers…
“Jiao Jiao, I don’t want to lie to you. I did like her once, but she left me without a second thought. Whatever affection remained was worn away.”
Fu Jinghao said, “I went to see her yesterday to say goodbye to the past. After all, our future is about the two of us living together. I won’t let anyone come between us… I swear, in this lifetime, it will only be you. I won’t like anyone else.”
Having poured his heart out with a basketful of sincere words, Fu Jinghao explained with all his might, looking at Jiang Xining expectantly. “Jiao Jiao, would you mind?”
Why would she mind?
If that’s the case, then she has a first love too!
Jiang Xining shook her head like a rattle drum. “I don’t mind! Didn’t you say it’s all in the past?”
Dou Dou himself doesn’t like his first love anymore, so it has nothing to do with her.
“I knew Jiao Jiao was the best.”
Fu Jinghao ruffled the panda ears on top of her head, dotingly saying, “Your birthday is in half a month. I’ve prepared a birthday surprise for you. Are you looking forward to it, Jiao Jiao?”
Jiang Xining nodded vigorously. “Yes, I am!”
After Fu Jinghao left, Jiang Xining burrowed back under the covers and eagerly video-called Fu Huaixu.
I wonder if Xingxing has a first love?
…
JX Group.
The building stood opposite the Fu Group—one an established enterprise in City B, the other a “golden patron” that had emerged seemingly out of nowhere in the business world.
In fact, just half a year ago, this place wasn’t so thriving.
But JX Group appeared out of thin air. Rumors said it was the heir of some wealthy tycoon from abroad, returning with massive capital. As soon as they made an appearance, they invested billions in several niche industries and splurged on buying this building. Their moves were nothing short of extravagant.Those projects were initially seen as unpromising, believed to be doomed to lose every penny invested.
Yet later, without exception, they all turned massive profits, multiplying the invested capital several times over.
In just half a year, JX Group had shattered everyone’s expectations, making it hard for people not to be curious about the mastermind behind it all.
If this “sugar daddy” were to sprinkle some gold coins their way too, wouldn’t they be able to count money lying at home?
Through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the city’s bustling glamour stretched out in full view.
A man lounged lazily on the sofa, his collar half-open even in the depths of winter, a glass of red wine swirling in his hand. His entire demeanor exuded an unruly, carefree charm, yet it was undeniably charged with raw magnetism.
“Little fifth, you’ve really gone all out with this setup. If Dad finds out it’s you snatching projects from him, tsk tsk, his blood pressure’s probably going to skyrocket.”
The speaker was Fu Huaixu’s fourth brother, Fu Fanyu, the scourge of the entertainment industry.
Blessed with striking looks, he had a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes that could charm both men and women, leaving a trail of broken hearts across the entertainment world without ever taking responsibility.
He was promiscuous yet cold-hearted, and worst of all, sharp-tongued. Out of every ten fans, eight were anti-fans.
As the saying goes, the deepest fans become the fiercest critics. Fu Fanyu’s ability to remain standing in the entertainment industry despite his rock-bottom reputation was partly thanks to those anti-fans.
However, being a fan of Fu Fanyu came with one advantage: you never had to worry about him having a downfall, because the man himself was already a wreck.
There was nothing left to collapse.
The Fu brothers—Fu Fanyu, the playboy, and Fu Huaixu, the discarded son—were both considered useless in the Fu family, yet their private relationship was surprisingly decent.
After all, if it weren’t for Fu Fanyu’s help back then, Fu Huaixu would never have been able to reconnect with Jiang Xining.
So over the years, whenever possible, Fu Fanyu had lent a hand.
“Just say it, fourth brother. How much are you after this time?”
Fu Fanyu put on a righteous front. “We’re brothers. Talking about money all the time hurts our bond.”
Fu Huaixu replied expressionlessly, “Are you sure?”
“Ahem, well, maybe not entirely sure.” Fu Fanyu set down his wine glass, moved behind Fu Huaixu, and began massaging his shoulders ingratiatingly. “Little fifth, working day in and day out must be exhausting. Being the big boss isn’t an easy seat to sit in, is it?”
With this fawning display, it was hard to tell who was the older brother.
“How much exactly?”
“Well, you know how inflation is these days. Money just doesn’t go as far. A casual swipe, and the card’s empty.” Fu Fanyu held up two fingers, gesturing. “Just this much.”
While others leeched off their fathers, this guy had taken a different route—leeching off his younger brother.
Fu Huaixu lifted his eyelids, his dark pupils fixed on him. “Brother, I’m not a money-printing machine.”
Fu Fanyu instantly switched to a pitiful, sorrowful expression, his lips trembling slightly, his voice quivering. “Little fifth, since we were kids, our dad never cared for us, our older siblings never loved us… we’ve relied on each other for so many years. Besides you, where else could I turn?”
“Just this one last time. You wouldn’t want to see your brother washing dishes in someone else’s kitchen, would you? Back then, I risked being beaten to death by Dad to sneak into the Jiang family and help you pull off that secret plan. If it weren’t for that, where would you be today?”
It was as if he were wiping away tears with a handkerchief. “So tragic, so pitiful… enough to break hearts and bring tears to the eyes…”
It had to be said—winning the Best Actor award wasn’t for nothing. Though it was clearly an act, there was a touch of genuine emotion in it.
Fu Huaixu rubbed his temples. “Stop acting.””So you agree?” Fu Fanyu’s crocodile tears evaporated instantly as he spread his hands. “Pay up.”
“…”
Fu Huaixu said, “This is the last time. The rest is my marriage fund—I wouldn’t touch it even if you beat me to death.”
Fu Fanyu gleefully kissed the card. “Don’t worry, next time I come begging I’ll be a dog.”
“But when will that marriage fund of yours actually be used?”
When…
Fu Huaixu’s gaze focused, his dark pupils burning with intensity. “Soon.”
Fu Fanyu might be the only one in the Fu family who knew Fu Huaixu’s true feelings. Having worked in the entertainment industry for years, he’d seen far more shocking and sensational things—what was so unusual about an uncle competing with his nephew for a wife? They weren’t married yet, after all.
Still, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, hoping the outcome would be what this guy wanted. Otherwise, he really might resort to something illegal.
Just as he was about to ask more, he noticed Fu Huaixu’s phone ringing beside him.
Seeing the caller ID, Fu Huaixu made a “shush” gesture at Fu Fanyu.
As if having mastered the art of instant face-changing, the moment the video call connected, Fu Huaixu’s voice softened by eight degrees. “Jiaojiao.”
Fu Fanyu curled his lip. Jiaojiao this, Jiaojiao that—he’d never called his own brother so affectionately.
Really, putting romance before family!