Vоlumе 1 Сhapter 9: Whо Will Jiаojiaо Ultimatelу Сhооsе?
Тhat sеntеnсe, Fu Нuaiхu took it sеriоusly, tаking it to hеаrt.
Вut at thе аge оf 17, hе wаs fоrсiblу sеnt to thе United Stаtеs, with all contaсt sevеred. Тhе rеаson given wаs for mediсаl trеаtment, but in rеalitу, peорlе wеrе sent tо restrict his freеdоm.
It’s еаsу to imagine—аt thаt timе, the Fu fаmily wаs at the реаk оf its powеr. If thеy cоuld form a mаrriаgе аllianсе with the even more illustrious Jiang fаmily, it wоuld undоubtеdlу еlevаte them further.
Вut Jiang Хining was сlosе to him, the disfavored son, which naturally wasn’t something Old Master Fu wanted to see. And his most beloved “eldest legitimate grandson” was the undisputed first choice.
Without him, they could smoothly proceed with the engagement.
If he hadn’t begged Fourth Brother for Jiaojiao’s contact information, who would remember a childhood playmate after ten years?
Especially such a… careless joke.
Fu Huaixu’s tall figure stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, his jawline sharp and severe, half his face shrouded in shadow, flickering between light and darkness.
Who Jiaojiao would ultimately choose—well, time would tell.
…
“Dou Dou, Mom and Dad are coming back this Saturday. They said they want to have dinner with you and Grandpa Fu… Dou Dou?”
Jiang Xining chattered on for a while, but Fu Jinghao was lost in thought. Her tone grew dissatisfied, “You’re not listening to me again!”
Fu Jinghao snapped back to attention, “What did you say, Jiao Jiao?”
Jiang Xining frowned, her expression clearly unhappy, “What’s been going on with you lately?” He often seemed absent-minded.
Fu Jinghao rubbed his temples, “Work has been exhausting. The government plans to build a CBD on the land in the eastern part of the city, and I’ve been busy with the bidding process lately. As the overall person in charge, I need to coordinate everything…”
Jiang Xining didn’t quite understand and could only say dryly, “Then make sure to rest and don’t overwork yourself.”
Of course, Fu Jinghao knew she wouldn’t understand. Apart from painting, she was clueless about everything else, and he didn’t expect her to grasp it anyway.
“What were you saying earlier?”
Jiang Xining repeated, “Mom and Dad are coming back on Saturday and want to invite you and Grandpa Fu to dinner. Are you free?”
Saturday…
Fu Jinghao’s expression froze for a moment, but in an instant, he returned to normal and smiled, “Of course I’m free. When my future father-in-law and mother-in-law invite me, even the most important matters have to take a back seat. I’ll have my secretary reserve a table.”
“Then remember to go to the airport early. We can spend the day with Mom and Dad…”
Fu Jinghao seemed somewhat distracted, lost in thought, and casually replied, “Alright, whatever you say.”
Jiang Xining was pleased and took out her phone.
“Let me call Xingxing, and we can all have dinner together!”
Mom and Dad haven’t seen Xingxing in a long time either—they’ll definitely be happy!
Fu Jinghao snapped back to reality, a sudden surge of anger rising in his heart. Even if Uncle didn’t have any intentions, why couldn’t she be more sensible? Why did she always have to bring along a third wheel wherever they went?
If they got married in the future, would she still invite Uncle over every now and then?
Although Jiang Xining wasn’t clever, she was particularly sensitive to changes in others’ moods. Seeing Fu Jinghao’s less-than-bright expression, she cautiously asked, “Dou Dou, what’s wrong?”
His face was dark—it was terrifying.
Jiang Xining shifted slightly backward, but before she could move far, her shoulders were gripped.
He didn’t hold back his strength, and Jiang Xining was held tightly. Though it didn’t hurt, it startled her, leaving her at a loss as she looked at him.
Aunt Tang, watching from the side, also felt her heart racing.
She wanted to step in and say something, but the butler stopped her, signaling her not to interfere for now.Fu Jinghao suppressed the anger in his heart, enunciating each word clearly, “Jiao Jiao, my parents-in-law are likely here to discuss our engagement. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Little Uncle to attend.”
Jiang Xining felt a bit disappointed. “Can’t Xingxing go?”
“No!” Fu Jinghao replied firmly. “Also, after the engagement, you should call him Little Uncle along with me, not Xingxing.”
Jiang Xining had a million questions in her mind. She didn’t want to call him Little Uncle—it simply didn’t sound as nice as Xingxing.
But seeing Fu Jinghao’s dark expression, she reluctantly nodded in compromise. “…Alright.”
She could just call him that secretly later.
After Fu Jinghao left, Jiang Xining slipped back into her room and began secretly drawing what she had promised Fu Huaixu.
“Young Miss, have some fruit.” Aunt Tang knocked on the door and entered the room carrying a tray of fruit.
Jiang Xining panicked, hurriedly hiding the drawing.
Aunt Tang happened to catch the flustered movement and chuckled. “What’s so mysterious that Aunt Tang can’t see?”
Jiang Xining firmly tucked the drawing away and shook her head seriously. “It’s a little secret. You can’t look.”
“Alright, Aunt Tang won’t look.” She placed the sliced fruit platter beside Jiang Xining. “Rest after you finish drawing, and remember to eat the fruit.”
“Mhm!” Jiang Xining obediently agreed.
…
Saturday, on the way to the airport.
【Dou Dou, Mom and Dad arrive at ten. Have you left yet?】8:20am
【Sis and I are already in the car!】8:48am
【Are you busy with something?】8:51am
【Then I’ll go pick up Mom and Dad. You go ahead with your work.】9:22am
Holding her phone, Jiang Xining felt a pang of disappointment. Dou Dou was so busy he didn’t even have time to reply to her messages…
Luxury cars occasionally sped by on the roadside, but upon spotting Jiang Xinjuan’s iconic license plate “Jing A66666,” they all slowed down or changed lanes.
Jiang Xinjuan finished reviewing an online document just in time to see her sister’s dejected expression and reached out to pinch her cheek.
“What’s wrong?”
Jiang Xinjuan had started handling group affairs even before graduating, and her style of doing things surpassed even that of the old Chairman Jiang. Over the years in power, she had perfected a stoic demeanor, with whatever patience she had likely reserved for the family’s one and only little darling.
“Missing Mom and Dad?” Jiang Xinjuan said. “They’ll be able to stay longer this time. They’ll leave after your engagement.”
Speaking of Jiang Lin and his wife, they might just be the most carefree and “irresponsible” parents in the world.
After having children, they left them for Old Man Jiang to raise. Although it was because of business overseas, parents who barely saw their children a few times a year were truly rare. Fortunately, the two sisters were sensible and didn’t require much attention from them.
Jiang Xining snuggled closer, pressing her face against Jiang Xinjuan’s arm, clinging to her as she mumbled, “Sis, is marriage really a good thing?”
Jiang Xinjuan—a lifelong singleton and confirmed single dog—ruffled her sister’s hair and chuckled softly.
“Although your sister knows a lot, this is one area I haven’t explored yet.”
Truthfully, given President Jiang’s status, capabilities, and—least worth mentioning—her dazzling looks, suitors could already line up all the way to France. But she had no interest in that area and hadn’t found a single one worth her attention.
“Whether it’s good or not depends on the situation. If you like it, have some fun. Nowadays, three-legged toads are everywhere.”
“Toads?” Jiang Xining was utterly confused, frowning and shaking her head.
“Don’t play with toads. They’re so ugly…”Jiang Xinjuan chuckled softly, “Then go play with a man. Your Dou Dou does look somewhat presentable… human-like.”
“But Dou Dou is very busy, he doesn’t have time to play with me…” Jiang Xining poked at the WeChat interface on her phone, muttering, “Or maybe the network is just bad…”
On the screen, green message bubbles occupied most of the interface, with only occasional white ones appearing, spaced far apart in time.
None of the four messages sent this morning had received a reply.
Jiang Xinjuan’s expression darkened slightly.
If someone truly cared, even the President of the United Nations could find time to reply to messages, let alone a mere vice president. It’s Saturday today—what could possibly be keeping him so busy?
No wonder Jiaojiao is always glued to her phone.
And he hasn’t even taken over the family business yet. If he were to take charge of the Fu Group in the future, things would only get worse.
Jiang Xinjuan looked at Jiang Xining and asked seriously, “Jiaojiao, do you really like Fu Jinghao?”