The moment after Ji Ying answered, she realized what she had said. Lifting her eyes, she met Fu Jingshen’s gaze, amusement hidden there. Her beautiful eyes widened in dismay. Why had she blurted it out?
*Children and grandchildren filling the hall.* Those four words echoed in her mind, over and over.
Fu Jingshen’s long fingers passed through her dark hair for the third time. Watching her lashes tremble, he leaned closer, his lips brushing lightly over the crown of her head. A low laugh nearly spilled from his throat.
“That… requires Mrs. Fu’s cooperation.”
Ji Ying froze. Cooperation? With what? With him—children and grandchildren? Her eyes flew wide, shock spilling from them.
Fu Jingshen calmly lifted the silver hairpin, finishing the sentence under her gaze: “Cooperation in keeping healthy.”
Ji Ying blinked, dazed. “…Ah?”
Fu Jingshen’s defined fingers deftly gathered her long hair, pinning it back neatly. Just as he had said—once undone, he could restore it perfectly.
“Otherwise…” His voice lowered, a chuckle in his tone. “What did Yinghua think I meant?”
Ji Ying: “…”
“Nothing.” She forced composure. “I thought the same as you.”
Whether intentional or not, his fingertips brushed past the flush at her ear, betraying her thoughts. “I see.”
She couldn’t stay any longer.
Ji Ying turned her face away, desperate to escape. “Third Brother.” She bit her lip lightly, tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s go out.”
Fu Jingshen took her hand. “Okay.”
When Ji Ying stepped out again, the hall was filled with guests. Even though it was a small banquet, the Fu and Ji families were influential. Counting distant relatives, the crowd was still large.
The elders of both families were greeting guests. Ji Ying glanced around, murmuring softly: “Strange.”
Fu Jingshen: “What is?”
“My second brother still hasn’t arrived.” Ji Ying pulled out her phone, thinking aloud. “I should call him…”
“No need.” Fu Jingshen’s gaze shifted toward a corner. “He’s there.”
Ji Ying looked up. She saw a tall, thin man dressed entirely in black, wearing a cap and mask, arms folded, only his dark eyes visible as he listlessly watched the banquet hall.
Before she could approach, Yu Wanqing called from the side: “Yingying, where did you go? I couldn’t find you…” She paused when she saw Fu Jingshen beside her. “Jingshen too—come, both of you.”
Yu Wanqing, long experienced in managing social occasions, was at ease in the crowd. Ji Ying had no choice but to follow her mother’s call. She glanced at her second brother, blinking at him, then walked toward Yu Wanqing.
As she walked, her eyes fell on a man and a woman standing beside Old Master Fu, whose features resembled his. Ji Tianze and Yu Wanqing were also with them.
Suddenly, Fu Jingshen spoke: “They’re my father and aunt.”
“Oh.” Ji Ying’s lashes fluttered. She asked instinctively: “And your mother?”
After a pause, Fu Jingshen said nothing.
Just as Ji Ying began to wonder if she had said something wrong, his calm voice drifted into the bustling hall: “She’s probably busy.”
Yu Wanqing’s reason for calling Ji Ying over was mainly to introduce her to the Fu family members led by Fu Yuan and Fu Pei.
Although within the Fu family, Fu Jingshen was the unquestioned head—no one could mistreat Ji Ying—Yu Wanqing still wanted to ensure nothing unexpected happened.
Before the engagement banquet, Yu Wanqing had carefully inquired about Fu Yuan and Fu Pei, especially about Xie Ling, who lived in Hong Kong. Fu Yuan, though notorious for his playboy reputation, was not truly malicious. Fu Pei was known for her graciousness and warmth and was easy to get along with.
The only exception was Xie Ling. For years she had been consumed by the struggle over family assets in Hong Kong. Even her marriage into the Fu family had been a calculated move to secure her position. Now, she hadn’t even come to her own son’s engagement banquet.
When Fu Jingshen brought Ji Ying forward, Yu Wanqing snapped out of her thoughts, watching her daughter greet Fu Yuan and Fu Pei.
Fu Yuan, seemingly unfamiliar with his son, could only repeat the same words over and over: “A perfect match, a perfect match.” But he failed to draw any response from Fu Jingshen.
Yu Wanqing noticed. If not for the occasion, she would have laughed aloud. She knew Fu Jingshen’s relationship with his father was poor, but hadn’t expected Fu Yuan to appear so weak before him. This reassured her—at least with Fu Jingshen present, no one in the Fu family could bully Yingying.
In the end, it was Ji Ying who gave Fu Yuan a smile. He didn’t take offense, responding cheerfully. Old Master Fu glanced at Fu Yuan, not to smooth things over but to sneer instead.
Beside them, Fu Pei, dressed in a black gown, stepped forward with a warm smile, taking Ji Ying’s hand. “So this is Yingying?” She looked her over in admiration. “Our Jingshen is truly blessed.”
Unlike with Fu Yuan, Fu Jingshen showed Fu Pei the respect due an elder. His fingers rested lightly on Ji Ying’s shoulder, lips curving faintly. “I am indeed blessed.”
The group chatted briefly until it was nearly time to begin.
Most guests had already entered the private rooms and taken their seats. Yu Wanqing checked the time, then pulled Ji Ying aside, muttering quietly: “Has Ah Chen still not arrived?”
“I asked my eldest brother to pick up Yueyue. She’s returning to the country today.”
“And Ah Huai? Where is he?”
Ji Ying instinctively looked again in the direction she had just seen, but her second brother was nowhere in sight. “Huh… I just saw him. Maybe he’s already gone inside?”
Ji Huai was leaning against a pillar in the hall, fiddling with his lighter, a shadow clouding his brows. Inside, everyone was cheerful. He scanned the room and saw Ji Ying smiling brightly as she stood beside Fu Jingshen, meeting his family.
The gloom in Ji Huai’s chest deepened. His probing gaze fixed on Fu Jingshen.
Whether Fu Jingshen was truly a sham-marriage gay, Ji Huai had forced Chen Zhong to investigate three generations of the Fu family. Though no such “gene” was found, Ji Huai still refused to relax his guard.
What if Fu Jingshen just wanted something unconventional?
Finally, Ji Huai turned his attention to Fu Jingshen’s circle of brothers. He had staked out the engagement banquet early.
Jiang Sheng and the others arrived late and found seats for themselves. Ji Huai shoved his hands in his pockets and followed, dropping into a chair among them. With so many people around, no one noticed him at first.
This table was mostly Fu Jingshen’s friends, the Beijing-North crowd, who usually had little to do with Ji Huai.
As Jiang Sheng sat down, Xu Zhou immediately tossed him a pack of cigarettes. “Try these—special supply.”
“I didn’t know Third Brother had so many good smokes.”
Jiang Sheng glanced down, whistling. “Wow, generous.”
It was *Fuchun Mountain Residence*, a brand truly rare and priceless, yet the Fu family casually laid it out at the banquet for guests to take.
Lighting up, Jiang Sheng asked lazily: “Where’s Yan Hang? Still not here?”
Xu Zhou raised a brow. “Probably still doing some mental prep.”
After all, though the matter had passed, Third Brother had been ruthless. That kind of psychological shadow doesn’t fade quickly.
Their words fell clearly into Ji Huai’s ears. His eyes flicked, tightening around his phone.
*What mental prep? Coming to a brother’s wedding banquet—what’s there to prepare for? Unless—* Ji Huai’s head snapped up, fury erupting in his eyes like a tidal wave.
Jiang Sheng and Xu Zhou were startled by his sudden movement. Looking closer, they realized a man dressed head-to-toe in black had slipped into their table, a cap pulled low, eyes glinting with menace.
*Who is this guy?* The two exchanged glances, the same thought flashing—*Could he be here to crash the wedding?*
Fortunately, the next second, Ji Huai removed his mask and cap, revealing his sharp, pale face. It took them a moment, but then they recognized him. Relief washed over them.
“Ah—” Xu Zhou quickly reached out a hand. “Isn’t this Second Brother? A pleasure, a pleasure.”
Jiang Sheng grinned, teasing: “Ji the big celebrity—it’s been a long time.”
Ji Huai curled his lips, shook hands with the two, and asked: “I just heard you mention another brother? Why isn’t he here yet?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time.”
“Right.” Jiang Sheng paused, then replied, “You probably haven’t met him. He’s the young master of the Yan family, Yan Hang. He only came to Beijing a few years ago, and he’s very close with Third Brother.”
Ji Huai repeated: “Very close?”
“As for why he hasn’t arrived…” Jiang Sheng hesitated, wanting to save Yan Hang some face. He carefully said: “Probably some personal reason.”
Ji Huai narrowed his eyes. “Personal reason?”
Just then, the chair beside Ji Huai was pulled out. Someone sat down silently at his side.
Sensing something, Ji Huai’s brow twitched. He turned to look— And sure enough, it was a pretty-boy face.
The man wore a loose suit jacket, his hair grown long and drooping. He lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke into the air.
If one word could describe him, it was— *Desolate.* More desolate than a man whose wife had run away.
Ji Huai’s eyelids twitched at the sight.
Jiang Sheng, noticing the odd tension between them, tried to smooth things over with an introduction: “Yan Hang, this is Ji Huai, Ji Ying’s second brother.”
Yan Hang lifted his eyes, glanced at Ji Huai, and said flatly: “Oh. Nice to meet you.”
Ji Huai forced out two words through clenched teeth: “Likewise.” Then, suppressing his temper, he asked: “Is Young Master Yan in a bad mood?”
Yan Hang stubbed out his cigarette, unable to stand Ji Huai’s face that resembled Ji Ying’s. He waved dismissively. “Don’t bring it up.”
Seeing he couldn’t get more out of him, Ji Huai took a deep breath, opened a bottle of red wine, and poured Yan Hang a full glass. “Then drink?”
“Not stopping till drunk.” Yan Hang stared at the glass for a few seconds, then suddenly raised it high and shouted: “Cheers! Not stopping till drunk!”
Jiang Sheng and Xu Zhou exchanged bewildered looks. What’s going on with these two?!
The banquet officially began at 6:30.
At the main table, elders from both families sat in order from the center outward. Ji Ying sat between Fu Jingshen on her left and Wen Yue—who had just returned from abroad—on her right.
Something must have delayed them, because Ji Chen only barely made it on time after escorting Wen Yue.
“Yingying.” Wen Yue gave Ji Chen a cold glance from two seats away. His usually gentle, smiling face looked distant. “Why did you make Ji Chen pick me up?”
“I asked my eldest brother, and he said he happened to be free.”
Wen Yue snorted, tugging at her dress hem, muttering: “I don’t need his fake kindness.”
Ji Ying didn’t catch it clearly and tilted her head slightly. “Mm?”
Wen Yue quickly shook her head. “Nothing.”
Ji Ying was about to speak again when her gaze was drawn to the empty seat at the table. Resting her chin in her hand, she sighed softly. “Where did he go…?”
At the table, the two old masters were chatting endlessly. Fu Yuan insisted on drinking with Ji Tianze, who couldn’t refuse and reluctantly downed several cups.
Meanwhile, Yu Wanqing and Fu Pei seemed to hit it off immediately, whispering together like old friends.
That left Wen Yue and Ji Chen, both appearing somewhat distracted.
Then, a piece of pumpkin cake was placed into Ji Ying’s bowl. Fu Jingshen turned his head. “What are you thinking about?”
Ji Ying: “My second brother.” She glanced at the pumpkin cake in her bowl and shook her head. “I don’t feel like eating.”
“You don’t usually eat this little.”
Ji Ying choked, embarrassed, and quietly sucked in her stomach. “My qipao is a bit tight today.”
“Mm?” Fu Jingshen’s gaze shifted, catching the curve of her figure. In just a second, he looked away, his Adam’s apple moving.
Being looked at like that made Ji Ying even more self-conscious. It wasn’t that she had gained weight—the qipao was simply form-fitting. If she ate too much and her stomach showed, it would be mortifying. So she watched as Fu Jingshen picked up the pumpkin cake from her bowl and slowly ate it himself.
By mid-banquet, Ji Ying and Fu Jingshen had to make rounds to toast each private room.
There were ten tables in total, and plenty of drinking was involved. On the way, Fu Jingshen bent down to whisper in her ear: “Can you drink?”
Ji Ying held up her fingers to show a small distance. “Maybe a little bit?”
After a pause, she added: “Actually, my eldest brother switched all my wine for water.”
Fu Jingshen suddenly laughed. Taking her hand, he led her into the first room. This table was full of the old master’s old comrades—enthusiastic and heavy drinkers. One glass was never enough.
While Ji Ying was still wondering how many cups of water she’d have to pretend to drink, Fu Jingshen took her glass, filled it with wine, and drank it himself.
“Eh?”
He downed one glass after another—at least six, counting hers.
When they left the room, Ji Ying grabbed his wrist, worried. “Third Brother, you’ll get drunk like this.”
Fu Jingshen explained softly: “I know your brother meant well for your health. But when dealing with people, sincerity matters most.” His fingertips pinched her cheek lightly, smiling. “And with us, I don’t want anything fake.”
Ji Ying’s lashes fluttered. After a moment, she whispered: “Okay.”
By the time they opened the last private room, Fu Jingshen had drunk dozens of glasses. Yet his face showed no flush, his expression calm and steady—no sign of drunkenness.
But when the door opened, Ji Ying’s eyes widened in shock.
The room was thick with smoke and reeked of alcohol.
On one side, Jiang Sheng, Xu Zhou, and several unfamiliar men smoked and watched the scene.
And drinking—her gaze landed on Ji Huai, back turned, clutching a bottle and drinking competitively with Yan Hang.
Both had reddened eyes. Yan Hang sighed miserably: “My heart is bitter.”
“Cheated, played with, and now I have to watch her get married. Who in this world suffers more than me?”
Ji Huai poured Yan Hang another glass of wine, his expression cold. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get justice.”
Yan Hang patted Ji Huai’s shoulder. “Brother, it’s no use.” He waved his hand in grief. “She’s already about to get married.”
Ji Huai let out a cold laugh. “He won’t succeed.”
“It’s impossible.” Yan Hang’s face was full of despair. “I know my Third Brother too well. He’s made me give up completely.”
Hearing this, Ji Huai genuinely felt pity for the young master of the Yan family. Devoted to Fu Jingshen, yet abandoned, left to drown his sorrows at the man’s own engagement banquet.
Ji Huai: “As long as I’m here, he won’t set foot in the Ji family!”
No sooner had he spoken than the room fell silent. Everyone turned toward the door.
Fu Jingshen stood there, holding Ji Ying’s hand, his gaze half-smiling as it rested on Ji Huai. “I wonder what Second Brother has against me?”
“Who’s your Second Brother!” Ji Huai slammed down his bottle, face full of hostility.
Ji Ying stepped forward, tugging at his sleeve, shaking her head gently. “Second Brother… have you had too much to drink?”
Seeing her, Ji Huai sobered slightly. He couldn’t make too ugly a scene in front of everyone. His voice softened. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Fu Jingshen walked into the room, took Ji Ying’s hand in front of Ji Huai, and poured himself a glass of wine. “To Ji Huai: Want a drink?”
Ji Huai picked up a glass, drained it in one go, and glared coldly at Fu Jingshen. “I’ve already seen through your intentions. I don’t want to make this ugly, but I advise you to stop now.”
Fu Jingshen’s Adam’s apple moved as he drank his own glass, raising a brow. “What intentions?”
Ji Huai: “You know very well.”
Fu Jingshen: “Then I’ll wait for you to explain.”
With that, he took Ji Ying’s glass and toasted with the others. When his eyes met Yan Hang’s, he silently drank an extra cup.
Ji Huai crossed his arms, expression blank, watching Fu Jingshen lead Ji Ying out of the room.
“Yinghua.”
Once outside, Fu Jingshen frowned. “Get me a bottle of soda water.”
Ji Ying blinked, then nodded quickly. “Okay, wait here.” She fetched a bottle from a waiter and pulled him into an empty private room.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Ji Ying sat beside him, pressing her hand to his forehead. “Is it a headache?”
Fu Jingshen could usually hold his liquor, but tonight’s wine was aged, its aftereffects strong. When it all hit at once, his head throbbed violently. He opened the soda water and drank half the bottle in one go. Leaning back on the sofa, head tilted, he looked into Ji Ying’s worried eyes. Reaching out, he clasped her slender wrist. “A little.”
Ji Ying rose, moving behind him. Her pale fingers pressed against his temples. “Let me massage it.”
“I learned from my teacher. I often did this for my father.” Ji Ying’s voice was soft. “Dad said I was very good at it.”
Fu Jingshen gazed upward at her delicate face. From this angle, he could see her long lashes like butterfly wings, her fine nose and lips, and the unique, light fragrance that belonged only to her.
Fu Jingshen asked softly: “What perfume are you wearing, Yinghua?”
Ji Ying blinked. “Mm?” She hesitated, then explained: “I don’t use perfume. I just light incense at night to calm myself.”
“Incense to calm yourself?” Fu Jingshen’s lips curved. “No wonder.”
Ji Ying’s fingers pressed lightly, then firmly, as she massaged. “What do you mean?”
“A little sleepy.”
Ji Ying couldn’t help laughing. “Obviously it’s because my massage skills are too good.”
Fu Jingshen didn’t deny it, gazing at her warmly. “Both.”
The private room wasn’t lit, only faint light filtering in from the tall windows. The girl’s silhouette cast a delicate shadow. Fu Jingshen tilted his head, his eyes soft and lingering. “Yinghua, lower your head.”
Ji Ying obediently bent down. The next second, his warm palm pressed against the back of her neck, his handsome face suddenly close, lips parting slightly. “About last time—shall we try again?”
Ji Ying froze, her long lashes trembling. She held her breath, closed her eyes, and gave a faint hum from her nose.
Fu Jingshen seemed to chuckle. His hand at her nape carried a gentle reassurance.
Even with her eyes closed, Ji Ying felt his dominant presence drawing nearer, binding her in place. His cool breath brushed her lips—he was about to kiss her.
Ji Ying wanted to open her eyes when suddenly, loud knocking rattled the door. At the same time, Ji Huai’s voice rang out— “Yingying! Are you inside?”
Ji Ying’s back stiffened. Instinctively, she pulled away from Fu Jingshen’s kiss, shame and panic flashing in her eyes as she looked toward the door.
Ji Huai kept knocking insistently. “Open up, I need to talk to you.”
Ji Ying glanced at Fu Jingshen. His dark eyes narrowed, full of displeasure at being interrupted.
She whispered: “My second brother is outside.” Afraid of conflict, she tugged his hand. “Third Brother, maybe hide behind the curtains… I’ll send him away.”
Fu Jingshen: “…”
Outside, Ji Huai heard no response. “No one in there?” He began turning the lock.
Ji Ying quickly pulled Fu Jingshen behind the curtains. “Third Brother, just bear with it for now.”
She shut the curtains, switched on the light, and opened the door in one swift motion.
Ji Huai nearly stumbled from the momentum, catching himself against the wall. “Yingying, why didn’t you answer when I called?”
Ji Ying stammered: “I—I was tired, came in to rest, didn’t hear you.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“The waiter told me.” Ji Huai stepped inside, shut the door with a click, and locked it. Heading straight for the sofa, he asked coldly: “Where’s that old fox?”
Ji Ying’s heart leaped into her throat—she hadn’t expected him to come in. She hurried after him. “What old fo—uh, he went to another table.”
Fortunately, Ji Chen didn’t suspect anything. He patted the seat beside him, his expression unusually serious. “Yingying, come sit. Brother has something to tell you.”
Ji Ying’s gaze drifted toward the pair of leather shoes visible behind the curtain, her mind elsewhere as she sat down. “What is it?”
“It’s about Fu Jingshen.” Ji Huai spoke each word firmly. “Yingying, you can’t marry him. You’ve been deceived by that old fox!”
Ji Ying: “Ah?”
“He’s just a sham-marriage gay!” Ji Huai said angrily.
Ji Ying opened her lips, taking a long moment before finding her voice. “Second Brother, you…”
Ji Huai cut her off. “Yingying, don’t speak yet. Listen to me.”
“That Yan Hang—you know him, right?”
Ji Ying: “…Yes.”
Ji Huai: “He’s Fu Jingshen’s lover!”
Ji Ying: “……”
“Second Brother, you’ve misunderstood.” Ji Ying answered with difficulty, her worried eyes flicking toward the curtain.
Ji Huai: “You don’t believe me? Then let’s see if Fu Jingshen dares to confront me face-to-face!”
The next second, the curtain was yanked open. Fu Jingshen leaned against the wall, expressionless, his head tilted slightly. “Second Brother, were you calling me?”
Ji Huai jolted, springing up from the sofa. His eyes darted between Ji Ying and Fu Jingshen, muttering a curse. “What are you doing here!? What were you two just doing!?”
Fu Jingshen looked at him calmly, the corner of his lips curving faintly. “What do you think, Second Brother?”
Ji Huai stormed out, cursing loudly, shouting Yan Hang’s name. “Yan Hang! You’d better explain yourself!”
The farce finally ended, and the private room fell silent again.
Ji Ying’s expression was complicated as she watched her brother’s retreating figure. She worried deeply about Ji Huai’s future career. *How was her second brother even surviving in the entertainment industry…?*
Behind her came the slow, steady footsteps of Fu Jingshen. He approached, and with a soft *click*, closed the door.
Ji Ying leaned against it, turning to face him. “Third Brother, let me apologize on behalf of my second brother.”
Fu Jingshen reached out and switched off the light. The room fell quiet once more. He bent down, their breaths mingling, close enough to hear.
Ji Ying pressed tightly against the door.
Fu Jingshen’s eyes were deep as a cold pool. His cool fingers lifted her chin, thumb brushing her smooth skin. “No need to apologize.”
“But…” All her words were swallowed in the space between their lips.
“I’ll clarify it myself—with you.”