In a spot unseen by the elders, Fu Moyan cast a cold glance at Nan Sheng.
When had he ever bought her a seaside villa?
They had just gotten their marriage certificate, and she was already trying to squeeze benefits from him.
The Nan Family was, after all, an international business tycoon—how could they raise such a shallow woman?!
But before Fu Moyan could speak, Old Madam Fu clapped her hands in agreement: “Excellent! It’s wonderful that you two have discussed this as a couple. A married pair should always consult each other.”
“Is there anything you need to prepare? I’ll have someone arrange it immediately.”
Seeing how happy the old madam was—something he hadn’t witnessed in years—Fu Moyan swallowed his words.
What was one property?
Fine, he’d buy it!
Consider it a gift for his future child.
The old madam held Nan Sheng’s hand, advising her on pregnancy precautions and what to watch for when moving into a new home.
After chattering for a long while, she suddenly said, “Speaking of sea view houses, I just remembered—the old master and I have a seaside villa under our names. Though it’s only a little over a thousand square meters, it should barely suffice for the two of you.”
“I’ll have it tidied up right away and transferred to your name. That way, you can occasionally switch locations to enjoy different sea views! If it’s not enough, shall I have someone buy another one?”
Nan Sheng naturally declined.
She smiled and refused, “Old Madam, as you said, it’s just Second Master and me. A house that’s too large might not gather enough warmth.”
She lowered her head slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
“Besides, the size of the house doesn’t matter—what matters is having the right person to share it with.”
The old madam, in her advanced years, loved hearing about marital harmony and affection.
Nan Sheng’s words struck just the right chord.
Overjoyed, what wouldn’t the old woman agree to?
“Very well, whatever you say goes!”
“Moyan is truly blessed to have married you—such fortune accumulated over three lifetimes!”
“And another thing—why call him ‘Second Master’? Call him Moyan! How dare he act like a master in front of anyone?!”
Nan Sheng paused, then replied softly, “Yes, Old Madam.”
Old Madam Fu immediately feigned displeasure. “Still calling me ‘Old Madam’?”
Nan Sheng glanced up at Fu Moyan, who radiated cold indifference. Seeing no reaction from him, she turned back and murmured gently, “Grandmother.”
The old madam’s laughter crinkled the wrinkles on her face.
Fu Moyan watched Nan Sheng’s performance with a numb expression, sneering inwardly.
The moment they stepped out the main door, he mocked, “Third Miss Nan truly excels at acting.”
Nan Sheng replied modestly, “It’s only thanks to Second Master’s cooperation.”
Her humble, gentle, and polite demeanor left Fu Moyan at a loss for a retort.
Nan Sheng intended to remain in the position of Fu Matriarch for a while longer and didn’t want tensions with Fu Moyan to escalate.
She took the initiative to extend an olive branch: “Second Master, I’ll remind the old madam to complete the moving arrangements as soon as possible.”
Mentioning the move reminded Fu Moyan of the villa again, stirring up anger and irritation.
“When did I ever promise to buy you a sea view house?”
“I heard the Nan Family has been facing some troubles lately. Could it be that they’re relying on women to scrape together money to stay afloat?”
Nan Sheng, who usually appeared gentle and unbothered, had one sore point: her strong sense of family honor. She couldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of the Nan Family.
Fu Moyan’s sarcastic remarks had genuinely angered her.
“Second Master, you misunderstand!”
Her smile unwavering, she met Fu Moyan’s gaze directly.
“The house I mentioned is the one I bought on Jinwu Road. The Nan Family has indeed encountered some difficulties recently, but we still have enough money to support me for several lifetimes.”
“I will fulfill my role as the Fu Family’s daughter-in-law, and I also hope Second Master will be a good son-in-law for the Nan Family. Belittling your own wife’s family… seems rather undignified for someone of your status!”
Even when angry, Nan Sheng spoke at a measured pace, a slight curve lingering at the corners of her lips.
Her bright, dewy almond-shaped eyes alone could silently convey her displeasure to anyone she gazed upon.
Fu Moyan felt his chest tighten under Nan Sheng’s stare, his deep eyes fixed intently on her.
Yet Nan Sheng turned away without hesitation and got into her assistant’s car.
Her assistant Xiao Yun, unaware of their contractual marriage arrangement, approached obsequiously and asked: “Second Master, the madam is angry. Shouldn’t you go comfort her?”
Fu Moyan shot him a cold glare.
“Comfort her?!”
Xiao Yun detected something ominous in those words and asked confusedly: “But… isn’t that what husbands do when their wives are angry?”
“She’s not my wife!”
Fu Moyan coldly tossed out these words and moved to enter his car.
With the car door half-open, he suddenly added: “Go buy another sea view house. No—doesn’t she love watching the ocean?”
“Buy a floating villa so she can watch it to her heart’s content!”
Living in the Nan Family’s property after marriage would be too humiliating for someone of Fu Moyan’s status.
Slam!
The car door shut with such force that Xiao Yun nearly got his nose caught.
Rubbing his almost-injured nose, he thought to himself how stubborn Second Master was.
If she’s not your wife, why do you care whether she enjoys ocean views?
His way of comforting someone was certainly different from ordinary people’s.
Extremely extravagant!
Just as Nan Sheng returned to her villa, she received a call from her second sister.
The second daughter of the Nan Family, named Nan Zhu, was the current head of the family who usually stayed abroad managing their businesses.
“Hello, Second Sister.” Nan Sheng’s voice unconsciously softened, carrying a hint of delicate sweetness.
“Sis, I’ve learned what happened at the villa. The Fu Family has wronged you, and this matter isn’t over!”
Nan Zhu had a cool temperament, and her voice carried a natural chill.
She was always protective of her family and couldn’t bear to see her younger sister mistreated.
“Fu Second Master isn’t worthy of you. I’ll find a way to resolve this marriage arrangement.”
“Second Sister, I’m pregnant.” Nan Sheng softly shared her joyful news.
“What?” Nan Zhu’s typically calm voice rose slightly in pitch.
After a pause, she continued: “How’s your health? Any discomfort? I’ll immediately arrange for someone to care for you.”
“I’m fine, no symptoms yet.”
Nan Sheng gently rested her hand on her abdomen. “It feels surreal—I never expected to get pregnant so easily.”
“When do you plan to return?”
“After you dealt with Lu Ming recently, the Lu Family has become like rabid dogs. They’ll likely retaliate against you. In your condition, staying domestically might not be safe.”
Lu Ming, the thirteenth young master of the Lu Family in Hong Kong, had attempted to assault Nan Sheng’s fifth sister during a cruise ship banquet and later repeatedly harassed and schemed against her.
Upon returning to China, Nan Sheng’s first action had been to have him committed to a mental institution.
These incidents had created an irreconcilable enmity between the Lu and Nan Families.
Coincidentally, the Nan Family had recently begun transferring their business operations back to mainland China.
The Lu Family seized this opportunity to aggressively suppress them, snatching several projects the Nan Family had targeted.
Rumors spread that the Nan Family had fatally offended the Lu Family, and now that the Nans faced difficulties, everyone assumed they were trying to cling to the Fu Family as their savior to counter the Lu Family’s attacks.
Nan Sheng had no intention of hiding today’s events. “Second Sister, I obtained a marriage certificate with Fu Moyan today.”
There was a moment of silence from Nan Zhu’s end before she spoke with mixed emotions, “He was framed by someone, couldn’t uncover the truth himself, yet wrongly accused you and brought people to pressure you… What exactly do you see in such a man?”
“Sheng, let me say this again—the Nan Family doesn’t need to use your marriage as a bargaining chip!”
Nan Sheng remained remarkably calm.
“Second Sister, marrying Fu Moyan is a decision I made after careful consideration.”
Nan Zhu massaged her forehead and sighed, “Care to explain?”
“First, for the Nan Family to expand domestically, we need a partner. The Fu Family is suitable.”
“Second, the Lu Family has been arrogant and oppressive, going too far. I don’t plan to let those scum get away with it. The identity of Fu Matriarch can guarantee my safety.”
Nan Zhu said helplessly, “So it all comes down to the Nan Family’s incompetence in protecting you all.”
“No, Second Sister. The Nan Family raised and protected me. I’m willing to expand our territory for the family and resolve its worries.”
Nan Sheng’s voice was gentle, but her eyes were resolute and rational.
“I’ve signed a marriage agreement with Second Master Fu. Once matters are settled, we can divorce at any time. A child of the Nan Family could never remain with the Fu Family.”
In the Nan Family, only females had inheritance rights. Keeping the child while discarding the father was quite common.
From the very beginning, Nan Sheng never intended for her child to bear the Fu surname.
Give first, then scheme.
She was willing to endure Fu Moyan’s bad temper, play the gentle and virtuous Fu Matriarch, and please the elderly couple—all because she had her own objectives.
Nan Zhu, however, disapproved of her approach. “No, this isn’t good! Sheng, you’re living too rationally.”
“The Nan Family’s strength is meant to give you the confidence to live as you please, not to constrain you into becoming pawns!”
Using one’s marriage as a chip in the game of interests might prevent emotional wounds, but it also forever denies ordinary happiness.
Nan Sheng had suffered too much.
As her sister, Nan Zhu only wanted to see her live a free and happy life.
Nan Sheng chuckled softly but had no intention of changing her mind.
“Second Sister, there’s another reason I haven’t finished explaining.”
Nan Zhu knew she was strong-willed and that she couldn’t change Nan Sheng’s mind. She was already reluctant to listen to her sophistry.
Nan Sheng said cheerfully, “Second Sister, this is my fourth engagement. If something goes wrong again, the gossip would be like knives—even if they don’t hurt me, they’d harm my child.”
“So you think becoming a single mother after divorce won’t attract gossip?” Nan Zhu’s lips twitched.
“At least it would fulfill my mother’s wish.”
Nan Zhu’s voice instantly turned cold. “Did Chen Lei pressure you over the phone again?!”
Nan Sheng’s tone was calm, seemingly laced with sarcasm. “She threatened to jump again, saying she wants to see me married with children and living a fulfilled life before she dies.”
Nan Zhu really wanted to curse.
Unfortunately, Chen Lei was Nan Sheng’s biological mother and also her own aunt. Despite her immense dissatisfaction, Nan Zhu couldn’t bring herself to curse in front of Nan Sheng.
She only felt more heartache for Nan Sheng.
“Sheng… take good care of yourself. If the Fu Family ever wrongs you, I won’t let them off!”
Nan Sheng’s voice was soft. “Second Sister, although Fu Moyan isn’t particularly clever, he’s quite manly. He wouldn’t bully me.”
“I’ve already worn three green hats. At least he won’t give me a fourth. A man who keeps himself clean deserves some leniency from me.”
Thinking of how Fu Moyan had been rendered speechless by her retorts, Nan Sheng felt that the days ahead might actually be quite interesting.
Nan Zhu: “…As you wish.”
After hanging up, the smile on Nan Sheng’s face gradually faded.
She made another call, instructing someone to thoroughly investigate today’s incident.
She didn’t care whether Fu Moyan had misunderstood her, but she wouldn’t allow anyone to frame her.
The matter from a month ago had to be clarified!
After the call, Nan Sheng had her people move all the belongings to the sea view house on Jinwu Road.
Old Madam Fu had already asked for the address in advance. By the time Nan Sheng moved in, the rooms were already furnished.
Assistant Qin Dai stood nearby, “Third Young Miss, is there anything else you need to add?”
Nan Sheng looked up at the oversized double bed in the master bedroom and spoke softly.
“Go ask Second Master for a formal photo and photoshop a wedding portrait to hang above the bed. Otherwise, if the old lady makes a surprise inspection, we might be exposed.Qin Dai recalled Fu Moyan’s cold expression when he stormed into the Nan Family villa with his men and couldn’t help shivering.
“But… will Second Master agree?”
Qin Dai knew very well how much Second Master Fu disliked her young mistress.
“He will.” Nan Sheng chuckled lightly, her voice carrying a hint of helpless amusement.
Remembering Fu Moyan’s temperament, Nan Sheng added, “Don’t forget to give Second Master Fu the villa address and remind him to come home early. The old lady might check on us.”
Fu Moyan, who was working overtime at the company, received the message. Putting down his fountain pen, he cast a suspicious look at Xiao Yun with sharp eyes.
“How do you have that woman’s contact information?”
Xiao Yun already knew about the ‘strained’ relationship between this newlywed couple.
He quickly explained, “Madam’s assistant contacted me first. As for how she got my number… perhaps it was given by the old residence?”
Unexpectedly, Fu Moyan’s expression grew colder after hearing the explanation, his sharply defined features frosting over.
Xiao Yun didn’t dare even breathe heavily under his gaze.
“She’s quite capable.”
Photoshop a wedding photo?
How could she even come up with that!
“The Fu Family isn’t so poor that we can’t afford to take proper wedding photos.”
“Xiao Yun, make arrangements. Clear one hour tomorrow.”
“Isn’t one hour too short?”
Though Xiao Yun had never been married, he vaguely felt wedding photos couldn’t be done that quickly.
Fu Moyan’s cold gaze fell upon him, “It’s already generous of me to spare one hour to take photos with her. Would she dare push her luck?”
As it turned out, Nan Sheng truly dared.
“One hour for wedding photos?”
Upon hearing this, Nan Sheng’s lips curved into a faint smile, her voice gentle, “I think photoshopping a picture would suffice. I wonder what Second Master thinks?”
Since they were just a fake couple anyway, wouldn’t it be awkward to waste time taking wedding photos and forcing intimate poses?
She had no desire to see Fu Moyan’s cold face.
Afraid it might affect the baby’s development.
After receiving the reply, Fu Moyan fell silent for a long while, the atmosphere around him growing terrifyingly oppressive.
He told Xiao Yun, “Two hours. If she says one more word… tell her to get lost!”
Women really were creatures born to push their luck!
When conveying the message, Xiao Yun naturally didn’t dare use the word “get lost,” instead tactfully expressing Fu Moyan’s displeasure.
“Second Master managing to spare two hours for Madam is already quite remarkable. I’m afraid any more would truly be impossible.”
While Nan Sheng’s face maintained a smiling expression, she couldn’t help wanting to curse inwardly.
Could it be that this Fu guy doesn’t understand human language?
However, one must bow their head under another’s roof. Nan Sheng had no intention of angering Fu Moyan, so she agreed to spend two hours taking wedding photos.