Grandfather Fu had only two sons. As the eldest, Fu Yi was expected by everyone to be prioritized for cultivation, but the reality was the opposite.
Fu Yandong, their father, was admitted to a top military academy, later joined the army, and eventually achieved the rank of Chief of Staff.
Fu Yi, on the other hand, did not qualify for military service and instead joined the public security department. Though the two brothers’ paths seemed similar, they were fundamentally different.
The Fu family had always been a military family, so Grandfather Fu favored Fu Yandong, who had entered the army.
After accumulating military achievements and rising through the ranks step by step, the authority of the Fu family gradually shifted to Fu Yandong, and Fu Sili was also chosen by Grandfather Fu as the new successor.
“Uncle, what brings you here today?” Fu Wanzhi was brought back to Fu Yi’s villa. Looking at the middle-aged yet still handsome Fu Yi in his suit, she asked.
Fu Yi ordered tea for her and pretended to complain, “When did Zhizhi return? Why didn’t you tell your uncle?”
“Uncle, aren’t you busy with the election? I didn’t want to disturb you,” Fu Wanzhi replied thoughtfully.
Even as a child, she could sense the superficial harmony between her father and his brother, especially after Grandfather Fu handed over the family’s authority to her father. This feeling grew stronger over time.
Every family gathering felt like everyone was wearing masks, pretending to be a family while secretly harboring their own agendas.
“Ah, with Yandong bedridden now, you and Sili must be going through a lot. As your uncle, I see it all,” Fu Yi shifted the topic with a sigh.
Fu Wanzhi glanced at his expression. He was now playing the sympathy card, and she couldn’t quite grasp his intentions. But she could play along too. Lowering her gaze, she said, “Father’s condition is quite serious this time. The doctors say there’s a risk of him becoming vegetative…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already contacted the most authoritative experts abroad to treat Yandong,” Fu Yi said, noticing the sorrow in her eyes, his own gaze flickering.
“Thank you, Uncle. I hope Father can overcome this misfortune,” Fu Wanzhi wiped the corner of her eye.
Fu Yi handed her a tissue and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “But Zhizhi, has Sili told you why Yandong got into the car accident?”
“Brother hasn’t told me anything. Does Uncle know something about it?” Fu Wanzhi looked up, her small face furrowed.
Fu Yi looked at her gentle, obedient face, still as compliant as she was in childhood. His emotions shifted briefly before he sighed, “About the details…”
“? Where did she go? How did she disappear as soon as I came out?” Shang Yan, having finished watching the commotion, realized Fu Wanzhi was nowhere to be seen. He looked around in confusion, wondering where such a noticeable person could have gone.
“Where’s Zhizhi?” A cold voice came from behind.
Shang Yan turned to see Fu Sili, who was alone without Zhen Lianyun and wore a slightly impatient expression.
“I don’t know. She said she’d wait for me at the entrance just now. How could she disappear?” Shang Yan was equally puzzled and took out his phone to call her.
But the phone showed no answer.
“She said she was tired earlier. Maybe she went back first,” Shang Yan tried calling a few more times with the same result and speculated.
Watching his actions, Fu Sili suddenly asked, “Do you have someone you like?”
“Ah… I don’t have one at the moment. I used to really like a celebrity.” Shang Yan didn’t expect Fu Sili to care about his relationship status and felt somewhat flattered, answering honestly.
Fu Sili nodded without saying anything.
“But Brother Sili, we just checked the surveillance footage. Zhen Lianyun wasn’t pushed—she accidentally fell on her own.” Shang Yan continued, explaining what they had just discovered.
Fu Sili hummed in acknowledgment, seemingly indifferent to the outcome.
Shang Yan was puzzled. Was he really so unconcerned about the truth? Could it really be just about the arranged marriage?
“How is Zhen Lianyun doing?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
“Go in and see for yourself.” Fu Sili glanced at his phone and replied casually.
“…” Shang Yan was taken aback. Him going in to check didn’t seem appropriate.
“Hello.”
Seeing Fu Sili turn away to answer the call, Shang Yan tactfully refrained from continuing the conversation. But he really did like that female celebrity…
After finishing the call, Fu Sili’s expression turned even colder than before. He walked straight out, leaving Shang Yan somewhat caught off guard. “Huh? Brother Sili, are you leaving already?”
“I have something to attend to. I’m leaving first.”
Shang Yan waved at his retreating figure. “Take care on the road.”
He had always admired Fu Sili since childhood. As a kid, Shang Yan was a troublemaker, while Fu Wanzhi pretended to be a well-behaved girl. Whenever something happened, the adults would always assume it was his fault and scold him.
But only Fu Sili would step in to resolve things. So, Shang Yan looked up to him as a role model, aspiring to enter politics like him. Unfortunately, his grades weren’t good enough…
“Shang Yan, have you seen Sili?”
Just as he was about to leave, Zhen Lianyun called out to him from behind.
Having just witnessed the commotion, Shang Yan finally understood Fu Wanzhi’s words when he looked at the instigator of it all: She’s very good at pretending.
“Brother Sili seemed to have something to do. He just left,” Shang Yan said.
Zhen Lianyun’s expression dimmed slightly. Although Fu Sili had accompanied her to change clothes, it was only because others were present. By the time she finished changing, he was already gone.
“I see. Are you leaving? Do you need me to have a driver take you?” Zhen Lianyun still maintained her gentle, older sister demeanor.
“No need, I have a driver,” Shang Yan politely declined. With Fu Wanzhi gone, there wasn’t much fun left here. He might as well go to the club and flirt a bit.
“By the way, Sister Lianyun, Cheng Qingyue just took us to see the surveillance footage…” Shang Yan mentioned casually.
Surveillance footage… Zhen Lianyun subtly clenched her hand but smiled nonchalantly. “It’s fine. I already said it was my own carelessness that caused the fall.”
“In that case, I’ll take my leave.” Shang Yan waved his hand. She really was good at pretending, though Zhizhi’s act felt more natural.
He swung his car keys and walked out.
Watching Shang Yan disappear through the door, Zhen Lianyun’s smile vanished instantly. How did Cheng Qingyue find such a hidden surveillance angle? She had completely forgotten about the cameras.
Xiao Ji, that useless fool.