“You’ve grown even more beautiful over the years.”
Shang Yan’s smile widened as he watched Fu Wanzhi approach.
Fu Wanzhi looked up, her tone blunt as she called him out: “We saw each other just two years ago.”
The Fu and Shang families were old friends, and the two had grown up together. However, she had abruptly left the country years ago without a word, and it had taken several years before they reconnected.
Shang Yan chuckled helplessly and got straight to the point: “Have you decided which company to sign with?”
“I plan to open my own studio.” Fu Wanzhi took a light sip of tea, her tone resolute.
“Perfect. Your paintings are gaining enough traction now, and your reputation is solid.” Shang Yan nodded, half-jokingly adding, “Want me to invest?”
“Great. You can handle all the studio’s trivial matters, hiring, and preparations.” Fu Wanzhi smoothly passed the buck, not holding back at all.
Shang Yan was somewhat speechless: “You really are an artist, completely detached from worldly affairs.”
Fu Wanzhi didn’t respond. Instead, she glanced at him and casually asked, “When is Fu Sili’s engagement party scheduled?”
“The third of next month, but it’ll likely be postponed since Uncle Fu is still in the hospital.” Shang Yan paused, then added, “Speaking of which, Brother Sili is a different person now. He basically holds the reins of the Fu family, with immense power and influence. If you’re opening a studio, seeking his help would be the easiest way.”
Fu Wanzhi’s fingers tightened around the rim of her cup as she looked at him, a hint of coldness hidden in her eyes. “Don’t you know why I suddenly left the country back then?”
Shang Yan was taken aback: “Wasn’t it for studying abroad? You left without a word, not even saying goodbye.”
“It was Fu Sili who forced me to leave.”
Fu Wanzhi said it lightly, as if recounting an insignificant matter.
Shang Yan froze instantly, his eyes filled with shock: “Why?!”
Fu Wanzhi lowered her gaze, a faint, self-mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Why else? It was nothing more than a reckless confession in her youth, met with his cold rejection, followed by him personally sending her abroad, cutting off all contact, and pushing her far away from his world.
“It’s nothing. I was planning to go abroad anyway.” She brushed it off lightly, unwilling to dwell on it.
“Then why did you cut off contact after going abroad? If I hadn’t gone to Italy specifically to find you, were you planning to never contact me again?” Shang Yan grumbled in frustration.
“I changed my phone number.”
She lowered her eyes, a layer of bitterness spreading in her heart.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, Fu Sili had wanted her to stay abroad forever and never return.
Shang Yan sighed and changed the subject: “At least you’re back now. By the way, have you prepared a wedding gift for Brother Sili?”
“We’ll see.” Fu Wanzhi picked up her coffee and took a light sip.
After finishing their meal and stepping out of the restaurant, Shang Yan patted her shoulder: “I’ll help you sort out the studio. Want me to show you around Haicheng these next few days?”
“I’ll be focusing on painting these days and won’t be going out. If you need anything, come find me at Central Mansion.” Fu Wanzhi shot him a playful glare.
As soon as the words left her mouth, a deep, familiar male voice unexpectedly reached her ears.
“Zhizhi.”
Fu Wanzhi stiffened slightly and looked up.
Not far away, a black Maybach was parked quietly.
A man leaned casually against the car door, his figure tall and slender, a cigarette unlit between his fingers as he looked toward her.
It was Fu Sili.
With just one glance, Fu Wanzhi’s brows furrowed slightly, and the emotions churning inside her were instantly suppressed.
“Brother Sili! What a coincidence, dining alone?” Shang Yan, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere between the two, eagerly walked forward, his tone familiar and full of admiration.
Fu Sili’s gaze swept indifferently over Fu Wanzhi before settling on Shang Yan, his tone cool and detached. “You’ve finished eating.”
“Yes, if we’d met earlier, we could have eaten together!”
“Let’s go.” Fu Wanzhi directly grabbed Shang Yan’s arm, not wanting to linger any longer. “President Fu is busy with countless affairs and has no time for idle chatter.”
Fu Sili lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her hand gripping Shang Yan’s. His fingertips tightened slightly as he placed the cigarette back into its case, speaking casually. “What about your luggage? Don’t you want it?”
“Just have Uncle Li send it over.”
“Uncle Li is busy.” His tone was light, yet carried an undeniable forcefulness.
Fu Wanzhi sneered inwardly.
It wasn’t that he was busy—it was clearly deliberate obstruction.
Shang Yan, completely unaware, chimed in helpfully. “Then I’ll go with you to get it!”
Fu Sili’s brow twitched slightly, but he didn’t respond.
Just then, a gentle female voice hurriedly broke through the subtle tension.
“Sili, sorry I’m late—traffic was terrible.”
Fu Wanzhi looked up and finally saw the rumored fiancée—Zhen Lianyun.
The woman had a gentle and elegant appearance, with soft eyes and brows. She linked arms with Fu Sili, standing by his side—a perfect match, so dazzlingly compatible it stung.
Zhen Lianyun smiled as she looked over, a flicker of admiration passing through her eyes. She extended her hand proactively. “Hello, I’m Zhen Lianyun, Sili’s fiancée. You must be Wanzhi, right?”
“Hello, sister-in-law. Just call me Zhizhi.” Fu Wanzhi offered a perfectly measured, faint smile, extending her hand in return—bright yet distant.
Shang Yan also quickly stepped forward to greet them. The atmosphere seemed harmonious on the surface, but undercurrents swirled beneath.
Fu Wanzhi didn’t want to stay a second longer. She tugged at Shang Yan. “We’ll be going now. We won’t disturb you any further.”
The moment she turned around, Fu Sili’s nonchalant voice struck her back with precision, carrying a commanding force.
“I want to see you at home before ten tonight.”
Fu Wanzhi paused mid-step, turning back with the guise of an obedient younger sister. “Brother, I just got back. I already made plans to have dinner with Shang Yan tonight—I’m afraid I won’t have time.”
Shang Yan looked bewildered. When had they made dinner plans?
Before Fu Sili could respond, Fu Wanzhi pulled him away quickly.
After a few steps, the smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a layer of icy indifference.
Behind them, Zhen Lianyun’s gentle voice advised, “Sili, Zhizhi has grown up. She has her own life. Let her go wherever she wants—it’s not like she can run away.”
Fu Sili lowered his gaze, his eyes dark and inscrutable. His thin lips parted, uttering a meaningful phrase.
“She won’t get away.”