Father Xu drained the tea in his cup in one gulp.
This foolish son really couldn’t be given any more chances. If the family business were handed over to him, the Xu family would be ruined.
It seemed it was time to test Xu Nanyun.
However, although Xu Yize was foolish, he had grown up by his side since childhood and was a filial child. But Xu Nanyun was different—this child resented and blamed him, never showing him a pleasant expression, always polite yet distant. How should he choose?
Meanwhile, the standoff continued up front. Xu Yize gripped Lin Momo’s arms tightly, while Lin Momo kept her head down, unable to straighten her back under the gaze of so many people.
She looked just like a delicate, pure white flower swaying helplessly in a storm, tugging at Xu Yize’s heartstrings.
How he wished he could disregard his own image and curse at Ning Yu, demanding why she had humiliated him so thoroughly and made him lose face.
But he didn’t dare!
He had already begun to regret the words he’d spoken earlier, now that he had regained some clarity. How would he explain himself when he faced his father later?
He hadn’t completed the task his father had given him. His father would surely be furious. What if, in a moment of impulse, he handed over the entire family business to Xu Nanyun? What would happen to him and his mother then?
Seeing that things had reached a suitable point, Ning Yu took another step forward, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
“Xu Yize, from now on, we have no relationship whatsoever. You go your way, I’ll go mine. You’d better stay out of my way for real.”
Xu Yize admitted that when he heard Ning Yu’s words, he felt regret. For the first time, he felt genuinely nervous in front of Ning Yu.
This was really bad…
After Ning Yu finished speaking, Fu Jingchen prepared to wrap things up. His purpose in bringing Ning Yu here had been achieved—to let everyone see his sister Ning Yu publicly declare that she had no ties to Xu Yize.
He was also satisfied that Xu Yize had been thoroughly humiliated at his own birthday banquet.
Seeing the situation, Fu Jingchen took the initiative to suggest leaving with Ning Yu, which barely allowed the event to continue. Otherwise, letting things drag on like this wasn’t a solution.
There was still a dance party later. Among so many young masters and ladies present, who knew which two might hit it off and form a good match?
However, Fu Jingchen, the most outstanding person in the room, was about to leave…
A few people watched Fu Jingchen’s departing figure and sighed repeatedly.
“Tsk, I really like him. But my mom has approached the Fu family several times, and Fu Jingchen still refuses to see me. He’s too aloof, really hard to chase.”
“A workaholic and a sister-con—hard to chase, indeed. But mainly because he’s so handsome. Look at the people around here—the women are all stunning, but the men are just… men.”
“Tell me about it. That guy from the Li family just asked for my contact info, but I could see his hair was thinning, and he wasn’t even half as good-looking as Xu Yize.”
“Actually… Xu Yize’s older brother is quite handsome too. It’s just that his leg is lame. But being handsome is enough. After all, everyone here is rich. Why not choose someone handsome on top of being wealthy? At least it’s pleasing to the eye.”
“Hey, Xu Nanyun? Where is he? Wasn’t he sitting over there just now?”
Xu Nanyun had already slipped out quietly by then. His presence was low-key, and with everyone’s attention focused on Xu Yize and the others, he had left through a side door unnoticed.
He was waiting.As they waited for Fu Jingchen to leave the banquet hall with Ning Yu.
Sure enough, before long, a burst of laughter could be heard.
It was Ning Yu.
Ning Yu held onto her brother’s shoulder, and even wearing high heels couldn’t stop her from skipping along.
Fu Jingchen helplessly held her back, saying, “Slow down! If you twist your ankle, let’s see if you’ll still be laughing!”
Ning Yu hummed a tune carelessly, “Even if I twist my ankle, I’d accept it. I’m absolutely thrilled to have made Xu Yize lose face today! You have no idea how long I’ve been holding back my frustration with him in that awful show!”
Ning Yu continued her rambling complaints, and Fu Jingchen, of course, knew what had been aired in that program. He decided then and there not to interfere further—if the kid was happy, he’d just let her be.
Xu Nanyun sat not far away, watching Ning Yu’s lively figure and couldn’t help but smile. What an enviable sibling relationship.
Unfortunately, he didn’t even have siblings, let alone anything else.
Fu Jingchen had long noticed the intense gaze from across the room. Intrigued, he gently grabbed Ning Yu’s wrist and pulled her forward.
“Look, there’s someone over there. Let’s go see.”
Ning Yu immediately wiped the smile off her face and followed Fu Jingchen as they approached.
Under the dim light, she could make out the person’s features. Unlike Xu Yize’s gentle appearance, this person was entirely melancholic—thin lips pressed together, a coldness lingering between his brows, pale lips, and fair skin that gave him a somewhat sickly look. There was a faint glint in his eyes, and when he looked over, it felt as though he were hooking you in.
To be honest, if Ning Yu had encountered someone like this alone, her first reaction would have been to run—and not just run, but scream for her mom while sprinting as fast as she could. Mom, he looks like a dangerous and creepy bad guy!
Ning Yu involuntarily slowed her pace. Sensing her fear, Fu Jingchen immediately reassured her patiently, “It’s fine, don’t panic. He’s actually a good person.”
Ning Yu blinked. Good heavens, this part wasn’t written in the book! How did her brother even know this Xu Nanyun?
Dear author, why didn’t you write this part in more detail!
Fu Jingchen strode forward with large steps, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement. “What? Waiting for us here?”
Xu Nanyun spoke, his voice carrying a chill. “Yes, but I’m not waiting for you.”
Fu Jingchen’s eyes suddenly darkened. If he was waiting for them but not for him, then that meant…
Ning Yu sniffled and pointed at herself. “For me?”
Fu Jingchen immediately became protective, eyeing Xu Nanyun warily. “What do you want?”
Xu Nanyun spread his hands. “I just have a few words I’d like to say to her. I can’t do anything—I can’t even stand up. Don’t you know that?”
Fu Jingchen’s throat tightened. That was indeed true.
Xu Nanyun’s leg injury had persisted for many years.
But he wasn’t like this as a child. It was only after a sudden car accident that his ability to walk was taken away.
He had learned dance with his mother.
For someone who could dance, spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair—just thinking about it, his thoughts drifted away.
Until Xu Nanyun’s voice sounded again.
“I want to say a few words to her. I won’t hurt her.”
Fu Jingchen didn’t speak, only snapping out of his thoughts to ask Ning Yu for her opinion.
“Are you willing to listen? If you are, then go. If not, we’ll just ignore him.”
Xu Nanyun pursed his lips lightly. After all these years, he was still like this.Ning Yu rubbed her hands together. What? Someone wanted to talk to her?
That meant there was gossip to be had!
How could she possibly miss it?!