The look in Qi Lanzhou’s eyes told her he didn’t believe a word of it.
Wen Xiayue let out an awkward laugh, quickly sat up, and straightened her posture.
For a moment, the atmosphere became strangely delicate.
The driver caught a glimpse of the back seat through the rearview mirror, then immediately looked away.
Is this really something I get to see for free?
Will the boss silence me afterward?
The car remained quiet for about fifteen minutes.
Finally, it came to a smooth stop outside the Wen family residence.
In the capital, the Wen family could only be considered a third-tier wealthy family. Compared to a century-old aristocratic family like the Qi family, they were insignificant.
After seeing a twenty-story luxury mansion, Wen Xiayue now looked at the Wen family’s four-story villa and thought it was nothing special.
The original owner of this body really hadn’t appreciated what she had.
She had abandoned a superior life just to chase after trash.
“What’s wrong? Afraid to go in?” Qi Lanzhou’s voice came from behind her.
Wen Xiayue turned to look at him.
Before she could answer, however, a black sedan drove through the gates and into the Wen family courtyard, stopping beside their car.
A man stepped out.
Wen Xiayue’s attention was immediately drawn to his bright blond hair.
That’s blindingly flashy.
Qi Lanzhou noticed where she was looking and glanced over as well.
“Fu Chongming!”
He recognized the man.
“You know him?” Wen Xiayue asked.
Qi Lanzhou nodded.
“I know a little about him. The Fu family is on the verge of bankruptcy, though. I wonder what he’s doing here.”
It wasn’t really his concern, but…
Lowering his gaze to Wen Xiayue, he still offered a warning.
“Stay away from him. He’s not a good person.”
Wen Xiayue paused.
“Oh.”
She simply agreed.
Fu Chongming had also spotted the couple.
“What a coincidence. President Qi is here too.”
He walked over, intending to shake hands with Qi Lanzhou.
Instead, Qi Lanzhou grabbed Wen Xiayue’s hand and headed straight inside.
He didn’t even spare Fu Chongming a glance.
Fu Chongming’s expression stiffened briefly, but only for a moment.
After all, he hadn’t come to the Wen family to get acquainted with Qi Lanzhou.
The living room was brightly lit.
Father Wen sat alone on the sofa, flipping through a financial magazine.
Qi Lanzhou led Wen Xiayue inside.
“Xiayue, Lanzhou, you’re here.”
Father Wen stood up from the main seat, a flattering smile appearing on his face.
Although he didn’t particularly like Wen Xiayue, a son-in-law like Qi Lanzhou was someone the Wen family dared not offend. He immediately invited them to sit.
In the past, Wen Xiayue had always attended family dinners alone.
He hadn’t expected Qi Lanzhou to come with her this time.
After offering a few perfunctory words of concern, Father Wen was interrupted by another arrival.
“Uncle Wen!”
Fu Chongming entered carrying several gift boxes.
Father Wen immediately stood up again.
This time, his smile contained less flattery and more genuine warmth.
“Chongming, you came! You didn’t have to bring gifts.”
“My father insisted,” Fu Chongming replied. “He said it’s been too long since he had tea with you. Recently, he found an excellent tea and asked me to bring some over for you to try.”
Father Wen’s eyes landed on the tea box, and his smile widened.
“Then please thank your father for me. When I have time, I’ll definitely invite him out for tea.”
Fu Chongming nodded before glancing around.
“Uncle Wen, where’s Wen Rou? I haven’t seen her.”
“She’s upstairs. I’ll have someone call her down.”
Father Wen immediately instructed a servant to fetch her, then invited Fu Chongming to sit.
Fu Chongming took the seat opposite Wen Xiayue and Qi Lanzhou.
Relaxed and casual, he let his gaze settle on the couple.
Only then did Father Wen remember to make introductions.
“Oh, right. Chongming, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Xiayue, and this is my son-in-law, Qi Lanzhou. Lanzhou, this is Fu Chongming, the young master of the Fu Group.”
Fu Chongming smiled.
“We already met at the gate. Though it seemed the two of you weren’t interested in having anything to do with me.”
Qi Lanzhou curled his lips slightly.
“At least you’re aware of it.”
The smell of gunpowder practically filled the air between the two men.
Father Wen couldn’t understand why they disliked each other so much.
He only knew one thing:
Fu Chongming liked Wen Rou.
No matter his family background or character, Fu Chongming was considered excellent.
Though he couldn’t compare with Qi Lanzhou, he was still several times better than the now-crippled Su Yan.
Father Wen’s gaze shifted from Fu Chongming to Qi Lanzhou.
His son-in-law was also outstanding.
Just a little too cold.
And not nearly as considerate.
For example, they had both come for the family dinner.
Fu Chongming had brought tea he knew Father Wen liked.
Qi Lanzhou had arrived empty-handed.
Was it because he didn’t respect the Wen family?
Or because he didn’t respect him, his father-in-law?
Moreover, Father Wen had heard from his wife that Qi Lanzhou wanted Wen Xiayue to sever ties with the Wen family.
Ridiculous.
Wen Xiayue was his biological daughter.
How could they simply cut family ties?
Father Wen suddenly remembered that before Qi Lanzhou married Wen Xiayue, he had originally hoped Wen Rou would marry him instead.
But later…
Fortunately, it hadn’t happened.
Otherwise, the daughter he had carefully raised would have been wasted.
Despite these thoughts, the Wen family still needed Qi Lanzhou’s support in many areas.
Putting on a smile, Father Wen changed the subject.
“Lanzhou, has business been going well recently?”
“Not bad,” Qi Lanzhou replied.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
After a pause, Father Wen continued.
“Lanzhou, come to the study with me. There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Qi Lanzhou nodded but didn’t stand immediately.
Instead, he looked at Wen Xiayue.
“Wait for me.”
“Go ahead.”
Qi Lanzhou rose and followed Father Wen upstairs.
His pace was unhurried.
As he passed Fu Chongming, he didn’t even spare him a glance.
The living room fell silent.
Wen Xiayue poured herself a cup of tea.
It wasn’t very good.
After a single sip, she set it down.
Fu Chongming was watching her.
His gaze wasn’t exactly offensive, but it certainly wasn’t polite either.
Qi Lanzhou had told her to stay away from Fu Chongming.
And being an obedient wife couldn’t possibly be wrong.
So she took out her phone and opened a mobile game.
Wen Rou came downstairs in a wheelchair.
Her complexion looked poor—pale with a sickly yellow tint.
She first glanced at Wen Xiayue.
Perhaps because she still feared the incident where Wen Xiayue had pushed her off the cruise ship, her gaze lingered only briefly before moving away.
“Wen Rou.”
Fu Chongming immediately stood and walked over.
“How are you feeling? Is your leg still not healed?”
Wen Rou looked up at him.
Her eyes reddened slightly as she forced a smile.
“I’m fine. I just don’t have much strength in it. The doctor said it should recover if I rest properly.”
As she spoke, she braced herself against the wheelchair armrest and tried to stand.
Her body wobbled.
Fu Chongming quickly stepped forward and supported her arm.
“Don’t force yourself,” he said gently.
“Take it slowly.”
Wen Rou nodded.
Fu Chongming moved behind the wheelchair and pushed her toward the sofa.