Volume 1, Chapter 8: The Mistress Meets the Wife

Page 1/3

The elderly man with white hair sitting directly above let out a cold snort. From the moment I entered, his gaze had been unfriendly. He must be the patriarch of the Fu family.

“Miss, be sensible. Name your price and leave my grandson!”

The teacup that had just been thrown shattered, but soon another was brought. The old master raised the cup, took a small sip, then slowly looked at me. His disdain was unmistakable. He was certain I was a gold-digging spendthrift, hoping to marry into wealth.

Fu Yunshen frowned, clearly disliking the old man’s tone. “What exactly do you want from me today?”

I was equally displeased with the old master’s behavior. “Grandfather Fu, I won’t leave Fu Yunshen for money. I call you grandfather because you are his family, but your recent behavior is truly disheartening — to put it politely, crude; to be blunt, sick.”

If Fu Yunshen still hadn’t fallen for me after three months, I was destined to leave him—but not for money, but for death.

The old master chuckled lightly; he had seen countless women, none worth much, all eventually turning sour. “If you refuse the wine I offer, don’t blame me for serving the penalty drink.”

With that, several men in black appeared in the living room.

“The Wang family’s daughter has arrived. Go meet her later. If all goes well, the wedding will be next month.”

The old master sipped his tea, eyes closed, savoring the aroma. His words were directed at Fu Yunshen.

“I won’t go,” Fu Yunshen said flatly.

The old master was unperturbed, glancing at me with a smirk. “If you won’t go, then this girl…” Before he finished, the men in black began moving toward me. The meaning was clear: the old master intended to use me to coerce Fu Yunshen into an alliance with the Wang family.

As the men closed in to take me away, Fu Yunshen lowered his head, fists clenched tighter until veins bulged. After a struggle, he suddenly relaxed his grip. He had given in. “I’ll go.”

“I’ll go, but you must promise to let Xiaoyu leave safely.”

“Don’t worry. She’s still useful for now. After you meet the Wang family’s daughter, I’ll let her go.”

They escorted me to a secluded courtyard, standing guard at the door. I tried to leave but was blocked. “If you need anything, tell us. But you cannot leave this door.”

I chuckled. “I’m hungry. Can I have something to eat?”

One of the men nodded. “Certainly. Please wait.” Then he left.

I continued, “I’m a little cold. Can someone bring me a heater?”

“Please wait. Once the person returns, we will send someone to get you a heater.”

I was taken aback by their thoroughness.

Soon, fruit arrived, and the heater followed.

Bored, I sat and wondered how Fu Yunshen’s meeting with the Wang heiress was going. Would he really marry her? If so, was there any point in me trying to win his heart?

Lost in thought, someone entered the room. Looking at his face, my heart skipped a beat. “Are you Fu Yunshen’s older brother or younger brother?”

I had noticed him earlier in the hall, and now, up close, the resemblance was uncanny.

He smiled. “Which do you think I am?”

I studied him carefully. “You must be Fu Yunshen’s older brother. Fu Yunshen looks a bit dull, not like the elder brother.”

He hadn’t expected my deduction and smiled more deeply. Though the faces and smiles were identical, the smile before me was somehow more unsettling; Fu Yunshen’s smile always seemed simple and naive.

“You’re the first to call him dull. Since you think I’m smarter, why not be with me? I can also ensure your wealth and honor.”

Page 2/3

The news came too fast; I struggled to keep up. “Um, I’m your brother’s girlfriend. Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

Fu Yunchen’s smile darkened. “Miss Lu, I’m afraid you didn’t hear the old master clearly. Soon you won’t be his woman anymore. Why not give him up and be with me?”

I shivered. This man was even harder to deal with than the Fu family patriarch. Compared to him, Fu Yunshen seemed far better.

“I’m sorry, but I trust Fu Yunshen. If he truly wants to marry the Wang heiress, I will let go when he tells me himself.”

Fu Yunshen didn’t like me. He was forced to meet the Wang heiress because of me, perhaps because I held the antidote in my hands.

If I died, he would lose the antidote.

So there was never any real relationship between us.

“Miss Lu, you’re persistent. You may not understand my younger brother well. He is selfish. For Fu Corporation’s future, he will marry into the Wang family.”

“When that happens, Miss Lu, you’re always welcome to visit. I rather like you.”

With that, Fu Yunchen left.

I frowned as I watched his retreating figure. That didn’t sound like a brother speaking kindly of his sibling.

No wonder Fu Yunshen always looked grim when mentioning family. If I had that family, I’d be furious.

At dusk, Fu Yunshen arrived, and the men in black guarding the door left.

I looked at him with ill intent. “So, how is the Wang heiress? Pretty?”

Fu Yunshen thought for a moment. “She’s okay. But not as good as you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “So, do you like her or not?”

“She’s easy to get along with, quite interesting. I’ll invite you both over someday—you’ll have something to talk about.”

He smiled, clearly impressed. So he did like her.

“Oh, if you like her, then like her. Why introduce her to me? I’m not your mother to meet a future daughter-in-law.”

A heavy weight seemed to lodge in my chest. I felt breathless, and even I didn’t realize how sour my words sounded.

Fu Yunshen saw through it but didn’t challenge me. “You’re my girlfriend. It’s fine to meet her. Maybe you’ll have to get along with her for a long time.”

Hearing that, I thought my ears had betrayed me.

He meant for me to remain the girlfriend while she became the wife, and both would tend to him long-term. What a scoundrel, a total scoundrel!

“Come on, I’m taking you home.”

Fu Yunshen grabbed my hand. I shook it off; he grabbed again; I shook it off again. He gripped tightly and warned, “If you pull away again, I’ll let the dog in the yard bite you.”

I instantly obeyed, too afraid of dogs. I’d been chased and bitten as a child, leaving a lasting fear.

But how did Fu Yunshen know? I hadn’t mentioned it, nor had I seen a dog around. Perhaps the grandparents told him?

Instead of returning to my rental, we went to Fu Yunshen’s villa.

One must admit, the wealthy are extravagant: glass partitions, crystal chandeliers, jade floor tiles, marble coffee tables, genuine leather sofas…

Remembering my tiny rental was almost unbearable.

“From now on, you’ll live here. Bring over anything you need from that rundown rental. Anything old, don’t bother bringing it—throw it away and buy new.”

Page 3/3

“Are you keeping me?”

I was stunned, looking at Fu Yunshen. New clothes, a big villa to live in…

He thought for a moment. “You can think of it that way. Anyway, if you need anything, just tell me. I’m not short of money.”

I had planned to leave after Fu Yunshen married the Wang heiress, but now I changed my mind. Since I would never have his heart and was destined to die, I might as well stay by his side, spend my last days, and perhaps make some money to support my grandparents.

Fu Yunshen took me to my room upstairs. It was decorated in pink; everything was brand new.

He explained, “I had Fang Yanzhou buy everything new. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can replace it.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Familiarize yourself with the new home. My room is next door. If you need me, just call. I’m going to take a shower.”

Fu Yunshen left. I gazed at the bedroom, stunned. No wonder my love felt impure—he gave too much.

The bedroom had its own bathroom and walk-in closet. The size was about the same as my one-bedroom rental.

After leaving the bedroom, I toured the rest of the villa. Except for being larger and more luxurious, the villa was unremarkable. Many rooms were empty, and the kitchen refrigerator was bare.

I have no other skills, but I want my home to be warm and full of life, like my small rental, despite its size—its walls were decorated with many ornaments.

I planned to decorate this villa thoroughly tomorrow.

As Fu Yunshen came downstairs, I was holding blueprints, planning.

Looking up, I saw him in casual clothes, hair slightly damp and tousled, which oddly suited him.

I swallowed hard. Sometimes, I really wanted to throw myself on Fu Yunshen and savor every inch of him.

“What are you drawing?”

Fu Yunshen casually ruffled his hair and sat beside me. As he sat, a faint scent of orchid wafted over, making me restless.

“I feel the house is too cold and lifeless. I plan to decorate it tomorrow. Do you agree?”

Fu Yunshen glanced at the blueprints. Every spot for decoration was marked. “Uh, sure. Whatever you like.”

“Tomorrow, Wang Ruoxi invited me to dinner. You’re coming with me.”

Wang Ruoxi?

“The Wang family’s heiress?”

“Mm-hmm.”

I tightened my grip on the pen. “Can I not go?”

I’m not about to get beaten up by the other woman.

“No, you must go.”

Me…