Volume 1, Chapter 11: Fresh Turmoil

On the fifth floor, Fu Jinyan opened the door expressionlessly.

The bold woman now sat on a chair by the bed, bathed in the soft, warm yellow light. Her face appeared even gentler than in daylight, her eyes truly clear and pure, just as Grandma had said.

Shu Ya heard the door open and turned to look toward the entrance.

Fu Jinyan remained as cold and aloof as ever, like the peak of a snow-capped mountain. Standing 188 cm tall, he wore black dress pants and a white shirt, his legs long and straight, his waist narrow and shoulders broad. Two buttons at the chest were undone, adding a hint of provocative allure to his otherwise icy demeanor.

Sometimes, one couldn’t help but sigh at the unfairness of fate.

Fu Jinyan was not only wealthy and powerful at the highest level but also blessed with exceptional looks and physique. No wonder he had such a terrible temper, yet women still threw themselves at him one after another.

“Master Fu,” Shu Ya whispered softly.

Fu Jinyan stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

This woman before him was gentle and obedient in demeanor, yet in broad daylight on the court, she had boldly brushed his calf with a subtle hint of seduction in front of so many people.

Fu Jinyan approached her and looked down, asking in a commanding tone, “Want to be with me?”

Shu Ya raised her head, her gaze unflinching. “Yes.”

“Is it my person you want, or my money and power?”

“The latter.”

“What are your terms?”

“I want you, Master Fu, to buy the batch of medicinal herbs from my hometown and hire me as the chief perfumer. Don’t worry, I won’t let your company lose money—I will make you profits.”

“Profit or loss doesn’t matter. The key is—every Wednesday and Sunday, you must accompany me. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand. I will fulfill the terms of our agreement.”

“I’ll have someone print the contract shortly.”

“Okay.”

Half an hour later, Shu Ya signed her name on the contract.

The deal was sealed.

Shu Ya breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t know why Fu Jinyan had taken an interest in her, but this was a good thing for her.

As long as Fu Jinyan purchased the medicinal herbs from her hometown and hired her as chief perfumer, she could use her resources to create perfumes unseen on the market.

The perfume market was limited.

Her perfumes would sell well and inevitably take market share from Fu Yichen. She intended to use her skills to gradually cause Fu Yichen’s perfumes to fail in sales and eventually bankrupt him. Once Fu Yichen lost his power and wealth, Shen Qingzhu wouldn’t be able to rise either!

It was ironic.

She had only married a man; she hadn’t committed any grave crime. Yet she had to exert every effort just to secure a chance for her and her daughter to survive.

---

In the capital city, hospital VIP ward.

“Brother Yichen, the doctor says my lower leg is fractured. It hurts so much,” Shen Qingzhu said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Her tears before had been somewhat feigned, but this time they were sincere. Shu Ya’s blow had truly been harsh; she was in terrible pain and, after a hospital check, found out she had a fracture!

Shu Ya was truly despicable!

Fu Yichen saw Shen Qingzhu crying and felt deeply distressed.

He cursed bitterly, “Shu Ya is a madwoman!”

“You accidentally hit her with a golf ball. Your strength is so small—how could it hurt that much? She’s tough-skinned; why can’t she just endure it? How dare she cause you such harm!”

Shen Qingzhu sobbed, “I don’t mind if Shu Ya hurts me. I won’t stoop to her level. What worries me is that she’s acting more recklessly. If she goes out and causes trouble for others... she’s still your legal wife, so any trouble she causes will implicate you.”

Fu Yichen thought deeply about this, his head suddenly feeling heavy.

“If only Shu Ya would behave quietly at home and stop causing chaos,” Shen Qingzhu glanced at Fu Yichen and sighed, “But I know that’s impossible. Brother Yichen, why can’t people be tied up like dogs?”

Her casual remark jolted Fu Yichen’s mind.

He murmured, “Yes, if only I could tie her up. She’s caused me so much trouble outside. Why shouldn’t I confine her at home and make her behave? That would be good for her and for me!”

Otherwise, with Shu Ya’s nature, she would sooner or later cause disaster.

Yes, that was the way!

Shen Qingzhu was inwardly delighted but outwardly feigned shock and hesitation.

“Well... although it’s not good for Shu Ya, Brother Yichen, I understand you have no choice. I’ll firmly stand by you and support you. But what about Nan Nan?”

The question caught Fu Yichen off guard.

Hand Nan Nan over to Aunt Chen?

No.

He was unwilling to entrust the child to a nanny.

At this moment, he felt a bit of a fatherly instinct. Nan Nan was his child after all. He didn’t want his child raised by a nanny who might make her petty and unsuitable for the outside world, which would shame him.

“Brother Yichen, why not let me take care of Nan Nan? Look at how well I’ve raised Beibei. I’m good at teaching children. Nan Nan picked up some bad habits from Shu Ya, but I can definitely correct them.”

Fu Yichen looked up at Shen Qingzhu lying on the hospital bed.

The pure white sheets and pillowcases made her pale face look even more fragile. Yet her gaze was resolute, and she seemed to be surrounded by a halo of holy light. Fu Yichen honestly admitted he had never met such a pure, kind, and selfless girl.

Mixed emotions swelled within him.

He tenderly embraced Shen Qingzhu, pulling her close.

“Qingqing, you’re so good. All these years I’ve treated you unfairly, and Shu Ya hurt you, yet you still want to help take care of the child. I truly... I don’t even know what to say!”

Shen Qingzhu lifted her head, her eyes full of affection.

“For you, I don’t feel wronged.”

How could she feel wronged?

As long as she gained custody of Nan Nan, she had countless ways to ruin the child. The simplest method was to constantly belittle, suppress, and gaslight her, making Nan Nan a contrast to Beibei. She even put on a show in front of Fu Yichen to make him believe Nan Nan was naturally slow.

A child raised under constant scolding would be ruined for life!

As for Shu Ya, she could only watch her own child deteriorate.

How could she not go mad?

It was so easy to destroy someone mentally.

---

At dawn, Shu Ya opened her eyes.

Looking down, she saw the hand holding hers—fair and slender with defined knuckles. If posted online, it would no doubt cause countless young girls to scream. Yet the owner of those hands was not her husband but her husband’s nominal younger brother.

Life was truly melodramatic.

Shu Ya pushed Fu Jinyan’s hand away, lifted the covers, and quietly began dressing.

Halfway through dressing, a displeased voice came from behind.

“Hm?”

Shu Ya instinctively covered herself with her clothes, then realized it was still dark, so Fu Jinyan couldn’t see her body. She sighed in relief and continued dressing slowly, asking, “Master Fu, did I disturb you?”

Fu Jinyan replied coldly, “What do you think?”

Shu Ya hurriedly apologized, “Sorry.”

“Where are you going so early?”

“My daughter is home alone. I’m worried and need to check on her. It’s almost dawn now, so I suppose I’ve fulfilled my duty?”

“Did the nanny die?”

“No, no. It’s just that the nanny is unreliable. My family situation is complicated. I’ll spend more time with you next time, alright?”

In the dark, Fu Jinyan said nothing further.

It seemed he agreed.

Shu Ya quickly finished dressing. Before leaving, she called out, “Master Fu, I’m leaving now.”

She walked out and closed the door behind her.

Unbeknownst to her, Fu Jinyan sneered coldly after she left.

That woman actually dared to leave!

Couldn’t she tell he was displeased?

A dark, brooding fire kindled in his chest. Fu Jinyan picked up his phone; the faint glow of the screen emphasized his frost-like sharp features.

He dialed Zhang Fan.

Brief and to the point, he said, “Find a reliable nanny. Get it done within two days!”