Volume One, Chapter Ten: Things Unfit for the Public Eye

Lu Jingyan’s smile faded a little, and his gaze toward Fu Yuting took on a more scrutinizing look. “I remember you never cared about these things before.”

“It was Uncle Lu who mentioned he’d be here tonight. After all, he’s your eldest brother—I just wanted to know a bit about him and get along well.” Fu Yuting’s casual tone gradually eased Lu Jingyan’s doubts.

But inwardly, Lu Jingyan couldn’t help but sneer.

He had thought she might have developed some inappropriate thoughts, but it turned out she was merely trying to win favor with his family in order to become his woman.

That was always her way—forever the devoted one, seeking scraps of affection.

He’d once believed that, with the way she loved him to death, she would never miss their engagement party, even if she was on her deathbed.

Had she learned something after all?

But now, it seemed nothing had changed—she was still his ever-faithful admirer.

“You don’t need to worry about this. I have everything arranged,” Lu Jingyan massaged his brow, his tone softening a little. “I won’t come fetch you tonight.”

Fu Yuting nodded and was about to leave.

“Oh, by the way,” Lu Jingyan seemed to recall something, “Xu Qian injured her hand and will be on leave for a few days. I’m leaving her work to you for now.”

Fu Yuting looked at him as he gave these instructions as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Xu Qian always managed to take leave with various excuses during the busiest times at work, and Lu Jingyan would always order her to handle whatever Xu Qian had left unfinished.

Her mother used to say Xu Qian was so pitiful, and as her half-sister, she should take care of her.

Naturally, she’d accepted everything, even feeling happy that Lu Jingyan was good to Xu Qian, because until then, Xu Qian had been her only family in the world.

How laughable it seemed now.

But it wasn’t yet time for open confrontation, so she nodded. “Then I’ll get back to work.”

Since the tasks had been handed to her, she would do them well—and she’d been worried about not having a chance to meddle with some of Xu Qian’s important contracts.

An opportunity had come so soon; she’d use Xu Qian’s work to present Lu Jingyan with a grand gift!

Lu Jingyan turned his gaze away, not bothering to see her out.

By now, he couldn’t even be bothered to feign interest in Fu Yuting.

Fu Yuting left Lu Jingyan’s office. She had just stepped into the elevator when her phone vibrated.

Looking down, she saw a name on the screen—both unfamiliar and intimately known.

—Bo Xingzhou.

Fu Yuting’s breath caught. She took a deep breath and answered the call.

Bo Xingzhou’s voice came through the receiver, cold and commanding, brooking no refusal. “I’ve sent you the address. Move in tonight.”

Fu Yuting’s fingertips clenched slightly.

She and Lu Jingyan had been together for so many years, but had never truly lived together. For a moment, she was unaccustomed to being a married woman.

This man hadn’t even asked her opinion—he’d simply decided for her.

A true iron-hearted man!

“Tomorrow,” Fu Yuting replied calmly, her gaze drifting over the darkening sky outside the window. “I have something to do tonight—I’m meeting an elder.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, only the sound of their breathing connecting them.

Fu Yuting couldn’t read his mood and hesitated, wondering whether to say goodbye and hang up, when his deep voice sounded again. “We’re married now. There’s no reason for a couple to live apart after the wedding.”

Was he refusing her?

Surely not—it was just a meeting with an elder, not an illicit rendezvous.

She was about to argue when he added, “Just for tonight.”

Fu Yuting let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, her new husband wasn’t completely unreasonable. “Alright.”

After hanging up, Fu Yuting stared at the darkened screen, lips pressed together. For some reason, she had a feeling the night ahead would be difficult to handle.

The Lu family’s old residence.

Fu Yuting stood before the ornate gates of the Lu family home, her fingertips cold.

The Lu family’s butler respectfully led her through the corridors. The courtyard’s golden lights glowed softly, casting moving shadows on the rockery and koi swimming in the waters.

She pulled her shawl tighter, her long hair cascading freely over the white designer gown. The ruby at her throat glittered brilliantly under the lights.

“Miss Fu, this way, please!”

The crystal chandelier bathed the living room in light, and Fu Yuting’s arrival interrupted the laughter and merriment inside.

The moment she entered the dining room, she was met with a scene she’d rather not have seen.

Lu Ye sat at the head of the table, Xu Qian at Lu Jingyan’s right hand, her arm in a cast and hanging from her chest. When she saw Fu Yuting arrive, Xu Qian immediately withdrew her smile, demurely standing up. “Sister.”

Fu Yuting looked at her gentle, delicate appearance—the perfect image of an innocent, well-bred young lady.

Especially when she called her “sister”—her voice was so sweet it could drip honey.

No wonder she had never realized Xu Qian’s true nature before. She was a master of the art of pretense.

Xu Qian felt a chill under Fu Yuting’s gaze. She glanced anxiously at Lu Jingyan and explained, “I accidentally injured my hand. Jingyan happened to be passing by and gave me a ride, so he didn’t have time to pick you up. Please don’t blame him, Sister—it was my own carelessness.”

Fu Yuting’s eyes fell on her fractured arm, and she raised her lips in a meaningful smile.

See how skillful—she hadn’t said a word since entering, and with just a few sentences from Xu Qian, she was made out to be a jealous shrew.

“You really are too careless—how did you manage to hurt yourself like this?” Fu Yuting leaned in to take a closer look, her lips curving into a smile. “But this doesn’t look like a fall injury. Did you perhaps offend someone and get beaten up?”

Xu Qian’s face instantly drained of color, her prideful blush turning ghost-pale. Her plastered arm trembled slightly, manicured nails digging deep into her palm.

At that, Lu Jingyan looked at her with concern. “What happened?”

Xu Qian froze. Instinctively, she looked at Lu Jingyan, a hint of panic in her eyes. Biting her lip, her eyes reddened. “The USB contained material for your important meeting tomorrow. I wanted to review it one more time to see if anything needed fixing. I was in a hurry, wasn’t careful and fell—it’s not like Sister said.”

Lu Jingyan gazed at the gentle, considerate Xu Qian before him, then at Fu Yuting, who was calmly sipping champagne.

All these years, he had never been moved by her. Compared to Qian Qian, she was sorely lacking.

“Why are you being so abrasive? Did you swallow gunpowder?”

Fu Yuting set down her glass. “I was just making a casual remark—concerned about her injury, since every ailment calls for its own remedy.”

“That’s enough.” At the head of the table, Old Master Lu’s silver hair gleamed, his eagle-like eyes sweeping over Xu Qian.

Truly someone unfit for the main stage.

Yet Jingyan couldn’t see through her pretense.

Xu Qian stiffened, her casted arm trembling, terrified Old Master Lu would see through her act.

Lu Ye withdrew his gaze and turned to Fu Yuting, his perpetually cool expression tinged with concern. “How’s your health, girl? Are you feeling better?”

Fu Yuting lowered her eyes, exposing a slender, snowy nape. “Much better, thank you. I’m sorry, Uncle Lu, for putting you in an awkward position.”

Lu Ye waved a hand, unconcerned. “I’ve already explained everything to our friends and family. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Fu Yuting nodded. “That’s good.”

By now, Lu Corporation was the apex power in Bincheng.

She remembered, over a decade ago, the Bo family had been above the Lus, but for some reason, the Bo clan perished in a great fire—no one survived. Lu Ye, who had always had close ties with the Bos, swiftly took their place.

The guests were all eager to curry favor, and no one would dare openly mock Lu Ye or Lu Jingyan.

Just then, the Lu family butler appeared at the dining room doors.

Fu Yuting’s heart tensed. Had the butler come to receive the Lu family’s eldest son?

She instinctively looked past him.