Volume One, Chapter Five: Fu Yuting Is Hopelessly Devoted—She Believes She Cannot Live Without Him-Married His Brother, Became His Sister-in-Law, and Made My In-Laws Bow Down!(Listening to the Wind)

In the afternoon, Fu Yuting returned to the company as usual. As soon as she stepped into the office, a faint trace of women's perfume lingered in the air.

Lu Jingyan, dressed in a crisp suit, sat behind his desk. His handsome face held a look of inquiry as he asked, "What happened to you today? You missed the engagement banquet and didn’t answer your phone."

Fu Yuting stared at the face that was so eager to hold her to account. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms, the sharp pain helping her suppress the hatred surging inside her.

"I had a stomachache in the middle of the night and went to the hospital. I forgot my phone and only just got discharged."

Lu Jingyan studied her in silence for a moment, half-convinced by her pale and exhausted appearance. Something felt off—Fu Yuting seemed a little distant today. Was it because she was ill and too tired? She’d adored him for so many years, how could she suddenly have a change of heart?

His stern expression softened, his tone growing gentle, "Was it really that bad? Are you feeling alright? Will this affect the project negotiations?"

She turned her head to look at him, her cool, clear eyes seeming to pierce right through his soul.

Once, his concern would have moved her beyond words. But now that she was clear-headed, she finally recognized the truth in his words: his supposed concern for her health was nothing but a pretense—what truly mattered was the operation of his company.

"It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after a couple days’ rest and some medicine, but the engagement might have to be postponed."

Lu Jingyan visibly relaxed. "Then let’s postpone the banquet. Just focus on resting and make sure the project goes smoothly."

Lowering her gaze, Fu Yuting calmly organized the documents on his desk and replied softly, "Alright, I’ll do as you say. But please apologize to your family for me. I’ll make it up to them next time."

Until her plans were in place, she could only pretend to still love him. Any change now would only alert him prematurely.

Seeing her as calm as ever, Lu Jingyan finally let his guard down. So it had only been his imagination earlier. After all, Fu Yuting was someone whose world revolved around him—she’d only missed the banquet because she was truly unwell.

He took her hand and squeezed it affectionately, coaxing her with a smile: "Don’t worry, they’ll understand. By the way, I mentioned my elder brother to you before. He returned from abroad last night and might come to inspect the company in the next few days. I’ll introduce you when he arrives."

"Alright," Fu Yuting replied calmly, though inwardly she was more alert.

She’d long heard that the company Lu Jingyan managed, Jiahe, was only a minor branch of the Bo Corporation. The true business empire was controlled by his elder brother, who had always been abroad—so why had he suddenly returned to China?

Was Bo Corporation planning a new strategic move?

Observing Lu Jingyan’s eager anticipation, Fu Yuting’s lips curved into a faint smile, a glimmer of coldness flickering in her fox-like eyes.

Clearly, meeting his brother meant a great deal to Lu Jingyan. If he gained the approval of the family’s true power-holder, his influence within the Bo family would surely rise.

Since that was the case, she certainly wouldn’t let things go his way.

Collecting her thoughts, Fu Yuting finished organizing the documents and picked up several project proposals.

Just as she was about to leave, a quiet sound came from the lounge next to the president’s office. Through the half-open door, she caught a glimpse of a familiar nude-colored high heel by the sofa.

She recognized it instantly—it belonged to Xu Qian.

The hatred in her heart deepened further.

After Fu Yuting left, Lu Jingyan stepped into the lounge. Immediately, a warm, soft embrace greeted him.

Xu Qian leaned against his chest, her alluring eyes filled with anxiety. "Jingyan, why didn’t she come to the engagement banquet? Could she have found out about us?"

"Relax, she doesn’t know. She’s just sick," Lu Jingyan reassured her confidently, his arm around her waist. There was a hint of contempt in his voice. "The engagement was only ever a tactic to keep her in place. Now that it’s postponed, it’s just as well. Once her current project’s wrapped up, she’ll have outlived her usefulness. As for today’s embarrassment, I’ll be sure to settle the score with her in due time."

At that moment, the phone rang.

Lu Jingyan glanced at the caller ID, his expression softening as he answered, "Brother?"

On the other end, Bo Xingzhou’s voice was cool and distant. "How is Jiahe’s recent performance?"

Holding Xu Qian close, Lu Jingyan replied with pride, "Our creative director, Xu Qian, has secured a major project. Once it’s completed, the profits should be considerable. The other aspects can wait for your guidance when you’re available."

"Tomorrow afternoon, then."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting. I’ll have Director Xu present as well."

After hanging up, Xu Qian immediately clung to his arm excitedly. "Your brother is coming tomorrow?"

Lu Jingyan fondly tapped her nose. "Dress smartly tomorrow—make a good impression on my brother."

"But... that project was negotiated by Fu Yuting. If she exposes the truth in front of your brother..." Xu Qian’s voice trembled with unease.

"Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her tonight. Letting you add this project to your resume is the least she can do to prove her worth."

Lu Jingyan spoke with utter certainty, a smirk playing at his lips.

In the past five years, when had Fu Yuting, hopelessly in love, ever refused him? If he asked her to go east, she’d never dare go west.

"True. She’s played the stepping stone for us more than once," Xu Qian said, wrapping her arms around his waist and coyly pressing her chest against him. "Jingyan, I’ll do my best."

Seeing her coquettish demeanor, Lu Jingyan’s breath grew heavier. He lowered his head, nibbling her earlobe and coaxed, "Be good—show me what you can do."

Xu Qian nestled contentedly in his arms, but behind her smiling eyes, another layer of ambition gleamed.

She had worked long and hard for a chance to meet Bo Xingzhou.

This was her opportunity, and she would seize it without fail.

At the Grand Court Hotel, Bo Xingzhou sat on the sofa with a file in his hand.

"So, Fu Yuting is just the president’s secretary, but she’s been handling almost everything at Jiahe?"

Turning the pages, his elegant and nonchalant fingers exuded a sense of innate nobility.

Su Han nodded, his tone tinged with admiration. "Yes, and my investigation confirms it—besides the project Second Young Master mentioned, several other major projects at Jiahe were all secured by Miss Fu. Xu Qian is only the creative director and was brought along by Miss Fu to gain experience in negotiations."

Bo Xingzhou leaned back lazily, a faint sneer escaping him. "Seems my younger brother hasn’t made much progress."

Watching his expression, Su Han ventured carefully, "Your inspection of the subsidiaries is to select an exceptional chief assistant. Jiahe is just a small branch of Bo Corporation, and it looks like Second Young Master merely wants to showcase his mistress in front of you. It hardly seems worthwhile. Should we not bother going?"

Bo Xingzhou set the file aside, adjusting his sleeve with an air of indifference.

"No matter. I’m curious to see what sort of woman could make Lu Jingyan so blind as to let a pearl gather dust."