Chapter 574: Mr. Fu Got Told Off by His Daughter in Episode 31

Fu Shuyi muttered softly, "It must have been my brother who blabbed, that big mouth."

"What are you muttering about?" Fu Hengyi’s face was cold, and he naturally saw the gauze on his daughter’s hand, his eyebrows knitted tightly together.

Fu Shuyi immediately put on a smile, "Nothing, I was just saying that brother disappeared after he went out to answer a phone call."

Fu Hengyi didn’t pay attention to her little ruse, "How are you feeling?" He had already figured out the cause and effect of the incident on the way here and knew who had laid hands on his precious daughter.

"It’s already okay now, look at me, I’m full of vim and vigor," said Fu Shuyi, trying to underplay her injury so her parents wouldn’t worry.

Fu Hengyi did want to scold his daughter, but upon seeing strangers present, he suppressed what he wanted to say and sat down with a stern face.

Compared to Fu Hengyi, Shen Qinglan was much more composed. After giving her daughter a once-over and seeing she was in good spirits, presumably without other injuries, she also felt reassured.

Her gaze then shifted to Bai Junnan.

Bai Junnan was somewhat embarrassed, the unforeseen incident of being caught like this was something he had never considered, but he quickly regained his composure. He and Fu Shuyi were a legitimate couple after all; it wasn’t something shameful, it was just that they were meeting the parents earlier than expected.

He stood up, polite and gentle, "Hello uncle and auntie, my name is Bai Junnan, I am..." He paused, unsure how to introduce his relationship with Fu Shuyi.

Fu Shuyi, with her head lowered, used the excuse to whisper, "He is my boyfriend." She didn’t dare meet Fu Hengyi’s gaze.

Fu Hengyi’s expression immediately turned ice-cold as he cast a sharp and dangerous look at Bai Junnan, which made Bai Junnan stiffen instantly and secretly sweat at the intimidating glare.

Shen Qinglan just gave him a brief glance, but even that short look placed tremendous pressure on Bai Junnan, who felt a lump in his throat yet managed to maintain a smile on his face.

"Bai? You are from the Bai Family?" Fu Hengyi furrowed his brow, obviously having some impression of the Bai Family.

This time it was Bai Junnan’s turn to be surprised. He nodded, "Yes, Zhang Suxin is my mother," he continued politely.

Fu Hengyi’s expression did not improve upon hearing this, and he simply said, "My daughter has troubled you to look after her before, but now that her mother and I are here in the hospital, Mr. Bai, please feel free to attend to your matters if you are busy."

This was a blatant dismissal. Bai Junnan was no fool and understood the underlying message. Anxious, Fu Shuyi wanted to speak up but Bai Junnan gave her a look, and she shut her mouth.

"Then uncle and auntie, I’ll take my leave now," Bai Junnan said with a smile.

Fu Hengyi showed no reaction, while Shen Qinglan’s lips curved into a slight smile, "Be careful on your way back."

Upon hearing this, Fu Hengyi snorted. Bai Junnan silently took a breath; it seemed he wasn’t exactly winning over his future father-in-law. However, he could understand; if he had a daughter he cherished like a precious jewel, who was snatched away by someone else before he could dote on her enough, he wouldn’t show a pleasing face to that person, either.

"Stop staring; your eyes are almost sticking to him," said Fu Hengyi irritably, his face softening as he turned to his daughter.

Fu Shuyi pouted unhappily, "Daddy, why were you so fierce to Brother Jun Nan? He saved me last night."

Fu Hengyi’s face turned completely dark at the mention of last night, "You seem smart enough yet you’re so foolish. Next time you go out, don’t say you’re my daughter."

Feeling wronged, Fu Shuyi turned to Shen Qinglan, "Mom, look at Daddy. He’s just like brother, not only does he not comfort me, he even mocks me."

Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh, "You can never be too careful. Isn’t that what I’ve told you since you were little? It’s your fault for treating it like a breeze past your ears."

"I must have been a free giveaway during your store’s promotion, you don’t care for me at all." Fu Shuyi muttered, but Fu Hengyi overheard clearly and knocked on her forehead with his hand, "Still daring to speak."

Fu Shuyi covered her forehead, "Daddy, you could make me dumb." She used her injured hand, which attractively stood out with its bandages, causing Fu Hengyi’s heart to ache.

He took down her hand, "Is the injury serious?"

Fu Shuyi shook her head, "Not serious, the doctor said it will be fine after a while."

"Did you get hurt anywhere else besides your hand?"

Fu Shuyi pointed at her thigh, "It’s all my own doing, I was careful not to be too harsh, it’s just a superficial wound." Fu Shuyi explained, not wanting her parents to worry.

"You little fool, be more careful in the future and call your family first when something happens." Fu Hengyi scolded with a stern face; Fu Shuyi wasn’t afraid of her father’s cold expression, but when she met her mother Shen Qinglan’s gaze, she always felt her little heart tremble.

Shen Qinglan, considering her daughter’s feelings, didn’t say much, just asked indifferently, "What’s the deal with your boyfriend?"

As soon as she spoke, Fu Shuyi felt like crying. She really was her own mother—always bringing up the most troublesome topics. She laughed hollowly, feigning ignorance, "That’s just it, the person I like just happens to like me too, so we’re together now." She stated it casually.

Fu Hengyi frowned, "If I remember correctly, he’s friends with your brother?"

Fu Shuyi felt guilty and nodded. How did her dad know so much?

Fu Hengyi’s brow furrowed even more, "Are they the same age?"

Fu Shuyi nodded again.

Fu Hengyi’s face darkened as he spoke with gravity, "Shuyi, that man is too old, a full four years older than you. He is an old man already. Don’t young girls like you all prefer younger guys?"

Fu Shuyi blinked, wondering whether or not to remind her dad of a fact, "Daddy, in fact, young girls like older men, for the sense of security, and Brother Jun Nan isn’t really an old man either, four years isn’t that much."

"Every three years marks a generational gap, you already have one between you, how is that not much?" Fu Hengyi looked at his daughter disapprovingly. She was still too young, and it was still too early for her to be dating.

Fu Shuyi glanced at her mom and whispered, "Mommy was already married to you with a certificate at twenty-one, and besides, Daddy, there’s a... ten-year difference between you and Mom." The last three words, faced with her dad’s cast-iron complexion, were swallowed back down.

"Is the situation between your mother and me the same as yours?" Fu Hengyi felt a lump of blood stuck in his throat, by his daughter’s retort, unable to spit it out or swallow it, as he glanced at his wife’s still youthful face, he thought to himself, although your mother was only twenty-one back then, she was much more mature than you are now, which is why she had the discerning eye to choose your dad.

It seemed Shen Qinglan could read the meaning in her husband’s eyes, her eyes glimmering with smiles. She didn’t object to the idea of her daughter dating; after all, it was inevitable as her daughter grew up. However, her husband would probably have a hard time accepting it; who would let his past life’s little lover now have her own lover and no longer need her dad, maybe feeling a bit lost inside.

"Daddy, Brother Jun Nan is really nice, I like him a lot, and he treats me very well. You’d know if you met him," Fu Shuyi tried to appease her father’s unpleasant expression by hugging his arm and acting coquettishly. "Besides, no matter who I like, the man I love the most will always be Daddy."

That last sentence visibly pleased Fu Hengyi, his expression softened, "You’ve just inherited sweet talk."

"How did you meet him, and how much do you know about him?" Shen Qinglan was not like Fu Hengyi, who could be so easily satisfied by their daughter’s honeyed words.

Fu Shuyi appeared embarrassed, "Mommy, I’m dating someone, not conducting a census, why do you need to know so much?"

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi exchanged a glance, they knew their silly daughter would react this way, but there was no rush on this matter, just dating for now, there was time to learn more later.

"Mommy, Daddy, I’m fine and will be discharged from the hospital soon; you guys should go back first." She knew her dad now always had security with him when he went out, and it was very troublesome to even leave the house.

Fu Hengyi had rushed back from the Military Region on purpose today. He had a very important meeting in the afternoon, so he truly couldn’t stay long at the hospital. After spending a little while with his daughter, he left, leaving Shen Qinglan to stay with her.

Fu Shuyi looked around the empty hospital room and then at her mother, who was peeling an apple for her. She felt a bit uneasy, as if, aside from her appearance, she had not inherited any of her mother’s other strengths.

From a young age, she had heard Aunt Enxi telling legendary stories about her mother. In a situation like last night’s, if her mother had been in her place, she surely would not have ended up as embarrassed, would she?

"Mommy," Fu Shuyi spoke in a low voice.

Shen Qinglan looked at her, her eyes calm and serene, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Fu Shuyi shook her head, "I’m not unwell. I just feel like I’m pretty stupid. Brother had already warned me, and I also had a hunch, but I still foolishly followed others and drank the beverage they handed me. I didn’t use my brain at all. I deserved to be taken advantage of."

Shen Qinglan nodded in agreement, "You have a pretty clear self-awareness; you’re not utterly foolish."

Fu Shuyi was taken aback, then pouted, "Mommy, shouldn’t you be comforting me?" Mommy, don’t you follow the usual script?

Shen Qinglan chuckled and handed her the apple, "Comfort you about what? Do you need my comfort?"

Fu Shuyi took the apple, tilted her head in thought, then shook it. She really didn’t need it; she wasn’t that fragile.

Shen Qinglan took a paper towel and wiped the juice that had accidentally gotten on her hands, speaking slowly, "Shuyi, it’s just that Daddy and I have protected you too well in the past, but we forgot that in the journey of life, the ones who can be with you till the end are never us. We can’t shelter you for your whole life. In the future, your Daddy and I will learn to let go, to let you walk your own path."

This incident served as a lesson for Fu Shuyi but also as a reminder for them as parents. Her own life experience from a young age made her more tolerant toward this daughter who looked so much like her. She couldn’t bear to let her see the darker side of society, which had led to her daughter’s pure character.

"Mommy, what do you think of Brother Jun Nan?" Compared to herself, Fu Shuyi was more concerned about this matter.

Shen Qinglan looked at her daughter with a smile that was not quite a smile. Girls are outgoing; this saying is quite right, and theirs was no exception. She hadn’t even married into their family, and she was already calling him "my Brother Jun Nan." Fortunately, Fu Hengyi had left; if he knew the daughter’s heart was set on an outsider, he might be quite disappointed.

"Do you like him that much?" Shen Qinglan asked her daughter.

Fu Shuyi nodded, "At least I really like him now. Brother Jun Nan is different from the other boys who confessed to me."

Shen Qinglan smiled. Where was the difference, really? It was only that one was her daughter’s favorite, the others she did not like. Love is blind, it was just that simple.

"Invite him over to our house someday." Although she had met him today, it was only a brief encounter without getting to know him in detail. When it comes to her daughter’s lifelong happiness, even if they gave her more freedom, they should still have a say.

Fu Shuyi hesitated, "But Daddy..."

"It’s fine; I will talk to your Daddy about it."

Fu Shuyi smiled contentedly, "Mommy, you do love me most."

Shen Qinglan laughed. She had three children. Both Fu Chenxuan and Fu Shuyi had inherited hers and Fu Hengyi’s looks, but their personalities weren’t like theirs at all. Especially Fu Shuyi, whose mouth was so sweet, it could be sweeter than honey.

Shen Qinglan had already called her son. Knowing that she was there, Fu Chenxuan directly left, as he still had two scumbags waiting for his attention, not to mention the Li Family, which could raise such a son was no good either. They wouldn’t remember the lesson without being taught a thing or two.

Regarding her daughter’s matter, Shen Qinglan did not plan to intervene; she knew Fu Chenxuan had already taken action.

Somehow, the incident involving Fu Shuyi reached the ears of Shen Junyu. At the time, Fu Chenxuan was just about to take action against the Li Family, Shen Junyu stepped in first, directly suppressing the business operations of the Li Family’s company.

The Li Family initially didn’t understand what was going on, as they hadn’t offended the Junlan Group, and this sudden suppression was completely bizarre.

They wanted to seek an explanation from Shen Junyu but couldn’t even see him. After asking around through friends, they learned it was all because Li Zhishen had offended the Fu Family’s daughter.

The other side didn’t explain why Li Zhishen had offended the Fu Family’s daughter but merely conveyed the message Shen Junyu hoped to be passed on. After learning of this, Li’s parents rushed to the hospital to confront Li Zhishen.

At first, Li Zhishen stubbornly denied everything, knowing that his father would kill him if he found out.

"You damn fool, do you realize the trouble you’ve brought upon our family? In just a few short days, the company’s profit has contracted by thirty percent. Do you want to watch the company go bankrupt and have our whole family reduced to destitution?" Father Li was furious; his good-for-nothing son only ever brought disasters to the family. They could smooth over his previous messes, but now he had managed to offend both the Fu Family and the Shen Family. Did he have any idea what sort of power those families wielded? They could destroy the Li Family with a mere flick of their fingers.

Li Zhishen hadn’t anticipated the severity of the consequences. The Li Family was his means of subsistence—if it fell, he’d lose everything. Moreover, he was now disabled, so, fearing no reprisal, he detailed everything that happened.

Father Li didn’t know whether to feel better or worse knowing the truth; he wished he could remake this disgraceful son of his from scratch. What kind of karma had he incurred to deserve such an offspring?

"You will go to the Fu Family immediately to apologize with a rod as your offering. Do not return without Miss Fu’s forgiveness." Father Li pulled his son from the hospital bed.

Li Zhishen struggled, "Dad, I’m still injured. How can I go with my wounds like this?" He didn’t want to go to the Fu Family. They would tear him limb from limb.

"You’d better crawl there if you have to!" Father Li ignored his son’s struggles and dragged him to the floor.

Li Zhishen turned to his mother, "Mom, help me. Dad’s going to kill me. Will I even come back alive if I go to the Fu Family?" At this moment, Li Zhishen was unaware that relatives of girls he had once bullied were preparing to sue him. Even if he didn’t apologize to the Fu Family, a court summons was awaiting him.

"Even if you die at the Fu Family’s, you must go. You had the gall to cause trouble; don’t you have the courage to face it? Li Zhishen, let me tell you, whether you want to or not, you’re going," insisted Father Li, who had made up his mind that his son must make the trip and do so in person. He wasn’t worried about the Fu Family mistreating his son; after all, they were a military and political family that wouldn’t break the law.

Thus, when Fu Chenxuan returned home, he saw the Li Family standing at the entrance of the courtyard like statues, even Li Zhishen wearing a hospital gown.

He didn’t get out of the car but drove past them and had already gone far by the time the Li Family realized what had happened.

Upon returning home, Fu Chenxuan didn’t mention the incident to his parents. Fu Shuyi had already been discharged and was home. Fu Hengyi had insisted that she was not to go anywhere until her recovery was complete, which was also a precaution to prevent her from meeting her much older boyfriend.

Shen Qinglan saw right through Fu Hengyi’s small scheme and let it be. Their daughter was about to be taken away; it was only right to be considerate of an old father’s heart.

Fu Hengyi and Han Yi, now kindred spirits in misfortune, had been interacting a lot lately. They were either lamenting their daughters’ outgoing nature or complaining about the lousy men outside who stealthily spirited away their precious jewels.

It was eventually a guard who came to inform Shen Qinglan about the Li Family’s visit. They had intended to find Fu Hengyi, but he was too busy exchanging "parenting experiences" with Han Yi to be bothered.

Shen Qinglan raised an eyebrow after hearing the guard’s words, "How long have they been waiting outside?"

"Over an hour now." That was only mentioned because they refused to leave no matter how much they were urged to.

"Let them leave directly. If they refuse, then don’t bother with them," Shen Qinglan said casually. She knew the actions her brother had taken these past few days. It was interesting that the Li Family didn’t come to apologize immediately after the incident but waited until they knew they were outmatched. Wasn’t it a bit too late?

Fu Chenxuan naturally overheard the conversation with the guard but didn’t join in. The documents he was preparing were almost complete; within a week, Li Zhishen would receive a summons from the court to join Lu Yimeng as a fellow inmate.

It should be mentioned that Lu Yimeng had already been detained on charges of intentional murder brought by the Li Family and was in a detention center. Her family had tried to bail her out, but given that Fu Hengyi himself had spoken to the chief of police, the bail was naturally unsuccessful.

It was only after Lu Yimeng had been locked up did she start to feel fear. She wanted to see Fu Shuyi, knowing very well that if she truly apologized, Fu Shuyi might relent due to her nature. If Fu Shuyi was willing to forgive her, she could escape this misfortune. However, this request was flatly denied.