Bai Junnan remained composed in the face of his mother’s scolding.

"Bai Junnan, if I don’t agree with you, are you really planning to send me to prison?" Zhang Suxin’s face had turned livid, and she stared at her son with unfamiliar eyes, seemingly unable to comprehend that the material in her hands had been collected by her own son.

Bai Junnan’s expression remained indifferent. "Mom, I just want you to stop sooner. If you keep going, you will truly fall into a hopeless abyss." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"That sounds nice, let me ask you, among those who have struggled in the business world, how many of them have clean hands? What I’ve done is nothing compared to them."

"You’re just starting now. Once some things are started, they cannot be stopped and only sink deeper. Mom, for your own sake and for our family, please let go."

Zhang Suxin scoffed disdainfully. "You make it sound so sweet, but all in all, you just want the shares in my hands. Bai Junnan, ask yourself, have you ever really treated me as your biological mother? Your father has been dead for over a decade, and I struggled to raise you alone. Is this how you repay me? Even if I had raised a dog, it should wag its tail at me; what have you done? Collecting evidence of your mother’s crimes, ha, tell me, what exactly do you want to do?!" She was genuinely furious. Her own son, whom she had given the best of everything from childhood, had repaid her with this outcome, and it was disheartening.

Bai Junnan closed his eyes, suppressing the pain rising from the bottom of his heart. When he opened them again, his eyes had regained their calmness. "If you don’t think it’s enough, you can beat me up, but I hope after you vent, you could transfer the shares to me."

Zhang Suxin looked at her son with a face full of disappointment, the light gradually diminishing in her eyes. Her heart ached, and finally, she laughed, "Fine, you want the shares, right? I’ll have the lawyer draft a share transfer agreement tomorrow. Bai Junnan, I just hope you won’t regret this someday. This house is registered under my name; I hope you can leave my house tonight." After saying that, she turned her head away, refusing to look at Bai Junnan.

Bai Junnan stared steadily at the profile of his mother’s face for a long time before speaking hoarsely, "Alright, I’ll move out tonight, Mom, take good care of yourself." After saying that, he stood up and left the Bai Family home.

Bai Junnan did not see the tears Zhang Suxin shed as he opened the door to leave, nor did Zhang Suxin see the redness in Bai Junnan’s eyes.

**

Charming Color Bar, when Fu Chenxuan found Bai Junnan, Bai Junnan had already had quite a bit to drink. Fu Chenxuan frowned, grabbing Bai Junnan’s hand as he reached for another bottle, "What happened?" He had received a call from Bai Junnan asking him to join him for drinks, and sensing his off mood, he had immediately come without even letting Fu Shuyi know.

Bai Junnan looked up, recognized him, and smiled, "What could have happened? I’m just happy, inviting you out to celebrate."

Fu Chenxuan’s frown deepened, "Celebrate what?"

"Of course, celebrating that I have taken back my shares. Starting from tomorrow, I will fully be in control of the company, even my mother can’t interfere with my decisions. I can develop and strengthen the company according to my own ideas. Isn’t that something worth celebrating?"

Fu Chenxuan observed his demeanor and saw no trace of happiness, "It certainly is something to celebrate." He said the insincere words and sat down, signaling to the bartender who then served him a glass of soda water. Tonight, Bai Junnan seemed determined to become a drunkard, and since he had to drive the inebriated man home, he naturally could not drink.

"First, tell me, what’s the deal with the shares?" Fu Chenxuan wanted to know the whole story, otherwise he was unable to persuade him.

Bai Junnan chuckled, "What else could it be? I confronted my mother and demanded she hand over her shares in the company."

Fu Chenxuan immediately understood. Part of the information Bai Junnan held had been inadvertently discovered and given to him by Fu Chenxuan. He knew what Zhang Suxin had been doing behind the scenes. When he handed over the evidence to Bai Junnan, he knew there would surely be a confrontation between mother and son, but he hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

"Chenxuan, I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet, thank you for giving me those documents." If he had handed them directly to the regulatory authorities, what awaited his mother wouldn’t be just handing over shares, but a court’s verdict.

"If you feel upset, just drink. It doesn’t matter if you get drunk; I’ll take you home." Fu Chenxuan spoke indifferently, neither accepting nor rejecting his thanks; if this person weren’t Bai Junnan’s mother, Fu Shuyi’s potential future mother-in-law, he wouldn’t have bothered with this matter.

Bai Junnan didn’t say anything further; he picked up his glass and drank it down in one gulp. He didn’t want to force his mother like this, but what his mother was currently doing was criminal. If not stopped in time, the only thing waiting for her would be imprisonment. He couldn’t bear to watch his mother go astray.

He understood his mother’s hardships, a woman managing a company and supporting a family alone. That’s why, when he first noticed his mother’s ambition, he chose to step back. But this time, if he continued to step back, it wouldn’t be helping his mother but harming her. The actions she was now taking—if his uncles knew about them, they would not give her a chance for reform. Rather than letting the company fall into his uncles’ hands, it was better given to him.

Bai Junnan was very clear in his heart; this ordeal had already caused great harm to his mother. Perhaps now in his mother’s heart, he’s become an ungrateful and ruthless son. She probably never wanted to see him again after today.

His lips curled into a mocking smile; he never imagined that he and his mother would end up in such a dire situation.

"Chenxuan, do you think wealth and power are really that mesmerizing?" Bai Junnan asked in a hoarse voice, his gaze lost.

Fu Chenxuan paused, "As the saying goes, people die for wealth, and the majority of people in this world are indeed deeply tempted by wealth and power."

Bai Junnan scoffed. Yes, his Bai Family was the perfect example, with several uncles vying for power within the company, each one wanting to have greater influence and more say. For these, they relentlessly toiled, even oppressing him and his widowed mother. And his mother, from initially fighting to protect the family fortune to becoming a woman who tirelessly pursued power—wealth and power are indeed harmful.

"Junnan, try to see it more positively; your mother will eventually understand your intentions," Fu Chenxuan comforted him.

Bai Junnan shook his head. In his mother’s eyes, he was now an unfilial son, pressuring his own mother because of a woman. The rift between mother and son had already formed, and it wasn’t so easy to erase.

"I’m clear about this matter; I don’t regret what I did, but it’s unfair to Shuyi. My mother probably will also hold a grudge against her." Moreover, it’s very likely she won’t agree to him being with Fu Shuyi at all.

Bai Junnan knew his mother well; in Zhang Suxin’s eyes, Fu Shuyi was the instigator behind the discord between mother and son. The expectation she once held for their marriage was now replaced by aversion.

As expected, Bai Junnan got drunk. Fu Chenxuan took him to his apartment, a place Bai Junnan had bought years earlier and where he had spent most of his time. He had been there more than once, naturally knowing the code to the house.

After settling Bai Junnan in, Fu Chenxuan didn’t leave right away; he sat in the living room for a while. Actually, he couldn’t understand Zhang Suxin’s actions. Perhaps it was related to his upbringing, as both the Shen Family and the Fu Family were very harmonious families, unlike the emotional environment Bai Junnan had experienced growing up.

Fu Chenxuan watched the quarreling Bai family and sighed, but he also felt thankful for having such wonderful parents who gave him plenty of understanding and support.

The next morning, upon waking up, Shen Qinglan received a bouquet of lilies. She raised an eyebrow at her son, "What holiday is it today?" It wasn’t her birthday, nor Mother’s Day, nor any sort of anniversary. This sudden gift of flowers baffled her.

"What trouble have you gotten into outside that you need me to help smooth over?" This was the only explanation Shen Qinglan could think of.

Fu Chenxuan laughed, his expression tinged with a hint of grievance, "Mom, can’t I just be grateful for your care and buy you flowers to make you happy?"

Shen Qinglan looked at her son, her face a mixture of amusement and skepticism, clearly conveying a "you think I’d believe that?" expression.

Fu Chenxuan touched his nose, wondering when he had ever looked so bad in his mother’s eyes? Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone coming down the stairs. His lips curled into a bright smile as he draped his arm around his mother’s shoulder, "Mom, I love you. You’re the most beloved woman in my world and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met."

Shen Qinglan chuckled, taking the flowers. Although she didn’t know what this rascal was up to, the flowers were nice.

Fu Hengyi had just come down the stairs when he heard his son’s "passionate declaration" to his wife. His eyes grew colder, especially when he saw the bouquet. Instantly, the look in his eyes frosted over. Fu Shuyi, following behind him, also witnessed the scene and facepalmed. Her brother’s childish antics had played out from childhood to adulthood; didn’t he ever tire of them? Careful, or Dad might deal with you behind Mom’s back.

Fu Chenxuan had always been sweet-talking, especially good at flattering. Ever since he had seen Fu Hengyi make Shen Qinglan happy with flowers, he had followed suit. On holidays, he would give Shen Qinglan flowers and confess his love, always provoking Fu Hengyi in the process. He was asking for it, really, and had often been dealt with behind his mother’s back.

Finally, these past few years, because he had been studying abroad, he stopped playing these silly games, but just this morning, he had started again.

Fu Hengyi walked over to Shen Qinglan, took the flowers from her arms, "It’s time to eat. Smelling such strong floral scents early in the morning can upset one’s stomach." Saying this, he escorted Shen Qinglan towards the dining room, completely ignoring Fu Chenxuan as if he were invisible, not sparing him even a glance.

Fu Chenxuan stood still while Fu Shuyi walked over and patted his shoulder, "Brother, are you being childish?"

Fu Chenxuan touched his nose, well, he was genuinely grateful for his mother’s nurturing, but it was a pity his family didn’t believe him.

"Shuyi, do you have class this morning?" Fu Chenxuan thought of someone alone and upset in his apartment and asked his sister.

She replied, "I don’t. I have classes in the afternoon. Why?" It was because she had no classes this morning that she had decided to come back the night before.

"Then can you go check on Brother Jun Nan later? Also, bring him some porridge," he said, having already asked the housekeeper to prepare porridge when he went out to buy flowers that morning.

Fu Shuyi looked worried, "What happened to Brother Jun Nan?"

"Nothing serious, he just drank a bit too much last night. I’m worried he might feel unwell this morning. Take him some porridge to eat." Normally, Fu Chenxuan wouldn’t want to bother his sister with caring for Bai Junnan, but this time, seeing how pathetic he was, he felt he ought to make an exception.

Upon hearing this, Fu Shuyi lost her appetite and went straight to the kitchen. Soon after, she left with a thermal container.

Fu Chenxuan snorted. Was there a need to rush?

Bai Junnan was still asleep. He was awakened by the doorbell, frowning as he went to answer it, massaging his temple as he walked. His head hurt a lot right now.

Standing outside was, of course, Fu Shuyi. Bai Junnan was startled, "Shuyi, why are you here?"

Fu Shuyi looked at him with concern, "I heard from my brother that you got drunk last night. I was worried you might feel bad this morning, so I brought you some porridge. Do you have a headache?" She noticed Bai Junnan massaging his forehead.

Bai Junnan stepped aside to let Fu Shuyi in, "I’m fine, I’ll just drink some honey water later."

By the time Fu Shuyi came out of the kitchen, not only had she prepared honey water, but she also had already served the porridge in a bowl.

"Brother Jun Nan, go wash up first, then come out and eat," said Fu Shuyi as she placed the items on the dining table while speaking to Bai Junnan, who was standing aside.

Bai Junnan quietly watched her, and after listening to her, he hesitated and didn’t move. Fu Shuyi turned around, puzzled. Bai Junnan stepped forward and suddenly pulled Fu Shuyi into his arms.

Enveloped in his hug and even hugging him back around the waist, Fu Shuyi could still feel his mood was off even though Bai Junnan hadn’t said anything. She had guessed the reason why Bai Junnan had gotten drunk, probably related to his mother’s visit the day before. She somewhat regretted telling him about that.

"Brother Jun Nan, I’ll always be here," Fu Shuyi whispered gently; Bai Junnan hummed in response, hugging her tighter.

After a long while, Bai Junnan let go of her to wash up. When he came out, Fu Shuyi was sitting at the dining table, waiting for him.

"Didn’t you eat this morning?"

Fu Shuyi smiled, "I wanted to eat with you." She felt that when someone is feeling down, having company for a meal was better than eating alone.

A slight smile slowly appeared in Bai Junnan’s eyes. Actually, this was good; at least she was still here.