Late at night, at the old Fu family mansion.
Fu Ran, in a good mood, got out of the car carrying a milk tea. He happened to run into Fu Yuchuan, who was preparing to leave.
A group of bodyguards followed behind him, a formidable entourage.
"Uncle," Fu Ran greeted respectfully.
The distinguished man responded faintly, "I've already sent people to investigate the kidnapping of Jiang Tu."
The Jiang family was deeply entangled with the Fu family. If this matter was confirmed, the Fu family would inevitably have to step in to resolve it. Otherwise, the Han family would surely stir up trouble.
Fu Ran recalled Jiang Tu's attitude and reminded him, "I suspect this is true. Uncle should prepare for it as soon as possible."
"Mm," Fu Yuchuan nodded slightly.
As he took a step to leave, his gaze inadvertently swept over the milk tea cup in Fu Ran's hand, pausing slightly.
Fu Ran explained, "Feifei insisted on having some."
"Mm," his gaze remained fixed.
Fu Ran belatedly realized Fu Yuchuan was looking at the packaging and chuckled, "Uncle thinks it looks good too? It seems this young lady does have some skill."
"Oh?" Fu Yuchuan raised an eyebrow.
"Wen Tingxue. Didn't you go to find her specifically before?"
He was referring to his trip to Jiangcheng.
It had been some time since he heard that name.
Fu Yuchuan was silent for a few seconds, then withdrew his gaze and asked him, "Do you have someone you like?"
"Ah?" Fu Ran was stunned, then his lips couldn't help but curl upwards. "Well, how should I put it..."
"Whether you do or not, clear everything up," Fu Yuchuan said. "The old man summoned me today specifically to discuss your marriage."
Fu Ran's face fell. "I won't marry someone I don't love."
Fu Yuchuan ignored him and continued, "It's the Hao family from Jiangcheng. The girl is two years younger than you. She's studying abroad now. Marriage right after graduation..."
"Uncle!"
Fu Ran couldn't stand it and interrupted, "You know very well I have someone I like!"
Fu Yuchuan glanced at him, asking with near indifference, "And then?"
Fu Ran was momentarily taken aback by his gaze, then he heard him say, "For the sake of a young girl, you became the biggest customer of a milk tea shop. Do you think the old man's informants are just for show?"
News in the aristocratic circles was always swift. He had heard no shortage of gossip recently. But he hadn't paid it any mind until the old man grandly summoned him back.
"So what?" Fu Ran managed a bitter smile of incomprehension. "So I have to follow the path you've laid out? Why?"
"Because you are the young master of the Fu family. Because you have enjoyed all the resources and conveniences the Fu family has provided," Fu Yuchuan looked at him coldly. "Fu Ran, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Since you were born into the Fu family, you should create benefits for the Fu family."
"As for Yu Meier, forget it. You were young then, and the old man indulged your recklessness. Now that you've grown up, it's time you did something for the Fu family."
Fu Ran lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment before saying, "I can repay the Fu family in other ways."
As if seeking affirmation, he suddenly looked at Fu Yuchuan and said urgently, "Uncle, didn't you also resist for Sister Zhiyi before?"
Fu Yuchuan suddenly lifted his eyelids, his dark, piercing eyes fixed on him.
Fu Ran was startled but still finished his sentence. "I can give up everything too..."
"Don't be foolish," Fu Yuchuan patted his shoulder and said with a sneer. "This is the Fu family. You don't get to choose."
...
After confirming the number of people going on the trip, Fu Ran created a group chat.
He then sent a message: "We'll set off early Saturday morning and stay there for one night. Everyone pack your things in advance."
Below it was a string of "Received."
Wen Tingxue was woken up and groggily joined the chat. A moment later, she realized what was happening.
"Youran," she looked up at the person on the other bed.
"Mm, I saw it."
Lu Youran rubbed her eyes and said, "Let's pack up after class today. I won't be able to wake up tomorrow."
She didn't know how early "early morning" meant to Fu Ran, but she certainly didn't want to wake up early. Every minute of extra sleep was a gain.
Wen Tingxue agreed and lay back on the pillow. Just as she was about to sleep for a few more minutes, Tang Mobai sent her a message.
Her sleepiness vanished completely. Wen Tingxue leaned over the edge of the bed and asked Jiao Yutong, who was diligently studying, "Aren't you going? He invited you."
"You guys go. I still have a few books to read," Jiao Yutong replied without looking up, engrossed in her studies.
Wen Tingxue relayed the message truthfully. Tang Mobai thanked her and went silent.
Wen Tingxue had a full schedule on Friday and couldn't be bothered to think about whether he had given up. In any case, Tang Mobai didn't send any more messages until school was over.
"Tsk, men. He said he could wait, and it's only been a few days..."
Lu Youran grumbled while packing her luggage.
Unexpectedly, before she could finish speaking, Jiao Yutong returned.
"?"
Wen Tingxue and Lu Youran looked at her in bewilderment.
"Did you forget something?" Wen Tingxue asked.
According to her usual habits, she should be typing away in the library right now. Why would she suddenly come back? The only explanation was that she had left something behind.
Jiao Yutong shook her head with a slight frown. "No."
"Huh??" Lu Youran became even more curious.
She abandoned her packing and leaned in to ask, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"
Having known her for so long, she had never seen her so angry.
Jiao Yutong's expression darkened further. She gritted her teeth, then after a few seconds, picked up her suitcase and opened it. She started throwing clothes inside.
Wen Tingxue realized something was amiss. "Tang Mobai contacted you? Coercion and enticement?"
Jiao Yutong paused her packing, thought for a moment, and then confessed, "He has my elementary school diary. It's... really embarrassing..."
By the end of her sentence, one could hear the sound of her grinding her teeth.
"Holy crap," Lu Youran couldn't help but exclaim. "That's a low blow." She had thought he had given up.
Because some people's families were not in the art academy, Fu Ran decided to pick them up himself to save time. Yu Wenli was among this group.
As soon as she got out of the car, the young girl threw herself into his arms.
"I missed you so much..."
Her soft voice and slender waist were enough to ignite a fire in him. Yu Wenli consciously swallowed, his voice slightly hoarse. "I missed you too, day and night."
He stroked the girl's long hair with longing, as if trying to imprint her scent into his memory. They hadn't seen each other for nearly half a month, and he had seen her image every time he closed his eyes. He had almost worn out the small hair tie on his wrist from fiddling with it.
Although there were many couples around, they were both good-looking, and Wen Tingxue was always reserved. Her sudden display of affection inevitably drew attention.
"Clearly in the honeymoon phase, so sickeningly sweet."
People didn't have time to look at their phones. Chattering and laughing, they quickly became familiar with each other. Even the usually reserved Yu Wenli and Fu Ran were influenced, showing a few more smiles.
Tang Mobai, intending to tease Jiao Yutong, had prepared many jokes.
It was a small downhill slope. Yu Wenli listened and casually let go of his hands, letting the car glide freely. The way he kept his hands in his pockets captivated many young girls. The boys immediately became competitive, seeing who could keep their hands off the steering wheel the longest. They boasted and showed off their skills. It was lively.
In this simple and unpretentious game, everyone shed their pretense and revealed their true, childlike selves.
They reached the foot of the mountain amidst the revelry.
Fu Ran said, "Still want to compete?" He gestured upwards, indicating the climb.
"Yes!"
Everyone immediately agreed. They hadn't settled the score just now; they would definitely settle it this time! The girls also agreed.
So, the group parked their cars, hands clenched, ready to climb the mountain. Just then, Lu Youran suddenly screamed, "Oh my god! There's a snake!"
Whether out of instinct or trust, she immediately leaped towards Fu Ran. However, Fu Ran was not the closest person to her.
The moment he reached out and embraced the young girl, many thoughts flashed through Fu Ran's mind. But ultimately, only one thought remained: he wanted to protect her, forever, no matter the cost.
"A snake?!" Tang Mobai grabbed Jiao Yutong.
Jiao Yutong was silent for a moment. "Let go. I'm not scared."
Tang Mobai held on tighter. "I am."
Jiao Yutong: "..."
"You could catch snakes with your bare hands when you were little," Jiao Yutong said. In other words, stop pretending!
Tang Mobai said righteously, "That was when I was little. I'm scared now."
Jiao Yutong: "..."
She was speechless.
Hearing about the snake, Yu Wenli instinctively pulled the young girl into his embrace. But she was still staring intently, searching for the snake.
"Where is it?" she asked, still actively looking.
Yu Wenli rubbed his temples. "Can't you learn from your roommate?"
"?" Wen Tingxue glanced at Lu Youran, who had jumped into Fu Ran's arms, and Jiao Yutong, who was in Tang Mobai's embrace.
"...But I'm not scared." she said.
Yu Wenli sighed. "But I want to hold you."
The young girl: "..."
Had they become so estranged after half a month? Didn't they just hug each other directly before?
Telling Lu Youran about this, Lu Youran rolled her eyes. "This is called charm. Don't you understand hero saves the damsel?"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow. "See? Even a single person understands better than you."
Wen Tingxue glanced at Fu Ran, who was walking towards them, and deliberately retorted, "Are you sure she's single?"
Lu Youran's smile froze. "..."
Fu Ran stopped in his tracks. "..."
The missing chapters will be updated once the status is stable.