The door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open before Wen Tingxue could speak.
The sudden noise drew the attention of both Wen Tingxue and the secretary.
Fu Feifei stood at the doorway, her expression unfriendly, arms crossed, looking down from a superior position. "What are you doing here?"
She scrutinized Wen Tingxue, her tone extremely unpleasant. "Don't think just because my uncle likes you, I'll accept it. I'm telling you, no matter how much you look like Zhiyi, you're not her!"
"?"
Faced with the barrage of accusations, Wen Tingxue let out a mocking laugh. "Please clarify why I'm here! Fu Feifei, you stole someone else's work, and you have the audacity to be indignant?"
"W-what work?" Fu Feifei dodged her gaze and denied it. "What nonsense are you talking about? Who let her in? Hurry and kick her out!"
Just as Fu Feifei was pulling at Wen Tingxue and throwing a tantrum, Fu Yuchuan stepped into the reception room without a word.
His overwhelmingly cold aura made even the tempestuous Fu Feifei pause.
This was even more so for Wen Tingxue, who had been watching the door intently.
Hmph.
Wen Tingxue let out a cold sneer, mockingly saying, "The Fu family's upbringing truly opens my eyes."
"Feifei," Fu Yuchuan commanded gently. "Let go."
Wen Tingxue lowered her gaze, her eyes like daggers falling upon Fu Feifei's manicured hands.
Reluctantly, Fu Feifei released her grip and ran to Fu Yuchuan's side, acting spoiled. "Uncle, how could you let her in? You know I hate her the most."
She had liked Yu Wenli since middle school.
For so many years, he was the only one in her heart and eyes.
Her friends were all waiting for her to win over Yu Wenli.
After all, she was a young lady of the Fu family.
In China, whatever the Fu family desired, they could obtain.
But despite chasing him for so many years, she couldn't win him over.
He had even deliberately avoided her for a period.
Not only did it embarrass her, but their relationship was completely strained.
She was already resentful, and now Yu Wenli had not only been pursued by someone else,
but it was some low-class country girl. How could she possibly swallow that?
Fu Yuchuan patted Fu Feifei's head soothingly, his expression placid.
The secretary discreetly closed the door and left.
When only the three of them remained in the reception room, Fu Yuchuan said, "Stop making a scene. The artwork you chose is Miss Wen's."
Fu Feifei's face froze.
What a coincidence.
"What do you mean?" Wen Tingxue didn't quite understand.
Her clear, limpid eyes fixed on Fu Yuchuan as he unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand.
Setting aside his family background, he still possessed the capital to look down upon his peers.
Whether it was his exceptionally superior appearance, his formidable abilities and acumen,
or his composure when facing questioning despite having done wrong.
Wen Tingxue took a deep, calming breath.
Fu Yuchuan took a seat on the sofa with a proud posture and explained in a calm voice.
"As a young lady of the Fu family, Feifei needs exceptional achievements as a stepping stone. The National Art Exhibition is currently the best opportunity."
"So?" Wen Tingxue was truly taken aback by the sheer brazenness. Her tone became unintentionally sharp. "Can't Miss Fu paint herself? Why must she steal other people's labor?"
Fu Yuchuan stared at her, silent.
Fu Feifei pouted, displeased. "Why should I work hard for something that can be bought with money? Tell me, what's your price? I'll pay you!"
She rummaged through her bag, pulled out a checkbook, and tossed it in front of Wen Tingxue.
The action was almost humiliating. Wen Tingxue gritted her teeth, picked up the checkbook, and threw it back forcefully.
"Get lost! How dare you try to tarnish my work, drawn stroke by stroke, with your money?!"
The speed was too great for Fu Feifei to react. The checkbook hit her in the face.
Her dignity was utterly shattered.
"Wen Tingxue!!" Fu Feifei roared, her eyes widening to their fullest.
She looked as if she could devour Wen Tingxue.
Wen Tingxue met her gaze fearlessly. "Fu Feifei, I'm telling you, my paintings are mine! You will never touch them!"
They were the fruits of her countless sleepless nights.
They were not something Fu Feifei could casually buy, nor were they a stepping stone for her to save face!
With the conversation reaching this point, Fu Feifei dropped all pretense and resorted to threats. "Damn it! Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Wen Tingxue narrowed her eyes, watching her warily.
"Feifei."
Fu Yuchuan's cold voice cut through the air.
Fu Feifei, who was on the verge of touching Wen Tingxue, grudgingly withdrew her hand, turned back with gritted teeth, and said, "Uncle! You can't let her stay!"
Wealth and status often brought complications.
Fu Feifei's purchase of fame with money absolutely could not be known to the outside world.
"I know. You go back first." Fu Yuchuan offered no further response.
Fu Feifei looked at Wen Tingxue worriedly and called out, "Uncle..."
Fearing her reputation would be ruined, she looked at Fu Yuchuan with slightly reddened eyes.
Pleading for help.
Fu Yuchuan's expression remained unchanged. "Go back."
Was he going to protect her completely?
Then what was she, his niece, to him?
Fu Feifei stamped her foot, daring not to speak but clearly furious, and pushed open the door, leaving in tears.
Wen Tingxue, inexplicably glared at, rolled her eyes speechlessly.
She was the victim, okay?
Once the room quieted down, Wen Tingxue looked down at him and asked, "Were you doing this on purpose?"
Her painting was chosen by him.
He knew why she was looking for him but avoided her, allowing the list to be publicly announced for so long.
All these signs made her unable to avoid suspicion.
"What do you think?"
Fu Yuchuan looked up at her, a hint of a smile in his sharp eyes.
He was remarkably handsome.
Wen Tingxue disliked his ambiguous answers but knew she wouldn't get anything out of him with his current attitude.
"What do I have to do for you to let me go?" she changed to a question that concerned her more.
Fu Yuchuan smiled and said, "It's simple, just have dinner with me."
Wen Tingxue instantly became wary. "Can't we choose something else?"
Fu Yuchuan rose as if it were decided. "Don't worry, it's in my office. With so many people watching, what are you worried about?"
This implied that he valued his reputation.
At the same time, it was a warning that what he decided, no one could change.
Wen Tingxue gritted her teeth in frustration and reluctantly followed him.
Fu Corporation, first-floor lobby.
Yu Wenli, sitting on the sofa, received a message.
Wen Tingxue briefly explained the situation, telling him to go ahead and eat, as she would likely be fine.
Yu Wenli replied with an 'Okay.'
However, he had no appetite.
This was Fu Yuchuan's territory, and he had no reason to feel at ease.
But staying here made him uncomfortable.
No man could tolerate his beloved girl dining with another man upstairs.
Yu Wenli's fingers, now pale, gripped his phone tightly, his eyes closed, as if suppressing something.
A moment later, he stood up and walked out.
He walked all the way to a nearby 4S dealership.
Standing at the entrance, Yu Wenli could see the Fu Corporation building from the side.
Looking up, there were eighty-eight floors he couldn't see.
"Handsome sir, don't just stand there. Come in and take a look!"
The salesperson quickly invited Yu Wenli into the store.
In their line of work, judging people was paramount.
Although the young man before them was dressed subtly, his clothes were all designer brands, and his demeanor was extraordinary. He clearly had money.
Therefore, the cars he introduced were mostly high-priced.
Yu Wenli listened with a placid expression, showing no intention of buying or not buying.
The salesperson, unable to read him, couldn't help but ask, "Handsome sir, which one have you taken a liking to? You can get in and try it."
"He can't afford it, why waste everyone's time!"
Before Yu Wenli could speak, an extremely arrogant male voice interrupted.
The salesperson turned around, and his eyes lit up upon recognizing the newcomer. "Young Master Kang, you haven't been here in a while."
Kang Wei smiled, his lips curled. "I'm just here to patronize you guys."
As he spoke, he glanced provocatively at Yu Wenli, a sneer on his face.
"Oh, Young Master Yu is so poor now that he's hesitating over a two or three million dollar car? I recall your motorcycle alone cost over two million. What, no money now?"
"You can't say that. Young Master Yu might be broke, but his girlfriend is very wealthy," Lan Shuo entered from outside, smoking, followed by a group of people.
Kang Wei immediately chimed in, "Look at my memory, Miss Wen is now a shareholder of Xing Er. Even if she does nothing all day, she has income, not to mention she's a fairly well-known artist. Young Master Yu is so good-looking, he's indeed suited to live off a woman."
"Exactly. Unlike us poor souls, working day and night to get gigs, and no one keeps us," Lan Shuo echoed with perfect timing.
Kang Wei sighed, "It's just our bad luck not to have the destiny of being a kept man, nor can we stomach that kind of meal. Unlike Young Master Yu, who can eat any meal."
The two of them, in a synchronized display, were taunting Yu Wenli. The salespeople, not foolish, quickly made space.
Yu Wenli remained silent for the most part, his expression as detached as an observer.
Only when they finished speaking did he smile. "Continue. I haven't had enough of such a good performance. Why did you stop? Are you looking for payment? Here, take it."
Yu Wenli pulled out two hundred yuan bills and a fifty from his wallet, tossing them at their faces with a suave gesture. He commanded indifferently,
"Money is plentiful, so continue the show."
"Yu Wenli!!!"
Kang Wei, losing his patience, roared, his face darkening considerably.
"What right do you have to challenge me now?! Who in the entire entertainment industry knows you? Who dares to collaborate with you? Huh?
I am the top star now! I am the hottest singer in China. You are nothing!"
"You're nothing!" Fu Feifei stormed in.
She unleashed a torrent of abuse at the two of them. "You think you're so great? Hmph, your 'top star' status is as fake as can be. You think nobody knows that?"