Su Wanwan's hand paused ever so slightly. She lifted her beautiful apricot eyes, a soft smile flickering in their luminous depths.
It was rare to hear Fu Liangmu speak at such length—and even more rare that every word was in her favor. Amidst her surprise, a faint amusement rose within her.
"Is Mr. Fu trying to prevent a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law war?"
Since ancient times, such conflict has been one of the thorniest issues in marriage. Yet Su Wanwan had always been well-liked by elders. She knew when to advance, when to retreat, and how to behave with grace and decorum. She was impeccable in every way.
Fu Liangmu gave a light hum of assent.
Su Wanwan gently stirred the unrecognizable dish in her bowl with her chopsticks."Don't worry," she said softly, "I'll handle it well. I won't put you in a difficult position."
Fu Liangmu's brows furrowed slightly at her mechanical tone, as if she were simply completing a task. He said nothing, yet his eyes followed her every move, quietly observant.
As the weekend approached, Su Wanwan showed not the slightest change in demeanor—calm as ever.
Lying beside the peacefully sleeping woman, Fu Liangmu felt as if a heavy stone were pressing on his chest. He picked up his phone, and just as he unlocked the screen, a message popped up.
[Bro, don't forget to pick me up tomorrow. Time to meet your Empress Dowager.]
Fu Liangmu's brow twitched sharply. With a decisive motion, his long fingers typed a reply:
[Busy.]
The phone rang almost instantly. It was Xie Cheng.
Fu Liangmu got up and slipped quietly out the door. He leaned against the cold wall, the overhead light casting shadows on his chiseled profile.
A cigarette was delicately held between his fingers, resting at his cool lips. A spark flared briefly, then dimmed. He exhaled a long, misty breath of smoke.
Xie Cheng's voice came through the phone, grumbling.
"Got yourself a wife and forgot your brothers, huh?""Every year, it was me accompanying you. I was the one shielding you from your mom's verbal onslaught.""Now you're married, and it's out with the old and in with the new? Really?"
Fu Liangmu's dark eyes remained indifferent, as if too lazy to argue."Mm."
Xie Cheng's breath hitched in frustration.
"Don't tell me you're afraid your wife might fall for me?""I mean, look at me—handsome, capable, irresistible… women throw themselves at me…"
Fu Liangmu cut him off coldly."Are you finished?""Because I'm going to sleep."
Xie Cheng howled indignantly on the other end:"Hey, hey! This is too much! You think you can just hide me off the guest list like the Xie family doesn't exist?"
Fu Liangmu's lips parted, about to speak—when the bedroom door behind him was suddenly pulled open.
Su Wanwan stood barefoot in the doorway, sleep still clouding her drowsy eyes. She poked her head out, yawning softly, her voice tender and laced with that endearing huskiness of just-awakened innocence."It's so late... and you're still not sleeping?"
Xie Cheng heard her voice clearly through the phone, and suddenly became animated."That voice—too cute! She's a total contrast moe!"
Onstage, Su Wanwan was cold, aloof, and regal—a queen who kept all at a distance. Who would have imagined that in private, she'd be like an adorable kitten, fragile and lovable?
What man could possibly say no to a woman like that?
Fu Liangmu hung up immediately."Soon."
Su Wanwan wrinkled her nose, eyebrows knitting at the smell of smoke."Did I wake you?"
Fu Liangmu noted her expression and casually crushed the remaining cigarette in the ashtray, pressing down with slender fingers.
"I just woke up," he said.
Su Wanwan turned and headed back inside, climbing into bed again. Fu Liangmu soon followed.
But just as he reached out to hold her, Su Wanwan shifted subtly, putting a small distance between them.
"What's wrong?" Fu Liangmu asked, puzzled.
Su Wanwan rubbed her nose and buried her head into the soft pillow."Nothing. Let's sleep."
Early the next morning, Fu Liangmu woke Su Wanwan.
After washing up, she came out to see him holding a gown in front of her."Wear this."
Su Wanwan glanced at it, dissatisfaction flickering in her eyes."May I choose for myself? There are plenty of gowns at home."
Fu Liangmu heard the meaning between the lines. His gaze lingered on the dress."You don't like it?"
He had specially ordered it on rush this week. He knew that girls her age wouldn't want something too conservative or dull. He had even consulted a designer to have it tailored for her.
Su Wanwan was silent for a moment, then smiled, eyes curving like crescents."It's too revealing. Do you really want your wife ogled by other men?"
Fu Liangmu: "…"
This wasn't quite the response he expected—but she was surprisingly self-aware.
Su Wanwan opened the wardrobe and casually picked out a pale blue gown—understated, yet striking.
"How about this one?"
Fu Liangmu didn't insist. He nodded slightly.
Once he left the room, Su Wanwan sat before the mirror and slowly changed from her pajamas into the gown.
In the solitude, she stretched out her right leg, the long scar—nearly twenty centimeters—on its inner side revealing itself. It looked like an old burn. Though not particularly large, it disrupted the smooth elegance of her leg.
She gently touched the now painless scar with her fingers. A trace of sorrow flitted across her apricot eyes.
After changing into the gown and applying a light touch of makeup, she left the house with Fu Liangmu for the old estate.
On the way, her phone buzzed several times. She glanced at it—messages from Xia Kelan, offering encouragement.
[Be sweet when you meet your mother-in-law for the first time!][You're so beautiful, I'm sure she'll love you. Don't be nervous!]
Fu Liangmu's eyes swept downward, catching sight of the messages.
He repeated them aloud."No need to be nervous."
Su Wanwan locked her phone, her refined features tranquil, as if they were simply going for an ordinary meal.
"Mm, I know."
The drive took nearly an hour before they arrived at a villa nestled halfway up the mountain.
The old estate stood in majestic grandeur, clearly the legacy of generations of wealth and power.
Red carpets led to the entrance, and luxury cars were parked in neat rows. Guests greeted one another with practiced courtesy, giving way with smiles.
The driver slowed, afraid to offend any of the eminent figures arriving.
Fu Liangmu's voice was cold and commanding."Drive through."
With a swift press on the accelerator, the car surged forward. Guests scattered in alarm, making way immediately.
Once the car stopped, hushed murmurs broke out among the crowd.
"Who the hell is that? So rude!"
"Who else? Just look at the plate. That's the eldest young master of the Fu family."
"Tsk. I mean, what's he thinking, showing up like this after his face got ruined—bringing shame on such an important occasion."