Li Zhen forced a faint smile, her lips stiff. "Miss Su, what kind of joke is this? Matters of marriage cannot be taken so lightly…"
Su Wanwan smiled gently, her tone full of consideration. "I'm only thinking for Miss Li's sake. Since the moment I arrived today, Miss Li has been constantly making things difficult for me."
"At first, I couldn't understand why, but after hearing your words just now, it became clear…"
"Miss Li has always harbored feelings for Liangmu, which explains the sharpness in her eyes whenever she looks at me."
In the air-conditioned dining room, a fine layer of sweat appeared on Li Zhen's back. She truly did have feelings for Fu Liangmu—but only before his disfigurement! Heaven knows how much effort she had spent, conjuring all manner of excuses, to avoid any contact with him after that. If Chen Shuang were to change her mind over a few words, then…
"Miss Su, you misunderstand. Whatever Fu Liangmu and I had in the past is history."
"You are now his wife, the esteemed eldest lady of the Fu family. How could I possibly interfere?"
"Your suspicions seem a bit… unwarranted."
Fu Liangmu furrowed his brow, his cold gaze lifting with evident disdain. Half of his perfect profile betrayed a shudder of revulsion.
"Finished speaking?"
"Can't even keep your mouth shut during dinner?"
Li Zhen's words caught in her throat. Seeing her quiet down, Fu Liangmu lifted his chopsticks, carefully picked a piece of fish, meticulously removed the bones, and placed it into Su Wanwan's bowl.
Su Wanwan murmured a soft thanks, bowing her head to eat without noticing the astonished gazes around them.
They weren't mistaken, were they? Fu Liangmu, who notoriously detested fish, had just taken the trouble to pick out bones for Su Wanwan? No one in the Fu family was unaware that Fu Liangmu loathed fish—he barely glanced at it, let alone bother with such delicate care!
After finishing the fish, Su Wanwan reached for another dish but sensed an unusual atmosphere. She swallowed quietly, her lowered lashes veiling a flicker of subtle suspicion.
At home, Fu Liangmu had never displayed such intimate gestures. Could this be a deliberate show for their parents, to ease worries about their relationship?
After careful contemplation, Su Wanwan decided to reciprocate. Mimicking his actions, she picked out a piece of fish for him.
Chen Shuang's eyes flickered with displeasure, about to speak, but Li Zhen cut in first.
"Miss Su clearly knows nothing of Liangmu. Fish is the one thing he cannot bear."
Su Wanwan's expression stiffened. No way… out of more than twenty dishes on the table, she coincidentally picked the only forbidden one? Even in a game of minesweeper, the odds aren't that cruel!
Before she could think of an excuse, Fu Liangmu calmly ate the piece.
Li Zhen, surprised by his defense of Su Wanwan, couldn't help but make a biting remark—ambiguous in meaning, leaving one unsure if it was aimed at person or thing.
"Liangmu, why force yourself to eat what you dislike?"
Fu Liangmu's cold eyes, like eternal ice, held no warmth, instantly chilling the air. The piercing gaze gave Li Zhen goosebumps.
His thin lips parted deliberately, each word heavy and measured.
"People change, and so do their tastes."
Li Zhen's chopsticks clattered onto the table, sliding lightly along the plate's edge with a crisp sound.
Fu Cheng frowned slightly, trying to ease the tension. "If you like fish, next time I'll have the kitchen prepare extra."
Fu Liangmu remained silent.
The only one undeterred by the oppressive atmosphere was Fu Ziyang. Unable to bear the heaviness, he hurriedly shoveled rice into his mouth, then sought an excuse to slip away.
Seizing the moment, Li Zhen rose.
"It's getting late, I must leave early."
"Auntie, please enjoy your meal. I'll take my leave now."
"Ziyang, please see me out."
Fu Ziyang hesitated mid-step, reluctant. "Isn't there a driver? Why must I escort you?"
Li Zhen gripped his arm firmly, tugging him forward. "Come on, come on."
After dinner, the remaining four settled on the sofa, idly watching TV and chatting.
"There's quite a bit about you online lately. When I have time, I've looked up some of it. I never expected such a capable girl from the countryside."
"Seems my son is lucky to have married someone so exceptional."
Fu Cheng's stern face softened with a hint of a smile.
"You flatter me."
Su Wanwan sat quietly, smiling shyly.
Fu Cheng cleared his throat.
"Business at Fu Group keeps us busy, so we haven't had the chance to visit."
"Soon, we should gather both our families for a proper meal and get acquainted."
Su Wanwan nodded. "That would be lovely."
Fu Cheng glanced at Fu Liangmu's unreadable expression, then sipped his tea.
"Wanwan, Liangmu is already twenty-eight."
"And we only have this one son."
"When it comes to continuing the family line, you must be mindful."
Su Wanwan's eyes widened in panic; she blinked helplessly as her face flushed a vivid crimson.
Have… have a child?
Fu Liangmu's voice was cold. "Wanwan, you're still young. No rush."
Fu Cheng chuckled lightly. "Nonsense. Your mother was twenty-three when she had you—this is the perfect time."
"While young, recovery is swift."
Su Wanwan's mouth twitched involuntarily. Why did these words sound so strange coming from her father-in-law?
Chen Shuang abruptly interrupted. "They just got married. Their relationship isn't even stable yet. What's the use of rushing to have a child? Just setting themselves up for custody battles later?"
Fu Cheng frowned at her disruption. "Can't you say something nice?"
"Just plug your ears if you don't want to hear it."
Without looking back, Chen Shuang stood and headed upstairs.
"Wanwan, come with me."
Su Wanwan rose and followed her.
Inside the bedroom, Chen Shuang gestured invitingly.
"Please, have a seat."
Su Wanwan composed herself calmly and sat opposite her.
"Don't intend to talk to me?"
Chen Shuang poured tea into two cups and placed one before Su Wanwan.
Su Wanwan smiled, composed and unflustered, as if anticipating the question.
"Whatever needs investigating, haven't you already done so?"
Chen Shuang's knuckles whitened slightly from gripping the cup too tightly, her gaze probing.
"In that case, I won't beat around the bush."
"Fifty million is a mere trifle. With your talents rivaling Lunen's, it shouldn't be hard to produce."
"Tell me honestly—what exactly is your purpose in marrying Liangmu?"