The atmosphere at the dining table was palpably tense. Everyone sat upright and rigid, barely daring to breathe, waiting for the elder to descend. Amidst this suffocating silence, Fu Liangmu remained composed. With his gaze lowered, his large hand gently cradled Su Wanwan's delicate fingers, leisurely toying with them.
"It tickles." Su Wanwan's brows knitted slightly as a soft, fragile voice escaped her lips, intentionally hushed and sweet, enchanting in its softness.
Fu Liangmu feigned ignorance. "Hmm?"
Silently, Su Wanwan leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "Don't cause a scene; Grandpa will be down soon."
Her warm breath brushed against his ear like a cascade of downy feathers, stirring his restless heart. Instinctively, he shifted aside slightly.
"All right." Su Wanwan looked at him, puzzled.
Fu Jinghan, noticing their subtle exchange, sneered coldly, "Could some people please show a bit more restraint? Do they really think this is their own home, with no regard for others' feelings? Absolutely no manners at all!"
Fu Liangmu's eyes narrowed as he was about to retort, but Su Wanwan raised her voice deliberately, provoking Fu Jinghan.
"Don't mind him. How could a lonely old bachelor possibly understand? He's probably just jealous."
Fu Jinghan's lip twitched fiercely. "Jealous? You…"
The sharp click of a cane echoed clearly. Like on cue, everyone stood up simultaneously.
Soon, an elderly man with a full head of white hair descended the stairs, leaning on his cane. His frame was frail and his steps unsteady, yet his ruddy complexion radiated vitality. His face was carved with sternness, exuding authority without a word.
The moment he appeared, the room fell into a profound silence, no one daring to utter a sound. Only after he seated himself at the head of the table did everyone else take their seats, revealing the immense reverence the Fu family bore for this patriarch.
His gaze slowly swept over those present. Fu Ziyang was the first to speak.
"Grandfather, this matter has nothing to do with me. I was merely dragged here to fill in."
The elder ignored him and turned his scrutinizing eyes on Su Wanwan.
"You must be Su Wanwan?" His voice was deep and hoarse, his aged eyes clouded yet piercing, mingled with inquiry and subtle pressure.
But Su Wanwan met his gaze unflinchingly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Greetings, Grandfather. I am Su Wanwan."
The old man nodded approvingly. Unpretentious, without heavy makeup, she carried herself with grace and outstanding poise, just as the matriarch had described—more beautiful even than in the videos online. Indeed, impressive.
"What exactly happened today? The company is in turmoil."
"If you all have nothing better to do, perhaps you should focus on the backlog of contracts instead, rather than constantly stirring up trouble within the family!"
Fu Jinghan bristled at this reprimand.
"Grandfather—"
The elder cast a frosty glance at him, voice sharp as ice. "Have I given you permission to interrupt? I haven't finished speaking yet."
"I hereby forbid you from having dinner tonight!"
Fu Jinghan was speechless but endured silently.
"I hear the dispute concerns a position?"
"Chen Shuang, explain."
Chen Shuang recounted the facts plainly, without embellishment.
"Wanwan is now my daughter-in-law and a member of the Fu family. It is inevitable that working outside is challenging."
"Fu Cheng and I wanted to secure her a position. Wanwan wishes to serve as the design director at headquarters."
At these words, the old man's expression visibly darkened.
"Jinghan, what's your opinion?"
Finally called upon, Fu Jinghan exhaled with relief, shooting a venomous glance at Su Wanwan.
"Grandfather, I find this inappropriate."
"Wanwan has no prior design experience. Appointing her as design director right away would be unjust and unpalatable to others."
"The Fu Group houses elites from all industries."
"Even those in menial roles are graduates of prestigious universities."
"But Wanwan—"
Su Wanwan relaxed her furrowed brow and interrupted calmly, "Please address me as Sister-in-law."
Fu Jinghan fell silent for a moment, ignoring her.
"But regardless of her academic background—"
"Call me Sister-in-law!" Su Wanwan interrupted again sharply. "Aren't you supposed to be well-mannered?"
Fu Jinghan took a deep breath and complained to the elder, "Grandfather, she keeps interrupting! Shouldn't she be punished by skipping dinner?"
The elder replied calmly, "She hasn't interrupted me."
"Now, continue. Don't dawdle and waste my precious time!"
Fu Jinghan clenched his teeth, swallowing his frustration.
"But in every aspect, she is unqualified for this position."
"Grandfather, that is precisely what I intend to say."
The elder nodded thoughtfully.
Fu Jinghan glanced at Su Wanwan with a provocative smirk, about to speak again.
"Grandfather, I think—"
The elder raised his hand abruptly. "Haven't you finished speaking? Why persist?"
"I also forbid you from eating breakfast tomorrow!"
Fu Jinghan's eyes widened in shock, cursing inwardly.
The elder spoke leisurely:
"I believe I have grasped the gist of this matter."
"Some people shamelessly overstep bounds."
"If it's not yours, stay far away."
"Don't touch it, don't covet it."
"Look at the chaos now—do you think this is what we want?"
"The shame it brings—doesn't it stain our Fu family's reputation?"
Fu Jinghan felt somewhat relieved by the elder's words, casting a triumphant glance at Su Wanwan, lips curling into a sinister smile.
"Today, this old man will settle it. Apologize quickly, and we'll put this behind us."
"Otherwise, don't blame me for lacking familial mercy!"
Su Wanwan parted her crimson lips to respond, but before she could speak, Fu Liangmu squeezed her hand firmly twice. She glanced sideways, suspicion flickering.
Fu Liangmu opened her palm, placing a defined finger atop, slowly tracing characters:
"Fear not."
"For I am here."
A faint unease stirred within Su Wanwan.
Suddenly, the elder slammed his palm down on the table with force, causing everyone to flinch.
With commanding voice, he roared, "Why haven't you apologized yet?!"
Under the table, Fu Ziyang cautiously tugged at Su Wanwan's sleeve, silently urging her.
Better to endure humiliation than provoke the elder's wrath.
Su Wanwan remained seated, unmoving.
Fu Liangmu's calm demeanor—neither defending nor confronting—only deepened the mystery.
The elder grabbed a teacup and hurled it toward Fu Jinghan, scalding tea splashing over him.
"Fu Jinghan!"
"I am speaking to you!"
"Are you deaf?!"
"Apologize to Wanwan at once!"
Fu Jinghan slowly turned his stiff neck.
"???"