Fu Jinghan thought he must have misheard.
"What did you say?" The old master repeated each word deliberately.
"I said—"
"Apologize to Su Wanwan!"
Upon hearing this confirmation, Fu Jinghan erupted instantly.
"What on earth do you mean by that?"
The old master fixed him with a cold stare.
"What do you mean? Don't you understand what I mean?"
Fu Jinghan's anger surged uncontrollably; his fingers clenched so tightly he nearly snapped the ring on his pinky.
"Su Wanwan is going to take my position as director!"
"And why would she have that right?!"
The old master's expression remained composed, his tone light and unapologetic.
"Because she is the granddaughter-in-law who just joined our family."
"When you meet someone for the first time, you should offer a gift, shouldn't you?"
"Now that she's already asked for it, how could I refuse?"
Fu Ziyang silently admired the logic.
Makes perfect sense!
Fu Jinghan's lips trembled; his clenched teeth rattled fiercely with fury, nearly rendering him speechless.
"So you're going to come after me because of this?"
"Fu Liangmu is nothing but a useless burden to the Fu family! What can he possibly bring to us? He can't even take care of himself! How can you be so biased?"
The old master's face darkened as he struck his cane forcefully against the floor, producing a heavy, oppressive sound.
"You've all seen how miserable he is. If I didn't favor him, wouldn't he be even worse off?"
Fu Jinghan's eyes widened in stunned silence, unable to find a word to retort.
"You… you…"
His chest ached with rage as he glared fiercely at Fu Liangmu, who showed no surprise, then stormed out abruptly.
"Second brother!" Fu Ziyang called out.
"Don't bother with him! This family is on the verge of chaos!"
The old master snorted coldly, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Eat!"
The meal was eaten distractedly by everyone. Once it was over, Chen Shuang and Fu Cheng found excuses to leave, and Fu Ziyang slipped away as well. Only Su Wanwan and Fu Liangmu remained.
"It's getting late; you both should stay here and rest tonight," Su Wanwan said, nodding.
"Alright."
The servants had already prepared the bedroom. After a shower, Su Wanwan turned on the air conditioner and sat by the bed watching television.
Fu Liangmu had yet to return. Unable to resist, she pushed open the door and asked the servant, "Where's the young master?"
"He's been summoned to the study by the old master."
So long...
The study was filled with biographies of famous figures and elegant calligraphy scrolls. A gentle stream of water trickled nearby; a teapot tilted, pouring fragrant tea into delicate, valuable cups.
The old master poured tea and slid a cup toward Fu Liangmu.
Gone was any trace of sternness or intimidation. At this moment, he resembled a kindly grandfather from the neighborhood, his eyes crinkling deeply with a hint of pride as he smiled.
"Well? How did I do?"
"Seamless and quite convincing, wasn't it?"
Fu Liangmu sipped calmly and gave a faint hum of approval.
"That's good, that's good. Liangmu, next time you want to do something, just tell me directly. No need for such a fuss. Look at you, you even went to the company and dismantled the elevator..."
A sharp, chilly glare cut through his words as the old master changed his tone.
"Dismantled it?"
"Well done!"
Poor old man, from now on he'd have to squeeze into the elevator with others!
"Don't worry, I'll have someone rebuild it." Fu Liangmu said casually.
The old master twirled his cane, unsure what kind of trouble Fu Liangmu was up to.
"Alright, alright, the company will be yours sooner or later anyway. Do whatever you want."
Though Fu Liangmu didn't particularly care for it.
"But I have an important question: Didn't you go abroad recently for a bidding negotiation?"
"Why did Xiao Xie tell me the bid failed?"
In Fu Liangmu's mind flashed the graceful image of Su Wanwan.
"I had some matters to attend to and didn't go."
The old master twitched at the corner of his mouth, intending to scold but restrained by Fu Liangmu's current status, so he just nodded.
"Young people nowadays have no sense of discipline... I understand, I understand."
"Well then... have Wanwan start working at the company tomorrow."
"I'll prepare Jinghan mentally."
"By the way, bring Wanwan here."
"As her grandfather, I should give her a little welcome gift."
Fu Liangmu gave him a knowing glance and rose to leave.
After he left, the old master exhaled deeply. Poor man—at his age, still utterly overshadowed by his grandson.
He recalled when Fu Liangmu first interned at the company, securing tough contracts left and right. Those were the glory days of the Fu family.
But good times didn't last. A sudden fire shattered everything. Fu Liangmu, already a reserved man, became even more closed off, distrusting those around him. He refused to return home, instead carving out a new empire abroad.
Once stable, he brought Xie Cheng along. Only the housekeeper, Uncle Zhang, and himself knew about this.
"Honestly, I don't know if that fire was a blessing or a curse for him..."
He had witnessed Fu Liangmu leave the family step by step and build an empire ten or even a hundred times larger than the Fu family's.
Not just a mere design director anymore.
If Fu Liangmu were in a bad mood, a mere wave of his hand could buy out the entire Fu family.
"Untouchable, utterly untouchable!"
Lost in thought, the old master was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
He immediately straightened, lowering his voice with commanding authority.
"Come in."
Su Wanwan entered, and the old master scrutinized her carefully.
What talents did this girl possess that could compel Fu Liangmu himself to go to the Fu Corporation and secure this position for her? She must hold a very important place in his heart.
Good. Fu Liangmu had long lacked a confidante.
"Grandfather."
The old master nodded and took a large bundle from beside him, placing it before her.
"You are now a granddaughter-in-law of the Fu family, and I have something for you."
"Accept this."
Su Wanwan eyed two documents and an embroidered box in confusion and opened the box.
Inside lay an unassuming pendant, clearly an antique. The muted emeralds at its center shimmered faintly.
Suddenly, Su Wanwan's pupils contracted sharply. Her fingers trembled instinctively.
Suppressing her shock, she raised her eyes and feigned casualness.
"Grandfather, what is this?"
"A token of welcome, worth little."
A welcome gift? Worth little?
Who would present the helm of the Fu family's exclusive pendant as a mere welcome gift?
Outsiders may be unaware, but Su Wanwan, who had already obtained all the Fu family's documents from second brother, knew better.
Only the next head of the Fu family had the right to possess this pendant.
What on earth was the old master scheming?