It was Father Fu who delivered those two slaps, without a trace of hesitation or hesitation, nor was it a pretense. It was clear that Father Fu had great respect for Lu Yanchen.
Everyone knew Lu Yanchen was powerful abroad, but no one here knew his methods.
Perhaps Father Fu had seen him before, which was why he treated him with such respect.
Fu Xici had originally thought he would find a patron. After all, although he wasn't favored at home, the Fu family always protected their children, and his father would definitely support him.
Little did he know that it wasn't a patron, but a mountain.
"You bastard, do you really think you can even dream of being Mrs. Lu? Apologize to Mrs. Lu now!"
Fu Xici felt dizzy from those two slaps. Even his father had said that, so he had no choice but to quickly kneel and crawl to my feet. "Wan..."
He had barely uttered a single word when Father Fu slapped him hard across the face. "What's your name?"
Fu Xici quickly corrected himself, "Lu, Madam Lu, I was possessed by a demon and provoked. I'm sorry, please forgive me! Mr. Lu, I didn't mean to attack your physical flaws. Everything is my fault. Please, for the sake of the Fu family, forgive me this time. I won't do it again."
Looking at his swollen, red face, I felt nothing but pity.
Jiang Wanwan's death was so pitiful. She had been suffering from depression and thought she had found true love, but she had no idea that this hypocritical man was just a show-off from beginning to end, unworthy of her time.
Dying because of such a man was her greatest sorrow.
I said calmly, "Get up."
Fu Xici met my scornful gaze, and a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.
That's right. Jiang Wanwan would never have looked at him like that before.
The woman whose heart and eyes were filled with love only for him is long gone! Father Fu's back hunched slightly. "Mr. Lu, my two children have committed a heinous crime within the Lu family. What do you think we should do?"
I found this somewhat strange. Father Fu was, after all, an elder, and even a member of a powerful chaebol.
It was natural for him to be wary of Lu Yanchen, but this level of respect, almost to the point of awe, was almost outrageous.
It was as if Lu Yanchen towered over him.
I stared at the back of Lu Yanchen's head, only to realize that he seemed even more cunning than I'd imagined.
He turned to look at Fu Xue and Lu Shiyan. "What's going on between you two?"
I didn't know what had happened to Lu Shiyan's mind that night. Although his sanity had returned, his expression was numb, like that of an old man in his twilight years, his eyes devoid of any light.
He slowly raised his head and fixed his gaze on my face, a complex expression.
Perhaps he had guessed that I had orchestrated the situation last night, but so what?
The outcome was already in sight, and he couldn't change it, whether he fought or not. He preferred marrying Fu Xue to Su Ning'an.
Fu Xue's family background was far superior to Su Ning'an's, and he knew full well that a relationship with me was impossible.
If it wasn't Fu Xue, there would be another woman. Things had come to this point. He knew it was a trap, but he had no choice but to fall for it. The conspiracy was unstoppable.
He looked at me for a few seconds, then his gaze fell on Lu Yanchen's face. "Last night, under the influence of alcohol, I mistook Miss Fu for my deceased wife and committed a grave wrong against her. I hope my uncle will give me a chance to make amends and let me marry her."
Thankfully, he wasn't stupid enough to mention the dishonorable incident of being drugged.
This outcome was far more respectable than his outburst. Lu Yanchen looked at Fu Xue. "Miss Fu, what are your thoughts?"
Fu Xue, already fully dressed, sat there like a lady from a noble family. Her face flushed, and she said shyly, "I, I'm already Shi Yan's. I'm willing to marry him."
Father Fu frowned, as if surprised that his usually well-behaved and independent-minded daughter would do such a thing. He loved her, so his tone was not harsh.
"Have you thought it through? Young Master Lu's wife passed away not long ago. If you remarry so soon, you'll probably be criticized."
Father Fu clearly didn't want his daughter to get involved in such trouble.
No family that loved their daughter would marry her into the Lu family at this time.
Furthermore, he was so afraid of Lu Yanchen that he knew full well who would be the boss of the Lu family from now on. It would never be Lu Shi Yan's turn.
Lu Shi Yan was not a good match, morally or logically. He couldn't possibly explain this to his daughter in public.
Of course, Fu Xue wasn't some clueless Fu Xici. How could she not know? "I understand what my father meant, but I've already given Shi Yan my most precious things. I believe he will treat me well in the future."
Lu Shiyan's gaze at Fu Xue wasn't exactly gentle, but neither was it disdainful.
He spoke calmly, "Miss Fu, my late wife recently passed away. Even if we were married, we'd only get a marriage certificate at best. I can't give you a grand wedding."
Fu Xue took his hand and smiled gently, "Shi Yan, I understand. Actually, I heard of Miss Su's reputation while I was abroad. She was very kind, and someone I always admired. That's why I often volunteered at the children's shelter after returning to China. Her death is so sad."
A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Shiyan's eyes, as if he hadn't expected Fu Xue to say such a thing.
Su Ning'an, standing beside him, stared intently at Fu Xue, because her arrival had disrupted Su Ning'an's plan.
I smiled coldly. Things are unpredictable. Why would Su Ning'an think the situation today would still unfold as she had imagined? My rebirth is the biggest variable in this game, and she has long since gone from being the player to a mere pawn on the board.
"Since Miss Fu and Shi Yan have no objections, Dad, what are your thoughts on this marriage?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Old Master Lu, who had been silent since his appearance.
His deep gaze swept back and forth between Lu Yanchen and me, and finally, he forced out a word from his throat: "Since the parties involved have no objections, what can I possibly object to?"
Any discerning person could hear his dissatisfaction.
This family is already under Lu Yanchen's control.
Not only does Lu's father's family have no say in the Lu family, even Old Master can't control the situation.
I don't know what Old Master thinks now, but he's definitely dissatisfied with what Lu Yanchen and I are doing. It's too extreme!
But he doesn't know the suffering I've endured in the past. I'm afraid I'm not extreme enough, and I can't return the suffering I've endured a thousand times over to them. "Well, since Miss Fu is willing to keep things simple and marry into the Lu family, then let's choose an auspicious date. The Lu family will undoubtedly come to propose marriage, and all the necessary formalities will be followed. Furthermore, since the Lu and Fu families are in-laws, we can strengthen our business cooperation in the future."
At these words, the gloom on Father Fu's face instantly dissipated, and a hint of joy even crossed his face. "Yes, yes, yes, we will be in-laws from now on. The Fu family will rely on the Lu family for support."
Look, giving a slap and then a sweet date. Lu Yanchen is truly a man of high rank, wielding his power to perfection.
Father Fu had originally worried that marrying Lu Shiyan would mean she would have no real power, but Lu Yanchen's words reassured him.
Lu Shiyan didn't have any, but he did.
As long as Fu Xue married into the Lu family, they would be in-laws, a fact he acknowledged.
What a brilliant tactic!
Lu Yanchen calmly looked back at Fu Xici. "Then let's move on to the story of your young master and Miss Su."