The car was eerily silent, with no one acknowledging the other's presence.
It was only upon arriving at the Fu Family villa, did Shen Feiwan realize that her own family was there as well.
In their three years of marriage, it was rare for the two families to dine together.
The social disparity was too significant, after all.
The Fu Family was Rong City's wealthiest, a legitimate and renowned lineage. Besides wealth, they exuded an innate nobility.
As for the Shen Family, they weren't regarded highly in Rong City, let alone that their business that had been deteriorating over the years.
"You're back." Fu Shiyan's mother, Lin Lanhe, called out to him.
The couple approached the sofa, politely greeting the elders who were seated.
At this moment, the scrupulously polite Shen Feichi, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up. She affectionately held Shen Feiwan's hand, "Sister, we haven't seen each other in such a long time, I've missed you."
Then she looked at Fu Shiyan with a sweet smile, "Brother-in-law, you're still so handsome."
Fu Shiyan merely gave a brief nod, a cold acknowledgment of her greeting.
Shen Feiwan managed a polite smile in response.
The group then moved toward the dining room.
In a place out of sight, Shen Feiwan picked up a napkin and meticulously wiped it clean.
Fu Shiyan unintentionally turned his head and saw it.
Shen Feiwan met Fu Shiyan's gaze without flinching.
Everyone sat down for dinner at the dining table.
During the meal, Lin Lanhe asked, "Wanwan, any signs of a baby yet?"
This unavoidable interrogation happened every time they visited.
"No."
"After three years of marriage, how come there's still no sign?" Lin Lanhe was obviously displeased.
Shen Feiwan chose to remain silent.
She couldn't possibly mention that they were intimate only once a month, and Fu Shiyan was particularly careful during those times. It would be a miracle if she could get pregnant at all!
Furthermore, they were on the verge of divorce, so what's the point of getting pregnant?
Let some other woman bear a child for your family!
"I got it under control." Fu Shiyan suddenly spoke up, cutting off Lin Lanhe just as she was about to lose her temper.
"Fu Shiyan..."
"Enough, we are together as a family after a long time. Let's focus on dinner." Fu Shiyan's father, Fu Zhengyang, spoke in a stern voice.
Lin Lanhe held back her words and said no more.
"Brother-in-law is so good to my sister, always defending her. I'm so envious." In the slightly awkward atmosphere, Shen Feichi surprisingly broke the silence, "I wonder when I'll be able to find a man as good as my brother-in-law."
No one responded to her.
Shen Feichi continued on her own accord, "It is often said that birds of a feather flock together. As outstanding as brother-in-law is, surely he must also have outstanding friends. Can brother-in-law introduce me to a boyfriend?"
"No." Fu Shiyan refused outright.
Shen Feichi looked embarrassed.
Attempting to lighten the situation, Shen Feichi's mother, Jiang Hong spoke, "Shiyan is so busy. How could he possibly have time to find boyfriends for you? I heard that Shiyan has left Fu Group and started a jewelry company, Fulan Jewelry. How commendable."
Her words were full of flattery.
However, Fu Shiyan was unimpressed, not acknowledging her words in the least.
The members of the Fu Family were all aloof, no one made an attempt to provide an exit for Jiang Hong's indiscretion.
"Oh yes." Jiang Hong was prepared, "I heard that Fulan Jewelry is currently recruiting designers?"
Fu Shiyan simply gave a vague, noncommittal response.
Jiang Hong was noticeably elated as she said, "Well, isn't that a coincidence? Just some time ago, Feichi won fifth place globally in the International Star Cup jewelry design competition. This is an honor! Only two individuals from Asia made it to the top ten."
"Wasn't the first prize also won by someone from Asia?" Shen Feiwan casually remarked.
The remark clearly affected Jiang Hong, but as it was the truth, she could not refute it.
"Mom, maybe we should stop talking about it. Sister Feiwan might not be pleased." Shen Feichi responded, pretending to consider her older sister's feelings.
"I didn't mean to boast." Jiang Hong hurried to explain, "Wanwan, you misunderstand."
"I did not misunderstand. This isn't something worth boasting about." Shen Feiwan replied indifferently.
"…" Jiang Hong was left speechless, choked by Shen Feiwan.
She pursed her lips but chose not to let Shen Feiwan disrupt her plans for the night.
She then got the conversation back on track, "Shiyan, what do you think of Feichi? Right now, she's very popular in the country. Many jewelry groups want her, but she's refused all of them. She's said that if she were to join any firm, it would be Fulan Jewelry, as she prefers to help family."
So, this was the reason the Shen Family actively sought out a dinner with the Fu Family tonight? To fit Shen Feichi into the Fu Group?!
Her words sounded nice.
The implication was clear though - that Fu Shiyan should feel privileged to have Shen Feichi design for Fulan Jewelry.
"There is no need for that." Fu Shiyan rejected the offer once again.
Jiang Hong's smile froze momentarily.
No matter how thick-skinned Jiang Hong was, it was clear that she was struggling to retain her composure.
Shen Feichi's expression was also visibly grim.
"Fulan Jewelry prefers quality over quantity."
Fu Shiyan's statement was a takedown.
"Shiyan, what do you mean? Feichi was fifth in the world and second in Asia!" Jiang Hong couldn't contain herself any longer, she protested.
"That's exactly why I want the one who was first in the world."
Shen Feiwan, who usually despised Fu Shiyan's arrogant and unsocial character, enjoyed this exchange. In that moment, she appreciated his ability to highlight his arrogance.
Jiang Hong was left speechless.
Shen Feichi bit her lip. She hadn't expected it would turn out to be such a humiliation.
She had initially planned to gloat in front of Shen Feiwan.
Shen Feiwan was clearly incompetent. Had she not slept with Fu Shiyan, how would she have married him?
Shen Feichi was well aware that Fu Shiyan only tolerated Shen Feiwan.
As long as it wasn't Bai Zhi, anyone else would have sufficed.
What angered her was, why wasn't she the one?!
Despite her excellence, why couldn't she have the happiness she deserved?!
It was only her luck that she bagged a big prize, and this was meant to prove her worth. However, not only has she failed to gain the recognition she deserved, she has been humiliated instead.
Shen Feichi was so infuriated her eyes turned red.
What infuriated her further?
The moment she lifted her eyes and saw the faint smirk on Shen Feiwan's face, it was clear she was being made fun of!
What gave Shen Feiwan the right to mock her?!
Was she not merely a housewife without a social status?
Someday, she would step on Shen Feiwan, leaving her trampled and broken!
…
After dinner, Shen Feiwan was called by Lin Lanhe into her room.
"What's going on between you and Fu Shiyan? I heard you two are considering a divorce? And that you've been living separately for half a month?!" Lin Lanhe questioned.
Shen Feiwan saw no point in hiding it.
She couldn't, even if she wanted to.
The Fu Family villa was filled with their informants.
"Bai Zhi is back." Naturally, Shen Feiwan wouldn't be foolish enough to take the blame. She innocently hinted her sorrow.
"And you thought provoking him in this way would help? You think Fu Shiyan is easy to manipulate?" Lin Lanhe grumbled.
Shen Feiwan chose to play dumb.
"Alright. You don't need to overthink. As long as I live, I will not let that woman Bai Zhi marry into the Fu family. Go back and live a good life with Fu Shiyan. Stop making unreasonable demands."
"….." So Fu Shiyan's arrogant and self-absorbed character really was hereditary.
"Getting pregnant with Fu Shiyan's child would solve all problems," Lin Lanhe added.