At noon, Sheng Wanrou received a phone call from Sheng Congzhi.
It started with a barrage of accusations, and concluded with an order, "I warn you, immediately tell that Mr. Luo to restore the painting in Dongting."
Sheng Congzhi laughed coldly, "Why should I help him?"
"That painting is very important to Dongting and concerns the Fu Family's investments! You're married into the Fu Family, can't you consider the bigger picture of right and wrong? I don't expect you to help, but you shouldn't deliberately sabotage him, right? If the Fu Family suffers because of this, what good will it do you?"
Sheng Congzhi continued, "I really won't gain any benefits, after all, Fu Yan doesn't have the Fu Family's inheritance rights."
Being rigid was ineffective, Sheng Wanrou began to soften her approach, "Zhizhi, think of it as mom asking you a favor, can you do it? Jiaojiao already told me, everything in the morning was a misunderstanding..."
"At the store, Ye Jiaorui didn't say that."
Back and forth, Sheng Wanrou's emotions escalated, "Clearly it's you who behaved improperly, still intimately connected with Dongting even after marriage. Can you blame Jiaojiao for suspecting it?"
"There's nothing more to talk about then." Sheng Congzhi hung up directly.
In Yun City, if the Fu Family were considered top-tier, then the Ye Family could only be seen as third-tier.
Thanks to the late Old Sir Ye's kindness to the Fu Family, this marriage was the last straw the Ye Family could grasp at, and they would seize every opportunity to please the Fu Family.
Sure enough—
Soon after, Sheng Wanrou called again, this time with a much softer tone, "Zhizhi, do you have time to come home for dinner tonight? Auntie Gui has prepared many of your favorite dishes..."
"No need." Sheng Congzhi's tone was cold. "A married daughter is like spilled water, and besides, it was you who told me to leave and never come back."
After saying that, she hung up again.
Ye Family living room.
Being hung up on repeatedly, Sheng Wanrou felt as though she had been slapped in the face twice.
Ye Jiaorui was on the brink of insanity, "Mom, isn't she being too excessive?"
Old ginger is still spicy, Sheng Wanrou took a deep breath, "Jiaojiao, get ready, come with mom to see Zhizhi. When we see her, be nicer, bow your head, admit your mistake, and beg her to help..."
"Why should I?" Ye Jiaorui stood up abruptly.
Since returning to the Ye Family, she had sworn to completely trample Sheng Congzhi underfoot!
Now she was supposed to go and beg this foster daughter?
Wasn't this a slap to her face?
"Jiaojiao, can't you see what's important?" Sheng Wanrou frowned, "Is face more important, or is the marriage a bigger deal?"
Ye Jiaorui felt aggrieved, "Sister Zhizhi has always intentionally made things difficult for me. At yesterday's birthday party, in front of so many people, she claimed she didn't recognize me and even humiliated me together with Lu Huaichen. She is clearly resentful that I came back to take the position of Miss Ye..."
"I know you feel wronged, but this painting matters to Dongting's career. If you can't even bow your head over this small matter, how will Dongting view you in the future? You are supposed to become husband and wife."
After much persuasion, Sheng Wanrou finally promised, "Listen to mom, bow your head this time, and after this is over, mom will definitely seek justice for you!"
**
An hour later, the mother and daughter arrived at Tinglan Garden with gifts.
Just after getting out of the car, a black sedan pulled up and stopped behind them.
The car window rolled down, and Fu Yan was sitting inside, "What brings the two of you here..."
"Dr. Fu." Sheng Wanrou smiled broadly, "It's like this, Zhizhi has been married for half a year, and I, as her mother, haven't yet visited the marital home. Today, having some free time, I brought Jiaojiao to see our sister."
After saying this, "Jiaojiao, quickly greet him."
Ye Jiaorui cleared her throat and called out, "Uncle-in-law."
Hearing this title, Fu Yan raised an eyebrow, "Miss Ye isn't married into the Fu Family yet, right?"
His tone was leisurely but utterly devoid of politeness, "I really can't bear this 'uncle-in-law' title."
Ye Jiaorui's face turned pale immediately.
Sheng Wanrou didn't expect Fu Yan to be so direct, "Dr. Fu, Jiaojiao will eventually..."
"Come inside." Fu Yan cut her off.
The car window rolled up, the car made a turn, and entered through the iron gate.
...
Vestibule.
Fu Yan tugged at his shirt collar, "Where's the lady?"
Servant: "The lady is napping upstairs, I'll go call her now..."
"No need." Fu Yan stopped him, "Let her continue sleeping, she's probably exhausted from last night."
Servant: "…"
Right then, the Ye Family mother and daughter came over.
Hearing this, both of their expressions were a bit awkward.
Once in the living room, Fu Yan's demeanor was somewhat polite, "Please have a seat."
Sheng Wanrou and her daughter sat down.
But the next second.
Fu Yan turned and went to the study.
The door closed.
The spacious living room was left with only mother and daughter.
Ye Jiaorui couldn't help it, "Mom, what does Dr. Fu mean by this? And Zhizhi, knowing we were coming and she's actually taking a nap, is she doing this on purpose?"
"Forget it." Sheng Wanrou frowned, "We're already here, might as well wait."
Who asked them to come seeking help?
…
Half an hour had passed, and there was still no movement upstairs.
"Mom." Ye Jiaorui was anxious, "I think Zhizhi really doesn't want to help, she's doing this on purpose…"
"Alright." Sheng Wanrou was also impatient but thought of that painting…
"Let's wait a bit longer."
Just like that, until more than an hour had passed, there finally came some noise from upstairs.
Sheng Congzhi came downstairs in a long dress and slippers, her demeanor lazy.
A servant approached, "Madam, your maternal family is here, they have been waiting for a long time."
Sheng Congzhi glanced at the antique clock on the wall, "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Didn't want to disturb your rest."
A deep, magnetic male voice suddenly came.
The door to the study opened, and Fu Yan came out with a cigarette in his mouth.
He came straight over, took off the cigarette, extinguished it, and kissed her lightly on the lips.
There was a "pop."
Quite loud.
Despite having been intimate several times in private, Sheng Congzhi couldn't help but feel her ears heat up.
This flirt!
The man's phoenix eyes were smiling elegantly, his voice even more charming and teasing, "How did you sleep?"
Sheng Congzhi struggled to calm her heartbeat, "Not bad."
Then she bypassed him and sat down on the sofa.
Fu Yan chuckled, followed her over and sat down right next to her, even putting his hand on the back of the sofa, "Speak."
Ye Jiaorui clenched her teeth and stood up, "Zhizhi, I was rude this morning, and I admit my mistake, but that 'Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River' is very important to Brother Dongting. Brother Dongting said he would pay any amount, as long as Senior Sister Luo can take on the job..."
"What does this have to do with our Zhizhi?" Fu Yan retorted.
Sheng Congzhi's heart 'thudded'.
Exploded!
He said...
Our Zhizhi?
"Mr. Luo said, since Zhizhi and Senior Sister Luo are good friends, could you please talk to her?" Ye Jiaorui held back her humiliation, "I'm begging you, Zhizhi, could you help?"
Sheng Congzhi was about to speak…
"It turns out, you're asking Zhizhi for help." Fu Yan took over the conversation again, stretching his long legs, his tone lazy and willful, "Since you are here to ask for help, you should at least show some sincerity, right?"
Sheng Wanrou got the hint, stood up, picked up the teapot from the table, and poured a cup of water.
Ye Jiaorui received the hint, took the cup of tea and approached Sheng Congzhi, "Zhizhi, please have some tea."
Fu Yan clicked his thin lips, "Our Zhizhi is on her period, she can't drink cold drinks."
Ye Jiaorui was stunned.
Sheng Congzhi was also slightly surprised.
How did he know?
Her period had just started this morning...
"Indeed, you can't drink cold drinks during your period, it's bad for health." Sheng Wanrou urged, "Jiaojiao, get a cup of hot water."
Ye Jiaorui, bearing the insult, went to the kitchen and filled a cup with hot tea, "Zhizhi..."
"Is it this hot? Are you trying to scald our Zhizhi to death?"
It was Fu Yan again.
Sheng Congzhi sat there, struggling to suppress her lip corners from laughing out loud.
As for Ye Jiaorui…
Her entire face turned red.
She was sure, Fu Yan was doing this on purpose!
But what could she do?
She could only get another cup of warm tea.
The third time serving tea, Ye Jiaorui nearly gritted her teeth, "Zhizhi, this cup of tea is neither cold nor hot, you should be able to drink it, right?"
Finally, Sheng Congzhi reached out her hand, received the tea, and took a slow sip from her lips, "Fine, since you've come with such sincerity, I will help you."