Chapter 29

Chapter 29 (Third Update)

Yu He turned slightly, a fake smile playing on his lips, “Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Wenxiao’s eyebrows furrowed as he scrutinized the radiant Yu He, “I always told Qingyan she was worrying over nothing. Look, Young Master Yu is here enjoying himself, mingling like a fish in water. He even looks in better spirits than when he was at the Yu family.”

Hearing this, Yu He was not annoyed. In fact, the smile on his face became two degrees more genuine. He covered Zhang Chenyang's ears with his hands and said to Zhou Wenxiao, “Of course, I am nourished by love.”

The world instantly became quiet for Zhang Chenyang. He bit his straw and looked up in confusion, “???"

Words spoken without a second thought, but taken to heart by the listener. Zhou Wenxiao was currently in a cold war with Yu Qingyan. Yu He’s mention of ‘love’ seemed as if it was directed explicitly at him, especially after the last time Yu Qingyan visited Yu He and returned with an even colder attitude towards Zhou Wenxiao. Zhou Wenxiao couldn’t help but suspect whether Yu He had said something to Yu Qingyan.

They all used to hang out in the same circle. Although he was not afraid of Yu Qingyan knowing about his past deeds, he definitely did not want her to hear about them from Yu He.

Even good words could turn bad once they came out of Yu He’s mouth!

Zhou Wenxiao gripped the wrist harder, “What did you tell Qingyan?”

With one hand holding Zhang Chenyang, Yu He couldn’t break free from Zhou Wenxiao's grip. He lifted his arm, bringing his wrist up to eye level, “It’s not appropriate to be pulling and tugging here.”

Zhou Wenxiao’s expression was cold and stern as he commanded, “Speak.”

Yu He moved his wrist slightly, but Zhou Wenxiao gripped even harder.

Yu He let out a groan, saying, "Ouch."

Zhou Wenxiao finally loosened up a bit. Just then, Zhang Chenyang, who was sitting in Yu He’s embrace watching the play, suddenly bowed his head and bit precisely onto Zhou Wenxiao’s wrist.

The bite was both accurate and ruthless, resembling a little wolf dog as he sank his teeth into the flesh. Zhou Wenxiao involuntarily inhaled sharply and quickly retracted his hand.

Zhang Chenyang bent down, spilling all his Coke in the process. The Coke spilled evenly onto both Zhou Wenxiao and Yu He, showering both equally as if ensuring everyone got their share, yet he himself remained completely dry.

Yu He: “......”

Zhou Wenxiao: “......”

The attendant, hearing the commotion, hurriedly came over and began wiping the Coke off them with a white towel, saying, "Young Master Yu, Mr. Zhou, why don’t you go change your clothes first?"

"Young Master Chenyang," the attendant extended his hand, wanting to lift Zhang Chenyang up.

Yu He lifted his arm to dodge and handed Zhang Chenyang over to Fu Yao who had rushed over.

After giving Zhou Wenxiao, who was now in a sorry state, a glance, Yu He turned around and left.

Fu Yao, holding Zhang Chenyang, walked with Yu He towards the changing room, asking, “What happened?”

Yu He shook his head: “It's nothing.”

"He pinched Uncle’s flesh! It hurt!" Zhang Chenyang raised his hand to complain.

Yu He: “......”

Fu Yao cursed under his breath. He didn’t know Zhou Wenxiao and thought that Yu He was taken advantage of by a stranger. He turned around, ready to find Zhou Wenxiao and settle the score for Yu He.

Yu He, while wiping the Coke off his body with a towel, casually pulled Fu Yao back, saying, “It's okay. That’s Yu Qingyan’s boyfriend. He just doesn’t like me.”

Fu Yao had heard a bit about Yu Qingyan from Yu He, but whether he was a real or fake young master, Fu Yao didn’t care at all. He was friends with Yu He and naturally sided with him.

The attendant opened the door to the cloakroom, and Fu Yao stepped aside, letting Yu He enter first.

Fu Yao said, “This is the Fu family’s place. Whether he likes it or not, he has to behave. This is really strange. Who does he think he is, daring to give you trouble here in the Fu’s territory?”

Fu Yao locked the door behind him and placed Zhang Chenyang on the sofa, checking if his little nephew was wet.

The room was warm, and as Fu Yao helped Zhang Chenyang take off his down jacket, he continued, “This is actually the first time I've seen someone dare to make a scene in the Fu family's place...”

Zhang Chenyang echoed, saying: “How audacious!”

Fu Yao nestled on the sofa, relaxing his back; after holding up all evening, he was quite exhausted.

Holding Zhang Chenyang in his arms, Fu Yao asked, “Do you know what to say when you see your mom and dad later?”

Zhang Chenyang nodded knowingly, displaying a well-coordinated understanding with Fu Yao. This was evidently not their first time doing this: “I’ll complain, pretend my hand is shaking, and say the Coke spilled.”

Yu He clicked his tongue and remarked, "Hey Fu Yao, can’t you teach the kid something good?" First, he lifted up his outer shirt to wipe himself, then he pulled off his dress shirt and headed to the bathroom: “I need a shower, I feel sticky.”

Fu Yao, too lazy to move, slumped on the sofa: “Do I need to leave?”

“It’s not like you’re showering with me, why would you leave?” Yu He retorted.

After Yu He showered and changed his clothes, he came out and said, “Ah, I just want to sleep after a hot shower, I don’t even know…”

The moment Yu He walked out of the bathroom and lifted his head, his words trailed off, “Mr. Fu?”

Inside the changing room, both Fu Yao and Zhang Chenyang were nowhere to be seen; only Fu Yunzheng sat there waiting for him.

Fu Yunzheng looked up at Yu He: “Feeling sleepy?”

Yu He tucked his shirt into his trousers: “Taking a hot shower just makes me lazy.”

Fu Yunzheng hummed in response: “How about you go upstairs and rest first?”

Yu He adjusted his trouser waistband and took a tie from the display rack, putting it around his neck: “It’s fine, I can hold on.”

Fu Yunzheng grabbed the tie around Yu He’s neck, gave it a gentle pull, and Yu He fell into his embrace. Fu Yunzheng’s suit was somewhat cool, and as he looked at Yu He, he spoke softly, “You don’t need to hold on.”

“No, I can’t do that. I’ve been faking smiles all evening just for this meal.” Yu He grabbed Fu Yunzheng’s hand and asked, “Aren’t you cold?”

“Have I ever been short of a meal?” Fu Yunzheng lowered his eyes to tie Yu He’s tie, his slender and pale fingers forming a striking contrast with the dark tie: “Stop wandering around outside. Sit next to me after the banquet starts, so no one dares to mess with Young Master Yu of my house again.”

Yu He was slightly taken aback by his words: “Sit at the main table? Forget it, I’d rather sit with Fu Yao and the kids. I don’t even drink alcohol…”

Fu Yunzheng’s dark eyes fixed on Yu He’s face, and he slowly repeated, “You don’t drink?”

Yu He was famously known for his high alcohol tolerance, capable of partying all night in nightclubs and bars, mixing red and white liquors, and still being able to walk out of the bar upright the next day. Fu Yunzheng had looked up Yu He's spending records, and the amount spent on alcohol was indeed staggering.

Yu He also seemed to be aware that his impressive track record was hard to erase: “Back then, I couldn't sleep at night, so I drank a bit more to help me sleep.”

After moving in with Fu Yunzheng, Yu He finally adjusted his erratic sleep schedule to a normal one. Even his insomnia gradually improved. Initially, he had to use headphones to listen to live streams to fall asleep, but later, he would drift off slowly to the steady rhythm of Fu Yunzheng’s breathing.

Fu Yunzheng finished tying his tie and took off his tie clip to affix it onto Yu He’s tie, saying, “You don’t need to explain to me. You’re not a child. Having a high alcohol tolerance is a good thing; it gives you an advantage in the business world.”

Yu He subconsciously touched his tie, asking, “And what about Zhou Wenxiao?”

Fu Yunzheng’s face remained expressionless: “I asked him to leave.”

Yu He fell silent for a moment before asking, “How did you ask him to leave?”

A smirk appeared on Fu Yunzheng’s face: “The security escorted him out. Surely you weren’t expecting me to do it personally?”

“So, was he asked to leave, or was he kicked out?” Yu He stood up to ask.

Fu Yunzheng didn’t seem to care much as he casually responded, “It’s a matter of perspective.”

Yu He let out a light chuckle and then asked Fu Yunzheng, “Have you been sitting all evening? Aren’t you tired?”

Fu Yunzheng instinctively wanted to shake his head, but he actually felt a bit weary from keeping up appearances all night. Considering he didn’t need to put on a facade in front of Yu He, he chose not to answer.

Yu He could tell that Fu Yunzheng was tired.

“I’ll give you a back massage tonight,” Yu He said as he pushed the wheelchair out of the dressing room. “Hang in there a bit longer, Mr. Fu.”

*

The main table was reserved for the core members of the Fu family, including Fu Yunzheng, Fu Rulan, Fu Rulan’s husband, the eldest uncle’s family, and the third uncle’s family. Even the younger aunt who had married out of the family wasn’t qualified to sit at this table, not to mention the cousins.

Although Fu Rulan was also married out of the family, her brother was the head of the Fu family, and her husband was a distinguished guest of the family. Since it was also her birthday banquet, she naturally sat at the main table with her husband.

She was unaware of the incident with Yu He’s clothes getting soaked with cola. When she saw Fu Yunzheng and Yu He coming together, with Yu He in a change of clothes, she couldn’t help but frown slightly, her brows thin and delicate. The joy in her laughter and conversations with others also cooled.

Fu Rulan’s expression turned chilly, and naturally, the others quickly caught on, standing up to greet Fu Yunzheng to his seat, while completely ignoring Yu He at his side.

Ignoring someone is the simplest way to humiliate them.

However, while adults have a myriad of complex thoughts, children don’t care about these things.

Zhang Chenyang at the table spotted Yu He, stood up quickly, waved at Yu He with a cute gesture, and at the same time, called out in his sweet, childlike voice:

"Little—Aunt—Mommy——"

A look of obvious confusion appeared on Yu He’s face: “???”

The banquet hall fell silent in an instant, the only exception being a choking cough from Fu Rulan’s husband.

He thought to himself that it was no wonder his son had just asked him how to address his uncle’s wife. With over a dozen uncles in the family, he hadn’t thought much about it and had casually replied, “Aunt.”

Seeing her husband coughing lightly, Fu Rulan patted his back while forcing a laugh and questioning her son, “Yangyang, what a jokester you are. Who taught you to call her that?”

Zhang Chenyang, innocent and sweet, smiled at his mom, “Daddy did.”

Everyone at the table: “......”

Fu Rulan’s fingernails unconsciously dug into her husband’s back: Great, out of the four family members, three turned out to be traitors.

Could Yu He be anything other than a sly fox?

“Let’s all take a seat,” Fu Yunzheng spoke up, breaking the awkwardness. “Elder Uncle, Third Uncle, you are the elders here, please take your seats.”

The crowd quickly engaged in polite conversation, laughing as if they had collectively forgotten the toe-curling address of “Little Aunt Mommy.”

Fu Yunzheng waved his hand, signaling the attendants to bring another chair to his side.

Once everyone was seated again, Yu He leaned in and whispered in Fu Yunzheng’s ear, “I think I should go sit with Fu Yao.”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fu Yunzheng whispered back to Yu He, “Why look for Fu Yao? You're not his Little Aunt Mommy.”

Yu He: “......”

Fu Yunzheng tapped on the table, prompting Yu He to reluctantly take a seat beside him.

With Fu Yunzheng at the head of the table, Fu Rulan was to his left. His elder uncle should have been on his right, but with the addition of another chair, Yu He ended up being the one at the very right.

Looking around, Yu He thought to himself, this is indeed the seat of Zhang Chenyang’s Little Aunt Mommy.

Zhang Chenyang, following Fu Rulan and Fu Yunzheng, reached out to Yu He, “Little Aunt Mommy, Little Aunt Mommy.”

Fu Rulan pushed her son to the side, giving him a warning glare.

Fu Yunzheng brought Zhang Chenyang into his arms, "Yangyang, do you want to sit with your little uncle?"

"Little Uncle." Zhang Chenyang leaned symbolically against Fu Yunzheng in his arms, then stubbornly reached out to Yu He, "Little Aunt!"

The aesthetic senses of the Fu Yunzheng siblings are surprisingly consistent, both finding Yu He’s face perfectly suited for modeling. Zhang Chenyang's taste is exactly the same as his mom’s and uncle’s; he has no resistance towards Yu He, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on her, completely entranced.

I’ve never seen someone so good-looking.

Fu Rulan gripped the chopsticks in her hand, and after a few moments, she couldn’t bear it any longer and slammed the chopsticks down on the table, "Yangyang, mommy knows you like people who are good-looking, but smart babies shouldn't just look at the face, okay?"

The lively atmosphere at the banquet suddenly quieted down, becoming chilly once again.

Zhang Chenyang looked at Fu Rulan, puzzled, "Mommy?"

"Some people are golden on the outside but rotten on the inside, exploiting their good looks to do as they please..." Fu Rulan’s gaze shifted, landing on her younger brother’s face: "It’s really just a transaction. Some are in it for the money, others for the good looks. Money and beauty exchange hands without a word of emotion. Isn’t that right, Yunzheng?"

Fu Yunzheng lifted his glass, not toasting the birthday star or the elders first, but instead placing it in front of Yu He. His stern brows showed a hint of warmth as he teased, "That’s right. In that case, Young Master Yu must be after my good looks."

At these words, Fu Rulan’s face became extremely unsightly, and she gripped her chopsticks tightly, saying no more.

Fu Yunzheng respects his elder sister and wouldn't disgrace Fu Rulan in front of others or behind her back. Facing Fu Rulan's difficulty towards Yu He, he twice lowers his own status to help Yu He out, leaving Fu Rulan with nothing more to say.

Fu Yunzheng is using his actions to tell her, insulting Yu He is the same as insulting her own brother!

Could she really tarnish her own family’s dignity in front of outsiders?

Fu Yunzheng had already made plans, taking all the hits for Yu He.

Fu Rulan's words didn’t bother Yu He at all.

Yu He raised his glass and lightly clinked it against Fu Yunzheng's, responding, "Boss Fu is a man of impressive appearance, a perfect match for me."

Everyone: "......"

The red wine in the tall glasses rippled, and Fu Yunzheng took a sip, setting down his glass amidst the eerie silence of the crowd, definitively stating, "Alright, we're a perfect match."