Chapter 14: Feigning Distress

Chapter 14: Feigning Distress

What good is having money if your husband isn’t even around?

But if given the choice, Fang Fei was more than willing to live the life of Fu Yining, one that “seeks only wealth and luxury, without a shred of true affection.”

Finally discovering something she could surpass Fu Yining in, Fang Fei felt smug but still had to put on a show of consoling her. Unexpectedly, Fu Yining said, “If he doesn’t come back, then he doesn’t come back. I don’t care anymore.”

“……?”

Fang Fei’s smile froze. She twitched the corners of her mouth. “Yining, are you too heartbroken?” Otherwise, why would you say something like that?

Fu Yining smiled and countered, “Why would I be? Or do you really want to see me upset?”

“No, how could that be? After so many years of friendship, why would I wish you to be sad!”

Fang Fei was seething but forced a happy expression. “You’re really not upset anymore? That’s great! I’m thrilled for you!”

Fu Yining nodded. “Hmm, I’m glad you feel that way.”

Fang Fei: “……”

Wait, who’s consoling whom here?!

Fang Fei grabbed the teacup in front of her, took a deep breath, and tentatively asked, “Yining, do you really not care about your husband anymore?”

Fu Yining’s expression was calm and composed. “Yes, is there a problem?”

There’s a problem, and it’s a big one!

Fang Fei was anxious.

Previously, she could always use Yu ZhiLi to manipulate Fu Yining’s emotions to achieve her own goals. Now that Fu Yining claimed she didn’t care, how was she supposed to control her?

Confused, Fang Fei concocted an excuse and hurriedly left the Yu family’s house.

Watching Fang Fei’s hasty retreat, Fu Yining’s smile grew brighter.

Huh, she wasn’t as tough to handle as I thought!

Standing at the entrance of the living room, Hu Ma couldn’t help but spit in Fang Fei’s direction.

Pah, that meddler is finally gone!

She had been responsible for serving tea to the guests and had overheard the conversation in the living room, especially Fang Fei’s insidious meddling words.

But today, Madam was finally smart, recognizing this bad woman’s true colors and sending her away!

Impressed by Madam’s sharpness today, Hu Ma sincerely decided to take good care of her!

“Madam? Do you have any instructions now?”

Fu Yining pointed to the table, asking Hu Ma to clear the items, while she went upstairs to rest for a bit.

Dealing with outsiders can be exhausting!

Before going upstairs, Fu Yining saw Wang Yue approaching and casually instructed him, “Next time the Zheng family calls, don’t bother telling me.”

“Understood, Madam.”

"Just find any reason to say I don't have the time and can't entertain them."

"Understood, don't worry, I'll handle it."

"Hmm."

Fu Yining had no doubt about Wang Yue's capabilities. If he said he could handle it, he would do so flawlessly.

Thus, Fu Yining returned to her room on the third floor to rest, feeling at ease.

Meanwhile, Song Qingyu quietly opened the door.

She had been inside for a while and no one had updated her on the situation outside, so she decided to check.

Song Qingyu tiptoed out, pressed her ear to the staircase railing, and listened and looked around. It seemed very quiet downstairs.

A maid who had come up to clean was holding a broom and nearly jumped when she turned around to see Song Qingyu standing motionless on the stairs.

"Young mistress, what are you doing here?"

"Nothing much, just looking around." Song Qingyu asked the maid, "Where’s Mother? Is she still talking with Mrs. Zheng?"

"Mother has gone upstairs to rest, and Mrs. Zheng has left."

"I see, thank you."

After getting the information she needed, Song Qingyu decided not to disturb Fu Yining's rest. Instead, she went downstairs to the courtyard to check if the flowers she had planted a few days ago had bloomed.

Song Qingyu: I’ll pick a few nice ones to give to Mother!

Fu Yining: Zzz, sleeping, please do not disturb.

==========

It was nearly 5 PM, the time workers looked forward to most after a busy day.

The wall clock showed ten minutes to five, and everyone had already packed up, ready to leave their desks and rush into the elevator to go home.

Their boss, Yu Mingze, who was around their age, understood their eagerness to get home and didn't assign any dreaded overtime.

Work was done that day, and if it couldn't be finished, it would wait until the next day. In any case, it was important to leave on time.

Usually, Yu Mingze would wait until all the employees had left before heading home, so he wouldn’t have to compete for the elevator.

However, today, even though all the employees had left and the elevator had been on the first floor for a long time, there was no sign of Yu Mingze leaving his office.

Assistant Wu Ming, who also had plans, waited outside Yu Mingze’s office for a while before finally knocking.

"You can go ahead. I still have some things to take care of."

Wu Ming had a date that evening, so he agreed.

"Alright, Young Master Yu, I’ll be off."

As he listened to the footsteps fade away, Yu Mingze leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply.

Ever since Yu Zhili visited him that morning, his thoughts had been in turmoil all day, constantly drifting to other matters. As a result, work that should have been easily completed remained unfinished.

Ming Ze wondered how Song Qingyu could have gotten pregnant. If he and Song Qingyu divorced, what would become of the child?

Neither he nor Song Qingyu would find it convenient to raise a child alone, right?

Could he ask Song Qingyu to terminate the pregnancy?

Not to mention if Song Qingyu would agree, his father’s reaction alone would likely be severe.

Frustrated!

Ming Ze placed his hands on his head and scratched fiercely, disrupting his neatly styled hair.

The phone on the desk suddenly vibrated. Ming Ze picked it up and saw it was Zheng Anran calling.

"Hello, Anran?"

Zheng Anran's gentle voice came through the other end of the line. "Ming Ze, are you done with work? What are we having for dinner?"

Dinner? Right, he had promised Anran they would have dinner tonight!

Ming Ze sat up straight, smoothing his hair as he apologized to Zheng Anran, explaining he still needed a bit more time.

"Still busy? I’ll wait for you."

"Anran, don’t worry. If you’re hungry, feel free to eat something first."

"No!" Zheng Anran pouted, "I want to eat with you."

Ming Ze felt his heart soften.

"Anran, I’ll wrap up my work and come pick you up right away."

"Okay!"

After hanging up, Ming Ze sat up straight, forcing himself to concentrate on work and not dwell on Song Qingyu and the child.

More than an hour later, Ming Ze grabbed his car keys and headed downstairs to pick up Zheng Anran. But outside the company gate, he saw a familiar figure.