Chapter 53: Are They Worthy?

Chapter 53: Are They Even Worthy?

Though he had taken sick leave for his young patron to recover from injuries, Fu Junhang hadn’t been idle. The backlog of work from this period all needed his attention.

"Third Master, Young Master Chu Yan met with the representatives of the Angel Foundation today and donated fifty million to them."

Before Zhu Ye spoke, Fu Junhang had already been working continuously for over four hours.

Hearing Zhu Ye’s words, Fu Junhang’s hand paused slightly as he signed a document, then let out a light, pleased chuckle.

"As expected of the young patron I’ve chosen. He’s just different from others."

Zhu Ye silently pressed his lips together. Their boss was completely lovestruck now.

"Investigate whether this Angel Foundation is clean, and everyone he’s been in contact with—leave no stone unturned."

If the young patron wanted to do something, Fu Junhang would let him do it. His job was simply to ensure he could happily pursue whatever he wished.

"Understood, Third Master."

After a moment of thought, Fu Junhang added, "If it’s clean, donate another 500 million in his name."

Zhu Ye pressed his lips together, eyes widening. "Young Master Chu Yan?"

"Mhm."

"Should we inform the young master?"

"No need."

"Understood."

Fu Junhang rubbed his temples. It was just about dinnertime, and Dr. Qi had come again to change his bandages. Fu Junhang cooperated fully—taking his medicine on time, getting his dressings changed, even eating punctually.

Dr. Qi mused inwardly that this time, his boss was unusually obedient with medical advice and didn’t even complain about the hassle.

Little did he know, his boss just wanted to recover quickly so he could hurry back to his $100K/month bodyguard job.

Fu Junhang worked at a relaxed pace handling his work while listening to his assistant’s report on the situation in Europe, all the while stealing glances at the young patron’s private phone.

Ungrateful brat. Had he forgotten about him already?

Nearly a whole day had passed, and he still hadn’t remembered to send him a single message.

That damned Fu Hongan.

It was at this moment that Zhu Ye walked in, holding news of the trending hashtags about Fu Hongan and Young Master Chu.

"Why are you hesitating? Did you bite your tongue during dinner?"

*coughs*

Zhu Ye had no choice but to steel himself and hand over the phone. Then, the world imploded—someone was about to face hell to pay.

"It’s Young Master Chu. He’s trending again."

Fu Junhang was initially interested—until he saw the content of the hashtags.

#Chu Yan vs. The Eldest Young Master of the Fu Family#

#Can’t Let Go, Chu Yan Stalks Ex-Fiancé in Broad Daylight#

#Chu Yan Caught in an Inappropriate Closeness with Ex-Fiancé#

#Unreciprocated Love, Chu Yan Keeps Harassing Again#

...

"Inappropriate closeness? Unreciprocated love?"

Fu Junhang gritted his teeth as he hissed the words.

The most widely circulated photos showed Chu Yan’s wrist being grabbed by Fu Hongan—Chu Yan walking ahead while Fu Hongan followed, lips moving as if saying something.

Since both men were exceptionally good-looking, the candid shots were twisted into what fans called "wedding photos."

Ridiculous.

Another photo showed them standing face-to-face. Though Chu Yan’s expression wasn’t visible, Fu Hongan’s gaze was full of affection, his face the picture of a smitten gaze.

As a result, even though the trending topics framed Chu Yan as the obsessive one, many netizens took a different angle, leaving delusional takes like:

"They’re so perfect together," "Meant to be," "That look is pure love—he’s so doting," "The height difference is adorable."

...

"Are they blind?"

Fu Junhang stared at his nephew’s groping hands, his eyes piercing.

"Can’t they tell Fu Hongan is the one harassing the young patron?"

"Yes, yes," Zhu Ye and the assistant reporting work matters both eagerly agreed. "These netizens are truly blind."

"Are they even worthy?"

"Not at all! Not even close!"

The two shook their heads in unison.

"Height difference? Hah, I’m a good inch or two taller than that brat."

"Absolutely. The height difference between you and Young Master Chu Yan is the ideal and cutest."

"Calling him handsome? Hah, they have no idea how much the young patron loves my face."

Zhu Ye & Assistant: "Yes, yes, Young Master Chu Yan likes you the most, Third Master. Who does the eldest think he is? He’s not even in the same league as you."

Fu Junhang sneered. "Seems like that brat needs a hobby."

Fu Hongan was just pathetic—dumped yet still obsessed like this.

Fu Junhang’s face darkened, his thoughts inscrutable. Just then, Jiang Lvshen walked in.

"Oh? What’s eating you, Third Master? Not in a good mood?"

As long as Fu Junhang wasn’t losing his temper, Jiang Lvshen was bold enough to tease him. Seeing his expression, he couldn’t resist ribbing him.

"What do you want?" Fu Junhang glared at him before turning back to his assistant.

"Get those trending topics off the top trends, they're pissing me off."

Zhu Ye's really been slacking lately. He should have handled this kind of thing immediately.

Jiang Lvshen glanced at the phone in Zhu Ye's hand and caught sight of the protagonists in the photos.

"Should've known. Who else could make our Third Master this furious? It's Young Master Chu—that explains everything."

Jiang Lvshen was grinning like an idiot. He had come to check on Fu Junhang's injuries, but more importantly, to fill him in on what went down after the Pully Village incident. He hadn’t expected to witness the great Third Master Fu in such a state.

Now this is something you don't see every day.

Fu Junhang shot him another displeased glance. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

As he spoke, he shot another annoyed look at his phone again before pulling a cigarette from the desk and lighting it. He then tossed the pack toward Jiang Lvshen.

"Not free," Jiang Lvshen deftly caught it. The burly man casually plopped his ass down on the edge of Fu Junhang’s desk, his gaze lingering on the phone beside Fu Junhang. "What, waiting for a call?"

"If you're not free, then get lost. You're an eyesore."

"Third Master, don’t tell me you’re the side piece?"

Jiang Lvshen exaggeratedly continued, "Young Master Chu’s love for your nephew is the worst-kept secret. After all, how could someone who’s been in love for fifteen years just flip a switch?"

Ignoring Fu Junhang’s increasingly dark expression, Jiang Lvshen kept digging his own grave.

"Say, could it be they’ve gotten back together? No, no—more like the young master’s years of simping finally worked, and your nephew is finally seeing him in a new light. Look at this, it’s obvious he’s fallen for him."

"Jiang Lvshen!" Fu Junhang finally lost it. "Who made you the love guru?"

"If you’re so knowledgeable, why don’t you hurry up and marry that rebellious fiancé of yours? Otherwise, his harem might fill a stadium by now."

Fu Junhang’s words hit where it hurt. Jiang Lvshen’s smug grin froze on his face.

Damn, that was brutal. What the hell did he know?

The mere thought of Zhou Yun’s attitude toward him gave Jiang Lvshen a headache. He was totally clueless.

He didn’t understand why. When Zhou Yun was little, he had adored him—always begging for Jiang Lvshen to be his groom, following him around like a puppy. He’d been so adorable.

But at some point, Zhou Yun stopped clinging to him. Now, every time they met, Zhou Yun would look at him with an expression Jiang Lvshen couldn’t decipher—either inexplicably angry or snapping at him. Jiang Lvshen had no idea how to interact with him anymore, always managing to set him off with just a word.

Over time, he simply avoided him. But that only seemed to make things worse. Jiang Lvshen couldn't win either way.

Zhou Yun was truly impossible to figure out.

Jiang Lvshen knew most kids this age were rebellious, but Zhou Yun’s rebellious phase was absurdly long—and only getting worse.

As for the rumors about him being a manwhore or some dating expert, Jiang Lvshen had checked them all out. It was just a young man spending money to experience different lifestyles out of curiosity.

At most, those people provided Zhou Yun with some ego boosts. Many hadn’t even held his hand. Zhou Yun was like any other rebellious teenager, thinking playing badass or talking back to teachers made him some big shot—when in reality, he was immature as hell.

Jiang Lvshen didn’t have the time or patience to decipher him. Over time, their relationship had gone to shit.

Like that day in Pully Village—one moment, Zhou Yun was clinging to him like a koala, crying his eyes out, and the next, he was biting his head off for butting in.

One second, he was mumbling some half-assed thanks, and the next, he was inexplicably angry, walking past him as if he didn’t exist.

Jiang Lvshen didn’t understand. If he did, they wouldn’t be like this.

"Fine, we’re both screwed. No point laughing at each other."

"I’m nothing like you."

Fu Junhang scoffed. In this regard, he believed there was a night and day difference between himself and Jiang Lvshen.

Just then, Fu Junhang’s phone—which he’d been waiting for all afternoon—finally buzzed. His lips curled into a shit-eating grin.

His little benefactor had texted him.

It was a photo of a small cake, followed by a close-up of its interior—luscious, sweet, and good enough to make your mouth water.

Little Benefactor: "Want some?"

Fu Junhang couldn’t wipe that smile off his face. The internet said when someone shares with you, that means they're into you.

But the next second, his face fell.

Little Benefactor: "Someone else gave it to me. Sucks to be you, hahaha."

Little Benefactor: "Must be killing you, hahaha."

Little Benefactor: *doing his little victory dance.jpg*

The thought of Chu Yan happily eating another man’s cake while rubbing it in made Fu Junhang’s throat go dry.

Just who was this bastard giving him cake?

Fu Junhang was fuming.

But he wasn’t the only one freaking out.

Ever since splitting up with Chu Yan, Fu Hongan had been distracted. All day, his mind replayed Chu Yan’s angry expression—especially when he’d pointed at him fiercely. Under the sunlight, Chu Yan was glowing like some damn angel. Fu Hongan had never realized someone’s skin could be so fair and flawless, even without makeup.

The more he thought about it, the more Chu Yan’s image lingered. He didn’t know how long Chu Yan planned to keep playing hard to get, but suddenly, he couldn’t wait any longer.

Fu Hongan didn’t know what came over him, but before he knew it, he’d dialed his uncle’s number.

Fu Zeyu was two years younger than Fu Hongan, but their relationship was decent. Though they’d seen less of each other since Fu Hongan entered the entertainment industry, they still maintained a regular uncle-nephew thing.

Even so, their interactions were usually limited to family gatherings or when Fu Zeyu needed Fu Hongan’s help. Fu Hongan rarely called him first.

So when Fu Zeyu picked up, he was baffled.

"What’s up, calling me so late?"

Fu Hongan didn’t understand why his uncle’s tone carried a hint of disdain. He didn’t recall offending him recently. Besides, it was only 8 PM—wasn’t calling at this hour normal?

"Uncle, why did you suddenly join *Rebirth Challenge*?"

Fu Zeyu and Zhou Yun’s participation had been bizarre to begin with, but given their unpredictable natures—acting on whims and impulses—Fu Hongan hadn’t questioned it. Now, he was just casually asking.

Sure enough, Fu Zeyu was annoyed. "Not your concern."

Fu Hongan chuckled. "No, I just wanted to ask you for a favor."

This uncle was just mischievous. Fu Hongan wouldn’t interfere, but if he, as the heir, put his foot down, his uncle would have no choice but to comply.

"Speak."

"I want to ask you, Uncle, to help take care of Chu Yan for me. He—"

"Are you out of your mind, Fu Hongan?"

Fu Hongan’s words were cut off by Fu Zeyu’s sharp, raised voice.

"The kid grows up and now you come crawling back? You called off the engagement and now you’re suddenly interested? What is he to you that you need to take care of him? And who are you to him that I should help you out? How shameless can you be?"

Fu Zeyu already held a grudge against his nephew. After spending a few days with Chu Yan in Puli Village and becoming friends, he realized just how ungrateful Fu Hongan had been. Someone as wonderful as Chu Yan, and this guy couldn’t even appreciate him—blind as a bat to his worth.

Now that the engagement was off, the least they could do was cut ties completely. But no, this guy had the nerve to ask him to "take care" of Chu Yan. Isn’t that just pathetic?

No wonder Chu Yan looked sick to his stomach whenever Fu Hongan was mentioned. Now Fu Zeyu understood.

What the hell went wrong with his nephew? How did he turn out like this?

Fu Hongan was stunned. His relationship with his uncle wasn’t great, but it wasn’t this bad either. Was his request really so outrageous that it warranted such harsh words?

His face darkened.

"Uncle, you’re out of line."

"You’re the one crossing the line," Fu Zeyu snapped. "No way. He doesn’t need anyone’s care."

"Let me give you some advice—if you don’t like him, leave him alone. Stop being a pest."

With that, Fu Zeyu hung up. Fu Hongan stood there, frozen, his face thunderous. What the hell just happened?

Just then, his assistant informed him that he and Chu Yan were all over the trending topics. Someone had snapped photos of them at Cloud Mansion earlier that day.

Normally, Fu Hongan would never allow such a thing—especially anything involving him and Chu Yan. But when he saw the online reactions to their photos, instead of anger, he felt a weird little thrill.

People were saying they looked good together.

And for once, he didn’t hate it.

In the past, he would’ve sued for slander—such words were nothing short of an insult. But now? His chest felt oddly light.

"Mr. Fu, should we have PR scrub the trending topics and issue a clarification?"

"No," Fu Hongan muttered stiffly. "It doesn’t affect me or the Fu Group. No need to waste money."

The assistant’s eyebrows shot up. Normally, he wouldn’t even need to ask—he’d have PR handle it immediately. Asking was just a formality.

The assistant’s reaction made Fu Hongan feel weirdly defensive. "From now on… ahem, notify me immediately if there’s any trending topic related to him."

Him? Who?

The assistant blinked in confusion. "Mr. Fu, do you mean Young Master Chu Yan or Young Master Chu Xiuyi?"

Fu Hongan shot him a glare. "Chu Yan."

The assistant’s jaw dropped.

Then he raced to halt PR—only to rush back minutes later.

"Mr. Fu, the trending topic’s already been taken down. Scrubbed clean."

The sheer scale and speed of the takedown had even the Fu Group’s PR team gaping.

Fu Hongan saw red. "I said not to remove it!"

"Mr. Fu, it wasn’t us. No traces yet."

Fu Hongan frowned. Chu Yan definitely had zero pull for this. The Chu family wouldn’t help him either. So who?

Chu Yi? He’d met with Chu Yan alone today.

Remembering that Chu Yan had just donated 50 million, Fu Hongan couldn’t forget how he’d once asked him for 60 million.

Fu Hongan decided that if Chu Yan would just quietly withdraw from *Rebirth Challenge* and join *Love and Romance* instead, he might toss him 10 million.

So, in a first, Fu Hongan pulled out his phone, pulled up WeChat, and sent Chu Yan a message—the first he’d ever initiated in all these years.

"So, have you made your decision yet?"

Fu Hongan was conflicted—too stiff to bend, yet afraid of giving Chu Yan the wrong idea. After much deliberation, he finally sent the message.

He was looking out for him. If the guy read too much into it and got ideas again, that wasn’t his fault.

But the moment he hit send—

Bam!

A blaring red exclamation mark nearly blinded him, followed by a line of text: *You are not friends with this contact.*

"What… what is this?"

The assistant took one look and barely stifled a laugh.

Under Fu Hongan’s disbelieving stare, he swallowed hard.

"Mr. Fu… Young Master Chu Yan… cut you off."

"He—he *cut me off*?" Fu Hongan was purple with rage. "Chu Yan actually dared—?!"

Uh, obviously. Why keep exes on your contacts after a breakup?

Chu Yan had blocked and deleted Fu Hongan that same night the engagement got axed. And this guy was just catching on now?

Wasn’t this just Breakup 101?