Chapter 101 Not a Good Person

Chapter 101: Not Exactly a Saint

Fu Nanyu was summoned to the study by Fu Xiaqing for a private conversation. Fu Xiaqing paced back and forth, deliberating how to broach the subject.

Meanwhile, the younger man calmly settled down and began brewing tea. Fu Nanyu’s noble composure and the elegant tea set were a perfect match, with wisps of steam curling around his fingertips like a beautiful ink wash painting.

Once the tea was ready, he first offered a cup to Fu Xiaqing.

Fu Xiaqing was speechless. Good heavens, this man’s demeanor was even more commanding than his own—anyone unaware might think Fu Xiaqing was the one being interrogated.

“How far have you two gone?” Fu Xiaqing asked, then coughed lightly to mask his awkwardness.

Fu Nanyu looked up at his father but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he slowly stated, “As far as I know, October 23rd this year marks the 30th anniversary of your and your wife’s love. And I, myself, am exactly 30 years old this year, with my birthday in August.”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Fu Xiaqing spluttered his tea, spraying it on him. Fu Nanyu calmly took a tissue and wiped himself clean.

Fu Xiaqing’s agitation was clear from the content of Fu Nanyu’s words—it implied he had swept Ye Xixi off her feet in less than half a month.

Fu Xiaqing glared, his tiger-like eyes blazing, his tone defiant despite lacking a strong argument: “How can that be the same? Your mother had so many suitors back then, and I happened to be a dependable man worth entrusting her life to. If I hadn’t acted quickly, would it have worked out?!”

Fu Nanyu offered no comment on Fu Xiaqing’s confidence, simply stating, “I’m getting married.”

Fu Xiaqing gave an arrogant snort. “I don’t trust you.”

Fu Nanyu stroked his wristwatch and asked calmly, “Specifically?”

“Youyou used to chase after you constantly, and you remained indifferent. Now you suddenly claim to be in love—how can I believe you?!” Fu Xiaqing retorted sharply.

Although he knew his son wasn’t the type to toy with people’s feelings, he still had to be cautious. Otherwise, how could he face Lu Jingtang’s deceased parents?

Fu Nanyu met his gaze, showing no trace of hesitation. He spoke firmly, word by word, “I cannot explain the past to you for now. All I can do is vow with everything I possess that I will love Lu Jingtang for the rest of my life, just as your love for Ms. Ye remains unwavering.”

He couldn’t explain to others that the Lu Jingtang of the past and the present were not the same person. This secret belonged to him alone. Would the nightmares never return?

Though the words sounded moving, Fu Xiaqing wasn’t easily swayed. He said, “That child is not related to us by blood. No matter how well we treat her, she may still feel like she's living under someone else's roof. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t see us as real family. It’s just the sense of difference one feels when accepting something that originally didn’t belong to them. Precisely because she cares about us and everyone in this family, I cannot treat your relationship as casually as if you were dating anyone else.”

Fu Xiaqing expected Fu Nanyu to feel somewhat insecure after hearing this, but to his surprise, Fu Nanyu merely paused for a moment before saying, “I understand her. Lu Jingtang may seem soft-hearted, but her soft-heartedness stems from her desire to help those in need, just like how she secretly donates to impoverished mountain areas. It reflects her warmth. However, being soft-hearted doesn’t mean she lacks principles. Her inner strength far exceeds what one might imagine. I believe in myself and in her. Every step she takes toward me will be out of love, not out of gratitude or forced compromise.”

…

The two talked in the study for a long time, and Lu Jingtang eavesdropped outside for just as long, crouching with her ear to the door. Unfortunately, the study door was too well-made, and she couldn’t hear a thing from inside.

She pressed her ear against the door and, sensing someone pulling it open from the inside, immediately turned to flee. In her panic, she tripped over her own feet, and one of her slippers flew off.

David and Panda, thinking it was a game, got excited. David eagerly ran to retrieve the flying slipper.

Panda, seeing this, thought, “He has a slipper, but I don’t.” Tilting its fluffy head, it pondered for a moment before stepping forward to bite Lu Jingtang’s other slipper.

With one slipper still on her foot, Lu Jingtang couldn’t run away. Surrounded by the two goofy dogs circling her, she grew annoyed. “Stupid, stupid, both of you are stupid!”

When Fu Nanyu and Fu Xiaqing emerged from the study, they saw a chaotic scene of one person and two dogs in complete disarray.

Afraid she might fall, Fu Nanyu walked over, slipped an arm around her waist, and lifted her with one hand. Lu Jingtang’s back pressed against his chest, her fair feet hovering a few centimeters above the ground. Embarrassed, she peeked over his shoulder at Fu Xiaqing’s expression.

Fu Xiaqing snorted. “Young people these days really have no subtlety.”

Fu Nanyu gave a stern look at the two dogs. Panda and David, knowing their place in the pecking order, immediately obediently put down the slippers and even used their paws to straighten them.

Lu Jingtang put on her slippers and gave each dog a light swat on the rump. “Such opportunists! No snacks for a week.”

Though she hadn’t used much force, the two goofy dogs whined and scrambled to hide behind Fu Xiaqing, looking pitifully at him as if hoping he would stand up for them.

Lu Jingtang muttered under her breath, “The world is declining—dogs relying on their master's status.”

Hearing her words, Fu Nanyu felt something was off. Suddenly, he lowered his head and chuckled softly.

Lu Jingtang realized what she had said and blushed to the tips of her ears. What was the difference between her behavior and that of the two goofy dogs?

Fu Xiaqing couldn't stand to watch the two of them exchanging glances. As if he didn’t have a wife—he and his wife were plenty sweet too.

He coughed loudly to make his presence known and said to Lu Jingtang, “Youyou, come with me.”

Lu Jingtang hesitated and glanced at Fu Nanyu. Fu Nanyu gently pressed the back of her hand as if to say, “Don’t be afraid.”

Only then did Lu Jingtang scurry after Fu Xiaqing. Fu Xiaqing made no effort to lower his voice, lecturing her before they had even gone far. “Be more reserved. Do you think that guy is such a great guy? He just has a handsome face, that’s all.”

Lu Jingtang didn’t dare argue and simply nodded obediently.