Chapter 22: Ascending as a Dragon

Fu Juxing’s mother, Fu Xian, was the child of Fu Changjun’s lover. Back then, Fu Changjun was deeply in love with Feng Yahan, but constrained by family power, he could not give her a proper status and had to keep her outside the family. Feng Yahan had a strong character, and the nature of their relationship left her perpetually unhappy. After giving birth to her child, she suffered from postpartum depression and eventually took sleeping pills at home, but could not be saved.

Fu Changjun was grief-stricken and poured all his love into his daughter, raising her with utmost care. Fu Xian was outstanding; though a woman, she possessed the courage and insight of a man, was intelligent, and had a keen business mind.

She began to show her talents at eighteen or nineteen. After graduation, Fu Changjun brought her into the Fu Corporation. At twenty-seven, she had already achieved some success. During a trip, she met Liang Yukan, Fu Juxing’s father, and fell in love at first sight. A few months later, they married.

Fu Xian was Fu Changjun’s beloved daughter, while Liang Yukan was a destitute artist. Unwilling to let his daughter marry into hardship, Fu Changjun arranged for Liang Yukan to join their family instead. Liang Yukan didn’t mind and readily agreed, and thus they wed.

A year after their marriage, Fu Juxing was born.

It should have been a perfect family, their life rich and full.

But such happy days lasted only five years. When Fu Juxing was five, his parents both disappeared without a trace. More than twenty years have passed, and they are still missing—neither alive nor dead—the case remains unsolved at the police station.

...

Fu Changjun sat down with Fu Juxing, while Lin Wanbai had already poured tea for both of them.

Fu Changjun had heard some things about Lin Wanbai in relation to Kahuang. He glanced at Lin Wanbai, searching for the right words, and said, “These past few months, Ah Xing has been busy with work and rarely comes home. Do you ever feel bored staying here alone? I’ve always wanted to invite you to visit our home, but thought you might not enjoy it, so I didn’t mention it. If you truly find it dull, you could help out at Ah Xing’s company.”

“I know you graduated from a finance school and studied architecture as well. You’re fully capable of handling the projects Ah Xing manages. If you two work together as husband and wife, the company will surely grow even faster.”

In short, he found her too idle.

Fu Changjun continued, “I’ve heard from Old Lin that you had excellent grades in school and even won awards in architectural design. Old Lin put a lot of effort into nurturing you; now, it’s a pity for you to be idle at home. You should have accomplished something in your career.”

Fu Juxing quietly tapped Fu Changjun’s leg, signaling him not to say too much.

Fu Changjun covered it with a smile, “I’m just suggesting, of course it’s up to you. Honestly, at your age, it’s a bit early to have children, but there’s nothing wrong with having them young—finish early, recover early. After all, once the child is born, you won’t need to take care of it yourself; life will be as before.”

Lin Wanbai kept her smile, patiently listening.

“I’m getting old. I don’t wish for much, just to hold a great-grandchild soon.”

‘Not wishing for much’—this old man had plenty of hopes.

Lin Wanbai sipped her tea and said, “I’ll think it over carefully.” She responded perfunctorily.

She didn’t specify whether she meant thinking about pregnancy or about working outside.

Afterward, the conversation shifted to other topics, mostly about Fu Juxing’s company and the details of the New Harbor project. Lin Wanbai didn’t interject and simply sat quietly by, not even listening.

At nine o’clock, they prepared to go home and went to bid farewell to Jiang Shuzhi.

She happened to be speaking with her two sons when they entered and greeted everyone.

Jiang Shuzhi half-joked, half-serious, “Didn’t we agree you’d stay here to learn proper manners? I even asked Granny Song to prepare your rooms—why are you leaving so soon?”

Fu Juxing replied, “The New Harbor project is wrapping up these days, and there are some social engagements. Xiao Bai is coming with me. Once this busy period passes, Xiao Bai and I will come to learn manners from you, Grandma.”

“Oh, I almost forgot—because of that project, you even won the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award recently, isn’t that right?”

Fu Juxing lowered his gaze, his smile faint. “It was just luck, nothing more.”

“How could it be just luck? You take after your mother, truly capable—not to be underestimated. No wonder Xiao Bai was so determined to marry you, she has a discerning eye.”

Lin Wanbai quickly replied, “Thank you for your praise, Grandma.”

“Alright, alright, this old woman won’t keep you any longer. Go on, take care on the road.” She smiled and waved them off.

Granny Song walked them to the door.

After they left, Jiang Shuzhi’s smile faded, and a sudden fire of anger rose in her eyes. “Second son, how do you educate that foolish boy of yours? He stirs up trouble all day, can’t handle anything serious?”

Fu Yongyi drew a breath, brow furrowed. “I’ll give him a good talking-to when we get home.”

Fu Yonghui smiled lightly. “If you didn’t discipline him when he was young, now that Mingming’s grown so much, what use is a beating?”

Fu Yongyi glanced at him without responding.

Jiang Shuzhi: “A bastard, dreaming that marrying a wife will turn him into a dragon and step on my head—he’s delusional! As for the New Harbor project, I want it to fizzle out in silence.”