Chapter 61: No One Can Compare to Me

Lin Wanbai was so angry she couldn't eat.
She couldn't sit still; she desperately wanted to storm up to Lin Zhouye, splash a basin of cold water over his head to wake him up, and if one basin wasn't enough, she'd use two. Surely he'd come to his senses eventually. Thinking about Fu Miao's smug expression made her feel like she was about to explode.
With a sharp smack, she slammed her chopsticks down on the table.
Aunt Rong jumped in fright and quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
Feeling she had lost control, Wanbai forced a smile at Aunt Rong, shook her head, and said, "Nothing, just thinking."
She truly couldn't eat. She looked at Fu Juxing and said, "I need to talk to Lin Zhouye."
Fu Juxing glanced at her bowl, "Eat first, then go."
"I can't eat, I'm furious." Her brows knitted tightly as she struggled to suppress her anger. "I really don't understand what Lin Zhouye is thinking!"
"You could ask my brother, maybe he knows."
At that suggestion, Wanbai felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly.
She pressed her lips together, chest rising and falling in agitation. After a moment, she abruptly stood up and left the hospital room, not caring about anything else.
Aunt Rong wanted to chase after her, but Fu Juxing stopped her. "Let her go. She can't sit still right now, never mind eat."
Aunt Rong nodded and returned to her seat. After a pause, she smiled, "That Fu Miao is quite sly."
Fu Juxing chuckled softly, "Just petty tricks."
Aunt Rong gave him a look and piled more food onto his plate. "The Fu family, whether the older ones or the younger, are masters of those petty tricks. But you have to admit, those tricks always work, every time."
"At least they have some brains."
Aunt Rong sighed, "If Fu Miao really marries into the Lin family…"
"Let her marry, nothing wrong with it." His eyes dropped, expression indifferent as he ate. "Aunt Rong, your cooking's too bland, lacks flavor."
"Doctor's orders. You have to eat this way for your health, just bear with it."
"Mm." He nodded and smiled to himself.
Bear with it, he thought, the end was near.
Aunt Rong said nothing more.
…
Wanbai asked Lin Zhouye to meet her. She waited at the company entrance.
It took him over twenty minutes to come down.
"What is it?"
He walked over in a few steps, still looking busy, his brow furrowed.
Wanbai looked up at him, paused a few seconds, then smiled, "Wanted to have lunch with you. I haven't eaten. Got time?"
He knew perfectly well why she wanted to see him. "No time, I've got things to do soon."
Her anger was nearly impossible to contain.
Lin Zhouye said, "Let's talk outside."
Wanbai didn't argue, got up, and followed him out to her car.
Inside, it was just the two of them, no interruptions.
Lin Zhouye lifted his chin, "Go ahead."
"You know what I'm about to say." She glared at him. "Give me a reason you absolutely must marry her. If you can't…"
"And if I can't?"
The breath she'd been holding suddenly deflated. Looking at him, it was clear that no matter what she said, he wouldn't listen, and would stubbornly do as he pleased.
She suddenly remembered three years ago when she insisted on marrying Fu Juxing. Lin Zhouye had been just as furious then, and she had been just as determined, ignoring all advice.
She exhaled and gave a self-mocking smile. "Honestly, I don't really have the right to lecture you. If you want to marry her, that's your decision, as long as you like her. But if she's threatening you, forcing you to marry her, I beg you not to."
"And another thing, you're supposed to be the heir to the Lin family, the whole family future in your hands. When choosing a wife, shouldn't you be extra cautious? Grandpa doesn't care about family status, only character and ability—a good spouse who can help you, or at least manage the household well. But clearly, Fu Miao isn't that kind of person."
"How can you be so sure she's not?" Lin Zhouye retorted. "Just because she's ambitious and made some mistakes? She's facing the consequences now, apologized publicly. Someone able to do that—I think she can help me in business and manage life well."
"Let's drop this topic. You'll be immigrating next year at the latest. If you don't want to attend the wedding, don't. Just live your own life. Fu Miao marries me, she won't cause any trouble."
Wanbai snorted, "Are you imagining yourself as the Five Finger Mountain?"
He softened his tone, "I'm glad you care so much. I appreciate it, but there's no room for change in this matter. Don't waste your energy trying to stir things up. And don't harm yourself to do anything inappropriate. A woman's reputation can't withstand turmoil—you may be fearless, but what about Grandpa? Or Sister? How hurt would they be? You're grown now, think carefully before you act."
She still looked unhappy, her mouth turned down. "Just thinking I'll have to call her Aunt makes me uncomfortable. She'll use that title to boss me around, you'll see. Even if I go abroad, she won't miss the chance!"
"Impossible."
"She acts like that even before she's married in!"
"I'll keep her in line."
Hearing that, Wanbai was even angrier, glaring at him, "Fine, you're really something!"
She was about to storm out, but then remembered it was her car. She pointed to the door, "Get out, I don't need you as my uncle!"
Lin Zhouye didn't get out immediately. Instead, he reached for her hand, pressing it gently, looking at her with unusual seriousness. "I won't let anyone bully you."
Wanbai tried to pull her hand back, but he held on. "But you're teaming up with others to bully me now, you're going to drive me mad."
"Do you think marrying me is a lucky thing?"
"Why not? Just look at Fu Miao's happy face. If I'd known, I should've matched you with Liang Zhixia, have you rush things first and see what you'd do."
He laughed, let go of her hand, and tapped her head. "Don't be angry. Go take care of your little darling. You don't need to worry about anything else. If she bosses you around, just push back. You were never one to back down."
Wanbai looked at him, saying nothing, just staring.
After a long while, her nose stung and she lowered her eyes, shaking her head. "No, I can't let her get her way. I'm going to tell Grandpa right now. He'll stand up for me. If Fu Miao dares to plot against me, she'll suffer the consequences."
"Even Grandpa won't risk your reputation, you understand? I have my own solutions, I won't let her get away with anything. You just immigrate quietly with Fu Juxing, don't worry about anything else."
His words were clear enough.
But no matter what, Wanbai still felt unsettled inside.
"This is your promise. Even if I go abroad, I'll keep an eye on you two. If I see you flaunting your love, you're done for."
Lin Zhouye laughed, patting her head. "Are you jealous?"
"No, I just can't stand seeing her happy. Disgusting!"
"Feeling better now?"
"Just so-so."
"I really do have work, I need to go." His secretary was already waiting at the entrance.
Wanbai nodded, "Go, go, you think I want to see you? Every time I see you now, I remember Fu Miao's smug face, it makes my skin crawl."
Lin Zhouye got out.
Wanbai watched him leave, still feeling unsettled.
Marriage was a lifelong matter, and for him to use his marriage to deal with that awful person made Wanbai uncomfortable no matter how she thought about it.
She sat in the car for a long time, holding her phone. Eventually, she called Fu Yanchuan.
He didn't answer the first time, but picked up the second.
"I was just in a meeting, is something wrong?" he explained. In truth, he was still in the meeting, only stepping out to answer her call.
"I want to meet you."
Wanbai found a teahouse, reserved a private room, and ate some pastries while waiting for Fu Yanchuan.
As she ate, she watched the video of Fu Miao being humiliated.
She knew it was wrong, but couldn't help feeling elated.
Fu Yanchuan arrived late, almost an hour later.
"Sorry I'm late, there was something at the company I had to handle first."
By now, Wanbai's anger had mostly faded. She sat upright and called the waiter to order a fresh pot of tea, having them clear the plates from the table.
Soon, the table was spotless, holding only a teapot and a set of cups.
Wanbai poured tea for him, but Fu Yanchuan quickly took over and poured for her instead, eyes lowered, not daring to look at her.
Wanbai didn't argue, withdrew her hand, and stared at him.
Fu Yanchuan finished pouring, set the teapot down, and sat upright.
"What did you want to see me about?"
"Did you know Fu Miao is using our situation to threaten Lin Zhouye into marrying her?"
He frowned.
Wanbai licked her lips, "I want to know how the marks on the back of my neck appeared. What happened during those hours I was unconscious? Or let me be blunt—did you do something to me?"
Fu Yanchuan's face stiffened, his hand on his knee unconsciously clenched into a fist.
"I really don't want to see Fu Miao marry Lin Zhouye. If they truly loved each other, I'd have nothing to say. But for her to use such means to force him—does she have any shame? You're her brother, and you have a decent relationship with Lin Zhouye. Shouldn't you do something?"
She pushed her phone across the table, playing Fu Miao's video.
"Honestly, I don't want to do this, but she's forcing my hand. She threatens my uncle, so I threaten you. If you don't find a way to stop your sister, I'll ruin her, and I can ruin you too. The Fu family is already on the brink, I don't mind striking another blow. As long as Fu Juxing believes me, and if things get big enough, Grandpa won't let me suffer, and I can drag you down with me."
Wanbai spoke without expression, her tone flat and steady.
She sipped her tea and continued, "It's one thing to hurt me, but what I can't stand is using my name to threaten my family."
Fu Yanchuan kept his eyes lowered; Wanbai couldn't see his eyes, nor guess what he was thinking. She didn't try. "That's all I wanted to say. And honestly, Fu Yanchuan, you really disappoint me. I thought you were different, but you're just like them. Using such despicable tricks—do you feel proud?"
He paused, lifted his eyes, meeting hers.
Her gaze was cold, with a hint of disgust.
"I can't stop her," he said quietly. "If you really want to do this, I can't prevent it. But think—who benefits from all this chaos?"
He was calm, eyes dull, staring at her intently.
They stared at each other for a moment, then Wanbai looked away, picked up her bag, and was about to leave when Fu Yanchuan spoke, "Do you really want to know if I feel proud?"
Wanbai froze, not immediately understanding.
In an instant, his expression changed.
Her heart tightened, gripping her handbag harder, but she said nothing.
He said, "I can answer honestly."
Emotion surged in his eyes, his lips twitching, a restrained smile tinged with madness. His lips moved, two words: "Very proud."
Wanbai's stomach churned violently, and she couldn't help but retch.
"Gag..."
She dry-heaved for a while, but nothing came up.
Fu Yanchuan watched her, unmoving, his gaze fixed, taking in her pale face, her tightly knitted brows, and the growing disgust and revulsion.
How disgusting must he be?
They had grown up together—he was always the one who took care of her. Whenever they went out, he was always by her side, gave her whatever she wanted, and even if she got into trouble, he'd bear the consequences for her.
He had always stayed by her side, watching her grow up, only to see her fall in love with someone else, to see her now show such disgust.
Wanbai's reaction was like a sharp dagger plunged into his heart.
He clenched his fist tighter, sneered, "So I disgust you that much."
She caught her breath, didn't look at him, picked up her teacup, and drank to suppress the nausea.
Perhaps her reaction spurred him, for Fu Yanchuan became more candid, releasing his fist, sipping tea, and continued, "They're right—I never got over you. I still like you as much as ever, even more."
"You have no idea. Every night I think of you, I go mad with longing. I fantasize about everything—about you cuddling in my arms, kissing you, holding you beneath me…"
Before he could finish, Wanbai flung her tea at his face. "Stop it!"
He didn't dodge, just closed his eyes as the hot tea splashed, stinging his eyes.
He wiped his eyes, opened them red-rimmed, and his gaze remained steady. "Do you know how long I've harbored these feelings? I've suppressed them for so long. That time in Fukushima awakened the demon in my heart. Since then, I've thought of you every day, dreamed of us together every night."
"I'm like a pervert, using your clothes for comfort. Seeing you lying beside me—how could I resist? Tell me—how could I resist? I'm a sick man, sick from loving you. You were so peaceful, so gentle, lying beside me. Do you know how excited, how happy I was? I waited so many years for you to grow up, and just when I was about to marry you, you said you didn't love me, asked me to let you pursue your own love."
"Your tears softened my heart, so I gave in. As long as you didn't cry. I watched you in your wedding dress, happily marrying Fu Juxing, smiled and congratulated you, but you never knew how much it hurt inside. The girl I loved for so long, waited for so long, married someone else." Tears welled up, and after a bout of laughter, he paused. "Wanbai, if you were me, would you have let go?"
She couldn't speak or look at him; Fu Yanchuan had never spoken such words before—not once.
He was always gentle, like an elder brother. She knew he was good, exceptionally so, but never imagined his feelings ran so deep.
She licked her lips, "Feelings…"
"I know feelings can't be forced, but they can't be controlled either. Just like you loved Fu Juxing so much, you broke all principles to win him. Tell me, can I learn from you, go all out, regardless of consequences? Wanbai, did you ever ask Fu Juxing if he hated you for breaking up him and Lin Yao, indirectly causing Lin Yao's death at sea?"
She was silent, her expression shifting.
Fu Yanchuan laughed softly, shook his head. "At least I didn't take the final step. I managed to restrain the demon in my heart, stopped myself, because I love you too much. I'd rather suffer than see you harmed. My fault is loving you too much, unable to let go."
"Wanbai, no one loves or respects you more than I do—not even Fu Juxing. If I could act like a beast, disregarding your wishes and taking you by force, you wouldn't be Fu Juxing's wife today."
He took a napkin, wiped the tea from his face, picked the tea leaves off his forehead, and set them on the table. "Since Lin Zhouye agreed, just let things take their course. But if you really want to go all out and drag me down with you, I will cooperate, protect you, let myself be ruined so you can be safe. As long as you're happy, anything goes."
Wanbai pressed her lips tightly, unable to say a word.
Fu Miao, what a cunning move—this scheme was truly clever.
She lowered her eyes, and the private room fell into a silence broken only by their breathing.
Eventually, Wanbai closed her eyes, exhaled, and said, "Fine, I'll compromise. This matter must never be mentioned again. Anyway, I'm leaving with Fu Juxing, I'm done with all this."
"You…" She stopped, unsure what to say. She owed him nothing to apologize for.
Feelings have no right or wrong—love is love, and not loving is not loving.
"Thank you for respecting me. I hope you always will, and keep your gentlemanly conduct. Don't become like Fu Miao and the others—you shouldn't be that kind of person."
"You have no idea how much I wish I could be."
Wanbai said nothing more; she had nothing else to say to him.
She returned to the hospital, leaned on Fu Juxing's bedside, feeling exhausted, and thought about Fu Yanchuan's words.
She looked up at Fu Juxing and suddenly asked, "Do you hate me?"
"Hmm?"
"Just answer."
"Why would I hate you?"
"Just answer, don't ask."
Since returning, she hadn't spoken, and this was her first question—clearly something had shaken her.
Fu Juxing didn't press her, simply answered, "No."
Wanbai didn't really believe him.
Because, thinking in reverse—if Fu Yanchuan had forcibly married her, she would surely hate him.
Fu Juxing: "Why ask this suddenly? Did you meet anyone besides Lin Zhouye today?"
She shook her head, forced a smile, "No, just felt like asking."
"Really? Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying."
She took his hand, pressed it to her face, and said, "From now on, I'll only care about you, stay by your side."
"Mm."
…
True to her word, Wanbai stopped caring about everything else. She started preparing for immigration and took care of Fu Juxing.
By month's end, Fu Juxing was discharged. He had injured a leg and needed a cane to walk. The doctor said his recovery was good, but at home he needed to be careful, take his medicine on schedule, and go for regular checkups.
Lin Jingyu and Chen Songyuan came to pick them up. For convenience, Lin Jingyu asked Wanbai to stay at Pujiang.
Wanbai wasn't keen, but since it was almost New Year, it made sense.
Lin Jingyu saw her reluctance, linked arms with her, and said, "What, are you still sulking with Zhouye?"
"No, who he marries is his business. As long as he's happy, I don't care."
Lin Jingyu sighed, "I've talked to him several times about it, but nothing works. I won't interfere anymore—when the time comes, things will sort themselves out. They aren't married yet, who knows if it'll even happen. Hopefully it won't."
"Whether it happens or not, that's that. I'm only focused on immigration now, hoping everything goes smoothly and Fu Juxing recovers soon."
At this, Lin Jingyu couldn't smile. "Are you really immigrating?"
"Yes."
"If you're leaving, I want to go with you."
"You can't. Leave after me, who will take care of Grandpa?"
"I know, just saying. Of course I won't leave. It's just hard not to miss you, and I worry about you being alone abroad. They say parents worry for their children forever. Ever since you were in my belly, I haven't had a day's peace—worried you'd be stillborn, worried you'd get hurt, and even now that you're grown, I'm still anxious. Always worrying."
She pointed to her head, "See, I'm already getting gray hairs."
Wanbai laughed, "Do you regret having me as your daughter?"
"Never." She hooked Wanbai's chin. "With such a beautiful daughter, how could I regret it? Time just goes too fast. I used to look forward to you growing up, and now you have, it feels too quick. You aren't my clingy little darling anymore."
Seeing her mother almost in tears, Wanbai hugged her, "Don't worry, I'll always be your little cotton jacket. I won't make you worry anymore."
"It's okay, your happiness matters most. Parents just want to see their children happy and healthy. Then, when there's time, go traveling with mom, shopping."
"Got it."
Wanbai looked back at Fu Juxing. Chen Songyuan supported him, both smiling at her, and she smiled too.
She hurried back, Aunt Rong made way for her, and Wanbai stood on tiptoe to drape a coat over Fu Juxing.
They exchanged smiles.
…
Pujiang.
The servants had already tidied Wanbai's room. Once a princess room, after her marriage, Lin Jingyu changed the decor. Married women need a different style.
Wanbai hadn't stayed much in the past three years. Now that she had her own family, it was important to have space for the young couple; living with elders wasn't good for marital harmony.
That evening, Lin Zhouye didn't come home, citing other plans. The family meal was missing only him.
With just family, Lin Zhaowei relaxed the rules.
He personally piled food onto Fu Juxing's plate, urging him to eat. "Have you decided where to immigrate?"
Wanbai replied, "We're planning to go to Grindelwald, Switzerland. After his recovery, we'll go have a look."
"Immigration is a big step, so take your time, prepare everything carefully before moving. No need to rush."
Wanbai nodded, "Grandpa, maybe you can join us for a visit when the time comes?"
"My old bones can't handle the trip, I'll stay in Beicheng. Just send back plenty of photos for me to see. But most important is that you like it, and consider all aspects."
"Understood."
After dinner, Lin Zhaowei invited Wanbai to play chess.
They were in the second game when Lin Zhouye came back.
He greeted them, Wanbai looked up, returned the greeting politely, and went back to her chess game.
"I drank a lot today, so I'll head back."
"Go ahead."
He left and closed the door.
Lin Zhaowei looked at Wanbai, coughed, "What, are you two at odds again?"
"What?"
"You and Zhouye."
"Why would I be at odds with my uncle? He's an elder, I wouldn't dare."
"Is it because of Fu Miao?"
Wanbai paused, fingers tracing a chess piece. She hadn't followed the news for a month, rarely left the hospital. She had completely stopped caring about those matters, even too lazy to ask.
She shrugged and played her move. "There was a bit at first, but not now. Uncle's a grown man, smart enough to know what he's doing. I'm just focused on myself and Fu Juxing."
Wanbai played seriously and narrowly won.
She laughed in delight.
Lin Zhaowei watched her and felt reassured.