Chapter 20: Give Grandpa a Great-Grandchild to Play With

Upon hearing this, Fu Yancheng lifted his head. His voice was cool and distant: “I have plans tonight. If it’s a work report, we can discuss it at the office.” He paused, then added, “Have Zhou Ze arrange the time.” With that, he lowered his head again, turning his attention back to the documents, clearly signaling it was time to leave.

Qin Yiran’s smile froze. She forced herself to remain composed, “...Alright, President Fu. I’ll be going now.” After she left, Fu Yancheng’s gaze returned to the proposal in front of him, his brow faintly furrowed.

—

On the weekend, Fu Yancheng personally drove, taking Qiao Xi to the Fu family’s ancestral home. Throughout the journey, Qiao Xi’s palms were slick with nervous sweat.

The car rolled into an imposing, antique estate. As soon as they stopped, an elderly man in traditional attire appeared, walking briskly with the aid of a cane, followed by a gratified old steward.

“Oh! My granddaughter-in-law has finally come!” Old Master Fu’s voice boomed, his face radiant with joy. He looked Qiao Xi up and down, growing more pleased by the second, his eyes brimming with fondness. “Good, good! You’re even lovelier than in the photos. Yancheng finally did something right for once!”

Qiao Xi was overwhelmed by his enthusiasm, her cheeks tinged with red. “Fu—Grandpa Fu, hello…”

“No need for ‘Grandpa Fu’, just call me Grandpa!” The old man waved his hand dismissively, abruptly interrupting her, and affectionately took Qiao Xi’s hand, leading her inside. He paid no attention whatsoever to his grandson, Fu Yancheng, who stood beside them carrying gifts.

Fu Yancheng: “…”

He silently followed.

In the dining room, the table was already laden with an array of exquisite dishes, their aroma filling the air.

“Come, Xi Xi, sit beside Grandpa!” The old man firmly seated Qiao Xi at the place of honor to his right, leaving Fu Yancheng to sit opposite.

“Xi Xi, try this. Grandpa had the kitchen stew Buddha Jumps Over the Wall all morning just for you!”

“And this—bird’s nest soup, perfect for a young lady’s beauty.”

“This abalone is freshly flown in, taste it!”

Old Master Fu kept piling food onto Qiao Xi’s plate. She was torn between laughter and embarrassment.

“Grandpa, that’s enough, really, it’s too much, I can’t finish it…”

“If you can’t, let Yancheng eat it!” The old man declared grandly, “He’s got a big appetite. You should eat more, you’re so thin! Did this rascal not feed you properly?”

Fu Yancheng was picking up food; at the accusation, he paused, helpless. “Grandpa…”

“Quiet, I didn’t ask you!” The old man shot him a glare, then turned and smiled kindly at Qiao Xi. “Don’t be afraid of him, Xi Xi. If he ever dares to bully you, tell Grandpa. I’ll make him kneel in the ancestral hall!”

—

Qiao Xi watched Fu Yancheng’s awkward expression and couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Much of her tension melted away in an instant.

Seeing her laugh, the old man grew even more spirited. He mysteriously pulled a box from his pocket and pressed it into Qiao Xi’s hands. “Here, take this—it’s Grandpa’s welcome gift for you!”

Qiao Xi opened it, and gasped in shock. Inside lay an imperial green jade bracelet of exceptional quality, clearly worth a fortune.

“Grandpa… This is too precious, I can’t accept it,” she stammered, quickly trying to refuse.

“Take it!” The old man’s face grew stern. “When an elder gives a gift, you must not decline.”

“Besides, this bracelet was left by Yancheng’s grandmother, meant to be passed to the granddaughter-in-law. If you don’t accept it, you’re snubbing Grandpa!”

Qiao Xi looked to Fu Yancheng for help.

He set down his chopsticks, calm. “If Grandpa is giving it to you, then you should accept it.”

Old Master Fu beamed, “You hear that? Go on, take it.”

“Thank you, Grandpa…” Qiao Xi finally accepted.

The meal was warm and lively.

Afterward, the old man took Qiao Xi for a walk in the garden to help digest, with Fu Yancheng following.

The old man lowered his voice, face full of mischief. “Xi Xi, tell Grandpa honestly—does Yancheng treat you well? Has he bullied you?”

He paused, then chuckled, “If he ever misbehaves, Grandpa will kick him out and transfer all the shares to you!”

Qiao Xi was amused by the old man’s dramatic stance and quickly shook her head, “No, no, President Fu… Yancheng treats me… quite well.”

“That’s good!” The old man nodded in satisfaction, then leaned closer, his eyes sparkling. “So… when do you plan to give Grandpa a little great-grandson to play with?”

“Pfft—cough, cough!” Qiao Xi choked, her face flushed from cheeks to collarbone.

Fu Yancheng heard everything from behind, his lips twitching in helplessness as he rubbed his brow. “Grandpa! Don’t scare her.”

“How am I scaring her?” the old man retorted, “I’m just concerned about your future. Xi Xi, don’t be shy—let Grandpa tell you, while you’re young…”

“Grandpa!” Fu Yancheng quickly stepped forward, pulling the mortified Qiao Xi behind him.

“It’s getting late, we should head back.”

“What’s the rush?” The old man grumbled, “Sit a while longer, I haven’t finished chatting with Xi Xi!”

“We’ll talk next time,” Fu Yancheng said, not giving him a choice, as he led Qiao Xi away.

—

“Ah, you rascal—got a wife and forgot your grandpa!” Old Master Fu stomped his cane in frustration, but watching their departing figures, he couldn’t help stroking his beard and chuckling softly.

—

A few days later, Qiao Xi finally gathered her courage and, following Chu Xiangxiang’s lead, arrived at the headquarters of Lu Group.

In the president’s office, Lu Yanzhi lounged lazily on the wide leather sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, watching with interest as the secretary brought Qiao Xi in.

He’d indeed been notified by the front desk—a pretty girl named Qiao Xi claimed she wanted to thank him for financial assistance years ago.

He couldn’t recall such a thing at all.

But “pretty girl” and “thanks” were enough to pique his curiosity.

“Miss Qiao?” Lu Yanzhi raised his brows, his gaze openly sweeping over Qiao Xi’s delicate face and graceful figure, a teasing smile curving his lips.

“Please, have a seat.”

Qiao Xi was uncomfortable under his direct gaze, but she sat anyway, speaking earnestly, “President Lu, hello. My name is Qiao Xi.”

“Do you remember, four years ago, you anonymously sponsored a girl through a charitable foundation?”

“I’ve always wanted to find my benefactor and thank him in person. So…”

Lu Yanzhi listened, amusement deepening in his eyes.

She must have mistaken him for someone else.

But looking at the clean, refined girl before him, he suddenly felt—this misunderstanding might be quite entertaining.

“Oh?” Lu Yanzhi’s smile grew more ambiguous. “So, Miss Qiao… how do you plan to ‘thank’ me?”

His gaze was suggestive.

Qiao Xi frowned at his flippant tone and look; her image of her benefactor shattered instantly.

She instinctively scooted back, widening the distance. “President Lu, I’m here to sincerely express my gratitude…”

Just then, the office door was abruptly pushed open.

“Yanzhi, you rascal—” It was his close friend, Shen Yu.

Shen Yu froze, exchanging glances with Mu Censhan, who stood outside.

And accompanying them was another figure—Fu Yancheng.

Fu Yancheng, dressed in a black suit, exuded a cold, severe aura. The moment his deep, shadowed eyes landed on Qiao Xi, a chill flashed in their depths, an intimidating, somber presence enveloping him.

Qiao Xi’s face turned ashen—Fu Yancheng!?

What was he doing here…