Chapter 48#

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the company was still one day away from the holiday, but most employees who could take leave had already gone home.

Yan Zishu heard Fu Weishan summon him in the inner room of the CEO’s office and went in to ask for instructions.

Fu Weishan thought for a moment: “When returning to the old residence for the New Year, Ji Chen will come along too. Take him to tidy up.”

Yan Zishu replied unsurprisingly: “Okay.”

New Year’s Eve and the Spring Festival were also big days for the Fu family to have a reunion. Fu Weishan went to suffer every year, and this time he decided to take Ji Chen along to suffer, nothing more than indicating that their relationship had advanced to a new stage and was to be made public.

Yan Zishu didn’t care whether Fu Weishan cajoled or threatened to make the person turn back, and immediately called Ji Chen out.

The so-called tidying up naturally meant dressing up the Cinderella into a white swan to be worthy of Fu Weishan’s noble status.

Fortunately, this request was made two days before the New Year. If it were on New Year’s Eve, the shopping malls probably wouldn’t even be open.

Without delay, Yan Zishu took him directly to a familiar styling studio, regardless of whether the other party was willing or not.

On the way, Ji Chen seemed to still hold a grudge against his harsh words last time and also appeared reluctant about Fu Weishan’s dictatorial arrangement. Until the Tony teacher intervened, the air between the two alone was filled with faint awkwardness.

But Yan Zishu only treated it as work and didn’t care about the atmosphere. He watched the Tony teacher design a new hairstyle for Ji Chen.

Then, he took Ji Chen to the brand street, went to major luxury specialty stores, and changed his outfit from head to toe according to the stylist’s suggestions. Besides clothes and shoes, not even details like belts and watches were spared.

Ji Chen was manipulated like a puppet to change clothes, frowning unhappily: “It’s too expensive, really unnecessary.”

However, Yan Zishu blocked him with a sentence: “You represent President Fu’s face.”

Ji Chen turned his face away and fell silent.

Spending a whole afternoon and undergoing a complete transformation, Ji Chen completely changed his image. using the description commonly used in novels, he looked like a naive young master from a noble family.

Yan Zishu sent Ji Chen back to Fu Weishan’s apartment and helped carry the large and small shopping bags upstairs.

He didn’t see Fu Weishan and couldn’t see if the boss would reveal a stunned expression, but presumably, the other party would be satisfied.

This could also be considered a rare “thoughtfulness” from Fu Weishan. Packaging him up, besides being presentable to take out, was more because he knew well that most of the Fu family relied on wealth and power. If he dressed too shabbily, he would inevitably be looked down upon when arriving at the old residence.

Although Yan Zishu felt that was just the perspective of people in high positions looking down on all living beings.

He wondered if Fu Weishan realized that “lower-class people” would be humiliated regardless of what they wore or put on.

The arrogance and acrimony of the Fu family were engraved in their bones. They humiliated people just for the sake of humiliation.

Yan Zishu passed by a row of shops on the street. Unlike Christmas and New Year’s Day, at this time, most merchants were no longer busy shouting for business but were pasting red couplets one after another, closing their doors to return to their hometowns.

Unfortunately, not only did he not have his own home, but as a subordinate, he also had no reason to refuse to return to the old residence with Fu Weishan.

But Fu Jinchi should also appear there—Yan Zishu had this thought and felt as if he hadn’t seen him for a long time again.

*

Just as Yan Zishu expected, on New Year’s Eve, Ji Chen appeared at the Fu family’s old residence, causing an uproar.

People came and went in the old residence. Children ran around and played on the floor, and adults chatted affectionately. This was probably the time when the whole family looked most like a model family in the year, but the harmony was disrupted by the timid boy standing behind Fu Weishan.

There were discussions everywhere.

Third Uncle Fu, dressed in a red Tang suit, smiled amiably: “Oh, Weishan is here. Quick, everyone is waiting for you to make dumplings.”

His attitude completely ignored Ji Chen. Fu Weishan put his arm around his little lover: “Third Uncle, let me introduce you. This is my…”

Next to them, a group of little boys ran out, hugged Fu Weishan’s legs, and clamored: “Cousin! Red packets! Give red packets!”

Another woman’s voice scolded: “Run slower, be careful not to fall! Will Cousin give you fewer red packets?”

Relatives chimed in, quickly diverting the topic and covering up Fu Weishan’s introduction of Ji Chen.

In this festive atmosphere, Yan Zishu, while others wore something red, was still in a dull and rigid black suit, only wearing a dark red tie clip. This indicated that he was not completely out of place but would absolutely not show a bit more presence.

He stood silently behind Fu Weishan. How could he not see the undercurrents beneath the scene?

For over a year, Third Uncle Fu demanded Fu Weishan marry Yuan Mu, supported Fu Jinchi entering the board, and arranged blind dates for Fu Weishan. Although some worked and some didn’t, for Fu Weishan, Third Uncle Fu’s reach was really too long, which was very displeasing.

Anyway, he had fallen out with Miss Zhu, so bringing Ji Chen back for the New Year could also be seen as a demonstration against Third Uncle Fu.

But judging from the relatives’ glossing-over attitude just now, Third Uncle Fu’s home-court advantage was still relatively strong.

The old residence was where Fu Weishan grew up, but now, it had basically become the territory of these old guys.

This mid-level villa located in the wealthy area had more symbolic significance than practical significance—just like when Fu Zhizhang lived here before, it felt like an emperor living in his own palace. But after he died, even the master bedroom he originally lived in was occupied by Third Uncle Fu.

Although there had been some discord over this, in the end, Third Uncle Fu got his wish, probably wanting the thrill of usurpation.

On the contrary, young adults like Fu Weishan, due to work and social reasons, couldn’t live without the bustle of the downtown area.

Usually staying in the city and coming back occasionally, he seemed more like a guest.

Fu Weishan had to go greet other elders and let Yan Zishu stay with Ji Chen, meaning to look after him.

But, in the eyes of the prominent families, wasn’t Yan Zishu also a “lower-class person”?

Sitting on the sofa, these two people still couldn’t avoid being pointed at: “Oh my, who brought outsiders into the house?”

“Hehe, does he lack self-care ability? Even assigned a male nanny. Does he need to be breastfed later?”

Ji Chen was extremely uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles. Yan Zishu sighed: “Let’s go for a walk in the backyard.”

Just as he was about to get up, someone suddenly pressed a palm on his shoulder and said lightly: “Why are you all here so early?”

Yan Zishu turned his head and met Fu Jinchi’s eyes.

Seeing the other party in this messy environment, compared to usual, simply felt exceptionally refined and handsome. Yan Zishu rarely gave him a sincere smile: “Not early. President Fu was still working overtime at the company in the morning and came after that.”

Fu Jinchi was stunned for a few seconds, almost dazzled.

Fu Jinchi quickly came back to his senses and smiled: “Then it seems that I, an idler, am late.”

He also sat down next to Yan Zishu and said: “Your outfit today is a bit different, very chic.”

Yan Zishu looked down. The only bright color on him was the tie clip. The suit was extremely old-fashioned; he didn’t know where it was chic.

As for the ruby cufflinks Fu Jinchi gave, they didn’t match, and he was also afraid Fu Weishan would see them, so he didn’t wear them.

Fortunately, Fu Jinchi didn’t ask specifically.

Ji Chen’s perception of Fu Jinchi still stopped at “kind-hearted but with a pitiful background”. Seeing him, he also breathed a sigh of relief. Like now, others felt it beneath their dignity to look him in the eye, only Fu Jinchi was still talking wittily as if no one else was around.

His relaxed and comfortable attitude easily made the person chatting with him feel better too.

The three of them were not very respected subjects here at the old residence. Forming a circle to chat by themselves was also a rather peculiar combination. It was simply like an ostracized small group in school huddling together for warmth, looking a bit funny and a bit pitiful.

Yan Zishu’s mentality was okay. Anyway, whoever came just had a mouth, blabbing whatever. Once out of this door, who cared who was who.

After a while, he saw Fu Xiaoyu walk into the living room looking like a respectable person. Fu Xiaoyu also saw him, eyes widening slightly. Not knowing if he remembered that video of rats eating rats again, he turned on his heel and went to the other side as if nothing had happened.

Yan Zishu turned back and sneered secretly.

Fu Jinchi looked thoughtfully at the eye contact between him and Fu Xiaoyu.

Yan Zishu only prayed for Fu Xiaoyu not to be annoying, but alas, in this family, there were plenty of bratty kids more annoying than Fu Xiaoyu.

Later, two seventeen or eighteen-year-old teenagers, at the age when even chickens and dogs dislike them, were bored and looking for fun. Seeing their isolated three-person small group, they approached with ill intentions, faces written with the desire to find fault.

Yan Zishu recognized them. In terms of seniority, they were cousins. Although he felt the comers were unkind, he still greeted them politely.

The one with acne looked at the coffee table and asked in surprise: “Where are the truffle chocolates I put here? Why are they gone?”

“Isn’t there someone chatting here?” The other one with dyed yellow hair said deliberately. “Must have been eaten by someone.”

Acne said “Oh my” and was unhappy: “But they can’t eat them all? I brought them back specifically from Mumbai during my trip. It’s a limited brand. I could only buy a few boxes in total, and I said I would let everyone taste them during the New Year.”

Yellow Hair looked at Ji Chen, then swept a glance at the two people next to him: “Forget it, it’s just two boxes of lousy chocolates. Look how stingy you are. Besides, who asked you to put them here? Some people have never even eaten good things. Seeing them once, wouldn’t they hurry to eat them clean?”

Acne laughed loudly: “Then don’t say, the poorer the person, the more knowledgeable their mouth is, knowing to pick the expensive ones to eat. My chocolate costs eight or nine hundred RMB for a small piece. Does the more expensive it is, the better it tastes?” He glanced at Ji Chen.

These two people chimed in, making Ji Chen’s face flush red and white. Yan Zishu looked at the coffee table. Because of the New Year, there were quite a few refreshments. Just now there was indeed a plate of chocolates. There weren’t many originally. As Ji Chen ate, the plate became empty. But there were no labels; who knew who brought them? Besides, this also swept Yan Zishu in. Fu Jinchi had just picked two pieces and stuffed them to him.

Fu Jinchi didn’t take it seriously and said nonchalantly: “Today there are many people in the family, and many children too. Coming and going, with many people and mixed tongues, what’s strange about eating them all? If you are distressed, send me the brand, and I will buy two boxes to make it up to you later.”

Acne rolled his eyes and leaned on the back of the sofa: “Brother Jinchi, you are indeed a director now, generous.”

Fu Jinchi smiled: “What are you saying? I have always been like this. When have I not been generous to you?”

Yellow Hair winked and said: “If your mom were still alive, she would definitely be happy for you.”

Hearing this, Yan Zishu’s face dropped a few degrees, but Fu Jinchi looked at the other party calmly.

Except for the part where he was scolded as a beggar just now, Ji Chen didn’t understand the mystery in their words.

Acne said: “Brother Jinchi, you are considered successful now. Your mom gave birth to a good son. Unlike my mom, who always scolds me for being useless.”

Yellow Hair grinned: “That’s right. Women should still give birth to a good son; it’s better than anything. If it weren’t for you having money now, your mom wouldn’t even be able to afford such an expensive cemetery. I heard from someone two days ago that the cemetery you bought, do you know how much the price has risen?”

Fu Jinchi seemed to still not understand their sarcasm.

Yan Zishu couldn’t listen anymore. Just as he was about to say something, a nanny came over and interrupted everyone: “The kitchen says the dumplings are ready. Young masters, you can prepare to eat.”