Chapter 41: Intermarriage Using a Beautiful Body
Back at the venue, the second half of the meeting happened to be starting.
Everything followed smoothly after that, without any incidents.
In the final decision-making phase, only Fu Yue, Shen Junnian, and Pei Zhen remained in a small private meeting room.
A list of companies was projected on the screen.
“These two, I don’t like them. Out.” Shen Junnian picked up a laser pointer and pointed at two names.
Fu Yue was somewhat confused. “Although Hongke’s proposal was mediocre, it was relatively harmless…”
“The proposal was harmless, but the people aren’t.” Shen Junnian sneered. “A company that gossips behind people’s backs has no integrity to speak of.”
Fu Yue understood instantly, remembering the foul language in the restroom.
He looked at Pei Zhen, seeking his opinion. “What does President Pei think?”
Pei Zhen was a bit lost in thought.
Only when he heard the question did he snap back to reality, nodding with a smile. “I have no objection. Young Master Shen is right.”
However, the gaze he directed at Fu Yue became exceptionally subtle.
Shen Junnian didn’t notice, but Fu Yue caught it—ever since he returned to the venue, Pei Zhen’s gaze when looking at him had been a bit strange.
Pei Zhen would naturally feel that things were abnormal.
When Fu Yue returned just now, Shen Junnian asked where he had gone, and Fu Yue said he went back to his office to change his tie.
But Pei Zhen knew very well that wasn’t the case.
Just this morning, in another meeting, he had been sitting opposite Ji Hanmo.
He had a deep impression of that dark-patterned silver-gray tie the Chairman wore.
And now, that tie which should belong to Ji Hanmo was tied obediently around Fu Yue’s neck.
This Pei family executive, usually known for his composure, was now filled with speculation.
He looked at Fu Yue, remembering that Monica, Ji Hanmo’s most trusted assistant, had just called him away.
What were they called away to do just now?
Fifteen minutes. Based on his walking speed, deducting elevator travel and greetings, the effective duration was probably less than seven minutes…
Was it… that fast?
Pei Zhen’s gaze stayed on Fu Yue’s goji berry tea cup for three seconds, then flickered over the faint dark circles under Fu Yue’s eyes…
Just last night, the heir of the main Pei family—Pei Zhen’s cousin-nephew, Pei Luomian—had specifically called, asking him to look after Fu Yue at the meeting.
On the phone, Pei Luomian had hesitated, saying, “His physical condition is special; please take care of him, Uncle.”
Pei Zhen’s emotional intelligence was naturally high enough to sense that his cousin-nephew’s attitude toward this person was unusual.
So, did Pei Luomian know about this Young Master Fu’s physical condition?
It was normal for young people to be blinded by love.
Even if the other party had an ambiguous partner, as long as they weren’t married, there was room to compete.
But completely disregarding their married life… that was too reckless.
Perhaps Pei Luomian believed that since the Pei family was a medical family, this situation wasn’t incurable.
For a moment, Pei Zhen’s gaze was complex beyond words.
“President Pei, did I… say something inappropriate today?” Fu Yue touched his face in confusion.
He noticed that this medical giant kept glancing at him, his expression sometimes tense and sometimes solemn, as if he had caused some major catastrophe.
Pei Zhen snapped back to reality, realizing he had lost his composure.
“Sorry, I suddenly thought of a medical case and got lost in thought.”
The “internal discussion meeting” after the negotiation ended.
While the elevator descended, Shen Junnian leaned against the car wall with his hands in his pockets.
He turned his head to look at Fu Yue, his tone light. “Since this is the result, you’ll definitely face all kinds of overtures when you go home today. I don’t need to worry too much.”
Wild Horse Investment was arrogant and overbearing, publicly provoking Party A. The Ji Group would never tolerate them.
As for those two with loose tongues, they were cleared out like trash by Shen Junnian.
This resulted in the Fu family, who were originally at the bottom of the rankings, barely scraping through the line and entering the selection safely.
Shen Junnian was right.
This result meant the methods Fu Yue had originally planned weren’t needed.
—
Arriving at the Fu family home once again.
Today was a clear winter night.
The grand villa was brilliantly lit.
Guided by the servants who had been waiting at the door early on, he stepped into the main dining room.
The light from the marble chandelier was soft.
On the long dining table, exquisite appetizers had already been laid out. Everything was arranged with great style.
His father, Fu Zheng’an, sat at the head of the table with a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
“Xiao Yue, you’re back. Sit.”
Fu Yue sat down as instructed, and the banquet began in an atmosphere of deliberately created warmth.
As the hot dishes were served, Fu Zheng’an signaled the servants to portion the fish, then turned to Fu Yue.
“Xiao Yue, are you satisfied with the new car?”
He was naturally referring to that Lamborghini Revuelto. Fu Yue had just received the keys yesterday and hadn’t had a chance to see it yet.
This wasn’t a question; it didn’t require an answer from Fu Yue.
“Xiao Yue, about the last time, Dad wrongly blamed you.” Fu Zheng’an proactively raised his glass. “Now that the scandal is cleared, the impact on the company has passed. However, you must learn your lesson and be more careful about what you play with in the future.”
He didn’t mention a single word about the company’s system crash.
It was as if that event never happened—or perhaps, as Ji Hanmo said, it simply wasn’t important.
Fu Yue just nodded, cutting the goose web on his plate, without replying.
At this moment, the eldest brother, Fu Cheng, who was sitting opposite him, spoke up.
“Xiao Yue,” his voice was rich and authoritative, “I was underprepared for the proposal demonstration this afternoon, which gave Wild Horse Investment an opportunity. I’m sorry.”
Fu Yue looked up, the hand holding his fork and knife pausing slightly.
What a proud person Fu Cheng was; this submissive posture felt too discordant.
Before Fu Yue could think deeper, he heard his father turn the conversation toward the eldest brother.
“As for you, take more care of things at home.” Fu Zheng’an’s tone was a warning. “What has Lin Minghua been busy with lately? You two shouldn’t go your separate ways all day; it’ll make people laugh.”
Fu Cheng’s face darkened. “She has her art museum, and I have my company. We agreed back then not to interfere with each other; there’s no reason to go back on it now.”
“Not interfering?” Fu Zheng’an sneered. “But we must maintain decency. Let her accompany you to the maiden voyage ceremony of Zou Jin’s new cruise ship at the end of the month.”
After saying this, Fu Zheng’an specifically glanced at the second brother, Fu Yan, with a meaningful look.
Fu Yue listened quietly.
Although he had always stayed out of it, he could feel Fu Cheng’s helplessness in the face of a “marriage of interest, seemingly together but far apart.”
After the topic circled a few times, it eventually landed back on the Ji Group.
Fu Zheng’an’s tone was seemingly casual. “Xiao Yue, you’ve been at the Ji Group for a while. Have you had much contact with Ji Hanmo? What type of girls do you think he likes?”
Fu Yue’s movements paused, almost choking.
“Both of your sisters are of suitable age,” Fu Zheng’an continued to himself. “If we could intermarry with the Ji family, it would be a huge boost for the Fu family’s future development.”
Fu Yue shook his head, his tone flat. “Chairman Ji works over 16 hours a day. He has a folding bed in his office, and all three meals are brought in by his assistant. I’ve never seen him show interest in dating.”
Fu Yue thought to himself that this wasn’t exactly a lie.
“No matter how busy he is, he still needs a woman.” Fu Zheng’an wasn’t giving up.
“Chairman Ji’s assistant, Monica, revealed that at a charity banquet once, a socialite deliberately spilled a few drops of wine on him wanting to get to know him. He directly had security escort her out.”
“Was it because the girl wasn’t pretty enough?”
“Her family background was top-tier, and she was a Miss Universe champion.” Fu Yue lied without blinking. “Furthermore, Chairman Ji values his privacy. Dad, it’s best not to test him on such matters.”
He added a final sentence.
Fu Zheng’an looked at him deeply, as if evaluating the truth in his words.
A few seconds later, he smiled.
“Is that so? Then never mind. A forced fruit isn’t sweet.” He considered the topic closed.
Fu Yue picked up his spoon and took a sip of soup. The topic regarding the Ji family wasn’t over.
“Speaking of which, Ji Hanmo’s brother, Ji Linye—I heard he likes boys.”
Fu Yue’s heart sank.
As expected.
Fu Zheng’an picked up his tea and took a sip. “That Chen Bai you were in contact with before has a background that’s too low; he has no right to enter our Fu family’s door.”
“Xiao Yue, if you aren’t in a hurry to settle down with the Shen family, you could go pursue Ji Linye. Being in the same company, you have the advantage of proximity.”
Fu Yue sat on the expensive pearwood dining chair, drinking hot soup, yet he felt waves of chill.
He suddenly felt that this “Fu Yue” in the novel was quite pitiful.
In this home, daughters were tools for intermarriage, and sons were bargaining chips for trade.
Feelings, preferences, and even orientation didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was how much profit could be exchanged.
Fu Yue had little interest in the meal.
He tried to detach himself from the role of “Fu Yue” and view this family from the perspective of an outsider or a player.
But this damn sense of immersion was everywhere, making him feel sad for such “family affection.”
After dinner, just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, the second brother, Fu Yan, stopped him.
“Xiao Yue, come to my room for a bit. I’ll show you my new collection.”
Fu Yue glanced at Fu Yan but followed him upstairs nonetheless.
The second brother’s room was very simply decorated; there wasn’t a single book on the shelves, and it lacked any sense of being lived in.
It was clear he didn’t usually stay at home either.
Fu Yan poured him a glass of water, sat down on the sofa, and spoke gently. “It’s hard, isn’t it?”
Fu Yue understood this vague sentence referred to the matchmaking at dinner.
He raised an eyebrow noncommittally.
Fu Yan gave a self-deprecating smile. “Actually, I’m the same.”
“Dad has been constantly telling me to associate more with Chairman Zou lately, saying he likes educated young men and it’ll be good for my future development.”
Fu Yue’s heart tightened.
Chairman Zou, Zou Jin—he had met him once at the racing club. That cruise maiden voyage coming up soon was hosted by him.
But at his age, he could be Fu Yan’s uncle.
So, it wasn’t just him; the second brother hadn’t escaped either.
Fu Yan didn’t delve deeper into the topic but changed the subject. “About the crash of the Fu Group’s core system earlier, I believe it probably had nothing to do with you.”
He looked at Fu Yue with an apologetic gaze. “At the time, I suggested they investigate clearly first. Unfortunately…”
“Unfortunately, they didn’t care, right?” Fu Yue finished his sentence.
“It seems you understand.” Fu Yan sighed. “Dad’s desire for control is too strong. He just wanted to find an excuse to force you to submit.”
Hearing this, a thought flashed in Fu Yue’s mind.
He knew that this Young Master Fu had played around for so many years; it was time to make some contribution to the family.
The original body was useless; wasn’t his only value that beautiful body used for intermarriage?
Old Man Fu indeed had reason to do so.
Fu Yan stood up and walked to the desk.
“Xiao Yue, I don’t know if I should tell you some things… but we are brothers, and I don’t want to see you kept in the dark.”
He opened a laptop and turned it toward Fu Yue.
“That proposal this afternoon was actually Dad’s idea. The capital behind Wild Horse Investment belongs to his friend. The purpose… was to invite you, this great god, back home.”
Fu Yue was slightly stunned.
His suspicion was confirmed.
Shen Junnian thought he could deliberately embarrass the Fu family to vent Fu Yue’s anger, but he was only on the first level; Old Man Fu was on the fifth level.
That garbage proposal of the elder brother’s was merely a play carefully orchestrated by the entire family.
But having it confirmed by the second brother, Fu Yue still felt a wave of sadness.
On the laptop screen was an open document.
Fu Yan pushed the computer in front of him. “This is the Fu family’s true strength.”
Fu Yue’s gaze fell on that real proposal.
He only read a few pages before discovering that its conception, logic, and completeness, while not top-tier or brilliant, were at least on par with the other high-performing companies.
“That garbage proposal,” Fu Yan’s voice rang out, “was merely a smokescreen to make everyone lower their guard. And incidentally, to gain your sympathy, make you feel like you’ve vented your anger, and make you willing to return with your head held high.”
Fu Yan closed the computer.
He looked at Fu Yue with a worried gaze.
“In order to not be calculated to death by the family, your only way out is to hold tightly to the great tree that is the Ji Group. Especially… the Ji brothers. Whichever one you can snag will be an absolute protective talisman.”
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