Rose Manor: Tycoon's Relentless Chase-Chapter 395: Side Story 8: A Wife Like This

No matter how Fu Jianfang cries and causes a scene at the old house, the old man is determined to make her suffer a bit. Otherwise, who knows what greater trouble she might cause.

Fu Jianfang staggered to the old man’s bedroom door, clapping and pleading, completely disregarding her dignity: "Dad, you can’t treat me like this, I’m your only daughter. When Mom was alive, she loved me the most. If she saw this from heaven, how sad she would be. Dad, give me another chance..."

"Little sister, Dad took his medicine and needs to rest." Fu Qizhen frowned and tried to persuade her from the side, "Don’t disturb him while he sleeps."

Fu Huaxian nodded in agreement: "Yes, you know Dad’s temperament well. He always tolerated your antics before, but clearly this time you’ve truly upset him. He’s set on teaching you a lesson. If you comply obediently, maybe he’ll soften by tomorrow. Doing this will only backfire."

"Get lost!" Fu Jianfang glared at them harshly, thinking she wasn’t fooled. They seemed to be persuading her, yet secretly relished her plight. With just one word from the old man, the projects in her hand were divided between the two of them. They probably wished the old man would punish her even harder. "Stop pretending to be compassionate here, shedding crocodile tears!"

Fu Qizhen’s face turned ugly: "You can’t tell good from bad."

Fu Huaxian didn’t say a word, just turned and left.

After they left, Fu Jianfang continued knocking: "Dad, listen to my explanation, Dad..."

She didn’t understand. All she did was overturn the tray to give Shen Jianian a minor lesson. Why would the old man treat her like this? Hadn’t he always been indifferent to Shen Jianian? Shen Jianian had no power or support, marrying Fu Jichen would only be a burden. Why did the old man protect her?

Fu Jianfang cried till her eyes were sore, but the bedroom door remained closed. It seemed there was truly no turning back from this matter.

She left disheartened and disappointed, tears falling uncontrollably as she thought about it. It didn’t matter how the old man treated her coldly, but he couldn’t strip her of the projects she painstakingly built in the company!

Without her authority, how could she return and find a footing in the company?

She worked hard for half a lifetime to earn those things!

*

Leaving the hospital, Fu Jichen didn’t intend to return to the old house, he instructed the butler to drive them to Yunding Palace.

The butler glanced at the rear-view mirror, remembering the old man’s instructions, and asked Fu Jichen with concern: "Is the young madam okay?"

Shen Jianian, exhausted from the hospital ordeal, closed her eyes to rest, collapsing into Fu Jichen’s embrace after getting in the car. She didn’t fall asleep, and upon hearing the butler’s voice, she squinted her eyes slightly.

Fu Jichen’s voice came from above her head, lowered probably to avoid disturbing her: "Did you tell the old man about us going to the obstetrics and gynecology department?"

The butler’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, inwardly sighing that there was little that could be hidden from the young master.

"As soon as you entered the doctor’s office, the old man called, concerned about the young madam’s situation." The butler chuckled awkwardly, without concealing anything, he told the truth, "I just relayed what I saw to him."

"Today was fortunate, Jianian wasn’t hurt. Tell the old man that if there’s another occasion with Aunt, we won’t go. We’ll pick another day to visit him."

The butler dared not respond to this, only replying with a couple of dry laughs.

The young master’s intention was unmistakeable; he wouldn’t associate with Fu Jianfang anymore, avoiding even meeting her. He planned to visit the old man at a different time, to avoid interacting with Fu Jianfang.

It was late by the time they got home, Shen Jianian was drowsy. Fu Jichen helped her take a shower before lying on the bed, holding her ankle under the light for careful examination.

The bowl of fish soup spilled on her was warm, no harm done, but the stewpot’s heat retention was good, leaving a red mark from the scalding hot soup inside. Fu Jichen gently rubbed his thumb over it: "Does it still hurt?"

Shen Jianian was nearly asleep; hearing this, she struggled to open her eyes, holding his arm to indicate he should lie down and rest: "Not too painful, don’t worry about it, let’s sleep."

Fu Jichen lay on his side beside her, pressing his palm over her belly through the sleepwear, then hugging her waist.

Shen Jianian nestled in his arms, softly asking: "Did I scare you?"

"Yeah." Fu Jichen’s voice was slightly hoarse.

At that moment when he exited the tea room and saw her in such a disheveled state, his breath suspended, fearing for any mishap. Knowing it was Fu Jianfang’s doing, he truly wished to rebel, to throw all those things at her so she could endure the same pain.

"From now on, no more foolishness." Fu Jichen still had lingering fear, "Whatever situation arises, protecting yourself comes first."

"Are you upset that I protected Honghong and let myself get hurt?"

"I’m not upset with you." Fu Jichen gently kneaded her waist twice, "You did the right thing, but ensure your own safety."

Shen Jianian responded with an "oh." At that moment, she wasn’t thinking; it was just a reflex. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Fu Jichen sighed lightly, knowing even if she agreed, she might not adhere, best if he personally supervised closely, not leaving her side.

Shen Jianian waited for a bit, not hearing anything more from him, gradually drifted into sleep.

The next morning, the sound of a car in the villa courtyard woke Shen Jianian. Thinking Fu Jichen was leaving for the company, she rose from bed, then saw the man emerging from the dressing room.

"You’re still here?" Shen Jianian blinked, wondering if she had just heard the sound of a car starting in the yard. Was she dreaming?

"It’s still early." Fu Jichen adjusted the clasp of his watch. "Why don’t you sleep a little longer?"

"I’ve had enough sleep."

Shen Jianian went to the bathroom to wash up, while Fu Jichen waited for her in the room. Soon, she came out, and they went downstairs together. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they heard Cheng Jin greeting someone with a very polite tone.

"Just leave the stuff over there. I’ll tidy up later. Have a seat and a cup of tea first..."

A familiar voice replied, "No need, I’ll head back after delivering this. Please give my regards to the young master and young mistress."

As they walked into the living room, Shen Jianian recognized the visitor as the butler who had taken them to the hospital last night. He was from the old house, and his face bore a kind smile as he said goodbye to Cheng Jin.

Seeing Fu Jichen and his wife, the butler didn’t rush to leave but greeted them instead.

"What are these...?" Shen Jianian looked at the living room, which was crowded with items on the sofa and coffee table, and the carpet was also piled high.

The butler quickly replied, "The master instructed us to arrange these. They’re all for your use, and there are a few more items that might arrive in the next few days."

Fu Jichen said, "The villa lacks nothing. Please tell the master not to trouble himself, for his health is more important than anything."

The butler was momentarily stunned, unable to discern if Fu Jichen was being polite or serious.

Was the young master still upset about last night?

After pondering for a moment, the butler added, "Last night... after you left, the master punished the fourth young lady. He ordered her to send the two children to the old house and no longer allow her to discipline them. She was also told to kneel in the ancestral hall until she admits her mistakes. This morning, she was still kneeling there, and she’s not allowed to leave even for meals, which are delivered by the maid. What’s more, her projects have been reassigned to the second and third masters."

Fu Jichen’s eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise glinted in his eyes. Surprisingly, the master was harsh enough to punish his only daughter.

In the past, despite Fu Jianfang’s repeated provocations, he hadn’t taken real action, partly out of respect for the master. Now, even the master was disappointed in her, so whom could she blame?

Previously, when his second uncle’s younger son, Fu Yunhan, gambled away the Jun Mountain shares abroad, the master merely sent him to the military for training and didn’t make him kneel in the ancestral hall.

This time, Fu Jianfang must wish she were dead from embarrassment.

Nearing fifty and still kneeling in the ancestral hall—a total loss of face.

After the butler finished speaking, he felt it was time to take his leave. "The master is waiting for my report; if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."

Shen Jianian asked Aunt Cheng to see him off, and she also walked a few steps out to softly explain to the butler, "Fu Jichen isn’t holding a grudge against Grandpa. Please thank him for us; his kindness is much appreciated."

"I understand, I understand." Hearing her reassure him, the butler was relieved. "The young master might appear cold, but his devotion to the master is unquestionable."

Shen Jianian returned inside to have breakfast in the dining room when Fu Jichen pulled out a chair for her. "What did you just whisper to the butler?"

"Nothing sneaky," Shen Jianian replied, taking a sip of warm milk. "I simply told the butler not to misinterpret your intentions; you hold no grudge against Grandpa."

"That’s it?"

"What else would I say?" Shen Jianian licked her lips.

"Are you so afraid of Grandpa misunderstanding me?" Fu Jichen asked with a smile.

"Grandpa is partial to you, and you do care about him. There’s no need to create unnecessary conflicts," Shen Jianian said. "Realistically speaking, his health fluctuates, and it’s best not to add to his worries."

After she finished talking, some time passed, and she had finished her milk, but Fu Jichen’s gaze remained on her. He hadn’t touched the breakfast in front of him.

Shen Jianian took a small bite of a steamed bun, seeing him still in that dazed state, she nervously asked, "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"

"A thought came to me—" Fu Jichen finally responded, his eyes soft and his mouth curved upwards.

Shen Jianian asked, "What thought?"

Fu Jichen reached out, wiping the milk from the corner of her mouth with his fingertip, his voice as gentle as the snow melting in winter: "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for."

Shen Jianian chuckled, thinking she hardly fit the image of a virtuous and capable wife, often requiring his attentive care herself.

"Mr. Fu, your perception of me is probably as thick as a fortress wall."

Shen Jianian commented with a grin towards him.