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Upon entering the reserved private room, Yu Qing looked around at the interior decoration—it was a style that Yu Jingxin liked.
Fu Jichen dismissed the waitstaff; he disliked having too many people standing around while eating.
After the door closed, Fu Jichen turned and gazed through the window at the nighttime scenery in the courtyard.
The atmosphere was fresh and serene.
This was why he enjoyed dining here.
“Ji Qingyuan is Yu Jingze’s brother-in-law.”
Yu Qing’s gaze was still on the unique interior arrangement. She feigned admiration: “No wonder. So they’re all wealthy people. Yu Jingze’s sister is truly fortunate. We share the same surname, but our fates couldn’t be more different.”
Fu Jichen smiled meaningfully. “Your fate isn’t bad either. Who else has the fortune of having me accompany them to dinner every day?”
“...”
Yu Qing took it as him simply trying to comfort her.
The server brought a pre-meal fruit platter. This was Yu Qing’s eating habit—she liked to eat some fruit before meals to curb hunger and lose weight.
The theme of the fruit platter was “Winter Snow House,” fitting for today’s weather.
A colorful little house made of various fruits sat quietly on a crystal plate. The roof of the snow house was decorated with white strawberries.
Snow covered the fences and grass in front of the house—the snowflakes were crafted from white chocolate powder.
On the thick layer of snow, there was a small trail of deer footprints.
Yu Qing studied it for a long time, unable to decide which part to eat first.
Fu Jichen hadn’t expected that a simple fruit platter could make her so serious about deliberating, just like when she wrote legal opinions. One moment she was being careful, afraid of exposing her identity.
The next second, she was completely immersed in the world of food, unable to pull herself away.
“Yu Qing.”
“Hmm?”
When Fu Jichen looked at her again, she had already dismantled and eaten one of the windows of the little house.
He: “...”
The window was made of thinly sliced lemon.
“What did you want to say?” After eating the “window,” Yu Qing half-rose, bit into the chimney of the little house, and took off half of it.
She then nibbled on a piece of the “fence,” eating two types of fruit together.
Fu Jichen was momentarily speechless, his mind blanked by her carefree way of eating.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Yu Qing glanced at him.
Fu Jichen: “I seem to recall that fish have hearts too.”
Yu Qing nodded. “Yes, they do. But their hearts are very small.”
She educated him: “Fish only have one atrium and one ventricle, just enough for themselves. Except for moonfish, fish are poikilothermic creatures—cold-blooded animals who go wherever the temperature is comfortable.”
As she spoke, she dismantled one of the doors and popped it into her mouth.
“Anything else you want to know?”
Fu Jichen: “... No.”
His phone vibrated.
A message came in: [Are you and Yu Qing at the restaurant?]
He replied: [Mm, she’s eating fruit.]
[We’re here too. Stay in touch at all times.]
________________________________________
In the neighboring private room.
Yu Shaohong felt that tonight’s dinner had an ominous air, reminiscent of the Feast of Hongmen. In the afternoon, he had received a call from his eldest daughter, Jingxin, saying that she wanted to have dinner with him that evening.
At Ji Qingyuan’s private kitchen.
It had been a while since he’d seen his eldest daughter, so he canceled his evening engagements and came directly after finishing work.
Upon entering the private room, he didn’t expect to see Yu Jingze and Ji Qingyuan there as well.
“Are none of you busy today?”
Yu Jingze exited the chat window and placed his phone on the table. “Busy. Jingxin said she wanted the whole family to have a meal together, so we came.”
He looked at Yu Jingxin. “Is something going on?”
Yu Shaohong also looked at his daughter. “What’s wrong?”
Only Ji Qingyuan calmly sipped a glass of water. Tonight, he, Yu Jingze, and Yu Jingxin were all professional actors.
Only their father-in-law was kept in the dark.
Yu Jingxin remained calm. “Lately, I’ve been focused on the kids and haven’t had time to spend with Dad. A couple of days ago, I heard about what happened with Yu Qing. Things can’t keep going like this.”
At the mention of Yu Qing, Yu Shaohong felt a pang of pain in his chest.
Calling Qin Moling a male mistress and threatening to nail him to the shame board. Then there was her lecture on genetics and life sciences.
He waved his hand. “Let’s not talk about her. Every time I think of her, I feel like I’m losing years of my life!”
“Dad, if you don’t take care of her now, no one will.” Yu Jingxin poured a glass of red wine for her father.
Yu Shaohong pushed the wine glass toward Yu Jingze. “You drink it.”
He turned to his daughter. “Pour one less glass. Give my share to your brother. You guys always tell me to drink less, but during business dinners, I can’t avoid it—it’s beyond my control. Since I’m having dinner with you all tonight, I won’t drink.”
Yu Jingze and Yu Jingxin exchanged a glance.
If he didn’t drink, the upcoming scene wouldn’t be easy to play out.
It would be best if he were slightly tipsy—not too sober, to avoid awkwardness.
Yu Jingxin didn’t insist on making her father drink. She poured herself a glass, and just as she was about to put the bottle away, a highball glass was extended in front of her.
She glanced sideways—Ji Qingyuan was watching her.
With their father still present, she reluctantly poured a glass for Ji Qingyuan.
Yu Jingxin turned back and continued chatting casually with her father, discussing topics related to Yu Qing. “Dad, Yu Qing’s personality isn’t her fault. Don’t blame her.”
“How is it not her fault? Is it mine instead?”
“Precisely. There’s an old saying: ‘To raise without teaching is the father’s fault.’”
Yu Shaohong became displeased. “How have I not educated her?”
“When she was young, you were so busy that you only visited Shanghai once every year or two. Sometimes, she couldn’t even recognize you. It took a day or two for her to warm up to you, but then you had to rush back to Beijing. These are your own words.”
Yu Jingxin clinked glasses with her father across the table and took a small sip of red wine.
Yu Shaohong hesitated to speak. His eldest daughter’s words cut deep.
Yu Jingze handed a glass of red wine to their father.
Yu Shaohong picked up the highball glass, tilted his head back slightly, and downed it in one gulp.
Yu Jingxin poured another glass for her father. “I know you’ve been busy with the company, earning money, and raising the three of us. It hasn’t been easy. This glass is for you.”
She clinked glasses with her father again.
Yu Shaohong drank another glass.
His heart felt heavy.
When it came to the responsibilities of being a father, he knew he had failed Yu Qing.
He twirled the empty glass in his hand and sighed. “I know all of you resent me.”
“How could we?” Yu Jingxin served her father some dishes. “Complaints are unavoidable, but deep down, we all remember your kindness.”
Putting down her chopsticks, she refilled her father’s glass with red wine.
Yu Shaohong gave a bitter smile. “That little brat Yu Qing—she doesn’t care about anyone. I’ve realized that no matter how good I am to her, it doesn’t matter.”
He poured out his grievances to his eldest daughter. “I called her the other day. I wanted to see her and asked where she was. She said she was on Earth. Tell me, isn’t that infuriating?”
Thinking about it made him feel suffocated.
He gulped down half a glass of wine.
“If she can argue with you, it means she’s not really trying to upset you. If she truly wanted to, she would’ve blocked you and avoided the trouble altogether.” Yu Jingxin picked up a towel, wrapped it around the wine bottle, and prepared to refill her father’s glass.
“Cough, cough.” Yu Jingze cleared his throat twice.
It was his way of reminding his sister not to pour anymore. If their father got too drunk, how would they continue the act?
Yu Jingxin was so engrossed in talking to her father that she missed Yu Jingze’s subtle signal.
Ji Qingyuan reached out to stop her from pouring more wine. “That’s enough. This wine has a strong aftertaste; drinking too much will upset your stomach.”
Her fingers were pressed under Ji Qingyuan’s palm.
Without showing any reaction, Yu Jingxin pulled her hand back and rubbed the back of her hand on the damp towel. Then she served her father some dishes. “This dish is something the chef recently came up with. Dad, give it a try.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Qingyuan glanced at her hand—slender fingers, delicate as green onions—but the way she had just wiped her hand was particularly jarring.
These small gestures did not escape Yu Jingze’s notice.
Living like this for four years after marriage took a certain kind of skill.
He once thought that Jingxin would eventually divorce Ji Qingyuan, but who knew they’d have a child this year?
Yu Jingze poured a glass of water. “Dad, this one’s for you. Over the years, you’ve worked hard.”
Yu Shaohong frowned, then smiled. “Wait… what’s going on tonight?”
“It’s just that we realize how hard it is for you to be both a father and a mother. At your age, you still have to worry about us every day.” Yu Jingxin smoothly took over the conversation.
Yu Shaohong clinked glasses with his son and downed the wine in one gulp.
He rubbed his temples. “If only Yu Qing were half as sensible as you. Wherever there’s a hornet’s nest, she dives right in, insisting on breaking it apart.”
Speaking of hornet’s nests, Fu Family inevitably came to mind.
“You probably don’t know, but the old master of the Fu Family lost his temper.”
Yu Shaohong half-rose, grabbed the wine bottle, and poured himself half a glass. “I understand the old master. After all, which elder can tolerate their own child being toyed with by someone else’s child?”
Yu Jingze took the wine bottle away and called for the server to remove it.
Although Yu Shaohong had been complaining about his youngest daughter, he still wanted to see her.
Seizing the opportunity, he gestured to Yu Jingze, “Call Yu Qing now and have her come over. With all of you here, let’s figure out how to handle this matter.”
Yu Jingze knew Yu Qing was in the neighboring room, so he didn’t call. “Let’s find her tomorrow. If she comes now, the food will get cold.”
“If the food gets cold, we can just reheat it!”
“...”
Yu Shaohong took out his phone. “I know all of you are on her side. If you won’t call, I’ll do it myself.”
“I’ll call.” Before dialing, Yu Jingze glanced at Ji Qingyuan.
The walls between private rooms were soundproof, but the doors weren’t. If Yu Qing saw it was his call, her first reaction would be to step out into the corridor to answer.
And the ringtone might be heard by their father.
Ji Qingyuan understood. He stood up. “I’ll go to the kitchen and tell them to add a few dishes for Yu Qing.”
He left and closed the door behind him.
He didn’t go far, standing in the corridor.
Yu Qing’s phone vibrated, and she instinctively rejected the call.
Just as she was about to send a message to Yu Jingze, the call came through again.
Something urgent must have happened; otherwise, Fish wouldn’t have called twice so urgently.
Fu Jichen was leisurely finishing off her fruit platter—only half a wall and part of the fence remained. He ate slowly, his teasing gaze never leaving her.
Yu Qing calmly said, “It’s a call from home. It’s probably about whether or not to get married again. I’ll go outside to take it. I’m afraid we’ll argue, and it’ll ruin your appetite.”
She quickly walked out.
As she opened the door and stepped out, she abruptly retreated and closed the door.
Today, even cold water got stuck in her teeth.
Her brother-in-law was standing in the corridor, seemingly on a call.
Fortunately, he was facing sideways and didn’t see her.
Fu Jichen smirked. “Why are you back already?”
Yu Qing crossed her arms. “It’s cold outside.”
She leaned against the door and answered the call.
“Where are you?” Yu Jingze asked.
“Oh, having dinner with my boss.”
“Then you go ahead. Call me when you’re done.”
Yu Qing sighed in relief, thinking something major had happened at home.
Fu Jichen looked at her. “I’m not your boss right now.”
Yu Qing sat closer. “Hmm. I’m yours alone, President Fu.”
“Is something going on at home?”
“Nothing. Just the usual nagging.” She changed the subject. “President Fu, I want to sell you something.”
Fu Jichen teased, “Are you selling me a mine?”
“Wholesale autumn waves for you.” She sent him a few flirtatious glances, then wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’ve taken my autumn waves, so shouldn’t you return the favor?”
“What are you going to give me? Hmm?”
No one could resist her when she acted cute.
Fu Jichen leaned down and gave her a deep kiss.
The earlier minor episode about being a boss or not was successfully sidetracked by her.
The meal was relatively relaxed, and Fu Jichen didn’t bring up anything related to her family.
Their private room’s dishes arrived slowly. Midway through the meal, Fu Jichen’s phone vibrated. He glanced at Yu Qing before answering. “Yes, I’ve seen it. There are a few places that need revision. I’ll mark them. Wait a moment.”
He handed her the car keys and whispered, “Go to the car and bring me my laptop. I need to send some materials.”
Yu Qing didn’t hesitate and took the keys to leave.
However, when she reached the door, she was still cautious. Opening the door halfway, she peeked out to check if anyone familiar was in the corridor.
As a result, she locked eyes with the person two meters away.
She instantly froze.
At that moment, her mind went blank.
Her survival instinct made her reflexively want to close the door and hide. Her father couldn’t possibly barge in, and with Fish around, they would help her cover up.
But at that moment, the waitstaff pushed the door fully open, bringing in steaming hot dishes on a cart.
She couldn’t close the door.
Her father always talked more when he drank.
Every time she was bombarded with messages from her father, she knew he had been drinking.
Judging by today’s situation, he had drunk quite a bit.
“Yu Qing!”
“Finally, I’ve caught you today!”
“Are you really planning to disown me as your father? Huh? Tell me, how many months has it been since you last came home? Our house isn’t far from Fu Jichen’s. Even walking wouldn’t take you long.”
“Normally, you say you’re afraid Fu Jichen will find out you’re my daughter, so you don’t dare to go home. I forgive you; I don’t hold grudges. But when he’s out of town, you should be able to visit, right!”
“Even if you don’t come home, you could at least call me.”
“Calls are cheap these days. It won’t cost you much.”
“How did I raise such a thing… You’ll drive me to an early grave sooner or later!”
Yu Shaohong placed one hand on his hip and the other over his heart.
Yu Qing narrowed her eyes.
A landslide of emotions hit her.
Her little vest was blown away by the strong wind.
Inside the private room, Fu Jichen was leisurely enjoying the delicious food and watching a good show unfold.
“Why were you sneaking around just now? Did you know I was having dinner with your brother-in-law and deliberately avoid me?” Yu Shaohong grew angrier and tried to drag her home.
After taking two steps, he was pulled back by Yu Jingze. “Dad, calm down. No hitting allowed.”
“I… I… When did I ever say I’d hit anyone? Ah! Yu Jingze, let go of me!” Yu Shaohong tried to shake off Yu Jingze but failed, being restrained by him and unable to move.
More than a meter separated father and daughter.
Yu Shaohong didn’t know that Fu Jichen was sitting inside the private room. Yu Jingze held him back to prevent him from seeing.
Yu Jingxin felt it was enough and timely ended this chaotic scene. “Dad, you’re drunk. You’ve mistaken someone else for Yu Qing. She just looks a bit like her.”
She came over and supported her father’s other arm. “Come on, it’s late. Don’t disturb others.”
Yu Shaohong was baffled. “How could I possibly mistake my own daughter! She is Yu Qing! I’m not drunk!”
But Yu Jingxin insisted, “You’re really drunk. Look, you’re talking nonsense.”
“...”
Yu Qing: “...”
She understood what was happening.
Today, Fu Jichen personally stripped her of her little vest.
He had bought off Yu Jingze, Yu Jingxin, and perhaps even Ji Qingyuan.
To save her face, he chose this method of removing her vest, with only her family present.
Yu Jingxin pulled her father. “Come on, it’s late. It might snow soon.”
Yu Shaohong was extremely frustrated and looked at Ji Qingyuan. “They’re siding with their sister, saying I’m drunk. Qingyuan, tell them, am I drunk or not!”
Ji Qingyuan paused. “Not sober, anyway.”
Yu Shaohong: “..................................”
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