Before Su Wanwan could respond, the matriarch interjected hastily, "Wanwan has to work every day; unlike you, a person of leisure."
Su Wanwan smiled gently, a warm feeling blossoming in her heart. "There were some issues at the company, but they've already been resolved."
Fu Liangmu asked no further questions. After dinner, they each busied themselves with their own affairs—one strolled through the back garden, the other remained in the study.
The phone vibrated softly on the desk. Fu Liangmu tapped the mouse a few times and casually answered.
"President, the Gao Group has been secured by us!"
"Hm."
"By the way, President, some overseas projects require your personal attention. Please come over next month."
"Alright."
"And also, the Miss Su Wanwan you asked us to investigate—her background is extraordinary. After we made our move, another faction attempted to seize Gao Group as well, arriving only an hour later than us."
A glint of intrigue flashed in Fu Liangmu's obsidian eyes. He had long suspected his young wife was no ordinary woman, but he hadn't anticipated such a tangled web behind her.
"Continue the investigation."
"Yes, sir!"
The other party hesitated for a moment, then cautiously inquired, "President, I don't quite understand. Gao Group is of no use to us. Why do we need to take it over?"
Fu Liangmu's voice was cold and deliberate: "Because they dared to covet what they shouldn't."
With that, he ended the call.
Su Wanwan gently pushed open the slightly ajar door and peeked inside. "Did I disturb you?"
Fu Liangmu shook his head and beckoned her over. "Come, sit."
She settled on the sofa three meters away, gazing at his half-illuminated, flawless face. Curiously, she asked, "Have you seen a doctor? Tried any cosmetic procedures?"
Fu Liangmu's eyes sparkled with amusement as he teased, "Is my lady insinuating that I'm ugly?"
Su Wanwan's ruby lips pressed lightly together as she casually grabbed a nearby cushion and hugged it, resting her chin upon it. "As long as you're content, there's no need to heed others' opinions."
"Alright, duly noted."
She yawned slowly, shifting from sitting to leaning, then to lying down, soon slipping into a deep slumber. Little did she know, this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Upon learning of the situation, Ye Nan was on the verge of collapse. He had just wired a large sum to Boss Gao—and now his company was gone? What about his money? His materials?
He frantically tried to reach Boss Gao, only to find the phone perpetually unreachable.
"Su Wanwan! You disaster! You've ruined me this time!"
Ye Nan grabbed a nearby cup and smashed it violently on the floor.
...
When Fu Liangmu finished his affairs, he found Su Wanwan asleep on the sofa. He moved quietly, cradled her gently in his arms, and laid her down on the bed. Then, he grabbed a coat and slipped it on.
Soon, the roar of a car engine echoed downstairs. A sports car pulled up outside a villa.
Inside the living room, a dozen men dressed in black stood at attention, saluting Fu Liangmu in unison.
Among them, Boss Gao—corpulent, oily-faced—lay unconscious.
Fu Liangmu remained unhurried, settling onto the sofa, casually crossing his right leg over his left, hands folded over his abdomen, eyes gently closed as he reclined.
Time passed indistinctly until Boss Gao slowly stirred awake. He shook his head vigorously, his vision blurred, bewildered by his surroundings. Where was he? Wasn't he in a private room?
"He's awake."
Hearing the noise, Boss Gao glanced up—and was startled out of his wits.
"A ghost!"
Fu Liangmu opened his eyes at the sound, their gaze piercing like blades.
Boss Gao staggered back slightly, breathing heavily.
"Who are you?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"How dare you move against me!"
"You have one minute to release me!"
"Or else I'll call the police and have you all arrested!"
Boss Gao looked around desperately, spotted his phone on the coffee table, and scrambled to retrieve it. Curiously, no one stopped him.
Grasping his phone, he gasped for breath, utterly drained. The drug's effect was far stronger than he'd imagined—he still felt powerless.
He had only lost eleven and then heard a cold, emotionless voice:
"Tell me, who arrived faster—those men, or I?"
The murderous intent was unmistakable.
Boss Gao trembled violently, terror etched into every feature.
"I truly don't know you. Why are you after me?"
"Do you want money? Anything you ask for, I'll give!"
"Hundred thousand?"
"Two hundred thousand?"
Seeing Fu Liangmu's impassive demeanor, Boss Gao's demands escalated:
"One million! One million for my life—surely that's enough!"
A scoffing laugh echoed from the black-clad men, dripping with sarcasm.
"Our Fu family's eldest young master needs your million?"
A ringing buzz thundered in Boss Gao's ears, his mind shutting down.
Who was this man?
Fu family's eldest young master?
The infamous ruthless Fu Liangmu?!
Fu Liangmu rose leisurely, towering over him with a disdainful glare. Coldness crept from his eyes' corners as his pale lips pressed together faintly.
Though silent, the overwhelming aura suffocated Boss Gao.
"Mr... Eldest Young Master, I don't believe we have any grievances..."
The black-clad men sneered contemptuously.
"How dare you set your sights on our Fu family's eldest young mistress, Boss Gao? You've sealed your fate."
Boss Gao's eyes widened in disbelief, legs trembling uncontrollably.
"Eldest... Young Mistress?"
A vision surfaced in his mind, his voice sharpening with astonishment.
"You mean Su Wanwan?"
"She's your wife?"
Impossible!
"A misunderstanding! There must be some mistake!"
"I... I didn't know she was your woman!"
"Master, master, please hear me out..."
"I haven't even laid a finger on her, truly!"
How could that woman be Fu Liangmu's wife?
The Su family had concealed everything from him?
Had he known of the bond between Su Wanwan and Fu Liangmu, even with a knife to his throat, he wouldn't have dared act!
"Master, I was wrong, truly wrong!"
Boss Gao knelt down, bowing his head repeatedly, panic eclipsing his dignity, sweat beading his forehead.
"I'll do anything you ask, just spare me!"
"The company is yours!"
"The money is yours!"
"Whatever you want, I'll give it!"
"I swear I'll disappear far away—never to show my face again!"