Mrs. Fu, please be mindful of the appropriate boundaries.

Upon hearing his tone, not only did Fu Shiqing lose his temper, but Fu Pinghui, who was standing to the side, couldn't hold back any longer. He lashed out with a ruler and angrily said, "This marriage contract is not a child's play."

Caught off guard, Fu Jingting took the hit head-on, and it hurt more than ever before. He couldn't help but curse!

Xu Qingcheng turned her head and saw his expression, and couldn't help but tremble.

It looks like it hurts a lot.

Fu Jingting gritted his teeth, suppressed his temper, and obediently replied, "Yes, I know."

Fu Shiqing looked at Xu Qingcheng and said earnestly, "Xu family girl, merchants value keeping their promises and honoring contracts. The Fu family has been in business for generations, and that's what we rely on. Keeping promises and honoring contracts. A promise is a promise. I'm not saying this to take advantage of my age, but because you are also in business, temporarily managing the business in place of your father. You should understand and must understand the principle of keeping promises and honoring contracts."

This elder spoke in a stern and solemn tone, as if he were carefully guiding and refining you.

Xu Qingcheng involuntarily straightened her back, not daring to mishear a single word.

"I understand. My father has also given me much guidance, which I will never forget. I will also keep your teachings in mind today, Grandpa," Xu Qingcheng replied respectfully.

"Alright." Old Master Fu tapped the table. "Since that's the case, then this old man has nothing more to say. Kneel down."

Xu Qingcheng was stunned for a moment.

Jiang Wenyu had a servant bring over a prayer mat and reminded her with a smile, "Now that you're pregnant, you still need to be careful."

Xu Qingcheng was still in a daze when Fu Jingting pulled her down to kneel down with him.

"Girl, don't think I'm old-fashioned. This is how the Fu family has been passed down from generation to generation. It's not fashionable to kneel and kowtow now, but in the Fu family, you must kneel to heaven, earth, ancestors, and parents. Only when you truly bend your knees will you understand what respect and piety mean."

Fu Shiqing looked at the two kneeling people and told Fu Pinghui and Zhong Wanxiu to sit down. "Since I have approved your marriage, then you are now considered a member of the Fu family. Boy, take her and kowtow three times."

Xu Qingcheng was bewildered, but as the old man had said, kneeling down made her heart sink.

Fu Jingting led her to kowtow three times each to his grandparents and parents.

The usually arrogant and domineering man showed no sign of impatience at this moment, and his every move was serious and without the slightest slack.

Xu Qingcheng felt every cell in her body tense up, following him.

When she actually kowtowed, Xu Qingcheng's eyes suddenly reddened, and her feelings were complicated.

No matter what, parents and elders love their children just as much as her parents love her. Overwhelmed by guilt, her eyes reddened, and an apology sank into her heart.

The old lady called out, "Get up."

She stood up, but lost her balance and leaned towards him. He caught her, steadied her, and then let go.

He whispered a single word, "Stupid."

The voice was very low, so it probably only reached her ears.

Xu Qingcheng felt somewhat embarrassed and awkward, and once she stood still, she stopped talking.

Fu Jingting did not stand up, which puzzled Xu Qingcheng.

Jiang Wenyu spoke up, "Girl, since you promised me before, you shouldn't break your word. In this matter, he was wrong, and you were wrong too. Wrongdoings should be punished. Since he agreed to marry you, and you agreed to marry him, it's not unreasonable for him to take the punishment for you."

The old lady closed her eyes briefly. "Pinghui, you should teach your own child."

This time, Fu Pinghui rolled up his sleeves and asked him with a stern face, "You got what you deserved, didn't you?"

"It's worth it."

Xu Qingcheng looked at the marks left by the ruler on his back, her eyes widening. She thought it was over.

Should we continue? He's already like this.

To take the punishment for her?!

Xu Qingcheng tried to stop him, but Fu Pinghui glared at her, and since he was her elder, she didn't dare to argue.

He simply said, "If this continues, he won't be able to take it."

"If you can take it, move aside." Fu Jingting didn't even raise his face, but the muscles in his arms tensed up, as if he was ready.

Xu Qingcheng wanted to curse. "Are you out of your mind?!"

Don't you know how to back down?!

She really didn't understand. Even if she gave in, it wouldn't work at this point. The Fu family's rules weren't just targeting him. Otherwise, his two cousins ​​from his uncle's family wouldn't have been marginalized.

Fu Pinghui was truly ruthless; every blow seemed aimed at his bones.

Fu Jingting gritted his teeth, cursing inwardly. He really thought she would come to him when she couldn't take it anymore, but he didn't expect this woman to go and cause such a big mess, even involving the old man and the old lady.

They're fucking training him!

Zhong Wanxiu made an excuse and went outside. After all, she was a mother, and she couldn't help but feel heartbroken after hearing and seeing what had happened.

Xu Qingcheng watched helplessly as the ruler struck his back repeatedly and heavily, one blow after another.

The crisscrossing marks fell together, their colors changed, yet he gritted his teeth, muffled sounds of pain occasionally escaping from between his clenched lips.

Even though the indoor temperature was high on such a cold day, going shirtless would still give you goosebumps, yet cold sweat was streaming down his forehead.

Xu Qingcheng dug her fingers into her palms so hard that she could barely feel the pain. All she could hear was the muffled sound of flesh hitting bone. Her eyes turned red, and her nose stung with a burning sensation. She could no longer suppress her temper and squeezed between the two of them to block him.

"I don't need him to take the punishment for me. I will bear the consequences of my own mistakes. I broke my promise, so I should bear the consequences." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she felt a dull ache in her heart.

She has managed to get through the past year on her own, gritting her teeth and persevering. She doesn't need anyone's help, she doesn't need it.

Xu Qingcheng was on the verge of a breakdown, unable to control her emotions. She had countless times prayed that someone would lend her a hand during her difficult time, just one hand would be enough.

She struggled desperately, deceiving herself for that sliver of hope.

She is both tough and soft. She can be impervious to ridicule, but she is vulnerable to thoughtful help and warmth.

Like someone who has fallen to the bottom of a valley and is in utter darkness, a little light can bring them joy and bring tears to their eyes.

Even though she had schemed against him today, she still remembered his kindness. She didn't go downstairs; her heart ached with a bittersweet pain.

Fu Pinghui stopped what he was doing, but instead asked her, "Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately. Is that what you mean?"

He already possessed an imposing presence even without anger, but when he asked this question, it carried a heavy and reprimanding tone, and his disapproval was evident in every word.

Xu Qingcheng's face suddenly turned pale; she began to understand the meaning behind the Fu family's punishment.

In this way, they were telling her—no, telling him and her—that husband and wife share joy and sorrow.

But between them... even if they get married, can they become that kind of couple?

He must have been very unwilling.

Xu Qingcheng pursed her lips, her eyes red, "I didn't mean it that way, I just... I just..."

She talked for a long time but couldn't come up with a clear answer.

"Since you haven't figured it out, then continue." The old lady's brows furrowed, and her voice carried weight.

Xu Qingcheng was pulled away, and she turned her head to look.

Fu Jingting's forehead was taut, and his arms, which were supporting him on his legs, were trembling. The pain started from his back and seeped into his bones. It seemed that any movement affected his whole body. He gritted his teeth and adjusted his breathing.

Without hesitation, Fu Pinghui lashed out with the ruler in his hand.

Xu Qingcheng was both anxious and angry. She suddenly stretched out her arm, and before she could stop herself, the ruler struck her arm hard.

It hurts!

Xu Qingcheng experienced a ringing in her ears; the pain she looked in was very different from the actual pain she was in.

Everyone in the room was stunned. Fu Jingting suddenly stood up, glaring at her angrily, "What are you doing?"

He reached out to roll up her sleeve, but Xu Qingcheng winced in pain and wouldn't let him see, hiding her arm behind her back. "It's nothing."

"Let me see." He insisted on seeing, grabbing her arm.

Xu Qingcheng wouldn't let him see, and with a pull, she almost pressed herself against his chest. She whispered, "What should I say?"

Fu Jingting paused, holding her arm, but didn't say anything.

He rolled up her sleeve, revealing her delicate skin, which was now tinged with purple. He gently pressed his fingers against the bones around her arm, avoiding that area, and was slightly relieved to see she wasn't in too much pain. He scolded her again, "Don't just strike recklessly. What if you break something? You're already not very bright; don't make me cripple too!"

Even at times like this, he can still be incredibly sarcastic and sarcastic, making you want to kick him.

But suddenly my heart softened.

Jiang Wenyu frowned. "Now that you know you're pregnant, you should be careful. He's tough and can handle it, but can you?"

"But his back is practically covered in welts," Xu Qingcheng said, pursing her lips and lowering her voice, "Grandma, don't you feel sorry for him?"

She asked cautiously, and the old lady raised an eyebrow upon hearing it. "What, are you worried about your man?"