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

Xu Qingcheng's pregnancy was a ticking time bomb in her heart. She thought she had done it perfectly, but she couldn't keep up the smile on her face every time the elders in her family mentioned the pregnancy.

She was probably thinking about how to handle this matter all the time. The moment she loosened her grip, Fu Jingting knew what she was planning.

Since that's the case, he might as well just detonate the bomb, saving her the trouble of figuring out how to smooth things over every day.

Moreover, the interesting thing is that Ye Wenhan took the initiative to handle this matter, so no matter what, the Ye family cannot escape involvement.

If Fu Jingting didn't do something, he would be letting down the Ye family for such a good reason that they had offered him.

He had to cut off each of Fu Minghui's outstretched branches and tendrils, one by one.

It is said that the business world is like a battlefield. Only those who are truly in it know what it means to walk on thin ice. One wrong step and you will be plunged into an abyss.

He needed a facade, to walk ahead in a bright and splendid manner, attracting all the conflicts and contradictions. Undeniably, Xu Qingcheng and Shengshi were the best choices.

She was like a target he pushed out, destined to be thrust into the spotlight.

Fu Jingting frowned and forcefully stubbed out the cigarette in his hand. The flame burned his fingertips for only two seconds, and the pain seemed to disappear as soon as he felt it.

The phone screen lit up.

Tang Kejia.

The man glanced at it, then reached out and snapped it off.

The phone didn't ring again, but a short while later, a message came in on my phone.

Why aren't you answering my calls?

"What's going on between you and Brother Pinxiu? Why did he get into the Fu family business, but you're leaving?"

"Jingting, what are you thinking?"

"Jingting, I want you to know that I'm really worried about you."

The information flashed before my eyes and was then completely deleted.

Fu Jingting took a shower in the outside shower room to wash off the smell of tobacco before entering the bedroom. Xu Qingcheng suddenly sat up in bed.

The room was dark, and her action surprised Fu Jingting.

"Not asleep?"

"Try it if you were in his shoes, could you sleep?" Xu Qingcheng reached for the light switch, but the man walked over and grabbed her arm, causing her to fall into his arms.

She remembered, but he hugged her tightly again. "Can't I sleep without holding you?"

Xu Qingcheng's face flushed, thankful that the blush on her cheeks couldn't be seen in the darkness. "No."

Fu Jingting tucked her back into the covers, then lay down beside her, holding her tightly in his arms. "I'll hold you while you sleep. Close your eyes."

His heartbeat was steady, but hers was erratic. Xu Qingcheng had been holding it in all night; she wouldn't feel at ease if she didn't say it: "I can protect the Fu family's reputation, but there's no need for me to have your child..."

The man suddenly rolled over and pinned her down, causing Xu Qingcheng to swallow her words.

He was on top of her, his dark eyes fixed on her face. "If you're not going to sleep, then we'll do something we love."

Xu Qingcheng almost choked on her breath.

But strangely enough, despite having so many questions, she eventually fell asleep.

Fu Jingting stared at her. Her eyebrows, her eyes, her lips—every single one of them was exactly to his liking. How could they be so perfectly shaped and embedded in his eyes?

He pulled her closer, kissing her face lightly between her eyebrows and eyes. When he reached her lips, she grumbled, frowned, and pushed him away. Unhappily, she buried her face in his chest, pressing her head against his heart, as if she had finally found a comfortable position and continued to sleep.

A hint of a smile played on the man's lips. He touched the tip of her nose with his finger, sighing inwardly, "You lied, and I forgave you once. I helped you, countless times. From now on, you will only forgive me once."

Just once, okay?

……

After two days of calm following Xu Qingcheng's accidental miscarriage caused by a fall, Fu Jingting personally called the old lady and Zhong Wanxiu to inform them.

Because of this incident, she was bedridden at home for three or four days.

Zhong Wanxiu delivered nourishing soup to their home every day, while Fu Jingting was so busy that he was nowhere to be seen.

Even Jiang Wenyu came.

The old lady came to visit in person, and Xu Qingcheng was flattered. "The doctor said that my pregnancy is still early, so it's okay. Grandma, Mom, you don't need to worry too much. I'm in good health."

"You're young, but you still need to be careful, lest you develop health problems later." The old lady patted her hand with concern, telling her not to get up and to lie back down.

"The Ye family is so unscrupulous. I prefer to put things out in the open. These underhanded tricks are truly disgusting. I might tolerate it once or twice because of their prestigious family background, but that doesn't mean I'm weak and easily bullied. If they lay a hand on my people, there's no reason they should get away unscathed." The old lady's eyes flashed coldly as she looked at Zhong Wanxiu. "Tell Jingting that this was my decision."

Zhong Wanxiu quickly replied, "Mom, I've already told Jingting that."

"Girl, we don't bully others, but we must never let ourselves be bullied. That's how the food chain works in this world. If you're not strong and assertive, don't expect others to respect you all the time." Jiang Wenyu looked at Xu Qingcheng, "Do you understand what I mean? You have to be assertive when necessary."

The old lady was saying this to Xu Qingcheng, to support her, and to tell her that she didn't need to be polite to the Ye family.

Since she is the daughter-in-law of the Fu family, their hearts naturally lean towards her.

Xu Qingcheng felt a warmth in her heart. "Grandma, I understand."

"You're a smart child." Jiang Wenyu stood up. "You should rest well and take good care of yourself. Grandma should still have a few years left, no rush."

After Jiang Wenyu left, Zhong Wanxiu looked at her and smiled, "Your grandmother doesn't care about just anyone. Back when I first married into the family, she scolded me countless times."

"Isn't it said that grandparents love their grandchildren more? Maybe it's because Grandma dotes on Jingting more." Xu Qingcheng was a little embarrassed, so she could only bring up Fu Jingting.

Once in the car, the old lady spoke up, "Old Chen, I heard that Ye Chengnian wants to send Ye Wenhan abroad. Jingting is busy these days and may not have time to take care of her. Let her stay in the country a little longer."

"Yes." Old Chen nodded. "Young Master Jingting has been busy getting out of the Fu family lately, and I haven't seen him show any emotional reaction to this matter. The old master hasn't said anything either, so are we just letting him be?"

"Let him be. He's a stubborn man, and you can't change his mind even if you try." Jiang Wenyu sighed. "Old Chen, I've taken a liking to this girl."

"I can tell."

Do you know why?

Old Chen glanced at Jiang Wenyu in the rearview mirror and said, "I never would have guessed that. This girl from the Xu family is very resilient, but she's just too calculating."

"Do you think Jingting is cunning?" Jiang Wenyu laughed. "Having a little shrewdness isn't a bad thing; someone without brains would just be a burden to Jingting."

"That Tang family one..."

The old lady's face suddenly darkened, and Old Chen stopped talking.

After a long pause, Jiang Wenyu finally spoke, "None of these things in Qingcheng's heart are for her own sake. She wouldn't have taken this step if she hadn't been forced into it. This girl is soft-hearted and pitiful. I'm just afraid that Jingting won't understand and will push her to the brink."

"Probably not. I think Young Master Jingting is nervous. Last time when the young mistress was kidnapped, he looked like he wanted to eat people alive."

Jiang Wenyu smiled, then sighed, "It'll be difficult without the children."