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

Fu Jingting looked at him, "What's the matter?"

"Give a gift."

The man's words were concise and to the point, and Fu Jingting understood, so he didn't say anything more.

Fu Sichen's situation wasn't exactly pleasant to talk about, and given her young age, it was best to handle it discreetly.

Since childhood, Si Chen had been close to the chef, and Yu Shinan treated her even better than his own brother.

"Drink less alcohol."

After giving him a word of advice, Yu Shinan finished his drink and left.

Fu Jingting placed his hand on Song Xingzhi's shoulder. "The chef is acting strange. What's wrong with him?"

Having just finished his fight with Gu Feibai, Song Xingzhi turned to look at Yu Shinan's back and said, "Don't you know about the Yu family's affairs? It's not that easy."

Song Xingzhi paused, then said, "He'll tell us when he can't hold on any longer; if he doesn't, it means he's still under control."

Even the best of brothers can't replace each other.

Xu Qingcheng went to find Xu Yuan and immediately spotted Xie Yin. "Brother Yin!"

She greeted him with a smile, "I didn't see you just now."

"I'm a little late, but Qingyao is here to take care of things. You can go about your business." Xie Yin stood up.

"Are you alone? Where's Mingchen?" Xu Qingcheng looked to his side but didn't see Xie Mingchen.

Xu Qingyao smiled and pointed to the other side, "Over there."

Family gatherings without a business atmosphere are relatively relaxed, and there is a simple children's play area in one corner of the banquet hall.

Xu Qingcheng looked over and happened to see Xie Mingchen carrying Xu Yuan into a bird-shaped stroller, with Fu Mosen standing next to them, saying something.

"Have they finished eating?" Xu Qingcheng asked Qingyao.

"We ate a little, and we'll ask them again after we've had enough fun." Xu Qingyao laughed. "Xu Yuan and Ming Chen haven't seen each other for a long time, and they're so close that she's hugging him tightly and won't let go. Mo Sen is so jealous that his face is contorted."

Xu Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh, "Mingchen watched Xu Yuan grow up since she was little. He's the first older brother Xu Yuan can remember, so of course he has to be close to her."

Fu Mosen stood to the side watching Xu Yuan hug Xie Mingchen's neck as if they were strangers, and call him "brother" affectionately. He didn't know how to put on an expression.

Xu Yuan's familiarity with him made Fu Mosen's boasting of "This is my sister" no longer feel appropriate.

Xie Mingchen's indifferent and unsurprised expression, in particular, made Fu Mosen feel as if countless fleas had sprung up in his heart.

He wanted to jump around wildly, his mind filled with shock, but because Xie Mingchen was too calm, Fu Mosen couldn't even jump up and down, and he tried his best to keep himself calm.

"Xu Yuan is your sister?" Fu Mosen was utterly astonished.

"Yuanyuan is Mingchen's sister." Xu Yuan smiled happily, her eyes crinkling, looking especially sweet.

Before Xie Mingchen could answer, she answered for him.

Fu Mosen's face fell, and he tugged at her braid, saying, "I'm your brother."

"Brother Mosen." The little girl couldn't understand his frustration at not being able to show off, and still sweetly called him brother.

Fu Mosen's expression softened, and he raised his chin to look at Xie Mingchen, "My sister, Fu Xuyuan."

The character "傅" was pronounced exceptionally clearly.

We are family.

You are not related by surname.

Xie Mingchen naturally knew about Xu Yuan's situation. That uncle was Aunt Qingcheng's husband and Xu Yuan's father, so she naturally had to take her father's surname.

As for the rejection implied in Fu Mosen's words, Xie Mingchen could easily hear it, but it was really no big deal to him.

He didn't care what surname Xu Yuan had.

The important thing is that Xu Yuan can hear now, speaks clearly, and even Ming Chen's shouts are clearer than before.

The little girl grew up day by day. He watched her grow up so fast that she could run, jump, and call him "brother." When Aunt Qingcheng gave birth to her, she was so tiny that he didn't even dare to poke her. Thinking about it now, it all seems so magical.

"I know," Xie Mingchen said casually.

Fu Mosen, "..." Could you at least give me a look of envy?!

It doesn't give me any sense of accomplishment in showing off my sister.

Xie Mingchen just smiled as he watched Xu Yuan's chubby little body swaying in the stroller. He reached out and pressed her legs in, saying, "Yuan Yuan, be careful. Don't put your legs down anywhere."

The space is too small; I'm afraid she'll bump into herself.

Xu Yuan was obedient and did whatever Mingchen asked. Her sweet, drawn-out "okay" made Fu Mosen feel very uncomfortable.

"Please, his surname is Xie, not Fu, so you can't call him brother." Fu Mosen made a childish request.

Xu Yuan didn't understand. She blinked her eyes and asked in a cute, confused little voice, "Then, what should Yuan Yuan call? Mommy said to call him Brother Mingchen."

"Just call him Xie Mingchen, I'm your older brother." Fu Mosen patted his chest.

Xu Yuan giggled, turned to look at Xie Mingchen, grinned, and called out sweetly, "Brother Mingchen."

Xie Mingchen smiled, his eyebrows curving as he gently patted her head, praising, "Xu Yuan is such a good girl."

Fu Mosen was extremely frustrated.

Tangtang called them to hurry up and eat, and led Fu Mosen and Xu Yuan, telling them to go and pay their respects to their grandparents and offer their blessings.

Xu Yuan asked, "Isn't Mingchen coming along? I want Mingchen to come with me."

"Xu Yuan, go ahead and come find Brother Mingchen later," Xie Mingchen reassured Xu Yuan, telling her to go.

Tang Tang smiled as she looked at the little boy in front of her. He was in the same school and class as Mo Sen.

The transfer student that Mo Sen was talking about was actually a good student in the eyes of the teachers, whose grades were consistently above Fu Mo Sen's, so much so that Tang Tang was very familiar with this name.

This is the legendary "other people's child care"—obedient and polite—a world of difference from her own mischievous, almost ADHD-prone brat.

Tang Tang led the two children over and saw Fu Mosen with a stern face. She asked him, "What's wrong?"

Mo Sen, after holding it in for a while, couldn't help but say, "Why is Xie Mingchen's sister making a wish? That doesn't make sense."

Tang Tang couldn't help but burst out laughing, but when she saw Fu Mosen baring his teeth, she quickly suppressed her laughter.

Others may not know, but Tang Tang does. Fu Mosen's inner strength was aroused because Xie Mingchen's grades were often surpassed by his. He wanted to compete with him in everything, including grades, sports, and even his younger sister.

When he was at home, I would hear him proudly reciting, "When Xie Mingchen met my sister, he knew that there was no sister in the world cuter than Xu Yuan."

But how can you compare the same person?!

Tangtang smiled, "You also have a younger sister named Ruchu!"

Fu Mosen's expression changed instantly, "Yes!"

Tangtang saw him grinning and struggled to suppress her own laughter, reminding him, "It's drafty."

The ten-year-old child is going through the process of losing two teeth, and his smile is particularly funny.

Tangtang couldn't help but imagine Fu Mosen's face as Fu Pinxiu, which she found very funny.

However, children of this age seem to be particularly precocious and sensitive. They can get so angry that they jump up and down when they are laughed at. Their tender little faces always pretend to be serious and serious, but little do people know that they refuse to laugh because their teeth are sparse.

Fu Mosen watched his mother trying not to laugh and walked forward with a dark face.

Fu Jingting seized an opportunity to slip away; if he stayed any longer, he would really get drunk.

The man staggered out, but Tang Kejia blocked his way after only a few steps.

"Can I say a few words to you?"

Tang Kejia wore exquisite makeup and still looked shrewd and capable.

Fu Jingting narrowed his eyes slightly. "Miss Tang."

He paused, chuckled, and changed his form of address, "Mrs. Ling. What is it? Speak."

Guests are guests, and because of his sister-in-law, Fu Jingting had to give the Tang family some face, no matter how much he disliked them.

But Tang Kejia, he couldn't muster even a little patience.

The man's impatience was obvious. Tang Kejia took a deep breath and tried her best to remain calm. "Let's talk at the front, it'll be more convenient."

She pointed to a secluded spot ahead.

Fu Jingting raised an eyebrow, chuckled softly, and looked at her face with amusement.

Xu Qingcheng had just gone to see the two children when Fu Mosen grabbed her, saying, "Second Aunt, Second Uncle is talking to a woman."

"Oh." Xu Qingcheng handed Fu Qinghan to the nanny. The little guy had gained some weight and looked more energetic and handsome. He looked very much like Fu Jingting, so much so that she always wanted to kiss him.

It's like seeing Fu Jingting as a child.

Seeing that Xu Qingcheng didn't react much, Fu Mosen clicked his tongue like a little adult, "Second Aunt, aren't you going to go and see her?"

"What are you looking at?" Xu Qingcheng asked, puzzled.

"It's a woman, aren't you afraid your second uncle will be kidnapped?"

Xu Qingcheng burst out laughing. "So you're keeping an eye on your second uncle for me?"

"Second Aunt, you need to keep a close eye on your family. You need to keep a close eye on Xu Yuan and Ru Chu. My mother said that pretty girls are easily kidnapped." Fu Mosen said solemnly.

Xu Qingcheng was both amused and exasperated, but nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll keep my eyes peeled."

Fu Mosen watched his second aunt go to his second uncle and sighed softly, wondering if his second aunt had understood and was going to keep a close eye on his younger sister.

"Let's talk right here." Fu Jingting didn't move an inch. There were very few women who could make him lower himself to compromise and cooperate.

Of course, his wife is an exception.

Tang Kejia pursed her lips. "If—and I mean if—the Tang family hadn't wavered, we could have been together back then. You had feelings for me too, right?"

The Tang family intends to form a marriage alliance with the Fu family. Fu Pingxiu is the best candidate to succeed the next generation. If a marriage alliance is formed, Tang Kaiji naturally hopes to marry Fu Pingxiu.

However, Fu Pinxiu had a proposed marriage at the time, but he later became disabled, rendering the original marriage agreement invalid. As a result, he fell into obscurity and lost his voice.

It was never explicitly stated that as long as it was a marriage between two families, it didn't matter which family it was with. The Tang family also wavered in this process.

Putting aside all the underlying interests, Tang Kejia genuinely likes Fu Jingting, but she also wavers because of the gains and losses, and is plagued by anxieties. Even her affair with Fu Hongxin back then was because she wanted too much.

As one of Tang Kaiji's many children, and an illegitimate one at that, her status was awkward and superfluous, and she had to proceed with extreme caution.

Tang Kejia didn't think he was wrong. Besides, wasn't Xu Qingcheng even more infamous? Why could he accept Xu Qingcheng but not her?

She couldn't understand it, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it.

She even asked the question unconsciously.

"What do you have to compare with her on?" Fu Jingting scoffed.

The disdain in his tone made Tang Kejia's face turn pale. "Don't lie to me, you're clearly looking for my shadow in her."

"shadow?"

"Isn't that right? Anyone can see that Xu Qingcheng's style of dress and behavior are very similar to mine." Tang Kejia gritted her teeth. It would be easy to embarrass herself if she said this, but she had no other choice. She wanted to awaken even the slightest bit of affection in this man from the past.

With just a sliver of hope, she was confident she could rekindle their old flame.

With Fu Jingting's current status and power, he is capable of contending with, or even crushing, the Ling family, and can help her escape that hellhole of the Ling family.

That's why she went to great lengths to come with her father this time, just to see Fu Jingting.

The man leaned against a pillar beside him, finding a comfortable and relaxed position. His eyes gleamed with increasing sarcasm. "My wife is more educated than you, has a better figure, and is prettier than you. What reason do you think I have to be infatuated with you? To see her as your shadow?"

The man clicked his tongue twice. "Why shouldn't I be looking for someone's shadow in you?"

Tang Kejia stood there, stunned.

Fu Jingting didn't bother arguing with her. He turned to leave, but Tang Kejia almost instinctively grabbed his wrist. "Wait, what do you mean?"

The man abruptly reached out and flung her hand away, his eyes, already tinged with alcohol, instantly turning sharp.

He didn't even bother to offer an explanation before turning his back on her and leaving.

The man walked behind the food preparation table, extending his arm to block the woman who was about to escape. "Eavesdropping, huh?"

Xu Qingcheng was caught red-handed by him, so she simply stopped trying to avoid it. She coughed lightly and said, "Who was listening? It's you who don't even know how to keep your mouth shut."

"What did Mrs. Fu hear?" Fu Jingting chuckled, lazily hooking his arm around her shoulder. "Are you satisfied?"

"nerve!"

Xu Qingcheng couldn't help but smile.

She had to admit that his words, "My wife is more educated than you, has a better figure than you, and is prettier than you. What reason do you think I have to be obsessed with you?" pleased her.

Fu Jingting lowered his head, looking at her smiling face. "Oh, Miss Xu, you're secretly enjoying yourself!"

"Be serious!" Xu Qingcheng nudged him with her elbow. "I'll ask you when we get home."

"Okay." The man smiled and pressed most of his weight onto her.

"Stand still! What kind of mess is this?!"

"I've been drinking, I can't stand up. I'm drunk." Fu Jingting said shamelessly, "Why don't you take me away first?"

After thinking for a moment, he whispered in her ear, "Chef, I have my own room here. Would you take me up?"

His breath, tinged with the scent of alcohol, sprayed against her ear, and Xu Qingcheng felt herself becoming intoxicated by his presence.

She wouldn't listen to him and send him up; she doubted that man had any good intentions.

But he'd gotten so into pretending to be drunk that Zhong Wanxiu was furious. "How could you be so drunk? Honestly!"

At this point, Xu Qingcheng didn't dare to expose him anymore. She just held him up tightly and said, "I was just happy, so I probably... ate a little too much."

"Alright, that's enough. Let the driver take you home first."

"But, children..."

"You don't need to worry about the kids. Let the nanny take them to my place. You should take care of your husband first. He's really acting like a jerk, getting himself all drunk. Isn't he just asking for trouble?" Zhong Wanxiu said irritably.

Xu Qingcheng wanted to speak, but the man staggered and almost made her fall. She got into the driver's car in a daze.

As the car drove off, the man who had been holding her and pretending to be drunk whispered in her ear with a laugh, "It's just the two of us tonight."