Using power to force marriage

"I'm sorry, I've made you suffer."

The Zhao family appears respectable and prestigious on the surface, but in reality, they are a filthy mess.

The table was filled with Zhao Jingnian's closest relatives, and Ruan Fu's gaze swept over them one by one.

A selfish and hypocritical old man, a melancholy father, a distant and indifferent mother, and a pair of ambitious uncles and aunts.

She wasn't actually wronged; she could hear the veiled sarcasm in those words and handle them with ease.

Since she doesn't like the Zhao family atmosphere, she'll just go back to the old house less often in the future.

As long as she maintains a basic level of decorum, Ruan Fu isn't afraid of any of those damn uncles and aunts.

But when she thought about how Zhao Jingnian had lived in this exquisite and luxurious tomb for 30 years with these so-called close relatives, she couldn't help but feel sad for him.

"You're the one who's been wronged, aren't you?" Ruan Fu muttered softly.

Upon hearing her words, the man's fingertips suddenly paused.

He smiled and picked up some food for her. "No."

His tone was flat and emotionless, revealing no unusual feelings.

This was the worst family dinner Ruan Fu had ever eaten.

Unlike the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere at the Ruan family's dinner table, the Zhao family members were all restrained when chatting, not saying a single warm word, and every word was about formalities and family interests.

Afterwards, on the way back, Ruan Fu lowered the car window, stuck her head out the window, and took a deep breath of the free air.

"Could your family please host fewer family banquets in the future?"

Ruan Fu silently compared the Zhao family banquet with the Ruan family banquet in her heart. It would have been better if she hadn't compared them, but once she did, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Zhao Jingnian.

He said calmly, "I'll try my best."

Having been stripped of his power for many years, Zhao Qi had never been honest and had caused him no shortage of trouble, both openly and secretly. In Zhao Jingnian's eyes, those underhanded tricks were nothing more than the futile struggle of a cornered beast.

He's delusional, thinking he can shake a tree with his ant-like strength; he's simply overestimating himself.

The fact that he was allowed to stay and enjoy a comfortable life in the Zhao family was entirely due to the old man's influence.

After all, Zhao Qi was the old man's biological son and Zhao Jingnian's nominal uncle. Dealing with him rashly would anger the old man.

The matter needs further consideration; he needs to wait for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Zhao Qi.

On the way back, Ruan Fu received an auction catalog from Meng Shutan. After flipping through it, she took a fancy to a pigeon blood red diamond ring.

The pillow-shaped cut is a deep, vibrant red, almost dripping with color.

She was examining the detailed images of the diamond ring when she suddenly heard Zhao Jingnian's voice.

"Our honeymoon needs to be postponed until the end of the year; I'll be quite busy during this time."

A honeymoon for couples who are truly in love is a happy one, but for her and Zhao Jing, their annual honeymoon was pure torture.

Ruan Fu didn't even look up, giving a somewhat perfunctory reply, "You go about your business. If you really can't find the time, then it's fine to skip the honeymoon."

Zhao Jingnian didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, so he said, "I will definitely make time to have our honeymoon at the end of the year."

Ruan Fu smiled with exceptional understanding, "It's alright, work is the priority. If you really want to make it up to me..."

After saying that, she held up her phone and faced Zhao Jingnian, tapping the pigeon blood red diamond ring on the screen with her fingertip.

"Is it pretty?"

Ruan Fu has always been the type to say what she wants directly. "It matches the necklace you gave me before our marriage. I like it."

Before their marriage, Zhao Jingnian spent over 100 million yuan to buy the museum's prized possession from the former president of the Chamber of Commerce. Last night, he generously gave her another 300 million yuan as pocket money.

From these two incidents, Ruan Fu could tell that Zhao Jing was incredibly wealthy and generous, and that he was a good match for older men.

Since he loves generating gold coins, we'll treat him like a "walking money tree" and shake him every now and then. That way, the marriage won't be a waste.

Zhao Jingnian glanced at it indifferently, "Okay, I understand."

A flicker of surprise crossed Ruan Fu's eyes; she found that older men could be quite charming at times.

She cupped her face in her hands, widened her eyes, and pleaded with him, "Wow! Brother, you're amazing! You're so talented!"

Zhao Jingnian frowned, noticing her slightly exaggerated expression, and asked, "Who taught you to flatter like that?"

She smiled and replied, "Myself."

I don't know if Zhao Jingnian will fall for this, but her parents, brothers, and sisters certainly do.

He had to go to the company later, so he first sent Ruan Fu back to "Xi Yue Manor".

Before getting out of the car, Zhao Jingnian handed her a business card, "I'm busy with work. Yu Ming is my assistant. You can contact him if you need anything."

Ruan Fu took the business card from his hand, understanding in her heart, "So it means I shouldn't bother you unless it's absolutely necessary?"

Zhao Jingnian did not deny her words.

Ruan Fu was amused by his honesty. "Okay, as long as you make me happy, I will naturally become the kind of 'air-type' partner you want."

-

Back home, Ruan Fu changed into comfortable loungewear and played with her cats and dogs.

Her pet medical center is under construction at a breakneck pace. It is located in the "Cloud Tower" in the city center, which was a gift from her parents to her when she turned 18. Now it can finally be put to good use.

In addition, she recently bought a vacant lot in the suburbs to build a stray animal rescue center. The construction team is already working on it, and it will be put into use soon.

Once her medical center and shelter are all completed, she'll have to go out to work, and then she won't be so relaxed anymore.

During this period, Ruan Fu plans to associate more with the wealthy ladies in her circle who own pets. These people will be her regular customers in the future, so she needs to cultivate a good relationship with them.

After playing with the kids for a while, I originally planned to go out to the "Cloud Tower" to oversee the construction and check on their progress.

But Meng Shutan suddenly called, and she sounded overly excited on the phone.

"Fufu, the 'Blooming Flowers' has hired my favorite indie band to perform. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to their show."

Ruan Fu knew this band; she had heard Meng Shutan mention them many times when she was abroad. The lead singer and bassist were both very handsome and sang well.

She had only seen it on video before and never had the chance to go back to China to hear it live.

"Sure, I'm free tonight."

Having heard her mention that she was going back to the Zhao family's old house to have dinner with her elders today, Meng Shutan casually asked, "Is the Zhao family's banquet over?"

"It ended a long time ago. This family dinner was nothing short of agonizing."

Meng Shutan was amused, "That's how it is in feudal families."

Ruan Fu's words carried a hint of sarcasm, "I was wondering why the Zhao family's old house is still housing a whole house full of feudal remnants, since the Qing Dynasty has already been destroyed."

Hearing her description, Meng Shutan knew how difficult it was to deal with the elders of the Zhao family.

"Fortunately, you don't live with your elders, so you only go out for a meal occasionally."

She comforted him, "Don't think about those unhappy things. Sister Tan will take you out tonight to have some fun. I'm organizing a party. See you at eight."

Ruan Fu was full of anticipation, "I want to see just how handsome the lead singer and bassist you keep talking about are."

After hanging up the phone, Ruan Fu immediately went into the dressing room to pick out a dress.

The walk-in closet is bright and elegant, with warm light spilling throughout the room. It is equipped with a temperature and humidity control system, providing a suitable environment for the care of her beautiful belongings.

The walls are lined with glass wardrobes, each displaying a variety of haute couture gowns and limited-edition luxury brand clothing. The shoe and bag section is even more dazzling, with each item being exquisitely crafted and of considerable value.

The central island display showcased all her jewelry and precious stones, dazzling and gleaming.

Wearing beautiful clothes and jewelry will make her feel wonderful.

Ruan Fu was a pampered princess by her family, and she rightfully possessed a house full of precious treasures.

After choosing her clothes, she sat down at the dressing table to touch up her makeup.

I'm going to visit my elders at their old house this morning, so my makeup should be light and elegant. Tonight I'm going to a nightclub to have some fun, so it would be a shame not to get a smoky look.

After fussing for nearly two hours, Ruan Fu gave herself a wink in the mirror with satisfaction.