Fu Xiuzhu. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A person they had never even considered.

Fu Xiuzhu caused a scene only once at Gong Yao’s wedding banquet, and after that, there was nothing.

It was really hard to guess that she was the mastermind behind the scenes.

After all, she had nothing to do with Fu Shu.

But now it seems she was likely acting under someone’s direction.

As for who...

Taking advantage of the nail artist fetching tools, Lin Zhiyi quickly snapped a photo and sent it to Gong Chen.

Gong Chen replied with just one word on the other end.

"Mm."

Then Lin Zhiyi said she didn’t like rubies, so she opted for the simplest design.

The nail artist, due to her status, couldn’t really say anything.

Once finished, they exchanged a few pleasantries and she left.

Lin Zhiyi immediately called Gong Chen.

"Third Young Master, what do we do now?"

"I’ve already spread the word about Fu Xiuzhu. Someone will soon come looking for her."

"You want others to find her?"

Lin Zhiyi was somewhat puzzled about why Gong Chen would do this.

Gong Chen calmly replied, "There’s a food tasting banquet at Yi Garden tomorrow. I’ve invited people over, and you should come too."

"Alright."

Although she didn’t know Gong Chen’s plan, she knew he must have a reason.

...

Beauty Salon.

Fu Xiuzhu was having a spa treatment.

A pair of broad hands slowly ascended from her back to her shoulders.

A deep male voice sounded from behind her.

"Comfortable?"

Fu Xiuzhu opened her eyes, smiling, "Why are you here? Weren’t you going to a meeting?"

Albert leaned over and kissed her shoulder.

"I just sent my assistant. Those meetings are mostly people inviting me just to get some funding hints; I’m too lazy to go. But..."

"But what?" Fu Xiuzhu wrapped the towel around her and slowly got up, looking at him.

"That old man seems to have sent someone to follow me. It took quite an effort to shake them off," Albert chuckled lightly.

Fu Xiuzhu froze, immediately pushing him away.

"Old Mr. Gong? You didn’t let him find anything out, did you?"

"Relax, haven’t we been together for years? He still knows nothing."

Albert pulled Fu Xiuzhu into his arms.

In a foreign country, Fu Xiuzhu didn’t need to care for in-laws, just visiting Old Mr. Gong for a month or two each year at most.

Once their son was born, Old Mr. Gong hired people to care for and educate him.

All she had to do was spend her living expenses lavishly.

Over time, it was inevitable to feel a bit lonely.

She met Albert at a friend’s gathering, and they started a secret affair.

Fu Xiuzhu leaned against him with satisfaction, smiling gently.

"Then him having you followed must mean our plan is working."

Albert smirked, "Who would’ve thought that old man fears death so much."

Fu Xiuzhu pressed her finger against his lips.

"Don’t say that; I just dealt with a problem. We need to be more cautious. When Gong Yao becomes the head of the Gong Family, we can be together openly."

"Alright."

Albert pulled down her hand, slowly drawing near her.

After it ended, Albert left first.

Fu Xiuzhu continued her spa treatment.

Soon, a woman wearing a mask walked in.

Initially, Fu Xiuzhu didn’t think much of it, but the woman’s method was a bit heavy-handed.

Unhappy, she said, "New here? Have you been trained?"

The woman didn’t reply, instead grabbing one of Fu Xiuzhu’s hands.

Fu Xiuzhu snapped back to reality, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The woman gripped her wrist, looked at her manicure.

"Do you really think you’ve hidden well? Madam."

"You..."

Fu Xiuzhu looked at her manicure, immediately realizing something.

The woman, behind the mask, gave a fierce gaze.

"Someone paid to avenge their child, Madam."

"No! Don’t!"

Fu Xiuzhu rolled off the bed immediately.

She kicked the cart away frantically, then dashed out, ignoring the towel slipping off her.

Just as she was about to shout for help, she covered her mouth.

That person mentioned avenging a child; it had to be Fu Shu.

If she called for help, others would know she was the one who hired a killer.

The woman chased after her.

Fu Xiuzhu quickly dashed into the elevator, and at the last second, the doors closed.

Upon seeing the knife about to hit her face, she sat down on the floor in fear.

The elevator went straight to the parking lot, where she scrambled into her car and sped away.

The woman pursued her outside.

Holding up a knife, the woman stared intently at the car.

Fu Xiuzhu almost crashed into a flower bed, knowing the woman wouldn’t stop.

After the car disappeared, the woman made a call.

"Assistant Chen, I’ve let her go. My professional instincts almost had me throwing the knife at her. You shouldn’t give me these scare jobs again; it’s too easy to slip up."

"No, follow her and scare her once or twice more."

"Alright."

The woman turned and followed by car.

Fu Xiuzhu stumbled all the way back to her villa.

Just thinking about the near-miss into the river made her heart palpitate.

Taking a breath, she immediately called Gong Yao.

"Mom, what’s wrong?"

"Fu Shu knows it was me; she actually hired someone to kill me for revenge," Fu Xiuzhu trembled as she spoke.

"She found out so quickly. No wonder Lin Zhiyi was released too."

"What now? I don’t want to stay here alone. I’m coming to find you," Fu Xiuzhu said.

Gong Yao hadn’t spoken before Bai Ruoshu snatched the phone.

"No, you want Fu Shu to think Fourth Master tried to kill her child?"

Still shaken, Fu Xiuzhu raised her voice, "So you’re going to wait until I get killed? Bai Ruoshu, I’m your mother-in-law! We’re in this together!"

Bai Ruoshu wanted to argue more, but Gong Yao seized the phone back.

"Enough. What’s the point of blaming each other now? Fu Shu’s child can’t be left alive; once it’s born, it would have Gong Chen’s inheritance rights. Even if Gong Chen names Lin Zhiyi as heir, who knows what may happen?"

Gong Yao couldn’t allow so many variables.

The original plan was to frame Lin Zhiyi, but unexpectedly, Fu Shu still found out about Fu Xiuzhu.

Fu Xiuzhu, fearful, said, "Ah Yao, you must help mom."

Gong Yao thought for a moment and decisively said, "Mom, go find dad. Make Fu Shu think dad orchestrated it, and the Jiang Family won’t dare act rashly."

"Yes, yes..."

Fu Xiuzhu found her lifeline; she knew only Old Mr. Gong could help her now.

Gong Yao said, "Dad went to Yi Garden today for a tasting. There’s a food tasting banquet at Yi Garden this time each year, but Yi Garden is Gong Chen’s turf."

"Doesn’t matter whose turf it is; as a guest, he wouldn’t dare kick me out."

Fu Xiuzhu immediately hung up and headed to Yi Garden.

...

Elsewhere at the villa.

Gong Yao rubbed his temples, his mind unsettled.

Bai Ruoshu, sitting nearby, sensed his troubles.

"Are you really comfortable letting your mom go to Third Young Master’s turf alone? Aren’t you afraid she’ll spill everything in fear?"

Gong Yao frowned, got up, "No, until the matter is settled, we can’t let the old man become wary of us. Join me, let’s see."

"Sure, I’m curious too about Fu Shu’s guts to act right under Third Young Master’s nose. If Gong Family catches her, we’ll see if she lives or dies."

Bai Ruoshu sneered with disdain.

Deep down, the man Bai Ruoshu admired was Gong Chen.

Yet she had to marry Gong Yao, the illegitimate son.

And now the suddenly appearing Fu Shu even managed to conceive Gong Chen’s child.

She deserved to die.

She specifically told Fu Xiuzhu the hit had to be clean to finish it.