Volume 1, Chapter 22: Highly Compatible with His Uncle

After a long night of heart-to-heart conversation with her mother, Qiao Nian'an decided to tender her resignation.

Remaining in constant contact with Fu Yunzhen would inevitably lead to her secret being exposed. Furthermore, his interest in her would eventually draw the attention of the Fu family. If she wanted peace, she had to distance herself from him.

Qiao Nian'an fell asleep feeling uneasy. Before drifting off, she glanced down from her window and spotted Fu Yunzhen sitting in his car, smoking heavily. He seemed to have received a phone call before driving away.

The next morning, Qiao Nian'an felt utterly exhausted. She had endured a long, vivid dream throughout the night—a dream in which she and her ex-boyfriend were entwined in a desperate, passionate embrace. Her mind felt increasingly clouded and hazy.

After freshening up and dressing, she grabbed breakfast and headed out. As she passed the spot where Fu Yunzhen had dropped her off the night before, she noticed about a dozen cigarette butts scattered on the ground, of varying lengths. She frowned. Since when did Fu Yunzhen smoke? She remembered him detesting the smell of cigarettes.

Shaking off the thought, she decided to head to the company to submit her resignation before any further complications could arise.

As she walked toward the subway entrance, a luxury car worth millions pulled up beside her. Just as she prepared to walk around it, a shadow emerged from the vehicle.

Fu Jingchuan stepped out and blocked her path. "I drank too much at the club last night, which is why I said those things—don't take it to heart. Besides, you poured red wine over my head and humiliated me in front of my friends, so we're even now."

"I don't know you. Move, you're in my way!" Qiao Nian'an brushed right past him.

Fu Jingchuan followed her closely. "My family wants you to come to the Fu residence tonight to discuss our marriage."

Qiao Nian'an stopped in her tracks, turned, and stared at him coldly. "Is it just the 500,000? I'll pay it back for my brother. As for your marriage, go discuss it with whoever you want, but stop bothering me!" She was not his fiancée.

She shoved a bag toward him. "Here is 500,000 in cash. Count it."

Fu Jingchuan held the money and looked at her. "It’s not about the 500,000. It’s about your brother. You don't want anything bad to happen to him, do you?"

Qiao Nian'an looked up at him, her eyes chilling. "So, you're threatening me? Do you really think I care about a gambler?"

"Yes, you might not care, but he is the only son in the Qiao family. If anything happens to him in Northern Myanmar, you will be the sinner of the Qiao family," Fu Jingchuan smirked, his face showing the triumph of a man who had won. "If you marry me and do as I say, I can ensure his safety."

Qiao Nian'an took a deep breath. It was true—she could technically wash her hands of Qiao Jianhua. But the memory of her mother’s tear-streaked face, filled with both sorrow and disappointment, caused her heart to soften. As a mother, she could empathize; a parent’s worry for a child never ends.

"What exactly do you want? Your family is a wealthy, prestigious clan. Marrying a woman of my background brings you no benefit; you should be seeking an alliance with a daughter of another wealthy family who could actually help you." Qiao Nian'an just wanted him to annul this so-called engagement. "The engagement was set by you and my brother; I wasn't even there. Without my consent, it’s invalid!"

She paused, then added, "If you're really at a loss, just marry whoever made the agreement with you. These types of unions are recognized abroad."

Fu Jingchuan’s face darkened. "Do you despise me that much? Being with me guarantees you a life of luxury and status. Creditors would never dare touch you once they know you're under the protection of the Fu family."

"In that case, pay off the 900 million in debt for me, and I'll believe in your sincerity," she sneered, feeling speechless.

"Why is it always about money with you? It’s so vulgar. I thought you were different from other women..." Fu Jingchuan’s expression turned sour.

"If not money, what should I talk to you about? That rotten cucumber of yours? Even if you offered me 10 billion, I wouldn't marry someone like you. I’m afraid of catching HIV!"

Her words thoroughly enraged him. Fu Jingchuan growled, "Qiao Nian'an, don't push your luck! It’s your good fortune that I even look your way!" He leaned in, his voice low. "I'll say this one last time: if you don't come home with me tonight, I can't guarantee your brother’s safety in Northern Myanmar."

He pulled out his phone and showed her a video of Qiao Jianhua locked in a cage in Myanmar. "That's your brother, isn't it? He’s safe for now, but if you don't listen to me, I can't promise that will last..."

Qiao Nian'an frowned, forcing herself to stay calm. Technology was so advanced these days—this could easily be an AI-generated deepfake. She needed to contact her brother first. Besides, Qiao Jianhua wouldn't die immediately. She needed to collect evidence slowly; if her brother was truly in Myanmar, Fu Jingchuan was undoubtedly involved with those criminal syndicates. Once she had the evidence, she could settle the score.

She feigned compliance. "Fine. But you have to pay me. Every time we meet, it’s 500,000. Otherwise, why would I go anywhere with you?"

Fu Jingchuan frowned. "What? 500,000? That’s extortion!"

"What’s the matter? Can't afford the price of admission? You want a wife but don't want to pay? They say money is the litmus test for a man. If you want to know if a man is sincere, just ask him for money."

"Fine... take the 500,000." Fu Jingchuan gritted his teeth in frustration. Yet, in his eyes, his desire to conquer her only intensified. He felt she was the most unique woman he had ever met.

He suddenly relaxed his posture and said, "Qiao Nian'an, I know you look down on me, but why do you have to be the one who captured my heart? Look, even my uncle is bewitched by you. You really do have your ways."

Women like Qiao Nian'an were one of a kind in the Beijing social circles. Strong-willed, fearless, and completely devoid of "love-brain" tendencies—she was exactly the kind of powerhouse heroine often seen in Hong Kong dramas. This sharp temperament suited him perfectly. She was nothing like the women he usually dated. She was intoxicating.

He felt an impulse to destroy what he couldn't possess. That was why he had sent her brother to Northern Myanmar—nominally to manage business, but in reality to control him, using him as leverage to force Qiao Nian'an into submission.

Qiao Nian'an cast a cold glance at him. "Then you'd better sharpen your skills. Your uncle has much more substance than you, and he's younger, too. Maybe one day I