Volume One, Chapter 11: A Very Ordinary Process

"Is there a problem?"

Chu Xian stood speechless for a long moment, unable to refuse outright. Since this was a visit, it was awkward to deny his parents on behalf of the families. Besides, this involved both families; no matter how much he disliked Fu Jin Nian, he couldn’t act on impulse.

Chu Mian, understanding the situation, poked her third brother on the shoulder. "Third brother, shall we go together?"

"Yes, let's listen to our little sister." Chu Xian rolled his eyes at Fu Jin Nian, disregarding whether he could keep up, and grabbed Chu Mian’s hand as they headed out.

Zhou Qin was baffled. How did this canceled engagement suddenly turn into a visit to the Chu family to meet the future in-laws?

He hurried to settle the bill. Returning to assist the boss with his wheelchair, he found that the boss had already maneuvered the wheelchair to the elevator by himself. Behind were the Chu siblings waiting patiently. The sight left Zhou Qin speechless.

After descending to the underground parking lot, the Chu siblings approached their car. Chu Xian had somehow acquired a pink Wuling electric vehicle, which surprised Zhou Qin.

"Second Master, I haven’t seen any news about the Chu family going bankrupt. According to the files we pulled up, Third Young Master Chu Xian is known for his lavish lifestyle. How come he’s driving a Wuling electric car?"

Fu Jin Nian’s dark eyes narrowed. His index finger tapped rhythmically on the wheelchair handle. His sharp, handsome face, devoid of a smile, radiated a cold, cutting presence.

"Sis, what did Fu Jin Nian say to you when I wasn’t around?" Chu Xian started the car and turned his head to ask Chu Mian, who was busily figuring out how to connect to the car’s Bluetooth from the passenger seat.

After a brief attempt, the Bluetooth finally connected.

Chu Mian casually flipped through her favorite songs in the playlist and replied, "He said he doesn’t agree to the breakup."

"What?!" Chu Xian slammed his palm on the steering wheel, causing the entire car to shake. Startled, Chu Mian blinked. "Mr. Fu said he won’t dissolve the engagement and still wants to give the betrothal gifts."

"Damn Fu Jin Nian!" Chu Xian ground his teeth, itching to jump out and drag Fu Jin Nian away for a thorough beating. How dare he refuse to break off the engagement? Did he intend to keep my sister forever?

No, he must inform the eldest, second, fourth, and fifth brothers at once! They must all team up to deal with Fu Jin Nian!

The pink Wuling drove steadily along the national highway, trailed at a moderate pace by a discreet black SUV.

Inside the SUV, Fu Jin Nian sat in the back seat. A neatly folded plaid blanket rested on his lap, and in his hands were the detailed documents he had just researched that afternoon, the header boldly titled: Chu Mian.

Every detail about Chu Mian from birth to the present was clearly recorded.

At ten years old, Chu Mian got separated from her parents and was subsequently placed in an orphanage. She was adopted by the Xie couple, who had also lost a daughter. Living with the Xie family for fourteen years, she excelled academically and was admitted to Beijing’s University A. However, for unknown reasons, she chose to attend a regular university in Jinhai City, majoring in nursing. Upon graduation, she took a position as a surgical doctor at Saint Capital Hospital in Jinhai City.

Aside from her origins, the rest of the information was quite ordinary—a typical journey from schooling to employment.

Thinking of Chu Mian’s bright apricot eyes, Fu Jin Nian casually tossed the documents aside.

"Second Master, from what I hear from Third Young Master Chu, Miss Chu works at Saint Capital Hospital as a doctor, but do you really believe she can heal your leg? I’m skeptical."

No response came. Zhou Qin switched topics.

"You said you wanted to break off the engagement with the Chu family. Why the sudden change…?"

Still no answer. Zhou Qin glanced at his boss through the rearview mirror and saw him staring out the window at the fleeting greenery. He chose not to speak again.

After two hours of driving, the car entered a mountainous area. Zhou Qin was surprised.

When did the Chu family move to this remote, impoverished place?

"Second Master, is this the Chu family’s place?"

Seeing the pink Wuling stop, Zhou Qin braked and turned to notice a row of thatched huts along the muddy mountain path.

"Get out." Fu Jin Nian pushed the door open after Chu Mian stepped out.

Zhou Qin, still in shock, quickly got out and retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk, unfolding it by the rear door.

Chu Mian happened to glance back and caught sight of a pair of large, bony hands reaching from the car, gripping the wheelchair handles. Blue veins bulged on the back of the hands as the man effortlessly supported himself up from the car into the wheelchair.

Zhou Qin also unloaded more than a dozen gift boxes he had bought along the way. Unable to carry them all, he placed two boxes on Fu Jin Nian’s lap.

The two stood awkwardly by the car.

"Sis is back!"

Dressed in a purple camisole gown, Xie Anyue appeared from an unknown hiding place and sashayed toward Chu Mian with her slender waist and full hips swaying.

Her crystal high heels were dusted with mud from the rough path. She took a tissue from her designer handbag to wipe the dust off her shoes, then casually tossed the dirty paper on the ground.

Chu Mian frowned at Xie Anyue’s ostentatious display.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my sister! Dad and Mom raised you for fourteen years after all. Since you returned, you haven’t even bothered to let them know you’re safe. What, are you ashamed that your real parents are from the countryside? Embarrassed to say so?"

Xie Anyue’s voice was sharp and condescending, her beautiful face full of disdain for the countryside, her glances toward Chu Mian dripping with scorn.

"Xie Anyue, you’re the real Xie family member, inheriting every bit of your parents’ bitterness and harshness." Chu Mian folded her arms and leaned against the door of the Wuling.

Xie Anyue clenched her teeth and shot a glare at Chu Mian. "My parents never taught you how to steal and sneak around, yet you’ve mastered it perfectly. You’re not even one of us Xies!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Stealing and sneaking? What treasure does the Xie family have worth stealing?

"Sis, what about the engagement ring Yun gege gave me? You can’t just take it because Yun gege loves me and not you, because he wants to marry me and not you."

Xie Anyue placed her hands on her hips. Seeing Chu Mian remain silent, she sighed regretfully. "Sis, Dad and Mom feel sorry that your biological parents are poor and that you have five brothers waiting for your help. Before I came, they said if you return my ring, the Xie family won’t let you become a country bumpkin. They’ll give your family some money to help out!"

What?

The Chu family is poor?

Five brothers waiting for relief?

Then who owns the Chu Shu Building in Beijing?

Isn’t Chu Lin, ranked in the top three wealthiest, the eldest son of the Chu family? The other four young masters are all well known. How could they fall to the point of awaiting help from their sister?

Zhou Qin was stunned and glanced at the man beside him.

Fu Jin Nian rested his left hand, adorned with prayer beads, against his forehead, eyes lowered with a faint smile.

Listening to this pile of baseless nonsense, Chu Mian felt utterly bewildered. She gave Xie Anyue a disdainful glance. "Has a pig gnawed on your brain? Idiot."

"You!" Xie Anyue stomped furiously. "Chu Mian, you’ve only been kicked out of the Xie family for less than a day, and you’ve already forgotten all the manners your parents taught you as a socialite?"