Chapter 20 - The Stranger and Lin Xi He Met Together. ...

Yao Hongtu didn't dare to go against the Fu family, but he also understood that the bond between father and son was still strong, and Fu Wenxun wouldn't go so far as to kill him.

Moreover, since its establishment, Qingyuan has never relied on the Fu family. Fu Qingli stood out from a group of cutting-edge technology companies in the United States all by himself.

Such ability and courage do not necessarily mean they will be hampered by the Fu family.

However, there are always some fools who think that Fu Qingli is nothing once she leaves the Fu family.

"Mr. Fu, we heard that your marriage to Miss Su is approaching. You will then be the head of the Fu Group. Why bother with these petty gains?"

"Heh!" Fu Qingli sneered, showing a rare and obvious emotional reaction.

His deep, sharp eyes pierced the person who spoke: "Mr. Li, how come I didn't know I had this marriage!"

Li Rui hadn't expected this to be the point of his rebuttal, and answered his question in a daze: "Everyone in the industry is saying..."

"Then please help me clarify within the industry, Mr. Li: I have never had any relationship with Ms. Su, let alone any engagement."

Fu Qingli straightened up, smoothed out non-existent wrinkles on her suit, and said formally, "If there are any more rumors in the future, I don't mind sending a lawyer's letter to the rumor-mongers!"

"..."

After saying that, Fu Qingli left on her own, completely ignoring the surprise and astonishment on everyone's faces.

Zhao Mingyuan remained where he was, his smile neither humble nor arrogant, as if their leader had only said something like "the weather is nice".

In the northern part of the city, who dares to spread rumors about the Fu and Su families?!

The fact that everyone dared to discuss this so openly naturally meant that they had received confirmation from Fu Wenxun and the Su family in person.

With these words, Fu Qingli not only denied the marriage alliance, but also publicly humiliated both families, and officially went head-to-head with her father!

*

"Brother Qingli."

Reaching a secluded spot, Fu Qingli deliberately paused. A soft female voice immediately came from behind her, accompanied by the sound of high heels hitting the ground as she jogged.

He turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips, his face showing no surprise, as if he had expected her to appear.

Su Yi'an's brow twitched, and a nameless sense of panic rose in her heart, as if someone had seen through her thoughts.

She slowed her pace, stopping a meter away from him, not daring to get any closer, and unsure of what to say to break the distance between them.

Rarely, Fu Qingli spoke first: "Did you hear me clearly?"

A deep, magnetic voice echoed through the empty corridor, creating a subtle resonance that carried an indescribable sensuality and allure in the ears.

The last time the two were this close was probably back when Fu Wenxun and Shen Yu were still together.

Su Yi'an gazed greedily at the man with a handsome and refined face. Even the bright overhead light seemed to favor his superior bone structure, and the interplay of light and shadow made him appear exceptionally dashing and profound, making it impossible not to be moved.

Su Yi'an always knew that Fu Qingli had no feelings for her, but she couldn't let go of the man she had been deeply in love with since childhood, especially since she was Fu Wenxun's chosen daughter-in-law.

He will only ever belong to him!

She frantically tried to justify his words: "I know you're angry about Uncle Fu colluding with outsiders. I'll go back and talk to him. Qingli, Uncle Fu just wants you..."

Fu Qingli frowned in disgust and interrupted impatiently, "Su Yi'an, is it interesting to deceive yourself?"

Ironically, this was the first formal conversation he had ever had with Su Yi'an.

We met in our childhood through family ties and had occasional interactions, but our acquaintances were only superficial.

After Fu Wenxun proposed the marriage, he avoided all occasions where he might meet her to prevent any complications.

In all matters, negotiate with Fu Wenxun to protect the Su family's reputation and honor.

Little did anyone know that she was in cahoots with Fu Wenxun.

Perhaps, as Ji Jiali said, she thought that with Fu Wenxun backing her up, he would eventually compromise and that he wouldn't be exposed no matter what.

She told so many lies that she started to believe them herself!

Fu Qingli didn't even offer polite greetings; her eyes were cold and sharp, filled with a chilling and disgusting aura that kept people at arm's length.

This reminded Su Yi'an of the scene six years ago when Fu Qingli couldn't find the Lin family father and daughter anywhere and rushed back to the Fu family villa to question them.

At that time, she and Fu Wenxun had just heard that Lin Xi had gone missing, and they were happily planning their engagement ceremony.

Suddenly, the villa door was kicked open, and Fu Qingli stood in the doorway against the light, her clothes wrinkled, her face dark and gloomy as if possessed by a demon. Her eyes flashed with a fierce light as she stared intently at Fu Wenxun, her voice hoarse as if sandpaper was being ground: "Fu Wenxun, did you hide Xiaoxi?!"

Fu Qingli has always been a prodigy among people, as dazzling as the cold and noble moon in the sky.

This was the first time Su Yi'an had seen him so disheveled yet filled with murderous intent, as if he were about to rush up and tear her to shreds at any moment.

At that time, even Fu Wenxun, who had been decisive and ruthless for decades, was somewhat intimidated and repeatedly denied any involvement.

At this moment, Su Yi'an really wanted to run, but her legs felt like they were filled with lead, and she couldn't move an inch.

She watched helplessly as his beautifully curved lips parted and closed, cruelly shattering the beautiful dream she had painstakingly woven over the years.

"I ask myself, I've always treated you like a stranger. From beginning to end, Fu Wenxun insisted on the marriage, and I never gave you any false expectations. I originally thought that since the two of us had no connection, there was no need for me to refuse you in person. But now it seems that you've misunderstood me, so let's make things clear here today."

"Miss Su, we were strangers before, and we will remain strangers in the future. Please give up your feelings for me, stop pretending to be my fiancée, and stop interfering in my life!"

Fu Qingli smiled calmly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Also, please tell Miss Su that I will settle all the accounts with Xiaoxi from now on."

The voice was steady and clear, without any emotional fluctuations.

But looking into her eyes, one could see an undisguised ruthlessness, like a wolf spotting its prey, ready to pursue it relentlessly.

His words were not explicitly stated, but Su Yi'an understood that they were meant for Fu Wenxun.

But a great unease welled up in her heart.

Given the relationship between Zou Song and Fu Qingli, he couldn't possibly be unaware of the scene he caused in Songjia yesterday.

But he didn't mention it. Does that mean he was just clarifying their relationship and didn't intend to hold his provocation of Lin Xi against him?

She bit her lip hard, trying to use the pain to keep herself calm and not lose her composure in front of Fu Qingli.

However, Fu Qingli didn't care about her reaction and strode past her with her long legs.

As they passed each other, he seemed to suddenly remember something, said "Oh," and stopped beside her.

He didn't even spare her a glance, staring at the end of the passageway, his voice soft as if he were talking to himself, yet it stirred up a storm in Su Yi'an's heart.

He said, "By the way, six years ago, you met Lin Xi with him."

Su Yi'an's eyes widened, and she loudly denied it: "I didn't!"

But Fu Qingli walked away without a second thought, showing no intention of staying to listen to her explanation.

The sound echoed hopelessly in the passageway, gradually fading until it finally fell silent.

A note from the author:

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