Chapter 33 - The Dowry: The departed are hidden in the wind, when the rain falls...
That was a week before the breakup.
At that time, Lin Xi was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal and even faced the risk of being expelled from school due to Fu Wenxun's influence.
In a fit of anger, Fu Qingli threatened to give up her surname.
He could sense Fu Wenxun's change, but he still didn't trust him.
Just to be on the safe side, he sent Lin Xi back to Nanqing and stayed at the school to handle the aftermath.
He promised Lin Xi, "Xiao Xi, just stay in Nanqing and leave everything else to me. Trust me, I'll take care of everything soon. I'll come to Nanqing to pick you up and take you back to school!"
Fu Qingli knew she couldn't hide such a big thing from Lin Fengyuan, and she was mentally prepared.
But when he received Lin Fengyuan's call and asked to meet him, he, who was usually calm and collected, panicked, fearing that Lin Fengyuan would object to him being with Lin Xi.
Lin Fengyuan immediately sensed his nervousness, paused, and explained, "Qingli, I came alone. Xiaoxi doesn't know. I just have something to say to you, not to break you up."
Lin Fengyuan really didn't want to break them up.
On the contrary, when the two sat in the coffee shop, Lin Fengyuan's first words were: "I don't object to knowing that you two are together. On the contrary, I'm very happy that Xiaoxi likes you. You're a good kid, and I can rest assured that she's with you. I don't have to worry about her being wronged!"
He stopped smiling, his expression turning serious. "But there are some things I have to say, both as Xiaoxi's father and as your parent. Qingli, you should know that your family of origin is the biggest obstacle to your relationship, and it has caused Xiaoxi a lot of suffering. Although those things are beyond your control, ultimately, it's your fault. You must become strong enough to stand up to your father in order to truly protect Xiaoxi and to give me peace of mind in entrusting her to you. Your maternal grandparents have contacted me, saying they want to send you abroad. I believe this is the best choice for both your own development and for your and Xiaoxi's future."
Fu Qingli grew up in an environment where her parents' relationship was broken, and watched her mother's life being gradually consumed by Fu Wenxun's philandering.
Lin Fengyuan glossed over the harm he had caused Lin Xi, but Fu Qingli knew he was actually acting more from a parent's perspective, considering his well-being and fearing that Fu Wenxun would also control his life.
He had indeed considered his maternal grandparents' suggestion.
But he probed Lin Xi, asking her if she wanted to study abroad after graduation, just like her college classmates.
Lin Xi said she couldn't bear to part with Lin Fengyuan and didn't want to go out.
Fu Qingli didn't want to be separated from her, didn't want to be so far apart, so he put the suggestion aside.
Thinking that at worst, I could just work harder and eventually break free from Fu Wenxun's control.
He was about to say something when Lin Fengyuan stopped him, "I know you're reluctant to leave Xiaoxi, but you should know better than me how unsuitable staying in China is for your development. Why not go abroad for a few years, and come back when you have enough ability to protect the people you want to protect?"
"Qingli, think it over carefully. If you're determined, I'll try to persuade Xiaoxi to go abroad with you. But if she really doesn't want to, I hope you'll respect her choice. It's better to be separated for a few years than to be constantly coerced in the future. As parents, we hope that you and Xiaoxi can have a smooth and carefree life!"
Fu Qingli didn't tell Lin Xi about this past event, afraid that it would make her cry even harder.
As the incense and candles burned out, he knelt upright and solemnly promised his smiling parents-in-law on the tombstone: "Dad, Mom, rest assured, I will definitely protect Xiaoxi and ensure her a smooth and worry-free life from now on!"
On the way down the mountain, Fu Qingli held Lin Xi's hand and walked slowly down.
A light drizzle suddenly began to fall from the cloudless sky, its coolness spreading across the skin before quickly evaporating without leaving much dampness.
Fu Qingli stopped, bent down, and gently wiped Lin Xi's swollen lower eyelids with her fingertips. Then she pulled her into her arms and whispered, "Xiao Xi, some people say, 'The departed are hidden in the wind, and will come to see you when the rain falls' (Note: from the internet). This rain may be my parents' blessing for me. We must stay together and not let them down!"
*
As Fu Qingli drove back to the city, her phone, which she had left on the control panel, rang. The message read "He Zhu".
He didn't try to avoid Lin Xi and directly connected via the car's Bluetooth: "Hello."
"Boss, everything's arranged with Master Gu. I've already sent you the address for the Yunqiaoji Xiyu private room via WeChat."
"Okay, is there anything else?"
There's no need to make a special phone call for something that can be explained simply by sending a message.
"And..." He Zhu hesitated, finding it difficult to speak.
Fu Qingli had little patience for him and went straight to the point: "Speak!"
He Zhu: "Mr. Ji asked me to find out indirectly when you can return to Haicheng. He said that the contact with Zhaohui Group can't be delayed any longer."
He said he was trying to find out indirectly, but he didn't dare to play mind games with Fu Qingli, so he chose to tell the truth.
Ji Jiali must have received news of what happened these past two days, yet he still needed He Zhu to come forward and urge him, which shows how urgent the matter was.
Fu Qingli frowned, then finally made up her mind: "Tell him to try and stall for a few more days. I'm here..."
Suddenly, his sleeve was tugged lightly. He glanced at Lin Xi out of the corner of his eye and saw her silently shaking her head at him.
He paused, then changed the subject, "That's all for now, we'll talk later."
After saying that, without waiting for the other party's reaction, he hung up the phone without any hesitation.
Lin Xi then spoke up: "If you have something to do, go ahead and do it. Don't let it interfere with your work."
Fu Qingli's hand naturally fell down and grasped Lin Xi's hand that was tugging at his clothes. His tone was no longer cold and hard as before, but gentle as if he were coaxing someone.
"Don't worry about me. If you're feeling okay, we can stay in Nanqing for a few more days. If you're not feeling well, then we can go wherever you want."
He really didn't consider himself; from the past to the present, he has always prioritized her preferences.
But Lin Xi shook her head: "I'm not feeling unwell, but it's not good for me to run away so suddenly. I should go back to work as soon as possible."
“There’s no rush to go to work,” Fu Qingli said after a moment’s thought. “Xiaoxi, do you like Beicheng? If you’re not happy staying in Beicheng, you can choose a city you like and we can settle down there.”
He had just returned to Beicheng with Qingyuan, and his foundation was still weak. Lin Xi had heard Zhou Qi mention how difficult things had been for him all these years.
Now, however, he is willing to give up the efforts of the past few months and start over in a new city for his own sake.
Lin Xi was unwilling for him to make such a big sacrifice for her, especially since she had just started working there.
"Before I joined Songjia, I had already planned to stay and develop my career in Beicheng. I didn't want to give up halfway so soon!"
Fu Qingli gently patted the top of her head: "Yes, I support you, but I'm reluctant to be separated from you so soon after our wedding. Xiaoxi, would you like to come with me to Haicheng for a while?"
Lin Xi looked at his sharply defined profile and felt a flutter in her heart. Would he also be reluctant to part with her?
Before he said anything, she only considered that she couldn't interfere with his work, and hadn't thought about it in depth.
But then, realizing that they had just gotten their marriage certificate and were about to be separated by distance, it was a truly unbearable feeling of sadness.
She instinctively wanted to agree, but her remaining rationality held her back. She puffed out her cheeks slightly and refused in a low voice: "I just started working here and don't have any annual leave yet. I only have a few days off in lieu of leave. I don't have time to stay for that long."
Fu Qingli chuckled: "Zou Song has been expanding his business in Haicheng recently, and a project is almost finalized. If you'd like, I'll have him assign this project to your team, which will allow you to stay in Haicheng for a few months. When I'm busy, Zhou Qi can keep you company, so you won't be lonely."
Lin Xi was very interested, but still had some concerns: "Is this a good idea? Will President Zou agree? Wouldn't this be too biased?"
"No, I spent most of my time and effort negotiating this project for him, so making a few small requests isn't unreasonable!" Fu Qingli said frankly. "He knew my plans from the beginning, and he would have arranged it this way even if I hadn't said anything."
Lin Xi: "..."
She felt like she had been tricked.
However, considering that going to Haicheng would be closer to him and wouldn't interfere with her work, she gladly accepted his arrangement.
The cemetery is quite far from the city center, and by the time they arrived at the restaurant it was already past noon. Aunt Yao and Zhou Leyan were already waiting in the private room.
Yunqiaoji is a high-end private restaurant with antique-style decor.
Passing through a traditional Chinese ink painting-style screen upon entering, one arrives at a large open-air pavilion and waterside terrace, surrounded by winding corridors and secluded paths, all exuding an elegant and ancient charm.
Surprised that there was such a quiet restaurant in the bustling city of Nanqing, Lin Xi couldn't help but ask Fu Qingli, "It's so beautiful, how did you find it?"
The sound of flowing water filled the air. To make sure Lin Xi could hear clearly, Fu Qingli leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "This shop belongs to a distant relative of Zou Song. I accompanied Zou Song to deliver flower baskets when it opened. I thought the environment looked nice in the photos, and I've always wanted to bring you here."
His breath tickled Lin Xi, and she couldn't help but touch her ears, which were starting to burn. Remembering what happened that morning, she couldn't help but complain, "You already have your own ideas, so why do I have to ask Brother Leyan?"
“Hmm,” Fu Qingli smiled, a hint of roguishness in his eyes, which inexplicably added to his familiar youthful charm. “It’s probably because the way he said those words was so cheeky. I suddenly miss the way he looks when he gets scolded.”
Lin Xi was speechless, unable to tell whether the two of them were now good friends or still harboring resentment from the past. How could they be so childish?
To accommodate the distinguished guests, the entire Yunqiaoji restaurant was cleared out, and the private rooms arranged were located around the waterside pavilion. By opening the small windows inside, one could see the artificial hills and flowing water, as well as the pond full of water lilies.
Before entering, Lin Xi's eyes were drawn to the koi playing in the pond. Fu Qingli then asked the waiter who was leading the way for some fish food, intending to let her feed them later.
Hearing their voices at the door, Zhou Leyan flung open the wooden door, knocked on the "Xiyu" sign, and clicked her tongue a few times, complaining, "Fu Qingli, you're such a closet pervert! Even choosing a private dining room has to be a way of showing off your love!"
Lin Xi: "..."
Fu Qingli answered quite frankly: "Yes!"
That matter-of-fact manner left Zhou Leyan speechless for a moment.
Immediately, she received a tap on the back of the head. Yao Wenxiu laughed and scolded, "What are you saying, child?! Qingli and Xiaoxi are married, isn't it normal for them to be affectionate? Don't cause trouble, go back to your seat and sit properly!"
Amid Zhou Leyan's repeated pleas for mercy, the four of them took their seats, with Lin Xi sitting between Yao Wenxiu and Fu Qingli.
Before the banquet began, Yao Wenxiu took out a file folder from her handbag and placed it in front of Lin Xi: "Xiao Xi, this is the dowry that Le Yan and I prepared for you. It's a token of our appreciation, so you must accept it."
Looking at the file folder with the "Heyuan" logo printed on it, Lin Xi knew almost without guessing what was inside.
She refused to accept it no matter what, choking back tears as she pushed it back to Yao Wenxiu: "Aunt Yao, you've worried so much about me all these years, I'm so grateful, how could I accept your things?"
Yao Wenxiu held her pale hands in her own, and lovingly stroked her thin cheeks: "Good child, Auntie knows you don't want to be a burden to us, and you've never asked us for anything all these years, no matter how hard things have been. But marriage is a big deal, and it's different from before. This is a gift from Leyan and me to you, and it's already been made public. It's your exclusive property. It's just that our abilities are limited, and we can only afford to pay the down payment. Please don't blame us for the monthly mortgage payments."
Lin Xi shook her head, crying.
After Uncle Zhou passed away, Aunt Yao raised Zhou Leyan alone and had to take care of her as well. She couldn't save any money from her salary.
The situation only improved after Zhou Leyan started working.
Even a down payment for a house would cost five or six hundred thousand yuan, so Aunt Yao probably couldn't come up with all her savings.
Yao Wenxiu looked at Fu Qingli, "Qingli, I know what I'm about to say won't be pleasant to hear, but I still have to say it! Although Xiaoxi has no parents, Zhou Leyan and I have long treated her like family. I know you don't like this house, but it's what we're giving her confidence, so you know she has her family backing her up. You must always treat her well!"
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