Chapter 201 Illusion
Fu Shenyuan's actions still woke Jiang Ranxing up. After the kiss, Fu Shenyuan regretted it a little because he knew that Jiang Ranxing would not be so gentle and obedient when she woke up.
Sure enough, Jiang Ranxing opened his eyes, looked at the surrounding environment and the person beside the bed, and his face immediately turned cold.
Jiang Ranxing sat up calmly. Because she had just woken up, she hadn't fully recovered her strength. Seeing this, Fu Shenyuan quickly and considerately placed a soft pillow behind her.
Jiang Ranxing didn't react to his actions, but a strange unease arose in her heart.
She felt that she actually disdained Fu Shenyuan's almost fawning attitude, and that it would be futile for him to do so now.
Jiang Ranxing didn't know where this feeling came from, but he could sense that it was ultimately a feeling that came from the heart.
"Stop doing all that," Jiang Ranxing interrupted Fu Shenyuan's attempt to continue showing concern for her. "Now that I'm here, let's talk about serious matters."
Jiang Ranxing was also tired of struggling, so he leaned against the bed and quickly changed his tone to focus on work.
"What are your plans? What are your ideas? I can cooperate with you," Jiang Ranxing said seriously.
Fu Shenyuan looked at her stubborn and indifferent face, sighed silently, and then sat down in a chair away from the bed to avoid upsetting Jiang Ranxing.
Fu Shenyuan looked at her again and replied, "Currently, Second Uncle is using the guise of Fu Group's business project expansion to target Wen's. So naturally, we still need to return to Fu's. I will organize a shareholders' meeting, and all shareholders will be present. You can bring the original equity transfer agreement and legal documents to attend the Fu Group shareholders' meeting. At that time, I will raise objections to the projects related to Wen's. You just need to stand on my side, and I can ensure that Wen Qingrang will no longer be threatened by the Fu family."
Jiang Ranxing listened attentively and nodded without hesitation: "Hurry up and finalize this within three days."
Jiang Ranxing didn't want to waste another moment; she couldn't bear to see Wen Qingrang looking so haggard and burdened.
Fu Shenyuan said, "Don't worry, I already had Tan Shen take care of it before you came."
In other words, they just need to patiently wait for the shareholders' meeting to be held.
They won't have to wait too long, but at least they'll be free tonight.
Jiang Ranxing glanced at him, realizing he wasn't just brushing her off, and she seemed relieved, letting out a sigh of relief: "At least you have some sense of contractual obligation; you're thoughtful."
Jiang Ranxing spoke in a very casual tone, which Fu Shenyuan certainly noticed.
Fu Shenyuan lowered his head and smiled, the brokenness in his eyes sinking into the shadow under Gao Ting's brow bone, adding to the sense of loneliness.
Fu Shenyuan kept his head down, as if talking to himself: "Are you really willing to go to this lengths for Wen Qingrang? Does he know you're doing this?"
Jiang Ranxing's expression wasn't good either. He said self-deprecatingly, "I wish he didn't know. If he finds out later, he'll probably hate me already."
In this moment when everything paused for a while, Jiang Ranxing finally had the mind to think about the emotional issues that had been pushed to the back by her.
Jiang Ranxing looked at Fu Shenyuan, her expression still serious, and said, "Don't tell Qingrang about this before it's done. If he finds out, he'll be under pressure and won't agree to me doing this. But for his sake and the Wen family's sake, I can't listen to him this time. This matter must be accomplished."
Jiang Ranxing made up her mind. No matter what, she couldn't just watch Wen Qingrang and the Wen family fall into the abyss. Fu Hongkai was the kind of person who always pushed people to the brink of despair. She couldn't turn a blind eye when she had the ability to help them.
Jiang Ranxing didn't want to see this dilemma either.
She could refuse to help the Wen family or agree to Fu Shenyuan's conditions, but she couldn't bear to see the peace that Wen Qingrang's parents had paid with their lives shattered overnight. Wen Qingrang was already suffering because of his parents' situation, and she wanted to give him some sweetness, just like how Wen Qingrang had stayed by her side when she was injured. She always felt indebted to him.
However, by agreeing to return to Fu Shenyuan, she was destined to hurt Wen Qingrang's heart. They had just shared such a beautiful and romantic sunset and wonderful memories by the sea, and before they could truly be honest with each other and enjoy happiness together, reality was about to tear them apart.
Jiang Ranxing sighed. Since she had made her choice, she could only continue down this path. Even if Wen Qingrang later found out that she had chosen to "return" to Fu Shenyuan's side, she could only continue down this path.
Life is never perfect, and Jiang Ranxing also experienced confusion and uncertainty. She didn't know whether the decision she made today was right... or wrong...
Jiang Ranxing sighed almost imperceptibly.
Looking at her single-minded devotion to Wen Qingrang, Fu Shenyuan felt as if his heart was being slowly tortured; though no blood was drawn, each cut was still inflicted.
"I promise you, Ranxing, with me here, Wen Qingrang will be saved," Fu Shenyuan said, reassuring Jiang Ranxing.
Jiang Ranxing nodded, and the phone that was placed to the side lit up at that moment.
Jiang Ranxing and Fu Shenyuan both saw the names on the screen.
Jiang Ranxing took the phone and, before pressing the call button, said to Fu Shenyuan, "You go out first, I need to make a call, don't make a sound."
Jiang Ranxing gave Fu Shenyuan a look, then answered the phone: "Qingrang."
Wen Qingrang smiled on the other end of the video call: "Ranxing, are you resting? I've been busy here and haven't had a chance to come see you yet."
Jiang Ranxing deliberately shook her head casually: "I'm fine. Let's go out together after you're done with your work."
Wen Qingrang seemed to notice that the environment behind Jiang Ranxing was different from her home: "Aren't you home?"
Jiang Ranxing paused for a moment, then continued with a smile, "I was at Mia's house. We hadn't seen each other for a long time, so we chatted for a bit."
Fu Shenyuan was quietly walking towards the door when he heard Jiang Ranxing's lie to reassure Wen Qingrang. His heart ached again and he couldn't calm down for a long time. His hand stopped on the doorknob. After hearing Jiang Ranxing and Wen Qingrang chatting warmly and caringly to each other, he couldn't bear it any longer and quietly opened the door and went out.
After closing the door, Fu Shenyuan leaned weakly against it, his hands clenched into fists.
Seeing this, the butler came over and cautiously asked him how he was doing.
Fu Shenyuan took a deep breath to compose himself so as not to lose his composure.
He instructed the housekeeper, "Have the kitchen prepare more of the dishes that Madam likes, and have someone go out and buy the clothes and supplies that Madam needs now."
The housekeeper was excited when she heard him say that: "Sir, is Madam going to live here permanently? That's wonderful! Should we clean out the master bedroom?"
Fu Shenyuan glanced at the door to the master bedroom, which was originally Jiang Ranxing's room, but later Lin Xuesha moved in.
Fu Shenyuan said, "No need. Have someone arrange for Qinglin's villa to be cleaned up as soon as possible. We won't be living in Qingshan anymore."
The butler nodded upon hearing this: "Okay, I will have someone arrange it as soon as possible."
The butler dared not delay any longer and went downstairs immediately upon receiving the order. Fu Shenyuan, on the other hand, returned to his study to discuss the matters concerning the shareholders' meeting of the Fu Group.
As night deepened, all the lights in the villa were turned on. When Fu Xingyi came out of his small bedroom, he could feel that the atmosphere today was different from usual.
Just as Fu Xingyi was about to ask what had happened, the nanny came over first and said to him happily, "Young Master, Madam is back. Would you like to go see her?"
Fu Xingyi was overjoyed and felt it was unbelievable: "Dad just said during the day that Mom was coming back, and she's back so soon! Where is Mom? I want to see her!"
The nanny led Fu Xingyi to the door of the guest bedroom: "Madam is resting, young master, would you like to come in?"
Fu Xingyi was about to knock on the door, but hesitated for a moment and then withdrew his hand: "Then I won't disturb Mom for now. Mom must be tired. I'll go downstairs and wait for her to wake up!"
The nanny said, "The young master has grown up. He's so sensible and already knows how to be considerate of his mother."
Fu Xingyi gave a sweet smile: "My teacher taught me a lot. I will never do anything to make my mother sad again. Let's go downstairs."
Fu Xingyi and the nanny went downstairs to the living room to do crafts while waiting for Jiang Ranxing to come out.
After a while, the butler went to the study after arranging things and reported the matter to Fu Shenyuan.
Fu Shenyuan came out of the study and looked down from the second floor. He saw servants carrying dishes to the dining table.
Fu Shenyuan turned around and glanced at the still-closed guest bedroom door. He instructed the housekeeper to prepare dinner, and then went to knock on the door to call Jiang Ranxing.
After receiving a response, Fu Shenyuan pushed open the bedroom door and saw Jiang Ranxing sitting by the window in a daze. Fu Shenyuan walked over and said softly, "What are you thinking about? Let's go eat first, and then you can come back and rest, okay?"
Jiang Ranxing turned around and looked at the person standing next to her. In a daze, she seemed to see a scene that had never happened in her past, now-ended marriage.
Jiang Ranxing felt that he was now prone to getting caught up in memories of the past, which was probably not a good thing.
Perhaps it's because I'm back in this familiar villa that certain thoughts are easily stirred up.
She shook her head and stood up: "Let's go."
Since it's a condition for cooperation, she has no reason to be coy. In exchange, she will get what she wants, which is fair enough. She doesn't need to torture herself just because she doesn't like Fu Shenyuan. There's no need for that. Besides, she promised Wen Qingrang that she would take good care of her health, and she doesn't want Wen Qingrang to be distracted or worried because of her.
Jiang Ranxing and Fu Shenyuan left the guest room and went downstairs together. The commotion on the stairs immediately alerted Fu Xingyi, who was in the living room.
Fu Xingyi dropped his craft model and ran over. When he saw Jiang Ranxing, he exclaimed happily, "Mom! You're really back!"
Fu Xingyi couldn't wait and even ran up the stairs, but Fu Shenyuan stopped her: "Yiyi, let your mother go downstairs first, don't rush."
Fu Xingyi was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
Jiang Ranxing looked at the little child standing there with his big, watery eyes staring at her. It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved at all, after all, he was her blood relative and the closest person to her.
But as for how excited Jiang Ranxing was, she didn't really feel that strongly. She still cared about the child, but it had been a long time since they had seen each other, so they were a little estranged.
Jiang Ranxing went downstairs anyway. When Fu Xingyi reached out his little hand for a hug, Jiang Ranxing bent down and hugged him, but it didn't last long before Jiang Ranxing let go of Fu Xingyi.
Jiang Ranxing said, "Alright, let's go eat."
Jiang Ranxing stood up and turned to walk towards the restaurant.
Watching her retreating figure, Fu Xingyi lowered her little hands somewhat dejectedly, then looked at Fu Shenyuan: "Daddy, why does Mommy seem different? Does she not like me as much anymore?"
Even Fu Xingyi could sense it, and Fu Shenyuan didn't know how to explain that Jiang Ranxing had indeed changed.
Fu Shenyuan said, "No, Mom still loves you. She's just a little tired. Let's not disturb her rest, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Xingyi realized something and said, "That's right, Mom must be tired after just getting back. Let's let Mom rest well, Dad."
Fu Shenyuan nodded.
The father and son watched as Jiang Ranxing walked to the dining table and sat down alone. They both felt uneasy and disappointed, but dared not upset Jiang Ranxing. They suppressed their unease and guilt before walking to the dining table.
Fu Xingyi took his seat next to Jiang Ranxing, while Fu Shenyuan sat opposite Jiang Ranxing.
Fu Shenyuan gave the butler a signal, and the butler ordered someone to bring the soup over.
The housekeeper served Jiang Ranxing a bowl of soup, saying, "Madam, please try this. It's a calming soup that the master instructed someone to specially prepare for you."
Jiang Ranxing looked at the bowl of soup that the butler had respectfully placed in front of her. The ingredients inside looked fresh and tempting, but she didn't touch it for a long time.
Fu Xingyi tilted his head, holding the chopsticks, and asked cautiously, "What's wrong, Mom? Don't you like it? Dad had it made just for you. Try it!"
Fu Shenyuan looked at Jiang Ranxing expectantly: "It was made according to your usual taste, you should like it."
Jiang Ranxing picked up the bone china spoon, scooped up a mouthful, tasted it, and then put the spoon back aside.
"Take it away, I don't want to drink this."
After Jiang Ranxing finished speaking, he stopped looking at the soup and picked up his chopsticks to slowly eat the other vegetables.
Fu Xingyi didn't know what had happened, and he didn't dare to disturb Jiang Ranxing's meal, so he could only look at Fu Shenyuan across from him.
After hesitating for a moment, Fu Shenyuan asked Jiang Ranxing, "Don't you like it? I can have it remade according to your preferences next time."
Jiang Ranxing froze, her hand holding the chopsticks still. She looked up at the person opposite her, her mind already starting to wander.
It wasn't that she disliked the taste of the soup; the renowned chef's skill was, needless to say, excellent.
However, a bowl of soup brought back too many memories for her.
When they were abroad, Wen Qingrang was always keen to nourish her body at home. Because he was afraid that she wouldn't eat, he stewed a lot of nutritious ingredients into soup.
Wen Qingrang never shied away from trouble. He would often spend a lot of time and energy in the kitchen because a soup required a long simmering time. At that time, he was almost oblivious to worldly affairs and would personally cook for her.
Jiang Ranxing thought of those past times, and when he looked at the person in front of him, who was no longer him, his nose tingled and his heart ached.
How many more helpless things must happen in this world before it's enough?
Each of them seemed to be caught in a game of fate, each with their own helplessness and unfulfilled desires.
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