In the past few years, Ruan Chen had heard more or less about the Fu family's past in Jingzhou.
But this was the first time she had learned that Fu Jianzhi was thrown into Meicheng back then because his brother had been involved in his schemes.
This was the first time she had seen Fu Jianzhi make such a threatening statement. She didn't know why, but it felt strangely familiar. However, she couldn't remember who she had seen it on, so she simply stopped thinking about it.
In short, she was very relieved that the little one wouldn't be easily manipulated.
Ruan Chen was curious about the plaque that Fu Jianzhi had just taken out. As soon as he did, the Fu family’s attitude towards him changed noticeably.
She asked, "Jianzhi, what was that you just picked up?"
The servants of the Fu family observed a moment of silence for two seconds for the young master's classmate, fearing that the young master might really have to ask this talkative friend to leave.
Even Fu Chengyu felt that Ruan Chen was really ungrateful to ask such a question. Is the Fu family's patriarch's token something that just anyone can touch?
That was a token passed down only among the direct descendants of the Fu family, which could mobilize all of the Fu family's resources in the secular world, whether overt or covert.
Even the collateral branches of the Fu family are not qualified to receive this token.
As a direct descendant of the Fu family, Fu Jianzhi should know very well that what he should do now is reject Ruan Chen and rebuke and warn her.
But Fu Jianzhi simply said "Oh," took the token out of his pocket again, and then, in full view of everyone, threw the token toward Ruan Chen without any respect.
The brownish-yellow wooden plaque traced an arc in mid-air before landing steadily in the slender, pale fingers.
Fu Chengyu was both angry and jealous. Just as she was about to scold Fu Jianzhi, she caught a glimpse of Fu Lin returning at some point.
Fu Lin stood quietly at the door without disturbing anyone, watching everything that was happening inside the main house.
Fu Chengyu immediately shut his mouth, gloating. Fu Jianzhi was probably going to be in trouble soon, throwing the family head's token around like a toy in front of the current family head.
Father would be better off taking the family headship order away from him, because Fu Jianzhi is unworthy.
Ruan Chen took the token and examined it closely for a while. "It's a good piece of material. It's been polished for over a hundred years, hasn't it? It even has a jade-like texture. What's this for?"
Fu Jianzhi didn't answer, but only said, "If you like, I'll make beads for you? You have fair skin, a bracelet would look good on you."
“What a joke,” Ruan Chen waved his hand and put the sign back. “Is this your family heirloom? You made beads for me, won’t some people be furious? I saw him staring at your sign with his eyes wide open—you’d better keep it safe, or you might become a thief in your own family.”
Ruan Chen thought this plaque must be priceless, which is why this group of people were so nervously surrounding Fu Jianzhi.
"Some people" refers to Fu Chengyu.
Some people were so angry that their vision went black again, and they almost collapsed due to high blood pressure.
"How about I carve a plaque for you? Do you have a favorite theme? Or I can grind it down and make you a 'no worries' plaque—this wood is indeed good material." Fu Jianzhi kept harping on this topic, as if Ruan Chen had just casually praised it and therefore had to give it to her.
Fu Lin felt that if he didn't show up soon, the Fu family patriarch's token, which had been passed down for thousands of years, might really be worn flat tomorrow, and then a hole would be drilled in it and hung around Ruan Chen's neck.
He coughed twice. "Jianzhi, you brought friends over? Why are you all standing? Don't be shy, have a seat."
Then, as if he had just noticed what Fu Jianzhi was holding, he pretended to be concerned and surprised, reminding her, "Jianzhi, put the things away carefully, don't show them off."
Fu Chengyu was somewhat stunned.
Things didn't go as he expected at all.
That's the patriarch's token!
"Dad, my younger brother just took the family head's token and said..."
Before Fu Chengyu could finish complaining, Fu Lin interrupted her, "Alright, everyone get ready to eat. We can talk about it tomorrow. Jianzhi, show your friend around. Don't make it seem like our Fu family hasn't been hospitable enough."
Ruan Chen and Fu Jianzhi didn't go too far. They just strolled around in the garden behind the house. Fu Jianzhi kept pestering her with questions about the details of the competition in the United States, so Ruan Chen patiently explained them to him bit by bit.
Fu Jianzhi seemed particularly interested in the matter between Su Jin and Ruan Yunhan.
"Sis, at first I thought Su Jin and Ruan Yunhan were just using each other. How did they actually fall in love?"
“How old are you? You’re really in love,” Ruan Chen found his serious expression laughable. “Let’s go back for dinner. Let me taste just how good the chefs in your Fu family are.”
At the dining table, there were only four people: Fu Lin, Fu Chengyu, Fu Jianzhi, and Ruan Chen.
Ruan Chen discovered that the female head of the household had not appeared at the Fu family residence from beginning to end.
She subtly observed her surroundings; the few family photos of the Fu family only showed the father and his two sons.
I don't know if something happened to the lady of the Fu family, but the Fu family has completely erased her existence.
A dazzling array of dishes were served one after another. Fu Lin warmly greeted Ruan Chen, "Chenchen, start eating. Don't be shy. Make yourself at home here."
Fu Chengyu was even more annoyed. He hadn't expected that his father would be so concerned about his annoying younger brother bringing just a casual friend over.
"Jianzhi, open your presents. We'll have dinner together after that."
Fu Lin was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said to Ruan Chen, "Why are you being so polite, child? You even brought a gift when you came to visit."
Fu Chengyu let out another disdainful snort from his nose. Of course, he could tell that the outer packaging of his younger brother's precious gift was homemade.
He can't even afford a decent packaging box. He's really made a poor friend. Doesn't he care about getting himself into trouble that he won't be able to get rid of later?
Ruan Chen smiled but did not answer. She watched as Fu Jianzhi carefully carried the rather large gift box to the table and gently pulled off the ribbon on the box.
The moment the box was opened, everyone except Ruan Chen was stunned.
Ruan Chen gently patted Fu Jianzhi's head—just like she had done years ago in Meicheng—and said tenderly, "Jianzhi, happy birthday."
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