Rose Manor: Tycoon's Relentless Chase-Chapter 357 - 335: The Rabbit Bites Back

The quickest to react was still the live-in nanny, who stepped forward to help receive the gifts brought by Fu Jichen, with a friendly and kind smile on her face, greeting the two, "Young Master, Young Madam."

Fu Jichen nodded slightly and said warmly, "There are freshly made pastries in there, Grandpa loves them, take them out for him to try."

In the lounge area on one side of the living room, the old man listened to Fu Jichen’s conversation with the nanny, snorting through his nose, still with a stern face, showing no signs of easing.

"Okay, I’ll go right away." The nanny, hearing Fu Jichen’s words, found the pastry box among the gifts and took it to the kitchen to plate.

Shen Jianian felt a bit nervous, her fingers slightly tightening on Fu Jichen’s arm.

Fu Jichen noticed the subtle change in pressure on his arm, lowered his gaze to meet the person beside him, his gentle eyes seeming to say to her, "Don’t worry."

He led Shen Jianian inside, first greeting the old man sitting there drinking tea, "Grandpa."

Shen Jianian followed gracefully and called "Grandpa" along with Fu Jichen.

The old man blew on the tea in his cup, took a sip, and then raised his eyelids, glancing at the two, his gaze eventually settling on Shen Jianian’s face.

Round and round, the woman who had ensnared his most beloved grandson was still her.

The old man sighed helplessly in his heart. No matter how much he disapproved of this marriage, the two had already registered, which was a done deal. As an elder, making the atmosphere too stiff by showing displeasure would indeed be beneath the Fu Family’s style.

After thinking for a moment, the old man put down the teacup, his expression softened somewhat, gestured at the sofa by the coffee table, "Sit."

Shen Jianian sat next to Fu Jichen, her face holding a polite smile as she faced the old man’s scrutiny.

The Fu Family members, except for Fu Feibai who was shooting a movie and Wei Ronghua who was in the hospital, were all present. Not only the old man, but others who hadn’t seen Shen Jianian’s face before were also covertly assessing her, secretly wondering, is this really the Shen Jianian from before? She doesn’t seem like it at all.

Fu Jichen started introducing the people present to Shen Jianian, who had earlier learned about his family members from Fu Jichen. At this moment, as he briefly mentioned them, she matched them with the information she previously acquired, greeting them with composure and warmth.

"I saw on the press conference that Brother said Miss Shen... oh, I should change that to Sister-in-law now, Sister-in-law changed her appearance due to a car accident. We supposedly met before, you should have an impression, why is Brother introducing again?"

The speaker was Fu Jichen’s cousin, directing his words at Shen Jianian.

Fu Jianfang intended to chime in, but recalling the stack of photos Fu Jichen had handed her through his assistant, she tightened her throat, swallowed her words back as if she didn’t know anything, and continued drinking tea in silence.

Fu Jichen glanced at his cousin, his mouth subtly moving, answering for Shen Jianian, "It’s been too long, afraid she might have forgotten." He didn’t want more people to know about Shen Jianian’s memory loss.

The only one aware, Fu Jianfang dared not speak more, and the others didn’t suspect anything after hearing Fu Jichen’s explanation.

At this time, the nanny brought out several plates of pastries, placing them on the coffee table, "These are brought by Young Master, still warm when taken out, must be freshly made."

Fu Jichen casually pushed a plate of chestnut cake towards the old man, his tone warm and respectful, "Pastries from Xingfang House, please give them a try."

Everyone watched the old man; he gave face by picking the top piece and tried it, still tasting like before.

Difficult for Fu Jichen to remember he loves this house’s chestnut cake. About this small preference, previously, he never mentioned in front of the juniors, and didn’t eat it often, must pay special attention to notice.

As the old man’s expression grew increasingly pleasant, the atmosphere in the living room became lively, with casual conversation revolving around Fu Jichen, asking when he planned to hold the wedding.

Fu Jichen answered, he hasn’t started looking at dates, with summer nearly gone, time for preparation is tight, when it gets cold, the bride wearing a wedding dress would be inconvenient, most likely will push to late spring or early summer next year.

Rare that Fu Jichen willingly spoke a few more words, others pursued further questions about venue plans and guest requirements.

The usual rivalry within the family surprisingly found temporary warmth and harmony due to Fu Jichen’s wedding, the scene felt almost dream-like.

The old man ate pastries, his gaze sweeping over their faces, feeling quite content inside, he reached for the tea cup on the coffee table.

There was only a sip left in the cup.

Others were chatting, unaware the old man’s hand paused a moment holding the cup. He just placed the cup back when a hand reached over, holding the lid bowl, another hand pressed on the lid, pouring his small tea cup eight parts full.

The old man looked up along that hand, Shen Jianian finished pouring the tea, placed the lid bowl down, gently smiled at the old man, considered a response to the elder watching her.

*

Today’s family dinner went without any unexpected incidents, starting harmoniously and ending harmoniously.

After the meal, the old man called Fu Jichen upstairs to the study for a talk, while Shen Jianian waited for him in the living room.

The housemaid sliced some fruit and brought it over, placing it in front of her, warmly saying, "Please enjoy, Young Mistress."

Shen Jianian nodded to her, showing no hint of restraint, leisurely picked up a small fork to eat the fruit, and occasionally glanced toward the staircase to see if Fu Jichen was coming down.

Suddenly, a high-pitched female voice came to her ear, with a hint of disdain: "I underestimated your skills; you really managed to secure your place as the Fu family’s young mistress."

Shen Jianian didn’t need to think much to guess who was speaking. She raised her eyes and, sure enough, met Fu Jianfang’s cold gaze.

Fu Jianfang played with a folding fan left on the sofa by who knows who, opening and closing it, tapping her palm with the fan’s ribs, exuding an air of arrogance even while sitting.

"I wonder what Aunt means by this," Shen Jianian said, her voice steady and calm.

Others were either playing cards in the game room or chatting in the tea room, leaving only Fu Jianfang and Shen Jianian in the living room at this moment.

"Don’t act innocent; who is as shrewd as you, Shen Jianian? You latched onto Fu Da, securing wealth and honor for a lifetime." Fu Jianfang scoffed, not bothering to lower her voice, openly expressing her discontent with Shen Jianian. "The last time I came to see you, I conveyed the old man’s intentions, and yet you disregarded the elders, turned around, and complained to Fu Da. Who knows what tricks you used, convincing Fu Da to register the marriage with you. You’ve seen the old man’s attitude today. If not for Fu Da’s sake, do you really think he’d even spare you a glance?"

Shen Jianian clenched the small fork, her fingertips slightly stiff.

The matters between her and Fu Jichen, she deemed unnecessary to explain much to outsiders, but that didn’t mean she could tolerate repeated insults from others. Even if that person was a senior of Fu Jichen.

However, before she could speak, Fu Jianfang started again.

"Speechless now?" Fu Jianfang couldn’t stand her reliance on a man’s affection while putting on airs. "Fu Da is probably getting scolded by the old man as we speak. Are you satisfied now?"

"I’m not in a position to comment on Grandpa’s treatment of me. I’m just curious, is this consistently Aunt’s way of doing things?" Shen Jianian’s near-smile, with a slow tone, said, "Holding an aloof attitude, speaking harsh and unreasonable words. Has no one ever told Aunt that such behavior won’t earn others’ respect, but rather will..."

Considering that the other was an elder, Shen Jianian left some room, not making her words too harsh.

Fu Jianfang’s face turned livid with anger, raising her hand from the sofa’s armrest to point at her nose, glaring: "You..."

Just as she said the word "you," footsteps echoed from the stairs. Noticing from the corner of her eye that it was Fu Jichen coming down, Fu Jianfang pressed her lips tightly, restraining the urge to curse out loud.

Shen Jianian also heard the footsteps descending, set the fork down, stood, and turned around, seeing it was Fu Jichen as she expected.

Fu Jichen walked up to her, glanced at Fu Jianfang’s unpleasant expression, didn’t ask anything, and took Shen Jianian’s hand: "Let’s go home."

Shen Jianian turned back and bid farewell to Fu Jianfang, who sat on the sofa: "Aunt, we’re leaving now."

The housemaid just emerged from the kitchen, and upon hearing this, brought Shen Jianian’s shawl. Fu Jichen took it and draped it over Shen Jianian.

The figures of the two gradually faded away.

Exiting the Fu family’s gates, Shen Jianian shook Fu Jichen’s hand, taking the initiative to confess, "I couldn’t hold back just now and argued with Aunt."

"Hmm?"

Shen Jianian recounted her conversation with Fu Jianfang. As Fu Jichen listened, he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Seeing a change in his expression, Shen Jianian hesitated slightly and uncertainly asked, "Should I not have contradicted her?"

Fu Jichen, eyes down, chuckled, "I just feel it’s a pity I didn’t come down sooner to witness the sight of a rabbit biting someone."

Shen Jianian froze for a moment, then understood his words, and playfully punched his arm with a fist: "I’m not a rabbit."

"Hmm, you’re a cat. Perhaps I should say the scene of a kitten scratching."

"..."

Fu Jichen easily brushed aside the matter, not taking it seriously at all. Sitting in the car, he retrieved a black sandalwood box from his pocket and handed it to Shen Jianian.

"A gift from Grandpa," Fu Jichen said. "He asked me to give it to you earlier in the study."

Shen Jianian was stunned for a moment, displaying a surprised look, then lowered her head to open the small sandalwood box. Inside lay a jade bracelet with excellent luster, appearing quite valuable.