The mention of “Fangrong” made Fang Junjie’s heart skip a beat; many things suddenly became clear. Fangrong Corporation was a titan in T City, involved in heavy industry, pharmaceuticals, daily goods, electronic technology, media, and publishing. If Fangrong wanted a company to fail, it could do so in half a day. The chairman of Fangrong was none other than the renowned “Brother Ten” of the Zhang family, Zhang Rong. Fang Junjie realized the connection. If not for “Brother Ten” looking out for her, who else could keep him from finding someone despite his extensive search? And who could issue a protection order across the underworld without revealing their true identity? But why? Why would someone as brilliant as “Brother Ten” get involved with Liu Yi?
As Fang Junjie pondered, Liu Yi continued, “Also, I’ve hit it off with Uncle Zhang from the first meeting. Unable to resist my earnest request, I will formally acknowledge him as my godfather tonight.”
This announcement caused an uproar in the room.
Every pore of Liu Yi exuded pride and arrogance. She surveyed the room with the imperious gaze of a queen and burst into a radiant smile amidst the bustling noise. “Today, many of my dear friends have come. Later, there will be a small banquet, and Uncle Zhang, my godfather, will also be attending. He has taken Liu Yi as his goddaughter. It’s a pity that ‘Third Sister’ Zhang Yindi isn’t in the country; otherwise, she would have certainly given me some advance notice, and I wouldn’t be caught so off guard!” Song Li and Cheng Yu exchanged puzzled looks. They had known Liu Yi for over a decade and had never heard her mention Zhang Rong, nor did they know that Hengqing had dealings with Fangrong.
As the banquet commenced, everyone moved to the most luxurious golden revolving hall. A giant round table had been set up, adorned with an array of dishes laid out across dozens of tables. Attentive waiters ushered the guests to their seats. Song Li, Cheng Yu, Ji Shan, and others were invited to the main table. Liu Yi, dressed in a light green gown like a bride, made her entrance. After making a few obligatory remarks at each table, she gracefully walked over to Song and Cheng. Song Li’s seat was arranged to Liu Yi’s left, with the right seat presumably reserved for Zhang Rong. Ignoring Cheng Yu, Liu Yi affectionately took Song Li’s arm and smiled sweetly, “Li, it’s been a while. Does this look make you happy for me?” Song Li’s expression was faint, almost a smile, but he said nothing. Liu Yi, excited, looked around and exclaimed, “Where are Young Master Fang and Little Fu? I wanted to introduce my godfather to them. They haven’t left, have they?” Ji Shan calmly replied, “Miss Yi, don’t worry. They haven’t left; they should be here soon.”
Liu Yi then turned her gaze to Ji Shan, half-smiling as she observed him for a moment before laughing softly, “My works have never quite met the discerning eye of Senior Shan! For this launch, I’ll need your guidance and support.” Ji Shan adjusted his glasses and smiled modestly, “I dare not offer guidance. Miss Yi’s style has always been beyond my grasp, let alone offering support. With Fangrong as your backing, even without this launch, it wouldn’t matter much!” His words were somewhat blunt, causing Liu Yi’s pretty face to tighten, just as she was about to retort, Zhang Rong approached their table. A slightly short, thin old man with an incredibly powerful aura, everyone couldn’t help but stand up.
Volume Two: Dancing Girl, Chapter Seventy: The Banquet is Never Benign (Part One)
Fu Xiaotang recounted her life’s events, from her childhood, her kidnapping, her adventures in the martial world, Aunt Min, her time at the Celestial Court, Fan Jinxuan, her marriage, her relationship with Song Li and Cheng Yu, her daily life, how she fell in love with one person, why she grew to hate that same person, her pregnancy, miscarriage, and divorce, detailing each event meticulously to Fang Junjie. She seemed to deliberately reopen these barely healed wounds, letting the blood flow freely, not caring about the pain, because to heal completely, she had to endure the agony of squeezing out the pus.
Fang Junjie, having long mastered the art of hiding his emotions, often faced people with a smile, but smiles differ. If you asked Situ Nan, the big shot at the Celestial Court, what Fang Junjie feared the most, Situ Nan would undoubtedly say, “His smile.” Of course, Fang Junjie smiled most of the time, but when he shouldn’t be smiling and did, the person he was facing usually met a grim fate. Fang Junjie couldn’t remember the last time he cried; it seemed unnatural for him. He certainly wouldn’t cry over these matters of love, but during Fu Xiaotang’s narration, there were moments when he couldn’t control his anger.
Fang Junjie let out a deep sigh, drawing Fu Xiaotang into his embrace, whispering softly in her ear, “Why couldn’t I have met you earlier?” Fu Xiaotang looked up at him, “A-Zun, do you know why I’m telling you all this? You’ve been so good to me. From the moment we first met, when you helped me, to every time I faced difficulties or crises, you were the first person I thought of. When Cheng Yu dragged me to the interrogation room, when Zhao Dongyuan kidnapped me, during the dance competition when my dress malfunctioned… I trust you, I know you won’t abandon me. I don’t know why I feel so certain about you. Before, with Song Li, I was blind to the future, clueless about his thoughts, yet I still jumped in with my eyes closed. But now, I have such confidence in you, I can and am willing to trust you completely, to follow you, yet I hesitate. I don’t want to move forward; I feel like now is good enough. It’s as if I’ve run out of passion and drive in my past life. How selfish of me, enjoying everything you give me, yet not knowing what I can offer in return… I feel so sorry for you, and regret not meeting you when I was at my best, both in heart and body, now riddled with scars. I’m not even a complete woman anymore; I doubt I’ll ever be a mother. Would you still want me like this?”
