I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 8
Three years ago, Fu Deyao fell gravely ill, and despite seeking medical help everywhere, the Fu Family found themselves at a loss. In desperation, they turned to unconventional methods, believing that a joyous event in the family could dispel the bad fortune. This is known as “chongxi1,” a traditional belief that a child’s marriage could bring good luck and potentially cure a parent’s illness.
At that time, within the Fu Family, those who were married were already settled, and those of marriageable age were mostly unsuitable. The eldest grandson, Fu Hexu, had conveniently vanished, leaving no trace.
As luck would have it, Fu Xunzhou had just returned from studying abroad, and the family set their sights on him.
Fu Xunzhou was the quintessential model child, excelling in everything he did, never causing the family any worry.
Fu Deyao’s favoritism towards Fu Xunzhou was well-known, not only because of Xunzhou’s excellence but also due to his father’s untimely death. When Xunzhou was three, his father, Fu Zhiming, died in a car accident, leaving Deyao to bury his own son.
Thus, Xunzhou was raised almost entirely by his mother, Yu Wanrong.
When it came to the matter of “chongxi,” Wanrong first sought Xunzhou’s opinion. At the time, Xunzhou was single but of marriageable age.
Wanrong advised Xunzhou, “Filial piety is paramount. You should have a grateful heart for how your grandfather has treated you.”
With the proverbial knife at his throat, Xunzhou had no choice but to agree.
However, agreeing to marry was one thing; finding a bride was another.
The Fu Family considered their options and finally settled on Zhou Youling, the youngest granddaughter of the Zhou Family.
The Fu and Zhou families had always maintained a good relationship, with Deyao and Youling’s grandfather, Zhou Zhang, being sworn brothers who once joked about arranging a marriage between their grandchildren.
Years ago, the Zhou Family was prosperous, with Zhou Zhang nearly becoming the wealthiest man. However, several failed investments led the Zhou Family into a difficult situation.
Though the Zhou Family was no longer as prosperous, they were still formidable.
Thus, the Fu Family approached the Zhou Family with a marriage proposal.
Reflecting on these events, Youling remembered vividly. That day, she was painting at home when she heard laughter downstairs. She called a servant to inquire and learned someone had come to propose.
In the 21st century, who would still come to propose marriage? Youling found it amusing. But when she learned the suitor was Xunzhou, her laughter ceased.
Xunzhou, the man who had once saved her from a fire, was now proposing to her.
Youling felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty. To her, Xunzhou was a hero, and without him, she wouldn’t be where she was today.
Without much hesitation, Youling accepted the proposal.
She wanted to repay him and entrust her future to him.
The wedding, from proposal to planning, and finally the ceremony, took only a week.
Though Youling and Xunzhou hadn’t interacted much, she held an indescribable admiration and gratitude for him, secretly vowing to cherish him as her true love.
Strangely enough, the day after their wedding, Deyao was able to walk again and regained his vitality.
After recovering from his illness, Deyao had a revelation. Shortly after returning home from the hospital, he handed over the reins of the Fu Group to Xunzhou.
From that moment, Xunzhou embarked on his busy career, and the internal family struggles within the Fu Family began in earnest.
Many times, Youling wondered if her marriage to the Fu Family brought joy or disaster.
Or perhaps, she had planted an invisible bomb for herself.
Youling knew that one day, this bomb would explode.
It seemed that today was the day.
No one stood by Youling’s side; she felt like an abandoned clown.
What was the point of struggling? Too much struggle would only be laughable.
Youling slowly stood up, the pain from the scrape on her knee causing her to frown slightly, but no one cared if she was in pain.
Fu Zhiqing’s face no longer showed any hint of grievance, replaced by her usual arrogance.
“Dragging your feet, are you unwilling to apologize?” Zhiqing taunted.
Youling looked coldly at Zhiqing, the impulse to tear off her disgusting facade rising within her.
But before she could act, she was pushed from behind, stumbling and grabbing the sofa armrest tightly. It was Jiang Sha who had pushed her.
“Enough.”
The firm voice silenced the room instantly.
Xunzhou had appeared beside Youling, pulling her arm to shift her weight onto him. To others, it seemed he was shielding her with his wings.
Everyone saw Xunzhou’s icy demeanor, reminiscent of the authoritative Fu Deyao.
“How long do you plan to keep this up? I’ll accompany you,” Xunzhou said, turning to Zhiqing.
His stern expression silenced everyone.
After three years in the business world, Xunzhou was no longer the inexperienced young man. His strong-willed and decisive nature even made Zhiqing wary of her nephew.
Everyone knew why Xunzhou had married Youling, and they believed in the nonexistent rumors.
Today’s commotion was expected to be ignored by Xunzhou, given his gentle mother, Wanrong, was present, ensuring he wouldn’t disrupt family harmony.
Unexpectedly, Xunzhou was genuinely angry. He disregarded his mother’s attempts to stop him and strode over to protect Youling.
Xunzhou approached Zhiqing, his presence imposing, and asked, “Aunt, forgive my rudeness, but why should she apologize?”
Zhiqing instinctively stepped back, saying, “She cursed me.”
“Did you hear it yourself?” Xunzhou asked, “Or is it your unruly daughter causing trouble again?”
Jiang Sha dared not show herself, fearing Xunzhou’s intimidating gaze.
“Jiang Sha, please repeat the words. I want to hear how your Sister-in-law cursed your mother,” Xunzhou demanded.
Jiang Sha remained silent, knowing her embellished words didn’t match the truth. Speaking them now would be self-destructive.
“Speak!” Xunzhou’s voice was chilling.
No one spoke, not even Deyao intervened.
Xunzhou chuckled, “What? Cat got your tongue?”
He wasn’t one to argue, nor did he care to.
But with the Fu Family targeting him and even bullying his wife, remaining silent would mean submission.
Jiang Sha stayed silent, but a fearless younger cousin piped up, “Jiang Sha said Youling not only gave her attitude at the restaurant but also hit her, implying Jiang Sha was born without anyone to care for her, meaning Aunt Zhiqing is dead.”
The speaker was Xunzhou’s elder uncle’s daughter, Fu Ruxuan. At twenty, she was a fearless young lady.
Jiang Sha glared at Ruxuan, who returned the look with a dismissive glance.
Ruxuan was enjoying the spectacle, looking at Jiang Sha, “You said it, so why not admit it?”
Realizing the truth couldn’t be hidden, Jiang Sha panicked.
Xunzhou smirked, asking Jiang Sha, “Is that so?”
Jiang Sha remained silent.
She dared not speak.
“Is it?” Xunzhou asked again, his voice low yet intimidating.
Youling stood quietly, feeling like a spectator, yet at the center of the storm.
Beside her was her husband, who, at the critical moment, chose not to stand by but to step forward. Youling’s evening of grievance was soothed by his small gesture, reminding her of the youth who had saved her from the fire.
Youling understood why she was enamored with Xunzhou; he was always her hero.
With a thud, Jiang Sha’s heart couldn’t bear the pressure, and she knelt before Xunzhou.
“Elder male cousin, I was wrong.”
Deyao, who had been silent, slammed his palm on the table, “Absurd!”
Wanrong, who disliked conflict, quickly intervened, “The child is young and may have misspoken. Just be careful next time.”
She then turned to Xunzhou, “Alright, you, as the Elder Brother, should be more forgiving to your younger female cousin.”
…
With that, the matter was temporarily resolved.
After a ridiculous night, Xunzhou was exhausted and hungry. Upon returning home, he said to Youling, “Make me some noodles.”
Youling was surprised, knowing Xunzhou never ate late-night snacks. She asked curiously, “You didn’t eat at the restaurant?”
“Which eye saw me eat?” Thinking of this, Xunzhou was frustrated, not knowing why she wouldn’t let him touch his chopsticks.
Youling was tired too, saying, “Let Aunt Hui cook for you. I’m going to shower.”
She turned to go upstairs.
“No.” Xunzhou grabbed Youling’s wrist, “It has to be you.”
He had missed her cooking for a whole month, and now, starving, he was impatient.
They stared at each other for a moment, and as always, Youling was the one to compromise. She sighed softly, “Seafood noodles again?”
Xunzhou nodded arrogantly, pleased that his wife remembered his preferences.
As Youling prepared the noodles in the kitchen, she suddenly remembered she had a few unread messages.
While the broth simmered, Youling checked her phone, seeing messages from her friend Bai Lingxue:
[Are you sure the person who saved you was really Fu Xunzhou?]
[I accidentally found a newspaper from ten years ago tonight.]
[Youling, have you ever considered you might have mistaken someone else for him?]
Footnote:
- Chongxi(冲喜):This is a traditional Chinese practice where a wedding is arranged for a seriously ill person in the hope that the happiness and positive energy from the wedding will help improve their health.
