Chapter 67: This Family of Three

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: This Family of Three

The visitor was none other than Fu Chao’s mother, Miss Qing Qing.

Qing Qing was the eldest daughter of the Qing Family, raised in the very lap of luxury.

Doted on by her parents since childhood, she was also naturally gifted and exceptionally intelligent.

After graduating and interning at the Qing Family’s enterprise, it took her a mere ten years to earn the complete admiration of everyone in the company. She smoothly secured her position as the new generation’s leader.

In the more than twenty years she has been in charge, the Qing Family’s enterprise has developed at a rapid and steady pace. It has become a colossal conglomerate, a great tree with deep roots and branches extending into every field.

It seemed as though fate had shown her particular favor, never closing a single door on her.

Even time seemed reluctant to mar her beauty. At nearly sixty, she remained radiant and captivating, with countless suitors.

However, her personality was simply too cold. Combined with the powerful aura she had developed after years in a high position, ordinary people didn’t dare approach her.

Only when facing her son, Fu Chao, would Qing Qing reveal a hint of gentleness.

"I heard you took Qing Xi to film a variety show? If it was tough, remember to get more rest."

"Ah... um, yes."

Fu Chao answered, feeling a little awkward.

’Who could blame him? His own mother’s way of showing concern sounded exactly like she was addressing a subordinate.’

’For a moment, Fu Chao suspected Qing Qing was about to start making a bunch of empty promises...’

He sucked in a sharp breath.

He quickly shook his head to clear the absurd image from his mind.

Then he asked,

"Mom, did you happen to see Dad on your way up? He just called and said he was almost here. Judging by the time, he should have arrived around the same time as you."

The emotion in Qing Qing’s expression faded as she sipped her tea.

"Is that so? I didn’t notice."

But soon enough, Fu Chao’s father arrived.

Compared to a high-society daughter like Qing Qing, whose life had been nothing but smooth sailing, Fu Chao’s father, Fu Yunfeng, was a legend who had clawed his way out of the mud.

Fu Yunfeng’s parents died when he was young. His older brother took the survivor benefits and left, leaving him, a boy of only a few years, to be kicked around between relatives like a soccer ball. He grew up amid scorn and disapproving looks.

When he was fourteen, with no money for school, he walked from the countryside to the town on his own two feet. He found a job at a small restaurant and worked from dawn till dusk for several years just to save enough to continue his education.

His life after that was filled with bullying and setbacks, but thanks to his resilient nature, he gritted his teeth and persevered time and time again.

By working part-time while studying and relying on his sharp mind, he managed to get into university, where he met Qing Qing.

When they decided to be together, many people were pessimistic about the relationship due to the vast gap in their wealth and status.

Who would have thought that Fu Yunfeng would build an empire from scratch, carving out a place for himself in the business world through sheer force of will.

Although some people used to gossip behind his back in the early years, saying Fu Yunfeng’s success was due to his father-in-law’s support.

But today, no one would dare say such a thing. Everyone respectfully addressed Fu Yunfeng as Chairman Fu.

And the first thing this Chairman Fu did upon pushing the door open was apologize—

His features were gentle and handsome, and he too looked younger than his age.

When he wore glasses, he didn’t look like a businessman at all. He looked more like a university professor.

His voice was just as soft-spoken and refined.

"Sorry, I’m a bit late. There was some traffic on the way."

CLINK.

The crisp sound of a teacup hitting the marble tabletop.

Fu Chao and Fu Yunfeng both immediately looked at Qing Qing.

Qing Qing wore an air of nonchalance, as if she wasn’t the one who had deliberately slammed the teacup down.

Fu Chao let out a silent sigh.

Fu Yunfeng pressed his lips together, his eyes filled with bitterness.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly became stagnant and icy. Everyone felt awkward and uncomfortable.

And yet, under the strict orders of Fu Chao’s maternal grandparents, this family of three could never miss their monthly dinner. Even if they were in Antarctica, they had to fly back!

On top of that, the family of three had to take a photo together as proof and upload it to their grandparents’ assistant. It was filed as "family homework" for the elders to inspect at any time!

So, after his parents had both taken their seats, Fu Chao pulled out his phone.

"Let’s just take a selfie today."

With that, he opened the front-facing camera.

The restaurant’s private room had a large round table. His mother, Qing Qing, was sitting next to him.

His father, Fu Yunfeng, was sitting on his mother’s other side.

There was an empty seat between them, leaving a gap so wide you could practically race a horse through it.

Even with Fu Chao’s height and long arms, he couldn’t fit all three of them into the same shot.

Helpless, Fu Chao had no choice but to say,

"Dad, maybe... you could move a little closer?"

Fu Yunfeng didn’t answer. He first cast a cautious glance at Qing Qing.

Qing Qing paid him no mind, treating him as if he were thin air.

Fu Yunfeng understood this to mean she agreed.

He gently pulled out the chair and sat down beside Qing Qing, a genuine smile slowly appearing on his face.

Fu Chao saw it through the camera and smiled as well.

Even though Qing Qing, sitting between them, remained as cold as ice.

But that didn’t stop the brilliant smiles of Fu Chao and Fu Yunfeng from adding a touch of warmth to the family portrait.

Fu Chao thought with relief, ’Thank goodness, Mother is in a good mood today!’

He instantly perked up and, like a proper, dutiful son, began to fuss over his parents.

One moment he was recommending dishes for them to order, the next he was asking about their health, bustling about nonstop.

Everything was quite harmonious, for the most part—

—even though Qing Qing didn’t give Fu Yunfeng so much as a sideways glance;

—even though Fu Yunfeng smiled the entire time but barely said a word;

—and even though Fu Chao carried eighty percent of the conversation by himself.

All in all, the atmosphere was still quite pleasant.

...Until the restaurant delivered a bowl of almond paste.

Almond paste, also known as almond tea.

The Suiyuan Food List records: "Pound almonds into a paste, strain out the solids, mix with rice flour, add sugar, and simmer."

This classic Chinese dessert has existed since ancient times and is praised in an old poem: "The morning markets bustle with noise, but this soothes the lungs and stimulates the palate with its exceptional flavor. A bowl of ambrosia, truly delicious; for fragrance and sweetness, nothing compares to almond tea."

A bowl of freshly simmered almond paste, served hot and thick, was a pure, milky white. It was fragrant, sweet, and smooth, with a rich flavor. Coupled with its properties of soothing the lungs and relieving coughs, it was the perfect dessert to have after a meal.

The server who brought the almond paste explained that it was a complimentary dessert from the head chef, specially prepared for tonight’s VIP guests.

When Fu Chao saw it, his heart sank. He quickly waved his hand.

"Take it away."

The server froze mid-motion.

Fu Chao had to shoot him another look.

The server didn’t understand why, but still prepared to take the almond paste away.

Qing Qing spoke up.

"There’s no need to take it away. Leave it here."

"Mom,"

Fu Chao said in a low voice.

Qing Qing’s expression was placid as she personally brought the almond paste in front of her and gently stirred it with a spoon.

"Mm, it smells wonderful. No wonder your sister loved it so much. She’d throw a fit every morning, begging for a bowl. But I was afraid she’d get cavities from eating too much, so I always made up excuses to keep her from having it... Thinking back on it now, I really wasn’t a good mother. I couldn’t even bear to let her have one bowl of almond paste, never knowing if she’d even have the chance to eat it again later."

This was the longest speech Qing Qing had given all evening.

But every word was a knife, stabbing into the hearts of everyone present and leaving them to bleed.

Fu Chao’s face was etched with worry.

Fu Yunfeng felt it even more keenly, a pain so deep in his gut that he could hardly breathe.

He called out softly,

"Qing..."

"Don’t call me that!"

Qing Qing snapped, her voice harsh and severe.