The atmosphere froze for an instant.
Jiang Fuyue only glanced once, then shifted her gaze away.
The man’s doubts deepened.
Just then, the plane broke through the clouds. Sunlight spilled through the window onto the girl’s profile—her straight nose, lowered eyes, trembling lashes. Her whole being was bathed in golden radiance, like jade, like porcelain, clear and translucent.
Lou Mingshen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sensing the gaze beside her, Jiang Fuyue felt disgust, though her face revealed nothing.
Suddenly, she stood up: “Ling Xuan.”
The boy, called by name, froze: “…What?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Switch seats.”
Ling Xuan immediately looked toward the man beside her, eyes wary.
“Okay.” He stood and came forward from behind.
The two switched seats on the spot.
Lou Mingshen gave a cold laugh. A bunch of little brats…
…
China time, nine o’clock the next morning, the flight landed on schedule at the Imperial Capital Airport.
The moment Jiang Fuyue stepped through the exit, she saw Chen Cheng, Tan Jiaxu, and Guo Zidong blocking the way like a wall.
“What are you doing?”
Chen Cheng turned his head, swallowing hard: “Sister Yue, you’d better be mentally prepared.”
Guo Zidong’s look was subtle: “Hold steady.”
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
They moved aside. She followed their gaze—and the next second—
“Yueyue! It’s Yueyue!” Han Qishan’s old eyes shone. He was still in that proper tuxedo, his white hair combed back without a strand out of place, lacquered stiff with hairspray.
At the sight of his granddaughter, he almost rushed forward, but seemed to think of something. He halted, then raised his hand toward his eldest and second sons.
Han Shen and Han Ke received the signal. With a swish, they unfurled a banner.
On it, in bold: [Warm Congratulations to Our Little Princess for Winning Gold with a Perfect Score at IMO]
Red background, white letters, lined in gold trim. So high-profile it was over the top.
Instantly, passing travelers were drawn.
“What’s going on there?”
“Some tour group pickup? With a banner?”
“That banner is blindingly flashy!”
“More importantly, aren’t those two uncles holding it kind of handsome?”
“Great builds too.”
“What’s IMO?”
“You didn’t see the news? IMO—the International Mathematical Olympiad! The Huaguo team won first place overall, and Jiang Fuyue not only got a perfect score, but also gold and a special award.”
“Oh oh oh! I know! That genius girl!”
“Wait… this ‘little princess’ on the banner—could that be my Goddess Yue?!”
“Heavens—Isn’t that President Han from our company? Why is he at the airport with a banner? Who deserves that level of face?”
“My god, it really is President Han. Done, done, the cold aloof CEO persona just collapsed in pieces.”
“Should we alert PR?”
“….”
In the midst of murmurs, the old man raised his hand again—and from above cascaded endless ribbons and confetti, glittering as they fell.
“Wow—that’s extravagant!”
“Which rich guy is staging a romantic gesture?”
“Look! It really is my Goddess Yue—”
“She deserves it!”
The old man accepted flowers from Han Shen, cradled them, and walked toward Jiang Fuyue.
“Yueyue, welcome home—”
“…Thank you, Grandpa.”
“Good girl~”
Then it was the two team leaders, Li Zhao and Yuan Bentao.
“What about us?”
Han Qishan: “Of course! These kids were under your care. Thank you for your hard work.”
“It was our duty.”
Then it was the other teammates’ turn.
Chen Cheng took his flowers, hugging them to his chest, whispering to Tan Jiaxu: “Suddenly feels like having someone send you off when leaving and pick you up when you return is such a blessing.”
Tan Jiaxu sighed: “Sister Yue, life’s winner. We’re just lucky to bask in her glow.”
He still had the travel pillow and headphones in his bag, gifts from the old man when they went abroad!
Shi Qingzhi and Qin Yuancheng arrived ten minutes late, only to be stunned by the gaudy, tacky spectacle.
The madam was aghast: “What on earth is he doing?”
Qin Yuancheng too was bewildered—this was Han Qishan, the number-one “face-saving” man of the Imperial Capital. How could he pull something like this in public?
“Picking… Yueyue up?”
“With banners, ribbons, confetti?”
“Ahem! Qingzhi, stay calm!”
Then Han Heng squeezed out of the crowd, wrapped up in mask and cap. “Mom, you’re here!”
Shi Qingzhi barely recognized her youngest son. She swallowed: “This… your dad did all this?”
“Hehe, not bad, right?” He glanced with satisfaction at the confetti swirling across the hall.
“Don’t tell me you had a hand in it too.”
“Hehe… not just me. Big brother and second brother too.”
Shi Qingzhi: “……” No. I refuse to admit my sons are tacky hicks.
Han Qishan: “Come on, Yueyue, let’s go home.”
Those were the words Jiang Fuyue had been waiting for—she strode off at lightning speed.
As long as I walk fast enough, the awkwardness can’t catch me.
That very noon, #JiangFuyueReturnsHome hit the hot search. Closely followed by buzz about the “CEO-style airport welcome.”
Han Corporation president Han Shen and TNW Finance International CEO Han Ke personally held a banner. Chairman Han Qishan presented flowers. Old and young alike, three domineering CEOs in formation—the spectacle was unmatched.
【The two uncles are so handsome! They kept smiling at Sister Yue, so gentle!】
【The genes in this family are outrageous】
【If only Heng-ge showed up too, that would’ve been explosive】
【Who says Heng-ge didn’t? [screenshot][screenshot]】
【D*mn! He was hiding in the crowd】
【I bet the ribbons and confetti were his doing. Remember when he won Best Actor at the Golden Statue Awards? The reporter asked if he had any regrets, and he said if only there had been confetti when they announced his name】
【True tacky-lover—our Heng!】
【So the whole family got dragged off track by him?】
【Real-life “I Have Three Bigshot Uncles.” Sister Yue’s life is hacked—I’m jealous…】
【But is the airport even allowed to let them do this? Doesn’t it disrupt other travelers? Or just because Jiang Fuyue’s family is rich, they get special treatment?】
【Agree with the one above. Throwing junk everywhere—cleaners must’ve had a hard time.】
【What’s with the blind worship? Calling her Sister Yue, Goddess Yue, more heartfelt than calling your own mom. Ridiculous and sad.】
【No matter how amazing Jiang Fuyue is, she’s still just a high schooler. Real scientists don’t get this kind of fuss.】
【Haters scram! Where’s the Yue Army?!】
【If you’re gonna hate, at least get your facts right. Don’t just spit garbage [pics][pics]】
【See? Six temp cleaners stepped out of Han’s extra-long Lincoln, armed with towels, buckets, brooms, mops. In under five minutes the hall was spotless again.】
【Ah! Money is great!】
【And more precious than money is that they have class. No wonder such a family raised a girl like Sister Yue!】
…
After disembarking, Lou Mingshen went straight through the VIP passage.
On the corridor bridge, he crossed paths with Jiang Fuyue’s group. Catching sight of her tall figure, those frosty peach blossom eyes surfaced in his mind.
When they looked at him, it was as if veiled in icy light.
A strange sense of déjà vu rose in his chest.
But memory did not lie. He was sure he had never met this girl before.
“…President Lou?”
Lou Mingshen snapped back: “Speak.”
“Fang Ye seems to have run into trouble.”
“What trouble?”
“His daughter was detained. Supposedly for defamation. The victim is pursuing legal action.”
Lou Mingshen raised a brow: “With Fang Ye’s means, he couldn’t suppress it?”
“The other side has connections. Pressure came from above. They’re pushing for a heavy sentence and refused bail.”
“He provoked someone he shouldn’t have…”
The assistant nodded. “He’s been running around trying to get his daughter out. Spending money, hosting dinners. So for the past half month, he’s hardly been to the company.”
“And? Did he get her out?”
“No. The people he found either lacked rank, couldn’t reach that level, or had the ability but refused to help.”
“In that case, let’s add fuel to the fire.”
The assistant understood instantly.
Lou Mingshen exited the terminal and got into his car. Inside, he glimpsed a massive crowd gathered, shouting and cheering.
The assistant glanced back, then explained: “Probably a celebrity fan pickup.”
“Mm.”
The assistant closed his door, circled to the front, and told the driver, “Let’s go.”
Before the engine started, voices drifted in through the half-open window: “…Fang Ye’s daughter, who did she offend?”
“Apparently a student, during the winter camp training…”
The car pulled away, the voices fading.
…
Jiang Fuyue still had two days to spend in the capital. Chen Cheng and Tan Jiaxu returned to Linhuai first.
“Sister Yue, you still have things to do?”
“Mm. Just something minor.”
Back at the Han house, lunch was already prepared.
Shi Qingzhi and Qin Yuancheng, after greeting her and offering congratulations, left. From a distance, Han Qishan watched, eyes filled with unspeakable complexity and regret.
More than twenty years had passed. Shi Qingzhi had moved on, built a new life. Only he was still stuck in the past, unable to let go.
“Dad, stop staring. Let’s go.”
“Shen, did your mother ask about me just now?”
“She did.”
The old man’s eyes lit up: “What did she ask?”
“She asked if this was your idea.” Tacky as h*ll.
Han Shen tactfully left out the last part.
As expected—
Han Qishan’s mouth couldn’t stop curving upward: “And what did you answer?”
“I said of course it was your idea. You even prepared two days in advance, re-did the banner twelve times.”
“Hehe… good answer! Come on, come on, let’s go home.”
The old man’s spirits lifted, skipping along after Jiang Fuyue.
Han Shen sighed. Some mistakes take a lifetime to atone for. But as a son, he still hoped his father could find happiness.
“Hey, big bro, don’t you think after Yueyue moved in, Grandpa looks more lively, not as quick-tempered?”
Han Shen shot him a look: “Didn’t need you to say it.”
“Ahem!” Han Heng pushed up his sunglasses. “If only Yueyue could stay forever.”
“You just want Grandpa to have a personal fire extinguisher, so he won’t yell at you.”
Exposed, Han Heng didn’t deny it: “Don’t tell me you and second brother haven’t thought the same? Think about it—how long since he last lost his temper at us?”
Han Ke leaned over, reporting precisely: “Twelve days, seven hours, twenty-five minutes.”
“…”
Woof woof woof—
Hearing the door open, Little Mang abandoned its freeze-dried treat, lamb milk still on its mouth, and bolted toward Jiang Fuyue.
Han Ting, who had been brushing its fur: “?”
Stupid dog!
At dinner, the whole family was gathered, lively and warm.
“Yueyue, just a few days abroad and you’ve lost weight. Eat more.” The old man used the serving chopsticks to pile food into her bowl, heart aching.
Not to be outdone, Han Heng tossed in two ribs: “I called your dad. He said this was your favorite.”
Then Han Shen, then Han Ke…
Finally, Han Ting, seeing nearly every dish already piled into her bowl, stood up: “I’ll get you another bowl.”
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
That night, she still stayed in the pink bedroom.
Opening the window, a cool breeze drifted in. The seashell wind chime jingled, two pink feathers tied beneath fluttering wildly.
She stretched out a finger to nudge them. Somehow, pink didn’t look so bad.
The next morning, she rose early, practiced a full set of tai chi with the old man in the garden, then came inside for breakfast.
She was almost done eating when Han Shen and Han Ke finally came down.
“Yueyue’s up already? Why not sleep more?”
Han Ke nodded: “Isn’t a lie-in sweet?”
The old man rolled his eyes, smacked both of them. “What, you think Yueyue’s a slob like you?”
Han Shen: “?”
Han Ke: “…”
Sure, Grandpa’s temper was better with Yueyue around, but the brothers’ family standing had plummeted.
“I woke up, so I got up. I’ll be heading out later.”
The old man and her uncles shared one virtue—they never interfered with her plans.
At the door, they only reminded her: “Come back early.”
“Stay safe.”
“Need money? I’ve got a card here. Swipe as you like.”
When Han Ting came downstairs later, he looked around: “Eh? Where’s my sister?”
The old man sipped his Dahongpao—excellent tea: “She went out early.”
“…Oh.”
“Wait, when did you start calling her ‘sister’? Weren’t you just using her full name before?”
Han Ting’s ears reddened: “I just felt like it! I’m going to eat. Aunt Wang, make me a sandwich—”
He ran off to the dining hall.
Han Qishan snorted: “Brat. Finally someone can handle you!”
…
Wenyuan Teahouse.
Liu Kaiyan sat in a private room, staring at the clear tea, expression blank.
Compared to half a month ago, she looked much more haggard.
Her once rosy face had turned pale, dark circles under her eyes, wrinkles creeping at the corners.
Suddenly—knock, knock.
She snapped her head up, eyes flashing fierce. But in an instant, her gaze lowered, brows furrowed with sorrow, voice gentle:
“Please, come in.”
Jiang Fuyue pushed open the door.
The woman rose, forcing a smile on her pale face. “You’re Student Jiang? I’m Fang Liuliu’s mother. Forgive me for inviting you so abruptly. Please, sit, don’t be polite!”
She personally poured tea.
Her posture was uncommonly humble.
Jiang Fuyue sat across from her, smiling faintly: “Hello, Auntie. What did you want with me?”
“I heard you won the IMO gold medal and special prize. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
The woman pressed her lips together. “I know, during winter camp, Liuliu misunderstood you in front of everyone. She was wrong, terribly wrong! I’m here to apologize on her behalf. I hope you can be magnanimous and not hold it against her.”
Saying that, she stood, about to bow.
“Auntie, you got one thing wrong.”
She froze: “What?”
“Fang Liuliu didn’t ‘misunderstand’ me in front of everyone. That sounds too refined, too nice. The truth is, she slandered me, defamed me, smeared me with vile words.”
Liu Kaiyan’s face stiffened: “Yes, yes, I know she was wrong…”
“As long as you understand.”
“…”
“I accept your apology. Anything else? If not, I’ll go.”
“Wait—”
Jiang Fuyue raised a brow.
“Since you’ve forgiven Liuliu, can’t you go to the police station and ask them to release her?”
“Why?” Jiang Fuyue looked genuinely puzzled.
Her eyes widened: “Haven’t you forgiven her?!”
“I forgave her. And she must still be responsible for what she did. Those are separate matters.”
In other words, I forgive her, but detained is detained, charges are charges.
“What do you mean separate?! Are you toying with me?!”
Jiang Fuyue blinked. “Auntie, how could that be toying? You apologized, I forgave. How is that a game?”
“Fine! Then come with me to the police station now and explain!”
Jiang Fuyue stepped back, dodging her hand: “Sorry.”
“Why? You already won the gold medal. Liuliu didn’t actually harm you. Why not let her go?!”
“If you were targeted by a murderer, and before he could kill you, you called the police—would you, because he hadn’t actually killed you yet, magnanimously drop the charges?”
“You—”
“You wouldn’t, right? So why demand I do what you yourself can’t?”
Liu Kaiyan nearly burst with rage. She inhaled deeply, forcing herself calm.
Then she pulled a check from her bag. “Here is ten million. As long as you drop charges against Liuliu, it’s yours.”
“Not playing the sympathy card anymore?” Jiang Fuyue nodded. “Hard work, not putting on makeup, looking haggard to fish for pity. This is better—straightforward. A clear price tag. Easier for both of us.”
Liu Kaiyan’s face hardened, mask torn off, eyes now cold and vicious.
“Think carefully. This is ten million.”
“So?” Jiang Fuyue glanced at the check in her hand and asked casually, “Is it a lot? ”
The woman sneered, “You’ll never earn that much money in your entire life!”
“That’s so…” Jiang Fuyue shook her head regretfully, as if sighing. “That’s really boring. Before calling me to make an appointment, didn’t Auntie carefully investigate my identity and background?”
“That shouldn’t be difficult for you, right?”
Liu Kaiyan’s eyes flashed. She had indeed done her homework and checked Jiang Fuyue’s background for today’s meeting. Knowing that her parents owned a popular online restaurant and that she was the Han family’s granddaughter, Liu;iu couldn’t be released on bail, most likely because the Han family was secretly pressuring her.
Liu Kaiyan asked, “So what if I know?”
Jiang Fuyue replied, “If you knew, why bother with the old trick of paying a check? Do you think I need that little money?”
