C29 What an Outsider!

"Ling, you're back." After the greeting, Ji Yu turned his attention to Fu Jingchuan. "Mr. Fu, I didn't expect you to make a special trip here. You can rest assured that Young Master Fu is in good hands with us."

Soong Ruanruan was eager for everyone to leave quickly. Now that they were at her home, there shouldn't be anything left to complain about, right?

Yet, the man cast a chilly glance at her and questioned, "Is this your idea of not being disturbed?"

Soong Ruanruan furrowed her brow, "Dr. Ji and I are colleagues, and he's well-informed about Dear Sui's condition. He's not a stranger."

'Not a stranger,' indeed.

A chill seemed to permeate the air, but for little An An, having so many loved ones at home was sheer joy.

"Mommy, let's all have dinner together, Uncle too."

She said this with a gaze full of expectation directed at Fu Jingchuan.

The little girl's lively eyes were like a spring of clear water, reminiscent of the woman in his memories.

Fu Jingchuan's heart gave a fierce jolt, and for some reason, he spoke with added gravity, "I've already said that I will take care of the arrangements."

Ji Yu's brow creased slightly as he lifted the little girl, soothing her gently, "An An, don't be scared."

Soong Ruanruan was also getting upset. Why was this man being so stern with a child all of a sudden?

"Fine, what would Mr. Fu prefer?" She shielded her daughter from his view.

But An An quietly peeked around, her innocent eyes wide as she whispered to the adults, "Mam, Mr. Ji, Uncle looks so sad. He wants to join us for dinner too. Let's invite him along!"

Soong Ruanruan was speechless.

For the first time, Fu Jingchuan found himself at a loss for words because of a child.

...

The Cona Hotel, a premier hotspot for the elite in A City.

Right now, Soong Ruanruan was seated in one of the VIP rooms on the first floor.

Her daughter was joyfully chatting with her son, seemingly the only one feeling out of place, while Fu Jingchuan appeared completely at ease.

She should have insisted that Ji Yu not leave. He must have sensed her discomfort when they left, as he quickly excused himself and returned home.

As each dish was brought to the table, Soong Ruanruan's heart grew heavier. She could now discern the intention behind the man's arrangements. The spread before her consisted mostly of her old favorites, interspersed with a few other selections, even including desserts from the brand she cherished most.

"Wow, Mommy, there's the fish tofu you like!" her daughter's voice chimed in, pulling her back to the present. Soong Ruanruan managed a small smile, "Yes, and there are things you love too, An An, so let's make sure we eat our fill today."

"Okay!" her daughter beamed.

Unintentional words can strike a chord, and Fu Jingchuan's eyes betrayed a fleeting, subtle change. Fish tofu... Soong Ruanruan didn't even like it. In truth, he wasn't well-acquainted with her tastes; he only remembered her fondness for sweets, and these dishes were the result of his strained recollection.

"Brother, do you like this? It's super sweet!" her daughter's focus shifted back to Fu Sui.

Soong Ruanruan quietly continued to eat, finding no joy in the flavors. The meal before her involuntarily took her back to moments from four years ago. Nightly, she'd prepare dinner, eagerly awaiting his return, just for the chance to catch his eye a few more times. Even without a hint of warmth in his gaze, she harbored no regrets.

But now... there was no turning back.

Fu Jingchuan was a man of few words. He watched her every move as she ate, the shadow in his eyes growing colder by the second. Everything about her, from her looks to her mannerisms and dining habits, was starkly different from the Soong Ruanruan he remembered. Yet, an inexplicable sense of familiarity would occasionally wash over him. Was it solely because of her eyes?

His phone suddenly vibrated. Fu Jingchuan excused himself to answer the call. The moment he stepped out, Soong Ruanruan exhaled a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief. The oppressive feeling that had enveloped her dissipated with his departure, leaving her to wonder how much resolve she had left to maintain her composure.

"Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom," An An whispered, hopping off her chair and approaching her mother.

After saying hello to her son, Soong Ruanruan took her daughter by the hand and stepped out. A short distance away, a man stood with a commanding presence, still on a call that appeared to be work-related.

Upon reaching the restroom, An An looked up with a sudden recollection and suggested, "Mam, that strawberry cake is really delicious. Would you like to try some?"

Soong Ruanruan gently patted her daughter's head, "No, thank you. Mommy really isn't fond of sweets anymore."

"But you used to love them so much..." An An's lips turned down in disappointment.

The little girl couldn't grasp the complexities of adult preferences. She only knew that her mom, who once shared her love for sweets, had inexplicably changed her tastes a few months before returning home, abandoning many of her former favorites.

A pang of guilt washed over Soong Ruanruan. She didn't want to keep secrets from her daughter, but the world of adults was filled with too many unavoidable realities.

Before coming back to A City, she had braced herself for the possibility of encountering Fu Jingchuan. Given the vast reach of the Fu family's businesses, including investments in several of the country's most prestigious medical institutions, avoiding his sphere of influence was nearly impossible.

Thus, she had altered her once recognizable habits and mannerisms, which, after years abroad, had already evolved significantly.

"I'm sorry, An An..." Beyond changing her palate, Soong Ruanruan struggled to find the right words to explain to her daughter.

Understanding beyond her years, the little girl shook her head, "It's okay, Mommy. The little brother likes sweets too, so I can share with him later!"

Soong Ruanruan felt a warmth in her heart.

Before long, the mother and daughter duo returned from the restroom. The man had ended his call, and now a statuesque woman stood by his side.

"Director Fu, what a coincidence to see you here," Soong Feifei said, her figure accentuated by a designer bodycon dress, her face adorned with exquisite makeup that would turn many heads—just not the one in front of her.

Fu Jingchuan responded with a noncommittal "hmm," clearly uninterested in the woman who had eagerly approached him.

Undeterred by his aloof demeanor, Soong Feifei's eyes twinkled with amusement. "The film project you invested in was a stroke of genius. I've heard that now all the production companies look to you as the trendsetter. I wonder when I might have the fortune to..."

As she was speaking, Soong Feifei noticed that the man's attention had already shifted from her, looking past her.

Who could have caught his eye?

Curious, Soong Feifei turned around and caught sight of an adorable little girl approaching them.

Her pupils shrank in shock: How could this child resemble that accursed woman?

No, that woman was long dead; it was impossible for her to suddenly have a child.

Meanwhile, Soong Ruanruan also recognized the newcomer.

It was indeed a small world, running into her half-sister like this.

A "relative" who had wished for her disappearance since childhood.

But now, she likely wouldn't recognize her.

Soong Feifei's gaze shifted upward, and when she met Soong Ruanruan's plain face, a sneer curled at the corner of her mouth.

She had wondered what kind of person could make Fu Jingchuan take a second look, only to find her so unattractive!

"Hello, Auntie!" An An, noticing another person standing beside her uncle, greeted her politely.

Soong Feifei didn't acknowledge the child and turned to the man, "Director Fu, are you acquainted with these two?"

Fu Jingchuan gave her a blank look, his eyes harboring a touch of frost. He then bypassed her and opened the door to the private room, gesturing for the little girl to enter.

Without any acknowledgment from the adults, An An felt puzzled. She toddled into the room, pondering with the little understanding she had.

Mam had told her that it was polite to respond when spoken to. Had the auntie not seen her?

Then she decided she needed to grow taller and bigger quickly, so she wouldn't be overlooked again!