Chapter 10 Forum

“Despicable man! Despicable man!” Wen Lan Sheng’s delicate eyes twisted with resentment and hatred.

“What’s wrong with Lan Sheng? What happened?” Hearing the clattering commotion in the living room, Xie Cen rushed out from the bedroom.

“Ah, this perfectly good food, why did you smash it all?!” Xie Cen said heartachingly, looking at the soup and food spilled all over the floor.

“It’s nothing.” Wen Lan Sheng’s voice was so deliberately calm it seemed unnatural as he squatted down to clean up the mess.

Xie Cen’s expression was worried. After hesitating for a moment, Xie Cen asked, “Did you have a fight with Fan Xia?”

Wen Lan Sheng’s hand paused as he was picking up the shattered tableware. Then he raised his head, smiling slightly, “Dad, what are you thinking? Fan Xia and I are fine. We didn’t fight.”

Xie Cen breathed a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good then. I saw you lose your temper so badly just now, I thought you had a fight with Fan Xia… Speaking of which, what exactly happened?”

“It’s nothing, I just ran into someone I dislike.” Wen Lan Sheng knelt on the floor, using a cloth to wipe the grease off the floorboards bit by bit, his eyes dark and unable to see the light.

Xie Cen chuckled, “You got so angry over such a small thing? You rarely get mad, except for that time in college when a man was flirting with Fan Xia…”

As Xie Cen spoke, Xie Cen saw Wen Lan Sheng’s tightly pressed lips. Xie Cen’s expression changed slightly and hurriedly asked, “It couldn’t be that Fan Xia is fooling around outside?”

“Dad, don’t think such nonsense. Fan Xia isn’t the type to mess around outside.” Wen Lan Sheng said with furrowed brows.

“I know, I know, Fan Xia inherited Director Fan’s loyalty. But that can’t stop those shameless flirty men out there.” Xie Cen said with some concern, “To be honest, Fan Xia has attracted boys since she was young. Now that she has a successful career with a car and house, who knows how many men have their eyes on her. Men these days will use any means necessary to climb the ranks… A woman with such good qualities like Fan Xia is really hard to find. Lan Sheng, you need to hold on tight. Only then can you live a worry-free life as a kept husband in your later years.”

Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes flickered. “Dad, Fan Xia and I aren’t together for money.”

If he wanted money, he wouldn’t have given himself to her who had nothing back in the second year of high school. Just being able to have Fan Xia was already very satisfying to him. He only wanted to live a simple life with Fan Xia.

But Fan Xia’s development was beyond his expectations. She was too outstanding. Even if she fell, she would still sparkle in the dust. Not to mention after she got into the top university in the capital, her entire being radiated a dazzling brilliance. He was happy for her success, but also felt inferior due to his own mediocrity. The gap between them was really too big. So big that whenever someone found out they were a couple and about to get married, their first reaction was not congratulations, but confusion and shock.

“I know, you started secretly dating behind your mom’s and my back since high school. You’re childhood sweethearts with a love stronger than gold. But you need to realize, the Fan Xia now is different from the Fan Xia before. Even if she loves you, she can’t stop outsiders from deliberately trying to drive a wedge, especially at this critical juncture. You must be on guard.” Xie Cen said.

Wen Lan Sheng replied in a flat voice, “I know, don’t worry.”

Chasing away the flirty men around Fan Xia was something he had done countless times since high school. It’s just that Fan Xia didn’t know.

Seeing Wen Lan Sheng like this, Xie Cen nodded with peace of mind and returned to the bedroom.

After cleaning up the mess in the dining room, Wen Lan Sheng picked up his phone.

“Fan Xia, Senior Rong Xiu hung up too quickly just now. I didn’t even get a chance to say a few more words.”

“Tell Senior Rong Xiu to take good care of himself. It’s not easy for a man to survive in a female-dominated business world. Every day he’s either socializing with directors from other companies or attending various business banquets, often getting so drunk he’s out of his mind. Like that time you had to go to the club to pick him up… Who knows how much those women made him drink…”

“Senior Rong Xiu really has it tough. Take good care of him. Make sure his fever is gone before you come back.”

“Oh right, last time at Cloud Top Restaurant you said their seafood soup was delicious. I specifically searched for the recipe online and tried making it. The taste is pretty close to theirs. When are you coming back to try it?”

Ding ding dong dong, the continuous phone notifications sounded.

Rong Xiu calmly took out a set of bowls and spoons, ladled a bowl of porridge and placed it in front of Fan Xia. Steam rose from the bowl. “There’s not much to eat in the fridge. You must be hungry after taking care of me all day.”

“No need. Since you’re fine now, I’ll head back first.” Fan Xia looked at the incessant messages popping up and prepared to leave.

“In such a hurry? Is Lan Sheng still mad? Are you rushing back to coax him?” Rong Xiu unhurriedly scooped a spoonful of yam pumpkin porridge and said. The yam pumpkin porridge melted in his mouth, its smooth and delicate flavor lingering on the tip of his tongue. Rong Xiu secretly tightened his grip on the spoon handle. So warm.

“No, Lan Sheng isn’t mad. He even told me to take good care of you. It’s just that I see it’s gotten late. Your fever has gone down too. Me staying here any longer would be a bit superfluous.” As Fan Xia spoke, she stood up and removed the apron from her waist. In a simple navy blue shirt, her skin was as flawless as an oil painting, dazzlingly white.

Not mad? Rong Xiu’s fingers tapped the island counter lazily, somewhat beyond his expectations. Wen Lan Sheng’s eyes were practically spitting fire during the video call just now.

But since he wanted to put on an act of being kind and magnanimous in front of Fan Xia, then he’d let him have his way.

“How could you be superfluous? I need you right now.” Rong Xiu gently put down the porcelain spoon, his narrow eyes shedding their usual coldness and sharpness due to his illness.

He pulled up some information on his phone and handed it to Fan Xia.

“My dear sister actually wants to sell her remaining shares and the 5% Father holds to Newman Group, kicking me out of the chairman position through a competitor’s acquisition.”

Looking at the private chat records between Rong Yan and Newman Company on the phone, Fan Xia’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Rong Xiu held 30% of the shares in Shan Hai Group, which was extremely rare in listed companies. It gave him absolute authority and an unshakable position. Rong Yan must have lost her mind to try to seize power.

“Let’s not even mention the low probability of success for Newman Group’s forced acquisition plan. Even if they really push the plan through, we can use poison pill policies or scorched-earth defense as countermeasures. But the best solution is still to resolve this peacefully.” After some thought, Fan Xia said.

“That’s what I was thinking too.” Rong Xiu nodded, messy strands of hair falling over his upturned eyes, carrying a hint of languid laziness amidst his nonchalance. “Although I dislike her, I also don’t want to waste time on someone like her.”

“Then let’s acquire the shares in her hands.” Fan Xia sat back down.

From the corner of his eye, Rong Xiu saw Fan Xia sit back down beside him. His cool brows and eyes revealed a barely noticeable smile.

“Eat while we talk.” He placed the porridge Fan Xia had neglected earlier back in front of her. His deep, hoarse voice was like a cello bow rubbing against the heart.

Fan Xia hesitated for a long while before accepting the porcelain spoon he handed over.

This discussion lasted until 11 PM. The moon had climbed out from between the mountains at some point, hanging high in the inky sky. Late at night, all sounds quieted down. Only the nearby ocean waves lapped against the reef rocks with a gentle rustle. The soft moonlight passed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on her calm and gentle profile.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll persuade Ms. Rong Yan.” Fan Xia checked the time and finalized the last step of the plan.

“Alright.” Rong Xiu nodded, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

“Oh right, take this before I go.” Fan Xia smiled and pushed the medicine the private doctor left in front of him.

“……” Rong Xiu didn’t say anything.

Seeing the rare, obvious resistance in Rong Xiu’s usually indifferent, inscrutable gaze, the chairman of the largest private medical group in the country was actually afraid of taking medicine. Fan Xia chuckled softly, “This is the last dose of medicine for today. Take it so I can leave with peace of mind.”

Rong Xiu’s thick lashes trembled slightly, his heart seeming to be fiercely slammed by something. “…Alright.”

Under Fan Xia’s gaze, Rong Xiu took the water she brought and swallowed the pills whole. An indescribable bitterness flowed through his throat. He raised his head, his eyes looking at her quietly, appearing somewhat moist from the extreme bitterness.

Like a puppy waiting for its owner’s praise. A treasonous thought popped into Fan Xia’s mind.

She quickly brushed it away and stood up. “I’ll get going then. See you tomorrow.”

Rong Xiu lowered his eyes, an inexplicable sense of loss seeping through his calm expression. “…See you tomorrow.”

*

It was 11 PM.

Wen Lan Sheng tossed and turned in bed. He had thought after sending that string of messages to Fan Xia, she would hurry back as soon as possible. But things didn’t develop as he had imagined.

It must be Rong Xiu, putting on an act, using every trick to keep her from leaving.

Otherwise, she would already be lying by his pillow now.

But he couldn’t call again to ask. If he asked too frequently, not only would Fan Xia find him annoying, that despicable Rong Xiu would definitely take the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, saying he was too domineering with too much desire for control.

He couldn’t move forward, but he also couldn’t retreat. He was clearly the rightful man by Fan Xia’s side.

Wen Lan Sheng gritted his teeth. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He crawled out of bed, turned on his phone, entered the Clover Forum, and posted: [Late night vent session, let’s chat about my fiancée’s green tea male boss]

Clover Forum was a well-known gossip forum with a user base spanning from teenagers to men in their fifties. After getting married, most men return to family life, so these people have a lot of time to go online. Therefore, posts about interpersonal relationships like exposing mistresses, identifying green tea scum, etc. have the highest traffic on Clover Forum, and these users also have the most formidable fighting strength.

Although Wen Lan Sheng had thickly encrypted all kinds of information so these people couldn’t find the real people involved, it was enough to make these housekeepers and legitimate wife supporters who hated mistresses and green tea the most gnash their teeth in rage.

In less than half an hour, there were already over a hundred replies.

[I’m truly disgusted by those green teas who wave the flag of independent males while openly trying to steal other people’s girlfriends, how d*mn shameless!] [OP has it rough. Usually green teas can be directly confronted, but he just so happens to be your fiancée’s boss. You’ll probably have to put up with him forever.] [Green tea, look here! Can’t you just call a designated driver if you get drunk in the middle of the night? Why do you have to make someone else’s fiancée come pick you up, jasmine-tea.jpg] [Yue! Can you report him, ruin his reputation?] [To the comment above, probably not unless there’s irrefutable evidence. Otherwise he can turn around and sue you for defamation.] [Agreeing with the comment above, don’t overestimate a green tea’s character. As soon as OP reports, the green tea will cry and act weak in front of the fiancée, a perfect white lotus in this flourishing age. The fiancée will probably think OP went too far. By then, OP’s wedding plans will fall through ┓(?_?)┏] [Save me, just thinking about how OP is alone guarding an empty room at this time while the green tea male is by the fiancée’s side pulling all sorts of tricks makes my fists clench!]

“Why are you still awake?” Fan Xia pushed open the bedroom door. Seeing the light still on and Wen Lan Sheng sitting at the head of the bed staring intently at his phone, she asked.

Wen Lan Sheng put down his phone. Seeing a stream of curses directed at Rong Xiu online dissipated more than half his anger. He turned off the phone screen and tossed it aside, rushing forward to hug Fan Xia. “I was waiting for you to come back.”

“Sorry, I originally wanted to come back earlier, but something came up last minute and I couldn’t leave. Don’t be mad.” Fan Xia explained.

“I would never be mad at you. You work so hard, I just feel distressed for you.” Wen Lan Sheng said considerately, burying his head in the crook of her neck and taking a deep whiff of her scent. Amidst the familiar faint fragrance was a trace of unfamiliar, clear cedar.

Wen Lan Sheng bit his lip without a word, but his eyes held a chilling glint!