He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

Upon hearing this question, Song Zhi subconsciously lowered her eyelashes and gently shook her head: "What's wrong with him? He was perfectly fine this morning."

Upon hearing this, Fu Ya frowned: "Has Lao Jiu been with you all this time?"

Song Zhi nodded, and was about to explain when Fu Ya interrupted her directly: "You don't need to explain to me. Although I have no right to interfere in the relationship between you and my brother, I am, after all, his older sister, and naturally I sincerely hope that he can be well."

Song Zhiwei was taken aback. She realized that Fu Ya's attitude towards her was completely different from before, no longer as warm and friendly as it used to be.

She looked at Fu Ya with a puzzled expression and asked softly, "Sister Fu Ya, what exactly do you want to say?"

Fu Ya replied calmly and expressionlessly, "When Lao Jiu returned to the old house today, he had a fierce argument with the old man over some things and was severely punished by him."

Song Zhi felt her breath catch in her throat, as if time itself had frozen at that moment.

Her lips trembled slightly as she murmured in a very soft voice, "Punishment, why?"

Fu Ya's cold gaze fixed directly on Song Zhi: "Why couldn't you guess?"

As she spoke, she shifted her gaze and slowly fixed it on the ring on Song Zhi's left ring finger. Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of dissatisfaction was evident in her expression.

"Are you together?"

Upon seeing this, Song Zhi was startled and instinctively tried to hide the hand wearing the ring.

However, before she could make a move, Fu Ya's indifferent voice, almost devoid of any emotion, entered her ears once again: "You should leave Lao Jiu. The two of you are not suitable."

These brief yet resolute words struck Song Zhi's heart like a heavy hammer, leaving her frozen in place as if struck by lightning.

This wasn't the first time Song Zhi had heard similar words.

She had heard it many times from Pei's mother and Qin Zheng's mother.

She always managed to act completely indifferent when facing those people.

Because she didn't like Pei Jinnian and Qin Zheng at all, she naturally didn't care what their parents said.

But now, facing Fu Lu's family and hearing these words again, Song Zhi suddenly felt as if her heart was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, causing her unbearable pain.

They've only just started dating, how can you so easily conclude that they're not a good match?

Song Zhi bit her lower lip, trying to calm her surging emotions, and mustered her courage to say, "Sister Fu Ya, I really like Ninth Brother, could you give me a chance..."

Unfortunately, before she could finish her attempt to plead her case, Fu Ya ruthlessly interrupted her. Fu Ya waved her hand impatiently and said coldly, "Old Ninth was punished by my father because of you."

When my mother gave birth to our ninth child, she was already over fifty years old. She also passed away on the day our ninth child was born. My father is almost eighty now.

I practically raised Lao Jiu from childhood. How can you bear to see him break ties with his family for you?

Song Zhi's breath hitched, and she froze on the spot.

She never dreamed that her mere romance with Fu Lu would escalate to the point where Fu Lu would completely sever ties with his family.

"Sister Fu Ya, my feelings for him are genuine. I love him very much. Please, please grant me your blessing."

Song Zhi's eyes reddened, tears welled up, and she pleaded in a sobbing voice.

After going through so much, she finally broke through the defenses deep in her heart and got together with Fu Lu. It's impossible for her to just end this relationship in such an ambiguous way.

Fu Ya looked at Song Zhi, sighed helplessly, and said in a flat tone, "In our circle, so-called liking is completely worthless."

Miss Song, there's something you probably don't know yet. The Fu family is currently preparing for a marriage alliance with the Zhou family, and the person Ninth Brother will be marrying is the eldest daughter of the Zhou family.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi looked surprised.

Fu Ya raised an eyebrow and retorted, "What? You don't know?"

Song Zhi shook her head blankly.

Seeing this, Fu Ya slowly explained, "I originally thought you knew about this, after all, your brother beat up someone else's son."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi's pupils contracted sharply, and she asked incredulously, "What do you mean?"

When Song Zhi said this, her voice trembled noticeably.

Fu Ya took a deep breath and said slowly, "Your brother recently beat the heir of the Zhou family so badly that he ended up in the hospital."

This matter has become widely known, and the Zhou family is taking a very firm stance. They are determined not to let it go and insist on sending your brother to jail.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi felt as if she had been struck by lightning; her face instantly turned pale, and her body swayed involuntarily.

Her lips trembled slightly, but she couldn't utter a sound.

When Fu Ya and the family doctor left, Song Zhi still stood blankly in the center of the living room like a statue.

Until Fu Ya and the doctor's footsteps faded into the distance, until they disappeared outside the door.

At this moment, Song Zhi's mind was filled with the echoes of every word Fu Ya had just said: Fu Lu was getting engaged.

And the eldest daughter of the Zhou family.

They've known each other since they were little; they're childhood sweethearts.

Thinking of this, Song Zhi couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

Suddenly, a slight noise came from the direction of the bedroom, and Song Zhi came back to her senses. She slowly turned around and walked towards the bedroom with slightly heavy steps.

Pushing open the bedroom door, one could see Fu Lu leaning against the bed, with several soft pillows behind him.

"Ninth Brother, how are you feeling right now? Is there anything bothering you?"

Song Zhi quickly walked to the bedside and asked with concern.

Fu Lu smiled and extended a hand to her.

Seeing this, Song Zhi quickly and obediently stepped forward and carefully placed her small hand into his broad and warm palm.

"Has my sister already left?"

Fu Lu spoke softly, his gaze falling on Song Zhi's face as he spoke.

Song Zhi nodded gently and replied in a voice so low that only she could hear, "Mmm..."

Seeing that Song Zhi's mood was a bit off, Fu Lu quickly asked, "My sister didn't say anything to you, did she?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi stiffened and then gently shook her head.

But clearly, Fu Lu didn't believe it at all.

He said, "I'll call her and ask her what nonsense she told you."

He then started looking for his phone.

Seeing this, Song Zhi quickly stopped her, saying, "No need to hit her, your sister really didn't say anything to me."

Fu Lu didn't speak, just stared straight at her.

Feeling a little guilty under his scrutinizing gaze, Song Zhi looked away and said in a low voice, "Just say that you caught a cold because your dad made you kneel outside as punishment."