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

Pei Jinnian nodded slightly, but his gaze passed over Fu An and lingered briefly on Fu Lu and Song Zhi.

Although she quickly looked away, Song Zhi felt a chill run down her spine for no apparent reason.

"Did you bring all the gifts?" Fu An asked, looking up at her.

Pei Jinnian took a velvet gift box from the inside pocket of his suit.

"The cigars that Mr. Fu liked."

"You've thought of everything."

Fu An raised his voice meaningfully, "My uncle is very particular about etiquette, unlike some people who don't even bring a gift when they visit." As he spoke, he glanced at Song Zhi provocatively.

Pei Jinnian smiled and walked towards them, bowing respectfully to Fu Lu: "Ninth Brother."

Fu Lu didn't even spare a glance, forcefully wrapped his arm around Song Zhi's waist, and led her away.

As they passed each other, Song Zhi clearly saw that Pei Jinnian's hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched so tightly they were white, and the veins were bulging.

Even after the two figures disappeared outside the porch, that sinister gaze remained like a leech clinging to the hand on Song Zhi's lower back.

"Jin Nian?" Fu An tugged at his sleeve. "What are you daydreaming about?"

Pei Jinnian snapped out of her reverie, a gentle smile curving her lips: "It's nothing."

"Don't mind my brother's attitude," Fu An said tenderly, straightening his tie on tiptoe. "Anyway, I've made up my mind about you."

Pei Jinnian's gaze deepened: "Is that Ninth Brother's fiancée?"

"Hmph, just someone who took advantage of a moment's weakness."

Fu An lowered her voice, "I heard she deliberately got pregnant. My uncle was so eager for a grandson that he finally agreed. Otherwise, given her background, she wouldn't even be allowed into the Fu family."

Pei Jinnian ran his fingertips along the edge of the gift box and said softly, "You're pregnant."

"Isn't that right? She can't possibly enter the Fu family if she's not pregnant. My uncle always disagreed, but she relentlessly pestered my brother, and I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Pei Jinnian released her and interrupted her calmly, "Let's go in."

in the living room.

Song Zhi sat next to Fu Lu, listening to the old man talk about the wedding.

Actually, Song Zhi didn't care what happened; what she cared about was who she would marry.

Fu Lu noticed that she seemed a little absent-minded, so he reached out and squeezed her hand: "What are you daydreaming about? Are you not paying attention to our wedding?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi immediately shook her head: "No, no."

"Did you listen to what the old man said just now?"

Song Zhi: “…”

She felt that Fu Lu did it on purpose.

It's like when I wasn't paying attention in class, and the teacher insisted on calling on me to answer a question in front of everyone.

Song Zhi glared at him with a resentful look.

Fu Lu chuckled softly and put his arm around Song Zhi's shoulder: "What's wrong? Are you not satisfied?"

"No."

Fu Lu explained, "Because you are pregnant now, the wedding will be kept simple, and your father and grandmother have agreed to that."

"Yes, I know."

"If you don't like it, then we can discuss it again."

"No, no, I think it's fine as it is."

Just as Song Zhigang finished speaking, Fu An pulled Pei Jinnian in.

Fu An ignored Song Zhi's family and greeted Old Master Fu: "Uncle, this is Pei Jinnian. I brought him to pay his respects to you."

Grandpa Fu glanced at Pei Jinnian and gave a faint reply.

Pei Jinnian stepped forward and said respectfully, "Uncle, this is a small token of my appreciation."

As he spoke, he handed over the gift he had brought.

Grandpa Fu didn't even glance at it before instructing the butler to put it away.

The butler stepped forward: "Young Master Pei, you're very kind."

Although Pei Jinnian was unhappy, he didn't vent his anger.

Fu An, being carefree, didn't notice Pei Jinnian's bad mood and said with a smile, "Uncle, Jinnian and I are planning to get married."

What did your parents say?

“My parents respect my choice, but I still want my uncle’s support and blessing.”

Grandpa Fu nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I'm glad you like it. Please sit down."

Fu An smiled and pulled Pei Jinnian to sit opposite Song Zhi. He then said to Song Zhi, "Sister-in-law, I heard that you and my brother are also having a wedding. Jinnian and I can take a look."

"We just plan to have a family gathering and a meal; we don't intend to have a big celebration."

Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Fu An's eyes.

She knew it; how could the Fu family possibly look favorably upon someone of Song Zhi's status? They even planned to make a fuss about the wedding.

She said smugly, "I can't do that. After all, marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Jin Nian values ​​me, so he definitely won't just do it casually." As she spoke, she took Pei Jin Nian's hand and said coquettishly, "Right, Jin Nian?"

Pei Jinnian nodded subtly.

Fu An nodded in satisfaction and looked at Song's father, who was sitting in a wheelchair: "Uncle Song, what do you, the Song family, plan to give as a dowry when your daughter marries into our Fu family?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Song gripped the sides of the wheelchair somewhat helplessly.

He hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Seeing the embarrassment on her father's face, Song Zhi felt terrible.

She always thought that as long as there was love between her and Fu Lu, that was enough; it was about the two of them getting married and living their lives together.

But at this moment, Song Zhi realized the gap between herself and Fu Lu.

She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Fu Lu spoke first: "I don't have anything to give your sister-in-law, after all, she controls the family finances."

Upon hearing this, Fu An looked incredulous: "Brother, what do you mean by this?"

“All my assets are with your sister-in-law, so I’ll be the one who benefits from marrying her.”

As he spoke, Fu Lu looked at Song Zhi and continued, "It is my greatest blessing that your sister-in-law is willing to marry me."

Song Zhi's eyes reddened slightly, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Fu An's expression was rather unpleasant, clearly not expecting Fu Lu to protect Song Zhi like this.

She snorted coldly, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Brother, you're really generous. But the Fu family isn't a place just anyone can climb up to."

Fu Lu's eyes suddenly turned cold, and his voice was deep and authoritative: "Fu An, watch your words. Song Zhi is my wife. If you can't learn to respect her, then please leave."

Fu An was intimidated by Fu Lu's imposing manner. He gritted his teeth but ultimately dared not say anything more.

Grandpa Fu, who was sitting in the main seat, said, "Alright, An'an, I know about your situation. If there's nothing else, you can go back now."

Upon hearing this, Fu An's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

She never expected that when she brought her boyfriend over as a guest, Grandpa Fu wouldn't even let them stay for dinner and would directly send them away.

Although he was unwilling, Fu An knew who was in charge of this family.

So we can only endure it.

"Then, Uncle, Jin Nian and I will be leaving now."

Grandpa Fu waved his hand: "Go ahead."

Pei Jinnian didn't say anything, but glanced at Song Zhi as he left.

After the two left, Old Master Fu patted Song's father on the shoulder with an apologetic expression and said gently, "My dear in-law, that child is young and ignorant. Don't take what he said to heart."

Mr. Song forced a smile and shook his head.

But Mr. Song's heart was still heavy.

A daughter's marriage should be a joyous occasion, but instead of providing her with a dowry, I have become a burden to her.