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

Fu Ya spoke up from the side: "Dad, Lao Jiu said he has someone he likes."

The old man snorted heavily, his face full of displeasure, and said, "Trying to fool me with this excuse again! If this brat really had a girlfriend he liked, would I need to worry about him like this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man seemed to suddenly realize that there were still guests present. He quickly put on a smile and turned to Zhou Fu, saying, "Little Zhou, don't take what your ninth brother said just now to heart. He only said that to deceive me."

At this moment, Fu Ya, who had been silent all along, sat to the side with her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a long time, she chose to remain silent.

On the contrary, Zhou Fu responded obediently and sensibly, "Uncle Fu, don't worry, I won't mind."

Oh, right, it's getting late, I have to head back now. I'm afraid I won't have time to visit you and Sister Xiaoya again for the next while.

Hearing this, Fu Ya took over the conversation and asked, "Xiao Fu, I heard that your brother is in the hospital. What exactly happened?"

Zhou Fu sighed and answered truthfully, "Oh, Sister Xiaoya, my brother was bullied at school and was beaten so badly that he had to be hospitalized."

Upon hearing this, the old man's previously gentle expression instantly turned serious. His brows furrowed, and he said in a grave tone, "Such a thing actually happened? This is utterly outrageous!"

Zhou Fu nodded and said softly, "My dad is handling this matter, but I have to go to the hospital to take care of my younger brother. Uncle Fu, Sister Xiaoya, I'll be going now. I'll come to visit you again when I have time. Goodbye."

With that, she got up and walked towards the door.

When Zhou Fu came out, she saw Fu Lu's car slowly driving out of the garage.

She quickly chased after him.

Fu Lu stopped the car, rolled down the window, and glanced at her indifferently: "What is it?"

Zhou Fu pursed her lips slightly, revealing a gentle smile. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at Fu Lu sitting in the car and said softly, "Ninth Brother, could you please take me to the hospital? I want to visit my brother."

Fu Lu had heard about Zhou Rong; it was said that the child had suffered terrible bullying at school and was now hospitalized.

Under normal circumstances, he would have agreed without hesitation and personally escorted the person on their way.

But right now, all he could think about was the crying child on the other end of the phone, and he couldn't concentrate at all.

Fu Lu replied calmly, "Let the driver take you there. I have some urgent matters to attend to here, so it's not convenient for me to take you."

The smile that was originally on Zhou Fu's face froze instantly. She stared wide-eyed at Fu Lu in disbelief, as if she had never expected to be rejected so decisively.

Zhou Fu bit her lip tightly, her eyes gradually reddening, tears welling up. Then, with a slightly resentful and aggrieved look in her eyes, she asked in a trembling voice, "Ninth Brother, do you really hate me?"

Fu Lu hated women who cried all the time. Seeing Zhou Fu's half-crying expression made him extremely irritated.

However, out of respect for the elders of both families, Fu Lu suppressed his displeasure and tried to explain in a calm tone: "Don't overthink it, I didn't mean to dislike you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fu's face immediately broke into a bright smile again.

She nodded happily, like a child who had received a favorite candy, and said in a sweet voice, "As long as Ninth Brother doesn't hate me, that's fine!"

As she spoke, she eagerly reached out and opened the car door, quickly climbing into the passenger seat.

Fu Lu watched silently as she expertly fastened her seatbelt, then said speechlessly, "Miss Zhou, you..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Zhou Fu abruptly interrupted him.

Zhou Fu said with a reproachful look, "Ninth Brother, why do you always call me Miss Zhou? It sounds so formal!"

As she spoke, she stared intently at Fu Lu with her bright, expressive eyes.

Fu Lu said with some helplessness, "Let Uncle Chen take you to the hospital. I need to go to the airport now."

Zhou Fu grasped the key point Fu Lu had made and quickly asked, "What are you going to the airport for?"

Fu Lu didn't intend to explain further, and remained silent with his lips pursed.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhou Fu probably guessed that it was just an excuse for Fu Lu not to be alone with her.

She continued, "Actually, I know everything. You already have a girl you like, and the marriage agreement between our two families was just something our parents arranged unilaterally. It doesn't count at all!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Lu was startled, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He originally thought that a young lady from a prestigious family like Zhou Fu would obediently follow the arrangements of her elders and accept this so-called marriage.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhou Fu was different from those daughters of noble families, with her own independent thoughts and opinions.

Thinking of this, Fu Lu couldn't help but look at Zhou Fu with new respect. Even his usually cold and stern face softened a little, no longer as cold and devoid of warmth as before.

After a moment of silence, Fu Lu broke the silence and asked softly, "I heard your brother was hospitalized. How is he? He should be alright, right?"

Zhou Fu sighed softly and replied, "Sigh, it's just a small problem, but this time my father is furious. He wants to teach that thug who injured my brother a lesson and make sure he gets arrested!"

After listening to Zhou Fu's words, Fu Lu responded calmly, "Okay, then I'll take you to the hospital first." After saying that, he drove off again.

Throughout the journey, Fu Lu focused on driving and didn't say a word.

At that time, Zhou Fu was still talking about her younger brother.

"People like him are better off not going out and causing trouble for others. Let them spend their whole lives working on a sewing machine."

While driving, Fu Lu replied, "If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fu's eyes lit up instantly: "Really? Can I really come to see you?"

When Zhou Fu said this, her voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Fu Lu said calmly, "Why not? As long as it's something I can help with."

Zhou Fu giggled happily after hearing this, and said playfully, "Okay, I'll come find you when I need something, but you can't complain that I'm annoying."

After saying that, she winked at Fu Lu.

Fu Lu gently shook his head and replied with a smile, "It's not that annoying."

Although Fu Lu's expression remained indifferent, Zhou Fu was very content.

Fu Lu has always had this kind of personality since he was a child.

At least, she knew that she was different in Fu Lu's heart.