Volume One, Chapter Six: Who Dares to Touch Her

Everyone turned toward the speaker—it was Old Master Fu. He stood before them, supporting himself with a black ebony cane, his hair as white as snow; his presence commanded respect without the need for anger.

Fu Yanting's raised hand froze mid-air.

“Fu Yanting, does my word count for nothing now?” Old Master Fu's gaze was stern as he glared at Fu Yanting.

Fu Yanting shot a vicious look at Yu Mo, withdrew his arm, his face clouded with displeasure. “Yu Mo, get out of my sight now. Don’t let me see you again!”

“Fu Yanting, do you not care for your right to inherit the Fu family?” Old Master Fu gripped his ebony cane with both hands, steadying himself. The butler rushed over to support him.

Yu Mo hurried forward as well, her brows knitted in concern. “Grandfather, are you alright?”

Old Master Fu waved her off. The granddaughter-in-law he favored, yet his “obedient” grandson was blind to her virtues. It seemed the Fu family truly lacked the fortune to welcome someone like Mo Mo as a granddaughter-in-law.

Xie Mengqi clearly couldn't stand to see her grandfather side with an outsider and, unable to resist, began to complain, “Grandfather, it was Yu Mo who provoked Brother Fu’s girlfriend first. Brother Fu was just standing up for her.”

“Silence!” Old Master Fu’s deep, weathered eyes flashed with anger at Xie Mengqi, who fell silent, though she still looked unconvinced.

At this moment, Xu Hong spoke up. “Old Master Fu, you’re being unfair. This Miss Yu had quite the attitude just now. I merely wanted to visit her family’s clinic, and she showed no respect.”

Old Master Fu’s brows furrowed as he considered his words. “You must be President Xu of the Xu Group. Mo Mo is a bit blunt—please don’t take offense.”

Yu Mo frowned at Old Master Fu. She hated that he, at his age, had to smooth things over for her with this oily man. Her hand curled tightly into a fist.

“Grandfather, I was just joking with President Xu. If he wishes to visit our clinic, I’d be delighted. It’s just that my grandfather is getting on in years, and I worry we might delay President Xu’s treatment.”

Xu Hong smiled smugly, his gaze boldly sweeping over Yu Mo. “Is that so? I’d like to invite you to dinner this evening, Miss Yu. I trust you won’t refuse?”

His tone held no overt threat, but Yu Mo knew he was pushing her. If she agreed, she’d surely be taken advantage of; if she refused…

As she hesitated, Xie Mengqi interjected, “Yu Mo! What’s wrong with you? President Xu’s request is so simple—can’t you just comply?”

Didn’t she see President Xu was losing patience? This Yu Mo was truly trouble.

The Fu Corporation relied on many dealings with the Xu Group; offending Xu Hong would jeopardize their business. Fu Yanting, aware of the stakes, also spoke up. “Yu Mo, you’ll accompany President Xu to dinner tonight. I’ll take you there myself.”

His tone brooked no argument, as if Yu Mo were his subordinate, obliged to obey every command.

Lin Hua chimed in as well, “That’s right, Yu Mo, it’s just a meal.”

Yu Mo sneered. She’d spent six years being foolish; she had no intention of continuing. She turned to Lin Hua. “Then you go. Dining with President Xu should be your honor.”

“Yu Mo! I must have been too lenient with you these years. You need to be taught a lesson!” Fu Yanting raised his hand again.

“Anyone who dares lay a finger on her—” A cold, commanding male voice cut through the air.

Everyone turned to see a tall, upright man standing there. His tailored suit emphasized his aristocratic bearing. His jawline was perfectly defined; on his pale face, a pair of strikingly red, thin lips stood out. His nose was high and straight, and above it was an ornate, dark gold mask, its intricate pattern lending him an even more enigmatic aura. The eyes beneath the mask were deep and unfathomable, tinged with a mysterious detachment, as if they could see straight through a person’s soul.

Xie Mengqi’s eyes lit up at the sight of him. She had never encountered such a charismatic man. Even behind the mask, his dignified, aloof presence was impossible to ignore.

Mu Shaozhou’s gaze, initially fixed on Yu Mo, shifted briefly to Xie Mengqi, but he merely glanced at her, ignoring her entirely, then looked away. His attention settled at last on Fu Yanting, his cold stare radiating a bone-chilling menace.

To dare strike his woman—he wouldn’t hesitate to end this man.

Fu Yanting felt as if a thousand needles pricked his back, his scalp prickling for an instant. “Who are you? What’s your relationship with Yu Mo?” He met the man’s gaze, full of challenge—this man’s presence was intolerably irksome.

Lin Hua also scrutinized the mysterious stranger. He moved with the elegance of a prince, but his eyes sent a shiver through her, as if her innermost thoughts were being laid bare. She lowered her head slightly, choosing to say nothing more, quietly observing.

Mu Shaozhou locked eyes with Fu Yanting, the look in his eyes as sharp and steely as a blade fresh from the forge. His crimson lips parted slightly. “No particular relationship. I just couldn’t stand by and watch—you, so many of you, bullying a woman and an old man. Don’t you feel ashamed?”

Fu Yanting ground his teeth. “The Fu family’s affairs are none of your concern.” He loathed this man. Even if Yu Mo was a woman he’d cast aside, he wouldn’t allow another man to covet her.

Xu Hong, noting the man was a head taller than himself and exuded an overwhelming aura, found it hard to breathe, but steadied himself and spoke with irritation, “Yet another meddler?”

Old Master Fu also sized up Mu Shaozhou, immediately recognizing his extraordinary bearing, though with his years, he couldn’t quite place which prominent family this young lord hailed from—after all, the scions of Shanghai’s elite changed with each generation.

He addressed Xu Hong, “President Xu, my granddaughter has always been a solitary child, not fond of socializing. Please, for my sake, let this matter rest.”

Hearing herself called “granddaughter” nearly moved Yu Mo to tears. Over the past six years, in pursuing Fu Yanting, she’d spent plenty of time with Old Master Fu and could sense his genuine affection, treating her as his own. It was one of the reasons she’d never given up on Fu Yanting.

She took Old Master Fu’s arm and called softly, “Grandfather.”

Though Old Master Fu was a few years younger than her own grandfather, a lifetime of hard work had left him with various ailments, though thankfully nothing too serious. Yu Mo often helped with acupuncture, massages, and brewing herbal tonics for him, which had brought notable improvement in recent years.

“No! Since that’s how it is, the Fu family can just wait. At eight tomorrow morning, the Xu Group will terminate all cooperation with you.” Xu Hong declared arrogantly.

Old Master Fu’s hands trembled slightly. “President Xu…”

“Heh!” Mu Shaozhou let out a cold, mocking laugh, as if he’d heard the world’s most ridiculous joke, his tone laced with disdain.

“What are you laughing at?” Xu Hong was furious. His authority had been challenged again and again tonight, and he would not let it stand. His face twisted with rage. “Who the hell do you think you are, hiding behind a mask and trying to act important?”

Yu Mo glanced at Mu Shaozhou. Nearly one meter ninety, his presence was imposing, and the slight curve of his lips was irresistibly alluring. He reminded her of someone—the handsome man she’d slept with.