You tricked me into raising your son? You'll divorce me and become my aunt.

Ironically, she and Fu Tingchen have already reached the point of divorce and will soon be complete strangers.

They didn't care about her marital status at all; they only cared about taking from her and squeezing out every last bit of value from her.

Looking at Xu Jianye and Lin Xiyue's earnest requests for help, Fu Tingchen said calmly, "Sure, I will arrange for someone to handle the investment in the project, and I can also pay for Xiyue's study abroad expenses."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jianye's face lit up with joy, and he nodded repeatedly with a smile.

"That's wonderful, Tingchen. I knew I hadn't made a mistake in choosing you. Ningning married the right person."

Xu Jianye glanced around, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction in front of his relatives.

That expression seemed to say, "You all see, right? My daughter and son-in-law have a great relationship."

A while ago, Fu Tingchen got into a fight over a woman, which caused quite a stir online.

Many relatives came to ask Xu Jianye questions, hoping to see a good show.

Xu Jianye was also feeling uncertain during this period.

I'm afraid that Ruan Ning and Fu Tingchen's marriage is really in trouble.

Ruan Ning had promised him she would come back for dinner, but she hadn't seen him since.

He thought the young couple's relationship was really in trouble and was worried that Fu Tingchen, the son-in-law of a wealthy family, was going to be gone. He couldn't sleep for several days in a row.

Fortunately, Fu Tingchen accompanied Ruan Ning back today.

The huge weight that had been hanging over his heart for several days finally lifted.

Although the relatives were jealous, they still did their best to put on a good show, praising Ruan Ning for marrying well and Fu Tingchen for being generous and righteous.

Ruan Ning's expression grew colder and colder.

Embarrassing, ironic, and disheartening.

My chest felt so tight I could hardly breathe.

She said coldly, "I disagree."

As soon as he finished speaking, all sound in the private room ceased abruptly, leaving an eerie silence.

Xu Jianye's smile froze, and he turned to look at Ruan Ning in disbelief. "Ningning, do you know what you're saying?"

Liu Hui's face also turned cold instantly, her eyes filled with displeasure and disgust.

Ruan Ning's face was frosty. "I said, I don't agree with the investment, and the Fu family won't sponsor Lin Xiyue's studies abroad."

Fu Tingchen looked over in surprise.

Xu Jianye's face turned green with anger, and his tone became more forceful: "Ruan Ning, don't be ridiculous. It's only natural for family members to help each other. Tingchen has already agreed, so what right do you have to say anything?"

Stepmother Liu Hui followed up, her face also full of displeasure, "Ningning, Tingchen has already agreed. Xiyue is ambitious and wants to study abroad, which is a rare opportunity. As her older sister, how can you be so selfish and hinder your younger sister's future?"

"And the family company is your father's hard work over the years. Now that the company is in trouble, how can you just stand by and watch it die? You can't just think about enjoying your own life and ignore our lives."

After Liu Hui finished speaking, Lin Xiyue, her eyes also red, softly said, "Sister, I just want to study and improve myself. I haven't done anything wrong. Why don't you agree? Why are you targeting me like this?"

Some of the relatives in the house smiled, waiting to see what would happen.

Some criticized Ruan Ning for being ignorant.

"Tingchen is willing to help, Ningning, so don't throw a tantrum. Be more sensible."

"We're all family, it's only right to lend a helping hand. Ningning, what you're saying is really hurtful."

"You can't just marry into a wealthy family and then abandon your family to their fate! How can you be so selfish?"

"..."

Accusations came from all sides.

No one was willing to ask her why she refused.

Everyone thought she was being immature and selfish.

Ruan Ning glanced around at the relatives who were watching the commotion, her eyes filled with coldness.

She slowly began, "Dad, the company's poor management and long-term losses over the years are the result of your own wrong decisions and mismanagement. The projects you have been involved in have been losing money for years, and you should have stopped the losses long ago. You can't keep investing money in them."

"Even if Tingchen invests this money, those projects won't improve much. It's a bottomless pit; no matter how much money you invest, it won't help."

Xu Jianye's face turned ashen. "Shut up."

Ruan Ning didn't shut up. Her face remained cold as she continued, "Why didn't you communicate with me beforehand when you asked him for help? Today, you asked Fu Tingchen for money in front of all the relatives. Do you think I'm just a decoration?"

After saying that, she turned to look at Liu Hui and Lin Xiyue, whose faces were pale.

"As for studying abroad, since the company has been losing money year after year and the family can't afford the tuition, then we shouldn't go."

"I told you to shut up!" Xu Jianye suddenly flew into a rage and slapped Ruan Ning across the face.

"Snap—"

The slap was sudden and loud.

Ruan Ning was caught off guard when Xu Jianye suddenly hit her, and before she could react, she received a solid slap.

Xu Jianye was so angry that he slapped Ruan Ning with great force, causing her head to tilt to one side and leaving a handprint on her fair skin.

The private room fell silent instantly.

Xu Jianye's chest heaved with anger.

Two days ago, after Fu Tingchen promised to come back for dinner, he specially invited this whole room of relatives over, just to save face.

He wanted to show those relatives who had been making sarcastic remarks recently that his son-in-law from a wealthy family was still there, and the Xu family's backing was still intact.

But now, this unfilial daughter, Ruan Ning, has made him lose face in front of all his relatives.

He was overcome with rage and couldn't help but attack Ruan Ning.

The room was filled with relatives, each with a different expression.

Some people looked shocked, while others smiled.

Everyone knew in their hearts that everything Ruan Ning said was true, and they were all waiting to see the show.

When Fu Tingchen saw Xu Jianye slap Ruan Ning, he was stunned for a moment. After realizing what had happened, he stood up abruptly and pulled Ruan Ning behind him.

Fu Tingchen's eyes were as cold as ice as he stared at Xu Jianye. "Let's talk this out. Why did you hit her?"

Ruan Ning covered her face, looking stunned.

This was the first time she had been hit.

Her father had never hit her before.

She stood there stunned for a long time.

Her mind was buzzing.

The surrounding sounds became blurred at that moment.

She didn't hear a single word that Fu Tingchen and her father were saying to each other.

She just wanted to escape this place.

Fu Tingchen was still arguing with Xu Jianye when he saw the people behind him suddenly rush out of the room.

He paused, his eyes darkening, and said to Xu Jianye, "I'll reconsider the investment."

After saying that, Fu Tingchen lifted his foot to chase after her.

But Xu Jianye grabbed him.

"Tingchen, you've already agreed to the investment, how can you go back on your word?"

"Let me go first." Fu Tingchen's face was as cold as ice in winter.

"You hit my wife, and you still want to ask me for investment?"

Ruan Ning ran out of the restaurant.

Xu Jianye's slap shattered the last vestige of hope she held for family ties.

Outside, the night was as dark as ink, with lights shining from every home, the city glittering, and cars and people bustling about.

Ruan Ning walked aimlessly forward, not knowing where to go.

She is now homeless.

The phone screen kept lighting up and turning off, and the vibration sound kept coming.

Ruan Ning seemed to have lost consciousness, completely unaware of any movement. She simply lowered her eyes, straightened her back, and numbly walked forward step by step.

She didn't want to answer the phone and couldn't be bothered to deal with anyone.

Everyone was pressuring her to back down and compromise.

No one cared about her.

She was like an empty shell, wandering the deserted streets, like a lonely soul abandoned by the world in the cold night.