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

Ruan Ning made eye contact with Jin Xiuhan for a moment, then quickly looked away and continued walking forward.

She knew that Jin Xiuhan was cold-blooded and was known in the business world for his ruthlessness and inhumanity.

But I never expected that he could be so heartless towards a woman who loved him so much.

The woman before me is beautiful, gentle, deeply affectionate, and loves with a humble yet pure devotion.

But she happened to meet Jin Xiuhan, and all her passionate love was misplaced.

Ruan Ning felt it was a pity.

Soon, Ruan Ning walked to the elevator door and pressed the button.

A moment later, with a soft "ding," the elevator doors slowly opened.

As Ruan Ning stepped into the elevator and reached out to press the button for her floor, Jin Xiuhan followed her in.

The man's cold aura then enveloped them.

The atmosphere in the small, enclosed space was eerily quiet.

Ruan Ning subconsciously moved to the corner of the elevator, deliberately creating distance.

She wasn't familiar with Jin Xiuhan to begin with, and having accidentally stumbled upon his private affairs earlier, she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.

Jin Xiuhan noticed Ruan Ning's subtle, deliberate avoidance.

The man lowered his eyes, his cool gaze sweeping over the woman in the corner who was deliberately keeping her distance, a hint of coldness flashing in his deep, dark eyes.

Ruan Ning could clearly feel the powerful pressure coming from her side.

She remained silent for a moment, thinking it over carefully, before speaking softly: "Mr. Jin, I won't say anything about what happened just now, and I hope you won't tell Fu Tingchen that I'm staying here."

Upon hearing this, Jin Xiuhan curled his lips and spoke in a deep, magnetic voice beside Ruan Ning: "You're overthinking it. I'm not so bored as to meddle in other people's business."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Ning breathed a sigh of relief and softly replied, "That's good."

Soon, the elevator arrived at the corresponding floor.

With a "ding," the elevator doors opened.

The two stepped out of the elevator one after the other.

The corridor was quiet, with warm yellow light softly filtering through the walls.

Ruan Ning walked straight to her room.

The man behind her walked unhurriedly toward the door on the other side.

-

Haicheng's top private club.

Fu Tingchen specially organized a gathering, inviting only his closest friends Ji Nanfeng, Shao Xun, and Lu Yao.

He brought Bai Xinyao with him.

Inside the private room.

She sat quietly beside Fu Tingchen, wearing a gentle and elegant beige dress, her long hair loosely tied up, her eyebrows and eyes gentle, looking charming and touching.

Everyone present knew that Bai Xinyao was Fu Tingchen's cherished first love and unattainable ideal.

Even though Fu Tingchen had already married Ruan Ning, Ruan Ning was more like an outsider in this relationship.

Fu Tingchen gently swirled the wine in his glass and said to Ji Nanfeng, "Nanfeng, your family has invested in the brain-computer interface research project led by Academician Zhou Chongshan. I'm here today to ask you for a favor."

Ji Nanfeng raised an eyebrow. "You said it. We're all brothers, so I'll definitely help if I can."

Fu Tingchen said, "Xinyao has always been very interested in the field of biological research. Her previous major in information technology at University A in the United States was also related to this research project. She wants to join this brain-computer interface project and learn from the top seniors in the industry."

"I've tried with Academician Zhou, but he won't accept Xinyao. I'd like to ask you which other highly respected and experienced seniors are in your project team. I'd like to use my connections to get Xinyao accepted as a disciple and join the research team."

After saying this, Ji Nanfeng asked in surprise, "You've already contacted Old Zhou?"

Fu Tingchen nodded. "Yes, he refused."

Bai Xinyao lowered her eyes, looking very disappointed. "It's all because I'm mediocre and can't catch Old Master Zhou's eye."

"It's not your fault, Xinyao," Ji Nanfeng comforted Bai Xinyao. "Old Zhou is an upright man who disdains social interactions. It's extremely difficult, almost impossible, for him to become his disciple."

Bai Xinyao pursed her lips.

Ji Nanfeng glanced at Bai Xinyao, who looked dejected, and then at Fu Tingchen, who had a firm attitude. After a moment's thought, he began to seriously consider the core personnel structure of the project team.

He thought for a moment and then said, "This project also has another core leader, Elder Zhao Shenghong."

"He is a leading figure in the field of biomedical engineering in China. His qualifications, prestige, and professional capabilities are top-notch in the entire industry."

"Moreover, Professor Zhao has a gentle personality and is willing to mentor younger generations, making him easier to approach than Academician Zhou. Most importantly..." Ji Nanfeng paused for a moment as he spoke.

He looked at Shao Xun sitting opposite him and added, "Old Zhao and Shao Xun's grandfather are very close friends. If Shao Xun is willing to help, Old Zhao will most likely grant him that favor."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the private room turned their attention to Shao Xun, who had been sitting silently.

Fu Tingchen: "Shao Xun, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Please introduce Xin Yao to Elder Zhao. As long as Xin Yao can successfully become an apprentice and join the group, I will arrange all the subsequent matters."

Shao Xun's eyes flickered slightly, his fingertips tightened slightly, and a name flashed through his mind.

Ruan Ning.

For some reason, he felt a little sorry for Ruan Ning.

He paused for a few seconds, then tentatively asked, "Does Ruan Ning know about this?"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the private room instantly became awkward.

Fu Tingchen was clearly taken aback, a look of confusion flashing across his face.

What does this have to do with Ruan Ning? He never intended to tell Ruan Ning from the beginning.

In his heart, paving the way for Bai Xinyao was something he did willingly.

Nine years ago, Bai Xinyao became pregnant with his child, but he was unable to take responsibility for her, causing her endless suffering.

This is what he owes Bai Xinyao.

He has to make it up to her.

Therefore, it was only natural for him to plan Bai Xinyao's future; it was a private matter between him and Bai Xinyao, and had nothing to do with Ruan Ning.

Fu Tingchen paused for two seconds, then said, "This has nothing to do with Ruan Ning, there's no need to tell her, and none of you should mention it in front of her."

Upon hearing this, Ji Nanfeng, who was standing to the side, immediately sneered, his tone full of disdain.

"Why tell her? Does she even deserve to know?"

"This has nothing to do with her. Xinyao is so outstanding, she graduated with a master's degree from a world-class university. What is Ruan Ning? She can't do anything. To put it bluntly, she's just a decoration who depends on the Fu family and lives off Tingchen. She's not even worthy to carry Xinyao's shoes."

Ji Nanfeng used such harsh words to speak to Ruan Ning, but Fu Tingchen remained silent and did not stop him, which was considered as tacitly agreeing with Ji Nanfeng's words.

Subconsciously, he seemed to have always thought so.

Bai Xinyao is indeed very outstanding; she has always had excellent grades since childhood.

The Fu family sponsored Bai Xinyao to attend a prestigious school with him, and Bai Xinyao always ranked among the top students in her grade.

As for Ruan Ning, he never asked about her educational background and didn't know which university she graduated from.

All I know is that she married him right after she graduated.

When they got married, Ruan Ning was only twenty-three years old, which means she should have just graduated from university.

A woman with an ordinary undergraduate degree is indeed insignificant compared to a master's graduate from a world-class university.

The people present all agreed that Ji Nanfeng's words were correct.

Only Shao Xun frowned.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry, Tingchen, I can't help you with this."

Fu Tingchen frowned slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Why?"

"Although Mr. Zhao was on good terms with my grandfather, he was very similar to Mr. Zhou in character. He was upright and honest, rigorous in his scholarship, and detested opportunism and illicit dealings."

"If I rashly make an introduction, not only will it not work out, but I will also offend Elder Zhao and leave a bad impression."

Fu Tingchen's expression darkened slightly, and he felt somewhat displeased.

Bai Xinyao's smile vanished when she heard Shao Xun say that.

The atmosphere froze briefly.

Ji Nanfeng pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes lit up. "It doesn't matter if Zhao Lao's path is blocked, I remember there is another person."

"Besides Elder Zhou and Elder Zhao, the only other person in the project team who can decide on the personnel list is Murong Yuan from the Murong family."

"The Murong family is one of the investors, and Murong Yuan himself is also a researcher in the project team. He has real power, and he is smooth and worldly-wise, unlike Old Zhou and Old Zhao who are rigid and stubborn."

Ji Nanfeng looked at Fu Tingchen: "It's much safer to ask him to smooth things over; the success rate is very high."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yao, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "The Murong family and my family have had long-term cooperative relations and a decent personal relationship. I can help with this matter."

Fu Tingchen's expression softened slightly. "Then I'll have to trouble you."