After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

Zhu Xun Chuan picked up the purple clay teapot and poured himself another cup: "Just telling the truth."

Fu Yuan placed his hands on the table with his body slightly leaning forward.

"By using my daughter to access top-secret municipal party committee files, you angered Jiang Ting of the Northern Border, and now you want to extend your reach to the Zhao family." Fu Yuan's tone was calm, yet every word carried immense force. "Zhao Ting has been deeply entrenched in Beijing for thirty years, with his protégés and associates spread across the military, political, and business circles. Do you think you're some kind of powerful outcast, or just an arrogant mad dog?"

Faced with this almost soul-crushing question, Zhu Xun Chuan not only remained calm, but also chuckled softly.

"Whether it's a dragon crossing the river or a mad dog," Zhu Xun Chuan said, holding his teacup and meeting Fu Yuan's scrutiny without flinching, "as long as it can kill someone, it's a good dog."

Fu Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"The Zhao family has indeed become deeply entrenched over these past thirty years." Zhu Xun Chuan put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. "But precisely because they're so deeply entrenched, their reach has been too long, and they've taken too much. The orphanage fire, the shady dealings of the old city redevelopment. They've blocked too many people's paths and stolen too much of their profits. Uncle Fu, that must include you, right?"

The study fell into a deathly silence.

Fu Yuan's tightly clenched lips finally relaxed slightly.

"What do you know about politics?" Fu Yuan's tone turned cold.

"I don't understand politics," Zhu Xun Chuan said, spreading his hands. "But I understand interests. I understand even more how to bring down a behemoth."

Zhu Xun Chuan stood up, walked to the mahogany desk, and placed his hands on the edge of the desk.

"Uncle Fu, the situation in the capital has reached a stalemate. Everyone is waiting for an opportunity to break the balance." Zhu Xun Chuan looked directly into those deep eyes. "You hold a high position, and there are many things that are inconvenient for you to do personally. You can't remove this long-standing cancer in the capital, so I will. I will obtain the evidence that you can't get."

"I will personally attend Zhao Tingzhi's 70th birthday celebration."

"All I want is for the Zhao family to fall completely. And for you, I want a clean and healthy political environment."

These words were delivered with conviction, carrying extreme arrogance and absolute confidence.

A freshman, standing in the study of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee Secretary, openly proposed to overthrow a powerful family that held sway over the government, and even offered the conditions for forming an alliance.

Fu Yuan looked at the young man in front of him.

Having ruled for many years, he had met countless talented young men and sons of wealthy families. In his presence, they were either trembling with fear or feigning profundity. But no one dared to lay bare their ambition and murderous intent as openly as Zhu Xun Chuan, yet do so with such clarity that no one could refute them.

Fu Yuan remained silent for a long time.

"No wonder." Fu Yuan suddenly sighed, his eyes filled with a complex emotion as a father. "No wonder Xinghe has always been well-mannered and never overstepped the bounds, but this time she dared to go to the confidential room in the middle of the night to look through files for you, and even transferred my special security guards in the early morning."

Upon mentioning Fu Xinghe, Zhu Xunchuan's sharp aura instantly softened.

"Xinghe is a good girl." Zhu Xun Chuan straightened up. "I will not let her get hurt. This is my promise to you."

Fu Yuan snorted coldly.

"Don't try to fool me with sweet talk. Those messy women around you, that rebellious little brat from the Jiang family, and Meng Changjin's daughter from Shanghai who's always showing her face in public." Fu Yuan mercilessly exposed their secrets, "If you want to enter the Fu family, a few empty words aren't enough."

Zhu Xun Chuan raised an eyebrow: "Whether or not Xinghe enters the Fu family is up to him. But whether or not this Beijing can be transformed is up to me."

What an arrogant tone.

Fu Yuan gave Zhu Xun Chuan a deep look. In that sharp gaze, a very subtle hint of admiration finally appeared.

In chaotic times, harsh measures are needed; for a serious illness, drastic medicine is required. The stalemate in the capital city certainly needs a free-spirited outsider to disrupt things.

Fu Yuan opened the bottom drawer of his desk.

He took out a yellowed kraft paper file folder without any cover. The folder looked old, with worn edges, and was sealed with a thin string.

"Smack."

The file folder was thrown onto the large mahogany table with a dull thud.

"Here lies an absolute weakness left by Zhao Tingzhi when he made his fortune in Jiangnan thirty years ago." Fu Yuan crossed his arms again, his eyes turning icy cold. "With solid evidence, it's enough to send all the core members of the Zhao family to their deaths."

Zhu Xun Chuan's gaze fell on the file folder, but he didn't rush to take it.

"However," Fu Yuan leaned forward, the oppressive feeling returning, "once this door is opened, a major earthquake will shake up Beijing. Countless vested interests will rush towards you like madmen. You will not only have to face the Zhao family's assassins, but also all sorts of underhanded attacks from within the system. If you are not careful, you will be reduced to ashes."

Fu Yuan stared intently into Zhu Xun Chuan's eyes, enunciating each word clearly: "I'll only ask you one question, do you dare to answer?"

Zhu Xun Chuan did not hesitate for a moment.

He extended his long, strong right hand and picked up the yellowed file folder. Without looking at its contents, he simply tossed it around in his hand, weighing it in his hand.

Zhu Xun Chuan pinched the edge of the yellowed kraft paper bag and casually stuffed it into the inner pocket of his black casual shirt.

Fu Yuan leaned back in the large mahogany chair, his hands folded together.

"Once you step out of this door," Fu Yuan said in a flat tone, "I don't know you. Everything you do has nothing to do with the Fu family. The Fu family will not provide you with any overt support or resources."

The politician's ruthless and decisive disassociation was swift and clean.

Zhu Xun Chuan straightened up and pushed the rosewood chair aside with one hand.

"Of course," Zhu Xun Chuan said calmly. "Uncle Fu, just stand by and watch how I stir up this stagnant water."

He turned and stepped forward. His leather shoes made a dull thud on the wooden floor.

Zhu Xun Chuan walked to the door and grasped the brass handle.

"Kid," Fu Yuan said from behind.

Zhu Xunchuan paused in his steps.

"Finish this job while you're still alive." Fu Yuan's tone carried a subtle, everyday undertone. "Xinghe is stubborn. Don't let her be a widow."

Zhu Xun Chuan didn't turn around. He raised his right hand, waved it, pressed the doorknob, and walked out.

The heavy mahogany door closed behind us.

The corridor was brightly lit. Fu Xinghe was standing by the window. Her figure was accentuated by a moon-white Suzhou-embroidered cheongsam. Her hands were folded in front of her, and her fingers were constantly twisting the tassels of her cashmere shawl.

Upon hearing the door open, Fu Xinghe immediately turned around.

She strode closer in her high heels, her gaze sweeping over Zhu Xun Chuan's face before settling on the closed door.

"Are you done talking?" Fu Xinghe lowered his voice, his tone full of worry. "He didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Zhu Xunchuan leaned against the wall.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Sister Xinghe." Zhu Xun Chuan sighed deliberately, his brows furrowing slightly.