To Su Wanwan, the steps seemed unusually long and drawn out. She quietly observed her surroundings. When she arrived yesterday, she had come directly into the house and hadn't seen the exterior. In comparison, the Su family truly seemed like a modest household.
The villa towered five stories high. Its interior, much like the bedroom, was furnished in minimalist black and white—cold and impersonal, lacking the warmth of a home. Yet every piece of furniture, even a seemingly ordinary vase, was undoubtedly expensive.
Servants passed to and fro, each one bowing respectfully upon seeing them."Young Master. Madam."Su Wanwan responded with a soft smile, waving at them in greeting.
"The dining room is just ahead, to the left."
The sudden voice of Fu Liangmu made Su Wanwan instinctively lift her head as she stepped forward. Caught off guard, her foot slipped on the stair, and she stumbled forward.
With a slight furrow of his brow, Fu Liangmu extended an arm and effortlessly caught her in his embrace. The faint fragrance on the woman drifted toward him like wings, curling into his breath—soothing and intoxicating."Careful," he murmured.
Su Wanwan steadied herself, her heart fluttering wildly."Thank you," she whispered.
Fu Liangmu withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened.
Unbeknownst to them, this entire scene had played out before the eyes of the elderly lady seated in the dining room. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she clutched her chopsticks and exclaimed to Uncle Zhang,"Wonderful! Just wonderful! Did you see that? You saw it, didn't you?"
Uncle Zhang could only chuckle in exasperation."Yes, Madam. I saw it. Please, try not to get too worked up."
"If anyone dares to question whether my grandson likes girls again, I'll help him turn into one myself!" she huffed proudly. "Now hurry and tell them to come sit. What are they standing there for?"
Uncle Zhang walked over, smiling."Young Master, Madam, the Old Madam is calling for you."
Su Wanwan nodded politely.
Uncle Zhang added with warmth,"Madam, I am the Fu family's butler. Just call me Uncle Zhang. The Old Madam has a very kind nature, no need to be nervous."
His reassurance brought a soft smile to Su Wanwan's lips."Thank you, Uncle Zhang."
As they rounded the corner, they caught sight of an elderly lady with silver hair and kind features sitting in the dining room. Her face was full of affection and admiration as she looked at Su Wanwan.
"Come here, child," she said cheerfully.
Su Wanwan obediently stepped forward and took the woman's hand."Good morning, Grandma. My name is Su Wanwan. I'm terribly sorry for making you wait—I got up a little late today."
The old lady waved her hand dismissively, her tone full of understanding."Oh, I understand, I truly do. Last night was your wedding night—it's only natural to be exhausted. Sleeping in a bit is perfectly normal."
A flush rose to Su Wanwan's cheeks. She thought of Fu Liangmu's behavior the night before and the sounds at the door—realizing instantly that the old lady must have been eavesdropping. But… her words were certainly bold.
"And besides, what's the point of getting up early? You're the Fu family's granddaughter-in-law now. You can sleep as long as you like. Just keep this old lady company when you're up, that's all I ask."
The old woman chuckled merrily.
Su Wanwan nodded, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. This kind, elderly figure reminded her of her late grandmother—equally warm and tender."Of course, Grandma."
As she spoke, Fu Liangmu had already taken his seat.
The old lady frowned."Liangmu, look at you! Don't you know how to care for your wife? She hasn't even sat down yet, and here you are, already seated. Go on—pull her chair out for her."
Su Wanwan waved her hands quickly."Grandma, it's fine. I can do it myself."
To her surprise, Fu Liangmu listened to his grandmother without a word and rose to pull out the chair beside him.
"Go on, granddaughter-in-law. Sit next to Liangmu."
As soon as she sat down, the servants brought out the dishes, placing a steaming bowl of soup directly in front of Fu Liangmu. The aroma drifted through the air.
Su Wanwan took a sip of porridge, wrinkling her nose at the strong smell.
Fu Liangmu's brow furrowed. His voice turned cold."What is this?"
The old lady patted his hand."Liangmu, I know you had a long night. I had this soup specially prepared for you this morning—good for your kidneys. Drink it up. Give our Fu family a great-grandchild soon."
Fu Liangmu: "..."
Su Wanwan coughed twice, hurriedly covering her lips with a napkin.
The old lady turned her gaze toward her."Wanwan, don't just sit there. Feed him a few spoonfuls."
The spoon in Su Wanwan's hand slipped into the bowl with a splash."W-What? Feed… him?"He has hands, doesn't he?
"This kind of interaction builds intimacy between husband and wife," the old lady said with exaggerated concern.
Su Wanwan hesitated, biting her lip as she looked toward Fu Liangmu.
"Hurry up now!" the old lady urged.
Caught between politeness and discomfort, Su Wanwan didn't know what to do.
Fu Liangmu, growing impatient with her dithering, spoke coldly."I don't want to drink that."
"You foolish boy! This is a premium tonic—don't be ungrateful!"
The old lady snorted."Wanwan, if he won't drink it, you do. It's good for you too."
"I… I…" Su Wanwan hadn't expected him to push the problem onto her. She lowered her head and took a sip.
The taste hit her throat like a punch, making her cough uncontrollably.
Just as she braced herself for a second sip, Fu Liangmu suddenly said,"Feed me."
"Huh? Oh!"
Su Wanwan hurriedly picked up the spoon and brought it to his lips.
Uncle Zhang's eyes widened in horror."Madam, the young master has—"
Before he could finish the word "mysophobia," Fu Liangmu had already drunk the soup without hesitation.
Uncle Zhang was dumbfounded.That was the same spoon Su Wanwan had used—he actually drank from it?
In the old lady's eyes, a glimmer of pride flashed. Her grandson had grown up—finally fallen for a girl.
Su Wanwan looked at Uncle Zhang in confusion."Uncle Zhang, what were you saying just now?"
He shook his head hastily."N-Nothing…"
After the meal, Su Wanwan took the initiative to mention that she wanted to go out and buy some daily necessities.
The old lady frowned."Wanwan, I know everything was rushed and we didn't have time to prepare the house properly."
"It's fine. I can take this chance to get familiar with the area," Su Wanwan said with a gentle smile.
The old lady nodded, then turned to Fu Liangmu, who was about to head upstairs."Liangmu, accompany Wanwan out."
Su Wanwan knew Fu Liangmu didn't like going out—his disfigured appearance made him reluctant to be seen. She quickly tried to excuse him."Grandma, I can go alone. Let Liangmu stay home and rest."
"How could that be? You're his wife now, and you just got married. How can I let you go alone, hmm? Liangmu?"
Fu Liangmu's fingers clenched tighter around the banister."Grandma, I'm busy."
"You're busy, are you… Oh! Oh, my heart! My chest—it hurts!"
The old lady's words were abruptly cut off. She clutched her chest and collapsed backward.
Su Wanwan turned pale with shock. The suddenness of the scene brought her straight back to the moment her grandmother had passed four years ago.
Cold sweat broke out over her back in an instant.
She rushed forward to support the old lady, her voice trembling."Mr. Fu! Call 911—quick!"
Fu Liangmu pinched the bridge of his nose, unimpressed by the old lady's all-too-familiar theatrics.
"Su Wanwan, let's go."
The old lady straightened immediately, her chest no longer aching."Good girl, off you go!"
Su Wanwan: "?"