Volume 1, Chapter 498: Coercion
Chapter 498 Coercion
Fu Tianlai knew Zhou Xuan's abilities and didn't believe that Zhou Xuan had truly lost his memory. The most likely explanation was that Zhou Xuan coveted the power of the Wei family. All the Fu family could offer Zhou Xuan was money, while the Wei family could offer Zhou Xuan not only money but also greater power and status.
In today's society, as long as you have power and status, money is just a matter of taking it by heart.
Besides, while Yingying's appearance is exceptionally beautiful, Wei Xiaoyu is no less stunning and possesses a beauty comparable to Yingying's. Therefore, this is the reason that Fu Tianlai could imagine.
But Fu Tianlai, looking at Zhou Xuan's expression, also felt something was off. Zhou Xuan's expression was too natural, showing not a trace of remorse towards Yingying. Knowing Zhou Xuan as he did, Fu Tianlai found it strange. In his mind, Zhou Xuan had always been an honest and reliable young man, far more dependable than many young people in today's society. To say that this expression was feigned was an understatement; Zhou Xuan's acting skills were truly remarkable.
What angered Fu Tianlai was that he had already transferred almost all of his shares to Zhou Xuan last year. When he announced this at the press conference last year, there was an insurance condition: Zhou Xuan's actual right to independently manage the shares would only take effect on the day he married Fu Ying. However, Zhou Xuan ran away from home the day after his wedding to Fu Ying. According to his agreement, the contract had officially taken effect. At the time, he didn't think Zhou Xuan was that kind of person, but now it seemed that Zhou Xuan had married Fu Ying to swindle the Fu family's property.
However, since Zhou Xuan fled, he hadn't sold or transferred any of the Fu family's shares or assets, which reassured Fu Tianlai somewhat, but he was still uneasy. After all, no one can guarantee anything until it happens, and at this point, he no longer dared to trust Zhou Xuan.
If there were no other people present, Fu Tianlai would have liked to question Zhou Xuan on the spot. However, there were other people present, the most important of whom was Wei Xiaoyu, the woman for whom Zhou Xuan eloped. There was a 99% chance that she was the one who instigated Zhou Xuan to do all this. If she was greedy, it would have prompted Zhou Xuan to embezzle the Fu family's property. Therefore, he had to avoid her before questioning Zhou Xuan.
Fu Ying's chance encounter with Zhou Xuan in London was indeed a coincidence. Fu Tianlai saw that Fu Ying was miserable in the Zhou family, so he forcibly took her away, saying that she was going abroad to relax and that he would send her back after a while. Only then did Fu Ying agree.
While relaxing in London, Fu Ying went to the Thames River alone, but unexpectedly witnessed a heartbreaking and painful scene. She couldn't bear it and immediately called Fu Tianlai. Fu Tianlai is the richest Chinese man, with businesses all over the world and properties in many places. He owns a villa in London, which Zhou Xuan thinks looks like a castle. Fu Tianlai loves football. Although he can't play, it's his favorite sport. His favorite teams are the Premier League teams, Arsenal and Chelsea in Greater London.
There are five Premier League teams in London: Arsenal at the Emirates, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Fulham at Craven Cottage, West Ham United at Upton Park, and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Fu Tianlai particularly liked Chelsea. He didn't admire Chelsea owner Abramovich's wealth, but rather he sensed the immense wealth behind it. Every large conglomerate spends huge sums on advertising for its businesses, and there are many ways to advertise. Of course, the more influential and widely disseminated the advertising, the better. Chelsea owner Abramovich bought the Chelsea team and spent lavishly on players, making his name known worldwide within a few years. In terms of advertising, no matter how you do it, it's unlikely to have a greater effect than buying the team and becoming famous. So, Fu Tianlai had this idea, but he hadn't been able to realize it yet. In the past two years, he had been troubled by Fu Ying's affairs, and also by his nephew Johnny's affairs, so the idea of buying a team was put on hold. However, he had long had this idea for the villa he bought in London several years ago, which was near Stamford Bridge.
Fu Tianlai hadn't expected that his trip with Yingying to clear her mind would lead to a chance encounter with Zhou Xuan, whom they had been searching for. If it had just been a chance meeting with Zhou Xuan, it would have been a happy outcome for the Fu family, as he genuinely liked Zhou Xuan and felt that marrying him was the most suitable choice for Fu Ying. But what he never imagined was that Zhou Xuan had eloped with Wei Xiaoyu.
Back home, the Wei family hadn't revealed a word, so Fu Tianlai always thought that Zhou Xuan's departure was due to Fu Ying herself, because Fu Ying had secretly told him the backstory. Therefore, Fu Tianlai didn't find Zhou Xuan's departure unforgivable and did his best to find her.
After Fu Ying told him about this on the phone, Fu Tianlai immediately arranged for someone to investigate. He discovered that Zhou Xuan had come to London with Prince Turuk of Morocco. Although he was not the reason for Turuk's trip, as one of the world's richest men and having done business with Prince Turuk before, Turuk readily accepted Fu Tianlai's invitation. He had even met Fu Tianlai in this building a few years ago, so they were not strangers.
Tuluk had no idea that Fu Tianlai's purpose in wanting to see him was actually for Zhou Xuan, not to discuss business. Fu Tianlai, of course, wouldn't explain the situation clearly to avoid any unforeseen complications. As a result, Tuluk had some misunderstandings and thought that Fu Tianlai had some good project cooperation. He had strong power in Morocco, and the Fu family had enough financial resources. If the two cooperated, there would be many projects to discuss.
In fact, among those present, only Wei Xiaoyu understood the truth of the matter. Fu Tianlai and Fu Ying did not know that Zhou Xuan had truly lost his memory, nor did they know what had happened during the time Zhou Xuan was missing. Therefore, only Wei Xiaoyu was truly afraid, afraid that this brief happiness would come to an end. Her only hope was that Zhou Xuan was in a state of amnesia and would not pay attention to or investigate the truth before his amnesia.
But will things develop as she expects?
“Prince Tuluk, I would like to speak with this subordinate of yours alone, is that alright?” Fu Tianlai stared at Zhou Xuan for a while before speaking to Tuluk.
Because today's events were indeed kept from Tuluk, Fu Tianlai spoke very politely, subtly implying that he did want to talk to Zhou Xuan, but it was inconvenient to reveal what it was about in front of everyone.
Tuluk glanced at Zhou Xuan, noticing his indifferent attitude. He then recalled Zhou Xuan's outstanding abilities over the past period. Although Zhou Xuan didn't like to show off in front of them, he could intimidate them all by occasionally demonstrating his skills, so no one dared to challenge him. Unconsciously, Zhou Xuan had become the strongest person under Tuluk's command, and had established such a powerful position in the shortest amount of time.
To be honest, Tuluk wanted to bring Zhou Xuan under his control, and he was willing to spend more money, but he always felt that he could not truly control Zhou Xuan. He felt that Zhou Xuan could not be suppressed by money and power, and his only weakness was Wei Xiaoyu.
Tuluk understood this very well; such a person values emotions the most, and emotions are his weakness.
Yi Xin quickly translated Fu Tianlai's words for Tuluk. Tuluk glanced at Zhou Xuan, pondered for a moment, and considered the Fu family's wealth and power in the financial world. Although Fu Tianlai's lack of prior communication was impolite, Fu Tianlai's intention still implied a desire to befriend him. As long as Fu Tianlai had this thought, he would surely compensate him in the future, which would be more beneficial than harmful.
“Mr. Fu, please. I don’t mind. As long as you get along with Zhou, my friend is also his friend.” Tuluk’s answer was clever. On one hand, he agreed to Fu Tianlai’s request, and on the other hand, he respected Zhou Xuan’s wishes. Moreover, his tone clearly elevated Zhou Xuan’s status. Tuluk’s words implied that he regarded Zhou Xuan as his equal. On the one hand, he was elevating Zhou Xuan’s status, which would make Fu Tianlai feel that he owed him more, and he would compensate him more in the future. Tuluk understood very well that it was useless to stop things that could not be stopped or prevented. It was better to let things take their natural course, or even give them a push.
Although Fu Tianlai and Tuluk do not speak the same language, there are no obstacles now. Some things do not need to be said explicitly; the meaning is enough.
After translating the words, Fu Tianlai nodded, thanking Tuluk for his help, and then said to Zhou Xuan, "Zhou Xuan, I have something to say to you privately. It's in the small living room next door, please."
Zhou Xuan glanced at Wei Xiaoyu and saw that Wei Xiaoyu's face was pale and pitiful. He wondered what was wrong with her these past two days, as she kept having such an expression. Could it be that pregnant women are easily agitated?
Although Zhou Xuan had some doubts, he immediately refused, "I'm sorry, Mr. Fu, I have nothing to discuss with you privately. My wife is not feeling well, please understand."
Fu Tianlai and Fu Ying were both annoyed when they saw Zhou Xuan reject them without hesitation, but they forced themselves to suppress their anger and glared at Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan's heart was entirely focused on Wei Xiaoyu, completely ignoring Fu Tianlai's expression, and he simply comforted Wei Xiaoyu in a low voice.
Volume 1, Chapter 499: Rivals Meet
Chapter 499 Rivals Meet
Fu Tianlai was furious, but felt it inconvenient to say it out loud. All the Fu family's wealth was now in the hands of this young man. If an outsider instigated him, or if he had the mindset he imagined, the Fu family would be finished.
Fu Ying understood her grandfather's thoughts, but her heart ached far more than his. The inexplicable appearance of the Nine Dragon Cauldron had caused her to lose a portion of her memory, and she no longer felt love for Zhou Xuan. But love is love, and as time passed, she inevitably fell in love with Zhou Xuan again. However, this love came at the wrong time, precisely the day after their marriage. Only after Zhou Xuan ran away from home did she realize that she had fallen deeply in love with this man once more.
It's often said that you only realize how good something is after you've lost it, and that's certainly true. From then on, Fu Ying lived in constant regret and pain, almost every day and night.
Fu Tianlai and his grandson Fu Ying each had their own thoughts, but they were undoubtedly related to Zhou Xuan. Prince Tuluk was invited as a foil, while Hu Shan and the others were completely confused and had no idea what was going on.
Although Fu Tianlai was furious, he was still a shrewd and calculating man. Although he had many schemes in his mind and decided on several ways to retreat in an instant, while calculating the situation he would encounter when each retreat was carried out and how he would deal with each possible event, he remained calm on the surface and showed no sign of it.
This is Fu Tianlai's consistent style. Not letting others see his thoughts has always been his motto, which is why he can strike back later and not be controlled by others.
Unlike Fu Tianlai, who was furious but had to suppress his emotions, Fu Ying was heartbroken and grief-stricken. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Zhou Xuan as she watched him care for and protect Wei Xiaoyu, not worried that she would see it. His care and protection were genuine and not feigned. Fu Ying knew Zhou Xuan well enough to know that he was not the kind of person who would act, especially not in front of her.
Unless Zhou Xuan truly doesn't recognize her, but is that even possible? Although Fu Ying didn't believe it, she thought about herself. If time travel and amnesia could happen to her, what was Zhou Xuan's amnesia compared to that? Hadn't Zhou Xuan experienced countless strange occurrences?
Upon thinking of this, Fu Ying trembled.
Could it be that Zhou Xuan has really lost his memory?
She didn't realize it until she thought about it this way, and the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She knew about the love that the Wei sisters, Wei Xiaoyu and Wei Xiaoqing, had for Zhou Xuan in the past, and they had even gone through thick and thin together. The Wei sisters were no less beautiful than her, and their status in the country was no less than hers. Under those circumstances, Zhou Xuan never changed his mind and was devoted to her. Even during the time when she lost her memory and didn't want to marry him, Zhou Xuan didn't give up on her. Instead, he loved and protected her even more deeply until they got married.
How could someone like that only realize it was a scam after getting married and running away from home?
Fu Ying is incredibly intelligent, and her occasional foolishness is only limited to her relationship with Zhou Xuan. With a heart full of complex emotions, love can make people blind.
Once she regained her senses, she immediately remembered that Zhou Xuan had run away from home the day after their wedding. During those two weeks, Wei Xiaoyu and Wei Xiaoqing had often come to comfort her and tried to find a solution together. Wei Xiaoyu disappeared two weeks later, but at that time she didn't suspect anything. Wei Xiaoyu was a soldier, and soldiers have their duties. She never imagined that Wei Xiaoyu's disappearance at that time was because she was with Zhou Xuan.
Looking back now, it's possible that Zhou Xuan lost his memory due to an accident at that time. Although I don't know exactly what happened, the problem is that it happened at that time. But how did Wei Xiaoyu get the news about Zhou Xuan?
Fu Ying was still somewhat unaware of this, but looking at Wei Xiaoyu's expression, seeing her ashamed and frightened, pale-faced and trembling, a stark contrast to Zhou Xuan's calm and indifferent demeanor, Fu Ying, though both jealous and anxious, realized the problem. This matter couldn't be rushed; she had to find out exactly what had happened to Zhou Xuan during that time, otherwise there was no way to resolve it.