After Prison, She Shocks the World
Chapter 98: The Boss Behind Ya Garden Might be Fu Bing

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: The Boss Behind Ya Garden Might be Fu Bing

Fu Chan looked at the centuries-old tree in the courtyard, lush and verdant, its canopy spreading like an umbrella overhead.

The wind rustled through its dense leaves, bringing a soothing susurrus that eased the irritation and unease in his heart.

Yunhui heard the sound of his car and came out from the backyard, poured him a cup of tea, and gently asked, "You look pale. What’s wrong?"

Fu Chan took the tea from her hand and drained it in one gulp.

"I’ve just been to the nursing home, and she still refuses to hand over the Chu Family Embroidery Manual."

Yunhui took the empty teacup from his hand and filled it again.

"Old people are stubborn; she naturally won’t agree if you ask her directly. I think you should respectfully invite her back to Yunxi Lane from the nursing home. She’s lived in Yunxi Lane all her life. If she moves back, her mood might improve, and then she might be willing to give you the manual," Yunhui said softly. "Fu Ya is gone. Without anyone to carry on the Chu Family’s embroidery, if she continues to be obstinate, it will only cause the Chu Family’s once glorious reputation to decline rapidly, or even disappear. It benefits neither her nor the Chu Family. She loves silk embroidery as much as life itself; she must have considered this."

Fu Chan ruffled his hair in frustration. "I’ve naturally thought of what you said. But before, Ren Ye and Gu Yazheng were in the way, and now there’s another person."

"Who?"

"Fu Bing. I also saw Fu Bing at the nursing home today."

Yunhui’s expression changed slightly. She pondered, "If it’s Fu Bing, this will be difficult to handle."

"You’re boosting their morale and diminishing your own," Fu Chan said, a hint of resentment in his voice.

Yunhui shook her head. "You don’t understand. Fu Bing is currently the closest person in the world to Fu Ya, and she’s also the one who most resembles Fu Ya. Her appearance might make the old lady change her mind. Haven’t you been investigating Ya Garden? I suspect that Fu Bing, not Fu Ya, is behind Ya Garden."

Fu Chan sat up straighter. "Continue."

He had been making embroidery for over twenty years. His work was considered top-tier in the industry, largely thanks to the Chu Family’s renowned name.

It could be said he had monopolized this sector.

A few years ago, Ya Garden emerged, and at first, it didn’t affect him much.

It wasn’t until Fu Bing appeared on the red carpet wearing Ya Garden’s gowns that their embroidery caught the attention of both the public and high society.

Since then, the momentum of Ya Garden has gradually overshadowed the Chu Embroidery House.

They had always thought the Ya Rui in Ya Garden was Fu Ya, because the name contained "Ya."

But more than half a year after Fu Ya’s death, Ya Garden, rather than declining, actually did even better.

Especially after Fu Bing was released from prison, Ya Garden flourished even more.

"I previously thought Fu Bing was just a beautiful, greedy actor. It wasn’t until I saw her live stream that day that I realized she’s a very smart woman. With just a few seemingly effortless words, she can have top resources actively seek her out. You and I know full well how terrifying that ability is," Yunhui said.

Fu Chan was silent for a long moment. "I think you might be overestimating her. I’ve seen her. She’s beautiful, yes, but without makeup, she looks like the girl next door—not aggressive at all."

Without arguing, Yunhui played the significant segments of the recording from Fu Bing’s live stream that day for him to watch.

The sound of Fu Bing’s voice, like a gently flowing stream, seemed to permeate the very air of the century-old Yunxi Lane.

"I know everyone is concerned about me, and you’ve always been on my mind too. I was dealing with some personal matters recently and had to put all of you second, for which I am sorry. You always give me the sincerest love and support when I need it most. I haven’t been able to return that same sincerity to you.

"Today’s live stream isn’t just for you to see me; I’ll also talk about my future plans. It might disappoint some of you, and for that, I ask for your understanding.

"My mother passed away six months before I was released from prison, and she left many unfulfilled wishes behind. From now on, my main focus will be to complete the journey she never got to take, and I want to understand her better. As for how long it will take to complete this task, I am not sure.

"If I do finish it, I will let everyone know immediately.

"..."

Yunhui waited for Fu Chan to finish watching. "Do you still think Fu Bing is just a simple actress? With a few simple sentences, she has preemptively told the public her intention to take everything the Chu Family has from you. The public, being predisposed by her words, will be on her side. Even when it actually happens, they’ll think Fu Bing was merely doing what was right, and we will have lost the initiative."

"Why do you think Ren Ye offered Fu Bing so much unofficial help after her live stream? It’s because Ren Ye has seen how extraordinary Fu Bing is. Among you, Fu Ning, and Gu Yazheng, Ren Ye was the most distant from Fu Bing. Now, he’s the closest to her." Yunhui lowered her gaze, calmly analyzing. "If Fu Bing and Ren Ye join forces, are you confident you can handle them?"

Fu Chan did not answer.

He was not sure he could win even against Ren Ye alone.

And now, Fu Bing was clearly not the empty-headed beauty he had originally thought her to be.

If those two joined forces, he truly wasn’t confident.

Yunhui sighed softly. "We are indeed in a passive position in this struggle. It will be difficult to handle, but it’s not as if we have no chance of winning."

"Where does our chance lie?"

Yunhui smiled. "Right here. Yunxi Lane is in our hands. No matter how clever they are, that’s a factor they can’t ignore. I remember the old madam’s birthday is in a few days. Let’s invite her back to Yunxi Lane and give her a proper birthday celebration. Neither Ren Ye nor Fu Bing can find fault with that reason. And once the old madam is back in Yunxi Lane, we simply don’t send her back to the nursing home. Easy, right?"

Fu Chan’s expression instantly brightened. "You’re brilliant, Yunhui! No wonder the old saying goes that a man who listens to his wife is the happiest. With such a smart wife, what do I have to fear?"

Yunhui laughed, though her arms ached from his embrace. "You’re hugging me too tightly!"

Fu Chan immediately let go, only daring to gingerly hold her small hand.

"You silly thing. If I didn’t constantly worry about these things, our whole family would starve."

"You’re right, dear," Fu Chan readily agreed.

Yunhui said with a helpless sigh, "You must be tired from your trip today. Go back to the room and rest. I need to think carefully about what to do."

"If you don’t like this life of constant scheming, we can just stop dealing with these matters. We can live a simple life, just our family of four."

Yunhui interrupted him. "It’s not that simple. People in high positions don’t really have a way out. The moment you step back, thousands will be ready to trample you. I’m content to have met you in this lifetime; you’ve never caused me a moment’s grief. But our children are still young. As their parents, we must carefully plan for their future."

Fu Chan hugged her. "I’ll go get some sleep. When I wake up, I’ll help you figure things out."

"Hmm."

Yunhui’s smile faded after Fu Chan left.

She walked into the courtyard. The sunlight was intense.

Beneath her feet were stone slabs, weathered by centuries of wind and rain. As she walked slowly, her restless heart gradually calmed.

Fu Bing was indeed the greatest trial she faced at this stage. She just had to confront it.

There was no need to panic.