HBWMA -Chapter 55 Fu Sui’er’s Choice

Those words exploded like a deep-water bomb, instantly shaking everyone’s expressions out of control. Even Shen Guiling froze for a few seconds, turning to look at her in surprise.

Shen Zhuang’s expression turned grave. His gaze toward Fu Lingnan carried a faint, turbulent undercurrent.

Fu Lingnan also sensed the change. He swallowed hard. “Old Master Shen, you can’t possibly believe—”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Shen Zhuang interrupted. “She’s just a child. If she hadn’t personally overheard your conspiracy, she wouldn’t even be able to fabricate such a lie, even if she tried.”

“Old Master Shen!” Fu Lingnan tried to explain, but then seemed to think of something. His expression shifted. “So that’s how it is! One wrong step, and I’ve lost today. I, Fu Lingnan, am inferior. I admit defeat. Goodbye.”

“Dad!” Fu Jiaming clutched his injured leg, unwillingly staring at the Shen family.

Fu Lingnan’s face twitched in anger. He shook Fu Jiaming’s hand off forcefully. Just as he turned to leave, he saw Fu Sui’er standing behind Shen Jiao.

He paused, his gaze complicated. “Er’er, come back home with Grandpa. Have you forgotten what Grandpa told you? The Fu family is your home.”

Fu Sui’er’s eyes were swollen and red from crying, like a small abandoned puppy.

She didn’t know what choice to make.

She didn’t even want to choose.

She didn’t understand conspiracies or schemes. She only knew she wanted her mother, father, grandfather, and maternal grandfather to all be well—and to stay together with her.

Seeing her hesitation, Fu Lingnan closed his eyes and shook his head, his voice choked with emotion.

“Grandpa is here to take you home. Are you really going to doubt your grandfather and father just because of a few words from outsiders?”

“It’s not like that.” Fu Sui’er shook her head. She unconsciously let go of Shen Jiao’s hand and took a step forward. “Grandpa, I…”

Shen Jiao froze and instinctively reached out to pull her daughter back.

Fu Sui’er took another step forward, then suddenly stopped. As if remembering something, she gritted her teeth, wiped away her tears, and stepped back—reaching once again for Shen Jiao’s hand.

Fu Lingnan’s smile instantly froze. He looked at Fu Sui’er in disbelief. “Er’er… are you trying to break Grandpa’s heart?”

Fu Sui’er looked up at Shen Jiao and said hoarsely, “Grandpa, I’m not the only child of the Fu family, and I’m not the only child of Dad either. But I am my mother’s only child. I don’t want to choose, but you’re forcing me to choose. I… want to stay with my mom. Wherever my mom is, that’s where I am.”

Shen Jiao’s eyes trembled. She turned her face away and covered her eyes, but this time she couldn’t hold back her tears no matter what.

“Er’er!”

Fu Sui’er’s answer was beyond everyone’s expectations. Especially Fu Jiaming—he couldn’t understand it. Just yesterday everything was fine. He had told the child to hide, and she had obeyed. That meant her heart was still with the Fu family. How could everything change in just one day?

Dragging his injured leg, Fu Jiaming rushed forward and grabbed her shoulders tightly, his eyes filled with anger and suspicion.

“Sui’er, are you being threatened? That’s not what you really mean, right? Tell Dad. Tell me!”

Shen Jiao was furious. She shoved the man away. “Fu Jiaming! Enough! You’re scaring her!”

Then she turned back, full of concern, and pulled Fu Sui’er into her arms, checking her over. “Are you scared? Did he scare you?”

Fu Sui’er shook her head and used her small hands—still stained with black nail polish—to slowly wipe the tears off Shen Jiao’s face.

“Mom, I’m not crying anymore. You shouldn’t cry either.”

“…”

Shen Jiao froze for a moment, then suddenly broke down completely. “I’m sorry… I didn’t protect you… I’m sorry… Er’er… I’m sorry…”

Fu Sui’er fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at Fu Jiaming. Her voice was hoarse.

“Dad… do you know? The back mountain is so cold at night. Even in summer, it’s still cold. It’s so dark in the mountains. I was scared. I was scared of snakes, insects… and those damn mosquitoes that wouldn’t stop biting me.”

As soon as those words came out, everyone immediately sensed something was wrong.

Fu Jiaming’s previously angry and unyielding expression turned deathly pale.

Shen Jiao looked at him in utter disbelief, her hatred almost sharp enough to cut him apart.

“Fu Jiaming… are you even human?! She’s your daughter! She’s so young—how could you do this to her?!”

Fu Jiaming, enduring the humiliation of being exposed, continued to argue stubbornly. “Isn’t all of this your fault? If you hadn’t stopped me from seeing Sui’er, would I have had to use such extreme methods?”

“Enough!”

If this dragged on any longer, the Fu family’s last shred of dignity would be torn to pieces.

Fu Lingnan closed his eyes and let out a heavy, suppressed breath. Then he looked calmly at Fu Sui’er. “Er’er, think it through. You really aren’t coming home with Grandpa and Dad?”

Fu Sui’er shook her head. “Grandpa, I’ve thought it through. If I truly only have one chance to change my life, I want to choose the person who loves me.”

Jiang Huashan glanced at her in slight surprise, lifting her eyes to look at Fu Sui’er. A faint, pleased curve appeared at the corner of her lips.

Not bad.

“Good. Good. Good!” Fu Lingnan nodded, the emotions in his eyes settling into something deeper. Then he turned to Shen Zhuang. “We’ll take our leave.”

Fu Jiaming shot Shen Jiao a cold glare and quickly followed behind Fu Lingnan. Just as the two were about to step out of the hall, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking the doorway.

The man was tall, with sparse eyebrows, eyes as large as copper bells, and a half-face demonic tattoo etched across his face. He looked every bit like a vicious, dangerous brute.

Fu Lingnan stopped. The beads in his hand tightened, producing a faint creaking sound.

The two stood in silent confrontation for a full half minute. Then Fu Lingnan let out a cold laugh, lifting his chin as he continued forward.

So this was the Shen family’s attempt to intimidate him? They were using the wrong tactic. He, Fu Lingnan, had reached his position not by being scared of theatrics. He didn’t believe it—was Shen Zhuang really going to make a move?

Unexpectedly, just as his foot lifted barely an inch—

The man swung a slap.

That one strike was like a landslide. It sent Fu Lingnan flying backward so hard that both he and his dentures went flying.

“Dad!” Fu Jiaming was shocked. Dragging his injured leg, he rushed forward and caught Fu Lingnan.

“Hiss…” Jiang Huashan winced just watching. She muttered softly, “If that hadn’t been caught, his father would’ve been hanging on the wall.”

“…”

Shen Guiling, standing nearby, heard every word clearly.

Fu Lingnan lay stunned on the ground. It took him a moment to recover before he began trembling with rage. “Shen… Zhuang… have you lost your mind?!”

Fu Sui’er was also frightened. Feeling a bit uneasy, she looked up at Shen Jiao, clearly hoping she would speak up for him.

Shen Jiao gently stroked her cheek and said softly, “Er’er, trust your grandfather.”

Shen Zhuang slightly lifted his chin, his expression calm. “Shen Zhi.”

“Yes.” Shen Zhi immediately stepped in from outside the hall.

Shen Zhuang said, “Take the children back and settle them first.”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Young Master A-Ling, Miss Jiang, Miss Sui’er, please follow me.”

The three of them glanced at Shen Zhuang almost simultaneously, then obediently walked over to Shen Zhi.

Shen Zhi made a courteous gesture, and they turned to leave the hall.

Jiang Huashan walked in the middle. As she passed by Fu Lingnan and Fu Jiaming, she pretended to be a little frightened—her body trembling, feet twisting awkwardly as if they had turned into a knot. Only after passing them did she slowly return to normal.

“….”

The corner of Shen Guiling’s eye twitched. He saw it clearly—this little chubby girl had just stepped on Fu Lingnan’s dentures and crushed them.