Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire

Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Defiance

"You cannot make decisions on your own about this!" The old man stood up, his gaze severe and cautious. "If you must make a change, consult your brother. He has expertise in this area."

"Consult him?" Fu Yihan sneered coldly, "Why should I consult him? This company is under my management now, not his."

His expression twisted gradually, hatred rising in his eyes.

The old man sighed faintly: "You are brothers, not enemies. Why must you always end up being unable to tolerate each other?"

"Ha! I don’t have a brother like him."

Besides, that person never treated him as a brother either.

Their temperaments were uncannily alike, both unyieldingly stubborn.

Denying their brotherhood was preposterous, even to the old man.

Noticing the old man’s melancholy expression, Fu Yihan forced a smile. "Grandfather, I know you’re concerned about me, but trust me on this matter—it won’t go wrong."

"Is the Su family’s system any good?" The old man asked pointedly.

"Naturally." Fu Yihan smirked cunningly. "I’ve tried it, and compared to the system we used before, it’s indeed far superior."

Fu Yihan’s gaze was firm, his tone full of confidence.

Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he was resolute about replacing the system.

After a long silence, the old man waved dismissively. "Fine. I’m old now and can’t meddle in the company’s affairs. If you believe it needs to be replaced, then go ahead."

With that, he leaned on his cane and rose to leave.

Footsteps echoed from downstairs. Su Qingnuan quickly withdrew her gaze and hurriedly ran back to her room.

Once inside, she closed the door in a fluster.

Hearing the commotion, Fu Yihan rolled his wheelchair out. Seeing Su Qingnuan standing there with a frightened expression, he frowned slightly.

"Where’s the snack tray and tea you were supposed to bring?"

Su Qingnuan snapped out of her thoughts, looking at the man across from her, then quickly walked over.

"Mr. Fu, just now I overheard Fu Yihan saying he intends to terminate the cooperation with our company and replace it with the Su family’s system."

"The Su family’s?" Fu Yihan glanced at her doubtfully. "That half-baked system your family has?"

"..."

Although the comment was harsh, as someone knowledgeable in the field, Su Qingnuan had to admit her family’s system wasn’t exactly remarkable...

Lowering her head in shame, Su Qingnuan nodded and replied, "Yes, that not-so-great system."

"Hmm, I see."

No anger as expected, nor any outburst. Fu Yihan’s expression remained calm.

It was as if she’d just told him what was for dinner today.

"Mr. Fu?" Su Qingnuan probed hesitantly, "If the system gets replaced like this, wouldn’t our company suffer significant financial losses?"noveldrama

"Ha!"

Fu Yihan finally lifted his head, his brows filled with amusement.

"Who told you that?"

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan was puzzled. "Isn’t it obvious from the surface?"

"Obvious from the surface?" His smile deepened. Picking up his phone with practiced ease, Fu Yihan pressed some buttons. "I’d like to see who exactly can deduce from appearances that this matter would greatly impact our company."

Seeing the contact’s name clearly displayed on the phone screen, Su Qingnuan wisely chose to keep quiet.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the distinct sound of the ringing tone breaking the stillness.

"Hello—"

Manager Huang’s voice shattered the silence in the air.

"Manager Huang," Fu Yihan looked at Su Qingnuan with an ambiguous smile and asked nonchalantly, "I heard the Fu family intends to terminate their contract with us?"

"Yes, Mr. Fu, rest assured. This contract termination won’t significantly affect us."

"Oh?" Fu Yihan raised a brow. "Isn’t it said that the Fu family is a major enterprise? If we were to lose such a client without reason, wouldn’t it have considerable repercussions for our company’s influence and future development?"

"Mr. Fu, no need to worry. While the Fu family’s contract is useful to us, it’s far less critical than perceived. After all, we operate on an international scale, with plenty of major clients abroad. We don’t rely on this one client."

It seems the IT company that consistently ranks among the top had full confidence to make such a claim.

"Good."

Ending the call, Fu Yihan looked at Su Qingnuan.

She stood up immediately and spoke seriously, "Mr. Fu, I understand now."

"What about the tea and snacks?"

"...I’ll go get them right away!"

Running downstairs, Su Qingnuan noticed Fu Yihan seated in the living room, but ignored him.

She quickly headed to the kitchen.

"Su Qingnuan."

She turned back, confused at his call.

"What?" Fu Yihan approached with a cold smile. "What, you won’t even greet me now?"

Were they even close?

Though upset inside, she maintained a polite smile outwardly. "Second Young Master, do you need something?"

"Nothing." He stood up, walking leisurely toward her. "I just wanted to see how long you can keep pretending."

"Pretending?" Su Qingnuan stared at him, baffled.

"Heh."

His gaze swept her up and down, scrutinizing and teasing in equal measure.

"Ah, my dear sister-in-law!" Taking a step closer, Fu Yihan towered over her, speaking in a tone laced with ambiguity. "Are you really Su Yuerou, or just... Su Qingnuan?"

Her head snapped up, pupils contracting as she regarded Fu Yihan warily.

"Heh!" He chuckled faintly, his demeanor like a wolf lurking in the shadows, eyes gleaming ominously. "Don’t look at me like that. I haven’t had enough fun yet, so I won’t expose you for now."

Su Qingnuan’s face turned pale, her bloodless lips trembling slightly.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Me?" Fu Yihan lifted her chin provocatively, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I’m just waiting to see how you’ll get exposed and how my crippled elder brother will mercilessly throw you out of this house."

Su Qingnuan bit her lip tightly, causing her already colorless lips to flush faintly with red.

"Who told you?" Her gaze was cautious and filled with fear, like a dog whose tail had been stepped on, her whole demeanor screaming vigilance.

"Does it matter?" Fu Yihan’s smile remained unchanged as he withdrew his hand and took a step back. "What you need to do now is live a nervously uncertain life in this household."

With that, Fu Yihan turned away.

"If I’m in a good mood, I won’t leak this. But if I’m not in the mood..."

With a cold laugh, Fu Yihan cast an enigmatic look at Su Qingnuan, suggesting volumes without words.

Su Qingnuan clenched her fists tightly, glaring resentfully at his retreating figure.

Yet Fu Yihan seemed oblivious to the hatred in her gaze.

Calmly sitting down and picking up a newspaper, Fu Yihan smiled and remarked, "Sister-in-law, if you keep looking at me like that, my brother might get jealous."

"..."

Retracting her gaze, Su Qingnuan closed her eyes and clenched her fists, then turned and walked into the kitchen.

The warm air inside the kitchen disrupted her thoughts, bringing her clarity.

She and Fu Yihan were like grasshoppers tied to the same string—what could it matter even if Fu Yihan knew?

Fu Yihan certainly wouldn’t throw her out; they had an agreement. But as for the old man...