Fortune Across the World

Chapter 132: Greed Fuels a Sinister Plot

Seeing the person she longed for, Fu Ruqing's heart finally settled.

Ding Qiyu quickly approached her with concern, "Qing'er, you've been busy all morning; are you tired?" From Fu Ruqing's calm expression, it was clear that the morning with her father had gone well. Thinking about the Yunruo flower, Ding Qiyu led Fu Ruqing into the room, her voice filled with barely contained excitement.

"Not tired," Fu Ruqing replied, allowing herself to be led, though she was puzzled by Ding Qiyu's unusually good mood.

Entering the room, Ding Qiyu glanced at the prominently displayed flower in the center of the table, acting as if she feared Fu Ruqing might miss it. She guided her to sit by the table, avoiding any mention of the flower, while awkwardly shifting the conversation elsewhere, "Qing'er, sit and rest for a bit." Her youthful enthusiasm was on full display, much like a child who had aced a test and hoped to surprise a parent by strategically placing the test paper in plain sight, yet deliberately avoiding mentioning it.

Fu Ruqing had already been captivated by the Frost Welcoming Yunruo flower the moment she entered the room. So, during the past two days, when Ding Qiyu claimed to be out exploring the city's mechanics, was she actually earning coins to buy this flower for her? Warmth welled deep within her heart, moistening her eyes as she reached out to touch the proud blossom. Overcome with emotion, she turned and threw herself into Ding Qiyu's arms, silently crying on her shoulder. Since meeting Ding Qiyu, Fu Ruqing had smiled and cried more in these recent days than in the past decade combined.

The silent tears of the person in her embrace panicked Ding Qiyu, filling her with heartache. She had gone to great lengths to buy the flower to make Qing'er happy, not to make her cry! Holding Fu Ruqing tightly, Ding Qiyu awkwardly patted her back, soothing, "Qing'er, why are you crying?"

After a moment, Fu Ruqing's soft voice emerged, "Over a thousand coins, wasn't it exhausting?" How hard must she have worked to earn so many coins in just two days?

Ding Qiyu paused, then quickly replied, "Ha, not at all. It wasn't exhausting. With my charm, just strolling down Yinxiang Street was enough for the young ladies to shower me with coins to buy the flower!" She boasted lightheartedly, though in truth, while some young women did give her coins, the majority were earned through her own efforts.

Recognizing the playful tone, Fu Ruqing understood Ding Qiyu was trying to ease her worries. She nestled closer to her neck, whispering, "Thank you..."

"Wow, does Qing'er need to thank me?" Ding Qiyu gently lifted Fu Ruqing's face, carefully wiping away her tears before guiding her to sit by the table. "Qing'er has given me her most precious self. As long as you like it, I'm willing to do anything for you. Now, tell me, how did things go at the mines with 'Father-in-law' this morning?"

"Father-in-law..." Fu Ruqing felt her face warm.

"Hehe, it'll happen sooner or later. So, how did things go at the mines with my 'future father-in-law'?" Ding Qiyu teased, barely changing the title but thoroughly enjoying the playful banter.

Deciding not to correct her any further, Fu Ruqing succinctly recounted the events at the mines.

While harmony and happiness reigned on Fu Ruqing's side, the patriarch faced a different scenario. Fu Shu, under the guise of a "family reunion," invited the patriarch to a banquet with his mother, eager to secure his marriage to Fu Ruqing.