Evil Love Appears chapter 15

On New Year’s Day, after Fu Xiaoyu woke up, he received a phone call from Tang Ning.

“Xiaoyu, are you still busy with work today? It’s New Year’s, how about taking a day off? Auntie can take you and your dad out for seafood,” Tang Ning said in a gentle tone.

Fu Xiaoyu lay in bed and replied in a somewhat gloomy voice, “Auntie, I…”

After the long-distance flight the previous day and everything that happened at the company, he had a persistent headache, and he had barely managed to fall asleep last night with the help of sleeping pills. He still felt physically uncomfortable when he woke up.

In such moments, hearing Tang Ning’s gentle inquiry made him almost blurt out an agreement.

“I have a company dinner today,” he added after a moment of thought.

However, he quickly regained his composure and said, “You and Dad can go for the meal; I’ll have my assistant reserve a good spot for you.”

“Alright. Make sure you have fun,” Tang Ning replied. She didn’t press him further and continued, “Xiaoyu, Auntie knows that Dad was wrong yesterday. No matter what, he shouldn’t have gone to your company or even hit you.”

Fu Xiaoyu just listened quietly. On the other end, the female alpha continued, “Dad regrets what he did; when he told me about it last night, he looked very upset. Listen, deep down, he just misses you. You know, after you graduated, the number of times you’ve come back home can be counted on one hand. This misunderstanding happened because of that. Although he’s sad and reluctant to apologize to you… he has a quick temper. Xiaoyu, don’t be angry with Dad. Whenever you have the time, try to come back and spend more time with him. Seeing you two like this makes me uncomfortable, alright?”

“Auntie, I’m not angry,” Fu Xiaoyu finally replied in a hoarse voice. “I’m just really busy with work, but I’ll try to make time to come home.”

“You’re a good child,” Tang Ning said. “Take care of yourself, and if you ever need anything, call me.”

Fu Xiaoyu hung up the phone and curled up under the blanket.

In fact, he had probably guessed it already.

Tang Ning’s call was most likely because Fu Jing was feeling upset and had complained to her, so she wanted to mend their relationship as much as possible.

Even though he had anticipated it, he still patiently listened to Tang Ning and was willing to yield to her.

Tang Ning was an impeccable alpha, a quiet homemaker, and she cared for omegas. She was also a perfect stepmother who had never scolded or hit him.

He wasn’t just grateful to her; he genuinely liked her. However, from childhood to adulthood, every time he realized that Tang Ning’s care for him was actually due to her love for Fu Jing, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

…

Feeling a bit unwell, Fu Xiaoyu dressed warmly for the day. He chose a soft milky-white sweater with gray gradient patterns around the neckline. He wore a Canadian goose down jacket over the sweater and a Rolex watch with a diamond-studded dial on his wrist.

He didn’t have many elegant watches, so he often wore this one for both business and casual occasions.

Although he had his own agenda, it was still New Year’s, so Fu Xiaoyu picked a high-end bottle of Bordeaux wine from the wine cabinet as a gift.

As soon as he arrived at Wen Ke’s house, he was warmly welcomed by the hospitable omega.

“Wow, it’s freezing outside today. Come inside and warm up!” Wen Ke took the bottle of wine and seemed to be in a good mood, smiling as he said, “I’ve prepared all the ingredients for hotpot, we’re just waiting for you to start the fire!”

Fu Xiaoyu wanted to get straight to the point as soon as he arrived. However, when he saw how happy Wen Ke was to have a New Year’s Eve dinner, he felt that it would be too impolite to act so seriously without even eating. So, he hesitated for a moment and decided to have dinner first before talking privately with Han Jiangque.

When Han Jiangque saw him, although there was a hint of complexity in his eyes, he still greeted him as usual.

On the other hand, when Xu Jiale walked past him, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He glanced at Fu Xiaoyu’s sweater and smiled slightly before casually walking away.

Soon, everyone was seated around the dining table, and the butter hotpot was bubbling away, filling the air with a rich aroma.

Wen Ke served the dipping sauces while saying, “These sauces were personally prepared by Chef Xu. Try them and see how they taste! Xiaoyu, do you want the oil-based sauce or the sesame sauce?”

Oil-based sauce was fattening, and sesame sauce was even more so.

Few people realized the calorie content in sesame sauce, but Fu Xiaoyu was well aware of it. After some thought, he replied, “I won’t have any sauce.”

As he spoke, Xu Jiale, who was sitting next to him, glanced at him again.

Fu Xiaoyu had an intuition that Xu Jiale was once again looking at his sweater. This made him feel conflicted.

What did Xu Jiale mean by this look?

He was usually quite skilled in dressing up. Could it be that he looked untidy today because he wasn’t feeling well?

Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t believe that, in the midst of all his worries, he still found time to focus on such a trivial matter. It was truly astonishing.

After the hotpot started cooking, Han Jiangque was completely absorbed in skewering the lamb slices, while Xu Jiale and Wen Ke chatted about family topics. They discussed how Xu Jiale’s ex-husband had taken their child on a New Year’s Eve cruise and why he didn’t join them for the reunion.

Xu Jiale seemed quite relaxed, and it didn’t appear that he was too upset. Although he mentioned that he missed his son quite a bit.

Fu Xiaoyu, who was lost in his thoughts about the sweater, listened to their conversation. However, while peeling a freshly cooked jumbo shrimp, he was taken by surprise. His fingers suddenly throbbed with pain, and he couldn’t help but emit a soft hiss.

His hand had been pierced by one of the shrimp’s sharp legs. He squeezed it gently, and a few drops of blood oozed out. Quickly, he grabbed a tissue and applied pressure to the cut.

It hurt quite a bit, especially considering the shrimp had been cooked in a spicy hotpot and still had chili oil on it. With his finger injured, he knew he wouldn’t be able to peel any more shrimp.

He wouldn’t be able to eat the shrimp.

Fu Xiaoyu felt a bit frustrated, but he didn’t mention it to anyone. He quietly decided to give up on eating shrimp.

He picked up his chopsticks, intending to pick up some vegetables from the chicken soup pot when he suddenly felt his hand being touched by Xu Jiale.

He was a bit surprised, and when he lowered his head, he suddenly noticed that at that moment, Xu Jiale had already swapped their plates.

Now, in front of him, there were five or six large prawns with shells removed, piled high on his plate.

Han Jiangque and Wen Ke, sitting across the table, hadn’t noticed what had happened here. Xu Jiale’s actions were so fast and natural that Fu Xiaoyu didn’t even have time to feel abrupt.

He stared blankly for a moment, hesitated for a while, and finally couldn’t resist using his chopsticks to pick up a shrimp and started eating.

It was so delicious.

The plump and sweet shrimp meat, combined with the aroma of the butter hotpot, created a perfect texture and taste.

He actually loved seafood like shrimp, crab, and scallops. They were high in protein, low in fat, and easy on the stomach.

Fu Xiaoyu was actually quite hungry. He hadn’t eaten much the entire day before and this morning.

When he started eating, the deliciousness was so overwhelming that he forgot to be embarrassed. He just focused on enjoying the food.

Xu Jiale, on the other hand, was chatting cheerfully with Wen Ke about how his son in kindergarten had already started writing love letters to his pretty classmates in their senior class. Despite their lively conversation, he never missed a beat in serving Fu Xiaoyu. Every time Fu Xiaoyu finished one shrimp, another peeled one appeared on his plate, as if there was an unlimited supply.

However, Fu Xiaoyu eventually started feeling a bit embarrassed. He wiped his hands and picked up his wine glass, deliberately drinking slowly, sip by sip. In reality, he hoped that Xu Jiale would eat a few shrimp himself.

But to his surprise, when Xu Jiale saw that he wasn’t eating, he simply nonchalantly moved the plate back to his side without offering any more. Then, he… completely ignored him and ate all the shrimp himself.

“…” Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t help but look at Xu Jiale again. He saw that the alpha had no intention of sharing any more shrimp with him. So, he lowered his head and used his chopsticks to pick up some vegetables.

He had thin skin and was quite strong-willed. Eating shrimp that someone else had peeled for him was a first for him, and he couldn’t bring himself to ask for more shrimp like a child would. It would be too embarrassing.

After everyone had eaten their fill, Xu Jiale volunteered to clear the table, while Wen Ke went to the kitchen to prepare some fruit.

This was the perfect opportunity. Fu Xiaoyu stood up and walked over to Han Jiangque, saying, “Han Jiangque, I have something important to discuss with you privately.”

He emphasized the words “important” and “privately,” making it clear that he wouldn’t give the alpha any room to avoid the conversation.

Han Jiangque looked up at him and indeed showed a hesitant expression.

But Xu Jiale, who was nearby, had already looked over, so Fu Xiaoyu continued, “Let’s go to a room.”

Once the door was closed, Han Jiangque lowered his voice and said, “Xiaoyu, Wen Ke is still at home; you shouldn’t be discussing these things here.”

There was a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

But what he was most concerned about was Wen Ke.

Even if he anticipated the heated argument that was about to happen between them, Han Jiangque biggest worry wasn’t anything else, but the fear of Wen Ke overhearing it.

Fu Xiaoyu hadn’t even spoken yet, but he already felt his chest tighten, making it hard to breathe.

He took a deep breath and said straightforwardly, “Han Jiangque, I’m here because you deliberately pushed through a proposal at the board of directors while I was on a business trip to Europe, a proposal that I disagreed with. And when I rushed back, you refused to see me or respond to my messages. Do you think your current behavior is that of a responsible CEO?”

“I know you’re not happy.”

Han Jiangque, who stood at 192 cm, had an imposing presence, even among alphas.

But when facing Fu Xiaoyu’s reprimands, he involuntarily lowered his head slightly.

“Xiaoyu, I passed it without your consent because I knew you wouldn’t agree. But I had to do it—I’ve already told you, I’ve made up my mind about this. So, I’ve appointed a manager from the Han family to handle the acquisition case. It won’t take up your time, and you’ll still be the CEO in charge of everything other than the acquisition. You… don’t have to interfere in this proposal anymore…,” Han Jiangque explained.

“Do you think I disagreed because I didn’t want to do it? Don’t you understand?” Fu Xiaoyu’s voice unintentionally rose, “I rejected the proposal because the acquisition of Yunfeng is a money-losing deal. I know what you really want to do—you just want to find leverage against the Zhuo family to seek revenge for Wen Ke. You’re even willing to risk the future of IM Group for it. I’m here today to tell you officially—I disagree.”

He said each word carefully, “Han Jiangque, I want you to call the board of directors right now and retract the resolution.”

He stared at Han Jiangque from up close, exerting pressure on the alpha, not giving him any room to escape.

Based on countless successful experiences in the past, Fu Xiaoyu knew that Han Jiangque wasn’t such a stubborn and domineering alpha. As long as he became firm, he had always had the upper hand in front of Han Jiangque.

He would get what he wanted.

Han Jiangque almost took a step back, his expression hesitant for a few seconds. But then, as if he had made up his mind, he straightened his posture and looked down at Fu Xiaoyu, saying, “Whether you agree or not, the acquisition will proceed as planned. I am the CEO of IM Group, and I have the authority to make decisions. Don’t come to me to negotiate about this matter anymore. You are still my executive CEO, and I will do what I decide. If you don’t want to handle this proposal, I’ll assign someone else to do it. It won’t affect you, so don’t interfere.”

Fu Xiaoyu didn’t back down; instead, he asked, “What if I insist on interfering?”

“Don’t force me to remove you from your position.”

Han Jiangque took a deep breath and said softly.

Fu Xiaoyu stared at the tall alpha, feeling like he had been hit hard in the chest.

“Xiaoyu… you’re my friend.”

Perhaps seeing the sadness in his eyes, Han Jiangque’s tone softened gradually, almost begging, “I’ve always supported whatever you wanted to do, no matter how risky it was or how much money we lost. But now, I just want to do this one thing—to seek revenge for Wen Ke, just this one thing. You know how much suffering he went through because of that scumbag. I… I just can’t let those things go. Xiaoyu, please, don’t interfere with this anymore, okay?”

“Han Jiangque, why do you make it sound so casual? Is this just ‘one thing’?” Fu Xiaoyu’s voice was hoarse. He tried to stay calm, but he bit down hard on his words, “I know you hate Zhuo Yuan. But targeting Zhuo Yuan is one thing, making Donglin suffer is another. Do you know that Zhuo Yuan’s family background isn’t easy to mess with? How many people are investigating me and IM Group right now? The Western River case won’t stay hidden for long, and B City isn’t your Han family’s territory. By doing this, you’re also risking Uncle Han’s wrath. Han Jiangque, understand this—I don’t care about what Wen Ke went through in the past. Damn it, who hasn’t suffered in this world? Besides, it’s all in the past, and he’s already gained everything he wanted. But IM is the result of my and your hard work; that’s what I care about!”

Although Fu Xiaoyu tried to keep himself calm, he knew that today’s focus was to convince Han Jiangque, who was stubborn. He needed to calm down.

He knew he shouldn’t be like this, he really knew it, but he couldn’t control himself.

Seeing the suffering Wen Ke went through, deceived by Zhuo Yuan and enduring a painful marriage for ten years, Fu Xiaoyu occasionally even saw the brutal bite marks on the omega’s neck.

He did know how much suffering Wen Ke had endured.

But perhaps subconsciously, he really envied Wen Ke because of these things, which is why he intentionally belittled the suffering Wen Ke had gone through.

“Fu Xiaoyu!”

Han Jiangque almost roared at him.

The scent of an S-rank alpha was so overpowering when furious that even he felt intense pressure and had to step back half a step uncomfortably.

There were traces of bloodshot in Han Jiangque’s eyes, and his expression gradually changed from anger to disappointment and sadness. “You say you’re my friend, but it seems like you only need my funds and platform. I’m your friend when I listen to you, but I’m nothing when I don’t. Fu Xiaoyu, you’ve always known that I’m not very smart. I actually don’t care about the Han family’s money and status. You also know… I’ve waited for Wen Ke for ten years, I…”

He stumbled over his words, almost incoherent, and finally took a deep breath and said softly, “Forget it, you don’t actually care about what I want. Fu Xiaoyu, you only care about your own interests.”

Fu Xiaoyu, you only care about your own interests.

At the moment he heard this sentence, it felt like a heavy blow.

Fu Xiaoyu stood still in a daze for a long time, not even knowing how to respond.

In that instant, he even lost the motivation to defend himself.

“Yes, I only care about…”

He stubbornly lifted his head, but he couldn’t continue.

In the end, with red eyes, he said, “Han Jiangque, let me say it again. Every step you take now is playing with fire. If you continue to let yourself spiral out of control like this, I won’t hide what you’re doing here from the Han family. You’ll bear the consequences.”

He finished speaking and walked out of the room without looking back. He swiftly went to the coat rack near the front door, took his down jacket, put it on, and prepared to leave.

Both Wen Ke and Xu Jiale were standing outside. They probably heard the commotion, and Wen Ke quickly stepped forward and stopped him, asking with concern, “Xiaoyu, what’s wrong?”

“Sorry, I have something to deal with. I need to leave.”

Fu Xiaoyu couldn’t hide his emotions at all.

He suddenly realized that he was sadder than he had imagined.

In Han Jiangque’s eyes, he had become a selfish and vile person, and he couldn’t entirely blame Han Jiangque for that.

Although he had been Han Jiangque’s subordinate as the largest shareholder for a long time, when they talked, he often had the upper hand.

Sometimes, when Han Jiangque did something wrong, Fu Xiaoyu treated him no differently than Wang Xiaoshan. He was used to it, but today, during their heated argument, he saw Han Jiangque looking sad and dejected in front of him. He suddenly trembled.

Was Han Jiangque ever treated like this by Wen Ke?

Being accused sternly, hanging his head in reprimand.

Perhaps it was because of this that he was so attached to the gentle and kind Wen Ke.

He realized that he had lived his life like a villain in a movie, and he had reached a point of self-loathing that he couldn’t stay here and face Wen Ke.

Fu Xiaoyu turned around and slammed the door shut with a loud “bang.”