"People can lead their own lives whether they're rich or poor," Wen Baozhu said earnestly. "The definition of happiness is up to oneself to judge."
Some people believe that marrying into a wealthy family is happiness; while others think that living in a small house with their family, enjoying a harmonious life, is also a form of happiness.
The so - called "unhappiness" doesn't stem from a lack of money or status, but rather from unfulfilled desires.
The more desires one has, the less likely they are to be happy.
Li Wenshu laughed. "According to you, are those poor people living in cramped quarters happier than us, the upper - class?"
Wen Baozhu also smiled. "I don't know, but I think if given a choice, they'd surely want to be part of the upper class."
Everyone wants to climb up in life.
Li Wenshu seemed satisfied. "Look at this empty plot. It's just a place for the dead, yet it's larger than some of the houses where the living reside. It's so unfair."
As she said this, there was a hint of humor in her tone.
The once - tense atmosphere dissipated with her words.
Wen Baozhu and Li Wenshu exchanged a smile.
No matter if one is a wealthy man or a beggar, in the end, everyone is subject to death.
"Do you know why I brought you here?"
On the way here, Wen Baozhu had already guessed. "It's almost the New Year. We're here to pray for the well - being of the Fu family."
In the mainland, there's a custom of burning paper to mourn for relatives on New Year's Eve. She supposed there was a similar tradition in Hong Kong.
No wonder Fu Lian had reminded her this morning to get up early for breakfast. He must have known this was coming.
Li Wenshu said, "It's not entirely that. In previous years, I'd always let my subordinates handle this, or the two brothers would come. But this year, I wanted to come and see for myself." She pointed to the empty plot not far away. "Mainly, I wanted to check out the place where I'll lie in the future, get familiar with it first."
Wen Baozhu looked in the direction she pointed. Sure enough, it was an unoccupied burial plot. Next to it was the tombstone of her husband.
A bit further down was Fu Nian's tombstone.
Based on the layout, Fu Lian and Fu Nian were of the same generation, so they should be buried together. But Fu Nian's tombstone was in the middle, with no more space on either side.
She blurted out involuntarily, "Where's Mr. Fu's plot?"
Li Wenshu's eyes were full of meaning. "There isn't one."
No plot?
What did that mean?
Wen Baozhu's mind went blank for a moment. She opened and closed her mouth several times. "…Why?"
Li Wenshu was expressionless, her eyes cold. "There's no reason. He won't be buried in the Fu family cemetery."
Wen Baozhu was shocked by this, but she was afraid of provoking Li Wenshu, so she didn't dare to ask further.
"Are you wondering if Fu Lian is my biological son?"
It was as if Li Wenshu could read minds.
She continued on her own. "Of course he is my child. I nearly died giving birth to him. There's no doubt about that."
She paused. "But children can be close or distant. Some children are born with evil in their blood and don't deserve our affection."
That "some children" must be referring to Fu Lian.
Wen Baozhu thought for a moment but couldn't help asking, "What did Mr. Fu do? Why do you say that?"
"Are you defending him?"
"No."
Li Wenshu turned to look at Wen Baozhu and said softly, "How could a human being drive his own brother to death?"
Wen Baozhu was slightly stunned.
"Did Mr. Fu kill…" She didn't dare to finish.
"Not just once. Over the years, A Lian has tried to kill A Nian more than once, but he never succeeded. But this year… he found a woman and sent her to A Nian."
She couldn't go on. She covered her face with a handkerchief.
"Was that woman a killer?" Wen Baozhu murmured. "So, Fu Nian didn't die in his bed suddenly. Instead…"
"How could my youngest son be so depraved?"
Li Wenshu looked up. Her tear - filled eyes were full of hatred. "He respected his elder brother so much that he was willing to give up everything he had and be a hands - off manager. But it still couldn't soften his heart."
Wen Baozhu pursed her lips.
"What, don't you believe me?" Li Wenshu asked.
"I'm just so surprised that Mr. Fu would do such a thing."
Li Wenshu smiled faintly, not surprised by her reaction. "Throughout history, there have been countless examples of brothers fighting each other. I don't need to explain it in detail."
"You've been in the Fu family for so long. You should know what a ruthless man he is."
To the outside world, Fu Lian was a gentle and elegant gentleman. He did charity and public welfare work, and was highly praised both inside and outside the industry.
But inside the family, Wen Baozhu had to admit that Fu Lian was indeed a man with unpredictable emotions, a devil who would punish her in perverse ways at any time.
"The first woman was the one who took Fu Nian's life, and you're the second woman he sent into the Fu family."
Wen Baozhu caught her breath.
"But you're not as ruthless as the previous one. I can tell that you're a kind - hearted person." Li Wenshu looked at her. "At least, you can tell right from wrong."
Wen Baozhu tightened her grip on her palms.
Here it comes.
Li Wenshu was trying to win her over.
"Actually, I think you're more difficult to deal with than the previous woman." Li Wenshu shook her head. "You have no ambition. You don't even want to fight for the Fu family's wealth, let alone control Fu Lian."
The idea of controlling Fu Lian was too bold for Wen Baozhu to even consider.
She lived in constant fear, struggling to survive under the man's sharp eyes. How could she ever think of controlling him?
"Thankfully, there's always a way out." Li Wenshu's expression softened a bit. Her eyes fell on Wen Baozhu's stomach. "The Fu family is blessed. There's still a child."
Wen Baozhu unconsciously touched her stomach.
"I know you had no feelings for A Nian, but you're the legitimate wife of the Fu family. From now on, you'll carry the Fu surname."
She spread out her hands. "Look at me. Even though my husband has been dead for many years, I'm still in charge of the whole Fu family. My position won't change because of the death of the men in the Fu family."
Wen Baozhu looked at her.
Li Wenshu said, "I want to tell you that you'll always be A Nian's wife. No matter how the Fu family falls apart or how fierce the internal struggles are, you'll always be treated as the mistress of the Fu family. As long as the Fu family exists, you'll be tied to it."
"This is a woman's honor and also her responsibility." Li Wenshu said seriously. "So, no matter whose child you give birth to, you're a woman of the Fu family, and the child is just a child of the Fu family."
Just like the cemetery, the child and Wen Baozhu were just possessions of the Fu family, having nothing to do with Fu Lian.
Li Wenshu was determined to completely expel Fu Lian from the Fu family!