Fu Ling was slightly surprised when the couple told his about their meeting with Fu Haoming. He guessed Fu Haoming would come to them, he just didn't expect they would inform him.
Perhaps his surprise was too obvious Xiu Jing smiled sadly. This was her biological son after all hie could she actually hate him? But Haoming was the child she raised for over twenty years.
Fu Ling noticed her entanglement and smiled. He never meant to stop them from meeting Fu Haoming.
"Be safe and come back early"
He couple expressed that they had heard and went out not too long after.
After thinking for a while, Fu Ling decided to take precautions. Although he felt it might be unnecessary, Fu Haoming must've faced too much stimulation. Those kinds of people were unpredictable. He arranged a group of well trained people to secretly follow the couple and make sure to protect them if things go south.
The couple arrived at the restaurant and a waiter led them to a private room where Fu Haoming was already waiting. He put on a bright smile.
"Uncle, aunt it's been so long"
The couple exchanged glances and took their seats wordlessly.
Fu Haoming kept the smile on his face and signaled the waiter to bring in the dishes he ordered.
"I haven't been able to come see you two all this while and I'm actually quite guilty about it in my heart. The whole thing and the change was a bit hard for me to adapt to. I'm sorry I didn't contact you sooner."
He apologized with a very humble attitude and anyone would be moved much less the ones who raised him as their own for twenty-two years. But it was precisely because of this that they immediately noticed the insincerity and perfunctory tone behind his apology.
Xiu Jing was uncomfortable in her heart and glanced at her husband who also turned to look at her. After being together for so many years they had already developed a tacit understanding and they both agreed that Fu Haoming's apology was crap.
Fu Haoming was waiting for the to say some caring words but they only shared a look and stopped talking which irritated him.
Xiu Jing was trying to come to terms with the current situation and had no time to cather to his needs as usual while Fu Shilei had already given up on the person and didn't want to waste even a few words on him.
As time went by and the two people sitting opposite him were still silent, the smile on Fu Haoming's face cracked and his expression became slightly distorted. Fortunately at this time, the waiter came in with the dishes. A smile found its place on his lips once more. He had deliberately ordered some of the most expensive dishes to dazzle the couple. He waited in anticipation to see the expressions of glee and delight in the faces after tasting the food and the panic when he casually mentions the prices.
Fu Haoming watched them using his peripheral vision and soon noticed something wrong. They didn't have any special reaction to the food. That's okay it must be because they're too poor to realize so he brought it up.
"I wanted to make up for the past so I bought the most expensive dishes. Don't be polite feel free to eat all you want"
Fu Shilei who had been quiet since coming there suddenly opened his mouth.
"These dishes are all good but still a bit inferior to the ones Fu Ling takes us to eat. There's one which I particularly enjoyed, it's called 'Imperial Kitchen' or so. We've been there a few times and I've still not been able to satisfy my greed". He wasn't stupid. He had noticed Fu Haoming's intentions. How proud he was of this son before, is how disappointed he is now.
Fu Haoming smiled but his eyes were shooting daggers at Fu Shilei. His hands were tightly clenched at his sides but he spoke calmly
"Is that so? Then I guess I'll have to try their craftsmanship sometime."
Fu Haoming now knew why they had no special reaction during the meal today. To be able to get a reservation at Imperial Kitchen, you might have to wait for months. Sometimes reservations were made for up to two years later. That was a place for only the rich and powerful. Having money wasn't enough to get you a seat there, you had to have connections as well. The fact that Fu Shilei said they had eaten there 'a few times' meant they must've been there alot ot times. He really underestimated their importance to Fu Ling.
They were already used to luxury and this little food today wouldn't cause any waves in their hearts. Even though they might not notice it, their mentality had undergone a subtle change. Fu Haoming cursed Fu Ling a thousand times in his heart but didn't loose his cool.
Fortunately his purpose today wasn't just to invite them for a meal and the current topic serves as the perfect leeway to say what he wanted.
He pretended to be hesitant and conflicted but finally settled into a resolve.
"Uncle, aunt I have something important to tell you. Although we are not related, I have considered you two my parents for many years and naturally have some feelings for you. What I'm about to say now may hurt your feelings but I don't want you to keep being in the dark.
Fu Ling is your biological child and I know you must want him to be successful but it's not that easy to make money. He might have been under too much pressure and accidentally went down the wrong path.
Right now, it's not too late to turn back. As a man he shouldn't be thinking of relying on another man..."
At that point he trailed off with a sigh and seems unable to go on.
"Just know that I have your best interest at heart"
He finished his speech grandly and Xiu Jing looked at him with complicated emotions in her heart. She didn't want to believe the child she raised with her own hands could be so vicious but the facts were in front of her. She and Shilei were conservative people. Although they understand that children and grandchildren have their own fortune and they wouldn't in love themselves, they look down on people who to straight to selling their bodies even though they have other options the most.
If they were not aware of the truth and blindly followed his words and caused a falling out with Fu Ling, the only one who would suffer was them. He never once considered the harm the harm this could cause them and was only focused on using them as a gun to annoy Fu Ling. Or maybe he did consider it but just didn't care.
Xiu Jing stood up
"Don't look for us anymore young master Fu. We cannot accommodate a big Buddha like you."
She walked out without looking back and Fu Shilei followed.
Fu Haoming sat alone in the private room for a while still unsure of what had just happened. He realized their meaning to distance themselves and immediately let go of the anger he had been holding in. He flipped a lamp and threw down a few plates then ripped of a piece of the curtains. After venting his anger, he walked out of the private room but was stopped.
"Sir we need to examine the damage and give you the Rotel amount for compensation"
Fu Haoming wanted to tell them to put it on his tab but the waiter had already stepped in to calculate the cost and two guards stood beside him. He was being treated like a thief.
The waiter came out several minutes later and handed him a short list. He looked down and almost vomited blood. These few things totaled to over 500,000 RMB. Fu Haoming gritted his teeth and laid angrily. He walked out of the restaurant with hatred in his eyes and took out his phone then dialed a string of numbers.
"I want you to do something for me..."
He hung up with a slight skirt at the corner of his mouth. Let's see how much trouble a dead person can cause.