Volume One, Chapter 16: Fu Juechuan Reveals His True Identity to Qiao Qiao

“Zhong Wen?” Commander Ye suddenly remembered the name. He turned around and pulled a newspaper from a stack on the bookshelf. The front page prominently featured an interview headline:

“World’s Ship King Zhong Wen Invests Ten Million US Dollars to Donate the ‘Wen Chuan Tourism Hotel’ in the Capital—Top Officials Personally Receive Him.”

Commander Ye’s pupils contracted slightly as he noted the bold date printed on the page: 1982.

Over the years, many foreign investors had poured money into domestic development, but few had been as lavish as Zhong Wen.

“Zhong Wen is your uncle?” Commander Ye’s voice was filled with surprise. He looked closely at Fu Juechuan, who wore a simple military uniform and an old watch, without a single luxury item. Despite his modest appearance, his broad and sturdy frame could not be concealed.

Such a unique aura made him stand out even within the military ranks.

Yet, it was unexpected that this young man had ties with a Hong Kong businessman.

Commander Ye felt as if he had stumbled upon a treasure, but worry soon followed. “Your family background is so good. Although my daughter Qiao Qiao isn’t lacking either, your family is wealthier. Are you sure you want to marry Qiao Qiao? Won’t you regret it?”

“Uncle, you misunderstand. Although Zhong Wen is my uncle, I am myself, and he is himself,” Fu Juechuan replied earnestly. “I’m telling you this to prove that the money I have is indeed left by my mother for her daughter-in-law. It’s not from any dubious source. I would never do anything unlawful—please rest assured.”

He showed no intention of relying on his uncle’s influence.

“Besides, my uncle’s business hasn’t been smooth sailing these past couple of years. Recently, they even faced a crisis and had to shut down a deep-sea shipping company,” Fu Juechuan added calmly, his eyes carefully watching Commander Ye’s reaction.

He was not as composed as he appeared; there were things he feared.

Hearing this, Commander Ye breathed a sigh of relief. The Zhong family encountering some trouble made them less untouchable, drawing their social standing closer.

Although his official position within the country was respectable, his own family was indeed modest.

“Is that so? Then I’m relieved,” Commander Ye said, realizing the potential misunderstanding, he quickly added, “The domestic environment here isn’t as open as Hong Kong’s. I just want you and Qiao Qiao to live well together.”

“As long as there’s enough money to get by,” Fu Juechuan replied quietly.

“Uncle, I understand,” Fu Juechuan lowered his gaze in acknowledgment, unclenching his fists as he received the confirmation.

“Alright then, I won’t keep you. Qiao Qiao must be waiting outside to talk to you,” Commander Ye said happily, hoping the couple would strengthen their bond. After all, Fu Juechuan would soon be transferred for intensive military training, so the two fiancés should spend more time together.

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Under Commander Ye’s care, Fu Juechuan felt warmth in his chest but also a pang of guilt for hiding his true identity.

Before leaving, he whispered, “Uncle, no matter what happens, I will treat Qiao Qiao well.”

“I believe you,” Commander Ye replied with a smile, unaware of his guilt, waving his hand dismissively.

Fu Juechuan gave a deep military salute before turning to leave the study.

Downstairs, Fu Juechuan descended the stairs to find only Ye Qiao Qiao remaining by the sofa. Xie Lin and Gu Jin had left to handle some private matters.

Hearing the steady footsteps, Ye Qiao Qiao immediately recognized him. She looked up and greeted him with a smile, “Brother Fu, has my father finished talking with you?”

“Yes,” Fu Juechuan answered, his expression unreadable as he stepped down.

Ye Qiao Qiao quietly observed his face, trying to gauge his mood. She didn’t know what her father had said, but seeing no sign of displeasure, she let out a small sigh of relief.

Once he sat down, Ye Qiao Qiao quickly got up to pour him a cup of hot tea.

Seeing her gesture, Fu Juechuan rose as well, but slower. When Ye Qiao Qiao raised the cup to him, he subtly sat back down.

“Brother Fu, here’s your tea.”

“Thanks,” he said. His fingers tingled from the heat, but he seemed unaffected, drinking the steaming tea in one gulp. The burning sensation in his throat jolted him back to awareness.

“Brother Fu, did my father trouble you in any way?”

“You gave too much as a betrothal gift. My father was bound to be curious and ask about it,” Ye Qiao Qiao nervously pondered whether the betrothal gift might reveal Fu Juechuan’s true identity, unaware of his hurried gulp of tea.

“I appreciate you honoring me with such a generous gift, but money isn’t easy to come by, so I can’t accept it,” she said, handing him the bankbook.

Even knowing Fu Juechuan’s real background, Ye Qiao Qiao didn’t believe he should give her so much simply because he was wealthy.

His wealth was his own business; accepting it would be greedy, especially since they weren’t truly married yet—not a real family.

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Fu Juechuan stared at the bankbook so close in front of him, his voice low, “Is it because I gave it that you won’t accept?”

“Huh?” Ye Qiao Qiao found his words strange. What did he mean by only refusing because it came from him? Did he think she had some objection to him?

“Brother Fu, you misunderstand. I just think we’re not married yet, so I can’t accept this money. Besides, you gave too much—I’m worried you won’t have enough for yourself,” she explained sincerely, her eyes revealing a hint of nervousness as if afraid he wouldn’t believe her.

Noticing her expression, Fu Juechuan’s gaze softened. “It’s alright. This money was indeed left by my mother for her daughter-in-law. Qiao Qiao, please accept it without worry. Unless you don’t want to marry me—in that case, you can return it.”

With that, Ye Qiao Qiao had no choice but to accept.

After just half a month together, no examples were needed to prove Fu Juechuan’s character was far better than most. Such a good match meant she wouldn’t be mistreated after marriage, even without love at first.

Naturally, she would cherish it.

“…Then Brother Fu, I’ll accept it. If you ever need money, just ask me,” Ye Qiao Qiao said with a smile. “I’m not short of money—I still have some left by my mother.”

Fu Juechuan watched her smiling face and swallowed hard. Suddenly, he spoke, “Qiao Qiao, there’s something I’ve been hiding from you.”

“What is it?” Ye Qiao Qiao asked, still carefully putting away the bankbook, her smile unwavering.

He didn’t want to shatter her happiness, but something compelled him to speak. “Qiao Qiao, I’ve concealed my background from my uncle, but I don’t want to deceive you.”

If he deceived Qiao Qiao, could they truly become a family?

Tensing all over, he avoided her gaze and resolutely revealed the truth: “Actually, my father is Fu Min’an, a senior commander in the Capital Military District, holding a rank higher than your uncle. I am the eldest son from his first wife. Our family also includes a sixteen-year-old younger brother and a fourteen-year-old sister from my father’s second wife.”