Volume 1, Chapter 37: A Visit from the Future Mother-in-Law

Xu Mubai’s face was flushed, his mind completely blank. Once he regained his composure, he began to curse wildly, "I’m a pervert? I save lives and heal the wounded, earning respect everywhere, and you call the police on me? You really have the nerve, Old Fu! I was just helping you bolster your courage, and since you’re incompetent yourself, you’re taking it out on me!"

He tried to kick Fu Shiyue, but was pinned into the sofa by the bodyguards.

Fu Shiyue took out his phone, snapped a few photos of him, and immediately sent them to Chu Li. "Miss Chu, Dr. Xu’s conduct is improper. I have disciplined him on your behalf."

"Damn it! You’re playing the good guy now? You two-faced traitor..." Xu Mubai was furious. Forgetting his professional virtues as a doctor, he unleashed his entire vocabulary of profanity upon Fu Shiyue.

His miserable state was somewhat deserved.

He had nothing better to do than to play pranks on Fu Shiyue, which caused the latter to lose control in front of a young woman, scaring her into thinking he was a pervert. After Fu Shiyue crossed the line with her repeatedly, she flatly rejected him. On top of that, Xu Mubai was always experimenting with strange concoctions, using his friends as lab rats. Hitting a wall like Fu Shiyue was exactly the correction he needed.

Xu Mubai never expected Fu Shiyue to punish him so ruthlessly. Now, he lay limp in the sofa like a dead fish, roaring with impotent rage, "Our brotherhood is over! You ungrateful beast..."

Annoyed by the noise, Fu Shiyue set down his teacup and stuffed the towel he had been using to wipe his hands into Xu’s mouth. "I am not you. I haven't been a beast long enough to forget how to be a human."

Chu Li had once been Xu Mubai’s patient. There was nothing wrong with a doctor falling for a patient, but imprisoning her in his office was way over the line.

After Xu Mubai was dragged away, the butler brought over some fever medication. "Mr. Fu, this medicine tends to make you drowsy. If you’re feeling really unwell, shall I take you to the hospital?"

"No need." When Fu Shiyue was in a bad mood, he preferred to shut himself up at home and sleep.

Since Lu Miao was at a friend’s house, he could enjoy some peace for a few days, though he suddenly felt unaccustomed to the lack of chatter in his ears. He touched his chest, which was aching faintly, frowned, took the medicine, and headed upstairs to his room.

Lu Miao checked WeChat, but she hadn’t received a reply from Fu Shiyue all day.

He must have seen it; it was normal for him not to reply. In his eyes, her two messages were likely childish and self-indulgent, and he probably couldn't be bothered to respond. Regardless of whether she was being self-indulgent, she needed to make her stance clear.

Lu Miao didn't dwell on it. Just then, the owner of the lounge bar sent her a message, and she clicked on it.

"Miaomiao, the band is short-handed tonight. Can you fill in as the drummer? I’ll pay you by the hour."

Lu Miao had won first prize in the provincial children’s instrument competition at the age of five; her drumming was on par with a professional. She was close with the bar owner and often filled in when the regular drummer couldn’t make it. She treated it as a fun gig to earn some pocket money. Lu Yan never stinted on her needs, but he was strict with her allowance, fearing she would get into trouble.

"One thousand per hour, and the drinks at my friends' table are on the house."

The owner wiped sweat from his brow. "You really know how to take advantage of me."

"Then find someone else." Lu Miao felt her skills were worth the price.

The owner, reluctant to pay, immediately went to consult Fu Yanxi. "Miss Yanxi, she’s asking for an outrageous price. My usual performance fees aren't even that high."

"Hmph, poor people are truly cheap. It’s like she’s never seen money before! She should look at herself in the mirror!"

Fu Yanxi looked down on Lu Miao even more, convinced that such a money-grubbing girl was unworthy of her cousin. Her aunt would certainly never allow them to be together. Thinking of her plan for the night, a cold glint appeared in Fu Yanxi’s eyes. "Let her come to the bar tonight, and tell her to dress provocatively. I’ll pay the fee; it’s just a few thousand—consider it charity for a beggar."

The bar owner was just doing it for the money. Seeing that Fu Yanxi was willing to cover the cost, he replied to Lu Miao readily. "Fine, I agree to your terms, but I have a request as well."

Lu Miao was direct: "Speak."

"Dress sexier. Heavy makeup and big wavy hair, the more exaggerated the better to highlight the band's personality."

Lu Miao knew the rules of the band scene, and since she didn't want to be recognized anyway, she agreed. "Eight o'clock tonight, I’ll be there on time."

The owner relayed this to Fu Yanxi, who let out a triumphant sneer. Once she arrived tonight, she would make her regret it!

...

After school, Lu Miao went home and applied a gothic, smoky makeup look, painting her eyes and lips pitch black. She added a nose ring, two lip rings, and a row of jingling earrings. With her long black hair tied into a high ponytail on one side, and wearing a black, traditional-style crop top and ultra-short shorts, the entire look was "guaranteed to get a beating from Mom."

When Lu Miao arrived at the bar, she met up with Xu Jin and Wang Gege, who had brought a few other friends to cheer her on.

"Damn, Miaomiao, you look incredibly cool tonight!" Wang Gege exclaimed.

Anyone less attractive would have been overwhelmed by such makeup, but Lu Miao was naturally gifted. Her delicate, dainty face and refined features made the heavy-metal look seem both decadent and edgy. "This style looks like a 'blackened' version of a wild jinx. Can I take a photo with you?"

Lu Miao readily agreed. "Sure, take all you want before I go on stage."

Fu Yanxi sat at a nearby booth, listening to the others fawn over Lu Miao, and let out a disdainful snort. Were they blind? She looked like a tacky country bumpkin, and they called that good-looking? Ha, no wonder they hung out with Lu Miao! Everyone praising her must be a hick from the countryside, too!

However, Fu Yanxi was quickly proven wrong. Seeing Lu Miao’s unique style and her outgoing, free-spirited personality, people began bringing their drinks over to strike up a conversation. Fu Yanxi clenched her fists in jealousy.

*Just you wait, Lu Miao. You think this look is eye-catching? You’ll regret it soon enough!*

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Fu Yanxi’s eyes flashed, and she hurried outside to answer.

"Hello, Aunt? Have you arrived? I’m coming out to get you."

Mrs. Fu had originally intended to go to the school to meet Lu Miao and see the girl her son had chosen. If things went well, she wanted to invite Lu Miao to dinner. Upon hearing the news, Fu Yanxi realized it was a disaster. If Mrs. Fu went to the school, a luxury car with the recognizable Fu family license plate would draw immense attention. If Lu Miao got into that car, everyone would be green with envy. Within a day, the whole school would know Lu Miao had latched onto the Fu family.

Fu Yanxi could never let Lu Miao be that prominent. She would not allow them to meet smoothly! So, she had immediately called Mrs. Fu. "Aunt, Lu Miao has a performance tonight. Why don't I take you to see it?"

"Oh? What does she do that she can perform on stage?"

Fu Yanxi was cryptic. "You'll see when you get there, Aunt."

Intrigued, Mrs. Fu agreed.

She hadn't expected the performance to be in a bar! This was quite different from what she had imagined. Seeing Mrs. Fu’s slightly changed expression, Fu Yanxi felt a surge of glee. "Aunt, are you getting out? She’s inside, and it’s almost her turn."

As Mrs. Fu prepared to exit the car, her bodyguard bowed respectfully. "Madam, the bar environment is noisy. It’s better if you don't go in. I shall bring her to you."

Mrs. Fu smoothed her hair, her demeanor dignified and elegant. "No need. Don't frighten the young girl. I’ll just be an audience member and go take a look."

The bodyguard followed to protect her. Fu Yanxi was overjoyed, eagerly taking Mrs. Fu’s arm. "Let’s go, Aunt, I’ll take you in!" She was looking forward to seeing how disgusted Mrs. Fu would be when she saw Lu Miao’s "delinquent" look.

When they entered the bar, Lu Miao had just gotten on stage. "Aunt, that’s her." Fu Yanxi pointed her out.

Mrs. Fu looked over. A slender, fair-skinned figure sat before the drum kit. Her outfit was revealing and her makeup was extremely exaggerated, masking her true features. To the youth, it might be fashion, but to the older generation, it seemed a bit unruly. However, Mrs. Fu was well-traveled and had progressive views. She frowned slightly but said nothing.

Fu Yanxi began her snide remarks. "Aunt, look at how she’s dressed—a crop top and shorts so short you can barely see anything, and she’s staring at all these men..."

Mrs. Fu watched Lu Miao intently, ignoring Fu Yanxi’s slurs. But when Fu Yanxi added, "She just loves to show off in front of men...", Mrs. Fu suddenly turned and stared coldly at her.

Fu Yanxi felt her throat tighten, realizing she had spoken out of turn. "Aunt, did I say something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Yanxi, do not disparage a young girl. That is not the breeding of the Fu family." Mrs. Fu’s expression remained calm, but her long, cold eyes had a sharpness that pierced right through one’s heart.

Fu Yanxi’s heart sank; she quickly picked up her drink to hide her reaction.

At that moment, the ambient music stopped, and the room fell silent. The moment Lu Miao struck the drums, everyone’s heart skipped a beat, followed by the bassist and the lead singer joining in. The entire bar erupted in screams. Every strike of Lu Miao’s drumsticks was filled with such power and passion that it felt like she could ignite the world. Her performance was fierce, cool, and mesmerizing.

Fu Yanxi glared at her, stunned. She had expected Lu Miao to embarrass herself, but she was playing with such fluid grace! The audience was wild, and the atmosphere reached its peak. Fu Yanxi snorted in disdain. *So what if she has a little talent? She was sent to learn piano and ballet from a young age and has won countless national awards. Only wild kids like Lu Miao play something as low-class as the drums.*

In Fu Yanxi's mind, people were divided by class, and so were instruments.

As the song ended, applause thundered. Fu Yanxi turned, stunned to see Mrs. Fu clapping along, a look of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Aunt, so many men are whistling at her, wanting to buy her drinks and add her on WeChat. Don't you think this girl is too wild?"

Mrs. Fu smiled without replying. Who decided that girls must follow the rules? What she saw in Lu Miao was youthful vitality, burning passion, and unbridled freedom. No wonder her "stony" son liked her—this was the kind of person she herself had aspired to be in her youth. Such a girl would surely shine on a grand stage.

"Cousin’s dull personality could never handle such a wild girl. Besides, she isn't worthy of him. He needs someone virtuous and gentle..."

Mrs. Fu interrupted, "If she can handle Shiyue, I’ll be even more at ease. It’s just right that someone can keep him in check."

Fu Yanxi clenched her fists, unwilling to accept this. *It doesn’t matter. The best part is yet to come!*

During the intermission, Lu Miao was called off stage by the manager. This had been arranged by Fu Yanxi, who had also hired some thugs to block Lu Miao in the corridor.

"Little sister, you play the drums well. How about you teach your big brothers?" Two sleazy-looking men blocked her path.

Lu Miao knew she was in trouble and took a step back. "Sure, come find me after my next set."

"No, we want to learn now." Seeing her try to leave, the man grabbed her arm. "Those drumsticks are too hard and rough; look, they’ve given your delicate hands blisters. We can’t bear it, let us help you hold something else..."

As he spoke, he tried to pull her hand toward his crotch.

Just then, Fu Yanxi led Mrs. Fu over. Fu Yanxi pointed, feigning shock. "Aunt, look! I told you she was promiscuous! She’s already pulling at men the moment she’s off stage, and even... it’s disgusting!"

The corridor was long and dim; they couldn't hear the conversation or see the expression on Lu Miao’s face. From afar, it looked as if Lu Miao was embroiled with the two men. Fu Yanxi was triumphant. *Let’s see how she cleanses her name now! A slut who hides here to seduce men—her aunt will surely be so angry she leaves on the spot!*

However, Mrs. Fu saw through the situation immediately. She commanded her bodyguard, "Go and check! If the young girl is being bullied, show no mercy!"

"Yes, Madam." The bodyguard surged forward.

"Wait!" Fu Yanxi, terrified of being exposed, tried to hold Mrs. Fu back. "Aunt, she’s being intimate with other men, why would you want to interrupt her?"

"Yanxi, keep your thoughts to yourself." Mrs. Fu gave her a warning look and pushed her aside. Fu Yanxi stomped her feet in frustration.

"Let go of me!" Lu Miao struggled in disgust as the man held her wrist, then, catching him off guard, she kicked him hard! The man howled in pain and raised his hand to strike her.

Suddenly, a dark shadow lunged forward, slamming a fist into the man's face. Lu Miao broke free and retreated, watching as the shadow used professional combat techniques to quickly take down both thugs. Lu Miao clutched her chest, feeling lucky. *There are still kind people in this world,* she thought. "Thank you for saving me! Let me buy you a drink later?"

The bodyguard didn't respond but bowed toward someone behind Lu Miao. Lu Miao was confused—why was he bowing to her?

"Are you alright?"

Hearing a gentle, melodic voice behind her, Lu Miao turned. An elegant, graceful noblewoman was walking toward her.

"Madam." The bodyguard bowed respectfully.

Lu Miao’s eyes widened slightly as she stared at the woman. Her first impression was how beautiful she was—slender, wearing a water-ink tie-dye qipao, looking like a figure from a landscape painting. The second was how young she looked to be called "Madam." Finally, she wondered who this woman was and why she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"May I ask who you are..."

Mrs. Fu smiled at her. "I am Shiyue’s mother."

Lu Miao froze, her body trembling for a split second.