Fu Yan Ting, despite being in his office reviewing documents, was agitated, though he couldn't pinpoint why.
His assistant, noticing Fu Yan Ting's grim expression, cautiously spoke up, "Boss, Ms. Lin has been sent to the hospital. The doctor said she's only suffering from mild anemia and is not in serious danger. However, her will to live is quite weak, and she's been threatening to commit suicide at the hospital..."
The assistant knew about the relationship between Fu Yan Ting and Lin Qian.
Yet, for so many years, Fu Yan Ting had never once called her "Mother."
In the past, Lin Qian had forbidden Fu Yan Ting from addressing her that way.
Lin Qian had told him that if he didn't want her to despise him even more, to hate him and the Fu family even more, then he shouldn't call her Mom.
For years, Fu Yan Ting had been extremely careful. Although he deeply yearned for maternal love and longed to call her Mother, he had always considered Lin Qian's feelings. Despite his inner craving, he had never uttered the word.
Therefore, the assistant dared not speak of Lin Qian's condition to Fu Yan Ting as "your mother."
The assistant feared Fu Yan Ting might erupt in anger.
Suddenly, Fu Yan Ting shot the assistant a look that instilled a sense of dread.
Fu Yan Ting spoke coldly, "You seem to have a lot of free time. Redo this month's reports ten times and submit them to me."
"Boss, I still have a lot of work to finish. I'll be going now."
With that, the assistant turned and left Fu Yan Ting's office.
Fu Yan Ting continued to look down at his documents, believing he could remain unaffected. But in reality, he had overestimated himself; the assistant's words had indeed impacted him.
Fu Yan Ting picked up his phone and scrolled to Lin Nan's number, but he hesitated to call.
Calling would likely lead to the same outcome.
Lin Qian disliked him, and she either threatened him or took her anger out on him.
Even if he wanted to express concern for Lin Qian, she would accuse him of being insincere.
Fu Yan Ting put his phone away.
But just as he did, the phone rang.
It was Lin Nan calling.
Fu Yan Ting feigned composure, placing the phone aside and letting it ring for a long while before slowly answering.
Compared to Fu Yan Ting's apparent indifference, Lin Nan sounded extremely worried.
Lin Nan pleaded on the phone, "Brother, could you please come to the hospital? Mom refuses to be given an IV drip and keeps threatening to kill herself. We're at our wits' end."
"Lin Nan, while I acknowledge you as my brother, I have never acknowledged her as my mother. So, don't tell me about such matters in the future. I won't go."
Fu Yan Ting hung up after speaking.
Unwilling to give up, Lin Nan sent Fu Yan Ting the hospital address via WeChat.
Fu Yan Ting stared at his phone for a full five minutes before finally getting up and leaving his office.
Fu Yan Ting drove to the hospital entrance, parked his car, and sat in the driver's seat, not rushing to get out, just remaining there quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, his phone rang again. He glanced at the caller ID; it was still Lin Nan. Only then did he get out of the car and walk towards Lin Qian's ward.
When Fu Yan Ting arrived at Lin Qian's ward, she was screaming hysterically at the doctors and nurses. The IV needle had been pulled from her arm, and blood was flowing down her limb.
But Lin Qian seemed not to care at all.
Lin Qian knew Lin Nan was waiting outside the ward.
She shouted, "Get Fu Yan Ting to see me!"
The doctors and nurses were already aware that Lin Qian was Fu Yan Ting's biological mother.
Given Fu Yan Ting's status, they could only treat Lin Qian with respect, especially since the Fu Group held shares in this hospital.
They didn't want to lose their jobs.
Looking around, in Yan City, only the industries under the Fu Group offered good salaries and benefits. Moving to other hospitals would mean a significant pay cut.
Hearing Lin Qian's voice, Fu Yan Ting couldn't help but frown. Lin Nan looked at Fu Yan Ting and pleaded, "Brother, you're the only one who can calm her down now. I beg you, just go in and see her, even if it's just standing at the door and looking, without saying a word."
Fu Yan Ting looked thoughtfully at Lin Nan, then slowly walked into the ward.
Upon seeing Fu Yan Ting, Lin Qian suddenly gained confidence. She pointed at the door and scolded, "You still have the nerve to come? Look at the mess you've made. Are you satisfied seeing me in such a pathetic state?"
Fu Yan Ting gave the doctors and nurses a look, and they all understandingly left the ward.
In an instant, the spacious ward was left with only Fu Yan Ting and Lin Qian.
Fu Yan Ting's powerful aura made Lin Qian hesitant to speak rashly. While Lin Qian could be domineering with others, throwing her weight around as Fu Yan Ting's mother, she immediately became timid in front of him. Especially after learning about Fu Yan Ting's capabilities, Lin Qian was even more reluctant to provoke him.
Fu Yan Ting walked step by step towards Lin Qian, a slight smile playing on his lips. He spoke word by word, "If you want me to let you off, or the Lin family, it's not impossible. It all depends on your choice."
Lin Qian looked up at Fu Yan Ting and asked nervously, "Fu Yan Ting, what do you mean by that?"
"The meaning is simple. It's either you or the Lin family. You can only choose one."
Fu Yan Ting looked at Lin Qian. He knew that someone as selfish as Lin Qian would surely choose her reputation. But as a young lady from the Lin family, if she didn't help the Lin family, Lin Nan would have no inheritance.
Fu Yan Ting suddenly became curious, wondering how Lin Qian would choose this time.
Lin Qian's face turned extremely ugly. Her eyes were fixed on Fu Yan Ting, not blinking. Lin Qian understood Fu Yan Ting's words; he was doing this intentionally. With his abilities, Lin Qian knew he could handle everything without forcing her to choose, but he deliberately said this in front of her, purely to humiliate her and put her in an awkward position.
Lin Qian clenched her fists tightly.
"Fu Yan Ting, are you really going to be this cruel to me? No matter what, I am your mother. Now that the whole world knows about our relationship, what good will it do you to see me disgraced?"
"There is indeed no benefit."
Fu Yan Ting said, his voice deep.
Seeing that Fu Yan Ting seemed to understand the situation, Lin Qian's lips curved into a slight smile. Although Fu Yan Ting wasn't a huge celebrity, he was a public figure.
He also cared about face and reputation.
As long as Fu Yan Ting recognized this reality, she could use it to blackmail him.
Lin Qian was still plotting her calculations.
Suddenly, a cold voice from above her head froze the smile on Lin Qian's face.
Lin Qian heard Fu Yan Ting speak with absolutely no trace of emotion, "As long as I'm happy, I'll do whatever I want."