The first day after her wedding, Fu Yafang arrived at her workstation as usual.
As expected, all her colleagues gathered to offer their congratulations.
She smiled and politely declined everyone's well wishes, quickly immersing herself in her work.
During the lunch break, she received a message from Lai Jiong Feng Gong: [Come home with me tonight, my father wants to see you].
Fu Yafang closed her communicator, her heart at peace.
Ever since she left that interrogation room, she had anticipated this day.
She just hadn't expected it to come so soon.
Swiftly finishing her current tasks, submitting her leave request to her department head, Fu Yafang hurried away from her workstation.
Seconds later, her leave request was approved.
Fu Yafang was now the First Lady of the Military Intelligence Department; anyone who dared to cause trouble was clearly out of their mind.
She bought several bouquets of flowers at the shopping district, made some small pastries at their new home, took a hot bath, chose an elegant dress and coat, and styled her long hair, applying light makeup.
Fu Yafang continuously smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
Only when she found the most fitting and satisfactory smile did she compose herself, her expression turning fierce.
This was her first time meeting the Supreme Commander of the Black Star Empire in person.
This occasion was more severe and testing than any previous situation.
But Fu Yafang had her own trump cards: Lai Jiong Feng Gong, who was infatuated with her, was one; and meticulously studying Lai Jiong Fa Nan's personality and thought processes for a long time was another.
Of course, the most important was her unique talent for good fortune.
In the evening, Feng Gong returned home and smiled with satisfaction upon seeing his elegantly dressed wife.
"If all women in the world were as beautiful as you, there would be no wars," Feng Gong praised her like a gentleman.
Fu Yafang smiled and returned the compliment, "But that would not be as beautiful as your vision."
Carrying the flowers and the exquisite pastry box, she gently linked her arm through Feng Gong's, and they walked into the hovercar together.
At night,
The hovercar flew into a mysterious mountain.
The mountain's decor could only be described as luxurious.
The hovercar path, carved from golden jade, coupled with blue guiding light strips, made one feel as if they were in a dream.
After flying for about ten minutes, the hovercar slowly descended onto a brilliantly golden landing platform.
They disembarked steadily and walked inside.
Half an hour later, the direct relatives and family members of the Lai Jiong family were seated around a large circular dining table, quietly awaiting Lai Jiong Fa Nan.
Feng Gong and Fu Yafang sat to the right of the main seat.
Opposite them sat a beautiful woman around forty years old, the Supreme Commander's third wife, along with the young boy she had with Fa Nan.
Feng Gong's second brother was commanding troops on a foreign battlefield.
His half-sister sat further away at the table; it was rumored she also had a twin sister studying in Huiye City.
The twenty-square-meter dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast, yet only the five of them were present, creating an incredibly eerie atmosphere.
A light, quick pace of footsteps approached.
Fu Yafang prepared to rise, but Feng Gong held her back.
Lai Jiong Fa Nan strode into the dining room, removed his cape, and quickly sat in his chair, his gaze sweeping over everyone as he declared, "Let's eat."
This was Fu Yafang's first impression of Lai Jiong Fa Nan: capable and to the point.
Because it was a family gathering, his kingly aura was considerably restrained.
Yet, he still exuded a significant pressure on Fu Yafang.
Micro-hovering robots served the delectable dishes onto small plates with gold-thread patterns, presenting them to each person.
Each small plate contained only a mouthful of food.
Once consumed, it was immediately collected and replaced with another dish.
Fu Yafang gradually became accustomed to this feeding-style of dining and took a brief moment to observe the other members.
The lady opposite was constantly busy tending to her child.
Her voice was very soft, and the young boy was also very well-behaved, cooperating with his mother through silence.
The sister, seated further away, appeared bored and nudged the plate, saying, "I don't want this, bring the next one."
Lai Jiong Fa Nan, seated at the head of the table, kept his eyes fixed on the tabletop.
But Fu Yafang knew he must have examined her thoroughly through other means.
The quiet and oppressive family banquet concluded, led by Lai Jiong Fa Nan.
Everyone wiped their mouths, leaving the cleanup to the robots.
Lai Jiong Fa Nan let out a long sigh and finally looked at Fu Yafang, asking, "When do you plan to have children?"
Fu Yafang let out a soft "Ah?" and glanced slightly at Feng Gong, seeking his opinion.
Feng Gong maintained a placid expression, gazing straight ahead, feigning indifference and offering no help.
Fu Yafang, steeling herself, replied softly, "I will do my best."
Lai Jiong Fa Nan nodded, "Good, I have seen you. I am at ease."
With that, he stood up and quickly left the dining room.
Fu Yafang was stunned, thinking, "Is that it?"
However, on second thought, it made sense.
If Lai Jiong Feng Gong could find all her information, as the Supreme Commander, Lai Jiong Fa Nan would undoubtedly know her background even better.
His experts must have thoroughly analyzed Fu Yafang's personality long ago.
These brief exchanges, though devoid of excessive words, carried immense hidden information.
It seemed Lai Jiong Fa Nan had accepted Fu Yafang as a new member of the family.
The dining table slowly descended into the floor, covered again by soft carpets, leaving the entire dining room spotless.
The lady nodded kindly at Fu Yafang and led her young son out of the dining room.
Feng Gong followed Fa Nan, leaving Fu Yafang and his sister alone in the vast dining room.
"My name is Lai Jiong Xi Mei. I also have a twin sister, Lai Jiong Xi Zhao," the sister approached and greeted her warmly.
Fu Yafang smiled affably and said, "My husband has mentioned you."
"Oh~ husband..." Xi Mei leaned closer, staring at Fu Yafang's beautiful face, a sinister smile curving her lips. "Such an intimate term."
The aura she suddenly exuded was a playful yet wicked, unsettling, mischievous one,
Completely at odds with her earlier friendly demeanor.
On the way, Feng Gong had warned Fu Yafang to be wary of this sister.
Fu Yafang understood; her malice was showing so quickly, it seemed this young girl was nothing to be concerned about.
"Let me tell you a secret, hee hee!" Xi Mei said with a smile. "Do you know why my first sister-in-law was taken away?"
"I don't want to know," Fu Yafang replied with a smile, showing no mercy.
Xi Mei suddenly grinned wickedly, "Hee hee hee ha ha ha! I guess~ my brother hasn't touched you, has he~? Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Fu Yafang responded, "This is a private matter between me and your brother. If you wish to inquire about it from me, I am afraid I will not tell you."
Xi Mei laughed madly, "Hee hee, that's right! Your expression betrays you. Let me tell you a despairing secret! My brother never touches women, ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Confined to a grand estate, with a husband who never touches oneself, no woman can endure it~"
"Do you know why Father asked about children? Because he understands Big Brother's personality!"
"And that unfortunate woman, unable to bear such torment, sought out another man. All this talk of spies and agents was just to cover up family shame!"
"Sister-in-law, I look forward to seeing your show~ Hee hee hee ha ha ha! Let's see how long you can last, ha ha ha ha!"
Fu Yafang smiled, her expression unchanged, "Very well, then you will likely be disappointed."
"Tch!" Xi Mei's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a look of disdain. "Damn woman, go and die."
The dining room door was pushed open,
Feng Gong appeared at the entrance with an angry expression, gesturing Xi Mei away with his eyes, and said softly to Fu Yafang, "Dalian, come with me. Father wants to take us somewhere else."
Xi Mei let out a few ill-intentioned "Heh heh heh" chuckles, waved goodbye, and said, "Good luck~" before turning and leaving.
Fu Yafang followed Feng Gong, and they walked into a bright and luxurious corridor.
Feng Gong asked in a low voice, "Did she tell you about my ex-wife?"
Fu Yafang nodded and replied calmly, "Yes. You don't need to worry about me. I respect you and will remain chaste and tight-lipped for you."
"I married you to help you achieve your vision."
Feng Gong took Fu Yafang's hand, and after a long pause, said softly, "When I was six, my scientist mother conducted experiments on me without anyone's knowledge. The experiments failed..."
"From then on, I developed a deep-seated fear of women."
A flicker of light crossed Fu Yafang's eyes. She held Feng Gong's hand, and they stopped.
"Feng Gong," Fu Yafang said gently, "I don't resent you. Marrying you was my choice. We will face the future together."
Feng Gong nodded, and they walked towards the end of the corridor.
But in her heart, Fu Yafang smiled triumphantly, "Afraid of women, is that right? Very good. I will make you regret it in your fear, until death..."