Chapter Thirty-Two The Background of Fan Yirou

“Ah! Brother Chen Hao, what brings you here?” Gu Mengyan’s smile bloomed like a flower as she looked at Chen Hao. “Let me introduce you—this is my classmate, Fan Yirou. Hehe! She’s just like our family—a daughter of a wealthy household! I didn’t even know until today! We weren’t that close before, but now we’re good friends.

And I have some thrilling news for you: Fan Yirou will be moving into our house soon to keep us company!”

With her cheerful disposition, Gu Mengyan had already made the decision on Fan Yirou’s behalf and arranged for her to live with them. Fan Yirou didn’t object; she simply gazed at Chen Hao with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

This anticipation, however, did not seem merely about seeking Chen Hao’s approval for Gu Mengyan’s arrangement; there appeared to be something else behind it.

After Gu Mengyan finished introducing Fan Yirou, she promptly introduced Chen Hao as well: “Yirou, this is my brother, Chen Hao—the future master of this grand estate.”

Fan Yirou didn’t put on an overly polite face; she simply nodded to Chen Hao in a composed manner. “Hello!”

Though Chen Hao sensed a certain aloofness from her, he kept his own cheerful demeanor. “Hello to you as well! Since you’re Mengyan’s friend, there’s no need to be so formal. If you like anything or need anything, just let me know. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.”

After the brief exchange, Chen Hao turned to Gu Mengyan. “You little rascal, the banquet is about to start. Why aren’t you changing and getting ready? You’re the star tonight. Make sure you dress beautifully—don’t embarrass yourself in front of everyone!”

As he spoke, Chen Hao patted Gu Mengyan on the head. “I’ll take care of your friend for now and bring her to the dining room!”

Gu Mengyan giggled and waved to Fan Yirou. “Yirou, I’m off to get ready. See you at the banquet!”

Without waiting for a response from either of them, she dashed off to her room, her small legs fluttering.

“Hehe…” Watching Gu Mengyan’s retreating figure, Fan Yirou was the first to laugh softly. “She really is bursting with energy!”

Chen Hao turned to look at Fan Yirou with curiosity. Though it was his first time meeting her in person, he had actually known about her for quite some time. Both Chen Hao and his father, Chen Ding’an, cared deeply for his precious younger sister.

As soon as they enrolled Gu Mengyan in school, they made sure to know all the students in her class. Not only that, but they used their connections to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds and family situations of these classmates.

Furthermore, during Gu Mengyan’s early school days, Chen Ding’an had his own people reporting to him daily, so he was intimately familiar with everything happening at school and in her class. Naturally, Chen Hao learned much from his father.

Fan Yirou, the girl standing before him now, was one of the few names his father had marked with a red pen on the list. After noticing this, Chen Hao’s curiosity was piqued, and he dug out Fan Yirou’s file from the stack of student profiles.

Fan Yirou, female, born on September 21, 325 New Era, residing in a private estate outside Wuding Gate, Xindu. Her father, Fan Jian, is the chairman of a major corporation…

Upon reading this, Chen Hao immediately understood why his father had highlighted Fan Yirou’s name—she, too, was a scion of a wealthy family! Moreover, like Gu Mengyan, she chose a regular public school and kept her identity under wraps.

But unlike Gu Mengyan, Fan Yirou was not the adopted child of some affluent family; she was Fan Jian’s biological daughter. However… the file indicated that her life had not been as happy as Gu Mengyan’s.

Gu Mengyan was not an only child; she had an older brother, though his arrival in the Fan household occurred after Fan Yirou was born. The reason was simple, and, as is often the case among the wealthy, somewhat melodramatic.

Fan Yirou’s father, Fan Jian, was a remarkable businessman—wealthy, talented, and, aside from running his own trading company, also a renowned architect whose works had won international awards, including the Pritzker Prize, known as the “Oscars” of architecture.

Coupled with his handsome appearance and tall stature, he was an idol for many young men and a dream lover for countless women in his youth.

Naturally, Fan Jian was charming and wealthy in his younger days, leaving a trail of romantic entanglements. Still, he was always cautious not to let these affairs bear fruit. Before he came of age, his father had arranged an excellent marriage for him.

His bride came from an equally prestigious family—beautiful, accomplished, gentle, and kind—the perfect choice for a lifelong partner.

Both Fan Jian and the young woman were satisfied with the arrangement and fell in love upon meeting, becoming the very picture of a match made in heaven.

After their marriage, they did not rush to have children; Fan Jian was occupied with his career and architectural pursuits, and his wife had her own work. Being still young, they did not prioritize having a child, which was not unusual in such families.

But as the chairman of a major company, Fan Jian’s social obligations were inevitable. He often dined and drank with clients, and in such settings, there was no shortage of other entertainments.

Over time, Fan Jian inevitably encountered many young women eager for a chance at a better life. These women, though not as gentle or well-bred as his wife, were merely fleeting distractions. Initially, out of loyalty, Fan Jian avoided them.

But for the sake of blending in with his clients, he gradually adopted their ways.

The first time Fan Jian returned from a night of indulgence, his wife immediately sensed something was amiss—women’s intuition is rarely wrong. She had no concrete evidence, but the faint scent of an unfamiliar perfume, mixed with alcohol on his clothes, told her everything.

It wasn’t simply from sitting with a female client wearing perfume. Anyone who’s been in a large smoky room with heavy drinking knows you don’t walk out with a lingering fragrance unless there’s been more intimate contact.

Despite discovering her husband’s indiscretion, Fan Jian’s wife chose not to confront him. Instead, she welcomed him home as usual, kindly prepared his bath, and helped wash away the fatigue and scent of his night out.

Haunted by guilt, Fan Jian confessed his mistake to his wife and earnestly sought her forgiveness.

She did not blame him. On the contrary, she was pleased that a gentle gesture on her part had prompted her husband’s honesty. In her view, there was no need for harsh reproach; after all, men in this society were expected to provide for their families and, at times, engage in such social rituals. Her own parents had faced similar situations, and she’d learned from her mother how to handle them.

Fan Jian’s wife expressed her understanding but asked that he try to avoid such situations in the future, and, if unavoidable, to report back to her upon returning home. As a “punishment,” he had to help her bathe—a playful marital demand, more reward than penalty. Fan Jian gladly agreed and resolved in his heart to avoid such occurrences whenever possible.

Their life continued happily, until an accident shattered their peace. To call it an accident is perhaps misleading—Fan Jian had been set up. At a social gathering, an exceptionally beautiful woman was arranged to accompany him, and something was slipped into his drink.

What happened next needs no elaboration. Fan Jian didn’t come home that night and remembered nothing the next day.

When he returned home, his wife could see he genuinely had no recollection of the events, so she said nothing. Until one day, a beautiful woman arrived at their door with a five-year-old boy in tow, and the couple’s once-happy life was instantly upended.

The woman did not seek out Fan Jian privately but came to their penthouse during working hours and rang the doorbell. At the time, they had not yet moved to the estate.

It was Fan Jian’s wife—Fan Yirou’s mother—who answered the door. Faced with a strange woman and a little boy who bore a striking resemblance to her husband, she immediately understood.

She did not drive them away nor lose her temper. Instead, she graciously invited them inside and instructed the maid to prepare warm milk and sweet bread for the boy.

Once the two women with ties to Fan Jian were seated, his wife spoke directly, “Tell me, what is it you need?”