Chapter 11: Entering His Heart

"This is grandmother's favorite piece of jewelry, even older than her," said Old Mrs. Fu, handing the keepsake to Ye Li. "I hope you and Yanci will hold hands and grow old together."

"This includes several properties in Imperial City and a few hot spring resorts in the suburbs, a gift prepared by your grandfather and me for our granddaughter-in-law..."

"Here is the key to the safe."

...

One by one, Old Mrs. Fu explained everything in great detail.

Ye Li looked at the various-sized boxes and the thick real estate deeds on the table, her gaze pleading toward the direction where Yanci had left.

As for the jewelry, she could just accept it, and worst-case scenario, return everything untouched if they ever divorced.

But how could she dare to accept the deeds and the safe key?

If anything went wrong while they were in her care, she couldn't afford to compensate, not by a long shot!

She wanted to tell her grandmother that they were just a couple in a contract marriage, and it might be safer for her to keep these treasures.

But she wasn't sure what Yanci had told Old Mrs. Fu.

If she slipped up, Yanci might strangle her, right?

And if something happened to Old Mrs. Fu out of shock, that would be an unforgivable sin.

Her mind raced, but by the time Old Mrs. Fu finished her instructions, Yanci still had not returned.

Watching Old Mrs. Fu's kind eyes, Ye Li replied with a gentle and radiant smile, "Of course, Grandmother, I'll remember!"

"What a good child!"

Old Mrs. Fu patted Ye Li's hand, her face wrinkling into a smile.

She had thought that with her grandson's icy demeanor, she might never see him marry and settle down before she closed her eyes forever. Life was full of surprises.

Though she didn't know what had finally changed his mind, the process wasn't important.

Old Mrs. Fu lovingly touched Ye Li's face. "Lizi, you and Yanci must take good care of each other, alright?"

"For many years, aside from us, his grandparents, no one has pampered him. His mother, as good as absent, might as well have really been absent..."

She paused as if feeling it was unbecoming to speak ill of someone behind their back, then continued, "Yanci may seem cold, but he's warm-hearted once you get to know him. But first, you need to make it into his heart. Lizi, I'm entrusting Yanci to you now. As husband and wife, from this moment on, you two are each other's closest companions. Treat him well, and he will treat you well in return. That's how life becomes better, right?"

Ye Li nodded.

Her mind lingered on Old Mrs. Fu's abrupt remark about the mother "as good as absent."

Ye Li had heard quite a bit about the Fu family growing up.

Yanci's father, Old Mrs. Fu's only child, married a woman not from Imperial Capital's rich families; it was said they grew fond over time and naturally came together.

Given her ordinary background and less than accommodating personality, navigating through the barriers for a lasting relationship must have been challenging.

The specifics were unclear, but the outcome was undeniable, as the Fu family had stirred up quite a storm at the time.

Eventually, Yanci's father had his way and married the woman he loved.

A year after the wedding, Yanci was born.

Later on, after the sudden death of Yanci's father, his mother decisively left Yanci behind and left the Fu family and Imperial City.

During those years, the Fu family appeared in entertainment magazines more often than in economic journals.

Initially, Ye Li thought it was just typical wealthy family gossip, but now, seeing Old Mrs. Fu's reluctance to speak further, her heart stirred.

Considering Yanci's unyieldingly cold facade, Ye Li couldn't help but feel sympathy.

Perhaps, the coldness was merely his shield?

"Don't worry, Grandmother..."

Ye Li's smile was tender as she reassured the elderly woman, "I'll take good care of him!"

"Good, good..."

Old Mrs. Fu nodded repeatedly, looking at Ye Li with a face brimming with relief.

"Come, Grandmother will show you the rooms. When you have time, come and stay often..."

Old Mrs. Fu stood up and led Ye Li to Yanci's courtyard.