Chapter Fourteen: I Am Proud of My Husband

Lin Wanbai’s face was filled with regret as she prepared to call her driver. At that moment, Fu Juxing took her hand; his palm was always cool, no matter the season, and the plain ring on his slender finger looked elegant and striking. She had taken off her own ring these past two days, leaving it casually on her vanity.

Fu Juxing said, “You can’t go back on your word.”

“But this is urgent, a matter of life and death—I have to go,” she replied, looking innocent and helpless. “I really don’t have a choice.”

She stared into his eyes, waiting for his response.

Yet he showed none—only calmly offered a solution. “I’ll send someone to handle it. Will that put your mind at ease?”

She gazed into his eyes, those black pupils steady and composed. Lin Wanbai thought, perhaps when he dealt with her, he felt as if he were handling a difficult client.

She still remembered when her family had sent him out to do sales himself, and how patient he had been with the most ill-tempered customers—just as he was now. No matter what, he never showed negative emotions. To endure what others could not endure, that was his way to achieve what others could not achieve.

“Then promise me you won’t have someone beat him out of spite,” she insisted.

“I promise,” he said.

After that, Lin Wanbai followed him into the car and they headed to the Financial Plaza.

The award, established by the Chamber of Commerce, was held every three years to honor young elites and outstanding talents from various regions. Fu Juxing was the star of this year’s ceremony.

The red carpet stretched long, with a crowd of journalists and media waiting on both sides, cameras at the ready.

Lin Wanbai was used to such occasions, having attended countless charity banquets—she wasn’t someone who stayed home day after day. In fact, she appeared in public far more often than Fu Juxing. Her status meant she was always in demand at such events, though whether she attended depended on how prestigious the occasion was.

Tonight, she was only supposed to be his companion, but as soon as she stepped onto the red carpet, she instantly drew all the attention. The reporters fired sharp questions at her, ones that made her distinctly uncomfortable.

In truth, she didn’t much like attending these events with him—he ought to be there alone, which would avoid unnecessary gossip about living off a woman, or relying on her.

But she understood why he brought her. Perhaps he intended to give a moving speech on stage, mentioning her, or perhaps he simply wanted to show her that he didn’t mind.

Inside, their seats were at the very front—Lin Wanbai was practically at center stage. The seat to her left was empty, name-tagged for Fu Yanchuan, the eldest of the Lu family and previous winner of the Outstanding Youth Award.

None of the Fu family members from the Yan generation had come. Presumably, because Fu Juxing was receiving the award, Old Mrs. Fu was upset, and the family had withdrawn from the ceremony.

After they sat, Fu Juxing thoughtfully draped a shawl over her shoulders— the air conditioning was strong, and he didn’t want her to be cold.

“Big Brother didn’t come,” she noted, gesturing to the empty seat.

“He had other important matters,” Fu Juxing replied. “He couldn’t make it.”

“That’s a shame. He should have presented the award to you himself.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Are you happy?” Lin Wanbai asked, wrapping the shawl tighter around herself.

“I am,” he said with a gentle smile, accepting a bottle of water from a staff member. “I heard Uncle is here tonight too.”

“Lin Zhouye?” she asked.

He nodded.

Lin Wanbai immediately looked around, but saw no sign of him. “Grandfather said he went to the London branch and won’t be back until the end of the year.”

“Let’s wait a bit longer—I heard he might be here,” Fu Juxing said.

Lin Zhouye was a child adopted by Lin Zhaowei, Lin Wanbai’s family. He was five years older than Lin Wanbai and both had been raised and taught by Lin Zhaowei, making them exceptionally close. In public, she called him uncle; in private, she used his name, with none of the usual formalities.

He’d been sent overseas early in the year, and she hadn’t seen him for over half a year. She did feel a bit of longing.

Hearing he might come, Lin Wanbai’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

Before long, the ceremony officially began, but Lin Zhouye still hadn’t appeared.

Music filled the hall as prominent guests arrived, and celebrities performed duets—it was like a grand gala.

In large events like this, Lin Wanbai was always poised and proper, rarely making mistakes.

But such award ceremonies, even with celebrity appearances, were still quite dull.

Meanwhile, Fu Juxing’s people had found the place where Han Chen had run into trouble, but they arrived a step too late. Han Chen lay unconscious on the ground, beaten, while his girlfriend cowered nearby, sobbing with her head in her hands, her clothes in disarray.

The scene was chaotic. Lin Wanbai’s assistant, Yang Ruyue, seeing the crisis resolved, quickly took photos at the scene and sent them to Lin Wanbai.

As her phone vibrated, Fu Juxing was stepping onto the stage to receive his award. Emotional music played, signaling it was time for his acceptance speech.

Lin Wanbai glanced at her phone, then immediately looked up at Fu Juxing standing under the stage lights.

Bathed in the dazzling glow, he seemed to shine.

His demeanor was humble, his voice gentle as always. “I’m quite surprised to receive this award. I have always strived to live up to the word ‘outstanding,’ and I hope that one day I truly become worthy of that title. If I do, it will not be in vain of my wife’s trust and encouragement, nor her unwavering support. She is the brightest star above, the best woman in the world, and to be her husband is the greatest fortune of my life.”

Thunderous applause erupted below the stage. Lin Wanbai’s eyes glistened with tears as she joined in the applause.

Throughout his speech, his gaze remained fixed on her.

At that moment, the host invited Lin Wanbai to the stage. She removed her shawl, lifted her dress, and ascended gracefully.

Fu Juxing immediately descended to meet her, taking her hand. Before the cameras, the two of them appeared loving, the picture of a sweet couple.

With all eyes upon them, he led her to the microphone.

Lin Wanbai was poised and radiant, her smile gentle. Placing a hand on her heart to steady herself, she said, “I am proud of my husband. He has always been an outstanding man, and I believe this is only the beginning.”

Before she could finish, Fu Juxing leaned in and kissed her cheek.

She turned, meeting his gaze—tender and full of emotion.

Everything at the venue was being streamed live.

Meanwhile, Han Chen was revived in the ambulance, only to watch a video of their public display of affection.