CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 132 CHOOSING FU BING

Rong Lin said, "Big brother, I know it’s cruel to press you for any decisions now, but things have developed to this point, and you must make a decision. Do you choose Fu Bing, or the resources and connections once harbored by our mother?"

Rong Li was startled. "Weren’t we discussing Fu Bing and Rong He? Why does it have to involve the academy as well?"

"The academy faction has never been able to accommodate Fu Bing; her very existence is a challenge to them. The members of the academy faction had previously refrained from attacking her only because our mother hadn’t intervened. Now that Mother is gone, they will undoubtedly see Fu Bing as a thorn in their side and will be unwilling to let her funnel talent into the entertainment industry under her own name. Mother’s repeated public support for Fu Bing had already irritated those people, creating friction between our Rong family and the academy faction. Now, public opinion is forcing us to choose one over the other. What will you do?"

Rong Li rubbed his sore temples. Consecutive days of relentless activity had significantly diminished his judgment. Weakly, he said, "Must I choose now? Can’t it wait until after Mother’s funeral is over?"

"If there hadn’t been any negative trending searches, Fu Bing wouldn’t be pressing us. But now we can’t wait; you need to make a decision."

Although Rong Lin had spent years in the military, he often went undercover on missions in his youth. Having encountered all kinds of people, he knew how to listen and interpret cues.

Fu Bing’s video conveyed two messages.

First, it actively protected the Rong family’s reputation, explaining away Rong He’s slip of the tongue.

Second, it applied pressure to the Rong family.

This was an issue they would have to confront sooner or later. She had directly addressed it at the first opportunity, leaving them no room for indecision or struggle.

It had to be said, the young lady truly knew how to speak. Her seemingly lighthearted remarks not only comforted the listener but also accurately delivered her intended message.

Rong Li knew he was incapable of making the right choice at the moment.

He asked, "If you were in my position, whom would you choose?"

"Fu Bing," Rong Lin answered without hesitation.

"Why? She has limited strength alone. Are you sure choosing her is better?"

"She knows gratitude and possesses immense potential. If the Rong family chooses her, we could remain stable for decades. Choosing the academy faction isn’t as certain; they aren’t specific individuals but represent significant risks. Some might act out of consideration for our mother, while others will not. Are you willing to gamble on those possibilities?"

Rong Li said, "I’ve also considered what you mentioned. But as the old saying goes, ’two fists can’t fight against four hands.’ No matter how capable Fu Bing is, she’s still one person. How can she possibly contend with an entire circle of influence?"

"Indeed, if you carefully examine Fu Bing’s connections in the entertainment industry, they aren’t extensive. However, she has Ren Ye, the tycoon from Jiangnan, backing her, along with the staunch support of the Douyu Platform. Douyu voluntarily resolved several of her public relations crises. While this platform isn’t enormous, it’s certainly not to be underestimated. Because of a single live broadcast she did, the platform has firmly stood by her. Do you still think she’s simple? Her seemingly carefree actions are, in fact, part of deeply thought-out strategies."

"How can one feel at ease collaborating with such a person?" Rong Li wasn’t unaware of Fu Bing’s excellence; otherwise, their mother wouldn’t have chosen her, out of so many, to be her final disciple.

"Because she still has a conscience."

Rong Li fell silent. "It seems you’re firmly set on siding with Fu Bing."

"Yes, I’ve been considering this since Mother first fainted."

Rong Li lit a cigarette and smoked it rapidly and intensely, so much so that it brought tears to his eyes. It took him some effort to calm down before he said, "I’ll listen to you; we’ll choose Fu Bing. What about our third brother?"

"Since he insists on splitting the family, let him do it. If a family isn’t united, it’s best for everyone to go their separate ways. Even after the division, our assets and resources will remain intertwined. Settle his share clearly so he doesn’t spread nonsense again."

"Alright. I know what to do. Mother’s funeral procession is tomorrow. I’ll call Fu Bing personally to invite her."

"Mm."

Rong Lin breathed a sigh of relief; he had been quite worried that his elder brother wouldn’t follow his plan. His elder brother was thorough in his considerations, often hesitating and delaying decisions. Such a person is steady, but they can easily miss important opportunities.

Rong Lin said, "You should rest for now; I’ll keep the vigil tonight."

With that, he left, giving Rong Li the opportunity to call Fu Bing.

Rong Li mulled over Rong Lin’s words from tonight several times before finally dialing Fu Bing’s number.

"Xiaobing, it’s your Brother Rong. Over the past two days, we’ve consulted with the master. Your Teacher Rong will depart from home for the ancestral tomb at four o’clock tomorrow morning. If your health permits, I and the entire Rong family would be very honored to have you see your Teacher Rong off on her final journey," he said.

In the Rong family, Fu Bing held a unique position: junior in age but senior in status. She was Rong Shizhi’s youngest disciple, her status equal to that of Rong Shizhi’s own children. Even though she was a year younger than Rong Lan, she was of the same generation as Rong Li and Rong Lin.

"I will be there; please don’t worry. If there’s anything I need to do, please let me know," she replied.

"When the time comes, just join me and your Second Brother Rong Lin in offering incense. You don’t need to do anything else. Also, I apologize for what Rong He said. I didn’t manage him properly," he added.

"From this call, I already know your decision. I won’t dwell on this matter," she responded.

A sudden sheen of sweat appeared on Rong Li’s back.

Did Fu Bing’s video really put pressure on the Rong family to take a side?

It seemed he had been too naive, not as perceptive as Rong Lin.

"I’ll be waiting for you at the Rong residence," he said.

"Alright," she replied.

Fu Bing glanced at the time; there were just two hours left until the time Rong Li had specified. Her lips curved slightly.

She was keenly aware that if she didn’t make her position clear, the Rong family would not invite her to her teacher’s funeral.

How heartbroken would her teacher be then?

She had just passed away, and her children had banded together to isolate her most beloved little disciple.

The linchpin she had chosen for the Rong family’s future, cultivated over the years, would have been completely wasted.

If she knew, she would surely find no peace in the afterlife.

Fu Bing asked Xiaomei, who had just returned to Jiangcheng, to get out a black outfit for her.

"Later, you and Wu Shi will accompany me. Although you never formally underwent the discipleship ceremony with Teacher, she did teach you. You should also come to see her off on her final journey," she instructed.

"Mmm-hmm," Xiaomei agreed.

Xiaomei gently maneuvered her sister’s arms and legs, helping her into the clothes. When her sister had been bedridden, Xiaomei had always been the one to bathe and change her, so she was long accustomed to the task.

Wu Shi chose a black car from Fu Bing’s fleet. Like a solitary wolf, the black car cut through the night, heading towards the increasingly desolate Rong residence.

Driving from the city center towards the suburbs, the Rong family’s waning influence became palpable. With her teacher’s move to the suburbs, she had already withdrawn from the center of social life.

Her final act of strength was to make her voice heard at the Golden Cauldron Awards, preventing Li Qing from clinching the Best Actress title.

Teacher preserved my pride after my release from prison. For her sake, I will also protect the prosperity and status of those she cared about.

Fu Bing turned her head and noticed it had started to rain outside at some point.

DRIP. DROP. The rain tapped rhythmically against the car window.

An inexplicable sense of foreboding came over Fu Bing.