"Doesn't matter."
Fu Jing Shu genuinely didn't care.
Shen Qing Qing didn't say much more. "Alright, since you've made up your mind, we'll do as you say. You'll handle the business negotiations then, and I'll take care of everything else."
"Good."
Fu Jing Shu took her hand and looked at her intently. "Do you know what this is called?"
Shen Qing Qing let out a soft "Ah."
She was preoccupied with how to find out Fu Ting Yi's whereabouts once they got to the Sima family's place, and didn't react to his sudden question.
"A couple working together makes the job easier," Fu Jing Shu continued on his own.
A smile bloomed on Shen Qing Qing's face. "Who taught you that?"
It was a rather common phrase, but when he said it, it sounded earnest and pleasant.
Fu Jing Shu hummed. "Self-taught?"
"Get lost!" Shen Qing Qing didn't believe him. This man was becoming increasingly eloquent, but with so much happening lately, they rarely had such leisurely moments for conversation.
They embraced, gazing out at the quiet night sky.
Shen Qing Qing, for once, set aside her worries and quietly enjoyed this moment of peace and tranquility.
The next morning.
They woke up early and went to the hospital to see the elderly lady and Xi Xi. They had already been moved to the same room.
Xi Xi was much better, not exactly hopping around, but he could at least get out of bed and walk.
He looked very worried to see his grandmother hospitalized and stayed by her bedside.
Seeing him standing on the floor with bare feet, Shen Qing Qing scooped him up, scolding, "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"
Shen Jin Xi looked guilty. "I was just so worried about Grandma..."
They had moved to the same room last night, but he had been asleep and missed the first moment of seeing his grandmother. Seeing her again this morning, he was overjoyed.
In his excitement, he'd forgotten to put on his shoes.
"Mommy, don't be angry, I know I was wrong." Shen Jin Xi hugged her neck and nuzzled her cheek.
Shen Qing Qing sat with him by the bed, wiped his soles clean. They weren't dirty, but she still wiped them, put on his shoes, and then said, "Don't let it happen again."
Although her expression was stern, Shen Jin Xi wasn't afraid. He asked in his milky voice, "Mommy, why are you guys here so early today?"
"Mommy and Daddy have something to do today and are going out." Shen Qing Qing asked Fu Jing Shu to get a jacket from the wardrobe for Shen Jin Xi. "So we came to see you first, and today you'll be responsible for keeping Grandma company."
Shen Jin Xi cooperatively extended his arms. "I understand. When will Daddy and Mommy be back?"
"It's hard to say, but we'll come see you the moment we get back." Shen Qing Qing zipped up his jacket, patted his shoulder, and said softly, "Be good and listen, Daddy and Mommy will eat with you later, okay?"
Shen Jin Xi exclaimed in surprise, "Okay!"
He had thought his parents would leave immediately. While he had woken up occasionally during this time, they hadn't eaten a meal together. Now, he was so happy he didn't know what to do.
He looked at his mommy, then at his daddy, and kept giggling foolishly.
Fu Jing Shu tapped his forehead. "Silly?"
This child used to be so sharp, even Shen Yao Yao wasn't a match for him. Had his illness affected his brain?
Shen Jin Xi's joy deflated like a pricked balloon. "Daddy, you're so unromantic!"
He turned and buried himself in his mommy's embrace.
"Mommy, you're the best."
Shen Qing Qing chuckled and patted his head. "Daddy cares about you, it's for your own good."
Shen Jin Xi pouted.
The caregiver returned with breakfast. They all sat down to eat together. After Fu Jing Shu's hired bodyguards arrived, the couple left the hospital and went to the Sima family's residence.
Their house was located halfway up a mountain on the western hills, a villa.
It was the only one for miles around.
Strictly speaking, it couldn't be called a villa; it was more like an old, traditional house.
"It looks like they have deep roots," Shen Qing Qing said, leaning against the car window and looking at the quiet courtyard.
Various flowers and plants were planted in the courtyard, swaying in the breeze, extremely beautiful.
Yet, eerily, there wasn't a soul in sight.
Shen Qing Qing shivered. The courtyard gave her an uneasy feeling. "We'll ask what we need to know and leave. If we don't get answers, we won't stay long, lest we alert them. Today is just reconnaissance."
"Alright."
Fu Jing Shu got out of the car, walked around to open the passenger door, and took her hand as they walked towards the house.
He intentionally or unintentionally shielded her behind him.
Shen Qing Qing pursed her lips, a slight smile playing on her lips, but her eyes scanned the house. The surroundings were mountainous and watery, with a serene and elegant environment, but for some reason, the house standing here felt very out of place.
She looked for a long time before finally understanding the feeling.
The house was predominantly black. The courtyard was filled with flowers and plants. In the center of the garden hung a swing, which swayed gently in the wind, making it look as if an unseen person was sitting on it.
She frowned slightly and looked away.
Fu Jing Shu had already knocked on the main door. The inner door opened, and a middle-aged man emerged. He wore black clothes and a hat, approaching with steady steps to open the door.
He sized up Fu Jing Shu and Shen Qing Qing. "Who are you?"
Fu Jing Shu said indifferently, "My surname is Fu."
That surname represented everything.
The butler's expression changed subtly, becoming much more respectful. "May I ask who you are looking for?"
"The owner of this house."
"Young Master Sima is not at home," the butler said calmly. "Please come back another day."
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?" Fu Jing Shu remained motionless.
When the butler was about to close the door, Fu Jing Shu extended his hand, stopping the door from closing without much force. The butler looked intently at Fu Jing Shu.
He decisively gave up on wrestling with the door and placed his hands in front of him with practiced elegance.
"Very well, then please come in and have a seat, Mr. Fu."
Shen Qing Qing muttered, "Didn't you just say you couldn't make the decision?"
The butler smiled slightly. "Since Mr. Fu has already said so, if I were to stop you from entering, Mr. Sima would also blame me when he returns."
"It would have been easier if you had let us in from the start," Shen Qing Qing rolled her eyes.
The butler faltered.
Rumor had it that Mrs. Fu was not such an ill-tempered person.
Fu Jing Shu tapped her forehead, but without any blame. "My wife speaks without much tact, but she means no harm. Please don't mind her."
The butler nodded.
Shen Qing Qing pouted, displeased. "What do you mean I speak without much tact?"
"Hush, be good,"
Fu Jing Shu's voice was low and expressionless, but his eyes and demeanor were extremely gentle.
The butler stared, marveling, and couldn't help but appraise Shen Qing Qing.
She was indeed beautiful, a rare sight. But Fu Jing Shu, if not experienced with all sorts of beauties, had seen many. How had he taken a liking to a woman who only had looks and no brains?
Of course, the butler was skilled at hiding his emotions. No matter what churned in his heart, his face remained impassive. He led them to the sofas in the living room. "Please have a seat. I'll have someone bring you some tea. The weather is getting cold, it's good to have something hot."
With a gesture, a servant immediately brought hot tea.
Shen Qing Qing looked around and pursed her lips. "Your decor isn't much either. Why is it so old-fashioned?"
The butler smiled. "This is the style the master prefers."
Shen Qing Qing squinted at him and continued to ask, "Didn't you say the owner here is your young master? Young people, how can they stand this overly traditional decor?"
A bead of cold sweat appeared on the butler's forehead.