"I'm much better now."
"That won't do."
Fu Jingshu insisted, and Shen Qingqing wouldn't back down, so they were at a stalemate.
Pei Lie, standing nearby, was speechless.
Why did he always run into these two arguing?
Was it bad luck?
Shen Qingqing wanted to throw a tantrum, but she knew Fu Jingshu was doing it for her own good. If she lost her temper, she would be an ungrateful wretch.
"I'm really fine, just let me go," Shen Qingqing decided to try a different approach.
Pleading.
Her usual plea, which was always effective, didn't work this time.
Fu Jingshu was unmoved. "You stay home and rest well. I'll investigate this matter, and I'll tell you immediately if I find any clues."
She knew this man was a pushover for gentleness, so Shen Qingqing realized she had to be soft to persuade him. She began a strategic maneuver. "But if I don't go, I won't be at ease, and I won't be relieved. I'll worry about you."
A smile flickered across Fu Jingshu's face, and his voice softened, a stark contrast to his earlier domineering tone. "I know, don't worry."
Pei Lie watched in astonishment.
Shen Qingqing took Fu Jingshu's arm, her voice soft and alluring, "Then agree, okay? What are you worried about if I go with you? With you by my side, I believe you can protect me!"
Her words warmed Fu Jingshu's heart, but the thought that she said them to get her way made him unhappy.
"Let me go..."
Shen Qingqing tugged on his hand.
Fu Jingshu felt his resolve melting away. Looking into her moist eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. "You can go."
Shen Qingqing smiled as soon as he relented.
Pei Lie was stunned, never expecting this man to be so lacking in principles, to agree just because of a little cooing?
Indeed, even heroes find it hard to resist beauties!
Fu Jingshu tidied himself up briefly, dressed in black casual wear, slung a backpack over his shoulder, and holding Shen Qingqing, who was also dressed warmly, they set off.
Pei Lie, worried, accompanied them.
However, as they reached the main hall, a servant rushed towards them.
"Your Highness, the ministers have entered the palace and wish to discuss the renovation of the palace with you. Please go over immediately. They are all waiting in the reception room."
Pei Lie looked at Shen Qingqing, his face etched with hesitation.
Shen Qingqing immediately said, "What are you looking at us for? Hurry up and go!"
Pei Lie was reluctant. "But..."
He had just promised to go with Shen Qingqing and her husband, and now he was turning back before they had even left. How could that be?
Shen Qingqing didn't care at all. "Why do you always overthink things? Without you accompanying us, will we be unable to find the address? Go take care of your business. We'll investigate, and we'll notify you immediately if we find anything. I won't hesitate to ask for your help if needed!"
With these words, Pei Lie finally put his hesitation aside, but he was still uneasy. He dispatched two of his most capable subordinates to accompany Shen Qingqing.
Shen Qingqing didn't refuse. She didn't know what they would encounter, and having an extra pair of hands was always good.
So, the two of them, accompanied by two subordinates, headed out.
The factory was located in the suburbs, in a remote area, its corners bearing marks of decay. It was evident that the factory had a long history.
Shen Qingqing mumbled, "What's wrong with Pei Xi? this factory might be older than he is. Why did he acquire it?"
Fu Jingshu was looking at her feet, not answering her question. He merely glanced at the factory and gestured to the person beside him to knock on the door.
Soon, the door opened.
As the middle-aged man appeared, the whirring of machines and voices from inside the workshop gradually became clearer.
Shen Qingqing peeked inside. The middle-aged man directly pushed her.
"What are you doing? You're not allowed in!"
Fu Jingshu pulled his wife closer and said coldly, "Speak civilly. Don't get physical."
The man glanced at him. He could tell they were wealthy and not to be trifled with, so he softened his tone.
"Our factory has a rule: no strangers are allowed to enter or leave freely. If the supervisor finds out, I'll be punished. Please understand. If you have business, get a contract. If the supervisor agrees, I'll let you in."
Shen Qingqing asked, "Who is your supervisor?"
Upon hearing this, the man sneered, "You don't even know who the supervisor is? Then you should leave immediately. I won't let you in."
With a bang, he slammed the door shut.
Shen Qingqing chuckled coldly, "This person is something else. You'd think the factory belonged to him. He's too arrogant!"
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "It's not surprising. Just looking down on people."
Shen Qingqing waved her hand at the two subordinates, and they immediately rushed forward.
However, they didn't use force. Instead, they produced their trump card.
It was a token that Pei Lie had given them before they left.
In country H, this object was a symbol of power and status. Even people like these who didn't often venture out knew what it represented.
The middle-aged man who had opened the door this time had a complete change of attitude!
He fawned, almost to the point of being servile. "You two are honored guests, please come in. Wait a moment, I'll go inform the supervisor."
Seeing that Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu ignored him, he ran off rather awkwardly.
Shen Qingqing pouted, "This person really is a snob."
"You get used to it."
Fu Jingshu had encountered too many people like this to be surprised anymore.
As they spoke in hushed tones, they suddenly heard footsteps from outside.
They were currently in the reception room.
However, this reception room was rather simple, with only a sofa and a coffee table.
There was a window on the left.
The window was open, and the sounds from outside were clearly audible.
"Hey, we're all going to be unemployed this time."
"There's nothing we can do. The factory is becoming less and less profitable. Keeping it open is just a waste of money and resources."
"You're quite considerate of them. Haven't you thought about what we'll do after we're unemployed? What about the social security contributions we've paid halfway?"
"You saying that makes me worry too."
Is this factory going bankrupt?
Shen Qingqing stood up and walked to the window, looking at the two men outside who were talking. One was in his thirties, the other in his forties, both men, their faces etched with worry as they fretted about their livelihoods.
Just as Shen Qingqing was about to ask something, footsteps sounded at the door, and a man's voice rang out, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Shen Qingqing turned around.
The person who arrived was in his fifties, a bit plump, with an ordinary appearance. He was dressed in high-end designer clothes, a stark contrast to the two workers outside the window who looked ordinary and even simple.
"Are you the supervisor?" For some reason, the first person who came to Shen Qingqing's mind was the one the man at the door had referred to as the factory supervisor.
The supervisor, not receiving an answer, didn't wait for one. He glanced at them and said unceremoniously, "You're not welcome here. Please leave immediately."