Mr. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Yes, I met your grandmother five years ago and discussed a business deal with her."
Fu Jingshu nodded, "So that's how it is."
Mr. He clearly had no intention of elaborating on the past, nor did he feel there was anything noteworthy to say. He maintained a smile, "A friend sent me some excellent tea a couple of days ago, which I've been saving for guests. Since you're here, why don't we go to the tea room and have a proper tasting?"
Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu exchanged glances, and then rose.
"Mr. He's hospitality is too kind to refuse."
Mr. He led them to the tea room upstairs. The décor was elegant and tranquil, with a refreshing tea aroma permeating the entire space.
Upon entering, a sense of peace washed over them.
"Please, sit."
Mr. He gestured for them to sit and then sat down opposite them, beginning to wash his hands.
He was truly a gentle, charming, and cultivated man. Every movement was pleasing to the eye. Shen Qingqing found herself momentarily lost in thought as she watched him.
For some reason, she thought of her mother.
Suddenly, her hand was held tightly.
She turned her head and saw Fu Jingshu's intense gaze fixed on her face. He was clearly displeased with her momentary distraction while looking at another man.
She offered a reassuring smile.
The grip on her hand slowly loosened, but he still held onto her.
Shen Qingqing felt helpless. She turned her head and saw Mr. He looking at them with a smile. She felt a rare blush of embarrassment but quickly relaxed.
This was just her husband's nature, always so possessive.
There was nothing she could do about it.
Mr. He lowered his head to continue preparing the tea. Soon, he presented a cup to Shen Qingqing. He glanced at Fu Jingshu and said with a smile, "I presume you wouldn't mind if the first cup goes to your wife."
Fu Jingshu remained expressionless.
Mr. He smiled knowingly, "Try it."
Shen Qingqing took the teacup and inhaled the aroma. The tea fragrance was rich yet subtle, an elegantly pure and serene scent.
It made one feel as though their complex thoughts were instantly cleared, leaving their mind calm.
She liked it very much, "What a fragrant tea."
Mr. He's lips curved into a smile, "I enjoy drinking tea. In this bustling society, the act of quietly brewing a cup of tea allows me to find greater peace of mind."
More accurately, he enjoyed brewing tea.
He also enjoyed sharing his tea with others. It was when the tranquility he sought could be conveyed to another person, and that person felt a sense of agreement, that he felt the most joy.
Shen Qingqing took another sip, "I understand, so do I."
Mr. He began to find this young woman interesting. He turned to Fu Jingshu, his hands still busy, "It seems you've married a good wife."
He handed Fu Jingshu a cup of tea.
"I wonder, however, if you can truly sense your wife's feelings."
Fu Jingshu drank his tea in silence, staring at the liquid in the cup for a moment before speaking.
Mr. He let out a soft chuckle.
There was no hint of contempt or mockery in his laughter. Instead, it sounded like an elder observing an interesting junior with a touch of playful admiration.
Shen Qingqing also glanced at her husband.
If even Mr. He could perceive it, how could she not understand?
Not wanting her husband to continue feeling unhappy about something, she took his teacup. Coincidentally, her own cup was empty. Without any hint of shyness or inhibition in front of others, she calmly took a sip from her husband's tea.
A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, "The same leaves, yet why does the taste differ?"
Mr. He was also surprised, then smiled, "You actually noticed."
Shen Qingqing looked at the tea in the cup, "Why?"
Mr. He used small tweezers to stir the tea leaves, "This batch is all the same tea, but of different years. This is aged tea, and this is new tea. I wanted to see if you could discern the difference."
So that's how it was.
Shen Qingqing took another sip, feeling the tea's fragrance linger long after it entered her mouth.
"Mr. He, thank you for the tea, it's delicious."
Mr. He's face remained adorned with a gentle smile, "You're most welcome. Guests are guests, and I enjoy sharing my tea and tea ceremony with them. I'm glad you like it."
After finishing their tea, it was time to get down to business.
Shen Qingqing placed her teacup down, her expression serious, "Mr. He, I heard that you purchased a necklace five years ago."
Mr. He nodded slightly, not attempting to conceal anything, "Yes."
"May I see it?"
Shen Qingqing made the request calmly, but only she knew that her palms were already sweating.
No, Fu Jingshu, who was holding her hand, also knew.
Mr. He lowered his gaze and said calmly, "Certainly. This necklace is part of my collection and my most prized exhibit. If you wish to see it, of course, you may."
As if not trusting others to retrieve it, he personally went to get his most treasured possession.
Shen Qingqing's heart sank.
Seeing how Mr. He cherished this necklace, her plans for today might be in vain.
Fu Jingshu sensed her underlying unease. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "If he's unwilling, I'll find a way."
Shen Qingqing tightened her grip, "Mm."
Shortly after, Mr. He returned, holding a tray. On the tray sat a white round plate, upon which lay a necklace.
The necklace was strung with pearls, and at the very end, there was a diamond in the shape of a rhombus.
Logically, pearls and diamonds should not match, but these two complement each other perfectly, evoking only one word in the mind:
"Expensive."
Shen Qingqing tilted her head, examining the necklace, "Was the diamond there from the beginning?"
She vaguely recalled her mother wearing this necklace.
But she remembered there being no diamond.
Mr. He placed the tray on the table and sat down on the sofa. Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu had no choice but to follow. Mr. He's expression was soft as he gently stroked the necklace, his face filled with a complex emotion.
It seemed like nostalgia, and also like bewilderment.
"It wasn't there originally. But I felt this diamond would perfectly suit its original owner, so I combined the two. I hope they can be together forever."
She hadn't expected this seemingly steady and mature man to have such a childish side.
Yet, Shen Qingqing didn't find it to be a flaw. On the contrary, for some reason, she felt as though this man harbored a story.
A story that didn't have a happy ending.
However, Mr. He was nearing fifty and had experienced much, so such an impression wasn't entirely unusual.
Shen Qingqing didn't delve deeper. Suddenly, she no longer wanted to beat around the bush and spoke directly, "Mr. He, I assume you've only just arrived. I've come specifically for this necklace."
Mr. He continued to look down, stroking the necklace, holding it in his hand as if gazing at a treasure.
"Mm."
"Mr. He, I know this request might seem unreasonable to you, but..." Shen Qingqing took a deep breath, glanced at the necklace, and her mother's face appeared before her eyes, "Would you be willing to part with it and sell me this necklace?"
Mr. He's movements froze.