Mr. He’s expression remained placid.
Fu Jingshu ignored Ning Xin and instead greeted Mr. He. However, true to his nature, his greeting was merely a nod.
Mr. He returned the gesture with a nod as well.
Both men wore indifferent expressions, creating an atmosphere of extreme coldness and detachment.
As the auction was about to begin, Ning Xin and Mr. He no longer spoke with them, instead returning to their seats to submit their proposals.
After everyone submitted their proposals, they had to wait for the seller to review them and decide whose offer was more suitable. They waited for nearly an hour.
Finally, someone emerged.
“The buyer for this land is—Mr. He.”
The person announced the price from Mr. He’s submitted proposal, stating it was the closest offer.
Fu Jingshu furrowed his brow slightly.
However, it was a done deal. Everyone congratulated Mr. He.
Ning Xin also smiled and said, “It seems this piece of land in the old district was destined to be yours. You secured it with just one bid.”
Mr. He humbly waved his hand. “This is the first land contract I will personally oversee since returning to the country. Regardless, I am quite satisfied with this outcome.”
Ning Xin smiled, “In any case, I must congratulate you. How about in a couple of days, when you’re not busy, I treat you to a meal? Consider it a celebration for successfully acquiring this land, and for the company’s further advancement.”
“That would be great,” Mr. He agreed readily.
They left chatting and laughing.
As the people around Fu Jingshu left, they couldn’t help but cast glances at him. They were all disheartened by the failed bid, but no one else exuded such biting coldness as he did.
Lingering any longer felt like being stranded in the Antarctic.
Ke Lin was both disappointed and angry. But upon seeing Fu Ye’s demeanor, he became nervous. He was certain Fu Ye was not just upset about this one project, as Ruisi Group was a large enterprise and there would be other projects.
He had a feeling Fu Ye’s anger was related to Ms. Shen.
Seeing Fu Jingshu turn and leave without looking back, Ke Lin quickly followed. As they stepped outside, he assumed there were still people around and remained silent. Finally, when they reached the car and were alone, he spoke.
“Fu Ye, please don’t misunderstand. Ms. Shen definitely didn’t intend to snatch the project from you. I believe she must have had her reasons for doing so…”
Fu Jingshu suddenly glanced at him. “Did Qing Qing send you to participate in the auction?”
Ke Lin: “…”
His ability to grasp the key point was truly remarkable.
He dryly replied, “Ms. Shen asked me to come. However, she must have had a reason for her actions. Please believe her, she was absolutely not acting in opposition to you. There must be something she didn’t have time to tell you…”
“I understand.”
Ke Lin was taken aback. Understand what?
He hadn’t even finished speaking and was a bit confused. Even he didn’t know what Ms. Shen was thinking, yet Fu Ye seemed to know so quickly?
Fu Jingshu offered no explanation for his confusion. Almost as soon as he spoke, he started the car, and shortly after, it merged into the flow of traffic.
Ke Lin sighed, feeling that this matter might have escalated. He thought he should inform Ms. Shen. Just as he was taking out his phone and about to dial, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
He frowned slightly and turned.
“President Ning, Mr. He.”
Mr. He and Ning Xin were standing in front of him. Ning Xin glanced behind him; the black Rolls-Royce had already disappeared into the traffic.
“Since your group also participated in the auction, why didn’t we see Ms. Shen?” Ning Xin asked.
As expected, she didn’t believe his earlier explanation.
Ke Lin’s heart sank, but he maintained a calm expression. “Ms. Shen didn’t actually demand that we win this project. She just said she thought the land was good and wanted to give it a try. If we won, fine; if not, it didn’t matter. In Ms. Shen’s eyes, some things are more important than these projects.”
“Such as?”
“Such as taking care of children at home,” Ke Lin said slowly. “Of course, I believe strong women like you, President Lin, cannot understand Ms. Shen’s feelings.”
Ning Xin’s smile faltered slightly.
“Are you implying I lack femininity and don’t understand the role of a wife and mother?”
Ke Lin was surprised. “You misunderstand me completely. I absolutely did not mean that! I highly admire strong women like yourself!”
He glanced at his phone, wanting to call Ms. Shen immediately to report, but this woman was here, lingering and not leaving.
He was somewhat annoyed.
Meanwhile, Fu Jingshu had already arrived home.
He drove fast, covering the usual twenty-minute journey in about ten minutes.
He opened the car door and strode towards the villa.
Upon entering the living room, he first surveyed the area. He didn’t see his wife’s familiar figure. Just as he was about to ask a servant, he saw his wife descending the stairs.
“You’re back. Did the auction go smoothly?”
Fu Jingshu began to untie his tie with one hand, his other arm hanging in the air.
Shen Qingqing placed her hand into his.
With a gentle pull, he drew her into his embrace. His tie was already discarded to the side. He held his wife as they sat down on the sofa.
A passing servant, witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but blush and her heart race.
Although it wasn’t the first time she had seen it, she marveled at how deeply in love the master and mistress were every time.
She discreetly withdrew.
The living room fell into silence. The couple sat on the sofa, their posture incredibly intimate. However, Shen Qingqing sensitively noticed that the man’s expression seemed less than pleasant.
“Did the auction not go smoothly?”
Fu Jingshu gazed at her for a moment. His look made Shen Qingqing feel inexplicably flustered, and she subconsciously touched her face, wondering if there was something dirty on it.
“What’s wrong? Why are you like this…”
Before she could finish, her lips were sealed.
It was a long and passionate kiss. When it ended, Shen Qingqing’s breathing was uneven. She pursed her slightly numb lips. “Did something unexpected happen at the auction? If there’s anything, you need to tell me immediately.”
Fu Jingshu still did not answer. His left thumb gently stroked the back of his wife’s rounded head, his fingers unconsciously twirling in her long hair that cascaded down her back.
This hair also became entangled with his heart.
Without a word, Fu Jingshu scooped his wife up into his arms and turned towards the stairs.
Shen Qingqing was bewildered. “Where are we going? You haven’t answered my question yet.”
Fu Jingshu’s voice was slightly hoarse. “We’ll talk in the study.”
Shen Qingqing had no choice but to let him have his way.
Once in the study, Fu Jingshu closed the door and casually locked it.
Hearing the soft click, Shen Qingqing instinctively tried to look back but was kissed again. Normally, she would enjoy such intimate moments with her husband.
But at this moment, her husband’s emotions were clearly turbulent. She had to push him away, indicating her resistance. “Make yourself clear. What exactly happened?”