In a flash of lightning, Shen Qingqing had figured everything out, from that day in the bathroom when Ning Xin inexplicably said those words.
And then the phone call she made later, asking her to return something. At the time, she found it strange, but now she finally understood. It was likely that she wasn't the only one listening to the phone call back then.
"Mr. He's attitude towards me suddenly changed drastically because you told him I stole the necklace."
Ning Xin neither admitted nor denied it. "I don't understand what you're talking about. His attitude didn't change because of what I said, but because of what you did."
"Whether I did it or not, you know in your heart." If Shen Qingqing still didn't understand now that it was a setup from beginning to end, then she would truly be an idiot.
Ning Xin remained calm and collected. "It's not important whether I understand or not. What's important is that I'm going to get back what I lost now."
Shen Qingqing stood still, but her left hand, hidden behind her back, made a gesture to Chenchen.
Chenchen burst into tears.
Old Madam Fu quickly and lovingly tried to comfort him. "What's wrong? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Don't cry."
Chenchen's cries weren't loud, but tears streamed down his face, tugging at everyone's heartstrings.
Old Madam Fu wiped away the child's tears and spoke with a chilling tone. "Ning Xin, you've come to my house and caused such a scene. If you've scared my child, I will absolutely not let this go!"
Ning Xin frowned slightly. "We haven't done anything yet. Why is he crying?"
"If a group of fierce-looking people suddenly rushed into your home, your child would cry too," Shen Qingqing said coldly, then walked towards Chenchen and picked him up.
He was already crying pitifully, and now in his mother's arms, he buried his small face in her embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
Shen Qingqing stroked the little one's fluffy head, softly comforting him. After finally managing to calm him down, the little guy looked up, his small hands tightly gripping her collar.
"Mommy, I'm scared. I want to go back to my room."
"Okay, we'll go back to your room. Mommy will have Grandpa take you back to your room now."
Shen Qingqing touched the little guy's cheek, surprised at how convincingly he acted, his face streaked with tears. She felt a pang of heartache.
She handed the child over to Fu Tingsheng.
Fu Tingsheng looked at her worriedly. "But what about the situation here..."
"I'll handle it."
Shen Qingqing gave him a reassuring look.
Fu Tingsheng knew that this daughter-in-law was a resourceful and capable woman. Since she was doing this, she must have had a foolproof plan.
"Alright."
"Wait a moment."
As Fu Tingsheng was about to go upstairs with Chenchen, Ning Xin stopped him. As soon as she spoke, the other bodyguards stepped forward.
Chenchen's tears started to fall again.
Fu Tingsheng patted the little one's back. "This is our home. Am I not allowed to take my child back to his room? Miss Ning seems to be overstepping your bounds!"
Ning Xin crossed her arms and said coldly, "What if you take the child back to his room and secretly move the item? What would I do then?"
Fu Tingsheng's expression grew colder.
Especially with Chenchen sobbing uncontrollably, which was heartbreaking to witness.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "Don't push your luck, Ning Xin. If you go too far, and it comes to a point of mutual destruction, it won't do you any good either."
A mother's strength.
When it came to matters concerning her child, given Shen Qingqing's nature... Ning Xin gritted her teeth and took a step back. The necklace hadn't been found yet, and being too aggressive might ruin things.
"Alright, then let the child go upstairs by himself."
Shen Qingqing picked Chenchen up and gently asked, "Can you?"
Chenchen nodded through his sobs.
Shen Qingqing tenderly stroked his head before placing him on the stairs. Chenchen kept looking back at her.
"Go upstairs quickly," Shen Qingqing said softly.
Only after Chenchen was out of sight did Ning Xin say, "Can we go upstairs and search now?"
Little did they know, after Chenchen went upstairs, he went directly to his mommy's bedroom.
He didn't know where Mommy's bag was, so he first looked in the closet, only to find clothes but no bag.
After pondering for a long time, he remembered that there was a walk-in closet in Mommy's room. He took a look and found a door next to the bathroom.
He quickly went in.
Downstairs, Shen Qingqing was doing her best to stall for time. After a few words, Ning Xin sensed something was wrong and waved her hand with a cold expression.
The bodyguards immediately started walking upstairs.
Shen Qingqing naturally followed. "Ning Xin, if you want to search, we must first establish a contract."
"What contract?" Ning Xin stopped and looked down at Shen Qingqing from the middle of the stairs, with a hint of looking down on her.
"Only the police have the right to search. You, as ordinary citizens, do not have that right," Shen Qingqing said, her presence undiminished even though she was standing below. "But since you've presented evidence, if I don't let you search, it might appear as if I'm guilty... You can search, but I just want to ask, what if you don't find it."
Ning Xin remained unfazed. "If I don't find it, I will apologize to you and be at your disposal."
But she knew in her heart that it was impossible not to find it.
Shen Qingqing nodded. "This condition alone is not enough. Searching for something will surely mess up my house. Moreover, you brought so many people and even scared my son to tears. How will the emotional damages be compensated?"
"Just tell me, what do you want."
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes slightly. "None of these bodyguards of yours are allowed to go up. You'll take the tablet and search with me. If we don't find it..."
She paused, staring at Ning Xin, her alluring face seemingly covered by a layer of frost that sent a chill down to the bone.
"You not only have to apologize to me, but you also have to agree to one of my requests."
"You say it."
"I heard you are about to sign a contract with Mr. He to jointly develop the old city project." Shen Qingqing didn't need to say it explicitly; Ning Xin already understood.
She felt incredulous and even burst out laughing. "I truly never expected you to be someone who uses despicable methods."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow slightly. "I'm making a reasonable request. After all, you accused me of stealing first, so it's only natural for me to propose conditions."
She walked up the stairs, her aura growing stronger, forcing the surrounding bodyguards to step aside.
She smoothly reached Ning Xin's side.
"If you agree, I'll let you search. Otherwise, I don't mind a fight to the death."
She said this with a smile.
But the more she smiled, the more potent her threat became, indicating that she was not joking. Ning Xin gritted her molars.
"Then what if I do find it?"
"You can do whatever you want with me, as long as you can prove I stole it," Shen Qingqing's expression was frank and open, without a trace of guilt.
She even took out her phone from her pocket, which was displaying a recording.
"This can serve as evidence. We both have to be responsible for every word we say."
Ning Xin smiled and applauded her. "Miss Shen, you truly make me see you in a new light. Facing such a situation, you can still remain so calm. Fine, I agree. As long as it's confirmed you stole the item, you can do whatever you want with me. If I don't find the item, I will apologize to you and promise to no longer cooperate with Mr. He on the old city project!"
"Good, straightforward."
Shen Qingqing turned off the recording and switched to video recording. Ning Xin held the tablet, and they went upstairs together. However, as they reached the second-floor staircase, they saw a man leading Chenchen towards them.