Mr. He poured himself a cup and took a sip, his eyes narrowing in contentment.
"You see, if you can just be patient and enjoy your tea, you'll discover the hidden sweetness. But you, just now, weren't calm."
Shen Qingqing was silent for a moment and said, "My understanding of tea isn't very deep."
"That's not true," Mr. He didn't believe her. "It's not that you don't understand, it's that you don't have the mood or patience to understand right now."
Hearing these ambiguous words, Shen Qingqing's last shred of patience was exhausted.
She placed her teacup on the table. Although she had set it down gently, it still made a soft clink against the tabletop. It wouldn't have been much under normal circumstances, but the tearoom was silent except for the two of them, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Thus, the sound became exceptionally noticeable.
"Mr. He, we know each other well enough. You know my personality. I'm not someone who likes to beat around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it."
Shen Qingqing had also realized that this meeting was not for a good reason.
In fact, she should have guessed it earlier. Ever since Ning Xin's phone call, she had been feeling unsettled.
Mr. He took another sip of tea and suddenly found the liquid in his mouth exceptionally bitter. He sighed softly and said, "I actually admire you very much."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "The feeling is mutual."
Mr. He's tone shifted abruptly. "However, I am very disappointed in you now."
Shen Qingqing's eyelashes fluttered.
Mr. He's expression turned somber. "Shen Qingqing, I always thought you were a very outstanding young person, someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat, who understood etiquette. But how could you do such a thing?"
"What did I do?"
Seeing her denial, Mr. He's face darkened. But he still gave her some face and didn't elaborate. "If you're willing to mend your ways, I can overlook this matter. After all..."
She was so much like her.
Shen Qingqing became even more confused and suddenly remembered Ning Xin's phone call. "Did Ning Xin say something to you?"
Mr. He did not deny it.
"What did she say about me?" Shen Qingqing's expression was calm.
Mr. He refused to say, and felt it was unnecessary. He just shook his head and said gravely, "No matter what she said, it's not important. I hope you can recognize your mistake and correct it."
He said earnestly, "It is best to correct one's mistakes. Making a mistake is not frightening; what is frightening is refusing to admit it and take responsibility."
His words could be considered earnest advice.
But Shen Qingqing couldn't help but laugh. "So, you asked me out today just to tell me that it's good to correct one's mistakes?"
She found it utterly ridiculous and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The faint smile on Mr. He's face suddenly vanished. He placed his teacup on the table with a light clink. "It seems you still have no intention of repenting."
Shen Qingqing suddenly understood.
This was Ning Xin's plan. She had asked Mr. He to invite her, and in doing so, had already sowed discord between them.
She slowly stood up and said lightly, "I know what mistakes I've made, and I ask that you don't arbitrarily accuse me of things I haven't done. It seems I've come here in vain today. My expectations of you were far too high. I thought you were someone who could distinguish right from wrong. Now it seems..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
She didn't need to.
She didn't want to stay here another minute. She picked up her bag and phone, finished the last sip of her tea, and placed the cup back on the table.
"Mr. He, I forgot to say one thing."
Mr. He stared at her, dazed.
At this moment, she leaned forward slightly, looking down at him from above, her bright, sharp eyes fixing on him.
"Your tea today was a bit bitter. It was brewed quite poorly."
After she spoke, she turned and walked away leisurely.
Only after the private room door was closed did Mr. He dazedly lower his head to look at the teacup in his hand. He lifted it to his lips and took a sip.
The tea today was indeed a little bitter.
...
Fu family villa.
Xixi and Chenchen sat on the sofa, their hands supporting their chins. Both little ones had identical expressions of worry and concern.
When Mommy left earlier, she had been in a good mood. But after returning, although she still had a smile on her face, the two little ones could tell she was unhappy.
Chenchen glanced upstairs. "Brother, should we go comfort Mommy?"
Xixi's eyes darted around. Uncharacteristically, he didn't agree. "Brother, you go. I have something important to do. I'll leave comforting Mommy to you."
Chenchen tilted his head. "Why aren't you going?"
Normally, his little brother was the most worried when Mommy had something going on. Why did he seem different today?
Xixi was actually more anxious than anyone, but he had something more important to do. "You go. I'll be over after I'm done!" He pushed Chenchen towards the stairs.
He solemnly instructed, "You must comfort Mommy well!"
"Okay!"
Chenchen nodded heavily, accepting this extremely important mission, and turned to go upstairs.
Shen Qingqing was sitting in the study, looking at documents. These were sent by Colin. Although she didn't go to the company much, she still had to handle some important company matters.
Fu Jingshu trusted her completely, which was why he had disagreed when she proposed setting up her own study.
He insisted they share one.
The door was pushed open, and a small head peeked in.
Shen Qingqing looked up at the sound and saw Chenchen's fair and tender little face. She held out her palm. "Come here."
Chenchen immediately pushed the door open and ran to his Mommy, hugging her slender, soft legs. "Mommy, are you angry?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask?"
Shen Qingqing picked him up and placed him on her lap. She then poured a glass of water and asked him before drinking, "Do you want some?"
Chenchen shook his head.
Only then did she take a sip herself.
Chenchen said in his milky voice, "Because I saw that Mommy was unhappy."
"That's amazing."
Shen Qingqing lowered her head and stroked the little one's cheek, saying softly, "It seems there's nothing I can hide from you. You're too clever."
Chenchen looked a bit shy. "Mommy, you can tell me anything that makes you unhappy."
Shen Qingqing ruffled his hair and remained silent.
Meanwhile, downstairs, a small, exquisitely carved, adorable, yet exceptionally serious little face was reflected on the blue screen.
Xixi's short but tender little fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.
After a moment, he stared at the computer screen and sneered.
"So, it was you."
The surname was He.
How dare he bully Mommy!
Xixi let out a cold snort, already secretly planning how to avenge his Mommy.
He could hack into the other person's computer and search for any dirt. Once found, his perfect image would be instantly destroyed.
However, that didn't seem satisfying enough. For someone with such power and influence, other people's gossip wouldn't really affect him.
Xixi decided to take matters into his own hands.