The living room fell into silence.
After Fang Ruo spoke, she regretted it. No man could stand being cuckolded, but she couldn't take her words back. She could only brace herself and say, "What are you all looking at me for? I didn't say anything wrong. Isn't she dating other men?"
Fu Tingyi added fuel to the fire, "We all know, and you don't need to cover for her."
Fu Jingshu walked to Shen Qingqing's side and held her hand, his intention to protect her very obvious. "This is our business, it has nothing to do with you."
"Jingshu!"
Fu Tingyi almost suspected if this child was still his proud son. "At this point, do you still want to protect her?"
"She's my future wife, can't I protect her?"
"This is utterly unreasonable!"
Fu Tingyi couldn't help but look at Shen Qingqing. What kind of poison had this woman given his son?
How could she make her son abandon his principles and dignity, go against his parents, and choose to protect a woman who had cuckolded him!
Fu Jingshu said with conviction, "She is my wife. I will not allow anyone to slander her reputation."
This is madness, utter madness!
Fang Ruo felt he was a complete stranger. "Is this kind of woman worth it?"
Fu Jingshu gave them a cold look. "This is my home, and she is the mistress of this house. If you don't like her, then you don't need to live here."
"You want to kick us out for her?"
"Yes."
His unhesitating answer broke Fang Ruo's heart, and her eyes welled up. "How can you treat me and your father like this? We're doing this for your own good, you..."
"Leave, or shut up."
Fang Ruo froze. Looking at Fu Jingshu's taut face, she suddenly realized he wasn't joking or bluffing; he was genuinely going to kick them out.
She didn't dare to speak.
The living room finally quieted down. Fu Jingshu, holding Shen Qingqing's left hand and the two children with his right, went upstairs directly, not sparing them a single glance.
Fu Tingyi still wanted to complain to Old Mrs. Fu, "Mother, look at Jingshu, he has no manners at all..."
Before he could finish, he saw Old Mrs. Fu staring at him intently, her expressionless face sending a chill down his spine. He suddenly remembered that Old Mrs. Fu was the one who had always supported Shen Qingqing.
Seeing her grandson argue with him for his granddaughter-in-law, she was probably delighted.
Thinking this, he felt stifled.
Meanwhile, the family of four spent a relatively peaceful afternoon in the study. Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu didn't disturb each other; one reviewed documents, the other read a book.
The two children played on the floor, which was covered with a thick carpet, so there was no need to worry about them catching a cold.
It wasn't until they were about to have dinner that Shen Qingqing called the children to wash their hands. She then turned to Fu Jingshu and, for the first time, spoke, "Is it okay for you to treat them with such an attitude?"
Fu Jingshu shook his head. "No need to bother with them."
Shen Qingqing thought of the strange things he had said on the phone before and couldn't help but ask, "What's going on between you and your parents?"
"It's all in the past."
His tone was calm, but his aura suddenly became somber, a profound dejection she had never seen before.
Shen Qingqing didn't like to force people, so she didn't press further. "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Get ready, let's go downstairs for dinner."
Fu Jingshu was left alone in the study. His expression was complicated. Unsure of what he was thinking, a dark glint flashed in his eyes. He stood up, left the study, and went downstairs for dinner.
Fu Tingyi and Fang Ruo were reprimanded by Old Mrs. Fu and did not come down for dinner. Only Old Mrs. Fu, the twins, and Shen Qingqing were at the table.
Finally, they had a quiet dinner.
After dinner, Fu Jingshu took the twins back to their room. He planned to find Shen Qingqing, but as soon as he reached her door, he was met with a closed door. He waited outside for a moment.
Still, no one opened the door, and there was no sound from inside.
An hour later, he glanced at the tightly shut door and turned away.
In the early morning, Shen Jinxi's voice woke the entire silent villa.
"Daddy, Mommy, Great-Grandma!"
Old Mrs. Fu, who slept early and woke early, was sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine with her reading glasses on. Fu Jingshu had just come downstairs, while Shen Qingqing had just woken up and came down in her pajamas.
Her hair was messy, and she was wearing a red silk nightgown, which was fortunately large enough to cover what needed to be covered.
Only her long, slender, fair legs were exposed.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Jinxi and Chenchen were already accustomed to their mother's stunning beauty, but it was the first time Fu Jingshu had seen her in such a lazy and alluring state.
She squinted slightly, her face full of weariness, as if she hadn't fully woken up yet.
Her enchanting face held a hint of cuteness.
Shen Jinxi carefully spread the drawing paper on the coffee table.
The painting was vibrantly colored, with a unique style and smooth, flowing lines, completed in one go. Old Mrs. Fu thought it must have been done by a master artist. "This is beautifully painted. Which master did it?"
Fu Jingshu subtly glanced at Chenchen.
"It's..." Shen Jinxi drew out his words and pulled his brother closer, announcing loudly, "It's this little master who spent three whole days creating this masterpiece!"
Old Mrs. Fu was surprised. "Chenchen is that capable?"
Chenchen was a little shy.
"Of course!" Shen Jinxi beamed with pride, as if he were the one being praised. "Great-Grandma, my brother is super amazing!"
Shen Qingqing flopped onto the sofa, saying lazily, "It's a good painting."
Despite her nonchalant tone, her eyes never left the painting, showing how much she valued it.
Chenchen moved to his mother's side, his small hand gripping her clothes. His dark, bright eyes were full of dependence. Shen Jinxi, unwilling to be left alone, also leaned against his mother.
To Fu Jingshu and Old Mrs. Fu, this scene was very heartwarming.
"It's painted very well." Fu Jingshu gave his approval and immediately took out his phone to call Lin Mo, asking him to pick up the painting. He decided to use it as a promotional image for a company event.
Shen Jinxi applauded, "Congratulations, brother! Has brother's career already taken off?"
Chenchen tilted his head, thinking it was a bit too early to say that.
But Shen Jinxi didn't think so. He grabbed his mother's arm and whispered, "Mommy, will you dislike me now that brother is so outstanding..."
The little guy was filled with insecurity, afraid that all his mother's affection would be stolen by his brother.
Shen Qingqing pulled him into her arms and rubbed his forehead. "What nonsense are you talking about? You and your brother are the most important people in Mommy's heart."
While they were being so harmonious, Nuonuo stood on the stairs, watching them with a blank expression.
Such a happy family.
What about her?
Old Mrs. Fu suggested, "Today is truly a good day. With such good news, I've decided to take you all out for a meal. My treat, let's celebrate!"
"Wow, long live Great-Grandma!"
Although Chenchen didn't say anything, his eyes sparkled as he looked at her.
Just as everyone was enjoying the happy atmosphere, a voice from upstairs broke the warmth.
"That painting cannot be used."
Shen Qingqing looked at Nuonuo and raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you mean?"
Nuonuo walked down the stairs. "His painting is plagiarized."