Lu Wan Ying returned home with a dark expression. She ignored the servants when they spoke to her, her unusual behavior causing them concern.
In her room, she sat emotionlessly on the edge of the bed, her hands clenching the sheets. The gentle and kind facade she’d shown Fu Jing Shu vanished, replaced by a sullenness bordering on ferocity. Anyone seeing her would have found her terrifying.
After an unknown period, it seemed she thought of something. She suddenly smiled, got up, and walked to the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, and the icy water instantly doused her head.
It seeped through her clothes and cascaded down her body. The cold pierced through her limbs like a sharp sword, making her feel as if she were plunged into an ice cellar. Within a minute, her limbs grew stiff, and she could only lean against the wall to remain standing. Her health was already poor, and she couldn't tolerate such cold water. Yet, she laughed in the freezing water, a hearty, brilliant laugh. Only this way, she thought, could she obtain everything she desired.
When Fu Jing Shu returned, a servant immediately approached him. "Sir, Miss Lu hasn't come out. I'm worried something might have happened to her. Please go up and check on her."
Fu Jing Shu walked upstairs without a word. Lu Wan Ying lay on the bed, her face pale, her eyes closed as if asleep. He touched her forehead and found she had a slight fever.
He watched Lu Wan Ying for a while before taking out his phone to call the family doctor. After hanging up, he heard Lu Wan Ying mumbling something indistinctly. He sat by the bed and finally managed to make out her faint murmurs.
"No, don't...let me go..."
He frowned slightly, thinking she was recalling painful memories. He reached out to hold her hand, but at that moment, a person flashed through his mind. His hand froze in mid-air, unable to descend.
"Shen Qing Qing... let me go..."
Fu Jing Shu's gaze sharpened. The bedroom fell into an almost deafening silence. Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, took his phone, and went outside the bedroom. As the door closed, the call was answered.
"Hello."
Hearing Shen Qing Qing's voice, Fu Jing Shu's expression softened, but his tone was somewhat cold. "I told you, don't do these things anymore."
"What?"
"I've explained to you, Qing Qing. I'll say it again," Fu Jing Shu said sternly. "Lu Wan Ying and I are not what you think."
Shen Qing Qing's heart tightened, and her voice remained calm. "What do you mean?"
Leaning against the wall, Fu Jing Shu rubbed his temples and decided to be direct. "Did you cause trouble for Lu Wan Ying?"
Shen Qing Qing let out a light laugh. "Who told you that?"
Her question was an admission. Fu Jing Shu took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Qing Qing, you've always been sensible and smart. You know I wouldn't lie to you. When I say no, it means no. Don't overthink it, and don't take action against her anymore." He knew Shen Qing Qing's methods were something Lu Wan Ying couldn't handle.
There was a long silence from Shen Qing Qing's end. Fu Jing Shu hesitated before speaking again, "I'm not blaming you, but Lu Wan Ying is different from ordinary people. She can't..."
"You believe her?"
The other person suddenly asked. Fu Jing Shu paused, realizing he couldn't answer that question. But clearly, Shen Qing Qing didn't need his answer. She said lightly, "However, none of that matters anymore. I'm not one to explain things. I'll only say this once."
"I didn't bully her."
She was about to hang up when Fu Jing Shu quickly said, "Don't hang up!"
Shen Qing Qing paused, her finger hovering over the hang-up button, and held her breath, wanting to hear what else he had to say.
"Qing Qing, I'm not blaming you," Fu Jing Shu tried to explain. "I'm just a little worried. She's not like ordinary people. If anything else happens to her, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Worry, regret for a lifetime. Shen Qing Qing felt foolish for the hope she'd had moments ago, thinking he might finally say something sensible. "So you're worried about Miss Lu. That's simple. Keep an eye on her, keep her by your side, tie her to your belt, and you'll be at ease."
"Shen Qing Qing!"
The words were suggestive, and Fu Jing Shu was annoyed. That was not what he meant at all!
Shen Qing Qing sneered, "She's different from ordinary people, of course, she's different. She's the one you care about. Fu Jing Shu, I truly underestimated you."
"What do you mean?"
"Since your old flame is back, just tell me honestly, and I can fulfill your wishes," Shen Qing Qing said, suppressing her anger, her words laced with barbs. "Do you think I'm the type to cling to you? Or do you think I can't live without you?"
Fu Jing Shu's expression turned icy. Perhaps it was the numerous arguments they'd had over Lu Wan Ying in the past few days, especially today. Shen Qing Qing was already exhausted from work, and then he called, accusing her without understanding the situation. Shen Qing Qing's patience snapped. She said coldly, "Don't worry, I won't pester you. Who you like and who you are with is your business."
"Shen Qing Qing, don't talk nonsense!" Fu Jing Shu heard the resolute tone in her voice and felt an uncharacteristic panic.
Just then, a woman's voice echoed from nowhere.
"Jing Shu, you're back?" Lu Wan Ying walked out, her face still pale, her steps slow. Seeing him, she instinctively offered a smile.
Fu Jing Shu took a subconscious step back and glanced at his phone. Lu Wan Ying's steps faltered, and she followed his gaze, her eyes flickering. Suddenly, she said softly, "Jing Shu, did you come to see me because you knew I was sick?"
With her saying that, Shen Qing Qing on the other end of the line must have heard. Fu Jing Shu no longer tried to hide it. "You should go back and rest first."
Lu Wan Ying leaned weakly against the wall, her voice melodious and gentle, tinged with worry. "Jing Shu, are you talking to Miss Shen? Did Miss Shen misunderstand something? How about I help you explain it to her? It's not what she imagines between us. Tell her not to misunderstand, and not to target me anymore."
After speaking, she covered her mouth as if she had said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, but... oh dear, Jing Shu, don't argue with Miss Shen because of me, I'll feel guilty."
Fu Jing Shu looked at her with deep eyes. "It's alright, you go back and rest."
On the phone, Shen Qing Qing could no longer stand the entanglement between the two, especially Lu Wan Ying's manipulative words. Even through the phone, she could sense an overwhelming saccharine deceit!
"Am I disturbing you?" Her tone was rather sarcastic. Fu Jing Shu said gravely, "Don't talk nonsense."
Lu Wan Ying deliberately interjected at this moment. "Jing Shu, what did Miss Shen say? Did she misunderstand?"
Even if Fu Jing Shu were the most oblivious person, he knew this was not the right time for her to speak. However, thinking she was still running a fever, he couldn't bring himself to scold her. He couldn't possibly argue with a sick person.
"Alright, stop showing off your affection in front of me. Since you two are so in love, I'll fulfill your wishes," Shen Qing Qing said coldly.