Lu Wanying's face streamed with two lines of clear tears, her expression pitiful. "Jing Shu, I didn't. You've misunderstood me."
Half of this expression was pain, and half was genuine grievance.
However, Fu Jing Shu was no longer falling for this act. He rubbed his slightly aching temples, his voice filled with fatigue. "Stop making a fuss. Go back quickly."
Seeing the impatience and coldness on his face, Lu Wanying finally realized she had gone too far. If she continued to fuss, she wouldn't gain anything.
So, she gritted her teeth, cast a glance at Fu Jing Shu, covered her face, and ran away.
As soon as she left, the corridor fell silent. Fu Jing Shu's thin lips moved, and he saw a woman walking towards him. His heart leaped with joy, but before he could speak, they passed each other.
She led Chen Chen into the art studio, completely ignoring him, not even giving him a look.
Fu Jing Shu stood rigidly at the doorway for a moment, then turned and entered. As he looked up, he saw Chen Chen painting, with Shen Qing Qing accompanying him.
At this moment, her face was devoid of indifference, replaced only by tranquility and composure.
His heart couldn't help but calm down with her.
However, in the next second, Shen Qing Qing's cold remark shattered the peace in his heart, bringing him back to reality. "What are you doing here?"
Fu Jing Shu then realized he was unwelcome. He couldn't bring himself to save face, so after a moment of silence, he said, "I came to see Chen Chen's progress with his painting."
Even if it was to check on his progress, he didn't need to come personally.
But Shen Qing Qing couldn't be bothered to expose his lie. "Are you done looking?"
Fu Jing Shu nodded instinctively.
"Then go." She directly showed him the door.
Fu Jing Shu knew that if he left today, he didn't know when he would see them again. He couldn't always use this excuse to visit them, but if he didn't come…
Without his wife and son by his side, his heart couldn't find peace.
But Shen Qing Qing was clearly still angry and not easy to deal with. So, he looked at Chen Chen, hoping his eldest son could put in a good word for him.
Chen Chen, as he wished, spoke up. "Daddy, look at this painting."
He took a piece of paper from the table next to him. On it was a pig's head, drawn vividly and realistically, looking just like a real pig's head.
It was cute, and a little bit ugly-cute.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Is it very ugly?" Chen Chen looked at him seriously, and before he could answer, he emphasized, "Tell me the truth, no lying!"
Fu Jing Shu paused, then nodded. "Yes, a little."
Chen Chen smiled with satisfaction.
Fu Jing Shu was lost in thought, suddenly remembering that his son rarely smiled. But when he did smile, he looked somewhat like Shen Qing Qing. It was just that such a shy and faint smile rarely appeared on her face.
But whenever it did, it was exceptionally beautiful, lacking heavy colors but appearing even more elegant.
"This is you, Daddy," Chen Chen said in a childlike voice. Fu Jing Shu snapped back to attention, and looking at the pig's head in the painting felt different.
This scene seemed familiar.
The pig's head that suddenly appeared during the meeting…
He cast a meaningful glance at Chen Chen, but Chen Chen was fearless, meeting his gaze openly. "Daddy, you are this pig's head. I think this pig's head is very cute and suits Daddy perfectly!"
He said it earnestly, with utmost sincerity, as if he truly believed it.
Even if Fu Jing Shu had been angry, he couldn't unleash it. Although being called a pig's head was infuriating, seeing his son become so cheerful made him very happy.
He couldn't help but look at Shen Qing Qing. "Qing Qing, thank you."
Shen Qing Qing said faintly, "He is my child. It is my responsibility to help him get better. There's no need to thank me."
The rejection and distance in her words were impossible to hide. Looking at her cold face, Fu Jing Shu's heart ached. He glanced at Chen Chen. Before he could say anything, Chen Chen suddenly stood up.
"Mommy, I'm going to eat. You and Daddy can chat."
Shen Qing Qing knew why her son said that. She said exasperatedly, "What, you're not going to let Mommy eat?"
"I will, but you adults have something to discuss!" Chen Chen said obediently, holding his lunchbox. "I'll eat slowly. Mommy, come and eat with me when you're done talking."
After speaking, he steadily walked to the sofa with his food.
The art studio was divided into two halves. The left side was for painting, and the right side was a lounge area with sofas, a coffee table, and a light purple tatami mat.
Shen Qing Qing didn't even look at Fu Jing Shu. "Speak if you have something to say."
He glanced at Chen Chen, who was lowering his head to eat, then reached out to hold her hand, stopping her struggles, and lowered his voice. "Qing Qing, forgive me this once."
Shen Qing Qing ignored him, only trying to break free from his grip.
"Can't you give me one chance?" He used his other hand to grip her small hands, which were struggling to pull away, his voice becoming hoarse. "I promise you, next time, no, there won't be a next time."
Shen Qing Qing couldn't break free, so she simply bit down.
He didn't dodge.
In the end, Shen Qing Qing didn't bite down. She glanced at Chen Chen. "Let go first. The child is here. What are you doing?"
Fu Jing Shu pursed his lips. "I won't let go, or you'll leave."
Shen Qing Qing became somewhat annoyed. "How did you become so unreasonable?"
"As long as you can forgive me, being unreasonable is fine."
Fu Jing Shu wasn't the type of person to give up his wife for the sake of his pride. He just hadn't had the time before. Who knew how happy he was when he learned from Director Ruan that she was cooperating with Chen Chen and was going to meet Chen Chen's mother.
He didn't care that the child was still there. He softened his tone and lowered his posture. "Forgive me."
He was exceptionally handsome, with a perpetually cool expression. This submissive posture was something she had never seen before. Even with a heart of steel, it couldn't help but soften.
But she still didn't speak. If she forgave him too easily, he would surely make the same mistake again.
However, Fu Jing Shu could see that she was wavering. He immediately promised, "I can swear that everything I've said today is true."
Shen Qing Qing glanced at him. "It's not impossible to forgive you."
His hands tightened, but he realized there was softness in his grip. He immediately loosened his grip. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"
Shen Qing Qing ignored him, simply pulling her hand out. But in the next second, he grabbed it again. She was too lazy to argue with him, so she let him hold it.
"I have a request. If you can agree, I will forgive you."
"You say it. I'll agree to any request."
"Agree to everything?" Shen Qing Qing narrowed her eyes at him. "Aren't you even going to ask what it is?"
Fu Jing Shu was in a conciliatory mood right now, trying to appease her. How could he dare to ask about the conditions first? "No, I won't ask. As long as it's what you say, I'll agree to everything."
This attitude was not bad.
Shen Qing Qing nodded with satisfaction. "My request is to have Lu Wanying move out of the Fu family."
Fu Jing Shu's grip on her hand suddenly loosened.