Shen Qingqing fell silent.
"Qingqing, just listen to Grandma," Old Madam Fu was truly exhausted from worrying about her grandson. "Give him another chance, he will change. He feels guilt and a sense of obligation towards that woman, but not love. His love, all of it, is for you."
She knew her grandson too well. Even in his treatment of Lu Wanying back then, he hadn't shown such a difference. Only with Shen Qingqing did he truly care and change.
The current Jing Shu was like a trapped beast, and Lu Wanying was the cage that confined him.
And Shen Qingqing was the only one who could save him.
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly. "Grandma, do you think he can let go of this debt of gratitude?"
The old madam did not speak.
"Then, what do you think Lu Wanying wants?"
This answer, Shen Qingqing knew, and Old Madam Fu also knew. Both women fell silent, an invisible pressure spreading through the air.
Finally, Shen Qingqing spoke softly, "What she wants, I cannot give. Fu Jingshu can. Grandma, he cannot let go of this debt of gratitude, and therefore, he cannot refuse her."
Even if he could hold on now, he would eventually compromise, because she was a patient, and her illness was caused by him.
"Grandma, you don't need to persuade me anymore." She placed the old madam's warm, dry hand back on her lap. "Some things are beyond our control. We just have to accept our fate."
"Child, are you the kind of person to accept fate?"
Old Madam Fu could already hear it. Shen Qingqing had thoughts of giving up, but she was still unwilling. She felt that these two children might still have a chance.
Shen Qingqing did not reply, merely shaking her head.
There would be no more chances.
Old Madam Fu was unwilling. "Qingqing..."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the time. "Grandma, I have things to attend to. I'll take my leave now. You rest well and take care of yourself."
Before Old Madam Fu could stop her, she quickly left.
Old Madam Fu had intended to keep her by feigning illness, but before she could even speak, Shen Qingqing was already outside the door. As she stood up, she felt dizzy and could only watch her leave.
She sighed in dejection. This was the end of it all.
Shen Qingqing left the Fu residence and saw Fu Jingshu waiting at the entrance. He stood up straight, as if he had something to say, but Shen Qingqing merely glanced at him and walked straight past.
The words he was about to speak were choked in his throat. Fu Jingshu pursed his thin lips and watched her back as she got into the car. The window rolled up, blocking his last glimpse.
The car drove all the way to a villa on the mountainside. This was Lu Junze's residence. When he opened the door, he was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth.
"Why are you here?"
Shen Qingqing said faintly, "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Please, come in." Lu Junze snapped back to reality and quickly welcomed her in. He brought drinks and pastries, his attentiveness like that of a servant tending to an empress dowager.
"So, what brings your esteemed self here?"
Shen Qingqing picked up her cup and took a sip. "I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
Shen Qingqing smiled without speaking and beckoned him over. Lu Junze immediately leaned closer, and she whispered a few words into his ear.
He's eyes widened. "Why?"
Shen Qingqing pushed him away expressionlessly. "You just need to tell me if you'll help or not."
"Of course, I'll help." Lu Junze would never refuse her request. He carefully tugged at Shen Qingqing's sleeve. "Are you really going to do this? No regrets?"
Shen Qingqing nodded. "Certain."
Lu Junze had nothing more to say. As a friend, he would naturally support her. So, the next day, he posted on his social media. It was very simple, just a photo and three words.
"Official Announcement."
The photo was a snapshot of him and Shen Qingqing, their hands clasped, both smiling. Everything looked so harmonious. Lu Junze's social circle was, of course, comprised of prominent figures.
Many people commented below.
"Wow, a perfect match!"
"Congratulations, congratulations. May you have a hundred years of happiness together."
Shen Qingqing also posted on her social media, with the same picture and caption, receiving a flood of blessings and exclamations.
The children found out about the news immediately. But this time, even Chenchen picked up his phone, intending to ask his mother, but then he thought of something and put his phone down.
His mother must have been heartbroken, otherwise, she wouldn't have done this.
After posting, Lu Junze called Shen Qingqing. "Qingqing, you really don't regret it? Once it's announced, there's no turning back."
"It's already announced." The implication was that there was no chance to reconsider now.
"Qingqing, is it worth doing this?" Lu Junze couldn't understand her reasoning. Although his sister was her love rival, based on their close relationship, he naturally sided with Shen Qingqing. "Where is your usual fighting spirit? Why did you give up so quickly this time?"
"If it were purely an emotional entanglement, perhaps I would have fought for him." Shen Qingqing sat on the sofa, a faint weariness on her face. "But this involves a debt of gratitude. Revenge is easy, but repaying kindness is difficult. I don't want to be with him in the future, only to have someone who feels indebted to him between us."
Then, this already not-so-smooth relationship would likely end up making them a pair of resentful lovers.
Lu Junze sighed deeply. "That's true. Regardless, I support your decision, Qingqing. Always remember that you have me behind you."
"Thank you."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Qingqing lazily tossed her phone onto the sofa and closed her eyes, preparing for a short nap.
Unbeknownst to her, Fu Jingshu also received the news. He was driving to find her, intending to explain things, but unexpectedly saw that social media post.
In a fit of rage, he flipped his phone face down on the passenger seat. Everything seemed unsatisfactory now, especially the red light ahead.
If it weren't for the red light, he wouldn't have stopped and looked at his phone, thus not seeing the most glaring post.
As the red light turned green, he stepped on the accelerator, and the car shot forward, but he didn't notice a truck turning from the left.
The two cars nearly collided. In the end, Fu Jingshu managed to turn the steering wheel in time to avoid the truck, but his car veered straight into the roadside greenery.
Lu Wanying rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. She saw Fu Jingshu standing expressionlessly by the car, while a man was loudly yelling something with a flushed face. Nearby, police officers were trying to calm the man down.
Ignoring everyone else, she rushed to Fu Jingshu's side and anxiously asked, "Jingshu, are you okay? You scared me to death. I rushed here as soon as I got the call. How could you have almost gotten into an accident?"
Fu Jingshu looked at her coldly. "Are you done talking?"
Lu Wanying froze, his attitude was strange. "What?"
"If you're done, hurry up and leave." Fu Jingshu, not knowing where he got it from, lit a cigarette, took a final drag, and threw it on the ground, crushing it with his foot. "I don't want to see you right now."
Lu Wanying's eyes widened, a hint of hurt in them. "How can you say that to me?"
Since her return, he had always been patient with her, even scolding Shen Qingqing for her sake several times. She had never imagined how painful Fu Jingshu's coldness could be when directed at her.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingqing received a call from Chenchen.
"Mommy, no matter who you end up with, I will support you."
Shen Qingqing thought he was going to try to persuade her, but she didn't expect him to say this. "Chenchen..."
"Mom, you must be happy," Chenchen said very seriously.