The drive back was silent, the car filled with an unvoiced quiet.
Shen Qingqing’s pale fingertips clutched the sides of her clothes. Though the fabric was thick, she still felt a chill, and an overwhelming weariness settled in her heart.
Fu Jingshu, without looking at her, turned on the air conditioning with one hand.
Shen Qingqing said softly, "Don't you have anything you want to ask?"
"No."
"Is it because you trust me, or are you just too tired to ask?" Shen Qingqing disliked the silence and wanted to clear the air.
As they approached a red light, he braked and finally turned to look at her. "I'm sorry."
"...You're apologizing to me?" she blinked.
Fu Jingshu nodded. He reached out his right hand and clasped her fingertips, finding them cold. He then rested her hand on his thigh. "These troubles, they all stem from me. I'm truly sorry."
"You know..." who arranged it?
"I know. I'm not an idiot." Fu Jingshu rubbed her fingertips, warming them before the light turned green. He then reluctantly let go. "I will give you an explanation."
Shen Qingqing fell silent, a wave of emotion washing over her that words couldn't capture.
So, he truly hadn't doubted her.
"Thank you."
She whispered, and then felt her hand being held. His voice, deep and mellow, said, "No need to thank me. I should be thanking you."
He paused, a thought of someone crossing his mind, his gaze momentarily darkening.
"With so many troubles, you're still willing to stay by my side. I'm truly happy."
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips, a smile gracing her lips. "You'd better cherish me."
"I will."
They looked at each other and smiled, a shared understanding passing between them.
They soon arrived home, or rather, the Fu family residence. Fu Jingshu wouldn't allow her to be seen in her current state. They needed to change clothes at home before going back to their own.
However, the moment they stepped inside, they saw Lu Wanying sitting on the sofa.
Seeing them arrive together, her eyes flickered. She tentatively asked, "Jingshu Gege, you two..."
Hadn't argued?
Fu Jingshu, however, seemed not to notice her. He gently averted his gaze to Shen Qingqing, his voice deep and magnetic, "Go upstairs and change. All your clothes are still in the wardrobe."
"Okay."
As Shen Qingqing went upstairs, Fu Jingshu's expression turned cold. "You will move out today."
Lu Wanying's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Why?"
"Do you want me to spell it out?"
"...I don't understand what you're saying." Lu Wanying lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her clothes and biting her lip, appearing innocent and flustered. "I've been good since I got home yesterday. I really didn't do anything."
Fu Jingshu ignored her completely. Since she wouldn't leave, he would escort her out.
He called for a servant and instructed them to pack Lu Wanying's belongings.
Only then did Lu Wanying realize that this time, he wasn't just saying it; he genuinely intended to stop indulging her. Panic seized her. Forgetting all pretense of argument, she directly pleaded, "Jingshu, I know I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I promise I won't mess around anymore."
"I swear, I won't bully Miss Shen again."
"It's too late."
Fu Jingshu looked at her calmly. "You are indebted to me, and I will repay what I owe you. But as for anything else, I'm afraid I'm powerless. I certainly cannot go back to how things were."
"Why?" She simply couldn't accept it.
"The past can never be relived." Fu Jingshu's gaze drifted towards the stairs, filled with longing and focus. Lu Wanying followed his gaze and saw Shen Qingqing gracefully descending in a pale red dress.
Even if she refused to admit it, she had to concede that Shen Qingqing was beautiful.
But Fu Jingshu's gaze was what fueled her jealousy and made it unbearable.
"Because I have her now."
Fu Jingshu rose and walked towards Shen Qingqing. She stood on the stairs, while he stood below, looking up at her. He didn't seem to mind the posture, his eyes filled with a smile and tenderness.
Shen Qingqing placed her hand in his, her gaze lowered slightly, a faint smile on her face.
They were a perfect match, a picture of elegance and charm.
Lu Wanying watched, her heart bleeding. She bit her lip, then turned and smashed a porcelain vase on the table. Picking up a shard, she pressed it against her wrist.
"Jingshu, are you really going to make me leave?"
Fu Jingshu's eyes deepened. He took out his phone and made a call. A doctor, who had been waiting outside, immediately entered, accompanied by two female bodyguards.
Without a word, they subdued Lu Wanying, and the porcelain shard was tossed aside.
The doctor then proceeded to examine Lu Wanying.
The entire process was so swift that she had no time to react. She couldn't even struggle as she was forced onto the sofa for an examination. After a while, the doctor reported, "Miss Lu is fine, just a little weak. Eat more nutritious food and don't be a picky eater, and you'll recover."
He made no mention of depression or anxiety.
Fu Jingshu asked, "Her mental state..."
The doctor smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Master Fu. Miss Lu's emotions and mental state are quite good."
This statement clearly implied that her previous outburst was an act.
Lu Wanying's eyes darted around, her cheeks flushed. Shame and guilt prevented her from meeting his gaze. Being exposed so publicly, she wondered what Jingshu would think of her now.
In reality, Fu Jingshu thought nothing of it. As long as he was sure she wasn't genuinely ill, he had no psychological burden. He directly took out a ring he had prepared earlier from his pocket.
Lu Wanying's eyes widened, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.
The next second, Fu Jingshu knelt on one knee, his gaze earnest. "Qingqing, marry me."
Shen Qingqing remained silent for a long moment.
Fu Jingshu's voice was deep and filled with sincerity. "I won't make any grand vows. I just want to say that I love you. I will always be with you, cherish you for a lifetime. Qingqing, please believe me, marry me, and I will protect you forever, ensuring no one can harm you."
It was rare for him to speak so much, but he had prepared for the proposal and even rehearsed.
Yet, when the moment arrived, he couldn't recall any of it. His usually sharp mind went blank, and he could only speak from instinct.
But these simple words, in their unadorned sincerity, carried even more weight.
Shen Qingqing smiled and extended a hand. "Aren't you going to put it on me?"
Fu Jingshu's face broke into a radiant smile. He solemnly placed the ring on her finger, his gaze shifting from her hand to her beautiful face. Unconcerned by the onlookers, he impulsively kissed her cheek.
It was a light kiss, yet it was filled with cherish and tenderness.
They looked at each other, as if gazing into eternity. The doctor and servants by their side smiled, feeling the air fill with sweetness.
Lu Wanying, however, broke her own fingernail. The pain in her fingertip brought her back to reality, her eyes burning with jealousy and hatred.
This was especially true when Fu Jingshu took a red invitation card from his pocket and handed it to her.
Her hand trembled as she clutched the invitation.
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "Remember to attend our wedding."
Lu Wanying's teeth nearly shattered. She instinctively glanced at Shen Qingqing, but Shen Qingqing's gaze was calm, her expression serene, as if she were mocking her!
Unable to bear it any longer, she turned and ran out.