She returned the phone with a smile and asked, "Can you tell me your name?"
"Tell you, and you'll let me go?"
Lu Wanying sighed regretfully, "Yes, after all, a forced melon isn't sweet. If you tell me your name, it means we haven't met in vain."
"King."
"King," Lu Wanying repeated, a subtle smile appearing at the corner of her lips. "A very nice name, very fitting for you. I'll be going then, goodbye."
He had been so persistent just now, why was he letting go so easily now?
King didn't feel uncomfortable, he just found this woman strange. Shaking his head, he turned and left.
Company.
Fu Jingshu looked at the photo on his phone. Shen Qingqing, who was sleeping in it, was very beautiful. The sunlight cast a golden glow on her face.
It had just avoided her eyes, allowing her to sleep peacefully.
But on closer inspection, the shadow looked like a hand, probably intentionally blocking the light.
At that moment, another text message arrived.
"Friendly reminder, the man who has Miss Shen's photo is named King."
Fu Jingshu stared at his phone for a long time, then casually tossed it aside. Just then, Lin Mo came in to deliver documents. Before he could speak, he saw Fu Ye suddenly stand up.
He was startled. "...Fu Ye, what's wrong?"
"I have something to do, I'm leaving now."
Fu Jingshu picked up his phone and the jacket draped over the back of the chair, and strode out. Lin Mo stood there, not reacting for a long time.
What happened?
Fu Jingshu got into his car and drove straight home. As soon as he entered, he saw a maid rushing to greet him. He avoided the maid's outstretched hand to take his jacket and scanned the room, "Where is Qingqing?"
"Miss Shen hasn't returned yet."
"Prepare dinner."
As he spoke, he had already gone upstairs with his jacket.
A short while later, Shen Qingqing also returned.
The maid saw her and quickly said, "Miss Shen, Master is waiting for you upstairs. I think something is wrong, you should go see him quickly."
"Got it, you go ahead and do your work."
Shen Qingqing went upstairs and headed straight for the study, but didn't see anyone. As she was wondering, she suddenly thought of something and turned towards the guest room she was staying in.
He was indeed in the room.
"Looking for me for something?"
Fu Jingshu glanced at her and said calmly, "I have something I want to ask you."
Shen Qingqing sat down on the sofa opposite him, hugging a cushion, "Ask away."
"What is your relationship with King?"
Shen Qingqing froze, her eyes flickered. "Why are you suddenly asking about him?"
Fu Jingshu stared at her intently, taking in her every expression. His hands on his knees slowly clenched. "A man appears by your side, shouldn't you tell me his identity?"
He realized his tone was a little harsh and then he continued to explain.
"I'm just worried about you."
"You don't need to worry, we've known each other for many years." Actually, King's identity wasn't something that couldn't be told, but Shen Qingqing felt uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because of his tone. "Why are you suddenly asking about him out of the blue?"
"I naturally want to know the identity of anyone who appears by your side."
Shen Qingqing looked at the pattern on the cushion in her arms. "He's a good friend."
"Many years?"
"Yes."
Fu Jingshu's gaze deepened, and he slowly stood up, walking up to her. "I'm very serious about talking to you. We're about to get married, and I hope we can be frank and honest with each other."
"I'm not honest?" Shen Qingqing didn't want to admit this inexplicable accusation. "I'll say it again, we're just good friends. If you don't believe me, so be it."
She threw down the cushion and turned towards the door.
But Fu Jingshu grabbed her wrist from behind, forcing her to turn around. "Is there anything else?"
Fu Jingshu's face darkened. "Don't lie to me."
Shen Qingqing yanked her hand back. "I told you, I'm not lying."
She gave Fu Jingshu one last look, his expression terrifyingly cold. Without a word, she turned and left. Fu Jingshu took two steps after her, but eventually stopped.
He didn't know what to say even if he caught up. Should they continue arguing?
He rubbed his temples, sat down on the sofa, filled with exhaustion. His mind couldn't help but recall that photo. If they were just friends, why would he take such a photo?
After the unpleasant parting that night, neither of them spoke during dinner.
After they finished eating, they returned to their respective rooms.
Fu Old Madam watched the stiff atmosphere with great concern, but then thought, it was best for young people to resolve their own issues.
So she also returned to her room.
The next day, Shen Qingqing received a call from King, asking her to go out.
She specifically went home to pick up the two children and went to the agreed-upon place, a restaurant opposite the hotel where King was staying.
When they entered, he had already ordered the food.
"Hello, Uncle."
Shen Jinxi and Chen Chen greeted him politely.
King liked the two children very much. He walked over and took their hands, and took out two gifts. One was a game console recommended by a rising star in the e-sports world, and the other was a super large drawing board and various paintbrushes.
"I know Chen Chen has been learning to paint recently, so I specifically got this for you from abroad."
The material of this drawing board was fundamentally different from ordinary drawing boards, and the materials for the paintbrushes were also better, with more vivid and bright colors.
Chen Chen liked it very much but was still hesitant, unsure if he should accept it.
Shen Jinxi was mesmerized by the game console and thanked him crisply without hesitation, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Shen Qingqing patted Chen Chen's head. "Accept it."
Chen Chen then carefully placed the drawing board and paintbrushes on the chair beside him and gave King a faint smile. "Thank you, Uncle."
"You're welcome."
King took out a rectangular box from his bag. Inside lay a blue crystal necklace. Shen Qingqing pushed the box back.
"I can't accept it."
King pressed the box with a finger. "If you don't accept it, it's being polite. What, I'm not your teacher anymore?"
Since he had said that, if she refused again, it would seem too distant. She had no choice but to take the box. Even someone like her, who wasn't particularly fond of jewelry, had to admit that the necklace was indeed beautiful.
Afterwards, the waiter served the dishes.
The children started eating first, while King and Shen Qingqing chatted as they ate.
The atmosphere had been harmonious until Shen Qingqing took out an invitation. "You must come to my wedding."
King's chopsticks paused while picking up food. "You've really made up your mind."
Shen Qingqing remained noncommittal.
The wedding news had already been released, so it was naturally a decision made after careful consideration.
"You're really going to marry him, no regrets?"
King's question was strange. Shen Qingqing frowned slightly. "Since I've decided to get married, I've naturally gotten to know him and understand what kind of person he is. Why would I regret it?"
King let out a light, inscrutable laugh. "Is that so? Then take a look at this."
He took a photo out of his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of her.
Shen Qingqing turned it over and saw a man and a woman in the photo. The man was tall and handsome, his head slightly bowed, looking at the girl who was throwing herself into his arms.
His hands were around her waist, as if to embrace her.
The girl's face was flushed with shyness, like a blush, and she depended on him like a small bird.
It was Fu Jingshu and Lu Wanying.