Fu Jing shu’s expression was blank, as if he had just chanced upon her. “What are you buying?”
It wasn't a secret, so Shen Qingqing answered directly, "I'm here to buy a gift for Chenchen. Chenchen's birthday is coming up, and I can't show up empty-handed, can I?"
Fu Jing shu looked at the tuxedo placed on the table, and even he was amazed.
The tuxedo was exceptionally beautiful, and the fabric was top-notch.
Shen Qingqing turned to Zhang Xiaotao. "Please wrap these two for me. I'd like the little suit to be packaged more elaborately, perhaps with some childlike decorations."
"Understood!"
Zhang Xiaotao took the two dresses to the back.
Only then did Shen Qingqing turn to Fu Jing shu, asking tentatively, "Why is Master Fu here?"
Fu Jing shu's expression remained unchanged. "The same reason as you."
"Do you still need to buy your formal wear off the rack?"
"Yes."
Fu Jing shu offered no explanation and his gaze swept over the other clothes in the store with an appearance of deep thought. Shen Qingqing still harbored some suspicion but said nothing.
When Zhang Xiaotao had finished packing the two dresses, she handed the gift box with cartoon patterns to Fu Jing shu.
"This is a gift for Chenchen. You can take it back directly."
Fu Jing shu did not take it. "Aren't you going to give it to him yourself?"
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "I can't reveal myself. You hand this to him, and I'll give Chenchen a surprise then."
She planned to appear directly at the banquet, and Xi Xi would surely be delighted to see her!
Fu Jing shu didn't say anything further and took the gift box. "Thank you on Chenchen's behalf."
"There's no need for that," Shen Qingqing waved her hand dismissively. "If you want to thank me, let Chenchen tell me himself. Besides, I'm not giving him a gift out of gratitude."
Fu Jing shu's lips moved slightly. Seeing her glance at her watch, he asked, "Shall I give you a ride?"
"No, thank you. I still need to go to the supermarket." Shen Qingqing picked up her own dress and left with a flourish.
After she left, Fu Jing shu stared at her retreating figure for a long time.
His gaze was deep and complex, and Zhang Xiaotao couldn't fathom it. She dared not interrupt, and as she was contemplating greeting other customers, she suddenly heard the man speak.
"Wrap this one up."
Zhang Xiaotao followed his gaze. The display still held a black suit, which was originally a matching set with the two dresses Shen Qingqing had taken.
She had been wondering if she should hold off on selling this set for a while, but then...
"Sir," she had to remind Fu Jing shu, "Miss Shen bought the matching women's dress for this suit. If you buy this one now, it would mean..."
Wearing a couple's outfit with Miss Shen.
Fu Jing shu glanced at her. The look sent a chill down her spine, and she dared not say another word. She quickly wrapped the suit and respectfully handed it to him.
Watching Fu Jing shu's retreating back, she was convinced in her heart that this handsome man must be fond of Miss Shen!
The birthday banquet was held at the Fu family's residence.
Since it was Fu Jing shu's son's birthday, people from high society naturally had to show their respect. The banquet was scheduled to start at eight, but by seven, most guests had already arrived.
Shen Qingqing had also arrived early, but before she could make her appearance, she was whisked away by Shen Jinxi.
The little fellow insisted that she and Fu Jing shu accompany him for his grand entrance. Unable to refuse Xi Xi, she waited until eight o'clock, when the two of them, with Shen Jinxi between them, slowly descended the stairs.
The man was dressed in a custom-made black suit that accentuated his tall and slender physique, making him look imposing and handsome. The expressionless face softened only slightly when he looked at the woman and the child beside him.
The woman was in a white dress that outlined her sexy figure without being overly alluring; instead, it exuded a fresh and elegant aura.
The little boy in the middle wore a white tuxedo. Though small in stature, he possessed an elegant demeanor, looking like a beautifully crafted, porcelain-like little prince.
Despite the different colors, the style and pattern clearly indicated that the three were wearing a family outfit. Together, they looked like a family.
However, prior to this, no woman had ever appeared beside Master Fu or the little Fu heir!
Who was this woman?
Shen Yaoyao was also in the crowd. She was dressed to impress today, but Shen Qingqing had completely outshone her, making her look like she was from a different world. They looked like a family!
How could this be!
She bit her lip hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood, and slowly calmed down. She took out the gift she had meticulously prepared and walked forward with an effort to appear elegant and composed.
"Chenchen, I've prepared a gift for you."
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to be heard by everyone. The gazes of the crowd finally fell upon her.
Shen Jinxi glanced at the object in her palm. It was yellow and looked like a talisman. He lost interest after a single glance and didn't look again.
Shen Yaoyao held the talisman forward. "Chenchen, this is an incense amulet I had Master Bodhi procure for you."
Everyone knew of Master Bodhi's reputation. He was a renowned eminent monk. Even though it was the twenty-first century, some people still held such beliefs.
Whether it was effective or not, at least it offered a sense of good fortune.
Furthermore, Master Bodhi was very difficult to meet, and his talismans were extremely valuable. The most sought-after were the incense amulets, said to have a faint fragrance that could ward off evil and bring good luck.
Many people wanted to buy them but simply couldn't.
At this, the way everyone looked at Shen Yaoyao changed.
She enjoyed this attention and couldn't resist a subtle dig at Shen Qingqing. "When you went missing before, you scared both your daddy and me terribly. Although it was later proven that this incident had nothing to do with your sister, I still felt uneasy. So, I specially went to seek this talisman for you, hoping you won't be harmed by anyone in the future."
As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Qingqing. Her words were half true and half false, leaving the crowd confused. Hearing Shen Yaoyao call her "sister," they naturally guessed her identity.
However...
What did she mean by "proven to have nothing to do with Shen Qingqing"?
Could it be that this child's disappearance was related to Shen Qingqing?
Shen Yaoyao wanted to sow seeds of doubt in everyone's minds, so she didn't say any more. She moved closer to Chenchen, intending to put the amulet on him. However, as soon as she leaned in, Shen Jinxi suddenly sneezed!
Then, covering his mouth, he retched.
"Don't come near me! Take that thing away!" The little fellow looked as if he couldn't escape it fast enough, even burying his face in Shen Qingqing's arms.
In his heart, he thought fiercely, "Trying to insinuate my mommy? Do you think I can't understand your hints?
Bad woman, you'll regret this today!"
His little recital successfully drew everyone's attention to the amulet. Everyone said Master Bodhi's amulets had a fresh and elegant scent; no one had ever heard of them making people feel nauseous!
Could there be something wrong with the amulet?