Fu Tingyi's face darkened. "Chenchen, how can you speak to us like that?"
Chenchen pursed his small lips and remained silent.
Fang Ru, playing the good cop, chimed in, "Chenchen, as a junior, you must respect your elders. Especially since you're so young, how can you have such an attitude towards your grandparents?"
"But you were bullying Mommy..."
Chenchen felt pained when talking to people; he really didn't want to speak. His small hands unconsciously gripped her sleeve, as if this would give him courage.
"We weren't bullying her," Fang Ru explained. "You're too young to understand. Besides, she isn't your mother."
Fu Tingyi was less polite. "What kind of mother is she to you? Don't get them confused. Even if your brother finds a mother for you later, he'll find one from a prestigious family."
"I don't want to."
Chenchen hugged Shen Qingqing tightly, his meaning clear: he only wanted her.
Fang Ru fell silent.
Fu Tingyi looked at Shen Qingqing with disdain. "Jingshu cannot keep a mere pretty face by his side."
Shen Qingqing calmly waited for him to continue.
Seeing no panic or anger on her face, Fu Tingyi was somewhat disappointed but not surprised. This woman was not easy to deal with. "If you want to stay by Jingshu's side, you must show me your capabilities."
Shen Qingqing really wanted to say that her capabilities were none of Fu Tingyi's business, but considering they were Fu Jingshu's parents, she nodded.
"Tell me, how should I prove myself?"
"I've received news that the wedding designer, Luol ina, has returned to the country," Fu Tingyi said, prepared for this. He presented her with a significant challenge. "I want you to gain Luol ina's recognition within a week."
"What if I fail?"
"Then you will leave the Fu family," Fu Tingyi responded almost eagerly. "A woman like you, with no family background and no talent, is not worthy of my son."
Shen Qingqing didn't answer immediately.
Fu Tingyi and Fang Ru tensed. This wager was harmless to them but detrimental to Shen Qingqing.
If she refused...
They had no other recourse.
"Okay, I agree."
The couple finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Fu Tingyi even managed a rare smile, though it was filled with arrogance. "Good, then we start from today."
"However, I hope you won't tell a fourth person about our bet."
Fang Ru didn't name names, but Shen Qingqing knew who the "fourth person" referred to. She completely disregarded the couple's little scheme and agreed without hesitation.
"Alright."
The couple exchanged glances, considering her foolish.
Having gotten what they wanted, Fu Tingyi and Fang Ru naturally had no more to say. They even offered Shen Qingqing a smile when Fu Jingshu came downstairs, as if they had put aside their class prejudice and accepted her.
Fu Jingshu asked nothing. Only after they left did he ask Shen Qingqing, "What were you all discussing downstairs just now?"
Shen Qingqing glanced at him. "Nothing much. You know your parents don't like me. At most, they'll just tell me to leave you as soon as possible... it's all clichés, nothing worth mentioning."
"Only that?"
"Mm."
Fu Jingshu looked at her deeply and asked no more.
Later, he went to ask Chenchen, but the child remained tight-lipped. No matter how he was questioned, he wouldn't say a word.
Seizing an opportunity when Fu Jingshu wasn't paying attention, Shen Qingqing and Chenchen exchanged a look. She winked, and Chenchen smiled. They had silently reached an understanding.
...
Fu Tingyi and his wife returned home. Fu Tingyi immediately said, "Take the gifts I prepared and go to Luol ina's residence."
He paused, then added, feeling uneasy, "Forget it, I'll go with you."
"No need. I can handle this," Fang Ru said, asking a servant to fetch the gifts upstairs. "If you go, it will be too conspicuous. What if Shen Qingqing finds out?"
"But..." Fu Tingyi was still worried. "I heard this designer is eccentric and difficult to approach. I'm afraid she won't agree to what we ask of her."
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Fang Ru, full of confidence, set off with the gifts. Luol ina had recently returned from abroad and was staying in a five-star hotel.
She was welcomed in, though with a hint of weariness on her face. "You're Master Fu's mother, aren't you? I'm not sure what brings you here today."
"I've long heard of your reputation in the design world, and I admire you greatly. I thought I'd try to build a connection," Fang Ru said, sounding like a genuine lady when she wasn't being harsh. "Please forgive my intrusion. I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Luol ina propped her chin on her hand, languidly saying, "It's not a disturbance, but I'm quite straightforward and don't like beating around the bush. Just tell me what you need."
"Miss Luo is so astute," Fang Ru flattered effortlessly. "It's like this, my unaccomplished son has recently taken a liking to a girl, but unfortunately, this girl is not liked by our entire family. I don't know what love potion she fed my son to make him so infatuated."
Luol ina wasn't fond of hearing such family gossip and yawned lazily.
"So, I made a bet with her," Fang Ru rambled on, finally getting to the point. "This bet requires your help. When she comes to you, just don't give her a pleasant reception."
"What's in it for me?"
Fang Ru smiled. "I know you don't like strangers disturbing you. If you help me with this, consider it a favor owed by the Fu family."
Luol ina pondered for a moment and asked, "Helping with this is not impossible, but I'm curious. What did that woman do to make you dislike her so much?"
"Her character is poor, and her family background is not good," Fang Ru said, a hint of disdain in her eyes. "How can such a person be worthy of my son?"
Luol ina suddenly chuckled. "Your request is quite sudden. Let me consider it."
"Alright, then I won't disturb you any further."
Fang Ru turned to leave, but she was actually quite confident. She believed that no matter how eccentric Luol ina was, she would never oppose the Fu family.
In her room, Luol ina took out her phone and dialed a number.
The screen displayed three characters: Shen Qingqing.
As soon as the call was connected, she teased, "My dear, I just met your mother-in-law. She seems to have a very strong opinion of you."