Fu Jingshu glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Do you really want to know?"
Shen Qingqing nodded. "Yes."
Fu Jingshu led her to a private room, sat down in a chair, and pulled her onto his lap, but still didn't answer.
Shen Qingqing nudged him. "You should say something!"
She had asked several times!
She was about to get angry!
Fu Jingshu looked at her flushed, beautiful face and smiled slightly. "I can tell you, but... you have to promise me one thing."
He reached up, tucked a strand of hair behind Shen Qingqing's ear, his movements slow and gentle.
Shen Qingqing seemed to realize something, a blush spreading across her face. She slowly traced his cheek with her hand and whispered close to his ear, "What do you want?"
Fu Jingshu's eyes deepened as he looked at the fair neck so close to him. His Adam's apple bobbed. "I want you..."
The rest of his words were very, very soft.
A flush rose on Shen Qingqing's cheeks, and she couldn't help but glare at him. "I knew you had no good intentions!"
What kind of request was that!
Fu Jingshu chuckled. "Do you agree?"
Shen Qingqing huffed, glancing at him. "Then tell me first, how did you manage it? Mark actually dared to stand you up, how could he be so obedient?"
Fu Jingshu held her with one arm and poured her a cup of tea with the other, bringing it to her lips. "I have a pretty good relationship with Mark's uncle."
"He's very afraid of his uncle?"
"Their family has a rule where the next heir is chosen by a vote of the elders. Although Mark is the only son of the current head and his wife, but..."
Fu Jingshu looked at her, seeing her listening intently, and took out his phone, pulling up a document for her.
"You'll know when you see this."
"This is Mark's detailed information?!"
Shen Qingqing suddenly thought of something. "It seems you knew I'd be curious and prepared it in advance!"
Fu Jingshu's lips curved upwards. "See, I've ordered for you. We'll eat well later." He paused, his voice deepening. "No more thinking about other men!"
This jealous man!
Shen Qingqing inwardly complained, but her face broke into a smile as she took the phone and read it seriously.
The information stated that Mark was the only child of the current head and his wife, but in such large families, illegitimate children were very common.
Yet, this family's method of choosing an heir was by voting.
This meant that even if one was outstanding, if they weren't liked by certain people, they could still be voted out.
Moreover, Mark was skilled at eating, drinking, and having fun, but he didn't contribute much to the company.
According to the information, every one of these illegitimate children worked harder than Mark. Mark only relied on his sweet talk to appease his father and mother, as well as the elders of the family. Coupled with his advantageous status, he had grown up around the elders,
earning their favor.
As for his uncle, he was often not in the country, having lived in China for many years.
However, because his uncle had once saved his grandfather's life, their relationship was good. Therefore, before his grandfather died, he gave his uncle a veto right.
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but laugh when she read this.
Fu Jingshu was serving her food. The restaurant was extremely efficient; in just this short time, the dishes had arrived. Seeing her laughing uncontrollably, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
"Stop laughing, it's time to eat."
Shen Qingqing thought of Mark's helpless and compromising demeanor that morning and couldn't help herself. "He probably never imagined you knew his uncle. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to stand you up then."
Fu Jingshu nodded. "Our acquaintance was meant to be a secret."
Let alone Mark.
Besides Lin Mo, very few people knew.
After saying this, he waited for a long time but heard no reply from Shen Qingqing. He looked over and saw that the smile on her face was slowly fading as she looked at him intently.
"It's for me."
Fu Jingshu gently touched her soft cheek. "Let's eat."
Shen Qingqing obediently sat down to eat.
Midway through the meal, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, I was looking at the information earlier, and Mark never participated in the family's business in China. Why did he suddenly come to help Sima Yucheng this time?"
Fu Jingshu said indifferently, "There must be a reason for this."
Shen Qingqing bit her chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and suddenly thought of someone. "Do you think it has something to do with Ning Su?"
They had recently been on very bad terms with Sima Yucheng, which many people knew.
Unrequited love, helping someone else out of revenge...
Fu Jingshu was unconcerned. "Whether it's her or not, it has nothing to do with me. As long as Mark cooperates with Sima Yucheng, he'll never be the heir again."
Shen Qingqing imagined what Mark's expression would be if he knew that his inheritance was lost because of Fu Jingshu...
She couldn't help but laugh.
"This guy is really unlucky. Why did he have to go against you?"
Fu Jingshu's lips curved upwards, but his smile was faint. "Probably because he's stupid."
Shen Qingqing let out a chuckle.
After they finished eating and were about to leave, someone knocked on the door. Shen Qingqing looked up and saw Ning Su standing at the door, her eyes fixed on Fu Jingshu with an intense gaze.
She acted as if Shen Qingqing wasn't even there.
Shen Qingqing: "..."
This was too brazen!
She glanced at Fu Jingshu. He remained as calm and composed as ever, as if he hadn't seen Ning Su. He turned to Shen Qingqing, his gaze gentle.
"Are you full?"
"Yes."
"Let's go."
He stood up, took Shen Qingqing's hand, and walked towards the door. His gaze inevitably fell on Ning Su, but his expression remained unchanged, as if she were just a waiter bringing food.
"Excuse me."
Ning Su stubbornly blocked the doorway. "Jingshu, I have something to tell you."
Fu Jingshu's expression was blank.
Ning Su glanced at Shen Qingqing and said softly, "Can we speak alone? It's about Mark, and it's not convenient for others to hear."
Her words carried a hint of intimacy, making Shen Qingqing, the legitimate wife, feel like an outsider.
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "Miss Ning, why are you so persistent? Can't you see that my husband doesn't want to speak to you alone?"
Ning Su glared at her and said rudely, "What's it to you?"
"Miss Ning," Fu Jingshu suddenly spoke, his voice cold and warning. "This is my wife. Her wishes are my wishes."
Ning Su looked somewhat hurt by this cold man and had to back down. "Alright, then we'll talk like this. Don't go, just listen to me for a few words."
Fu Jingshu remained noncommittal, only glancing at his watch, a hint of impatience on his face.
Clearly, he was annoyed by her persistence.
Ning Su was used to his attitude, but in front of Shen Qingqing, she felt particularly humiliated. "Did Mark return the painting to you today?"
Fu Jingshu didn't respond.
Instead, Shen Qingqing hummed. "Yes, he did."
Ning Su cast a displeased glance at her, then looked at Fu Jingshu with an exceptionally devoted gaze. "Actually, it was I who persuaded him to change his mind."