"Where is Xixi?" she asked, having not seen her son in the living room when she returned.
"He should be in his room."
Shen Qingqing checked the time. There was still some time before dinner. "Then you go ahead and be busy. I'll go see the child, then go see Grandma. I'll call you up for dinner later."
"Okay."
Shen Qingqing turned and left. Fu Jingshu lowered his gaze to his phone.
On it was a photo.
A man with a handsome face and gentle eyes was staring intently at a woman's back. The afterglow of the sunset couldn't hide the overwhelming affection in his eyes.
Fu Jingshu turned off his phone.
...
Shen Qingqing went to her son's room but didn't see the little one. To her surprise, when she returned to her own room, she found Xixi sitting on the bed, looking dejected.
She walked over. "What's wrong?"
Xixi pouted.
"Did you have another argument with your Daddy?" Other than that, she couldn't think of any other possibility. No one else in this family would dare to bully this child.
Xixi seemed very conflicted, holding his phone and looking at her repeatedly. Shen Qingqing was bewildered, almost thinking she had something on her.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be hesitant."
Shen Jinxi found it too difficult to speak, so he simply took out his phone and let her look for herself.
As his mother was looking at the information, the little guy regretted getting involved in this matter.
He had overheard his father and mother talking at the study door earlier. Wanting to help them, he used his hacking skills to try and investigate this Mark.
He didn't expect that having too good of a skill could also be a mistake.
He not only found Mark's information but also his preferences.
At first, he was surprised and happy to find that this foreigner actually liked a Chinese calligraphy and painting. After all, China had the most calligraphy, paintings, and antiques.
But then he discovered that this foreigner didn't just like any calligraphy or painting; he was a collector and already had many famous paintings in his home.
Currently, what he liked the most and wanted the most was a painting titled "Small Bridge, Flowing Water, Homes."
As a result, he had just seen his mother bring something back and, out of curiosity, ran over to take a look. He regretted it as soon as he finished looking!
Looking at Shen Qingqing's expression, the little guy became increasingly anxious. "Mommy, is this painting especially important to you?"
Shen Jinxi asked this, but he didn't have much hope. Since his mother had brought it back from afar, she must care deeply about it.
Shen Qingqing looked up at him, and her expressionless face suddenly bloomed into a bright smile. "Son, you've made a great contribution this time."
Shen Jinxi looked bewildered. "How did I make a great contribution? You just brought the painting back, and it turns out the other party likes it. Are you going to give it to him?"
Shen Qingqing placed the phone on the table. "Since the other party likes it, why not give it to him? If a painting can be exchanged for cooperation, it's quite a good deal."
"But this painting..."
Although Shen Jinxi didn't understand art very well, Shen Qingqing usually collected some antique calligraphy and paintings. Under her influence, the little guy had developed some discernment.
He could tell at a glance that this calligraphy and painting was valuable.
Extremely valuable.
"Alright, this matter is settled. You've made a great contribution today. I'll mention it to your father later and get him to buy you a gift."
Shen Qingqing walked away潇洒 (xiāosǎ - stylishly, freely), but Shen Jinxi felt heavy-hearted. His mother was willing to sacrifice this much for his father, so his father absolutely had to know.
Otherwise, wouldn't his mother's sacrifice be in vain?!
So the little guy happily ran to the study and told his father the whole story, word for word.
Fu Jingshu was stunned for a moment. He rubbed his son's fluffy little head. "I know. You can go back. I'll handle this."
"Daddy, I know. No matter how I ask, you won't tell me how you'll handle it, so I won't ask. But one thing: Mommy is so good to you, you must remember it and treat her well in the future!"
The little guy said with utmost seriousness, each word a warning.
A smile flickered in Fu Jingshu's eyes. "I know."
"Just knowing isn't enough; you have to do it!"
"I will."
Seeing his sincere attitude and cooperation, Shen Jinxi was finally relieved.
...
Fu Jingshu returned to his room and saw his wife sitting on the bed with her back to the door, engrossed in something. His gaze instantly softened.
"What are you doing?"
Perhaps his voice was gentle enough, Shen Qingqing wasn't startled by the sudden sound and replied without turning her head, "Looking at the painting I just got back. Take a look, isn't it very heartwarming?"
She lifted the painting slightly, allowing Fu Jingshu behind her to see it as well.
The painting didn't depict anything grand or dramatic. It was just a small bridge and flowing water, yet this simplicity made it feel rustic and heartwarming.
A rare moment of peace.
Fu Jingshu shifted his gaze from the painting to his wife's delicate, fair profile. "You must treasure this painting."
Shen Qingqing paused slightly and smiled. "You know already."
"Mm."
"Besides, it's just a painting. If Mother knew I used it to secure an excellent opportunity, she would surely be happy too."
Shen Qingqing appeared very open-minded.
However, Fu Jingshu could see the reluctance beneath her feigned indifference. "Why would you say that? How can it be considered an exchange? When there's a request, there's always a price." Shen Qingqing hadn't met Mark before, but she imagined that if Mark liked paintings so much, he would definitely take good care of this one.
This was also something her mother had told her when she was alive.
"No matter how precious something is, its greatest fortune is to end up in the hands of someone who truly loves it."
Shen Qingqing was young then and didn't quite understand the meaning of this. She always felt that whatever was hers, she had to hold onto tightly.
But now she understood.
If it were for herself, she wouldn't agree, but for Fu Jingshu, she was willing.
She turned back and cupped the man's face. "I want to protect you too."
The woman's eyes were clear and bright, filled only with the purest gentleness and sincerity.
Fu Jingshu's voice became a little hoarse. "But I feel the same way as you. I want to protect you too, and protect what you own."
"Jingshu..."
Fu Jingshu's lips curved upward, not giving her a chance to continue.
This kiss seemed more intimate than any before.
...
The next day, Shen Qingqing secretly went out.
She didn't tell Fu Jingshu and went to the appointment by herself with the painting.
Last night, she had asked Ke Lin to contact Mark on her behalf. She had expected the other party to make things difficult for her, but to her surprise, he agreed to meet immediately.
The agreed-upon meeting place was a coffee shop.
Shen Qingqing pushed open the door and scanned the coffee shop. She quickly spotted a foreigner with blond hair and blue eyes, and at his side, she saw a familiar face.
Ning Su, what is she doing here?