Ning Su smiled, "Miss Shen, long time no see."
She seemed to have completely forgotten the previous unpleasantness between them.
Shen Qingqing's expression was also normal, "Miss Ning, I didn't know you knew Mr. Mark before. So, you are friends."
"We only met recently."
Ning Su looked at Mark, smiling charmingly.
Mark also smiled, putting his arm around her shoulders in a very familiar manner, "Of course, we hit it off immediately and became good friends."
Ning Su's smile slightly faded, and she subtly removed his hand, linking her arm through his.
"Alright, the guests have arrived. We can't have them standing around. Miss Shen, please sit down."
The three of them sat down.
Just then, a waiter brought coffee. Mark said with a smile, "I don't know Miss Shen's taste, but I figured you wouldn't like to wait, so I took the liberty of ordering a cup of coffee for you. I hope you don't mind?"
Shen Qingqing lowered her gaze to the coffee cup. "Mr. Mark, I've heard you are renowned internationally, the son of a prominent conglomerate, yet you have a deep affection for ancient Chinese paintings. So, I've come today to ask you to appraise a painting."
As soon as he heard "ancient painting," Mark's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward.
"Let me see it."
Shen Qingqing placed the painting on the table and pushed it over.
Mark initially didn't pay much attention, but as he opened it, his expression instantly changed. His eyes showed more excitement than they would have for a beautiful woman.
His cheeks flushed, his breathing quickened, and his hands trembled.
"This is 'Small Bridge, Flowing Water, Dwelling'... it's my favorite painting, one I've searched for for many years without success!"
"Where did you find it?"
Mark suddenly looked up, his eyes practically glinting.
Shen Qingqing folded her hands under her chin, "It's quite a coincidence. My family left it to me. It's a family heirloom, a very important one."
Upon hearing this, Mark's heart sank.
If it were anything else, he could have offered to buy it. But the value of a family heirloom couldn't be measured in money.
Although he wasn't Chinese, he knew how highly Chinese people valued heirlooms. The monetary value might not be high, but its significance was profound.
Ning Su, standing nearby, couldn't help but scoff, "It's just a painting, isn't it? How did it become a family heirloom?"
"Shut up!" Mark no longer had his earlier gentleness; his expression turned cold. "What do you know? 'Small Bridge, Flowing Water, Dwelling' is a famous painting! It's priceless!"
Ning Su glanced at Shen Qingqing, her face flushing slightly.
Damn Mark! Scolding her in front of Shen Qingqing, embarrassing her!
Mark turned back to Shen Qingqing, his gaze burning, "I know this request is rather abrupt, but I still want to ask, could you sell me this painting?"
Shen Qingqing blinked, "Sell it..."
Mark looked at her expectantly, "No matter the price, just name it, and I can afford it!"
He was quite confident in the wealth of his family's conglomerate.
Shen Qingqing, however, smiled and shook her head, "I won't sell it."
Mark's eyes instantly dimmed.
"This painting holds immense meaning for me. It was left to me by my family. As you said, it's priceless, and I can't sell it for any amount of money."
Shen Qingqing's voice was calm, her gaze softening slightly as she looked at the painting.
Mark expressed understanding, "I understand. To me, this painting is also priceless!"
"However, I can give it to you," Shen Qingqing's tone shifted.
Mark's eyes brightened, then suspicion flickered, "Why would you give it to me? I don't plan on accepting free gifts."
His fervor for the painting slowly subsided, and he placed it back on the table.
Shen Qingqing smiled slightly, "Of course, it's not free. I just want to be friends with you."
"You're using this painting to make friends with me?" Mark found it unbelievable. The value of this painting was beyond any request!
Shen Qingqing nodded, her eyes clear, "What do you say? Consider it."
Mark had to admit, he was tempted.
If it were just about making friends, or even asking for something as a friend, it would likely be some money, a collaboration, or a project.
For him, that wouldn't be difficult.
"Okay..."
Before he could finish, Ning Su tugged at his sleeve.
Mark looked confused, "What's wrong?"
Ning Su whispered a few words into his ear. Mark's expression shifted slightly, and his gaze towards Shen Qingqing became strangely scrutinizing. It carried a hint of hostility and even a trace of pity.
Shen Qingqing...
Pity for what? Had he discovered some tragic story about her?
Mark cleared his throat and said, "I accept, but..." His corner was tugged again. He turned and patted Ning Su's hand, signaling her to be patient.
He looked back at Shen Qingqing, "But I also have a condition."
"Tell me."
Shen Qingqing wasn't foolish; she didn't immediately agree.
Mark pouted, "As expected of that person's wife. Just as sharp as him. You'll answer a few questions for me."
"Go ahead."
"Are you married?"
What kind of question was that?
Shen Qingqing answered truthfully, "Yes, I am married."
"Who is your husband?"
"Fu Jingshu."
Mark took a deep breath and said with some regret, "I thought you were just the CEO of Shen's. I didn't expect... you to be here as his emissary!"
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow, "Shen's Group is indeed mine now, but I'm not here as an emissary. I simply want to be friends with you, and I hope you'll give Jingshu a chance to meet. Whether you collaborate is a matter for you two to discuss."
She wasn't so naive as to believe a painting alone would make Mark agree to a collaboration immediately.
But Mark clearly didn't think so. He lowered his gaze, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he looked up, "I agree to your request. Is this painting mine now?"
Shen Qingqing nodded.
Ning Su beside them was frantic.
Before coming, Mark didn't know Shen Qingqing was Fu Jingshu's wife, which was why he agreed to meet her. But now that he knew, why did he still accept her painting?
Mark took the painting, placed a card on the table, and turned to leave.
Shen Qingqing also stood up, her eyes chilling as she looked at the card, "What do you mean by this?"
Mark turned back, a malicious smile on his face, "If you were just the CEO of Shen's, I really would have befriended you. But since you're his wife, I'm sorry, I won't collaborate with you, nor will I meet him."
Shen Qingqing's expression grew even colder.
"Upset?" Mark chuckled softly, raising the painting in his hand. "You said you had no demands on me. You didn't say that after I accepted the painting, I had to agree to you. And besides..."
He glanced at the bank card on the table, which contained three hundred thousand.
"I paid for it."
Shen Qingqing said coldly, "You tricked me."