Lin Mo's voice came through clearly.
"Master Fu, the project has encountered some issues. If we continue the cooperation, we'll need to invest more of our own funds, which would deviate from our budget. Furthermore, the company's working capital is insufficient."
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "When I left, there was a large sum of working capital on the books. Immediately investigate where that money went."
"I've already sent people to look into it, but the problem now is with this project we're collaborating on..." Lin Mo gritted his teeth and said, "Master Fu, I suggest we terminate the cooperation immediately."
Shen Qingqing asked, "Have you found anything about Ning Xin's relationship with Director Liu?"
"We have some leads." Lin Mo on the other end of the line was not surprised by the madam's voice. He knew that once the madam spoke, Master Fu would practically lose his authority. "They've known each other for a long time, and I also found that there were no financial transactions between them. However, I'm not entirely clear about the specific nature of their dealings. The other party's transactions are very secretive, and it will take time to uncover more detailed information."
"Then we won't cooperate with her," Shen Qingqing said. She had indeed intended to use the opportunity of cooperating with Ning Xin to gather some information, but that didn't mean she was willing to risk the company's finances.
"Absolutely not," Fu Jingshu refused outright.
Shen Qingqing knew what he was thinking without asking. He undoubtedly wanted to help her investigate the matter more thoroughly. "Just listen to me. I have a better plan now."
"What plan?"
"In any case, you don't need to approach Ning Xin."
Shen Qingqing feigned mystery.
Fu Jingshu frowned, gripping her hand. "You don't need to force yourself..."
"I should be the one saying that to you," Shen Qingqing replied earnestly. "Listen to me, and end the cooperation with her immediately."
Fu Jingshu stared at her for a moment, seeing the determination deep in his eyes. Realizing he couldn't change his wife's mind, he finally agreed, "As you wish."
Shen Qingqing smiled brightly.
On the other end of the phone, Lin Mo's lips twitched as he looked at his phone, inexplicably force-fed a large dose of PDA and feeling quite choked.
He cleared his throat. "Master Fu, Madam, I will go and negotiate the termination of cooperation with the other party now. I will do my best to minimize our losses."
"Good. Also, investigate where the activity funds on the ledger went before I left," Fu Jingshu said, his voice laced with coldness.
Lin Mo said seriously, "Rest assured, I will give you a result as soon as possible."
...
The judging professor's conference was approaching.
Colin finally brought good news.
"Ms. Shen, I've picked up Professor Liao. He's on a flight tonight and will arrive around midnight. I'll bring Professor Liao to the hospital to see you first thing tomorrow morning."
"No, I'll go to the airport to pick him up."
Shen Qingqing didn't want any more unexpected incidents.
Colin naturally agreed. "Alright, I'll call you once we land."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Shen Qingqing glanced at the time. It was already 6:00 PM. "According to his estimated arrival time, he should land around midnight. I'll then..."
"I'll go," Fu Jingshu said.
"You should stay here to accompany Grandma and Xixi, and besides, there's still company business waiting for you to handle."
"I'm not at ease with you going alone." If it were daytime, it would be fine, but in the middle of the night, at midnight, how could Fu Jingshu let her go by herself?
Unless he had lost his mind.
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
If there was anyone in this world, besides herself, whom she trusted the most, it would probably be her husband, the man standing before her.
Later that evening, Fu Jingshu left.
Shen Qingqing waited in the hospital room. Although she trusted Fu Jingshu and Colin implicitly, she still had her concerns. Her intuition told her that the matter of Professor Liao would not go smoothly.
After waiting for nearly an hour, as it was approaching 1 AM, Fu Jingshu and his companions had still not returned.
Shen Qingqing's heart grew increasingly anxious.
Just as she was debating whether to call Fu Jingshu for an update, familiar and steady footsteps echoed in the corridor.
She immediately walked to the door and opened it, just in time to see Fu Jingshu and Colin.
Between them was an old man in his fifties.
The old man complained as he walked, "You two are really something. How could you let someone else take me away? You should have met me at the airport. It's my first time in the country, and I don't know anyone. It's normal for me to be misled by someone."
It seemed this was Liao Wenbo.
"Professor Liao, hello." Shen Qingqing extended a hand to greet him.
Liao Wenbo scrutinized her. "Are you that old guy's disciple?"
"I am."
"You're nothing special," Liao Wenbo said dismissively. "I thought if that old man took you as a disciple, you must have some extraordinary abilities or outstanding qualities..."
Fu Jingshu's eyes turned cold. Before he could speak, Shen Qingqing stepped in front of him and smiled at Liao Wenbo. "I'm human, of course I don't have three heads and six arms. However, I do want to hear about you from my teacher."
Liao Wenbo hummed casually. "That old guy definitely didn't say anything good about me, did he?"
Their animosity had a history. It wasn't really an irreconcilable hatred, but rather a clash of philosophies and personalities.
Every time they met, they would argue.
Shen Qingqing smiled slightly. "My teacher often said that you are the only one he considers an equal."
Liao Wenbo's lips curved upwards, but he pretended to be stern. "That's impossible. That old guy has always regarded me as an enemy. How could he say good things about me?"
He must think this girl was trying to flatter him because she needed something. Unfortunately, too many people had tried to curry favor with him; he was long accustomed to it.
Shen Qingqing said, "You might have misunderstood. What my teacher said to me wasn't exactly praise."
Liao Wenbo's eyelid twitched.
Shen Qingqing said slowly, "My teacher said, 'Your medical skills are excellent, and your position in the medical community is highly respected...'"
Liao Wenbo's face showed a hint of pride.
"However," Shen Qingqing's tone suddenly shifted, "my teacher said that he really couldn't compliment your personality and character."
Beside them, Colin gasped.
Ms. Shen was too bold! How dare she speak to Liao Wenbo like that? They were asking for his help, and if she angered this old man...
The treatment might not go smoothly.
"How dare you!" Liao Wenbo, his beard bristling and eyes wide with anger, sputtered. He never expected this young girl to speak so disrespectfully!
He pointed his finger at Shen Qingqing, his whole body trembling with rage. "Just like your teacher, you're disrespectful and don't know how to respect elders! With this attitude, do you expect me to help you save someone?!"
Colin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Professor Liao, please don't be angry. Ms. Shen meant no harm, and those words didn't come from her directly."