"I don't have time lately."
Director Feng was surprised she refused outright and paused before threatening, "Mrs. Fu, I have something important to tell you. If you don't come, I'll have to visit you."
Shen Qingqing tutted.
Director Feng was infuriated. What was her attitude?
If he hadn't been so swamped lately, desperately needing Fu Jingshu to go easy on him, he would have hung up long ago.
"Fine, then send the time and place to my phone. I'm still busy, so I'll hang up now."
Before Director Feng could say a word, she had already ended the call.
Shen Qingqing put down the phone. The text message arrived less than five seconds later. She merely glanced at it dismissively. Fu Jingshu, beside her, cast a cold glance at the phone, his eyes holding a hidden chill.
"I'll go see him."
"No need."
"He has ulterior motives."
Fu Jingshu didn't want her to go. Director Feng surely had his own agenda. What if...
Shen Qingqing turned around, a lazy expression on her face, completely unfazed by Director Feng. "Don't you trust my capabilities?"
"It's not about trust..."
It was about being unable to put his mind at ease. Fu Jingshu pulled her into his embrace. The moment his hands touched her soft waist, his heart melted. He unconsciously adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.
Shen Qingqing, in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't worry, he won't gain any advantage from me. I just want to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve."
Soon, it was time for the appointment, and Shen Qingqing went to meet him.
The location was a teahouse nestled in a winding alley. Inside, the teahouse was quiet, with few patrons. A faint scent of tea wafted through the air.
The teahouse was decorated with simple elegance.
As soon as Shen Qingqing entered, someone came to greet her.
"Are you Mrs. Fu?"
"Yes."
"Please follow me."
The attendant led Shen Qingqing to a private room on the second floor. As they reached the doorway, she saw Director Feng drinking tea. Despite his age, he was a man of considerable charm, exuding an aura of refined grace.
Shen Qingqing's eyes glinted with sarcasm. This was the kind of man who was only refined on the surface, rotten to the core within.
"You've arrived."
Director Feng looked up and saw her. His gaze then flickered to the space behind her, and seeing no one there, he calmly withdrew his eyes and poured a cup of tea.
Shen Qingqing sat down opposite him. "Director Feng, why don't you get straight to the point?"
"The special medicine, I can give it to you."
Director Feng dropped a bombshell as soon as he spoke.
Shen Qingqing's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly. "Oh? Didn't Director Feng say earlier that I shouldn't bring this matter up?"
Director Feng recalled the recent events and realized he had no other choice. His company had suffered repeated setbacks, projects had gone awry, and the quality inspection department was being difficult.
Each incident had left him overwhelmed.
"I'll give you the special medicine, if you make Mr. Fu withdraw his measures."
Shen Qingqing feigned ignorance. "I don't understand what you mean. What has Jingshu done?"
Still playing dumb.
Director Feng chuckled, albeit with annoyance, but he knew this wouldn't be easily accomplished. "Mrs. Fu, let's not beat around the bush."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "I still don't understand."
"Mrs. Fu, this is unfair," Director Feng's smile completely vanished.
Shen Qingqing's faint smile also disappeared as she stared at the tea leaves floating in her cup. "If you give me the special medicine, what about your daughter?"
Director Feng stiffened. "I'm doing this for the company."
"So you can sacrifice your daughter?"
Seventeen years ago, he imprisoned one daughter.
Today, for his company, he was abandoning another daughter who had already been discarded once.
Truly ruthless.
Director Feng clenched his jaw, a bitter smile appearing. "The special medicine is gone, but I can have someone develop it again. Since they could create it once, they can create it a second time."
Shen Qingqing suddenly burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
Director Feng frowned, not understanding what was so funny.
Shen Qingqing couldn't be bothered to explain. She placed her teacup on the table with a soft click and stood up, looking down at Director Feng.
"I'll consider it."
"Don't you want the special medicine anymore?"
"I do want the special medicine, but this is not a small matter. I need to discuss it with Jingshu." Shen Qingqing wore an impeccable smile.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Director Feng could say nothing. He gritted his teeth. "Alright, I'll await your news. However, Mrs. Fu, you should understand that everything has a time limit. It's first come, first served."
"Of course."
Shen Qingqing turned and left, without touching the cup of tea on the table.
After leaving the teahouse, she drove home.
Before entering her house, she made a call to King.
"Help me investigate someone."
"No problem."
King was quite busy lately, but for his little apprentice's matters, he would naturally help wholeheartedly.
Moreover, with his deep roots and extensive influence in country H, investigating people was much easier.
As Shen Qingqing entered the house, she saw Fu Jingshu sitting in the living room, his gaze fixed on her. He appeared expressionless, but his eyes were filled with concern.
Shen Qingqing didn't want him to ask too many questions and threw herself into his arms, closing her eyes lazily.
The words he was about to say were all swallowed back.
"Tired?"
Shen Qingqing hummed, nestled in his familiar embrace, feeling quite weary. Sleepiness washed over her, and she almost drifted off.
Fu Jingshu stroked her long hair.
It was fine. As long as he kept an eye on Director Feng, nothing would go wrong.
The next day, King called back with remarkable efficiency. "I've found the information. It's been sent to your email. I've also found someone and sent her to you. Judging by the time... she should be here soon."
Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.
"I know. I'll hang up now."
Shen Qingqing hung up and went to open the door, only to be swept into someone's arms and placed on the sofa. She looked up to see Fu Jingshu, who then walked towards the door.
"I'll get it."
The visitor was a middle-aged woman, around fifty years old, her face etched with the wrinkles of time, her hands rough. She looked aged and behaved timidly.
"My name is Cao... Mr. King sent me here. He said I could explain the past. Are you Mrs. Fu?"
"Yes, Aunt Cao, hello. Please have a seat."
Shen Qingqing's polite and calm demeanor eased Aunt Cao's nervousness somewhat. She sat down on the sofa.
Seeing how tense and rigid she was, her back stiff, Shen Qingqing poured her a cup of water. "Aunt Cao, tell me slowly what you know."
Aunt Cao sighed, cupping the warm mug in her hands, finally relaxing a little. She took a breath and said, "Back then, my young lady and Director Feng were in an arranged marriage for business."
From her words, Shen Qingqing heard a melodramatic and clichéd story.