Shen Qingqing ate her meal with focus.
It had to be said that King’s cooking was quite good, especially as he seemed to understand her tastes perfectly, with every dish seasoned just right.
Fu Jingshu, having received her attention, found himself with a smile that lingered on his lips.
King, on the other hand, seemed to have lost his appetite somewhat.
After the meal, Shen Qingqing offered to help clean up, but Fu Jingshu gently pushed her back into her chair and poured her a glass of juice, placing it in front of her.
“You rest.”
King’s eyes dimmed at this sight.
He hadn't expected that Fu Jingshu possessed such a considerate side.
Or perhaps, he had always underestimated this man; it was simply too easy for him to show attentiveness to someone.
It was no wonder…
He silently cleared the dishes, and when Fu Jingshu came over to help, he didn't say a word.
The other man also seemed uninterested in making small talk. They worked in silence, passing each other without a glance.
After tidying the table, Shen Qingqing yawned, preparing to go upstairs to rest. Fu Jingshu followed closely behind.
King stood alone in the living room and let out a soft sigh.
In the room, Shen Qingqing lay languidly on the soft bed, her gaze fixed on the man who walked in, shedding his coat to reveal his well-built chest.
“Are you still angry?”
Fu Jingshu sat beside her and casually placed a pillow beneath her head. “No.”
Shen Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. “Back then, the first place I went to…”
“Thank you, Qingqing.”
Thank you for your trust, thank you for still being willing to give me a chance, for not letting the two of us be separated by misunderstanding. He still felt a shiver of fear thinking about it.
If they had truly parted ways because of Lu Wanying…
No, even the thought of it made him feel unwell, as if a dagger had been brutally plunged into his heart.
“I will not allow you to leave me.”
Shen Qingqing allowed herself to lean into his embrace, shifting to find a more comfortable position. “Don’t worry, you’re so handsome, so wealthy, and you’re so considerate to me, I’d never let you get away.”
Fu Jingshu’s expression remained neutral, but the smile in his eyes rippled outwards like waves on water.
The moonlight outside was as bright as jade. In this quiet night, the two of them finally cleared the air, casting aside all past grievances.
After this, Fu Jingshu would no longer feel jealous when he saw King.
But from Shen Qingqing’s perspective, it was exactly like a legitimate wife asserting her dominance, almost too much to bear.
Yet, she couldn’t bear to say anything to him, so she let it be.
As they were about to retire for the night, King said, “I received an invitation from the Feng family. They are holding a banquet, and it’s said that their young daughter is to be engaged to the son of a business magnate. You two will accompany me.”
“Okay.”
Shen Qingqing was already in a hurry, but she hadn’t found a reason to visit their home. Now, the perfect opportunity had presented itself.
She decided to rest well tonight, as there was a battle to be fought tomorrow.
This special medicine would likely not be easy to obtain.
However, before entering her room, she felt a subtle premonition and looked back at King. She was struck by his deep yet complex gaze.
She suddenly realized that perhaps she could no longer avoid this.
Upon returning to their room, she told Fu Jingshu, “I want to go see him.”
“Why?”
Having been through so much, Fu Jingshu no longer doubted her. He was merely curious, with a hint of gentle jealousy.
Shen Qingqing hugged his slender waist, burying her face in his chest. Her voice was muffled as she said, “If it were any other man, I would have kicked him out long ago. But he is my mentor. Perhaps I should make things clear.”
Fu Jingshu pondered for a moment, then raised a hand and patted her back.
“Alright, go.”
“You agree?”
“Mm.”
He wore a faint smile, showing no signs of anger. Shen Qingqing’s heart eased, and only then did she confidently go to find King.
She first went to King’s room.
He wasn’t there.
When she found him, it was in the study. The study door wasn’t fully closed, and through the gap, she could see him sitting behind his desk, holding a photograph.
“Teacher.”
King started, instinctively covering the photo on the desk. Seeing Shen Qingqing, he rubbed his forehead. “When did you come?”
He hadn’t sensed her presence at all.
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. “I came to see you. There’s something I need to discuss.”
King glanced at the photo frame on the desk. “You saw it?”
“…Yes.”
The photograph was of her.
And it had been taken when she was completely unaware.
King sighed, leaned back in his chair, and seemed to resign himself to it. “Since you’ve seen it, why don’t you tell me your thoughts?”
His gaze was intense.
Shen Qingqing knew he was testing her. She said softly, “Teacher, I love him very much.”
“Love…”
King squinted slightly, making it impossible to discern the fleeting emotions in his eyes, but somehow, it evoked a sense of sadness.
Sometimes, no words were needed; one sentence was enough.
He was also a magnanimous man. In an instant, he gathered all his emotions and put on his most practiced mask. He was still the charming rogue who played with the world.
“Since you love him, then cherish him well. Don’t disappoint your teacher.”
The heavy weight on Shen Qingqing’s heart quietly lifted. “Thank you, teacher.”
“Why be so polite with me?” King shed his flippant demeanor and spoke with seriousness. “Qingqing, I hope you can be happy.”
He seemed to recall something, and a smile gradually appeared in his eyes, his face filled with tenderness.
“Don’t end up as down and out as you were when I first met you. Otherwise, I’ll snatch you back and keep you by my side, preventing you from going anywhere.”
He spoke half in jest, half in earnest.
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly. “Okay, I will be happy. Teacher, you too.”
King gave her a deep look, as if bidding a final farewell. Then, with an impatient wave of his hand, he took out a document from the drawer. “Take a look yourself. It’s about the Feng family. Study this family carefully. Dress up well tomorrow noon, and I’ll take you to the banquet.”
“Okay.”