"Didn't you hear my son?" Shen Qingqing certainly wouldn't let Chenchen go, her attitude firm, "He said he didn't push anyone, so why should he apologize?"
Fang Ru bristled, "Does what he says go? He's lying!"
"On what grounds do you assume my son is lying?"
"On the grounds that Nuonuo accused him!"
"How do you know that child isn't lying?"
Shen Qingqing stood her ground, making Fang Ru's chest ache. She took a deep breath, "Nuonuo has a fever right now. If you want to say she's lying, then you're saying she framed Chenchen, which is impossible, she's so young!"
"How could a child do such a thing? Risk her own life to frame someone else?!"
"It's not impossible." Initially, considering Nuonuo was just a child, Shen Qingqing didn't want to make things difficult. But with Fang Ru repeatedly targeting Chenchen, she finally lost her patience. "I like to see evidence. Nuonuo's word is not enough; I don't believe it. Make her produce evidence."
"But, but where would the evidence be?" Fang Ru felt Shen Qingqing was making excuses. "You just don't want to punish Chenchen. You indulge him so much, no wonder he's been spoiled by you!"
"You have no evidence, but I do."
Shen Qingqing turned and picked up Chenchen, sitting him on the sofa.
Fang Ru watched, bewildered, and glared at her, "What are you trying to do now?"
"You cannot educate a child like this," Fu Tingyi said earnestly, "You are corrupting the descendants of our Fu family. You must take responsibility for your actions. Not admitting mistakes when you've done wrong is a sign of corrupted character!"
They chimed in together, but Shen Qingqing ignored them, patiently questioning her son in her arms.
"Chenchen, have you been in the room all day without leaving?"
Chenchen nodded.
Shen Jinxi raised his little hand, "I can testify! Brother didn't go out! Even when she fell into the water, brother wasn't outside."
They were playing games in the room when Nuonuo suddenly pulled a stunt like this. It was truly wicked!
Shen Qingqing nodded, speaking slowly, "Where she fell into the water was the fountain in the back garden, and there's a ring of moss around the fountain, you all know that, right?"
Fu Jingshu was the first to speak, "There is moss."
She took off the child's shoes and placed them on the table. The shoes were spotless. There wasn't even a speck of dirt, let alone moss. If he had really gone near the fountain, the shoes wouldn't be this clean.
Looking at Fang Ru and Fu Tingyi, their faces froze. They clearly understood Shen Qingqing's point.
Fang Ru, however, was still not convinced. "Isn't it possible that he washed his shoes clean after he came back?"
Shen Qingqing suddenly let out a light laugh, which made Fang Ru very confused. Fang Ru glared at her, only to see Shen Qingqing's clear eyes looking back with a hint of mockery.
"Nuonuo is too young to have such schemes, but Chenchen does?"
Fang Ru was instantly speechless.
She couldn't say yes or no, leaving her in a difficult situation.
But the facts were clear. Even Fu Tingyi couldn't say anything. Shen Qingqing put Chenchen's shoes back on and placed the little boy on the ground, holding Shen Jinxi with her other hand.
"Since you don't welcome us, mother and son, we will take our leave."
She didn't even bother to pack their luggage. There wasn't anything important anyway, just some clothes. She'd just buy new ones.
She then led the two children away, strutting, without looking back.
"You get back here!" Fang Ru, never expecting Shen Qingqing to actually leave, called out.
Fu Jingshu glanced at her, said nothing, and turned to leave. Fang Ru, unwilling, asked, "Where are you going now? Don't go after her, let her go! If she has the guts, she shouldn't come back!"
Fu Jingshu paid no attention and strode out the door.
Fang Ru stamped her feet in anger, "This child!"
"Satisfied."
Fang Ru turned upon hearing the voice, only to see Madam Fu. Her face was filled with sarcasm. "You've broken up a perfectly good family. Are you a jinx?"
Madam Fu had always had a good temper. For so many years, no matter how excessive her son and daughter-in-law were, she had never said such a thing.
This was the first time.
Fang Ru's face immediately turned pale. "Mother..."
Madam Fu slowly stood up. Fang Ru stepped forward to help her, but Madam Fu dodged her, not even giving her a glance. She stared fixedly at Fu Tingyi. "You just watch your wife make a scene, not saying a word, even acting as an accomplice. How can I have a son like you..."
She seemed to be searching for words. After a moment, she found them.
"Cowardly, easily swayed, and not intelligent?"
"You're far inferior to Jingshu."
These words struck Fu Tingyi like a dagger to the heart. All his life, he had longed for a word of praise from his mother. While his actions were driven by greed, he more than anything wanted his mother to notice him and acknowledge him.
But now, his mother was so disgusted with him.
Madam Fu shook her head, unwilling to look at them any longer. She turned and went upstairs. "Qingqing and Jingshu have both left. You got what you wanted. Live your own lives and don't bother me again."
Fang Ru and Fu Tingyi initially refused to believe Fu Jingshu would leave.
This was his home!
But when Lin Mo came to pack his clothes, they realized that Fu Jingshu had indeed left with Shen Qingqing.
...
Shen Qingqing had yet to get into the car with the two children when footsteps sounded from behind. Without looking back, she knew who it was, because those footsteps were unique.
"Why are you following me?"
The footsteps stopped, and Fu Jingshu's deep voice sounded calmly, "Wherever you go, I go."
Shen Qingqing didn't answer. She put the two children in the car and walked towards the driver's seat, but Fu Jingshu beat her to it, sliding in.
"I'll drive."
Shen Qingqing looked at him for a moment, then turned and sat in the passenger seat.
Fu Jingshu smiled, "To your place?"
"Let's go to a hotel."
He didn't ask why they were going to a hotel. He was determined to follow her anyway.
Shen Qingqing gazed out at the passing scenery and asked, "You just came out like this, abandoning your home?"
"It's just a house." Fu Jingshu owned countless villas; he had never truly considered any place home.
Behind them, Shen Jinxi leaned on the back of the seat and gave a thumbs-up. "Daddy, well done!"
Though Chenchen didn't speak, his expression clearly showed his relief.
The expressions of the two little ones were amusing. Shen Qingqing chuckled softly, and Fu Jingshu couldn't help but smile. As his gaze fell forward, a milky white figure ran across the road.
He slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a halt with a screech.
The two children were jolted and clutched each other. Even Shen Qingqing nearly hit her head. "What's wrong?"
Fu Jingshu raised an eyebrow, looking ahead.
Shen Qingqing focused her gaze and saw it was a small puppy, only about two months old, slowly crossing the road. If Fu Jingshu hadn't stopped so quickly, they would have run over it.
"Little white dog!"
Shen Jinxi pulled open the car door and ran out.