Lin Minglan tried her best to control herself, but her voice inevitably carried a sharp edge, "How can these things be so expensive?"
The cashier maintained a calm smile. "I apologize, our figurines are indeed rather pricey. I assumed you had checked the prices beforehand."
"I, I did, but..."
But she never expected this child would carelessly pick out so many.
He had even managed to max out her credit card with a thirty-thousand yuan limit. This showed just how expensive these items were. In truth, thirty thousand yuan wasn't a huge sum for her, but seeing it spent on something other than herself made her heart ache.
"Auntie, are you regretting it?" Shen Jinxi deliberately asked in a loud voice.
This immediately drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Lin Minglan's face stiffened. How could she admit in front of everyone that she was regretting it? She could only swallow her pride, forcing a smile. "No, no. I just never encounter these things, so I was a bit surprised."
"Oh, oh." Shen Jinxi nodded, as if understanding her meaning. Before Lin Minglan could sigh in relief, he added, "But Auntie, your set of cosmetics alone is worth more than thirty thousand yuan, right? If you think these figurines aren't worth the price, then I can do without them. I'll have my mommy buy them for me later."
He said this, yet the little fellow looked at the figurines with lingering reluctance, clearly adoring them.
Someone grumbled, "What kind of person is she? I saw her earlier, telling the kid he could pick whatever he wanted here. I thought she was some rich young lady, but it turns out she was just boasting."
"How embarrassing!"
"This child is really unlucky to have come out with her."
The voices were not loud, but they clearly reached Lin Minglan's ears, making her fidget and feel utterly ashamed. She could only grit her teeth and force a smile at Shen Jinxi. "An Yi didn't mean it that way at all. You can take whatever you want. Auntie will buy anything for you. Auntie promises, and she will deliver."
Following this, Shen Jinxi truly didn't hold back. Besides the figurines, he picked out whatever was most expensive. Lin Minglan initially gnashed her teeth in secret, but by the end, she had grown somewhat numb. However, she wasn't foolish. Since she was paying, she wanted others to see it.
So, as Shen Jinxi was enthusiastically shopping, he heard a familiar voice.
"Chenchen."
Shen Jinxi turned and saw his 'pretend' father. His heart filled with joy, and he immediately rushed towards him. But halfway, he suddenly remembered that his 'pretend' father had recently made his mommy sad. So, he decisively stopped and turned away.
No one saw him.
Fu Jingshu frowned slightly and walked to his side, taking his small hand. "How did you get out here alone? Where's your mommy?"
Where my mommy is has nothing to do with you!
Shen Jinxi thought indignantly, his little face turning cold, and he refused to speak.
Lin Minglan then walked over, a gentle smile on her face. "Jingshu, you didn't know Chenchen was out?"
Fu Jingshu did not reply.
Lin Minglan's eyes flickered, and she deliberately said, "Miss Shen really is something. Why isn't she accompanying her child? I saw this child alone outside just now, and I was quite worried. A child like Chenchen, so delicate and precious, there are so many bad people outside who covet him."
Fu Jingshu finally looked at her. "Thank you."
Regardless of anything else, she had protected Chenchen.
Lin Minglan was already very pleased to receive a thank you from him. "Please don't be so polite with me. Let's send the child back first."
She carried the figurines Chenchen had bought and followed behind the father and son, clearly intending to go with them. Shen Jinxi glanced back at her with disdain.
"Daddy, let's not let Auntie Lin carry my things. They're quite heavy."
Fu Jingshu had initially thought the things Lin Minglan was carrying were for herself. Upon hearing this, he reached out to take them. After seeing the items in the bag, his gaze swept over the counter, taking in the prices.
"When we get back, I'll have the finance department settle the payment with you."
Lin Minglan smiled bitterly. "Do you have to be so distant with me? These are things I bought for the child. I have no other intentions. If you still consider me a friend, please accept them."
Fu Jingshu remained noncommittal.
Lin Minglan didn't press further. Since Fu Jingshu had taken the items, she no longer had any reason to follow them, but she was unwilling to give up. She shamelessly followed them to the entrance of the mall. The father and son got into their car, but no one invited her.
She knew that if she continued to follow, Fu Jingshu would be displeased, so she took the initiative to say, "Then drive carefully on your way back. I'll be going now too. Chenchen, goodbye."
Inside the car, "Chenchen" completely ignored her.
Fu Jingshu frowned slightly, said nothing, gave her a slight nod through the car window, and then accelerated. The car window slowly rolled up, blocking Lin Minglan's view.
On the way, Shen Jinxi noticed the car was going the wrong way. This wasn't the route home. "Where are you taking me?"
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "To the company."
"I don't want to go to the company." Shen Jinxi didn't want to see him at all right now. If it hadn't been to escape Lin Minglan, he wouldn't have come with him.
"Be good."
Fu Jingshu couldn't possibly leave him alone outside.
Shen Jinxi pursed his lips and glared at him indignantly, "Bossy! Annoying! You always bully Mommy!"
He curled his lips and suddenly said, "If you take me to the company, you might regret it."
Fu Jingshu glanced at him strangely from the rearview mirror. "I would regret it if you ran off alone outside and something happened to you."
"Stop with the fake concern."
"What?"
Shen Jinxi's voice was too soft for Fu Jingshu to hear clearly, and he had no intention of repeating himself. He crossed his arms, leaned against the car window, and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
Fu Jingshu's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately remained silent, only slowing down the car's speed.
Upon arriving at the company, they entered the office. Lin Mo entered with a stack of documents. "Master Fu, you're back. The meeting starts in half an hour."
"I know."
Fu Jingshu was unhurried.
Shen Jinxi, sitting sulkily on the sofa, had a flash of inspiration. Perhaps... this was a good opportunity to get revenge for his mommy!
He clutched his stomach. "I need to go to the restroom."
Fu Jingshu looked up at him. "Go ahead, and come back quickly."
Shen Jinxi didn't answer, turned, and slipped out of the office.
He had brought some toys with him. While no one was paying attention, he wound his way through the corridors and arrived at the meeting room upstairs. The meeting room was empty, perfect for doing something mischievous.
He quietly approached the only executive chair and saw a black cushion placed on it. He smiled. Heaven was helping him!
He took a mysterious item from his backpack and tucked it under the cushion.
Having done this, he quietly left.
Half an hour later, Fu Jingshu and Lin Mo headed to the meeting room. The other senior company executives were already present. Seeing Master Fu with a stern face and radiating an imposing aura, everyone subconsciously straightened their backs and glanced at their phones on the table.
Fortunately, they were all silenced.
Mobile phones were not allowed to ring during meetings, as per Master Fu's rules.
Fu Jingshu walked to his seat, casually placed the documents in his hand on the table, and slowly bent to sit down. The moment his buttocks touched the chair, he felt as if he had sat on something soft.
Simultaneously, a loud "Pfft" echoed in the silent meeting room!
It was like a thunderclap striking everyone's heads.