Fu Jingshu and Shen Qingqing exchanged awkward glances, then quickly separated.
Before Shen Qingqing could explain, a small figure like a cannonball flashed past her and directly pounced into Fu Jingshu's arms, followed by a muffled grunt.
She looked closely and realized Shen Jinxi had misunderstood. He had latched onto Fu Jingshu, biting him. His small, sharp teeth, though they didn't break the skin, still caused Fu Jingshu pain.
Shen Qingqing reacted and quickly pulled away Shen Jinxi, who was baring his teeth with a fierce look on his face. "...Chenchen, you can't bite people!"
Shen Jinxi glared at his "cheap daddy," "I just saw him bullying you. It's wrong to bully girls!"
Shen Qingqing quickly explained, "He wasn't bullying me."
"How could he not be? I saw it all. Auntie, you shouldn't cover for him!" Shen Jinxi, with a serious little face, put on a righteous stance. "With me here, I won't let anyone bully you, not even my daddy!"
Shen Qingqing was touched but also found it amusing. Seeing him flailing his arms as if about to charge again, she quickly hugged him. "When have I ever lied to you?"
This single sentence finally quieted Shen Jinxi. He looked up, half-believing, "Really not?"
"Really!"
Mommy never lies. Shen Jinxi believed her. Thinking back, they didn't look like they were bullying each other. Instead, they seemed to be showing affection...
Oh no! He might have made a mistake!
The little fellow lowered his head, feeling a bit guilty.
Fu Jingshu raised an eyebrow slightly and asked leisurely, "What would you do if I bullied her?"
"Then, then I'd run away from home!" Even though Shen Jinxi felt guilty, he was determined to protect his mommy. After all, he'd still have his mommy to take him in if he ran away from home. "In any case, daddy can't bully girls!"
His small body stood in front of Shen Qingqing, clearly lacking strength, yet he was already trying to protect her. This warmed Shen Qingqing's heart.
She ruffled his hair. "Chenchen, you're so good."
This praise made Shen Jinxi a little embarrassed, but more so proud and joyful. "Of course I'm good! Who do you think I am?"
He was naturally proud of his mommy.
However, this statement clearly misled Fu Jingshu. The annoyance he felt from the boy biting him vanished without a trace. "Self-centered."
Shen Jinxi then remembered the "third wheel" standing beside them, obstructing his time with mommy. He pouted. "But daddy, even if you weren't bullying Auntie, your actions just now were wrong. You're not husband and wife, and Auntie isn't your girlfriend. How can you kiss her?"
The little guy's astonishing words shocked Shen Qingqing so much that she quickly covered his mouth.
Shen Jinxi was very confused. Although he didn't struggle, he still made muffled questioning sounds, as if asking why she was covering his mouth.
"Don't talk nonsense." Shen Qingqing released him but pinched his cheek.
Shen Jinxi's lips moved, but seeing his mommy's stern and annoyed gaze, he didn't dare to speak carelessly again and reluctantly closed his small mouth.
Shen Qingqing then looked at Fu Jingshu, her eyes meeting his meaningful gaze. Two rosy blush spots immediately appeared on her face, making her look even more alluring.
"Are you okay?"
Fu Jingshu rubbed the spot where he had been bitten and shook his head. "It just stings a little."
Shen Qingqing felt even more guilty. She had, after all, been captivated by his good looks and had half-heartedly complied... otherwise, the child wouldn't have seen.
"If it's broken, put some medicine on it when we get back."
"It's fine." Fu Jingshu paused, then added, "Don't worry."
Shen Qingqing turned her face away. "I'm not worried at all. Don't be so self-important."
Whether someone was being insincere or he was being self-important, Fu Jingshu knew. Seeing that she was annoyed, he merely chuckled softly and didn't retort.
Shen Jinxi stroked his chin and looked at the two adults, concluding like a little adult, "You two are acting strange!"
Shen Qingqing's lips twitched slightly. "Don't talk nonsense."
Her chiding was filled with affection, and standing with Shen Jinxi, they looked like a harmonious mother and son. Fu Jingshu watched this scene, the light in his eyes softening.
Shen Jinxi proudly raised his chin. "No matter if daddy bullied you or not, I will protect you. I'll protect you my whole life!"
His earnest little demeanor was too adorable. Shen Qingqing couldn't help but kiss him. "So good."
Fu Jingshu crossed his legs and sat on the wooden chair, his gaze fixed on the ungrateful brat. "What about me? You bit me, and that's just it?"
This tone of settling accounts made Shen Jinxi involuntarily shrink his neck.
Sensing danger, he adhered to the principle of "a wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him" and immediately retreated behind Shen Qingqing, finding an incredibly strong backing.
He peeked his little head out from behind her. "Daddy is such a generous person, he won't hold a grudge against me, right?"
Shen Qingqing chimed in, "Don't worry, your daddy won't. He's not the type to be petty, hold grudges, or bicker with children."
With this label attached, if Fu Jingshu said anything else, he would indeed seem petty and resentful.
These two ganging up on him had become his undoing.
The three of them chatted and laughed, not noticing a light red skirt fluttering slightly at the distant corner. A gust of wind blew, and the splash of light red disappeared around the corner.
Shen Yaoyao returned to the banquet, her mind churning with resentment. Her eyes scanned the crowd, and upon seeing someone, a malicious plan formed in her heart.
This time, she would completely ruin Shen Qingqing!
In the rear garden,
After chatting for a while, the three prepared to return to the banquet. After all, Fu Jingshu was the host, and it wouldn't be good to be away for too long. However, just as Fu Jingshu stood up, he received a phone call. He replied briefly and hung up.
He looked at Shen Qingqing, pursed his lips, and said, "Grandma wants to see Chenchen."
Shen Jinxi, who had been following Shen Qingqing closely, tilted his head upon hearing this. "Isn't Auntie going too?"
Fu Jingshu's lips moved, but Shen Qingqing spoke first. "You three grandparents and grandchildren will talk. What am I going to do there? You go with your daddy."
She gently nudged Shen Jinxi.
Shen Jinxi reluctantly walked to his daddy's side. "Okay, then Auntie, you wait for us here."
Seeing him as if afraid Shen Qingqing would run away, Fu Jingshu also looked over. Although he said nothing, his deep eyes seemed to hold hidden meaning.
"I'll be waiting right here."
Seeing Shen Qingqing sit down on the wooden chair, Shen Jinxi was finally at ease and left the rear garden with Fu Jingshu.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint floral scent. Shen Qingqing felt a bit drowsy there. After an unknown period, she heard footsteps.
She opened her eyes and saw a servant approaching.
"Miss Shen, Master Fu requests your presence. The old madam wishes to see you."
Shen Qingqing didn't suspect anything, only grumbling internally that she should have gone with Fu Jingshu earlier if she was going to be summoned.
But upon reaching the second floor, she suddenly felt something was amiss.