Lin Shengfeng’s eyes fixed on the painting, confirming it was indeed the Qingming Scroll. His hands trembled with excitement. “Good, it’s so good. I’ve searched for so long, and finally, I’ve found it.”
He suppressed his excitement and carefully put away the painting, his demeanor shifting back to that of a powerful CEO.
“Master Fu, let’s talk about cooperation.”
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly upon hearing this.
It seemed the painting, worth millions, was a worthy gift.
Someone stood up and pulled Lin Shengfeng to sit down. “We’ll talk about cooperation, but let’s eat first. It’s not too late to discuss after the meal.”
The banquet had now truly begun.
However, the gazes many cast upon Shen Qingqing were different from before. A woman who caused trouble was annoying, but a woman who could cause trouble *and* resolve it…
She was a treasure.
The subsequent matters were no longer Shen Qingqing’s concern. She watched Fu Jingzhu and Lin Shengfeng engage in a back-and-forth negotiation over profit sharing, treating it like a spectator at a play.
As she ate, she felt thirsty and instinctively reached for a drink. Just as her hand extended, a cool beverage was placed in her palm.
She took it, took a sip, and said without looking up, “Thank you.”
Then she continued to eat quietly.
Fu Jingzhu’s deep voice sounded by her ear, “You’ve truly surprised me. You’re very capable.”
Shen Qingqing swallowed her food and gave him a lazy smile. “No, I just don’t want to work for you for free for the rest of my life. After all, I have a family to support.”
Fu Jingzhu looked at her deeply.
It was two hours later when the meal finally concluded. Fu Jingzhu was the first to rise and leave. Shen Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed, her face stiff from smiling all evening.
Besides, if it got any later, she might not find the院长.
With that thought, her pace quickened. Fu Jingzhu asked at that moment, “How did you obtain this painting?”
Shen Qingqing knew Fu Jingzhu would ask when she took out the painting. She calmly replied, “As I said, I obtained it by chance.”
“By chance?”
These three words sounded particularly meaningful when spoken by Fu Jingzhu.
Shen Qingqing blinked, her expression unchanged. “Yes, I knew this painting was rare, so after obtaining it by chance, I never took it out again, lest it attract the greedy eyes of others.”
In reality, the painting was originally hers, so she could naturally take it out whenever she pleased.
Fu Jingzhu’s expressionless face gave no clue to his thoughts. “To my knowledge, this painting has always remained with the artist, neither sold nor gifted.”
He wasn't an art expert, but he had some understanding of paintings. If such a valuable piece changed hands, it wouldn’t be without any news.
Just like Lin Shengfeng, he would likely be bragging about it everywhere once he got back.
Shen Qingqing paused. This annoying man was indeed sharp; his usual explanations didn’t seem to work on him. “Does Master Fu really want to know?”
Fu Jingzhu stared at her, his gaze indifferent.
“Come closer, and I’ll tell you.” Shen Qingqing beckoned him with her finger. When he didn’t move, she sighed and stepped forward, leaning close to his ear to whisper, “Actually, a friend gave it to me.”
She stepped back, pretending not to see Fu Jingzhu’s stiffening back, and tilted her head, smiling triumphantly.
Hearing about a friend’s son, Fu Jingzhu’s first thought went to the man who had helped her that day: “Was it the hacker who helped you that day?”
His tone seemed a little off.
Why did it sound… a little sour?
Shen Qingqing playfully asked, “Master Fu, one only wants to know more about someone they like. Asking so many questions, could it be you’ve taken a liking to me?”
She had asked casually, but Fu Jingzhu neither denied nor admitted it. He merely glanced at her, withdrew his gaze, and strode away.
Shen Qingqing frowned slightly. Why was this man acting so strangely?
She checked the time and quickly put Fu Jingzhu out of her mind, focusing on finding the院长.
The院长’s name was Yuan Fang. She was in her fifties, and the years of worry and hard work seemed to have aged her, but her smile was warm and kind.
Upon seeing Shen Qingqing, she stood up, wanting to approach but hesitating. “You are Qingqing, aren’t you?”
Shen Qingqing walked over and took her hand. “Hello,院长.”
Yuan Fang replied, “Good child, you’ve grown so much. I remember the last time I saw you was years ago. You were just a child then, so fair, lovely, and adorable. Now that you’ve grown up, you’re even more beautiful, just like your mother.”
Shen Qingqing couldn’t help but touch her face, a smile on her lips.
“Oh, and this is my son, Yuan Zichen.”
The young man beside Yuan Fang was handsome, with a gentle smile that made him seem as pleasant as a spring breeze. “Hello, Miss Shen. I’ve heard my mother mention you before. You’re very beautiful.”
His words, however, didn’t sound frivolous, but a genuine compliment.
“Thank you,” Shen Qingqing replied with a slight smile.
They met in a private room. Shen Qingqing helped Yuan Fang to sit down before asking, “院长, when was the last time my mother donated to the orphanage, and how much did she give?”
Yuan Fang narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.
“The last time… I remember, I remember. She donated a large sum then, almost all her assets. I felt something was amiss and asked her if something had happened.”
“But she refused to say. Yet, I could see that if something hadn’t happened, why would she look as if she were facing death?”
Facing death…
What had her mother gone through back then? Had she encountered an insurmountable problem, or had she foreseen her own end, leading her to donate all her possessions?
It was a pity that she was too young then, and her mother had never told her anything.
Shen Qingqing’s eyes welled up. The thought that her mother might have been driven to death by her ungrateful father and Chen Xiang made her tremble, wishing she could rush over and confront them immediately.
But she knew she couldn’t. She could only close her eyes and try her best to calm herself.
However, her tightly clenched fists and bitten lips still betrayed the turmoil in her heart. Yuan Zichen, unable to bear it, poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her.
“Miss Shen, please don’t be sad.”
Shen Qingqing opened her eyes, her gaze red-rimmed. She took the teacup and held it in her palms. The tea was hot, yet it couldn't warm her hands. “Thank you.”
Yuan Zichen shook his head and said gently, “I believe your mother’s spirit in heaven wouldn’t want to see you in such pain.”
Mentioning her mother, Shen Qingqing’s nose twitched, and she forcefully suppressed her tears. She then said in a hoarse voice, “I know. I will find out the truth and avenge my mother. I will not let anyone who harmed her go unpunished.”
Yuan Zichen looked at her, consumed by hatred, and wanted to advise her, but he felt that if he were in her shoes, he would likely make the same choice.
“You will. You will succeed.”
He believed it.