Shen Qingqing blinked, "Liking and disliking are the same, there's no logic to it."
If she had to give a reason, it would be difficult to articulate.
She knew King was good, exceptionally good. She had known him for so long, yet had never considered developing a romantic relationship.
There was just no spark, and she couldn't force it.
Linda still didn't understand, "What are your standards for a husband then? If you don't like someone so handsome and gentle, is your husband even better to you?"
Shen Qingqing shook her head, "There's no way to compare."
She wouldn't compare them.
Fu Jingshu was her husband; King was her teacher.
How could one compare a teacher and a husband? Strictly speaking, they weren't even in the same category.
Linda pouted, "You just have no taste."
Shen Qingqing found it novel, "Aren't you angry with me at all?"
She had expected Linda to declare war.
"Why would I be angry with you?" Linda looked even more surprised than she did. "It's his business that he likes you, and it's my business that I like him. It has nothing to do with him, and nothing to do with you. Why would I be angry with you?"
"Then why are you telling me all this..."
Linda pushed off the ground with her feet, causing the swing to sway slightly. "I'm just curious, why don't you like him?"
Shen Qingqing found it surprising and also delightful. Perhaps it was because she had encountered so many unusual people before, that meeting Linda now felt so remarkable.
"Linda, you're wonderful like this."
Linda paused, "Huh? Why the sudden praise?"
"Just... keep being yourself."
Linda, though not fully understanding, nodded. "Don't worry, I'll always be myself. And you, are you staying true to yourself?"
"Yes."
Shen Qingqing gazed at the flowers in the distance, the rocking chair swaying back and forth.
Linda clapped her hands, "That's good. I hope we can both live the lives we want."
Shen Qingqing suddenly chuckled.
Somehow, as they chatted, their conversation shifted from men to life itself.
By the time the two women returned to the living room, they had become good friends.
King and Fu Jingshu watched them with amusement.
As they prepared to leave, Linda was very reluctant, unwilling to part with King or Shen Qingqing.
"Can't you stay one more night?"
Shen Qingqing explained, "No, if we stay, it might bring you trouble. Besides, we have urgent matters to attend to back home."
"Alright, I'll see you off then."
Linda was extremely reluctant but finally agreed.
King waved his hand and turned towards the door, "No need. Our departure might not be smooth either. If you follow us, it might make us hold back."
Linda looked displeased, "What do you mean? Are you saying if I go with you, I'll be a burden?"
"Go together?" King looked back at her.
A flicker of guilt crossed Linda's blue eyes. "I didn't mean it like that..."
King snorted, "I knew you were trying to trick me. You want to come with us."
Shen Qingqing also looked at Linda.
Linda pouted and huffed, "You're so clever! You know everything, but you still don't understand my feelings for you..."
She whispered the last part, and King didn't hear.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. Since you can't stay, you can get lost then."
Linda acted as if she wanted to throw them out immediately.
King chuckled, "Alright, we're leaving."
Linda watched them three leave the gate. Standing at the doorway, she suddenly shouted.
"Remember to come visit me!"
Shen Qingqing turned back, flashing a radiant smile, "Okay, I'll definitely come to find you in the future."
Leaving the courtyard, Shen Qingqing felt an inexplicable sense of reluctance.
It was probably because that girl was too adorable.
"Teacher. Are you really not considering her? She's beautiful and has a great personality." Shen Qingqing couldn't help but try to persuade King.
King rolled his eyes at her, "Stop worrying about my affairs. If you have time, you should focus on getting the medicine and rushing back to save your son."
Shen Qingqing's good intentions were met with indifference. She shook her head and sighed, "You truly don't know what you have. You'll regret it when you miss out on such a wonderful girl!"
"It's not like I haven't missed out before..."
King mumbled something that Shen Qingqing didn't quite catch.
"Let's go, let's go."
Shen Qingqing led the way. As Fu Jingshu walked past King behind her, he glanced at him.
King looked back.
Then, they both averted their gazes simultaneously.
Unfortunately, their good luck seemed to have run out for the day. After walking through two alleys, they were met by a group of men in black.
One of them spoke into a walkie-talkie, "Found them. All three are here."
A voice came from the walkie-talkie, "We're on our way."
Their companions had tracking devices on them, so it was only a matter of time before backup arrived.
The man who spoke put the walkie-talkie back into his pocket and stretched his wrists. "Brothers, hold these three off with all your might until the others arrive."
"Understood!"
The group, eager for a fight, surrounded Shen Qingqing and the others.
They were outnumbered, so a direct charge was impossible. Their only option was to defeat them.
Shen Qingqing glanced at King, "How is it? Teacher, do you still have the strength to fight?"
"Don't underestimate me."
King twisted his arm, completely disregarding the wound on it, not even bothered by the faint ache.
Shen Qingqing looked at his arm, "Be careful with your arm."
"Got it."
King waved his hand impatiently. He felt restless. Previously, he had to protect the special medicine he carried, which had somewhat restricted him.
After all, two fists are no match for four hands.
But with Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu present, it was a different story.
As soon as the fight began, the men in black felt an immense pressure.
All three of them were formidable.
And each possessed their own unique style. Fu Jingshu's attacks were swift, precise, and ruthless. He wouldn't waste words, nor would he allow them to.
Every move targeted their weak points. Generally, after one of his strikes, they were left with little to no ability to resist.
King, on the other hand, was a bit cruel, enjoying playing with his opponents.
His moves were also deadly, but he held back, and just when they thought they had a chance, he would deliver a fatal blow.
Shen Qingqing appeared the most delicate, and thus, the most people attacked her.
The assumption was that if they could capture her, the other two men would surrender without a fight.
However, what they hadn't expected was that subduing her would be the most difficult task.
Because besides her strength, her martial arts skills were not inferior to the other two men.
She was also skilled in poisons!
Her fingertips were coated with something. Anyone she touched felt a tingling and itching sensation there.
Under such agonizing torment, how could they possibly fight? They could only resort to scratching themselves frantically, and even those who managed to persevere were at a disadvantage in their fight against her.
Their strength was halved, not to mention the torment of this strange sensation.
They couldn't even win when they were at their full strength, let alone when they were being tormented by this peculiar feeling.
Shen Qingqing toyed with them as if it were a game.