After a round of verbal probing, Shen Qingqing quickly confirmed that Fan Hang knew nothing.
He had learned about their trip's purpose from Feng Yilian, who in turn had learned it from Director Feng. However, this old fox was still pretending to be clueless, putting on an act.
Having obtained the result, she no longer wished to waste time with him.
He was a player, but his skills were still lacking when it came to her. She wasn't interested and left after a few perfunctory words.
Fan Hang hadn't expected her to discard him so readily and was somewhat annoyed. "You should at least have a bite. I specifically had someone prepare this with care. Are you just going to disrespect me like this?"
She stopped in her tracks, tilting her head slightly. The light cast a shadow on her profile, adding a touch of hazy beauty.
"Young man, I don't fall for this kind of tactic."
After she left, Fan Hang remained lost in thought for a long time until a nearby waiter cautiously approached. "Young Master Fan, what about this meal..."
"I'll eat it."
Fan Hang snapped back to reality and sat down in his chair.
The waiter watched with amazement, wondering about that woman's background, as Young Master Fan hadn't gotten angry even after being slighted.
Shen Qingqing returned to the Feng residence with a foul mood.
This trip had been a waste; she hadn't gained any useful clues.
"Stop!"
Shen Qingqing then noticed that Feng Yilian was standing by the roadside, holding a bag and throwing it into a nearby trash can. A corner of a dress was visible inside the bag.
It was sky-blue fabric.
Shen Qingqing glanced at it and turned to leave.
Feng Yilian immediately blocked her path. "Where are you going? I'm talking to you, didn't you hear me?"
Shen Qingqing looked at her indifferently. "Is there something?"
"Don't you want the special medicine?" Feng Yilian shed her annoyance and put on a smile that was not quite a smile. "I can get it for you. I know where the special medicine is."
"Why should I believe you?"
"You should know that the special medicine was prepared for me." Feng Yilian smiled wantonly, the kind of smile only a pampered little princess would display. "Only I have the right to decide whether to give it to you."
"What are your conditions?"
Shen Qingqing didn't believe in free lunches.
Feng Yilian enunciated each word. "I want Fu Jingshu."
Shen Qingqing looked at her expressionlessly.
There was no need to answer, as this was an impossible request to agree to.
Immediately after, Feng Yilian suddenly laughed. "Just kidding, I don't want him. I only want you to agree to one request of mine. It's very simple, extremely simple."
She still didn't answer.
Feng Yilian said with a smile, "I want you to attend a party."
Common sense dictated that she must have ulterior motives, and the party was likely a trap. However, for Xixi's special medicine, Shen Qingqing still agreed. "It's a deal."
"Okay."
Shen Qingqing turned to walk towards the villa but suddenly heard Feng Yilian's voice from behind.
"Additional condition: go alone. Don't tell King or Fu Jingshu, or the deal is off."
"Got it."
Shen Qingqing left without looking back.
Returning to the room, Fu Jingshu immediately asked, "How was it?"
Shen Qingqing answered truthfully, as if incidentally, "I ran into Feng Yilian at the door just now."
"Did she make things difficult for you?"
He became instantly alert.
"No, she just said a few harsh words, and I didn't bother with her."
"If there's a next time, call me to be with you." Fu Jingshu knew his little wife was very capable, but he couldn't help but worry. He pulled her into his arms and said, "Don't go to see Fan Hang again from now on."
"Okay."
After all, she couldn't get any useful clues from him.
She hesitated for a moment but still didn't mention what Feng Yilian had asked her to do. She only mentioned meeting Feng Yilian because the villa entrance wasn't exactly discreet.
Fu Jingshu could see from the room.
The most truthful lies are half-truths.
Soon, a text message arrived from an unfamiliar number, containing the address and time of the party. This showed that Feng Yilian was still quite cautious, fearing that Shen Qingqing might gain leverage.
She put away her phone and subtly moved to Fu Jingshu's side.
He was looking at his computer and, without looking up, reached out and pulled her precisely into his embrace. "What is it?"
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. "I want to go out for a bit."
"Where to?"
"To see a friend."
"What friend?" Fu Jingshu naturally wanted to know.
Shen Qingqing explained everything, even giving a name and home address.
She did indeed have a good friend here, but she wasn't currently in H country. Fu Jingshu didn't know that, nor did he have her contact information, so telling him wouldn't reveal anything.
Fu Jingshu frowned. "Meeting so late?"
"She works during the day and doesn't have time." Shen Qingqing checked the time. "I'll be back in two hours."
It was seven o'clock now, and returning by nine wasn't too late.
But Fu Jingshu was worried. "I'll go with you."
Shen Qingqing looked at his worried face and directly hugged the back of his head, her fair fingers digging into his hair. She lowered her head and kissed him. He naturally began to reciprocate.
For a moment, she forgot what she was about to say.
The kiss was passionate and lingering.
After the kiss, Fu Jingshu slightly raised his eyes, his lips tinged with a glistening moisture. "You..."
"I'll be back soon." Shen Qingqing hugged his neck, unusually affectionate. "We sisters need to talk; what are you going to do there? It's not good. You stay here and wait for me, and I'll bring you something delicious when I get back."
"But..."
She kissed him again.
The bedroom was filled only with the sounds of their ambiguous affections.
Not long after, he finally relented, though he found it a bit strange. Shouldn't this kind of tactic be something he would use?
But it didn't matter.
He was the one benefiting anyway.
He held her warm, soft body unwilling to let go, but eventually had to release her. He walked her to the door and repeatedly warned her, "I said I'd drive you, but you refused. What kind of sister is this? Is she someone who can't be seen?"
Shen Qingqing chuckled. "No, I just want to have a heart-to-heart talk with her. After this, we'll have to deal with Director Feng for the special medicine, and there won't be much opportunity. Just let me go."
"Be careful on the way, and keep your phone on at all times."
"Okay."
Her gaze fell on his thin lips, and she leaned in to kiss him before turning to leave.
Fu Jingshu's lips curved slightly, and he turned back into the room.
However, less than ten minutes later, he opened the room door again.
Something was wrong.
Given how concerned she was about Xixi, how could she possibly be in the mood to go out and party with a friend at this time?
Shen Qingqing drove herself to the location from the text message. It was a manor on the outskirts of the city. The manor was brightly lit, and the sounds of revelry emanated from within. It seemed to be quite crowded.
Music and shouting intertwined, and her ears were already ringing before she even got close.
Shen Qingqing opened the car door, got out, and was met by a waiter from outside the manor. "You must be Mrs. Fu, right?"
"Yes."
"Please follow me."
Shen Qingqing followed the waiter, and as soon as she stepped inside, the main door was locked with a click.
Such a sound was almost negligible amidst the deafening music, but her hearing was sharp. Yet, nothing compared to the shock of the scene before her.
A hard frost quickly spread across her beautiful face.