Mr. He, seeing her determined look in defending Fu Jingshu, felt an indescribable emotion, recalling memories of the past.
He had once thought he would never want to recall that period of his life, but now he realized it was the most precious memory of his entire life.
"Of course I appreciate his abilities. Do you think I'm someone who mixes personal and professional matters?"
Shen Qingqing glanced at him, having some understanding of his character. "Then you two can discuss the next steps of the collaboration."
She remembered the room Xixi had mentioned and, biting her lip, said, "The child told me you have a room that contains all of my mother's things."
"Yes."
She hadn't expected Mr. He to admit it and hadn't held much hope, merely wanting to try. To her surprise, he directly confirmed it.
"Would you like to see it?" Mr. He asked directly.
Since he was so straightforward, Shen Qingqing also admitted, "Yes, I want to see those things. My mother passed away when I was six. I've been searching everywhere for her belongings..."
"Butler, please escort Miss Shen."
Without another word, Mr. He instructed the butler to take her.
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. "Thank you."
Mr. He's gaze was gentle. "Don't mention it. Your mother was my friend. Of course, I should look after her daughter."
Shen Qingqing followed the butler to a storage room next to the reception room.
The butler unlocked the door, pushed it open, and then stepped aside, not even glancing into the room. "You can go in by yourself."
Shen Qingqing looked at him. "Aren't you coming in?"
The butler smiled and shook his head. "This is a secret Mr. He has kept in his heart for many years. I don't wish to pry."
Shen Qingqing had no choice but to enter alone.
The room was filled with familiar faces, laughing and chattering, vivid and lifelike. Perhaps because she was too young when her mother left, her memories of her mother were profound, but there weren't many images of her mother.
The people in these photographs, however, were absent from her memory, appearing younger and more vibrant than the mother she remembered.
So this was what her mother looked like in her youth.
In the drawers, there were many ladies' items: half-used cosmetics, a drawing brush with a broken tip, and an unfinished painting.
Each item bore the mark of being used by someone.
Looking at these things, Shen Qingqing could almost imagine her mother using them.
By the window was a lounge chair. Shen Qingqing walked over and sat on it. The chair was woven from bamboo and rattan, its edges worn and showing signs of age.
As she lay down, she looked up and saw a large photograph hanging on the ceiling.
The photo depicted a man and a woman.
The backdrop was a vast expanse of blue sea and sky. They stood on a beach, facing an endless ocean. The woman was turned sideways, gazing at the sea as if appreciating the scenery, while the man's gaze was fixed solely on the woman's face.
She was looking at the scenery; he was looking at her.
Shen Qingqing couldn't understand. Mr. He, in his youth, was exceptionally handsome. Although he lacked some of his current composure and gentleness, he possessed a youthful vigor.
His gaze was so deep and focused.
Why couldn't her mother see it?
What was so good about Shen Zhizhong?
She couldn't figure it out.
She lay there for over an hour, still without any answers. She didn't touch anything, wanting to leave it all as mementos for Mr. He. After a final look around the room, she turned to leave.
In the reception room, Fu Jingshu and Mr. He had just concluded their business and signed a contract. Seeing Shen Qingqing walk in, Mr. He said, "Why don't you two stay for dinner?"
His eyes held a hopeful expression.
Shen Qingqing looked at Fu Jingshu. He was drinking tea and, sensing her gaze, looked up with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"I'll do whatever you decide."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the time. "I have some things to attend to today, so I won't be staying. Let's have dinner together another day."
Mr. He looked disappointed but didn't insist.
"I'll see you out."
"You should rest at home."
Shen Qingqing remembered the doctor's advice before she was discharged, urging him to rest more. Moreover, she was a doctor herself.
Mr. He looked at her, a moment of daze, then his face lit up with a smile. "Xixi is very much like you."
Shen Qingqing chuckled. "That child has been with me since she was young. She learned everything from me, so it's natural for her to resemble me a bit."
Mr. He wanted to escort them, but Shen Qingqing wouldn't allow it, so the butler had to see them off.
After the butler returned, he said with relief, "Sir, you can rest assured now. Her daughter has grown up well and is very outstanding."
Mr. He's eyes held a smile, but then he thought of something he had seen online, and his expression darkened. "This Ning Xin..."
The butler also frowned. "I never expected her to be so wicked, deceiving you with lies and even framing Miss Shen."
Mr. He's face was expressionless.
If Ning Xin hadn't claimed she had met Xiao Qing once, that Xiao Qing had taken great care of her, and that she knew about Xiao Qing's daughter, he wouldn't have lent her the necklace.
"But I also investigated the Shen Corporation at the time and didn't get any information about Miss Shen," the butler said, utterly perplexed. Logically, with Miss Shen taking over the Shen Corporation, such a significant event couldn't have been kept secret.
Mr. He sneered. "Naturally, someone interfered and blocked your investigation. The only person with that kind of capability is her."
Their return to the country was secret, known to no one. However, he had met Shen Qingqing at the time. If someone was determined to find out, it wouldn't be impossible.
"Then, sir, what do you plan to do?" The butler felt that with the sir's personality, he wouldn't just sit idly by. Given Ning Xin's schemes, the sir would surely retaliate in kind.
Mr. He's face was contemplative.
The butler quietly withdrew, saying no more.
...
As Fu Jingshu and Mr. He's collaboration began, both parties contributed plans and workers to commence the renovation of the old city district. The initial demolition work proceeded relatively smoothly.
For those who were unwilling to leave, they would send people to persuade them with emotion and reason. Many people knew that the two major groups had joined forces, and ordinary individuals were no match for them.
Furthermore, they had offered the highest possible demolition prices. Even if someone wanted to make a fuss, their strength was no match for theirs, and any trouble would be in vain.
Once the residents had mostly moved out, the renovation plan officially began. The construction teams and excavators were all in place.
Everything proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
One morning, Shen Qingqing received a call reporting a problem at the construction site, with some conflict arising among the workers.
She should have contacted Mr. He, but the butler answered the phone, stating that Mr. He was unwell and had gone to bed early.
They had no choice but to contact Fu Jingshu.
Shen Qingqing glanced at her phone, then at the bathroom from which faint sounds of water could be heard. The tall man was taking a shower inside.