The butler was particularly grateful for her willingness to help and personally escorted her to outside the ward. He originally wanted to see her off outside the hospital, but Shen Qingqing refused.
"You should go back and take care of Mr. He. He can't be left alone. I worked hard to pull him back from the brink of death, and I don't want any more accidents."
What did she mean by that?
Was she implying someone would harm Mr. He?
The butler began to ponder, but his expression remained unchanged. "Alright, then Miss Shen, take care."
As soon as Shen Qingqing left, the butler immediately turned back to the ward. As for Ning Xin, who had been waiting at the door and hadn't left.
The butler completely ignored her.
Ning Xin stood for a moment, then gave a cold laugh, turned, and walked away with large strides.
From that day on, Shen Qingqing was finally able to go home and have a few days of peace. On the third day, she received a call from the butler.
He said Mr. He had woken up and was in much better health. Upon learning that she had saved him, Mr. He proposed to meet her.
Shen Qingqing agreed.
As usual, she brought Xixi. Upon entering the ward, she saw the bedside table was filled with flowers, and even the windowsill on the right was covered in various kinds of flowers.
Shen Qingqing's mouth twitched. So many people had come to visit. She looked at the flowers and fruits in her hands.
Fortunately, she had bought fruit along with the flowers, otherwise, it would have been too awkward.
She handed the fruit and flowers to the butler, and Shen Qingqing sat by the bed with Xixi, initiating the conversation with a few simple pleasantries.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. The butler told me you saved me." Mr. He's smile exuded gentleness and tranquility. "Thank you."
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "It was just a small favor."
"But your small favor was a life-saving grace for me." Mr. He thought of the previous misunderstandings and his own attitude towards her...
He suddenly felt incredibly ashamed, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.
"Regarding the necklace... I know now."
Mr. He lowered his gaze, not daring to look at Shen Qingqing at all, as he had blamed her so much for this misunderstanding.
Thinking back now, his actions at the time were simply laughable.
How embarrassing!
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow slightly, not surprised that he knew. The spread of this matter online was within her expectations.
Moreover, she had played a part in fanning the flames, otherwise, it wouldn't have escalated so quickly.
Mr. He spoke to himself, "Ning Xin has visited me."
He took a rectangular box from the bedside table. Inside the box, a necklace lay quietly. His gaze on the necklace was extremely complex.
He still loved this necklace, even cherished it. Yet, on the other hand, this necklace was also the starting point of all recent events.
He took a deep breath, gently stroked the necklace one last time, then closed the lid and handed the box to Shen Qingqing.
"What do you mean?"
Shen Qingqing looked at the box on her lap but did not reach out to open it.
Mr. He pursed his lips, feeling a dryness in his throat. "After many twists and turns, this necklace has finally returned to my possession. But I believe you are more suited for it than I am."
"Didn't you say before that you wouldn't sell it for any amount of money?" Shen Qingqing found it strange and asked curiously, "Did you change your mind just because I saved you?"
"It's not just that."
Mr. He looked up, his gaze falling on the box, and his eyes suddenly softened.
Shen Qingqing's eyes flickered, and she opened the box to take a look. Honestly, the necklace was truly beautiful. Coupled with the fact that it was her mother's memento, it imbued the necklace with extraordinary meaning.
She put the necklace away and looked up at him. "Then I'll accept it. However, this isn't some kind of trap, is it?"
Mr. He gave a wry smile. "Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Shen Qingqing didn't commit, checked the time, and stood up. "You've expressed your gratitude, and I've seen you. We'll be going now."
Mr. He hesitated to speak, his gaze falling on Xixi. The child hadn't spoken to him since they entered.
He wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start.
He could only watch them leave with his eyes.
Just then, something fell from Shen Qingqing. Mr. He saw it and called out to her, "Your thing fell..."
His voice abruptly stopped.
It was a photograph. In the photo, a woman was smiling brightly at the camera.
Familiar eyes, familiar expression.
It was Xiao Qing.
Mr. He immediately threw off the covers and started to get out of bed, but the butler stopped him in time. He could only keep his eyes fixed on Shen Qingqing.
"Who is the woman in the photo to you?"
Shen Qingqing picked up the photo, carefully wiped it with her sleeve, and then put it away in her pocket with care before looking up at Mr. He. "Do you know the person in the photo?"
Mr. He suppressed his agitated emotions. "Yes, I know her."
"May I ask, what is your relationship?"
"Friends."
Mr. He answered without hesitation.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes slightly, then looked down at Xixi. The little one turned his body and, where Mr. He and the butler couldn't see, he winked at her.
He was lying!
How could the photos and personal belongings filling the room represent a relationship as simple as mere friends?!
Shen Qingqing patted his head, signaling him to remain calm, then sat back down on the chair with the little one and looked inquiringly at Mr. He.
"Seeing how nervous you are, this friend must be very important to you."
Mr. He replied without any hesitation: "Yes, we were very close once, had a great relationship. It's just that later..."
He shook his head, unwilling to recall those painful memories, and asked somewhat eagerly, "You still haven't told me, what is your relationship with this lady?"
Shen Qingqing simply admitted, "This is my mother."
Mr. He was suddenly stunned.
The butler also looked at her in surprise.
It was only then that the two realized that the familiar feeling in Shen Qingqing's features originated from the fact that she was Xiao Qing's daughter. She inherited Xiao Qing's strengths and delicate features, yet she was even more outstanding in her appearance.
"So you are..."
Mr. He suddenly thought of everything he had done during this period and felt immense regret.
How could he have believed Ning Xin and treated her like this? She was Xiao Qing's daughter, Xiao Qing's daughter!
The emotions in his eyes were too complex: deep affection, daze, regret, realization, and as if through her, he saw someone who no longer existed.
"I'm sorry."
He lowered his head, his voice muffled.
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "I don't mind, and you shouldn't dwell on it anymore."
Her magnanimity made Mr. He feel even worse. He felt extremely bad, and began to shift blame, though it wasn't exactly blame, as Ning Xin was the culprit behind it all.
"She deceived me, I misunderstood you, and I apologize. If I had known you were Xiao Qing's woman, I would never have treated you like that."
Seeing Shen Qingqing remain silent, Mr. He did not get angry. Instead, he made a firm decision.
"I will no longer cooperate with Ning Xin. This project, I want to do it with you."