Just as the atmosphere grew ambiguous and on the verge of erupting, footsteps hurried over, and it was Xixi pulling Chenchen.
"Daddy, Mommy, come down for dinner!"
Fu Jingshu paused.
Shen Qingqing looked at his expressionless yet slightly restrained face and couldn't help but chuckle, "Let's go down for dinner."
"...Alright."
Fu Jingshu responded.
However, as they went downstairs, he glanced at the two children beside him.
His gaze was inscrutable.
The children were no longer small. Perhaps it was time to let them learn more things, so they could earn a lot of money in the future.
Xixi suddenly shivered.
It was quite warm in the house, so why did he suddenly feel a chill? Could someone be speaking ill of him behind his back?
He didn't think it was likely, as he hadn't offended anyone. He shook his head and dismissed the thought.
During dinner, Xixi looked at Mommy's bright smile and felt much more at ease. He couldn't help but praise Fu Jingshu, "Daddy is so amazing. No matter what happens to Mommy, Daddy can always appease her."
"Naturally," Old Mrs. Fu said, smiling as she looked at her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. She felt they were a perfect match, talented and beautiful. "Your father has been distant from women for so many years. If he didn't truly like her, how could there be such a big change?"
Xixi nodded in agreement.
Fu Jingshu ignored the family's teasing, pretending not to hear. Tonight, they were eating hairy crabs.
He was struggling with the crabs.
His fingers were long and slender, and he had a strong grip. He handled the hairy crabs very skillfully. In a moment, he had peeled out clean, fresh, and tender crab meat.
He then placed it into Shen Qingqing's bowl.
Shen Qingqing was about to reach for the vinegar when she saw Fu Jingshu's arm reach over her shoulder and pour some vinegar onto her plate.
This was even more attentive than the eunuch Li Lianying serving the Empress Dowager. He even handed her chopsticks.
The others watching this scene felt both relieved and a little nauseated.
After all, too much public display of affection could become tiresome.
Shen Qingqing, however, didn't mind. She was already accustomed to them showing affection. She gladly accepted her husband's care and consideration.
After dinner, Old Mrs. Fu took the two children for a walk in the garden. Fu Tingsheng's health had improved considerably recently, and he had begun assisting his son with company matters.
Fu Jingshu went to the study to handle some documents. Shen Qingqing also took her laptop, planning to watch a movie in his study before retiring with Fu Jingshu.
As soon as she placed her laptop on the coffee table, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She took it out and saw it was an overseas number.
Shen Qingqing answered.
On the other end was Pei Lie's voice.
"Shen, long time no see."
"Pei Lie." Shen Qingqing was still not accustomed to calling him Your Highness. Perhaps after their experiences, their interactions felt more like those between friends.
Pei Lie's voice carried a hint of fatigue. "The matter you asked me to investigate... has made no progress. Pei Xi has shown no unusual activity. He only has business dealings with that woman, and their business is all legal and legitimate, with nothing shady."
Shen Qingqing furrowed her brows slightly. "Have you tried investigating the nature of their relationship?"
"You mean romantically?" Pei Lie keenly caught her meaning.
"Yes."
Pei Lie shook his head, then remembered that the person on the other end couldn't see him, and explained, "I did investigate as you suggested, but these two don't show any ambiguous behavior. At most, they go out for a meal or a coffee."
As long as something had been done, there would be no completely untraceable traces. These things could all be investigated.
"I've also checked the surveillance footage. There are no overly intimate actions. They appear to be just ordinary business partners."
"I see." Shen Qingqing didn't want to trouble him further. "Thank you for your trouble with this matter."
Pei Lie sounded displeased. "Why be so formal with me? You helped us so much before, and I didn't say anything about thanking you."
He paused. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Shen Qingqing chuckled. "You're right."
"Although it seems there's no progress at the moment, don't worry. I won't give up."
"Actually, you don't have to..."
Shen Qingqing was always worried that this matter might involve more complications and could implicate Pei Lie.
Pei Lie, however, said, "Don't worry, I'll investigate it thoroughly for you. Just wait for my news. However, recently, I've been a bit..."
"Forget it, it's nothing."
"Did you find something?" Shen Qingqing sensed something was amiss.
Pei Lie replied, "Really, nothing. I just have a few questions, but they're not important. Let's not talk about these things for now. In short, just wait for my good news."
He refused to elaborate, and Shen Qingqing knew that further questioning would be futile. She could only compromise. "Alright, then please be sure to tell me if you have any news."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Shen Qingqing noticed Fu Jingshu was also on the phone. His expression seemed unchanged.
But she knew Fu Jingshu too well.
At a glance, she could tell that the call he was receiving must be about her.
Shen Qingqing leaned closer. Fu Jingshu instinctively shifted his phone from his right to his left.
She didn't insist on listening, but his action of deliberately hiding it piqued her curiosity.
She grabbed Fu Jingshu's wrist.
Fu Jingshu paused slightly. He didn't pull his hand away, nor did he let her drag it away. They remained locked in a subtle stalemate.
Until Lin Mo on the other end of the phone, after receiving no response for a long time, kept asking, "Master Fu, are you still listening?"
Fu Jingshu pursed his lips. His wife's gaze was too persistent. He finally relented and turned the phone on speaker, placing it on the table.
He smoothly pulled his wife into his arms, pinched her nose, looking very helpless but unwilling to be rough.
Lin Mo's voice came through the phone. "I've found some of the遗物 (yíwù -遺物) left by your mother. I'm still examining the rest, but I've found a necklace."
"Where is it?"
Shen Qingqing's voice emerged.
Lin Mo paused, but he was already accustomed to the sound of Mrs. Fu's voice coming from Master Fu's phone. He spoke without missing a beat, relaying all the information he had.
"I found a necklace your mother used to wear. This necklace is now with a collector."
"And this collector seems to be very fond of this necklace. He paid a high price for it when he bought it."
Shen Qingqing immediately asked, "Where does this wealthy businessman live?"
"32 Tong Street."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Shen Qingqing, without waiting for the call to end, turned to look at Fu Jingshu, wrapping her arms around his neck and gazing at him pleadingly.
"You want to go?"
"Yes!"
Shen Qingqing unconsciously scratched his collar with her fingertip. "I've only gotten back less than half of my mother's belongings."