Shen Qingqing put down her wine glass, said goodbye to Fu Jingshu, and went to the restroom.
Fu Jingshu followed closely behind.
She stopped him, "I'm just going to the restroom. What are you worried about? You should wait for me here."
After all, there were so many people at the banquet who wanted to get to know Fu Jingshu.
But with the man always by her side, others had no chance to approach.
"Come back quickly."
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly and turned into the restroom, placing her bag on the washbasin. This small bag was just for matching her qipao and didn't contain anything valuable.
After coming out, she went to the washbasin to wash her hands.
"You're really good at keeping your cool."
Shen Qingqing looked up at the sound of her voice and saw Ning Xin in the mirror. She was leaning against the doorframe, and Shen Qingqing didn't know how long she had been there.
"If I couldn't keep my cool, how could I fight with you?"
Shen Qingqing countered.
Ning Xin smiled slowly, "You are indeed a very smart and capable woman, but your weakness is as obvious as your abilities."
She was too sentimental.
Anyone or anything related to emotions would make her lose her composure.
Shen Qingqing's fingers turned under the running water, watching the drops fall into the basin. "If I had no emotional attachments, would I still be human?"
She raised her eyes and glanced at Ning Xin in the mirror.
Ning Xin heard the implied meaning in her words and chuckled meaningfully, "You're right. Just like me, if I had no emotions, I would be invincible and stand in an unassailable position."
She wouldn't have been defeated by her several times.
Shen Qingqing said calmly, "You finally admit that you lost to me."
"What if I admit it, and what if I don't?"
Ning Xin used to refuse to admit that she had lost to Shen Qingqing, but now that it was out in the open, it felt insignificant. "Shen Qingqing, I've come to tell you that Ning Su is my sister, and I will always protect her."
"I believe you."
Shen Qingqing said this without a hint of doubt or mockery. Ning Xin paused and slowly straightened up, glancing at the bag she had placed by the basin.
"If possible, I really don't want to be enemies with you. You are the only woman I've seen with such capability in all these years."
Her tone was tinged with regret.
Shen Qingqing paused. "Unfortunately, we are destined to be enemies."
Ning Xin murmured, "Yes, destined."
The wistful expression on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by complete coldness and resilience. Her gaze at Shen Qingqing became even more indifferent.
"Shen Qingqing, I lost the first round. The venue hasn't even opened yet. So, you'd better be ready for this second round."
She turned and left after speaking.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes slightly, pondering what the second round meant. Was she planning to make a move at the banquet?
She became vigilant.
When she returned, she whispered a few words to Fu Jingshu. Fu Jingshu remained composed, but for the rest of the evening, he stayed by his wife's side.
Shen Qingqing also remained wary of any guests or waiters who approached her, even meticulously checking the drinks and alcohol at the entrance.
However, nothing happened until the banquet ended, and Shen Qingqing felt no discomfort.
As guests began to leave one by one, Ding Kangsheng personally escorted Fu Jingshu and his wife out, with Xixi following closely.
The couple got into the car. Shen Qingqing noticed that Ning Xin and Mark were also leaving, and they were getting into the same car.
She suddenly felt a sense of destiny.
First it was Ning Su, and now it was Ning Xin... It seemed these two sisters were inextricably linked to this man.
As soon as the car door closed, Ding Kangsheng was called away by his wife. Ding Xixi glanced at Fu Jingshu, biting her lip, appearing hesitant to speak.
Fu Jingshu's gaze remained straight ahead.
Shen Qingqing frowned slightly and had no intention of paying attention to Ding Xixi.
But she didn't expect the young girl to come over and knock on the window.
The car window rolled down.
Shen Qingqing asked, "Is something wrong?"
Ding Xixi looked at her, her gaze passing over Shen Qingqing's shoulder towards the man with a stern face and cold eyes.
"Master Fu, I have something I want to tell you."
"You can say it here."
Ding Xixi bit her lip and said, "This is something I can only tell you alone."
She glanced discreetly at Shen Qingqing.
Shen Qingqing raised her eyebrows slightly, a half-smile on her face. "It seems this is something inconvenient for me to hear. I'm quite curious, what does Miss Ding want to say to my husband?"
She uttered the words "my husband" casually, yet they fell like a muffled thunderclap on Ding Xixi's head.
Her cheeks tightened. "Don't worry, I have no other intentions. I just want to tell him one thing, and once I'm done, I'll give him back to you."
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes slightly, but suddenly a warm touch landed on the back of her hand. She turned to look at Fu Jingshu beside her.
He said softly, "Wait for me."
He's actually going.
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. Ultimately, out of trust in her husband, she said nothing and watched him get out of the car and walk a distance away with the young girl, out of her hearing range.
The young girl smiled at him and said something.
Fu Jingshu looked at her.
Shen Qingqing couldn't hear what the two of them said behind her, but she saw Fu Jingshu's expression.
From indifference to surprise, and then to thoughtfulness.
Finally, he actually nodded at Ding Xixi. Although his expression was blank, he didn't show any impatience.
It was truly strange.
Shen Qingqing never imagined she would see her husband being so patient with another woman.
She became even more curious.
When Fu Jingshu returned, she stared at him.
He acted as if he hadn't noticed her gaze, driving with a natural demeanor.
Shen Qingqing finally couldn't hold back. "What did she say to you?"
Fu Jingshu gripped the steering wheel with one hand, and the other reached out to hold her hand. "Nothing, just a few words."
Shen Qingqing snatched her hand back.
Nonsense. She clearly saw a flash in Fu Jingshu's eyes just now!
His palm suddenly became empty, and Fu Jingshu tightened his grip. "Really, nothing. Just a few useless words, not worth telling you."
Shen Qingqing stared at him for a moment.
Fu Jingshu's gaze was full of composure, and there wasn't the slightest trace of lying on his handsome face.
Shen Qingqing didn't think he needed to lie either.
Not telling her...
Perhaps there was a reason.
"Never mind. Remember to bring them their favorite roasted sunflower seeds for Grandma, Chenchen, and Xixi when we get back."
"Okay."
They could make roasted sunflower seeds at home, but this trio of grandmother and grandsons only liked the ones from Old Hu's family. Shen Qingqing didn't know when they developed this fondness for sunflower seeds.
They insisted that that place was the best.
Shen Qingqing always remembered to bring some back for the three of them whenever she went out.
As the car stopped at a red light, Shen Qingqing suddenly felt her hand being held. She turned her head, and her lips were suddenly warmed.
At such close proximity, Fu Jingshu clearly saw his wife's eyelashes tremble slightly, like butterflies about to take flight.
He deepened the kiss.
When they were both breathless, he released his wife, his voice slightly hoarse, "Do you trust me?"