"Get out of the way."
Shen Qingqing didn't want to listen, her expression indifferent.
She tried to leave from beside Fu Jingshu, but in his haste, he grabbed her wrist. His deep voice carried a trace of urgency, "Hear me out."
Shen Qingqing tried to break free, but Fu Jingshu's strength was surprisingly great. She couldn't escape, so she stopped, her gaze towards him devoid of any warmth, only calmness.
"Didn't I give you a chance?"
"Qingqing..." Fu Jingshu tightened his grip. "I know my attitude was wrong before, but I'm doing my best to make amends now. Things are complicated, and I don't know how to explain them to you..."
For the first time, he felt tongue-tied, repeating himself and only managing to say this.
"Please give me some time."
Time. It seemed every scumbag said the same thing after making a mistake.
But who had that much time to spare for him?
Shen Qingqing shook her head, drawing her hand back with undeniable force. She said softly, "Time is yours to give, you don't need me to. I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye."
She then walked away directly.
Fu Jingshu's lips moved, but his peripheral vision caught Director Ruan's gossipy gaze. His eyes immediately turned cold, and Director Ruan quickly averted his eyes, wishing he could gouge them out.
Why was he looking! Fu Ye was someone he shouldn't be looking at!
When Shen Qingqing returned home, Chenchen was sitting on the sofa, looking at her expectantly. "Mommy, did you agree to let me cooperate with Aunt Ruan An?"
"Chenchen, don't cooperate with her." Shen Qingqing sat beside him and said softly, "You're still young. What you should be doing now is drawing well and pursuing what you love. Cooperating with a company isn't something you should be doing at your age."
"Mommy..."
Shen Qingqing gently stroked Chenchen's head. "Alright, Mommy has made her decision about this."
"Mommy!" Chenchen quickly grabbed her hand, his tone full of urgency. "I want to cooperate with her."
"Why?"
"Aunt Ruan really likes my paintings," Chenchen slowly lowered his head, his eyes flickering. "It's rare to meet someone who appreciates my art. Mommy, please let me try!"
This was his first request, and Shen Qingqing couldn't refuse him. "...If you really want to, I'll help you negotiate. But tell Mommy, is your reason for wanting to cooperate with her really that simple?"
Chenchen quickly nodded. "Yes."
After sending the child back to rest, Shen Qingqing took out her phone and called Director Ruan. The director was overjoyed that she had changed her mind, but still a little confused.
"Why did you change your mind?"
Shen Qingqing said faintly, "Why so many questions? Just tell me if you want to cooperate or not."
"Yes, yes!"
Director Ruan, afraid she would change her mind again, agreed immediately and busily made arrangements. "I'll arrange a separate studio for you today, and you can bring the little artist tomorrow."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Director Ruan was incredibly respectful towards her now, how could she possibly say it was trouble? "Should I send a car to pick you up tomorrow?"
"No need."
"Alright, I'll hang up then. Goodbye."
Shen Qingqing looked at her phone, frowning slightly. She found this woman a bit strange. Her attitude was so respectful, as if she were some important figure.
She shook her head, put down her phone, and prepared to rest.
The next day, she got up early with Chenchen and went to the company. Shen Jinxi also wanted to go, but she appeased him. After all, it was to meet Fu Jingshu, and she didn't want to bring both children.
What if that person went mad and detained the children.
So she took Chenchen and left. When they arrived at the company, Director Ruan was waiting at the entrance and welcomed them in very enthusiastically.
The place arranged for Chenchen was excellent, a small independent studio, decorated in a childlike manner, with good ventilation by the window.
Chenchen fell in love with it at first sight.
Shen Qingqing glanced at him and smiled slightly, "Director Ruan, you've put in a lot of effort."
As long as the child liked it, everything was worth it.
Director Ruan smiled and said, "I'm glad he likes it. Only a good environment can help a little artist create their best work."
"Okay, you can go and attend to your business now."
After Director Ruan left, Chenchen immediately ran to his easel. The table was laid out with paints of various colors and brushes of all thicknesses and lengths.
Shen Qingqing was also happy to see him like it, and her initial reluctance lessened. She sat nearby while the child painted.
The window was large, covered with light blue curtains. A gentle breeze blew, causing the curtains to sway slightly, bringing in sunlight and fresh air.
Shen Qingqing squinted her eyes, feeling extremely relaxed.
Mother and son stayed like this until noon. Shen Qingqing looked at Chenchen, who was still painting, and without disturbing him, she got up and went out to buy lunch.
Not long after she left, someone entered.
It was Lu Wanying. She knew Chenchen was at the company and had come early, but she also knew Shen Qingqing would surely accompany him, so she hadn't shown herself.
"Chenchen."
Chenchen was fully engrossed in his painting. Upon hearing the voice, he looked up, thinking it was his mother, and subconsciously flashed a smile.
But then he saw Lu Wanying, and his smile immediately vanished.
Lu Wanying had always known Fu Jingshu had a child, but she hadn't realized how cute he was. With that smile, she had even thought it was acceptable to be his stepmother. Who knew that the next second, his little face turned cold.
He bore a five-point resemblance to Fu Jingshu, especially when he was frowning, looking like they were carved from the same mold. She felt as if she were seeing Fu Jingshu's cold expression, and her heart tightened.
"Chenchen, I'm Aunt Lu."
Chenchen ignored her.
Lu Wanying patiently said, "Why aren't you talking to Auntie? Auntie is an elder, and she's talking to you."
As she spoke, she walked in front of Chenchen, blocking his sunlight. He paused, picked up his drawing board, and moved aside.
Lu Wanying narrowed her eyes and followed him. "Is this how your mother taught you? Are you this impolite?"
This was her true face.
Chenchen glanced at her. He was not surprised, nor was he angry. There was no emotion on his face.
"Just like your mother," Lu Wanying looked at his profile and was surprised to find that he resembled Shen Qingqing very much. Reluctantly, she had to admit that this child truly embodied all the beauty of both Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu.
"Equally ill-bred."
This sentence was laced with coldness. Chenchen suddenly looked up, his eyes calm and indifferent. "You are not qualified to speak about my mother."
It turned out that no matter how much she said, it was less than saying one bad thing about Shen Qingqing!
"Did I say something wrong?" The more he defended Shen Qingqing, the more Lu Wanying provoked him. "Your mother is a homewrecker, shameless, brazen, immoral, and should be scorned and reviled by everyone."
Chenchen's breathing became heavy. "You're lying!"
Seeing the child's expression change, Lu Wanying finally felt happy. Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside, steady and unhurried.
It was Fu Jingshu.
As Fu Jingshu pushed the door open, he saw a mess on the floor. Paint was spilled everywhere, and Lu Wanying's white dress was the most visibly soiled.
She looked at Chenchen with tears in her eyes, "Chenchen, how could you splash paint on me?"