The drive back was silent, the car filled with an unspoken quiet.
Shen Qingqing's slightly pale fingertips clutched the sides of her clothes. The fabric was thick, yet she still felt a chill, a deep exhaustion settling within her.
Fu Jingshu, without looking at her, turned on the air conditioning with one hand.
Shen Qingqing said softly, "Don't you have anything you want to ask?"
"No."
"Is it because you trust me that you're not asking, or are you simply too lazy to ask?" Shen Qingqing disliked this silence and wanted to clarify things.
As they coincidentally encountered a red light ahead, he braked and finally turned to look at her, "I'm sorry."
"...You're apologizing to me?" She blinked in surprise.
Fu Jingshu hummed an affirmative and reached out his right hand to cup her fingertips. Finding them cold, he placed them on his lap. "These troubles, they were all brought by me. I'm truly sorry."
"You know..." Who arranged this?
"I know. I'm not an idiot." Fu Jingshu rubbed her fingertips, finally warming her hand a moment before the light turned green. He then reluctantly let go. "I will give you an explanation."
Shen Qingqing fell silent, an emotion too profound for words washing over her.
So, he truly hadn't doubted her.
"Thank you."
She whispered, and then felt her hand being gently squeezed. His voice was deep and resonant, "You don't need to thank me. It's I who should thank you."
He paused, a thought of someone flashing through his mind, his eyes momentarily darkening.
"With so many difficulties, you're still willing to stay by my side. I'm truly happy."
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips, a smile gracing her lips. "You'd better cherish me well."
"I will."
They looked at each other, a shared smile passing between them.
They soon arrived home, or rather, at the Fu family residence. Fu Jingshu wouldn't allow her to be seen in such attire. He insisted she change first before going home.
However, the moment they stepped inside, they saw Lu Wanying sitting on the sofa.
Her eyes flickered as she saw them return together, and she tentatively asked, "Brother Jingshu, you two..."
Didn't argue?
Fu Jingshu, however, seemed to not notice her. He gently shifted his gaze to Shen Qingqing, his voice deep and magnetic, "Go upstairs and change. All your clothes are still in the closet."
"Okay."
As Shen Qingqing ascended the stairs, Fu Jingshu's expression turned cold. "You will move out today."
Lu Wanying's eyes instantly welled up. "Why?"
"Do you want me to spell it out?"
"...I don't understand what you're saying." Lu Wanying lowered her head, nervously fiddling with the hem of her clothes and biting her lip, appearing innocent and flustered. "I've been well-behaved since I got home yesterday. I really didn't do anything."
Fu Jingshu ignored her. Since she wouldn't leave, he would escort her out.
He summoned a servant and instructed them to pack Lu Wanying's belongings.
It was then that Lu Wanying realized he wasn't just saying it this time; he truly wasn't going to indulge her any further. Panic seized her, and she abandoned any further attempts at denial, opting instead to admit fault. "Jingshu, I know I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I promise I won't act out again."
"I swear, I won't bully Miss Shen anymore."
"It's too late."
Fu Jingshu looked at her calmly. "You have a debt of gratitude towards me, and I will repay what I owe you. But for anything else, I'm afraid I'm powerless. I certainly can't go back to how things were with you."
"Why?" She simply couldn't accept it.
"The past can never be relived." Fu Jingshu's gaze drifted towards the stairs, filled with affection and devotion. Lu Wanying followed his gaze and saw Shen Qingqing descending gracefully in a pale red dress.
Even if she refused to admit it, she had to concede that Shen Qingqing was truly beautiful.
But it was Fu Jingshu's eyes that were the most enraging and unbearable reason for her jealousy.
"Because I have her now."
Fu Jingshu rose and walked towards Shen Qingqing. She stood on the stairs, while he stood below, looking up at her with a slight tilt of his head. He paid no mind to this posture, his eyes even carrying a smile and tenderness.
Shen Qingqing placed her hand in his, her gaze lowering slightly, a faint smile on her face.
They were a perfect match, a couple of considerable elegance.
Lu Wanying's heart bled as she watched. She bit her lip, turned, and smashed a porcelain ornament on the table to the floor. Then, she picked up a shard and pressed it against her wrist.
"Jingshu, are you really going to kick me out?"
Fu Jingshu's eyes deepened as he looked at her. He took out his phone and made a call. The doctor who had been waiting outside immediately entered, accompanied by two female bodyguards.
Without a word, they subdued Lu Wanying, and the porcelain shard was tossed aside.
The doctor then approached to examine Lu Wanying.
The entire process happened so quickly that she barely had time to react. She couldn't even struggle as she was held down on the sofa and forcefully examined. After a while, the doctor reported, "Miss Lu is fine, just a bit weak. Eat well and supplement your nutrition, and you'll recover."
He made no mention of depression or irritability.
Fu Jingshu asked, "Her mental state..."
The doctor smiled reassuringly, "Master Fu, please don't worry. Miss Lu's emotions and mental state are perfectly fine."
This statement practically declared that her earlier outburst was a pretense.
Lu Wanying's eyes flickered, her cheeks flushing. Shame and guilt prevented her from meeting his gaze. Exposed in front of everyone, she wondered what Jingshu would think of her now...
In reality, Fu Jingshu thought nothing of it. As long as he confirmed she wasn't ill, he had no mental burden. He directly took a ring, prepared long ago, from his pocket.
Lu Wanying's eyes widened, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
The next second, Fu Jingshu knelt on one knee, his gaze devout. "Qingqing, marry me."
Shen Qingqing remained silent for a long time.
Fu Jingshu's voice was deep and filled with earnestness. "I won't make grand vows. I just want to say, I love you. I will always be with you, treat you well for a lifetime. Qingqing, please believe me. Marry me, and I will protect you forever, ensuring no one can ever hurt you."
It was rare for him to speak such a lengthy passage. In fact, he had prepared extensively for this proposal, even rehearsing.
But when the moment arrived, his mind went blank. His usually sharp intellect became a void, and he could only speak from instinct.
Yet, these simple words made his sincerity shine even brighter.
Shen Qingqing smiled and extended a hand. "Aren't you going to put it on for me?"
Fu Jingshu suddenly beamed and solemnly placed the ring on her finger. His gaze traveled from her fingertip to her delicate, beautiful face. Ignoring the presence of others, he couldn't resist planting a kiss on her cheek.
It was a feather-light kiss, yet it overflowed with cherish and tenderness.
They looked at each other, as if seeing a promise of forever. The doctor and servants nearby also smiled, feeling the air suffused with sweetness.
Lu Wanying, however, forcefully broke off her fingernail. The pain in her fingertip jolted her back to reality, her eyes brimming with jealousy and hatred.
This was especially so when Fu Jingshu took a red invitation card from his pocket and handed it to her.
Her hand trembled as she clutched the invitation.
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "Remember to attend our wedding."
Lu Wanying's teeth nearly shattered. She instinctively looked at Shen Qingqing, but her expression was serene, her demeanor calm, as if mocking her!
She could no longer bear it and turned, running out.