Shen Qingqing did not want to attend. She casually tossed the invitation onto the coffee table. "I'm not going."
She was too busy these days, burdened by so many worries, to spare time for any meet-and-greet, nor did she have the inclination to deal with the horde of assorted characters.
She turned and picked up Shen Jinxi, still in his pajamas, his face unwashed and his hair a mess.
"Let's go, Mommy will take you to wash up. After that, we'll have breakfast!"
Upon entering the bathroom, she found Chenchen and Xingyao already tidying themselves. Chenchen, as usual, was quiet but doted on his sister.
She put Shen Jinxi down, and he also ran over to wash his face.
Just then, Shen Qingqing's phone rang. It was Ke Lin. "President Shen, the matter you asked me to investigate has some leads."
"You found something?"
Shen Qingqing glanced at Shen Jinxi and turned to leave the bathroom.
Ke Lin's voice, on the other end, was tinged with a smile. "I've been trying to contact suppliers of the special medicine all along, but as you know, it's too precious. I hadn't found anything until I accidentally got some information through a friend."
That friend had helped inquire extensively and learned that someone knew the supplier.
"Where is this person?" Shen Qingqing asked immediately.
"He will be attending a designer meet-and-greet tonight. I'm working on getting you an invitation."
"Where is the meet-and-greet being held?" Shen Qingqing subconsciously glanced at the coffee table.
"Cloud Top Tower, downtown."
Shen Qingqing slowly sat down on the sofa. The invitation on the coffee table had just a few words indicating the venue: Cloud Top Tower.
She smiled slightly. "You don't need to bother anymore."
Ke Lin paused. "Ah? You're not going to the meet-and-greet?"
"I am."
Shen Qingqing picked up the invitation. It seemed to have come effortlessly.
Shen Jinxi, Chenchen, and the other children finished washing up and came out of the bathroom. Seeing her looking at the invitation, they trotted over.
"Mommy, are you going?"
"Yes."
Shen Qingqing touched Shen Jinxi's little cheek. "I will succeed this time, and then you can be like your brother."
Live a healthy life.
Shen Jinxi tilted his head. "What will Mommy do?"
To avoid worrying the children, Shen Qingqing had never told them about his illness. She just said, "You don't need to worry about these things. Mommy needs to go out tonight and might be back a little late. You all need to rest early."
Shen Jinxi hugged his mommy. "I know, don't worry."
Chenchen and Xingyao nodded obediently.
Shen Qingqing hugged her children, her gaze falling on the invitation. Although someone had helped with it, she wondered... who had sent it?
...
Eight o'clock in the evening.
Cloud Top Tower, downtown. It was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Inside the venue, people mingled, dressed in haute couture, holding wine glasses, and networking under the lights.
There was a stage in the center, and as they conversed amiably, they would pair up and move to the center of the round stage to dance a waltz, elegantly and gracefully deepening their relationships.
Everything was harmonious until a woman entered through the doorway.
She wore a deep blue mermaid gown, her slender waist and long legs subtly revealed at the thigh-high slit, enticing viewers to explore her mysterious beauty.
Her long hair cascaded down her back, seeming to sparkle under the lights with a blue luminescence.
As she moved, her skirt and hair swayed, and the gentle undulation of her waist made her appear like a mystical, enchanting mermaid.
All eyes were momentarily captivated by her.
Shen Qingqing scanned the banquet, not finding the person who supposedly knew the supplier. Instead, she saw two unexpected individuals.
The man was tall and handsome, with a cold demeanor, currently gazing at her with a complex expression.
Beside him, a woman with a good figure and beautiful face, clung to his arm, appearing demure and dependent.
She also saw Shen Qingqing and gave her a provocative smile.
"Miss Shen, you've come too."
Shen Qingqing withdrew her gaze from Fu Jingshu and lightly glanced at Lin Minglan. "I'm a designer. It's not strange for me to be here, is it?"
Lin Minglan smiled faintly. "It's not strange, it's just... did you come alone?"
As she spoke, she deliberately glanced behind Shen Qingqing.
"Can't I come alone?"
Shen Qingqing retorted.
Lin Minglan's smile hid contempt and ostentation. "It's not that you can't, it's just that everyone here has brought a companion, male or female. You're alone... I was just afraid you'd be lonely."
Her feigned concern was immediately seen through by Shen Qingqing, who didn't hesitate to fire back, "Then I'm curious, who is your companion, Fu Jingshu?"
Her gaze fell on Fu Jingshu, and as she looked him over, his back slowly stiffened, and the hand he'd offered Lin Minglan instinctively withdrew.
"So, Mister Fu's status requires him to be someone's escort."
Her tone was mocking, devoid of envy or jealousy. Instead, Lin Minglan detected a hint of disdain. Coupled with Fu Jingshu's movement, she instinctively looked at him.
Was he distancing himself from her in front of Shen Qingqing?
Both women looked at Fu Jingshu, who felt a pang of bitterness. This situation was, in fact, due to Fu Tingyi and Fang Ru.
Those two were never at peace.
They had forced him to come here, using the special medicine to treat Xingyao's eyes as leverage. Fu Jingshu didn't know how to win back Shen Qingqing, but if he had this medicine...
Thinking of this, he slowly turned his eyes away, not intending to intervene in the battle between the two women.
Shen Qingqing sneered. "So this is your escort."
Lin Minglan felt humiliated, but she knew even better that it was a blessing that Fu Jingshu wasn't speaking up for Shen Qingqing.
"It's none of your business."
Shen Qingqing shook her head, too lazy to deal with her, and went to find the person who knew the supplier.
As soon as she left, Fu Jingshu immediately grabbed Lin Minglan's wrist, his eyes filled with ferocity. "Did you know she would be here?"
Lin Minglan let out a soft "Ah." "It hurts! Let go of me!"
"Speak!"
The ferocity in Fu Jingshu's eyes was almost spilling over.
A cold sweat broke out on Lin Minglan's back. Biting her lip, she said, "I didn't know. If I had known, why would I have asked you to come?"
"You'd better be telling the truth."
Fu Jingshu said menacingly, then released her hand. With a look of disgust, he took out a handkerchief, wiped his hand, and casually tossed it onto the table.
Seeing his attitude, Lin Minglan felt a surge of闷. She leaned in and whispered, "Jingshu, if you still want that special medicine, cooperate with me. Otherwise, even if I say nothing, Uncle and Aunt won't give you the medicine."
Fu Jingshu gave her a cold glance. When she linked her arm with his, he didn't refuse.
Lin Minglan had achieved her goal and was inwardly triumphant. She linked her arm through his and went to find Shen Qingqing, whispering, "Miss Shen, you're here for the meet-and-greet to find someone, aren't you?"