So she called Colin, who arrived quickly. Seeing her locked inside, he couldn't help but ask, "What's going on? Weren't you here for the banquet? How did you end up in the basement?"
"It's a long story, let's get out first."
...
At the banquet, Shen Qingqing had been gone for a long time. Fu Jingshu went to the restroom to look for her. As he couldn't enter the ladies' room, he asked a young girl to help.
The girl came out soon, her face slightly flushed. "No one's in there."
Fu Jingshu turned to leave.
He asked the servants, but none had seen Shen Qingqing. Realizing something was wrong, he called Lin Mo and instructed him to search discreetly.
Soon, Lin Mo found traces of Shen Qingqing.
Fu Jingshu immediately went with him. On the way, Lin Mo said, "Miss Shen went to the basement. This basement at the Ye family's place seems to be a forbidden area. It took me some effort to find out."
As they spoke, they arrived at the dilapidated storeroom. It was not difficult for Fu Jingshu to enter.
However, the basement was empty.
Only an open cabinet and a messy bed were there.
Lin Mo sensed the chilling air around them and was puzzled. "According to my findings, the person came here. Where did she go?"
"Investigating."
Fu Jingshu's cold gaze fixed on him, making Lin Mo's back prickle.
Then, he saw Master Fu walking outside. Lin Mo had no choice but to follow dejectedly. He was sure he had failed in Master Fu's eyes.
"You have half an hour. If you don't find her, you're fired tomorrow."
Fu Jingshu's ruthless voice echoed from ahead.
"Understood."
Lin Mo's face fell, but he didn't stop working. He took out his phone and made several calls, deciding to mobilize more men.
He would definitely find Miss Shen!
Just then, Fu Jingshu's phone rang with a message.
—Master Fu, I drank some alcohol earlier and don't feel well. I've left.
Signed, Shen Qingqing.
Fu Jingshu stopped abruptly, staring at his phone with a complex gaze.
Lin Mo was startled and dared to peek at the phone. Before he could see anything, the screen was changed, and Fu Jingshu shot him a chilling look.
He quickly lowered his head, focusing only on his nose and eyes, wishing he could disappear.
Fu Jingshu dialed Shen Qingqing's number. After a long pause, she answered, her voice sounding slightly drunk. "Is there something you need to call me for?"
"You're leaving without even saying goodbye?"
Fu Jingshu was extremely displeased, his low pressure almost palpable.
Unfortunately, Shen Qingqing, on the other end of the line, was oblivious, and likely wouldn't have cared even if she knew. "Didn't I text you? My head hurts, I'm going to sleep. Goodbye."
Fu Jingshu glared at his phone.
This woman actually hung up on him!
Lin Mo watched, dumbfounded. Miss Shen was truly a warrior.
"Lin Mo!"
Fu Jingshu's sharp call startled Lin Mo, who immediately stood at attention, wishing he could salute. "Master Fu, I'm here. What are your orders?"
"Tell everyone to stand down. There's no need to search anymore."
"Yes!"
Lin Mo agreed and waited for a moment. He saw Fu Jingshu staring at his phone. Although his expression was dark, he gave no orders to punish Shen Qingqing.
He gasped. Miss Shen was indeed a remarkable person!
Fu Jingshu, clutching his phone, didn't move forward. As he exited the storeroom, he glanced at his phone again, a trace of suspicion about Shen Qingqing's sudden departure creeping into his mind.
Returning to the banquet, he suddenly found the social niceties utterly tedious.
He never forced himself to do things he didn't like, so he brushed aside the general managers who came to greet him and left directly.
The general managers exchanged confused glances. Master Fu seemed to be in a bad mood...
The next day, Shen Qingqing had Colin prepare generous gifts.
Colin was puzzled. "Miss Shen, where are you going? Are you visiting some elder?"
Shen Qingqing looked at the gift boxes, all very expensive, and was satisfied. "No, I'm going to the Ye family."
The Ye family was indeed prominent, but they had no close ties, nor any business dealings. Colin was confused. "You secretly went to their basement yesterday, and now you're visiting with gifts? What exactly are you up to?"
Shen Qingqing smiled slightly, her eyes holding an inscrutable glint. "Of course, I'm going to give my sister a congratulatory gift."
Colin didn't believe it. Others might not know, but he did. For Miss Shen, Shen Yaoyao could die a thousand times and it wouldn't be enough!
If her engagement was announced, Miss Shen would be lucky not to send a wreath, let alone lavish gifts...
He could only think of one possibility. "Miss Shen, are you planning to sabotage her engagement?"
Shen Qingqing's expression was blank. "Do I look like a terrible person?"
Colin nodded seriously. "You're not terrible, but you're capable of it."
Shen Qingqing was speechless. "Alright, go back to your work. I'll handle this myself. Oh, and while I'm away, if you have time, please check on Chenchen. I'm worried about him being alone."
"No problem."
Colin gave an ok gesture. Chenchen disliked nannies, so they had never hired one. Miss Shen usually accompanied him herself, and when she was away, Colin would.
The Ye family was relatively calm that day. They were eating together when someone knocked on the door.
When they saw Shen Qingqing, the Ye family was very surprised. However, a guest was a guest, so they welcomed her in and had a servant pour hot tea.
"Miss Shen, what brings you here today?" Ye Lin asked with a gentle smile.
"My sister is engaged to Young Master Ye, isn't she? I attended the engagement banquet yesterday but didn't give a gift. I felt uneasy about it, so I've come."
Shen Qingqing placed the gift boxes on the coffee table and took out a small box from one of them.
Upon opening it, the Lin family members were instantly stunned.
Inside the box lay a jade pendant. Its quality was exceptional. Ye Lin, who had some knowledge of such items, immediately picked it up and examined it carefully.
"Goodness, this is a fine piece!"
He was so enamored with the jade pendant that he couldn't put it down, stroking it repeatedly. After regaining his composure, he looked at Shen Qingqing with a hint of inquiry. "Why are you suddenly giving such a valuable gift, Miss Shen?"
He had seen yesterday that the relationship between Shen Yaoyao and her sister was not good.
Wang Hui, Young Master Ye's mother, glanced at Shen Qingqing. Seeing her beautiful face, a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. "I believe Miss Shen only comes here when she has a purpose."
Too many people came to their house seeking favors, all of them bringing expensive gifts.
Young Master Ye, sprawled on the sofa like a lump of fat, suddenly his eyes lit up at her words. "If you do have something to ask of us, feel free to say so."
His gaze fell upon Shen Qingqing's face, palpable and nauseating.
Shen Qingqing felt disgusted but maintained a composed expression. "I don't have any particular matter. It's just that my sister will be marrying Young Master Ye, and I can't help but want to have a few words with Young Master Ye, to remind him. You must treat my sister well."
The Ye family exchanged glances.
Yesterday, Shen Yaoyao's attitude clearly indicated she was not friendly towards Shen Qingqing, so why was she...?