Fu Jingshu stood there, enduring the blow without flinching. Fang Ru, feeling a pang of sympathy, stepped forward to block the old woman's cane and shot Fu Tingyi a meaningful glance.
Understanding her cue, he went to placate the matriarch. "Mother, please calm down. Your health is paramount right now; you mustn't get angry."
"And you!" His attempt at mediation only seemed to ignite the old woman's fury further, channeling it all towards Fu Tingyi. "I told you long ago, Qingqing was the granddaughter-in-law I had chosen. And what did you do? You drove her away!"
Her anger caused her breathing to quicken again, her face paling.
Fu Tingyi immediately took the blame. "It's my fault, Mother. Please don't hurt yourself by getting so upset."
Shen Yaoyao, unwilling to be overlooked, stepped forward and spoke softly, feigning concern. "Grandma, I know you liked Sister a lot, but she's already gone. And if it weren't for her, you wouldn't have fainted."
"Uncle, Aunt, and Jingshu are all worried about you. Please don't trouble yourself with these matters. Just focus on recovering. Once you're well, everything else can be discussed."
Unfortunately, Madam Fu was unimpressed. She snorted and turned her head away. "I don't care. If Qingqing doesn't come back, I'm not leaving this hospital. You all bullied my perfectly good granddaughter-in-law away. You are all unfilial. What kind of karma is this, to have such descendants!"
Her words were harsh, leaving Fu Tingyi and Fang Ru feeling awkward and ashamed.
A bruise was already forming on Fu Jingshu's forehead. He took a step forward. "Grandma, I'm sorry."
A flicker of regret now stirred within him, his mind filled with the resolute image of Shen Qingqing as she departed.
Madam Fu sighed. "You child..."
Shen Yaoyao, realizing the conversation could lead to Fu Jingshu changing his mind, a prospect she couldn't bear, interrupted the old woman.
"Grandma, please don't blame Jingshu. This was all for me."
"I don't want to see you. Leave."
The sight of Shen Yaoyao gave Madam Fu a headache, and she summarily ordered her out.
Shen Yaoyao's face stiffened. The next moment, her wrist was grabbed. Looking up to see Fu Jingshu, her face lit up with joy.
This was the first time he had touched her since their falling out.
"Jingshu..."
But her tender affection was cut short as she was roughly pulled to her feet. Fu Jingshu showed no gentleness, dragging her by the arm and striding towards the door.
At the threshold, he released her, and Shen Yaoyao nearly tumbled to the ground, stumbling but managing to regain her balance.
"Jingshu? What are you..."
"Get out."
Fu Jingshu spoke, then turned back into the ward, leaving her with only his cold, indifferent back.
Did he hate her that much?
But if he hated her, why did he agree to their engagement?
Shen Yaoyao didn't understand. Biting her lip until she tasted blood, as if punishing herself, she suddenly came to her senses. Regardless of Fu Jingshu's reasons for agreeing, the engagement was set; he couldn't go back on it.
Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from her good friend.
"Yaoyao, I heard you're getting engaged to Master Fu. Is it true?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations! Master Fu is a golden bachelor; so many women want to be with him. We thought you'd been defeated by your sister before, but it seems you're still you!"
Shen Yaoyao felt a swell of pride. "No, no, it's just good luck."
"Oh, don't be modest. As your best friend, I'm truly happy for you. We're having a party at the bar tonight to celebrate! Come join us!"
Shen Yaoyao heard other voices in the background, all familiar female voices. She imagined how envious they would be of her if she went...
"Okay, I'll be there on time."
"That's right! Have some fun before the wedding. Once you're married, with the Fu family's strict upbringing, they probably won't let you come to bars anymore."
Everyone knew the Fu family had stringent rules, especially since Master Fu seemed to never frequent such places.
Shen Yaoyao blushed, thinking of her married life. "Oh, don't talk nonsense. Marriage is a future matter; it's not even a sure thing yet."
"How is it not a sure thing?" her friend teased. "You've already agreed to the engagement. As long as you play your cards right, you'll definitely end up with Master Fu."
"Stop it..."
Hearing Shen Yaoyao's playful protest, the woman on the other end laughed. "No more joking. Remember to be on time. I'm hanging up now."
After ending the call, Shen Yaoyao forgot the humiliation and awkwardness of being thrown out by Fu Jingshu. Clutching her phone, she headed home, intent on preparing herself to attend the party that evening.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingqing, having left the hospital, also received a phone call.
Colin informed her that he had located the whereabouts of Xiao Qing's will: it was with the owner of Filin Bar. "However, this Lily, though a woman, is not to be trifled with."
"I'll go meet her myself."
Colin was no longer worried. "Then there's no problem. President Shen going, she's worth ten men!"
"Stop with the sweet talk."
Colin chuckled. "President Shen, do you want me to accompany you? I can ward off potential admirers."
President Shen was beautiful, and upon entering a bar, she would undoubtedly become the center of attention, attracting many scummy opportunists who thought they could take advantage of her.
"No need, I can handle it."
Shen Qingqing's voice was somewhat cold, laced with a hint of nonchalance.
This reminded Colin of the men who had harbored improper thoughts about President Shen, and he shivered. He had worried unnecessarily; any man who dared to harbor such thoughts about President Shen usually met an unpleasant end.
Night fell.
The bar was a kaleidoscope of lights, with men and women swaying to the music in the center of the dance floor.
Upon entering, Shen Qingqing indeed attracted the attention of many men. However, her gaze swept through the crowd and headed directly towards the bar counter.
The young man behind the counter, seeing her, had a flash of admiration in his eyes. "Beautiful lady, can I get you a drink?"
Shen Qingqing extended a slender white finger and tapped lightly on the counter. "One Blue Fairy."
"No problem!"
Beautiful women always received preferential treatment. The young man set down the drink he was shaking and decided to prepare Shen Qingqing's cocktail first. With skilled hands moving swiftly, in less than half a minute, a Blue Fairy with a faint blue glow was ready.
He gently pushed the drink towards Shen Qingqing. "Beautiful lady, please enjoy."
Shen Qingqing held the glass, sniffed it lightly. "Young man, where is your boss?"
The young man glanced at her. "Does the beautiful lady need something from our boss?"
"Just a small matter..."
Shen Qingqing's words were interrupted by a burst of cheers. She glanced over and immediately paused. In the lively crowd, a woman was dancing with several men.
To be precise, it was the men who were dancing, while the woman stood there like an arrogant queen, letting the men around her move their bodies.
Such a scene was not uncommon in a bar, nor was it particularly unusual.
The problem was that the woman was Shen Yaoyao.