Shen Qingqing knew that this second son of the Ye family was not a good person, but she didn't expect him to be this wicked. She emphasized, word by word, "That is his lawfully wedded wife."
Ye Tianbao panted, but his expression was sarcastic, "Wife? My second uncle cares most about his reputation. A wife like that would only embarrass him and couldn't be taken out at all. She's long been a thorn in his side!"
"Lin Wanxin is truly unlucky to have married him."
Shen Qingqing no longer wanted to comment on the matter. What else could be said about a beast? Nothing he did would be surprising.
Calling him heartless would not be an exaggeration!
The woman over there finally reacted and quickly ran over to support Ye Tianbao, but her face no longer held the arrogant and domineering air from before.
She didn't even dare to look at Shen Qingqing.
As soon as she felt Shen Qingqing's gaze on her, she started to tremble.
Ye Tianbao hated her immensely, but he dared not shout, otherwise, if this matter got out, his trip here to see his mistress would surely be exposed.
He could only watch as Shen Qingqing gracefully departed.
On the way back, the children didn't ask Shen Qingqing where she had gone. Their thoughtfulness was heartbreaking. She was preoccupied with Lin Wanxin's situation and didn't talk much with the children.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the two boys could take care of themselves. She bathed Xingyao and tucked the child into bed, then went to the living room alone.
"What are you thinking about?"
Fu Jingshu walked slowly to her side and sat on the sofa.
Seeing him, Shen Qingqing suddenly felt angry, "Didn't you go to see a client? Why are you back?"
This was her bad mood showing.
Fu Jingshu said calmly, "I finished my business and came back. I intended to pick you up, but when I arrived, the restaurant staff told me you had already left."
He paused, observing the beautiful face before him.
"Didn't you say you'd call me?"
Shen Qingqing rolled her eyes at him, "You tell me to call, and I call? Why are you men so domineering? When you want something, you call us宝贝 (bǎobèi - treasure), and when you don't, you treat us worse than trash."
Fu Jingshu's lips moved.
...When had he ever said such a thing?
"No man is any good!"
Shen Qingqing felt an overwhelming oppression within her. Her mind was filled with the image of Lin Wanxin she had seen at the Ye family villa last time. Lin Wanxin was only forty, but she looked more than ten years older than her actual age.
Her last hope was her child, but even that, the second son of the Ye family couldn't fulfill.
She wasn't the type of person to throw a tantrum because he was busy with work. Something much more serious must have happened, and it had most likely occurred at the restaurant.
He held her small, clenched fist resting on her knee.
"Did someone at the restaurant bully you?"
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but look at him, "You don't blame me for taking my anger out on you?"
Fu Jingshu didn't hesitate, "That's not important. Whether you were bullied is what's important."
He regretted even more that he shouldn't have left her. His aura grew colder. He picked up his phone, preparing to make a call.
Shen Qingqing stopped him, "What are you doing?"
Fu Jingshu's voice was very calm, with a hidden ferocity, "I'm going to find out who bullied you."
Shen Qingqing felt warmth and moved. She took the phone from him and placed it on the coffee table. The heavy stone in her heart seemed to be lifted by an invisible hand.
Finally, someone was different.
"No one bullied me. I was just in a bad mood. I saw someone and thought of some things."
Fu Jingshu looked confused, "Who?"
"Actually, that person isn't important." Shen Qingqing found the name disgusting now. "It's the person he mentioned that I can't let go of."
"A man?"
His body tensed in an instant.
Shen Qingqing didn't expect him to be so sensitive and felt a sense of wry amusement. "No, it's a woman."
Fu Jingshu's back instantly relaxed.
Shen Qingqing gave him a playful glare, then glanced at the bedroom door. The children were quietly in the room, likely asleep. She then whispered, "It's Lin Wanxin."
"Xingyao's mother?" he whispered back.
"Yes."
"Something happened to her."
His tone was so certain that Shen Qingqing couldn't help but suspect, "How do you know? Or did you already know?"
Fu Jingshu shook his head, feeling a bit thirsty, so he got up to pour a glass of water. Returning, he said slowly, "Many people know about the second son of the Ye family's ill-fated relationship."
Lin Wanxin's mental illness was also no secret. He wasn't a particularly loyal or passionate man either.
Abandoning Lin Wanxin was only a matter of time.
Shen Qingqing clenched her fists tightly, her face turning cold, "How dare he? A couple for a hundred days, they were a couple for many days too."
Fu Jingshu didn't pick up this conversational thread. There were too many unfaithful men in this world; there was no need to argue about why they were unfaithful. He glanced at her hands, "So, what do you plan to do?"
"I want to find her."
"And then?"
Shen Qingqing fell silent.
Fu Jingshu had to remind her, "Once Lin Wanxin is found, Xingyao will have to acknowledge her. Are you truly willing to let go?"
"I'm not willing."
She said it almost without hesitation but clearly knew what was right. "But we can't let mother and daughter be separated just because I'm not willing."
Fu Jingshu gazed at her for a long, long time, then suddenly smiled, "As expected of you."
She had never disappointed him.
Shen Qingqing smiled, her eyes full of defiance, "Then will you help me?"
Fu Jingshu took a sip of water and retorted, "Do I have the right to refuse?"
His future wife had spoken; how could he dare not agree?
"Then I'll trouble you."
"Yes, Madam need not be so polite."
Shen Qingqing's face flushed slightly, but she refused to concede defeat. She stood up, swaying her body with captivating allure, and walked up to him, reaching out to grasp his tie.
She suddenly yanked him forward.
Fu Jingshu's breath hitched, their lips almost touching, but she suddenly pulled away, leaving behind only a playfully mischievous smile.
"It's getting late, get some rest."
His gaze followed her into the bedroom. If it weren't for the children, he would have followed her in, but alas...
He touched his lips, where her scent seemed to still linger.
Back in the bedroom, Shen Qingqing tiptoed to the bedside. Her two sons were already asleep, but Xingyao was awake, her large eyes unfocused.
She lay down against the headboard, and a small hand immediately grasped her index finger.
"Can't sleep?" she asked in a whisper.
"Mommy, do you have something on your mind today?" Xingyao asked softly.
Shen Qingqing's heart softened. This child was sensitive and cared even more about her mood. She lay down gently, hugging Xingyao, and whispered in the little girl's ear.
"No, Mommy was just thinking about some things. It's late, you should be sleeping."
Xingyao nodded, but still didn't close her eyes.
Shen Qingqing smiled, knowing her daughter was waiting for a story. Her two sons were sleeping soundly, and she wasn't worried about waking them. She began to speak slowly, "Once upon a time, there was a little girl..."
Soon, the little girl listening intently in her arms' head drooped, and she fell asleep.
Shen Qingqing pulled the blanket up for her. In the moonlight, she suddenly noticed something on the back of her neck and carefully pulled her clothes down.
Below the child's neck, there was a crescent-shaped birthmark.