After Divorce, Hidden Marriage Husband Became Addicted to Me
Chapter 373 - 263: Meeting a Person

Chapter 373: Chapter 263: Meeting a Person

Tang Xi knew that Shen Qinglin meant no harm.

Perhaps she was genuinely curious about her family background.

But why would someone be curious about her, just an ordinary person?

Why would her attention be drawn to her?

And...

Tang Xi felt a sense of unfamiliarity yet familiarity towards the woman before her, and she didn’t feel repelled by her presence at all. Shen Qinglin, holding a high position, was the founder of an international brand, but didn’t have any overwhelming or domineering air about her.

Unlike Shangguan Nanxian, although Shangguan Nanxian was also a powerful woman, she possessed an aura of command inherent to those in higher positions. Even when Shangguan Nanxian intentionally lowered her posture to foster a good relationship with Tang Xi, Tang Xi could still perceive an undeniable presence about her.

But Shen Qinglin was different; at this moment, Shen Qinglin really resembled a gentle and graceful senior who had known her for many years.

"I grew up in an orphanage, not a particularly big one, which has been demolished now. The director who adopted me was just an ordinary person."

Shen Qinglin asked quickly.

"What was her name?"

Tang Xi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Tang Jingyun."

Shen Qinglin nodded, her expression somewhat distant, it wasn’t the name. After being released from prison, the person she had inquired about, the one who had adopted her daughter, did not bear this name... Could it be that she was mistaken?

For so many years, Shen Qinglin had been searching for the whereabouts of her biological daughter.

But she had no news at all.

The female prison that had incarcerated her had changed all its guards.

She had given birth in prison, and the whereabouts of her daughter were unknown; at the time, a female prison guard told her that they found an orphanage for her daughter.

So when she learned that Tang Xi was from North City and had grown up in an orphanage, coupled with the feeling of what seemed like a fateful familiarity the first time she met Tang Xi, she thought Tang Xi might be her daughter.

But that prison guard also told her that the female director of the orphanage that adopted her daughter had the surname He.

After more than twenty years, she had been disappointed countless times, and one more time didn’t make much difference.

Shen Qinglin smiled, "You have a talent for design. I heard you’re a doctor, but you should consider working in the design department of Shangguan Group. News Group is deeply collaborating with Shangguan Group on jewelry design; becoming a designer there would provide higher income than being a doctor. You may not have professional training, but your designs have soul, don’t waste it."

Tang Xi took a sip of tea.

She hadn’t expected Shen Qinglin to seek her out for a job discussion.

Although Tang Xi was surprised, she didn’t show it.

"I... I quite like my current job," although she too longed for a higher paying job.

That way, she could ensure a good life for her daughter.

"Tang Xi, everyone aspires to climb higher. I’ve seen your design works, and even if you don’t make it to the finals in this design competition, Shangguan Group’s design department will keep a spot open for you. You might want to think about it; outright rejection is too premature, News is planning to launch an international jewelry design exhibition before the end of the year. If your designs get featured, your fame will skyrocket, spreading across the international scene. Renowned designers command seven-figure prices for just one piece of work."

Tang Xi was actually very tempted.

But becoming a designer was a foreign profession to her.

She had never imagined it.

She was afraid that she might not handle it well.

Jewelry design, for Tang Xi, was an unknown field.

"Ms. Shen..."

"You don’t have to be so formal and call me ’Ms. Shen,’ just call me Teacher Shen."

"Teacher Shen, did you invite me out for tea just to talk about this? I don’t understand. I’m not someone who likes to play dumb. Why me? This cohort of designers includes many, and as far as I know, several are already well-known, so why approach me? And I feel... perhaps I do have some design skills, but compared to those professional designers, I’m not truly exceptional. I appreciate your recognition, but it also makes me anxious."

"You possess a natural talent for design, one that hasn’t been constrained. Many professional designers nowadays stick within their comfort zones, unwilling to innovate. Those who have made a name for themselves fear even more that one bad design will knock them off their pedestal, becoming overly cautious, with their works also remaining within their comfort zones. Among the designs submitted to my inbox, I saw many works, indeed including those of some slightly famous industry peers. But their designs are too much of craftsmanship, lacking a bit of the soul. You are different."

Shen Qinglin really liked Tang Xi’s work, "I see something different in your creations."

The girl before her closely resembled her younger self.

Unfortunately, she was not her daughter.

Otherwise...

"In my early years, I made a mistake, loved the wrong man. I had to be separated from my daughter. It’s me, who... seeing others of similar age, would always think, if only she were my daughter."

Tang Xi was taken aback.

She looked at Shen Qinglin, momentarily not knowing what to say to comfort her.

She had never thought that a successful and outstanding woman like Shen Qinglin would have such a past.

About ten more minutes passed, and Tang Xi left the teahouse.

She did not immediately go home, but walked along the roadside instead.

She did not tell Shen Qinglin that she, too, felt a sense of familiarity with her.

But Tang Xi dared not speak it.

After all, Shen Qinglin was such a noble personage.

And she herself was as ordinary as one could be.

How could she presume to reach so high.

Tang Xi shook her head, perhaps it was because Shen Qinglin was not overbearing but instead had a gentle appearance and a friendly face, that she gave people a sense of familiarity.

She boarded a bus.

Her phone vibrated once.

It was a message from an unknown number, but it was from North City.

Tang Xi immediately answered.

"Where are you? I need to see you, we have things to discuss face to face."

Tang Xi listened to the familiar male voice on the other end of the phone.

"Ah?? Fu... Fu Tingzhou?"

The man, suppressing his irritation, asked again, "Where?"

Tang Xi, "What do you want to do? There’s nothing left for us to meet about, right? Haven’t we already made things clear?"

"Then I’ll wait for you at your doorstep, and if I don’t see you in ten minutes, I’ll go up and ask your housekeeper, your daughter, where you are."

Tang Xi panicked, she gripped her phone tightly and gave the address.

This man really knew how to threaten her best.

The daughter, she was her lifeline.

Tang Xi got off the bus at the next stop and waited for about ten minutes until a Maybach stopped beside her.

Tang Xi got in the car.

"Where are you taking me? I’m telling you, I won’t attend those so-called dinners or social events you’re hosting."

"Tang Xi, do you know Xu Yiran?" Fu Tingzhou asked while turning the steering wheel, he stepped on the accelerator, and the car sped away.

Tang Xi, not yet seated firmly, was thrown forward by the sudden momentum.

Fu Tingzhou looked at her dazed expression and sneered coldly; he knew it—she indeed knew Xu Yiran.

The information investigated in the records was actually true; his ex-wife really had an affair with his brother.