The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 72. Ring (Part One) (Third update, PK for collection)

Chapter 72: 72. Ring (Part One) (Third update, PK for collection)

Returning from the set, Shen Qinglan suddenly lost the interest in sightseeing, and left Jinning City early the next morning with Fu Hengyi.

"Feeling like she’s been wronged, not happy anymore?" In the hotel, Fu Hengyi wrapped his arms around her from behind and asked softly, noticing that she had barely spoken since they left Jinning City.

Shen Qinglan shook her head gently, "No, just not sure if supporting her to enter this industry was the right decision."

"Qinglan, she is not a child anymore, she’s an adult, it’s her own chosen path. Even you shouldn’t interfere too much," Fu Hengyi said calmly.

Shen Qinglan was taken aback, realizing she had been being too stubborn, "Yes, you’re right."

The next day, they arrived in Su City, which, along with Hang City, is known as a paradise on Earth, famous for its many gardens. Strolling through the ancient garden architecture, Shen Qinglan’s expression was still cool, but the faint glimmer in her eyes let Fu Hengyi see that her mood was still quite good.

He slightly curved his lips, his gaze towards Shen Qinglan filled with tenderness.

They had been playing outside for more than a week, and Fu Hengyi had to leave in a few days; he needed to go personally to handle some matters in Mu Liancheng, so Shen Qinglan decided to return to Beijing.

The first thing after returning to Beijing was to accompany Fu Hengyi to a hospital for a comprehensive physical examination. Learning that he had fully recovered, Shen Qinglan finally let go of her worries.

After being away from home for so long, they definitely needed to return to the big compound. They first went to the Fu Family to have a meal with Old Sir Fu, and then they returned to the Shen Family.

This time they weren’t so lucky. When they got back, not only was Chu Yunrong at home, but Shen Xitong was there as well. On the other hand, Old Sir Shen and Shen Junyu were not. The former was said to have gone out for tea, while the latter was still at work and had not come home.

"Hengyi and Qinglan are back, was the trip smooth?" Chu Yunrong was very happy to see her daughter and son-in-law return.

Fu Hengyi nodded with a smile, "It was smooth. We went to quite a few places, and the scenery was nice."

Shen Xitong, listening to this conversation, bit her red lip lightly, a hint of hurt in her eyes.

At first, Chu Yunrong was somewhat uncomfortable facing Fu Hengyi, as she had always hoped Shen Xitong and Fu Hengyi could be together, but things didn’t turn out as she wished. Now that Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were registered, she had come to terms with it. Either way, they were both her daughters, and as a mother, she could only offer her blessings.

Shen Qinglan handed a bag to Chu Yunrong, "Saw some interesting trinkets on the way back."

Chu Yunrong accepted it with a smile.

"Sister, you left right after the concert last time before we could properly talk. Now that you’re back from the trip, you probably won’t go out for a while, right? Let’s go shopping and have dinner together when you’re free," Shen Xitong spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.

Shen Qinglan glanced at her, her gaze light, "The two months are up; I need to focus on my internship presentation, so I don’t have time." Her straightforward refusal left Shen Xitong’s face slightly embarrassed.

In fact, Shen Qinglan was speechless about Shen Xitong. You know that I don’t like you and will not accompany you to play any sisterly affection, so why haven’t you learned your lesson and keep coming up every time?

In Shen Qinglan’s eyes, Shen Xitong was particularly akin to a certain creature—a cockroach that cannot be killed, disgustingly tenacious, yet also unworthy of her effort to deal with.

Shen Xitong expressed her regret, "Thanks to Mom, the concert was very successful, and I also met many new friends. I originally thought, since my sister likes the quiet and is unfamiliar with those socialites in Beijing, I would take you to meet some new friends someday."

Though she said it with a face full of regret, the look in her eyes when she regarded Shen Qinglan was smug, as if she was boasting that the people of Beijing only knew Shen Xitong and were oblivious to Shen Qinglan.

Shen Qinglan remained indifferent, finding Shen Xitong’s age-old tricks not even worth a glance—such a waste of time.

It was Chu Yunrong who seemed to be reminded by Shen Xitong’s words, "Now that you’ve mentioned it, I remember, Qinglan, you’re about to graduate, and it’s time for you to get involved in these circles. There’s a charity gala this weekend, why don’t you accompany your mother?"

As soon as Chu Yunrong finished speaking, Shen Xitong nearly crushed her silver teeth. She had said that purely to show off, not intending for Chu Yunrong to also involve Shen Qinglan in such high-society events. If Shen Qinglan were to attend, what would that mean for her own status?

Shen Qinglan caught Shen Xitong’s expression and decided to change her initial refusal to a simple "okay." Life had been dull, after all, and it wouldn’t hurt to tease the little cats and dogs once in a while.

This weekend, Fu Hengyi had already left, and he didn’t want Shen Qinglan to always stay at home; he welcomed this development.

Chu Yunrong was naturally delighted, as this was the first time Shen Qinglan had agreed to attend such an event with her.

"Tomorrow, Mom will take you shopping for clothes. Xitong, come with us," Chu Yunrong said excitedly.

"Okay," Shen Xitong replied with a forced smile, feeling frustrated inside.

"Tomorrow won’t be possible, Hengyi is leaving on a business trip in a couple of days, and I want to spend more time with him. Let’s go on Saturday," Shen Qinglan spoke up.

Chu Yunrong thought it reasonable for the young couple, who were often apart, to want more time together. She and Shen Qian had felt the same way back in their days, always wishing to be inseparable. Seeing that the young couple seemed to be deeply in love reassured her as a mother. Since the banquet was over the weekend, Saturday would be soon enough to shop. She readily agreed.

Her gaze lingered on her daughter and son-in-law before pausing on Shen Qinglan’s hand. Looking at Fu Hengyi, she asked, "Hengyi, you’ve been married for some time now, and although there’s been no wedding ceremony, you still need wedding rings. Are you planning to customize or to purchase them?"

Shen Qinglan glanced at her bare fingers, silent. She had never given it any thought.

Fu Hengyi spoke gently, "I had actually placed a custom order a month ago, and the jewelry store called a few days back; the item has arrived. These past days, I had been planning to take Qinglan to pick it up as a little surprise. Now that you asked, Mom, the surprise is spoiled."

Chu Yunrong’s eyes twinkled with mirth, "I guess Mom has been too inquisitive."

A trace of surprise flickered in Shen Qinglan’s eyes; she had not expected Fu Hengyi to have ordered the rings a month ago.

Shen Xitong’s head was lowered, her lips bearing a deep bite mark.

"Yun Rong, Qinglan, it’s time to eat," Sister-in-law Song called out from the dining room.

Dinner could have been served earlier, but when Fu Hengyi and Shen Qinglan had unexpectedly returned, Sister-in-law Song had added a few dishes that were their favorites.

"Mom, Dad’s birthday is coming up soon, is he coming back this time?" halfway through the meal, Shen Xitong asked.

"I called your dad yesterday, and he said he can’t make it back for his birthday this time, so we won’t celebrate it."

Shen Xitong felt regretful, "That’s too bad, I specially prepared a gift for Daddy, intending to give it to him personally." She said, turning to look at Shen Qinglan, "Sister, what gift have you prepared for Daddy this time?"