Chapter 46: Probing

Jian Qing did not make a fuss, instead choosing to save the video. Right now, none of this was the most urgent matter; her top priority was to prepare the custom jewelry for Miss Shuang. The Li family's birthday banquet was fast approaching, and Shen Yueli was still not finished with the cutting.

The next morning, when Jian Qing woke up, the villa was already empty. Uncle Qian said that Ren Tianchuan had taken Ren Yishan to prepare dresses for the Li family’s banquet.

"Didn't Hao Qing already call the police? How can they be so unconcerned, just ignoring it?"

As she let the maid help her dress, Jian Qing asked this question.

"The master said everything will be clarified once the Li family’s banquet is over. There’s no need to worry about things like this."

Jian Qing nodded with a slight smile, finding it all rather foolish.

"Uncle Qian, let's prepare a statement in advance. If anything about Ren Yishan is exposed and confirmed, it will definitely affect the Jian family. We must be prepared."

"Yes, miss."

After getting ready, Jian Qing called Shen Yueli over, who took her to the studio. Miss Shuang’s gemstones were nearly finished. Having looked them over, Jian Qing let Shen Yueli continue polishing.

As Shen Yueli worked through the morning, she had heard about the banquet and, over lunch, began to speak up on Jian Qing’s behalf:

"Senior, this Ren Yishan is just too much. Her values are all wrong. I don’t mean to speak harshly, but honestly, even that father of hers isn’t a good person."

Jian Qing smiled, took a sip of water, and pushed a dish toward Shen Yueli.

"Values matter, but three meals a day matter more. Let’s finish eating and aim to complete Miss Shuang’s order today."

Since Ren Tianchuan had cut off Jian Qing’s allowance, she could only rely on herself.

This wasn't new; back in university, Ren Tianchuan had persuaded Madam Jian to cut off all Jian Qing’s expenses, claiming it would teach her self-reliance.

She had no choice; at that time, Jian Qing hadn’t made a name for herself, and sometimes she didn’t even have money for a single meal.

It was during that period that she met Shen Yueli, who was a scholarship student. The two of them survived on instant noodles, and their friendship lasted to this day.

In college, they sold design drafts together and entered competitions. Seeing Jian Qing’s ambition, Madam Jian eventually restored her life as a young lady of the house.

After graduation, seeing Shen Yueli’s potential, Jian Qing became her patron.

Shen Yueli did not disappoint; she continued her studies abroad for her master’s degree, eventually building her own brand and getting her career on track.

So to Shen Yueli, Jian Qing was not just a friend, but a benefactor.

"Senior, I have to say, your boyfriend is really quite handsome."

Shen Yueli’s words abruptly shifted the tone of their conversation. Jian Qing was momentarily stunned, wondering if she had misheard.

"What did you say?"

Taking the phone Shen Yueli handed over, Jian Qing noticed that someone online had posted a photo of her being held by Number Thirty-Three.

Her face was buried in his chest, while the man stood tall and straight—anyone uninformed would have thought it was a fashion shoot.

It was beautiful.

Strikingly good-looking.

"Senior, how are things progressing between you two now?"

"Same as before. We’re just seeing each other."

"Do you plan to get married?"

"No."

"..."

After hearing Jian Qing’s response, Shen Yueli awkwardly withdrew her phone.

She wasn’t one for gossip, nor did she ask because she saw the photo on Weibo.

She had been coerced by someone.

Taking a silent breath, she glanced at Jian Qing’s expression and then probed cautiously:

"Why not? He seems like a really great guy."

"It’s not that he isn’t good. It’s that marriage isn’t good. Can you name any real advantages to marriage?"

With that, Jian Qing brought the conversation to a dead halt.

Shen Yueli nodded sheepishly, and the two soon shifted to business matters. Jian Qing called for Uncle Qian to drive Shen Yueli home, saying she needed to prepare for the Li family’s birthday banquet—which Shen Yueli would also be attending.

After Jian Qing left, Shen Yueli opened a chat with a black avatar on WeChat and replied:

"Young Master Li, I failed."

"Sister Qing said she doesn’t intend to marry you yet."

"But she’ll attend your birthday banquet next week."

No sooner had Shen Yueli sent the message than she received a reply:

"Alright."

At that moment, Li Jingche was in a meeting and didn’t have time for more. When it ended, he simply called Jian Qing.

"Missing me, darling?"

Whenever Jian Qing spoke with Number Thirty-Three, she could never be serious.

Every word was a tease that struck a chord in him. The man cleared his throat.

"Mm. What are you up to?"

"Shopping. Buying a few things."

"Where are you shopping?"

"Jingjiang Mall."

Jingjiang Mall belonged to the Li family’s Jingjiang Corporation, and today Li Jingche happened to be there for a meeting on the expansion project.

He immediately stood up, took the elevator downstairs, and said,

"Perfect, I’m here too. I’ll join you."

"Alright. I’ll wait for you on the fourth floor."

Uncle Qian pushed Jian Qing in her wheelchair to wait on the fourth floor. After Jian Qing hung up, Uncle Qian advised earnestly,

"Qingqing, I think you should be careful about that man. After all, Madam has you in line as the primary heir."

Jian Qing was well aware of what he meant.

As the future head of the Jian family, she couldn’t be seen socializing with questionable people; she only knew those who were either extremely proper or extremely shrewd.

But as for Number Thirty-Three, she couldn’t say which he was.

"Uncle Qian, wait for me in the parking lot. There’s no need to worry about him and me—it’s just a bit of fun."

Her voice was low, but her position was not ideal—right at the elevator entrance. As Li Jingche stepped out, he heard her.

Jian Qing had her back to the elevators. Uncle Qian nodded and walked away.

Li Jingche took it all in, heart and mind. His steps faltered, and before he knew it, the elevator had descended again, leaving him behind.

Missing her by chance, Li Jingche exhaled, then went to the third-floor terrace to get some air. Once his expression calmed, he returned to the fourth floor.

This time, stepping out of the elevator, he didn’t see Jian Qing right away.

Walking out of the elevator lobby while pulling out his phone, Li Jingche headed for the nearest shop as the call connected.

"Where are you?"

His tone was less than pleasant.

"Wait for me in the elevator lobby. I’ll come to you in a moment."

Jian Qing sounded formal, as if handling business.

Li Jingche narrowed his eyes but kept walking.

From the background noise, he recognized the LV store manager’s voice and walked that way—sure enough, he saw Jian Qing coming out.

But he also saw that the person pushing her wheelchair was Du Yu.

Li Jingche lifted his chin slightly, watching Du Yu hand a bag to Jian Qing, then lean down to say something to her. They both seemed to be enjoying the conversation. Jian Qing refused Du Yu’s offer to escort her to the elevator, seeing him off until he disappeared at the end of the corridor before she turned around.

Her face still bore traces of a smile.

Li Jingche drew a sharp breath, a heavy feeling pressing against his chest.