Chen Qingtian took Wu Qian to experience a completely different world she had never dared to dream about. Thousands of dollars per meal was the norm. Clothes were bought based on preferences, not prices. She could buy major brands of cosmetics, even those she had never heard of before, at will.
In the past, one new attire might cost her a full month's salary, or maybe more.
Although Chen Qingtian was born with a silver spoon, and his family owned many assets, that was insignificant in the capital where the rich and powerful were abundant. It just so happened that he was the only child in the family and his parents tended to spoil him. He was used to spending big bucks, and spending some of that on the woman he currently liked in order to gain her favor seemed like a good deal.
Chen Qingtian walked toward his sports car with his arm draped across Wu Qian, who was blushing furiously.
That night, Wu Qian did not return to the dorm.
----
The next day, Grandpa Fu called Shen Qinglan on the phone as expected. He asked her when she would come back for dinner. Shen Qinglan figured she did not have classes that afternoon, so she returned to the compound at noon.
Since she was going back, she should drop by the house as well. So she did just that. Grandpa Shen was the only one in. Everybody else had gone, which was exactly what Shen Qinglan was hoping for.
"Grandpa, I'm back," Shen Qinglan greeted Grandpa Shen.
"It's barely noon right now, don't you have classes later?" Grandpa Shen looked at his granddaughter with a smile. After his wife died, Grandpa Shen had been spending more time and energy on his plants.
"Grandpa Fu says I can come home for lunch," Shen Qinglan told the truth.
Grandpa Shen stared at his granddaughter inexplicably.
"You can't call him that."
Shen Qinglan realized what he meant. "It's just the two of us now. Grandpa, I'm heading out the day after tomorrow, probably on a longer trip this time."
Shen Qinglan did not forget one of the purposes for coming back.
"A trip is a good idea. Do you have enough cash? Hold on, I'll give you a card," Grandpa Shen did not even ask where his granddaughter planned to go.
"No need, I have some money on me. Fu Hengyi gave me a card before he left. Mom and dad also give me allowance on a regular basis," Shen Qinglan did not like to talk much, but she could be unusually patient toward her loved ones.
Grandpa Shen had nothing else to say when he heard that. He looked at the time and urged her to head to the Fu's house. She was married, after all. Despite not having a ceremony, they had the certificate to prove it. She belonged to the Fu family now.
Aye!
Grandpa Shen sighed. That was his beloved granddaughter, spirited off by Fu Hengyi just like that.
----
"Come in, Qinglan dear. It's hot outside." Grandpa Fu was standing at the entrance when she arrived at the Fu household.
Shen Qinglan picked up the pace. "F-Fu—Grandpa, why aren't you waiting inside?"
"I was just coming out when I saw you. I've asked Aunt Zhao to make your favorite dishes. They're just ready to be eaten."
When Grandpa Fu looked at Shen Qinglan, his whole old face lit up like a blossoming chrysanthemum. Grandpa Shen, that old fool, had adamantly disagreed to their union, but Qinglan had eventually become a member of the Fu family anyway.
Grandpa Fu deeply believed that Fu Hengyi had done a good deed for once.
Aunt Zhao placed the last dish onto the dining table, "Qinglan, you're back. Come eat. I've made your favorite fried crab steamed in orange today. Grandpa Shen ordered this all the way from Yangcheng Lake. It's great!"
The corners of Shen Qinglan's lips curved into a smile, "Thank you, Aunt Zhao, Grandpa."
Shen Qinglan used to be a frequent visitor at the Fu household and often ate there, too. The members of that family were quite familiar with her tastes.
Grandpa Fu glared, "No need to thank us. We are family, after all."
Shen Qinglan briefly sighed, almost forgetting the fact that she had married Fu Hengyi.
Although it was only the two of them eating, the atmosphere was still a cheerful one. Shen Qinglan was not talkative. Most of the time, Grandpa Fu did the talking, while she provided a comment or two occasionally. They had a pleasant conversation.
After lunch, Shen Qinglan told Grandpa Fu about her outing. Grandpa Fu did not object, believing it was good for youngsters to head out and see the world.
And so, after the meal, Shen Qinglan returned to the apartment she shared with Fu Hengyi, called Jiangxinya Court. She packed two sets of clothes, then set off for her apartment, Shangya Court.
The apartment had remained the same way she had left it. Shi Feng might have requested cleaning services before he left. He did not leave a single trace behind. But it had been a while since anyone stayed here—even the table was flanked with a layer of dust. She called the housekeeping company to have someone come do some cleaning.
There was also a piece of paper on the table, with a phone number scribbled on it. It was obvious whom it belonged to.
Shen Qinglan merely glanced at it before tossing it into the bin.
She entered the room Shi Feng had previously believed was a study, but it was actually an art studio. A few finished drawings were randomly placed on the wall and on the ground.
There was an easel in the center of the room, complete with all sorts of tools and paint.
Shen Qinglan walked to the corner and picked up a sketchbook as well as a portable easel. Then she took out a backpack and put in all her necessities.
She did not wait for the housekeepers to come. Instead, she handed the keys to the entrance guard and then left with her large backpack.