As soon as Lu Bochuan finished speaking, low murmurs of discussion arose all around.
People had already started looking over when Shu Qingqing arrived; after all, everyone loved a good spectacle.
But they never expected President Lu to say such a thing.
That was Assistant Zhou Zheng, the Assistant Zhou who had followed President Lu for ten years, the Assistant Zhou who was practically the second-in-command at the Lu Group.
Was he going to be fired just like that?
Didn't they say President Lu and his wife were on bad terms? This didn't look like it at all.
While the others were just watching the drama unfold, Manager Kang was genuinely panicking.
How did things turn out like this? Firing Assistant Zhou over this? If that really happened, how could Assistant Zhou ever let her off the hook?
Manager Kang hurriedly explained, "No, President Lu, Assistant Zhou definitely didn't do it on purpose either! It's also my fault. My phone was broken that night. Assistant Zhou might have sent me a message, but I didn't receive it. President Lu, I..."
Shu Qingqing smiled again. "Is that so? In this day and age, is there really someone who can go a whole day without checking WeChat? It seems you are at fault too, so how about we fire you instead?"
Shu Qingqing tilted her head up. "Lu Bochuan, what do you think?"
Lu Bochuan repeated the same phrase, "Whatever you say."
Manager Kang panicked even more, tears streaming down her face. "President Lu, please listen to my explanation. I really didn't mean it..."
Manager Kang was so agitated that more and more people began to gather around to watch.
Shu Qingqing only wanted to defend her rightful dignity and never intended to blow things out of proportion. Although she was practically certain that this Manager Kang was lying, now was not the time to deal with her.
Shu Qingqing raised her hand and patted Manager Kang's shoulder. "Alright, Manager Kang, I'm just joking with you. How could your President Lu be such an unreasonable boss?"
Seeing this, President Zhao, who was well-acquainted with Lu Bochuan, quickly urged everyone to disperse.
Shu Qingqing dropped her smile. "As for whether Assistant Zhou actually notified you or not, President Lu will investigate and find out the truth. Right, Lu Bochuan?"
Lu Bochuan nodded very seriously. "I will give you a proper explanation."
After making such a huge fool of herself, Manager Kang had no face left to stay any longer. Without waiting for Lu Bochuan to send her away, she slipped off dejectedly.
Lu Bochuan had no time to pay attention to her anyway.
Seeing Shu Qingqing shake him off to leave, he quickly grabbed her arm. "Listen to my explanation, okay?"
Shu Qingqing turned around and crossed her arms. "Fine, let's hear what kind of excuse you can come up with."
Lu Bochuan tugged at his tie. "Just now, I was discussing a very important project with President Zhao. Manager Kang came up from behind and linked her arm through mine. I only caught a glimpse of blue in my peripheral vision and thought it was you... It's my fault. I should have turned my head to confirm."
It was indeed his negligence. He never let outsiders get close to him, and he hadn't expected Manager Kang to be so bold.
Shu Qingqing let out a cold snort. "You saw a blue dress and thought it was me? Is she as tall as me? Is she as pretty as me? Besides, the blue of her dress is completely different from mine!"
Different... is it? They were both blue. Lu Bochuan genuinely couldn't tell the difference.
But he didn't dare say that, continuing to apologize instead. "It's all my fault... Please don't be mad."
Shu Qingqing said, "If I hadn't been quick-witted, who knows how humiliating today would have been!"
Lu Bochuan lowered his head. "Little Shu, I'm sorry."
Shu Qingqing retorted, "If apologies worked, what would we need the police for?" With Lu Bochuan apologizing so humbly and given the nature of their relationship, Shu Qingqing knew she should just let it go. Yet, for some reason, she still felt incredibly annoyed inside.
Lu Bochuan frowned in thought for a moment. "I'll agree to one request of yours, alright?"
Shu Qingqing's interest was suddenly piqued.
Seeing her expression soften a bit, Lu Bochuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll agree to one request from you, with no time limit and no constraints. How does that sound?"
Shu Qingqing nodded reluctantly. "I won't hold it against you this time."
Many people at tonight's banquet were there specifically for Lu Bochuan. The two of them hadn't stood there for long before another man walked over, saying he wanted to consult Lu Bochuan about something.
Shu Qingqing's feet were aching from standing in high heels, so she simply slipped away again.
Tonight's banquet featured not only desserts and drinks but also quite a few main courses. Shu Qingqing eyed a crab cake, picked it up, and prepared to take a taste.
Just as she was eating, Lu Xun made a video call. With people coming and going, it wasn't quiet enough, so Shu Qingqing had to find a secluded corner.
Lu Xun shared the games he played at kindergarten today, showed her the dinner he had with his older brother, and asked when she would be coming back.
The two chatted for over half an hour before hanging up.
Glancing at the time, it was already almost nine-thirty. Shu Qingqing was just about to head back to find Lu Bochuan when she heard a flurry of apologies and crying from nearby, followed by the sharp smack of a slap.
Shu Qingqing thought to herself, It seems the upper class really does have a lot of dirty laundry.
Just as she was about to continue walking, a person suddenly crashed to the ground right at her feet.
Shu Qingqing didn't want to meddle in other people's business. She helped the girl up and was about to leave, but froze for a moment the instant the girl looked up to apologize.
Upon seeing it was her, the girl looked even more astonished. She hurriedly pushed Shu Qingqing away and tried to leave, but her tormentor had already chased after her. "Feng Xiangdi, how dare you run!"
Now, Shu Qingqing had no choice but to intervene.
She reached out and blocked the woman who had chased after the girl. "If you have something to say, say it nicely."
Seeing Shu Qingqing's luxurious clothes and the dazzlingly large diamond necklace around her neck, the woman knew that anyone attending tonight's banquet must be a lady of status and prestige. She immediately changed her attitude. "Madam, may I ask who you are?"
Shu Qingqing replied, "I am her friend."
Hearing the word friend, Feng Xiangdi turned her face away in guilt.
The woman was surprised. "She is actually your friend?"
Shu Qingqing said lightly, "Is there a problem with that?"
The woman hastily waved her hands. "No, no, that's not what I meant at all."
Shu Qingqing turned her head to take a look. The slap mark on Feng Xiangdi's face had already swollen. She couldn't help but frown. "What did she do to wrong you that you had to beat her like this?"
The woman was about to speak indignantly, but seeing Shu Qingqing's expression, she changed her tone again. "You might not recognize me. My name is Liu Piaopiao. I played the second female lead, Noble Consort Yan, in The Legend of Consort Tong. The viewership ratings were ranked third across the entire internet at the time. I was supposed to become a huge star. If it weren't for this bit... this woman making me wear plagiarized clothes, causing the whole internet to hate me, how would I have fallen to this state today? Boohoo... It's been over half a year, and I haven't landed a single role. I can't even pay my rent. She must compensate me for my losses!"
Shu Qingqing pulled Feng Xiangdi closer. "Is what she said true?"
Feng Xiangdi shook her head desperately. "No! I worked so hard to design all those clothes myself. I have never plagiarized anyone!"
Liu Piaopiao glared at her viciously. "You still say you didn't plagiarize? The great Designer Li has already produced the original drafts! I have truly been ruined by you. If you don't compensate me for my losses, I will never let you off the hook."
Shu Qingqing looked at her coldly. "You won't let who off the hook?"
Liu Piaopiao immediately lost her nerve and went back to playing the victim. "I didn't have a choice! My grandmother has uremia and needs dialysis every day. If I don't make some money, she won't survive!"
Feng Xiangdi looked up timidly. "I didn't plagiarize... I will prove my innocence."
The woman demanded angrily, "Why should I believe you!"
Feng Xiangdi tried to speak, but guiltily turned her head away. "I'm sorry..."
Shu Qingqing sighed and pulled Feng Xiangdi up to stand straight. "Because I'm going to help her."
Liu Piaopiao looked at Shu Qingqing, opening her mouth to speak but stopping herself. "Then why should I... believe you?"
Shu Qingqing replied, "Oh, because I'm Lu Bochuan's wife."
