She abandoned her husband first, then her children, and was ecstatic after the divorce.

Every time he went to sleep, Fu Xingze's pale face would turn pale with fever and convulsions.

And there was the ruthlessness bursting from Fu Xiuheng's eyes!

Although, ever since Fu Xiuheng extended an olive branch, saying he wanted to invite Jiu Ge to be his son's calligraphy and painting teacher.

She knew that the truth about the bombing back then couldn't be hidden from Fu Xiuheng forever.

We will meet again someday.

But Xingze was, after all, her flesh and blood, and she had poured all her heart and soul into him.

Even if I don't want this son.

But the subconscious reactions hidden deep in her heart also made her feel suffocated.

The old man noticed she was out of sorts. "Worried about the baby?"

Lin Qingran shook her head. "No."

She put down her paintbrush and spoke her mind, "Teacher, the international calligraphy and painting competition is about to begin, and I've received an invitation. I'd like to take this opportunity to go on a trip. How about going to France, and bringing Lingdang and Bo Ye along to relax and rekindle their relationship?"

Although she had already prepared herself mentally.

She wasn't afraid that Fu Xiuheng would find her.

But she didn't want Fu Xiuheng to know about her daughter's existence, and she would never look back.

The old man pondered for a moment, then instantly understood her thoughts. "Alright! Go if you want. Your teacher will stay in Yuncheng and help you deal with Fu Xiuheng!"

Just then, the butler knocked on the door.

"Old Jiang! A Mr. Zhou has come to visit. He said that a few days ago, he happened to obtain a painting by Master An, a posthumous work of nine children playing in water. This is the painting he brought to me!"

Teacher An is Mr. Jiang's deceased wife!

Upon hearing this, the old man put down his paintbrush and exclaimed excitedly, "Quickly, bring the painting here!"

As the scroll was unfurled, both Grandpa Jiang and Lin Qingran's eyes welled up with tears.

It turned out to be an authentic work by the teacher's wife.

This painting was the old man's lifelong regret. He had been searching for it for twenty years after it was lost, and he never expected to find it again one day!

Grandpa Jiang's eyes were red-rimmed, and his hands trembled with excitement. "Where is the person who delivered the painting? Hurry up and invite him in!"

Lin Qingran accompanied the teacher downstairs.

Unexpectedly, the person the butler welcomed in was Fu Xiuheng!

At this moment, Fu Xiuheng was already sitting in the living room drinking tea. He was wearing a light gray four-piece suit, and the cold, hard watch on his wrist reflected a chilling light.

His posture was languid, yet he possessed an inherent nobility cultivated from childhood!

Hearing footsteps coming downstairs, he slightly lifted his eyelids and looked over leisurely.

He then stood up and fastened his suit jacket, letting his exposed ankle fall down to cover his foot without a single wrinkle.

He nodded. "Brother Jiang! Hello, Fu Xiuheng!"

Old Master Jiang, leaning on his cane, suddenly changed his expression, then questioned the butler, "Old Li, didn't you say that the person who delivered the painting was a Mr. Zhou?"

Old Li had no idea what he had done wrong. "He... he said his surname was Zhou!"

Grandpa Jiang's good mood vanished instantly!

He closed his eyes briefly, pointed to the front door, and said with a heavy heart, "Give the painting back to him! Show him out!"

Lin Qingran knew who Fu Xiuheng was after.

I never imagined he could be so despicable!

But I also know how important that painting is to the teacher.

She gritted her teeth, smiled gently, and shielded Old Jiang behind her. "Teacher, you go back first, I'll talk to him!"

"Be careful, if that kid dares to bully you, have him thrown out immediately! We don't need that painting anyway!"

"know."

He instructed Butler Li to send the person back.

Lin Qingran walked down the stairs step by step and stood in front of Fu Xiuheng. She was wearing flat shoes and dressed casually at home. From Fu Xiuheng's perspective, if he looked down, he could almost see the spring scenery under her silk nightgown.

Lin Qingran pulled her clothes tighter, snorted coldly, and sat down on the sofa.

She crossed her legs, exuding confidence, and showed no sign of panic at his direct gaze!

"Sir, name your price! How much do you want for the 'Nine Children Playing in the Water' painting?"

Fu Xiuheng sat down on the sofa, and the two looked at each other. His dark eyes were filled with turbulent emotions, and his thin, cold lips were pressed into a straight line. "In what capacity do you want to talk to me?"

"I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Jiang Jiuge, a student of Mr. Jiang. I told you last night that I'm not the wife you're looking for, Mr. Fu! Does Mr. Fu believe me now?"

"Is that so? In that case, Miss Jiuge, why have you refused so many invitations to be my son's calligraphy and painting teacher? You haven't given him a chance at all. As far as I know, Teacher Jiuge has taught quite a few young men from the capital."

Lin Qingran raised an eyebrow, "Young Master Fu is exceptionally gifted; I'm not qualified to be his teacher!"

"Really? So self-aware?"

Fu Xiuheng stared intently at her, then suddenly sneered, "Since you're not qualified, give the painting back to me, and I'll find someone else!"

He slowly stood up. "I forgot to mention, this painting is a gift I'm giving to my son's future calligraphy and painting teacher! Since Teacher Jiuge doesn't dare to teach him, I can only give the opportunity to someone else!"

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth and glared at him, how dare he threaten her, "How do you want me to teach you?!"

"Come to the hospital with me first." Fu Xiuheng stared intently at her.

Lin Qingran stood up, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

If it were something else, she wouldn't need it.

But she had to have this painting.

She never expected that Fu Xiuheng would use this method to force her.

Her long eyelashes trembled as she desperately suppressed the anger churning within her. "Fine! You'll regret it! Wait for me to go upstairs and change!"

Unexpectedly, Fu Xiuheng followed her upstairs.

Her wrist was gripped tightly, and Fu Xiuheng shoved her into the bathroom next door!

He was slammed hard against the sink.

He held her waist with one hand, lifted her chin with the other, and bit her collarbone hard with his thin lips. "Jiang Jiuge? You think I'd believe that?"

Lin Qingran resisted his advances fiercely, trying to break free. "Let go! Mr. Fu, what are you doing?"

"Lin Qingran! How long are you going to keep being so stubborn?"

Fu Xiuheng lifted her chin, his dark eyes scanning her face.

Lin Qingran's back ached from the hiccups. She looked up at him angrily, "I said it's not true! Mr. Fu, you only realize you're worried now that your wife is missing? Where were you before?"