The moment Zhang Jiashu left, Madam Shen's imposing demeanor visibly faded.
Her expression turned somber.
She slowly sat down, leaning on a nearby chair, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Zhang Jiashu was sent by the Zhang family to monitor her.
With Zhang Jiashu by her side, the chaebols of Bangguo would feel at ease.
Now that Madam Shen had completely fallen out with her, the Zhang family and the Bangguo chaebols would naturally not stand idly by.
This meant she had officially declared war on the Zhang family and the Bangguo chaebols!
Her mind raced with these thoughts, leaving her feeling unsettled.
She admitted that she had been too impulsive earlier, that she shouldn't have fallen out with Zhang Jiashu so quickly.
It wasn't that she was afraid, but rather that she wasn't ready.
The root cause was that she hadn't retrieved her father's plaque from Zhang Longsheng.
This matter had always been a lingering concern for her.
Song Qiao had promised to defeat Zhang Longsheng.
But with this incident occurring at such a critical juncture, how could the chaebols allow him to challenge Zhang Longsheng smoothly?
Given the chaebols' methods and their petty nature, they would likely target her and Song Qiao even more!
At the very least, they would try to obstruct him in secret.
If they were even more ruthless, they might even resort to foul play during their match!
These were all unfavorable circumstances.
Lost in thought, Madam Shen couldn't help but look up at Song Qiao.
She found that he not only showed no signs of worry but was actually smiling with a peculiar expression.
This infuriated Madam Shen, who thought he was gloating.
She glared at Song Qiao dismissively and snapped, "What are you smiling about?"
Song Qiao maintained his inscrutable smile and looked at Madam Shen, saying.
"Nothing, I just find you a bit pathetic."
"Pathetic? Is that mockery? How dare you!" Madam Shen's face immediately fell.
"You could say that," Song Qiao continued without hesitation.
"Madam Shen's status is so noble, and she wields immense power."
"Among the women I know, it's truly hard to find anyone who can compare to you."
"Yet, despite being so influential, you don't have a single genuine person by your side."
"Don't you think that's pathetic?"
Initially, Madam Shen had felt proud and elated by his words.
But Song Qiao then shifted his tone, pointing out her self-importance and lack of empathy.
Madam Shen was overcome by a sense of desolation.
Even her posture, sitting upright in the chair, suddenly appeared so lonely.
She lowered her head and mumbled softly, "Are you saying these things to mock me?"
"Of course not." Song Qiao chuckled heartily.
"I'm just speaking from the heart, you don't need to mind."
"However, I also want to say that you've seen it today, the Zhang family's methods are extremely cruel."
"Keeping someone like Zhang Jiashu by your side will only bring endless trouble."
"It's not wrong to fall out with her sooner rather than later."
"After all, it's better to deal with enemies who are out in the open than those who stab you in the back."
"You?" Madam Shen looked up abruptly. Was he actually comforting her?
Did he know what she was thinking just now?
Considering this possibility, Madam Shen's eyes suddenly welled up with tears as she looked at Song Qiao.
In that moment, her loneliness and isolation were laid bare.
Song Qiao didn't reply but poured her a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table in front of her.
He also added, "It's not poisoned."
Looking at the cup of lukewarm water on the table, Madam Shen picked it up and held it in her hands.
After gazing at it for a moment with her head bowed, she apologized to Song Qiao again.
"I'm very sorry about what happened last time. Although I'm not that kind of person, the whole incident did start because of me."
"Has Gao Meng's injury healed?"
Sigh...
Song Qiao let out a long sigh and looked down at Madam Shen, smiling.
"I hope you're not that kind of person either."
"But fortunately, according to my investigation, that incident last time indeed had nothing to do with you."
"Alright, I should be going now."
"Call me if you see Sheng Xiong."
Song Qiao specifically asked her to keep an eye out for Sheng Xiong.
Madam Shen nodded hastily in agreement.
She couldn't wait to tie Song Qiao to herself so he could help her deal with Sheng Xiong at any time!
How could she possibly refuse?
Song Qiao didn't linger any longer. Just as he stepped out of Madam Shen's doorway, his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced down and his heart sank.
Xia Xueqing?
Why would this troublesome lady be calling?
With a sense of unease, Song Qiao reluctantly answered the phone.
Before he could even speak, Xia Xueqing's extremely triumphant voice came through the receiver.
"This young lady is arriving in Modu. Prepare to welcome me!"