Chapter 9: A Tug-of-War
Qin Qianrou finally finished her work for the time being and stretched her stiff shoulders and neck. The light in the room was still on. She quietly stood up and saw Li Wan fast asleep on the bed.
She had been discussing the Dongsheng Group matter with Li Wan and had mentioned Shen Yiqiu several times. But she didn’t completely trust this newly acquired “informant.”
Investigating Dongsheng Group was bound to be a difficult task, likely to become the focus of her work for the next year. Team Leader Lin had advised her to think carefully before starting the investigation and not to rush in if she wasn’t confident. Dongsheng Group held a special position in Meng City, and investigating them could easily have far-reaching consequences, triggering a chain reaction.
The conditions offered by Shen Yiqiu were tempting, but Qin Qianrou didn’t dare to trust them easily. Part of the reason she had agreed to help was because of Dongsheng Group. More importantly, she felt sympathy for Shen Yiqiu’s plight.
Regardless of the reason, restricting the freedom of an eighteen-year-old was excessive, especially since Shen Yiqiu herself wasn’t involved in those complex relationships.
Perhaps it was seeing that innocent, youthful face during their first meeting that had stirred a sense of compassion in the usually aloof Qin Qianrou. She didn’t want to see a child who had just lost her parents become trapped in such a difficult situation.
Qin Qianrou glanced at the time; it was almost 5 am. Busy organizing information on Dongsheng Group, she hadn’t realized she had stayed up all night.
She was actually a little tired, but she had promised to meet Shen Yiqiu at 6 am. She didn’t want to be late, and she didn’t want to break her promise. Sighing softly, she woke up the sleeping Li Wan. They had agreed to go together last night.
“Ugh, Qianrou, you didn’t sleep again?” Li Wan mumbled groggily from the soft bed.
“Hurry up and get ready. We’re going to the hospital soon.”
Li Wan closed her eyes in misery, her eyes still heavy, but her mind gradually clearing.
Qin Qianrou had already entered the master bathroom, the sound of running water coming from within. Li Wan resigned herself to getting up, running her fingers through her hair.
“You’re getting more and more extreme. Staying up all night and then going to the hospital early in the morning, aren’t you afraid of collapsing on the way?”
The person busy washing up didn’t respond. Before leaving the room, Li Wan glanced at the desk. Several sheets of paper were spread out on it, covered in dense writing.
**
It was just past 6 am, and Room 3217 at City Central Hospital was already as bustling as a supermarket. The young nurse tried to stop the visitors, but she couldn’t block those who had “prior arrangements.”
Shen Yiqiu sat on the bed with a stern expression. After hurriedly bringing her a bowl of porridge, Auntie Liu, her caregiver, had disappeared without a trace. Currently in the ward, besides her parents’ friends, who had arrived at 5:30 am, was Shao Qidong, who had arrived later after hearing the news.
He Chao and Jiang Yuan were university classmates of Shen Yiqiu’s parents and had been close friends since their youth. They had worked together in Hai City for a period, but gradually lost contact after Shen’s father accepted an invitation from Meng City University.
In her past life, when Shen Yiqiu had seen this couple, before she could say anything, she had burst into tears in Jiang Yuan’s arms. The pain of losing her parents and the aftereffects of the car accident had been overwhelming, but facing Shao Qidong, who claimed to be a creditor, she hadn’t dared to show any true emotion.
Only when this couple, who had been close to the Shen family, appeared had Shen Yiqiu found someone she could confide in and release her emotions. Unfortunately, by the time she learned the truth, it was too late. Those patents had already fallen into their hands, and she had even helped the swindlers count the money!
Swindlers! Hypocritical swindlers!
Now, seeing He Chao and Jiang Yuan, this was the only assessment in Shen Yiqiu’s mind. As for calling them “Uncle” and “Auntie,” she didn’t want to utter those words anymore.
He Chao and Jiang Yuan had recently attended an international academic conference and had made a detour to Beijing for a debriefing upon returning to the country. Coincidentally, their topic had piqued the interest of a high-ranking official who had attended the conference. They had stayed for a few extra days to provide the official with a more detailed explanation.
Although not their direct superior, this high-ranking official was someone of significant influence. If they could satisfy this official, their research funding for the next year could be substantial.
When they received news of the accident, they were meticulously preparing their report for the official, which was why they had only arrived now, in such a hurry. They were a step behind Shao Qidong, but fortunately, Shen Yiqiu was still in the hospital, and they had learned that she had been in a coma for the past few days, so Shao Qidong’s vigil had been in vain.
Their worries were somewhat alleviated. To arrive as quickly as possible, they had even forgone a direct flight, choosing instead to fly to a city near Meng City and then take an overnight train.
Without even taking time to rest, they rushed straight to Central Hospital with their carry-on luggage. Seeing their travel-worn and anxious appearance, anyone unaware of the situation would have praised their loyalty!
Former classmates, colleagues in the same field, and in a sense, competitors. Even if they weren’t directly competing, there was still competition for research resources.
Moreover, they weren’t related. Their coming in person showed their sincere concern for their old friend.
But now, Shen Yiqiu’s reaction puzzled the couple. Since they entered the ward, she had barely looked at them, preferring to keep her head down and eat her porridge, ignoring their questions.
They hadn’t actually asked much, just offering words of comfort and concern. On their way here, they had specifically discussed that Jiang Yuan would be responsible for comforting Shen Yiqiu, as girls would naturally be closer to a maternal figure.
But so far, Shen Yiqiu had been remarkably strong and composed, even abnormally so.
He Chao and Jiang Yuan exchanged glances, wondering if the child had been so traumatized that she had withdrawn into herself.
They waited, filled with questions and speculation, until Shao Qidong pushed the door open with a bang, startling everyone.
“Xiao Qiu, what are your plans? Your parents’ funeral arrangements will be handled by me and your Uncle He. You just focus on resting. We’ve decided that after things are settled here, we’ll take you back to Hai City.”
Shen Yiqiu’s calm face showed no emotion, while Shao Qidong sneered.
“Trying to take advantage of the situation? Do you think you’re doing research, where you can just spout some theories to fool people?”
He Chao was naturally displeased, but his image as an intellectual made him unaccustomed to arguing.
“Mr. Shao, that’s not very polite. What do you mean by ‘taking advantage’? Yiqiu is the child of our longtime friends. Now that they’re gone, it’s natural for us to take care of her.”
These days, there were still people willing to take on such trouble, unable to even properly care for their own children, yet volunteering to care for someone else’s. What selfless dedication, what a kind heart!
The young nurses hiding by the door were already silently biased towards this newly arrived couple.
“She’ll be eighteen next month, legally an adult. She can choose to live independently. So why are you so eager to take her back to Hai City?”
Shao Qidong hadn’t had much direct contact with Shen Yiqiu these past few days, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t concerned about this matter.
He Chao’s face flushed red with anger. He adjusted his glasses several times, wanting to curse but holding back. This made Shao Qidong even more smug, lifting his chin provocatively.
He Chao was even angrier, but Jiang Yuan stopped him. She adjusted her approach, maintaining a restrained and polite smile as she responded to Shao Qidong.
“Eighteen is the legal age of adulthood, but Xiao Qiu is still young, and she still has university ahead of her. Besides, she’s suffered such a great blow. It wouldn’t be good for her future without an adult by her side to care for her.”
A woman’s charm lies in her gentleness, using softness to overcome hardness. Even when disagreeing with Shao Qidong, Jiang Yuan’s words carried the concern of an elder for a child.
No matter how harsh Shao Qidong’s words were, he couldn’t retort as directly as before.
He softened his tone and took a step back, “You keep saying it’s for her own good, but shouldn’t you listen to what she wants? As far as I know, she applied to Meng City University for her college entrance exam.”
Jiang Yuan was a university professor herself. While this matter would be somewhat difficult to manipulate, it wasn’t impossible.
“Xiao Qiu’s emotional well-being is the most important. If staying in Meng City will constantly remind her of these sad events, then He Chao and I can help her apply for a transfer. That’s not a problem.”
After saying this, both sides glanced at Shen Yiqiu. Strangely, she seemed detached, as if she hadn’t heard their argument at all.
Shao Qidong was secretly delighted; it seemed Shen Yiqiu hadn’t been swayed.
“Even if Shen Yiqiu is willing to go with you, shouldn’t you also consider my opinion as her creditor?”
The word “creditor” finally caught Shen Yiqiu’s attention.
She knew that today was supposed to be the day she would be half-coerced, half-tricked into signing the repayment contract by Shao Qidong. But today, everything should be different.
“Creditor? Who owes whom?” Both He Chao and Jiang Yuan were taken aback; they hadn’t heard about this.
Shao Qidong took out a document from his briefcase, waving it smugly, then gesturing towards Shen Yiqiu.
“This is an agreement her father signed with me before his passing. It’s in black and white, crystal clear.”
Shen Yiqiu’s face darkened, her hands clenching under the blanket to suppress her anger. Whether in this life or the last, Shao Qidong was, in her eyes, the epitome of a villain!
While He Chao was still pondering, Jiang Yuan reacted first, “Let’s not talk about the content and authenticity of this agreement. Even if Old Shen did sign it with you, he’s gone now. You can’t be seriously trying to pull that old trick of making the daughter pay her father’s debts, can you?”
He Chao and Jiang Yuan were clearly speaking up for Shen Yiqiu. They were truly acting like people who could shelter her from the storm in place of her parents. If she didn’t know their true motives, she might have been touched.
Shen Yiqiu laughed self-deprecatingly in her heart, her face still expressionless, her gaze detached as she watched their bickering. She was wondering why Qin Qianrou, who had promised to be at the hospital at 6 am, still hadn’t appeared.
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