Chapter 6: Qin Auntie?
The click-clack of Qin Qianrou’s high heels on the floor wasn’t quiet, especially in such a silent environment; it was quite conspicuous. So, she had to slow down, reducing her walking speed to a fifth of her usual pace, trying to minimize the noise.
Even so, when she reached the bedside, she realized that Shen Yiqiu’s eyes were open, watching her.
The ward was dark, with only a small bedside lamp turned on. Shen Yiqiu’s small face was difficult to see clearly in the dim light.
Qin Qianrou inwardly cursed; she had still woken her up.
But then she thought, she had come to ask Shen Yiqiu for clues, not simply to visit. It was better that the person was already awake rather than being roused by her; it lessened her guilt considerably.
Qin Qianrou stopped, glancing at the person sleeping on the other bed. They were sleeping soundly with their back to her, presumably Shen Yiqiu’s caregiver.
“Are you Shen Yiqiu?” Qin Qianrou’s words were concise, devoid of unnecessary pleasantries, but spoken in a deliberately lowered voice.
Shen Yiqiu, lying on her side facing her, had locked her gaze on Qin Qianrou since the moment she entered. Hearing the question, she nodded repeatedly.
Qin Qianrou bent down, bringing them closer. The fragrance emanating from her was stronger than before but not overpowering. Shen Yiqiu found the scent particularly pleasant and couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
This action startled Qin Qianrou; no one had ever done that in her presence before. But the girl in front of her didn’t seem malicious. Although the surroundings were dim, the faint glimmer in her eyes was clear.
“I heard you insisted on seeing me because you have information for me?”
After getting closer, Qin Qianrou took the opportunity to carefully examine Shen Yiqiu. Her face was almost uninjured, and contrary to her initial image of someone covered in IVs and tubes, she indeed only had minor injuries.
Recalling the various online discussions about the car accident, all expressing disbelief at Shen Yiqiu’s miraculous survival, Qin Qianrou, as a journalist, naturally paid close attention to such hot topics but wasn’t keen on participating in the discussions, especially the more outlandish rumors.
However, after seeing Shen Yiqiu in person, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder: she was indeed incredibly lucky.
Shen Yiqiu stared at Qin Qianrou for a moment, until a hint of confusion appeared in the latter’s eyes, before slowly opening her lips.
However, she didn’t answer the question directly, instead uttering a soft complaint, “Why did you only come now?”
She had waited for so long, almost losing hope. Facing imminent danger, every second was torment. Qin Qianrou was her current hope, but hadn’t offered her any glimmer of light.
She had thought she wouldn’t come tonight.
Qin Qianrou paused, not getting angry.
She hesitated, then looked at the pouting girl with amusement, “Sorry, my phone died tonight, so I didn’t receive the message from my colleague in time.”
Reporter Qin, who usually disdained such explanations, unexpectedly spoke to Shen Yiqiu in such a gentle tone. After saying this, both of them were slightly taken aback.
Since waking up from her coma, Shen Yiqiu had been holding her breath, enduring until now, finally meeting someone she could somewhat rely on, her emotions becoming slightly difficult to control. She had regretted her words as soon as she blurted them out, afraid that Qin Qianrou would turn and leave.
Her memories of Qin Qianrou from her past life were limited to the calm and collected figure hosting interviews on television, and the time she had seen her slap her maternal uncle from a hidden vantage point.
Neither image associated Qin Qianrou with gentleness or affability.
Perhaps sensing Shen Yiqiu’s nervousness and slight apprehension, Qin Qianrou smiled after her explanation, deliberately softening her usual aura.
She was accustomed to keeping a distance from everyone, partly due to her personality and partly for self-preservation. It was just that she was too outstanding and eye-catching, always attracting followers, which she found very annoying.
“So, I’m here now. Can you forgive me? Can you tell me the information you wanted to share?”
Shen Yiqiu blinked. Such a soft voice, coupled with Qin Qianrou’s already pleasant tone, was truly like a celestial melody.
“I actually…”
Just as Shen Yiqiu was about to speak, the person on the bed behind her stirred.
Shen Yiqiu immediately stopped, turning around vigilantly for a quick glance. Qin Qianrou followed her gaze and glanced over but didn’t ask directly.
She had interviewed many unique individuals and had naturally encountered similar scenarios. A car accident survivor with almost no immediate family, and a caregiver in the ward who stayed by her side almost constantly; it looked like she was being monitored.
Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow, silently glancing at Shen Yiqiu, quickly confirming her suspicions from the latter’s reaction.
The caregiver was indeed someone who couldn’t be trusted, so it wasn’t convenient to talk now.
Whether or not the caregiver was awake, it wasn’t suitable to discuss the Dongsheng Group matter in detail here.
“You should focus on recovering, so you can be discharged soon. You don’t like the smell of disinfectant in the hospital, do you?” Qin Qianrou quickly changed the subject, completing Shen Yiqiu’s unfinished sentence.
Shen Yiqiu mentally gave Qin Qianrou a thumbs-up; she was indeed a reporter, alert and quick-witted.
“But I’ve been lying down for so long. My injuries have healed, but they still won’t let me leave.”
The faint complaint sounded exactly like a child clamoring to be discharged and go home.
However, Qin Qianrou sensed something more. “They?” It seemed someone was indeed obstructing Shen Yiqiu’s discharge.
The caregiver behind them woke up. Clearly, with an extra person in the ward, no matter how careful they were, it was impossible to be completely silent.
It was a middle-aged woman, who rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed. Seeing someone standing by Shen Yiqiu’s bed, she initially thought it was a nurse, but upon seeing Qin Qianrou’s clothes and appearance clearly, she was instantly wide awake.
“Who are you? Why are you in someone’s ward so late at night?” The question was laced with shock.
Qin Qianrou smiled, preparing to explain, but Shen Yiqiu spoke first.
“Auntie Liu, this is my mother’s friend. She heard about my accident and came to see me.”
Hearing Shen Yiqiu’s explanation, the caregiver, surnamed Liu, could only put away her scrutinizing gaze, but still seemed a little disbelieving.
“You’ve been hospitalized for days, and she’s only coming now?”
Shen Yiqiu pursed her lips. She hadn’t wanted to explain too much, but she was also afraid of arousing Shao Qidong’s suspicions later. It was better to let Auntie Liu relay the information.
“She’s very busy with work and often travels on business. She came to see me as soon as she got back, otherwise she wouldn’t have rushed over so late. Right, Qin Auntie?”
Shen Yiqiu addressed the first part of her explanation to Auntie Liu, but for the last sentence, she turned her head and looked at Qin Qianrou with bright eyes.
The tall woman standing by the bed now radiated a chill, causing the temperature in the ward to drop significantly.
Qin Auntie? In just a few minutes, she had inexplicably aged so much. Especially when compared to the Auntie Liu standing opposite her…
Twenty-eight-year-old Qin Qianrou admitted that she wasn’t young anymore and had never stubbornly clung to the idea of being eternally eighteen. However, as an unmarried and childless professional woman, being called “Auntie” in public, especially by someone who wasn’t a child under ten, felt rather peculiar.
The atmosphere suddenly became strange, the air seeming to still. Qin Qianrou glanced around inadvertently. Auntie Liu was looking at her hesitantly, while the person who had called her “Auntie” without any prior consultation was staring at her intently.
There wasn’t any mischievous glee in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, nor the surprise and relief from their initial encounter, but rather a faint anticipation and a hint of… pleading?
What was she longing for? Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could think further, she nodded in acknowledgment of the address.
Sigh, for work, “Auntie” it was! After all, there was a ten-year age gap; being called “Auntie” simply meant she had a higher seniority.
Consoling herself in this way, Qin Qianrou felt at ease. Since she was now “Qin Auntie,” she naturally had to act accordingly.
For example, like now, reaching out and stroking Shen Yiqiu’s messy hair.
“Yes, I was busy with work when the accident happened and couldn’t get away. I rushed over as soon as I was free. Fortunately, this child is alright. Otherwise, I would have been even more upset.”
A flicker of sadness crossed Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, and she subconsciously shifted her body, moving closer to Qin Qianrou.
Seeing their intimacy, the hesitation in Auntie Liu’s eyes lessened considerably.
“Then you two chat. I’ll go to the cafeteria and get you something to eat.”
Auntie Liu left with an excuse, leaving the two of them alone in the ward.
Qin Qianrou clearly heard Shen Yiqiu sigh in relief the moment the door closed.
“Are you afraid of her?” Qin Qianrou removed her hand from Shen Yiqiu’s head; she wasn’t used to such close contact.
“Shao Qidong hired her for me. I’m not sure about her background yet.” Shen Yiqiu pouted and leaned back slightly; they no longer needed to put on an act.
“You know Shao Qidong?”
Shao Qidong was the owner of Dongsheng Group. Shen Yiqiu bringing him up naturally steered the conversation to the main topic.
“Before the accident, I didn’t know this person. After I woke up, he said he had business dealings with my father and volunteered to take care of me.”
Qin Qianrou had researched Shao Qidong and knew him to be a businessman through and through. Although he ran a technology company, he himself had little to do with high-tech.
Shen Yiqiu’s father was a professor at a well-known university in Meng City and a leading scientist receiving special national research grants.
How could these two have crossed paths?
But if their connection wasn’t deep, why would Shao Qidong voluntarily take on such a troublesome task?
Qin Qianrou fell into deep thought. Shen Yiqiu didn’t disturb her, instead quietly admiring the person lost in contemplation.
Compared to her deliberately gentle demeanor and soft-spoken words that felt somewhat unnatural, Qin Qianrou in this state was closer to her usual self, and even more… captivating.
Shen Yiqiu wasn’t aware of her own feelings; she simply felt an indescribable comfort admiring Qin Qianrou up close.
Perhaps it was simply human nature to appreciate beauty. No one could resist admiring a beautiful woman, especially one with such an outstanding temperament, far more beautiful than those cookie-cutter internet celebrities.
Qin Qianrou snapped back to her thoughts and was about to inquire further when she noticed Shen Yiqiu’s infatuated gaze.
Being stared at like this would normally annoy Qin Qianrou. But Shen Yiqiu was a girl and the provider of important clues, so Qin Qianrou was particularly tolerant of her.
She merely pursed her lips slightly and asked in an even tone, “Since you only just met him, how did you learn about Dongsheng Group’s situation?”
Qin Qianrou wasn’t referring to the information available in media reports or online. Since Shen Yiqiu had asked to see her, what she wanted to share wouldn’t be something anyone could easily find.
“If I say I haven’t fully grasped it yet, will you be angry?”
Qin Qianrou’s face turned cold. She wasn’t afraid of trouble or hard work, but she hated being deceived, especially being lied to about work, being called to the hospital late at night only to be toyed with.
Guessing Qin Qianrou’s thoughts, Shen Yiqiu straightened up, glanced vigilantly at the door to ensure no one would intrude, and then explained seriously.
“I’ve never had any contact with Shao Qidong before, and my understanding of Dongsheng Group is limited to what I’ve read online and heard from others. But through these few days of interaction, I’ve discovered several problems and clues. I believe he’s not someone who wastes his time and effort.”
Seeing Qin Qianrou listening patiently, Shen Yiqiu organized her thoughts and continued, “Since he’s spending so much time and effort on me, it means he can definitely gain some significant benefit from me. I have no connection to him, so it’s highly likely that what he wants is related to my father.”
Qin Qianrou was surprised that an eighteen-year-old could analyze the situation so clearly and logically, her previous displeasure dissipating.
“Go on.”
“I once heard my father mention an ongoing scientific experiment. He had invested a lot of effort into it and was very confident. He also said that if this experiment was successful, it would be a major breakthrough for all mankind.”
Qin Qianrou frowned slightly at Shen Yiqiu’s words; it was clear that the research project her father mentioned was no ordinary undertaking.
“So, to figure all this out, I have to be discharged from the hospital first.”
Shen Yiqiu finally revealed her purpose: she wanted to leave this place, to escape Shao Qidong’s watchful eye.
“Your injuries have basically healed. Applying for discharge shouldn’t be a problem.” Qin Qianrou had already learned about her injuries from the nurse, and having seen her in person, she was basically certain that Shen Yiqiu was fine.
“But if I leave on my own, Shao Qidong will definitely continue to keep an eye on me.” Shen Yiqiu was filled with resentment.
The explanation she had given Qin Qianrou was actually something she had only figured out step by step in her past life, after being tricked by Shao Qidong into signing the debt contract. When she had woken up from her coma back then, she had been completely clueless.
Fortunately, now that she knew the cause, she would strive to change the consequences.
Shen Yiqiu waited for a moment, but didn’t hear Qin Qianrou respond, so she looked up curiously.
Qin Qianrou said noncommittally, “So, have you figured out a way to get rid of him?”
Her detached attitude made Shen Yiqiu feel a slight pang of discomfort.
Although she knew Qin Qianrou was aloof, when she had asked about the details of Dongsheng Group earlier, she had been genuinely eager. Shen Yiqiu had thought the distance between them wasn’t that great.
It turned out she had been overthinking it.
Shen Yiqiu dejectedly lowered her gaze, but soon after, she heard a soft chuckle. Although suppressed, the sound had nowhere to hide in the quiet ward.
Shen Yiqiu then saw the playful glint in Qin Qianrou’s eyes and felt a surge of embarrassment and annoyance: Oh, you’re playing with me!
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