Chapter 20: A Sense of Security
Shen Yiqiu’s smile froze on her face. It was too difficult to feign respect for someone so deceitful and insidious.
Qin Qianrou glanced at both of their faces, not reacting much, simply closing her laptop and standing up.
Only then did Jiang Yuan notice someone sitting at the foot of the bed.
Looking closely, she saw it was Qin Qianrou.
She paused briefly, then quickly recovered, acting even more solicitous than usual.
“Reporter Qin is here too. Hello.”
Qin Qianrou nodded in response, “Director Jiang, hello.” Jiang Yuan was older than her; she still observed basic courtesies.
Qin Qianrou had seen Jiang Yuan’s business card; she was the Director of the Finance Department at a prestigious university in Hai City. Reaching that position at her age required considerable skill. However, Shen Yiqiu’s parents hadn’t been in that field; it seemed someone had changed direction after graduating.
“I didn’t expect to see you working here.” Jiang Yuan had deliberately chosen a weekday for her visit, not expecting to run into Qin Qianrou again.
She and He Chao had specifically inquired about this reporter; she was someone not to be trifled with in Meng City. No matter how influential a person or company was, once targeted by her, they were in for trouble.
Reporter Qin was far more difficult to deal with than some government officials, a sentiment widely shared in Meng City, although its origin was unknown.
“I’m currently on leave, so I came to visit the hospital.”
On leave… It didn’t sound like a short break of just a few days. Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened as she silently contemplated something.
Shen Yiqiu observed them discreetly. Qin Qianrou’s reaction was normal, but Jiang Yuan’s sudden visit definitely had an ulterior motive. Having failed to bring her back to Hai City last time, she wouldn’t give up easily.
Shen Yiqiu sighed. Why have I become so sought after? Everyone keeps circling back to me.
Uncomfortable as it was, this was her territory; she had to endure and deal with it.
“Auntie… Jiang, is there something you need?” Even after mentally preparing herself, addressing Jiang Yuan as “Auntie” still felt repulsive to Shen Yiqiu.
Jiang Yuan sensed Shen Yiqiu’s aloofness, but it was much better than last time; at least she had addressed her.
Putting on her usual gentle and caring expression, she took a few steps closer and reached out to touch Shen Yiqiu’s head, as she had done in previous meetings.
Shen Yiqiu instinctively leaned back, avoiding her touch.
Jiang Yuan froze, slightly embarrassed, but Shen Yiqiu didn’t bother to explain.
“Well, you said last time that you didn’t want to live in Hai City. He Chao and I discussed it and decided to respect your decision.”
Shen Yiqiu looked up. Was Jiang Yuan giving up?
However, in the next second, she continued, “But Hai City is still your home. If you don’t plan to go back, you should take care of some matters during the summer break, so you don’t have to travel back and forth later.”
Her home, take care of matters…
Shen Yiqiu’s gloomy expression made Qin Qianrou, who had been silently observing, look away. She didn’t want to interrupt their conversation; after all, Jiang Yuan was a close friend of Shen’s mother and had more right to handle the Shen family’s affairs than she did.
“I’ll go ask the nurse something outside; you two take your time.” Qin Qianrou picked up her laptop and left the ward.
Shen Yiqiu’s gaze followed her until the door closed, then she looked back at Jiang Yuan.
Although surprised by Shen Yiqiu’s action, Jiang Yuan was more composed than before.
“I didn’t expect you to be so attached to her already.”
Shen Yiqiu paused, then smiled faintly, “Of course, she’s my Qin Auntie.”
Although both were addressed as “Auntie,” the way she said “Qin Auntie” was far more affectionate and intimate than “Auntie Jiang,” conjuring up an image of Shen Yiqiu clinging to Qin Qianrou’s arm, obediently leaning against her, enjoying her touch.
Jiang Yuan and He Chao had discussed and analyzed the situation for a long time that day, but still couldn’t figure out the reason for Shen Yiqiu’s sudden change. The car accident was definitely a trigger, but there must be something deeper, which made them uneasy.
“By the way, the college entrance exam results are out. Have you checked your score?” Jiang Yuan changed the subject, bringing up university again.
“Not yet.”
Shen Yiqiu hadn’t had time to think about this after waking up; she knew she would be accepted anyway.
“You, this child, not worried about your future at all.”
Shen Yiqiu forced a smile and said nonchalantly, “There’s nothing to worry about. I know the material; I shouldn’t have done too badly.”
If it weren’t for the accident, Shen Yiqiu would indeed have been an outstanding student, her excellent grades never a cause for parental concern. The Shen parents had never worried about her college entrance exam, which was why they had planned the trip before the results were released.
Jiang Yuan knew that Shen Yiqiu was determined to attend university in Meng City; she couldn’t force her to leave. But there was still time before the start of the semester; there was still room to maneuver.
“Since you’re not worried about your score, then let’s hurry back to Hai City. I asked the doctor, and there’s no problem with you being discharged. He Chao went back yesterday to prepare.”
“I don’t want to go back yet.”
Shen Yiqiu’s direct refusal puzzled Jiang Yuan. What was wrong with this child?
“But Hai City…” Jiang Yuan paused, then rephrased, “If you really don’t want to go back, then He Chao and I can help you take care of those troublesome matters, okay?”
Shen Yiqiu slowly raised her lowered gaze.
Jiang Yuan continued, “But it would be easier if you signed a power of attorney, authorizing us to handle things on your behalf.”
A power of attorney? Yes, that was how they had tricked her in her past life.
They had stolen her father’s research without any obstruction, and she had even thanked them for saving her so much trouble.
Shen Yiqiu’s eyes darkened. Seeing her reaction, the smile on Jiang Yuan’s lips gradually faded.
“Auntie Jiang, I’ll go back and handle the matters at home personally later, but I don’t want to go back now.”
“If you don’t go back now during summer break, you’ll have even less time and energy when school starts. Besides, He Chao and I are both free now. Once the semester starts, we’ll be busy with teaching and our students. Who will help you then?”
Jiang Yuan’s voice was laced with anxiety, her words seemingly filled with concern for Shen Yiqiu, but ultimately self-serving.
Shen Yiqiu sneered inwardly. Seeing their hypocritical performance after knowing their true motives, they truly were clowns.
“I’ll discuss this with Qin Auntie and decide later. Anyway, those matters in Hai City aren’t urgent.”
Indeed, they weren’t urgent. Since Shao Qidong hadn’t succeeded in tricking her into signing the debt contract, she wasn’t in a hurry to sell the house and repay the debt. Now, she had the confidence to deal with Jiang Yuan and wouldn’t give them any opportunities to take advantage of her.
Jiang Yuan was speechless. Since Shen Yiqiu said it wasn’t urgent, she, as an outsider, couldn’t be more anxious than the person herself. She just hadn’t expected to be rejected by Shen Yiqiu again.
The results of her discussion with He Chao resurfaced; Shen Yiqiu’s sudden change was likely related to Qin Qianrou. This reporter was notoriously difficult to deal with, maintaining a distance from everyone, and now Shen Yiqiu was acting more and more like her.
**
Qin Qianrou hadn’t gone far with her laptop but sat on a chair outside the ward, continuing to work as before.
However, the change in environment, with people coming and going, made it difficult for her to concentrate. She had conducted interviews in far more chaotic and noisy environments before, but this current restlessness was unusual.
A young nurse, carrying a tray, walked over from the other end of the corridor and was surprised to see Qin Qianrou sitting there.
“Reporter Qin, why are you sitting here? Did Xiao Qiu throw another tantrum?”
It was no secret among the nurses that Shen Yiqiu had been moody and prone to outbursts since waking up. However, she had been much better since Qin Qianrou appeared. Had she relapsed today?
Qin Qianrou simply closed her laptop; she couldn’t concentrate anyway.
“She has a visitor.”
“Oh.” The nurse nodded, then subconsciously sighed, “Xiao Qiu is so likable. People always ask about her, wanting to visit her, but it’s a pity… sigh!”
Qin Qianrou caught the key information, “People always ask about her?”
The nurse, having already classified Qin Qianrou as someone close to Shen Yiqiu, didn’t hide anything.
“Yes, ever since Auntie Liu left, people have been coming to inquire about Shen Yiqiu’s situation.” The corners of the nurse’s mouth curled up slightly under her mask, a hint of pride in her voice, “But we didn’t answer their questions seriously; we just brushed them off.”
Qin Qianrou’s expression softened, infected by the nurse’s slight smugness. She continued listening, “Who knows if they would turn around and post the information online? Some people these days just spout nonsense without considering the consequences.”
Qin Qianrou had arranged for Shen Yiqiu to remain hospitalized and had also dismissed Auntie Liu, but she couldn’t completely shield Shen Yiqiu from public scrutiny.
Before Qin Qianrou could finish pondering the unchecked growth of social media, Shen Yiqiu rushed out of the ward. Before Qin Qianrou could speak, she was pulled closer.
Shen Yiqiu’s urgency was less frantic than before, but it was clear that something bad was about to happen. Qin Qianrou no longer doubted the premonitions; she just wondered, was she about to face another disaster?
Shen Yiqiu pulled her back into the ward, then ran to the nurses’ station and spoke to them. Qin Qianrou saw several nurses spring into action, making calls and hurrying towards the ward area.
Shen Yiqiu returned, closed the door, and seeing Qin Qianrou standing there with her arms crossed, waiting for her, finally smiled, “See, now I know how to take precautions.”
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