Chapter 59 p1
Shen Yiqiu’s carefully suppressed memories resurfaced. Although her cousin had also tacitly avoided mentioning Qin Qianrou, his casual use of her name, the familiar tone he used when talking about their past, his every move, even unintentional, still made Shen Yiqiu’s heart ache with jealousy.
Yuan Qi was also a little agitated, Xiao Qiu’s aggrieved expression was truly heartbreaking.
“Xiao Qiu, I’m not telling you to give up immediately. It’s not easy to let go of your feelings, I’m telling you this because I want you to understand that the road ahead will be difficult. You can try to let go slowly, find other things to distract yourself.”
“I don’t want to.” Shen Yiqiu’s reply was immediate, as if without thinking, but her expression was firm and resolute.
“Do you have to experience heartbreak yourself before giving up?” Yuan Qi didn’t scold or criticize her, his voice low and melancholic. His last words were ambiguous, making it unclear whether he was referring to her or himself.
Shen Yiqiu composed herself and looked directly at Yuan Qi. Even though her heart ached, she still wanted to know more about Jiejie. If she couldn’t even face and accept Jiejie’s past, then she wasn’t worthy of confessing her love.
“Cousin, can you tell me about her?”
“Who?” The alcohol was starting to affect Yuan Qi, his mind slowing down.
“The person I like.” This was the first time Shen Yiqiu had openly admitted her feelings for Qin Qianrou to Yuan Qi.
She also had a subtle intention, wanting to emphasize that although she and Qin Qianrou had no shared past, they might still have a future.
“Her? It’s complicated.” Yuan Qi had brought Shen Yiqiu out for dinner tonight precisely to talk about Qin Qianrou, so he didn’t beat around the bush.
Memories flooded back, scenes from his years of traveling the world resurfacing, the fragments of Qin Qianrou in his mind slowly piecing together. Thinking of Qin Qianrou, he naturally couldn’t avoid thinking of that person. A name long forgotten, now, even just recalling an acquaintance related to him made his heart tremble.
He started to speak several times, then hesitated, his cautiousness and deliberation making Shen Yiqiu even more nervous.
“I met Qianrou in university. We weren’t close at first, but due to certain circumstances, we interacted more, and gradually, we became quite close.” Yuan Qi’s voice was soft as he began his story.
“I heard from Sister Li Wan that Jiejie used to be known as the Ice Queen, very difficult to approach.” Shen Yiqiu had first heard this nickname from Li Wan during one of her dinner visits.
At the time, Qin Qianrou’s expression had been indifferent, as if she had long grown accustomed to it. But hearing it for the first time, Shen Yiqiu’s heart had skipped a beat, she hadn’t expected Jiejie to be like that in the past. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Qin Qianrou, having to admit that Jiejie was still a beauty, thankfully, not at all icy at home.
Yuan Qi nodded emphatically, his expression mirroring Li Wan’s. “Indeed, very difficult to approach, and so quiet, many people tried to talk to her, only to be rejected.”
Shen Yiqiu chuckled at her cousin’s exaggerated expression, the jealousy in her heart easing slightly.
“But Qianrou is actually a very good person, the ‘Ice Queen’ persona is just her personality. And with the Qin family’s background, she has to be cautious, to protect herself.”
Yuan Qi’s words were vague, he didn’t elaborate on the Qin family. But having returned to Hai City with Qin Qianrou twice, seeing her family, the suburban villa where they had dinner, and the connections she had utilized for the patent donation, all indicated that Qin Qianrou was indeed a force to be reckoned with in Hai City.
It was conceivable that to wield such influence in a city like Hai City, the Qin family couldn’t be ordinary.
“She’s a very determined and independent person, once she sets her mind on something, no one can dissuade her. Her decision to study journalism was already surprising, and then, after graduating, she actually wanted to work as a frontline reporter at the television station. She even volunteered for field assignments during her internship, which shocked us all.”
Shen Yiqiu listened intently, surprised that Jiejie had been so driven even back then.
Yuan Qi glanced at Shen Yiqiu’s admiring gaze and chuckled. “Don’t get too starstruck just yet, there’s more.”
“The Qin family thought preventing her from inheriting the family business was already a compromise, who knew she would actually become a frontline reporter, covering dangerous and challenging stories. During that time, the Qin family tried everything to persuade her, even interfering with her work, but instead of changing her mind, it only strengthened her resolve to stay in Meng City.”
So that’s why, no wonder Jiejie, with all the resources available to her in Hai City, chose to struggle in Meng City instead.
“Later, perhaps realizing her determination, the Qin family, who weren’t unreasonable, gradually accepted her choice. Qianrou also promised her family she wouldn’t put herself in danger, and if things became too difficult, she would return home. Thankfully, she has Li Wan in Meng City, so it’s not too bad.”
Shen Yiqiu admired Qin Qianrou from the bottom of her heart. She thought of Jiejie, exhausted after long hours of overtime, of how she always said her work wasn’t anything special, yet she still worked tirelessly, racing against time to bring the truth to the public.
She had said everyone had the right to know the truth because this society belonged to everyone. If the public was kept in the dark and deprived of their rights, it was a failure of society, a dereliction of duty by the media.
Yuan Qi paused here, seemingly oblivious to Shen Yiqiu’s eager anticipation. He poured himself half a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp. The wine was mild, but drinking it like that still burned his throat slightly.
He collected his thoughts and steered the conversation towards relationships. “Qianrou was known for being cold and distant, her only focus on her career. Apart from news stories, nothing seemed to catch her attention. Naturally, she never took any of her suitors seriously.”
Yuan Qi’s smile widened, as if recalling something amusing. Thinking back, their interactions hadn’t been entirely unpleasant, they had shared some happy times together, hanging out as a group, it had been fun.
Shen Yiqiu, seeing her cousin’s smile, felt a pang of discomfort, but she suppressed it.
“And then? What happened later…?” Did she like anyone?
Shen Yiqiu knew it was all in the past, even if she knew the answer, it wouldn’t affect her current feelings. But the words caught in her throat, the jealousy overwhelming her.
She couldn’t ask, the feeling unbearable.
“Later? She remained as indifferent as always. Single, of course, what’s an ‘Ice Queen’ without being single? If she wasn’t single, could she be called an ‘Ice Queen’?”
“Ah? Still single? But wasn’t she…?” Shen Yiqiu was a little slow to process this unexpected turn.
“I’m telling you all this because I want you to understand that all these years, all her admirers, men and women, she hasn’t been interested in any of them. And the Qin family might accept her being a reporter, but they won’t tolerate an unconventional relationship, understand?”
Finally reaching the most painful part of his story, the smile on Yuan Qi’s face disappeared, replaced by a deep sadness, past memories, no matter how beautiful, overshadowed by the pain of separation and rejection.
He had given his whole heart, only to receive a simple notification. He had been told that her family disapproved, that their clan couldn’t accept such a relationship, so they had to separate, at least for now.
He had been repeatedly reassured that it was only temporary, that he should wait. But Yuan Qi knew he was the one being abandoned.
Shen Yiqiu, thinking of the always smiling Aunt Wen, and Wen Shao Ze, who had initially annoyed her but whom she later found to be quite handsome and gentlemanly, couldn’t imagine how forceful Jiejie’s family could be.
The only one she thought might exert pressure was Qin Qianrou’s uncle. She recalled that dinner, he hadn’t spoken much, but every time he did, it was always about marriage and children, urging not only Wen Shao Ze but also Jiejie.
In comparison, her own cousin seemed much more agreeable.
Shen Yiqiu took the wine glass from Yuan Qi’s hand and poured him a cup of hot tea. He had already downed three glasses in a row; if this continued, he would definitely be drunk.
“I don’t think she’ll stay in Meng City much longer, she’ll eventually return to Hai City. This time, it won’t just be a simple job transfer, the Qin family will definitely arrange blind dates for her. She’s their precious daughter, they’ll want someone from a similar background.”
Yuan Qi looked at Shen Yiqiu meaningfully after saying this.
Xiao Qiu was a good child, it was just a shame she was a girl, and now orphaned. Even with him, her cousin, in front of the Qin family, he was nothing. When it came to suitable matches, Xiao Qiu wouldn’t even be considered.
Shen Yiqiu silently sipped her tea, not speaking, but she didn’t cry either.
Yuan Qi was startled by her unusual calmness, worried he had been too harsh.
“Cousin, I understand everything you’ve said. I knew from the beginning that Jiejie wasn’t an ordinary person, I just didn’t expect her to be so… extraordinary.”
Yuan Qi looked at her with concern. “Xiao Qiu, are you alright?”
At a time like this, you can still smile?
“I like her, simply because it’s her. External factors might impose many restrictions, but my heart won’t change.”
Stubborn, so incredibly stubborn, just like her father, who had dedicated his life to scientific research.
When Shen Zhifeng’s research had first yielded results, businessmen had come knocking, offering to buy his patents at a high price, much higher than the market value for similar research. At the time, it had only been preliminary results, and no one could predict the future potential, so having buyers was a good thing.
But Shen Zhifeng had refused without hesitation, smiling gently, yet his tone firm and unwavering.
Sending off wave after wave of businessmen, he had always said, “This isn’t why I do research.”
His original intention, his initial aspiration.
Time and tide wait for no man, and after the vicissitudes of life, how many people could truly hold onto their original aspirations?
Yuan Qi looked at her with heartache, not knowing what to say. He had said everything he could, even what he shouldn’t have. If Xiao Qiu still insisted, all he could do was silently support her.
He would provide a warm home for her, a safe haven if she ever got hurt. She wouldn’t have to wander the world like he had, seeking solace.
“Alright, since you’re so stubborn, I have nothing more to say. If she ever hurts you, remember you can always come cry to your cousin.” Yuan Qi patted his chest reassuringly.
Shen Yiqiu felt a surge of warmth. Her cousin was probably the first person to truly support her choice, even if he didn’t approve, at least he wasn’t obstructing her.
“Cousin, what… what kind of relationship did you and Jiejie have?”
Finally, she had the courage to ask this question.
Her heart raced, she almost forgot to breathe, every nuance of Yuan Qi’s expression observed intently, eagerly waiting, yet also afraid of the answer.
“Our relationship… it’s complicated. Difficult to explain, if she ever sees me, she’ll probably be angry.”
Yuan Qi stroked his mustache, his gaze deepening, as if recalling a distant past.
Shen Yiqiu looked down, saying nothing more.
“It’s getting late, let me take you home.”
Yuan Qi accompanied Shen Yiqiu as she hailed a taxi. Knowing Qin Qianrou wasn’t home, he boldly asked the driver to take them directly to her building. However, feeling slightly tipsy, he didn’t bother getting out of the car.
He rolled down the window, watching as Shen Yiqiu swiped her card to enter the building, and offered a few more reminders before telling the driver to leave.
In the quiet night, his low voice was clearly audible. Shen Yiqiu had to shush him, afraid the neighbors might complain about a drunk man causing a disturbance.
Stepping out of the elevator, Shen Yiqiu felt exhausted, truly drained.
There seemed to be someone outside her door, and Shen Yiqiu stopped cautiously. Before she could get a closer look, the strong, familiar scent of perfume revealed the visitor’s identity.
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