Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 77 p1

The situation at the television station was more complicated than they had anticipated. After the weekend, Lin Shuangzhi, following their plan, went to the city government, making one last attempt. As expected, the officials in charge were evasive and noncommittal.

Lin Shuangzhi was furious, but she couldn’t show it. She was disappointed, and also, as she had expected, it was a disaster.

Leaving the city government building, a light drizzle had started. Winter rain, not at all romantic, only intensified the damp coldness, and Lin Shuangzhi, her hands in her pockets, glanced at the gloomy sky, her heart heavy.

Tomorrow, she would go to the provincial government. Hopefully, the weather would improve, and hopefully, there would be a turning point.

She walked forward numbly, then suddenly stopped. Li Wan, holding an umbrella, was standing in the distance, seemingly waiting for her.

Lin Shuangzhi slowly walked over. “Why are you here?”

“I was worried you might be upset, unable to drive.”

Li Wan’s attitude towards her had softened slightly since that day at her apartment, and she had even messaged her this morning. Lin Shuangzhi hadn’t expected her to come in person.

Lin Shuangzhi took the umbrella from her, tilting it slightly towards Li Wan as they walked side by side. “I’m not that fragile, I was prepared for this.”

“It seems there were no pleasant surprises.”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed, her voice filled with disappointment. “No, just as I expected.”

Li Wan’s heart ached, knowing Lin Shuangzhi was going to the provincial government tomorrow.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal, just a few more trips, it’s not like you’ll lose an arm or a leg.”

Li Wan bit her lip, avoiding Lin Shuangzhi’s gaze, quickening her pace, and stepping out from under the umbrella.

Lin Shuangzhi was taken aback, unsure why she was suddenly angry, but afraid she might catch a cold in the rain, she hurried after her, holding the umbrella over her.

“Xiao Wan, wait for me, it’s raining harder now, don’t catch a cold.”

“Are you… concerned about me?”

Lin Shuangzhi nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I’m also concerned about you, but you don’t seem to care at all.”

Lin Shuangzhi thought for a moment, realizing she was referring to her earlier comment about “not losing an arm or a leg.”

“It was just a figure of speech, don’t take it literally.”

Li Wan, however, ignored her and said softly, “You think these things won’t happen, but you don’t know how ruthless those people can be. Haven’t you seen the news reports over the years? Those who persist in seeking justice, how many of them haven’t suffered?”

Both she and Lin Shuangzhi were experienced professionals at the television station, having handled many sensitive stories, some unsuitable for broadcast, but they were both aware of the dark underbelly of society.

“I won’t let anything happen to me.” Lin Shuangzhi’s tone was serious, no longer pretending to be nonchalant.

Li Wan sighed helplessly, she couldn’t do anything more.

“I hope you can keep your word.”

Qin Qianrou, after learning about the situation, decided to extend her leave by two days, which meant more time in Meng City. However, she actually spent less time with Shen Yiqiu, which Shen Yiqiu understood and fully supported.

Wen Yirong had asked Qin Qianrou if she needed any help from the family. Qin Qianrou hesitated, then decided against involving them for now. Her grandfather’s health wasn’t good, and knowing about this would only worry him further.

Wen Shao Ze had called her a few times, but some things couldn’t be discussed over the phone.

“Qianrou, I’m going to Meng City tomorrow, there’s been some progress with the information you asked me to look into.”

“Okay.”

After saying this, Wen Shao Ze seemed hesitant to end the call.

“Anything else?”

“That… I’ve decided to talk to him.”

Qin Qianrou immediately knew who he was referring to, she hadn’t contacted Yuan Qi since learning about his relationship with Shen Yiqiu.

“Have you thought this through?”

Wen Shao Ze paused, then said firmly, “I have, instead of waiting in the shadows, it’s better to face him directly.”

“Since you’ve made up your mind, then I wish you all the best.”

The matter between Yuan Qi and Wen Shao Ze was complicated, a history spanning many years, and they hadn’t been in contact during that time. Yuan Qi’s current feelings were unknown.

Qin Qianrou had probed, and it seemed Shen Yiqiu didn’t know about the relationship between Yuan Qi and Wen Shao Ze, she had even been vague about her own relationship with Yuan Qi. Qin Qianrou decided not to bring up their past, respecting Yuan Qi’s decision.

If he wanted to talk about it, he would tell Shen Yiqiu himself.

Qin Qianrou had taken a week’s leave to stay in Meng City, but she hadn’t gone to the television station, and even Li Wan had taken two days off. With the major personnel changes underway, apart from the regular programs, everything else was practically at a standstill, and many people weren’t focused on their work.

Li Wan, hugging a pillow, sat on Qin Qianrou’s sofa.

“I offered to go with her today, but she refused, I don’t know why she’s being so stubborn!”

Qin Qianrou took a sip of tea, “You going with her wouldn’t have helped, she doesn’t want you there, she doesn’t want to involve you.”

“If she gets into trouble, how can I just stand by and do nothing? I’ve already prepared myself, if nothing else works, I’ll ask my father to intervene.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t surprised, it was Li Wan’s unusual calmness these past two days that was more concerning.

“What, is your relationship better now?”

Li Wan, preoccupied with Lin Shuangzhi’s situation, didn’t think before blurting out, “Not really.”

Then, realizing what she had just said, she quickly added, trying to cover it up, “It wasn’t that bad before either, pretty much the same as always.”

The more she tried to explain, the more suspicious it seemed.

“Did something happen while I was away?”

Li Wan’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she avoided her friend’s gaze, her chin resting on the soft pillow. Qin Qianrou, seeing her shyness, was lost in thought.

She had sensed the strange tension between Li Wan and the team leader but couldn’t figure out what had happened, now it seemed it wasn’t as simple as she had thought.

Li Wan gathered her courage and looked up, “The team leader and I… slept together.”

A crack appeared in Qin Qianrou’s usually calm and composed facade, she hadn’t expected this.

Li Wan looked away uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on a potted plant in the distance.

“Don’t ask me why, I don’t know why either, perhaps the moon was too beautiful that night, the night was too enchanting, I wasn’t myself.”

Qin Qianrou gently placed her hand on Li Wan’s, not asking any further questions.

They had been friends for many years, and although Li Wan was usually boisterous, bold, and proactive, when it came to relationships, she was serious and cautious.

Even during her university years, deeply in love, her relationship with Zhuo Cheng hadn’t gone beyond kissing, he had made advances, but Li Wan had always held firm to her boundaries.

Thankfully, Zhuo Cheng had respected her decision and hadn’t pressured her further. Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected Li Wan and the team leader, their relationship still undefined, to have taken such a significant step.

“Are you surprised?” Li Wan didn’t sound triumphant at all, her tone hesitant. “Even I find it unbelievable, but it just… happened.”

“The team leader, she also… likes women?”

Li Wan shook her head. “I don’t know, she hasn’t said anything.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her, puzzled. “Then what’s your current situation…?”

“Our current situation? Same as always. Just slept together once, nothing’s changed.”

Li Wan’s tone was casual, as if she didn’t care, but Qin Qianrou could clearly see the concern and disappointment hidden within.

“After this matter at the station is resolved, find a chance to talk to the team leader, I don’t think she’s a casual person.”

Although she didn’t understand why Lin Shuangzhi would suddenly take such a step with Li Wan, after years of working together, Qin Qianrou didn’t think the team leader was frivolous.

“I thought so too, but it might be difficult now.”

“Why?”

Li Wan shifted the pillow in her arms and said worriedly, “That day, she also told me, if she loses her position at the station, she’ll just go home and inherit the family business.”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t known about Lin Shuangzhi’s background before, the team leader rarely mentioned her family, she rarely even talked about her hometown, Yong City.

“I only realized that day how little I actually know about her.”

Qin Qianrou thought that if the team leader really went home, they would be separated by distance.

“Although Yong City is a bit far, transportation isn’t a problem, and besides, the situation might not be that dire. If you want to protect her, you can.”

Simply preventing her from being promoted, keeping her in her current position, Li Wan could probably manage that.

Li Wan sighed again. “She’s incredibly stubborn, she refuses to let me help.”

Qin Qianrou understood; Lin Shuangzhi wanted to handle this alone, she didn’t want to implicate Li Wan.

“That’s just how she is.”

Li Wan had initially been angry, but after thinking about it, she understood her intentions.

“She’s so foolish, wanting to protect me, can’t she understand my feelings?”

You want to protect me, but don’t you think I care about you too?

Li Wan wanted to knock some sense into Lin Shuangzhi.

Qin Qianrou didn’t have much experience offering relationship advice, all she could do was listen.

“By the way, how are things with Shen Yiqiu? Have you… slept together yet?”

With Shen Yiqiu at school, and just the two of them at home, Li Wan was less guarded in her speech.

Qin Qianrou glared at her, not answering.

“So you haven’t.”

Li Wan took a sip of tea, clearing her throat, as if preparing for a speech.

“Qianrou, listen to my advice, as someone with experience, if you’re planning on… doing it, you absolutely have to be prepared.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t interested in this topic, but Li Wan was speaking so earnestly, she couldn’t rudely interrupt her.

“Firstly, you have to remind Shen Yiqiu to trim her nails. Secondly, take it slow, don’t rush, don’t just… fumble around cluelessly. And lastly, absolutely remember, aftercare is crucial, you have to comfort her.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, they had discussed such things before, but applied to herself, it still felt strange.

But Li Wan’s serious tone, her increasing fervor, made Qin Qianrou realize this was probably a lesson learned from personal experience.

“It seems your experience wasn’t very pleasant.”

“It was a disaster.” Li Wan thought that if it weren’t for the alcohol that night, she would have kicked Lin Shuangzhi out of bed.

She had thought, even if not a pro, at least she would be somewhat experienced, who knew she wasn’t even a beginner?

She sighed, she had been a blank slate, and encountering a complete novice, she didn’t know whether it was fortunate or unfortunate.

“Take it slow, practice makes perfect.”

 

Chapter 76

Lunch was a feast. Shen Yiqiu had diligently prepared several home-style dishes that Li Wan had previously praised, the ingredients fresh, the cooking perfect. However, unlike before, Li Wan didn’t offer her usual detailed commentary.

It wasn’t because the food wasn’t good; on the contrary, it was exceptionally delicious today. But the topic of their discussion was too heavy, no one was in the mood for lighthearted banter. Shen Yiqiu, seeing their serious expressions, couldn’t help but worry.

But her abilities were limited, she couldn’t offer much help. She vaguely heard them talking about the station’s restructuring, seemingly related to Dongsheng Group. She had already told Qin Qianrou everything she knew about Shao Qidong.

However, that man was cunning and resourceful, his numerous businesses providing cover, without concrete evidence, there was no way to touch him. Qin Qianrou had already made inquiries with the Economic Investigation Brigade, and there were no promising leads.

She had thought He Chao’s imprisonment would serve as a warning to Shao Qidong, to make him more cautious, but villains never changed their ways, and he was now extending his reach to the television station. If things continued as they were, there would be no hope for Meng City Television’s programs in the future.

Shen Yiqiu’s thoughts drifted to the dark period of her past life. She hadn’t lived alone for long after her parents’ death, those two years as an orphan filled with torment and hardship, never a single day of peace or warmth, let alone the current reality of sitting in a bright, spacious, and comfortable apartment, enjoying a meal with the person she loved.

It felt like an unreal dream, yet it was truly happening. But now, because of Shao Qidong’s despicable actions, it seemed that dark period was about to return, how could she not worry?

Lost in thought, Shen Yiqiu also fell silent. The four of them sat at the dining table, the only sound the clinking of their chopsticks, the silence unsettling.

Qin Qianrou placed a spare rib in Shen Yiqiu’s bowl and softly said, “Don’t space out, eat your food.”

The team leader and Li Wan’s serious expressions were understandable, but there was no need for Shen Yiqiu to be worried as well. Qin Qianrou was afraid it would affect her health, but she couldn’t say too much in front of others.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t think much of it, put down her chopsticks, and started peeling shrimp. Soon, several peeled shrimp appeared in Qin Qianrou’s bowl.

“You eat too.” Shen Yiqiu pushed the small dish of soy sauce closer to Qin Qianrou and smiled at her.

Qin Qianrou enjoyed fish and shrimp, but the bones and shells were a hassle. Due to her work, she rarely had time for a proper meal. Since Shen Yiqiu arrived, such dishes had become more frequent.

But having someone peel shrimp for her, this was a first.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t a demanding person like some other girls, she wouldn’t make unreasonable requests to test her partner’s affection, but women in love all enjoyed being pampered and cherished, and although Shen Yiqiu’s gesture wasn’t unique, it still warmed her heart.

Since confirming their relationship, she found herself increasingly enamored with this child. Shen Yiqiu’s smallest actions could make her heart flutter, she wanted to reward her with a kiss, but she restrained herself.

Li Wan, observing their affectionate exchange, silently felt a pang of envy, but she didn’t tease them like she usually did.

Her lips curved into a bitter smile, a mix of self-pity and longing. Her longtime friend had finally found love, while she remained alone.

The excitement she had felt earlier was now replaced by a deep loneliness. Li Wan sighed inwardly and focused on her food. Lin Shuangzhi glanced at her a few times, but Li Wan didn’t react.

Either she hadn’t noticed, or she didn’t want to.

Lunch ended in a quiet atmosphere. Shen Yiqiu made them fresh tea and invited them to the living room to rest.

Watching her efficiently clearing the table, Li Wan couldn’t help but exclaim, “Qianrou, you’ve trained her well, your little one is truly capable now, completely independent.”

Qin Qianrou knew Li Wan was teasing her, but she still played along, “She’s truly amazing, the household practically runs on her now.”

“Tsk, tsk, in such a short time, you’ve been completely conquered. Don’t forget who’s the head of the household, don’t let her completely control you, otherwise, you’ll lose your dominance, you’ll be at her mercy.”

Qin Qianrou understood, but she didn’t care about dominance or control. In her mind, two people liking each other, living together, supporting each other, that was the meaning of life.

“This is also Shen Yiqiu’s home.”

Li Wan hadn’t expected Qin Qianrou’s acceptance of Shen Yiqiu to have reached this point. Then, she thought, it made sense, if Qin Qianrou wasn’t truly in love, if she didn’t intend to build a future with her, with her personality, she wouldn’t have entered such a relationship so readily.

Li Wan’s envy intensified.

Lin Shuangzhi had been quietly sipping her tea, not participating in their conversation, but they hadn’t deliberately excluded her either, which meant both Qin Qianrou and Li Wan trusted her.

Li Wan’s words echoed in Lin Shuangzhi’s mind, although she had been advising Qin Qianrou, Lin Shuangzhi could clearly hear her true feelings.

She also heard the loneliness and sadness in Li Wan’s voice, even a hint of… pain.

She thought, Perhaps Xiao Wan regrets it now, regrets going home with me that night.

Then, they continued discussing their strategy, and after two hours, they finally reached a preliminary agreement. Although not the ideal outcome, it was the most effective solution they could think of for now.

Li Wan, feeling tired, stood up to leave.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

Li Wan smiled and pointed towards Shen Yiqiu’s room, “I can’t impose on your little one any further, one meal is enough.”

Shen Yiqiu, hearing they were about to leave, put down her book and emerged from her room. She overheard Li Wan’s polite words and quickly said, “It’s no trouble at all, there’s still plenty of food left from lunch.”

“Thank you, but I shouldn’t intrude on your precious time with Qianrou. She’s tired from her trip, you should take good care of her.”

Li Wan was leaving, and Lin Shuangzhi naturally wouldn’t stay behind. However, they stood in the elevator, silent, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

Reaching the first floor, they walked out of the building, one after the other. Li Wan hadn’t driven, and Lin Shuangzhi’s car was parked in the visitor’s parking lot nearby. Seeing Li Wan walking towards the complex gate, Lin Shuangzhi quickened her pace and caught up with her.

“Xiao Wan, where are you going? I’ll drive you.”

Li Wan slowed down, the wind quite strong today. She tightened her coat and casually said, “I haven’t decided yet.”

Lin Shuangzhi, hearing this, didn’t know how to respond, but she didn’t leave either.

Li Wan, seeing her still standing there, tilted her head and looked at her with a smile. “Are you planning to stand here and wait for my answer?”

Lin Shuangzhi’s eyes held that familiar look of helplessness and resignation, which Li Wan had previously interpreted as the team leader’s good nature, but now, she sensed something different.

She straightened up, facing the cold wind, and took a deep breath.

She thought she must be seeing things, how could she possibly detect a hint of… affection in the team leader’s eyes?

It must be the earlier scene at Qianrou’s place, triggering a compensatory fantasy, making her have such unrealistic expectations.

“Let’s think about it in the car.”

Hmm? What does that mean?

Li Wan blinked, confused, just as Lin Shuangzhi turned to leave.

“It’s windy today, if you haven’t decided where to go yet, I can drive around while you think about it.”

Li Wan understood now, Lin Shuangzhi was insisting on driving her home.

Looking at her slender back, Li Wan wanted to be stubborn, but she figured there was no point.

They were both adults, being difficult wouldn’t benefit her, and it was truly windy today, if she insisted on standing here, she would only end up with a runny nose and a red face.

There was no need for that, a free ride wasn’t a bad thing.

Li Wan got into the car, but Lin Shuangzhi didn’t immediately drive away.

She was truly, as she had said, waiting.

“Why aren’t you driving?”

“You haven’t told me where you want to go.”

Li Wan instinctively wanted to say, Just take me home, but she suddenly felt reluctant to end their time together, she was truly conflicted.

Lin Shuangzhi’s hand rested on the steering wheel, as if finding an anchor, tightening and loosening its grip repeatedly.

“How about… inviting me to your place?”

Lin Shuangzhi almost lost her grip on the steering wheel, the surprise on her face making Li Wan slightly embarrassed.

Perhaps she hadn’t expected anyone to actually invite themselves over again, and Li Wan, after saying it, also felt she had been a bit impulsive.

Just as she was about to change her mind, Lin Shuangzhi started the car and drove away.

“No need to drive so fast.” They weren’t in a hurry, there was no urgent matter, no need to speed.

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t slow down, instead calmly reassuring her, “I’m not speeding, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Li Wan couldn’t argue with her, so she just sat there quietly, fidgeting with her seatbelt, then said, her tone slightly defiant, “Do you have some precious treasure at home?”

Lin Shuangzhi chuckled, “I’m afraid that if I drive too slowly, you might change your mind and not want to go.”

This made Li Wan speechless.

This was Li Wan’s second visit to Lin Shuangzhi’s home. Compared to her hurried arrival and departure the first time, she had more time to observe her surroundings now.

Standing in the middle of the living room, the minimalist decor made it seem like the owner was in the process of moving.

“Have a seat, what would you like to drink?”

“Something warm.”

Whether it was because of the previous incident, or her recent emotional turmoil, Li Wan had been feeling some discomfort in her lower abdomen, as if her period was about to start early.

Lin Shuangzhi bustled about in the kitchen for a while, then emerged with two cups.

Li Wan looked down and sniffed, ginger tea?

“It’s a bit chilly today, this will warm you up.”

Li Wan took a slow sip and, gesturing towards her surroundings, said, “Your decorating style is… unique. Has anyone ever told you it looks like you live in a cave?”

Lin Shuangzhi admitted frankly, “You’re the first.”

Li Wan took another sip; the tea was quite good.

“Then I must be too critical.”

Lin Shuangzhi looked at her intently, then sighed softly, “You’re the only one who’s ever been here.”

Li Wan almost dropped her cup, she quickly placed it on the coffee table and smoothed her hair, trying to maintain her composure.

She suddenly recalled that night, being pressed against the door by Lin Shuangzhi, the heat, her lingering scent, the team leader’s husky voice in her ear.

She had said, “Xiao Wan, you’re the first.”

Li Wan discreetly glanced at Lin Shuangzhi, who didn’t seem to remember, and she breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a pang of sadness.

“Team Leader, have you… been planning this for a while?” Li Wan decided to change the subject, she had been wanting to ask, but the timing hadn’t been right.

“Yes, I’ve had a feeling ever since returning from the city government.”

“Willing to risk your career?”

“I have no other choice.”

Li Wan fell silent, Lin Shuangzhi’s decision couldn’t have been impulsive, she understood the implications better than anyone, what she stood to lose.

“Alright, you’re a guest, no need to discuss such serious matters. We’ve been talking for hours, aren’t you tired?”

“Then what should we talk about?”

Lin Shuangzhi seemed at a loss, she wasn’t good at making small talk.

Li Wan, knowing her personality, chuckled softly and didn’t press the issue.

Li Wan stood up, and Lin Shuangzhi, thinking she was about to leave, also stood up nervously, her hands fidgeting by her sides.

Li Wan, seeing this, felt a pang of sympathy.

“Can I… take a look around?”

“Of course.”

Li Wan walked around the dining room, the living room, and the balcony, then, after a moment of hesitation, headed towards the bedroom. That night, she had barely been able to see, she had been carried inside.

The bed was neatly made, the bedsheets seemingly the same as that night. She didn’t know if Lin Shuangzhi had multiple sets of the same bedding, or if she had simply washed and reused them.

Li Wan’s gaze slowly swept across the room, finally settling on a display cabinet by the wall.

Inside the glass doors, on four shelves, were a few carefully arranged items.

Each one exquisite and unique, although she didn’t know their meaning, being displayed in Lin Shuangzhi’s bedroom meant they were definitely not ordinary trinkets.

On the middle shelf was a vase, short and stout, not particularly beautiful, but clearly handmade.

Li Wan recognized it; she had made it herself after completing her internship under Lin Shuangzhi’s guidance. She had insisted on giving it to her, but Lin Shuangzhi had refused, joking that it would make people think she was playing favorites.

Although they both knew it was just a joke, Li Wan now understood the team leader’s intention back then, she had been afraid of people gossiping about Li Wan, a newcomer, using connections to advance her career. Even a small gift could become a source of rumors.

That night, in the dim light, Li Wan, lying in bed, had noticed the vase, but she hadn’t seen it clearly, and she had left hurriedly the next morning. Seeing it clearly now, she didn’t know how to feel.

“I didn’t expect you to still have it.”

Lin Shuangzhi, standing behind her, her voice gentle and filled with fondness, “I like it very much.”

Li Wan opened the cabinet and took out the vase.

“I just made it randomly back then. I ruined several before finally making one that was… presentable. Then I vowed to just give you whatever I made, regardless of how it turned out.”

So, the short, stout vase had ended up on Lin Shuangzhi’s display shelf.

“It’s unique.”

Li Wan turned and glared at her, clearly dissatisfied with this description.

Seeing that she was still holding the vase, Lin Shuangzhi gently took it from her and carefully placed it back on the shelf.

“You really like this vase?” Li Wan silently watched her actions, she hadn’t expected Lin Shuangzhi to treasure a random gift for so many years.

“How could I not like a gift from you?”

Li Wan was speechless, her breath catching in her throat.

She turned away, walking around the bedroom again, carefully avoiding the bed.

“Don’t you feel lonely living here alone?”

Li Wan felt the decor in the team leader’s apartment was too cold and empty, even more so than Qin Qianrou’s.

Qin Qianrou’s home, with Shen Yiqiu’s presence, although the furniture remained the same, the atmosphere was different, a constant warmth that made her cheeks flush.

But here, it still felt cold and lonely.

“That’s why I often work late, by the time I get home, I just shower and go to bed, I don’t have time to feel lonely.”

Li Wan shook her head and returned to the living room.

“You’re deliberately making things difficult for yourself.”

Lin Shuangzhi seemed more relaxed today, more talkative than usual.

“I just want to achieve more, otherwise I’ll have to pack up and go home.”

“What, to inherit the family fortune?”

Li Wan looked at her teasingly, and Lin Shuangzhi nodded seriously. “Not exactly a fortune, but there’s some inheritance.”

“So you’re a rich heiress, my apologies.”

They joked with each other, the atmosphere finally easing.

Seeing Li Wan’s usual cheerful demeanor, Lin Shuangzhi’s heart lightened.

“Team Leader, I remember you’re from Yong City, right?”

“Sort of.”

“Then why haven’t I ever seen you visit Yong City?”

“I’m busy with work, and besides, there’s nothing for me there.”

Li Wan felt something was amiss, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

Lin Shuangzhi had been observing her, she knew that, but she wasn’t ready to respond yet.

“Actually, I’m from Meng City.”

Li Wan choked, surprised.

“I was found abandoned at the entrance of the Meng City orphanage, on a cold, frosty night.”

**

After her guests left, Qin Qianrou sat on the sofa for a long time, the documents still spread out before her, a reminder of their earlier discussion.

Shen Yiqiu sat beside her, not disturbing her, just quietly accompanying her.

Qin Qianrou leaned against Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, still silent.

Her long hair cascaded down, covering half her face, and Shen Yiqiu carefully tucked it behind her ear, gently smoothing the strands.

“I suddenly feel so tired.”

“From work?”

“Mm, and a little… disappointed.”

This was the first time Qin Qianrou had so openly expressed her feelings about work. The usually positive and determined Reporter Qin, it seemed, also had moments of vulnerability and uncertainty.

Shen Yiqiu held her closer, gently swaying, and said, “Shao Qidong is cunning and underhanded, he’s only temporarily gaining the upper hand.”

“But I’m still angry.” Qin Qianrou’s tone was almost childish.

Shen Yiqiu kissed her forehead and chuckled, “A kiss, and the anger is gone.”

Qin Qianrou wrapped her arms around Shen Yiqiu’s waist, holding her even closer.

She didn’t want to rehash the serious discussion she had just had with the team leader and Li Wan, she didn’t want to involve Shen Yiqiu in the complexities of the television station’s internal struggles, but her heart was in turmoil, different from before.

She now had someone to lean on, someone to listen to her rambling and venting, someone who allowed her to be herself, without pretense or forced composure.

“Thank you.” Qin Qianrou buried her face in Shen Yiqiu’s embrace, her arms tightening around her slender waist.

Such a slender body, a university student ten years younger than her, a seemingly improbable relationship, yet Qin Qianrou felt increasingly secure.

Their discussion today hadn’t been smooth, although Lin Shuangzhi had come prepared, the plan she presented had long been formulated in her mind, all she needed was Li Wan and Qin Qianrou’s understanding and cooperation.

But Qin Qianrou still felt frustrated, for Lin Shuangzhi, and also angered by the influence of money and power. However, for now, they could only endure.

Shen Yiqiu hadn’t participated in their discussion, she hadn’t even interrupted them, but she had made Qin Qianrou feel her presence, her support.

“There’s no need for thanks between us.” Shen Yiqiu held Qin Qianrou as if she was a precious treasure, her touch gentle and affectionate.

“Then what should I say?” Qin Qianrou looked up, her head still nestled against Shen Yiqiu.

“What do you think?” Shen Yiqiu smiled and gently tilted her chin upwards.

Jiejie is so beautiful, a natural beauty, every feature so captivating.

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you.”

Qin Qianrou’s mood lifted, and Shen Yiqiu was delighted. Like two children, they started playing a guessing game.

Chapter 75

Qin Qianrou woke up feeling warm. The heating in the room was on full blast, but Meng City wasn’t a dry northern city. Winter mornings always had a period of damp coldness, and Qin Qianrou would usually burrow deeper under the covers.

But today was different. Behind her was a small, portable heater, radiating warmth continuously. She unconsciously shifted, wanting to escape the heat, but the moment her shoulder touched a cool spot, she was pulled back, the arm around her waist tightening, as if afraid she might escape.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t fully awake yet and found this clinginess slightly uncomfortable. She let out a soft groan, struggling a little more.

“Don’t go.” A sleepy murmur, even more muffled than hers, made Qin Qianrou realize the source of the heat.

Being at home, her mood lighter, her body more relaxed, her sleeping posture had also become less restrained, more natural than during those two nights in the hotel. Shen Yiqiu was holding her tightly, her head nestled against Qin Qianrou’s neck, her warm breaths tickling her skin.

“I’m hot.” Qin Qianrou complained softly.

Shen Yiqiu, still half-asleep, slightly loosened her hold, allowing Qin Qianrou to turn around, but she didn’t release her. Qin Qianrou had to pull the blanket down a little to cool down.

Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, her phone on the nightstand started buzzing. Afraid of waking the person beside her, Qin Qianrou reached for her phone, intending to get out of bed, but she was pulled back into a warm embrace.

“Don’t go.” The sleepy murmur came again, slightly louder than before, but just as clingy and soft.

Qin Qianrou looked back at the person, her eyes still closed, holding the phone in one hand, gently stroking Shen Yiqiu’s hair with the other.

She stopped struggling and leaned against the headboard, answering the phone, “Team Leader.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s voice was also slightly hoarse, but not from sleep, more like she hadn’t slept at all.

“Sorry to wake you so early, Qianrou.”

“It’s alright, what is it?”

Lin Shuangzhi calling at this hour couldn’t be a personal matter. Qin Qianrou was now fully awake, but her voice remained low, afraid of waking the person beside her.

“Are you free today?”

“I have time.”

Lin Shuangzhi hesitated briefly, then said, “Xiao Wan probably told you about the situation at the station. I thought we should discuss our strategy this weekend. It’s not a good time for you to return to the station yet, I’ll handle things next week.”

Qin Qianrou had also returned for this matter, although she wanted to spend more time with Shen Yiqiu, work took priority.

“Okay, tell me the time and place.”

“Is 9 am okay? At your place, if that’s convenient.”

Qin Qianrou was taken aback, 9 am was fine, but she hadn’t expected the meeting to be held at her apartment. Even if not at a restaurant or cafe, it should be at the team leader’s place.

Come to think of it, no one on the team had ever been to the team leader’s home. She was always working overtime, practically the last to leave. She would generously treat them to meals and drinks for celebrations, but she had never invited anyone over.

“Is that… inconvenient?”

Qin Qianrou collected her thoughts, glanced at the person beside her, who was now rubbing her eyes, and said, “It’s fine, see you then.”

After hanging up, Shen Yiqiu was also awake. She slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard beside Qin Qianrou.

“Do you have to go out today?”

“No.”

Shen Yiqiu was puzzled, she had clearly heard something about 9 am earlier.

“The team leader and Xiao Wan are coming over to discuss some things, they’ll be here at 9 am.”

Shen Yiqiu blinked and responded with a simple “Oh.”

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, her gaze fixed on Shen Yiqiu’s face. As expected, a few seconds later, she finally realized the implications.

“Ah? Coming here at 9 am?” Shen Yiqiu grabbed her phone from the nightstand to check the time.

“It’s almost 7 am.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled, seeing her sudden panic.

“They’re coming to discuss work, why are you so anxious?”

Shen Yiqiu, however, oblivious to Qin Qianrou’s teasing, was mentally calculating the time, worried she wouldn’t be able to finish everything in time.

“You’re discussing work, and I have to be in charge of your meals.”

Qin Qianrou’s smile faded slightly, “You’re on break, you should rest, no need to go to so much trouble, we can order takeout, they don’t mind.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, explained earnestly, “Jiejie, I don’t mind the effort.”

She recalled how, whenever her father’s colleagues came over to work overtime, her mother would always bustle about, preparing food and drinks, taking care of them, not to save money on takeout, but to make them feel comfortable and energized.

“We can order takeout anytime, but Chef Shen’s culinary skills are a rare treat.”

Shen Yiqiu’s playful boasting made Qin Qianrou chuckle, but she knew it wasn’t just for show.

“I’m just worried you’ll tire yourself out, you have classes, and you’re still making food for us on weekends.”

In Qin Qianrou’s mind, preparing a meal wasn’t an easy task, especially having cooked with Shen Yiqiu before, she was even more impressed by her skills.

“I’ll make sure you can focus on your work, I can’t let you eat takeout even when you’re home.”

Shen Yiqiu, slightly anxious, gave Qin Qianrou a quick kiss on the cheek, then hurried to the bathroom to get ready. Watching her retreating figure, Qin Qianrou leaned against the headboard, a warmth spreading through her chest.

Shen Yiqiu had brought this home to life, not just because of her presence, her companionship, but also the warmth of being cared for.

She had someone now, someone who took care of her, so even when colleagues came over for work, they didn’t have to suffer through takeout, this was fundamentally different from battling it out in the office. Shen Yiqiu taking on this responsibility touched Qin Qianrou deeply.

This was more heartwarming than any expensive jewelry or extravagant gifts, Shen Yiqiu, with these small, everyday gestures, had captured her heart completely.

**

When Qin Qianrou emerged from the bathroom, breakfast was already on the table, and Shen Yiqiu, a piece of toast in her mouth, was about to leave.

“Jiejie, I’m going to the supermarket, I just remembered we need a few things, you eat your breakfast, I’ll be back soon.”

Always rushing, the tenderness in Qin Qianrou’s eyes deepened as she watched Shen Yiqiu hurrying away.

Li Wan arrived before Lin Shuangzhi and ran into Shen Yiqiu returning from the supermarket downstairs. She helped her carry two of the grocery bags, jokingly calling it her “weekend overtime perk.”

Shen Yiqiu busied herself in the kitchen, and Lin Shuangzhi called, saying she needed to retrieve some documents from the station and would be there in about fifteen minutes. So, Li Wan chatted with Qin Qianrou in the living room.

“I thought you would be coming with the team leader.”

Li Wan leaned against the back of the sofa, her spirits low.

“I live here, she lives at her place, why would we come together?”

Qin Qianrou was puzzled, it wasn’t about where they lived. She had thought the team leader would pick Li Wan up, after all, hadn’t she said that before hanging up?

“The team leader told me she would pick you up.”

Li Wan was taken aback, staring at Qin Qianrou in disbelief. “Really?”

Qin Qianrou nodded, she wasn’t so incompetent as to misunderstand such a simple statement.

Li Wan’s expression was a mix of emotions, her spirits sinking even further.

“What’s wrong?”

Li Wan sighed heavily. “She did ask me this morning if I needed a ride, and I said no.”

Qin Qianrou understood, so she had rejected the offer herself.

But then, she thought, Doesn’t Xiao Wan like the team leader? Why would she refuse a chance to spend more time with her?

Since being in a relationship, Qin Qianrou had become more perceptive.

“Did something happen between you two…?”

Li Wan fidgeted, unconsciously shifting in her seat, then playing with her hair.

“Just… nothing, really, same as always.”

This was as good as saying nothing at all.

Li Wan couldn’t even look at Qin Qianrou, her voice lacking conviction, whether she was telling the truth or not.

The soreness between her legs had only subsided two days ago, but whenever she thought of Lin Shuangzhi, the memories of that night resurfaced, every touch, every sensation, so vivid.

It was agonizing, just the memories alone were enough to make her lose her composure, how could she possibly remain calm in front of the real person?

So, these past few days, she had been subconsciously avoiding Lin Shuangzhi.

She thought, Even if I see her, it would only be a polite inquiry about my… condition. It’s better to avoid her, at least until I can regain my composure.

Qin Qianrou knew Li Wan too well, her current behavior was unusual, and she had been mentioning Lin Shuangzhi less frequently lately. Qin Qianrou had initially thought their relationship would progress during her training program.

Now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Xiao Wan, did something happen to upset you?”

For the usually brave and straightforward Li Wan to become like this, it was likely a relationship setback.

A fleeting sadness flashed across Li Wan’s face, quickly masked.

She looked around and said casually, “Why would I be upset? If anything, Director Yu being promoted to be my superior is the most upsetting thing lately.”

Changing the subject back to work, Qin Qianrou knew Li Wan didn’t want to discuss her relationship. Her current demeanor was a stark contrast to her earlier excitement and eagerness, sharing details of her after-work drinks and movie date with Lin Shuangzhi, and Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but worry.

Just as she was thinking about how to offer comfort, Li Wan suddenly asked, “What stage have you and Shen Yiqiu reached?”

“What?”

Li Wan leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and whispered, “You know, that stage?”

Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she pushed Li Wan away.

“Why are you so nosy?”

“I’m always nosy, you’re just realizing this now?”

Li Wan stared at Qin Qianrou, a smile playing on her lips, seeing the usually aloof and composed reporter blush.

This was a rare sight.

She glanced towards the kitchen, Shen Yiqiu, in a sweatshirt, was busy preparing food, seemingly unaware of their conversation.

This little one, not bad.

**

After Lin Shuangzhi arrived, Li Wan became strictly business. Qin Qianrou, observing them discreetly, realized the situation was more serious than she had thought.

It wasn’t that their relationship hadn’t progressed; it had regressed significantly.

However, none of them were prone to emotional outbursts, and once the conversation shifted to work, the atmosphere became more harmonious.

“There have been frequent meetings at the station lately, the management team restructuring has already begun, and it will gradually affect department heads, then key personnel.” Lin Shuangzhi paused, then continued, “You should all be prepared.”

Li Wan scoffed, “‘Restructuring’ sounds nice, but it’s just a euphemism for a major shakeup. Who’s behind this, trying to turn the entire station into their mouthpiece?”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t said much, but she was also deep in thought.

“Xiao Wan, the situation is indeed serious, so we can’t follow the usual procedures.”

Qin Qianrou sensed the underlying meaning in her words and was slightly surprised. “Team Leader, are you planning to…?”

“I’ve already gone to the city government, I’ve spoken to the relevant officials, it’s not just Director Yu, there are other questionable appointments as well, but the feedback wasn’t promising, so I have to escalate this further.”

Now, even Li Wan was worried.

“Escalating this further will involve more people, and they might not even listen to you. Although Meng City Television has some influence, it’s not significant enough for personnel changes to warrant a report to the provincial government.”

Moreover, doing this was a huge risk for Lin Shuangzhi’s career. Even if she succeeded, higher management might not view her favorably, they might see her as a rebellious and uncontrollable element.

And if she failed, the consequences were even more dire, her years of hard work and her established reputation would be ruined. Even if she transferred to another station, there would be repercussions.

Thinking of Lin Shuangzhi, working alone late into the night, countless times, Li Wan’s eyes burned, and she felt a lump forming in her throat.

Before Qin Qianrou could offer any comfort, a tissue appeared before her. She looked up and saw Lin Shuangzhi’s calm yet subtly emotional gaze.

She took the tissue, but still insisted, “I’m not crying, do you think I’m that easily moved?”

Lin Shuangzhi chuckled softly, her smile more strained than usual.

“I wanted to discuss my plans with you today, what I’ll do if I succeed, or if I fail.”

Qin Qianrou and Li Wan exchanged glances, it seemed Lin Shuangzhi had already made up her mind.

“Team Leader, I admire your courage, but I have to say, you should reconsider this carefully, once you take action, it might cause even more trouble.”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t seem concerned. “I’ve been your team leader for so many years, don’t you think I understand this? Haven’t I said the same thing to you every time you came to me with your project proposals?”

And did you listen? You persisted anyway.

“I’m not some hero or savior, I’m just doing what I think is right. Think about it, if those people really take over, will there still be a place for our team? It might not even be long before our team ceases to exist. There will be no more investigative journalism, no more employees who dare to challenge those in power, no more reporters the public can trust and rely on.”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed, as if asking, Is that the outcome you want to see?

Li Wan was silent for a moment, then said, “Let me do it, my father has some connections, it might be easier for me to approach them.”

Regardless of who took action, the outcome of the matter itself was uncertain, but for the person involved, there was only one possible outcome: a negative one.

Whoever went, would suffer the consequences.

“Team Leader, Xiao Wan, I’m the one who’s been in charge of most of our programs, proposing ideas and following up on them, I’m the one who’s been causing trouble for the directors, so…”

“So, no more arguments, I’m the team leader, we’ll do things my way.”

Li Wan looked at her intently, trying to decipher her expression.

But she was still as calm and composed as always, a hint of weariness in her eyes, just like her usual overworked self at the office.

But Li Wan had seen another side of her, the passionate and unrestrained side, the one who whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

Damn it, just thinking about it made Li Wan instinctively cross her legs. Thankfully, the table was high and sturdy, no one noticed her reaction.

Shen Yiqiu brought some snacks from the kitchen and refilled their teacups.

“Lunch will take a while, have some of these first.”

Lin Shuangzhi, afraid the other two might try to stop her, took the snack box and, as she opened it, said, “Shen Yiqiu has good taste, this brand is quite good, I always keep some at home.”

This brand was indeed good quality, slightly expensive, but worth it, it was just that the packaging was difficult to open.

Lin Shuangzhi struggled with it for a while, and Shen Yiqiu, passing by, took it from her.

She opened it effortlessly, making Lin Shuangzhi slightly embarrassed. Shen Yiqiu, oblivious, her attention still on the box, said,

“This one is a bit difficult to open today, it’s hard without nails.”

Her words drew everyone’s attention to Lin Shuangzhi’s hands on the table.

Li Wan was startled, When did she cut her nails so short?

They had still been… long… that day…

The painful and bittersweet memories made Li Wan blush.

Lin Shuangzhi coughed, covering her mouth and nose with her hand, avoiding Li Wan’s gaze.

Li Wan discreetly looked at Shen Yiqiu’s hands, her nails weren’t long, but they clearly hadn’t been trimmed recently.

It seemed Qianrou hadn’t experienced that painful yet intoxicating pleasure yet.

She wanted to offer Shen Yiqiu a suggestion, to trim her nails, but she couldn’t say it now, she could only give her a meaningful look, hoping the child would understand.

However, Shen Yiqiu’s gaze was fixed on Qin Qianrou. After placing the snacks on the table, her eyes never left her.

“Jiejie, if you’re tired, you should rest for a bit.” Shen Yiqiu’s voice wasn’t loud, but the restaurant wasn’t large either, and everyone heard her.

“Oh, so you’re only concerned about your Jiejie, there are two other Jiejies here, aren’t we tired as well?”

Li Wan’s teasing made Shen Yiqiu blush, but she remained by Qin Qianrou’s side.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t explicitly mentioned her relationship with Shen Yiqiu, and Lin Shuangzhi had sensed something different during their last meal together. Today, she finally realized she hadn’t been mistaken.

She observed Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu briefly, then looked away, not showing much surprise or disapproval.

It was as if she was simply acknowledging a perfectly normal fact.

This attitude made Qin Qianrou feel comfortable. She hadn’t intended to hide it, but telling the team leader was even more difficult than telling Li Wan. She hadn’t expected the team leader to understand so quickly. So, it seemed the team leader wasn’t averse to same-sex relationships.

“Qianrou, you’re a reporter, although not as high-profile as a celebrity, there are still many people who pay attention to your private life.”

Qin Qianrou thought Lin Shuangzhi was reminding her to be discreet about their relationship.

To her surprise, the team leader said, “So, protect yourself, and protect her.”

Chapter 74 p2

Qin Qianrou soon appeared, and before Li Wan could even speak, Shen Yiqiu embraced her tightly.

Without hesitation or reservation, like lovers reunited after a long separation, if not for the surrounding crowd, Shen Yiqiu would have kissed her immediately.

“Ahem, how long are you two planning to hug? Didn’t you just see each other last week? Why are you acting like it’s been years?”

If they were talking about time apart, she and Qin Qianrou had been separated for even longer, what was Shen Yiqiu so excited about?

Qin Qianrou gently patted Shen Yiqiu’s arm, then glared at Li Wan playfully.

“As if I didn’t say anything, I shouldn’t have come, just being a third wheel here.”

Li Wan raised her hands in mock surrender and headed towards the parking lot. She hadn’t noticed it before, but seeing their public display of affection now made her feel strangely envious.

She had barely seen Lin Shuangzhi this week. Even when they did meet, it was just a hurried exchange of words, or to sign documents. Li Wan hadn’t even had a chance to ask her about the restructuring; it was said the list had already been submitted and was awaiting approval.

Qin Qianrou’s return this week, besides seeing Shen Yiqiu, was also because of this matter.

In the car on the way home, Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou sat side by side in the back seat. Although they weren’t embracing, their intertwined fingers still made Li Wan feel a pang of… something.

She hadn’t expected Qianrou to be like this in a relationship.

She sighed softly, wondering what Lin Shuangzhi would be like in a relationship, probably still a robot.

They had already… done it, yet all Lin Shuangzhi had said afterwards was “I’m sorry,” then “Are you okay?” “Does it still hurt?” It was infuriating! Couldn’t she say anything else besides those three words?!

She had been so direct during the kiss, yet so awkward and clumsy afterwards. Li Wan wanted to buy a new 3D-printed brain for Lin Shuangzhi.

“Qianrou, how long is your leave this time?”

“Three days.”

“You should go back to the station, there have been major changes recently, everyone is on edge.”

Qin Qianrou had explained the situation to the training program leaders, and they had been understanding, after all, although training was important, their regular work was even more so. And Meng City Television, being a major local station, its restructuring served as an example for other stations, so they had readily approved Qin Qianrou’s leave request.

Shen Yiqiu was naturally delighted; this meant three more days with Jiejie.

“I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.” Qin Qianrou had rarely interacted with Director Yu, but he wasn’t suitable for managing news programs.

“There must be someone pulling strings behind the scenes.”

“What did the team leader say?”

Hearing Lin Shuangzhi mentioned, Li Wan almost slammed on the brakes.

“She’s been incredibly busy, running around like a headless chicken, even went to the city government twice, but the outcome wasn’t ideal.”

“So Director Yu’s promotion is being pushed by the city government?”

Li Wan shook her head. “I asked my father, he didn’t say it directly, but I don’t think the city government would interfere in such specific personnel matters, they’re just fully supporting the restructuring. Director Yu’s promotion is mainly due to Deputy Director Ding.”

The station director position was still vacant, and many speculated that Deputy Director Ding was the most likely candidate.

Li Wan parked the car and handed the keys to Qin Qianrou. “I won’t be going up, you two rest early.”

“Message me when you get home.”

Back at their apartment, before Qin Qianrou could even turn around, she was enveloped in a familiar, longed-for embrace.

Shen Yiqiu, just like at the airport, hugged her tightly, as if wanting to merge into one.

“I missed you so much.”

The soft, sweet voice by her ear melted Qin Qianrou’s heart.

It was cold outside, but the apartment was warm, and Shen Yiqiu’s embrace even warmer.

“I missed you too.”

Shen Yiqiu gently caressed Qin Qianrou’s face, her touch lingering.

Her gaze then fell on those alluring lips, making Qin Qianrou instinctively look away.

She was wearing a nude lipstick today, not very noticeable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, still subtly seductive.

“Jiejie, you’re so beautiful, I can’t resist.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yiqiu leaned in and kissed her.

Qin Qianrou closed her eyes as she felt Shen Yiqiu’s lips on hers. They had a certain unspoken understanding now, easily sensing each other’s intentions.

With kisses like this, they were so familiar with each other that they could anticipate each other’s every move.

Lovers in the throes of passion couldn’t bear even three minutes apart, let alone a week. Having gained a girlfriend in Hai City, Shen Yiqiu had been waking up with a smile every morning, only to feel a pang of disappointment upon finding the apartment empty.

Now, it was different. The apartment, filled with Qin Qianrou’s presence, her warmth, felt alive again.

The kiss ended, and Qin Qianrou gently pushed Shen Yiqiu away, her hand resting on her shoulder. Slightly breathless, her cheeks flushed, she hadn’t even taken off her coat yet, her suitcase still by her feet.

“I’m so warm.” Qin Qianrou pushed her away again and took off her coat.

Shen Yiqiu naturally took it from her, hung it on the coat rack by the door, then took off her own coat and hung it beside Qin Qianrou’s. Then, after changing into her slippers, she took out another pair that had been placed by the door, squatted down before Qin Qianrou, and said,

“Jiejie, let me help you with your shoes.”

Qin Qianrou was used to wearing high heels, and after a long flight, her feet were probably tired, but Shen Yiqiu’s gesture made her feel a little embarrassed.

“I can do it myself.”

Shen Yiqiu, seeing her shyness, didn’t insist. She smiled, stood up, and supported Qin Qianrou as she changed her shoes.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t actually that tired, but she still graciously accepted Shen Yiqiu’s help, placing her hand on her arm.

“Are you hungry? Should I make you a late-night snack?”

“I’m not hungry, I ate on the plane.”

“Then how about a shower first?”

Knowing she was tired from traveling, Shen Yiqiu, apart from the initial passionate kiss upon her arrival, hadn’t been overly clingy.

Qin Qianrou soaked in the bathtub, the warm water soothing her tense and tired muscles. She had returned to Hai City twice this week, once for the meeting with the Cheng family, and then again on a weeknight, when only her grandfather and Wen Yirong had been home.

Her grandfather’s health had indeed deteriorated, his voice weaker, but he was still as stubborn as ever, expressing his displeasure over her refusal to date Cheng Yan, though he hadn’t forced the issue.

Wen Yirong had reassured her that her grandfather was just being difficult, he no longer had the energy to interfere too much. She hoped they could keep him happy for now, conceal things from him for as long as possible.

Qin Qianrou, seeing her mother’s hesitant and meaningful expression, wondered if she suspected something, but since Wen Yirong didn’t say anything directly, she couldn’t ask.

The Cheng father and son had left a decent impression, they hadn’t made any unreasonable requests, and they had maintained a respectful distance. Qin Qianrou, however, ever since hearing about Shen Yiqiu’s dream, had become more observant.

Whenever she saw someone wearing a tie, she couldn’t help but look twice.

Both the Cheng father and son had been wearing ties that day, but they were both in dark colors, not the bright yellow Shen Yiqiu had seen in her dream.

She hadn’t wanted to introduce Shen Yiqiu to her family so soon, her sweet and gentle little friend was so soft and innocent, what if they scared her?

Wen Yirong was the easiest person to get along with in the Qin family, and Shen Yiqiu had still been so nervous meeting her. If she met her father and grandfather, her little face would probably crumple in fear.

Qin Qianrou imagined Shen Yiqiu’s expression and couldn’t help but smile.

A knock on the bathroom door, and Shen Yiqiu’s voice came from outside. “Jiejie, are you almost done?”

Qin Qianrou had been in there for a while, and Shen Yiqiu was worried, afraid she might have fallen asleep and caught a cold.

“Almost.”

Qin Qianrou emerged from the bathroom, toweling her hair dry, and saw Shen Yiqiu still busy with something.

“It’s so late, what are you still doing?”

“Rong Fei gave me this a while ago, she said it helps with sleep.”

Shen Yiqiu was fiddling with a bottle of essential oil, seemingly using it for the first time.

“You haven’t used it before?”

Shen Yiqiu placed the diffuser on the nightstand, then walked over and took the hairdryer from Qin Qianrou.

“There’s no point in using it if you’re not home.”

Her casual tone, as if stating an obvious fact, made Qin Qianrou pause for a moment before understanding the implication, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“I’ll do it myself, you go take a shower.”

“I want to dry your hair for you. I’ve already showered.”

She’s quite efficient. Qin Qianrou suddenly remembered, how were they going to sleep tonight?

This wasn’t a hotel room, they had two bedrooms, two beds.

Before she could figure it out, Shen Yiqiu’s fingers were gently running through her hair, her touch tender and loving, making it impossible for Qin Qianrou to resist.

It’s fine to sleep together, we can chat before bed, and besides, it’s not like we haven’t slept together before.

Thinking this, Qin Qianrou quickly rationalized it.

“Jiejie…”

“Shen Yiqiu…”

They spoke simultaneously, then stopped, looking at each other, then they both chuckled.

Qin Qianrou spoke first, “What did you want to say?”

Shen Yiqiu blushed slightly, lowering her voice, “Jiejie, can you give me a special nickname?”

“Hmm?”

“Every time you call my name, it reminds me of being called out by the professor.”

Qin Qianrou thought for a moment. “How about Xiao Qiu?”

Shen Yiqiu quickly shook her head. “No, that’s what elders call me.”

Qin Qianrou, seeing her displeasure, thought for a moment longer.

This time, feeling a little shy herself, she softly said, “Qiu.”

A single word, spoken in such a gentle and affectionate tone, it made Shen Yiqiu’s heart melt.

Her heart raced, no one had ever called her “Qiu” like that before.

She put down the hairdryer and gently placed her hand on Qin Qianrou’s shoulder. Jiejie was slender, but not thin, her figure enviable.

The soft silk of her pajamas felt luxurious against Shen Yiqiu’s skin, the warmth of Qin Qianrou’s body radiating through the fabric.

Shen Yiqiu kissed Qin Qianrou’s earlobe, whispering softly, “I love it when you call me that, from now on, only you can call me that.”

Chapter 74 p1

Li Wan had barely slept all night, her dreams a jumbled mess she couldn’t recall. She woke up with a headache, her eyes stinging, her body aching.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, then turned on the faucet with a loud splash, starting her morning routine. Monday, a universally disliked day, was especially unwelcome to Li Wan today.

Distracted throughout her commute, despite her meticulously applied makeup, more vibrant than usual, her heart pounded with anxiety. Stepping into the elevator, she felt like she was reliving her first day at the station, fresh out of university.

As more people entered, Li Wan exchanged greetings, the elevator filling with chatter. The new management team appointments would be announced this week, and some of the more well-informed colleagues already knew the results.

Some were happy, some worried, and Li Wan, finally understanding the situation, was surprised.

“Is it confirmed that Director Yu is being promoted?” Li Wan turned to a colleague from the advertising department.

“Yes, it seems the management team held an emergency meeting over the weekend and finalized the decision, they’ll be submitting the list this week.”

It had been a rumor before, now it seemed it was about to become reality.

But this wasn’t good news for Li Wan, or for their team.

Director Yu not only lacked experience in program production, but he had also always been against their team’s focus on hard-hitting stories that often offended major sponsors. He had objected to their project proposals multiple times in the past.

If he was put in charge of their team, producing quality programs in the future would be even more difficult.

Her heart heavy, Li Wan entered the office, put down her bag, and took a deep breath to compose herself. She repeatedly told herself, It’s work time now, don’t bring your personal emotions into this.

Then, she headed towards Lin Shuangzhi’s office, she needed to discuss the implications of Director Yu’s potential promotion with the team leader.

The door was open, but the office was empty. Li Wan paused, then asked a passing colleague, “Is the team leader not in?”

“She went to a meeting early this morning, seemed to be in a hurry.”

Li Wan thought it must be about Director Yu’s matter.

Her emotions were complex, a mix of disappointment and relief. After glancing at the empty chair behind the desk a few more times, Li Wan returned to her own office.

She thought about it, then decided to inform Qin Qianrou. If Director Yu truly became the deputy station director, he would likely target them.

Qin Qianrou quickly replied that she understood, adding that she was currently in training and would call her later to discuss it in detail. Li Wan then focused on her work, but her mind couldn’t quite settle down.

By noon, Lin Shuangzhi still hadn’t returned. This was normal, her meetings were usually long, sometimes extending until the end of the workday. However, Li Wan felt like she had endured an eternity, glancing at the time to confirm it was just her own perception.

A colleague knocked on her door. “Sister Xiao Wan, going for lunch?”

Li Wan, her spirits low, leaned back in her chair and declined. “Not today, I have a lot of work to catch up on, I’ll just go to the cafeteria later.”

“Okay, let me know if you want me to bring you anything.”

Li Wan had no appetite. She pushed her work aside, her mind wandering.

She hadn’t thought she was someone whose work would be affected by her emotions, and she had thought that after her university relationship, she had become more mature. But after meeting Lin Shuangzhi, all her previous emotional control had seemed pointless.

All she could think about now was Lin Shuangzhi, she wanted to see her, yet she also didn’t want to see her.

This internal conflict tormented Li Wan. She had left so hurriedly that morning, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Lin Shuangzhi properly.

But what could she possibly say in that situation?

Clothes scattered on the floor, the rumpled bedsheets, and the lingering ache in her thighs, what was there to discuss?

Li Wan cringed, but she hadn’t been in a hurry to leave at the time, she had simply been too shocked, too flustered to react appropriately.

Lin Shuangzhi, leaning against the headboard, after a long silence, had softly said, “I’m sorry.”

Li Wan had felt a surge of anger, pulling the blanket around her as she sat up.

Her back still ached, and other, more sensitive areas also throbbed, reminding her that their relationship was different now. But what kind of response was “I’m sorry?”

After such an intense and passionate night, all she could say was “I’m sorry?”

“Between adults, there’s no need for apologies.”

Lin Shuangzhi had glanced at the bedsheets, her expression darkening, the memories of last night weighing heavily on her. There was no trace of joy, she looked more like a child who had done something wrong, waiting to be punished.

Her face was filled with regret, she almost said she regretted it.

Li Wan was a proud person, having lost control in the heat of the moment under Lin Shuangzhi’s allure didn’t mean she would cling to her.

If her feelings weren’t reciprocated, she wouldn’t impose herself on her.

However, as she got dressed, her heart ached.

She could feel Lin Shuangzhi’s gaze upon her, she wanted her to say something, anything, but she was also afraid of hearing something even more hurtful, so she had remained silent, the silence continuing until she was fully dressed.

Lin Shuangzhi, in her pajamas, had silently followed her, her lips moving as if to speak, but no words came out.

Li Wan picked up her bag, her hand on the doorknob.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

Li Wan, her back to Lin Shuangzhi, bid her farewell, but her hand didn’t open the door.

“Should I… drive you home?” Lin Shuangzhi’s hesitant tone, the lingering regret in her voice, it seemed she wanted to make amends for her drunken behavior.

Li Wan’s disappointment turned into anger, but she couldn’t express it.

She bit her lip, forced a smile, and opened the door, leaving decisively. Turning around, she smiled at Lin Shuangzhi, “I can go home by myself, I’m not that fragile.”

“But last night…”

Li Wan didn’t want to be reminded of last night, it had been a turning point in her life, and she didn’t regret it being with Lin Shuangzhi. But she also didn’t want to use this to force a relationship, she didn’t need her to take responsibility or any of those cliché lines.

It was a new era, between consenting adults, there was no need to talk about responsibility. She wasn’t some object whose value decreased after being “opened.”

She was simply… sad. She had thought she would be having a loving, post-coital breakfast at the team leader’s place this morning.

Lin Shuangzhi had messaged her, asking if she had gotten home safely, and after she confirmed, had simply told her to rest well. Li Wan had waited, but there had been no further messages from Lin Shuangzhi.

This was probably the most unforgettable, and also the most frustrating, weekend of her life.

Lost in thought, she vaguely heard hurried footsteps outside, a familiar sound.

She instinctively walked out, wondering if it was Lin Shuangzhi.

As expected, before she could even speak, she saw Lin Shuangzhi rushing into her office, frantically searching through her drawers.

Li Wan hesitated, then followed her. Standing at the doorway, she knocked softly.

Lin Shuangzhi looked up, startled to see her. “Xiao Wan, why aren’t you having lunch?”

“I have too much work, I didn’t go out.”

Lin Shuangzhi responded with a simple “Oh,” then continued her search.

“What are you looking for?”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed, “An annual plan from last year, I’m sure I put it here.”

“Isn’t there a copy on your computer?”

“It’s not the content that’s important, it’s the signatures of the directors on it.”

Although Lin Shuangzhi had a lot of documents, she was very organized, but today, she was clearly flustered, having searched for a while without finding it, and Li Wan couldn’t help but walk over to help.

“Don’t worry, just calmly think about it, are you sure you put it here?”

Lin Shuangzhi looked at her, closed her eyes as instructed, thought for a moment, then went to search another drawer.

“Did the meeting go smoothly today?”

“No, it was mostly arguing.”

Li Wan was surprised, “You argued with someone?”

In her impression, the team leader wasn’t one for confrontations.

She herself had a fiery temper and often caused trouble, it was always the team leader who cleaned up after her, and she admired Lin Shuangzhi’s patience.

“It was so absurd, if I hadn’t argued, I wouldn’t even have had the chance to come back and look for this document.”

“That serious?”

Lin Shuangzhi finally found what she was looking for, rolling it up and clutching it tightly. After a moment of consideration, she softly said, “Besides the management changes, the station’s restructuring also affects our team.”

Li Wan’s expression turned grim; this wasn’t good news.

Lin Shuangzhi continued, “The station intends to transfer you and Qianrou to other departments, to work on different types of programs.”

Li Wan was furious, what did they mean by that?

Lin Shuangzhi also felt helpless, if her two most capable team members were transferred, there was no hope of producing any quality programs in the near future.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let this happen.”

Li Wan, however, was still worried, if this was truly the intention of the station directors, even Lin Shuangzhi’s resistance wouldn’t be enough.

“Alright, I have to go back to the meeting now, you go have lunch, don’t skip meals.”

“What about you?”

“I have a lunchbox.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s departure was as hurried as her arrival, her expression serious. Li Wan, watching her retreating figure, was speechless.

She had been angry, but seeing her now, all she felt was concern.

**

Qin Qianrou returned to Meng City on Friday evening. Shen Yiqiu strained her neck, looking around eagerly, and Li Wan chuckled, her arms crossed.

“Look at you, like a little monkey, so impatient, your girlfriend isn’t going anywhere.”

Shen Yiqiu glared at her; Li Wan had been acting strangely all day.

“I can’t wait to see my girlfriend, can I?”

“You can, but you’re making it seem like I don’t care about Qianrou.”

Shen Yiqiu said helplessly, “Jiejie won’t blame you.”

Li Wan felt a surge of frustration, she couldn’t understand why, besides Lin Shuangzhi, even Shen Yiqiu’s thought processes were so difficult to decipher.

 

Chapter 73

Shen Yiqiu’s face was still pale, and recounting the dream hadn’t improved her mood. Qin Qianrou, surprised by the dream, after a moment of contemplation, pulled Shen Yiqiu, who was still trembling slightly, into a comforting embrace.

The soft silk of their pajamas against their skin, their body heat mingling, Shen Yiqiu gradually calmed down in Qin Qianrou’s arms, her racing heart slowing down.

Qin Qianrou, seeing that she had calmed down, said, “Dreams are often the opposite of reality. If this was a premonition, I’ll try my best to avoid such a situation.” She paused, then added, “And if this was just a worry, I won’t let such a thing happen.”

Shen Yiqiu understood; Jiejie was not only comforting her but also reassuring her.

She looked up from Qin Qianrou’s embrace, her clear eyes reflecting Qin Qianrou’s face. She stared, mesmerized, then suddenly smiled, “I believe you, Jiejie.”

Qin Qianrou, seeing her smile, knew she was feeling better, and she relaxed.

“Then go back to sleep, or you’ll be tired tomorrow, and also have dark circles under your eyes.”

Shen Yiqiu continued staring at her, thinking how wonderful it was to wake up and see the person you loved by your side.

Qin Qianrou, thinking she was still afraid of having another nightmare, gently caressed her forehead, the cold sweat had stopped, and her temperature was normal. It seemed it was just psychological now. She held Shen Yiqiu closer and gently kissed her forehead.

“Now, will you be a good girl and go to sleep?”

Qin Qianrou’s tenderness, her gentle voice, her gentle touch, her gentle scent, enveloped Shen Yiqiu in a comforting warmth.

Shen Yiqiu’s ears burned at her words, barely visible in the dim light, but she could feel it.

No, no, I can’t be so passive, I promised to be the one taking care of Jiejie, how can I let her coax me like this?

Shen Yiqiu shifted slightly, pulling away a little from Qin Qianrou’s embrace, but not completely. Qin Qianrou didn’t quite understand her actions, thinking she was getting ready to sleep, she was about to suggest they sleep like this, then realized they probably wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably.

After all, they were holding each other too tightly, too closely, how could they possibly sleep well like this?

Qin Qianrou wasn’t optimistic.

Before she could think further, Shen Yiqiu shifted their positions, switching places.

Shen Yiqiu nuzzled her cheek against Qin Qianrou’s forehead, kissing her gently between her eyebrows.

“Sleep well.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled at her insistence on taking the lead and obediently nestled against Shen Yiqiu, closing her eyes.

The weather in Hai City was good this weekend, cold but sunny.

Last night’s nightmare had disrupted both their sleep, and they didn’t wake up until well past their usual time. Qin Qianrou’s phone suddenly rang, and she reluctantly opened her eyes to answer it.

“Qianrou, still asleep?”

It was Wen Shao Ze, and Qin Qianrou, her eyes still closed, let her mind slowly awaken.

“I went to bed late last night, what is it?”

Qin Qianrou’s voice was slightly hoarse, with a hint of morning drowsiness and laziness, clearly still tired.

Wen Shao Ze glanced at the time, it was almost 10 am, not Qin Qianrou’s usual schedule.

“Did I wake you?”

As Wen Shao Ze continued his pointless chatter, Qin Qianrou felt a surge of annoyance, which was quickly dispelled by the soft warmth beside her.

Shen Yiqiu had also woken up when she answered the phone. Even more disoriented than Qin Qianrou, her eyes still closed, she instinctively nuzzled closer to the warm, fragrant body beside her.

They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms last night, and their sleep had been relatively peaceful. However, their positions had shifted at some point, and now they were sharing the same pillow.

“Jiejie, who is it?” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was soft and slightly slurred.

But with her so close to Qin Qianrou, and the quietness of the room, her voice was clearly audible to Wen Shao Ze on the other end of the line.

What’s going on?

Wen Shao Ze had been feeling uneasy since yesterday, although he had been mentally prepared, actually facing it was still a shock.

“Shao Ze, what is it?” Qin Qianrou’s usual calm demeanor returned, and her voice jolted Wen Shao Ze back to reality.

“Aunt called, she wants me to persuade you to visit home more often. She also said Grandfather hasn’t been doing well lately and hopes we can come home for dinner more often.”

Qin Qianrou knew about her grandfather’s recent health issues; she had visited him a while ago. He had been happy to see her, but their conversations always inevitably turned towards marriage and children.

Qin Qianrou disliked arguing, especially with her elders, but her grandfather’s words hadn’t just been advice, but almost a demand, which she couldn’t tolerate, and she hadn’t visited him since.

Wen Shao Ze also knew her current predicament, and now, aware that Shen Yiqiu was sleeping beside her, he didn’t dare to mention the Cheng family.

“Okay, I understand, I’ll go back tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Wen Shao Ze breathed a sigh of relief. Qin Qianrou saying she would go back tomorrow meant she wanted him to adjust his schedule and accompany her.

He had been nervous earlier, but now he felt a twinge of regret; he should have asked what had happened between them last night.

Putting down his phone, Qin Qianrou’s drowsiness had vanished, but she wasn’t in a hurry to get up.

It had been a long time since she had woken up like this, with nothing to do and nowhere to go, just quietly lying there, a rare sense of peace settling over her.

“Jiejie, are you going home tomorrow?”

“Mm, after you leave, I’ll go back.”

Shen Yiqiu hugged Qin Qianrou tighter. “I don’t want to go back, I don’t want to leave.”

Qin Qianrou sighed inwardly, who would willingly be apart?

She also wanted to spend more time with her, even just like today, waking up with someone by her side, not facing another lonely day. This warmth, to her, was a treasure.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Shen Yiqiu, just having woken up, was more unrestrained than usual, and hearing this, she couldn’t help but pout. “It’s only been half the time, there’s still so long to go.”

She emphasized the word “so,” perfectly expressing her longing.

Qin Qianrou was momentarily stunned, if it weren’t for wanting to avoid Shen Yiqiu, she wouldn’t have applied for this training program. Although the training content was indeed beneficial for her career, it still felt… not worth it.

“It was my mistake, I’ll be more mindful in the future.”

Shen Yiqiu blinked, why was Jiejie apologizing? She hadn’t meant to blame her.

“I don’t blame you, I just blame time, it’s so heartless.”

Shen Yiqiu hadn’t moved, they were still sharing the same pillow, their faces very close.

Love was an invisible bond, binding two hearts together, eliminating the distance between them.

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but lean closer. Qin Qianrou sensed her intention, and although feeling slightly shy, her body, soft and languid, didn’t resist.

She closed her eyes as Shen Yiqiu approached.

A few moments later, a soft kiss landed on her eyelids.

Then, her cheek, her earlobe, the tip of her nose, finally settling on her lips.

Shen Yiqiu paused, as if hesitant. Qin Qianrou’s hand, under the covers, was resting on Shen Yiqiu’s waist, and seeing her hesitation, she gently pinched her.

As if receiving a signal, Shen Yiqiu’s kiss deepened, a passionate start to their weekend morning.

After a long while, they reluctantly parted, slightly breathless.

“Jiejie, let me be with you.”

Shen Yiqiu, seeing Qin Qianrou’s puzzled look, explained, “Let me accompany you to work. If you have any special assignments or interviews, I can be there with you, I can protect you.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t agree, Shen Yiqiu was still a student, and even after graduation, she should have her own career and her own life.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already said I can take care of myself.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t reject her coldly like before, but gently caressed Shen Yiqiu’s face, her voice soft and soothing.

“But…” But that premonition, which had disappeared for a while, has returned, I’m truly worried!

Shen Yiqiu’s brow furrowed in concern, and Qin Qianrou’s slender fingers gently smoothed it out.

“You don’t have faith in me?” Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow slightly.

Shen Yiqiu’s worry instantly vanished. “Of course I do.”

“Then why are you like this?” Her tone carried a hint of playfulness, sending shivers down Shen Yiqiu’s spine.

Seeing her lean in again, Qin Qianrou gently placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

If they continued kissing, they wouldn’t get out of bed today, and more importantly, she was losing control.

“No more kisses, you little rascal.”

Shen Yiqiu blinked, her eyes questioning, How am I being a rascal?

“I told you yesterday, my lips are getting swollen.” And you’re still kissing me! Still kissing me!

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze lingered on those alluring lips, the intoxicating sensation unforgettable. From now on, this beautiful treasure belonged only to her, and she felt a sense of complete and utter happiness.

“Then I’ll be gentler next time.”

After showering and getting ready, they decided to go out for lunch and then do some shopping.

“Shen Yiqiu, didn’t you say you wanted to watch a movie?”

“But it’s crowded on weekends, you don’t like that.”

Qin Qianrou was taken aback, she hadn’t explicitly stated this, yet Shen Yiqiu seemed to know.

She simply didn’t like the crowded cinemas on weekends, but it wasn’t a complete dealbreaker. If it were before, she would have prioritized the other person’s preference, maintaining her composure as the older one, and said it was fine.

But things were different now, Shen Yiqiu was her girlfriend, regardless of their age gap, they were equals in this relationship.

So, Qin Qianrou followed her heart and admitted, “I don’t like going on weekends, it’s too crowded.”

Shen Yiqiu, holding her hand as they strolled along the street, simply smiled at her complaint. “If you don’t like it, then we won’t go, we’ll only do things that make you happy.”

Qin Qianrou bit her lip, thought for a moment, then asked, “Then what makes you happy?”

Shen Yiqiu tilted her head and looked at her, “Me? As long as I’m with you, anything makes me happy.”

Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed again, she looked away, and didn’t continue the conversation. But her heart was racing, Shen Yiqiu’s words always managed to stir her emotions.

Where do young people learn such sweet talk these days?

**

They had initially planned to visit several places, then realized that instead of wasting time in traffic, it would be better to buy some food and watch a movie at the hotel.

Qin Qianrou deliberately hid the He Chao case files on her computer; she didn’t want to tell Shen Yiqiu about this yet. News of He Chao’s death had been reported, there were some discussions online, but it hadn’t gained much traction. Shen Yiqiu probably knew, but she hadn’t mentioned it.

A few colleagues from the training program came to ask Qin Qianrou some questions, and Shen Yiqiu obediently stayed in the room, quietly, not wanting to cause any distractions.

She wasn’t sure if Qin Qianrou wanted others to know about her presence, but she didn’t want herself, or their relationship, to interfere with Jiejie’s work.

After seeing Shen Yiqiu off, Qin Qianrou took a taxi straight to her family home on Qiyang Road. Wen Shao Ze was already waiting for her at the intersection and immediately approached her when he saw her arrive.

“Qianrou, you’ve sent her off?”

Qin Qianrou glanced at Wen Shao Ze, who was trying to suppress his curiosity, and ignored him.

“Don’t hide it from me, you’ve been inseparable all weekend, and you’re still saying nothing happened?”

Qin Qianrou stopped and looked at him calmly.

Wen Shao Ze rubbed the back of his neck, “That day, when I gave you those photos, you were so calm, lecturing me and everything. I thought I was the only one being petty, but it seems you’re no better.”

Qin Qianrou’s gaze turned icy, almost sharp enough to cut.

Wen Shao Ze cowered slightly and said with a forced smile, “I shouldn’t have said anything, as long as you’re happy.”

After a moment, Qin Qianrou finally spoke softly, “We’ve just started, I don’t want to involve her in my family matters yet.”

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

Before Qin Qianrou entered the house, Wen Shao Ze reminded her, “The Cheng family will be here today as well.”

Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow; she hadn’t heard about this, but she had promised to visit her grandfather today, and the Cheng family’s presence wouldn’t change her decision.

“The Cheng father and son, they said they were just here to see Grandfather, they’re not even staying for dinner.”

“They’re already here?”

Wen Shao Ze shrugged and gestured towards the main house. “They arrived a while ago.”

Qin Qianrou went straight to her grandfather’s room upon returning, Wen Shao Ze following behind her. Wen Yirong told them that the Cheng father and son were here specifically to visit Grandfather Qin and asked Qianrou to be a good host.

The Cheng and Qin families had a long history, their grandfathers having been close friends, but with the changing times and their different career paths, the connection had faded during her father’s generation.

By Qin Qianrou’s generation, they had barely interacted after reaching adulthood. Her memories of Cheng Yan were limited to a few encounters during family gatherings for Chinese New Year when they were children.

If not for the few phone calls they had exchanged recently, Qin Qianrou would have probably treated him like a stranger.

Grandfather Qin was delighted to see his long-awaited granddaughter.

He introduced them, “Xiao Rou, come greet Uncle Cheng and Cheng Yan.”

Qin Qianrou walked over, but her gaze was drawn not to the Cheng father and son, but to the tie Cheng Yan was wearing.

“Hello, Uncle Cheng, hello, Cheng Yan, thank you for visiting Grandfather today.”

Qin Qianrou’s tone was polite, but distant.

Cheng Yan knew a little about Qin Qianrou, but this was their first close encounter, and he was captivated by the beautiful woman before him.

Grandfather Qin waved his hand, dismissing them. “Xiao Rou, take Cheng Yan for a walk around the house. You young people should enjoy yourselves, no need to stay here with us old folks, Uncle Cheng and I have some things to discuss.”

Wen Shao Ze was about to follow them when Grandfather Qin stopped him, saying he had some business matters to discuss with him.

It was obvious they were creating an opportunity for Qin Qianrou and Cheng Yan to be alone, and thankfully, having discussed this beforehand, they both tacitly accepted the elders’ arrangement.

Grandfather Qin, looking at their seemingly harmonious figures, smiled contentedly.

Wen Shao Ze sighed inwardly, Old people and their matchmaking schemes.

**

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to trouble Li Wan, but Qin Qianrou had specifically called and asked Li Wan to pick her up from the airport, so she obediently agreed.

Only after getting in the car did she feel a wave of warmth.

“Thank you for coming to pick me up so late, Sister Li Wan.”

Li Wan seemed to be wearing a different perfume today, a scent Shen Yiqiu wasn’t familiar with, yet it seemed vaguely familiar.

“Don’t thank me, thank your girlfriend. She said your flight arrives late, it would be difficult to get a taxi, and she didn’t want you going home alone.”

Shen Yiqiu blushed slightly. Although Qin Qianrou had indeed said this, hearing it from someone else felt different.

“Jiejie is so thoughtful.” Shen Yiqiu smiled contentedly.

Li Wan’s teeth ached from the sweetness. She had wanted to say something, but seeing Shen Yiqiu’s blissful expression, she couldn’t bring herself to.

Compared to herself, Shen Yiqiu was undoubtedly happy.

Sigh, why am I suddenly feeling envious?

Shen Yiqiu sensed something strange about the atmosphere in the car today, Sister Li Wan was unusually quiet.

“Has work been very tiring lately?” Shen Yiqiu wondered if, with Jiejie away for training, all the work pressure had fallen on Sister Li Wan.

Li Wan’s expression darkened at the mention of work.

“Work is always tiring, there’s no ‘very tiring,’ only ‘even more tiring!’” Her tone was filled with frustration, her words almost spat through gritted teeth.

Shen Yiqiu thought, So working at the television station is that tiring. Jiejie always seemed calm and composed, despite her exhaustion, I hadn’t realized she was under so much pressure.

She would have to take even better care of Jiejie in the future.

Realizing her outburst, Li Wan quickly changed the subject. “You seem to have had a fruitful trip to Hai City, any plans now that you’re back?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about them.”

Shen Yiqiu paused, then said seriously, “I want to graduate as soon as possible.”

Li Wan chuckled, “No need to rush, Qianrou will definitely wait for you.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, shook her head. “It’s not about making her wait for me, I want to start working with her sooner.”

“What, are you interested in working at the television station? Want to be a reporter?”

“No, I just want to protect Jiejie.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t tell her about that night’s dream, and Li Wan simply assumed she was lovestruck, her only thought to be with Qin Qianrou.

“Focus on your studies, take care of yourself first, only then can you protect her.”

After dropping Shen Yiqiu off, it was quite late when Li Wan finally got home. She took a bath, taking her time, finally drying her hair around 11 pm. Still no messages from the person she longed to hear from, she felt a mix of anxiety and frustration. Thinking about seeing Lin Shuangzhi at work tomorrow, she even considered calling in sick.

This wasn’t like her; she never avoided difficult situations. Yet, now, she lacked the courage, probably because waking up in Lin Shuangzhi’s bed that morning, everything had changed.

Alcohol clouded judgment, and falling in love even more so. Even now, Li Wan didn’t quite dare to recall the details of that night, yet every moment was vividly etched in her memory.

Lin Shuangzhi’s kisses, her words, her scent, had disrupted Li Wan’s carefully constructed composure. She had stopped thinking, following her heart, and they had spent almost the entire night entangled.

That night, Lin Shuangzhi had revealed a side Li Wan had never seen before, tender and passionate, a little awkward, yet also a little… unrestrained. And every aspect of it had made Li Wan’s heart race, her body burn.

She had initially resisted, then, at some point, she had started responding, even more eagerly than Lin Shuangzhi, she wasn’t a casual person, for so many years, she had guarded her heart, her body.

Her eagerness stemmed solely from the fact that it was Lin Shuangzhi.

She had been yearning for her for so long.

Yet, the most vivid memory of that night was… pain!

Just thinking about it made Li Wan instinctively cross her legs, her emotions even more difficult to decipher. She clicked on Lin Shuangzhi’s profile picture, staring at it for a long time, her anger eventually turning into a soft sigh.

Chapter 72

Just as the atmosphere in the office was about to turn romantic, a knock on the locked door startled both of them. Lin Shuangzhi, recovering first, released Li Wan’s hand and went to open the door.

Li Wan bit her lip, watching Lin Shuangzhi’s back, and quickly smoothed her hair, although her appearance was still impeccable.

“What is it?” Lin Shuangzhi, seeing it was one of their team members, glanced outside; it was Friday evening, yet many people were still working overtime.

“Someone from the Finance Channel is here for Sister Li Wan, they said they need to borrow some materials.”

“Are we collaborating with the Finance Channel on anything recently?”

Lin Shuangzhi asked this just as Li Wan reached her side.

“No collaborations, probably older materials.” Li Wan was also a little puzzled, but it was common for colleagues to borrow resources from each other, helping out when needed, nothing unusual.

Lin Shuangzhi had only asked as a matter of routine, confirming it wasn’t related to their current projects, she didn’t inquire further.

“Then go ahead, don’t worry about what we were discussing earlier, just focus on your work.” Lin Shuangzhi reassured Li Wan, afraid her fiery temper might escalate the situation.

The station directors both valued and feared Li Wan and Qin Qianrou, but the restructuring wasn’t entirely up to them. Lin Shuangzhi, caught in the middle, found it difficult, but she wasn’t willing to compromise her principles.

Li Wan was slightly disappointed by the interruption, but since it was work-related, she couldn’t complain. She followed her colleague back to her office and saw two people from the Finance Channel.

“What’s going on today, Sister Chen, you came yourself?”

Sister Chen was a program director at the Finance Channel and had a good relationship with Li Wan. But she was also known for prioritizing her family, she would often skip lunch to save time, but she rarely worked overtime.

Sister Chen sighed, her face creased with worry. “What choice do I have? I was almost home when they called me back.”

Li Wan was surprised. “Called you back with just one phone call? It must be something important then.”

“It’s that Dongsheng Group matter again, I don’t think there’s a single department at the station, besides your team, that doesn’t treat them like royalty now.”

Dongsheng Group? Li Wan made a mental note, her expression, however, remaining unchanged.

“I heard you’re planning a series of reports on Dongsheng, has it started already?”

“Not yet, there’s been a last-minute change. The interview was scheduled for Monday, but Dongsheng’s director couldn’t make it then, so it’s been moved to tonight.”

Dongsheng’s director? Li Wan seemed to have guessed who it was, but she still feigned ignorance.

“Which director is so important that it made you come back to work overtime, Sister Chen?”

“Zhuo Cheng. I’m probably the only one who’s unhappy about this; all the young girls are excited, they refused to leave when they heard he was coming tonight.”

She pointed to a young woman outside, chatting with a few colleagues, “She even touched up her makeup when she heard Zhuo Cheng was coming.”

Li Wan glanced at her indifferently, not paying much attention.

“So, Sister Chen, how can I help?”

Li Wan opened her computer files, thinking she didn’t have any recent materials on Dongsheng Group, and even if she did, she hadn’t officially reported anything to the station.

“I’m not borrowing materials, I’m borrowing you.”

Li Wan looked at her, puzzled. “Borrowing me? Are you short of a managing editor? This is your program, I can’t steal the credit.”

Sister Chen knew she was joking and didn’t mind. “Director Liu’s family member is sick, he can’t make it tonight, and we need someone to oversee things. So, I thought I’d ask you for a favor.”

Li Wan really didn’t want to see Zhuo Cheng, but the mention of Dongsheng Group piqued her interest, she wanted to know more, especially with the station’s upcoming restructuring. The sudden promotion of Director Yu from the advertising department to deputy station director was truly unexpected.

She recalled Shen Yiqiu’s observation of Shao Qidong meeting with Deputy Director Ding and Director Yu privately on the weekend, which was even more suspicious. She suspected that Dongsheng’s substantial investment in advertising was a way to influence the personnel changes.

If the station was filled with Dongsheng’s people in the future, investigating them would be even more difficult.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

Li Wan was known for being straightforward and efficient, and Sister Chen, satisfied, went to inform Lin Shuangzhi.

“Team Leader Lin, thanks, I’ll treat you to milk tea another time.”

Lin Shuangzhi looked up from her pile of reports, watching Li Wan leave, her thoughts, however, on Zhuo Cheng.

A sense of unease settled over her, the reports before her blurring, she couldn’t focus.

**

Shortly after Li Wan arrived at the Finance Channel, Zhuo Cheng arrived as well. He looked tired, probably from overwork recently, which explained why he hadn’t been bothering her lately.

Zhuo Cheng hadn’t expected to see Li Wan here. He was stunned at first, then smiled warmly and greeted her, “Xiao Wan, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Sister Chen was surprised. “Director Zhuo knows Editor Li?”

Zhuo Cheng nodded, “We’re old friends.”

Li Wan suppressed her annoyance, if not for giving Sister Chen face, she would have turned and left. Old friends? Hah! Who gave you such confidence, is it that face of yours, stretched taut like a drum?

Sister Chen was delighted. “That’s wonderful, it’s always easier working with familiar faces.”

She thought that with them being acquaintances, the recording would go much more smoothly. Hopefully, they could finish early tonight, so she wouldn’t have to come in to work overtime this weekend.

While the others prepared for the recording, Zhuo Cheng walked over to Li Wan and said softly, “How have you been lately? I was abroad recently, so I couldn’t contact you.”

Li Wan didn’t look at him, her arms crossed as she observed the busy crew. She said coldly, “You don’t need to report your schedule to me, we’re not that close.”

Li Wan’s attitude displeased Zhuo Cheng, but he didn’t show it.

“Are you free tonight? After the recording, I’d like to invite you for a drink, it’s been a while since we last chatted.”

Chat? What could we possibly have to chat about? Li Wan instinctively wanted to refuse, but then, thinking about the Dongsheng matter, she decided to use this opportunity to probe and see if he knew about the station’s restructuring.

“We’ll see.”

Zhuo Cheng, watching her retreating figure, smiled confidently, Li Wan hadn’t explicitly rejected him, which basically meant she had agreed.

Although young, Zhuo Cheng was highly capable and adaptable, and with his charming appearance, the recording went smoothly. It was essentially a promotional program for Dongsheng Group, so naturally, there weren’t any difficult questions. Zhuo Cheng cooperated fully, and the recording was a success.

Li Wan had been observing from the side, not offering much input, only suggesting a few changes to enhance the promotional effect.

The recording ended quite late, and while the crew continued working, Zhuo Cheng expressed his gratitude and offered to treat everyone to a late-night snack. Handsome, wealthy, and generous, such gestures easily captivated the young women at the station.

Lin Shuangzhi, at some point, had arrived and watched for a while from the doorway. She had wanted to observe the recording of Zhuo Cheng’s segment and then invite Li Wan for a drink.

They had been too busy with work lately, it had been a while since they had a proper chat.

Seeing the crew packing up, Lin Shuangzhi was about to enter when she saw Zhuo Cheng standing in front of Li Wan.

“Xiao Wan, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”

Li Wan’s expression didn’t show any joy, but unlike before, there was no resistance either, she simply responded with a quiet acknowledgement.

She said goodbye to Sister Chen and returned to her office. Most of her colleagues had left, only a few remaining, packing up their things. To her surprise, Lin Shuangzhi’s office door was locked, and the lights were off.

“Has the team leader left?”

A colleague, bag in hand, walked with her towards the elevator, “Yes, about fifteen minutes ago. She suddenly came back to get something, then left.”

Suddenly came back? Li Wan pondered this, feeling something was amiss as they reached the elevator.

“Where did the team leader go?”

“She said she was going to check on the Finance Channel.” The colleague seemed to realize something and asked, “Didn’t you see her, Sister Wan?”

Li Wan shook her head, but before she could say anything more, someone greeted her at the entrance.

Not wanting to attract attention, Li Wan didn’t waste any time, walking straight to the car and getting in.

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

Li Wan, forcing herself to be patient, said, “Didn’t you suggest having a drink?”

Zhuo Cheng, although slightly stung by her tone, didn’t take offense; this meant she was letting him choose the place.

The luxury car smoothly pulled away from the curb, but Li Wan felt no excitement.

She was wondering, The team leader went to the Finance Channel? Why didn’t I see her?

**

Li Wan, as usual, subtly inquired about Dongsheng. The atmosphere in the bar was even more relaxed than at the restaurant, and Zhuo Cheng, having had a few drinks, wasn’t as guarded.

Li Wan asked indirectly, and he answered, thinking he wasn’t revealing anything confidential. These fragmented pieces of information, pieced together, were enough for now.

Li Wan glanced at the time, it was almost 11 pm. Although she had told her family she was working overtime, she was exhausted and wanted to go home.

“It’s late, I’m leaving.”

Just as she stood up, her hand was grabbed, the grip firm.

She looked down and saw Zhuo Cheng, slightly drunk, looking at her.

“What do you mean by this?”

“Xiao Wan, don’t go, okay?”

Li Wan took a deep breath and repeated, “I’m leaving.”

Zhuo Cheng didn’t let go, he stood up unsteadily and moved closer.

“Xiao Wan, I’m sincere about you, after all these years, there’s been no one else in my heart. You’re the best woman I’ve ever met, can you give me another chance?”

Li Wan was tired of hearing these words, especially from Zhuo Cheng, they meant nothing to her.

However, who could truly be indifferent to past hurts?

She could forgive, she could let go, but she couldn’t simply pretend it never happened.

Her past pain didn’t need to be repaid, but she had truly suffered.

“Now you realize how good I am?” Li Wan looked at him, her disgust growing.

“Yes, you’re the best. Xiao Wan, as long as you’re willing to give me a chance, I’ll do anything.”

Emboldened by the alcohol, Zhuo Cheng didn’t want to wait any longer, a sense of unease growing within him, he felt he was losing her.

Li Wan pulled her hand away and scoffed, “You realized too late, I don’t want anything to do with you now. Don’t keep bringing up the past, you’re not worthy.”

Zhuo Cheng felt a tightness in his chest, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He grabbed Li Wan’s hand and tried to kiss her.

Li Wan, trapped in his embrace, unable to escape, struggled with all her might. She swung her bag, hitting him hard, then, taking advantage of his momentary daze, slapped him across the face.

This sobered him up.

“That slap is to teach you some manners.”

Li Wan turned and left without looking back, ignoring Zhuo Cheng’s embarrassment and the stares of others. She felt disgusted, his alcohol-laced breath repulsive, she couldn’t bear it for another second.

Then, she felt a wave of grievance, an inexplicable sense of being wronged, her heart aching, desperately needing a comforting embrace, a familiar voice, a familiar scent.

She took out her phone and saw a message from Lin Shuangzhi, sent half an hour ago, asking what she was doing.

Li Wan called her directly, and after a long while, the call was finally answered, the background noise unexpectedly loud.

“Where are you?”

Lin Shuangzhi put down her glass, the bartender taking it away, and gestured for another.

This was her third drink, she drank occasionally, but such uncontrolled, consecutive drinking was rare.

The person on the other end asked again, “Team Leader, where are you?”

“I’m having a drink, want to join me?”

Half an hour later, Li Wan spotted the familiar figure at the bar.

She quickly walked over, and the bartender, familiar with both of them, reported without being asked, “She’s had quite a few tonight.”

He held up four fingers.

Li Wan frowned and gently placed her hand on Lin Shuangzhi’s shoulder.

“Why are you drinking so much?”

She had had drinks with Lin Shuangzhi a few times before and knew this was her way of unwinding when she was upset. But she was usually more restrained, not like this.

Lin Shuangzhi, aware of her arrival, felt her frustration easing slightly, but her mind was already clouded by the alcohol, and she mechanically reached for her glass again.

Li Wan, seeing her continue drinking without answering, felt her suppressed anger resurfacing.

She snatched the glass away and, almost shouting in the noisy bar, said, “Working so hard every day, and instead of resting after work, you come here and drink so much, do you have a death wish?”

Lin Shuangzhi finally turned to look at her, her gaze unfocused, wandering for a moment before settling on Li Wan’s face.

An angry rose, with thorns, yet even more alluring.

Lin Shuangzhi leaned closer, her body almost touching Li Wan’s.

The scent of alcohol mingled with Lin Shuangzhi’s light fragrance, like a freshly mixed cocktail, and Li Wan’s face flushed, but her hand instinctively steadied Lin Shuangzhi.

“Xiao Wan, where did you go tonight?”

Lin Shuangzhi seemed fixated on this question, she had already asked in her message, and now she was asking again.

Li Wan, recalling the infuriating scene earlier, said irritably, “I went for a drink with Zhuo Cheng…”

Before she could finish, her words were silenced.

The strong scent of alcohol enveloped her, and Li Wan felt instantly intoxicated.

The soft touch on her lips made her forget to think, and it took her a few seconds to realize she was being kissed.

Caught off guard, Lin Shuangzhi had kissed her, just like that.

The noise of the bar faded away, Li Wan’s mind blank.

She remained frozen, kissed again and again by Lin Shuangzhi.

After a long while, those soft lips finally parted, but Li Wan didn’t dare to look at the person who had kissed her.

Her heart pounded, and she felt strangely timid, unable to even respond.

She was afraid that her overflowing affection would be dismissed as drunken behavior.

A warm breath by her ear, “Xiao Wan, I’m not drunk.”

**

Qin Qianrou, after finishing her work and emerging from the bathroom, saw Shen Yiqiu still awake, sitting on the bed, looking at something on her phone.

Qin Qianrou composed herself, calmly walked over to the other side of the bed, pulled back the covers, and sat down beside Shen Yiqiu, leaning against the headboard.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

Shen Yiqiu put her phone on the nightstand and casually wrapped her arm around Qin Qianrou from behind. “Reading web novels, there are a couple of good ones I’m following.”

“Weren’t you tired earlier? Why are you still awake so late?”

Although Shen Yiqiu was holding her, they both felt a little awkward and restrained in bed, not exactly uncomfortable, just a little unfamiliar, after all, sharing a bed was a first for them, they were inexperienced.

“How can I sleep before my girlfriend arrives?”

Qin Qianrou, unlike before, wasn’t as calm and composed, especially at this late hour, sitting in bed, leaning against Shen Yiqiu, her words were incredibly alluring.

“Such sweet talk at such a young age.” She gently tapped Shen Yiqiu’s nose, her tone playful.

Shen Yiqiu stared, mesmerized, Jiejie without makeup was even more beautiful, and the scent of her shower gel made her feel intoxicated.

She leaned closer and gently kissed Qin Qianrou.

Her kiss wasn’t forceful, cherishing Qin Qianrou’s lips, gradually softening into a gentle caress.

Qin Qianrou, almost breathless, had to push her away.

Her cheeks flushed, the warmth in her body unsure if it was from the lingering heat of the shower or from Shen Yiqiu’s proximity. Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but marvel at a young person’s energy and passion.

“It’s late, let’s go to sleep.” Qin Qianrou smoothed her hair, avoiding Shen Yiqiu’s intense gaze.

Shen Yiqiu was content, being able to kiss Jiejie again before bed, she felt incredibly happy.

“Mm, together.”

Shen Yiqiu had thought she would have sweet dreams tonight, her heart filled with joy, but in the middle of the night, the scenes in her dream made her break out in a cold sweat, her body paralyzed, unable to speak or even cry out, she could only watch in helpless terror.

She was frantic in her dream, terrified yet powerless.

She felt a familiar, sharp pain in her chest, her precognitive ability.

But she couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality, she wasn’t sure if the scene she was witnessing was a premonition or just a nightmare.

Her sleep became increasingly restless, her body tossing and turning, finally waking the person beside her. The dim bedside lamp came on, and Qin Qianrou’s voice by her ear pulled her back from the abyss of fear and helplessness.

“Bad dream?” Qin Qianrou’s hand gently touched her cold, sweaty forehead.

Shen Yiqiu, still dazed, simply stared at the person before her.

“Don’t worry, it was just a dream.” Seeing her like this, she knew it must have been a nightmare, and she had been terrified.

Qin Qianrou didn’t know if Shen Yiqiu often had nightmares. She thought it might be because they were in Hai City, triggering her memories.

They had talked quite a bit today, about Yuan Qi, and about their experiences in Hai City. Shen Yiqiu still carried the scars of her past.

Qin Qianrou mentally scolded herself for being careless, she shouldn’t have discussed the past with her.

Shen Yiqiu’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Jiejie, I had a bad dream.” Then, she reached out from under the covers and pointed to her chest. “And it hurts again.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression turned serious, “Is something about to happen?”

Shen Yiqiu struggled to sit up, her forehead still damp with sweat.

Her voice was filled with lingering fear. “I’m not sure, I dreamt of you… with someone I don’t know.”

“What kind of person?”

Shen Yiqiu frowned, trying to recall the details of her dream. “I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I’m sure it was a man, not very old, around Shao Ze-ge’s age, and he was wearing a bright yellow tie.”

Qin Qianrou thought for a moment, unable to immediately identify the person.

“And what were you and this man doing in your dream?”

Shen Yiqiu’s expression darkened, and she bit her lip, seemingly reluctant to continue.

Qin Qianrou, sensing her hesitation, gently wiped the sweat from her forehead with her cool hand.

“If you don’t want to talk about it now, you can tell me tomorrow.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, had made up her mind, people often said dreams were easily forgotten, now was when the memory was clearest, she might not remember the details tomorrow.

“I dreamt that you were embracing, and then… he tried to kiss you.”

Qin Qianrou froze, speechless.

Chapter 71 p2

Li Wan thought for a moment, recalling the online discussions. She wasn’t very familiar with these things, but since realizing her own feelings, she had been browsing websites and forums discussing same-sex relationships.

Naturally, such discussions inevitably touched upon intimacy, and being adults, safety and hygiene were paramount, a reminder couldn’t hurt.

“You know, condoms?”

Qin Qianrou’s gaze fell on Shen Yiqiu’s hand holding the glass and froze.

“Ahem, no need to be embarrassed, just a friendly reminder, enjoy your weekend, but… be mindful.”

Qin Qianrou looked away, took a deep breath, and sternly said, “Li Wan.”

Li Wan, quicker than a rabbit, sensing the danger, quickly said, “Okay, okay, I also need to work on getting my own condoms. That’s all, have a wonderful weekend, bye!”

Shen Yiqiu, seeing that she had hung up, asked, “What did Sister Li Wan say?”

“Nothing, she just wished us a happy weekend.”

Shen Yiqiu was used to Li Wan’s boisterous personality and her occasional randomness and didn’t suspect anything, simply thinking that Sister Li Wan’s weekends must be quite boring.

“Jiejie, what are our plans for this weekend?”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t actually considered this, what was there to plan for a weekend? Weren’t weekends just… weekends?

Shen Yiqiu, seeing her actually thinking about it, couldn’t help but smile and lean closer.

Her girlfriend was like a magnet, drawing her in, no matter the distance.

“This weekend is different, you have a girlfriend now.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart softened, looking at Shen Yiqiu, saying such things with her soft, sweet voice.

She reached out and gently ruffled Shen Yiqiu’s hair, her hand then sliding down to her soft earlobe.

Seeing her own reflection in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat. “Indeed, it’s different, you also have a girlfriend now.”

Shen Yiqiu beamed, not giving Qin Qianrou any time to react, and quickly pecked her on the lips.

“Jiejie, you’re the best.”

Qin Qianrou had never known being in a relationship felt like this. Although this “girlfriend” status had only been established a few hours ago, she felt it was the right decision.

The doorbell rang, and just as Shen Yiqiu was about to answer it, Qin Qianrou stopped her.

“I’ll get it.”

Shen Yiqiu paused, nodded, and turned around.

During dinner, they discussed going shopping and watching a movie together tomorrow.

However, after dinner, even the background noise from the TV couldn’t dispel the slight awkwardness in the air. Qin Qianrou still had some work to do, so she suggested Shen Yiqiu take a shower first. But when Shen Yiqiu emerged from the bathroom in her pajamas, they both realized they would be sharing a bed tonight.

This seemed like a first, and their relationship was different now.

It wasn’t like they were living in the dark ages, whether it was between men and women, or women and women, intimacy was… intimacy. However, for them now, it seemed a little too soon.

“Jiejie, should I sleep on the sofa tonight?” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was slightly muffled by the towel around her neck, her hair half-dry, but she was still sweating slightly.

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, glancing at the layout of the room, then at Shen Yiqiu.

Fresh from the shower, she looked even more innocent and pure, her rosy cheeks and delicate skin exuding a youthful vibrancy that no amount of money could replicate.

Qin Qianrou, staring, mesmerized, suddenly recalled Li Wan’s words.

“Jiejie?” Shen Yiqiu, seeing her silence, didn’t know if she agreed or not.

Qin Qianrou composed herself and, looking at her intently, asked, “Do you like sleeping on the sofa?”

Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head, answering honestly, “Who would choose the sofa when there’s a bed?”

“Then why did you suggest it?”

“I thought you might feel awkward.”

“Why would I feel awkward?”

Shen Yiqiu wiped her flushed cheeks with the towel, the friction making her skin even redder.

“Just… nothing.” Shen Yiqiu realized Jiejie was teasing her.

Then, she saw the faint smile in Qin Qianrou’s eyes.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she walked over to her desk, the fresh scent of Qin Qianrou’s shower gel, the same one she used at home, lingering in the air.

“Since we’re together now, there’s nothing to be awkward about. Sleeping together isn’t a big deal, you don’t have to worry.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart was filled with tenderness. “I understand, Jiejie.”

“I still have some work to do, you go to bed first.”

Shen Yiqiu had rushed straight to the airport after class, then hurried to the hotel, not wasting a single moment. From extreme anxiety to overwhelming joy, her emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride, and only after a hot shower did the exhaustion finally set in.

She couldn’t help but yawn, gave Qin Qianrou a quick kiss, then, not wanting to disturb her work and her rest, returned to her own room.

Bothering Jiejie now would only be hindering her work and disrupting her rest, Shen Yiqiu knew her priorities.

**

Thinking of Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu enjoying their romantic weekend together, Li Wan felt a pang of loneliness. It was the weekend, the time most office workers looked forward to, yet she couldn’t bring herself to feel any joy.

The restructuring at the station was underway, and everyone was on edge. The usually relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in their team had vanished, even those colleagues who usually rushed home to their families were now voluntarily working overtime, which gave Li Wan an excuse to stay at the office as well.

“Editor Li, the team leader wants to see you.”

Li Wan smoothed her hair and went to Lin Shuangzhi’s office.

“Team Leader, you wanted to see me?”

Lin Shuangzhi was frowning, reviewing a document. Hearing Li Wan’s voice, she simply glanced up.

“Mm, come in and have a seat.”

Li Wan sensed something was off with Lin Shuangzhi’s mood today. Although she was usually busy, and sometimes her mood would sour after a difficult meeting, it wasn’t like today, a mix of dejection, frustration, and even a hint of anger.

“What’s wrong?” Li Wan asked tentatively after sitting down.

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the report, not reading further.

After a moment, she handed the document to Li Wan.

“Take a look at this first.”

Li Wan’s heart sank as she took the document.

After reading it, her mood soured as well.

“Is this from the station directors?”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer, but her gaze confirmed it.

Li Wan scoffed and handed the document back.

“What is this? Assigning someone who’s always been in charge of advertising to oversee our special projects team? Are our programs going to become advertising compilations now?”

“I’ve already expressed my objections at the meeting, the reason being that Director Yu is unfamiliar with our team’s work and has no relevant experience.”

“What did Deputy Director Ding say?”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed, “He said it’s normal for those outside a field to manage those within it, and with experience, they’ll naturally become familiar with it.”

Li Wan’s anger flared upon hearing this, but before she could explode, Lin Shuangzhi continued, “Deputy Director Ding also said, with our full cooperation, Director Yu’s adjustment period will be significantly shortened.”

Li Wan took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the door, closed it, then lowered the blinds on the window before returning to her seat.

“So it’s settled then?”

Lin Shuangzhi frowned. “Not officially confirmed yet, but it’s almost certain.”

Li Wan picked up a stack of documents from the corner of the desk and threw them back down forcefully. “No, absolutely not! We can’t let Director Yu interfere with our team!”

Sensing Li Wan’s anger, Lin Shuangzhi, who had been feeling frustrated all day, felt a sense of relief.

After a whole day of meetings, dealing with the endless probing and political maneuvering, only Li Wan’s presence felt real.

She walked over to Li Wan, gently placed her hand on hers, which was still clutching the document, and sighed, “Don’t be angry, if Deputy Director Ding insists, then I’ll report it to the city government.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s sudden approach flustered Li Wan, her anger dissipating slightly. It had been a while since they had been this close, and she couldn’t help but yearn for more.

“Wouldn’t going over their heads cause trouble for you? Should I… ask my father to intervene?”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled and took her hand, her gesture more reassuring than intimate. “Deputy Mayor Li always keeps his professional and personal life separate, and besides, his responsibilities aren’t related to the news department, don’t make things difficult for him.” Then, her gaze deepened, her tone firm. “If I can’t even protect our team, how can I be your team leader?”

Lin Shuangzhi’s strength and resolve had a powerful effect on Li Wan, especially with her hand being held like this, and she couldn’t help but whisper, her heart overflowing, “Team Leader…”

Chapter 71 p1

Qin Qianrou glanced at the time, surprised by how late it was. She sat up, extracting herself from Shen Yiqiu’s embrace, maintaining a calm facade, but a slight shyness lingered within her.

“Are you hungry? I’ll order room service.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to do anything, didn’t want to go anywhere, she just wanted to be with Qin Qianrou.

“Whatever you want, Jiejie.”

Qin Qianrou, as if remembering something, glanced at her, then stood up and went to the bathroom without saying a word.

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze followed her until the door closed, then she turned back and habitually reached for her phone, only to realize it was still in her coat pocket. She quickly got up to retrieve it from the closet, realizing one side of her body was numb.

But… she felt so happy.

She would willingly be Jiejie’s pillow forever.

As expected, there were many messages, thankfully, nothing urgent.

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Qianrou emerged from the bathroom, having washed her face, and seeing Shen Yiqiu replying to messages, she didn’t disturb her. She ordered their usual room service, adding a few extra dishes.

She quietly took Shen Yiqiu’s empty glass and replaced it with a fresh, warm one.

“The restaurant is a little busy on weekends, it might take a while.”

Shen Yiqiu looked up at her with a sweet smile. “It’s okay, I’m not hungry.”

She was content, having already received her fill of hugs and kisses today.

Qin Qianrou chuckled, looking at her, “If you’re not hungry, then whose stomach was rumbling just now?”

Shen Yiqiu instinctively touched her stomach, slightly embarrassed. “That was because I was happy.”

Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

Her expression seemed to say, Let’s see how you explain a rumbling stomach representing happiness.

Shen Yiqiu, unfazed, explained earnestly, “I just gained a girlfriend, my entire being is overjoyed, it’s a cause for universal celebration.”

Qin Qianrou, unable to correct her misuse of the idiom “普天同庆” (pǔ tiān tóng qìng), which means “the whole world celebrates together,” usually used for major national events or celebrations, was amused and chuckled.

“So easily satisfied?”

Shen Yiqiu put down her phone, walked over, wrapped her arms around Qin Qianrou’s waist, and looked at her.

“Not easily satisfied, I just acquired the best thing in the world.”

Perhaps it was the change in their relationship, but Qin Qianrou found this illogical and nonsensical statement surprisingly endearing. Instead of rolling her eyes, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She gently pinched Shen Yiqiu’s earlobe. “I need to catch up on some work.”

Shen Yiqiu nuzzled her cheek against Qin Qianrou’s before letting go and returning to her messages.

Qin Qianrou’s phone was on her desk. She picked it up and saw numerous messages and missed calls. She quickly dealt with the important ones, leaving the rest for later.

Li Wan’s call came two minutes later. Qin Qianrou guessed what she wanted to know, sighing helplessly, but still answered the phone.

“Qianrou…” The deliberately drawn-out tone revealed Li Wan’s current expression.

“Mm.”

“So, any news to share?”

Qin Qianrou glanced at Shen Yiqiu, who was looking down at her phone.

She leaned against her desk, resting her elbow on it, supporting her chin.

“You’re the one who works at the station, and you’re asking me for news?”

Li Wan’s barely suppressed laughter made Qin Qianrou want to feign ignorance, So inconsiderate!

“Don’t be shy, we’re practically sisters, no need to be embarrassed about getting a girlfriend.”

The term “girlfriend,” when she had used it with Shen Yiqiu earlier, hadn’t felt so… significant.

Now, hearing it from someone else, it gave Qin Qianrou a different feeling. A little surreal, a little unbelievable, a constant reminder of her new status.

“Qianrou, are you unhappy?” Li Wan’s voice dropped slightly. “Don’t be so stingy, I never hide anything from you, I just wanted to share your joy.”

Her voice lacked conviction towards the end, less a complaint, more an explanation.

Qin Qianrou, snapping back to reality, chuckled softly. “Yes, I have a girlfriend, I forgot to tell you, sorry.”

It was Li Wan’s turn to be surprised. She was silent for a few seconds, almost a full minute.

She knew Shen Yiqiu had gone to Hai City to see Qin Qianrou this weekend. Shen Yiqiu had asked her to keep it a secret, wanting to surprise Jiejie, and Li Wan had been pleased, thinking this child was finally making a move.

She had called to ask if they had met, intending to offer some encouragement and support, her earlier words just wishful thinking, a joke.

She hadn’t expected it to actually happen.

“Qianrou, are you serious? You really…?” She paused, then rephrased her question. “You and Shen Yiqiu are together?”

Qin Qianrou felt a slight shyness, recalling the afternoon’s passionate kiss and the sweet intimacy just now, and she no longer denied it.

Her voice, even she hadn’t realized, was filled with tenderness. “Yes, we’re together.”

Li Wan was her longtime friend, such good news should naturally be shared with her. Qin Qianrou hadn’t intended to keep it a secret, but she hadn’t exactly made a grand announcement either.

Li Wan, however, was ecstatic, even more so than Qin Qianrou. “Oh my god, this surprise will take me three days to process!”

After a moment, Li Wan calmed down slightly. “This is wonderful.”

Such a thing, to others, might be troublesome, but for Qin Qianrou, it was a good thing.

Li Wan was truly happy for her.

“Thank you.” Qin Qianrou, lacking experience, could only think of these two words in response to her friend’s congratulations.

But her sincerity was evident.

“What about you? How have you been lately?”

Li Wan sighed softly, “Compared to your rocket speed, I’m lagging far behind. The station’s restructuring officially began last week. She’s incredibly busy, even busier than before.”

The “she” she referred to was, of course, Lin Shuangzhi.

“Restructuring is a big deal, it can’t be helped.”

Although Qin Qianrou wasn’t at the station, she was still aware of the major personnel and departmental changes. It was said that higher management had been wanting to restructure the television station for a while, and they were using the current station director’s retirement as an opportunity for a complete overhaul.

After all, having someone about to retire handle the unpleasant task of restructuring was the best option.

“Of course I understand, but I still feel bad for her. You have no idea, sometimes when I go to her office to get her signature, the smell of stale instant noodles is overwhelming, it’s awful.”

Li Wan’s voice was filled with heartache.

Perhaps it was because she had fallen for her that she couldn’t bear to see her suffer even slightly.

“Why don’t you work overtime with her, order takeout together?”

Li Wan sighed helplessly. “I do, most of the time, but she works too much, almost every day. No matter how much I want to be with her, I also have to spend time with my parents.”

Saying this, Li Wan finally realized the teasing tone in Qin Qianrou’s voice.

“Oh, Qianrou, you’re making fun of me!”

So, having a girlfriend makes you feel superior now? Allows you to tease me?

Li Wan thought indignantly, then realized the answer was yes.

Having a girlfriend did make you feel superior, it was indeed something to be proud of.

Okay, she had lost the first round.

“I’m genuinely worried about her health, she’s a woman, why push herself so hard, harder than even those old men?”

Li Wan considered herself and Qin Qianrou to be hardworking, but compared to Lin Shuangzhi, they were amateurs. Lin Shuangzhi wasn’t just hardworking, she was practically working herself to death.

“The team leader is just trying her best to protect our team, after all, with such a major restructuring, no one can completely avoid being affected.”

Although Lin Shuangzhi hadn’t mentioned it, both Li Wan and Qin Qianrou knew there were many people at the station who weren’t fond of their team. There was admiration, there was respect, and naturally, there was also jealousy, suspicion, and even resentment.

Their team always tackled the most challenging stories, which was good for ratings, but it also meant facing greater resistance and affecting more people’s interests than other programs.

It was understandable that some people wanted to use this restructuring as an opportunity to get rid of them.

“Shouldering such immense pressure alone, it’s heartbreaking. I’ve hinted several times that I can help share the burden, but she won’t say a word, it’s infuriating.”

What frustrated her even more was that, just when she thought they had made some progress, Lin Shuangzhi, since last week, had reverted to her workaholic ways. Forget about after-work drinks, even suggesting she have some milk tea during overtime seemed to annoy her.

Li Wan even wondered if the person who had initiated their date last week had truly been Lin Shuangzhi, or some alternate personality.

Qin Qianrou, hearing a movement behind her, turned around and saw Shen Yiqiu had put down her phone and was looking at her, a glass of water in her hand.

Seeing Qin Qianrou turn around, she smiled.

A bright, heart-fluttering smile.

“Qianrou, were you even listening to me?”

Li Wan was filled with unexpressed frustrations, having to force a smile and deal with her parents when she got home. Although Zhuo Cheng hadn’t appeared at her home recently, that didn’t mean her parents had stopped their matchmaking efforts.

They still subtly inquired, every few days, if she had met anyone suitable.

Li Wan was so annoyed she almost blurted out that the person she liked was her superior, Lin Shuangzhi, but rationality told her that if she did, it wouldn’t just be her who would suffer the consequences.

She couldn’t implicate the team leader, Lin Shuangzhi didn’t even know about her feelings.

Qin Qianrou sighed helplessly, “Xiao Wan, it’s your own choice, isn’t it?”

Li Wan’s anger instantly deflated.

After a few seconds, she conceded weakly, “You’re right, it’s my own choice, I’ll endure it, no matter what.”

“Alright, I won’t disturb your lovey-dovey weekend reunion.” Li Wan, having expressed her concern for her friend and vented her frustrations, felt much better.

Just as she was about to hang up, she suddenly remembered something. “Do you have… protection in your room?”

“Protection? For what?”

 

Chapter 70

The door was still open. The moment she saw Qin Qianrou, all the words Shen Yiqiu had prepared along the way vanished from her mind. Overwhelmed by emotion and joy, she impulsively embraced Qin Qianrou.

Qin Qianrou, recovering from her surprise, gently patted her back. “Let me close the door first.”

The implication being that Shen Yiqiu should let go and come inside.

The person embracing her readily agreed, but after a soft “Okay,” she didn’t move. The embrace continued, and Qin Qianrou only felt her legs moving, as if she was being pulled into the room.

She was led inside, thankfully, Shen Yiqiu’s pace wasn’t fast, and she was careful not to bump into her, so Qin Qianrou didn’t feel uncomfortable.

However, in this position… it was difficult to close the door.

“Shen Yiqiu, let go.”

“No.”

“Let go, I need to close the door.”

Shen Yiqiu’s steps stopped, but she didn’t release her hold. She was now completely inside the room, and with a gentle nudge of her leg, the door slowly closed.

The click of the lock signaled that Qin Qianrou’s request had been fulfilled.

“Hugging you and closing the door aren’t mutually exclusive, I can do both.”

Her soft voice, her warm breath against Qin Qianrou’s ear, finally confirmed this wasn’t a dream.

The person she had been longing for was right here in her arms.

However, this embrace had lasted quite a while.

“You can’t just hold onto me forever, let go.”

Shen Yiqiu was reluctant, this brief embrace couldn’t possibly alleviate all the longing she had been suppressing.

However, Jiejie’s voice had turned cold, and she was afraid that if she continued, Qin Qianrou would get angry.

Her hands gradually loosened their grip, sliding down to Qin Qianrou’s waist.

She was still wearing her coat, while Qin Qianrou was only in a thin sweater.

“Why are you suddenly here?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her, the face that haunted her dreams every night, a face she could never tire of looking at.

She stared, mesmerized, and mechanically replied, “I missed you, so I came.”

Qin Qianrou’s ears felt warm. She gently pushed Shen Yiqiu’s hands away and turned to pour her a glass of water.

“Take off your coat, you can put your bag in the closet.”

Shen Yiqiu quickly did as she was told, then went to the bathroom to wash her hands, making sure she was presentable.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Qin Qianrou was just bringing over the water. Shen Yiqiu was wearing a shirt and a light V-neck cashmere sweater, a classic preppy style.

Coupled with her fair skin and slender figure, she had to admit, she was quite attractive.

Qin Qianrou paused slightly, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and handed her the glass.

“Just water, I hope you don’t mind.”

Shen Yiqiu took the glass with a smile, took a few sips, and exclaimed, “It’s sweet, so delicious.”

Qin Qianrou looked away, not responding.

The atmosphere in the room was a little strange, the initial joy of their reunion gradually fading, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou sat on the sofa, neither of them speaking.

Shen Yiqiu thought for a moment, then explained her reason for coming. “I don’t have any homework this weekend, and my Monday class was cancelled, so I thought I’d come see you, Jiejie.”

“Mm, thank you for your effort.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart sank slightly, a cold and distant response, as expected.

Her intuition hadn’t been wrong, Jiejie was indeed angry with her.

But why?

She couldn’t understand, but as a good student, she had to get to the bottom of this.

So, she moved closer, sitting right next to Qin Qianrou.

“Jiejie, did I do something to upset you?”

Qin Qianrou, still struggling with her own internal conflict, hadn’t expected Shen Yiqiu to be so direct, and she suddenly felt embarrassed to answer.

She looked at Shen Yiqiu for a moment, then sighed softly. “No, I’m just… a little tired lately.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, didn’t believe her, “You’re lying.”

Qin Qianrou rarely felt so exposed, being called out like this, it was truly awkward.

But she had always been composed under pressure, she maintained her calm demeanor, simply avoiding Shen Yiqiu’s gaze.

Whenever she looked into those clear eyes, her heart would race uncontrollably, her carefully constructed walls crumbling.

Sensing Qin Qianrou’s attempt to create distance again, Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Qin Qianrou, preventing her from moving away.

“Jiejie, tell me what’s wrong, okay?”

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, her gaze lowered in thought, as if considering whether to tell her.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart pounded like a drum, as if awaiting a life-altering verdict, yet she was completely clueless about its nature.

“Shen Yiqiu, I’m not sure…” Qin Qianrou slowly looked up, taking a deep breath. “I think, we should… perhaps…”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to hear anymore, perhaps from watching too many dramas, but whenever such dialogues appeared, the outcome wasn’t usually good, and coming from Qin Qianrou, it was likely a rejection.

This meant that all her waiting, all her anticipation, would be for nothing.

She couldn’t accept this, Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t allow it.

She cupped Qin Qianrou’s face, gently but firmly, preventing her from avoiding her gaze.

Her thumb gently caressed Qin Qianrou’s cheek, the warmth spreading through her skin with each touch.

Qin Qianrou felt her face burning.

Shen Yiqiu’s love and affection were unconcealed, clearly and unmistakably expressed, further intensifying the heat in Qin Qianrou’s cheeks.

Shen Yiqiu slowly leaned closer, her lips brushing against Qin Qianrou’s, whispering, “Jiejie… Jiejie…”

Qin Qianrou held her breath as a soft kiss landed on her lips.

A gentle touch, just their lips brushing against each other. Memories of the past few days flooded back, the turmoil in her heart surging, making it impossible for Qin Qianrou to escape.

“You asked me to give you time, and I’m willing to wait, no matter how long. You said you would give me the freedom to choose, and I would accept any outcome. But you can’t just… shut me out like this, without any explanation.”

Shen Yiqiu pulled away from her lips, but she didn’t move away.

Her breaths, the warm scent from her mouth, brushed against Qin Qianrou’s face.

It was… ticklish, and also… stirring.

Qin Qianrou’s eyes softened, gazing at her, slightly dazed.

Then, a kiss, even more intense than before, arrived as expected. Shen Yiqiu, no longer cautious and hesitant, pressed her lips against Qin Qianrou’s, her heart filled with love.

Without a sliver of space between them, she kissed her deeply, yearning for a complete fusion.

Qin Qianrou, seeing her fervor and her persistence, slowly closed her eyes, parting her lips slightly, offering a response.

After the initial nervousness and excitement, she surrendered to the sweetness of the kiss.

The soft touch against her lips made Qin Qianrou instinctively open her mouth, and then there was no turning back.

Shen Yiqiu’s hands moved, but lacking experience, unsure where to place them, she could only nervously caress Qin Qianrou’s back.

Even this was enough to make Qin Qianrou dizzy.

No one had ever made her feel like this.

She heard the steady rhythm of her own heart, surrendering, bit by bit.

As her rationality returned, Qin Qianrou gently pushed Shen Yiqiu away, signaling her to stop.

Shen Yiqiu, lost in the moment, reluctant to let go of this rare opportunity, her eyes half-closed, didn’t move.

Qin Qianrou, however, was now fully alert, and she pushed her away more firmly.

A flicker of confusion, then hurt, flashed across Shen Yiqiu’s eyes.

So Jiejie, are you rejecting me after all?

Qin Qianrou closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smoothed her slightly dishevelled hair.

Shen Yiqiu was still very close, her arms loosely around her, and Qin Qianrou tried to compose herself.

The lingering flush on her cheeks made her even more beautiful, adding to her allure.

“Shen Yiqiu, before I give you my answer, I need an explanation.”

She hadn’t intended to delve into this, she hadn’t wanted a confrontation with Shen Yiqiu, it seemed petty.

But the person who had captured her heart was… different.

Qin Qianrou understood the logic, but her heart wouldn’t accept it.

That subtle unease lingered, yet she couldn’t deny the pleasure of that kiss. So, she decided to get to the bottom of this, so they could start anew, without any reservations.

Shen Yiqiu, instead of feeling worried, was overjoyed; Jiejie had finally brought it up.

She had come all this way, not just out of longing, but to seek an answer.

Zhang Meng had told her that if a woman took the initiative to address the issue, it was a good sign.

“Ask me anything, Jiejie, I’ll tell you everything.”

Anything you want to know, I’ll lay my heart bare for you.

Qin Qianrou tried to stand up, and Shen Yiqiu, anxiously grabbing her wrist, didn’t want her to leave.

Qin Qianrou blushed slightly and said softly, “I’m just getting something, wait for me here.”

She reluctantly let go, thankfully, the room wasn’t large, and she could still see Jiejie.

She watched as Qin Qianrou walked over to her desk, took out a manila envelope from the drawer, and paused, holding it, seemingly lost in thought, before slowly walking back towards her. She clutched the envelope tightly, as if it contained a top-secret document.

Qin Qianrou sat back down, creating a slight distance between them, but not too far.

“There are some things I don’t quite understand. I’m not trying to pry, but I hope you can offer an explanation.”

Qin Qianrou’s tone was calm and restrained, without any hint of anger or accusation.

But Shen Yiqiu still sensed something amiss. What’s wrong with Jiejie?

Hesitantly, she opened the envelope, took out the photos, and saw they were from her visit to her cousin’s apartment.

As Senior Zhang Meng had suspected, Jiejie knew about this.

Qin Qianrou had been observing her since she took the envelope. She wasn’t sure what kind of explanation she was hoping for, but she couldn’t help but watch her, wanting to capture every nuance of her expression.

But what was with that faint smile after Shen Yiqiu saw the photos?

Whatever it meant, Qin Qianrou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

There was no trace of guilt or panic, Shen Yiqiu’s reaction hadn’t made her feel foolish.

“Jiejie, how did you get these?”

Qin Qianrou composed herself. “Someone gave them to me.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at the photos again, wondering who would be so bored as to follow her even while grocery shopping, she wasn’t a celebrity.

Then, she realized these photos were clearly taken for Qin Qianrou. But Jiejie wasn’t one to pry into others’ private lives, and she certainly wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics.

Could it be Shao Qidong? Trying to sabotage their relationship, to destroy the trust between them, to isolate her again, turning her back into that helpless orphan?

The thought of that villain made Shen Yiqiu curse him a thousand times in her heart.

But right now, the most important thing was to explain.

It could be cleared up with a simple sentence, but her cousin seemed to be afraid of Jiejie, should she tell her?

Shen Yiqiu’s hesitation made Qin Qianrou’s anxiety resurface.

It seemed Yuan Qi and Shen Yiqiu’s relationship wasn’t ordinary; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so hesitant. If she hadn’t known Yuan Qi before, if she didn’t trust his character, Qin Qianrou wouldn’t be so calm right now.

“I think, before our relationship is clearly defined, there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings between us. Even if it’s just a misunderstanding, it should still be explained, shouldn’t it?” Qin Qianrou’s tone remained calm and restrained, but her breathing was slightly uneven.

Shen Yiqiu finally looked up from the photos and met Qin Qianrou’s gaze.

Beneath Jiejie’s usual composure, there was a hint of unease.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached, this wasn’t the kind of love she wanted to give Qin Qianrou. Loving her meant not making her worry, not making her doubt.

She put down the photos and gently took Qin Qianrou’s hand, which was resting on her lap.

Only after touching it did she realize Jiejie’s palms were slightly damp with sweat.

Her heart stirring, Shen Yiqiu lifted Qin Qianrou’s hand and kissed the back of it.

A shiver ran down Qin Qianrou’s spine, a different sensation from a kiss on the lips, yet equally stirring.

“Jiejie, don’t misunderstand, my relationship with this man is very simple.” Shen Yiqiu looked up at her, her eyes filled with an intensity deeper than ever before, her tone unusually serious. “He’s my cousin, he’s been traveling the world, which is why he wasn’t around when I was in the hospital.”

Qin Qianrou had considered many possibilities, even a close friendship between people of different generations. She wasn’t worried about Shen Yiqiu having feelings for someone else, but she still minded, she minded Shen Yiqiu being so close to someone else, even if it was just simple admiration for an elder.

Her possessiveness was growing, which made Qin Qianrou feel uneasy, no one had ever made her lose her composure like this.

But she still wanted to hear it directly from Shen Yiqiu, who this person was, and their relationship.

She even wanted to ask directly, Am I the most important person in your heart?

Cousin, the usually quick-witted Reporter Qin mentally repeated the term several times before finally understanding.

This was something she hadn’t expected at all, and Yuan Qi had never mentioned it either.

“Jiejie, you don’t believe me?” Shen Yiqiu’s eyes dimmed slightly, it seemed some things couldn’t be kept secret for too long.

Hidden for too long, the truth also became less believable.

“I believe you, I believe everything you say.”

Shen Yiqiu had never seen Jiejie so gentle, and the gradually decreasing distance between them, the rising temperature, made her feel like she was dreaming.

Shen Yiqiu stared at her, slightly dazed, until Qin Qianrou’s face was almost touching hers.

“Jiejie, I…”

“I’ve had enough time, I can give you my answer now.”

Before Shen Yiqiu could even process her words, a firm hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer.

Qin Qianrou’s kiss was different from Shen Yiqiu’s, just like her personality, slightly cool, yet firm, even a little dominant.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, seeing Qin Qianrou clearly before her, the subtle pores on her skin, her slightly trembling eyelashes, her heart racing uncontrollably.

She reached up and embraced Qin Qianrou, minimizing the distance between them, yearning to fuse into one.

Their breaths mingled, their scents intermingling, Qin Qianrou’s hand sliding down from the back of Shen Yiqiu’s head to her neck.

Her slender fingers caressed Shen Yiqiu’s skin, drawing a soft moan from her. Qin Qianrou, however, didn’t relent, for the first time, asserting her dominance in their interaction.

She deepened the kiss, prolonging it, then, just as Shen Yiqiu was about to run out of breath, gently pulling away slightly, allowing her to breathe, then returning for another passionate kiss.

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t remember how long they kissed for, she only knew her heart felt like it was about to burst, her love, finally finding a place to belong, yet still not enough.

She had so much love, overflowing from her heart, all for Jiejie.

Between kisses, during a brief moment of respite, Shen Yiqiu whispered, “Jiejie, I love you.”

They kissed until they were breathless, reluctantly parting, yet unwilling to truly separate, their foreheads touching.

Qin Qianrou, only now realizing her own impulsiveness, couldn’t quite believe how proactive she had been. Perhaps it was the release of all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing, the lingering unease instantly dissipating, and she had simply followed her heart.

She liked Shen Yiqiu, she wanted to accept her feelings, she was willing to embark on this undoubtedly difficult path with her, her hesitation and doubts erased by Shen Yiqiu’s simple explanation.

Shen Yiqiu, I trust you.

Shen Yiqiu, catching her breath, a constant smile on her lips, pulled Qin Qianrou closer, settling her into her embrace.

She adjusted their position, letting Qin Qianrou lean against her, half-reclining.

Qin Qianrou’s eyes were closed, as if resting, or perhaps… savoring the moment?

Shen Yiqiu smiled and whispered in her ear, “Jiejie, you’re so sweet.”

Qin Qianrou’s ears burned, but her lips curved into a smile.

She didn’t respond to Shen Yiqiu’s words, but simply nestled closer, finding a more comfortable position in her embrace.

Shen Yiqiu’s other arm wrapped around her, holding her securely.

This time, Qin Qianrou’s silence didn’t make Shen Yiqiu feel sad, her smile widening. She thought for a moment, then leaned closer again, this time not just whispering in Qin Qianrou’s ear, but gently nibbling on her earlobe.

As expected, the person in her arms trembled.

Before Qin Qianrou could open her eyes, she heard a sweet, soft voice, laced with double the usual affection, by her ear. “My girlfriend is so sweet.”

Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed, and she opened her eyes slightly, seeing a beaming face before her.

A face that made her heart race.

Suppressing her shyness, she reached up and wrapped her arms around Shen Yiqiu’s neck, pulling her closer.

“From now on, you have to listen to your girlfriend.”

Shen Yiqiu responded without hesitation, “As you command, my dear girlfriend.”

Qin Qianrou’s lips, redder and fuller than usual, captivated Shen Yiqiu, and at such close proximity, she couldn’t resist leaning in for another kiss.

Qin Qianrou, however, turned her face slightly, letting the kiss land on her cheek instead.

“My lips are swollen.”

Shen Yiqiu gently kissed her cheek, then her gaze returned to her lips.

“Then I’ll kiss you again tomorrow.”

**

They lingered on the sofa like this, one sitting, one half-reclining, until night had completely fallen. Shen Yiqiu, looking up at the starry sky outside, realized they hadn’t closed the curtains.

Thankfully, they were on a high floor, and it hadn’t been completely dark outside earlier.

Wen Shao Ze had called Qin Qianrou several times, but she hadn’t answered. He had also sent Shen Yiqiu a few messages, but there had been no reply. He had been worried at first, then, as if realizing something, he had simply shaken his head and smiled helplessly.

He had received a call from Wen Yirong that morning, informing him that the weekend dinner with the Cheng family had been cancelled, and he had immediately guessed it was Qin Qianrou’s decision.

Wen Yirong hadn’t been surprised, after all, her daughter’s stance had always been clear.

“Shao Ze, find a chance to talk to Qianrou, ask her about her plans.”

“It’s normal to decline a blind date, don’t worry.”

Wen Shao Ze had also rejected many such arrangements, although it always led to arguments with his father.

Wen Yirong, however, wasn’t as calm as before. “You don’t understand, this time, Qianrou was unusually firm, she even told me she has her own arrangements.”

Previously, Qin Qianrou had always said she wasn’t ready for a relationship, but this time, she had said she had her own plans.

A mother knows her daughter best, and the moment Qin Qianrou said those words, Wen Yirong knew this time was different.

Qin Qianrou didn’t want to avoid relationships, she simply didn’t want to be in a relationship with someone her family had chosen, she had someone else in mind.

Wen Shao Ze didn’t dare to say anything, afraid of ruining Qin Qianrou’s plans.

“I understand, I’ll talk to her.”

Wen Yirong sighed, then chatted about some family matters, and just before hanging up, she added, “Come home for dinner more often when you have time, your grandfather hasn’t been doing well lately.”

Extreme heat and cold were always difficult for the elderly, especially for someone who had been through war. Although Grandfather Qin had retired and was enjoying his later years, he was still vulnerable to the effects of aging.

Birth, old age, sickness, and death, an inescapable cycle for everyone.

“I understand, I’ll tell Qianrou.”