Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 47

Qin Qianrou’s network of contacts in Hai City was actually more extensive than in Meng City, thanks to her family’s influence and status. Not wanting to involve her family, Qin Qianrou sought help from her friends regarding the donation, deliberately avoiding her elders.

Young people’s connections were still less influential than their elders’, at least in terms of depth and reach. The feedback took longer than expected, but thankfully, Shen Yiqiu wasn’t in a hurry, even praising Qin Qianrou for being so capable.

“Jiejie, why don’t you work in Hai City? Hai City Television is one of the top stations in the country, not on the same level as Meng City.” This time, Shen Yiqiu finally voiced her long-held question.

Qin Qianrou’s expression remained calm, as if unconcerned about the difference in status between the two stations. “There are things I can’t do in Hai City, while Meng City offers me more freedom.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her profile, the sharp lines of her face, the calm expression, still captivating.

Qin Qianrou waited for a moment, but Shen Yiqiu remained silent, so she instinctively turned to look at her. Their eyes met.

Shen Yiqiu was still lost in thought, admiring Qin Qianrou. She had seen her countless times, and she was currently the person closest to Qin Qianrou. Yet, even so, she still felt that Sister Qin was a flawless beauty from every angle.

Such a beautiful person, how many people must be pursuing her?

It was strange; even Sister Li Wan occasionally complained about her family constantly trying to arrange blind dates for her.

But Jiejie, who was even more beautiful than Sister Li Wan, didn’t have such troubles? It didn’t make sense, it was completely illogical!

Qin Qianrou had expected Shen Yiqiu to look away, but her gaze remained unchanged, filled with admiration and awe, a silent tribute to Sister Qin!

Qin Qianrou felt a little uncomfortable but couldn’t directly tell her to stop staring. “What are you spacing out about again?”

“I’m not spacing out, I’m thinking.”

With the burdens on her heart gradually lifting, the fear and regret fading, Shen Yiqiu was becoming more relaxed around Qin Qianrou, more like her true self.

“Your thinking style is very… artistic.”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled and followed her, not bothering to explain Qin Qianrou’s comment.

Wen Yirong had messaged a few days ago, suggesting they have dinner together. At the time, Qin Qianrou had been busy asking her friends about the patent donation and hadn’t responded immediately. She had procrastinated until now; she needed to give her mother a reply.

However, she hadn’t mentioned it to Shen Yiqiu yet, and Wen Yirong always wanted her to bring Shen Yiqiu along, it was a headache.

“Jiejie, is something bothering you?” Walking beside Qin Qianrou, Shen Yiqiu was still attuned to her every change in mood.

“Not really.” Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to realize her emotions were so easily revealed when she was hesitant.

Shen Yiqiu continued walking beside her, seemingly unconvinced.

Qin Qianrou, for the first time, felt so conflicted about a dinner invitation, but she was reluctant to bring Shen Yiqiu along.

“Shen Yiqiu, if you were to have dinner with my family, would you feel constrained or uncomfortable?”

They had walked in silence for a while, and Qin Qianrou’s sudden question made Shen Yiqiu feel a little awkward.

She imagined the scenario and answered honestly, “I wouldn’t feel constrained or uncomfortable, just a little nervous.”

Nervous? Qin Qianrou couldn’t understand why she would be nervous.

“It’s just the people you’ve met before. My mother, my uncle, and Shao Ze.”

Oh, mother and uncle, having dinner with elders was normal. But why Shao Ze? Shao Ze again!

Shen Yiqiu tried to control her sudden surge of annoyance, she didn’t want to reveal her negative feelings. But hearing Shao Ze’s name made her incredibly uncomfortable!

“What’s wrong? Just hearing about it, and you’re already nervous?”

Not nervous, unhappy!

However, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t say it, she couldn’t even show any signs of displeasure.

“I was just… caught off guard. Would it be awkward for me to join your family dinner?”

Qin Qianrou shook her head without hesitation. “No, if you don’t want to go, you can tell me honestly, there’s no need to force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself, I want to go!” After saying this, Shen Yiqiu added, slightly embarrassed, “Aunt Wen gave me a suitcase full of clothes last time, and I haven’t had a chance to thank her in person.”

Just then, Qin Qianrou’s phone rang. She thought it was her mother calling to confirm their dinner plans.

But it was Shao Ze.

“Why are you inviting me to dinner tonight?” Shao Ze’s invitation was clearly separate from the dinner Wen Yirong had arranged.

“You’re rarely in Hai City, I have to fulfill my duties as a host and treat you properly.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t buying his explanation. She would accept the invitation, but only if Shao Ze was honest.

“If you’re going to continue using that excuse, then my answer is no.”

“Don’t be so cruel! Fine, I need to ask you for a favor tonight, so I wanted to have dinner with you alone, is that acceptable?”

Shao Ze was asking her for a favor? Usually, it was the other way around. Even for the patent donation, she had contacted Shao Ze for help. She thought about it, there was only one thing Shao Ze could be asking her for.

“Are you serious?”

Shao Ze was unusually serious. “Very serious.”

“Alright, send me the time and place later.”

Seeing that his invitation had been accepted, Shao Ze didn’t waste any more words, afraid of angering Qin Qianrou and making her change her mind.

He hung up quickly, and Qin Qianrou shook her head helplessly. At his age, he was still so impetuous.

Shen Yiqiu hadn’t spoken throughout the entire conversation, but she had heard everything. The person on the other end seemed to want to have dinner with Qin Qianrou, and she had agreed.

“I have something to do tonight, so you’ll have to eat dinner alone.”

“It’s okay, you go ahead, I can take care of myself.” Shen Yiqiu forced a smile, but her heart wasn’t in it.

She had been happy just a moment ago, why the sudden change?

Qin Qianrou left in the evening. Shen Yiqiu picked up the room service menu, pretending to be excited about enjoying the luxury of having food delivered to her door.

Seeing that she had already made plans, Qin Qianrou didn’t worry, only reminding her not to open the door to strangers.

As soon as Qin Qianrou left, Shen Yiqiu’s smile vanished, her lips turning down in a pout.

She grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly, her brow furrowed.

“She didn’t even tell me who she was meeting. So secretive, it must be someone special.”

Shen Yiqiu’s imagination ran wild, then she replayed Qin Qianrou’s tone and words during the phone call, sensing a familiar pattern.

Shao Ze!

It seemed Jiejie was always like this whenever Shao Ze was involved.

Could it be that she was meeting Shao Ze tonight?

Shen Yiqiu was puzzled. She had met Shao Ze before, they were even vaguely acquainted. So why hadn’t Qin Qianrou said it directly? She had mentioned having dinner with her family, and she had mentioned Shao Ze, so why not say it now?

Shen Yiqiu’s thoughts spiraled out of control, baseless and illogical. But with even the slightest possibility, she could weave a whole narrative using her strange logic.

Tonight, it was probably a private dinner with Shao Ze, but Qin Qianrou hadn’t said it.

Qin Qianrou considered Shao Ze family, but she had never mentioned their exact relationship.

Could it be…?

Shen Yiqiu’s face turned pale at the sudden thought, her heart racing, wishing she could rewind time by five minutes. Even though it was just a wild guess, the possibility made her feel suffocated.

If Shao Ze was Jiejie’s boyfriend or fiancé, then it made sense for them to have a private dinner, and his presence at the family dinner would also be perfectly reasonable.

Shen Yiqiu was annoyed. Why hadn’t she asked earlier? Even Sister Li Wan had unavoidable blind dates, how could Jiejie be completely free from such social obligations?

Shen Yiqiu bit her lip hard, her hands clutching the pillow tightly, trying to release the inexplicable tightness in her chest.

Whenever she pictured Shao Ze and Qin Qianrou together, a faint pang of jealousy stabbed at her heart.

Her appetite was gone, her head throbbed, and her eyes burned. Shen Yiqiu lay down on the bed, hoping to escape her current torment with sleep.

But it was no use. She closed her eyes, and the image of Shao Ze attentively serving Qin Qianrou food and tea made it difficult for her to breathe.

Why am I feeling like this…?

Shen Yiqiu suddenly sat up. She seemed to understand the reason for her current emotional turmoil, yet she was afraid it was true.

If it was as she suspected, how could she face Qin Qianrou in the future?

Could she still call her “Jiejie” without hesitation, continue living in her home, and put so much effort into her cooking just to see her enjoy her meals?

Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head. No!

She couldn’t let herself continue down this path. Qin Qianrou held a special place in her heart, unlike anyone else. How could she allow her strange feelings to create a rift between them?

Even without knowing the details of Qin Qianrou’s past relationships, she knew her attitude towards relationships was clear: she never engaged in ambiguity and would firmly reject anyone she wasn’t interested in.

Yes, if she didn’t like someone, she would reject them decisively. But from the beginning, Qin Qianrou’s attitude towards Shao Ze could only be described as distant.

She hadn’t completely rejected him, so…

Shen Yiqiu felt her mind clouding over, her face wet with tears. She got up and went to the bathroom, unwilling to see her reflection in the mirror. She quickly washed her face, the cold water washing away the warmth. She told herself that the wetness on her face was just from washing her face.

Qin Qianrou didn’t know about Shen Yiqiu’s emotional turmoil after leaving the hotel. She had agreed to the private dinner because she had guessed what Shao Ze wanted to discuss.

She didn’t want Shen Yiqiu to know about this matter. Besides, there was no need for her to know, it had nothing to do with her.

Seeing Qin Qianrou enter, Shao Ze’s eyes lit up, as if a long-awaited savior had finally appeared.

“You’re finally here!” He eagerly pulled out a chair for her, just as Shen Yiqiu had imagined.

“You said you needed to ask me for a favor, could I refuse?” Qin Qianrou’s calm tone still carried a hint of something else.

Shao Ze gestured for the waiter to serve the dishes. They were the only two people in the private room.

“You’ve probably already guessed what I want to ask, haven’t you?”

Qin Qianrou looked at the painting on the wall behind Shao Ze, then turned her gaze back to him.

“I know what you want to ask, but I really don’t know, so I can’t tell you anything.”

The light in Shao Ze’s eyes dimmed.

He turned his teacup, his fingers tracing the rim.

“After all these years, there’s really no news at all?”

Qin Qianrou, seeing his dejected expression, felt a pang of sympathy.

But she was telling the truth, no matter how cruel, she couldn’t lie to him.

“If you’re so concerned, why don’t you look for him yourself? With your resources, are you afraid you can’t find a living person?”

Shao Ze chuckled bitterly, his head still lowered, unwilling to let Qin Qianrou see his disappointment.

“I’m not afraid of being kicked out of my home again, but I’m afraid my father will hurt him again.”

So, he didn’t dare to use his own resources to search for him, and he certainly didn’t dare to let his father know he hadn’t given up hope.

“In that case, why bother looking for him? Even if you find him, the outcome will be the same as before, only adding to the heartache.”

Shao Ze shook his head slightly, but firmly.

“It’s different now. If I could choose again, I would be brave.”

Qin Qianrou’s usually indifferent heart was suddenly stirred. She had seen Shao Ze tormented by love many times, but she had always considered love to be a troublesome thing, a self-inflicted burden only foolish people trapped themselves in.

She wouldn’t be so foolish, and she had never met anyone who could make her so recklessly brave.

Yet, now, a blurry image flickered in her heart, making her empathize with Shao Ze’s feelings.

Chapter 46

Qin Qianrou accompanied Shen Yiqiu to Hai City, and Rong Fei went abroad for a short-term training course. Li Wan, for once, left work on time, only to find herself alone with no one to hang out with.

In her years at the television station, with their erratic work schedules and unpredictable assignments, Li Wan and Qin Qianrou had become known as the “most unreliable” attendees at social gatherings.

To avoid spoiling others’ fun and making things difficult for the organizers, they had gradually stopped attending alumni reunions or friend gatherings. As a result, their circle of close friends had dwindled, leaving only the two of them.

Lin Shuangzhi, returning from a meeting, saw Li Wan looking dejected.

“Not leaving yet?” Lin Shuangzhi glanced at the time; it was late, and the office was almost empty since the team had a relatively light workload today.

Li Wan hadn’t expected her to appear. The atmosphere between them had been strange these past few days, neither of them initiating contact. Lin Shuangzhi taking the initiative to speak, even if it wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear, made it difficult for Li Wan to ignore her.

“Mm, I have nowhere to go after work, so I thought I’d see if there’s anything I can finish ahead of schedule.”

As she spoke, Li Wan actually turned on her computer, seemingly intending to work overtime. But the empty office made her look rather pitiful.

“Want to order takeout?”

Li Wan was surprised. She had thought Lin Shuangzhi would return to her own office. After an afternoon of meetings, she must have a pile of work to catch up on. She hadn’t expected her to linger here, chatting about takeout, seemingly unconcerned about wasting time.

“What, not hungry? Or do you have dinner plans?”

Lin Shuangzhi was acting very strangely today. Not only had she not left, but she was standing at Li Wan’s doorway, continuing the conversation, as if she wouldn’t leave until Li Wan answered.

“It’s precisely because I have no plans that I’m working overtime.” Li Wan sighed, recalling her earlier predicament.

Lin Shuangzhi chuckled softly and said, “Perfect, we can order together then.”

Li Wan focused her attention on her, looking at her with a puzzled expression. “Did the sun rise from the west today? Team Leader Lin actually taking the initiative to suggest dinner, this is truly a rare sight.”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled and shook her head, turning to leave.

“Hey, you haven’t told me what you want to eat!”

“You decide, I’ll have the same as you.”

From the sound of her voice, Lin Shuangzhi had returned to her office, but hadn’t closed the door.

Since it was just the two of them, and the doors were open, it was easy enough to call out to each other if needed, saving them the trouble of walking back and forth.

So, Li Wan took out her phone and started browsing the usual takeout options. She and Qin Qianrou weren’t picky about food when they were working; as long as it filled them up, it was fine. However, now, she carefully scrutinized the menus, reading them from top to bottom, but nothing seemed particularly appealing.

Strange, usually, it took her less than ten minutes to place an order, why was she having such a hard time deciding today? Li Wan bit her lip and opened the menu of the restaurant they ordered from most often. At least it was familiar, and the food was decent.

Lin Shuangzhi usually ate cold leftovers during overtime, and Li Wan thought she should choose something warm, preferably with soup, to make working overtime more bearable.

So, instead of her usual order, she carefully selected a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The delivery time would be longer, but it felt more… special.

She put down her phone, stared at the screen for a while, unable to focus on work. After a moment of hesitation, she walked over to Lin Shuangzhi’s office.

As expected, the team leader was so busy she didn’t even have time to blink, several reports waiting for her signature piled on her desk. If she hadn’t stayed behind, Lin Shuangzhi would undoubtedly be working alone late into the night.

Sigh, being a leader is truly hard work, and a little… pitiful.

Li Wan stood there for a while, and Lin Shuangzhi finally noticed her presence.

“Why are you just standing there? Come in.”

Her tone was natural, as if the recent coldness between them had never existed. Li Wan had intended to continue observing her, but Lin Shuangzhi’s softened demeanor made her relent.

Besides, being cold towards her hadn’t been her intention.

Li Wan casually flipped her long, wavy hair and walked in.

“I just wanted to let you know I’ve ordered takeout, but the delivery time is a bit long.”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t mind; having food was already good enough, a little delay wasn’t a problem.

Seeing her lack of reaction, Li Wan felt a surge of annoyance again.

“So, if you’re hungry, you can…”

“It’s alright, I’m not hungry.”

Li Wan pursed her lips and fell silent.

Lin Shuangzhi waited for a moment, hearing no response, and looked up from her screen. Seeing Li Wan standing by her desk with her arms crossed, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Still angry?”

Li Wan hadn’t expected her to say that and was taken aback.

“No, why would I be angry?”

“That’s good.”

Lin Shuangzhi dropped the subject, seemingly genuinely believing that Li Wan wasn’t angry. Now it was Li Wan’s turn to be at a loss. She parted her lips, unable to speak, a feeling of frustration building within her.

“Then you continue with your work, I’ll be going. I’ll call you when the food arrives!”

Her high heels made no sound on the carpet, yet Li Wan’s departure carried a certain force, a certain elegance, a certain chill.

Lin Shuangzhi looked at the empty doorway, frowning slightly.

She wanted to ask more, but she was afraid that if she did, she would inevitably bring up the “date” that night. She had seen Li Wan being picked up from the window, and the next day, there had been gossip in the office, describing her date as handsome and wealthy, a perfect match.

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t usually care for gossip, but this time, she couldn’t help but listen, and the more she heard, the more uncomfortable she felt, forcing herself to retreat into silence.

Afraid that if she spoke, she would reveal her true feelings.

As team leader, what right did she have to interfere with her subordinate’s personal life?

She had no such right, never had.

Her brow furrowed deeply, her eyes darkening, and the good mood she had felt earlier, anticipating working overtime with Li Wan, vanished. Lin Shuangzhi forced herself to focus on her work; only then could she calm her racing thoughts.

She didn’t dare to delve deeper, afraid that if she did, she would lose control, arriving at a conclusion she couldn’t face.

Li Wan stomped back to her desk, the chair creaking loudly as she spun around several times. Her phone, which had been ringing on her desk, caught her attention. Thinking it was the takeout arriving early, she quickly answered.

“Have you arrived?”

The person on the other end, clearly not expecting this question, paused for a moment.

“Hello? Where are you? Why aren’t you speaking?”

Li Wan frowned, hearing the familiar, annoying voice.

“Xiao Wan, how did you know I was downstairs?”

Zhuo Cheng was delighted. Although his surprise had failed, Li Wan’s intuition was truly remarkable.

“I didn’t know, I thought it was the takeout delivery.”

Li Wan’s bluntness made Zhuo Cheng momentarily awkward, but he quickly recovered.

“I know you’re working overtime, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Li Wan rolled her eyes, thinking, You’re already disturbing me.

“I bought some food and was about to bring it up, do you want to come down and meet me?”

What is this nonsense? How did Zhuo Cheng know she was working overtime? Li Wan was so annoyed she wanted to tell him to get lost.

“I’ve already ordered takeout, it’ll be here soon. You should take your food back and eat it yourself, don’t waste it.”

“I bought it specifically for you, you not eating it would be a waste.”

Li Wan took a deep breath, her patience wearing thin.

Lin Shuangzhi happened to walk over. She was feeling a little hungry and couldn’t focus on her work, so she decided to wait for the takeout with Li Wan and chat with her.

Just as she reached the doorway, she heard Li Wan’s raised voice, laced with obvious annoyance.

“I’m very busy tonight, so I don’t have time to see you, and I don’t need your food. That’s all, bye!” Before hanging up, she added, “Don’t call again, and don’t tell me you’re waiting downstairs, I’m not interested!”

She hung up, tossed her phone aside, and took a deep breath to calm herself, all in one smooth motion.

Lin Shuangzhi, observing from the side, felt her mood inexplicably improve, even her hunger pangs subsiding slightly.

Li Wan turned around, startled to see someone standing there, then felt a pang of guilt.

She didn’t know how much of that phone conversation the team leader had overheard.

“Why are you suddenly here?”

“You were too focused on your phone call, I’ve been here for a while.”

How long is “a while?” Li Wan bit her lip, staring at her, too embarrassed to ask.

Lin Shuangzhi looked away and casually said, “Was that your date just now? Why were you so harsh?”

“He’s not my date! Don’t be misled by the office gossip, I’m not dating anyone!” This wasn’t specifically directed at Lin Shuangzhi; Li Wan had been feeling wronged for days, wanting to clear things up.

But no one dared to joke about it to her face, and she wasn’t going to explain herself to everyone, it seemed too pointless and demeaning.

Lin Shuangzhi’s smile widened, and Li Wan, after speaking, realized her own eagerness.

She seemed a bit too eager, as if afraid of being misunderstood.

The phone didn’t ring again, but a message arrived: Xiao Wan, I’m waiting for you in the car.

A while later, the takeout arrived, the delivery driver waiting downstairs. According to the station’s rules, takeout couldn’t be delivered upstairs, and the driver was already familiar with the regulations.

Seeing Li Wan’s hesitation, Lin Shuangzhi guessed the reason and volunteered,

“I’ll go get it.”

Before Li Wan could respond, she had already turned and left. After a long while, with only Li Wan left in the office, she suddenly smiled.

She was having dinner alone with the team leader tonight. She felt a flicker of anticipation.

However, Li Wan waited for a long time, but Lin Shuangzhi didn’t return, even though the delivery status showed it had been delivered. The driver was downstairs; there was no need for further confirmation. Where had Lin Shuangzhi gone with the food?

Li Wan thought of a possibility and anxiously went to the window to look outside. As expected, she saw Zhuo Cheng’s car still there. But he hadn’t gotten out, and there didn’t seem to be anyone else in the car.

The team leader hadn’t gone to see Zhuo Cheng, thankfully.

After waiting a while longer, she finally returned.

“Where did you go?”

Li Wan’s worry turned into a complaint, and she snapped at Lin Shuangzhi.

“I went to buy something else.” Lin Shuangzhi didn’t seem to mind Li Wan’s annoyance, placing the items she had bought on the desk.

Li Wan’s gaze followed Lin Shuangzhi’s movements, settling on the food, and a familiar, beautifully packaged bag caught her eye.

It was from her favorite dessert shop.

“Dessert after dinner, the perfect finishing touch.”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t explain why she had suddenly gone to buy this, but her casual remark made Li Wan’s heart flutter.

She felt that the team leader had bought it specifically for her.

Then, she mentally scolded herself: I must be starving and overthinking things, having hallucinations.

**

Without the He Chao couple obstructing them, the investigation into the car accident that killed Shen Yiqiu’s parents progressed smoothly, and the mastermind was apprehended. The inheritance procedures also went smoothly, and Shen Yiqiu, accompanied by Qin Qianrou, completed all the necessary paperwork.

“Now I’m a person of some means.” Shen Yiqiu said self-deprecatingly, holding a thick stack of documents.

“Then let’s celebrate the birth of our little heiress.”

“Wait a moment, I want to do something first.”

Qin Qianrou stopped and waited for her.

Shen Yiqiu looked down, as if making a final decision. Then, she looked up resolutely, “I want to inquire about donating my father’s patents.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her in surprise, “You want to donate them?”

Just inherited them, and she was already planning to donate them? Qin Qianrou didn’t want to interfere with someone else’s private property, but she worried that Shen Yiqiu didn’t fully understand the value of these patents.

“Have you thought this through? Once you donate them, they no longer belong to you, and you won’t receive any future profits.”

Shen Yiqiu smiled calmly, as if she had already considered this.

“My father always said his research wasn’t for personal gain. If these patents can be put to better use, benefiting more people, then that’s the meaning of my donation.”

These patents would be difficult to monetize in the short term, but they had high research value and could be significant for breakthroughs in certain fields. He Chao had been so eager to acquire them because he could sell them at a low price to the buyers behind the scenes, who would then manipulate them, repackaging them as their own achievements.

This way, Shen Zhifeng’s hard work would be completely erased, and these patented technologies wouldn’t be used to benefit society, but merely as tools for personal gain and reputation.

Shen Yiqiu despised such hypocrisy and waste, so she wanted to donate these patents to those who truly understood their value.

Seeing her firm resolve, not a spur-of-the-moment decision, Qin Qianrou didn’t try to dissuade her further.

“I can help you inquire about this, do you have any specific requirements for the recipient?”

“I require that these patents be used for public welfare projects that benefit society, they cannot become private property. And I need regular progress reports on their usage. If the agreement is violated, I want to be able to reclaim the patents.”

Such restrictions might be troublesome, but for institutions truly dedicated to scientific research, they wouldn’t be difficult to meet. Qin Qianrou wasn’t very familiar with this field, but she didn’t think Shen Yiqiu’s conditions were excessive.

“Anything else? Any requirements for compensation or returns?”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head. “No, this is a donation without any conditions.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her intently, her gaze reflecting Shen Yiqiu’s bright and cheerful smile.

The knot in her heart was gradually untangling, the past regrets slowly being mended. Shen Yiqiu didn’t hide her changing mood, she wanted to share this joy with Qin Qianrou.

The patents could be donated, but the Shen family’s property and savings in Hai City were substantial assets. Shen Yiqiu was no longer a lonely wanderer; she could finally have a home.

But neither she nor Qin Qianrou seemed to realize this shift, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t intend to move out of Qin Qianrou’s home. She simply felt that she had more money now, she could finally buy groceries with her own money.

This way, she could buy better food for Jiejie.

There was little suspense in He Chao’s case. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and with numerous witnesses, the once arrogant Professor He now looked haggard and defeated, almost unrecognizable.

When he stood in the defendant’s dock, Shen Yiqiu almost didn’t recognize him. However, the moment had finally arrived, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The memories of her past life flooded her heart, a thousand words unable to express her current emotions.

A cool hand covered hers, and Shen Yiqiu looked down, her gaze fixed on Qin Qianrou’s slender fingers.

Chapter 45

Dinner was at a high-end restaurant in Meng City. Even though it wasn’t the weekend, there were quite a few customers. The soft piano music in the background created a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

Zhuo Cheng had carefully chosen the location. Li Wan had rarely agreed to his invitations, and she had surprisingly let him choose the place this time. This made Zhuo Cheng almost disbelieve it, feeling like he was back in university.

Back then, he had been strapped for cash, barely able to afford basic living expenses, let alone extravagant dates. But Li Wan had never complained, never compared him to others, and had always carefully protected his proud and sensitive ego.

He had earned extra money tutoring and taken her to eat street food in hidden alleys, and she had enjoyed it. He had bought her inexpensive jewelry for their anniversary, and she had praised the unique designs, never showing disdain. Li Wan’s fiery temper seemed reserved only for those who looked down on them and ridiculed him.

Yet, he hadn’t cherished such a wonderful and perfect girlfriend.

How had he been able to let her go…? During countless long, dark nights after returning to Meng City, Zhuo Cheng had repeatedly asked himself this question. But he knew, even if he could go back in time and choose again, given the circumstances and his confidence in his own abilities, he would still have chosen to go abroad.

However, perhaps he wouldn’t have broken up with her, choosing to maintain their long-distance relationship instead. Because the more people he met, the more he realized how wonderful Li Wan was.

Following his usual habit, Zhuo Cheng ordered all of Li Wan’s favorite dishes. He was tall and handsome, and now, dressed impeccably, his years abroad had added a touch of maturity. His overall charm had significantly increased since university, even attracting the attention of the young waitresses.

Li Wan’s demeanor had been indifferent since she arrived, her responses curt, avoiding eye contact. Zhuo Cheng sensed her avoidance, but it was already much better than their first encounter after his return.

He felt a surge of joy, his expression even more charming. Even in this setting, he still attracted the attention of many young women.

“No need for wine, I’m not drinking.” As they reached the end of the menu, Li Wan stopped him from ordering alcohol.

“This restaurant has a great selection of rare and limited-edition wines, it would be a shame not to try some.”

“I’m not drinking.”

Seeing her insistence, Zhuo Cheng didn’t press further, ordering two glasses of freshly squeezed juice instead.

“Xiao Wan, have you quit drinking, or are you simply unwilling to drink with me?”

Zhuo Cheng’s voice was gentle. Unlike his accommodating tone in university, he now exuded a sense of magnanimity.

Because he felt he was stronger now, capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Li Wan, no longer the “phoenix man” who had latched onto a rich girl.

Li Wan had been detached since she arrived, not paying attention to the restaurant he had chosen or the dishes he had ordered. She just wanted to get to the point and leave quickly.

Having worked all day, she was already exhausted, and now having to deal with this annoying pest, Li Wan’s mood soured. She wondered if this counted as overtime. Speaking of overtime, it seemed the team leader was still at the office when she left. Everyone had grown accustomed to Lin Shuangzhi always being the last to leave.

Previously, Qin Qianrou had been just as dedicated, but lately, Reporter Qin had been reducing her overtime hours, while Team Leader Lin remained as dedicated as ever. The true “Iron Worker” title undoubtedly belonged to Lin Shuangzhi.

Thinking of Lin Shuangzhi, Li Wan’s expression softened, a faint smile appearing in her eyes. Zhuo Cheng, who had been observing her, naturally didn’t miss this change.

He felt a pang of displeasure. Li Wan had agreed to his invitation, but she seemed detached and distracted.

“Xiao Wan, how’s work been lately? I heard from Uncle Li that you’re so busy you rarely have time for proper dinners at home. That’s not good for your health.”

Li Wan was forced to bring her attention back to the present. Hearing Zhuo Cheng’s feigned concern, she felt even more disgusted.

“That’s how it is in the news industry, we don’t control our own time. It’s fine to eat later, but we can’t delay chasing news stories, otherwise I’ll lose my job.”

Li Wan’s casual tone revealed the demanding nature of her work.

Zhuo Cheng looked at her with feigned concern, his gaze lingering. Although he didn’t receive a response, he continued expressing his “care.”

“You’ve been working for quite a few years now, why tire yourself out so much? Have you considered resigning, or changing jobs?”

Li Wan frowned and looked at him sideways. “Resign? So I can become a freeloader at home?”

Her teasing tone was laced with sarcasm and disdain. She was young, capable, had dreams and aspirations, and like-minded friends by her side, why would she resign?

“If you’re willing, I can take care of you, I’m willing to give you all my earnings. You don’t have to be a freeloader, you can maintain your current lifestyle, or even live better.”

Although Li Wan’s father was the deputy mayor, his responsibilities weren’t related to finance or industry, and being an upright official, his income wasn’t particularly high. Most of the Li family’s current assets were actually from Li Wan’s mother’s dowry; as an only child from a wealthy family, she had inherited most of her family’s wealth.

“Zhuo Cheng, I hope you understand. I agreed to have dinner with you tonight only to ease the awkwardness between us and to avoid making things difficult for my father. But our relationship is just that, nothing more. As for your offer to take care of me, to give me your money, that’s crossing the line. You’re an adult, you should know what’s appropriate to say and what’s not.”

Li Wan’s tone was calm, but her words were rapid-fire. Zhuo Cheng knew her well; this was a sign of her simmering anger.

She used to be like this in university, but back then, it was to defend him.

He felt a pang of bitterness but persisted.

“I misspoke, I didn’t mean to pressure you, I just wanted to express my feelings. If you’re willing, I can fulfill my promise anytime.”

Li Wan raised her hand irritably. “Enough, if you continue like this, there’s no point in having this dinner.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anymore. The steak here is famous, even better than the other place, I only found out after coming back.”

Zhuo Cheng wasn’t a foodie, and Li Wan didn’t doubt his sincerity, but things had changed. The feeling was gone, and anything he did now only disgusted her.

“My boss recommended this place to me, he practically knows every good restaurant in Meng City.”

Li Wan, who had been losing interest, suddenly perked up upon hearing Shao Qidong mentioned. To avoid being noticed, she suppressed her excitement and feigned indifference.

“I heard you’re a highly sought-after talent, why did you choose to work for Dongsheng? I’m sure many companies offered you positions.”

Dongsheng was indeed a prominent company in Meng City, but it wasn’t the only one. It was wealthy, but seemed lacking in other aspects. As a financial expert, Zhuo Cheng could have gone to a more specialized firm.

“Because Dongsheng offered the best terms and the greatest opportunities for development.” Zhuo Cheng unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap. “You know me, I hate feeling hopeless.”

Li Wan pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then asked, “Your salary abroad wasn’t low, you’ve worked hard for so long, and you were willing to give it all up to come back. It seems Dongsheng is really willing to spend money. Can you tell me how much they offered, to impress me?”

Zhuo Cheng didn’t suspect anything, even feeling a little pleased that she had asked.

“Three times my salary abroad, plus stock options. More importantly, it allows me to quickly establish myself in Meng City.”

Being overseas, a high salary meant nothing; he was still a foreigner, an outsider. Different race, different skin color, always adrift. But Meng City was different, it held cherished memories and the people he cared about.

“I thought you would be the CFO of Dongsheng, but your name doesn’t appear on the company website. Your boss spent so much money to recruit you, and he gave you an insignificant position?”

Their steaks arrived, and Zhuo Cheng picked up his knife and fork, slowly cutting his steak.

“I didn’t expect you to pay attention to such things. I thought you never cared about what I was doing.”

Perhaps because he had been so successful in recent years, with women constantly vying for his attention, Zhuo Cheng subconsciously assumed everyone was interested in his every move.

Li Wan rolled her eyes inwardly, maintaining a calm expression.

She looked down and cut her steak. Her smooth forehead, her dark hair, her elegant yet sensual posture, and the faint scent of her perfume, all captivated Zhuo Cheng.

She was still so beautiful, even more so than before.

Zhuo Cheng’s heart raced, his guard gradually lowering.

Seeing Li Wan’s silence, afraid of the conversation ending abruptly, he explained, “Dongsheng is setting up a new branch, and a large number of new projects will be transferred there. I’m mainly responsible for that aspect.”

“A new company? Such a big move, I haven’t heard anything about it.”

“It’s still in the planning stages, it hasn’t been officially announced yet. And it involves international collaborations, so they’re being cautious.” He smiled at her. “Xiao Wan, this is confidential business information, you’re not going to report it, are you?”

Although he said this, there was no real concern in his tone. Li Wan, however, was displeased and glared at him. “What, are you questioning my professional ethics, or my character?”

“I absolutely trust you.”

Li Wan thought to herself, Shao Qidong is secretly setting up a new company, what for? Is he expanding his overseas operations? Dongsheng owns a lot of self-developed technology patents, which received substantial government funding during the R&D process. If he’s planning to sell these patents abroad, wouldn’t that be…

“Xiao Wan, why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your liking?”

“No, I was just thinking about something. The food is good, your boss has decent taste.”

“He’s a loner, so he only has these kinds of hobbies.”

Seemingly displeased by Li Wan complimenting someone else, Zhuo Cheng’s tone carried a hint of jealousy.

Li Wan naturally noticed his feelings and took the opportunity to say, “He must be too ambitious, only wanting to be a rich businessman. You’ve been with him for so long, you might become like him too.”

“Absolutely not, I’m not a workaholic. And although this project is large-scale, the preparations are going quickly, I don’t intend to stay with him forever.”

Li Wan glanced at him. It seemed Shao Qidong was in a hurry with his overseas collaborations.

Having achieved her goal for tonight, further conversation might arouse Zhuo Cheng’s suspicion. She knew him well and knew when to stop.

So, she put down her knife and fork, wiped her mouth, having only taken a few sips of her juice.

Zhuo Cheng was surprised, his knife and fork still in midair. “You’re full already?”

Li Wan placed her napkin on the table and smiled brightly. “I just remembered I have some unfinished business at the station, I need to go back.”

Finally free from this annoying pest, her smile was genuinely bright.

Zhuo Cheng’s heart melted at her smile, and he quickly put down his cutlery, offering to drive her back.

“You enjoy your meal, don’t waste your boss’s recommendation. I’ll call a taxi myself, it’s still early, and it’s safe.”

Zhuo Cheng watched her leave, disappointed as her figure disappeared from view.

They had been having a pleasant conversation; he hadn’t expected it to end so soon. He had even been planning his next invitation, but Li Wan had left abruptly.

Working at a TV station is truly demanding. How can Xiao Wan handle it?

Zhuo Cheng’s thoughts wandered, feeling a sense of unease. He ordered a bottle of wine, opened it sullenly, and drank glass after glass by himself.

**

When Qin Qianrou went to request leave from Lin Shuangzhi the next day, Li Wan happened to be in the team leader’s office as well. This was a common occurrence; as managing editor, discussing project proposals and program progress with the team leader was part of her job.

However, Qin Qianrou sensed something was off with the atmosphere in the office today. They seemed reluctant to speak, their conversation strictly business, without any casual banter.

Although the team leader wasn’t as outgoing and playful as Li Wan, she had never discouraged Li Wan’s jokes and would even laugh along, quite supportive.

What’s going on today…?

Suppressing her curiosity, Qin Qianrou stated her purpose. Lin Shuangzhi took the leave application form and looked it over.

“You’re taking leave to go to Hai City?”

“Yes, personal matters.”

Qin Qianrou specifically emphasized “personal matters,” afraid the team leader might think she was still pursuing the He Chao matter.

“You have enough leave days remaining. I’m just asking as a formality, don’t mind me.” Hearing it was a personal matter, Lin Shuangzhi didn’t ask further and readily signed the form.

“Things are a bit hectic at the station lately, so please ensure a proper handover before your leave. And also, keep your phone on during your leave, maintain clear communication. These are the station’s rules, don’t think I’m nagging.”

Perhaps because Qin Qianrou rarely took personal leave, Lin Shuangzhi couldn’t help but reiterate the leave regulations as she handed the form back to her.

“I understand, thank you, Team Leader. Then I’ll be going.”

Li Wan hadn’t spoken a word throughout the entire exchange, her silence unsettling. Before leaving, Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but glance at her, puzzled, but she couldn’t ask in front of the team leader.

Li Wan stood up. “I’ll be going as well. Let’s postpone our discussion for now.”

Then, she quickly followed Qin Qianrou out of the office.

A soft sigh came from behind them, from Lin Shuangzhi.

Back in Qin Qianrou’s office, Li Wan’s mood hadn’t improved, but she was more talkative than before.

“Xiao Wan, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, same as always.”

“Really? You look very unhappy.”

Li Wan paused. “That obvious?”

Qin Qianrou nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

Li Wan bit her lip, her annoyance growing. “It’s that obvious, and she didn’t even notice!”

This is infuriating! Infuriating!

Qin Qianrou was increasingly baffled by her friend’s emotions, but Li Wan was clearly different from her usual self.

“Did something go wrong with your date last night?”

Date last night?

Li Wan looked at her, puzzled. “Who told you that?”

Qin Qianrou didn’t want to betray her colleagues, so she simply gestured vaguely. “Someone saw you getting into a luxury car yesterday, said a handsome man picked you up. I was just curious, it’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“They’re truly talented gossipers, our team should be renamed the ‘Rumor Mill.’ It would be a waste of talent otherwise.” Li Wan sighed heavily. “I had dinner with Zhuo Cheng last night, trying to get some updates on Dongsheng. I didn’t expect it to turn into a ‘date’ by the time I got back to the office.”

Li Wan almost gagged, and Qin Qianrou gave her a sympathetic look.

Neither of them enjoyed socializing or flattering others. Having dinner with Zhuo Cheng to gather information about Dongsheng was already awkward enough for Li Wan; Qin Qianrou wouldn’t tease her about it.

“By the way, why are you suddenly taking leave? Family matters?”

Hearing that Qin Qianrou was going back to Hai City, Li Wan was curious.

Qin Qianrou rarely went back home on her own accord.

“Nothing’s wrong at home, it’s just that He Chao’s trial is coming up soon.”

Li Wan hadn’t expected Qin Qianrou to be following up on the He Chao matter, but then she thought, if it was a personal matter, Qin Qianrou had no personal connection to He Chao.

“Are you going with the little one?”

“She said she wanted to attend the trial, and I’m also a little interested, so we’re going together.”

Oh, “a little interested,” “going together,” those aren’t the important parts. The important part is “together.” Li Wan quickly grasped the key point: they were going back to Hai City together.

“You’re so good to the little one, going back to Hai City for her without hesitation. Your family will definitely be jealous if they find out.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her helplessly. “Feeling wronged by the team leader, so you’re taking it out on me?”

Li Wan’s expression faltered. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare. I just think, since you’re not so resistant to going back to Hai City anymore, you should take this opportunity to mend your relationship with your family.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t deliberately ignore this topic like before, but seemed lost in thought.

“We’ll see.”

**

Wen Yirong received her daughter’s call one afternoon, just as she was about to leave for afternoon tea with her friends. Hearing that Qianrou was in Hai City, she immediately cancelled her plans.

“Xiao Rou, you’re so well-behaved this time, calling your mother as soon as you arrive.”

Qin Qianrou could sense her mother’s delight.

“Mm, but I still can’t stay at home this time, so I’m just letting you know.”

“Still can’t come home? Why?” Wen Yirong paused, then asked, “Did you bring someone back again?”

Qin Qianrou glanced at the person sitting beside her, sipping a drink, and responded with a simple “Mm.”

“Is it that child from last time?”

“Yes. We’re here to attend He Chao’s trial, we won’t be staying long.”

Wen Yirong’s excitement gradually subsided, and Qin Qianrou could picture the disappointment on her mother’s face.

Her heart twinged slightly, and she hesitantly said, “But we can arrange to have dinner together. If the timing is right, we can also invite Uncle, and Shao Ze.”

“Of course!” Wen Yirong hadn’t expected her daughter to be so proactive and was delighted.

But she quickly realized, “Did you see them last time you were here?”

“Mm, we ran into them on the street.”

Wen Yirong didn’t say anything more, letting out an almost inaudible sigh. “That’s fine, your father is busy anyway, he just left before you arrived, you always miss each other. Let’s have dinner together first, there will be other opportunities later.”

Qin Qianrou had informed her mother of her arrival and was about to hang up when she heard Wen Yirong suddenly say, “Remember to bring that child along, together.”

Qin Qianrou hesitated slightly. This was a family dinner; would Shen Yiqiu feel uncomfortable?

“I’ll ask her.”

Wen Yirong’s interest in Shen Yiqiu now surpassed even her interest in her own daughter. This child had prompted Qianrou to come to Hai City multiple times. And now she was even asking for her opinion, it was just a meal, was it really necessary?

Qianrou’s concern for this child, so subtle and unspoken, hidden in the smallest of details, made Wen Yirong feel it was unusual.

On their way to the hotel, they had agreed to stay at the same hotel as last time. Perhaps they both disliked change; once they found a place they liked, they were reluctant to switch.

Besides attending He Chao’s trial, Shen Yiqiu had other matters to attend to this time. The traffic police had contacted her, saying there had been a major breakthrough in her parents’ case.

Despite the limited leads, justice had prevailed. Chen Kang excitedly told her that the mastermind behind the accident had been apprehended! And unable to withstand interrogation, he had confessed everything.

The entire case was now clear. Shen Zhifeng and his wife had died in a deliberately caused car accident, and the culprit had been caught.

Everything seemed to have reached its conclusion, but Shen Yiqiu knew that the so-called mastermind was just a scapegoat thrown out by Shao Qidong. He had been afraid the investigation would lead back to him, so he had found someone to take the fall.

Now, everyone believed her parents had been harmed by that person, with all the evidence pointing towards him. Only Shen Yiqiu hadn’t forgotten that the true culprit was Shao Qidong.

Regardless, the assets under Shen Zhifeng’s name, which had been temporarily frozen, were now released, and Shen Yiqiu rightfully inherited them. This trip was to handle the inheritance procedures.

Gu Chao and the others, hearing of their arrival, eagerly offered to handle all the arrangements, but Shen Yiqiu politely declined, even asking Zhang Meng to help dissuade them.

“They’re so enthusiastic, I’m afraid to tell them anything anymore.”

Shen Yiqiu grimaced; she was always a little overwhelmed by excessive enthusiasm.

After checking into the hotel, Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu were given the same room as last time. High-end hotels tended to remember their guests’ preferences, and since their previous room was available, it was naturally assigned to them.

“They’re genuinely kind and grateful people, although I’m also not quite used to such enthusiasm.” Qin Qianrou, unpacking her luggage, understood Shen Yiqiu’s feelings.

“Jiejie, what kind of repayment do you prefer then?”

“Me? I don’t need any repayment. I didn’t do those things for a reward.”

Shen Yiqiu thought for a moment, feeling she hadn’t phrased her question correctly.

“I mean, if someone wanted to show their gratitude, would you consider it repayment, or something else?”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t considered this question before. She paused and thought carefully.

“It depends, it depends on the person.”

It depends on the person… Shen Yiqiu pondered her words, unsure what to ask next.

“Don’t just sit there, unpack your things.”

They had a meeting with the lawyer handling the inheritance procedures that afternoon. Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t be able to handle it alone, which was why Qin Qianrou had accompanied her.

Chapter 44

Li Wan’s mouth formed an “O” shape in surprise. Seeing the elevator doors about to close, she quickly pressed the button, wanting to ask Xiao Yu a few more questions, but she heard someone calling him from the advertising department.

“Sister Wan, I have to go to a meeting now. We’re busy today, finalizing the advertising plan for Dongsheng.”

Xiao Yu winked and walked away briskly.

Li Wan stepped back into the elevator, composing herself, and noticed two colleagues from other departments besides herself and Qin Qianrou. They didn’t seem surprised by her reaction; after all, they were also curious.

Stepping out of the elevator, Li Wan sighed. “What’s going on with Dongsheng Group? Suddenly offering so much advertising revenue for no reason, do they think money grows on trees, or are they trying to revive traditional media?”

Qin Qianrou was also pondering this. Shao Qidong definitely had ulterior motives.

After all, Dongsheng Group was already well-known in Meng City. And as a high-tech enterprise, advertising on traditional media wasn’t necessarily effective.

“Maybe it’s a bribe disguised as advertising, to suppress our programs.” Li Wan followed Qin Qianrou into her office; she seemed to prefer being in her friend’s space.

Qin Qianrou took off her trench coat, hung it on the coat rack by the door, and made herself a cup of coffee.

“Whatever the motive, it’s definitely not pure.”

Li Wan hadn’t intended to stay long, but this matter was too strange and sudden, and her curiosity was piqued.

“I’ll find an excuse to go to the advertising department later, to find out what’s really going on. Judging by Xiao Yu’s cheerful demeanor, the entire department must be ecstatic.”

They both knew that the television station’s advertising revenue had been declining in recent years. The advertising department staff were demoralized and often felt inferior to other departments.

In any organization, those who generated revenue were naturally more proud and assertive, and the advertising department staff must have been waiting for a day like this for a long time.

“Don’t just focus on gossip, let’s finalize the topic for our next program first.” Qin Qianrou took a stack of reports from her drawer; this was what she wanted to discuss with Li Wan today. Since she was here, it saved her a trip.

“Haven’t heard from the deputy team leader lately?” Li Wan took the reports and casually flipped through them.

“He’s not in charge of program content, so what input could he possibly have?”

“He strongly opposed your proposal to investigate Dongsheng last time. I heard he recently moved.”

Qin Qianrou frowned, initially not understanding the implication of “moved,” until she saw the knowing look in Li Wan’s eyes.

“Is there a confirmed connection between the two?”

Li Wan said with a hint of regret, “There must be a connection, but there’s no concrete evidence. Lucky for him, he won the lottery.”

“Won the lottery? I haven’t heard him mention it.”

“He said his wife won it, and he’s just benefiting from it.” Li Wan scoffed; it seemed even she didn’t quite believe the story.

There were definitely connections to Dongsheng within the television station, but it was difficult to identify who they were. Not everyone at the station was as principled and discerning as they were; many simply viewed it as a job to make a living.

After Li Wan left, Qin Qianrou turned and looked out the window at the sky, suddenly feeling a sense of emptiness.

She had never felt this way before. She used to be completely absorbed in her work as soon as she arrived at the office. Reviewing materials, writing reports, searching for leads, recording programs – the endless tasks left her no time to dwell on her emotions.

Yet, now, she felt a sense of helplessness.

The atmosphere at the television station was deteriorating; it wasn’t the same as when she had first joined.

Over the years, Meng City’s economy had rapidly developed, and everyone’s lives seemed to be improving. However, people’s hearts and the state of society seemed to be diverging.

Qin Qianrou realized that now, she not only had to deal with the demands of her work, but also the pressure and obstacles from within the station. This made her feel tired and increasingly isolated.

But Qin Qianrou only allowed herself a brief moment of dejection, quickly regaining her composure and returning to her busy schedule. The Dongsheng folder remained on her desktop; she had never given up on the investigation.

Li Wan, after visiting the advertising department, dragged Qin Qianrou out for lunch.

“The cafeteria is too crowded and noisy, it’s more comfortable to have a business lunch outside.”

“You’re just craving something, aren’t you?”

A new dessert shop had opened next to the restaurant, and their macarons were said to be delicious.

“Hmph, I bet you’ll be craving them too later!”

After ordering, Li Wan looked around. Not many colleagues were here today, at least not near them.

“I went to the advertising department, and it’s just like Xiao Yu said, their director is beaming, practically glowing with joy.”

“Aren’t you afraid of being reported for saying that?”

Li Wan pouted. The television station was full of people with connections, but the advertising department was the epicenter. Especially the director, a middle-aged man with a beer belly, always boasting and taking credit for everything.

This large investment from Dongsheng must have made him ecstatic.

“Did he say why Dongsheng suddenly increased their advertising budget?”

Li Wan sighed. “If only he had the ability to find that out.”

“Increasing the budget from eight million to forty million for no reason is very unusual. As the advertising director, doesn’t he have any suspicions?”

Li Wan looked at Qin Qianrou helplessly. “Even if he did, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to ask. You know how bad their performance has been these past few years, they’re constantly being pressured to improve at every department meeting.”

Qin Qianrou rarely interacted with the advertising department, and hearing Li Wan’s explanation, she felt even more disappointed.

“But it’s alright, if he won’t tell us, I’ll find out myself.”

Qin Qianrou glanced at her. “Your father might not know about such a small matter.”

Forty million in advertising fees might be a big deal for the television station’s advertising department, but for Deputy Mayor Li, who was always busy with work, it was a trivial matter.

“It’s better to ask Zhuo Cheng than my father, after all, he’s working for Dongsheng now.”

Zhuo Cheng? Qin Qianrou remembered Li Wan had always disliked and avoided him. Why did she sound like she was in contact with him?

“Don’t look at me like that, it’s not what you think.”

Their business lunch arrived, and they focused on eating.

Halfway through the meal, Li Wan took a sip of honey water and explained her current situation with Zhuo Cheng. “I thought I had made myself clear last time we had dinner, but he took a step back and approached my father instead. Last week, he actually came to our house for dinner with my father. Isn’t that infuriating?”

“That’s extreme! It seems he hasn’t given up on you.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t surprised. Li Wan was such a great catch, breaking up with her had definitely been Zhuo Cheng’s loss. But regret didn’t always guarantee a happy ending, and she wasn’t optimistic about them getting back together.

More importantly, Qin Qianrou vaguely sensed that her friend had someone else in her heart, and it definitely wasn’t Zhuo Cheng.

“He hasn’t given up, he has an agenda.” Li Wan was no longer as agitated or annoyed by Zhuo Cheng’s reappearance in her life as she had been initially. “I know him, don’t I? After working with Shao Qidong for so long, his heart must be blackened by now.”

“Jumping to conclusions so quickly, aren’t you afraid of angering Uncle Li?”

Li Wan sensed the teasing in her friend’s tone and glared at her. “Qianrou, don’t just laugh at me, think about your own situation.”

“I don’t have that problem at the moment.” Qin Qianrou was enjoying the after-meal fruit.

The pear wasn’t very sweet, just grainy and slightly watery, not as good as the fruit at home.

Shen Yiqiu had good taste. Ever since she became a supermarket regular, there had been a constant supply of fruit at home, and the quality kept improving.

“You’re far away from your family, you don’t believe me? Try going back to Hai City, you might be worse off than me.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled and said calmly, “That’s why I’m not going back.”

Li Wan felt a surge of envy and resentment towards her friend’s carefree attitude, but besides fiddling with her napkin, she had no other way to vent her frustrations. She paid the bill and went straight to the dessert shop next door.

As expected, lunch had just been an excuse; buying desserts was the main objective.

Qin Qianrou followed her inside, unmoved by the colorful and delicate desserts on display. She had never had a sweet tooth, occasionally indulging in a treat to lift her spirits, unlike Li Wan, who was a true enthusiast.

“Macarons are truly beautiful and delicious. So pretty, it would be a crime not to buy some.”

Li Wan pointed to a few flavors, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Aren’t you buying any?”

Qin Qianrou shook her head, her arms crossed. “I’m not interested in these.”

Li Wan knew this, so she didn’t insist.

Taking the beautifully packaged box, she casually said, “I remember Shen Yiqiu seems to like sweets, should I buy another box for you to take home for her?”

Li Wan had become much closer to Shen Yiqiu since the milk tea incident. She had always felt grateful and had frequently treated Shen Yiqiu to dinner, only reducing the frequency after realizing she was making her uncomfortable.

But with more interaction came more understanding. They often discussed desserts, something Qin Qianrou rarely participated in, so naturally, she didn’t remember these details like Li Wan did.

Li Wan turned back to the counter and chose a few more flavors, similar to the ones she had just bought, with only two or three differences.

Before she could pay, Qin Qianrou held out her phone.

“I’ll pay.”

Before Li Wan could react, the cashier had already scanned the QR code. However, she wasn’t sure who to hand the box to.

The two beautiful customers seemed to be around the same age, and she couldn’t tell if one was buying for the other, or for themselves.

Qin Qianrou, sensing her hesitation, said, “Give it to me.”

Each carrying a beautifully packaged bag, they returned to the television station, Li Wan suppressing her laughter all the way. Qin Qianrou pretended not to notice; otherwise, the teasing would be endless.

Waiting for the elevator, they ran into Lin Shuangzhi, who had just returned. Seeing the lunchbox in her hand, Li Wan knew she hadn’t had time to eat yet.

“Eating cold food again?” The aroma had dissipated, it must not be fresh.

Lin Shuangzhi looked at the lunchbox ruefully. “I’ll heat it up in the microwave, it won’t be cold anymore.”

Although she was smiling, the exhaustion in her eyes was evident. She had clearly been in meetings all morning, mentally drained.

Lin Shuangzhi wasn’t like them. Their busyness stemmed from their work itself, while Lin Shuangzhi, as team leader, also had to deal with management tasks.

And management at the TV station typically involved endless meetings and discussions. Lin Shuangzhi practically lived in meetings, the only difference being where the meetings were held, how many there were, and how late they went.

Seeing Li Wan’s silence, Lin Shuangzhi tried to ease the awkwardness by changing the subject. She noticed the identical shopping bags in their hands and knew what they contained.

“Their desserts are quite good.”

Li Wan looked at her curiously. “You’ve tried them? Recommend a few flavors.”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed pitifully. “I don’t have time to try them, I’ve only heard my team members talking about them. They’ve recommended them to me several times, but I haven’t had time to buy any.”

Li Wan’s lips twitched, but she didn’t say anything.

Exiting the elevator, they went their separate ways, preparing for the afternoon’s work.

Lin Shuangzhi returned to her office, poured herself some hot water, and finally felt a bit better. She had been called to an impromptu meeting with the deputy station director this morning and hadn’t even had time for breakfast. She had been holding on until now and was feeling lightheaded.

She took the lunchbox out of the microwave. The faint, stale aroma wasn’t very appealing. She sighed and picked up her chopsticks, preparing to eat.

There was a knock on the door. Lin Shuangzhi put down her chopsticks, closed the lunchbox, and said, “Come in.”

It wasn’t work hours yet, whoever was looking for her at this time must have something important.

“Come in.”

Just as she finished speaking, Li Wan appeared at the doorway.

It hadn’t even been half an hour since they last saw each other in the elevator, why was she here?

Lin Shuangzhi’s eyes were filled with questions. She noticed that Li Wan wasn’t carrying any documents, only the dessert bag she had seen earlier. Same brand, but slightly different.

“Something I can help you with?”

Li Wan walked closer, her tone slightly unfriendly. “Can’t I come see you if there’s nothing wrong?”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t understand her sudden hostility, as if someone had offended her.

“Here, you can try this when you have time this afternoon.” Li Wan placed the bag on her desk.

“This…” Isn’t this what you bought for yourself?

Lin Shuangzhi’s confusion deepened, but Li Wan avoided her gaze, staring at the water dispenser in the office, and said calmly, “I bought too much, so I’m sharing some with you, so you won’t be clueless next time your team members share theirs.”

So that was it. Well, thank you.

Li Wan quickly added, “I’m helping you promote team unity!”

With that, without waiting for Lin Shuangzhi to respond, she turned and left.

She had noticed the steaming lunchbox on Lin Shuangzhi’s desk when she came in. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, the food would get cold again.

Sigh, everyone is working themselves to the bone, not even taking care of themselves, it’s so worrying!

**

Qin Qianrou left work punctually that day. Her team members had grown accustomed to this, but they were surprised by how punctual she was today.

“I think Sister Qianrou has a boyfriend. She’s been leaving earlier and earlier lately. Look at her today, gone five minutes after work.”

“Maybe she has other things to do, besides, how do you know she’s not going home to work overtime?”

“Calling you clueless would be an understatement, you’re destined to be alone! Have you seen Sister Qianrou’s complexion lately? Rosy and glowing, her beauty has leveled up, she’s practically radiating light!”

“Really? I haven’t noticed, she’s always been beautiful, beautiful every day.”

“Stop with your lovestruck act, if Sister Qianrou sees you like this, she’ll freeze you solid. But seriously, I think there’s definitely something different about her. Don’t you think she’s become much gentler lately…?”

They gathered together, gossiping as they packed up. Li Wan, emerging from her office, overheard their last few remarks.

“Hurry up and go home after work, so you won’t keep complaining about working overtime.”

Dismissing the gossipers, Li Wan also started pondering this. She had noticed the change in Qianrou, but she couldn’t figure out the reason. Now that even other colleagues had noticed, the change must be significant.

Her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she frowned slightly, but still quickly answered. “I just got off work, I’ll be right down.”

The man on the other end chuckled gently, his voice filled with affection even through the phone. “Don’t rush, I just wanted to let you know I’m downstairs. Xiao Wan, I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”

That last sentence made Li Wan roll her eyes. If it weren’t for the Dongsheng matter, she would never have agreed to have dinner with Zhuo Cheng again. And to make matters worse, he had extended the invitation in front of her father!

He was becoming more and more like Shao Qidong. Li Wan no longer just viewed Zhuo Cheng as her ex, but with suspicion and caution. She now categorized him with Shao Qidong, meeting him only to probe and gather information.

She suppressed her exhaustion after a long day at work, forcing herself to engage in an even more tiring task.

To look more presentable, Li Wan had touched up her makeup before leaving, and many of her colleagues assumed she was going on a date.

Lin Shuangzhi, seeing that most people had left, realized it was time to go home. Looking at the pile of unfinished work on her desk, she sadly realized she had to work overtime again.

Fortunately, she had desserts to keep her company. A single bite, and her mood improved considerably.

The box was half-open, already a third empty. Lin Shuangzhi had been hungry in the afternoon, and the lunchbox had been so unappetizing, she had only managed to eat half of it. Desserts were different; both the presentation and the taste were excellent.

Sweet but not cloying, soft and delicate, smooth and fragrant, not at all vulgar. No wonder it had received so many recommendations from her colleagues; it was truly delicious.

Lin Shuangzhi thought about thanking Li Wan before leaving. Without her, she wouldn’t have had the chance to try such a delicious treat today.

Just as she opened the door, she heard Li Wan on the phone.

Lin Shuangzhi paused at the doorway, patiently waiting for her to finish the call. To her surprise, after ending the call, Li Wan hurriedly left, without turning around or noticing her standing there.

Lin Shuangzhi quietly closed the door, sighed, and walked over to the window. Autumn was deepening in Meng City, and the days were getting shorter.

Soon, she saw Li Wan’s figure, then a luxury car across the street flashed its headlights.

Then, she saw a tall, young man in a suit get out of the car, gallantly opening the door and protectively shielding Li Wan as she got in.

Lin Shuangzhi chuckled self-deprecatingly, standing by the window for a while longer, until the car disappeared from view, before returning to her desk.

**

When Qin Qianrou arrived home, Shen Yiqiu was already there. She had more classes this semester, but thankfully, no evening classes, so she could usually get home on time.

“Wow, you’re home early today.”

The figure in a bear apron emerged from the kitchen, and Qin Qianrou held up the bag in her hand.

“I’m not hungry yet, no need to rush. I brought these, want to try some?”

Shen Yiqiu wiped her hands and walked over to Qin Qianrou, finally seeing what was in the bag.

Her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, “Such beautiful packaging, they must be delicious.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled at her childishness. “Judging a book by its cover, how superficial.”

Shen Yiqiu followed her, watching as she placed the bag on the dining table, took out the box, and slowly opened it.

“I’m not being superficial, I trust your judgment.”

The box was fully opened, revealing a truly tempting assortment of treats. Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but lick her lips.

“Only one before dinner.” Qin Qianrou said, her back towards her, yet seemingly aware of her reaction and anticipation.

“Okay, okay!” Shen Yiqiu immediately stepped forward and gently picked up a macaron, marveling at its delicate texture.

Qin Qianrou, seeing her delighted expression, felt it had been a good decision to buy them.

She hadn’t expected, however, that the next moment, the macaron in Shen Yiqiu’s hand would appear before her lips.

“Jiejie, you have the first one.”

Qin Qianrou paused, then softly said, “I’m not eating, you have it.”

Shen Yiqiu persisted, “I know you don’t like things that are too sweet, this one is the least sweet, it’s okay, just try it!”

Her eyes were bright and sincere, like a child eager to share a treasured treat, filled with anticipation for her to accept it, so they could both enjoy the deliciousness together.

Qin Qianrou understood this yearning and couldn’t bear to refuse.

However, in a daze, she forgot to reach out and take it, instead opening her mouth slightly, taking a small bite of the macaron Shen Yiqiu was holding.

The taste, as expected, was delicious.

Shen Yiqiu stared at her intently, wanting to capture every nuance of her reaction.

“How is it?”

“Not bad.”

Shen Yiqiu’s smile widened, as if she had created a culinary masterpiece.

Qin Qianrou finally snapped back to reality, realizing their proximity, the slightly awkward position.

Shen Yiqiu seemed to have grown taller these past few months; the height difference between them, when they were both wearing slippers at home, was becoming increasingly smaller.

“I’ll eat it myself, you go ahead.” Qin Qianrou took the half-eaten macaron from Shen Yiqiu’s hand, her ears feeling slightly warm.

Shen Yiqiu smiled and let go, turning to find her favorite flavor in the box.

Qin Qianrou took another small bite, staring at the child’s back, lost in thought.

With the delicious dessert, dinner was slightly later than usual.

As they were finishing up, Shen Yiqiu suddenly brought something up.

“I want to go back to Hai City next week.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Mm, sort of.” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was muffled, her mood noticeably lower than before. “I want to attend He Chao’s trial.”

Chapter 43

A dark sedan was parked across the street from the television station, its windows tightly closed, having been there for quite some time. Only after Shen Yiqiu left did the car slowly drive away, unnoticed by either Qin Qianrou or Shen Yiqiu.

The car drove smoothly for a while, merging onto the main road. The driver was unsure of their next destination. Although reluctant to disturb the boss, who had been silent in the back seat, driving aimlessly wasn’t an option.

“Mr. Shao, where to next?”

Shao Qidong opened his eyes and said in a low voice, “Back to the company.”

He had been in a business meeting earlier, and after concluding it successfully, he had suddenly felt the urge to visit Meng Da, mainly to check on Shen Yiqiu. Just as he arrived at the university gate, he saw Shen Yiqiu frantically hailing a taxi by the roadside, and he had followed.

He hadn’t expected to see Shen Yiqiu rushing over just to hug Qin Qianrou; it seemed her relationship with this “Auntie” was indeed quite close. He had waited outside for a while, and finally, Li Wan had appeared as well.

He wasn’t in a good mood. Although he had been some distance away, their positions, their proximity, and their body language had clearly indicated a close relationship between Shen Yiqiu and the two women.

One Qin Qianrou was enough of a headache; now there was another Li Wan. With Shen Yiqiu gaining more support in Meng City, his plans would be even more difficult to execute.

He had thought that persuading Jiang Yuan and utilizing the He Chao couple’s influence would allow him to regain control over Shen Yiqiu. He hadn’t expected a simple trip to Hai City by Qin Qianrou to completely destroy their decades-long efforts.

He Chao’s reckless investigation of Qin Qianrou had been a mistake, but his current predicament was truly miserable, and Shao Qidong couldn’t help but think of himself. Over two decades ago, he had been penniless, burdened by debt and utterly dejected, yet unwilling to be a wage earner his entire life.

Someone had found him, supported him, and within a few short years, he had become a newly wealthy entrepreneur. His wealth had rapidly expanded, his fame and status growing day by day, and he had gradually become a prominent and respected figure in Hai City.

Only Shao Qidong knew that his achievements weren’t entirely his own, so he had to serve those who had cultivated him with utmost dedication. Over time, immersed in an environment of constant praise and admiration, he had become numb, almost believing himself to be a true industry leader, a pillar of the local economy, a figure too big to fail.

He Chao’s downfall was a wake-up call, jolting him back to reality. He no longer just viewed Qin Qianrou with caution, he was starting to fear her.

For so many years, he had carefully and meticulously built his empire, placing Dongsheng Group at the pinnacle of high-tech enterprises in Meng City. Yet, now, fear gnawed at him.

Qin Qianrou… Shao Qidong repeatedly chanted the name in his heart, replaying every detail of her interactions with Shen Yiqiu.

He hadn’t received any explanations from Jiang Yuan, and he couldn’t understand how these two previously unconnected individuals had become so close. The contract he had prepared wouldn’t work on Shen Yiqiu anymore, but he coveted Shen Zhifeng’s research even more than He Chao, and he wanted more of it.

He had probed and discovered that Shen Zhifeng held more secrets than He Chao knew. The He Chao couple were only interested in the patented research, unaware that some of the unfinished projects were even more valuable.

It was perhaps a good thing that He Chao was gone; no one would compete with him for those patents now, and he might even be able to acquire them all. Shao Qidong tried to console himself, a bitter smile touching his lips.

The driver, constantly observing his boss’s reaction, drove as smoothly as possible, afraid of incurring his wrath. He had been with the boss for a long time, and such pointless stakeouts of a young person were rare.

**

Shen Yiqiu wasn’t in as much of a hurry as she had been when she arrived. She checked the time; it was neither too early nor too late, so she changed direction and headed to the supermarket.

Zhang Meng had called her several times, and now she finally had time to return the calls. After confirming that she was alright, Zhang Meng was relieved. Shen Yiqiu ended the call and turned her attention back to the supermarket shelves, a smile involuntarily touching her lips.

Having someone to care about, and being cared about, this feeling gave her a sense of truly being alive, a life filled with warmth.

Recalling her time in Hai City, although busy, being so close to Qin Qianrou had made her even happier than she had been in Meng City. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but the memories of those days filled her with warmth and tenderness.

**

Li Wan went directly to Lin Shuangzhi’s office. Since this incident was directed at her, it was more appropriate for her to handle it. Qin Qianrou checked on her other colleagues, and after confirming they were all fine, she returned to her own office.

The document on her computer was still open, but she stared blankly at the title, lost in thought.

The incident hadn’t happened long ago, and recalling the details, it still felt frightening. If it weren’t for Shen Yiqiu, how long would it have taken to uncover the truth? If it weren’t for Shen Yiqiu, would she and Li Wan have been harmed as well?

Qin Qianrou’s thoughts drifted to Shen Yiqiu. She had thought she was helping this child, but she had received even more kindness in return.

But if they were to keep score, it would be impossible to determine who owed whom more.

However, she agreed with Li Wan’s earlier words: she seemed to have become somewhat reliant on Shen Yiqiu. With her around, she felt a sense of security.

This sense of safety, born from within, couldn’t be replaced by words. Qin Qianrou’s initial curiosity about Shen Yiqiu’s special intuition had unconsciously transformed into a kind of dependence.

This child was truly… extraordinary.

Li Wan, in Lin Shuangzhi’s office, wasn’t as relaxed as her friend. Her brow had been furrowed since she entered.

“Team Leader, how should we handle this? Should I report it to the police directly, or should the station conduct its own investigation?”

Lin Shuangzhi twirled her pen, repeatedly removing and replacing the cap.

“Are you absolutely certain who did this? And the bracelet, who told you about that?”

“I can’t tell you that. But I can say with 90% certainty that it was that person.”

Seeing Li Wan’s certainty, Lin Shuangzhi’s hesitation lessened.

“You said this was targeting you, but you also drank the milk tea, and you’re perfectly fine. Could it be a mistake?”

Li Wan was irritated. Lately, she couldn’t seem to control her temper around Lin Shuangzhi. She would patiently explain if anyone else asked such a question, but hearing it from Lin Shuangzhi made her furious.

“It’s because I was late! Someone took the flavor I usually drink! The only ones left were the ones I don’t like, what was I supposed to do?”

Her voice rose, her tone sharp, and Lin Shuangzhi was taken aback.

“Don’t be angry, I just wanted to understand the situation.”

“Understand, understand, you never understand enough! Do I have to be vomiting and collapsing on the floor for you to believe me? Or should I wait and see if the next attack is through food poisoning or getting hit by a falling object, to prove I’m not wrong?”

Li Wan’s voice grew louder, her eyes reddening. After this outburst, she paused and mumbled, “I’m not angry.”

Lin Shuangzhi thought to herself, In this state, and she still claims she’s not angry.

But she didn’t dare to argue with Li Wan. She took a tissue from her desk and handed it over, saying softly, “You’re not angry, you’re not angry, just wipe your face.”

Li Wan snatched the tissue, but still insisted, “Wipe what? I’m perfectly fine!”

“You were running around earlier, you must be tired, wipe your sweat.” Lin Shuangzhi wasn’t completely clueless, she wouldn’t be so foolish as to directly contradict her.

Li Wan used the opportunity to wipe her tears under the guise of wiping sweat, quickly regaining her composure.

Lin Shuangzhi sighed. “When you told me who it was, I was very surprised. I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

Li Wan had calmed down considerably. Seeing the regret on Lin Shuangzhi’s face, she suddenly felt annoyed again. “So you’re feeling sorry for her, hoping to find evidence to clear her name, hoping it’s all a misunderstanding?”

Li Wan scoffed. Even if it was a misunderstanding, it didn’t excuse the person’s malicious intent.

“Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me?” Lin Shuangzhi looked at her helplessly. Li Wan’s lips were already turned down in a pout, her displeasure evident.

“I originally wanted to give you a heads-up, after all, Zhou Hui and I both started under your guidance. But if you insist on taking her side, I won’t give you face.”

“If Zhou Hui really did this, you don’t have to worry about my face, and I don’t consider her saving face for me.”

The curve of Li Wan’s lips softened slightly, but her expression remained tense.

“I’m just worried that accusing Zhou Hui without sufficient evidence might alert her. What if she retaliates against you?”

The concern in Lin Shuangzhi’s words was undeniable, and Li Wan’s anger suddenly dissipated.

“It’s alright, if she did it, there will be traces. Besides, you know how… clever she is, don’t you?”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled and shook her head. “At a time like this, you’re still making fun of her.”

“What? Am I wrong?”

Li Wan and Zhou Hui had joined the television station at the same time, both working as program directors. Lin Shuangzhi had been their direct supervisor, personally guiding them, practically their mentor.

However, the mentor’s two apprentices had vastly different aptitudes. Over time, the gap between Li Wan and Zhou Hui became increasingly apparent. Li Wan was far superior in terms of both work ability and emotional intelligence.

Unsurprisingly, it was Li Wan who had officially stayed on Lin Shuangzhi’s team, while Zhou Hui had been reassigned to another department. It wasn’t a bad department, but it lacked opportunities for advancement.

So, over the years, Li Wan’s career had flourished, and she was now the managing editor, handling many of the tasks Lin Shuangzhi used to handle. Zhou Hui, however, remained obscure in the administrative department, just a senior employee.

Li Wan gave Zhou Hui’s name to the police, and the investigation quickly yielded results. Zhou Hui didn’t deny it, readily admitting that she resented Li Wan for using her father’s connections to advance her career.

She had only wanted Li Wan to experience the consequences of harming others, she hadn’t intended to endanger her life. The lab results confirmed that the substance in the milk tea wasn’t a deadly poison, but Zhou Hui was still taken into custody.

When she left the television station, there was no trace of regret on her face, only a sense of relief, as if she had finally been freed. Li Wan didn’t see her again; she stayed in her office all day.

No one dared to disturb her, and Lin Shuangzhi quietly took over her tasks. Qin Qianrou knocked on her door and, seeing her dejected expression, sighed and entered.

“Why aren’t you eating lunch?” Qin Qianrou placed a lunchbox on Li Wan’s desk.

“I don’t have an appetite.”

“Thinking about Zhou Hui?”

“I’m just wondering, why do we work so hard, day and night, chasing news stories? What’s it all for?”

Li Wan’s mood was low, her body listless, her eyes empty and lost.

“Suddenly so dejected, this isn’t like you.”

In Qin Qianrou’s impression, Li Wan was always full of energy and enthusiasm. She was fiery and straightforward, honest and sincere, always vibrant and charming.

Even after her breakup with Zhuo Cheng, she hadn’t been this despondent.

Sadness was inevitable, but losing one’s will was even more difficult to recover from.

“We just have to do our job well, it doesn’t matter what others say or think.”

Qin Qianrou sat across from Li Wan. This was her answer, the belief that had always driven her forward.

“Can we really be completely indifferent to what others say?” Li Wan looked at her and smiled wryly. “Qianrou, that’s just an excuse we use to protect ourselves.”

“I just didn’t expect Zhou Hui’s actions to affect you so deeply.”

Li Wan had rarely interacted with Zhou Hui after she was transferred to another department. Their work didn’t overlap, and even when they ran into each other at events, they would simply exchange nods.

“I’m just thinking, how many more pairs of hateful eyes are watching us in the shadows? If it weren’t for Shen Yiqiu, would we be clueless, like headless chickens, or constantly living in fear, dodging the next attack?”

Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Shen Yiqiu’s name.

She recalled that day, returning home to a fragrant aroma filling the air, finding that child simmering soup in the kitchen.

Seeing her return, Shen Yiqiu had looked slightly embarrassed, refusing to tell her what she was making.

Qin Qianrou had assumed she was simply craving something, and seeing that she was managing fine in the kitchen, hadn’t asked further, returning to her room.

Later, at dinnertime, Shen Yiqiu had knocked on her door, softly calling her to eat.

There was only a single bowl of soup on the table. Walking closer, Qin Qianrou saw it was stewed pig’s feet with soybeans. The excess oil had been skimmed off, the tender pig’s feet clinging to the bones, the soybeans plump and inviting.

“I went to the supermarket on my way back and bought some groceries, I tried making this.”

Qin Qianrou remembered she had told her to go back and take a shower and rest. She hadn’t expected her to go grocery shopping and cook.

Shen Yiqiu scratched her cheek, her voice slightly louder, “This soup is supposed to be good for your skin and complexion.”

With all that collagen, it had to be nourishing.

Qin Qianrou smiled and sat down. She took a sip, and as she was about to speak, she noticed Shen Yiqiu staring at her intently, her eyes wide with anticipation.

She looked even more nervous than a student waiting for exam results. Qin Qianrou’s smile widened, and she praised, “It’s delicious.”

Seeing her genuine smile, Shen Yiqiu smiled as well.

“I’m glad you like it. Have some more, there’s more in the pot.”

With that, she turned and went back to the kitchen, bringing out more dishes.

They weren’t elaborate dishes. Qin Qianrou recognized most of them as pre-prepared meals from the supermarket.

“I’m not a very good cook, and I haven’t had much opportunity to cook before, but I stir-fried the vegetables myself.”

Qin Qianrou was always busy with work, and even when she got off work on time, she didn’t have much motivation to cook alone. Compared to Shen Yiqiu, her cooking skills were probably even worse.

“It’s much better than mine, I can probably only wash the vegetables.”

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but smile at Qin Qianrou’s modesty. It seemed she had a chance to excel in this area.

More importantly, she enjoyed the feeling of cooking and waiting for Qin Qianrou to come home. It made her feel like they had a home.

Li Wan, seeing Qin Qianrou lost in thought, didn’t know what she was thinking about, but judging by her expression, it must be something pleasant. She felt a pang of annoyance; she was miserable, while Qianrou was reminiscing about happy memories.

She waved her hand in front of Qin Qianrou’s face. “Qianrou, who are you thinking about so intently?”

If Li Wan had simply asked who she was thinking about, Qin Qianrou would have honestly told her it was Shen Yiqiu.

But she had added the phrase “so intently,” so Qin Qianrou didn’t want to share.

She collected her thoughts and turned her attention back to Li Wan.

“Seems like you’re feeling better now?”

Being able to tease herself meant she was no longer trapped in her sadness.

“I’m still sad, but there’s nothing I can do, life goes on.” Li Wan had always been resilient; otherwise, she would have broken down countless times over the years.

Qin Qianrou was about to leave; she still had a lot of work to do. She pointed to the lunchbox on Li Wan’s desk. Skipping meals was bad for her stomach.

Shen Yiqiu had said that.

“Remember to eat your lunch.”

“Hey Qianrou, when is the little one free?”

Qin Qianrou turned around and looked at her. “Who?”

“Shen Yiqiu, who else could I be referring to?” Li Wan adjusted the lunchbox in front of her. She wasn’t sure why, but she enjoyed calling Shen Yiqiu “little one.”

“Just call her Shen Yiqiu, calling her ‘little one’ isn’t appropriate.” Qin Qianrou’s tone was still calm, but Li Wan laughed.

“You’re even concerned about this. Qianrou, aren’t you being a bit overprotective of her?”

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, paused for a moment, then said irritably, “It’s a matter of politeness.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll call her ‘kid’ then, is that okay?” Li Wan suddenly remembered something, her smile widening. “Or, ‘little sister’ would work too.”

Qin Qianrou ignored her, seeing that she had started eating, knowing she was fine now.

**

Autumn deepened, and Shao Qidong hadn’t appeared in Shen Yiqiu’s life again. The harm he had caused remained a painful memory, buried deep within her heart. The investigation into He Chao had concluded, the charges finalized, and they were now waiting for the court date.

These were all good news for Shen Yiqiu. And her special intuition hadn’t appeared in a while, but she didn’t feel disappointed, she was even a little happy. Because she knew that no premonitions meant fewer dangers.

Qin Qianrou was still as busy with work as always, but her overtime hours had decreased. Every time Shen Yiqiu looked at her with hopeful eyes, asking if she was coming home for dinner, Qin Qianrou couldn’t bring herself to stay at the office.

Initially, her colleagues were puzzled, wondering why Reporter Qin, who usually stayed until 9:30 pm, was now leaving at 7 pm. Only after tagging along for dinner a few times did Li Wan discover the reason.

However, it was a good thing that Qianrou wasn’t just an “Iron Woman” anymore. Li Wan even praised Shen Yiqiu’s cooking, encouraging her to continue honing her skills, to lure Qin Qianrou home with delicious meals.

**

That day, the two women, now in long trench coats, entered the elevator together and ran into a colleague from the advertising department. With the end of the year approaching, this was their busiest and most stressful time, scrambling to secure advertising deals, their performance declining year after year.

“Morning, Sister Wan, Sister Qianrou.”

“Xiao Yu, you seem unusually cheerful today, good news?” Li Wan often visited other departments and was quite familiar with them.

“Better than good news.”

“Share it with us, let us celebrate with you.”

The elevator reached the advertising department’s floor. Before leaving, Xiao Yu revealed the reason for his good mood, “We just secured a major sponsorship deal, our annual target is met, our director was practically laughing in his sleep last night.”

“Oh?”

Now, not only Li Wan, but Qin Qianrou was also curious.

In this age of advanced multimedia, there were still people willing to spend a fortune on television advertising. Judging by Xiao Yu’s tone, the investment must be substantial, enough to cover their entire annual target; it was indeed a significant deal.

“Which big boss is so generous, throwing so much money at TV advertising?”

Xiao Yu looked around and chuckled, “Sister Wan, you can’t say that outside our department. Dongsheng Group isn’t foolish, they must have seen a business opportunity.”

Chapter 42

Lin Shuangzhi returned from a meeting with the station directors, hurriedly drank some water in her office, and then called Li Wan to Qin Qianrou’s office.

“Let’s have a quick meeting to discuss the current situation and our next steps.” Lin Shuangzhi’s tone was strictly business, and Li Wan and Qin Qianrou exchanged glances.

“Team Leader, did you have a rough time with the directors?” Li Wan didn’t tease her as usual, but she was still probing.

Lin Shuangzhi glanced at her indifferently, not wanting to answer the question.

“The directors met with me today to understand the situation.” She paused, then casually glanced at Qin Qianrou. “Mainly to understand Xiao Qin’s situation in Hai City, and also about Dongsheng Group.”

Hearing that it was all about Qin Qianrou, Li Wan immediately became defensive.

“The station suppressed the Dongsheng Group investigation, so why are they still asking about it? And the media hasn’t mentioned Qianrou’s name regarding the Hai City incident, clearly showing it’s not related to the station. I don’t understand what they’re worried about!”

Those directors, who seemed to do nothing all day, only knew how to avoid responsibility. The thought made Li Wan angry, even more so than the person involved.

Qin Qianrou and Lin Shuangzhi were used to her temper. However, this was the current situation, and they had to deal with it, no matter how dissatisfied they were.

“Xiao Qin, I need you to write a report detailing the events in Hai City. Of course, it’s unofficial, the directors just want to understand the specifics.”

Lin Shuangzhi gave an apologetic smile. She had tried her best to shield Qin Qianrou, but after such a big incident, they couldn’t simply do nothing.

“I understand, I’ll finish it as soon as possible.” Qin Qianrou didn’t feel it was unreasonable. Not being held directly responsible was already a good outcome.

They had to go through the motions, and she knew the consequences of her actions.

Li Wan, her anger subsiding slightly, brought up the Dongsheng matter. “Why did the directors suddenly mention Dongsheng?”

They had been suppressing it before, forbidding any mention or investigation, making everyone think Dongsheng was some special company.

“I’m not entirely sure, but during the meeting today, I sensed the directors might be softening their stance. They subtly inquired about the current situation with Dongsheng.”

Really?

Both Qin Qianrou and Li Wan were surprised. Hadn’t they explicitly stated they weren’t allowed to touch the Dongsheng story recently?

“Don’t get too excited yet. Until they officially announce it, the previous decision still stands. However, I know you haven’t given up, so I wanted to ask, how far have you gotten with the investigation?”

Qin Qianrou had been mainly focused on the He Chao matter in Hai City, while Li Wan had been handling the Dongsheng investigation. But this was a secret between them, and Lin Shuangzhi wouldn’t get any information easily.

“Don’t look at me like that, don’t you trust me?”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled wryly. Why did Li Wan treat her like an outsider?

“It’s all just superficial stuff so far, similar to before, no substantial progress.” Qin Qianrou answered on behalf of Li Wan, which was within Lin Shuangzhi’s expectations.

“So you’re still planning to continue the investigation?”

This time, neither Qin Qianrou nor Li Wan immediately responded. Although Lin Shuangzhi had always supported them, as team leader, she also had pressure to bear.

“I know your concerns. I’ve seen the Dongsheng materials, there’s definitely a problem, but we don’t know the extent of it. And I know a few words from me won’t be enough to dissuade you.”

Lin Shuangzhi was being honest. Although she was the team leader, she couldn’t completely control these two subordinates.

“We’ll be careful, we won’t make things difficult for you, Team Leader.”

Li Wan was a little surprised and glanced at Qin Qianrou.

How come after returning from Hai City, Qianrou seems different? Actually saying such things to appease the team leader, that was almost unheard of before.

Lin Shuangzhi’s main purpose was to remind and warn them; she couldn’t impose further restrictions. Seeing that they had discussed enough, she ended the meeting.

“Milk tea is on me today, no excuses about dieting, everyone participates.” Lin Shuangzhi reminded them before leaving.

Li Wan remained seated, waiting for Qin Qianrou to finish packing up before leaving together.

“The team leader’s words were a bit strange. Do you think that was her own opinion, or the directors’?”

Qin Qianrou, highly efficient as always, had already opened a document on her computer, preparing to write the report on the Hai City situation.

“I think it was the team leader’s goodwill.”

“Qianrou, you’re actually speaking up for the team leader now.” Li Wan chuckled, her mood improving.

“How have you been lately? Any more blind dates while I was away?”

“Don’t even mention it. The blind dates have stopped for now. But that pest Zhuo Cheng keeps showing up, it’s so annoying!”

“Oh? Zhuo Cheng hasn’t given up yet?”

Li Wan was irritated. Why was her ex so persistent? The most annoying thing was that he wouldn’t confront her directly, but would instead present himself as an outstanding and talented young man in front of her father.

Although he knew her stance, Li Wan’s father would occasionally lament the missed opportunity, subtly suggesting she reconsider. Fortunately, Li Wan was resolute, and as soon as she sensed his intentions, she would immediately change the subject or leave.

Li Wan suddenly leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t tell the team leader about this, okay?”

“Why? Afraid she’ll think your relationship is affecting your work and give you a bad year-end review?”

“Qianrou, you’ve become mean, making jokes like that.” Li Wan pouted. Her usually aloof and quiet best friend was becoming increasingly different.

Someone knocked on the glass window of Qin Qianrou’s office; it was a colleague calling them out. A group of people had gathered outside; the milk tea the team leader had ordered must have arrived.

“Don’t worry, I’m not one to gossip. If you don’t say anything, no one will go running to the team leader.”

Qin Qianrou stood up, preparing to leave with Li Wan.

Her phone, inside her bag, had been vibrating for a while, but she hadn’t noticed.

Her work phone was on her desk, but her personal phone was still in her bag. With so many people in the office and the constant chatter, she hadn’t heard it.

“Wait, I need to answer a call.” Qin Qianrou stopped Li Wan, who was almost at the door, and took out her phone.

She saw that Shen Yiqiu had called her at least seven times and was still calling.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Qianrou thought there must be an emergency.

The person on the other end seemed to be momentarily stunned, then cried out anxiously, “Jiejie, why did you just answer the phone?!”

Qin Qianrou frowned. Had something serious happened to Shen Yiqiu?

“I was busy just now, what happened?”

“I’m fine, I was worried something happened to you!”

“Did you have another premonition?”

This call would probably take a while. A colleague came to urge them again, and Li Wan pointed outside, signaling for her to go out first.

“Yes, I did. But I couldn’t see their face clearly, so I don’t know who it was.”

“Don’t worry, tell me slowly.”

Qin Qianrou’s voice, finally connected, was calm and gentle, gradually soothing Shen Yiqiu’s frantic heart, though the anxiety lingered.

“But I suddenly smelled something, like Sister Li Wan’s perfume.”

“You’re saying, this premonition is related to Li Wan?”

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t be certain, but honesty was better than concealment in this situation. She described the repeating image she had seen, though she didn’t understand its meaning.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll handle it, don’t worry.”

Qin Qianrou quickly hung up and hurried out, seeing almost everyone holding a cup of milk tea.

There were only two or three cups left on the table, presumably Qin Qianrou’s and the team leader’s.

Li Wan was also holding a cup, seemingly having taken a few sips.

“Qianrou, come here quickly, yours is still warm.”

Li Wan called out to her friend, but Qin Qianrou suddenly snatched the milk tea from her hand. The sudden movement startled Li Wan, splashing a few drops on her face.

“What are you doing?” Having never seen Qin Qianrou act like this, Li Wan was stunned.

Qin Qianrou anxiously examined the milk tea, then looked at Li Wan’s face. There didn’t seem to be anything unusual.

However, the urgency in Shen Yiqiu’s voice had been genuine. She had said she had a premonition, that someone was adding something to a drink, but which one? The takeout drink containers all looked similar; there were no distinguishing features.

“Qianrou, what’s wrong with you?” Li Wan took a tissue from a colleague and wiped her face, worried by Qin Qianrou’s serious and tense expression.

Could it be that phone call? Li Wan didn’t want to ask in front of so many people, but her curiosity grew.

“Xiao Wan, are you feeling unwell?”

“No.”

“Not before, I mean right now, do you feel anything unusual?”

Li Wan chuckled, finding Qin Qianrou’s paranoia amusing.

“Don’t laugh, I’m serious. Answer me properly!”

Qin Qianrou’s intensity made Li Wan cautious. But she genuinely felt fine, was she supposed to pretend to be unwell?

Just as they were at a standstill, a colleague suddenly exclaimed,

“Ouch, my stomach hurts!”

“Seriously? Now that you mention it, I don’t feel so good either, I feel a little nauseous.”

One after another, colleagues started leaving. Qin Qianrou glanced at the milk tea cups they had hurriedly put down, most of them half-empty.

Li Wan’s expression turned serious, and she looked at Qin Qianrou. “Qianrou, what’s going on?”

“I’m not sure yet, but someone must have tampered with the drinks. Tell them not to throw them away, preserve the evidence.”

Before they could finish speaking, someone collapsed on the spot, vomiting and convulsing, their symptoms more severe than the others.

The office was now in chaos, and someone immediately called for an ambulance.

Fortunately, their conditions didn’t worsen further. The most severely affected colleagues were taken to the hospital, and the others didn’t dare to drink anymore. Li Wan instructed them to carefully store the milk tea separately and not touch it.

After the police arrived and took statements, the milk tea was collected as evidence.

Lin Shuangzhi rubbed her temples, wondering what was going on.

A simple gesture of offering milk tea had turned into such a mess.

Although many suspected the milk tea shop’s hygiene standards, Qin Qianrou knew this was deliberate.

But she had no proof, except for Shen Yiqiu.

However, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t be involved publicly; her past experiences and her identity weren’t suitable for further media exposure.

Her phone rang again, and Qin Qianrou quickly answered.

“Jiejie, how is it over there? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Li Wan is fine too, don’t worry.”

Li Wan was standing beside Qin Qianrou and could hear the voice on the other end. Hearing her name mentioned, she guessed it was Shen Yiqiu.

A clear sigh of relief came from the phone, and a faint smile touched Qin Qianrou’s lips. She waited for Shen Yiqiu to continue, but she remained silent.

Just as Qin Qianrou thought there was nothing else and was about to hang up, Shen Yiqiu suddenly spoke.

“Could you come downstairs?”

“What?”

Another brief pause, then Shen Yiqiu’s voice, even softer and more hesitant, came through.

“I’m downstairs at the TV station, I wanted to see you.”

Qin Qianrou was about to ask why she had suddenly come from the university when she realized it must be out of concern, so she simply agreed without further questions.

Outside, a light but steady drizzle had started. Shen Yiqiu was wearing a sports jacket, her shoulders damp from the rain.

Qin Qianrou, emerging from the TV station in her high heels, saw Shen Yiqiu running towards her before she could even speak.

“Hurry up and go back inside, it’s raining, you’ll slip in those high heels.”

Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but laugh, looking at her. “You’re only worried about me, what about yourself?”

Shen Yiqiu looked down at herself, puzzled. She was wearing sneakers, flat ones, there was no problem.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t brought anything with her, only her phone. But she still reached out and brushed the raindrops off Shen Yiqiu’s shoulders. Thankfully, the jacket was water-resistant.

“I just wanted to check on you, I’m glad you’re alright.” Shen Yiqiu belatedly realized her sudden appearance might seem a bit abrupt.

“Thank you.”

Shen Yiqiu suddenly found it difficult to hear Qin Qianrou thanking her; if anything, she should be the one thanking Qin Qianrou. Without her, she wouldn’t be living such a free life, and she wouldn’t have witnessed He Chao’s downfall.

She impulsively embraced Qin Qianrou, the panic from the unanswered calls earlier surging back.

Before Qin Qianrou could react, Shen Yiqiu pleaded softly, “Don’t let me lose contact with you again, okay? I was so worried today!”

Qin Qianrou, instinctively wanting to pull away from the sudden embrace, was held even tighter.

The soft plea by her ear revealed deep concern and lingering fear. Sensing the genuine emotion, Qin Qianrou stopped struggling, and instead gently patted Shen Yiqiu’s back.

“Okay, I’ll check my phone more often.”

The person embracing her trembled slightly, and Qin Qianrou didn’t say anything more.

Li Wan, following Qin Qianrou downstairs, had thought she was rushing down for something urgent, but what she saw at the entrance was this scene.

Although she knew Shen Yiqiu’s situation and understood that this embrace didn’t necessarily mean anything, the atmosphere was undeniably… charged.

Beautiful, yet, Li Wan couldn’t help but interrupt. “Sorry to interrupt you two, but this is a public place, people are coming and going, this might not be a good look.”

Shen Yiqiu released her hold, blushing at Li Wan’s words.

Qin Qianrou glanced at Li Wan, signaling her not to tease them.

Smelling Li Wan’s perfume again, Shen Yiqiu confirmed that her earlier sensation had been real. She had indeed smelled it, so was Li Wan the target this time?

“Kid, what’s with that look? I was just reminding you to maintain your image, and you’re not happy about it?”

“No, no, I’m not unhappy.” Shen Yiqiu quickly explained, then looked at Li Wan again, relieved. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Li Wan looked at Qin Qianrou curiously. “What’s going on? Is today’s incident related to me?”

Qin Qianrou glanced at the weather outside and sighed. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

So, Shen Yiqiu followed them to the café on the first floor, a place usually reserved for receiving visitors or holding small business meetings. But unusually, at this time of day, the café wasn’t crowded.

After hearing the story, Li Wan’s mood soured.

“There’s such a thing? If it was targeting me, why am I fine after drinking the milk tea?”

Qin Qianrou frowned and remained silent.

Shen Yiqiu shook her head helplessly. If only she knew more, she wouldn’t be so frantic every time she had a premonition.

“I remember the person was wearing a silver bracelet with a crescent moon pendant.”

Her premonition hadn’t shown a face this time, only the repeating image, but she remembered the hand.

“Bracelet? Pendant?”

Qin Qianrou and Li Wan both tried to recall, and after a moment, they seemed to have thought of the same person.

Li Wan exclaimed, “No way, could it be her?”

Shen Yiqiu was startled by her reaction. “You know her?”

“More than just knowing her, we’re quite familiar.”

Li Wan facepalmed. What is going on? She had thought the dramatic stories in the news were absurd enough, but she hadn’t expected something even more absurd to happen so close to home.

Seeing Li Wan ignoring her, Shen Yiqiu turned to Qin Qianrou.

“Jiejie, do you know who it is?”

“Don’t worry, we know how to handle this.”

Being excluded again, Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of disappointment. But she understood this involved internal matters at the TV station, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to be involved.

However, Qin Qianrou’s dismissive attitude made her feel a little hurt.

“Go back after the rain stops, and don’t skip class again.”

Qin Qianrou and Li Wan had already regained their composure, and Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but admire their resilience. A normal person encountering such a thing would be frantic for a while, then go on and on about it.

“I don’t have class this afternoon, I didn’t skip class.” Shen Yiqiu still felt the need to defend herself.

But she knew, even if she had class, she would have come. She needed to see with her own eyes that Qin Qianrou was safe and sound.

“Since you don’t have class, go back early and take a hot shower.”

Shen Yiqiu obediently nodded, accepting Qin Qianrou’s arrangement. As she stepped out of the TV station, the rain had indeed stopped, and she felt a strange sense of disappointment.

“Jiejie will treat you to dinner sometime soon.” Li Wan patted Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, the scent of her perfume wafting over again.

This time, Shen Yiqiu was used to it; it didn’t seem as pungent anymore.

She smiled, thanked her, and then bid them farewell.

Watching Shen Yiqiu’s retreating figure, Li Wan turned to Qin Qianrou and said, “Qianrou, it seems we’re becoming more and more reliant on this little one.”

Chapter 41

Qin Qianrou hadn’t slept so soundly on a plane in a long time, so much so that she remained in a daze for a while even after being gently woken up by the person beside her. Her consciousness gradually returned, but her eyes remained closed. Qin Qianrou found the current position quite comfortable and didn’t want to move.

The person beside her waited for a moment, seeing her reluctance to wake up, but didn’t rush her, patiently waiting. After a while, Qin Qianrou heard a soft chuckle, then a low whisper, “Jiejie, wake up, we’re almost there.”

Jiejie… Qin Qianrou slowly opened her eyes, finally seeing who was whispering in her ear.

She was still leaning on Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder. Looking down at herself, their faces were very close.

“How long did I sleep for?” Qin Qianrou struggled to sit up, the blanket sliding off her.

Shen Yiqiu caught the blanket and helped her sit upright. “Not long, but you look very tired.”

Qin Qianrou watched, puzzled by Shen Yiqiu’s actions, as she carefully unfolded the blanket, folded it neatly, and placed it on her own lap.

“Get some more rest when we get back.”

Shen Yiqiu subtly moved her stiff shoulders, careful not to make any exaggerated movements in front of Qin Qianrou. Suddenly, Zhang Meng’s voice came from nearby, “Reporter Qin, you leaned on Shen Yiqiu the entire way, I didn’t expect her slender shoulders could actually be a decent pillow.”

Is that so…

Qin Qianrou turned to look at Shen Yiqiu, who simply smiled faintly, not thinking it was a big deal.

The flight attendant came to check the cabin, reminding everyone to straighten their seats and open their window shades, preparing for landing. Qin Qianrou’s drowsiness finally dissipated completely, her body, which had been tense before boarding, seemingly rejuvenated during the flight.

She wasn’t feeling very sleepy anymore, and she felt quite comfortable.

After disembarking, Qin Qianrou received a call from Li Wan, saying that she and Rong Fei had arrived. She glanced at Zhang Meng and asked if she wanted a ride back to school.

“No need to trouble you, my classmate is picking me up.”

Zhang Meng’s mental state had improved considerably. Although she hadn’t spoken much on the plane, Qin Qianrou could tell from her eyes that she was doing better.

Since she had a ride, Qin Qianrou didn’t insist. Only after getting into Li Wan’s car did she truly feel they were back in Meng City.

Rong Fei was in the passenger seat, while Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou sat in the back, a seat separating them, not as close as they had been on the plane.

“You guys were amazing this time, accomplishing great things in Hai City. Even the station director mentioned it at the senior management meeting.”

“How did you know what the station director said?”

Uh…

Li Wan had intended to tease Qin Qianrou, but her direct question caught her off guard. No fun. Oh well, let’s change targets.

So, she shifted her teasing from Qin Qianrou to Shen Yiqiu.

“Shen Yiqiu, I heard your special intuition has leveled up. Did you sense danger, which is why Qianrou took you to Hai City? What about everything that happened afterwards? Uncovering He Chao’s dirty laundry, was that also thanks to your intuition?”

Li Wan was genuinely curious, but Qin Qianrou hadn’t explained the details on the phone; they had been focused on the situation itself at the time. Now that it was resolved, she naturally wanted to know more about the specifics.

“No.”

Shen Yiqiu’s simple answer left Li Wan speechless, and everyone in the car sensed her change in mood. Fortunately, they were almost there, so the silence wasn’t too awkward.

They had packed light for their departure, but now they each had an extra suitcase. Wen Yirong had insisted they take the clothes back. Qin Qianrou was afraid that further refusal would prompt her mother to come to the airport to see them off, which would be even more troublesome.

This trip hadn’t been long, but Qin Qianrou felt something was different now that she was back, although she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Have a seat, Rong Fei and I will tidy up a bit, dinner will be ready soon.” Li Wan, as usual, played the role of the host, and Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou exchanged smiles, settling down comfortably to wait for dinner.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere gradually livened up, and Qin Qianrou no longer avoided talking about He Chao. After all, it wasn’t a secret anymore; related reports had already started appearing online.

“Qianrou, if you hadn’t asked me to investigate those companies, I would never have imagined a professor would secretly establish so many shell companies.”

“I didn’t expect it either.”

Rong Fei and Shen Yiqiu mostly ate in silence, but Rong Fei occasionally glanced at Shen Yiqiu. Qin Qianrou had been concerned about Shen Yiqiu’s emotional state, and so was she. Taking Shen Yiqiu to Hai City had been risky, but they hadn’t had a better option at the time, and Rong Fei had chosen to offer optimistic reassurance.

Now that they were back, she had to assess Shen Yiqiu’s condition.

“Shen Yiqiu, do you have some time later?”

Shen Yiqiu looked up, realizing Rong Fei was talking to her.

“Yes. Is something the matter?”

Rong Fei’s question also caught the attention of the other two, who had been chatting quietly. She smiled faintly and explained, “Nothing in particular, I just wanted to chat with you privately, is that alright?”

Qin Qianrou guessed the reason; Rong Fei hadn’t mentioned it to her beforehand. Although she also wanted Rong Fei to assess Shen Yiqiu, discussing it today seemed a bit rushed.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t object, agreeing after a brief moment of consideration.

“But not too long, because Jiejie is very tired and needs to rest early.”

Jiejie? Rong Fei and Li Wan looked at her, puzzled.

Shen Yiqiu pursed her lips, her voice dropping slightly, “Just… Jiejie.”

Uncharacteristically, Qin Qianrou didn’t offer any explanations. But Li Wan and Rong Fei were quick-witted; how could they not understand?

Rong Fei suppressed a smile and nodded. “Alright, it won’t take long.”

Li Wan’s eyes clearly showed she wanted to pry, but Qin Qianrou stopped her with a look.

After dinner, the four of them paired off, Shen Yiqiu following Rong Fei into a room. In the living room, Li Wan moved closer to Qin Qianrou.

“Qianrou, tell me, when did you become ‘Jiejie’?”

Qin Qianrou, unusually, wasn’t looking at work documents but was reading news on her phone. She rolled her eyes at Li Wan’s excessive curiosity.

“Don’t give me the silent treatment. Aren’t we best friends?”

“Does us being best friends have anything to do with your question?”

“Of course it does! Think about it, we’re best friends, if Shen Yiqiu calls you ‘Jiejie,’ then shouldn’t I be her ‘Jiejie’ too?”

“At your age, being her ‘Jiejie’ isn’t inappropriate, why are you so excited?”

Seeing Qin Qianrou deliberately changing the subject, Li Wan bit her lip, then snatched her phone, forcing her to look at her.

“That’s not the same. I remember she used to call you ‘Auntie,’ how did a trip to Hai City change her form of address?”

In truth, Li Wan didn’t care whether it was “Auntie” or “Jiejie.” In her eyes, Shen Yiqiu was just a kid.

But she wanted to know what had happened between them during their trip to Hai City, besides the He Chao matter. What had made the usually aloof Qin Qianrou willing to let Shen Yiqiu call her “Jiejie?” This wasn’t the casual way younger colleagues at the TV station addressed her.

Seeing her friend’s insistence, Qin Qianrou felt she should explain. She didn’t care what others thought, but Li Wan was her best friend, and she would inevitably interact with Shen Yiqiu in the future. It wouldn’t be good to keep it a secret.

“Before, she had no one to rely on, so she had to depend on me to get out of those difficult situations. To make me seem more reliable and influential, she temporarily called me ‘Auntie.’ Now that she’s an adult, and her situation is improving, do you think it’s appropriate for her to continue calling me ‘Auntie’?”

Only after saying this did Qin Qianrou realize she still cared about the title “Auntie.” Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sounded so indignant, even though she had tried to control her emotions.

Li Wan chuckled. After so many years of friendship, how could she not sense Qin Qianrou’s dislike for the term?

“Actually, ‘Jiejie’ sounds quite nice. Let Shen Yiqiu call me ‘Jiejie’ later and let me hear it. Her soft, sweet voice is so cute.”

Qin Qianrou frowned almost imperceptibly, wanting to object, but finding no reason, a sense of annoyance washing over her.

In the room, Rong Fei and Shen Yiqiu sat facing each other, a comfortable distance between them.

“How did you feel about your trip to Hai City?”

“It was good.”

Rong Fei smiled gently, quietly waiting for Shen Yiqiu to continue.

“Nothing special, really. I just haven’t been back in a long time, it felt unfamiliar at first, but I quickly adapted.”

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t quite grasp what Rong Fei wanted to hear, so she just recounted her experiences randomly.

“You don’t have to be nervous, I’m not trying to pry. I just want to understand how you felt being in Hai City.”

Rong Fei’s voice was always gentle and reassuring, putting people at ease. Shen Yiqiu smiled and scratched her cheek, trying to recall her feelings more specifically.

“Before arriving in Hai City, I felt both nervous and resistant, but knowing we were there to help Gu Chao, I temporarily put those feelings aside. After arriving at Hai Da, meeting so many people, and being constantly busy, I didn’t have time to think about those things. Later, with all my attention focused on He Chao, I didn’t feel uncomfortable being in Hai City at all.”

This was her honest feeling, and Rong Fei smiled, satisfied with her answer.

“If you were to go back to Hai City now, how would you feel?”

“Go back again?”

Shen Yiqiu instinctively thought, With Qin Qianrou? If it was with her, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, she didn’t want Qin Qianrou to be too tired, so perhaps it was best not to go back for now.

Rong Fei seemed to sense her thoughts and added, “What if you went back to Hai City alone?”

Alone? She didn’t really want to. What would she do there all by herself?

Shen Yiqiu honestly shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fun to go back alone.”

Rong Fei’s smile widened, but she didn’t ask any more questions.

She glanced at her watch and stood up with a smile. “Let’s end our chat here for today. I’ve only taken up twenty minutes of your time, I won’t disturb your Jiejie’s rest any longer.”

Shen Yiqiu followed her out. As the door opened, Rong Fei’s last words drifted into the living room.

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t tell if the people in the living room had heard, but she did hear Li Wan chuckle.

Rong Fei emerged from the room, and Li Wan also stood up, grabbing her bag, preparing to leave. Although it wasn’t very late, those who had just returned home needed time to unpack and settle down.

Shen Yiqiu saw Li Wan walking towards her with a smile, the strong, familiar scent of her perfume wafting over, and she couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose.

“Kid, don’t you dare sneeze in front of me.”

“Oh.” Shen Yiqiu quickly rubbed her nose.

“Remember to call Rong Fei and me ‘Jiejie’ from now on, that’s what good children do.” Li Wan teased as she changed her shoes.

Shen Yiqiu twitched the corner of her mouth and looked at Qin Qianrou helplessly.

Seeing that Qin Qianrou didn’t react, she mumbled, “Okay.”

Rong Fei opened the door and went to wait for the elevator. Li Wan, before leaving, turned back and reminded Qin Qianrou, “Qianrou, think about what I told you earlier.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression remained calm. She walked over to the door, nodded, and watched them leave.

After closing the door, she saw Shen Yiqiu still standing there, staring at her blankly.

“Go unpack and get some rest.”

Qin Qianrou’s mood seemed to have dampened considerably since dinner, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t know what was wrong. She wanted to ask, but she felt she shouldn’t disturb her rest.

But Qin Qianrou’s demeanor made her want to offer comfort and support.

Lying in bed, Shen Yiqiu felt tired but couldn’t sleep. Rong Fei had asked her how she felt being in Hai City.

She had answered honestly, but she realized she hadn’t truly figured it out herself.

She should have been resistant to going back, even though it had been because of Gu Chao and He Chao. She had kept telling herself that, but only as they were leaving did she realize she felt a sense of nostalgia for those days in Hai City.

Perhaps it was because the He Chao matter had progressed much more smoothly than expected, bringing him down so quickly, lifting a heavy weight from her heart.

She felt closer to Qin Qianrou, feeling that she had been so fortunate to meet her. Only Qin Qianrou had the ability to bring down someone who had troubled her for so long, so swiftly.

During Qin Qianrou’s absence from Meng City, Dongsheng Group had indeed kept a low profile. The station had pressured them, forbidding a public investigation, so Li Wan had used her own resources to investigate quietly.

The team leader seemed to be aware of this, but she hadn’t intervened, only offering a few subtle reminders to be careful and not get caught.

Li Wan felt that the more secretive they were, the bigger the problem with Dongsheng must be. As soon as Qin Qianrou returned, she couldn’t wait to share all the information she had gathered. She wanted her friend to rest and recover, but in their line of work, time was of the essence. If they rested, the news would slip away.

Because they understood each other, they understood each other’s mindset. Li Wan, feeling distressed for Qin Qianrou, still gave her all the materials immediately.

As expected, Qin Qianrou returned to work punctually the next day.

The He Chao matter was already causing a stir online, many of his former victims coming forward with accusations. Ironically, amidst this online frenzy, Reporter Qin’s involvement remained hidden.

Lin Shuangzhi called her to the office, praising her achievements in Hai City.

“As expected of the station’s star reporter, such a masterful move.”

“Team Leader, are you praising me or mocking me?”

“I’m praising you, of course. But now, I have to criticize you.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s attitude shifted, her smile disappearing. Qin Qianrou wasn’t intimidated; she was prepared to be reprimanded.

“You were too reckless this time. What if the evidence wasn’t sufficient, or what if He Chao retaliated against you?”

Lin Shuangzhi’s tone grew sterner, revealing not only her dissatisfaction with her subordinate’s impulsive actions but also her obvious concern.

“The situation was urgent. If I had waited any longer, I was afraid it would be too late. As it turns out, it was just in time.”

Lin Shuangzhi naturally understood this, which was why she was both reprimanding and concerned. Under the circumstances, Qin Qianrou’s actions, though unauthorized, were justifiable.

“You did the right thing with the graduate student, and I fully support that. But regarding He Chao, shouldn’t you have consulted the station beforehand?”

“Discovering He Chao’s wrongdoings was purely accidental, and at the time, I didn’t know what I would find. Besides, I never investigated him as a reporter, so it didn’t involve the station.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s gaze deepened, realizing Qin Qianrou had clearly considered all this beforehand.

“I’m just reminding you to be more cautious next time you encounter such a situation. You can go back to work now, that’s all.”

Qin Qianrou was surprised. Shouldn’t she mention the station directors’ attitude? Was that all?

Seeing her surprise, Lin Shuangzhi teased, “What, are you nervous now? I’ll handle the directors, you just focus on your work.”

Qin Qianrou quickly left. As she opened the door, she heard the team leader’s voice behind her, “Qianrou, be sure to take care of yourself, safety first.”

**

Shen Yiqiu suddenly took leave and disappeared for a while. During this time, her classmates messaged her, but she didn’t respond, further straining her already tenuous relationships.

However, she didn’t care, she didn’t want to waste her limited energy on maintaining superficial relationships with her classmates.

Zhang Meng specifically asked her out for lunch, saying she wanted to thank her. She had already thanked her several times, but Shen Yiqiu couldn’t refuse her.

“Senior, you don’t have to be so polite, you’re making me feel embarrassed.”

Zhang Meng took her to a nearby restaurant and ordered a few signature dishes.

“You’re the ones being polite, refusing to accept our formal gratitude.”

She and Gu Chao had wanted to treat Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu to a proper thank-you dinner, but they had declined.

“Jiejie said it was just a small effort, you don’t have to worry about it.”

How could this be considered a small effort? Zhang Meng didn’t argue with Shen Yiqiu. During their brief interaction in Hai City, she had gained a general understanding of Reporter Qin’s personality.

But just because she didn’t take credit didn’t mean they could simply accept her help without expressing their gratitude.

“Anyway, if you need anything in the future, just let us know, and we’ll do our best to help.”

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t argue with Zhang Meng’s persistence, so she accepted on behalf of Qin Qianrou.

She lifted her glass to take a sip, but a sudden, familiar pain shot through her chest.

Her expression froze, she didn’t dare to move, maintaining her posture, quietly waiting for the premonition to appear.

But the image was strange, repeating over and over.

A pair of hands adding something to a drink, like making milk tea.

But it wasn’t a milk tea packet; it was a ready-made bottled drink. So what were they adding?

The pain in her chest persisted, and Shen Yiqiu felt a surge of anxiety, desperately wanting to see more, to confirm what it was.

At least let her know who was in danger!

Her heart raced, but her expression remained calm. Zhang Meng simply thought Shen Yiqiu looked a little pale and was drinking her water very slowly.

But after a while, it became more apparent that something was wrong. Shen Yiqiu’s face had turned white.

“Shen Yiqiu, are you alright?”

Shen Yiqiu abruptly placed her glass on the table, splashing water everywhere, soaking her hand, but she didn’t seem to notice.

She frantically took out her phone, unlocked it, searched for a number, all in one swift motion, her hand still trembling with anxiety.

Chapter 40

Shen Yiqiu had thought Reporter Qin was busy in Meng City, often working late into the night and skipping meals. She hadn’t expected that in Hai City, Qin Qianrou would still be a busybody, constantly occupied with endless tasks and social engagements.

After finishing organizing the materials Gu Chao provided, Shen Yiqiu was wondering whether to have lunch at the hotel or just grab some takeout nearby when Qin Qianrou’s phone rang again.

Except for during the night, Qin Qianrou’s work phone rang constantly. And she patiently answered each call, methodically handling everything.

“Shao Ze, what is it?”

That phrase again. Shen Yiqiu suddenly felt a pang of annoyance, but not as intense as last night when she was lying in bed.

She kept quiet, diligently finishing the remaining tasks for Qin Qianrou, but her ears perked up involuntarily, wanting to hear every word from the other end of the line.

“Lunch?” Qin Qianrou instinctively glanced at Shen Yiqiu, then at the time.

“Alright, see you later.”

Without much hesitation, Qin Qianrou agreed. It seemed that ever since their encounter that night, this Shao Ze had been calling Qin Qianrou frequently. The calls weren’t long, but Qin Qianrou always answered them quickly.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t realize her focus had shifted slightly. Reporter Qin always answered her work calls promptly, but Shao Ze’s calls made her particularly uneasy.

“It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s eat first, then get back to work.” Qin Qianrou stood up, patted Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, and walked towards the bathroom.

Shen Yiqiu, who had been perched on the corner of the desk, watched as the bathroom door closed, hiding Qin Qianrou from view, and her mouth turned down slightly.

Putting on makeup just for lunch…

Fortunately, Qin Qianrou didn’t linger in the bathroom for long. She simply freshened up and applied light makeup, ensuring she was presentable. Emerging from the bathroom, she saw Shen Yiqiu still sitting there in a daze and couldn’t help but frown.

“What are you still spacing out for? If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”

Shen Yiqiu snapped back to reality and jumped down from the desk. Her leg, having fallen asleep, was jolted by the sudden movement, and the tingling pain made her rub it repeatedly.

“The restaurant is in Lin’an District. Should we take the subway?” Qin Qianrou glanced at the time; the subway was clearly the more convenient option.

“Okay, I’m fine with that.” Shen Yiqiu quickly changed her clothes.

After washing her face, her slight annoyance was temporarily suppressed. She wholeheartedly agreed with Qin Qianrou’s suggestion to take the subway.

As expected of two Hai City natives, they navigated the subway system with ease, effortlessly transferring at the busy stations, reaching their destination quickly.

Shao Ze was already there. Following behind Qin Qianrou, Shen Yiqiu immediately spotted the man in the casual suit.

“Shao Ze, sorry to keep you waiting.” Qin Qianrou’s demeanor was as aloof as it had been that night.

But after pondering it, Shen Yiqiu realized it was slightly different. For example, her attitude towards him, besides the superficial politeness, wasn’t exactly courteous.

A kind of familiar… disdain?

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t find the right word to describe it, but she sensed a familiarity between them. So familiar that even though Qin Qianrou was clearly showing her displeasure, the other party remained cheerful.

The private room wasn’t large, but the ambiance was pleasant. Shao Ze seemed to be a regular here.

Qin Qianrou stopped, and Shao Ze stood up, but thankfully, he didn’t fuss over her, pulling out a chair or anything. Shen Yiqiu quietly found a seat, and Qin Qianrou unexpectedly sat beside her.

She had thought Qin Qianrou would sit directly across from Shao Ze. Now, to sit next to her, she had even skipped a seat.

Her mood suddenly brightened, and Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of hunger.

Shao Ze had already ordered a few dishes, and after they arrived, he gallantly called the waiter over, allowing them to add a few more.

Shen Yiqiu glanced at the menu; the dishes he had chosen were all Qin Qianrou’s favorites.

Her expression dimmed slightly, and she remained silent. Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to have any intention of asking for her opinion either, choosing a few dishes and dismissing the waiter.

“Honey-glazed chicken wings.”

This was Qin Qianrou’s last choice, she seemed to have flipped through the entire menu before ordering this.

Shen Yiqiu sipped her lemon water, wondering if Qin Qianrou also liked chicken wings. She didn’t seem to recall her ever ordering them before.

The gentleness and concern in Shao Ze’s gaze were subtle, or perhaps he was very good at concealing them. Only a hint showed through, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Shen Yiqiu slowly sipped her water, vaguely sensing his attentiveness.

Their eyes met, and Shen Yiqiu forced a smile.

Shao Ze looked at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Qin Qianrou.

“Qianrou, it seems you intend to involve her in this.”

Involve her in what? Shen Yiqiu was momentarily confused.

“She’s already involved.”

Oh, Shen Yiqiu understood, it was about He Chao.

Shao Ze smiled, took out a manila envelope, and handed it to Qin Qianrou.

“Take a look at this first.” He used the plural “you,” seemingly accepting Qin Qianrou’s words.

Shen Yiqiu leaned closer, her cheek almost touching Qin Qianrou’s shoulder. Her steady breaths brushed against Qin Qianrou’s neck, but she was completely oblivious.

It was a letter of accusation. The letter detailed specific instances of He Chao’s academic misconduct over the years. He had also used his reputation and status to suppress and ostracize his peers and plagiarize their research. He had also mismanaged his laboratory, diverting nationally funded projects to his own private companies for personal gain.

And his wife, Jiang Yuan, had used her position to cover for him. She had even devised schemes to recruit promising undergraduate students, luring them with guaranteed graduate school admission or special transfer opportunities, monopolizing all the best resources.

The accusations in the letter were supported by relevant evidence, and at the bottom was a long list of signatures. Shen Yiqiu recognized a few familiar names, all renowned professors at Hai Da or those her father had mentioned.

Shao Ze quietly waited for them to finish reading before speaking, “It seems many people have long been dissatisfied with He Chao and are already taking action.”

Qin Qianrou put the documents back in the envelope and carefully placed it in her bag.

“Where did you get this? Don’t tell me you wrote it yourself.”

Qin Qianrou’s tone suggested she wasn’t pleased with the letter, and Shen Yiqiu glanced at her, puzzled.

Shao Ze crossed his arms, casually tapping his index finger, unfazed by Qin Qianrou’s questioning.

“I’m helping you. I brought this over as soon as it was drafted.”

Qin Qianrou frowned, thought for a moment, then sighed. “Are we really going to stop here?”

Shen Yiqiu sensed the helplessness in her voice, and her heart sank.

“Qianrou, listen to me, He Chao is definitely going down, the current evidence is sufficient. Don’t get hung up on other aspects, at least not for now.”

Shao Ze’s tone suddenly turned serious, his words filled with caution, carefully choosing his words, afraid of angering Qin Qianrou.

“I understand what you mean, and I know this letter is the best outcome for now. But I don’t want to miss this opportunity. If the trail on He Chao goes cold, it’ll be even harder to investigate later.”

Shen Yiqiu thought that Shao Ze must be aware of He Chao’s wrongdoings and understood the gravity of the situation.

“The web behind He Chao runs deep, he’s just a pawn. Even if you investigate, you won’t be able to achieve much on your own. Besides, do you really intend to stay in Hai City indefinitely?”

That last sentence struck a nerve with Qin Qianrou.

Hesitation and uncertainty flickered in her eyes. Shen Yiqiu could tell she didn’t want to stop investigating, but she didn’t want to stay in Hai City either.

For some reason, she felt a sense of secret delight. She didn’t want to stay in Hai City either, she wanted to return to Meng City with Qin Qianrou.

As she was lost in thought, Shen Yiqiu realized Qin Qianrou was looking at her.

“Shen Yiqiu, what’s your opinion?”

Ah? She’s asking for my opinion? Shen Yiqiu was surprised. Could she even offer an opinion on this matter?

“You were the one who provided the initial clues about He Chao, and the matter between him and your father…” Qin Qianrou didn’t want to mention Shen Zhifeng’s private matters in front of others.

This was something Shen Yiqiu had confided in her privately, and she had to keep it confidential.

Escaping He Chao and Jiang Yuan’s control and deception was Shen Yiqiu’s greatest desire, and she had put a lot of thought into her plan to expose them. If it weren’t for Qin Qianrou’s involvement and assistance, this day wouldn’t have arrived so soon.

Although they couldn’t uncover the mastermind behind He Chao, exposing his hypocrisy, removing him from his undeserved position, and liberating those he had oppressed and manipulated, was a positive outcome.

“I think… although there are some regrets, I can accept this.” Shen Yiqiu’s words were sincere; this was truly what she felt.

Afraid that Qin Qianrou might think she was being forced, she added, “Things will get more complicated down the line. We all want to get to the bottom of this, but the current circumstances don’t allow it. It’s better to cherish the evidence we have now and make him pay for his actions.”

Seeing that Shen Yiqiu agreed, Qin Qianrou slowly nodded, and Shao Ze breathed a sigh of relief.

He had arranged this lunch with Qin Qianrou mainly to deliver the letter of accusation. And also to try and persuade her, which was also his uncle’s intention.

Wen Yirong hadn’t revealed Qin Qianrou’s whereabouts to the rest of the family, so they were currently unaware that she was back in Hai City. But eventually, she would run into more acquaintances, and they wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret forever.

He hadn’t expected Qin Qianrou to bring Shen Yiqiu, and he certainly hadn’t expected her to ask for Shen Yiqiu’s opinion before making a decision.

A probing look appeared in Shao Ze’s eyes, directed at Shen Yiqiu.

The most important matter of the day had been discussed, and now it was time for the less important but necessary task: eating.

As the dishes were served, they realized they were all hungry.

The honey-glazed chicken wings weren’t as good as the ones from the other restaurant, but they were still decent. However, Qin Qianrou didn’t eat much, and Shao Ze didn’t seem particularly interested in the chicken wings either. Shen Yiqiu, looking at the plate of chicken wings placed in front of her, belatedly realized they were for her.

As she gnawed on a chicken wing, her nose tingled slightly. She hadn’t expected anyone to remember her preferences anymore.

The meal was relatively relaxed. Shao Ze occasionally asked Shen Yiqiu some questions, and she answered truthfully. Qin Qianrou rarely spoke, only offering a few reminders when his questions became too personal.

“Qianrou, since when did you start protecting people?” Shao Ze looked at Qin Qianrou with a teasing smile.

His gaze shifted between Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu, the curve of his lips suggesting he didn’t disapprove of the situation.

“You’re being too nosy.”

“I just want to know more about the new person in your life. After all these years, besides Li Wan, I haven’t seen anyone so close to you.”

Ah, so Shao Ze also knows Li Wan. It seems he really is very close to Qin Qianrou.

Qin Qianrou paused, put down her glass, and said, “She’s different from Li Wan.”

“Oh? Different? Then I definitely need to know more.” Shao Ze’s gaze was meaningful, and Shen Yiqiu awkwardly returned a smile.

Qin Qianrou’s voice finally carried a hint of annoyance. “Don’t tease her.”

Heeding her warning, Shao Ze stopped, but he still glanced at Shen Yiqiu a few more times.

There wasn’t much hostility, just a slight sense of unease. Shen Yiqiu didn’t flinch, meeting his gaze directly, sitting calmly beside Qin Qianrou, not appearing weak at all.

Shao Ze paused, then collected his thoughts.

After lunch, Shao Ze, as if understanding Qin Qianrou perfectly, didn’t offer to see them off, but simply bid them farewell and left.

Finally, with no one else around, Shen Yiqiu felt much more at ease.

Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu strolled along the sidewalk. The temperature was pleasant, a gentle breeze brushing against their faces.

“Since we’ve made up our minds, let’s hand over all the materials tomorrow.”

Qin Qianrou was still preoccupied with work, even during this leisurely after-lunch stroll, her thoughts still on He Chao.

“Okay!”

The thought of He Chao’s true face being exposed, of his arrogant and self-righteous facade being shattered, filled Shen Yiqiu with a sense of anticipation and irony.

“With all this evidence, how long will he be sentenced for?”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t sure, but based on her past experience, it wouldn’t be a short sentence.

Shen Yiqiu sighed. “It’s a pity that if he goes to jail, it’ll be harder to investigate further.”

Qin Qianrou had sensed something else in Shao Ze’s words today, but since Shen Yiqiu hadn’t voiced her opinion yet, she hadn’t said anything.

“With this letter of accusation, the trail on him has already gone cold.”

“Why?” Shen Yiqiu wasn’t as experienced as Qin Qianrou in these matters.

“We’ve just uncovered his embezzlement scheme, and so soon, there’s a joint accusation against him. These things have been going on for a long time, why are they being exposed now?”

“This…”

“Because he’s been abandoned. He’s a discarded pawn. No one will protect him anymore, and naturally, they don’t want him to have any more opportunities to speak out.”

So, they struck first, ruining his reputation, so that anything he said afterwards would lose credibility, and no one would believe him anymore.

Understanding this, Shen Yiqiu’s regret lessened.

**

As expected, after the materials were sent out, with some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, He Chao’s case quickly attracted the attention of higher authorities. He probably hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. Many things hadn’t been dealt with yet; he had been waiting for information on Qin Qianrou.

He hadn’t received any news about her, and he was already taken down.

Now, both he and Jiang Yuan believed that Shao Qidong hadn’t been lying: Qin Qianrou was truly someone they couldn’t afford to offend.

They had been too arrogant and fearless when they crossed her, and now it was too late to turn back.

“Lao He, is this the end of the road for us?”

The study was gloomy. He Chao’s cigarette butts filled the ashtray, and Jiang Yuan didn’t have the energy to care.

“It is. The end of the road, the end of our lives.”

Jiang Yuan looked at him sadly, letting out a hopeless laugh. She didn’t think He Chao was exaggerating. If he went to jail, it might even be a safer place for him.

“Let’s confess and cooperate with the investigation. Maybe there’s still a chance for us.”

He Chao frowned, ignoring her suggestion.

“Lao He, don’t hesitate at a time like this! What are you still hoping for? They’ve abandoned us, what good will it do if you take all the blame yourself?”

He Chao’s brow furrowed deeply, but he didn’t remain silent like before.

“Let me think about it.”

**

Before boarding the plane, Qin Qianrou received a call from Shao Ze, informing her that He Chao and Jiang Yuan were already under investigation.

Turning off her phone, she could finally relax and rest. Shen Yiqiu was happy but didn’t disturb Qin Qianrou. The exhaustion in her eyes had been evident for days, and she needed a good night’s sleep.

Qin Qianrou, who had been sitting, must have been truly exhausted, because after falling asleep, her head gradually slid onto Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, her forehead resting on her arm. Shen Yiqiu wasn’t surprised or uncomfortable, but quietly straightened up and gently adjusted Qin Qianrou’s head, trying to make her more comfortable.

“Shen Yiqiu, do you…” need any help?

Zhang Meng hadn’t finished her sentence when Shen Yiqiu interrupted her.

“Let her sleep, don’t wake her.”

Chapter 39

Qin Qianrou took the list from Gu Chao and looked it over carefully, occasionally glancing at the organized receipts and invoices on the computer and the desk. She had to admit, these students, besides being obedient, were also quite sharp.

Gu Chao stood beside her, offering explanations whenever Qin Qianrou paused. “At first, when he asked us to find invoices, the amounts weren’t large, so we mostly used food and transportation receipts.”

The files on the computer were arranged by date, the scanned copies categorized by the time they were obtained. Qin Qianrou clicked on a few files and confirmed they matched Gu Chao’s explanation.

“Later, seeing that we were doing a good job and keeping our mouths shut, he gradually asked us to find larger denominations. Then, he started asking for them more frequently, and the amounts increased. We had no choice but to ask our friends and relatives for help.”

Recalling the past, Gu Chao’s expression was still bitter.

Li Zihua chimed in, “And if we didn’t deliver on time, he would get angry and, abusing his power, send our reports back, forcing us to rewrite them. Even if the experimental data was correct, he would find fault with it. Eventually, no one dared to question him.”

Qin Qianrou frowned. That domineering?

Li Zihua turned and pointed to Ding Song, who had been quietly organizing the documents. “Ding Song is the most easygoing, so he often gets assigned the tedious tasks. If it weren’t for his family connections, he would have been kicked out long ago.”

“He’s that domineering, and you’ve never reported him to the university? And you’ve been so obedient?”

This was truly beyond Qin Qianrou’s expectations, and she was surprised by their tolerance.

Gu Chao paused for a moment, then took the blame. “It’s my fault. They wanted to report him long ago, but I stopped them. I always thought the advisor was dissatisfied because we weren’t working hard enough. Later, I realized I was just avoiding the issue, constantly making excuses for him.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t press further, seeing that these students had suffered enough.

Secretly keeping these documents, it seemed they had been prepared for a final showdown.

“Give these to me, I’ll handle the rest.”

Having reviewed the materials, Qin Qianrou had a general understanding of the situation. This evidence wasn’t enough to directly bring down He Chao, but it provided her with more leads to pursue.

They handed over the prepared documents to Qin Qianrou. Despite their excitement, they couldn’t help but worry. “Reporter Qin, will this get you into trouble? After all, He Chao is very influential and highly respected. If he finds out, he might retaliate against you.”

Shen Yiqiu, who had been standing beside Qin Qianrou, also couldn’t hide her concern. She was genuinely worried that He Chao might harm Qin Qianrou. This sanctimonious hypocrite could be more despicable and shameless than a thug.

“Thank you for your concern, I’ll be careful.”

Qin Qianrou accepted their well-intentioned concern and reminded them again to act as normal and not let He Chao notice anything before leaving.

As they left the guesthouse, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried at all?”

Qin Qianrou waved the file in her hand and softly said, “Shouldn’t He Chao be the one worried now?”

Seeing her calmness, Shen Yiqiu realized she had been overly anxious. She scratched her cheek awkwardly, casually glancing around, trying to appear less concerned.

“We’ll take this slowly, there won’t be any major risks, don’t worry.”

Shen Yiqiu turned to her in surprise. Was Qin Qianrou comforting her?

**

With these documents, combined with the information from Shen Yiqiu’s past life, Qin Qianrou sent the details of He Chao’s publicly known companies to Li Wan.

“We can basically confirm he’s embezzling research funds using invoices, and the amount is likely substantial.”

Qin Qianrou explained the situation to Li Wan over the phone. After accepting the task, Li Wan chuckled before hanging up, “You’re truly amazing, Qianrou, a trip back to Hai City and you’ve uncovered such a big story. The team leader will give you a bonus when you get back.”

“Li Wan, are you sure the team leader will do that?”

Li Wan covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, afraid of provoking Qin Qianrou.

“Don’t worry, if she doesn’t, I’ll pressure her.”

Qin Qianrou ignored her teasing, holding the phone in one hand and scrolling through the documents with the other.

Li Wan hesitated, reluctant to end the call, then finally asked, “Did you run into any trouble when you went home?”

The trouble she referred to was, of course, Qin Qianrou’s family matters.

“No, I just ran into my mother and my uncle.”

“And you call that ‘no trouble’?”

“It really wasn’t anything. Just a chance encounter. Hurry up and find out everything about the companies under He Chao’s name, I’m afraid he might notice something and destroy the evidence.”

After ending the call with Li Wan, Qin Qianrou looked up and saw Shen Yiqiu lost in thought on the sofa. She had sensed something was off with Shen Yiqiu since last night, as if she had something on her mind, but she didn’t feel it was her place to pry, so she hadn’t asked.

Shen Yiqiu snapped back to reality, realizing Qin Qianrou was looking at her. She paused, then said, “I’ve been thinking, He Chao embezzled such a large sum of money, he definitely wouldn’t keep it all for himself. There must be someone helping him handle the money, and besides the research funds, he’s involved in other things as well.”

“The flow of funds will be clear once Li Wan finishes investigating the companies under his name. As for the other things you mentioned, what are they?”

Shen Yiqiu took a deep breath and met Qin Qianrou’s gaze.

“Research patents. He holds some, and his partners hold some. He’s so greedy, he wouldn’t just leave them untouched.”

Thinking of the patents that were swindled in her past life, all the fruits of her father’s painstaking efforts, Shen Yiqiu felt a surge of hatred for He Chao.

“Those aren’t easy to investigate. Unless his partners come forward, it’ll be difficult to confirm anything through unilateral tracking.”

Shen Yiqiu nodded glumly; this was precisely what was troubling her.

She had found out too late in her past life. By the time she realized it was all a scam, He Chao had already sold the patents. Shen Yiqiu, filled with anger, heartache, and regret, had no way of tracing who the actual buyers were.

The ones who had ostensibly acquired the patents were mostly non-profit organizations or reputable companies. However, she had overheard He Chao’s phone conversations and knew those were just intermediaries.

Qin Qianrou recalled He Chao’s profile. “Most of his research is in fundamental fields, with limited practical applications. The patents he holds have limited profit potential.”

“That’s why he’s after others’ patents!”

Shen Yiqiu gritted her teeth, remembering how her father would often work through the night conducting experiments. But her father had never thought of getting rich from his research, he only wanted to benefit society.

“Shen Yiqiu, is He Chao after the patents your father owned?”

Seeing her reaction, it was impossible for Qin Qianrou not to guess the reason.

“Yes. I remember, whenever they met with my parents, the conversation would always steer towards this topic, but my father would avoid discussing it. Later, I overheard him telling my mother to avoid talking about patents with them.”

Another matter of profit. It seemed that no matter the field, profit was always a central theme.

**

He Chao tested Gu Chao a few times, and Gu Chao readily admitted to being emotional about his graduation and having disagreements with his girlfriend about where they would live in the future. This honesty reassured He Chao.

Young people being blinded by love was common on campus, so He Chao temporarily eased up on exploiting his students. Apart from Gu Chao and his roommates, the other students thought their advisor had finally seen the light and secretly prayed for better days ahead.

He Chao had been restless these past two days, making multiple phone calls and arranging various matters. Now, he was waiting for feedback from all sides to formulate his next plan.

Jiang Yuan adjusted her work schedule to free up more time to help He Chao.

“Lao He, do you think they haven’t returned to Meng City because they’re really onto us?”

He Chao sat in his study, a cigarette between his fingers.

“At dinner, I observed that reporter Qin. She’s young, but quite composed. I tested her a few times, but she didn’t react much. I knew then that this woman wasn’t easy to deal with.” He Chao took a drag of his cigarette, his mood sour.

“Do you think she really has a powerful backer? She investigated so many news stories in Meng City, and no one dared to touch her. Is she working for someone else?”

Jiang Yuan’s speculation wasn’t impossible. If she did have a backer, things would be even more troublesome.

“Let’s wait for confirmation from the person investigating her. Regardless of whether she has a backer or not, I can’t let her investigate me. They’re pressuring us, and if she interferes, our efforts these past two years will be wasted!”

Jiang Yuan was also trying to find a solution. It was clear they couldn’t get close to Shen Yiqiu anymore. Having dinner together seemed to be the limit, and with Qin Qianrou by her side, Jiang Yuan didn’t dare to push too hard.

“Lao He, could it be that we’re overthinking this? Maybe Xiao Qiu just hasn’t been back for a while and wants to stay a few more days. And her student’s girlfriend hasn’t left either, perhaps they’re planning to leave together?”

He Chao had no interest in his students’ relationships and wasn’t as perceptive as Jiang Yuan. Hearing her analysis, he considered it. There seemed to be a slight possibility.

However, Shao Qidong suddenly called. As soon as Jiang Yuan answered, she heard him roaring on the other end.

“Are you all out of your minds? Don’t you have anything better to do than investigate Qin Qianrou?”

The study was quiet, and Shao Qidong’s voice was loud. Jiang Yuan and He Chao exchanged a quick glance.

Jiang Yuan hadn’t been yelled at like this in a long time, but Shao Qidong wouldn’t call without reason, so she patiently said, “Calm down, there’s no point getting angry.”

Shao Qidong was pacing back and forth in his office. He had called immediately after receiving the news.

“Did you even hear what I said? I told you not to provoke Qin Qianrou, and what do you do? Not only do you not avoid her, you’re investigating her?”

Jiang Yuan had regained her composure and understood the problem.

“How did you know we were investigating her?”

Shao Qidong scoffed. “You’re good at research and presentations, but when it comes to matters outside your field, you’re clueless. You think throwing money at something solves everything? Naive!” He swallowed hard and continued, “You even sent people to Meng City to investigate her! If I hadn’t stopped them, she would have been alerted by now!”

Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened. She and He Chao were already anxiously waiting for news, and now Shao Qidong was obstructing them.

“We didn’t want to provoke her, but she’s in Hai City now, and she might already be onto Lao He. We’re investigating her so we can be prepared. It’s just self-preservation.”

Shao Qidong was taken aback. “She went to Hai City to investigate you?”

He hadn’t expected this.

“We’re not certain yet, but her behavior is suspicious, which is why we decided to investigate her.” Seeing that Shao Qidong had calmed down slightly, Jiang Yuan tentatively said, “Since you’re afraid of alerting people in Meng City, why don’t you help us…”

Before she could finish, Shao Qidong interrupted her.

“Are you trying to make Dongsheng Group even more conspicuous, to dangle ourselves in front of her and attract her attention?”

He had been deliberately keeping a low profile recently and applying pressure behind the scenes to temporarily avoid trouble. Now they wanted him to provoke Qin Qianrou? They must be crazy.

His reaction surprised Jiang Yuan. This was the first time she had so clearly sensed his apprehension towards Qin Qianrou.

“Dongsheng definitely won’t get involved in this mess. I’m calling to tell you, if you really want to investigate Qin Qianrou, do it in Hai City. You won’t find anything in Meng City.”

Jiang Yuan was about to ask how that was possible, after all, Qin Qianrou was a reporter in Meng City.

“Someone is protecting her in Meng City!”

Shao Qidong had said as much as he could; he couldn’t explain further. If it weren’t for trying to pressure Qin Qianrou and delay the Dongsheng Group matter, he wouldn’t have known about this.

He had now changed his strategy: avoid any direct confrontation with Qin Qianrou.

Shao Qidong’s warning made He Chao and Jiang Yuan hesitate. After hanging up, they remained silent, their expressions troubled.

He Chao extinguished his cigarette. After careful consideration, he couldn’t back down so easily.

“Shao Qidong is a businessman; he must have a lot of shady dealings. We’re different from him. He only cares about money, but we have our reputation to consider.”

Jiang Yuan understood He Chao’s concerns. He had worked so hard for so many years to reach this position, and in two years, he would be the leading figure in this field in the country.

“Someone is protecting her in Meng City, so let’s deal with it in Hai City. We didn’t expect her background to be so deep, but thinking about it, it makes sense. Without a powerful backer, she wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant.” He Chao scoffed, a dark glint in his eyes, as if wanting to devour someone whole.

**

Li Wan’s efficiency, as always, was impeccable. With Shen Yiqiu’s guidance, they quickly compiled a complete list of companies under He Chao’s name. The evidence of embezzlement was clear, and whether they exposed it through public opinion or reported it to the authorities, there was little chance of it being overturned.

Shen Yiqiu looked at the materials and exclaimed, “How confident is he to embezzle so blatantly, using such grandiose pretexts? Does he really think everyone is blind, or does he think he’s some untouchable genius?”

Qin Qianrou neatly organized the printed documents, categorizing them into different folders.

“He did put some effort into it, at least the funds went through several companies before reaching his account. If it weren’t for the names of those shell companies you provided, it wouldn’t have been so easy to trace.”

Those shell companies, not officially under He Chao’s name, were crucial points in the flow of funds. Without identifying them, the chain of evidence for embezzlement would have been incomplete.

Shen Yiqiu recalled Gu Chao and the others’ words, her heart heavy. “The sad thing is, this isn’t an isolated incident. Many advisors with projects are doing the same thing.”

The only difference was the amount of money and the duration.

Qin Qianrou knew what she was lamenting; this was the dark side of society.

“So, what’s our next step?” Shen Yiqiu took a deep breath, composing herself, and looked forward to what came next.

“We’ve basically uncovered the embezzlement scheme, and the documents are ready. We’ll hand them over to the authorities soon. But for now, we need to wait.”

They both knew what they were waiting for.

He Chao was a big fish, and his wrongdoings weren’t limited to embezzlement. If they cut off other leads just because of this, it wouldn’t be worth it.

“Cast a long line, catch a big fish.” Shen Yiqiu smiled, full of anticipation for the future.

Qin Qianrou gave a reassuring smile, not as optimistic as Shen Yiqiu.

She had gained a general understanding of He Chao’s influence in the industry during this time and had also considered the information Shao Ze had provided. She knew someone was investigating her.

She wasn’t worried about the situation in Meng City, nor was she worried about Hai City.

However, she was a little worried about Shen Yiqiu.

This child had already suffered enough. Not only had she not received proper care while staying with her, but she was also being dragged into this mess. Although He Chao’s coveting of Shen Zhifeng’s research was somewhat related to Shen Yiqiu, strictly speaking, she was just a related party and didn’t have to be involved.

Sensing Qin Qianrou’s distraction, Shen Yiqiu looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Shen Yiqiu, you and Zhang Meng should go back to Meng City tomorrow.”

Completely caught off guard by Qin Qianrou’s words, Shen Yiqiu was speechless.

After a moment, her eyes darkened, and she softly asked, “Do you think I’m a burden?”

Qin Qianrou shook her head and explained, “This matter won’t be resolved quickly, and you have classes to attend, you can’t keep taking leave.”

“But I’ve already arranged for my leave, there’s no need to rush back tomorrow.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to leave, and Qin Qianrou didn’t force her.

However, the situation was developing beyond her expectations. After dealing with Gu Chao’s disappearance, she had to reassess her plans.

And Shen Yiqiu shouldn’t be part of those plans.

“I don’t mind you staying a few more days. But please don’t get involved in He Chao’s matter anymore, okay?”

Shen Yiqiu’s confusion deepened. What was going on? Why was Qin Qianrou suddenly pushing her away? Wasn’t it thanks to the clues she provided that the investigation was progressing so efficiently?

She thought for a moment, then, seeing Qin Qianrou’s serious expression, she guessed the reason.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Shen Yiqiu’s casual tone, as if she wasn’t concerned at all, slightly annoyed Qin Qianrou.

She looked up, intending to explain the potential dangers more seriously, when Shen Yiqiu suddenly grabbed her hand.

She looked down and saw her injured left hand held firmly in Shen Yiqiu’s grasp. The grip wasn’t tight, but it was firm, inescapable.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Qin Qianrou, looking at the sincere face before her, didn’t know what to say.

“If we continue investigating this, it will definitely involve more people, and I don’t know what will happen next. Shen Yiqiu, don’t think investigating news stories is all fun and games, and don’t underestimate the dangers involved.”

Young people liked pursuing novelty and excitement, and they often had an unwarranted sense of confidence; Qin Qianrou understood this.

Shen Yiqiu, however, shook her head, her grip still firm. “I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but don’t forget I have premonitions, I can foresee danger.”

Seeing Qin Qianrou’s hesitation, she pressed on. “Investigating He Chao started because of me. Since it’s my responsibility, how can you push me away and not let me contribute?”

“But…”

“Don’t worry, if we encounter any danger, I’ll listen to you, I promise I won’t be a burden. How about that?”

How about that?

Qin Qianrou’s usually clear thoughts seemed to blur. In a daze, she actually thought, This… might work…

Chapter 38

Half of Qin Qianrou’s face was hidden in the shadows of the evening, occasionally illuminated by the headlights of passing cars. Shen Yiqiu instinctively took two steps back, giving them space to catch up.

“You didn’t call me because you were afraid your family would find out you were back in Hai City?” The man guessed, seeing Qin Qianrou’s silence.

Although it was a guess, the confidence and tenderness on his face showed he knew Qin Qianrou quite well.

Qin Qianrou frowned slightly, as if displeased. “You already guessed it, why ask?”

Shen Yiqiu had been standing beside Qin Qianrou, and even though she had tried to step back, she hadn’t gone far, so she overheard their entire conversation.

Strangely, Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to have any intention of introducing them, as if wanting to end the conversation quickly.

“How long are you planning to stay in Hai City this time?” The man seemed accustomed to Qin Qianrou’s coldness, showing no sign of awkwardness or feeling slighted.

“I’m not sure yet.” Qin Qianrou’s gaze was mostly fixed on a nearby fire hydrant, avoiding his eyes.

“I see, then how about…”

Qin Qianrou seemed to know what he was about to say and interrupted him before he could finish. “I’ll be very busy, I don’t have time.”

The man chuckled, a knowing look on his face.

Qin Qianrou was still the same as always, hadn’t changed at all.

Then, Qin Qianrou’s uncle spoke, “Shao Ze, don’t push Qianrou, she doesn’t seem to be in a good mood tonight.”

The younger man, Shao Ze, suppressed a smile and nodded in agreement. “Yes, I can see that.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression tightened; she was clearly displeased. The two men, seeing this, didn’t push further.

“Just focus on your work. If you need any help, call me or Shao Ze, no need to be polite between family.”

Before leaving, both the uncle and Shao Ze glanced at Shen Yiqiu, but they tactfully didn’t ask any questions, simply nodding at her.

After they left, Shen Yiqiu cautiously observed Qin Qianrou. Seeing her still frowning, it seemed she wasn’t planning to offer any explanations.

“Let’s go back to the hotel.”

Shen Yiqiu silently followed Qin Qianrou, this time deliberately staying half a step behind, slightly offset from her.

Perhaps she wanted to give Qin Qianrou some space, or perhaps she needed to process things herself.

**

Back at the hotel, Qin Qianrou’s mood remained subdued. After a few perfunctory remarks, Shen Yiqiu also fell silent.

Only after Qin Qianrou went into the bathroom did Shen Yiqiu’s expression crumble.

Ever since they left the restaurant, she had been feeling a persistent discomfort in her chest. She hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time, but back at the hotel, she realized something was wrong.

Shen Yiqiu clutched her chest, puzzled. “What’s going on? Is something about to happen?”

But this pain felt different from before, and she wasn’t sure if it was a premonition or actual pain.

As she pondered this, her thoughts drifted to Qin Qianrou’s behavior today, from buying shoes and clothes, to saying they were friends, to subtly taking care of her at dinner, and then her uncle and that man named Shao Ze.

Unlike their encounter with Wen Yirong, Qin Qianrou hadn’t been very warm towards her uncle and had been even more impatient with Shao Ze. Shen Yiqiu could clearly sense this, but she couldn’t help but be curious, wanting to know more.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Qin Qianrou emerged in the pajamas her mother had sent. Unlike last night, when she had been wearing the hotel bathrobe, Qin Qianrou looked stunning in the silk pajamas.

She was drying her hair and, upon emerging, saw Shen Yiqiu sitting in a daze. Although she couldn’t see her expression clearly from the side, her stiff posture and stillness clearly indicated she was lost in thought.

“Go take a shower, we need to rest early tonight.”

Qin Qianrou rarely urged Shen Yiqiu like this at home; they usually kept to themselves. They would be reviewing the evidence Gu Chao and the others had compiled tomorrow, which would be another tiring and mentally exhausting day.

Shen Yiqiu mechanically gathered her clothes and went to the bathroom. Qin Qianrou frowned slightly, watching her retreating figure, unable to guess what she was thinking.

After showering, Shen Yiqiu saw her blurry reflection in the steamy bathroom mirror, her mood unchanged.

Her thoughts were still jumbled, the discomfort in her chest coming and going, but thankfully, it wasn’t painful enough to disrupt her daily life.

She felt uneasy, even restless. This feeling intensified, and Shen Yiqiu had to calm herself down and analyze what was wrong.

Was it because she had witnessed He Chao’s hypocrisy firsthand through Gu Chao? Was it because she had to constantly mask her true feelings while interacting with Jiang Yuan and He Chao tonight? Or was it the repeated encounters with people Qin Qianrou knew that made her uncomfortable?

Her thoughts paused here. Shen Yiqiu closed her eyes, reminding herself that her plan was progressing surprisingly smoothly, and the day of reckoning with her enemies was drawing near. This was the outcome she desired.

As for everything else, since she couldn’t figure it out, she might as well stop thinking about it.

This was a rare opportunity. Whether or not they could bring down He Chao depended on this.

Shen Yiqiu stayed in the bathroom for an unusually long time. Qin Qianrou, having dried her hair, checked the time several times, wondering if she should knock on the door and ask if she was alright.

Shen Yiqiu finally emerged, looking a little tired. Qin Qianrou looked at her, and Shen Yiqiu gave her a faint smile, then walked straight to her bed.

Qin Qianrou had wanted to discuss He Chao’s matter with her, but it was getting late, and seeing the exhaustion in Shen Yiqiu’s expression, she urged her to rest.

“Mm, I’ll go to bed then, you should rest early too.” Shen Yiqiu pulled back the covers and lay down.

Before Qin Qianrou could respond, her phone rang. She quickly glanced at the screen, frowned, but answered without hesitation.

Shen Yiqiu pulled the covers higher, observing Qin Qianrou’s expression as she answered the call. Then, she watched as Qin Qianrou walked towards the bathroom, hearing her say before closing the door, “Shao Ze, what is it?”

Shao Ze again. That man seemed very interested in Qin Qianrou. Not only had he questioned her earlier, but he was also calling her so late at night.

Shen Yiqiu was even more tired now. She turned over, her back facing Qin Qianrou’s bed, and curled up under the covers, only her hair visible. The main light had been turned off at some point, leaving only the bedside lamp on Qin Qianrou’s side. As she drifted off, Shen Yiqiu started dreaming.

She dreamt of her past life, of the happy times she had spent with her parents in Hai City. She remembered how they would always go out for dinner and shopping after every major exam. They went to ordinary places, but in her dream, every scene was filled with anxiety.

The images were fragmented and disjointed, suddenly flashing to the car accident, terrifying and horrific. But strangely, Shen Yiqiu’s memories of this scene were the most blurry. Because at the moment of impact, her mother had shielded her, protecting her from witnessing the gruesome details.

However, the car accident was also the most painful memory, because it had taken everything from her. She didn’t want to dwell on it, afraid of being overwhelmed by emotions.

She didn’t intentionally try to forget, but she was afraid to remember.

Then, Qin Qianrou’s figure appeared in her dream, but it was always a blurry image. Shen Yiqiu could tell it was Qin Qianrou from her clothes and her demeanor, but she couldn’t see her face clearly.

Shen Yiqiu’s sleep was restless, the scenes in her dream constantly shifting, and the uneasiness in her heart intensified.

Qin Qianrou stayed in the bathroom for a while after ending the call. When she came out, she saw Shen Yiqiu tossing and turning in bed.

She quietly walked over to Shen Yiqiu’s bed and saw her frowning, her sleep troubled.

Qin Qianrou’s heart sank, thinking that returning to Hai City had indeed affected her. Shen Yiqiu had seemed fine all day, but in her dreams, her suppressed emotions were breaking free.

Rong Fei had said that healing from psychological trauma was a long process and couldn’t be rushed or forced. However, this trip to Hai City had been so sudden, there hadn’t been any time for Qin Qianrou to prepare.

Looking at Shen Yiqiu’s distressed and restless face, Qin Qianrou sat down beside her bed, watching her quietly, hesitant to wake her.

She was clearly having a bad dream. Would it be better to let her continue, or to wake her up?

Shen Yiqiu, already feeling uneasy, sensed someone nearby in her half-asleep state. She opened her eyes slightly, and the face that had been blurry in her dream was now right in front of her. Shen Yiqiu stared at Qin Qianrou, lost in thought.

Qin Qianrou waited for a moment, but Shen Yiqiu didn’t speak, guessing she hadn’t fully woken up yet.

“Bad dream?”

Shen Yiqiu recalled the fragmented images in her dream and the lingering heartache, feeling even more drained.

“Don’t think too much, just go back to sleep.” Qin Qianrou didn’t want to disturb her further. She adjusted her blanket, stood up, and returned to her own bed.

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze followed her, her thoughts still jumbled, her body heavy with exhaustion. She pulled the covers over her head and closed her eyes. In her dream, she had felt abandoned again, left alone to fight her battles.

She had no family, no friends, no one to trust or rely on. She was just like in her past life, manipulated and deceived by He Chao and Jiang Yuan. Then, living in fear under Shao Qidong’s threats, making no progress, eventually breaking down.

Shen Yiqiu felt that if Qin Qianrou abandoned her, she would be alone again.

**

Fortunately, she woke up briefly in the middle of the night, and the dream didn’t continue. When Shen Yiqiu finally woke up, she couldn’t quite remember the details of her dream, only the lingering feeling of unease.

Qin Qianrou, who had gone to bed later but woken up earlier, surprisingly showed concern.

“How are you feeling today?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her blankly, unsure why she was asking, and answered truthfully, “Okay.”

Qin Qianrou studied her for a moment. Apart from the lingering tiredness, her complexion seemed fine.

“Gu Chao just messaged me, saying they’ve almost finished organizing everything and asked us to go over before noon.”

They could have gone over this morning, but Gu Chao, afraid of arousing He Chao’s suspicion, had decided to follow his usual routine, going to the lab first, then returning to the dorm. This seemed safer.

With a few hours until noon, Shen Yiqiu knew Qin Qianrou wouldn’t waste time resting at the hotel.

“What are we doing now then?”

“How much do you know about He Chao?”

“Hmm? What aspect are you referring to?”

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips and asked directly, “Everything about him.”

Previously, their discussions about He Chao had only revolved around his attitude and treatment of his students, or the general operations of his lab. Qin Qianrou had never been this direct, wanting to know everything.

Shen Yiqiu frowned, not answering immediately.

“If it’s difficult, you can…” Qin Qianrou wondered if her request was too much.

Shen Yiqiu shook her head and explained, “It’s not difficult, it’s just that I know quite a bit, so I need to think about where to start.”

Qin Qianrou patiently waited for Shen Yiqiu to finish freshening up, and they had breakfast together. Then, returning to their room, they opened the laptop and started organizing all the information they had on He Chao and Jiang Yuan.

Looking at the increasingly complex web of connections on the screen, Qin Qianrou’s expression turned serious.

“Is it a bit more than you imagined?” Shen Yiqiu’s reaction, however, was calm. She pointed at the intricate network of relationships on the screen.

“If our speculations are true, this is truly appalling.”

Qin Qianrou had dealt with many major news stories, but even she found He Chao and Jiang Yuan’s situation disturbing.

“Unfortunately, most of it is true.”

Qin Qianrou turned to look at Shen Yiqiu, seeing her absolute certainty, her lack of surprise.

So calm, as if she had known all along.

“Shen Yiqiu, how long have you known about this?”

“I didn’t know before, I only became suspicious after my parents’ accident.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t make excuses or try to hide anything. She and Qin Qianrou were on the same side now.

“You became suspicious, so you investigated on your own?”

Shen Yiqiu’s attention shifted from the screen, meeting Qin Qianrou’s probing gaze. She knew Qin Qianrou was suspicious.

“I wouldn’t say I was secretly investigating. While I was in the hospital, Jiang Yuan kept trying to pry information from me, mainly about my father’s research projects and lab reports. I didn’t know anything about those, but she wouldn’t give up, probing every chance she got. Naturally, I wanted to know why she was so interested.”

Qin Qianrou had a general understanding of Shen Zhifeng’s relationship with He Chao and knew they must have collaborated closely in their research. So, what Shen Yiqiu knew now was likely from the materials Shen Zhifeng had left behind.

“So, all those things, are they in your possession now?”

“Not entirely.” Shen Yiqiu frowned, but her tone was firm. “But they absolutely cannot fall into He Chao’s hands.”

Qin Qianrou looked at the complex web of relationships on the screen and sighed. Indeed, they couldn’t fall into He Chao’s hands.

**

That morning, Qin Qianrou made and received several phone calls, mostly work-related. Shen Yiqiu continued scrutinizing the relationship chart, checking for any omissions. Drawing on her experiences living with He Chao in her past life, she had contributed all the information she could remember.

She knew Qin Qianrou genuinely wanted to uncover the truth, not just to appease the students or to intimidate He Chao. Qin Qianrou didn’t want to simply mediate; she wanted to get to the bottom of everything.

All Shen Yiqiu could do, besides revealing everything she knew, was to protect her.

For some reason, after seeing He Chao last night, Shen Yiqiu had felt a lingering sense of unease. Although Qin Qianrou had reassured her, she still wasn’t completely at ease. She was on high alert, determined to protect Qin Qianrou.

**

They arranged to meet Gu Chao and the others at a guesthouse near the Hai City University dormitory area. This place was originally intended for visiting parents, but most of the guests were student couples.

They had discussed it yesterday. Since Zhang Meng was here, meeting at a guesthouse seemed perfectly legitimate. Jiang Yuan already knew they had met with Gu Chao, so they might as well go with the flow and pretend they were there to offer relationship advice.

When the door opened, everyone was there. Zhang Meng, who opened the door, smiled immediately upon seeing Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu.

Although her eyes were bloodshot, a clear sign of a sleepless night, her overall demeanor was much better than before.

“Reporter Qin, Shen Yiqiu, come in!”

Zhang Meng’s joy was evident, and the others in the room shared her sentiment.

A laptop, notebooks, even some crumpled pieces of paper were scattered on the bed and desk.

Gu Chao and the others were still sorting and categorizing the materials, discussing as they worked.

As they approached, Gu Chao stood up and presented the fruits of their labor last night. “This is basically all the evidence we have.”