Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 69 p2

Shen Yiqiu reluctantly put her phone down and listened to Zhang Meng’s explanation.

“Do you see the connection between these two messages?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at the messages again and honestly shook her head.

Zhang Meng sighed, people without relationship experience were truly innocent.

But Shen Yiqiu had helped her so much before, and now she finally had a chance to repay the favor, she would definitely do her best.

“Look, these dishes are clearly not from the university cafeteria, right?”

Shen Yiqiu nodded.

“So obviously you weren’t eating at the cafeteria, but why did she ask, knowing this?”

Shen Yiqiu found this question even more difficult than the ones her professor asked in class, worthy of deep contemplation.

Zhang Meng didn’t make her struggle, giving her the answer directly, “Because her focus is on who you’re eating with.”

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened in realization, a hint of disbelief.

“Jiejie could have just asked me directly, why be so subtle?”

Knowing Qin Qianrou’s feelings for her, what could Jiejie possibly want to know that she wasn’t willing to tell her? She was willing to bare her heart to Jiejie, let alone something that could be explained with a simple sentence.

“This, my dear, is called restraint.”

Zhang Meng adjusted her posture and instructed Shen Yiqiu, “Come on, let’s take a photo with the food and send it to your Sister Qin.”

Shen Yiqiu did as she was told, and this time, Qin Qianrou’s reply came more quickly.

[Hurry up and eat, the food will get cold.]

Shen Yiqiu felt a little disappointed; she had finally managed to have a conversation with Jiejie, why did it seem to be ending again?

“She’s upset with you about something.”

Shen Yiqiu nodded, her heart sinking. “I can feel it too.”

Zhang Meng looked at her and chuckled, “Have you figured out why?”

Shen Yiqiu bit her lip, if she knew, she wouldn’t be so passive.

But Jiejie wouldn’t tell her.

“A little hint, it’s related to someone close to you.”

Shen Yiqiu was confused, there was no one close to her, at least not someone Jiejie knew.

“Are you talking about yourself?”

Zhang Meng took a deep breath, reminding herself that people in love had zero IQ, she had also been this foolish once.

“If it were me, it would be easy to resolve. Think carefully, have you been overly close to anyone recently, or done anything that might cause a misunderstanding? Like your cousin last time, if you hadn’t explained, we would have truly misunderstood.”

Shen Yiqiu racked her brains, but there was no one, truly no one. Since her rebirth, she hadn’t interacted with many people, besides her cousin, who had suddenly appeared, there wasn’t anyone special.

Zhang Meng, seeing her struggling, also found it strange and started analyzing the situation with her.

Finally, she thought of a question. “Could it be that you haven’t told her about your cousin?”

Shen Yiqiu was taken aback, she hadn’t.

Initially, it was Yuan Qi who had asked her not to tell anyone, then Sister Li Wan had also advised her to keep it a secret for now, and later, after Jiejie went to Hai City, there hadn’t been a chance to mention it.

But what did this have to do with her cousin?

“Have you seen your cousin recently?”

Shen Yiqiu recounted her dinner at Yuan Qi’s apartment, and Zhang Meng finally found the clue.

“That explains it, someone must have seen you together and reported it to her.”

Shen Yiqiu wondered who would be so bored as to gossip about such things.

Then, she thought about the ridiculous rumors that had been circulating on campus, no less absurd than this.

“How idle are people these days, actually caring about such trivial matters.” Shen Yiqiu was furious, she couldn’t imagine who would do such a thing.

She had finally managed to make some progress with Jiejie, if this sent them back to square one, she didn’t know what she would do.

Zhang Meng, seeing her distress and anxiety, tried to help.

“Ask someone close to her, find out what’s going on.”

Shen Yiqiu’s first thought was of Li Wan, but then she realized Jiejie was currently in Hai City, and Sister Li Wan was busy with work, they probably didn’t have time to discuss such things.

After some hesitation, she clicked on Wen Shao Ze’s WeChat contact.

After delivering the mooncakes last time, Wen Shao Ze had insisted on adding her on WeChat, and she hadn’t been able to refuse, so she had agreed. However, after accepting his request, they had only exchanged polite smiley face emojis and hadn’t interacted since.

A truly awkward yet polite exchange.

Shen Yiqiu hesitantly sent him a message.

[Shao Ze-ge, are you busy?]

It was currently lunchtime, and his reply came quickly.

[Not busy, what’s up?]

[There’s a small matter I wanted to ask you about.]

Wen Shao Ze fidgeted with his tie, a nervous sweat breaking out.

He had a feeling that Shen Yiqiu’s sudden contact couldn’t possibly be to thank him for delivering the mooncakes; her reaction time was a bit too slow for that.

So…

After giving those photos to Qin Qianrou that day, Wen Shao Ze had left the hotel feeling utterly ashamed. Qin Qianrou’s words had been a wake-up call, making him realize his own hypocrisy. He had claimed he wanted to win Yuan Qi back, that after all these years, his feelings were certain.

Yet he hadn’t even been able to match Qin Qianrou’s concern, who wasn’t even in a relationship yet.

[Don’t mention it, just ask. ] Wen Shao Ze wiped the sweat from his brow, his response in the chat, however, appearing casual and unconcerned.

Shen Yiqiu felt relieved and started typing her question, seeing the “typing…” indicator appear on the screen.

However, after waiting for a while, no message came, and Wen Shao Ze’s anxiety grew.

He was having lunch with an old friend, who, seeing his restlessness, teased, “What, being chased for debts?”

Wen Shao Ze retorted irritably, “Do I look like someone who would be in debt?”

“Financial debts, perhaps not, but relationship debts, that’s hard to say.”

Wen Shao Ze paused, Relationship debts.

Yes, he owed Yuan Qi a relationship debt from years ago, he didn’t know if he would ever have a chance to repay it.

He had repeatedly reflected on Qin Qianrou’s words, realizing he hadn’t truly suspected Yuan Qi, he had simply been too anxious, too afraid of even the slightest change.

Perhaps the sudden news of Yuan Qi after so many years had made him lose his composure and his rationality. Having calmed down, he now mocked his own foolishness, even more immature than he had been in his youth.

If it weren’t for Qianrou’s guidance, he would have ruined everything again.

As his thoughts returned to the present, Shen Yiqiu’s message finally arrived. It wasn’t long, but its contents made Wen Shao Ze uncomfortable.

[Has something happened to Jiejie lately? Or did she misunderstand something?]

Wen Shao Ze composed himself and quickly typed his reply.

[Oh? Why do you ask?]

[She’s been very cold and distant towards me these past few days, as if… she’s angry with me.]

Since she was asking for help, she couldn’t be too vague or indirect, Shen Yiqiu had decided to be straightforward.

Wen Shao Ze smiled wryly, wondering how to respond.

He wasn’t sure if Qin Qianrou’s change in attitude was because of those photos, but since Shen Yiqiu had asked, he might as well use this opportunity to confirm his suspicions.

Instead of messaging, he picked up his phone, walked to the side, his back towards his friend, and called Shen Yiqiu.

“Shao Ze-ge.”

“Mm, I’m not sure what’s going on with Qianrou, but I had coffee with her last week, and she didn’t mention any problems at work.”

The implication being that it wasn’t work-related.

Shen Yiqiu responded with a simple “Oh” and didn’t say anything more.

Wen Shao Ze unconsciously tugged at his tie, until the expensive, custom-made tie was practically wrinkled beyond recognition, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Don’t worry, with us around, no one will bully Qianrou in Hai City.” He looked out the window at the bustling traffic, then suddenly changed the subject. “However, the elders in her family are definitely pressuring her, it’s always the same old topics. I think she’s probably annoyed about the upcoming blind date this weekend.”

Wen Shao Ze wasn’t lying, Qin Qianrou’s grandfather did intend to arrange a meeting between her and the youngest son of the Cheng family, scheduled for this weekend. However, Qin Qianrou had refused without hesitation.

She had even personally called the young man to apologize, clarifying that it wasn’t because of work, but simply because she didn’t want to meet him, and she had no intention of accepting her family’s arrangements.

With such a direct rejection, anyone with any self-respect would understand and back off, especially since he was also someone who disliked being controlled by his family. Their conversation had unexpectedly turned pleasant, they even ended up bonding over their families’ constant attempts at matchmaking, which they both found ridiculous.

However, Wen Shao Ze didn’t know about this, and Qin Qianrou felt there was no need to mention it. There wouldn’t be any further developments, who would bother explaining such a thing?

He heard a soft sob on the other end, and Wen Shao Ze panicked, thinking he had made the young girl cry.

Good heavens, he had simply been rambling, forgetting Shen Yiqiu was only eighteen. Just as he was frantically trying to think of how to comfort her, she seemed to have regained her composure.

“Shao Ze-ge, can you tell me which room Jiejie is staying in?”

She knew the hotel, but not the room number.

Wen Shao Ze vaguely guessed her intention and figured there was no stopping her. If Qianrou was truly angry with her, it would be good for them to resolve it face-to-face.

Many misunderstandings stemmed from a lack of communication.

After obtaining Qin Qianrou’s room number, Shen Yiqiu opened a travel app and started searching for flights to Hai City on Friday afternoon.

Zhang Meng, seeing her swift actions, nodded approvingly, she was finally getting it.

“Not bad, knowing to book a flight immediately.”

Shen Yiqiu breathed a sigh of relief after securing her ticket and smiled at Zhang Meng, “Yes, Gu Chao taught me, he said apologizing in person shows more sincerity.”

Zhang Meng was momentarily speechless, then blushed slightly.

Gu Chao’s words were indeed correct, but she had been the one who had taught him that.

She had been the one who had said those words to him initially. She hadn’t expected her “student’s” student to be sitting across from her now, applying her teachings quite effectively.

**

Qin Qianrou returned to her hotel room, exhausted, turned on the light, and was greeted by the familiar, uninspiring decor. This week’s training had been intensive, and combined with her private investigation into the He Chao matter, she was feeling overwhelmed.

She sat on the sofa, drank half a glass of water, and rested for ten minutes, finally feeling a little more energized. It was Friday, and the afternoon sessions were mostly group discussions, but everyone had tacitly ended early.

Most of her colleagues had gone out for dinner or shopping, which Qin Qianrou had declined. She was all too familiar with the city she had grown up in, there wasn’t much she wanted to explore, she’d rather go back and rest.

However, just resting felt… unsettling.

She instinctively opened her phone, checked WeChat, and replied to a few messages. Then, she looked at a familiar profile picture, no new messages.

Shen Yiqiu had only sent her one message this morning, telling her she was going to school, and hadn’t contacted her since.

She had been deliberately cold and distant towards her these past few days, not intentionally, but she had been feeling uneasy, unsure how to express it. Seeing Shen Yiqiu acting as if nothing had happened, casually updating her on her daily routine, she couldn’t help but recall the scene in those photos.

She believed Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t two-time her, but that didn’t mean she didn’t mind. The person she liked couldn’t be shared with others. Qin Qianrou gripped her phone tightly, wondering if she should message her, ask her about her weekend plans.

After all, they had agreed she would visit Hai City this week, but with her sudden change in attitude, Shen Yiqiu, obediently, hadn’t mentioned it again, so they were still apart.

Qin Qianrou felt it was a little unfair to Shen Yiqiu, after all, she didn’t know what had happened. But how could she explain it?

Qin Qianrou felt at a loss, even frustrated. She had always considered relationships to be troublesome, and now she understood even more deeply. However, she couldn’t simply dismiss her worries like she used to.

Shen Yiqiu…

Qin Qianrou leaned back against the sofa, her mind blank, silently chanting her name.

She missed her terribly, but she was still a little angry.

The doorbell rang, and Qin Qianrou thought it was a colleague inviting her out.

She opened the door, and the person standing there was slightly breathless, having clearly rushed over.

Before Qin Qianrou could even speak, she was enveloped in a warm embrace, a slight chill clinging to her clothes, yet the gentleness brought tears to her eyes.

“Jiejie, I finally found you.”

Chapter 69 p1

Shen Yiqiu had been thinking about the weekend team-building activity these past two days, wondering if something had happened. Qin Qianrou had been acting strangely since last week.

Shen Yiqiu picked up her bag, preparing to leave for school, and messaged Qin Qianrou, telling her she was leaving.

A few minutes later, a simple “Okay” came as a reply.

Shen Yiqiu felt a little disappointed. Reaching the entrance of the complex, she took a photo of the sky, a rare sunny winter day, and sent it to Qin Qianrou.

[Jiejie, the weather is so nice today, the sun is already out. ]

A few minutes later, Qin Qianrou’s reply came, slightly longer than the previous one.

[It is beautiful. Dress warmly and be careful.]

Shen Yiqiu pouted, confirming her suspicion: Qin Qianrou was being perfunctory.

They hadn’t communicated like this before.

She couldn’t understand why, after just one weekend, Jiejie had changed so much. She carefully replayed their recent interactions, she hadn’t angered Jiejie, and Qin Qianrou hadn’t mentioned anything troubling her.

Why, after just one weekend, did everything seem different?

Even during class, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but be distracted, lost in thought. She listed several possibilities on her notepad, then crossed them out one by one, utterly baffled and clueless.

“Shen Yiqiu.” The professor suddenly called her name.

She didn’t respond, still chewing on her pen, pondering the notes on her notepad.

“Shen Yiqiu.” The professor called her name again.

The classmate beside her nudged her, signaling her to pay attention.

“Oh, present.”

The professor looked at her disapprovingly and slowly said, “Please read this passage aloud, then translate it.”

It was an English literature class, the textbook a classic novel by a renowned British author. The professor was older, a well-respected figure in the English department, her academic and teaching skills impeccable, but with a traditional and somewhat strict approach.

She didn’t tolerate students being inattentive during class.

Shen Yiqiu collected herself, stood up, read the passage aloud, then translated it as instructed.

After she finished, the professor didn’t comment immediately.

Shen Yiqiu felt a little nervous and stole a glance at the podium.

A faint smile behind those thick glasses, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed the professor was satisfied with her translation.

After a moment, the professor finally spoke. “Not bad, but pay attention in class in the future.”

Shen Yiqiu blushed, knowing she had been in the wrong, and nodded repeatedly.

Thankfully, although strict, the professor wasn’t overly harsh. She made Shen Yiqiu stand for a while longer as punishment for her inattention, but she had also objectively praised her pronunciation and the accuracy of her translation.

The classmates beside her gave her curious looks, and Shen Yiqiu, afraid of them seeing the notes on her notepad and starting unnecessary rumors, quickly folded the paper and tucked it into her textbook.

She had thought the university campus would be a pure and innocent environment, but it was also a microcosm of society. The students, milling about, their main topics of conversation either romance or gossip. Shen Yiqiu sighed, if they had so much free time, they should go work at the television station, Qin Qianrou and Li Wan were always so busy, they needed help.

After class, Shen Yiqiu held her phone, hesitant about messaging Qin Qianrou again. It was almost lunchtime, and she would usually chat with Jiejie on her way to the cafeteria, even sending her photos of her lunch.

The training program wasn’t without its benefits, at least the schedule was relatively regular, and Qin Qianrou could usually have her meals on time. So, they sometimes exchanged photos of their lunches, comparing whose was more appealing.

Sometimes, they would unconsciously chat for half an hour. Their conversations were mostly meaningless chatter, but it was enough to brighten Shen Yiqiu’s entire day.

However, these past two days, their exchanges had been minimal, returning to that earlier stage where she was eager, while Jiejie was distant and avoidant. Shen Yiqiu kept telling herself not to overthink things, after all, they were so far apart, she couldn’t see what was happening.

What if Jiejie was simply too busy, or too tired, lately?

She should be more mature, she couldn’t always expect Qin Qianrou to cater to her emotions, she should be more understanding and learn to dote on Jiejie instead.

Shen Yiqiu walked slowly, and by the time she reached the cafeteria, there were no empty seats left. She stood at the entrance, looking around, then turned to leave.

“Shen Yiqiu, why not come in?”

Zhang Meng had seen her from the classroom building and had intended to have lunch with her. Seeing her constantly looking down at her phone, assuming she was messaging Reporter Qin, she had discreetly kept her distance.

Shen Yiqiu, her spirits low, smiled politely. “It’s too crowded, I’m going to eat outside.”

Zhang Meng peeked inside, there must be several large lectures today, the cafeteria was packed, and the waiting time would be long.

“Then let’s go together.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t mind and casually suggested a nearby restaurant, and they walked towards the university gate together.

Zhang Meng glanced at her a few times, seeing her lost in thought, she wanted to ask if something was wrong, but didn’t have a chance to.

After ordering their usual dishes, Shen Yiqiu stared blankly at her phone, her mood still low.

“What’s wrong with you today?” Zhang Meng finally couldn’t help but ask, Shen Yiqiu’s demeanor was worrying.

“Hmm? Nothing.” Shen Yiqiu gave her a reassuring smile.

But to Zhang Meng, the smile seemed forced.

Seeing her constantly looking at her phone, but the screen was dark, she wasn’t messaging anyone, a thought suddenly occurred to Zhang Meng, she had experience with this.

She carefully observed their surroundings, then asked softly, “Did you have a fight with Reporter Qin?”

Shen Yiqiu looked up, a mix of emotions flickering in her eyes.

Surprise, then anxiety, then sadness.

Zhang Meng smiled, “Don’t mind me, it was just a guess.”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head, sighing helplessly. “I don’t mind that, I’m just… confused.”

Seeing that she seemed to have something to say, Zhang Meng didn’t interrupt her, listening quietly.

Shen Yiqiu described Qin Qianrou’s recent change in behavior, her confusion evident.

“Senior, why do you think Jiejie is acting like this?”

Why… Zhang Meng didn’t know Qin Qianrou very well, their interactions limited, and from her few encounters, she had always thought Reporter Qin was a calm and composed person.

If she was suddenly acting differently, there must be a reason.

“I don’t know her very well, so it’s difficult for me to comment. But if it were me, suddenly acting like this, it would mean I’m unhappy.”

Shen Yiqiu was surprised, Unhappy?

But her confusion deepened.

“But nothing unusual happened, why would she suddenly be unhappy?”

Jiejie had said she had a team-building activity over the weekend, which had made Shen Yiqiu unhappy. But Jiejie hadn’t said anything more about it, she had tried to be mature and understanding, suppressing her longing and disappointment.

So why was Jiejie the one who seemed unhappy now?

Zhang Meng could only continue using herself as an example. “Gu Chao and I are like this sometimes, being long-distance, you don’t really know what the other person is going through. And just based on a few messages, it’s hard to tell their true mood.”

Shen Yiqiu frowned, that was so true. This was exactly how she felt, she thought she was being oversensitive and overthinking things, but she couldn’t ignore the evidence before her, constantly reminding her that her suspicions weren’t unfounded.

She bit her lip and asked desperately, “Then what should I do to confirm if she’s truly unhappy?” She paused, then added, “And also confirm if she’s angry with me?”

Her eagerness and concern confirmed Zhang Meng’s earlier suspicion, their relationship almost certain now. And from what Shen Yiqiu had said, it seemed they were in that uncertain stage between being together and not being together.

She had been through this with Gu Chao a few years ago.

Having experienced this herself, Zhang Meng didn’t hold back, sharing everything she knew.

“At a time like this, you have to quickly determine if it’s a misunderstanding or a real issue, you can’t let it fester and grow, otherwise, it’ll be even more troublesome later.”

Shen Yiqiu’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

Their food arrived quickly, the aroma filling the air, but Shen Yiqiu had no appetite.

Zhang Meng tapped her chopsticks on the table, signaling her to eat.

Shen Yiqiu responded listlessly, “I don’t have an appetite, you eat, Senior.”

Zhang Meng sighed, putting down her chopsticks, and said, counting on her fingers,

“I’m asking you to take photos of these dishes and send them to her.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her, puzzled, but she still took out her phone and did as she was told.

“If you want to confirm whether she’s simply troubled by something, or if it’s directed at you, you have to find a way to continue the conversation.”

Those few meaningless messages they had exchanged these past two days wouldn’t reveal anything.

Shen Yiqiu finally understood, exclaiming, “Oh, oh, I see!” She quickly took photos of the dishes and sent them to Qin Qianrou.

[Jiejie, look, my lunch today.]

Five minutes passed, and Qin Qianrou didn’t reply.

She clutched her phone, waiting, and Zhang Meng put some food on her plate, telling her to eat while she waited.

“Be patient, don’t be so anxious.”

Although she said this, Zhang Meng knew she hadn’t been any calmer than Shen Yiqiu back then.

Whenever Gu Chao took more than five minutes to reply, she would be frantic, wanting to crawl through the phone screen and see what he was doing.

It was all because she cared too much.

“What if Jiejie thinks my messages are too boring and not worth replying to?”

Zhang Meng rolled her eyes and jokingly said, “Why don’t you send her a passage from your textbook and discuss it with her?”

Shen Yiqiu knew she was being teased, her cheeks flushing slightly, and she awkwardly picked up her chopsticks, forcing herself to eat a few bites.

Her phone lit up, and Shen Yiqiu quickly unlocked it, only to feel another pang of disappointment upon seeing the message.

She showed her phone to Zhang Meng.

[Looks good.]

Zhang Meng pursed her lips, it was indeed a rather cold response.

Before Shen Yiqiu could put her phone away, another message arrived.

[Eating out?]

Zhang Meng signaled her to read it quickly, and just as Shen Yiqiu was about to reply, Zhang Meng stopped her.

“Wait, don’t reply so quickly.”

 

Chapter 68 p2

Yuan Qi had been acting strangely lately. He usually sought Shen Yiqiu out whenever he had free time, but recently, his behavior had done a complete 180.

“Cousin, what have you been busy with lately?” Shen Yiqiu called him; not only had his visits decreased, but his calls had become less frequent as well.

“Nothing much, just… busy.”

Yuan Qi’s casual tone made Shen Yiqiu frown slightly.

“Is something wrong? Cousin, you haven’t been yourself lately.”

Yuan Qi sighed, phone in one hand, the other packing clothes into his suitcase. He had just unpacked and hung those clothes up not long ago; it was truly exhausting.

“Nothing serious, don’t worry about me.” Yuan Qi, having wandered the world for so many years, had grown accustomed to confiding in strangers, but it was just that, confiding, nothing more.

He was alone, he didn’t expect anyone to genuinely care about him, to help him, so he had learned to handle things himself. Shen Yiqiu’s question had triggered his habitual evasiveness.

But Shen Yiqiu was different, they were family, even if it was just through marriage, they were still connected by blood.

He hadn’t thought much of this distant blood tie before, but now, with so few family members left, he truly appreciated its value.

“Xiao Qiu, I might have to go somewhere else for a while.”

“Ah? Are you going traveling again?”

Hadn’t he said he was settling down in Meng City, giving up his world travels? He couldn’t resist the urge to wander again so soon?

Although Yuan Qi’s appearance in her life had been unexpected, Shen Yiqiu was still a little reluctant for him to leave.

“Not traveling, just a temporary relocation, I’ll be back soon.”

Yuan Qi didn’t want to reveal his reasons for leaving. Shen Yiqiu had invited him to dinner at their place, but he had refused.

Shen Yiqiu sighed. “Cousin, you’ve changed, you’re completely avoiding me now.”

Yuan Qi chuckled softly, his voice tinged with weariness. “Don’t overthink things, I just feel it’s not convenient to visit Qianrou’s home. If you don’t mind, you can come over to my place.”

Yuan Qi drove to Shen Yiqiu’s complex to pick her up, then they went grocery shopping and returned to his apartment.

“Cousin, are your cooking skills up to par?” She had eaten countless meals with Yuan Qi, but always at restaurants, she had never tasted his home cooking.

“Don’t underestimate me, do you really think I travelled the world and didn’t learn anything?”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled, “Alright, then I look forward to Chef Yuan’s performance tonight.”

They got out of the car, chatting and laughing, carrying bags of groceries from the trunk, their hands full. To save time, Yuan Qi had parked on the street, he would drive Shen Yiqiu home after dinner.

He usually wanted her to stay the night, but he was currently packing, and afraid of being questioned, he hadn’t offered.

**

Shen Yiqiu had thought she could visit Hai City this weekend, but Qin Qianrou had told her, slightly exasperated, that the training program had organized a team-building activity, supposedly to promote bonding among colleagues from different stations.

“Jiejie, I can’t come see you again.” Shen Yiqiu leaned against the sofa, phone in hand, her voice filled with grievance.

“It’s okay, you can come next week.”

“That means another seven days, I’ve been counting down the days.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled silently; Shen Yiqiu’s disappointment mirrored her own.

“I promise, next week for sure.”

Jiejie’s voice when she makes a promise is so cute. Shen Yiqiu imagined Jiejie’s expression and longed to see her immediately.

Long-distance relationships were truly awful.

“By the way, I learned a new dish recently, I’ll make it for you next time we meet.”

She had shamelessly stolen this dish from Yuan Qi; she had been impressed by it during their last meal and had pestered him for the recipe. Then, she had practiced at home a few times, finally mastering the technique.

Qin Qianrou chuckled again, “Why are you always thinking about food? Are you going to turn into a little piggy?”

“I won’t turn into a little piggy, I’ll turn Jiejie into one.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” Qin Qianrou wondered if she had gained weight.

At her age, her metabolism was slowing down. She suddenly recalled Li Wan’s constant reminders to control her sugar intake, to watch her diet, to maintain her figure.

“I mean, I want to always cook for you.”

Shen Yiqiu’s soft words, coming from miles away through the phone, sent shivers down Qin Qianrou’s spine. Their relationship had indeed become ambiguous lately, this wasn’t the first time Shen Yiqiu had said such things, and Qin Qianrou, initially flustered and unsure how to respond, had gradually grown accustomed to it, but the warmth in her heart still lingered.

**

He Chao had wanted to meet with Qin Qianrou again, but the timing hadn’t worked out. Qin Qianrou had visited Jiang Yuan once; she didn’t look well, but she was in much better shape than He Chao.

Her demeanor was aloof and distant, no longer the aura of the high-and-mighty Director Jiang. She seemed detached and listless most of the time, as if simply going through the motions, without any hope.

The next time Qin Qianrou heard about them, it was from Lawyer Li, informing her that He Chao had passed away.

Although she had had a premonition, the news still startled her.

The lawyer said He Chao had died of a sudden heart attack, a natural death.

But she remembered He Chao’s words, that regardless of the cause of his death, she should help Jiang Yuan.

Qin Qianrou went to see Jiang Yuan the next day, finding her even more unresponsive than before, sitting there in stunned silence after hearing the news of He Chao’s death.

After a long while, Qin Qianrou, thinking Jiang Yuan wouldn’t speak, was about to leave when a low, desolate voice came from behind her, “Lao He was murdered by them.”

Them? Qin Qianrou thought it must be the people He Chao had mentioned, those involved in his shady dealings.

Qin Qianrou didn’t turn around, she continued walking, then heard Jiang Yuan say, “You have to seek justice for him.”

Qin Qianrou stopped at the doorway and turned around; Jiang Yuan was in tears.

“His last wish… was for you to live well.”

Back at the hotel, Qin Qianrou reviewed the He Chao case files, feeling they were still incomplete. She called Wen Shao Ze, wanting to ask for his help with gathering more information, only to be told he was almost at her hotel.

Half an hour later, Qin Qianrou met Wen Shao Ze at the hotel cafe.

“Looking for me?”

“Mm, sort of.”

Qin Qianrou had seen Wen Shao Ze happy, sad, excited, and even melancholic, but she had never seen him so hesitant.

“What’s troubling you so much?”

Wen Shao Ze looked at her, his lips moving several times, but no words came out.

“Is it something related to me?”

Wen Shao Ze sighed, if only Qianrou wasn’t so perceptive.

He took out a manila envelope from his bag and placed it in front of Qin Qianrou.

“Take a look at these.”

Qin Qianrou took out the photos, puzzled. They were photos of Shen Yiqiu, and that man who had disappeared for a while.

Mostly from behind, or side profiles walking alongside Shen Yiqiu, their faces unclear, but Qin Qianrou still recognized him immediately, she had thought Shen Yiqiu had completely cut ties with him.

She glanced at the dates on the photos; they were from last week.

Her grip on the photos tightened, her knuckles turning white, and she looked at Wen Shao Ze, her lips pressed together.

“Reason?”

“What reason?”

“Your reason for having Shen Yiqiu followed.”

Wen Shao Ze smiled wryly, this was just like Qianrou. Once someone entered her heart, once she cared about them, she would always protect them, no matter what.

“After you asked me to bring her those mooncakes, I suspected your relationship wasn’t ordinary. I’m your brother, of course I want you to be happy, but I couldn’t just let you be with her without knowing anything about her, so…”

“Shao Ze, I understand your good intentions, but this isn’t something you should be doing.”

“I understand, I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize, but I don’t want this to happen again. If you have any concerns about me or her, you can ask us directly.”

Qin Qianrou put the photos back in the envelope, placing it under her hand, not intending to return it to Wen Shao Ze.

Wen Shao Ze took out another similar envelope and pushed it towards her.

“Take a look at this as well.”

Qin Qianrou frowned, There’s more?

A slight displeasure flickered within her, but she still took out the photos. Mostly solo shots, no Shen Yiqiu, just that man.

This time, she clearly saw his face.

“Why is it him?”

Wen Shao Ze’s expression turned even more bitter. “I was even more surprised than you when I first saw these photos.”

Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but take a closer look; Yuan Qi had changed quite a bit, almost unrecognizable at first glance.

“He used to be so clean-cut, I wouldn’t have imagined him looking like this.”

If not for the drastic change in his appearance, Qin Qianrou wouldn’t have failed to recognize him several times.

“Qianrou, don’t you think this situation is a bit… complicated? Yuan Qi and Shen Yiqiu are so close, they even go grocery shopping together, then cook at Yuan Qi’s apartment.” Wen Shao Ze’s voice was tinged with anxiety. He paused, then continued, “Even if Yuan Qi didn’t like women before, he’s changed so much now, what if he…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence, his voice filled with uncontrollable panic and fear.

After seeing the photos, he had been shocked, then overjoyed. He had come to Meng City specifically because of the news he had heard, ostensibly for business, but his true purpose was to find Yuan Qi, and he had actually found him.

However, besides taking these photos, he hadn’t dared to investigate further, afraid of scaring him away again. He had been cautious, wanting to approach yet afraid to, filled with anxiety, imagining countless possibilities, his panic growing.

Qin Qianrou, after a moment of silence, said, “Since you still have feelings for him, you should trust him. If you’re going to overthink things based on a few photos, then I advise you to leave him alone.”

A suspicious blush appeared on Wen Shao Ze’s fair face, not from shyness, but from shame.

“Yes, I always make such… elementary mistakes.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t as calm as she appeared. Even knowing it was Yuan Qi, seeing his close interactions with Shen Yiqiu still made her feel uneasy.

Chapter 68 p1

When Shen Yiqiu woke up, the corners of her mouth ached, probably from smiling all night, even in her dreams, the sweetness lingering.

Happiness truly was the best tonic. Shen Yiqiu’s spirits had been improving these past few days, a constant smile playing on her lips even when she was alone, messaging quietly in a corner. She hadn’t noticed it herself, but it was obvious to others.

Just after class that day, Shen Yiqiu was preparing to go to the library to study. She had messaged Qin Qianrou before class, knowing Jiejie’s training schedule was packed today, she probably wouldn’t have time to reply.

“Shen Yiqiu.”

Turning around, she saw Zhang Meng coming down the stairs and waved at her with a smile.

“Where are you going?”

“My classes are over for today, I was going to the library. What about you, Senior?”

“I remember you have a lecture in the auditorium today, I came specifically to find you.”

Shen Yiqiu was curious, “Something I can help you with?”

Zhang Meng smiled, her eyes filled with shyness and happiness. “Gu Chao is here to see me, he wanted to treat you to dinner.”

“Gu Chao is here? Then wait for me a moment, I need to grab something from the library, I’ll meet you guys later.”

After agreeing on a restaurant, Shen Yiqiu hurried to the library. She had left a few textbooks in the reading room before class to reserve a seat.

Since she wasn’t going there anymore, she shouldn’t occupy the space, better to leave it for someone else.

When she arrived at the designated restaurant on the food street outside the university, Gu Chao and Zhang Meng were already there. Shen Yiqiu saw them sitting side by side, their heads together as they studied the menu, chatting and laughing. Even she, having just arrived, could sense their happiness.

She quickly walked over and sat down opposite them. “Sorry I’m late.”

Gu Chao poured her a glass of water. “We’re not in a hurry, it’s just been a while, I specifically asked Zhang Meng to contact you.”

Gu Chao was a good person, although after returning to Meng City, it had mostly been Zhang Meng trying to repay their debt of gratitude, Shen Yiqiu could sense his sincerity.

“I’ve already told Senior, we’re all friends, if you keep being so formal, I won’t dare to accept your invitation.”

Gu Chao chuckled heartily, “I understand, I understand, let’s just have a casual get-together today.”

The atmosphere was pleasant, the three of them chatting and laughing, the conversation mainly revolving around Hai City and Meng City.

Gu Chao wanted to move to Meng City, but Zhang Meng insisted he stay in Hai City to pursue better career opportunities, which had led to a minor disagreement between them. Afraid of upsetting his girlfriend, Gu Chao had come to see her, surprising her with his visit, and they had discussed their plans face-to-face.

Shen Yiqiu admired their enduring long-distance relationship, especially how strong their feelings remained after so many years apart; it wasn’t common among young couples, especially students.

“Senior, your relationship is so strong, any secrets to share?”

Shen Yiqiu was genuinely seeking advice. Although her relationship with Jiejie wasn’t officially established, their recent interactions had become increasingly ambiguous, she would occasionally send bolder, more intimate messages, although not explicitly romantic, certainly not typical between ordinary friends.

And Jiejie, not only hadn’t she avoided or corrected her, she would sometimes even respond in kind, which made Shen Yiqiu realize that reciprocated feelings were indeed much sweeter than unrequited love, and her heart was filled with a restless yearning.

Even just a short training program meant being apart; she didn’t want anything to go wrong, she wanted her relationship with Jiejie to continue smoothly.

Zhang Meng pointed at Gu Chao. “It’s mostly thanks to him. In a relationship, there’s always one person who has to put in more effort.”

Gu Chao blushed slightly at the praise, but he also readily praised his girlfriend, “You’ve also put in a lot of effort, I know you’ve always been accommodating and tolerant. If it weren’t for your good nature, we would have broken up long ago.”

Shen Yiqiu shivered; she was truly stuffed from all this “dog food” (public displays of affection).

“Hey, Shen Yiqiu, why are you suddenly asking about this?” Zhang Meng winked at her meaningfully. “Is there a situation?”

“No!”

After denying it, she felt she shouldn’t have. Although her feelings for Jiejie weren’t conventionally accepted, they were just as genuine and intense as any other love.

“I was just asking, trying to learn some tips.” She lowered her voice, hiding her face behind her teacup.

Zhang Meng smiled, “You must be in love, you’ve been glowing lately, it’s so obvious.”

Shen Yiqiu was stunned, “That obvious?”

Zhang Meng nodded. “You might not have realized it yourself, but I saw you in the library once, sitting there giggling to yourself, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Uh, such an embarrassing moment, and she had been seen by the senior.

She looked down, taking a sip of water to hide her embarrassment, and Zhang Meng and Gu Chao chuckled.

“Being in love is normal, especially during the initial stages, you can’t help but daydream, don’t be embarrassed.”

Gu Chao’s words of comfort eased Shen Yiqiu’s embarrassment slightly, but she was still too shy to continue discussing relationships.

“Gu Chao, are you really planning to settle down in Meng City after graduation?”

Meng City was nice, its slower pace more suitable for living, but for Gu Chao’s major, Hai City definitely offered better career opportunities.

“That’s my plan, but there aren’t many relevant companies in Meng City. I’ve contacted a few, and their responses haven’t been very encouraging.”

Shen Yiqiu was surprised. “That’s strange, Meng City is in dire need of high-end talent like you, they shouldn’t be so dismissive.”

Zhang Meng sighed, “In Meng City, getting a good job still depends on connections. With similar qualifications, those with connections have a significant advantage. That’s why I want him to stay in Hai City, at least there, it’s all about merit.”

Gu Chao also fell silent, connections, something children from ordinary families like them lacked.

“What about your plans, Senior?”

“I plan to find a job in Hai City after graduation. The job market for my major is similar in both Meng City and Hai City, I don’t want him to sacrifice his career prospects for me.”

Putting aside their previous traumatic experience, objectively speaking, Hai City did offer many more opportunities than Meng City.

“There’s no rush, I’m still revising my thesis.” Gu Chao smiled affectionately and stroked Zhang Meng’s hair.

“Is your current advisor better?”

Gu Chao nodded, satisfied. “Much better. I actually wanted to work with him before, but we never had the chance to connect, and I was misled by He Chao, made the wrong choice.”

It had been a while since she had heard He Chao’s name, and Shen Yiqiu felt a slight pang of discomfort, but she quickly recovered.

“My current advisor is dedicated to research, not very good at self-promotion. If it weren’t for He Chao’s downfall, these senior professors wouldn’t have had a chance.” Gu Chao’s tone was filled with emotion.

Zhang Meng casually asked, “I heard He Chao is appealing his sentence?”

Shen Yiqiu was taken aback. He Chao hadn’t given up yet? Still trying to fight back even after being imprisoned, did he really think he had a chance of overturning his conviction?

She had attended the trial, although the charges were mainly related to academic misconduct, the evidence had been overwhelming, there had been no room for argument. If those charges could be overturned, Shen Yiqiu would be shocked.

Gu Chao’s expression turned serious. “I did hear he’s been actively contacting lawyers recently, but it doesn’t seem to be for an appeal. I don’t know the details, since the incident, everyone at the university has distanced themselves from him.”

The He Chao couple had no children, and even their relatives and close acquaintances, those who had benefited from their influence in the past, had rarely visited them.

Zhang Meng and Gu Chao didn’t know about the He Chao couple’s other crimes, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t intend to tell them, the more people who knew, the more trouble it would cause, they were just an ordinary couple, they should live ordinary lives.

Dragging them into this wouldn’t be good for them.

“I heard Reporter Qin is on a business trip, I haven’t seen her around lately.”

“She’s in Hai City for a training program, she’s been there for a while.”

Shen Yiqiu’s voice softened unconsciously when she mentioned Qin Qianrou.

That involuntary smile reappeared on her face, and Zhang Meng and Gu Chao exchanged glances, seemingly having noticed something.

Zhang Meng thought for a moment, then said, “I used to see a man coming to the university to see you, haven’t seen him around lately.”

Shen Yiqiu, recalling her classmates’ wild imaginations earlier, couldn’t help but facepalm.

“That’s my cousin, he had just returned from traveling abroad.”

So it was her cousin, that’s good.

Zhang Meng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then, remembering what she had said to Qin Qianrou, she felt a little worried.

“Senior, what’s wrong?” Shen Yiqiu noticed the sudden change in Zhang Meng’s expression.

“I need to tell you something, please don’t be angry.”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled. “Senior, don’t suddenly get so serious, I’m not used to it.”

Zhang Meng recounted her encounter with Qin Qianrou at the university gate, not hiding the fact that she had initially thought Yuan Qi seemed like a bad influence.

Shen Yiqiu burst out laughing after hearing this.

“So that’s how my cousin came across. I’ve been telling him to shave that mustache, but he insists it’s fashionable.”

Zhang Meng felt a pang of awkwardness, then, seeing that Shen Yiqiu wasn’t offended, she relaxed.

“But Reporter Qin is truly responsible, after I told her, she came to pick you up immediately.”

So that was it.

Shen Yiqiu finally understood.

Jiejie hadn’t mentioned it at all, she hadn’t expected this to be the reason.

Shen Yiqiu refilled Zhang Meng’s teacup, “Senior, I should be the one thanking you.”

Zhang Meng thought she was being sarcastic and became slightly anxious again, “Thank me? I’m just glad you’re not angry with me.”

“I should thank you. Thank you for being concerned about me, for telling her about my situation, and thank you for telling me all this today.”

Shen Yiqiu had always thought it was her love that had touched Qin Qianrou’s heart, that had given their relationship a chance. But now, a new thought blossomed within her: Jiejie has always cared about me, she just never said it.

Sweet bubbles of happiness rose within her, making every bite she took taste like honey, her joy amplified.

Their meal lasted for a long time, and only after most of the other students had left did they finally pay the bill and leave.

“Gu Chao, are you going back to Hai City this weekend?”

“Yes, are you going too?”

“Mm, that’s the plan, but I still need to discuss it with her.”

After strolling around the campus for a while, Shen Yiqiu excused herself, not wanting to be a third wheel any longer.

After she left, Zhang Meng watched her figure disappear into the distance, then turned to Gu Chao and said, “Do you know what I was just thinking?”

Gu Chao casually kissed her forehead, “About her relationship with Reporter Qin.”

“I’m not sure if I’m being too sensitive, overthinking things.”

Gu Chao looked at his girlfriend, nestled in his arms, and agreed, “Even a straight guy like me sensed it, I don’t think you’re overthinking it.”

Zhang Meng looked at him in surprise, then her expression turned worried. “I’m worried about them.”

Gu Chao sighed and held her closer.

**

 

Chapter 67

The meeting with He Chao didn’t last long. He Chao mostly recounted his story in a dejected manner, while Qin Qianrou listened quietly. She didn’t conduct a formal interview, nor did she take any notes, but his every word shocked her deeply.

“You used national resources and funding for such despicable dealings, it’s a disgrace to scientific research.” Qin Qianrou tried to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

This wasn’t just a simple crime, it was treason!

“I understand, but I couldn’t resist the lure of profit.” He Chao’s gaze, which had been lowered, lifted weakly. “Do you know the despair of spending years in the lab, conducting countless experiments, only to have your data and findings ignored? How many people have left the field because of this, how many people have worked for over a decade and still can’t afford a home?”

“But that’s not an excuse to sell out your research.”

The widening income gap between industries was indeed a prominent issue, but there were still basic ethical principles to uphold. Lack of money couldn’t be an excuse for wrongdoing.

“At this point, I don’t want to make excuses, every transaction was a torment for me. Believe it or not, I didn’t feel good about it, but if I didn’t do it, someone else would. I worked hard for decades, and in the end, my achievements, my reputation, my title, and my money, all taken away. Tell me, is that fair?”

Qin Qianrou didn’t want to debate this; she wasn’t here to offer psychological counseling.

He Chao must have had his reasons for going down this path, but they were irrelevant to her, she wasn’t interested.

“I’m telling you this because I want you to report it.”

“Report it? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”

“I’m already doomed, I thought I would be safe here, but I was naive.”

Qin Qianrou frowned, considering his request.

He Chao’s expression was filled with bitterness, his voice trembling slightly as he pleaded, “I know you’re an upright person, you dare to report what others don’t, that’s why I’m asking for your help. And you wouldn’t want to see those people continue their wrongdoings, after all, it’s the nation’s wealth they’re stealing.”

“Even if I want to report it, I can’t simply publicize your claims without verification. I have to be responsible for every word I say to the public, so I need time, and I need more evidence.”

He Chao wasn’t disappointed, Qin Qianrou was a good reporter.

She was probably the last glimmer of hope in his bleak and hopeless situation.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to do this for nothing. I kept a copy of all the transactions, it’s in a safe deposit box at an overseas bank, Jiang Yuan knows how to access it.”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected him to reveal this so readily.

But she didn’t feel any sense of triumph, only a faint sadness.

If he wasn’t desperate, He Chao wouldn’t have entrusted such a secret to someone he had only met a few times. He had kept this secret all this time, and now, revealing it meant he knew his own situation was dire.

“I can only say I’ll try my best, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to help her.”

“Your willingness to try is enough, I have no one else to turn to. Asking Lawyer Li to contact you was just a gamble. I’ve tried contacting several people, no one was willing to help, some even blocked the lawyer’s number.”

He Chao chuckled sadly, his life, once so glorious, now ending so tragically.

As Qin Qianrou was about to leave, He Chao suddenly called out to her.

In a very low voice, he said, “If I die, regardless of the cause, please help Jiang Yuan.”

**

Back at the hotel, Qin Qianrou was still thinking about her meeting with He Chao. Shen Yiqiu had sent her two messages, which she hadn’t had time to reply to.

Only when her neighbor, also participating in the training program, knocked on her door, inviting her to dinner, did she snap back to reality. It was already evening.

She asked her colleague to go ahead and called Shen Yiqiu.

The call was quickly answered, and Shen Yiqiu’s cheerful and familiar voice soothed Qin Qianrou’s tense nerves.

“Jiejie, have you had dinner yet?”

“Not yet, I was just about to go to the restaurant.”

“Oh, then eat more, don’t just eat whatever’s convenient because you’re busy with work.”

Qin Qianrou had gradually grown accustomed to Shen Yiqiu’s nagging about her diet and her constant concern for her well-being.

A smile touched her lips, and she softly said, “I won’t neglect myself. What about you, what are you doing?”

“Me? I’ve already eaten, I’m doing my homework. We have a major assignment due next week, it’s worth 25% of our final grade.”

“It’s not due until next week, you can work on it slowly over the weekend.” Qin Qianrou, as always, didn’t want Shen Yiqiu to overwork herself.

The voice on the other end suddenly dropped, and Qin Qianrou thought the connection was bad. Just as she was about to call back, she heard Shen Yiqiu’s soft voice, “I want to visit you this weekend.”

Qin Qianrou was momentarily stunned, then she understood.

She missed her too, and she understood Shen Yiqiu’s feelings.

“We just saw each other, why do you want to see me again so soon?”

“That’s not soon at all! A day apart feels like three autumns, we’ve been apart for several days, that’s many autumns!”

Qin Qianrou suppressed a laugh, it was Thursday, they had been apart for three days.

“But I can’t make it this weekend, let’s reschedule.”

Shen Yiqiu’s disappointment was palpable; she had been planning to surprise Jiejie. It seemed she would have to spend the weekend doing homework after all.

“I only have one day off this week, and I have some urgent work to take care of.”

Qin Qianrou thought about it, then decided not to tell her about the He Chao matter. Shen Yiqiu was doing well now, and she didn’t want to drag her back into this mess.

Besides, how much of what He Chao had said was true, and how much was fabricated? She still needed to verify it. Even if he claimed she was his last hope, she didn’t believe a hypocrite like him would suddenly have a change of heart.

Asking to meet her, offering this information in exchange, he was simply trying to use her influence and her abilities to protect Jiang Yuan. Only by attracting public attention could Jiang Yuan’s safety be guaranteed.

It was all just manipulation.

Qin Qianrou didn’t care about He Chao’s schemes; she was concerned about the information he had revealed. If it was true, then she had to report it immediately and bring the truth to light. She couldn’t allow these hypocrites to continue wasting national resources and lining their own pockets.

“Are you unhappy?” Not receiving a response from Shen Yiqiu, Qin Qianrou’s heart softened, and her voice followed suit.

“No, just a little sad, thinking about all those autumns before I can see you again…”

“Hehe…” Qin Qianrou’s soft laughter sent shivers down Shen Yiqiu’s spine.

Her heart ached, and she desperately wanted to hold Jiejie close.

She missed her scent, the feeling of embracing her, the soft coolness of her lips.

Shen Yiqiu’s ears burned, but she didn’t dare to let Qin Qianrou know her thoughts.

“But it’s okay, I’m willing to wait.”

A double entendre, Qin Qianrou knew Shen Yiqiu hadn’t forgotten her words, that she needed some time.

Since returning, she had been busy with work, exchanging a few messages with Shen Yiqiu during the day, then chatting for a while in the evenings. No specific topics, just casual conversations about everyday occurrences, yet they both felt time flying by.

They always felt they hadn’t said much, but half an hour would have passed.

Every time they hung up, Shen Yiqiu felt a sense of reluctance.

Qin Qianrou felt the same way. Distance, for them, hadn’t exactly made their hearts grow fonder, but the longing and concern were real.

Only separation could make her see her own feelings more clearly.

Qin Qianrou sighed softly, It shouldn’t be much longer.

Although she hadn’t been able to visit Qin Qianrou in Hai City this weekend, an unexpected guest arrived from Hai City.

When Wen Shao Ze called, Shen Yiqiu thought she had misheard.

“Shao Ze-ge, why are you here?” She had been calling him this ever since she learned of his relationship with Jiejie.

Wen Shao Ze had just checked into his hotel, and after dropping off his luggage, his first priority was to contact Shen Yiqiu.

“I’m here on business and was asked to check on a certain someone.”

Shen Yiqiu sensed the teasing in his tone and hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Wen Shao Ze had initially intended to tease Shen Yiqiu further, he found this child pure and sweet, her gentle nature amusing, but then, recalling Qin Qianrou’s cold demeanor and her subtle protectiveness towards Shen Yiqiu, he had to restrain himself, afraid of crossing the line.

“Ahem, it’s like this, I’m here on a short business trip, and Qianrou asked me to bring you something.”

Jiejie has something for me? Although she didn’t know what it was, Shen Yiqiu’s heart was already filled with joy.

“Where are you staying? I can come pick it up.”

“Let’s have dinner together.”

Shen Yiqiu had never had dinner alone with Wen Shao Ze, and the sudden invitation made her slightly nervous.

Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Wen Shao Ze added, “I’ll invite Xiao Wan as well, it’s been a while since I last saw her.”

Having Sister Li Wan there would make it easier. Shen Yiqiu readily agreed, glancing at the time, she still had some time before she needed to leave.

Her cousin hadn’t been around much since Jiejie returned to Hai City. Shen Yiqiu assumed he was busy settling into his new apartment. But she had visited him once, and the apartment was practically empty, just the basic furniture, no personal belongings.

Her cousin had been acting strangely since their Korean BBQ dinner. Shen Yiqiu wondered if, with her being so preoccupied with Jiejie, her cousin felt neglected and hurt.

It was a troubling thought, and Shen Yiqiu decided to message him later to check on him.

Li Wan came to pick her up, and as soon as Shen Yiqiu got in the car, she noticed a change in her perfume.

“Sister Li Wan, did you change your perfume?”

Li Wan smiled as she backed out of the complex.

“You’re a perfume connoisseur now?”

Shen Yiqiu instinctively touched her nose. “Not a connoisseur, it’s just that your previous perfume was a bit… strong.”

It was overwhelming, you could smell it from a mile away.

Li Wan raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

Lin Shuangzhi had casually mentioned a few days ago that although her personality was fiery, the strong perfume didn’t quite match her true nature.

So, Li Wan had changed her perfume.

She had finally found a scent she liked today, and she had been wanting to ask Lin Shuangzhi’s opinion, perhaps even go shopping for perfume together. It was a shame the team leader had plans this weekend.

“Did Wen Shao Ze tell you why he’s here?”

“He said he was here on a business trip.”

“Anything else?”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head, and Li Wan’s expression turned serious.

The restaurant wasn’t far from Wen Shao Ze’s hotel, a newly opened, upscale landmark in Meng City, typical of a successful businessman.

“It’s been a while, I thought you weren’t coming back to Meng City anymore.” Li Wan, after being seated, casually chatted with Wen Shao Ze.

Wen Shao Ze’s expression shifted slightly, but his gaze quickly turned to Shen Yiqiu.

He smiled at her, then took out a small insulated container from beside him.

Similar to a food warmer.

Both Li Wan and Shen Yiqiu were surprised, they hadn’t expected him to suddenly bring this out.

The usually suave and carefree Wen Shao Ze looked slightly helpless.

“I was about to leave for the airport when Qianrou had someone buy these and insisted I bring them to you in Meng City.”

Shen Yiqiu took the container with both hands and opened it, revealing two boxes of freshly baked savory mooncakes from a famous Hai City bakery.

Savory mooncakes were a popular snack in Hai City, not just during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shen Yiqiu stared blankly at them, recalling how, during their last wonton meal, Jiejie had casually mentioned that savory mooncakes would be the perfect accompaniment.

She had wontons at home now, and savory mooncakes, but Jiejie wasn’t here.

While Shen Yiqiu was immersed in a mix of gratitude and sadness, Li Wan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

After a few moments of staring, she asked Wen Shao Ze, “Did Qianrou really ask you to bring these?”

Wen Shao Ze, seeing the shock and confusion in her eyes, nodded helplessly. “Yes, she insisted. Have you ever seen such an extravagant and stylish mooncake delivery service?”

Savory mooncakes delivered via first-class air travel, few people could afford such luxury.

Although Qin Qianrou hadn’t said anything explicitly, her actions clearly showed that Shen Yiqiu wasn’t just anyone to her.

He had teased her about it before, but now, he was carefully observing and confirming his suspicions.

Li Wan, seeing his questioning look, nodded slightly.

Wen Shao Ze’s expression turned serious. He hadn’t expected the person who had brought Qin Qianrou back from her icy isolation to be this sweet and gentle child.

Putting aside their age gap, just their genders alone would be enough to cause an uproar within the Qin family. Both Qin Qianrou’s grandfather and his own grandfather would likely strongly object.

Recalling his own struggles years ago, Wen Shao Ze couldn’t help but feel worried for Qin Qianrou.

He turned to Shen Yiqiu, “Since there are two boxes, why don’t we open one and share?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yiqiu protectively clutched the mooncakes, her eyes filled with suspicion and reluctance.

Wen Shao Ze gestured towards her, looking at Li Wan, “Look at her, protecting a box of mooncakes like that.”

Shen Yiqiu felt slightly embarrassed, but she was definitely not sharing these mooncakes. This was Jiejie’s gift; she wanted to savor them slowly at home.

“Dinner is on me tonight, order whatever you want.” Just don’t even think about the mooncakes.

Li Wan, afraid Wen Shao Ze might start teasing her relentlessly, intervened.

“You haven’t been back to Meng City in years, try some of the local specialties tonight, a taste of home.”

Wen Shao Ze’s expression was normal, just a hint of nostalgia, no trace of sadness.

Li Wan observed him discreetly, wondering if he knew about Yuan Qi’s return. Was this sudden trip to Meng City truly for business, or was he here to look for someone?

It seemed Wen Shao Ze didn’t know about Shen Yiqiu’s relationship with Yuan Qi yet; otherwise, with his personality, he wouldn’t be sitting here joking with her.

If Wen Shao Ze and Yuan Qi met, who knew what kind of trouble it would cause?

Their falling out years ago had been a messy affair. Yuan Qi had disappeared, and Wen Shao Ze had stopped coming to Meng City, as if erasing their shared past.

Qin Qianrou had briefly mentioned her family situation, but Li Wan was still an outsider, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to pry into such personal matters. However, the attitudes of the Qin and Wen elders could be gleaned from Wen Shao Ze’s experience. If Qin Qianrou wanted to be with Shen Yiqiu, it would undoubtedly cause another uproar.

Li Wan couldn’t help but worry for her friend, but she also wanted their relationship to develop naturally. Finding someone you truly loved was rare, and Qin Qianrou hadn’t shown any interest in anyone in all these years.

Shen Yiqiu was the exception.

Such an exception, for Qin Qianrou, was precious.

She should live a normal life, not just be a cold and emotionless workaholic. Shen Yiqiu could offer her warmth, a taste of the softer side of life, which, for Qin Qianrou, was invaluable.

Li Wan, genuinely concerned for her friend, naturally hoped their relationship would blossom.

Previously, her understanding of such unconventional relationships had been limited, but now, having fallen for Lin Shuangzhi, she truly understood: love transcended gender.

The key was finding the right person.

**

Back at home, Shen Yiqiu eagerly took several photos of the mooncakes from various angles, then chose two and sent them to Qin Qianrou.

[Jiejie, thank you for the mooncakes.]

Qin Qianrou must have been busy, her reply came a while later.

[Shao Ze happened to be on a business trip, so I asked him to bring them over. You can buy more next time you visit. ]

Shen Yiqiu didn’t mind Qin Qianrou’s feigned indifference, during dinner, Wen Shao Ze had vividly imitated Jiejie’s forceful tone on the phone, insisting he bring the mooncakes.

Shen Yiqiu, hearing this, had been beaming.

Jiejie was so good to her, she felt so lucky.

Whenever she thought of Qin Qianrou’s kindness, Shen Yiqiu’s heart fluttered, a warmth spreading through her, she wanted to hug her, to kiss her.

[Jiejie, I miss you.]

Qin Qianrou gently caressed the screen, wondering if she should respond in kind, after all, she also missed Shen Yiqiu.

Before she could reply, another message arrived.

[I want to hug you, hold you close. ]

In the quiet of the night, hearts were always softer, more vulnerable.

A few simple words, amplified by longing, easily stirred Qin Qianrou’s heart.

Her heart racing, she felt a physical yearning for that embrace, that soft warmth, that close connection, that shared affection.

[You can, next time you visit.]

Shen Yiqiu stared blankly at the message for a full minute, finally understanding its meaning!

[!!!]

Then, she sent a barrage of excited emojis.

Jiejie had agreed to let her hug her, did that mean she had accepted her feelings?

Shen Yiqiu suppressed her excitement, she didn’t want confirmation over the phone.

She wanted to hear Jiejie’s answer in person; she didn’t want to kiss her phone, she wanted to kiss her beautiful Jiejie.

A sudden warmth spread through her, unsure if it was from the heating, Shen Yiqiu felt her face burning. Whenever she thought of Jiejie, the yearning within her intensified, the desire for intimacy growing stronger.

[Jiejie, I’m going to take a shower, you rest early.]

She fled like a guilty child, then, feeling her sudden departure might seem abrupt, she picked up her phone again.

[I want to share mooncakes with you next time.]

[Okay. Go to bed early after your shower. ]

[Good night, Jiejie. ] Jiejie, I love you.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to send the abbreviation “I love you,” but she chanted it silently in her heart, her cheeks burning even more intensely.

Chapter 66 p2

Li Wan rolled her eyes. “I’m saying, you shouldn’t be so nervous around her, you caring so much about her makes it seem unequal!”

Even if you’re the one pursuing her, you can’t be too subservient!

Shen Yiqiu, however, said frankly, “But I do care about her a lot, her every mood, her every emotion. And if I care about her, why should I hide it?”

Li Wan facepalmed, wondering what to say to convince this stubborn child.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t give her a chance to speak. “Making Jiejie happy is my greatest wish. I like her, so I want her to always be happy. Should I pretend to be indifferent just to maintain some sense of equality? That would only hurt her feelings.”

Just the thought made her heart ache.

“I wouldn’t be able to bear it.”

Li Wan finished her tea in one gulp, feeling stuffed from the sweetness of their interaction.

“Shen Yiqiu, remember what you just said. If you’re ever mistreated or lose your position, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

After saying this, Li Wan’s smile deepened, and just as Shen Yiqiu was about to ask what she meant, Qin Qianrou emerged from her room, pulling her suitcase.

“Everything packed?”

Qin Qianrou’s luggage was light this time, just a carry-on suitcase.

“It’s almost time, let’s go.”

Just as Li Wan opened the door, Shen Yiqiu snatched the suitcase from Qin Qianrou. “Jiejie, let me carry this.”

Li Wan sighed, with this child’s gentle and sweet nature, how could she possibly dominate in their relationship?

At the airport, Li Wan wasn’t as clingy as she had been last time, only giving Qin Qianrou one hug at the beginning, because for the rest of the time, Qin Qianrou’s attention was monopolized by Shen Yiqiu.

“Jiejie, don’t overwork yourself when you get back. If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell me, and I’ll learn how to make it by the time you come back.”

“Okay.”

“Winters in Hai City are very cold and damp, so drink plenty of hot water, and don’t just wear a coat, wear a down jacket.”

“Okay.”

“If you have time off next time, just stay in Hai City.”

Seeing the subtle change in Qin Qianrou’s expression, Shen Yiqiu quickly added, “I’ll come visit you, I’ll bring wontons.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t know whether to call her cute or silly, but this child truly cared about her deeply. Her heart softened, but she still had to say goodbye.

“Then I’ll be waiting for you in Hai City…”

Shen Yiqiu was about to smile when she heard the deliberately drawn-out ending.

“…for your wontons.”

Seeing Shen Yiqiu’s pout, Qin Qianrou’s smile widened.

“I should go in now, I’ll message you when I land. Go back and have a good nap.”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t slept well last night, and Shen Yiqiu had been even more restless. She had heard Shen Yiqiu’s footsteps in the middle of the night, she seemed to have been sitting in the armchair by the balcony for a long time.

Shen Yiqiu gave Qin Qianrou a big hug, no longer as hesitant as before, but filled with reluctance.

Parting was truly difficult.

Qin Qianrou let herself be embraced, cherishing this warmth as well.

“Alright, I really have to go now.”

“Jiejie, I’ll miss you, very much.”

“I know.”

Qin Qianrou wanted to say she would miss her too.

**

After a few hours of flying, and the journey from the airport to the hotel, even with a morning flight, it was already afternoon by the time Qin Qianrou finally settled down.

She messaged Shen Yiqiu as soon as she landed, and after a brief exchange, they went their separate ways.

Although Shen Yiqiu was clingy, she always knew her priorities. Qin Qianrou, unpacking her suitcase, thought she would call her after the evening group discussion.

Her work phone suddenly rang. Since starting the training program, there were rarely any urgent matters from the Meng City station. And her break wasn’t officially over yet; no one from the training program would disturb her.

An unfamiliar number, and Qin Qianrou frowned slightly.

Years of professional experience gave her a sense that this call was unusual.

She quickly answered.

“Is this Reporter Qin Qianrou?”

The caller was a middle-aged man, his tone calm and composed, yet also distant, as if he wasn’t truly looking for her.

“This is Qin Qianrou, may I ask who’s calling?”

“This is Li Yuntao, I’m not sure if you remember me.”

She did recognize the name.

After a moment of thought, Qin Qianrou recalled he was the He Chao couple’s defense lawyer.

“I remember, Lawyer Li.”

The man chuckled politely, “Reporter Qin has a good memory.”

Then, he got straight to the point. “I’m calling on behalf of He Chao, he wants to meet with you.”

“Meet with me?”

Lawyer Li emphasized, “He Chao wants to see you, he said there’s something important he has to tell you in person.”

Qin Qianrou had no favorable impression of He Chao, and she had played a crucial role in his case, although she had never been directly involved.

Could it be that He Chao had discovered her involvement?

Seeing her hesitation, Lawyer Li lowered his voice and added, “He said he’s currently in danger and can only rely on someone he trusts.”

He Chao, once a renowned professor, had been constantly surrounded by visitors, especially during holidays and festivals. Those with insufficient connections, status, or social standing couldn’t even get close to him. Now, imprisoned, he had no visitors.

**

Sitting across from He Chao, Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but lament how circumstances changed people.

He Chao looked even more haggard than he had on the day of his trial, his scholarly aura completely gone, replaced by the image of a dejected and defeated old man.

Yet, he was only middle-aged.

“Reporter Qin, thank you for agreeing to see me.” He Chao’s voice was raspy.

Without his usual meticulous grooming, the damage to his vocal cords from years of smoking was evident, adding to his pathetic appearance.

“I heard from Lawyer Li that you’re currently in danger, have you received some kind of threat?”

Although she didn’t know why He Chao had specifically asked to see her, her reporter’s instincts told her this meeting would yield something significant.

He Chao looked utterly defeated. He had only met Qin Qianrou a few times, but his condition had worsened with each encounter. Their first meeting at the hospital seemed like a lifetime ago, when he had still been at his best.

“Yes, I’ve been threatened, someone wants me dead.”

Although defeated, He Chao still clung to life.

Even at the lowest point, without the ambition for a comeback, the survival instinct remained.

“You should report this to the police, I can’t help you with this.”

He Chao smiled bitterly; he knew that, of course.

“I’m not asking you to save me, I’m asking you to help me protect someone.”

“Who?”

“My wife.”

Jiang Yuan was also implicated in He Chao’s case, but her involvement wasn’t crucial, so she had received a lighter sentence.

“What are your conditions?”

This was the first time He Chao and Qin Qianrou had a proper conversation. Only now did he understand what set her apart from other reporters.

She wasn’t eager to pry into the juicy details, nor did she mock or belittle his downfall. She treated him calmly, like any other prisoner.

Yes, the mistakes he had made had already been judged by the law.

There was no personal animosity between them, there was no need for hostility.

However, Qin Qianrou did have her own agenda; after all, He Chao’s actions against the Shen family had angered her.

But this wasn’t the time for personal vendettas. She had to maintain her professional ethics, she was here as Reporter Qin.

“The crimes I was convicted of, they sound serious, but compared to the reality, they’re nothing. For years, I’ve been secretly collaborating with several institutions, using them as intermediaries to sell the latest domestic research, before it’s even patented, to overseas buyers. Then, the funds are laundered back into the country through donations to those institutions and through the companies under my name.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat, this seemed similar to Dongsheng’s operations, which they had investigated earlier. But Dongsheng’s methods were more covert, she and Li Wan had only uncovered superficial anomalies, they didn’t know the specifics of their operations.

Now, hearing He Chao’s explanation, it all became clear.

It seemed this had already become an organized operation. And the people and organizations involved were far more numerous than just He Chao and Dongsheng.

Chapter 66 p1

Qin Qianrou’s return to Meng City during her break was a quiet affair, known only to Lin Shuangzhi and Li Wan. She enjoyed the rare peace and quiet, a day of leisure spent at home.

She had bought this apartment after deciding to work in Meng City. Although she hadn’t necessarily planned on staying forever, she knew that compared to Hai City, where she was constantly under her family’s protection and control, Meng City offered much more freedom.

However, owning the apartment simply provided a permanent residence, eliminating the hassle of moving. For the perpetually busy Qin Qianrou, it still didn’t quite feel like “home.”

She hadn’t invested much effort in personalizing the space, which was why, when she learned of Shen Yiqiu’s difficulties with her roommates at Meng Da, she hadn’t hesitated to let her move in.

Now, the thought of inviting someone else to live with her filled her with reluctance.

Because, in her heart, this apartment had taken on a special meaning, filled with precious memories and a warmth she didn’t want to share with anyone else.

And the person who had brought all this to her, who had breathed life into this empty space, was sitting beside her now, keeping her company.

Qin Qianrou felt the wontons today were exceptionally delicious, the best she had ever tasted.

“What kind of filling is this? I haven’t had it before.”

Shen Yiqiu beamed, “This one isn’t a traditional wonton filling. I found it on a food forum, someone shared their own recipe, and many people commented saying it was delicious after trying it.”

Qin Qianrou seemed to enjoy the new flavor and quickly finished her bowl.

“There’s more in the fridge, you can take some back with you to Hai City tomorrow.”

“It’s a long journey, and the fridge in my hotel room is just a mini-fridge.”

Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of sympathy; Jiejie had to live in such a place for so long.

“Jiejie, can you ask them to let you stay at your family home?”

Qin Qianrou rarely mentioned her family in front of Shen Yiqiu. Even the encounter with Wen Yirong and the dinner with Wen Shao Ze had been unavoidable. Subconsciously, she hadn’t wanted Shen Yiqiu to get involved with the complex dynamics of the Qin family.

Things were different now. If she wanted to move forward with Shen Yiqiu, then understanding each other’s past and their families was inevitable. She felt she knew quite a bit about Shen Yiqiu, but regarding her own family, she wasn’t sure how to explain it.

Since Shen Yiqiu had asked, she might as well reveal a little more, to prepare her.

“The training program has its own arrangements, and there are often group discussions in the evenings, it’s not convenient for me to stay at home.”

“I see, that is inconvenient. Just the commute alone would be tiring.” Shen Yiqiu, recalling the suburban villa where they had stayed last time, assumed that even if Qin Qianrou’s family home wasn’t in a remote location, it probably wasn’t in the city center.

“Transportation isn’t a problem, my family home is not far from the hotel.”

Shen Yiqiu knew which hotel Qin Qianrou was staying at, a well-known, older luxury hotel in Hai City. The facilities probably couldn’t compare to the newer hotels, but the location was prime.

“Jiejie, so your family lives in a prime location.”

Shen Yiqiu’s comment was casual, a common joke about real estate among Hai City natives.

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then said, looking at her, “My family lives on Qiyang Road.”

Shen Yiqiu was taken aback. Qiyang Road?

That was an area filled with luxurious villas, not newly built ones either, a place where even money couldn’t easily buy you a home.

“It’s my grandparents’ house. There aren’t many of us, so my parents haven’t moved out.”

So it wasn’t even bought by her parents, Jiejie’s family is old money.

She recalled her cousin’s complicated expression when he mentioned the Qin family, her heart sinking slightly.

“After graduating, I’ve mostly been in Meng City, I rarely return to Hai City, so I don’t visit them often.”

“Jiejie, are you not close to your family?”

Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t have asked this so readily before yesterday. Qin Qianrou was good to her, but she was always tight-lipped about her personal life. Even Li Wan rarely revealed anything.

But if she wanted to truly be with Jiejie, she had to understand her.

“It’s not about being close or not, just differing viewpoints. To avoid conflicts, I chose to come to Meng City.”

Shen Yiqiu casually remarked, “Oh, absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Then, realizing what she had just said, she quickly clarified, “Not applicable to us, I don’t want any distance between us.”

After saying this, she felt a little embarrassed, but she persisted. She believed that as long as Jiejie gave her a chance, she would be able to express herself better and better.

Qin Qianrou was also learning to respond to Shen Yiqiu. Although not as readily expressive as younger people, at least she was no longer as aloof and distant as before.

“I’ll try to visit more often, to avoid too much distance between us.”

“That would be tiring for you, it’s better for me to visit you.”

Qin Qianrou was surprised. Shen Yiqiu wants to visit Hai City?

“I’m not as averse to returning to Hai City now, in fact, I’m even looking forward to it.”

Her father’s patents had been successfully donated, now being used by professionals to benefit society, which was another way for Shen Zhifeng’s legacy to continue. And the He Chao couple’s imprisonment had also lifted a huge weight from her heart.

Now, when she thought of Hai City, besides the lingering sadness of her family memories, there was also the anticipation of seeing Jiejie.

Hai City no longer felt like a place she couldn’t approach, a place she didn’t want to return to.

“Alright, if you’re not too busy with your studies, you can come visit.”

Shen Yiqiu hadn’t expected Jiejie to agree so readily, and she excitedly pumped her fist, her joy difficult to contain.

“Look at you, like a little child.”

Shen Yiqiu pouted, protesting, “I’m not a child, I’m just being genuine, expressing my true feelings!”

Qin Qianrou couldn’t argue with her, realizing that even a reporter could be rendered speechless.

She shook her head helplessly. Young people these days.

After finishing the wontons, they divided the tasks; Shen Yiqiu cleaned the dishes, while Qin Qianrou made tea.

With nothing planned for the afternoon, and unwilling to go out, Shen Yiqiu was happy to simply admire Jiejie. After all, a living, breathing beauty was right before her eyes, she could never tire of looking at her.

However, it was still better to do something.

Taking the tea Qin Qianrou offered, Shen Yiqiu took a small sip and suggested, “Jiejie, let’s watch a movie together this afternoon.”

“Oh? What do you want to see?” Qin Qianrou picked up her phone, intending to check the movie listings in Meng City.

Xiao Wan had been bragging about her movie date with the team leader last night.

As expected, watching movies was an excellent way to bond.

Shen Yiqiu reached out and gently stopped Qin Qianrou. “Let’s not go out, let’s watch one at home.”

At home? Qin Qianrou realized she probably meant choosing a movie and watching it on the projector.

That wasn’t a bad idea, it would be more comfortable and relaxing, without the distractions of other moviegoers.

Qin Qianrou didn’t like going to the cinema on weekends, the crowds and the noise ruined the experience.

Just as she agreed, she saw Shen Yiqiu running to her room and returning with her laptop.

“What genre do you want to watch, Jiejie?”

She opened her saved movie list; she had a few favorites she often rewatched whenever she had time.

Qin Qianrou scanned the list and chose one.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, “That’s my favorite too!”

They chose an animated movie from a few years ago, a touching and heartwarming story.

Shen Yiqiu had watched it twice in theaters, crying uncontrollably both times.

However, she hadn’t dared to watch it again since her parents’ accident.

But now, she felt brave enough to, because Jiejie was by her side.

Shen Yiqiu set up the projector and sat down, joining Qin Qianrou on the long sofa. Although there was a small gap between them, it was still much closer than in a movie theater.

They had both seen the movie multiple times, but classic movies could be enjoyed again and again, each rewatch offering new perspectives, their own experiences and mindsets having changed.

Having seen it before, their tears weren’t as easily triggered as they had been in the theater. But towards the end, Shen Yiqiu, still affected by the story, started crying.

Qin Qianrou pulled her closer, letting her lean on her shoulder, and the box of tissues from the coffee table was placed on Shen Yiqiu’s lap.

She sobbed softly, “Jiejie, I didn’t want to cry.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her tenderly. “I know, but it’s okay, at home, you can do whatever you want.”

Shen Yiqiu wiped her tears with a tissue; this movie was a true tearjerker.

Familial love and romantic love weren’t mutually exclusive, but longing was eternal.

“I won’t forget them, as long as I remember Mom and Dad, they’ll always live on.”

Qin Qianrou held her even closer, her heart aching.

This movie always touched her deeply as well, but not having experienced the same kind of family tragedy as Shen Yiqiu, she could usually control her emotions.

She and Li Wan had also cried quite a bit when they first saw it in theaters.

Especially Li Wan, whose eyes had been red and swollen afterwards, still immersed in the story long after the movie ended.

“Then never forget.”

Qin Qianrou, on impulse, placed a kiss on Shen Yiqiu’s soft hair, a gesture that surprised even herself.

The movie continued, and Shen Yiqiu’s emotions calmed down, but she remained nestled against Qin Qianrou, a position she wouldn’t have dared to imagine before.

“If I ever have the chance to travel to Mexico, I’d like to visit those places.”

“You can plan a trip next summer vacation.”

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes lit up, “Jiejie, will you travel with me?”

Qin Qianrou looked at her, wanting to say yes, but she couldn’t be certain if she would be free next summer.

“It’s difficult for me to take long vacations during the summer, you can go with your classmates.”

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes dimmed, and she mumbled, “I only want to go with you.”

Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but chuckle; this child was becoming more and more attached to her.

“We’ll see, if I’m free, I’ll go with you.”

Shen Yiqiu was ecstatic. “It’s a promise!”

Even just a tentative travel plan was enough to fill Shen Yiqiu with anticipation.

Traveling with Jiejie to a city that had moved her so deeply, what a wonderful dream.

Qin Qianrou, however, was thinking that if they could still travel together next summer, their relationship would surely be established by then.

Hopefully, next summer, we’ll still be together.

Happy times always passed too quickly. No matter how reluctant Shen Yiqiu was, the twenty-four hours of this day would still come to an end.

And today, Jiejie was returning to Hai City.

Li Wan, as before, came to drive Qin Qianrou to the airport in her car. She arrived a little early, and Shen Yiqiu poured her a cup of tea.

After a few sips, Li Wan looked at Shen Yiqiu meaningfully.

“Not bad, in such a short time, you’ve already mastered Qianrou’s tea-making skills.”

Shen Yiqiu, afraid of her saying anything more outrageous, quickly sat beside her and whispered, “Sister Li Wan, don’t joke like that, what if Jiejie gets angry?”

Li Wan glanced at the person packing her luggage in the room, then at the nervous Shen Yiqiu, and gently patted her cheek, her affection evident.

“Relax, you can’t always be like this, you have to treat her as an equal.”

“Jiejie has always treated me as an equal.”

 

Chapter 65

They had a hearty lunch. The women chatted happily, unconsciously devouring all the dishes on the table. If Qin Qianrou hadn’t specifically requested sweet and sour spare ribs for dinner, Shen Yiqiu would have probably just prepared a few light dishes.

After bringing the soybean sprout soup to the table, the simple dinner was finally ready. Three dishes and a soup, refreshing and appetizing, the plate of glistening red spare ribs in the center especially tempting.

Shen Yiqiu served Qin Qianrou and herself half a bowl of rice and sat down as usual.

“Jiejie, let’s eat.” It was a little later than their usual dinner time; hopefully, Jiejie wasn’t too hungry.

Qin Qianrou had spent quite a while in the kitchen today, practically participating in every dish. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but seeing the fruits of their labor made her happy.

However, when she looked at Shen Yiqiu, her mood dampened slightly.

She quickly put down her chopsticks and took Shen Yiqiu’s hand, examining it carefully.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yiqiu followed Qin Qianrou’s gaze and noticed several small blisters on her wrist.

They weren’t large, but they looked fresh, probably from oil splattering while she was cooking.

This happened occasionally in the kitchen, but today was different. Jiejie had been standing very close to her, sometimes she could even feel her presence without turning around. Shen Yiqiu’s heart had been racing, her entire being in a state of heightened excitement.

This had made her lose focus, yet she had to maintain her composure in front of Jiejie. The momentary pain from the hot oil had quickly been replaced by the blissful reality of “Jiejie being by my side,” she hadn’t even felt it.

Shen Yiqiu smiled nonchalantly. “It’s nothing, just a few small blisters.”

Qin Qianrou, however, didn’t think so. The kitchen wasn’t her forte, but no one was born a master chef. She remembered when they first started living together, Shen Yiqiu’s skills had been comparable to hers. In just a few months, this child had become quite proficient.

How much time and effort had she spent, how many small injuries like this had she endured in the kitchen? Qin Qianrou couldn’t calculate, but even without Shen Yiqiu mentioning it, she could imagine.

She had deliberately avoided thinking about these details before, afraid of being moved and letting her guard down. But now, she was willing to acknowledge these small testaments to Shen Yiqiu’s affection, each a piece of evidence of this child’s genuine care for her.

“Even small injuries hurt.” Qin Qianrou frowned, her tone slightly complex, sending shivers down Shen Yiqiu’s spine.

Jiejie’s words, so soft and tender, made her feel like her hand, held in Jiejie’s grasp, was melting.

“I’ll be more careful next time.”

Qin Qianrou took her other hand and carefully examined it, making sure there were no other injuries before finally relaxing.

“No matter what you do, you have to protect yourself.”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled at Qin Qianrou’s serious demeanor, her heart warmed by her concern. Jiejie caring about her, that was all she ever wanted.

“Minor injuries are inevitable when cooking, it’s nothing.”

Shen Yiqiu recalled her initial attempts at following recipes, it had been a disaster. Not draining the vegetables properly before adding them to the wok, the sizzling and splattering oil, she had been so scared she had stood far away from the stove, now she was completely unfazed.

Seeing Qin Qianrou’s slightly disapproving look, Shen Yiqiu’s lips twitched, and she had to relent, agreeing with her, “Alright, alright, I’ll be extra careful, even in the kitchen.”

Qin Qianrou released her hand and placed a spare rib in Shen Yiqiu’s bowl.

“The chef has worked hard, try it, how does it taste?”

Shen Yiqiu blinked, Jiejie’s attitude since coming home today had been a little strange, unusually warm?

Not exactly warm, just noticeably different from before.

Shen Yiqiu also placed a spare rib in Qin Qianrou’s bowl, her eyes crinkling in a smile. “You try it too, Jiejie.”

They both took a small bite, the savory aroma filling their mouths, the spare ribs especially delicious today.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t in the habit of chatting during meals, and they didn’t say much, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed than last night.

Shen Yiqiu thought, Has Jiejie finally calmed down, no longer upset about my actions yesterday?

But Jiejie’s lips, the fragrance of her perfume, were so… unforgettable.

Truly intoxicating.

Shen Yiqiu bit her chopsticks, chiding herself for having such inappropriate thoughts. Her feelings for Jiejie should be pure and innocent, since when had they become tinged with such desires for intimacy?

Was it because she had grown older, so she had become more… greedy?

Ahem, the more she thought about it, the more dangerous it seemed, and Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head.

She couldn’t have such inappropriate thoughts about Jiejie.

“What’s wrong?”

Qin Qianrou’s voice made Shen Yiqiu even more flustered, and she choked, tears welling up in her eyes.

Qin Qianrou put down her chopsticks and gently patted her back.

“Spacing out while eating, that’s not a good habit.”

Shen Yiqiu’s face burned, and she stole a glance at Qin Qianrou, noticing Jiejie was looking at her.

And there was a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Thank you, Jiejie, I’m fine.” Afraid of being seen through, Shen Yiqiu only dared to steal glances at her, unable to meet her gaze directly.

Qin Qianrou withdrew her hand, slightly puzzled by Shen Yiqiu’s sudden blushing. Then, seeing the hidden emotions in her eyes, her heart skipped a beat.

After dinner, Qin Qianrou didn’t immediately return to her room. She made two cups of tea in the living room, waiting for Shen Yiqiu to finish cleaning up.

“Do you have any homework to do tonight?”

Shen Yiqiu walked over and sat beside her. “I’ve already finished it.”

With Jiejie coming home this weekend, Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t let something like homework get in the way.

“Then, have some tea with me.”

A rerun of the news was playing on TV, but Qin Qianrou wasn’t really watching. She had made a decision after leaving Rong Fei’s office, she wanted to change the way she interacted with Shen Yiqiu.

Cooking together had been a good start, but it wasn’t enough.

She wanted to have a proper talk with her. If she was considering accepting Shen Yiqiu’s feelings, then she needed to understand her views and attitudes towards relationships.

She wouldn’t be too concerned about the nature of those feelings, but exclusivity and honesty were her bottom lines.

If Shen Yiqiu liked her, then it had to be only her.

Qin Qianrou was contemplating how to broach the subject when Shen Yiqiu, sitting quietly beside her, sipping her tea, looked at her like a curious kitten.

“Jiejie, do you have something to tell me?” She had been waiting for a while, seeing Qin Qianrou lost in thought.

Shen Yiqiu thought that Jiejie seemed passive in their relationship. Since she was the one who liked Jiejie, then she should be more proactive.

“Shen Yiqiu, are you currently seeing anyone?”

Qin Qianrou had tried several different ways to phrase this question, but none of them felt quite right.

She might as well ask directly, she didn’t care how she asked, she cared about Shen Yiqiu’s answer.

“Of course not.” Shen Yiqiu’s reply was immediate and firm.

Qin Qianrou’s heart eased slightly.

She pursed her lips, holding her teacup, the warmth spreading through her palm, giving her strength and courage.

“Then you…”

“You’re the only one in my heart, Jiejie.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart softened further. Although she had anticipated this answer, hearing it directly was different.

She fidgeted slightly, unconsciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She had gotten a perm in Hai City, soft waves replacing her usual straight hair. Compared to before, Jiejie now looked more mature, and more alluring.

Shen Yiqiu was nervous, but her words were her true feelings.

There was no one else in her heart, only Qin Qianrou.

“Can you… differentiate your feelings for me?” Qin Qianrou spoke slowly this time, her voice soft, but Shen Yiqiu could sense her hesitation and uncertainty.

“Yes, I can.” Shen Yiqiu’s reply was still quick, as if the answer required no thought.

But she didn’t see any sign of relief from Qin Qianrou, perhaps her answer wasn’t convincing enough.

Shen Yiqiu gathered her thoughts, turned slightly, and faced Qin Qianrou directly. She was nervous, but she still reached out and gently placed her hands on Jiejie’s shoulders, making her look at her.

“Jiejie, I’ve liked you for a long time. The first time we went back to Hai City, I didn’t know Shao Ze’s identity then, so seeing you with him made me very unhappy.

But no matter how unhappy I was, as soon as you returned, I would forget everything upon seeing you, I only felt joy. Later, when you went to the Economic Investigation Brigade, I couldn’t help but think of Captain Qian, even though I knew there was nothing between you two, I was still… jealous.”

Shen Yiqiu’s cheeks flushed as she spoke.

But she had already said this much, and Jiejie hadn’t stopped her, hadn’t pushed her away. This might be her only chance to confess her feelings, and she had to seize it.

“I don’t feel this way towards anyone else. If a close friend of mine finds a new companion, I might feel a little disappointed, but I wouldn’t be heartbroken, I wouldn’t cry. When my mother used to praise other children, I would get angry, maybe feel a little wronged for a few days, but I wouldn’t feel this… this ache in my heart, this urge to cry, to embrace her tightly.”

Qin Qianrou listened quietly, so her initial feeling hadn’t been wrong, Shen Yiqiu’s behavior in Hai City had indeed been unusual.

She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, telling herself it was nothing, but it had been self-deception.

All feelings, it seemed, had their own subtle signals.

“Shen Yiqiu, aren’t you worried I might reject you?”

Shen Yiqiu smiled bitterly, “Haven’t you always been rejecting me?”

Qin Qianrou was taken aback, she had thought only yesterday’s rejection had been obvious.

Had this child known all along?

“Jiejie, I was the one who fell for you first, I initiated it, you don’t have to feel burdened.

I don’t want you to be kind to me out of pity or concern, to force yourself to be close to me. As long as you don’t send me away, even if I can only be by your side, quietly accompanying you, I’ll be content.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart ached, then she felt a surge of annoyance.

She said sternly, “You think I’m just trying to appease you?”

Shen Yiqiu bit her lip, she didn’t want to think that way, but besides this, she couldn’t understand Jiejie’s sudden change in attitude.

Qin Qianrou, displeased, shifted slightly, trying to remove Shen Yiqiu’s hands from her shoulders.

“Since that’s what you think, then how do you think I feel about you?”

Huh? This question seemed difficult, yet also… expectant.

Shen Yiqiu hesitated, afraid to answer. She could openly and honestly analyze her own feelings, but she couldn’t decipher Jiejie’s thoughts.

“Shen Yiqiu, look at me. Tell me, what do you think my intentions are?”

Shen Yiqiu’s voice was tinged with sadness. “Jiejie probably just wants me to grow up healthy and not be affected by setbacks. You want me to have a smooth future, to live a normal life.”

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, “You probably don’t want to be entangled in this complicated and hopeless relationship with me.”

Her cousin had said Jiejie was straight. Although she hadn’t been in any relationships, that didn’t mean she would accept a girl.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to look at Qin Qianrou, and somehow, she had blurted out her innermost thoughts.

Qin Qianrou was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, “I just think… you’re still young, this kind of relationship isn’t suitable for you.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached slightly, but it was much better than yesterday.

At least Jiejie was willing to discuss this with her openly, not just avoid it.

Then, she slowly realized that Jiejie’s unusual behavior today wasn’t just out of sympathy.

She looked at Qin Qianrou, her voice trembling slightly as she probed, “Then… what if I think it’s suitable?”

Qin Qianrou’s lips tightened, she didn’t have much experience in relationships, having observed countless others’ stories and experiences as a bystander. But when it came to her own feelings, she still felt lost and uncertain.

Besides being older and more experienced, she wasn’t necessarily more knowledgeable than Shen Yiqiu in matters of the heart.

However, she knew, with absolute certainty, that her heart would race because of this child before her.

During those days and nights in Hai City, she had thought about her, silently followed her updates on WeChat Moments, and couldn’t help but recall their shared moments.

Shen Yiqiu held her breath, she had expected Jiejie to reject her, to push her away, just like yesterday.

But she waited for a moment, and to her surprise, Jiejie was still sitting there before her. She was frowning, lost in thought, but there was no disgust or disdain in her eyes. She seemed conflicted, but she hadn’t left.

Shen Yiqiu, emboldened, leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, so close that with just a slight movement, their lips would touch.

“Jiejie, can you give me a chance?”

As she spoke, Shen Yiqiu nervously tightened her grip on Qin Qianrou’s shoulders, almost painfully so.

“But we…” Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected the conversation to reach this point.

This was much faster than she had anticipated.

However, it was a question she had to address.

They both had feelings for each other, and their relationship had to be defined.

It was either forward or backward; if she wanted to end it, now was the best time.

However, Qin Qianrou looked at her, the affection in her eyes, the memories of their shared moments, the undeniable turmoil in her heart, all making it impossible for her to deny it: she also liked her.

Shen Yiqiu was terrified, even after countless mental preparations, she couldn’t bear to hear a rejection. Jiejie’s rejection meant losing the chance to be close to her, and she couldn’t bear the thought of someone else by Jiejie’s side in the future.

She leaned forward and embraced Qin Qianrou tightly, holding her close, as if protecting a precious treasure.

“Jiejie, let me prove that my feelings for you are real. Let me… take care of you, okay?”

Shen Yiqiu wanted to say “love,” but she didn’t dare.

She knew it was too early, she didn’t want Jiejie to think she was being frivolous or impulsive.

Qin Qianrou’s rationality and her last vestiges of resistance melted away in this warm embrace, Shen Yiqiu’s unwavering determination giving her a sliver of courage.

Perhaps, this child’s words were true. Perhaps, she should give them both a chance?

Rong Fei had said there was no need to treat relationships like work, that she could follow her heart. If her heart was willing, then any other struggles were futile.

Qin Qianrou’s hand, hanging by her side, slowly lifted, hovering in midair for a moment, then gently landed on Shen Yiqiu’s back.

The moment she touched her, Qin Qianrou clearly felt Shen Yiqiu tremble.

Her breaths against Qin Qianrou’s ear quickened, and Qin Qianrou’s heart, unlike her outward appearance, was racing.

They were both like teenagers experiencing first love, shy and nervous, yet filled with anticipation.

“Jiejie…” Shen Yiqiu’s soft murmur was like a magic spell, unlocking the chains around Qin Qianrou’s heart.

“Shen Yiqiu, give me some time.”

Qin Qianrou thought, she needed some time to sort through the turmoil of these past few days. She wanted a clean and clear start with Shen Yiqiu, and she also needed time to adjust to this new role.

She had never imagined being in a relationship with a girl so much younger than her.

This was, for her, a complete upheaval, and the always cautious and composed Reporter Qin needed some time.

Shen Yiqiu was slightly disappointed, Jiejie hadn’t agreed.

But she had said “give me some time,” which meant there was still a chance.

Mentally cheering herself on, Shen Yiqiu, relishing the warmth, held on a little longer, since Qin Qianrou hadn’t told her to let go.

Only when Jiejie said she was going to take a shower did she reluctantly release her hold.

Shen Yiqiu returned to her room, sat at her desk, and took out the sheet of paper filled with Jiejie’s name, staring at it, a silly smile on her face. Then, she couldn’t help but kiss the paper, as if kissing Jiejie’s name was like kissing Jiejie’s lips.

Jiejie needs time, I’ll wait patiently.

Until one day, Jiejie becomes my girlfriend.

Just imagining this made Shen Yiqiu’s heart race, her blood rushing through her veins, unable to calm down.

The next day, to her surprise, Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to have any plans, she wasn’t going anywhere.

“Jiejie, do you have any plans today?”

Qin Qianrou, in her loungewear, was reading a book in the armchair by the balcony door. The warm sunlight streaming in illuminated her, adding to her goddess-like aura.

“No, I’m planning to stay home and rest.”

Shen Yiqiu smiled, this meant she could spend the entire day with Jiejie.

“Then I’ll make you something delicious.”

Shen Yiqiu hurried to the kitchen, and Qin Qianrou’s gaze followed her, a smile also touching her lips.

Just like this, doing nothing, going nowhere, quietly spending the day at home, it wasn’t so bad.

Having that person at home, it felt… different.

Different from being alone in the hotel in Hai City, the small empty space in her heart finally filled.

It was wontons again, a different filling today. Shen Yiqiu carefully blew on them, waiting for them to cool down slightly before calling Qin Qianrou over.

“Jiejie, be careful, it’s hot.”

Qin Qianrou’s hand, holding the spoon, paused, and she looked down, not responding, her ears feeling slightly warm.

Shen Yiqiu was genuinely worried about her burning herself again, a minor burn was one thing, but she didn’t want it to develop into a painful ulcer.

Qin Qianrou, even with her head lowered, could still feel that gaze upon her, she looked up helplessly and gently glared at her. “Do you think I’m a child, so easily burned?”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled, “Who was it that burned herself the other day…?”

She seemed to suddenly recall that scene and stopped talking.

Qin Qianrou knew she was embarrassed, she wanted to say something to comfort her, but she wasn’t much better herself.

After all, that kiss, to her, had also been… significant.

She couldn’t help but look at the person before her, her head still lowered, and thought, Shen Yiqiu, do you know that was my first kiss?

Chapter 64

Shen Yiqiu, leaving the mall after their meal, didn’t go far. She found a cozy bookstore nearby, ordered a latte, and settled into a window seat. The bookstore was always bustling on weekends, thankfully, it wasn’t very large, and the customers were generally considerate and quiet. Even when full, it was still much more peaceful than the mall.

Shen Yiqiu enjoyed this sense of tranquility amidst the surrounding noise.

She had been forcing herself to act normal today. Ever since seeing Qin Qianrou this morning, her heart had been in turmoil. She hadn’t dared to speak first, hadn’t dared to look directly at Qin Qianrou, hadn’t dared to be too close to her, like before.

Yesterday’s impulsive kiss had shattered the carefully maintained distance between them, revealing the affection she had kept hidden deep within her heart. Jiejie hadn’t sent her away, hadn’t scolded her, but Shen Yiqiu still blamed herself for being too greedy.

She still yearned for Qin Qianrou’s warmth, couldn’t forget the feeling of their brief intimacy, and hadn’t given up on her feelings. However, she was also afraid, afraid of Qin Qianrou discovering her true intentions, then she might really have to move out.

Would she really have to go live with her cousin, like he had suggested?

Just the thought made Shen Yiqiu shake her head; leaving Jiejie would be unbearable, she couldn’t do that.

So, she had to find a way to stay, to maintain this current situation, so that she might still have a chance in the future.

The book in her hand was one she had found in Jiejie’s bookshelf while tidying up a while ago. She had initially been drawn to the bouquet of roses, happy and surprised that Jiejie had kept them so carefully.

Then, looking closer, she noticed a complete set of books by the same author on Jiejie’s bookshelf. Coincidentally, her mother had also been a fan. But back then, she had been too young to understand such books.

Her mother had never forced her to read anything; she encouraged good reading habits but never imposed a reading list. Shen Yiqiu had grown up in a loving and tolerant environment, which was why her personality was gentle yet firm, not prone to extremes, but also not one to give up easily.

She hadn’t expected Jiejie to like this author as well.

Shen Yiqiu looked down at the book, recalling her mother’s words, that this author’s perspectives and ideas were unique, but their subject matter wasn’t popular, even niche, not widely appreciated by the general public. Only those with sufficient life experience and strong convictions would find these books captivating and unforgettable.

Shen Yiqiu had tried reading them before, but they had indeed been a bit obscure. She had been only fourteen at the time, too young to truly understand.

Her drowsiness gradually faded after the coffee, and having read most of the book, Shen Yiqiu stretched her neck and looked out the window.

A familiar figure that made her heart clench suddenly walked past. Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, and she looked again to confirm, it was indeed Shao Qidong.

It had been a while since she had last seen him, but Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t forget this person, or the harm he had caused her. She had been patiently waiting, she had never given up on exposing this hypocrite.

Shen Yiqiu returned the book and quickly left the bookstore, following Shao Qidong.

She had noticed earlier that he wasn’t alone, there were two middle-aged men with him, seemingly older than him, the three of them chatting as they walked.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to get too close, afraid of being seen. Although Shao Qidong no longer had any leverage over her, he hadn’t given up on the Shen family’s research. She had donated those preliminary patents, firstly, to fulfill her father’s wish and benefit society, and secondly, to deter Shao Qidong’s greed.

But Shen Zhifeng had other, more valuable research hidden away. Shen Yiqiu didn’t know the details yet, but she wouldn’t forget how Shao Qidong had repeatedly pressured and threatened her in her past life, demanding information.

Back then, she had also constantly wondered, What exactly did my father leave behind?

Even from a distance, Shen Yiqiu felt a sense of unease upon seeing Shao Qidong. That familiar, faint ache in her chest hadn’t appeared in a long time, and she had almost believed her life was finally returning to normal, that she wouldn’t experience any more bizarre incidents.

Yet, today, it had returned.

The pang of pain was brief, different from before, this time without any accompanying images, just a momentary discomfort. Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to be careless, she knew Shao Qidong’s capabilities and his ruthlessness, she couldn’t let her guard down.

To her surprise, Shao Qidong and the two men entered the mall she had just left. Shen Yiqiu followed them inside and saw them enter a glass elevator, unsure which floor they were going to.

Following them in the same elevator was out of the question, but the mall was crowded, with countless shops and restaurants, if she lost them, she wouldn’t know where to find them.

Shen Yiqiu calmly considered the possibilities, first eliminating the floors dedicated to women’s fashion and sportswear; Shao Qidong clearly wouldn’t be here to buy clothes, so the men’s fashion floor was also ruled out.

Three middle-aged men going to the movies? The image was too ridiculous, so the top floor was also eliminated.

The arcade and toy stores? Impossible.

Karaoke? Too old-fashioned. If they were discussing business, they would go to a nightclub or a private club, not an hourly rental place with discount promotions.

The only remaining possibility was the floor where they had dined earlier, two floors dedicated to about thirty restaurants.

The scope had narrowed, but it was still difficult to find them. Once inside a restaurant, especially one with private rooms, they would be hidden from view.

Shen Yiqiu felt a little discouraged, having followed them all the way here, only to lose them.

“Shen Yiqiu?” A familiar voice called out from behind her, the accompanying scent drawing closer.

She turned around and saw Li Wan and Lin Shuangzhi approaching her.

“Why are you back?” Li Wan was surprised, then asked tentatively, “Or were you in the mall all along?”

“No, I was just at the bookstore.” She hesitated, unsure whether to mention what she had just seen.

Besides Shao Qidong, she didn’t recognize the other two men, but they looked familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before. It wasn’t their faces that had left a strong impression, but their distinctive beer bellies and their attire.

One was a rotund, middle-aged man with a penchant for purple, wearing a purple shirt, tie, jacket, and even a purple scarf. The other, regardless of the season, always sported slicked-back hair and a protruding beer belly, a somewhat comical figure.

And the person who had described them so vividly was Li Wan. Shen Yiqiu had seen their photos on Li Wan’s WeChat Moments, they were from the television station.

Shao Qidong enjoyed positive media coverage, but Dongsheng had its own PR department, there was no need for him to be so close to people from the television station, it couldn’t just be because of the news reports.

Shen Yiqiu became suspicious, anything related to Qin Qianrou couldn’t be taken lightly.

“We just finished watching a movie, we’re a little hungry, want to join us for afternoon tea?”

Lin Shuangzhi glanced at the time; the timing was perfect.

“Yes, after afternoon tea, Qianrou’s errands should be done, and you can go home for dinner.” Lin Shuangzhi also chimed in, it seemed the movie had put both her and Li Wan in a good mood.

Shen Yiqiu, however, was still thinking about Shao Qidong and wasn’t in the mood for tea.

“Sister Li Wan, I just saw Shao Qidong, I followed him here.”

“Shao Qidong? Is he still bothering you?” Li Wan recalled the incident at the hospital; Qin Qianrou had mentioned it to her.

“He didn’t see me. There were two other men with him, they looked familiar, like people from your television station.”

Li Wan and Lin Shuangzhi exchanged glances, surprise on their faces.

“Can I see your WeChat Moments again?”

Li Wan had set her privacy settings to “visible for three days,” so those older photos were no longer accessible.

Li Wan handed her phone over, then thought it would take too long.

“Just describe their characteristics, it’s too time-consuming to scroll through my Moments one by one.”

Li Wan thought that for Shen Yiqiu to remember them so clearly, they must have distinctive features, either exceptionally good-looking or exceptionally… not.

So, Shen Yiqiu repeated Li Wan’s earlier descriptions of the two men, and Lin Shuangzhi couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Xiao Wan, if Deputy Director Ding and Director Yu knew you described them like that, they wouldn’t be very happy.”

Li Wan playfully glared at her. “I’m not wrong, can you deny it?”

Li Wan quickly found a photo of the two men, pointed at it, and asked Shen Yiqiu, “Look, is it them?”

Shen Yiqiu confirmed, it was them.

Lin Shuangzhi’s smile disappeared, and Li Wan stopped joking, their expressions turning serious.

Shen Yiqiu, sensing the change in atmosphere, guessed that Shao Qidong’s contact with them wasn’t a simple matter.

“Is there something wrong?”

Before Li Wan could speak, Lin Shuangzhi said, “Dongsheng recently invested a large sum in advertising at the station, claiming it’s to expand their brand influence, so many people at the station now see Dongsheng as their savior.”

Shen Yiqiu, hearing it was a business matter, relaxed slightly.

Lin Shuangzhi continued, “Shao Qidong is probably trying to build relationships with people at the station, so he can suppress any negative news about Dongsheng.”

This was a common practice for large corporations, paying to have negative news removed, a despicable yet effective tactic.

Li Wan looked at Lin Shuangzhi, hesitant to speak.

Lin Shuangzhi gently patted her shoulder and shook her head.

“Xiao Wan and I just remembered we have something to do, we’ll have to postpone our afternoon tea.”

Shen Yiqiu, not having wanted to go in the first place, was relieved.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Lin Shuangzhi stopped her. “Wait a moment.”

Turning to Li Wan, she said, “Xiao Wan, call Qianrou and ask her to drive Yiqiu home.”

Shen Yiqiu was puzzled, why call Jiejie?

They were in the city center, getting home was easy, there were no safety concerns.

Li Wan stepped aside, spoke briefly on the phone, then returned.

“Qianrou said she’s finished her errands and is on her way.”

Shen Yiqiu felt conflicted, happy that Jiejie was coming to pick her up, yet also feeling it was troubling her unnecessarily. She wanted to be the one taking care of Jiejie.

“Shen Yiqiu, don’t worry too much about the Shao Qidong matter, just enjoy your weekend.” Li Wan pulled her closer. “Remember to cherish your time with Qianrou, don’t waste it!”

Qin Qianrou arrived quickly, but she didn’t enter the mall.

“Shen Yiqiu, I’m parked across the street from the subway entrance, come over.”

After Shen Yiqiu left, the relaxed expression on Li Wan’s face vanished.

“Team Leader, should we wait here?”

Lin Shuangzhi shook her head. “We don’t even know where they went, waiting here is a waste of time. There have been rumors at the station lately, it seems Dongsheng wants to get involved as well.”

Li Wan thought that tonight’s date seemed to be ending early. Given the team leader’s workaholic nature, would she suggest working overtime together?

“I want to go for a drink, are you interested?”

???

Why was the team leader suggesting drinks again? Li Wan finally realized that Lin Shuangzhi’s mood always seemed to sour whenever Shao Qidong was involved.

“It’s not even dark yet, and you want to drink? Besides, how will we drive after drinking?”

“Aren’t you here?”

Li Wan sighed, she truly had no resistance to the team leader’s gentle requests, whatever she said, she would agree to.

**

Shen Yiqiu brought a wave of cool air into the car as she got in, slightly dispelling the warmth inside.

“Jiejie, have you been waiting long?”

“No, I just arrived.” Qin Qianrou only glanced at Shen Yiqiu as she opened the car door, then looked straight ahead as she fastened her seatbelt.

Shen Yiqiu settled in, waiting for her to start the car, but Qin Qianrou didn’t move.

“Walk slowly in the future, be careful.”

Shen Yiqiu was puzzled, what did Jiejie mean by that?

Qin Qianrou’s ears felt slightly warm, and she tried to clarify, “Don’t run just because you’re afraid of making me wait. There are so many cars, it’s better to be careful.”

Oh, so Jiejie was concerned about her safety.

“Okay, I’ll be careful.”

Qin Qianrou finally started the car. As dusk settled, Shen Yiqiu looked out the window, her hand supporting her chin. Jiejie’s attitude seemed different from lunchtime, but she couldn’t pinpoint the change.

She wanted to talk to Qin Qianrou, but she was afraid of annoying her, so she remained silent.

Qin Qianrou suddenly turned on the car stereo. She usually preferred listening to the radio, but the car was unusually quiet today.

Qin Qianrou liked classic Cantopop and Mandopop songs. Shen Yiqiu had secretly looked at her playlist before, they were all songs she was familiar with, but not very knowledgeable about.

She had searched for those songs online and listened to them. Unlike the current popular songs, the ones Qin Qianrou liked were mostly slow love songs, some even quite melancholic.

“Jiejie, you seem to really like this singer.”

“Yes, I practically grew up listening to her songs during my student years.”

“I’ve seen her variety show, where she’s a mentor, teaching students to sing. I like her too.” Shen Yiqiu, searching for common ground, brought up the singer.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t had time to watch the variety show, she preferred the singer’s earlier works, when she just focused on singing.

“She hasn’t released any new songs in years, I was also surprised to hear she was on a variety show, but thankfully, the reviews have been good.”

They chatted, the atmosphere easing, the earlier awkwardness and deliberate distance seemingly forgotten.

The music continued playing, the lyrics still melancholic, to Shen Yiqiu’s ears.

“I believe you’re just afraid of hurting me, not deceiving me, how could someone who truly loved be willing to let go…?”

As she listened, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but wonder, If my dream ends, what will be left?

Qin Qianrou drove into the residential complex, but she didn’t go straight home, instead heading towards the supermarket.

“I suddenly want sweet and sour spare ribs, let’s buy some.”

Shen Yiqiu’s melancholy dissipated, and she followed Qin Qianrou out of the car. She had already stocked the fridge with ingredients, but since Jiejie had made a request, she naturally wanted to fulfill it.

Reaching the meat section, Qin Qianrou carefully scanned the display, then sighed, a little discouraged, “I’m not good at choosing these.”

Shen Yiqiu volunteered and quickly selected a suitable rack of ribs.

After asking the butcher to prepare it, they headed home with their purchase.

“It’s getting a bit late, but we should still be able to make it in time.” Shen Yiqiu calculated the time, the bag of ribs in her hand.

Back at home, Shen Yiqiu quickly changed her clothes and went straight to the kitchen.

Soon, the familiar, comforting sounds of cooking filled the apartment. It was the soundtrack of someone preparing a delicious meal for her, always enough to make her heart flutter.

Qin Qianrou went to the kitchen under the guise of getting some water. Shen Yiqiu smiled and told her to be patient, she would be quick. Returning to the living room, Qin Qianrou sipped her water, recalling Rong Fei’s words.

That so-called most effective method of confirmation was naturally unsuitable, but after the joke, Rong Fei had offered some advice. She suggested Qin Qianrou confront her true feelings, try spending more time with Shen Yiqiu, and see if her heart was willing to accept these feelings.

If her heart was willing, then any further resistance would be futile, only causing pain for both of them, a lose-lose situation.

After a few deep breaths, Qin Qianrou put down her glass and walked to the kitchen.

Shen Yiqiu heard her footsteps and knew who it was without turning around.

“Jiejie, if you’re hungry, have some crackers.”

Qin Qianrou’s footsteps drew closer, stopping right behind her.

Shen Yiqiu’s movements gradually slowed, her body stiffening slightly. But she didn’t dare to turn around, she barely dared to speak.

Just as the atmosphere in the kitchen was about to become awkwardly silent, Qin Qianrou spoke. “I’ll help you.”

Shen Yiqiu was surprised. Jiejie wasn’t someone who just sat and waited to be served; she had tried before. However, some people simply lacked culinary talent, and Qin Qianrou was a classic example.

Reporter Qin, so capable and confident at the television station, was a complete novice in the kitchen. After so many years of living alone, she was still only proficient at cooking noodles and instant meals.

“You’ll get splashed by the hot oil if you stand here.” Shen Yiqiu couldn’t bear the thought of Jiejie getting hurt.

Qin Qianrou didn’t budge, but her hand, resting on the counter, trembled slightly.

She forced herself to remain calm, insisting, “I was the one who requested the sweet and sour spare ribs, how can I let you do all the work? I want to help, otherwise, it won’t taste as delicious.”

Qin Qianrou, perhaps for the first time, felt she was making an unreasonable request, her voice lacking conviction towards the end.

Her weakened tone was even more alluring.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart raced, and after a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she finally turned around to look at Qin Qianrou.

Qin Qianrou was standing very close, their faces almost touching.

“Then… you can help me from the side. Stand behind me when I’m frying the ribs, okay?”

Qin Qianrou’s heart was touched, even with such a small matter as cooking, Shen Yiqiu’s first thought was to protect her.

Her gaze softened, although still not quite used to such close proximity, Qin Qianrou didn’t deliberately distance herself like before.

Following her heart felt surprisingly… pleasant.

She smiled faintly, her tone, however, still as usual. “As you command, Chef Shen.”

Jiejie is actually joking with me? Shen Yiqiu was startled, then overjoyed.

This meant, at least, that Jiejie didn’t dislike her company, she could still cook for her.

This was good, truly good.

When it came time to fry the ribs, Shen Yiqiu, as promised, pulled Qin Qianrou behind her, completely shielding her from the splattering oil. As the oil heated up and the ribs were added to the wok, the sizzling sound filled the kitchen.

Qin Qianrou felt herself changing, easily melting in this not-so-romantic yet undeniably warm atmosphere. The walls around her heart, carefully constructed over the years, were crumbling under Shen Yiqiu’s constant care and tenderness, the cracks spreading until, at this moment, they were almost completely shattered.

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips and, for the first time, reached out a slightly trembling hand, gently placing it on Shen Yiqiu’s waist.

Her first thought was, Such a slender waist. Then, This child has lost weight.

Shen Yiqiu’s attention was divided between the ribs in the wok and ensuring Qin Qianrou wasn’t being splashed by the hot oil, her mind racing. By the time she realized it, Qin Qianrou’s hand had moved from her waist to her shoulder.

“So, the ribs have to be fried like this to be delicious.”

Shen Yiqiu thought she had imagined it, a slight itch on her waist, but now, with Jiejie’s voice by her ear, her heart also felt… itchy.

“I learned it online.”

“I often see recipes online too, but I always fail when I try them.”

Hearing the rare hint of childishness in Qin Qianrou’s voice, Shen Yiqiu smiled reassuringly, “It’s alright, you shouldn’t be wasting your time and energy on these things, I can do it.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her intently, and Shen Yiqiu realized the slight ambiguity in her words.

Afraid of making Jiejie uncomfortable, afraid of seeing the helplessness and rejection in her eyes, Shen Yiqiu stared at the wok, not daring to turn around, the smile on her lips freezing.

After a moment, Qin Qianrou sighed softly and nudged her. “They should be almost done, take them out.”

A flurry of activity, thankfully, she hadn’t overcooked them, otherwise, there would be no spare ribs for Jiejie.

Chapter 63 p2

**

Qin Qianrou and Rong Fei parked in the same area and walked to the restaurant together.

“Qianrou, I’m working overtime on the weekend for you.”

Rong Fei was telling the truth; weekends were her busiest time, but she didn’t work every weekend. Maintaining a work-life balance was her principle, money could never be earned in its entirety, and she could always balance her work and her personal life.

In this regard, both Qin Qianrou and Li Wan were no match for her.

“Thank you.”

“We’re friends, no need for thanks.” Rong Fei swiped her card to unlock the door to her studio and led her inside. “But I am surprised you actually made an appointment for a consultation.”

This time, it wasn’t to consult about someone else, but about herself.

Rong Fei had guessed something must have happened during this trip back to Meng City when she received Qin Qianrou’s message. Initially, she had thought it would be like before, just a few questions, but Qin Qianrou had actually made a formal appointment.

“There are just some issues I can’t resolve on my own, and I’m afraid delaying it will only make it worse.”

Qin Qianrou liked the layout of Rong Fei’s studio, it always had a calming effect.

And today, there was no one else here, just her and Rong Fei.

“You’re willing to actively confront the issue, that’s already better than most people.” Rong Fei poured Qin Qianrou a cup of Earl Grey tea.

“I won’t give you anything too stimulating, I’m afraid it might upset you, and you won’t dare to come back.”

“It’s not that serious.” Qin Qianrou knew Rong Fei was joking, and her mood lightened slightly.

She took a few sips of tea, recalling the burning sensation on her lips from yesterday.

There were no visible marks anymore, but the memory was still vivid.

She had been restless that night, yet seeing Shen Yiqiu, she couldn’t bring herself to completely push her away. Shen Yiqiu interacting with Li Wan, although she knew there was no special meaning behind it, still made her feel uncomfortable. Qin Qianrou knew this wasn’t a good sign, but simply avoiding it wouldn’t solve the problem.

She needed a rational and objective perspective to help her untangle this situation.

“Should we continue with the previous topic?” Rong Fei wasn’t in a hurry to retrieve the previous file, but she still asked as a formality.

“No, let’s start a new one.”

Rong Fei, understanding, took out a new folder. She had known this day would come, just not so soon.

“What did you want to discuss?”

Qin Qianrou traced the rim of her teacup, her gaze deep in thought. She wasn’t hesitant about revealing her inner turmoil, but she wasn’t sure how to articulate it.

“A relationship issue. My relationship.”

Rong Fei was pleased by Qin Qianrou’s honesty; she had thought she would have to guide and coax her before she revealed her true intentions.

Qin Qianrou was always so straightforward, it was admirable.

“I’m having some relationship issues, I wanted your opinion.” Qin Qianrou slowly began; since she had decided to seek Rong Fei’s help, there was no point in hiding anything.

Shen Yiqiu had kissed her yesterday, and the thin veil of ambiguity between them had dissipated.

“I have feelings for someone much younger than me, and I can’t help but be… affected by her presence. But rationally, I know it’s wrong, I shouldn’t let these feelings develop.”

Rong Fei watched as Qin Qianrou delved into self-analysis, her expression increasingly troubled, a hint of bitterness in her eyes, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

“I’ve tried to distance myself, to avoid her, but I can’t help but worry about her, care about her. Especially lately, I’ve become very possessive, I get upset over the smallest things related to her. Things that are actually… insignificant.”

Qin Qianrou poured out the feelings she couldn’t express to Shen Yiqiu, even if it wasn’t for the consultation, this was a safe space for her to release her emotions.

“Your concern shows that your feelings are genuine, it’s perfectly normal. Qianrou, you don’t have to be so hard on yourself. In modern society, all kinds of relationships exist, as long as they’re not illegal or immoral, there’s no need to conform to societal norms.”

Qin Qianrou smiled weakly, the bitterness intensifying.

“I know age isn’t the only factor in a relationship, but I am worried. I’m afraid she can’t differentiate between dependence and romantic love.”

Rong Fei was taken aback, she understood Qin Qianrou’s concerns. As someone of the same age, she knew the challenges of accepting someone much younger. That was why, when Shen Yiqiu had come to her for a consultation, she had remained neutral, neither encouraging nor discouraging her.

But she hadn’t expected this to be Qin Qianrou’s biggest concern.

“You should be able to sense whether it’s dependence or love through your interactions.” Seeing Qin Qianrou lost in thought, Rong Fei asked, “What about your own feelings? Is it just care and concern, or is it romantic love?”

Qin Qianrou opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out. “I…”

Rong Fei, seeing her hesitation, knew she was still struggling.

“Ask yourself, do you feel a desire to be close to her? And when she’s being intimate with you, do you resist, or do you… enjoy it?”

Qin Qianrou knew the answer to this question, her heart had already given her the answer yesterday.

“I feel… desire.”

Yes, when she had been kissed so suddenly yesterday, she had been surprised, helpless, and flustered.

But later, recalling that brief, almost insignificant kiss, her heart had raced, a lingering warmth spreading through her chest.

She had felt it, that flutter in her heart, when Shen Yiqiu kissed her.

This much, she knew clearly.

“Have there been any other intimate interactions between you?”

Qin Qianrou hesitated, then nodded. “A few times.”

Rong Fei was slightly surprised and raised an eyebrow. “A few times?”

Qin Qianrou, realizing her slip, coughed slightly. “Hugs before, and… a kiss on the cheek.”

Rong Fei simply responded with an “Oh,” her tone neutral, making a few notes. “Anything else?”

Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she tried to maintain her composure. “A kiss on the lips yesterday.”

Rong Fei’s pen paused, she guessed Qin Qianrou must be embarrassed, so she tactfully didn’t look up.

After a moment, she looked up and said, “Your relationship has developed to this stage, your bodies have already given you the answer. Studies show that it’s common for younger people to admire and develop a psychological dependence on older individuals. But if there’s no deliberate seduction or manipulation from the older party, and the younger party initiates the intimate actions, then it suggests a natural, instinctive response.”

Rong Fei’s explanation was serious and professional, not simply meant to comfort Qin Qianrou. She sensed that Qianrou, perhaps because she cared too deeply about this relationship, was overthinking things.

“Qianrou, I’ve always admired your work ethic and your abilities, and I also appreciate your resilience and meticulous nature. But relationships aren’t like work, you don’t have to analyze and dissect every detail, questioning every action.”

Qin Qianrou’s confused and troubled thoughts finally found direction.

So, she had been questioning Shen Yiqiu’s feelings for her all along.

“Qianrou, if you’re certain you truly like her, and she’s also sincere, then why not give each other a chance? These days, relationships don’t require elaborate justifications to begin. Besides, you’re at the age where you should be experiencing love.”

“Am I that old?” Qin Qianrou suddenly became sensitive about her age.

“No, no, you’re in your prime. I’m even older than you. This is just a friendly suggestion, for your physical and mental well-being, you should consider starting a relationship.”

Shen Yiqiu had kissed her more than once, her gaze filled not only with admiration, but also with a burning intensity, carefully restrained, yet still making Qin Qianrou’s heart race.

Qin Qianrou knew that Shen Yiqiu also felt desire towards her.

The answer had been clear all along; she had simply been unwilling to face it.

Rong Fei, seeing the tension easing in her brow, knew she had finally understood.

“Love might seem complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. Your body is always honest, if you don’t resist or reject their touch, if you even want to be closer to them, then don’t doubt it, it’s definitely not just simple dependence.”

Rong Fei deliberately paused, waiting until Qin Qianrou looked up at her, then continued, “Of course, there’s another, more definitive way to confirm this, but I don’t recommend trying it lightly.”

“What is it?” Qin Qianrou, her meticulous nature always seeking confirmation, was intrigued.

“Sleep with them, and you’ll know if you truly like them.”

Qin Qianrou froze, then blushed deeply, glaring at Rong Fei.

Rong Fei, unfazed, calmly said, “I know this method isn’t suitable for you, which is why I don’t recommend it.”

Qin Qianrou, thinking of Shen Yiqiu’s gentle nature and the warmth of her soft body, blushed even deeper.