Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 73

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qin Qianrou wasn’t optimistic.

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

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

“Sleep well.”

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

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

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

“Qianrou, still asleep?”

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

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

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

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

“Did I wake you?”

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

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

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

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

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

What’s going on?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Jiejie, are you going home tomorrow?”

“Mm, after you leave, I’ll go back.”

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

Qin Qianrou sighed inwardly, who would willingly be apart?

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

“I’ll be back soon.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She closed her eyes as Shen Yiqiu approached.

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

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

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

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

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

“Jiejie, let me be with you.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No more kisses, you little rascal.”

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

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

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

“Then I’ll be gentler next time.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where do young people learn such sweet talk these days?

**

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

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

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

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

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

“Qianrou, you’ve sent her off?”

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

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

Qin Qianrou stopped and looked at him calmly.

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

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

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

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

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

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

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

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

“They’re already here?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qin Qianrou’s tone was polite, but distant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compared to herself, Shen Yiqiu was undoubtedly happy.

Sigh, why am I suddenly feeling envious?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yes.”

“Tell me about them.”

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

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

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

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

“No, I just want to protect Jiejie.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She had been yearning for her for so long.

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

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

Chapter 72

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So, Sister Chen, how can I help?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Alright, I’ll go.”

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

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

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

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

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We’ll see.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Has the team leader left?”

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

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

“Where did the team leader go?”

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

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

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

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

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

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

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

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

**

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

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

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

“It’s late, I’m leaving.”

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

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

“What do you mean by this?”

“Xiao Wan, don’t go, okay?”

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

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

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

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

However, who could truly be indifferent to past hurts?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This sobered him up.

“That slap is to teach you some manners.”

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

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

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

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

“Where are you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

He held up four fingers.

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

“Why are you drinking so much?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Xiao Wan, where did you go tonight?”

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

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

Before she could finish, her words were silenced.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

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

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

“What are you looking at so intently?”

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

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

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

“How can I sleep before my girlfriend arrives?”

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

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

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

She leaned closer and gently kissed Qin Qianrou.

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

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

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

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

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

“Mm, together.”

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

She was frantic in her dream, terrified yet powerless.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qin Qianrou didn’t know if Shen Yiqiu often had nightmares. She thought it might be because they were in Hai City, triggering her memories.

They had talked quite a bit today, about Yuan Qi, and about their experiences in Hai City. Shen Yiqiu still carried the scars of her past.

Qin Qianrou mentally scolded herself for being careless, she shouldn’t have discussed the past with her.

Shen Yiqiu’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Jiejie, I had a bad dream.” Then, she reached out from under the covers and pointed to her chest. “And it hurts again.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression turned serious, “Is something about to happen?”

Shen Yiqiu struggled to sit up, her forehead still damp with sweat.

Her voice was filled with lingering fear. “I’m not sure, I dreamt of you… with someone I don’t know.”

“What kind of person?”

Shen Yiqiu frowned, trying to recall the details of her dream. “I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I’m sure it was a man, not very old, around Shao Ze-ge’s age, and he was wearing a bright yellow tie.”

Qin Qianrou thought for a moment, unable to immediately identify the person.

“And what were you and this man doing in your dream?”

Shen Yiqiu’s expression darkened, and she bit her lip, seemingly reluctant to continue.

Qin Qianrou, sensing her hesitation, gently wiped the sweat from her forehead with her cool hand.

“If you don’t want to talk about it now, you can tell me tomorrow.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, had made up her mind, people often said dreams were easily forgotten, now was when the memory was clearest, she might not remember the details tomorrow.

“I dreamt that you were embracing, and then… he tried to kiss you.”

Qin Qianrou froze, speechless.

Chapter 71 p2

Li Wan thought for a moment, recalling the online discussions. She wasn’t very familiar with these things, but since realizing her own feelings, she had been browsing websites and forums discussing same-sex relationships.

Naturally, such discussions inevitably touched upon intimacy, and being adults, safety and hygiene were paramount, a reminder couldn’t hurt.

“You know, condoms?”

Qin Qianrou’s gaze fell on Shen Yiqiu’s hand holding the glass and froze.

“Ahem, no need to be embarrassed, just a friendly reminder, enjoy your weekend, but… be mindful.”

Qin Qianrou looked away, took a deep breath, and sternly said, “Li Wan.”

Li Wan, quicker than a rabbit, sensing the danger, quickly said, “Okay, okay, I also need to work on getting my own condoms. That’s all, have a wonderful weekend, bye!”

Shen Yiqiu, seeing that she had hung up, asked, “What did Sister Li Wan say?”

“Nothing, she just wished us a happy weekend.”

Shen Yiqiu was used to Li Wan’s boisterous personality and her occasional randomness and didn’t suspect anything, simply thinking that Sister Li Wan’s weekends must be quite boring.

“Jiejie, what are our plans for this weekend?”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t actually considered this, what was there to plan for a weekend? Weren’t weekends just… weekends?

Shen Yiqiu, seeing her actually thinking about it, couldn’t help but smile and lean closer.

Her girlfriend was like a magnet, drawing her in, no matter the distance.

“This weekend is different, you have a girlfriend now.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart softened, looking at Shen Yiqiu, saying such things with her soft, sweet voice.

She reached out and gently ruffled Shen Yiqiu’s hair, her hand then sliding down to her soft earlobe.

Seeing her own reflection in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat. “Indeed, it’s different, you also have a girlfriend now.”

Shen Yiqiu beamed, not giving Qin Qianrou any time to react, and quickly pecked her on the lips.

“Jiejie, you’re the best.”

Qin Qianrou had never known being in a relationship felt like this. Although this “girlfriend” status had only been established a few hours ago, she felt it was the right decision.

The doorbell rang, and just as Shen Yiqiu was about to answer it, Qin Qianrou stopped her.

“I’ll get it.”

Shen Yiqiu paused, nodded, and turned around.

During dinner, they discussed going shopping and watching a movie together tomorrow.

However, after dinner, even the background noise from the TV couldn’t dispel the slight awkwardness in the air. Qin Qianrou still had some work to do, so she suggested Shen Yiqiu take a shower first. But when Shen Yiqiu emerged from the bathroom in her pajamas, they both realized they would be sharing a bed tonight.

This seemed like a first, and their relationship was different now.

It wasn’t like they were living in the dark ages, whether it was between men and women, or women and women, intimacy was… intimacy. However, for them now, it seemed a little too soon.

“Jiejie, should I sleep on the sofa tonight?” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was slightly muffled by the towel around her neck, her hair half-dry, but she was still sweating slightly.

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, glancing at the layout of the room, then at Shen Yiqiu.

Fresh from the shower, she looked even more innocent and pure, her rosy cheeks and delicate skin exuding a youthful vibrancy that no amount of money could replicate.

Qin Qianrou, staring, mesmerized, suddenly recalled Li Wan’s words.

“Jiejie?” Shen Yiqiu, seeing her silence, didn’t know if she agreed or not.

Qin Qianrou composed herself and, looking at her intently, asked, “Do you like sleeping on the sofa?”

Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head, answering honestly, “Who would choose the sofa when there’s a bed?”

“Then why did you suggest it?”

“I thought you might feel awkward.”

“Why would I feel awkward?”

Shen Yiqiu wiped her flushed cheeks with the towel, the friction making her skin even redder.

“Just… nothing.” Shen Yiqiu realized Jiejie was teasing her.

Then, she saw the faint smile in Qin Qianrou’s eyes.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she walked over to her desk, the fresh scent of Qin Qianrou’s shower gel, the same one she used at home, lingering in the air.

“Since we’re together now, there’s nothing to be awkward about. Sleeping together isn’t a big deal, you don’t have to worry.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart was filled with tenderness. “I understand, Jiejie.”

“I still have some work to do, you go to bed first.”

Shen Yiqiu had rushed straight to the airport after class, then hurried to the hotel, not wasting a single moment. From extreme anxiety to overwhelming joy, her emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride, and only after a hot shower did the exhaustion finally set in.

She couldn’t help but yawn, gave Qin Qianrou a quick kiss, then, not wanting to disturb her work and her rest, returned to her own room.

Bothering Jiejie now would only be hindering her work and disrupting her rest, Shen Yiqiu knew her priorities.

**

Thinking of Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu enjoying their romantic weekend together, Li Wan felt a pang of loneliness. It was the weekend, the time most office workers looked forward to, yet she couldn’t bring herself to feel any joy.

The restructuring at the station was underway, and everyone was on edge. The usually relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in their team had vanished, even those colleagues who usually rushed home to their families were now voluntarily working overtime, which gave Li Wan an excuse to stay at the office as well.

“Editor Li, the team leader wants to see you.”

Li Wan smoothed her hair and went to Lin Shuangzhi’s office.

“Team Leader, you wanted to see me?”

Lin Shuangzhi was frowning, reviewing a document. Hearing Li Wan’s voice, she simply glanced up.

“Mm, come in and have a seat.”

Li Wan sensed something was off with Lin Shuangzhi’s mood today. Although she was usually busy, and sometimes her mood would sour after a difficult meeting, it wasn’t like today, a mix of dejection, frustration, and even a hint of anger.

“What’s wrong?” Li Wan asked tentatively after sitting down.

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer immediately, her gaze fixed on the report, not reading further.

After a moment, she handed the document to Li Wan.

“Take a look at this first.”

Li Wan’s heart sank as she took the document.

After reading it, her mood soured as well.

“Is this from the station directors?”

Lin Shuangzhi didn’t answer, but her gaze confirmed it.

Li Wan scoffed and handed the document back.

“What is this? Assigning someone who’s always been in charge of advertising to oversee our special projects team? Are our programs going to become advertising compilations now?”

“I’ve already expressed my objections at the meeting, the reason being that Director Yu is unfamiliar with our team’s work and has no relevant experience.”

“What did Deputy Director Ding say?”

Lin Shuangzhi sighed, “He said it’s normal for those outside a field to manage those within it, and with experience, they’ll naturally become familiar with it.”

Li Wan’s anger flared upon hearing this, but before she could explode, Lin Shuangzhi continued, “Deputy Director Ding also said, with our full cooperation, Director Yu’s adjustment period will be significantly shortened.”

Li Wan took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the door, closed it, then lowered the blinds on the window before returning to her seat.

“So it’s settled then?”

Lin Shuangzhi frowned. “Not officially confirmed yet, but it’s almost certain.”

Li Wan picked up a stack of documents from the corner of the desk and threw them back down forcefully. “No, absolutely not! We can’t let Director Yu interfere with our team!”

Sensing Li Wan’s anger, Lin Shuangzhi, who had been feeling frustrated all day, felt a sense of relief.

After a whole day of meetings, dealing with the endless probing and political maneuvering, only Li Wan’s presence felt real.

She walked over to Li Wan, gently placed her hand on hers, which was still clutching the document, and sighed, “Don’t be angry, if Deputy Director Ding insists, then I’ll report it to the city government.”

Lin Shuangzhi’s sudden approach flustered Li Wan, her anger dissipating slightly. It had been a while since they had been this close, and she couldn’t help but yearn for more.

“Wouldn’t going over their heads cause trouble for you? Should I… ask my father to intervene?”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled and took her hand, her gesture more reassuring than intimate. “Deputy Mayor Li always keeps his professional and personal life separate, and besides, his responsibilities aren’t related to the news department, don’t make things difficult for him.” Then, her gaze deepened, her tone firm. “If I can’t even protect our team, how can I be your team leader?”

Lin Shuangzhi’s strength and resolve had a powerful effect on Li Wan, especially with her hand being held like this, and she couldn’t help but whisper, her heart overflowing, “Team Leader…”

Chapter 71 p1

Qin Qianrou glanced at the time, surprised by how late it was. She sat up, extracting herself from Shen Yiqiu’s embrace, maintaining a calm facade, but a slight shyness lingered within her.

“Are you hungry? I’ll order room service.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to do anything, didn’t want to go anywhere, she just wanted to be with Qin Qianrou.

“Whatever you want, Jiejie.”

Qin Qianrou, as if remembering something, glanced at her, then stood up and went to the bathroom without saying a word.

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze followed her until the door closed, then she turned back and habitually reached for her phone, only to realize it was still in her coat pocket. She quickly got up to retrieve it from the closet, realizing one side of her body was numb.

But… she felt so happy.

She would willingly be Jiejie’s pillow forever.

As expected, there were many messages, thankfully, nothing urgent.

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Qianrou emerged from the bathroom, having washed her face, and seeing Shen Yiqiu replying to messages, she didn’t disturb her. She ordered their usual room service, adding a few extra dishes.

She quietly took Shen Yiqiu’s empty glass and replaced it with a fresh, warm one.

“The restaurant is a little busy on weekends, it might take a while.”

Shen Yiqiu looked up at her with a sweet smile. “It’s okay, I’m not hungry.”

She was content, having already received her fill of hugs and kisses today.

Qin Qianrou chuckled, looking at her, “If you’re not hungry, then whose stomach was rumbling just now?”

Shen Yiqiu instinctively touched her stomach, slightly embarrassed. “That was because I was happy.”

Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

Her expression seemed to say, Let’s see how you explain a rumbling stomach representing happiness.

Shen Yiqiu, unfazed, explained earnestly, “I just gained a girlfriend, my entire being is overjoyed, it’s a cause for universal celebration.”

Qin Qianrou, unable to correct her misuse of the idiom “普天同庆” (pǔ tiān tóng qìng), which means “the whole world celebrates together,” usually used for major national events or celebrations, was amused and chuckled.

“So easily satisfied?”

Shen Yiqiu put down her phone, walked over, wrapped her arms around Qin Qianrou’s waist, and looked at her.

“Not easily satisfied, I just acquired the best thing in the world.”

Perhaps it was the change in their relationship, but Qin Qianrou found this illogical and nonsensical statement surprisingly endearing. Instead of rolling her eyes, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She gently pinched Shen Yiqiu’s earlobe. “I need to catch up on some work.”

Shen Yiqiu nuzzled her cheek against Qin Qianrou’s before letting go and returning to her messages.

Qin Qianrou’s phone was on her desk. She picked it up and saw numerous messages and missed calls. She quickly dealt with the important ones, leaving the rest for later.

Li Wan’s call came two minutes later. Qin Qianrou guessed what she wanted to know, sighing helplessly, but still answered the phone.

“Qianrou…” The deliberately drawn-out tone revealed Li Wan’s current expression.

“Mm.”

“So, any news to share?”

Qin Qianrou glanced at Shen Yiqiu, who was looking down at her phone.

She leaned against her desk, resting her elbow on it, supporting her chin.

“You’re the one who works at the station, and you’re asking me for news?”

Li Wan’s barely suppressed laughter made Qin Qianrou want to feign ignorance, So inconsiderate!

“Don’t be shy, we’re practically sisters, no need to be embarrassed about getting a girlfriend.”

The term “girlfriend,” when she had used it with Shen Yiqiu earlier, hadn’t felt so… significant.

Now, hearing it from someone else, it gave Qin Qianrou a different feeling. A little surreal, a little unbelievable, a constant reminder of her new status.

“Qianrou, are you unhappy?” Li Wan’s voice dropped slightly. “Don’t be so stingy, I never hide anything from you, I just wanted to share your joy.”

Her voice lacked conviction towards the end, less a complaint, more an explanation.

Qin Qianrou, snapping back to reality, chuckled softly. “Yes, I have a girlfriend, I forgot to tell you, sorry.”

It was Li Wan’s turn to be surprised. She was silent for a few seconds, almost a full minute.

She knew Shen Yiqiu had gone to Hai City to see Qin Qianrou this weekend. Shen Yiqiu had asked her to keep it a secret, wanting to surprise Jiejie, and Li Wan had been pleased, thinking this child was finally making a move.

She had called to ask if they had met, intending to offer some encouragement and support, her earlier words just wishful thinking, a joke.

She hadn’t expected it to actually happen.

“Qianrou, are you serious? You really…?” She paused, then rephrased her question. “You and Shen Yiqiu are together?”

Qin Qianrou felt a slight shyness, recalling the afternoon’s passionate kiss and the sweet intimacy just now, and she no longer denied it.

Her voice, even she hadn’t realized, was filled with tenderness. “Yes, we’re together.”

Li Wan was her longtime friend, such good news should naturally be shared with her. Qin Qianrou hadn’t intended to keep it a secret, but she hadn’t exactly made a grand announcement either.

Li Wan, however, was ecstatic, even more so than Qin Qianrou. “Oh my god, this surprise will take me three days to process!”

After a moment, Li Wan calmed down slightly. “This is wonderful.”

Such a thing, to others, might be troublesome, but for Qin Qianrou, it was a good thing.

Li Wan was truly happy for her.

“Thank you.” Qin Qianrou, lacking experience, could only think of these two words in response to her friend’s congratulations.

But her sincerity was evident.

“What about you? How have you been lately?”

Li Wan sighed softly, “Compared to your rocket speed, I’m lagging far behind. The station’s restructuring officially began last week. She’s incredibly busy, even busier than before.”

The “she” she referred to was, of course, Lin Shuangzhi.

“Restructuring is a big deal, it can’t be helped.”

Although Qin Qianrou wasn’t at the station, she was still aware of the major personnel and departmental changes. It was said that higher management had been wanting to restructure the television station for a while, and they were using the current station director’s retirement as an opportunity for a complete overhaul.

After all, having someone about to retire handle the unpleasant task of restructuring was the best option.

“Of course I understand, but I still feel bad for her. You have no idea, sometimes when I go to her office to get her signature, the smell of stale instant noodles is overwhelming, it’s awful.”

Li Wan’s voice was filled with heartache.

Perhaps it was because she had fallen for her that she couldn’t bear to see her suffer even slightly.

“Why don’t you work overtime with her, order takeout together?”

Li Wan sighed helplessly. “I do, most of the time, but she works too much, almost every day. No matter how much I want to be with her, I also have to spend time with my parents.”

Saying this, Li Wan finally realized the teasing tone in Qin Qianrou’s voice.

“Oh, Qianrou, you’re making fun of me!”

So, having a girlfriend makes you feel superior now? Allows you to tease me?

Li Wan thought indignantly, then realized the answer was yes.

Having a girlfriend did make you feel superior, it was indeed something to be proud of.

Okay, she had lost the first round.

“I’m genuinely worried about her health, she’s a woman, why push herself so hard, harder than even those old men?”

Li Wan considered herself and Qin Qianrou to be hardworking, but compared to Lin Shuangzhi, they were amateurs. Lin Shuangzhi wasn’t just hardworking, she was practically working herself to death.

“The team leader is just trying her best to protect our team, after all, with such a major restructuring, no one can completely avoid being affected.”

Although Lin Shuangzhi hadn’t mentioned it, both Li Wan and Qin Qianrou knew there were many people at the station who weren’t fond of their team. There was admiration, there was respect, and naturally, there was also jealousy, suspicion, and even resentment.

Their team always tackled the most challenging stories, which was good for ratings, but it also meant facing greater resistance and affecting more people’s interests than other programs.

It was understandable that some people wanted to use this restructuring as an opportunity to get rid of them.

“Shouldering such immense pressure alone, it’s heartbreaking. I’ve hinted several times that I can help share the burden, but she won’t say a word, it’s infuriating.”

What frustrated her even more was that, just when she thought they had made some progress, Lin Shuangzhi, since last week, had reverted to her workaholic ways. Forget about after-work drinks, even suggesting she have some milk tea during overtime seemed to annoy her.

Li Wan even wondered if the person who had initiated their date last week had truly been Lin Shuangzhi, or some alternate personality.

Qin Qianrou, hearing a movement behind her, turned around and saw Shen Yiqiu had put down her phone and was looking at her, a glass of water in her hand.

Seeing Qin Qianrou turn around, she smiled.

A bright, heart-fluttering smile.

“Qianrou, were you even listening to me?”

Li Wan was filled with unexpressed frustrations, having to force a smile and deal with her parents when she got home. Although Zhuo Cheng hadn’t appeared at her home recently, that didn’t mean her parents had stopped their matchmaking efforts.

They still subtly inquired, every few days, if she had met anyone suitable.

Li Wan was so annoyed she almost blurted out that the person she liked was her superior, Lin Shuangzhi, but rationality told her that if she did, it wouldn’t just be her who would suffer the consequences.

She couldn’t implicate the team leader, Lin Shuangzhi didn’t even know about her feelings.

Qin Qianrou sighed helplessly, “Xiao Wan, it’s your own choice, isn’t it?”

Li Wan’s anger instantly deflated.

After a few seconds, she conceded weakly, “You’re right, it’s my own choice, I’ll endure it, no matter what.”

“Alright, I won’t disturb your lovey-dovey weekend reunion.” Li Wan, having expressed her concern for her friend and vented her frustrations, felt much better.

Just as she was about to hang up, she suddenly remembered something. “Do you have… protection in your room?”

“Protection? For what?”

 

Chapter 70

The door was still open. The moment she saw Qin Qianrou, all the words Shen Yiqiu had prepared along the way vanished from her mind. Overwhelmed by emotion and joy, she impulsively embraced Qin Qianrou.

Qin Qianrou, recovering from her surprise, gently patted her back. “Let me close the door first.”

The implication being that Shen Yiqiu should let go and come inside.

The person embracing her readily agreed, but after a soft “Okay,” she didn’t move. The embrace continued, and Qin Qianrou only felt her legs moving, as if she was being pulled into the room.

She was led inside, thankfully, Shen Yiqiu’s pace wasn’t fast, and she was careful not to bump into her, so Qin Qianrou didn’t feel uncomfortable.

However, in this position… it was difficult to close the door.

“Shen Yiqiu, let go.”

“No.”

“Let go, I need to close the door.”

Shen Yiqiu’s steps stopped, but she didn’t release her hold. She was now completely inside the room, and with a gentle nudge of her leg, the door slowly closed.

The click of the lock signaled that Qin Qianrou’s request had been fulfilled.

“Hugging you and closing the door aren’t mutually exclusive, I can do both.”

Her soft voice, her warm breath against Qin Qianrou’s ear, finally confirmed this wasn’t a dream.

The person she had been longing for was right here in her arms.

However, this embrace had lasted quite a while.

“You can’t just hold onto me forever, let go.”

Shen Yiqiu was reluctant, this brief embrace couldn’t possibly alleviate all the longing she had been suppressing.

However, Jiejie’s voice had turned cold, and she was afraid that if she continued, Qin Qianrou would get angry.

Her hands gradually loosened their grip, sliding down to Qin Qianrou’s waist.

She was still wearing her coat, while Qin Qianrou was only in a thin sweater.

“Why are you suddenly here?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her, the face that haunted her dreams every night, a face she could never tire of looking at.

She stared, mesmerized, and mechanically replied, “I missed you, so I came.”

Qin Qianrou’s ears felt warm. She gently pushed Shen Yiqiu’s hands away and turned to pour her a glass of water.

“Take off your coat, you can put your bag in the closet.”

Shen Yiqiu quickly did as she was told, then went to the bathroom to wash her hands, making sure she was presentable.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Qin Qianrou was just bringing over the water. Shen Yiqiu was wearing a shirt and a light V-neck cashmere sweater, a classic preppy style.

Coupled with her fair skin and slender figure, she had to admit, she was quite attractive.

Qin Qianrou paused slightly, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and handed her the glass.

“Just water, I hope you don’t mind.”

Shen Yiqiu took the glass with a smile, took a few sips, and exclaimed, “It’s sweet, so delicious.”

Qin Qianrou looked away, not responding.

The atmosphere in the room was a little strange, the initial joy of their reunion gradually fading, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou sat on the sofa, neither of them speaking.

Shen Yiqiu thought for a moment, then explained her reason for coming. “I don’t have any homework this weekend, and my Monday class was cancelled, so I thought I’d come see you, Jiejie.”

“Mm, thank you for your effort.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart sank slightly, a cold and distant response, as expected.

Her intuition hadn’t been wrong, Jiejie was indeed angry with her.

But why?

She couldn’t understand, but as a good student, she had to get to the bottom of this.

So, she moved closer, sitting right next to Qin Qianrou.

“Jiejie, did I do something to upset you?”

Qin Qianrou, still struggling with her own internal conflict, hadn’t expected Shen Yiqiu to be so direct, and she suddenly felt embarrassed to answer.

She looked at Shen Yiqiu for a moment, then sighed softly. “No, I’m just… a little tired lately.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, didn’t believe her, “You’re lying.”

Qin Qianrou rarely felt so exposed, being called out like this, it was truly awkward.

But she had always been composed under pressure, she maintained her calm demeanor, simply avoiding Shen Yiqiu’s gaze.

Whenever she looked into those clear eyes, her heart would race uncontrollably, her carefully constructed walls crumbling.

Sensing Qin Qianrou’s attempt to create distance again, Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Qin Qianrou, preventing her from moving away.

“Jiejie, tell me what’s wrong, okay?”

Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, her gaze lowered in thought, as if considering whether to tell her.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart pounded like a drum, as if awaiting a life-altering verdict, yet she was completely clueless about its nature.

“Shen Yiqiu, I’m not sure…” Qin Qianrou slowly looked up, taking a deep breath. “I think, we should… perhaps…”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to hear anymore, perhaps from watching too many dramas, but whenever such dialogues appeared, the outcome wasn’t usually good, and coming from Qin Qianrou, it was likely a rejection.

This meant that all her waiting, all her anticipation, would be for nothing.

She couldn’t accept this, Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t allow it.

She cupped Qin Qianrou’s face, gently but firmly, preventing her from avoiding her gaze.

Her thumb gently caressed Qin Qianrou’s cheek, the warmth spreading through her skin with each touch.

Qin Qianrou felt her face burning.

Shen Yiqiu’s love and affection were unconcealed, clearly and unmistakably expressed, further intensifying the heat in Qin Qianrou’s cheeks.

Shen Yiqiu slowly leaned closer, her lips brushing against Qin Qianrou’s, whispering, “Jiejie… Jiejie…”

Qin Qianrou held her breath as a soft kiss landed on her lips.

A gentle touch, just their lips brushing against each other. Memories of the past few days flooded back, the turmoil in her heart surging, making it impossible for Qin Qianrou to escape.

“You asked me to give you time, and I’m willing to wait, no matter how long. You said you would give me the freedom to choose, and I would accept any outcome. But you can’t just… shut me out like this, without any explanation.”

Shen Yiqiu pulled away from her lips, but she didn’t move away.

Her breaths, the warm scent from her mouth, brushed against Qin Qianrou’s face.

It was… ticklish, and also… stirring.

Qin Qianrou’s eyes softened, gazing at her, slightly dazed.

Then, a kiss, even more intense than before, arrived as expected. Shen Yiqiu, no longer cautious and hesitant, pressed her lips against Qin Qianrou’s, her heart filled with love.

Without a sliver of space between them, she kissed her deeply, yearning for a complete fusion.

Qin Qianrou, seeing her fervor and her persistence, slowly closed her eyes, parting her lips slightly, offering a response.

After the initial nervousness and excitement, she surrendered to the sweetness of the kiss.

The soft touch against her lips made Qin Qianrou instinctively open her mouth, and then there was no turning back.

Shen Yiqiu’s hands moved, but lacking experience, unsure where to place them, she could only nervously caress Qin Qianrou’s back.

Even this was enough to make Qin Qianrou dizzy.

No one had ever made her feel like this.

She heard the steady rhythm of her own heart, surrendering, bit by bit.

As her rationality returned, Qin Qianrou gently pushed Shen Yiqiu away, signaling her to stop.

Shen Yiqiu, lost in the moment, reluctant to let go of this rare opportunity, her eyes half-closed, didn’t move.

Qin Qianrou, however, was now fully alert, and she pushed her away more firmly.

A flicker of confusion, then hurt, flashed across Shen Yiqiu’s eyes.

So Jiejie, are you rejecting me after all?

Qin Qianrou closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smoothed her slightly dishevelled hair.

Shen Yiqiu was still very close, her arms loosely around her, and Qin Qianrou tried to compose herself.

The lingering flush on her cheeks made her even more beautiful, adding to her allure.

“Shen Yiqiu, before I give you my answer, I need an explanation.”

She hadn’t intended to delve into this, she hadn’t wanted a confrontation with Shen Yiqiu, it seemed petty.

But the person who had captured her heart was… different.

Qin Qianrou understood the logic, but her heart wouldn’t accept it.

That subtle unease lingered, yet she couldn’t deny the pleasure of that kiss. So, she decided to get to the bottom of this, so they could start anew, without any reservations.

Shen Yiqiu, instead of feeling worried, was overjoyed; Jiejie had finally brought it up.

She had come all this way, not just out of longing, but to seek an answer.

Zhang Meng had told her that if a woman took the initiative to address the issue, it was a good sign.

“Ask me anything, Jiejie, I’ll tell you everything.”

Anything you want to know, I’ll lay my heart bare for you.

Qin Qianrou tried to stand up, and Shen Yiqiu, anxiously grabbing her wrist, didn’t want her to leave.

Qin Qianrou blushed slightly and said softly, “I’m just getting something, wait for me here.”

She reluctantly let go, thankfully, the room wasn’t large, and she could still see Jiejie.

She watched as Qin Qianrou walked over to her desk, took out a manila envelope from the drawer, and paused, holding it, seemingly lost in thought, before slowly walking back towards her. She clutched the envelope tightly, as if it contained a top-secret document.

Qin Qianrou sat back down, creating a slight distance between them, but not too far.

“There are some things I don’t quite understand. I’m not trying to pry, but I hope you can offer an explanation.”

Qin Qianrou’s tone was calm and restrained, without any hint of anger or accusation.

But Shen Yiqiu still sensed something amiss. What’s wrong with Jiejie?

Hesitantly, she opened the envelope, took out the photos, and saw they were from her visit to her cousin’s apartment.

As Senior Zhang Meng had suspected, Jiejie knew about this.

Qin Qianrou had been observing her since she took the envelope. She wasn’t sure what kind of explanation she was hoping for, but she couldn’t help but watch her, wanting to capture every nuance of her expression.

But what was with that faint smile after Shen Yiqiu saw the photos?

Whatever it meant, Qin Qianrou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

There was no trace of guilt or panic, Shen Yiqiu’s reaction hadn’t made her feel foolish.

“Jiejie, how did you get these?”

Qin Qianrou composed herself. “Someone gave them to me.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at the photos again, wondering who would be so bored as to follow her even while grocery shopping, she wasn’t a celebrity.

Then, she realized these photos were clearly taken for Qin Qianrou. But Jiejie wasn’t one to pry into others’ private lives, and she certainly wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics.

Could it be Shao Qidong? Trying to sabotage their relationship, to destroy the trust between them, to isolate her again, turning her back into that helpless orphan?

The thought of that villain made Shen Yiqiu curse him a thousand times in her heart.

But right now, the most important thing was to explain.

It could be cleared up with a simple sentence, but her cousin seemed to be afraid of Jiejie, should she tell her?

Shen Yiqiu’s hesitation made Qin Qianrou’s anxiety resurface.

It seemed Yuan Qi and Shen Yiqiu’s relationship wasn’t ordinary; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so hesitant. If she hadn’t known Yuan Qi before, if she didn’t trust his character, Qin Qianrou wouldn’t be so calm right now.

“I think, before our relationship is clearly defined, there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings between us. Even if it’s just a misunderstanding, it should still be explained, shouldn’t it?” Qin Qianrou’s tone remained calm and restrained, but her breathing was slightly uneven.

Shen Yiqiu finally looked up from the photos and met Qin Qianrou’s gaze.

Beneath Jiejie’s usual composure, there was a hint of unease.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached, this wasn’t the kind of love she wanted to give Qin Qianrou. Loving her meant not making her worry, not making her doubt.

She put down the photos and gently took Qin Qianrou’s hand, which was resting on her lap.

Only after touching it did she realize Jiejie’s palms were slightly damp with sweat.

Her heart stirring, Shen Yiqiu lifted Qin Qianrou’s hand and kissed the back of it.

A shiver ran down Qin Qianrou’s spine, a different sensation from a kiss on the lips, yet equally stirring.

“Jiejie, don’t misunderstand, my relationship with this man is very simple.” Shen Yiqiu looked up at her, her eyes filled with an intensity deeper than ever before, her tone unusually serious. “He’s my cousin, he’s been traveling the world, which is why he wasn’t around when I was in the hospital.”

Qin Qianrou had considered many possibilities, even a close friendship between people of different generations. She wasn’t worried about Shen Yiqiu having feelings for someone else, but she still minded, she minded Shen Yiqiu being so close to someone else, even if it was just simple admiration for an elder.

Her possessiveness was growing, which made Qin Qianrou feel uneasy, no one had ever made her lose her composure like this.

But she still wanted to hear it directly from Shen Yiqiu, who this person was, and their relationship.

She even wanted to ask directly, Am I the most important person in your heart?

Cousin, the usually quick-witted Reporter Qin mentally repeated the term several times before finally understanding.

This was something she hadn’t expected at all, and Yuan Qi had never mentioned it either.

“Jiejie, you don’t believe me?” Shen Yiqiu’s eyes dimmed slightly, it seemed some things couldn’t be kept secret for too long.

Hidden for too long, the truth also became less believable.

“I believe you, I believe everything you say.”

Shen Yiqiu had never seen Jiejie so gentle, and the gradually decreasing distance between them, the rising temperature, made her feel like she was dreaming.

Shen Yiqiu stared at her, slightly dazed, until Qin Qianrou’s face was almost touching hers.

“Jiejie, I…”

“I’ve had enough time, I can give you my answer now.”

Before Shen Yiqiu could even process her words, a firm hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer.

Qin Qianrou’s kiss was different from Shen Yiqiu’s, just like her personality, slightly cool, yet firm, even a little dominant.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, seeing Qin Qianrou clearly before her, the subtle pores on her skin, her slightly trembling eyelashes, her heart racing uncontrollably.

She reached up and embraced Qin Qianrou, minimizing the distance between them, yearning to fuse into one.

Their breaths mingled, their scents intermingling, Qin Qianrou’s hand sliding down from the back of Shen Yiqiu’s head to her neck.

Her slender fingers caressed Shen Yiqiu’s skin, drawing a soft moan from her. Qin Qianrou, however, didn’t relent, for the first time, asserting her dominance in their interaction.

She deepened the kiss, prolonging it, then, just as Shen Yiqiu was about to run out of breath, gently pulling away slightly, allowing her to breathe, then returning for another passionate kiss.

Shen Yiqiu couldn’t remember how long they kissed for, she only knew her heart felt like it was about to burst, her love, finally finding a place to belong, yet still not enough.

She had so much love, overflowing from her heart, all for Jiejie.

Between kisses, during a brief moment of respite, Shen Yiqiu whispered, “Jiejie, I love you.”

They kissed until they were breathless, reluctantly parting, yet unwilling to truly separate, their foreheads touching.

Qin Qianrou, only now realizing her own impulsiveness, couldn’t quite believe how proactive she had been. Perhaps it was the release of all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing, the lingering unease instantly dissipating, and she had simply followed her heart.

She liked Shen Yiqiu, she wanted to accept her feelings, she was willing to embark on this undoubtedly difficult path with her, her hesitation and doubts erased by Shen Yiqiu’s simple explanation.

Shen Yiqiu, I trust you.

Shen Yiqiu, catching her breath, a constant smile on her lips, pulled Qin Qianrou closer, settling her into her embrace.

She adjusted their position, letting Qin Qianrou lean against her, half-reclining.

Qin Qianrou’s eyes were closed, as if resting, or perhaps… savoring the moment?

Shen Yiqiu smiled and whispered in her ear, “Jiejie, you’re so sweet.”

Qin Qianrou’s ears burned, but her lips curved into a smile.

She didn’t respond to Shen Yiqiu’s words, but simply nestled closer, finding a more comfortable position in her embrace.

Shen Yiqiu’s other arm wrapped around her, holding her securely.

This time, Qin Qianrou’s silence didn’t make Shen Yiqiu feel sad, her smile widening. She thought for a moment, then leaned closer again, this time not just whispering in Qin Qianrou’s ear, but gently nibbling on her earlobe.

As expected, the person in her arms trembled.

Before Qin Qianrou could open her eyes, she heard a sweet, soft voice, laced with double the usual affection, by her ear. “My girlfriend is so sweet.”

Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed, and she opened her eyes slightly, seeing a beaming face before her.

A face that made her heart race.

Suppressing her shyness, she reached up and wrapped her arms around Shen Yiqiu’s neck, pulling her closer.

“From now on, you have to listen to your girlfriend.”

Shen Yiqiu responded without hesitation, “As you command, my dear girlfriend.”

Qin Qianrou’s lips, redder and fuller than usual, captivated Shen Yiqiu, and at such close proximity, she couldn’t resist leaning in for another kiss.

Qin Qianrou, however, turned her face slightly, letting the kiss land on her cheek instead.

“My lips are swollen.”

Shen Yiqiu gently kissed her cheek, then her gaze returned to her lips.

“Then I’ll kiss you again tomorrow.”

**

They lingered on the sofa like this, one sitting, one half-reclining, until night had completely fallen. Shen Yiqiu, looking up at the starry sky outside, realized they hadn’t closed the curtains.

Thankfully, they were on a high floor, and it hadn’t been completely dark outside earlier.

Wen Shao Ze had called Qin Qianrou several times, but she hadn’t answered. He had also sent Shen Yiqiu a few messages, but there had been no reply. He had been worried at first, then, as if realizing something, he had simply shaken his head and smiled helplessly.

He had received a call from Wen Yirong that morning, informing him that the weekend dinner with the Cheng family had been cancelled, and he had immediately guessed it was Qin Qianrou’s decision.

Wen Yirong hadn’t been surprised, after all, her daughter’s stance had always been clear.

“Shao Ze, find a chance to talk to Qianrou, ask her about her plans.”

“It’s normal to decline a blind date, don’t worry.”

Wen Shao Ze had also rejected many such arrangements, although it always led to arguments with his father.

Wen Yirong, however, wasn’t as calm as before. “You don’t understand, this time, Qianrou was unusually firm, she even told me she has her own arrangements.”

Previously, Qin Qianrou had always said she wasn’t ready for a relationship, but this time, she had said she had her own plans.

A mother knows her daughter best, and the moment Qin Qianrou said those words, Wen Yirong knew this time was different.

Qin Qianrou didn’t want to avoid relationships, she simply didn’t want to be in a relationship with someone her family had chosen, she had someone else in mind.

Wen Shao Ze didn’t dare to say anything, afraid of ruining Qin Qianrou’s plans.

“I understand, I’ll talk to her.”

Wen Yirong sighed, then chatted about some family matters, and just before hanging up, she added, “Come home for dinner more often when you have time, your grandfather hasn’t been doing well lately.”

Extreme heat and cold were always difficult for the elderly, especially for someone who had been through war. Although Grandfather Qin had retired and was enjoying his later years, he was still vulnerable to the effects of aging.

Birth, old age, sickness, and death, an inescapable cycle for everyone.

“I understand, I’ll tell Qianrou.”

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.