Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 59 p2

“Sister Li Wan, why are you here so late?” Shen Yiqiu walked over, curious.

Li Wan glared at her. “Not ‘here,’ I was just leaving.”

Hmm?

“Qianrou needed a document for her training, so I came to find it and send it to her.”

Shen Yiqiu nodded as she walked towards the door, preparing to unlock it. “Do you want to come in for a late-night snack?”

It was late, and Li Wan had made a special trip to help Jiejie, she must be tired. Shen Yiqiu wanted to repay this favor on Jiejie’s behalf, this was the least she could do.

Li Wan waved her hand dismissively. She was exhausted after a long day at work and wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep.

Then, as if remembering something, she turned back with a knowing smile and stood before Shen Yiqiu. “Where did you go on your date tonight?”

“It wasn’t a date.” Shen Yiqiu immediately denied it, the thought of a date with her cousin was repulsive.

“Oh? Not a date? Then what about the man who just dropped you off?”

A man? Could Li Wan have seen her cousin?

The panic on Shen Yiqiu’s face didn’t escape Li Wan’s notice. Annoyed, she snatched the key, unlocked the door, grabbed Shen Yiqiu’s collar, and pushed her inside.

As soon as the door closed, Shen Yiqiu was pushed against the coat rack, and Li Wan, her usual playful expression gone, looked at her seriously.

“What are you doing?”

“Shen Yiqiu, tell me honestly, who are you seeing right now?”

Shen Yiqiu froze, then shook her head. “I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Then how do you explain that man just now? Don’t tell me he’s your classmate, or just an ordinary friend. An ordinary friend wouldn’t be worried about whether you messaged him as soon as you got home, an ordinary friend wouldn’t care if you were properly covered with a blanket, and an ordinary friend wouldn’t be concerned about your safety at home alone.”

Shen Yiqiu sighed, her cousin’s drunken ramblings had been overheard.

Shen Yiqiu bit her lip, hesitant about what to say, when her phone started ringing incessantly in her pocket, the sound piercing the silence of the apartment.

Shen Yiqiu awkwardly took out her phone and, seeing her cousin’s name on the screen, inwardly groaned.

She hesitated, not answering the call, and Li Wan looked over, seeing the character “Yuan” flashing on the screen, her annoyance growing.

“Answer the phone.”

Shen Yiqiu had no choice but to answer. Before she could even speak, the person on the other end started chattering.

“Xiao Qiu, what’s going on? Are you home yet? It’s been so long, why haven’t you messaged me to let me know you’re safe?”

“I…”

“You child, you promised, and you didn’t even do it. Do you know how worried I was? I asked you to move in with me, and you refused, now I have to worry about your safety every day, living alone like this.”

“No, actually I…”

“Aiya, stop with the excuses, you just don’t care about me, that’s why you ignore everything I say. I know you think I’m nagging, all young people your age are like that. Just consider moving in with me, so I can see you every day, then I can finally relax.”

Li Wan heard everything clearly. A man’s voice, definitely much older than Shen Yiqiu.

Oily, incredibly oily. Thinking he could deceive a young girl with a few sweet words and expressions of concern? His true intentions were finally revealed, wanting Shen Yiqiu to move in with him. Such a delicate flower, how could she be subjected to such a thing?

Infuriating! This is absolutely infuriating!

Li Wan couldn’t tell whether she was more angry at Shen Yiqiu for going out with someone so late at night, or at this disgustingly oily older man. Without hesitation, she snatched the phone.

“Listen, calling a young girl this late at night, saying these things, aren’t you disgusted with yourself? This isn’t concern, this is harassment!”

Yuan Qi had a headache and had forced himself to call Shen Yiqiu, just to make sure she was safe before going to bed. The sudden angry outburst on the other end startled him, sobering him up slightly.

“Who… who is this?”

Li Wan, hearing his surprise, scoffed. “I’m Shen Yiqiu’s older sister. Don’t think she’s some helpless orphan with no one to care for her, there are plenty of people who love and cherish her!”

Shen Yiqiu’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment, but Li Wan’s hand was firmly on her arm, preventing her from struggling too much.

Yuan Qi immediately knew it wasn’t Qin Qianrou’s voice; that tone couldn’t possibly belong to that ice queen.

Even after years of no contact, he couldn’t forget Qin Qianrou’s chillingly indifferent tone.

“I haven’t heard Xiao Qiu mention having so many older sisters, I’m starting to worry about my Xiao Qiu, suddenly having an unidentified woman by her side so late at night.”

Yuan Qi’s shamelessness surprised Li Wan. She had thought he would have some sense of decency and hang up.

Now she understood why Xiao Qiu had been entangled with him. A naive university student wouldn’t be able to resist such a shameless person.

“Then let me formally inform you, you are to stay away from Shen Yiqiu from now on. She’s just barely an adult, so you better keep your dirty thoughts to yourself. If I find out you have any inappropriate intentions, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Yuan Qi’s long-dormant memories resurfaced tonight, amplified by the alcohol, his senses heightened.

This tone, this aura, it seemed so familiar…

Yuan Qi’s soft chuckle sounded like mockery, like a challenge, to Li Wan.

She gritted her teeth and glared at Shen Yiqiu, as if asking, Where did you pick up this pest? No wonder Qin Qianrou had repeatedly told her to look after Shen Yiqiu before leaving.

At the time, she had jokingly said Qin Qianrou was becoming more and more like a parent, worrying unnecessarily. Now she understood, Qianrou’s worries hadn’t been unfounded.

She was about to launch another, even more forceful attack when the man on the other end suddenly changed his tone, a hint of amusement in his voice as he said, “Li Wan, after all these years, you haven’t changed at all.”

Li Wan: ???

She remained silent, and Yuan Qi, anticipating her reaction, stopped beating around the bush and revealed his identity. “It’s me, Yuan Qi.”

My god, the sudden appearance of this long-forgotten name startled Li Wan.

Her hand, holding Shen Yiqiu’s arm, loosened in surprise, and Shen Yiqiu, her face flushed, was finally free, but the chances of retrieving her phone seemed slim.

“You… when did you come back?” She had heard Qin Qianrou asking about him recently, but she hadn’t expected him to actually appear.

“I’ve been back for a while, I didn’t expect to have a reunion with you over the phone.”

Yuan Qi sighed, and so did Li Wan. However, this wasn’t the main point.

The main point was that Yuan Qi had returned to Meng City quietly, without contacting any of his old acquaintances, yet he had somehow become close to Shen Yiqiu.

Was he trying to get revenge on the Qin family? Then why take such a roundabout approach? He should settle his scores with the person involved, what did this have to do with Shen Yiqiu?

Her guard was up again, she wasn’t interested in reminiscing with Yuan Qi.

“Yuan Qi, I’m happy to hear from you again.” She paused, then said seriously, “But I still stand by what I said earlier, Shen Yiqiu is still a child, you should know your boundaries.”

Knowing he was an acquaintance, her tone was slightly more polite this time.

Yuan Qi, however, couldn’t help but burst out laughing, almost infuriating Li Wan.

“Yuan Qi, don’t think I’m joking.” Li Wan enunciated each word carefully, feeling that the once pure and bright young man had also been tainted by the passage of time.

Even his… preferences seemed to have changed.

Shen Yiqiu, afraid Li Wan might throw her phone off the balcony in anger, held out her hands protectively, wanting to take it back, but not daring to. This was a gift from Jiejie after she was discharged from the hospital, it mustn’t be damaged.

“Li Wan, you’ve been at the TV station for too long, all you think about are news stories.” Yuan Qi’s calm and unconcerned tone was infuriating.

Before she could explode, Yuan Qi casually said, “I’m Shen Yiqiu’s cousin, if I don’t care about her, who will?”

Chapter 59 p1

Shen Yiqiu’s carefully suppressed memories resurfaced. Although her cousin had also tacitly avoided mentioning Qin Qianrou, his casual use of her name, the familiar tone he used when talking about their past, his every move, even unintentional, still made Shen Yiqiu’s heart ache with jealousy.

Yuan Qi was also a little agitated, Xiao Qiu’s aggrieved expression was truly heartbreaking.

“Xiao Qiu, I’m not telling you to give up immediately. It’s not easy to let go of your feelings, I’m telling you this because I want you to understand that the road ahead will be difficult. You can try to let go slowly, find other things to distract yourself.”

“I don’t want to.” Shen Yiqiu’s reply was immediate, as if without thinking, but her expression was firm and resolute.

“Do you have to experience heartbreak yourself before giving up?” Yuan Qi didn’t scold or criticize her, his voice low and melancholic. His last words were ambiguous, making it unclear whether he was referring to her or himself.

Shen Yiqiu composed herself and looked directly at Yuan Qi. Even though her heart ached, she still wanted to know more about Jiejie. If she couldn’t even face and accept Jiejie’s past, then she wasn’t worthy of confessing her love.

“Cousin, can you tell me about her?”

“Who?” The alcohol was starting to affect Yuan Qi, his mind slowing down.

“The person I like.” This was the first time Shen Yiqiu had openly admitted her feelings for Qin Qianrou to Yuan Qi.

She also had a subtle intention, wanting to emphasize that although she and Qin Qianrou had no shared past, they might still have a future.

“Her? It’s complicated.” Yuan Qi had brought Shen Yiqiu out for dinner tonight precisely to talk about Qin Qianrou, so he didn’t beat around the bush.

Memories flooded back, scenes from his years of traveling the world resurfacing, the fragments of Qin Qianrou in his mind slowly piecing together. Thinking of Qin Qianrou, he naturally couldn’t avoid thinking of that person. A name long forgotten, now, even just recalling an acquaintance related to him made his heart tremble.

He started to speak several times, then hesitated, his cautiousness and deliberation making Shen Yiqiu even more nervous.

“I met Qianrou in university. We weren’t close at first, but due to certain circumstances, we interacted more, and gradually, we became quite close.” Yuan Qi’s voice was soft as he began his story.

“I heard from Sister Li Wan that Jiejie used to be known as the Ice Queen, very difficult to approach.” Shen Yiqiu had first heard this nickname from Li Wan during one of her dinner visits.

At the time, Qin Qianrou’s expression had been indifferent, as if she had long grown accustomed to it. But hearing it for the first time, Shen Yiqiu’s heart had skipped a beat, she hadn’t expected Jiejie to be like that in the past. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Qin Qianrou, having to admit that Jiejie was still a beauty, thankfully, not at all icy at home.

Yuan Qi nodded emphatically, his expression mirroring Li Wan’s. “Indeed, very difficult to approach, and so quiet, many people tried to talk to her, only to be rejected.”

Shen Yiqiu chuckled at her cousin’s exaggerated expression, the jealousy in her heart easing slightly.

“But Qianrou is actually a very good person, the ‘Ice Queen’ persona is just her personality. And with the Qin family’s background, she has to be cautious, to protect herself.”

Yuan Qi’s words were vague, he didn’t elaborate on the Qin family. But having returned to Hai City with Qin Qianrou twice, seeing her family, the suburban villa where they had dinner, and the connections she had utilized for the patent donation, all indicated that Qin Qianrou was indeed a force to be reckoned with in Hai City.

It was conceivable that to wield such influence in a city like Hai City, the Qin family couldn’t be ordinary.

“She’s a very determined and independent person, once she sets her mind on something, no one can dissuade her. Her decision to study journalism was already surprising, and then, after graduating, she actually wanted to work as a frontline reporter at the television station. She even volunteered for field assignments during her internship, which shocked us all.”

Shen Yiqiu listened intently, surprised that Jiejie had been so driven even back then.

Yuan Qi glanced at Shen Yiqiu’s admiring gaze and chuckled. “Don’t get too starstruck just yet, there’s more.”

“The Qin family thought preventing her from inheriting the family business was already a compromise, who knew she would actually become a frontline reporter, covering dangerous and challenging stories. During that time, the Qin family tried everything to persuade her, even interfering with her work, but instead of changing her mind, it only strengthened her resolve to stay in Meng City.”

So that’s why, no wonder Jiejie, with all the resources available to her in Hai City, chose to struggle in Meng City instead.

“Later, perhaps realizing her determination, the Qin family, who weren’t unreasonable, gradually accepted her choice. Qianrou also promised her family she wouldn’t put herself in danger, and if things became too difficult, she would return home. Thankfully, she has Li Wan in Meng City, so it’s not too bad.”

Shen Yiqiu admired Qin Qianrou from the bottom of her heart. She thought of Jiejie, exhausted after long hours of overtime, of how she always said her work wasn’t anything special, yet she still worked tirelessly, racing against time to bring the truth to the public.

She had said everyone had the right to know the truth because this society belonged to everyone. If the public was kept in the dark and deprived of their rights, it was a failure of society, a dereliction of duty by the media.

Yuan Qi paused here, seemingly oblivious to Shen Yiqiu’s eager anticipation. He poured himself half a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp. The wine was mild, but drinking it like that still burned his throat slightly.

He collected his thoughts and steered the conversation towards relationships. “Qianrou was known for being cold and distant, her only focus on her career. Apart from news stories, nothing seemed to catch her attention. Naturally, she never took any of her suitors seriously.”

Yuan Qi’s smile widened, as if recalling something amusing. Thinking back, their interactions hadn’t been entirely unpleasant, they had shared some happy times together, hanging out as a group, it had been fun.

Shen Yiqiu, seeing her cousin’s smile, felt a pang of discomfort, but she suppressed it.

“And then? What happened later…?” Did she like anyone?

Shen Yiqiu knew it was all in the past, even if she knew the answer, it wouldn’t affect her current feelings. But the words caught in her throat, the jealousy overwhelming her.

She couldn’t ask, the feeling unbearable.

“Later? She remained as indifferent as always. Single, of course, what’s an ‘Ice Queen’ without being single? If she wasn’t single, could she be called an ‘Ice Queen’?”

“Ah? Still single? But wasn’t she…?” Shen Yiqiu was a little slow to process this unexpected turn.

“I’m telling you all this because I want you to understand that all these years, all her admirers, men and women, she hasn’t been interested in any of them. And the Qin family might accept her being a reporter, but they won’t tolerate an unconventional relationship, understand?”

Finally reaching the most painful part of his story, the smile on Yuan Qi’s face disappeared, replaced by a deep sadness, past memories, no matter how beautiful, overshadowed by the pain of separation and rejection.

He had given his whole heart, only to receive a simple notification. He had been told that her family disapproved, that their clan couldn’t accept such a relationship, so they had to separate, at least for now.

He had been repeatedly reassured that it was only temporary, that he should wait. But Yuan Qi knew he was the one being abandoned.

Shen Yiqiu, thinking of the always smiling Aunt Wen, and Wen Shao Ze, who had initially annoyed her but whom she later found to be quite handsome and gentlemanly, couldn’t imagine how forceful Jiejie’s family could be.

The only one she thought might exert pressure was Qin Qianrou’s uncle. She recalled that dinner, he hadn’t spoken much, but every time he did, it was always about marriage and children, urging not only Wen Shao Ze but also Jiejie.

In comparison, her own cousin seemed much more agreeable.

Shen Yiqiu took the wine glass from Yuan Qi’s hand and poured him a cup of hot tea. He had already downed three glasses in a row; if this continued, he would definitely be drunk.

“I don’t think she’ll stay in Meng City much longer, she’ll eventually return to Hai City. This time, it won’t just be a simple job transfer, the Qin family will definitely arrange blind dates for her. She’s their precious daughter, they’ll want someone from a similar background.”

Yuan Qi looked at Shen Yiqiu meaningfully after saying this.

Xiao Qiu was a good child, it was just a shame she was a girl, and now orphaned. Even with him, her cousin, in front of the Qin family, he was nothing. When it came to suitable matches, Xiao Qiu wouldn’t even be considered.

Shen Yiqiu silently sipped her tea, not speaking, but she didn’t cry either.

Yuan Qi was startled by her unusual calmness, worried he had been too harsh.

“Cousin, I understand everything you’ve said. I knew from the beginning that Jiejie wasn’t an ordinary person, I just didn’t expect her to be so… extraordinary.”

Yuan Qi looked at her with concern. “Xiao Qiu, are you alright?”

At a time like this, you can still smile?

“I like her, simply because it’s her. External factors might impose many restrictions, but my heart won’t change.”

Stubborn, so incredibly stubborn, just like her father, who had dedicated his life to scientific research.

When Shen Zhifeng’s research had first yielded results, businessmen had come knocking, offering to buy his patents at a high price, much higher than the market value for similar research. At the time, it had only been preliminary results, and no one could predict the future potential, so having buyers was a good thing.

But Shen Zhifeng had refused without hesitation, smiling gently, yet his tone firm and unwavering.

Sending off wave after wave of businessmen, he had always said, “This isn’t why I do research.”

His original intention, his initial aspiration.

Time and tide wait for no man, and after the vicissitudes of life, how many people could truly hold onto their original aspirations?

Yuan Qi looked at her with heartache, not knowing what to say. He had said everything he could, even what he shouldn’t have. If Xiao Qiu still insisted, all he could do was silently support her.

He would provide a warm home for her, a safe haven if she ever got hurt. She wouldn’t have to wander the world like he had, seeking solace.

“Alright, since you’re so stubborn, I have nothing more to say. If she ever hurts you, remember you can always come cry to your cousin.” Yuan Qi patted his chest reassuringly.

Shen Yiqiu felt a surge of warmth. Her cousin was probably the first person to truly support her choice, even if he didn’t approve, at least he wasn’t obstructing her.

“Cousin, what… what kind of relationship did you and Jiejie have?”

Finally, she had the courage to ask this question.

Her heart raced, she almost forgot to breathe, every nuance of Yuan Qi’s expression observed intently, eagerly waiting, yet also afraid of the answer.

“Our relationship… it’s complicated. Difficult to explain, if she ever sees me, she’ll probably be angry.”

Yuan Qi stroked his mustache, his gaze deepening, as if recalling a distant past.

Shen Yiqiu looked down, saying nothing more.

“It’s getting late, let me take you home.”

Yuan Qi accompanied Shen Yiqiu as she hailed a taxi. Knowing Qin Qianrou wasn’t home, he boldly asked the driver to take them directly to her building. However, feeling slightly tipsy, he didn’t bother getting out of the car.

He rolled down the window, watching as Shen Yiqiu swiped her card to enter the building, and offered a few more reminders before telling the driver to leave.

In the quiet night, his low voice was clearly audible. Shen Yiqiu had to shush him, afraid the neighbors might complain about a drunk man causing a disturbance.

Stepping out of the elevator, Shen Yiqiu felt exhausted, truly drained.

There seemed to be someone outside her door, and Shen Yiqiu stopped cautiously. Before she could get a closer look, the strong, familiar scent of perfume revealed the visitor’s identity.

 

Chapter 58 p2

**

Arriving in Hai City, Qin Qianrou took a taxi directly to the hotel designated by the training program organizers. Although it was a unified program, the participants were key personnel from various stations, their schedules couldn’t be completely synchronized. So, people were constantly arriving and departing, then returning again.

Whether it was thanks to the television station or Wen Yirong’s intervention, Qin Qianrou had been given a single room, which was quite peaceful.

A week passed quickly, and the training program officially began, each day almost as demanding as a regular workday. Wen Shao Ze had taken her out for dinner once, but Qin Qianrou, not wanting to go out, had simply dined with him at the hotel restaurant for an hour.

Some people had seen them, but they hadn’t dared to approach. After all, Reporter Qin’s reputation, and her aloofness, were well-known.

Qin Qianrou quickly adapted to life in Hai City; this environment was more suitable for her, but she still had no intention of returning permanently. Wen Shao Ze’s words had carried a hint of probing, and she immediately knew her mother must have sent him to test the waters.

Thankfully, Wen Shao Ze needed her help and wasn’t completely on his mother’s side, so the probing was just a formality. However, he looked much better than he had on his last visit.

“You look well, good news recently?”

“Qianrou, I’ve found out about him.”

“Really?” Qin Qianrou had also been making inquiries in Meng City, but to no avail. Wen Shao Ze, all the way in Hai City, had actually made progress.

“I heard he’s back in the country, and he’s in Meng City.”

“Are you sure?” Qin Qianrou looked at him with a hint of skepticism, wondering if her network of contacts was failing her.

“I contacted everyone he had ever been associated with, anyone with even the slightest connection. Many people thought I was crazy, but thankfully, I didn’t give up.” Shao Ze chuckled self-deprecatingly, but the tenderness in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.

“Then when are you going to Meng City? Do you need me to ask Xiao Wan to receive you?”

“No, I’m not in a hurry. I need to prepare myself this time, I can’t just rush in blindly driven by passion.”

Qin Qianrou was truly surprised by Wen Shao Ze’s newfound composure.

“What, you don’t believe me? I’ve thought about it, this time, I have to seize my happiness, I want to give him a stable future.”

A stable future, Qin Qianrou’s thoughts wandered, touched by his words.

Perhaps only when you could truly offer a future and a promise could you pursue a relationship.

She sighed softly. After Wen Shao Ze left, she sat alone for a while, then called for a cup of coffee, savoring it slowly. She had been busy in Hai City for so long, she wondered how that child was doing.

Xiao Wan had said Shen Yiqiu was doing fine, and Shen Yiqiu would message her every morning and evening, just two or three messages a day, as if afraid of worrying her, or perhaps afraid of disturbing her work.

Sometimes, Qin Qianrou was genuinely busy, sometimes she wanted to say something to Shen Yiqiu, but she was afraid of being misunderstood, so she remained silent. She admitted that coming to Hai City was a form of avoidance, but she couldn’t deny that she hadn’t been able to fully detach herself from Meng City.

**

Yuan Qi bought an apartment, following Shen Yiqiu’s advice, choosing a moderately sized one within his budget. Having a place of his own was the first step towards settling down in Meng City. He also knew about Qin Qianrou’s training program and had been trying to spend time with Shen Yiqiu lately.

“Cousin, what are you buying today?” They had gone furniture shopping two days ago, and now, just as she left the university, Yuan Qi was there again, smiling at her.

Although her cousin was a bit clingy, constantly seeking her out, he was her only family in Meng City, and they should spend more time together.

“We’re going appliance shopping today.”

Shen Yiqiu immediately recognized it as an excuse; nowadays, people simply ordered appliances online and scheduled installations.

“And after appliance shopping, we’ll have a nice dinner.”

Since his stomachache, Yuan Qi had become more restrained, but he still couldn’t resist the allure of good food.

“Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? Eating again?”

Yuan Qi didn’t seem to mind, his slender and fit physique hidden beneath his long trench coat, belying his surprisingly large appetite.

“With you watching over me, I definitely won’t overindulge.”

Shen Yiqiu was highly doubtful, but she still accompanied him.

As expected, Yuan Qi didn’t order too much for dinner, the portions seeming normal, and Shen Yiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After a few drinks, Yuan Qi became more talkative.

“Xiao Qiu, how do you think your cousin treats you?”

“Very well.”

“Then do you think I’m someone you can trust?”

“Yes.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t understand why her cousin was suddenly asking these questions, but seeing his serious expression, she also became serious.

“Then… shouldn’t you be hiding secrets from me?”

Hmm? What secrets?

Could it be my special intuition, or my rebirth?

Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to reveal either of those; it would only cause trouble. She didn’t want to be taken to some high-end research facility and become a lab rat, a thought that had intensified after learning more about the institution that had accepted her patent donation.

Seeing her sudden guardedness, Yuan Qi smiled wryly.

“Actually, I shouldn’t be asking such questions, you’re a girl, you’re all grown up now, it’s not appropriate for me to pry.” He looked down at his wine glass, seemingly troubled.

“But you only have me, an elder, now. If I don’t look out for you, who will?”

Shen Yiqiu was increasingly puzzled, was her cousin drunk?

Yuan Qi suddenly looked up at her. “Xiao Qiu, do you have someone you like?”

Ah? Such a sudden change of topic, Shen Yiqiu was caught off guard, the question striking a chord within her.

She put down her chopsticks and remained silent.

Yuan Qi seemed a little nervous as well, not saying anything more after asking.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Qi said, a hint of sadness in his voice, “You don’t have to hide it from me, liking someone isn’t a bad thing. I’m just worried you might like someone you shouldn’t and end up getting hurt.”

He was looking at Shen Yiqiu as he said this, but she could clearly see something more in his eyes, a distant, unreadable gaze that seemed to be looking beyond her.

“Cousin, how did you know?” Shen Yiqiu didn’t deny it, the secret she had been holding onto had already taken root and blossomed in her heart, threatening to overflow.

When you truly like someone, it’s impossible to completely conceal it. Even if you carefully suppress your feelings in their presence, you can’t maintain that indifference at all other times.

If you could, would it even be considered liking someone?

Yuan Qi’s expression turned serious, and he said carefully, “You might not have even realized it yourself, how many times you’ve mentioned her recently. And every time you talk about her, your eyes light up, and you can’t help but smile.”

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, thinking, Was I really that obvious?

Yuan Qi chuckled and nodded. “I should bring a mirror next time, so you’ll know I’m not lying.”

Oh my god, was she really that obvious?

The more Shen Yiqiu thought about it, the more embarrassed she felt, her ears burning. Thankfully, they were having Korean BBQ, so she could blame it on the heat from the grill.

“I never would have thought you would like her.”

Shen Yiqiu took a sip of her drink to calm herself down, then almost choked on Yuan Qi’s words. It seemed he had already discovered her secret, and she looked at him, conflicted.

“Society is much more open and tolerant now, liking men or women is all within the realm of possibility. However, liking her… is probably a path with no happy ending.”

“Cousin…”

Before she could even speak, tears welled up in her eyes.

Was liking Qin Qianrou truly an impossible dream?

“I’m not a conservative or stubborn person, feelings are difficult to control, I understand. But have you considered her family background, her personality, and her… preferred type?”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart sank. Liking someone, did it really require so much consideration?

“I don’t doubt your feelings, and I believe your affection is genuine, because I’ve also truly loved someone before.” Yuan Qi sighed softly, like a seasoned veteran offering advice, afraid Shen Yiqiu would follow in his footsteps, carrying the burden of heartache for years to come.

“Cousin, everything you just said, are those all from your own experience?”

Shen Yiqiu seemed to have realized something, her eyes reddening, but she still managed to ask.

Yuan Qi’s heart ached seeing her like this, and he nodded. “Yes, I’ve known her for many years, I understand her better than you do.”

The Qin family was complex, Qin Qianrou was cold and distant, difficult to win over, and more importantly, Qin Qianrou was straight.

Turning a straight woman wasn’t an easy task. Yuan Qi couldn’t imagine his sweet and gentle Xiao Qiu succeeding; it would be too difficult, too painful.

Chapter 58 p1

When Shen Yiqiu returned to the dining room after her phone call, she found it unusually quiet. Even the usually lively Li Wan was quietly eating, let alone the other two, who rarely spoke at the dinner table.

Shen Yiqiu glanced at Qin Qianrou, who didn’t react much, simply telling her to sit down when she returned, then falling silent again. Li Wan, however, although not speaking, kept glancing at her, her gaze a little strange.

“Sister Li Wan, why are you looking at me like that?” She couldn’t help but ask, having been scrutinized several times since returning.

“Ahem, who were you talking to on the phone just now? Such a long conversation.” Li Wan wiped her mouth and put down her chopsticks.

“It wasn’t that long.” Shen Yiqiu felt a little guilty, and also nervous.

Her cousin had called to tell her that he had almost finalized the apartment purchase and would be moving out of the hotel soon. Shen Yiqiu hadn’t wanted to dampen his excitement, so she had listened patiently as he expressed his joy and anticipation. But today was Qin Qianrou’s farewell dinner, and she didn’t want to waste any time.

So, after Yuan Qi finished his excited rambling, Shen Yiqiu had excused herself, saying she would contact him again in a few days. After Jiejie left for Hai City, she would have plenty of time, the thought making her feel sad.

“Who was it?”

After asking, Li Wan casually glanced at Qin Qianrou. As expected, her pace of eating had slowed down.

Shen Yiqiu hesitated, unwilling to reveal the caller’s identity, simply saying it was someone they didn’t know.

“Just tell us, then we’ll know them too. We can all get together next time. We’re all girls, what are you so embarrassed about?”

Shen Yiqiu instinctively replied, “It was a man.”

Li Wan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Qin Qianrou again. This time, she frowned.

Rong Fei finally also glanced at Shen Yiqiu, but there didn’t seem to be any hidden meaning, just a simple acknowledgment of her words.

Shen Yiqiu quickly explained, “Don’t misunderstand, he’s not a classmate, he’s not from the university, and we don’t interact much.”

She wasn’t sure who she was explaining this to. She couldn’t reveal her cousin’s identity, but she also didn’t want them to misunderstand her close relationship with a man.

She hadn’t thought much of it before, until her encounter with Zhang Meng a few days ago. The senior had subtly inquired about her current situation, then, hearing that Qin Qianrou was picking her up, had praised Reporter Qin for being so responsible.

Shen Yiqiu had found it strange and, after further questioning, learned there were already several versions of the rumor circulating. Had Jiejie heard them too?

OMG, why hadn’t Jiejie asked her about it? Such gossip was truly unfair, and Shen Yiqiu wondered helplessly if she really seemed like someone who swung both ways.

Li Wan gave a strained smile, seemingly accepting Shen Yiqiu’s explanation, and patted her shoulder lightly. “Kid, don’t worry, making new friends isn’t a bad thing.”

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze kept drifting towards Qin Qianrou, practically glued to her, but Qin Qianrou didn’t look back.

Li Wan’s smile faded slightly. At such close proximity, she could clearly see even the subtlest changes in their expressions.

She discreetly moved her chair closer to Shen Yiqiu, as if about to share a secret.

Beckoning, she signaled for Shen Yiqiu to lean closer. “Listen, if you have something to say to Qianrou, be more direct, understand?”

Huh? What does that mean?

Shen Yiqiu stared at Li Wan, wide-eyed, and Li Wan winked at her.

“This is all I can do, the rest is up to you to figure out.”

With that, the three mature women returned to the farewell dinner atmosphere as if nothing had happened, leaving Shen Yiqiu utterly bewildered.

After dinner, Shen Yiqiu took charge of cleaning up, while Rong Fei and Li Wan went to Qin Qianrou’s room.

“Everything packed?” Li Wan looked around; the room looked the same as always.

“Yes, I don’t have much to bring.”

“True, if you’re willing to return, there’s nothing you’ll lack in Hai City.” Li Wan suddenly noticed a change in the arrangement of one of the bookshelves in the corner.

Looking closer, she saw a bouquet of roses.

“Who’s this thoughtful admirer?” She smiled and pointed, attracting Rong Fei’s attention as well.

Qin Qianrou was tidying up her desk, her long hair falling forward, obscuring her face. She didn’t look up, but she knew what Li Wan was referring to.

“A friend.”

Li Wan’s voice was laced with meaning. “Which friend? This is the first time I’ve seen you bring home a gift and keep it so carefully.”

Rong Fei, unlike Li Wan, wasn’t so direct, but she also couldn’t help but glance at the flowers a few more times. The arrangement wasn’t particularly exquisite, but their placement on the bookshelf clearly showed Qin Qianrou treasured them.

Qin Qianrou placed the last stack of documents in her drawer and turned to look at Li Wan.

“I understand, a special friend.” Li Wan raised her hands in mock surrender.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t deliberately trying to hide anything, she just didn’t know how to explain. And she was afraid that revealing they were from Shen Yiqiu would only complicate matters, so it was better to leave it at that. Anyway, she was leaving for Hai City tomorrow.

Yes, leaving tomorrow.

Qin Qianrou instinctively glanced towards the door, although she couldn’t see the living room or the kitchen from here, Shen Yiqiu’s footsteps were clearly audible.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Wan and I will take care of her while you’re away. If she needs anything, we’ll do our best to help.” Rong Fei’s soft words of comfort were meant to reassure Qin Qianrou.

On Sunday afternoon, Li Wan specifically took a taxi over and drove Qin Qianrou to the airport in Qin Qianrou’s car. Naturally, the four of them from last night’s dinner were in the car.

“Remember to message us when you arrive in Hai City, and don’t just focus on work, take care of yourself.” Li Wan chattered non-stop throughout the journey, repeatedly reminding her of various things.

Qin Qianrou, sitting beside her, patiently agreed at first, then closed her eyes, trying to ignore her, and finally, she had to interrupt her.

“Xiao Wan, I’m just going for training, not to some remote village or the moon.”

“You don’t understand, this is called concern, this is called caring!”

Li Wan specifically looked at the back seat through the rearview mirror. “Shen Yiqiu, am I right?”

“I guess.”

“See, even your little one agrees.”

Li Wan’s words were casual, but both Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu felt a strange awkwardness. Their eyes met in the rearview mirror, then they quickly looked away.

Rong Fei had been quiet throughout the journey, but she clearly wasn’t zoning out, she seemed to be in “work mode,” subtly observing something.

After checking in, Li Wan held onto Qin Qianrou’s hand, reluctant to let her go.

“No, I need another hug.”

Qin Qianrou accepted her fifth hug of the day. The usually cheerful Li Wan was now sentimental.

Rong Fei stepped forward, hugged Qin Qianrou, and whispered in her ear, “Take care of yourself.” Then, she hesitated, then added, “We’ll look after Shen Yiqiu.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t know why Rong Fei assumed that this child was her biggest concern in Meng City, but she still thanked her gratefully.

Shen Yiqiu had been watching quietly, not saying much, but always staying within five steps of Qin Qianrou, as if an invisible string connected them.

Li Wan nudged her. “What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and give your Sister Qin a hug, say goodbye properly!”

She emphasized the last two words.

Shen Yiqiu nervously wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. Qin Qianrou looked at her, a hint of a smile, a touch of gentleness, appearing in her eyes.

As if drawn by an invisible force, Shen Yiqiu stepped forward and embraced her tightly.

Leaving no space between them, pressing her heart against Qin Qianrou’s.

“Jiejie, you must take care of yourself, don’t make me… us worry.”

“I will, you take care of yourself too.”

Qin Qianrou seemed to have more to say, but Shen Yiqiu waited for a moment, and nothing came.

She held on tightly and said, “If you have any time off, come back, I’ll cook for you.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled softly. “You think I’m that obsessed with food?”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t respond, but she rested her head on Qin Qianrou’s shoulder, wanting to memorize this last moment of contact.

“I’ll come back when I have time.”

Qin Qianrou’s simple words made Shen Yiqiu’s heart flutter, and she looked up at her, smiling, as if having received the most beautiful promise.

Jiejie was leaving, but she promised to return.

The parting didn’t seem so unbearable anymore, after all, she was already anticipating her return.

Seeing the sparkle in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, Qin Qianrou’s heart trembled slightly. She was almost drawn in by those bright eyes, forcing herself to look away, using the last of her composure.

“It’s almost time, I have to go.”

Qin Qianrou gently caressed Shen Yiqiu’s cheek, her touch light and fleeting, almost like an illusion. But the warmth and the faint fragrance lingering on her skin were something Shen Yiqiu couldn’t forget.

“And, don’t stay out overnight while I’m away.”

Shen Yiqiu didn’t understand why Jiejie would suddenly mention this, but she obediently agreed.

“And if you go out with anyone, don’t come home too late.” Qin Qianrou seemed to be choosing her words carefully, speaking slowly.

“I’ll come home early.”

“Take care of yourself.” There was a depth in Qin Qianrou’s eyes that Shen Yiqiu couldn’t decipher, especially the emphasis on “take care,” which puzzled her.

After Qin Qianrou left, Shen Yiqiu got into her car, her mood even lower.

Rong Fei didn’t sit in the front passenger seat but sat beside her, just like on their way here. Li Wan would be driving Qin Qianrou’s car back and keeping it for her during her absence.

“Shen Yiqiu, sign up for driving lessons during winter break.”

“I don’t plan on buying a car anytime soon.”

Li Wan looked at her meaningfully. “You won’t always be driving your own car once you get your license.”

Shen Yiqiu wasn’t usually slow-witted, but she was currently immersed in the sadness of Qin Qianrou’s departure, not really paying attention to anything.

She finally understood the implication of Li Wan’s words, her heart leaping with joy, but afraid of being seen through, she suppressed her smile.

“Learn quickly, so you can help me out. If Qianrou needs to go somewhere in the future, you can be her driver.”

“Will Jiejie be traveling often in the future?” Shen Yiqiu sensed something else in Li Wan’s words and couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

“Not really, we’ve mainly been working on programs at the station these past few years, fewer field assignments. During the first two years after graduating, I barely had any time to be at home.”

Such a demanding work schedule was something both the Qin and Li families strongly opposed. Only after repeated persuasion and compromises had they reached a more balanced arrangement.

“But in the future… who knows?”

Li Wan recalled Lin Shuangzhi’s recent comments, and Qin Qianrou’s subtle disapproval of the station’s blatant favoritism towards Dongsheng, this peaceful period might not last much longer.

Li Wan answered a few phone calls in the car, regarding tomorrow’s meeting, it seemed she would have to work overtime tonight.

Rong Fei then suggested having dinner with Shen Yiqiu, and to Li Wan’s surprise, they got out of the car in the city center.

“I’ll treat you next time, go back and get your work done.” Rong Fei smiled and waved at the driver.

“Being your own boss is truly the best. I’ll remember this meal. Don’t forget to send the little one home early, I don’t want Qianrou getting angry and checking up on us.” Li Wan chuckled after saying this.

Rong Fei smiled knowingly, straightened up, and led Shen Yiqiu towards the mall.

**

 

Chapter 57 p2

Qin Qianrou glanced at the time, it was only 1:30 pm.

“It’s still early, no need to rush.”

Shen Yiqiu paused. She wanted to spend more time with Jiejie, but she was also afraid of crying. These past few days, her heart had been in turmoil, yearning to be close, yet afraid to approach, wanting to distance herself, yet unable to bear it.

Thankfully, Jiejie hadn’t pushed her away further, they could still talk like this, as usual.

“Then, I’ll make you some honey water.”

Looking at Shen Yiqiu’s slender back, as long as she was home, she always seemed to be busy, constantly finding ways to ensure Qin Qianrou ate and drank well. But what about herself?

Qin Qianrou sighed softly. She had been carefully replaying every detail of her interactions with Shen Yiqiu since they met, surprised by how many memories they had already created together. And these memories, to her, were mostly filled with warmth and gratitude.

Shen Yiqiu, to her, was like a ray of sunshine in winter.

Unfortunately, the chasm between them was too wide, too deep, she had no intention of crossing it, and she certainly didn’t want Shen Yiqiu, having finally found a new beginning, to suffer because of her. She hoped that these three months of distance and time would reset everything.

Li Wan and Rong Fei brought a lot of pre-prepared ingredients, which greatly eased Shen Yiqiu’s burden. After all, among the four of them, only Rong Fei and Shen Yiqiu were truly skilled in the kitchen.

Li Wan chatted with Qin Qianrou in the living room, while two busy figures could be seen through the glass kitchen door.

“Shen Yiqiu is truly capable, good at studying and good at cooking, girls like that are highly sought after these days.” Li Wan popped a macaron into her mouth as she spoke.

She had specifically bought desserts from the shop near the television station, knowing Shen Yiqiu liked them.

“Aren’t you on a diet?” Qin Qianrou reminded her, though it was pointless with Li Wan.

She feigned sadness. “I’m using sweets to cope with the sorrow of parting.”

Qin Qianrou shook her head helplessly, it was just a three-month business trip, not a three-year mission to some remote and unreachable location, was it really necessary to be so dramatic?

Li Wan, having finished a macaron, wiped her hands and took a sip of rose tea. She glanced towards the kitchen, then leaned closer to Qin Qianrou’s ear.

“Xiao Qiu doesn’t seem to have any reaction to your upcoming business trip?”

Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased that she was still calling Shen Yiqiu “Xiao Qiu” (little Qiu, often used for children).

Li Wan, however, ignored this. She was truly curious; why was Shen Yiqiu acting so normal today, as if not at all affected by Qin Qianrou’s impending departure?

Was she the only one feeling sad and reluctant?

“She’s not as childish as you, making a fuss about a business trip, as if I’m going to outer space.”

Qin Qianrou shifted slightly, trying to remove the weight leaning on her shoulder.

Li Wan straightened up, resting her arm casually on the back of the sofa, and said, slightly disgruntled, “That’s because I care about you.”

Qin Qianrou naturally understood their bond, but Li Wan’s enthusiastic and unrestrained personality was truly… overwhelming. Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but think of Team Leader Lin, wondering how long it would take for this fire to ignite within her.

The thought made her chuckle softly.

Li Wan nudged her, slightly uncomfortable. “What are you thinking about?”

“Wondering if your relationship status will change when I return in three months.”

Li Wan blushed slightly and insisted, “Just three months, how much can change? You should be the one worried, be careful of those eligible bachelors in Hai City, the rumors at the station might actually come true.”

Someone had previously mistaken Wen Shao Ze for one of Qin Qianrou’s suitors, and the rumor had spread quickly. But the Qin family’s status and influence in Hai City, and Qin Qianrou’s own charm, were undeniable. Who wouldn’t want to win the heart of such a beauty?

Qin Qianrou, usually indifferent to such matters, frowned slightly.

Li Wan, seeing this, was taken aback.

Qin Qianrou instinctively glanced towards the kitchen, then looked away and casually said, “I never allow such troublesome things to happen.”

Li Wan chuckled and patted the back of her hand. “Good luck with that.”

The larger the family, the more difficult it was to escape such pressures. Qin Qianrou’s reluctance to return to Hai City all these years, besides the past incident, was undoubtedly partly due to this.

But in all these years in Meng City, she hadn’t had a single relationship, as if indifferent to everyone. Having reached this age, her elders would naturally be anxious. Li Wan rejected Zhuo Cheng, rejected blind dates, but at least she had Lin Shuangzhi in her heart.

But Qin Qianrou seemed different, she didn’t seem to care about her relationship status at all.

As if she had never considered liking someone.

Li Wan leaned closer again, her voice even lower, “Qianrou, tell me honestly, are you… frigid?”

Qin Qianrou immediately pushed her friend away, watching as Li Wan burst into laughter on the sofa.

“I’m perfectly normal.”

Seeing that Li Wan, still chuckling, was about to continue her questioning, Qin Qianrou quickly added, “I just haven’t met the right person yet.”

There was a hint of sadness in her voice; perhaps she had met someone, but it wasn’t the right person.

The kitchen door opened, and dishes of delicious food were brought to the table. Li Wan pulled Qin Qianrou towards the dining room, exclaiming that they were in for a treat tonight.

Looking at the beautifully presented and fragrant dishes, Li Wan couldn’t help but praise, “Xiao Qiu, your cooking has improved tremendously, Qianrou, you should just send her over to my place while you’re away.”

She had mentioned this before, and Shen Yiqiu had refused. Qin Qianrou had relayed her message, and Li Wan hadn’t taken it seriously. But now, she genuinely wanted to invite Shen Yiqiu to stay with her, who wouldn’t want to come home to such delicious food every day?

“No, I promised Jiejie I would stay here.” Shen Yiqiu refused without hesitation, afraid this might be a new decision they had just discussed.

She anxiously searched Qin Qianrou’s eyes, only relaxing when she saw her usual calm demeanor.

Jiejie didn’t intend to send her away, which was good. Even if Qin Qianrou wasn’t home, she could still wait for her here.

Li Wan sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere, her gaze moving back and forth between Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu, her previous suspicions resurfacing.

Rong Fei finished setting the table, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents, her attention solely on the food. “Come and sit down, the food will get cold.”

They would usually have wine to celebrate, but considering Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou’s upcoming travels, they used juice instead. They toasted each other, everyone in good spirits, then started eating.

Li Wan naturally praised Shen Yiqiu’s cooking profusely, repeatedly offering to trade desserts for the savory dishes, but Shen Yiqiu refused.

“Shen Yiqiu, you’re being biased. I’m also your Jiejie Li, why don’t you ever cook for me?”

“That’s because…” You’re not Sister Qin.

But she couldn’t say that, it would only make things awkward.

Shen Yiqiu said, slightly embarrassed, “I’m usually busy with my studies, I don’t have much time to cook. If you really want to eat my cooking, just let me know in advance, and you can come over.”

I’m definitely not going to your place, this is my territory, I have to defend it.

Li Wan paused, then suddenly burst out laughing, glancing at Qin Qianrou while covering her mouth.

As expected, the usually calm and composed Qin Qianrou’s expression had darkened considerably.

Shen Yiqiu, puzzled, looked at the laughing Li Wan, even more confused.

Was she happy, or unhappy?

It was a headache. Jiejie Qin was so much better, her emotions always so stable and calm.

Shen Yiqiu’s phone suddenly rang in her room, and she excused herself to answer it.

They vaguely heard someone inviting her out, but she declined, saying she was busy these next few days and would have to reschedule. Li Wan glanced at Qin Qianrou, who didn’t seem to react, and wondered inwardly,

Qianrou is acting strange, although she’s usually calm, isn’t she being a bit too indifferent today? As if she’s deliberately suppressing something.

Years of friendship made Li Wan even more suspicious. The longer Shen Yiqiu’s phone call lasted, the colder Qin Qianrou seemed to become, and Li Wan couldn’t help but ponder this.

The situation seemed to be aligning with her suspicions, yet it seemed so unbelievable. She had previously blamed her overactive imagination on reading too many web novels. And Qin Qianrou’s aversion to relationships had fueled her speculations, she had mostly found it amusing.

But if her suspicions were true, it wouldn’t be amusing at all.

Li Wan kicked Rong Fei under the table, but she remained unfazed, as if not having received her signal.

Li Wan bit her lip, contemplating the possibilities, then she heard Qin Qianrou’s cold voice, “Eat.”

Chapter 57 p1

The training program in Hai City had been announced at the beginning of the year. Although the exact dates were undetermined, those who were interested had long since started preparing. Qin Qianrou wasn’t the only participant from the station, but she was definitely the last to apply.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of work, the day of Qin Qianrou’s departure for Hai City finally arrived. Lin Shuangzhi called her to her office. She had seen colleagues leave for three-month assignments before, but this was Qin Qianrou, a first.

“Qianrou, have you completed the handover?” Unusually, Lin Shuangzhi’s desk was clean and organized, no documents in sight, and she had even prepared two cups of tea.

Qin Qianrou walked over, knowing this conversation wouldn’t be a brief and perfunctory one, and calmly sat down.

“Everything’s done, just waiting for Xiao Wan to return from her meeting to sign off on it.”

Lin Shuangzhi never doubted Qin Qianrou’s work ethic; a simple inquiry as team leader was all that was required. She had called Qin Qianrou in today because she had several things she wanted to discuss, partly due to instructions from the station directors, partly her own thoughts.

Seeing Lin Shuangzhi hesitantly tracing the rim of her teacup, remaining silent, Qin Qianrou didn’t know what she was thinking, but she calmly waited. Having completed the work handover, she was actually quite free today; once this conversation was over and the documents signed, she could go home.

“Qianrou, three months in Hai City isn’t long, but it’s not short either. Although you said you wanted to improve your skills and network with your peers when you applied, I know those aren’t the real reasons you’re going.”

Qin Qianrou lowered her eyes, neither confirming nor denying it.

“Actually, the station originally intended to send me, but I have too much work on my hands. You taking my place was a relief, but your willingness to go was truly unexpected.” When Qin Qianrou had applied, Lin Shuangzhi had mostly praised the training program and encouraged her participation; today’s words, however, were more heartfelt.

“I’ve heard the feedback on this program is good, previous participants have all said it was beneficial. Since I have the time, I thought I’d experience it myself.”

Reporter Qin was always incredibly busy, her time dedicated to major projects, and Lin Shuangzhi didn’t question the truthfulness of her words.

Although, in her eyes, it was clearly an excuse.

But then again, how many people used various excuses to do what they truly wanted?

“Then I look forward to hearing about your experiences when you return.”

“I will.” Qin Qianrou’s reply was immediate, without hesitation.

It was as if she had never considered using this training opportunity to seek a permanent position in Hai City. So, after the training, she would still return.

Lin Shuangzhi felt the station directors’ concerns had been addressed, there was no need for further probing. With Qin Qianrou’s intelligence, she should understand the implications of these questions.

She cleared her throat and said, her tone more direct this time, “Then I have a small personal request, I hope you don’t mind.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression remained calm, and she smiled faintly. “Team Leader, when have I ever refused your requests?”

Indeed, after so many years of working together, although not particularly close, they had a mutual respect and understanding, never making things difficult for each other.

“Don’t forget your friends in Meng City after you go to Hai City, keep in touch.”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected the usually work-focused team leader to say this.

Lin Shuangzhi chuckled softly, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice. “Does that sound strange coming from me? Both you and I tend to forget about the world when we’re focused on work, but you’re going far away, and there are many people who care about you. So, no matter what, make time to respond to them.”

Qin Qianrou’s first thought was of Shen Yiqiu. The child hadn’t been in a good mood lately, but she hadn’t shown it openly, carefully concealing her emotions, which Qin Qianrou had noticed, but could only pretend not to.

But then she thought, Lin Shuangzhi hadn’t interacted with Shen Yiqiu, she couldn’t be referring to her. So, who could the team leader be referring to…?

Recalling Li Wan’s melancholic tone and dejected expression, and now the team leader’s unusual request, it seemed Li Wan wasn’t the only one with unrequited feelings.

Qin Qianrou’s lips curved slightly. “I will.”

Lin Shuangzhi smiled, satisfied. This should ease Li Wan’s worries and lift her spirits. Although she hadn’t said it directly, Lin Shuangzhi could sense the reason for her recent low spirits.

Both professionally and personally, she wanted Li Wan to be happy.

“Then I won’t keep you any longer. When Xiao Wan returns, you can finish the paperwork and leave early.” Lin Shuangzhi knew Qin Qianrou wouldn’t appreciate, or accept, a grand farewell ceremony.

“Thank you, Team Leader. Then I’ll be going.” Qin Qianrou reached the door, then paused, turning back to look at her. “You also shouldn’t just focus on work, don’t miss out on the beautiful scenery.”

Li Wan slipped back into the office and told Qin Qianrou that the meeting would continue until the afternoon, so she shouldn’t wait and waste her time. They had already planned a farewell gathering at her place this weekend.

The training program in Hai City would officially begin next Monday, so Qin Qianrou had booked a flight for Sunday afternoon.

**

The car was parked outside Meng Da again. Shen Yiqiu had asked her this morning if she was coming, and Qin Qianrou, as usual, had said yes.

Only after Shen Yiqiu got into the car did Qin Qianrou understand the reason for her earlier question. Seeing the flowers suddenly appearing before her, Qin Qianrou was taken aback.

Shen Yiqiu seemed perfectly calm, as if it was just a simple gesture, a pure expression of gratitude.

“Thank you for all your help, Jiejie, I hope this can express my gratitude.” She gently handed the flowers to Qin Qianrou, her voice soft.

There was no floral scent in the car, but Qin Qianrou’s nose tingled slightly. These weren’t from a florist or a flower market. Such flowers would be difficult to find elsewhere.

Shen Yiqiu, seeing her hesitation, didn’t withdraw her hand, her heart filled with anxiety.

“Jiejie, you won’t even accept these? They’re not worth much, you might even find them childish.” Shen Yiqiu’s voice dropped slightly towards the end.

Perhaps what she considered a good gift, in Jiejie’s eyes, was just something a child would like.

Just as she finished speaking, the gift she had been holding was taken from her hand.

“Thank you, I like them very much.” Qin Qianrou brought the flowers closer, inhaling their subtle fragrance, her actions natural and not overly dramatic, sending a wave of warmth through Shen Yiqiu’s heart.

She desperately wanted to hug Jiejie, to hold her close and tell her how reluctant she was for her to leave for Hai City, for three whole months.

Although Qin Qianrou had mentioned short breaks during the training program, the exact dates were uncertain. Shen Yiqiu thought, Even if you’re only gone for a day, I’ll miss you terribly.

The bouquet wasn’t large, but as Shen Yiqiu carried it out of the university, it still attracted attention, though not to the point of causing a commotion. Qin Qianrou’s aloofness had deterred many suitors over the years, but it couldn’t stop admirers from expressing their affection, so the television station often received flowers and gifts for Reporter Qin.

Without exception, she refused them all, having instructed the receptionist to return any gifts from strangers.

However, she liked the flowers Shen Yiqiu gave her very much.

“Thank you for your effort.” Qin Qianrou’s slender fingers gently traced the petals, her expression touched.

Shen Yiqiu blushed slightly. She hadn’t been very skilled at first, having practiced for two nights before managing to create something presentable.

Yes, she had hand-folded these flowers for Jiejie. Just like her love, they wouldn’t wither, they wouldn’t expire.

“If Jiejie likes them, I’ll…” Seeing Qin Qianrou’s genuine appreciation, Shen Yiqiu was overjoyed, thinking about making them for her often.

Qin Qianrou, however, interrupted her, “Such a gift is meaningful once, but don’t waste your time on this.”

Shen Yiqiu’s expression froze, the smile on her lips fading. The atmosphere instantly turned cold, as if the earlier warmth and joy had been an illusion.

Shen Yiqiu said, a hint of sadness in her voice, “Jiejie, I never consider anything I do for you a waste of time.” She slowly looked up, gathering her courage to meet Qin Qianrou’s gaze. It had been a while since she had properly looked at her from such close proximity. “Anything that makes you happy, I’m willing to do.”

Even if you don’t want me to like you, as long as you’re happy, I can stay where I am.

As Shen Yiqiu spoke, Qin Qianrou’s heart was in turmoil. She was afraid Shen Yiqiu would say something she couldn’t handle, she was afraid this child, filled with genuine affection, would lose control and confess her feelings.

However, Shen Yiqiu chose to restrain herself, her words, although filled with affection, spoken in such a casual and ordinary tone. If it weren’t for that kiss, for Qin Qianrou’s heightened sensitivity, this conversation wouldn’t have seemed so ambiguous.

Shen Yiqiu was more composed than she had thought, and a bitterness rose within Qin Qianrou.

“You staying in Meng City, focusing on your studies, taking care of yourself, that’s what makes me happiest.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her for a long time, then smiled.

“Okay, I will.”

Qin Qianrou carefully placed the flowers on the back seat. She didn’t reach over from the driver’s seat, but specifically got out of the car, opened the back door, and placed them gently on the seat. This warmed Shen Yiqiu’s heart, Jiejie cherishing her gift so much made her want to cry.

Li Wan and Rong Fei were coming over this weekend, and Shen Yiqiu had already bought a lot of groceries and stocked the fridge. Qin Qianrou wasn’t very good at these things, but she still helped with the preparations. Shen Yiqiu had been spending a lot of time in her room these past two days, and Qin Qianrou didn’t know what she was up to, but knowing she would be leaving soon, she suddenly felt a little reluctant.

Qin Qianrou didn’t have much luggage, but she still added things to her suitcase every day, small miscellaneous items; after all, three months was a long time. Wen Yirong had called several times, suggesting she stay at their home, but Qin Qianrou had declined, saying the training program had arranged accommodations for everyone.

Wen Shao Ze had also called twice, regarding Shen Yiqiu’s patent donation, saying the procedures were almost finalized, and Shen Yiqiu just needed to formally sign the documents soon. She relayed this to Shen Yiqiu, who simply responded with a quiet acknowledgment, not showing much excitement.

Qin Qianrou, feeling listless, casually packed her suitcase, then heard footsteps outside.

“Jiejie, bring these with you.” Shen Yiqiu entered, holding a small stack of boxes.

Only when she got closer did Qin Qianrou see they were medications.

“When you were sick last time, I checked the medicine cabinet and realized we didn’t have much, and many of them were expired.” Shen Yiqiu explained earnestly, as if afraid Qin Qianrou wouldn’t approve.

“It’s good that you don’t get sick often, and it’s not a big deal for medications to expire, but you’re going to be away on your own, it’s better to be prepared.” Shen Yiqiu hesitated, then added, “It’s hard to be sick with no one to take care of you.”

Having spent so much time in the hospital, she had seen too many people suffering from illnesses.

Qin Qianrou recalled Wen Yirong’s phone call. Her mother had said cheerfully that there was no need to worry when she was in Hai City, she had a home there, her family was there, she had everything she needed.

She took the boxes of medicine from Shen Yiqiu and neatly placed them in her suitcase. If it weren’t for Shen Yiqiu, she wouldn’t have brought any medication at all.

“Then I’ll go prepare.” Li Wan and Rong Fei had said they would arrive around 2 pm; they were having dinner together tonight to see Qin Qianrou off.

Chapter 56 p2

Shen Yiqiu’s feelings were complicated upon hearing it was Hai City, but she didn’t think too much about it.

“Hai City is nice, if you’re not too busy, you can visit some places, eat some good food.” Shen Yiqiu did miss the food in Hai City, after all, she had grown up eating it.

Qin Qianrou, however, didn’t look at her, simply saying, “I’ll be there for a while this time.”

“How long?” Shen Yiqiu thought that Jiejie probably wouldn’t be home for dinner for at least half a month.

Actually, even after recovering, Jiejie rarely came home for dinner, but they could still have meals together on weekends.

Qin Qianrou didn’t answer immediately, and the car fell silent, only their breaths audible.

“Three months.”

What? Three months?

Shen Yiqiu blinked, wondering if she had heard correctly.

Qin Qianrou’s next words confirmed it.

She explained, “It’s a national training program for outstanding professionals from local television stations, a rare opportunity for professional development and networking. I couldn’t go the past two years due to work, and I don’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Professional development, networking, these seemed like essential factors for career advancement, but Qin Qianrou had always been indifferent to such things. Her professional abilities were exceptional, and she had never lacked connections.

So, she had declined the previous opportunities, but this time, she wanted to go.

Shen Yiqiu remained silent, disappointed, unsure what to say, she probably needed some time to process this news.

She fidgeted with the seat cover, her fingers tracing patterns unconsciously, still speechless.

“You can move in with Xiao Wan while I’m away, so you’ll have someone to look after you.” Qin Qianrou seemed to have already made arrangements. “If you feel uncomfortable with that, you can also stay with Rong Fei. She lives alone, just like me.”

Not the same! How could Rong Fei’s place be the same as yours?

Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of grievance, wanting to protest, but the words wouldn’t come out. Jiejie’s home was different from anywhere else.

Seeing Shen Yiqiu’s silence, Qin Qianrou’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, but her tone remained calm.

“What? You don’t want to stay with either of them, or do you… have other options?”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head and softly said, “I don’t want to go anywhere, I want to stay at home.”

Home, for Shen Yiqiu now, the apartment she shared with Qin Qianrou, felt more like home than anywhere else.

It was Qin Qianrou’s turn to fall silent. The road back from Meng Da was congested, the traffic slow and stop-and-go. Endless red lights at every intersection would frustrate even the most patient driver.

A sense of unease gradually settled over Qin Qianrou.

They didn’t speak again until they reached the residential complex.

Shen Yiqiu opened the car door, and as she was about to get out, Qin Qianrou sighed softly, “If you want to stay here, then stay.”

Shen Yiqiu paused, turned back, and smiled at her. “Thank you, Jiejie, I’ll go in then.”

Then, she quickly got out of the car, waving at Qin Qianrou as she walked around the front of the car. But Qin Qianrou could clearly see the forced smile on her face.

Only after Shen Yiqiu disappeared into the building did Qin Qianrou turn the car around and head back to the station. Everyone had grown accustomed to her recent work schedule, but no one knew that her productivity actually decreased after returning home.

As soon as she entered the building, Shen Yiqiu’s forced smile vanished, her eyes reddening, as if she had been holding back tears for a long time. Qin Qianrou’s sudden announcement of a three-month business trip, without any prior warning, had caught her off guard.

And Jiejie had even made alternative living arrangements for her, which meant this wasn’t a last-minute assignment. Jiejie must have known about it for a while, but she hadn’t said anything.

Shen Yiqiu felt disheartened, mechanically pressing the elevator button, tossing her bag aside as she collapsed onto the sofa, feeling lost and adrift.

She sat there in a daze, her heart sinking lower and lower, until she almost bit through her lip.

She thought, Jiejie must have sensed my feelings, so she’s avoiding me.

**

Qin Qianrou received Li Wan’s call just as she left the parking garage. Glancing at the time, she knew the purpose of the call.

“Qianrou, have you arrived? The team leader and I are about to order takeout, what do you want tonight?”

Many people had been working overtime recently, but the most consistent and dedicated were undoubtedly the three of them. So capable, so beautiful, and so hardworking, it was truly admirable. Having such a leader was enviable.

Many colleagues from other departments had been trying to get closer to their team, hoping Lin Shuangzhi might relent and accept a few transfers.

Unfortunately, Lin Shuangzhi had always maintained high standards, such favors couldn’t be bought.

In her words, it was better for them to work harder and put in more overtime than to bring in a few slackers who would only hinder their progress and make things worse.

Qin Qianrou, still thinking about Shen Yiqiu’s retreating figure, had no appetite. “Anything, you decide.”

Li Wan complained softly, “‘Anything’ every day, if only ‘anything’ was an actual dish. I don’t know how Shen Yiqiu manages to take care of you, dealing with your ‘anything’ every single day.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart ached when she heard Shen Yiqiu’s name.

Her decision to apply for the training program had surprised both Lin Shuangzhi and Li Wan. She had made the decision after careful consideration. The most delighted person was undoubtedly Wen Yirong; not only was her daughter not resisting returning to Hai City, but she was also willing to stay for three months, which would have been impossible before. Even if it was for work, it still meant that Qin Qianrou’s resistance to Hai City had lessened.

It seemed bringing her daughter back permanently was only a matter of time.

Qin Qianrou had also known that Shen Yiqiu would prefer to stay at her apartment, but hearing her say it directly still felt different.

She felt conflicted, wanting her to stay, yet also worried about leaving her unsupervised, she might go out and meet Yuan Qi.

During this time, whenever Qin Qianrou picked her up, she would arrive ten minutes early. She had observed the area and hadn’t seen that man again. Sometimes, she wondered if Shen Yiqiu, having understood her own feelings, had broken up with him.

Broken up with whom, because of whom? The answer was obvious.

Qin Qianrou felt a sense of relief, yet also a new worry; Shen Yiqiu liking her wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Li Wan was reluctant for her friend to be away for three months, but Qin Qianrou had declined so many opportunities over the years. This time, her initiative showed she genuinely wanted to improve herself, and Li Wan couldn’t object, but the thought of her going to Hai City still worried her.

Qin Qianrou knew that no one around her understood her decision, but she couldn’t explain, she couldn’t say anything.

Matters of the heart were always difficult to articulate, especially a complicated relationship like hers and Shen Yiqiu’s.

However, news of Reporter Qin’s upcoming training program in Hai City still spread. Colleagues gossiped, saying Qin Qianrou had been lying low for too long and was finally making her move up the career ladder. Others said she was dissatisfied with the suppression of the Dongsheng project and was seeking external support to pressure the station.

Even more absurdly, some even claimed Qin Qianrou was being pursued by a super-rich second-generation heir from Hai City and was using this work opportunity as an excuse to go on dates. Perhaps after their relationship stabilized, she would request a transfer or even resign.

The rumors became increasingly outlandish, the jealousy more and more apparent. Li Wan often relayed these ridiculous stories to Qin Qianrou, only to be met with her usual indifference.

“Qianrou, you really don’t care about these rumors? They were somewhat believable at first, but now they’re getting ridiculous.”

As the day of her departure drew near, Qin Qianrou’s heart grew increasingly restless.

Every day, returning home, seeing the late-night snack on the table, and the light on in Shen Yiqiu’s room, she couldn’t bring herself to move. There were times she wanted to talk to Shen Yiqiu, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject.

These past two days, it seemed like Shen Yiqiu was avoiding her.

They would exchange greetings in the morning, talk about everyday topics, then finish breakfast in silence. After school, Shen Yiqiu would still run towards her car, slightly breathless, but she no longer smiled shyly and said, “Jiejie, I missed you today.”

Chapter 56 p1

Qin Qianrou felt weak, managing to eat most of the rice porridge before losing her appetite completely. Shen Yiqiu bustled about, and she didn’t even have the energy to pay attention to what she was doing.

When she finally put down her chopsticks, Shen Yiqiu placed a glass of warm water beside her hand.

“It’s not too hot, drink some.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her weakly and softly said, “The porridge was watery enough.”

“That’s not the same. And you’re sick, you need to drink more water.” Shen Yiqiu’s voice became increasingly gentle, almost like she was coaxing a child.

Qin Qianrou couldn’t refuse her and took a few sips from the glass. Shen Yiqiu quickly cleared the table.

“Rest for a bit, then take your medicine and go back to bed.”

Qin Qianrou thought to herself, It’s just a minor illness, Shen Yiqiu is acting like it’s a life-or-death situation.

After waking up and realizing she wasn’t feeling well, she had immediately messaged Li Wan and Lin Shuangzhi to inform them. The team was busy recently, and she felt guilty about taking leave, but she knew that going to work in her current state would only burden others.

The team leader and Li Wan had naturally expressed their concern, repeatedly telling her to rest and not to worry about work. But no one was as attentive as Shen Yiqiu, her lips pursed in a worried frown, her expression so serious that Qin Qianrou didn’t even dare to joke with her.

Half an hour later, Qin Qianrou felt her symptoms worsening, her head spinning even more. She held onto the table and tried to stand up, but a gentle yet firm hand steadied her.

“Take your medicine first.” Shen Yiqiu supported her, letting her lean against her, then reached for the fever medication on the table with her other hand.

The water in the glass had been replaced at some point, the temperature still just right, warm but not scalding.

After taking the medicine, Qin Qianrou gently pulled away from Shen Yiqiu’s embrace and avoided her gaze. She slowly walked towards her room. “I’m going back to sleep, you should focus on your studies after you’re done tidying up.”

Shen Yiqiu followed her, worried. Qin Qianrou lay down, and she stood by the bed, her concern evident.

“You keep following me, is there something you’re worried about?” Qin Qianrou sighed helplessly, did this child intend to watch her sleep?

Shen Yiqiu leaned over and carefully tucked her in, smoothing out every wrinkle in the blanket. Although the room was warm, she still meticulously checked every corner.

“You’re sick, of course I’m worried.”

Her focused gaze, her sincere words, warmed Qin Qianrou’s heart.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell if the sudden rise in her body temperature was from the fever or from the warmth spreading through her chest.

Qin Qianrou turned over, avoiding Shen Yiqiu’s gaze. She felt even dizzier now, this illness was more severe than she had thought. Last night’s chill must have just been a trigger, her recent exhaustion being the main culprit. Seasonal changes often led to illnesses, and after prolonged periods of overtime, even her usually resilient body couldn’t cope.

The medication started to take effect, and with the rice porridge settling her stomach, she felt more comfortable. As she drifted off to sleep, Qin Qianrou vaguely heard retreating footsteps and the soft click of the door closing.

After some time, the door opened again, and Shen Yiqiu quietly walked over to her bed, first checking if she was still properly covered. Seeing her sleeping peacefully, Shen Yiqiu finally relaxed a little.

Jiejie looked so frail and vulnerable when she was sick, her usual sharp and capable aura diminished. Lying there, her face slightly flushed, she resembled a sleeping princess. Shen Yiqiu couldn’t tear her gaze away; even in her sleep, Qin Qianrou captivated her completely.

Afraid of disturbing her, Shen Yiqiu squatted beside the bed, not daring to sit. She stared at her for a while, a warmth rising within her, urging her closer, and closer.

Heartache and affection intertwined; Qin Qianrou was a special presence in her life. Shen Yiqiu knew this wasn’t right, yet she couldn’t resist the pull. Until her face was almost touching Jiejie’s, she held her breath, just quietly watching her.

Finally, she moved a little closer. Just as she was about to suffocate, she tremblingly placed the softest of kisses on Qin Qianrou’s cheek. This was the first time she had kissed Jiejie, her heart filled with tenderness and concern, wishing she could take on Jiejie’s illness, her suffering.

The moment her lips touched Qin Qianrou’s cheek, Shen Yiqiu froze, as if struck by lightning, her body trembling even more violently, her breathing almost out of control. She quickly pulled back, finally able to breathe normally again.

After a brief moment of savoring the feeling, she anxiously looked at Qin Qianrou, who was still sleeping peacefully, seemingly unaware of her presence or her kiss. What had just happened felt like a one-sided fantasy, a solo performance.

But even so, Shen Yiqiu felt a sense of contentment. This kiss, to her, was still deeply moving.

So this was what it felt like to kiss someone you loved. No wonder her father and mother used to embrace and kiss whenever she wasn’t looking. She had occasionally caught glimpses of them, feeling only envy and curiosity at the time.

Now, she understood.

After the initial excitement and joy, Shen Yiqiu was even more reluctant to leave. Congee was simmering on the stove, ready for Qin Qianrou when she woke up. She would probably have no appetite when she was sick, but not eating would only weaken her further.

With Qin Qianrou asleep, Shen Yiqiu actually felt more relaxed than usual. Without Jiejie’s probing gaze, she could openly admire her. The more she looked, the stronger her feelings grew, and she was no longer satisfied with just a kiss on the cheek.

Shen Yiqiu leaned closer again, calmer than before, but still nervous.

This time, her gaze lingered on Qin Qianrou’s lips, slightly less rosy than usual, but still alluring. When you love someone, you can’t help but want to be close to them, to touch them, to be with them always.

Shen Yiqiu desperately wanted to kiss Jiejie’s lips, to convey all her love, but she didn’t dare. She was afraid Jiejie would be angry, disgusted, and never speak to her again.

Overwhelmed by emotions, with a gentle, trembling movement, she placed another feather-light kiss on the corner of Qin Qianrou’s lips. Just a hair’s breadth away from touching her lips directly, Shen Yiqiu didn’t move any closer.

Just this, to Shen Yiqiu, felt like an eternity.

She didn’t dare to ask for more.

Lingering a little longer than before, her soft breaths brushed against Qin Qianrou’s smooth skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, frozen in place, her inexperience making her forget to move, her heart pounding, afraid Jiejie might wake up and catch her in the act. But her heart didn’t regret it.

She loved Jiejie, and she wanted to be close to her.

Reluctantly, Shen Yiqiu ended this hasty yet memorable kiss. She unconsciously licked her lips, tasting a hint of sweetness, the soft and delicate sensation lingering in her mind.

As she was savoring the feeling, she suddenly heard a soft moan, startling her. Qin Qianrou seemed to be waking up, no longer the quiet sleeping beauty, but stirring slightly. However, her eyes remained closed.

Shen Yiqiu waited for her to open her eyes, but Qin Qianrou simply turned over, her back towards Shen Yiqiu, as if falling back asleep.

Shen Yiqiu mentally berated her own timidity. She slowly stood up and gently adjusted Qin Qianrou’s blanket. She touched the glass of water on the nightstand, checking the temperature, then quietly left.

The moment the door closed, the person on the bed opened her eyes.

Qin Qianrou stared blankly at the thick curtains, blocking out all the light from outside. The room was dim, only a small wall lamp by the door providing a faint glow. She had actually woken up when Shen Yiqiu came in, but her body felt heavy and weak, her mind still foggy from sleep, so she had simply continued lying there with her eyes closed.

She hadn’t expected that child to kiss her.

Not once, but twice.

If the first kiss had been unexpected, unavoidable, then the second kiss had truly unsettled her.

She had felt Shen Yiqiu’s slightly erratic breaths, the intense presence as she leaned closer. She had thought her emotions, her kisses, were silent and unnoticed, but Qin Qianrou had known.

However, she couldn’t respond, she couldn’t even avoid it too obviously.

Qin Qianrou, with her eyes closed, had clearly felt Shen Yiqiu’s gaze lingering on her cheek, her lips, the warmth spreading through her skin from that affectionate gaze, although Shen Yiqiu hadn’t realized it at the time.

Until that kiss, finally landing on the corner of her lips. Qin Qianrou had breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a sense of inexplicable melancholy.

But Shen Yiqiu, after the stolen kiss, hadn’t left immediately but had lingered by her side, and Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but picture the child’s shy yet content expression, her own ears feeling warm.

If this continued, she wouldn’t be able to maintain her pretense any longer. She had no choice but to turn over, preventing any further “sneak attacks.”

However, when Shen Yiqiu had carefully tucked her in, when she had meticulously checked every detail before leaving, Qin Qianrou’s annoyance at the stolen kiss vanished, replaced by a deep sense of confusion.

There was no doubt now, Shen Yiqiu’s two awkward yet sincere kisses had revealed her true feelings. Qin Qianrou’s suspicions were confirmed; this child truly liked her.

It was a love filled with admiration, a love tinged with desire, a love she should avoid, should correct.

The medication was wearing off, but the drowsiness remained. Qin Qianrou, unsure how to face Shen Yiqiu, simply let herself drift back to sleep in the dimness.

Shen Yiqiu, unaware that her actions had been noticed, was still basking in the afterglow of her excitement and joy. She wasn’t a naive and innocent child; even if she hadn’t experienced it herself, such things were common topics of conversation among university students.

But she considered herself traditional; she liked Jiejie, she had kissed Jiejie, so naturally, she had to take responsibility. Shen Yiqiu had already made up her mind to seriously pursue Qin Qianrou, yet she was still worried about her impulsive actions.

Thankfully, Jiejie didn’t know. She couldn’t just steal kisses from Jiejie anymore.

Right, no more stolen kisses, if I want to kiss her, I have to do it openly!

Shen Yiqiu lifted the lid of the clay pot, gently stirring the fragrant congee, a warmth spreading through her heart. She imagined a future where Jiejie was her girlfriend, she would cook delicious meals for her, hold her close and ease her burdens, kiss her every day, and love her always.

Just imagining this made her heart flutter. Shen Yiqiu felt the love within her blossoming, growing stronger with each passing day, unstoppable.

Just a simple kiss had been enough for Shen Yiqiu to realize she truly liked Qin Qianrou, only then could she have such an impulsive and heartfelt desire.

**

Qin Qianrou rested at home for three days, returning to work as soon as she recovered. Shen Yiqiu had been sent back to school the second day, not allowed to stay home any longer. Knowing Jiejie was doing this for her own good, she was still worried and sent several messages throughout the day. Qin Qianrou only replied twice, once at noon and once in the afternoon.

And her replies were concise, almost like code: I’m fine, don’t worry.

After recovering, Qin Qianrou returned to her busy schedule. She still picked Shen Yiqiu up after class, but she no longer brought her work home, returning to the station after dropping her off. It was as if Shen Yiqiu was an elementary school student, requiring parental pickup.

“Jiejie, if you’re busy with work, you don’t have to pick me up.” Shen Yiqiu didn’t understand this arrangement; if she hadn’t finished her work, why make a special trip?

Qin Qianrou, focused on driving, hesitated slightly at Shen Yiqiu’s suggestion.

“You can go home by yourself later.”

Why “later?” Shen Yiqiu was even more puzzled.

Qin Qianrou tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her fingers rubbing against the leather cover, then, after a moment, she said, “I’ll be on a business trip later.”

A business trip?

“Where to?”

“Hai City.”

Chapter 55 p2

…

Qin Qianrou returned to the living room, holding a glass of water, but she didn’t feel like drinking it. The warmth in her hand gradually dissipated, and Shen Yiqiu hadn’t returned yet. The call hadn’t been long, but to Qin Qianrou, it felt like an eternity.

Shen Yiqiu’s thoughtfulness and care didn’t seem to be reserved only for her. Her endless nagging and reminders towards the person on the other end of the line made Qin Qianrou imagine that person smiling helplessly, yet fully accepting her concern. It was annoying, and also a little… enviable.

As Qin Qianrou’s thoughts wandered, she didn’t even notice someone sitting beside her until Shen Yiqiu’s gentle voice broke through her reverie.

“Jiejie, what’s wrong?”

Shen Yiqiu, after ending the call, saw Qin Qianrou sitting in the living room, holding a glass of water, clearly lost in thought.

Qin Qianrou looked at her intently, as if trying to decipher something from her eyes. However, after a long while, she saw only her own reflection, and Shen Yiqiu’s unconcealed concern.

“Jiejie…” Shen Yiqiu rarely saw Qin Qianrou like this and couldn’t help but worry.

Qin Qianrou asked directly, “Are you this kind to everyone?”

Shen Yiqiu was taken aback, puzzled.

“Are you always this concerned and caring towards everyone? Asking if they’re comfortable, what they ate, if they ate well, if they’re dressed warmly, if they’ll catch a cold.” Qin Qianrou paused, then continued, “Do you say these things to everyone?”

To her, to Li Wan, to Rong Fei, to the “Yuan” on the phone, Qin Qianrou even thought, perhaps she also said these things to Zhang Meng.

Qin Qianrou’s question stunned Shen Yiqiu. How could she possibly be so concerned about just anyone? The only person she genuinely cared about right now was Jiejie!

She had even felt a slight pang of guilt just now, focusing on Jiejie and neglecting her cousin. Thankfully, it was just a stomachache, if it had been something more serious, she would have felt terrible.

Her silence angered Qin Qianrou further, her breathing becoming uneven after that series of questions, her hand holding the glass trembling slightly. But Shen Yiqiu didn’t answer, as if tacitly admitting it.

Qin Qianrou felt a wave of sadness and disappointment. She suddenly realized she was being strangely possessive, actually caring about how a child treated others compared to how she treated her. She also felt a little ridiculous, losing her composure and asking such a question, it made her seem petty and unreasonable.

Qin Qianrou composed herself, placed the glass on the coffee table, picked up her laptop, and prepared to return to her room to continue working.

She couldn’t stay here and face Shen Yiqiu anymore; she didn’t know what other irrational actions she might take.

Just as she was about to stand up, her hand was grabbed tightly.

Qin Qianrou looked down; Shen Yiqiu was holding her hand, preventing her from leaving.

“Jiejie, I care about and am concerned for everyone who is important to me.”

Qin Qianrou smiled faintly, acknowledging and understanding her answer, but her heart couldn’t accept it.

She needed time to process this, but Shen Yiqiu wasn’t letting her go.

“Alright, I understand. I was just asking casually, don’t worry about it.” Qin Qianrou felt exhausted, explaining weakly, hoping this child would believe her, like before.

Before she could say she was going back to her room, she was enveloped in a warm embrace. This time, Shen Yiqiu’s body was still trembling slightly, but her embrace wasn’t as loose as before, she was holding her tightly.

“But Jiejie, my concern for others is less than a tenth of my concern for you, you’re the most important person to me.”

Shen Yiqiu’s voice trembled as she spoke, not out of flattery or deceit, but because it was the truth.

True feelings were often difficult to express openly. Shen Yiqiu hadn’t intended to reveal them so soon, she was afraid of scaring Jiejie. But the sadness in Qin Qianrou’s eyes, no matter how subtle, was enough to pierce her heart.

“Okay, I know.” Qin Qianrou paused, then responded softly, trying to reassure her.

She didn’t reach out to touch Shen Yiqiu, nor did she struggle against the embrace. She could even feel Shen Yiqiu’s heartbeat.

She knew Shen Yiqiu’s heart was racing, and her own heart seemed to be following suit.

After a long while, Qin Qianrou finally pushed Shen Yiqiu away.

“You should go study, and I have work to do.”

The words Shen Yiqiu had been wanting to say caught in her throat. She had thought Jiejie would continue questioning her, but Qin Qianrou seemed to have recovered completely.

“Okay.” Shen Yiqiu looked at her, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Qin Qianrou looked away, gathered the scattered documents on the sofa, and returned to her room with her laptop. Only then did her heart finally calm down, and she replayed the earlier scene in disbelief.

If she hadn’t been mistaken, Shen Yiqiu’s actions just now had seemed…

The conclusion in her heart was about to surface, and Qin Qianrou’s composure crumbled.

Unable to focus on work, Qin Qianrou went to the bathroom; she needed to clear her head.

It wasn’t just Shen Yiqiu’s actions that had unsettled her, but her own unusual behavior.

Everyone was capable of self-deception, but Qin Qianrou didn’t want to. This wasn’t like her, she hadn’t expected to find herself in such a situation.

She cared about Shen Yiqiu, perhaps even more than she should. That was why she had been so inexplicably possessive, so easily angered, yet so overjoyed by Shen Yiqiu’s honest confession.

She couldn’t deny the joy she had felt when Shen Yiqiu said she was the most important person to her. The frustration that had been weighing on her heart had instantly vanished, and she hadn’t even resisted that warm embrace.

Qin Qianrou leaned against the bathtub, feeling helpless about how she had unconsciously reached this point. How had she become so careless, allowing this child to gradually permeate her life, then unknowingly enter her heart?

After careful consideration, she realized something didn’t add up. If Shen Yiqiu’s affections were directed at her, then what about that man? She hadn’t heard the voice on the phone clearly, but she was certain it was a man.

That man must be Yuan. If things were progressing smoothly with Yuan, why would Shen Yiqiu act like that towards her? Qin Qianrou still couldn’t figure it out, but she couldn’t help but wonder about Shen Yiqiu’s true intentions.

That child liked older people, this much seemed certain. But her preferred gender was… ambiguous. The more Qin Qianrou thought about it, the more confused she became, because she couldn’t even determine whether she wanted Shen Yiqiu to like men or women.

Lost in thought, she had unknowingly lingered in the bathroom for a long time. By the time she finally snapped back to reality, she felt a chill.

As expected, the next morning, she woke up with a fever.

Fortunately, it wasn’t severe, but she still had a headache.

Shen Yiqiu, seeing this, was distressed and fussed over her, not letting her move, practically gluing her to a chair.

“I should have made you some congee, light and refreshing. Did you eat something too greasy last night, or did you work too late and catch a cold?”

Shen Yiqiu’s concern was always so detailed and all-encompassing, making Qin Qianrou both resistant and touched. Perhaps being sick made one more vulnerable, because she couldn’t even be bothered to explain, simply leaning back in the chair, listening to Shen Yiqiu’s nagging.

A faint smile played on her lips, until Shen Yiqiu sat beside her.

“It’s too late for congee, just have some rice porridge for now. There are some pickled vegetables in the fridge, you can have them with the porridge.”

They were both from Hai City; rice porridge with pickled vegetables was a simple yet comforting meal.

“Don’t worry about me, just eat your breakfast and go to school.”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head, pushing the bowl slightly closer to her. “I don’t have any important classes today, and I’ve already asked for leave. I’m staying home to take care of you.”

Qin Qianrou felt Shen Yiqiu was overreacting; it was just a fever, not a serious illness. A day of rest and medication, and she would probably be fine. During her field assignments, she had often slept in drafty, dilapidated shacks for days without any problems.

“You rarely get sick, we can’t be careless.” Her tone was gentle yet firm, leaving no room for argument.

Qin Qianrou parted her lips, then, without saying anything more, started eating the rice porridge.

Chapter 55 p1

Qin Qianrou kept her word. That afternoon after school, Shen Yiqiu found her car parked discreetly outside the university gates. It was parked quietly, not attracting any attention, but Shen Yiqiu spotted it immediately.

A smile involuntarily spread across her face, and the slight unease in her heart dissipated. Ever since the bell rang, she had been afraid of being late. This worry wasn’t about missing the ride, but simply about making Jiejie wait.

Qin Qianrou had messaged her ten minutes before class ended, telling her she was already outside.

Jiejie had really come to pick her up! Shen Yiqiu’s heart felt light and fluffy, like a marshmallow.

Qin Qianrou watched as the smiling figure approached, and even through the car window, she felt a warmth, a special kind of warmth that didn’t seem to come from the car’s heater.

Shen Yiqiu got into the car, still slightly breathless.

Qin Qianrou chuckled, looking at her. “No need to rush, I’m not in a hurry.”

Shen Yiqiu’s cheeks flushed, unsure if it was from running or from Qin Qianrou seeing through her eagerness.

“It’s not that, I just don’t usually have time to exercise, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to run a little.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t press the issue and started the car.

Shen Yiqiu hesitantly asked, “Jiejie, are you going back to the station later?”

“No, we’re going straight home.”

“Then let’s stop by the supermarket, we’re running low on groceries.”

Since Jiejie was driving, she could buy more groceries today, so she could make a variety of delicious meals for her. Shen Yiqiu’s mind raced, and her smile widened.

Qin Qianrou didn’t quite understand the source of her joy, but she was also affected by her cheerful mood, her nerves, tense from a long day at work, finally relaxing.

She slowly drove out of the university, merging into the traffic. Shen Yiqiu seemed to be pondering something, her expression serious. Qin Qianrou didn’t interrupt her at first, but after five minutes, she realized the silence in the car was too much, she wasn’t used to it.

Qin Qianrou, who usually preferred quiet, now found it unsettling not to hear Shen Yiqiu’s chatter.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Thinking about what groceries to buy.” And then planning the menu for the next few days.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected her to be seriously contemplating this. She had thought Shen Yiqiu was thinking about that man.

Her slight unease subsided, and Qin Qianrou’s tone softened a little.

“If you’re busy with your studies, don’t worry about these things, I can hire a housekeeper to cook.”

“No, I prefer cooking myself.”

Shen Yiqiu was genuinely worried Qin Qianrou would hire a housekeeper, she had mentioned it several times, and she had a tendency to act on her words. She insisted, slightly awkwardly, “I feel like cooking myself… makes it feel more like home.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart stirred, she felt the same way. It was just a shame her cooking skills weren’t great, and she was too busy.

“Then promise me you won’t let it affect your studies. If you can’t manage it, just tell me, and I’ll find a solution.”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her curiously, a hint of anticipation in her eyes, “Will Jiejie cook then?”

Qin Qianrou’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, then loosened.

“I’m not good at that, but I can take you out to eat.”

Shen Yiqiu was satisfied with this answer. As long as she was with Jiejie, it didn’t matter what they ate, or who cooked it, the important thing was being together.

Seeing her seemingly content expression, Qin Qianrou’s nervousness eased. She had felt a strange sense of awkwardness just now, she had never felt so self-conscious about her lack of cooking skills, yet she had inexplicably felt embarrassed in front of Shen Yiqiu.

Even a little… shy.

Once inside the supermarket, it was Shen Yiqiu’s domain. She had long since become familiar with this large supermarket in their residential complex, she could practically find the aisles she frequented with her eyes closed. Qin Qianrou followed closely behind, afraid of getting lost.

“Jiejie, let’s have steamed fish tonight, this one looks fresh.”

“You decide.”

“The shrimp looks good too, we’re here early today, this batch just arrived this afternoon. Everyone else is still at work, perfect timing.”

Shen Yiqiu had fewer classes this afternoon, and Qin Qianrou had also adjusted her schedule. Driving straight from the university, they had indeed arrived home unusually early.

But seeing Shen Yiqiu’s familiarity with the supermarket, she must have been here many times at this time of day. Thinking of her rushing out after class, taking the bus home, then coming here to buy groceries and cook, Qin Qianrou felt a pang of sympathy.

Shen Yiqiu, having walked a few steps ahead, turned around and realized the person following her was gone.

“Jiejie, what’s wrong?” She looked at Qin Qianrou with concern, afraid she might be uncomfortable here.

“Nothing, I was just… lost in thought.”

Shen Yiqiu smiled reassuringly. “Then wait for me here, I’ll be quick.”

Sensing Shen Yiqiu’s worry and consideration, Qin Qianrou couldn’t bear to see her constantly rushing around. Being here with her should be a comforting and reassuring presence, how could she make her feel even more anxious?

“It’s alright, it’s been a while since I last visited the supermarket, let’s take our time.”

When they finally emerged from the supermarket, each carrying two heavy bags of groceries, it was indeed a major haul.

Shen Yiqiu’s phone vibrated in her pocket, but she ignored it. Back at home, she automatically and efficiently unpacked the groceries, then started preparing dinner.

Qin Qianrou, watching Shen Yiqiu bustling about, suddenly felt that this place, with her presence, finally felt like a home.

Shen Yiqiu’s jacket was discarded on the sofa. Qin Qianrou picked it up, intending to hang it on the coat rack by the door with hers. The phone in the pocket vibrated again, and Qin Qianrou felt it through the fabric.

“Shen Yiqiu, your phone is ringing.”

“Oh, can you see who it is?”

Shen Yiqiu seemed to be handling fish, the running water from the faucet drowning out other sounds. She raised her voice slightly, but the soft and gentle quality remained.

Qin Qianrou smiled and shook her head, taking the phone out of the pocket.

There were five missed calls, all from the same number.

Not a long string of unfamiliar digits, but a saved contact.

However, the name wasn’t a normal one, just a simple “Yuan.” A single character, a surname, it was a bit strange.

The call seemed to have disconnected automatically; the person hadn’t called back yet. Qin Qianrou walked to the kitchen doorway, phone in hand. “It stopped ringing, it was from someone named Yuan.”

Shen Yiqiu’s back stiffened slightly, but she didn’t react otherwise.

“Oh, just leave it then, I’ll deal with it later.”

Shen Yiqiu’s tone was unchanged, she was still focused on the ingredients in the sink. If Qin Qianrou hadn’t seen her momentary stiffness, she might have truly believed she was indifferent to the call.

Shen Yiqiu’s heart was racing, slightly worried, and also annoyed with her cousin.

She had already told him that morning that she would be coming straight home after class, why was he still calling?

Qin Qianrou’s voice came again, this time with a hint of reproach. “This person seems to have called several times, shouldn’t you call them back? What if it’s something important?”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head nonchalantly. “What could possibly be so urgent? It can wait. Dinner is more important.”

Hearing the familiarity and understanding in Shen Yiqiu’s tone, Qin Qianrou felt a pang of discomfort. But hearing her say “dinner is more important” made her want to laugh.

She took a deep breath, turned around, returned to the living room, placed the phone on the coffee table, and ignored it for now.

She felt strangely out of sorts lately, often getting irritated for no reason, then suddenly switching from anger to joy. Although not exactly extreme mood swings, these frequent and erratic emotional fluctuations were unusual.

Shen Yiqiu bustled about in the kitchen, but she didn’t once glance at the phone, as if truly unconcerned. Qin Qianrou opened her laptop, occasionally glancing at the phone on the coffee table, but it didn’t ring again.

They did seem to have a certain unspoken understanding.

Qin Qianrou turned her attention back to her laptop. The price of being able to pick Shen Yiqiu up on time was bringing her work home.

Numerous emails requiring her attention had arrived in her inbox in the past few hours. Her reading speed and comprehension were far above average, honed through years of work, but today, she was reading very slowly.

Her focus wavered, and Qin Qianrou lamented that it had been a while since she last worked from home, she needed time to readjust. Shen Yiqiu was still busy in the kitchen, but her movements were quiet, a subtle reminder of another presence in the apartment, yet not at all distracting.

Only after dinner did Shen Yiqiu finally have time to check her phone. Qin Qianrou was still on the sofa, her laptop on her lap, but her gaze was subtly fixed on Shen Yiqiu.

The tall, slender figure was facing away from her, her long legs almost surpassing Qin Qianrou’s in length. It seemed Shen Yiqiu had grown quite a bit in the past six months.

Shen Yiqiu saw the numerous missed calls and messages from Yuan Qi and frowned. She was truly speechless; they had already discussed this, why was he changing his mind now?

They were both adults, a few days apart wouldn’t make a difference.

Although she grumbled inwardly, Shen Yiqiu still carefully read the messages, and her expression changed.

Ignoring everything else, she immediately called her cousin.

Only after hearing his voice on the other end did she finally relax.

“Cou… What’s wrong?” She was about to call him “Cousin” when she suddenly remembered Qin Qianrou was nearby, so she lowered her voice and walked towards the balcony.

The urgency and concern in her voice were evident, completely genuine. Because this tone was often used by Shen Yiqiu towards her, Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but frown.

The laptop on her lap was forgotten, and Qin Qianrou pretended to get some water. As she left the kitchen, passing by the balcony, she overheard snippets of Shen Yiqiu’s conversation, and although she couldn’t hear clearly, it still made her feel uneasy.

Shen Yiqiu said, “I told you to be mindful of what you eat, not to overindulge, now you know how it feels to have a stomachache.”

She also said, “I can’t come see you today, but remember to drink plenty of hot water, eat something light, and don’t catch a cold tonight.”

Then, Shen Yiqiu seemed to have said, “If you’re really not feeling well, call me, I won’t ignore you.”

…