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Chapter 76

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This is also Shen Yiqiu’s home.”

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

Li Wan’s envy intensified.

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

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

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

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

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

Li Wan, feeling tired, stood up to leave.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Let’s think about it in the car.”

Hmm? What does that mean?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She was truly, as she had said, waiting.

“Why aren’t you driving?”

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

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

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

“How about… inviting me to your place?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This made Li Wan speechless.

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

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

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

“Something warm.”

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

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

Li Wan looked down and sniffed, ginger tea?

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

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

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

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

“Then I must be too critical.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Willing to risk your career?”

“I have no other choice.”

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

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

“Then what should we talk about?”

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

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

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

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

“Can I… take a look around?”

“Of course.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Li Wan opened the cabinet and took out the vase.

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

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

“It’s unique.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But here, it still felt cold and lonely.

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

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

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

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

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

“What, to inherit the family fortune?”

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

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

They joked with each other, the atmosphere finally easing.

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

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

“Sort of.”

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

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

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

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

“Actually, I’m from Meng City.”

Li Wan choked, surprised.

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

**

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

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

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

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

“I suddenly feel so tired.”

“From work?”

“Mm, and a little… disappointed.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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