Chapter 11: Playing Along
Everyone in the ward was stunned by this sudden turn of events, including the newly arrived Qin Qianrou. For a moment, no one spoke, only Shen Yiqiu’s mournful cries filled the room.
Shao Qidong knew Qin Qianrou, but they hadn’t interacted much, merely acquaintances without any deeper connection. Whether out of guilt or caution, upon seeing Qin Qianrou, his gaze lingered on her, as if trying to discern something.
Although he didn’t quite understand why a famous reporter had suddenly appeared here, his heart skipped a beat when he heard Shen Yiqiu rush over and call her “Qin Auntie.”
This was the visitor the caregiver had mentioned last night.
Shao Qidong had been at a business dinner last night and was slightly tipsy when he received the caregiver’s call. Hearing that Shen Yiqiu had addressed the visitor as “Auntie,” he initially thought it was Jiang Yuan.
During his conversation with He Chao and Jiang Yuan earlier, he had sensed something was amiss, and now he realized that the “Auntie” was someone else. However, Qin Qianrou wasn’t that old; how had she become Shen Yiqiu’s “Auntie”?
When had these two met? He had been in contact with Shen Zhifeng for so long and had never heard of any close connection between his family and Qin Qianrou. If he had known beforehand about this relationship between the Shen family and a reporter, he would never have let Shen Zhifeng know so much.
Qin Qianrou was formidable not only because of her program but also because of her uncompromising personality. To put it nicely, she was persistent and thorough; to put it less charitably, she was stubborn and inflexible, always provoking those who shouldn’t be provoked.
Many of the so-called “elites” in Meng City were wary of Qin Qianrou, but they also had to admit that the beautiful reporter was undeniably charismatic. Standing before her in person, no one could bring themselves to slap that face.
Qin Qianrou knew everyone was watching her, but right now, she had to comfort the crying person in her arms first. Shen Yiqiu’s words were broken and incoherent, tears streaming down her face, her emotions unstable. Anything she wanted to say was less important than letting the girl cry it out.
He Chao and Jiang Yuan didn’t know Qin Qianrou, but they had known the Shen family for many years. Even though they hadn’t seen each other much recently, they still kept in touch frequently through phone calls and online messages.
He Chao looked at Jiang Yuan questioningly, silently asking, “Do you know this person? Who is she?”
Jiang Yuan pursed her lips and shook her head slightly.
From her angle, she could only see Qin Qianrou’s profile, having only glimpsed her face when she entered the ward. Striking features, unique temperament, dressed appropriately, she looked like a respectable person.
She recalled her chat history with Shen’s mother, Ye Peiyu, and didn’t remember her friend mentioning any acquaintances surnamed Qin in Meng City. They had been roommates in college, practically inseparable back then. Compared to their husbands, who were immersed in their scientific research, their communication had been much more lively and personal.
They would chat on the phone whenever they had time, sharing every detail of their lives. Even living in different cities hadn’t affected their friendship.
Jiang Yuan knew that the Shen couple weren’t social butterflies, so they didn’t have many acquaintances even after so many years in Hai City. Could someone Shen Yiqiu relied on have appeared in just a few years after moving to Meng City?
Shen Yiqiu had been well-protected by her parents. For their child to trust and rely on someone so readily, it seemed their relationship with the Shen family was indeed unusual.
Thinking this, Jiang Yuan’s curiosity about Qin Qianrou deepened.
Shen Yiqiu cried for a long time. While there was some exaggeration, it wasn’t entirely an act. Even though she had been reborn, facing the villain from her past life and the hypocrites who had deceived her, she couldn’t truly remain indifferent.
Those unbearable scenes from her past life flooded her mind. Shen Yiqiu could only endure, silently telling herself: This time will be different!
But she was still worried about the future. Although she was trying to change the course of events, she wasn’t entirely certain she would succeed.
Qin Qianrou had given her hope last night, but her absence this morning had filled her with panic. She had waited anxiously for the person who hadn’t appeared at the agreed-upon time.
Time after 6 am had become excruciatingly slow. Shen Yiqiu’s ears were filled with the endless bickering between Shao Qidong and He Chao and Jiang Yuan, but her mind was in turmoil, only wanting to know: Qin Qianrou, where are you?
She didn’t dare to imagine what would happen if Qin Qianrou changed her mind and didn’t come, or if she refused to take on her “trouble.” Would she once again become a pawn in the hands of these scheming individuals?
Finally, the moment she saw Qin Qianrou, words were superfluous. Shen Yiqiu just wanted to cry, and to cry in front of her. The others in the ward didn’t deserve to see her tears. She only dared to reveal her true emotions to Qin Qianrou. After all, she knew that Qin Qianrou was, to her, a good person.
Shen Yiqiu hadn’t expected anyone to love and protect her wholeheartedly like her parents after being reborn. Having experienced the misery of her past life, now she only wished for someone who wouldn’t harbor ill intentions towards her.
“Aren’t you tired after crying for so long?” Qin Qianrou’s voice came from above, and Shen Yiqiu’s sobs gradually subsided.
Just as she was about to raise her hand to wipe her tears, two tissues appeared before her.
“Use these. Your hands have bacteria.”
“Oh, okay.” Shen Yiqiu obediently took the tissues and finally wiped her tear-streaked face clean.
Seeing the situation return to normal, Shao Qidong said pointedly, “I didn’t expect Reporter Qin to be Shen Yiqiu’s aunt. When she was in a coma, we kept hearing that there was no one in Meng City to care for her.”
Qin Qianrou waited until Shen Yiqiu had wiped away her tears before looking up at Shao Qidong. She had been skeptical about Shen Yiqiu’s words earlier, but his reaction made her more inclined to believe them.
“I was away on business during those few days. I only learned about the accident later.” Qin Qianrou smoothly adopted Shen Yiqiu’s explanation to Auntie Liu from last night.
He Chao and Jiang Yuan exchanged glances; this explanation was the same as theirs.
Shao Qidong smiled and looked at the couple opposite him. “What a coincidence, another couple said the same thing today. It seems Shen Yiqiu isn’t completely without anyone to care for her.”
Qin Qianrou knew that the relationship between Shao Qidong and Shen Yiqiu was definitely not good. But she wasn’t sure about the couple’s relationship with the Shen family, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to take a stance at this point.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Yiqiu immediately declared, “Qin Auntie’s situation is different. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to disturb her work!”
Qin Qianrou gave her a meaningful look. Shen Yiqiu pretended not to see it, facing the other three calmly.
Shao Qidong didn’t say anything else, while He Chao and Jiang Yuan looked a little awkward.
“Reporter Qin must be very busy. Now that He Chao and I are here, you don’t have to trouble yourself with this matter anymore.” Jiang Yuan turned to Shen Yiqiu and continued, “We’ll take good care of Xiao Qiu. Don’t worry.”
“No.”
“No way!”
One calm, one agitated, two voices rang out one after another, expressing the same sentiment.
Those who were rejected were taken aback.
Jiang Yuan was about to say something else, but Shen Yiqiu interrupted, “I already agreed with Qin Auntie last night. While I’m studying at university in Meng City, I’ll be under her care.”
Qin Qianrou’s temples were throbbing; she had a headache. Shen Yiqiu’s behavior from earlier until now had been very clear: she was resistant to everyone present except for Qin Qianrou.
She was now certain that Shen Yiqiu’s affectionate display of calling her “Qin Auntie” in front of them was partly an act, which displeased her.
Her relationship with Shen Yiqiu was, at best, a cooperative one, each taking what they needed. If she had to say she was at a disadvantage, it was only because she felt sympathy. But now, Shen Yiqiu was using her as an excuse, blatantly taking advantage of her.
Shen Yiqiu’s words greatly surprised everyone, even Shao Qidong, who started to ponder whether he needed to adjust his plans. After all, in Meng City, he couldn’t afford to directly antagonize Qin Qianrou. Moreover, he had recently received news that Qin Qianrou wanted to produce a program focusing on Dongsheng Group.
No matter how high the ratings were, no one wanted to be the subject of Qin Qianrou’s program. Knowing he wouldn’t make any progress today, Shao Qidong made an excuse and left after exchanging greetings.
Before leaving, Jiang Yuan walked up to Qin Qianrou and said with a gentle smile, “Xiao Qiu is still young and doesn’t always think things through. She’s been emotionally unstable recently, so we’ll discuss her future living arrangements later. Here’s my business card. Please accept it. We’ll chat again when we have the opportunity.”
Qin Qianrou took the business card, nodded politely, and watched them leave.
Once they were alone in the ward, Qin Qianrou turned around and saw that the person who had just been craning her neck was now obediently leaning against the headboard, the traces of tears almost gone.
Qin Qianrou pulled a chair over, sat down, and crossed her arms, looking at her, “Tell me, what was that performance about?”
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