Chapter 40
Shen Yiqiu had thought Reporter Qin was busy in Meng City, often working late into the night and skipping meals. She hadn’t expected that in Hai City, Qin Qianrou would still be a busybody, constantly occupied with endless tasks and social engagements.
After finishing organizing the materials Gu Chao provided, Shen Yiqiu was wondering whether to have lunch at the hotel or just grab some takeout nearby when Qin Qianrou’s phone rang again.
Except for during the night, Qin Qianrou’s work phone rang constantly. And she patiently answered each call, methodically handling everything.
“Shao Ze, what is it?”
That phrase again. Shen Yiqiu suddenly felt a pang of annoyance, but not as intense as last night when she was lying in bed.
She kept quiet, diligently finishing the remaining tasks for Qin Qianrou, but her ears perked up involuntarily, wanting to hear every word from the other end of the line.
“Lunch?” Qin Qianrou instinctively glanced at Shen Yiqiu, then at the time.
“Alright, see you later.”
Without much hesitation, Qin Qianrou agreed. It seemed that ever since their encounter that night, this Shao Ze had been calling Qin Qianrou frequently. The calls weren’t long, but Qin Qianrou always answered them quickly.
Shen Yiqiu didn’t realize her focus had shifted slightly. Reporter Qin always answered her work calls promptly, but Shao Ze’s calls made her particularly uneasy.
“It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s eat first, then get back to work.” Qin Qianrou stood up, patted Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, and walked towards the bathroom.
Shen Yiqiu, who had been perched on the corner of the desk, watched as the bathroom door closed, hiding Qin Qianrou from view, and her mouth turned down slightly.
Putting on makeup just for lunch…
Fortunately, Qin Qianrou didn’t linger in the bathroom for long. She simply freshened up and applied light makeup, ensuring she was presentable. Emerging from the bathroom, she saw Shen Yiqiu still sitting there in a daze and couldn’t help but frown.
“What are you still spacing out for? If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”
Shen Yiqiu snapped back to reality and jumped down from the desk. Her leg, having fallen asleep, was jolted by the sudden movement, and the tingling pain made her rub it repeatedly.
“The restaurant is in Lin’an District. Should we take the subway?” Qin Qianrou glanced at the time; the subway was clearly the more convenient option.
“Okay, I’m fine with that.” Shen Yiqiu quickly changed her clothes.
After washing her face, her slight annoyance was temporarily suppressed. She wholeheartedly agreed with Qin Qianrou’s suggestion to take the subway.
As expected of two Hai City natives, they navigated the subway system with ease, effortlessly transferring at the busy stations, reaching their destination quickly.
Shao Ze was already there. Following behind Qin Qianrou, Shen Yiqiu immediately spotted the man in the casual suit.
“Shao Ze, sorry to keep you waiting.” Qin Qianrou’s demeanor was as aloof as it had been that night.
But after pondering it, Shen Yiqiu realized it was slightly different. For example, her attitude towards him, besides the superficial politeness, wasn’t exactly courteous.
A kind of familiar… disdain?
Shen Yiqiu couldn’t find the right word to describe it, but she sensed a familiarity between them. So familiar that even though Qin Qianrou was clearly showing her displeasure, the other party remained cheerful.
The private room wasn’t large, but the ambiance was pleasant. Shao Ze seemed to be a regular here.
Qin Qianrou stopped, and Shao Ze stood up, but thankfully, he didn’t fuss over her, pulling out a chair or anything. Shen Yiqiu quietly found a seat, and Qin Qianrou unexpectedly sat beside her.
She had thought Qin Qianrou would sit directly across from Shao Ze. Now, to sit next to her, she had even skipped a seat.
Her mood suddenly brightened, and Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of hunger.
Shao Ze had already ordered a few dishes, and after they arrived, he gallantly called the waiter over, allowing them to add a few more.
Shen Yiqiu glanced at the menu; the dishes he had chosen were all Qin Qianrou’s favorites.
Her expression dimmed slightly, and she remained silent. Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to have any intention of asking for her opinion either, choosing a few dishes and dismissing the waiter.
“Honey-glazed chicken wings.”
This was Qin Qianrou’s last choice, she seemed to have flipped through the entire menu before ordering this.
Shen Yiqiu sipped her lemon water, wondering if Qin Qianrou also liked chicken wings. She didn’t seem to recall her ever ordering them before.
The gentleness and concern in Shao Ze’s gaze were subtle, or perhaps he was very good at concealing them. Only a hint showed through, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Shen Yiqiu slowly sipped her water, vaguely sensing his attentiveness.
Their eyes met, and Shen Yiqiu forced a smile.
Shao Ze looked at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Qin Qianrou.
“Qianrou, it seems you intend to involve her in this.”
Involve her in what? Shen Yiqiu was momentarily confused.
“She’s already involved.”
Oh, Shen Yiqiu understood, it was about He Chao.
Shao Ze smiled, took out a manila envelope, and handed it to Qin Qianrou.
“Take a look at this first.” He used the plural “you,” seemingly accepting Qin Qianrou’s words.
Shen Yiqiu leaned closer, her cheek almost touching Qin Qianrou’s shoulder. Her steady breaths brushed against Qin Qianrou’s neck, but she was completely oblivious.
It was a letter of accusation. The letter detailed specific instances of He Chao’s academic misconduct over the years. He had also used his reputation and status to suppress and ostracize his peers and plagiarize their research. He had also mismanaged his laboratory, diverting nationally funded projects to his own private companies for personal gain.
And his wife, Jiang Yuan, had used her position to cover for him. She had even devised schemes to recruit promising undergraduate students, luring them with guaranteed graduate school admission or special transfer opportunities, monopolizing all the best resources.
The accusations in the letter were supported by relevant evidence, and at the bottom was a long list of signatures. Shen Yiqiu recognized a few familiar names, all renowned professors at Hai Da or those her father had mentioned.
Shao Ze quietly waited for them to finish reading before speaking, “It seems many people have long been dissatisfied with He Chao and are already taking action.”
Qin Qianrou put the documents back in the envelope and carefully placed it in her bag.
“Where did you get this? Don’t tell me you wrote it yourself.”
Qin Qianrou’s tone suggested she wasn’t pleased with the letter, and Shen Yiqiu glanced at her, puzzled.
Shao Ze crossed his arms, casually tapping his index finger, unfazed by Qin Qianrou’s questioning.
“I’m helping you. I brought this over as soon as it was drafted.”
Qin Qianrou frowned, thought for a moment, then sighed. “Are we really going to stop here?”
Shen Yiqiu sensed the helplessness in her voice, and her heart sank.
“Qianrou, listen to me, He Chao is definitely going down, the current evidence is sufficient. Don’t get hung up on other aspects, at least not for now.”
Shao Ze’s tone suddenly turned serious, his words filled with caution, carefully choosing his words, afraid of angering Qin Qianrou.
“I understand what you mean, and I know this letter is the best outcome for now. But I don’t want to miss this opportunity. If the trail on He Chao goes cold, it’ll be even harder to investigate later.”
Shen Yiqiu thought that Shao Ze must be aware of He Chao’s wrongdoings and understood the gravity of the situation.
“The web behind He Chao runs deep, he’s just a pawn. Even if you investigate, you won’t be able to achieve much on your own. Besides, do you really intend to stay in Hai City indefinitely?”
That last sentence struck a nerve with Qin Qianrou.
Hesitation and uncertainty flickered in her eyes. Shen Yiqiu could tell she didn’t want to stop investigating, but she didn’t want to stay in Hai City either.
For some reason, she felt a sense of secret delight. She didn’t want to stay in Hai City either, she wanted to return to Meng City with Qin Qianrou.
As she was lost in thought, Shen Yiqiu realized Qin Qianrou was looking at her.
“Shen Yiqiu, what’s your opinion?”
Ah? She’s asking for my opinion? Shen Yiqiu was surprised. Could she even offer an opinion on this matter?
“You were the one who provided the initial clues about He Chao, and the matter between him and your father…” Qin Qianrou didn’t want to mention Shen Zhifeng’s private matters in front of others.
This was something Shen Yiqiu had confided in her privately, and she had to keep it confidential.
Escaping He Chao and Jiang Yuan’s control and deception was Shen Yiqiu’s greatest desire, and she had put a lot of thought into her plan to expose them. If it weren’t for Qin Qianrou’s involvement and assistance, this day wouldn’t have arrived so soon.
Although they couldn’t uncover the mastermind behind He Chao, exposing his hypocrisy, removing him from his undeserved position, and liberating those he had oppressed and manipulated, was a positive outcome.
“I think… although there are some regrets, I can accept this.” Shen Yiqiu’s words were sincere; this was truly what she felt.
Afraid that Qin Qianrou might think she was being forced, she added, “Things will get more complicated down the line. We all want to get to the bottom of this, but the current circumstances don’t allow it. It’s better to cherish the evidence we have now and make him pay for his actions.”
Seeing that Shen Yiqiu agreed, Qin Qianrou slowly nodded, and Shao Ze breathed a sigh of relief.
He had arranged this lunch with Qin Qianrou mainly to deliver the letter of accusation. And also to try and persuade her, which was also his uncle’s intention.
Wen Yirong hadn’t revealed Qin Qianrou’s whereabouts to the rest of the family, so they were currently unaware that she was back in Hai City. But eventually, she would run into more acquaintances, and they wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret forever.
He hadn’t expected Qin Qianrou to bring Shen Yiqiu, and he certainly hadn’t expected her to ask for Shen Yiqiu’s opinion before making a decision.
A probing look appeared in Shao Ze’s eyes, directed at Shen Yiqiu.
The most important matter of the day had been discussed, and now it was time for the less important but necessary task: eating.
As the dishes were served, they realized they were all hungry.
The honey-glazed chicken wings weren’t as good as the ones from the other restaurant, but they were still decent. However, Qin Qianrou didn’t eat much, and Shao Ze didn’t seem particularly interested in the chicken wings either. Shen Yiqiu, looking at the plate of chicken wings placed in front of her, belatedly realized they were for her.
As she gnawed on a chicken wing, her nose tingled slightly. She hadn’t expected anyone to remember her preferences anymore.
The meal was relatively relaxed. Shao Ze occasionally asked Shen Yiqiu some questions, and she answered truthfully. Qin Qianrou rarely spoke, only offering a few reminders when his questions became too personal.
“Qianrou, since when did you start protecting people?” Shao Ze looked at Qin Qianrou with a teasing smile.
His gaze shifted between Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu, the curve of his lips suggesting he didn’t disapprove of the situation.
“You’re being too nosy.”
“I just want to know more about the new person in your life. After all these years, besides Li Wan, I haven’t seen anyone so close to you.”
Ah, so Shao Ze also knows Li Wan. It seems he really is very close to Qin Qianrou.
Qin Qianrou paused, put down her glass, and said, “She’s different from Li Wan.”
“Oh? Different? Then I definitely need to know more.” Shao Ze’s gaze was meaningful, and Shen Yiqiu awkwardly returned a smile.
Qin Qianrou’s voice finally carried a hint of annoyance. “Don’t tease her.”
Heeding her warning, Shao Ze stopped, but he still glanced at Shen Yiqiu a few more times.
There wasn’t much hostility, just a slight sense of unease. Shen Yiqiu didn’t flinch, meeting his gaze directly, sitting calmly beside Qin Qianrou, not appearing weak at all.
Shao Ze paused, then collected his thoughts.
After lunch, Shao Ze, as if understanding Qin Qianrou perfectly, didn’t offer to see them off, but simply bid them farewell and left.
Finally, with no one else around, Shen Yiqiu felt much more at ease.
Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu strolled along the sidewalk. The temperature was pleasant, a gentle breeze brushing against their faces.
“Since we’ve made up our minds, let’s hand over all the materials tomorrow.”
Qin Qianrou was still preoccupied with work, even during this leisurely after-lunch stroll, her thoughts still on He Chao.
“Okay!”
The thought of He Chao’s true face being exposed, of his arrogant and self-righteous facade being shattered, filled Shen Yiqiu with a sense of anticipation and irony.
“With all this evidence, how long will he be sentenced for?”
Qin Qianrou wasn’t sure, but based on her past experience, it wouldn’t be a short sentence.
Shen Yiqiu sighed. “It’s a pity that if he goes to jail, it’ll be harder to investigate further.”
Qin Qianrou had sensed something else in Shao Ze’s words today, but since Shen Yiqiu hadn’t voiced her opinion yet, she hadn’t said anything.
“With this letter of accusation, the trail on him has already gone cold.”
“Why?” Shen Yiqiu wasn’t as experienced as Qin Qianrou in these matters.
“We’ve just uncovered his embezzlement scheme, and so soon, there’s a joint accusation against him. These things have been going on for a long time, why are they being exposed now?”
“This…”
“Because he’s been abandoned. He’s a discarded pawn. No one will protect him anymore, and naturally, they don’t want him to have any more opportunities to speak out.”
So, they struck first, ruining his reputation, so that anything he said afterwards would lose credibility, and no one would believe him anymore.
Understanding this, Shen Yiqiu’s regret lessened.
**
As expected, after the materials were sent out, with some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, He Chao’s case quickly attracted the attention of higher authorities. He probably hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. Many things hadn’t been dealt with yet; he had been waiting for information on Qin Qianrou.
He hadn’t received any news about her, and he was already taken down.
Now, both he and Jiang Yuan believed that Shao Qidong hadn’t been lying: Qin Qianrou was truly someone they couldn’t afford to offend.
They had been too arrogant and fearless when they crossed her, and now it was too late to turn back.
“Lao He, is this the end of the road for us?”
The study was gloomy. He Chao’s cigarette butts filled the ashtray, and Jiang Yuan didn’t have the energy to care.
“It is. The end of the road, the end of our lives.”
Jiang Yuan looked at him sadly, letting out a hopeless laugh. She didn’t think He Chao was exaggerating. If he went to jail, it might even be a safer place for him.
“Let’s confess and cooperate with the investigation. Maybe there’s still a chance for us.”
He Chao frowned, ignoring her suggestion.
“Lao He, don’t hesitate at a time like this! What are you still hoping for? They’ve abandoned us, what good will it do if you take all the blame yourself?”
He Chao’s brow furrowed deeply, but he didn’t remain silent like before.
“Let me think about it.”
**
Before boarding the plane, Qin Qianrou received a call from Shao Ze, informing her that He Chao and Jiang Yuan were already under investigation.
Turning off her phone, she could finally relax and rest. Shen Yiqiu was happy but didn’t disturb Qin Qianrou. The exhaustion in her eyes had been evident for days, and she needed a good night’s sleep.
Qin Qianrou, who had been sitting, must have been truly exhausted, because after falling asleep, her head gradually slid onto Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder, her forehead resting on her arm. Shen Yiqiu wasn’t surprised or uncomfortable, but quietly straightened up and gently adjusted Qin Qianrou’s head, trying to make her more comfortable.
“Shen Yiqiu, do you…” need any help?
Zhang Meng hadn’t finished her sentence when Shen Yiqiu interrupted her.
“Let her sleep, don’t wake her.”
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