Chapter 60
Cousin? Li Wan was momentarily stunned by this unexpected term of address. She knew Yuan Qi, she knew Shen Yiqiu, but she hadn’t known about their relationship.
Yuan Qi, waiting for a moment without a response from Li Wan, put away his playful demeanor; after all, Miss Li’s temper wasn’t easy to deal with.
“Li Wan, actually I…”
“We’ll settle this when we meet.” Then, turning to Shen Yiqiu, she added, “I have more important matters to attend to right now.”
With that, without waiting for Yuan Qi’s response, she hung up.
She gently tossed the phone back to Shen Yiqiu, observing her protectively clutching it, her suspicions deepening. She walked to the door, took off her high heels, returned to the living room, sat down on the sofa, crossed her legs, and looked at Shen Yiqiu with her arms crossed.
“Suddenly feeling a little hungry, I think I’ll have a late-night snack before leaving.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Whatever you usually make for Qianrou.”
Shen Yiqiu pursed her lips, took off her jacket, and quickly went to the kitchen.
She hadn’t returned home too late, and after bustling about in the kitchen for a while, she emerged with a bowl of small wontons. A small serving, but quite tempting.
Li Wan, feeling tired, smelled the aroma and realized she was also hungry. She casually tied up her hair, sat down at the dining table, and seeing only one bowl, said, slightly displeased, “You’re not eating?”
Shen Yiqiu pulled out a chair and sat down beside her, smiling faintly. “I just had Korean BBQ with my cousin, I’m stuffed.”
Li Wan didn’t stand on ceremony, stirred the wontons with her spoon, and took a bite. They were delicious.
“What brand is this?” She thought she should buy some and keep them at home for whenever she had a craving.
“I made them myself. There are some left in the fridge, I can pack some for you if you like.”
Li Wan was surprised. “You made these?”
“It’s quite simple, just a little troublesome to prepare the filling, but you can find recipes online. I tried it a few times, and after some practice, it becomes quite quick.” Shen Yiqiu didn’t hide anything, adding, “I’ve tried the store-bought ones a few times, they’re just not as good.”
Both she and Qin Qianrou were from Hai City, and they had a special fondness for small wontons. Naturally, they were also picky about the taste. The frozen ones from the supermarket were just… passable.
Li Wan ate a few more wontons before slowing down.
“Shen Yiqiu, you’re becoming more and more resourceful.”
Her words were a bit cryptic, and Shen Yiqiu, looking at Li Wan’s knowing smile, tried to decipher their meaning.
“You’ve put a lot of thought into Qianrou, haven’t you?” Li Wan casually dropped another bombshell, enough to make Shen Yiqiu explode on the spot.
“I…” Shen Yiqiu wanted to deny it, but she suddenly felt a wave of helplessness.
Everyone around her seemed to have seen through her, yet she had to repeatedly deny and conceal her feelings. Were these feelings truly so unacceptable?
Li Wan’s tone was unreadable, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t know what to say. Li Wan was close to Qin Qianrou, and she was afraid of accidentally revealing her secret, which would be equivalent to telling Jiejie directly.
Although, she suspected Jiejie already knew.
“Qianrou has been alone all these years, it must have been hard for her.” Li Wan looked down, stirring the wontons in her bowl, her tone unchanged.
“She works so hard, that’s why I want to do everything I can to help her.” Recalling her cousin’s stories about Qin Qianrou’s past, Shen Yiqiu’s heart ached for her hardworking Jiejie.
“So, are you serious?”
Hmm? What’s with Sister Li Wan today?
She had been acting strangely ever since that phone call with her cousin. She usually teased her whenever she came over for dinner, but tonight, her demeanor was clearly different.
“I’m asking you, are you serious about your care and concern for Qianrou?” She emphasized her question.
Shen Yiqiu sensed something different in her eyes, and she wondered, Is it as I suspect? Is Sister Li Wan probing my feelings, or is she just asking a normal question?
Just admit it, there’s nothing wrong with liking someone. Even if Jiejie didn’t reciprocate her feelings, at least her intentions were true.
Shen Yiqiu looked at Li Wan earnestly and nodded firmly. “Very serious.”
Li Wan’s expression seemed to say, As I expected. Shen Yiqiu’s heart skipped a beat.
She braced herself for the next question, but Li Wan didn’t say anything more.
After a long look, Li Wan suddenly said, “Shen Yiqiu, don’t disappoint me.”
Then, she beckoned Shen Yiqiu closer. “Since you’re serious, then let’s test Qianrou’s reaction.”
An hour later, a photo of a steaming, tempting bowl of small wontons appeared on Li Wan’s WeChat Moments.
The caption read: Exhausted after a long day at work, but healed by a simple late-night snack. Thank you, kiddo. Heart emoji. Photo.jpg
Having wontons for a late-night snack wasn’t unusual, but what was unusual was that the photo didn’t show any people, only the placemat and the pattern on the edge of the bowl, clearly focused. It was unclear whether she was showcasing the tableware or the food.
Soon, comments started pouring in. Some advised her to take care of herself and not overwork; some were drawn in by the wontons, accusing her of tempting them late at night; some jokingly asked if she had finally found someone to make her late-night snacks.
Li Wan replied to a few comments, then put down her phone and went to take a shower.
Shen Yiqiu, after seeing Li Wan off and tidying up, finally sat down, intending to do some reading. As soon as she opened WeChat, she saw Li Wan’s post.
She read it several times, as if in disbelief.
Li Wan hadn’t praised the wontons like this all evening, she had simply said they were delicious and thanked her for the effort. Why the sudden change in style on her WeChat Moments?
She shook her head, not bothering to comment, it would seem like she was fishing for compliments. She casually liked the post and opened her textbook. There was a quiz next week, it wasn’t a major part of her grade, but Shen Yiqiu still wanted to do well.
A new message arrived. Opening it, she saw it was from Qin Qianrou.
[Studying?]
Shen Yiqiu quickly picked up her phone, a smile already forming on her lips before she even replied.
[Just started. ]
Then, she held her phone, waiting for the next message, but Jiejie’s reply was slow.
Thinking she might be busy, Shen Yiqiu didn’t rush her, holding her phone in one hand, flipping through her textbook with the other.
A few minutes later, Qin Qianrou’s message finally arrived.
[Xiao Wan picked up some documents for me tonight, thank you for taking care of her. ]
Shen Yiqiu was a little surprised; when had Jiejie become so polite?
Besides, it was just a bowl of wontons, hardly a grand gesture of hospitality. However, the filling was a new recipe she had learned online, and she hadn’t had a chance to make it for Jiejie yet.
[Don’t mention it, Jiejie, it was nothing. ]
Then, there was no response from Qin Qianrou.
Shen Yiqiu waited for a while, fifteen minutes passed, and it seemed Jiejie wasn’t going to reply anymore. This was normal for them; sometimes Qin Qianrou would suddenly get busy, and by the time she was free, hours would have passed.
Shen Yiqiu was used to this. They had an unspoken understanding; if there was nothing important, then the conversation was considered over.
But ten minutes later, another message from Qin Qianrou arrived.
[I should have some time off next weekend, I might be coming back. ]
[Really? That’s great! Jiejie, let me know in advance, so I can prepare. ]
[Prepare what?]
[Lots of delicious food, waiting for you to come back and enjoy. ]
Shen Yiqiu smiled as she messaged Qin Qianrou, as if Jiejie was returning tomorrow.
[I’m not that obsessed with food, no need to go to so much trouble. ]
Shen Yiqiu knew Jiejie would definitely tell her to focus on her studies.
[I understand, I’ll prioritize my studies. ]
Five minutes later, Qin Qianrou sent a final message, ending the conversation.
[Thank you for your effort. ]
[Rest early, good night. ]
[Good night, Jiejie!]
Shen Yiqiu, who had been feeling exhausted all day, suddenly felt energized.
Her drowsiness vanished, and her study efficiency greatly increased; it seemed Jiejie was her energizer.
**
The next day after work, Li Wan, bag in hand, emerged from her office and ran into Lin Shuangzhi at the doorway, who seemed to be looking for her.
“Team Leader, are you looking for me?”
“Mm, just finished a meeting.”
Li Wan understood; Lin Shuangzhi returning from a meeting just before the end of the workday was perfectly normal. And as usual, she would now proceed to work overtime, catching up on the day’s tasks.
She wondered if she should order takeout for the team leader before leaving, otherwise, she would probably rummage through her office for those strange snacks again, those things were truly frightening.
To her surprise, Lin Shuangzhi simply stood there, not returning to her own office.
Li Wan looked at her curiously. “Something you wanted to discuss?”
She thought it must be a new assignment from the meeting, or perhaps a change in their work arrangements. Although she didn’t want to work overtime, working overtime with the team leader was… bearable.
Li Wan mentally prepared herself for another late night.
Lin Shuangzhi cleared her throat and asked, “Are you free tonight?”
Li Wan nodded, a hint of resignation in her tone. “Nothing urgent.”
“Want to have dinner together?”
Li Wan, accepting her fate, took out her phone and opened the familiar food delivery app.
“Sure, what do you want to eat tonight?”
After waiting for a moment without a response, she looked up and met the team leader’s slightly exasperated gaze.
“Xiao Wan, I meant, going out for dinner.”
Lin Shuangzhi reached over and swiped away the food delivery app on her phone.
“Oh, then you better hurry up and pack up, otherwise, we’ll have to wait for a table.”
Lin Shuangzhi quickly returned to her office, and Li Wan slowly followed, pausing at the doorway. Only now did she realize, had Lin Shuangzhi just asked her out?
Lin Shuangzhi had invited her out a few times before, but those were just casual after-work drinks, not a proper date. But tonight was different, dinner took much longer than drinks. And after dinner, they could still go for drinks.
Thinking this, Li Wan felt a surge of anticipation, looking forward to spending time with the team leader tonight.
Lin Shuangzhi tidied up her desk, locked important documents in her drawer, turned off her computer, grabbed her bag and coat from the rack, and without any hesitation, closed the office door.
Li Wan, observing her actions, smiled faintly. It seemed the team leader wasn’t just a workaholic; at least today, having dinner with her was clearly more important than work, this realization pleased her.
But she wouldn’t let Lin Shuangzhi see that.
Having silently accompanied her through countless late nights, losing her composure now just because of a dinner invitation wasn’t her style. But Lin Shuangzhi’s initiative still made her heart flutter; who wouldn’t be happy when the person they liked approached them?
Walking to the parking lot with Lin Shuangzhi, Li Wan wondered if she should drive.
Lin Shuangzhi, however, preempted her question, “Let’s take my car.”
Li Wan immediately agreed, then hesitantly asked, “How will I get to work tomorrow then?”
Her family had a driver, and she could always call a taxi, but she still preferred driving herself.
Lin Shuangzhi’s reply was matter-of-fact. “I’ll pick you up.”
Li Wan looked at Lin Shuangzhi’s back, ???
She felt that the team leader was acting strangely today, like a different person.
Reaching the car, Lin Shuangzhi opened the door and, seeing Li Wan still walking slowly, lost in thought, chuckled, looking at her, “Weren’t you just rushing me, saying we’d have to wait for a table if we were late? Now you’re so leisurely, not worried about waiting anymore?”
Li Wan walked over and stood across from her, separated by the car.
“Why are you…” acting so differently?
Lin Shuangzhi, seemingly oblivious, still looking at her, asked, “So, do you want to have dinner or not?” She thought for a moment, then added, “Or, should we take your car?”
Li Wan immediately objected, “No, I want to have some wine tonight, I’m not driving.”
If I drive myself, how can I make you pick me up tomorrow? Hmph!
Li Wan smoothed her long, wavy hair, the curls cascading down her back, adding to her charm. She got into the car, and the car was instantly filled with the scent of her perfume.
Lin Shuangzhi followed, pleased with the change in fragrance, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Where do you want to eat?” Li Wan opened her phone, realizing there were so many restaurants in Meng City, yet she couldn’t choose one.
“Anywhere is fine, you decide.” Lin Shuangzhi, focusing on driving, seemed perfectly content with letting Li Wan make the decision.
“Why do I always have to decide, don’t you have any preferences?” Li Wan’s frustration grew, recalling how Lin Shuangzhi always let her choose when they ordered takeout during overtime.
It’s always me making the decisions, can’t you be more proactive?
Lin Shuangzhi didn’t understand her sudden annoyance and simply chuckled good-naturedly. “You’re better at choosing than I am. Besides, I want you to enjoy your meal, so naturally, your preference is more important.”
Li Wan knew this, but she was still annoyed by Lin Shuangzhi’s lack of initiative. However, hearing her words, her heart couldn’t help but flutter. The team leader caring about her, that was a good thing.
Since confessing her feelings to Qin Qianrou, Li Wan had made up her mind; she wouldn’t succumb to her family’s arrangements and go on pointless blind dates anymore.
These precious years, this beautiful youth, should be spent with the person she loved. She was almost thirty, and the team leader had already passed that milestone, if they continued like this, they would both become pitiful, single, middle-aged women.
Li Wan decided that as she embraced her own feelings, she would also gently nudge Lin Shuangzhi in the same direction. Even if their feelings weren’t perfectly aligned, at least they would be entangled, inseparable.
This… was a good plan.
Thinking this, her mood brightened, feeling that tonight was a good start, at least the team leader was taking a step towards her.
“What are you thinking about?” Lin Shuangzhi, sensing the shift in her mood, couldn’t help but ask.
“Wondering why you suddenly decided to invite me to dinner.”
“After the meeting, it was just the two of us left, is it so strange to have dinner together?”
Li Wan rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking, You weren’t like this before.
We’ve been alone before, and you still buried yourself in work after a few words.
“It’s… nice, just not your usual style.”
Lin Shuangzhi, waiting at a red light, turned to look at her. “What’s my usual style?”
The style of a workaholic robot, oblivious to everything but work.
Li Wan wanted to say this, but the words that came out were, “Overly dedicated, working so hard your subordinates are in awe.”
Lin Shuangzhi burst out laughing. “Xiao Wan, I didn’t expect that’s how you see me. It seems I need to be more mindful in the future, so you can see the real me.”
Li Wan bit her lip, Lin Shuangzhi’s words playing on repeat in her mind.
She felt there was a hidden meaning in the team leader’s words, but she had no proof.
Seeing Li Wan’s silence, Lin Shuangzhi glanced at her a few more times. The light turned green, and she slowly started the car, her gaze deep with an affection Li Wan couldn’t see.
They ended up at a Spanish seafood restaurant Li Wan frequented. Their paella was authentic, and she often came here with Qin Qianrou. But this was her first time here with the team leader.
This restaurant had been around for many years, she had first come here with Qin Qianrou during their university days. In a way, they were both creatures of habit, loyal to the things they liked.
“This place is good, authentic ingredients and flavors.” Li Wan introduced the restaurant to Lin Shuangzhi after they got out of the car.
“Such a popular place, we’ll probably have to wait for a while.”
“Don’t worry, since I brought you here, I won’t let you wait.”
Lin Shuangzhi looked at her with amusement, seeing Li Wan waving her phone triumphantly, a smug look on her face. “I’m a loyal customer of many years, a VIP, I have special privileges.”
Lin Shuangzhi chuckled and shook her head. “Cutting in line isn’t a good habit.”
Li Wan walked around the car and stood beside Lin Shuangzhi. They were around the same height, and standing side by side, they made a striking pair.
Unlike Qin Qianrou’s aloofness, Lin Shuangzhi exuded a more mature aura, elegant yet calm, composed yet tolerant. Li Wan, standing beside her, felt like a kitten, wanting to lean against her.
“Don’t make me sound like someone who disregards rules. This restaurant reserves tables for their regular customers, you have to be very familiar with the owner to get this privilege. Qianrou and I have been coming here for eight years!”
Lin Shuangzhi listened with a smile, thinking that Li Wan after work was truly adorable, even more so than at the office.
After ordering, Lin Shuangzhi went to the restroom. Li Wan couldn’t wait to message Qin Qianrou, to share the news of the team leader having initiated their dinner date.
[Qianrou, guess where I am?]
She attached a photo of the restaurant’s entrance, a distinctive design, easily recognizable to those familiar with the place.
As expected, Qin Qianrou replied quickly.
[Are you deliberately trying to make me jealous, making me crave paella?]
[You’ve misunderstood. I just wanted to say, the person I’m having dinner with tonight is the team leader, hehe. ]
Qin Qianrou facepalmed. After a whole day of training, she had finally returned to her room to rest, and just as she emerged from the shower and ordered room service, she received Li Wan’s message, it was truly infuriating.
[Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?]
[It is, it seems Cupid is busy this winter, Meng City’s romance index is off the charts. ]
Qin Qianrou sighed, Li Wan always became so animated when talking about love.
[Come back and visit when you’re free, soak in some of Meng City’s romantic aura. Even your little one has better luck than you, if you don’t come back soon, you’ll be left behind. ]
Qin Qianrou frowned. Shen Yiqiu’s romantic luck?
[Didn’t you say she’s been quite normal lately?]
Li Wan twirled a strand of hair around her finger, a mischievous smile on her face as she typed, [Oh, she’s doing great, frequently being taken out for dinner, personally escorted home, then bombarded with caring phone calls, I’ve heard it with my own ears. ]
Qin Qianrou’s replies slowed down. Lin Shuangzhi, returning from the restroom, noticed that Li Wan’s mood had improved.
“Who are you messaging, chatting so happily?”
“I sent a photo of the restaurant to Qianrou, to make her jealous, so she’ll come back from Hai City.”
Hearing it was Qin Qianrou, Lin Shuangzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap.
“I heard there’s a three-day break next weekend, she should be coming back then.”
Li Wan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Lin Shuangzhi nodded noncommittally just as the appetizers arrived.
Then, Qin Qianrou’s message finally arrived.
[I’ll be back in Hai City next weekend. ]
Li Wan’s smile widened. [That’s more like it, come back and keep an eye on your little one, and also remind her of your existence. She’s not just being cared for by us anymore, someone else is even more concerned about her, and closer to her. ]
[As long as she’s safe and sound, that’s all that matters. ]
Li Wan smiled, put down her phone, and started enjoying her meal.
Whether it was the chef’s exceptional performance tonight, or Lin Shuangzhi’s presence across from her, Li Wan found every dish exquisite.
Qin Qianrou frowned, looking at her phone, the exchange with Li Wan making her increasingly uneasy.
She knew Li Wan tended to exaggerate, especially when teasing Shen Yiqiu, but she wouldn’t make up stories to deceive her. So, was there really someone frequently taking Shen Yiqiu out for dinner and then escorting her home?
Li Wan had also said she had overheard the caring phone calls, which meant the person called Shen Yiqiu frequently, otherwise, Li Wan wouldn’t have overheard them.
Shen Yiqiu, what exactly have you been doing in Meng City all this time…?
Qin Qianrou looked out the window at the night view, the neon lights flickering, the Hai City night making her feel strangely lonely. She had been in Hai City for so long, and now, more than ever, she wanted to return to Meng City.
Return to do what? She thought about it for a long time, then told herself, Perhaps, to have a bowl of wontons.
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