Chapter 62 p2
Qin Qianrou shook her head helplessly, wanting to drape a robe over her, afraid she might catch a cold, but then she saw the tear stains on her eyelashes.
And the sheet of paper beneath her face, soaked with tears.
The blank page was filled with nothing but her name, written over and over.
Qianrou, Qianrou, each character seemingly stained with teardrops, like a hidden pattern.
Qin Qianrou’s fingers turned white, unable to imagine the emotions Shen Yiqiu had felt while writing those words.
She stood there for a long time, wanting to wipe away those tears, wanting to gently caress that soft cheek, but she couldn’t.
Qin Qianrou understood, Shen Yiqiu’s kiss could be explained as youthful impulsiveness, a lack of control. But if she were to initiate such intimacy, it wouldn’t be a simple matter of impulse.
She was ten years older; if she did such a thing, she would have to take responsibility.
She was afraid she couldn’t offer what Shen Yiqiu needed, afraid of disappointing her. After all, she was still so young.
Being in a relationship with a girl ten years younger than her, Qin Qianrou’s hesitation wasn’t due to fear or disgust; she actually found her time with Shen Yiqiu warm and pleasant.
However, she wasn’t sure if it was love, and she wasn’t sure if eighteen-year-old Shen Yiqiu could offer her a future.
Qin Qianrou wasn’t so traditional as to believe that every relationship had to lead to marriage, but she was a serious person, and once she committed to a relationship, she would dedicate herself completely.
She was afraid of failing Shen Yiqiu, and also afraid of being failed.
She wanted to love, but she didn’t dare to.
Finally, Qin Qianrou gently draped a robe over Shen Yiqiu, closed her door, and returned to her own room.
**
The next day, just after 9 am, Li Wan’s call came, her tone cheerful.
“Qianrou, are you awake? Don’t forget our ‘date’ today.”
Qin Qianrou had been dreaming all night. She and Shen Yiqiu had barely exchanged five sentences during dinner, probably their most silent meal together.
After going to bed, Shen Yiqiu’s face had appeared in her dreams, making it difficult for her to sleep.
Suppressing a slight headache, Qin Qianrou’s voice was slightly hoarse. “I know, I won’t forget.”
“Then remind Shen Yiqiu, I won’t call her specifically.”
Qin Qianrou paused, about to suggest leaving Shen Yiqiu out today, but she thought it wouldn’t be good, it would make Shen Yiqiu feel excluded.
“See you later.”
Qin Qianrou drove Shen Yiqiu to the restaurant. They were quiet in the car, only slightly more talkative than last night.
“How are your studies going lately? Any areas you’re struggling with?”
“It’s going well, I’m keeping up.” Shen Yiqiu fidgeted with her phone. She had wanted to tell Jiejie that she had scored the highest in their recent quiz and had been praised by the professor.
“Any problems while I was away?”
“No, everyone has been very helpful.” Shen Yiqiu smiled at her, a slightly forced smile, but not entirely insincere.
Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, and the car fell silent again.
Qin Qianrou, from the corner of her eye, noticed Shen Yiqiu constantly clutching her phone, but she wasn’t messaging anyone, she seemed to be waiting for something.
“Although studying is important, you should also take breaks. It’s good to go out and relax with your classmates or friends, just remember to take care of yourself.”
Shen Yiqiu looked at her, puzzled, was Qin Qianrou encouraging her to go out and have fun?
“You don’t have many friends in Meng City, it’s good to meet more people.”
Shen Yiqiu realized that Jiejie was trying to encourage her to shift her affections to someone else, she must have found her annoying. But Jiejie didn’t understand, she wouldn’t like anyone else besides her.
“There’s no one I’m particularly interested in, it’s better to focus on my studies.”
Shen Yiqiu’s personality was similar to her parents’; they weren’t particularly social. They got along with those they clicked with, and if they didn’t, they simply parted ways. They preferred maintaining cordial relationships rather than forcing connections with those they disliked.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Shen Yiqiu realized there was another person present.
Li Wan walked over and hugged Qin Qianrou, which made Rong Fei and Lin Shuangzhi chuckle.
“Xiao Wan, you’re acting like Qianrou is the one you like.” Rong Fei stirred her coffee, her tone teasing.
“Hah, that’s just your assumption. Qianrou and I know our own feelings, if I liked her, I would have confessed long ago, why wait until now?”
Qin Qianrou sat beside Lin Shuangzhi, and Shen Yiqiu naturally tried to sit next to her as well, only to realize there was no seat for her.
Just as she awkwardly considered asking the waiter for another chair, Li Wan beckoned her over with a smile. “Come here, I saved this seat for you.”
Shen Yiqiu walked over, puzzled, which placed her directly across from Qin Qianrou.
“You’re always clinging to Qianrou, sit with me today.”
Shen Yiqiu blinked at her, what was the connection between the two?
Li Wan gently pinched her cheek, marveling at its smoothness, Youth is truly wonderful, so much collagen!
“Just sit, so many questions.”
“Ahem, Xiao Wan, stop bullying her, let’s order first, I’m sure Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu haven’t had breakfast yet.”
Li Wan then realized she hadn’t formally introduced Lin Shuangzhi.
Shen Yiqiu smiled politely at Lin Shuangzhi. “Hello, Sister Lin.”
Lin Shuangzhi chuckled, glancing at Qin Qianrou, then at Li Wan, and said, “I’m feeling younger already, thanks to you two.”
Having grown accustomed to being called “Auntie,” being called “Sister” now put her in a good mood.
Qin Qianrou’s expression remained indifferent, and Li Wan, after observing her for a while, didn’t see any reaction.
Li Wan, taking advantage of Qin Qianrou and Rong Fei’s trip to the restroom, pulled Shen Yiqiu aside and whispered, “How did it go yesterday?”
Shen Yiqiu’s face fell, and she sighed. “I was rejected.”
Li Wan was surprised. “You confessed already? Didn’t I tell you to take it slowly?”
She looked at Shen Yiqiu with a mixture of exasperation and disappointment. She had left early yesterday precisely for this reason.
Shen Yiqiu felt wronged, she was inexperienced, and besides, Jiejie’s lips had been so alluring yesterday, she hadn’t been able to resist.
“I couldn’t help myself…”
She lowered her head, her voice filled with grievance, regret, and a hint of shyness.
Her hesitant tone startled Li Wan. “Did you… force yourself on her?”
Judging by Qin Qianrou’s demeanor, bringing Shen Yiqiu along today meant she wasn’t completely indifferent, right?
Li Wan thought, I didn’t expect the usually aloof Qianrou to have such preferences.
Shen Yiqiu frantically shook her head. “No, no, I just…” She blushed, slightly embarrassed. “I kissed Jiejie.”
She pinched her fingers together, emphasizing the lightness of the touch. “Just a quick peck.”
Li Wan was disappointed, thinking she was a champion, only to find she was a beginner.
Then, realizing the implications, she was stunned again.
Although it was just a quick peck, it wasn’t just anyone, it was the notoriously aloof Qin Qianrou!
So Qianrou let you kiss her, and even brought you out today.
“Kid, you’re in luck. Keep at it, don’t give up, understand?”
Shen Yiqiu had never intended to give up, but recalling last night’s events still saddened her. Jiejie didn’t like her acting like that, but she didn’t know what to do now.
Li Wan and Shen Yiqiu’s conversation became more animated, Li Wan’s arm now around Shen Yiqiu’s neck, their faces almost touching. Although Lin Shuangzhi was sitting beside Li Wan, there was still some distance between them, and since she disliked eavesdropping, she could only keep sipping her water.
However, even after several cups of tea, Li Wan was still talking.
Lin Shuangzhi stood up to urge the waiter to serve their food, then turned around and saw them still in close proximity.
“Xiao Wan, offer her some snacks, the food will take a while.”
Li Wan loosened her hold slightly, but her arm remained around Shen Yiqiu. Seeing Lin Shuangzhi staring at the empty table, she smiled inwardly.
“It’s okay, she doesn’t like these, and she can handle being hungry.” Then, she looked at Shen Yiqiu meaningfully. “Am I right, kiddo?”
Shen Yiqiu didn’t understand, she felt Sister Li Wan was being overly enthusiastic today. However, she was glad she was finally no longer sneezing from her perfume.
A plate of snacks appeared before Li Wan, and she saw her favorite almond cakes.
“The kid can handle being hungry, you, however, might not be able to.”
Li Wan smiled as she started eating, her smile widening with each bite.
Finally free from Sister Li Wan’s clutches, Shen Yiqiu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Lin Shuangzhi gratefully, only to find the team leader looking at her as well.
Shen Yiqiu awkwardly looked away, staring blankly at her teacup.
Qin Qianrou and Rong Fei returned from the restroom and immediately noticed the lonely figure.
Although Li Wan and Lin Shuangzhi weren’t doing anything particularly intimate, there was an undeniable intimacy in the air, a special atmosphere surrounding them, excluding Shen Yiqiu, who seemed like a lonely outsider.
Qin Qianrou turned and whispered a few words to the waiter, and soon, a chair was brought over and placed beside her, along with an extra set of cutlery.
“Shen Yiqiu, come sit here.”
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