Chapter 67
The meeting with He Chao didn’t last long. He Chao mostly recounted his story in a dejected manner, while Qin Qianrou listened quietly. She didn’t conduct a formal interview, nor did she take any notes, but his every word shocked her deeply.
“You used national resources and funding for such despicable dealings, it’s a disgrace to scientific research.” Qin Qianrou tried to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.
This wasn’t just a simple crime, it was treason!
“I understand, but I couldn’t resist the lure of profit.” He Chao’s gaze, which had been lowered, lifted weakly. “Do you know the despair of spending years in the lab, conducting countless experiments, only to have your data and findings ignored? How many people have left the field because of this, how many people have worked for over a decade and still can’t afford a home?”
“But that’s not an excuse to sell out your research.”
The widening income gap between industries was indeed a prominent issue, but there were still basic ethical principles to uphold. Lack of money couldn’t be an excuse for wrongdoing.
“At this point, I don’t want to make excuses, every transaction was a torment for me. Believe it or not, I didn’t feel good about it, but if I didn’t do it, someone else would. I worked hard for decades, and in the end, my achievements, my reputation, my title, and my money, all taken away. Tell me, is that fair?”
Qin Qianrou didn’t want to debate this; she wasn’t here to offer psychological counseling.
He Chao must have had his reasons for going down this path, but they were irrelevant to her, she wasn’t interested.
“I’m telling you this because I want you to report it.”
“Report it? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”
“I’m already doomed, I thought I would be safe here, but I was naive.”
Qin Qianrou frowned, considering his request.
He Chao’s expression was filled with bitterness, his voice trembling slightly as he pleaded, “I know you’re an upright person, you dare to report what others don’t, that’s why I’m asking for your help. And you wouldn’t want to see those people continue their wrongdoings, after all, it’s the nation’s wealth they’re stealing.”
“Even if I want to report it, I can’t simply publicize your claims without verification. I have to be responsible for every word I say to the public, so I need time, and I need more evidence.”
He Chao wasn’t disappointed, Qin Qianrou was a good reporter.
She was probably the last glimmer of hope in his bleak and hopeless situation.
“Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to do this for nothing. I kept a copy of all the transactions, it’s in a safe deposit box at an overseas bank, Jiang Yuan knows how to access it.”
Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected him to reveal this so readily.
But she didn’t feel any sense of triumph, only a faint sadness.
If he wasn’t desperate, He Chao wouldn’t have entrusted such a secret to someone he had only met a few times. He had kept this secret all this time, and now, revealing it meant he knew his own situation was dire.
“I can only say I’ll try my best, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to help her.”
“Your willingness to try is enough, I have no one else to turn to. Asking Lawyer Li to contact you was just a gamble. I’ve tried contacting several people, no one was willing to help, some even blocked the lawyer’s number.”
He Chao chuckled sadly, his life, once so glorious, now ending so tragically.
As Qin Qianrou was about to leave, He Chao suddenly called out to her.
In a very low voice, he said, “If I die, regardless of the cause, please help Jiang Yuan.”
**
Back at the hotel, Qin Qianrou was still thinking about her meeting with He Chao. Shen Yiqiu had sent her two messages, which she hadn’t had time to reply to.
Only when her neighbor, also participating in the training program, knocked on her door, inviting her to dinner, did she snap back to reality. It was already evening.
She asked her colleague to go ahead and called Shen Yiqiu.
The call was quickly answered, and Shen Yiqiu’s cheerful and familiar voice soothed Qin Qianrou’s tense nerves.
“Jiejie, have you had dinner yet?”
“Not yet, I was just about to go to the restaurant.”
“Oh, then eat more, don’t just eat whatever’s convenient because you’re busy with work.”
Qin Qianrou had gradually grown accustomed to Shen Yiqiu’s nagging about her diet and her constant concern for her well-being.
A smile touched her lips, and she softly said, “I won’t neglect myself. What about you, what are you doing?”
“Me? I’ve already eaten, I’m doing my homework. We have a major assignment due next week, it’s worth 25% of our final grade.”
“It’s not due until next week, you can work on it slowly over the weekend.” Qin Qianrou, as always, didn’t want Shen Yiqiu to overwork herself.
The voice on the other end suddenly dropped, and Qin Qianrou thought the connection was bad. Just as she was about to call back, she heard Shen Yiqiu’s soft voice, “I want to visit you this weekend.”
Qin Qianrou was momentarily stunned, then she understood.
She missed her too, and she understood Shen Yiqiu’s feelings.
“We just saw each other, why do you want to see me again so soon?”
“That’s not soon at all! A day apart feels like three autumns, we’ve been apart for several days, that’s many autumns!”
Qin Qianrou suppressed a laugh, it was Thursday, they had been apart for three days.
“But I can’t make it this weekend, let’s reschedule.”
Shen Yiqiu’s disappointment was palpable; she had been planning to surprise Jiejie. It seemed she would have to spend the weekend doing homework after all.
“I only have one day off this week, and I have some urgent work to take care of.”
Qin Qianrou thought about it, then decided not to tell her about the He Chao matter. Shen Yiqiu was doing well now, and she didn’t want to drag her back into this mess.
Besides, how much of what He Chao had said was true, and how much was fabricated? She still needed to verify it. Even if he claimed she was his last hope, she didn’t believe a hypocrite like him would suddenly have a change of heart.
Asking to meet her, offering this information in exchange, he was simply trying to use her influence and her abilities to protect Jiang Yuan. Only by attracting public attention could Jiang Yuan’s safety be guaranteed.
It was all just manipulation.
Qin Qianrou didn’t care about He Chao’s schemes; she was concerned about the information he had revealed. If it was true, then she had to report it immediately and bring the truth to light. She couldn’t allow these hypocrites to continue wasting national resources and lining their own pockets.
“Are you unhappy?” Not receiving a response from Shen Yiqiu, Qin Qianrou’s heart softened, and her voice followed suit.
“No, just a little sad, thinking about all those autumns before I can see you again…”
“Hehe…” Qin Qianrou’s soft laughter sent shivers down Shen Yiqiu’s spine.
Her heart ached, and she desperately wanted to hold Jiejie close.
She missed her scent, the feeling of embracing her, the soft coolness of her lips.
Shen Yiqiu’s ears burned, but she didn’t dare to let Qin Qianrou know her thoughts.
“But it’s okay, I’m willing to wait.”
A double entendre, Qin Qianrou knew Shen Yiqiu hadn’t forgotten her words, that she needed some time.
Since returning, she had been busy with work, exchanging a few messages with Shen Yiqiu during the day, then chatting for a while in the evenings. No specific topics, just casual conversations about everyday occurrences, yet they both felt time flying by.
They always felt they hadn’t said much, but half an hour would have passed.
Every time they hung up, Shen Yiqiu felt a sense of reluctance.
Qin Qianrou felt the same way. Distance, for them, hadn’t exactly made their hearts grow fonder, but the longing and concern were real.
Only separation could make her see her own feelings more clearly.
Qin Qianrou sighed softly, It shouldn’t be much longer.
Although she hadn’t been able to visit Qin Qianrou in Hai City this weekend, an unexpected guest arrived from Hai City.
When Wen Shao Ze called, Shen Yiqiu thought she had misheard.
“Shao Ze-ge, why are you here?” She had been calling him this ever since she learned of his relationship with Jiejie.
Wen Shao Ze had just checked into his hotel, and after dropping off his luggage, his first priority was to contact Shen Yiqiu.
“I’m here on business and was asked to check on a certain someone.”
Shen Yiqiu sensed the teasing in his tone and hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Wen Shao Ze had initially intended to tease Shen Yiqiu further, he found this child pure and sweet, her gentle nature amusing, but then, recalling Qin Qianrou’s cold demeanor and her subtle protectiveness towards Shen Yiqiu, he had to restrain himself, afraid of crossing the line.
“Ahem, it’s like this, I’m here on a short business trip, and Qianrou asked me to bring you something.”
Jiejie has something for me? Although she didn’t know what it was, Shen Yiqiu’s heart was already filled with joy.
“Where are you staying? I can come pick it up.”
“Let’s have dinner together.”
Shen Yiqiu had never had dinner alone with Wen Shao Ze, and the sudden invitation made her slightly nervous.
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Wen Shao Ze added, “I’ll invite Xiao Wan as well, it’s been a while since I last saw her.”
Having Sister Li Wan there would make it easier. Shen Yiqiu readily agreed, glancing at the time, she still had some time before she needed to leave.
Her cousin hadn’t been around much since Jiejie returned to Hai City. Shen Yiqiu assumed he was busy settling into his new apartment. But she had visited him once, and the apartment was practically empty, just the basic furniture, no personal belongings.
Her cousin had been acting strangely since their Korean BBQ dinner. Shen Yiqiu wondered if, with her being so preoccupied with Jiejie, her cousin felt neglected and hurt.
It was a troubling thought, and Shen Yiqiu decided to message him later to check on him.
Li Wan came to pick her up, and as soon as Shen Yiqiu got in the car, she noticed a change in her perfume.
“Sister Li Wan, did you change your perfume?”
Li Wan smiled as she backed out of the complex.
“You’re a perfume connoisseur now?”
Shen Yiqiu instinctively touched her nose. “Not a connoisseur, it’s just that your previous perfume was a bit… strong.”
It was overwhelming, you could smell it from a mile away.
Li Wan raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
Lin Shuangzhi had casually mentioned a few days ago that although her personality was fiery, the strong perfume didn’t quite match her true nature.
So, Li Wan had changed her perfume.
She had finally found a scent she liked today, and she had been wanting to ask Lin Shuangzhi’s opinion, perhaps even go shopping for perfume together. It was a shame the team leader had plans this weekend.
“Did Wen Shao Ze tell you why he’s here?”
“He said he was here on a business trip.”
“Anything else?”
Shen Yiqiu shook her head, and Li Wan’s expression turned serious.
The restaurant wasn’t far from Wen Shao Ze’s hotel, a newly opened, upscale landmark in Meng City, typical of a successful businessman.
“It’s been a while, I thought you weren’t coming back to Meng City anymore.” Li Wan, after being seated, casually chatted with Wen Shao Ze.
Wen Shao Ze’s expression shifted slightly, but his gaze quickly turned to Shen Yiqiu.
He smiled at her, then took out a small insulated container from beside him.
Similar to a food warmer.
Both Li Wan and Shen Yiqiu were surprised, they hadn’t expected him to suddenly bring this out.
The usually suave and carefree Wen Shao Ze looked slightly helpless.
“I was about to leave for the airport when Qianrou had someone buy these and insisted I bring them to you in Meng City.”
Shen Yiqiu took the container with both hands and opened it, revealing two boxes of freshly baked savory mooncakes from a famous Hai City bakery.
Savory mooncakes were a popular snack in Hai City, not just during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shen Yiqiu stared blankly at them, recalling how, during their last wonton meal, Jiejie had casually mentioned that savory mooncakes would be the perfect accompaniment.
She had wontons at home now, and savory mooncakes, but Jiejie wasn’t here.
While Shen Yiqiu was immersed in a mix of gratitude and sadness, Li Wan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
After a few moments of staring, she asked Wen Shao Ze, “Did Qianrou really ask you to bring these?”
Wen Shao Ze, seeing the shock and confusion in her eyes, nodded helplessly. “Yes, she insisted. Have you ever seen such an extravagant and stylish mooncake delivery service?”
Savory mooncakes delivered via first-class air travel, few people could afford such luxury.
Although Qin Qianrou hadn’t said anything explicitly, her actions clearly showed that Shen Yiqiu wasn’t just anyone to her.
He had teased her about it before, but now, he was carefully observing and confirming his suspicions.
Li Wan, seeing his questioning look, nodded slightly.
Wen Shao Ze’s expression turned serious. He hadn’t expected the person who had brought Qin Qianrou back from her icy isolation to be this sweet and gentle child.
Putting aside their age gap, just their genders alone would be enough to cause an uproar within the Qin family. Both Qin Qianrou’s grandfather and his own grandfather would likely strongly object.
Recalling his own struggles years ago, Wen Shao Ze couldn’t help but feel worried for Qin Qianrou.
He turned to Shen Yiqiu, “Since there are two boxes, why don’t we open one and share?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yiqiu protectively clutched the mooncakes, her eyes filled with suspicion and reluctance.
Wen Shao Ze gestured towards her, looking at Li Wan, “Look at her, protecting a box of mooncakes like that.”
Shen Yiqiu felt slightly embarrassed, but she was definitely not sharing these mooncakes. This was Jiejie’s gift; she wanted to savor them slowly at home.
“Dinner is on me tonight, order whatever you want.” Just don’t even think about the mooncakes.
Li Wan, afraid Wen Shao Ze might start teasing her relentlessly, intervened.
“You haven’t been back to Meng City in years, try some of the local specialties tonight, a taste of home.”
Wen Shao Ze’s expression was normal, just a hint of nostalgia, no trace of sadness.
Li Wan observed him discreetly, wondering if he knew about Yuan Qi’s return. Was this sudden trip to Meng City truly for business, or was he here to look for someone?
It seemed Wen Shao Ze didn’t know about Shen Yiqiu’s relationship with Yuan Qi yet; otherwise, with his personality, he wouldn’t be sitting here joking with her.
If Wen Shao Ze and Yuan Qi met, who knew what kind of trouble it would cause?
Their falling out years ago had been a messy affair. Yuan Qi had disappeared, and Wen Shao Ze had stopped coming to Meng City, as if erasing their shared past.
Qin Qianrou had briefly mentioned her family situation, but Li Wan was still an outsider, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to pry into such personal matters. However, the attitudes of the Qin and Wen elders could be gleaned from Wen Shao Ze’s experience. If Qin Qianrou wanted to be with Shen Yiqiu, it would undoubtedly cause another uproar.
Li Wan couldn’t help but worry for her friend, but she also wanted their relationship to develop naturally. Finding someone you truly loved was rare, and Qin Qianrou hadn’t shown any interest in anyone in all these years.
Shen Yiqiu was the exception.
Such an exception, for Qin Qianrou, was precious.
She should live a normal life, not just be a cold and emotionless workaholic. Shen Yiqiu could offer her warmth, a taste of the softer side of life, which, for Qin Qianrou, was invaluable.
Li Wan, genuinely concerned for her friend, naturally hoped their relationship would blossom.
Previously, her understanding of such unconventional relationships had been limited, but now, having fallen for Lin Shuangzhi, she truly understood: love transcended gender.
The key was finding the right person.
**
Back at home, Shen Yiqiu eagerly took several photos of the mooncakes from various angles, then chose two and sent them to Qin Qianrou.
[Jiejie, thank you for the mooncakes.]
Qin Qianrou must have been busy, her reply came a while later.
[Shao Ze happened to be on a business trip, so I asked him to bring them over. You can buy more next time you visit. ]
Shen Yiqiu didn’t mind Qin Qianrou’s feigned indifference, during dinner, Wen Shao Ze had vividly imitated Jiejie’s forceful tone on the phone, insisting he bring the mooncakes.
Shen Yiqiu, hearing this, had been beaming.
Jiejie was so good to her, she felt so lucky.
Whenever she thought of Qin Qianrou’s kindness, Shen Yiqiu’s heart fluttered, a warmth spreading through her, she wanted to hug her, to kiss her.
[Jiejie, I miss you.]
Qin Qianrou gently caressed the screen, wondering if she should respond in kind, after all, she also missed Shen Yiqiu.
Before she could reply, another message arrived.
[I want to hug you, hold you close. ]
In the quiet of the night, hearts were always softer, more vulnerable.
A few simple words, amplified by longing, easily stirred Qin Qianrou’s heart.
Her heart racing, she felt a physical yearning for that embrace, that soft warmth, that close connection, that shared affection.
[You can, next time you visit.]
Shen Yiqiu stared blankly at the message for a full minute, finally understanding its meaning!
[!!!]
Then, she sent a barrage of excited emojis.
Jiejie had agreed to let her hug her, did that mean she had accepted her feelings?
Shen Yiqiu suppressed her excitement, she didn’t want confirmation over the phone.
She wanted to hear Jiejie’s answer in person; she didn’t want to kiss her phone, she wanted to kiss her beautiful Jiejie.
A sudden warmth spread through her, unsure if it was from the heating, Shen Yiqiu felt her face burning. Whenever she thought of Jiejie, the yearning within her intensified, the desire for intimacy growing stronger.
[Jiejie, I’m going to take a shower, you rest early.]
She fled like a guilty child, then, feeling her sudden departure might seem abrupt, she picked up her phone again.
[I want to share mooncakes with you next time.]
[Okay. Go to bed early after your shower. ]
[Good night, Jiejie. ] Jiejie, I love you.
Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to send the abbreviation “I love you,” but she chanted it silently in her heart, her cheeks burning even more intensely.
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