Chapter 68 p1
When Shen Yiqiu woke up, the corners of her mouth ached, probably from smiling all night, even in her dreams, the sweetness lingering.
Happiness truly was the best tonic. Shen Yiqiu’s spirits had been improving these past few days, a constant smile playing on her lips even when she was alone, messaging quietly in a corner. She hadn’t noticed it herself, but it was obvious to others.
Just after class that day, Shen Yiqiu was preparing to go to the library to study. She had messaged Qin Qianrou before class, knowing Jiejie’s training schedule was packed today, she probably wouldn’t have time to reply.
“Shen Yiqiu.”
Turning around, she saw Zhang Meng coming down the stairs and waved at her with a smile.
“Where are you going?”
“My classes are over for today, I was going to the library. What about you, Senior?”
“I remember you have a lecture in the auditorium today, I came specifically to find you.”
Shen Yiqiu was curious, “Something I can help you with?”
Zhang Meng smiled, her eyes filled with shyness and happiness. “Gu Chao is here to see me, he wanted to treat you to dinner.”
“Gu Chao is here? Then wait for me a moment, I need to grab something from the library, I’ll meet you guys later.”
After agreeing on a restaurant, Shen Yiqiu hurried to the library. She had left a few textbooks in the reading room before class to reserve a seat.
Since she wasn’t going there anymore, she shouldn’t occupy the space, better to leave it for someone else.
When she arrived at the designated restaurant on the food street outside the university, Gu Chao and Zhang Meng were already there. Shen Yiqiu saw them sitting side by side, their heads together as they studied the menu, chatting and laughing. Even she, having just arrived, could sense their happiness.
She quickly walked over and sat down opposite them. “Sorry I’m late.”
Gu Chao poured her a glass of water. “We’re not in a hurry, it’s just been a while, I specifically asked Zhang Meng to contact you.”
Gu Chao was a good person, although after returning to Meng City, it had mostly been Zhang Meng trying to repay their debt of gratitude, Shen Yiqiu could sense his sincerity.
“I’ve already told Senior, we’re all friends, if you keep being so formal, I won’t dare to accept your invitation.”
Gu Chao chuckled heartily, “I understand, I understand, let’s just have a casual get-together today.”
The atmosphere was pleasant, the three of them chatting and laughing, the conversation mainly revolving around Hai City and Meng City.
Gu Chao wanted to move to Meng City, but Zhang Meng insisted he stay in Hai City to pursue better career opportunities, which had led to a minor disagreement between them. Afraid of upsetting his girlfriend, Gu Chao had come to see her, surprising her with his visit, and they had discussed their plans face-to-face.
Shen Yiqiu admired their enduring long-distance relationship, especially how strong their feelings remained after so many years apart; it wasn’t common among young couples, especially students.
“Senior, your relationship is so strong, any secrets to share?”
Shen Yiqiu was genuinely seeking advice. Although her relationship with Jiejie wasn’t officially established, their recent interactions had become increasingly ambiguous, she would occasionally send bolder, more intimate messages, although not explicitly romantic, certainly not typical between ordinary friends.
And Jiejie, not only hadn’t she avoided or corrected her, she would sometimes even respond in kind, which made Shen Yiqiu realize that reciprocated feelings were indeed much sweeter than unrequited love, and her heart was filled with a restless yearning.
Even just a short training program meant being apart; she didn’t want anything to go wrong, she wanted her relationship with Jiejie to continue smoothly.
Zhang Meng pointed at Gu Chao. “It’s mostly thanks to him. In a relationship, there’s always one person who has to put in more effort.”
Gu Chao blushed slightly at the praise, but he also readily praised his girlfriend, “You’ve also put in a lot of effort, I know you’ve always been accommodating and tolerant. If it weren’t for your good nature, we would have broken up long ago.”
Shen Yiqiu shivered; she was truly stuffed from all this “dog food” (public displays of affection).
“Hey, Shen Yiqiu, why are you suddenly asking about this?” Zhang Meng winked at her meaningfully. “Is there a situation?”
“No!”
After denying it, she felt she shouldn’t have. Although her feelings for Jiejie weren’t conventionally accepted, they were just as genuine and intense as any other love.
“I was just asking, trying to learn some tips.” She lowered her voice, hiding her face behind her teacup.
Zhang Meng smiled, “You must be in love, you’ve been glowing lately, it’s so obvious.”
Shen Yiqiu was stunned, “That obvious?”
Zhang Meng nodded. “You might not have realized it yourself, but I saw you in the library once, sitting there giggling to yourself, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Uh, such an embarrassing moment, and she had been seen by the senior.
She looked down, taking a sip of water to hide her embarrassment, and Zhang Meng and Gu Chao chuckled.
“Being in love is normal, especially during the initial stages, you can’t help but daydream, don’t be embarrassed.”
Gu Chao’s words of comfort eased Shen Yiqiu’s embarrassment slightly, but she was still too shy to continue discussing relationships.
“Gu Chao, are you really planning to settle down in Meng City after graduation?”
Meng City was nice, its slower pace more suitable for living, but for Gu Chao’s major, Hai City definitely offered better career opportunities.
“That’s my plan, but there aren’t many relevant companies in Meng City. I’ve contacted a few, and their responses haven’t been very encouraging.”
Shen Yiqiu was surprised. “That’s strange, Meng City is in dire need of high-end talent like you, they shouldn’t be so dismissive.”
Zhang Meng sighed, “In Meng City, getting a good job still depends on connections. With similar qualifications, those with connections have a significant advantage. That’s why I want him to stay in Hai City, at least there, it’s all about merit.”
Gu Chao also fell silent, connections, something children from ordinary families like them lacked.
“What about your plans, Senior?”
“I plan to find a job in Hai City after graduation. The job market for my major is similar in both Meng City and Hai City, I don’t want him to sacrifice his career prospects for me.”
Putting aside their previous traumatic experience, objectively speaking, Hai City did offer many more opportunities than Meng City.
“There’s no rush, I’m still revising my thesis.” Gu Chao smiled affectionately and stroked Zhang Meng’s hair.
“Is your current advisor better?”
Gu Chao nodded, satisfied. “Much better. I actually wanted to work with him before, but we never had the chance to connect, and I was misled by He Chao, made the wrong choice.”
It had been a while since she had heard He Chao’s name, and Shen Yiqiu felt a slight pang of discomfort, but she quickly recovered.
“My current advisor is dedicated to research, not very good at self-promotion. If it weren’t for He Chao’s downfall, these senior professors wouldn’t have had a chance.” Gu Chao’s tone was filled with emotion.
Zhang Meng casually asked, “I heard He Chao is appealing his sentence?”
Shen Yiqiu was taken aback. He Chao hadn’t given up yet? Still trying to fight back even after being imprisoned, did he really think he had a chance of overturning his conviction?
She had attended the trial, although the charges were mainly related to academic misconduct, the evidence had been overwhelming, there had been no room for argument. If those charges could be overturned, Shen Yiqiu would be shocked.
Gu Chao’s expression turned serious. “I did hear he’s been actively contacting lawyers recently, but it doesn’t seem to be for an appeal. I don’t know the details, since the incident, everyone at the university has distanced themselves from him.”
The He Chao couple had no children, and even their relatives and close acquaintances, those who had benefited from their influence in the past, had rarely visited them.
Zhang Meng and Gu Chao didn’t know about the He Chao couple’s other crimes, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t intend to tell them, the more people who knew, the more trouble it would cause, they were just an ordinary couple, they should live ordinary lives.
Dragging them into this wouldn’t be good for them.
“I heard Reporter Qin is on a business trip, I haven’t seen her around lately.”
“She’s in Hai City for a training program, she’s been there for a while.”
Shen Yiqiu’s voice softened unconsciously when she mentioned Qin Qianrou.
That involuntary smile reappeared on her face, and Zhang Meng and Gu Chao exchanged glances, seemingly having noticed something.
Zhang Meng thought for a moment, then said, “I used to see a man coming to the university to see you, haven’t seen him around lately.”
Shen Yiqiu, recalling her classmates’ wild imaginations earlier, couldn’t help but facepalm.
“That’s my cousin, he had just returned from traveling abroad.”
So it was her cousin, that’s good.
Zhang Meng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then, remembering what she had said to Qin Qianrou, she felt a little worried.
“Senior, what’s wrong?” Shen Yiqiu noticed the sudden change in Zhang Meng’s expression.
“I need to tell you something, please don’t be angry.”
Shen Yiqiu chuckled. “Senior, don’t suddenly get so serious, I’m not used to it.”
Zhang Meng recounted her encounter with Qin Qianrou at the university gate, not hiding the fact that she had initially thought Yuan Qi seemed like a bad influence.
Shen Yiqiu burst out laughing after hearing this.
“So that’s how my cousin came across. I’ve been telling him to shave that mustache, but he insists it’s fashionable.”
Zhang Meng felt a pang of awkwardness, then, seeing that Shen Yiqiu wasn’t offended, she relaxed.
“But Reporter Qin is truly responsible, after I told her, she came to pick you up immediately.”
So that was it.
Shen Yiqiu finally understood.
Jiejie hadn’t mentioned it at all, she hadn’t expected this to be the reason.
Shen Yiqiu refilled Zhang Meng’s teacup, “Senior, I should be the one thanking you.”
Zhang Meng thought she was being sarcastic and became slightly anxious again, “Thank me? I’m just glad you’re not angry with me.”
“I should thank you. Thank you for being concerned about me, for telling her about my situation, and thank you for telling me all this today.”
Shen Yiqiu had always thought it was her love that had touched Qin Qianrou’s heart, that had given their relationship a chance. But now, a new thought blossomed within her: Jiejie has always cared about me, she just never said it.
Sweet bubbles of happiness rose within her, making every bite she took taste like honey, her joy amplified.
Their meal lasted for a long time, and only after most of the other students had left did they finally pay the bill and leave.
“Gu Chao, are you going back to Hai City this weekend?”
“Yes, are you going too?”
“Mm, that’s the plan, but I still need to discuss it with her.”
After strolling around the campus for a while, Shen Yiqiu excused herself, not wanting to be a third wheel any longer.
After she left, Zhang Meng watched her figure disappear into the distance, then turned to Gu Chao and said, “Do you know what I was just thinking?”
Gu Chao casually kissed her forehead, “About her relationship with Reporter Qin.”
“I’m not sure if I’m being too sensitive, overthinking things.”
Gu Chao looked at his girlfriend, nestled in his arms, and agreed, “Even a straight guy like me sensed it, I don’t think you’re overthinking it.”
Zhang Meng looked at him in surprise, then her expression turned worried. “I’m worried about them.”
Gu Chao sighed and held her closer.
**
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