Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 101

Chapter 101

Zhang Meng’s hesitation made Shen Yiqiu nervous, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

“Just tell me, Senior, I’m prepared.”

Zhang Meng glanced at her phone again, during that brief two-minute silence, Gu Chao had sent several more messages.

“Gu Chao said this suddenly appeared in their work group chat and the alumni group chat today.” Zhang Meng showed her phone to Shen Yiqiu.

She had already exited the chat window, what she showed Shen Yiqiu were screenshots Gu Chao had sent.

Shen Yiqiu quickly scanned the images, initially thinking it was the post from the Meng Da forum, reposted at Hai Da, after all, her parents had also been influential figures there,

but then, seeing her father’s name repeatedly mentioned, along with He Chao and the word “transaction,” she knew she was wrong.

She snatched Zhang Meng’s phone, enlarging the images, carefully reading every word.

Someone had anonymously posted, exposing the hidden side of the renowned Professor Shen Zhifeng, claiming his high moral ground, his repeated assertions that scientific research wasn’t about personal gain, were all a facade, that he had been secretly colluding with foreign businessmen, selling his latest research findings.

This was even more malicious than the accusations against He Chao, whose research had mostly been preliminary data or insignificant findings, attracting some attention domestically, but not particularly valuable internationally.

Shen Zhifeng, however, was different, his status and achievements in the field were renowned, his research highly coveted, and it was said that before his accident, he had been working on a groundbreaking project that, if successful, would have had a global impact.

The language was exaggerated, yet the crucial details were vague. For example, it highlighted Shen Zhifeng’s reputation and achievements, emphasized his research being funded by national grants, then listed his achievements over the years,

including the patents Shen Yiqiu had donated, all painting a picture of Shen Zhifeng as a leading figure in his field.

But when it came to his personal circumstances, the tone shifted, using subtle innuendo to imply that despite years of dedicated research, Shen Zhifeng and his wife lived frugally, declining offers from numerous corporations, relying solely on their meager salaries and research stipends,

however, when mentioning his personal assets, the details became vague, subtly implying that besides the university-provided housing, the Shen family owned numerous properties and other assets across the country.

And even more ridiculously, it claimed Shen Zhifeng had set up an overseas trust fund for his only daughter, not only leaving her a substantial inheritance, but also including his research findings.

Shen Yiqiu trembled with anger, “This is slander! Has it become so easy to spread rumors online now? A few fabricated stories, and they can completely erase someone’s life’s work!”

Zhang Meng tried to comfort her, “These posts are just for those who don’t know him, anyone familiar with Professor Shen wouldn’t believe such nonsense.”

The post hadn’t gone viral yet, the general public hadn’t seen it, but it was already circulating within the industry, and Gu Chao had sent it to Zhang Meng immediately, knowing they were having lunch together.

Shen Yiqiu, however, wasn’t as calm and indifferent as she had been when facing the posts about herself, her anger barely suppressed.

“These baseless accusations and attacks online, they mostly come from ignorant people, even those who are still alive struggle to defend themselves, what can the deceased do?”

Shen Yiqiu was aware of the current online environment, she rarely looked at trending topics or hate posts, finding them filled with negativity and mindless attacks, both sides often losing their rationality.

“No, I can’t let this happen!” Shen Yiqiu grabbed her bag and rushed out of the restaurant.

Zhang Meng, having lost her appetite, hurriedly paid the bill and chased after her, but Shen Yiqiu was already gone, afraid she might be doing something impulsive, Zhang Meng called her, relieved to hear she was fine.

She took a taxi and headed straight to Meng City Television Station.

Only Qin Qianrou could help her with this.

Arriving at the reception desk, Shen Yiqiu filled out the visitor registration form. She was about to write Qin Qianrou’s name when she suddenly recalled the earlier posts and wrote Li Wan’s name instead.

The receptionist, glancing at the form, said, “You’re here for Team Leader Li? You might have to wait for a while, she went to a meeting this afternoon.”

This was unfortunate, with Li Wan not at the station, she couldn’t go up.

Shen Yiqiu hesitated, wondering if she should say she could also meet with Reporter Qin, but she didn’t want to cause trouble for Jiejie, although Qin Qianrou had said there was no need to be so secretive, this was still her workplace, a television station, and Shen Yiqiu instinctively wanted to remain hidden.

The receptionist, a kind young woman, seeing Shen Yiqiu in her student attire, her youthful beauty, said,

“Are you specifically looking for Team Leader Li, or anyone from the Special Projects Team? If it’s the team, I can contact other members for you.”

Shen Yiqiu’s lips moved, the word “Qin” almost escaping, but she couldn’t say it.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and several people emerged, the clicking of their high heels echoing in the lobby, clearly capable and efficient professionals, Shen Yiqiu, not paying much attention to them, instinctively stepped aside, afraid of being in their way,

but before they had even walked past, the receptionist called out, “Sister Qianrou, could you come over here for a moment?”

Shen Yiqiu’s breath hitched, she didn’t dare to look up.

Qin Qianrou had been discussing a revised draft with her colleagues, and after a long meeting, they were heading to the cafeteria for afternoon tea.

“Is something the matter?”

The receptionist smiled and explained softly, “A student is here for Team Leader Li, but Sister Li Wan went to a meeting after lunch, we’re not sure when she’ll be back, so we were wondering if you have time…”

Qin Qianrou understood, she didn’t want to make things difficult for the receptionist.

“I’ll handle it, I’ll see what she needs.”

The receptionist pointed excitedly towards where Shen Yiqiu had been standing, only to find her gone, she had quietly moved further away, trying to be even less conspicuous.

“She’s over there.” The receptionist glanced at the registration form. “Her name is Shen Yiqiu.”

Qin Qianrou had already been surprised seeing Shen Yiqiu earlier. Now, hearing her name, she calmed down,

nodding casually, as usual, she walked towards the figure standing in the corner, her head lowered.

The familiar clicking of high heels, each step echoing in Shen Yiqiu’s heart, she had said before, she could recognize Jiejie’s footsteps from anywhere,

yet now, she didn’t want the person walking towards her to be Qin Qianrou.

“Shen Yiqiu?” Qin Qianrou stopped a few steps away from her, her voice calm and casual, like a stranger’s.

Shen Yiqiu had no choice but to look up, forcing an awkward smile.

Qin Qianrou looked at her, arms crossed, familiar with this reaction. But they were at the television station, she couldn’t say much, if they were at home, she would have dragged her back to her room by her ear for a lecture.

“What is it?”

Shen Yiqiu, realizing there was no point in hiding now that Qin Qianrou was here, decided to be more natural, acting strangely would only arouse suspicion.

“There’s something I wanted to discuss with Team Leader Li.”

Qin Qianrou had initially thought she had come to see her, using Li Wan as an excuse to avoid attracting attention, she hadn’t expected her to actually have a legitimate reason.

“What kind of matter?”

Shen Yiqiu cautiously glanced around, then lowered her voice, “About He Chao, and… my father.”

Qin Qianrou’s heart tightened at the mention of these names, hearing Shen Yiqiu connect them, she couldn’t help but think of the materials they had received recently.

“Come with me.”

Qin Qianrou went to the reception desk, took Shen Yiqiu’s registration form, signed her own name beside it, and led her away.

They were alone in the elevator, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t know what to say. Qin Qianrou stood beside her, also silent.

This was Shen Yiqiu’s first time visiting the Special Projects Team during work hours. Most of the desks were empty; they must be at the cafeteria, Qin Qianrou didn’t bother with introductions, leading her straight to her office.

After closing the door, she said, “Have a seat, I’ll get you some water.”

Shen Yiqiu put down her bag and offered to help, “I can get it myself.”

Qin Qianrou had already poured a glass, and after a quick glance at Shen Yiqiu, she obediently sat down, taking the glass with both hands.

“You came all the way here because of the He Chao matter?”

Shen Yiqiu nodded and took out her phone, showing Qin Qianrou the screenshots Zhang Meng had sent her, but Qin Qianrou’s reaction wasn’t what she had expected,

Shen Yiqiu was puzzled, Jiejie seemed strangely calm.

“The content of that post is completely fabricated, I can’t let it spread online.”

Qin Qianrou’s brow furrowed in thought, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, compared to Shen Yiqiu’s anxiety and anger, she remained calm and composed.

“Jiejie, can you help me?”

“Don’t worry, this will take some time.”

Actually, Qin Qianrou and Li Wan had already been working on this, it seemed, unable to spread the rumors through the television station, the other party had found another channel, although less direct, it was more effective than hitting a brick wall.

As expected, after some effort, they had finally made some progress.

“But we can’t wait, it might already be online!”

According to Zhang Meng, not only Gu Chao and his friends, but also many students in related majors at Hai Da, had seen it, it was spreading quickly, and it would be even more difficult to control later.

“Calm down, we need to find the source first.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, couldn’t calm down, her fingers digging into the armrest. “How can I calm down? We both know how things work online, it’s easy to spread rumors, but incredibly difficult to refute them. My parents are gone, I can’t let their life’s work and their dedication be slandered like this!”

Qin Qianrou understood Shen Yiqiu’s feelings all too well, which was precisely why she had been hesitant to tell her,

“There’s no way to completely stop it, is there?” Shen Yiqiu’s voice was filled with despair, she had found her answer in Qin Qianrou’s silence,

Jiejie was capable, but she wasn’t omnipotent. In this age of social media, anyone with a phone could post online, it wasn’t just the television station anymore, even with a thousand hands, they couldn’t control the countless voices online.

Seeing Shen Yiqiu’s sudden dejection, Qin Qianrou stood up and walked over to her,

gently putting her arm around her shoulders, letting her lean against her.

“Even if there’s no way to completely stop it, I’ll still do my best, just give me some time.”

Shen Yiqiu, however, shook her head this time.

“Since it’s so troublesome, Jiejie, don’t worry about it, I’ll find a solution myself.”

Shen Yiqiu felt a sense of weariness, but she had to be strong, every second counted.

“What are you going to do?”

Shen Yiqiu picked up her bag, preparing to leave, and hearing Qin Qianrou’s question, she paused, “I’m going back to Hai City.”

Her family home was there, the place with the most traces of Shen Zhifeng’s life. She knew that the patents she had donated were the ones He Chao had been after, but what were these highly classified research findings mentioned in the screenshots?

It was clearly something different, otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to create this drama, while keeping the details vague.

Their purpose was simple, to force her hand, but they didn’t want anyone to know what this valuable research actually was.

“You’re going alone?”

Shen Yiqiu nodded silently, her bag slung over her shoulder.

She was leaving tonight, if she had wings, she would leave immediately.

Qin Qianrou’s expression turned cold, watching her actions. “You don’t trust me?”

Shen Yiqiu smiled wryly. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, I just don’t want to burden you, to disturb your work.”

Jiejie had been busy with the He Chao program lately, the exhaustion evident in her eyes, yet whenever she wanted to… be close, Qin Qianrou had always indulged her, even that weekend, when Qin Qianrou had clearly been tired, she had still patiently, repeatedly, given herself to her until late into the night.

Jiejie was so good to her, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t bear to burden her further at a time like this.

“Our relationship, do you really need to be so considerate?”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected Shen Yiqiu’s reaction, it seemed she was pushing her away, intending to handle this alone.

“Jiejie, time is of the essence, I’ll explain when I get back, okay?”

This was the first time Shen Yiqiu had so abruptly interrupted Qin Qianrou, leaving her stunned and slightly hurt.

As soon as Shen Yiqiu left the television station, she booked a flight to Hai City that evening. She hurriedly packed a few things, not even bothering to tidy up her room, then left.

Flights to Hai City tonight were fully booked; she had only managed to secure a first-class ticket because someone had cancelled their reservation.

Sitting in the waiting area, Shen Yiqiu hesitated, wanting to message Qin Qianrou, but unsure what to say, she had been wrong to leave so abruptly,

she didn’t know what had come over her, besides anxiety, she had also been… angry, she knew it was misdirected anger, but precisely because of her close relationship with Qin Qianrou, having subconsciously placed all her hope and reliance on her, Jiejie’s seemingly indifferent reaction had disappointed her, and hurt her.

Qin Qianrou had called her earlier, but she had been busy packing, she hadn’t heard it, and Qin Qianrou hadn’t contacted her again.

The person who used to share every little detail of her life, now staring blankly at her phone, Shen Yiqiu felt she must be crazy, but for her parents, she had to do everything she could to stop this.

If she could endure the malicious attacks against herself, fueled by her love for Qin Qianrou, then these slanders against her parents’ reputation, she could only refute with facts.

She firmly believed her parents weren’t hypocrites, even if the whole world misunderstood them, she would prove that there were people who were truly dedicated to scientific research, willing to contribute silently, without seeking fame or fortune.

The boarding announcement came, first-class passengers boarding first.

Shen Yiqiu thought for a moment, then sent Qin Qianrou a message.

A simple message: Jiejie, I’m boarding now, good night.

Tonight, she hadn’t had time to prepare dinner for Qin Qianrou, and the apartment was slightly messy from her hurried packing.

She walked slowly towards the gate, and after about five minutes, there was still no reply from Qin Qianrou,

then, a message arrived on her phone, from an unknown number, a multimedia message,

a clearer, more explicit image than the earlier screenshots, a contract, with Shen Zhifeng’s signature.

Shen Yiqiu suddenly stopped, almost bumping into the person behind her. Thankfully, the flight attendant reacted quickly, steadying her, then apologized to the other passenger.

“Miss Shen, please take your seat, I’ll help you with your luggage.”

Shen Yiqiu, already in a daze, handed her bag to the flight attendant and numbly sat down in the designated seat.