Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 114

Chapter 114

Shen Yiqiu had just had her bandages changed when she heard that Qin Qianrou had woken up. Ignoring her cumbersome, zòngzi-like bandaged hands (zòngzi – sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), she hurried towards Qin Qianrou’s ward. Apart from changing her bandages and using the restroom, she had been by Qin Qianrou’s side constantly, hoping to be the first person Jiejie saw upon waking.

As she excitedly pushed the door open, Wen Yirong signaled her to be quiet. Shen Yiqiu glanced at the figure lying in bed, eyes still closed, just as she had been before Shen Yiqiu left to have her own wounds treated.

“I heard Jiejie woke up?” Shen Yiqiu whispered, walking towards Wen Yirong.

Wen Yirong stood up, relinquishing her seat to Shen Yiqiu, if it weren’t for her needing to have her bandages changed, no one could have taken this spot.

“She was awake for a little while, then fell asleep again.”

Shen Yiqiu was a little worried, Jiejie’s injuries weren’t serious, but why was she still unconscious? Wen Yirong reassured her softly, “The doctor said she’s fine, she’ll be awake soon.”

Having witnessed Shen Yiqiu’s frantic search that night, Wen Yirong had no doubt that this child’s devotion to Qin Qianrou was unwavering, and her heart, which had softened because of her daughter, was now touched by Shen Yiqiu.

This person could protect her daughter, and would always be there for her, and as parents, what more could they ask for than their child’s happiness?

“Don’t tire yourself out, get some rest, you don’t want to collapse after she wakes up.”

Shen Yiqiu felt that Aunt Wen’s attitude towards her had changed recently, a more natural closeness, a casual warmth, like family, unlike before, when there had always been a subtle distance, her kindness seemingly stemming solely from Qin Qianrou.

“You should rest as well, Auntie.” After all, Wen Yirong wasn’t young, and that night’s ordeal had taken a toll on her.

When Qin Qianrou woke up again, she saw a soft, fluffy head resting by her hand, the delicate, slightly curly hair tempting her to touch it, a familiar, comforting texture.

She raised her hand with some effort, wanting to feel that comforting touch again, to soothe her restless and heartbroken soul.

The landslide, the falling rocks, it had all happened so suddenly, and as the car was crushed, Qin Qianrou’s last thoughts before losing consciousness had been filled with regret,

regret that her life was too short, that she wouldn’t be able to walk the future path with Shen Yiqiu,

the pain and the unwillingness had consumed her, and even the usually strong and composed Reporter Qin had shed tears.

Shen Yiqiu felt the light touch on her head, Jiejie’s gentle touch, and she instantly woke up, looking up, their eyes meeting, seeing Qin Qianrou’s familiar gaze, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Qin Qianrou smiled, her hand sliding down from Shen Yiqiu’s head to gently pinch her earlobe.

“Jiejie.”

Shen Yiqiu had thought she would embrace her frantically, kiss her desperately, but now, just quietly looking at her, whispering her name, she felt a sense of contentment.

They looked at each other for a long time, neither of them speaking, their gazes locked.

“I missed you so much.” Qin Qianrou spoke first, her words expressing the relief and gratitude of a survivor.

How lucky, to be with you again, to walk the future path together.

“Me too.” Shen Yiqiu felt speechless, as long as Jiejie was safe and sound, she wouldn’t ask for anything more.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t sustained any external injuries, thanks to Yuan Qi, who had shielded her with his own body, protecting her from the impact.

Qin Qianrou raised her hand again, and Shen Yiqiu instinctively reached out to take it, then, realizing her bandaged hand looked clumsy and unsightly, she hesitated.

“Thank you for this gift, I like it very much.” Qin Qianrou had noticed the ring on her finger when she briefly regained consciousness earlier.

After she was admitted to the ward, Shen Yiqiu, with her bandaged hands, had clumsily put the ring on Jiejie’s finger, she couldn’t wait any longer, even feeling a little superstitious, wanting to use this small ring to bind Jiejie to her forever,

so that Jiejie would never leave her again,

she couldn’t bear the thought of losing Qin Qianrou, she would never be able to.

Shen Yiqiu blushed and looked down shyly, then looked up at Qin Qianrou, who was looking at her tenderly. She couldn’t feel anything through the bandages, but seeing the ring on Jiejie’s slender finger filled her with warmth and happiness.

“I had planned a romantic proposal, but I ended up putting it on while you were asleep, do you think I’m… unromantic, Jiejie?”

Qin Qianrou desperately wanted to kiss her, to tell her that her love was the most romantic gesture of all.

“Anything from you is romantic, always.”

Qin Qianrou’s words made Shen Yiqiu beam, and she couldn’t help but nuzzle her cheek against Qin Qianrou’s, wanting to be closer to her,

“Where’s yours?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her, puzzled, “Mine? What?”

Qin Qianrou pouted slightly, “Your ring, of course.”

She had heard about what had happened from Wen Yirong after briefly regaining consciousness earlier. Under the torrential downpour, even she, as a mother, had been heartbroken and despairing, but Shen Yiqiu, relentlessly searching, again and again, had moved everyone, reducing Wen Yirong to tears,

and later, in the ward, seeing Shen Yiqiu clumsily, yet refusing any help, insisting on personally putting the ring on Qin Qianrou’s finger, even the usually elegant and composed Wen Yirong had been moved to tears.

She had said, “Xiao Rou, congratulations, you’ve found someone you can truly rely on, someone who will cherish you.”

This was the first time she had received a genuine blessing from her mother, not because of her persistence, not because of her parents’ open-mindedness and understanding, but because they had also finally come to believe in their love.

Their unwavering love had proven the value and the meaning of their relationship.

Wen Yirong had also told her it was a pair of rings and that the Qin family would buy Shen Yiqiu a proper diamond ring after she was discharged.

Qin Qianrou had assumed Shen Yiqiu wasn’t wearing the ring because of her injured hand, she hadn’t expected her to pull a thin string from under her shirt, a ring, identical to hers, hanging from it.

“It’s here, close to my heart.”

The string was clearly something she had found at the hospital, simple and unassuming, but to Qin Qianrou, it was beautiful.

“Why are you so silly, always resorting to such… extreme measures.” Qin Qianrou’s gaze fell on Shen Yiqiu’s bandaged hands.

Shen Yiqiu pricking her finger earlier had already distressed her, this time, she had actually cut her palm with a rock, the image of her blood-soaked hand unbearable.

“I had no other choice, I was so anxious, but I couldn’t sense anything, I had to try.”

Qin Qianrou looked at her hands with heartache. “So you used your blood to… enhance your abilities?”

Shen Yiqiu shook her head, her voice filled with bitterness. “No, even after all that blood, I still couldn’t sense anything, I was almost giving up, my heart… bleeding dry.”

Even now, just recalling that moment made her heart clench.

“If you couldn’t sense anything, why continue? It was dangerous.” Wen Yirong’s words had been restrained, but Qin Qianrou could still hear the underlying pain and despair in her mother’s voice.

“Even if I couldn’t sense anything, I wouldn’t have given up, even if I had only one breath left, I would still have found you.”

Qin Qianrou gently touched her face, “What if… you had found me, but… not in the state you had hoped for?”

Now that she was alive, she had the courage to ask about that worst-case scenario.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes reddened, her voice firm, “Regardless of the outcome, I would have found you, and brought you home.”

Tears welled up in Qin Qianrou’s eyes, Shen Yiqiu, using the most primitive and simple method, with her limited strength, had persevered longer than the professional rescue teams.

“Thank you for your effort, thank you for your love.”

Shen Yiqiu leaned closer, whispering, “As long as I can find you, I’ll try anything.”

Qin Qianrou gently touched her bandaged hands, careful not to hurt her, the wound on Shen Yiqiu’s palm deep, and having been exposed to dirt and debris, it had become infected and worsened, her hand now wrapped in thick bandages.

“Such a deep wound, I don’t know how long it will take to heal.” Qin Qianrou thought that once they were home, she couldn’t let Shen Yiqiu do any chores, she needed to rest and recover.

“Don’t worry, Jiejie, although my hands are injured, I still have my… mouth, I can still make you happy.” Shen Yiqiu kissed her earlobe, her words filled with meaning.

Qin Qianrou was startled, then, realizing the implication of her words, she lightly swatted her bandaged hand.

Shen Yiqiu pretended to wince in pain, and Qin Qianrou, a mix of amusement and exasperation, said, “Why are you always thinking about such things?”

Shen Yiqiu looked at her innocently, “I only think about these things with you, seeing you, I can’t help but want to…”

This, as Rong Fei had said, was instinctive attraction.

Qin Qianrou stayed in the hospital for a few days, and after a thorough check-up, she was finally discharged, Yuan Qi, however, still needed to stay for further treatment, thankfully, with Wen Shao Ze taking care of him, he was doing well.

Grandfather Qin, after hearing the news, had also visited the hospital twice since returning from the resort, this was his first time meeting Shen Yiqiu, Wen Yirong had told him about their relationship, she had been worried he might not accept it, but he hadn’t said anything negative to Shen Yiqiu,

although, he hadn’t been very warm either.

With Wen Yirong’s intervention, and Grandfather Qin’s tacit approval, Wen Shao Ze, taking advantage of the situation, could finally stay at the hospital without being questioned.

**

Lao Li had been considering confessing before meeting Grandfather Qin, but his subordinates wouldn’t let him surrender so easily. So, they had devised a plan to lure Qin Qianrou to Yancheng and kidnap her, using her as leverage against the Qin family,

however, the accident had disrupted their plans, and with Qin Qianrou being rescued, they had lost their chance to escape.

**

The investigation team’s stay in Meng City wasn’t long, and their investigation into the previous team’s conduct quickly yielded results, as expected, the true culprits weren’t Li Wan and Qin Qianrou, but the investigation team themselves.

Director Zhou and his team members were taken back to Kyoto for further investigation, and the dark cloud over Meng City finally lifted.

The investigation team issued a formal report, clearing Qin Qianrou’s name. Director Liu, using this report as justification, held a meeting and issued a formal notice, ensuring all departments understood the situation and preventing any further misunderstandings regarding Reporter Qin.

However, Qin Qianrou still submitted her resignation letter.

Director Liu was puzzled. “Xiao Qin, I know you’ve been wronged, and the station is doing its best to restore your reputation and offer compensation. I know this might not be what you truly want, but the station needs you, the news industry needs you.”

Qin Qianrou, after this incident, had actually become closer to Director Liu.

Having worked at the station for so many years, she had always maintained a distance from her superiors, she hadn’t expected to have such a good relationship with the new station director just before leaving,

“Director, I appreciate the station’s support and everything you’ve done for me during this time. My resignation doesn’t mean I’m leaving the industry, I just want a… different way of working.”

“I heard from Xiao Li that you’ve decided to become an independent journalist.”

At this point, Qin Qianrou no longer bothered to hide her plans. “Yes.”

Director Liu picked up her resignation letter again, reluctant to sign it.

“Having to let go of such a talented individual, I don’t know if this is a mistake I’ll regret.”

His attempt at humor lightened the atmosphere slightly, and Qin Qianrou knew his desire to keep her at the station was genuine,

but her decision was final.

“Have you made other arrangements? Being an independent journalist isn’t easy, it requires more than just courage.”

“I’ve already started preparing.”

“Have you told your family?”

Qin Qianrou nodded, unfazed by his questions.

Director Liu nodded, uncapped his pen, looked at the resignation letter, then, after a moment of hesitation, signed it,

handing the signed letter back to Qin Qianrou, he said, “The television station has lost a valuable employee, but I look forward to seeing an even more objective and productive journalist emerge.”

He knew that with Qin Qianrou’s abilities, she was capable of much more than she had achieved at the station, the strict program approval process must have been a major constraint,

someone with her talent and her ambition should be allowed to soar freely.

News of Qin Qianrou’s resignation spread quickly through the station, her team members were the most reluctant, but they all respected her decision, many colleagues, those who hadn’t been close to her before, also came to bid farewell to the dedicated reporter who had brought so much recognition and success to Meng City Television.

On her last day, Qin Qianrou declined all farewell gatherings, she just wanted to leave quietly, just as she had arrived, her profession hadn’t changed, she was still a reporter, she would still strive to uncover the truth,

carrying a small box containing her belongings, she emerged from the television station building, still in her usual professional attire, the receptionist following her, all the way to the bottom of the steps,

Qin Qianrou turned around and smiled at her, “You can stop here, don’t neglect your work.”

“Sister Qianrou, I wish you all the best in the future.”

“Thank you, and I wish you all the best as well.”

Qin Qianrou turned and continued walking, a smile playing on her lips, a sweet smile this time.

Shen Yiqiu was waiting for her across the street, by her car.

Seeing her emerge, Shen Yiqiu walked towards her, crossing the street.

“Jiejie, I’m here to pick you up.”

This was Shen Yiqiu’s first time at the television station since their relationship was exposed.

Her expression was calm and composed, without any hesitation or apprehension. Her eyes, her smile, filled with the gentle affection of someone welcoming their lover home. She took the box from Qin Qianrou, placed it on the back seat, then opened the passenger door, gesturing invitingly.

“Please, my queen.”

Qin Qianrou’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she accepted her invitation.

Shen Yiqiu had gotten her driver’s license last month, not because she wanted to buy a new car, but so she could share the driving with Qin Qianrou, so Jiejie wouldn’t have to be so tired.