Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 93

Chapter 93

Li Wan couldn’t get anything more out of Qin Qianrou. Although she was surprised and a little puzzled by her friend’s firm denial, such things were difficult for women to discuss openly, especially someone like Qin Qianrou.

Li Wan, despite her outgoing and bold personality, could only discuss such matters with her closest friend; she couldn’t casually talk about it with others either.

Although Qin Qianrou hadn’t explicitly described the “user experience,” under Li Wan’s relentless questioning, she had finally admitted to having used a few.

No wonder she had been refusing her invitations lately, she had been busy at home with Shen Yiqiu, “consuming” those products, enjoying themselves.

However, learning that those “few” had been used in a single… session, Li Wan’s hand holding her drink trembled, if she hadn’t already finished half of it, she would have spilled it.

After their shift finally ended, before parting ways, Li Wan offered some heartfelt advice, “Qianrou, although I understand your… enthusiasm, Shen Yiqiu is still young, you’re older, you should be more gentle with her.”

Qin Qianrou, having spent the entire day focused on the He Chao case files, her mind preoccupied, hadn’t been paying much attention, after all, it involved Shen Zhifeng, and she didn’t dare to look at them too closely at home, afraid of Shen Yiqiu seeing them. It wasn’t that she was deliberately hiding anything, but the information wasn’t conclusive yet, she wanted to wait.

Only after entering the elevator did Li Wan’s “advice” finally register, and Qin Qianrou wanted to immediately go back and explain herself. When had she not been gentle with Shen Yiqiu? She had been the one exhausted to the point of collapse that night!

And had those things been solely for her own pleasure? Qin Qianrou felt this was a misunderstanding she couldn’t explain.

**

The Chinese New Year holiday was a welcome break for working adults, but for students, it was just a part of their winter break. Qin Qianrou returned to work, while Shen Yiqiu hadn’t started school yet, but her schedule was almost identical to Qin Qianrou’s.

“You go back to sleep, I’ll have breakfast at the station.” Qin Qianrou gently stopped Shen Yiqiu, who woke up every morning, rubbing her eyes sleepily, to prepare breakfast for her, she couldn’t bear it.

“I’m not sleepy, and the cafeteria breakfast isn’t very good.” Shen Yiqiu rubbed her eyes, yawning as she got out of bed.

Qin Qianrou stopped her, pulling her back into bed.

“I’m actually going to the cafeteria today, I have a meeting with Xiao Wan, it’s not convenient to discuss it in the office.”

“Oh, then leave early, you’ll get hungry otherwise.”

Qin Qianrou leaned over Shen Yiqiu, looking at her sleepy face, her heart melting.

She kissed Shen Yiqiu’s cheek. “You’re taking such good care of me, I feel like a three-year-old.”

She was almost thirty years old.

Qin Qianrou, looking at her reflection in the mirror as she washed her face, also lamented the passage of time, the faint lines at the corners of her eyes and her mouth, undeniable marks of aging. Compared to her peers, Qin Qianrou’s appearance was flawless, but compared to Shen Yiqiu, ten years younger, she couldn’t compete with that youthful, radiant face.

After the holidays, the television station returned to its usual hustle and bustle, but the most exciting news was Director Yu being taken away for investigation, his removal from the promotion list before the holidays had already raised suspicions and sparked discussions,

but no one had expected it to happen so quickly, not even waiting for the Lantern Festival.

Being taken away directly from the workplace usually meant substantial evidence and serious charges. Many believed there was little chance of Director Yu returning, and the advertising department was in a state of panic.

They had received a large advertising contract from Dongsheng Group last year, finally able to hold their heads high at the year-end gala, but before they could fully savor their victory, they had been dealt a harsh blow.

“Who will be our new leader?”

“Whoever it is, it definitely won’t be Lao Yu.” (Lao Yu – Old Yu, a disrespectful way of addressing him, showing their lack of respect now that he was gone.)

“Director Yu was truly audacious, knowing the station is strict about these things, yet still challenging the rules, now he’s brought it upon himself.”

“He’s always been greedy, haven’t you heard, he had his eye on that young girl from the field reporting team, the one who just graduated last year.”

“No way, really? Wasn’t he afraid of his wife’s wrath…?”

With the advertising director gone, the department was in disarray, and with nothing to do, they started gossiping about Director Yu, his past misdeeds, once hushed up, now openly discussed.

This was the scene Li Wan encountered when she arrived at the advertising department.

Although she despised Director Yu’s actions, the behavior of the other staff wasn’t much better, she frowned and knocked on the glass door, finally attracting their attention.

“Sister Li, what brings you here?”

“The station called a meeting, Director Yu isn’t here, and the deputy director hasn’t returned yet, send someone to represent your department.”

“Okay, thank you, Sister Li, sorry to trouble you.”

Li Wan had just come from the meeting and had simply stopped by on her way back.

“It’s work hours, focus on your work, some things aren’t suitable for discussion at the workplace, especially during these… sensitive times.”

Li Wan had always disliked slackers, the advertising department’s poor performance in recent years, besides the general economic downturn, was also partly due to their work ethic, but with Director Yu protecting them, other departments hadn’t bothered to interfere, leading to the current situation.

Returning to her office, seeing her colleagues diligently working, Li Wan couldn’t help but think, Our team is so much better, everyone is so dedicated and hardworking, Lin Shuangzhi is truly a capable leader.

Speaking of Lin Shuangzhi, she had taken an unusually long leave of absence and hadn’t returned to work after the holidays. The team’s matters were currently being handled by Li Wan, who was finally experiencing the pain of Lin Shuangzhi’s endless meetings.

Qin Qianrou, having just returned from her training program in Hai City, didn’t have much work on her hands, and although Li Wan was the acting team leader, there weren’t any urgent tasks.

“Qianrou, you’re relatively free this week, you can work on whatever you want.”

After finally finishing her meetings, Li Wan brought a cup of coffee to Qin Qianrou’s office, her friend’s office always more appealing than her own, she enjoyed spending time here.

“I want to investigate He Chao.”

Li Wan swallowed her coffee, “Have you truly decided?”

“We have enough material to formally propose the project, and if the station approves, we can proceed legitimately.”

“But we’ll need Hai City Television’s cooperation, the station directors might not agree to it.”

Meng City Television was already dealing with the fallout from the Director Yu incident, the restructuring plans on hold, a headache for the directors, asking another station for assistance, such a potentially troublesome task, they would likely be even less willing.

“It’s fine, I can personally handle the communication with Hai City.” Qin Qianrou’s training trip, besides bringing her a girlfriend, had also expanded her network of contacts.

Li Wan thought about it and nodded. “Alright, since you’re confident, I’ll support you.”

He Chao’s case had many layers to uncover, and their reporter’s instincts told them there was more to this story. Director Yu’s downfall, and the failure of Dongsheng’s expensive attempt to influence the station, had also boosted their morale.

Their work wasn’t about comfort or ease, it was about challenging the darkness, uncovering the truth, that was their driving force.

Shen Yiqiu knew Qin Qianrou had been holding back, although the training program had been beneficial, Jiejie clearly preferred working, and as soon as she returned to the station, she had thrown herself into her work, practically living there again this past week.

Shen Yiqiu felt sorry for her, but she wouldn’t stop her. The late-night snacks were always ready, the household chores taken care of, the bills for the property management and the cleaning service paid on time, Qin Qianrou didn’t have to worry about anything at home.

In a blink of an eye, it was almost the Lantern Festival. Qin Qianrou had told Shen Yiqiu two days ago that she would be leaving work early that day, coming home early.

It seemed Jiejie had changed, at least she was more mindful of special occasions now, coming home early for holidays.

Shen Yiqiu hummed as she cleaned the apartment, she wasn’t studying as diligently as she usually did during the break, sometimes reading research papers on her laptop in the living room, sometimes lounging on the balcony, she rarely went to her own room lately.

As she was wiping the dust off a cabinet, her sleeve caught on the handle, and a drawer of the nightstand by the bed suddenly opened. It was Qin Qianrou’s side of the bed, and Shen Yiqiu didn’t know what was inside, but she remembered that day, Jiejie, blushing slightly, taking something out of this drawer, a memory forever etched in Shen Yiqiu’s heart.

She had put the box back that night, placing it in a corner, but definitely not as hidden as this, if not for the force with which she had opened the drawer, she might not have noticed it.

Only now did Shen Yiqiu have a chance to examine the box carefully. She knew she needed these after reading the forum posts and had ordered a few different brands online.

Upon receiving them, she had discreetly tried a few, making sure she wouldn’t fumble around clumsily when the time came, but honestly, quality products truly made a difference, and she had immediately sensed the superiority of this particular brand.

Thin as a cicada’s wing, smooth as skin, not at all uncomfortable, yet also secure, not easily dislodged regardless of… intensity or frequency, it was truly remarkable.

That night, Shen Yiqiu had been too preoccupied to appreciate its quality, now, looking at the small box in her hand, she couldn’t help but pout slightly, thinking, Jiejie is better than me at everything, even choosing this.

Although slightly disappointed at being outdone in this area, Shen Yiqiu wasn’t upset, after all, good things were meant to be shared. Qin Qianrou had been prepared, while she, completely oblivious, hadn’t even thought about it.

They hadn’t… tried again during the holidays, but lately, she had sensed Qin Qianrou becoming more at ease, occasionally responding to her kisses with a passion of her own, but Shen Yiqiu hadn’t dared to push further.

The box’s position had clearly been changed, although hidden, it was still in the drawer, which meant Jiejie intended to keep it.

Did that mean…?

Shen Yiqiu’s breath quickened, recalling that night in this room, her face flushing.

She took out her phone and took a photo of the box.

Since Jiejie liked this brand, she would buy this one from now on.

Then, thinking just a photo wasn’t enough, she took one out of the box, wanting to examine it more closely. So thin and delicate, it felt slightly damp in her hand, her palms sweating.

Thankfully, Jiejie wasn’t home, if she saw her like this, she would probably think she was a lamb walking into a tiger’s den.

Shen Yiqiu knew that only in front of Jiejie was she the wolf.

She had no appetite for anyone else.

There were billions of people in the world, and Qin Qianrou wasn’t necessarily the most beautiful or the most outstanding, but Shen Yiqiu loved her, and having her was enough, she wasn’t greedy. Every night, falling asleep in Qin Qianrou’s arms, every morning, waking up and seeing Qin Qianrou before even seeing the sunlight, she felt the joy of being truly alive.

Living, and loving the person she loved, this was probably the kind of happiness her parents had wanted for her.

Shen Yiqiu’s once broken heart was not only mended, but also slowly healing, piece by piece.

**

Jiang Yuan knew about He Chao’s dealings; they had been inseparable. Although she might not have known all the details of his transactions, she was familiar with the process.

With He Chao’s death, her own heart had also died. Living on was meaningless, their social standing, their reputation, their wealth, all gone after their imprisonment, their years of hard work erased.

Jiang Yuan now had only one desire: to avenge He Chao.

No matter how detailed the autopsy report, she didn’t believe Lao He had died of natural causes.

Someone had silenced him, afraid of him revealing more secrets.

There were no secrets that could be kept forever, and selling patents at a low price wasn’t unique to them, the people behind He Chao had clearly been undercutting their competitors, and after eliminating He Chao, they hadn’t found a suitable replacement.

The information Qin Qianrou obtained from Jiang Yuan, supplemented by Wen Shao Ze’s resources, gradually uncovered the hidden dealings in Hai City.

And Shen Zhifeng’s name appeared more and more frequently.

“Jiejie, has work been tiring lately?”

Shen Yiqiu’s voice by her ear brought Qin Qianrou’s wandering thoughts back to the present, she had been sitting on the sofa after dinner, lost in thought, while Shen Yiqiu, perched on the armrest, gently massaged her shoulders.

“Same as always.”

“But you seem… preoccupied these past two days.”

Qin Qianrou had indeed been preoccupied, she had been contemplating whether to tell Shen Yiqiu about her father.

“Is it something confidential, something you can’t talk about?” Shen Yiqiu leaned closer, seeing the worry in Qin Qianrou’s eyes.

Jiejie hadn’t looked like this at home in a long time, and Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but worry, a difficult problem meant more stress and exhaustion for Jiejie.

And she couldn’t bear that.

“Not exactly confidential, just… work-related matters, I can’t reveal too much.”

Shen Yiqiu understood, reporters couldn’t casually disclose information, especially not before it was officially released.

“Then I’ll go draw you a bath.” Since Jiejie couldn’t talk about it, a hot bath would help her relax.

Qin Qianrou hadn’t worked overtime today, and it was just before 8 pm after dinner, Shen Yiqiu thought about adding some essential oils to the bath, but Qin Qianrou, after glancing at the time, bit her lip.

Shen Yiqiu went to the bathroom, and Qin Qianrou didn’t move, she had noticed last night that the number of… items in the box wasn’t right,

it seemed there were two fewer than she remembered.

She hadn’t been deliberately counting, but that night, watching Shen Yiqiu use one after another…

Such a vivid memory, difficult to forget.