Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 97

Chapter 97

Shen Yiqiu quietly closed her bedroom door, shutting out the sounds from the living room, her heart pounding, a mix of emotions swirling within her, she was filled with regret. She didn’t usually call Qin Qianrou “baby” like that, it was because they had been… preoccupied in the bathroom earlier, lost in the moment, and now, Wen Yirong had caught her.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t know whether to call herself lucky or unlucky, the earlier joy in the bathroom now replaced by anxiety. She grabbed a bottle of water, wanting to cool down, but she couldn’t open it.

It wasn’t that she was weak, but her hands were trembling uncontrollably, she didn’t regret it though, her energy had been spent… elsewhere.

She sat down, taking a few deep breaths, rubbing her wrists, her mind racing, why would Aunt Wen suddenly come all the way from Hai City so late at night?

The atmosphere in the living room wasn’t as awkward as before. Although her mother’s sudden arrival had surprised Qin Qianrou, she quickly regained her composure.

“Let’s not talk about my relationship with her for now, you said you had something urgent to discuss?”

Wen Yirong looked at her daughter, her rosy complexion, her alluring lips, she seemed more… vibrant now, more beautiful, and as someone with experience, she naturally knew what kind of tender care had nurtured this blossoming flower.

“It’s not convenient to talk here, let’s go to your room.”

Qin Qianrou didn’t immediately agree to her mother’s suggestion, although there was nothing inappropriate in her room, it was filled with traces of her and Shen Yiqiu’s shared life.

But after a moment of hesitation, she nodded. “Let’s go.”

Inside Qin Qianrou’s room, Wen Yirong, following a few steps behind, discreetly observed her surroundings. The bed was neatly made, two pillows side by side, seemingly normal,

however, in a corner, were a few plushies that seemed out of place in this otherwise minimalist room.

Wen Yirong paused slightly, then chuckled, “At your age, and you still like stuffed toys?”

Qin Qianrou knew what her mother was referring to, besides the Doraemon she had brought back during the holidays, she and Shen Yiqiu had been to the arcade a few more times, Shen Yiqiu, having gained experience, had efficiently won a few more plushies, much to the envy of the onlookers.

“Perhaps I didn’t have the opportunity when I was younger.”

Wen Yirong’s lips twitched slightly, and she sat down in the armchair.

She took out a few photos from her bag and placed them on the table.

“I had originally intended to ask you about these photos, but now, it seems there’s no need.”

Qin Qianrou walked closer and saw, as she had suspected, they were photos of her and Shen Yiqiu together.

There weren’t any overtly intimate actions, but their intertwined hands, Shen Yiqiu’s tender care as she adjusted her scarf, her loving gaze as she fed her ice cream, and Qin Qianrou’s own rapt attention as she watched Shen Yiqiu playing the claw machine, all spoke volumes about their close relationship.

Anyone with a discerning eye, or those familiar with Qin Qianrou, would easily notice the subtle intimacy.

“I received a copy, your father also received a copy at his office in Kyoto.” Wen Yirong pointed at the photos on the table. “This copy is from your grandfather’s study.”

Qin Qianrou’s expression darkened, it seemed they had been widely distributed.

“Your grandfather has been on new medication lately, he sleeps more soundly than usual, he hasn’t seen these photos.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

“Is that necessary between mother and daughter?” Wen Yirong sighed, Qin Qianrou could be so casual and close with Shen Yiqiu, yet so formal with her own mother.

“I had my suspicions before, but I wasn’t certain, I asked you when you were in Hai City, and you didn’t answer, now I know.”

Qin Qianrou hadn’t deliberately kept it from her family, but she had been waiting for the right opportunity, she didn’t want to casually introduce Shen Yiqiu to them, this was a relationship she intended to last a lifetime.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”

Wen Yirong gestured towards the bed, “Come and sit down, you can barely stand.”

Her daughter’s trembling legs, her nervously bitten lip, that mix of vulnerability and defiance, Wen Yirong sighed inwardly, her timing couldn’t have been worse.

Qin Qianrou, her usually calm and composed face now flushed, walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, her legs indeed feeling a little weak, the lingering scent of peach in the room bringing back certain images, making her even more unsteady.

“How long have you two been together?”

“Since my training trip to Hai City.”

Wen Yirong raised an eyebrow slightly. “So recent?”

Qin Qianrou didn’t respond, so she continued, “I thought there might be something between you two when you went shopping together last time.”

Qin Qianrou shook her head slightly, “Not then.”

Wen Yirong didn’t dwell on this; there were clearly more pressing matters.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to make this choice, after what happened with Shao Ze a few years ago, the commotion it caused within the family.”

“Everyone has the right to choose who they love, Shao Ze and I are different, but we both followed our hearts.”

“Yes, you children are all so stubborn.”

Wen Yirong was usually dignified and composed, her tone rarely sharp, but she wasn’t being gentle today.

“But have you considered your family? Your father? He’s working in Kyoto, he received those photos, he called me immediately, I haven’t seen him so agitated in years.”

Qin Qianrou frowned; how could she not have considered her family? If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been so hesitant.

“I’ll handle this.”

Wen Yirong casually glanced at her daughter’s nightgown and the scenery it partially concealed. “Handle this? How are you going to handle this? Are you breaking up with her?”

Qin Qianrou’s expression instantly turned cold, that wasn’t even a consideration.

“I came here, firstly, to confirm the photos, and secondly, to discuss how to deal with this. For years, you’ve always persisted with what you wanted, we couldn’t stop you before, and I doubt we can stop you this time either.”

Wen Yirong’s voice was tinged with sadness.

Qin Qianrou’s lips moved, but she didn’t know how to comfort her mother. Their relationship, although close, was also distant, her tenderness and vulnerability reserved only for Shen Yiqiu.

Wen Yirong put the photos back in her bag and stood up. “It’s getting late, I’ll be staying at Seven Mansions, come have breakfast with me tomorrow morning.”

Qin Qianrou saw her mother to the door, and just as she was about to leave, Wen Yirong suddenly turned around and said, “Don’t stay up too late tonight, young people should be more… restrained.”

Qin Qianrou remained silent, then, after a moment, she said softly, “Message me when you get to the mansion.”

The Qin family’s driver and bodyguards were waiting downstairs. Seven Mansions was a Qin family investment in Meng City, where Wen Yirong and other family members usually stayed when they visited. Qin Qianrou, from the balcony, watched her mother’s car drive away, then went to find Shen Yiqiu.

The bedroom door was closed, but not locked, and Qin Qianrou gently pushed it open.

Shen Yiqiu was still sitting at her desk, a bottle of water beside her, unopened, her index finger pressed against her lips, muttering to herself.

Qin Qianrou walked in, and Shen Yiqiu looked up, forcing a smile.

“Where’s Auntie?”

“She left, she asked us to meet her for breakfast tomorrow.”

Shen Yiqiu’s gaze darted around, slightly unnatural, “I see, then you should rest early, Jiejie, or you’ll be tired tomorrow.”

Qin Qianrou knew why Shen Yiqiu was acting like this and, suppressing a smile, watched her for a moment before taking her hand, “Why are you so nervous?”

Shen Yiqiu sighed helplessly, “I’m not nervous, I’m just a little annoyed with myself for… saying those things.”

“You realized that?”

This made Shen Yiqiu even more annoyed.

“Who told you to be so… so… and in the living room too.”

They had a tacit understanding, not to mention those words outside of… specific contexts.

Shen Yiqiu felt slightly wronged, but she knew she had been in the wrong. “It’s because Jiejie is too tempting, I couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t say such things!” Qin Qianrou’s cheeks flushed at her straightforward words.

After showering and getting ready for bed, they lay down, the earlier passion having subsided, the peach scent in the room fainter than before, not as stimulating.

“So, who took those photos?”

Qin Qianrou told Shen Yiqiu about her meeting with Wen Shao Ze, they had to face this together, there was no need to hide anything.

“It must be someone who has a grudge against me.”

Shen Yiqiu was a little worried. “Have you been working on any sensitive stories lately, or interviewed anyone… controversial?”

The Dongsheng investigation had been stalled, and Shen Yiqiu had assumed it would resume after the holidays.

Qin Qianrou thought about it, then decided to tell her, “I submitted a project proposal last week, to investigate He Chao.”

“He Chao?” Shen Yiqiu was stunned. “But he’s already dead.”

“Yes, but he left behind several clues and information. And the materials provided by Jiang Yuan also suggest his death wasn’t… natural. And his crimes weren’t limited to academic misconduct.”

“But… shouldn’t that be handled by the police?”

“It’s just information, not concrete evidence, and his case is officially closed, without new discoveries or sufficient public pressure, it won’t be reopened.”

Shen Yiqiu hugged Qin Qianrou tighter, afraid of losing her.

“But I can’t bear the thought of you being in danger. If you investigate He Chao, someone will definitely target you.”

Shen Yiqiu had always suspected there was someone behind the incident at the Xinting Hotel, but it had never been proven.

Qin Qianrou patted her back reassuringly, “I’m telling you this so you’ll be prepared. Our relationship might be exposed, and then, at school…”

“I’m not afraid, I don’t care about those things.”

Qin Qianrou’s eyes softened.

“We haven’t done anything wrong, our relationship is our business. Don’t worry about me, Jiejie, no matter what happens, I’ll be with you.”

Shen Yiqiu’s unwavering support was as Qin Qianrou had expected, and she held her close, content.

This was Shen Yiqiu’s choice, she hadn’t disappointed her.

Whatever challenges they faced, as long as they were together, there was nothing to fear.

**

Wen Yirong hadn’t been to Meng City in years. This hurried trip had been prompted by those photos, and what she had witnessed at her daughter’s apartment last night had been even more… shocking, making even a middle-aged woman like herself blush.

However, her curiosity couldn’t be suppressed, and she couldn’t help but wonder what her daughter was like with Shen Yiqiu.

She had tossed and turned in bed last night, then, suddenly recalling those plushies in Qin Qianrou’s room, she understood.

Making her usually aloof and indifferent daughter revert to a childlike state wasn’t something just anyone could achieve. She had initially made up her mind, even if her daughter’s relationship with Shen Yiqiu was real, she would still advise them to separate, after all, how long could a relationship between two women last?

But after visiting Xiao Rou’s apartment last night, Wen Yirong couldn’t bring herself to say those words, she had given birth to this child, and she had always hoped someone would take care of Xiao Rou.

Shen Yiqiu clearly wasn’t who she had envisioned, and the men in her family would certainly disapprove, but she couldn’t deny the change in Qin Qianrou, only a woman truly in love could radiate such a vibrant glow.

**

They weren’t the only ones whose photos had been taken, and the reactions of those involved were drastically different. Zhuo Cheng, his eyes bloodshot, practically barged into Shao Qidong’s office, startling the secretary, who had been reporting on some work.

“Mr. Shao, I need to talk to you.” Zhuo Cheng’s voice was hoarse, and the scent of alcohol lingered on him.

Shao Qidong dismissed the secretary with a wave of his hand.

“Still drunk during work hours?” He pointed to a chair opposite him, inviting Zhuo Cheng to sit down.

“Mr. Shao, I’ve been threatened.”

“What happened?”

Zhuo Cheng ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, his usual suave demeanor gone.

“That night, at the Ting Hai Marina yacht club, I was… set up.”

Shao Qidong sipped his tea calmly, “Really? I told you to leave early, you didn’t listen?”

He had left the party midway that night, having some business to attend to, Zhuo Cheng, however, surrounded by beautiful young women, eager to hear his stories about Wall Street, plied with alcohol and flattery, hadn’t been listening.

“I got carried away.”

Since returning to the country, to win Li Wan back, he had deliberately avoided any interactions with other women, now, seeing that it was a hopeless pursuit, he no longer needed to be so restrained.

“How much trouble are you in?”

Zhuo Cheng hesitated, his body stiffening, unable to speak.

Shao Qidong glanced at him, a look of disdain in his eyes,

“My time is precious, if you still need to think about it, then leave, come back when you’re ready to explain clearly.”

Zhuo Cheng knew Shao Qidong was accompanying the deputy provincial governor to a conference in a neighboring province tomorrow; today was his best chance.

“I… there’s a video, and also photos.”

The scenes from that night had been… debauched, having let loose, Zhuo Cheng had reverted to his usual behavior in the US, things that were acceptable there, but definitely crossed the line in China.

“I’ve already warned you to be careful, how much are they asking for?”

Zhuo Cheng shook his head, “They don’t want money.”

He sighed heavily, “They want me to… set up an overseas fund for them, and do their bidding.”

Shao Qidong raised an eyebrow slightly, which Zhuo Cheng, still lost in his own misery, didn’t notice.

“That’s what you’re good at.”

Zhuo Cheng looked up abruptly, his voice filled with anxiety. “But Mr. Shao, I work for you, I’m working for Dongsheng, besides, setting up an overseas fund, the source of those funds is questionable, it’s not that simple.”

“You got yourself into this mess, do you expect me to clean it up for you?”

Shao Qidong’s coldness disappointed Zhuo Cheng greatly, he couldn’t believe this was the same man who had paid a hefty price to recruit him from overseas,

having spared no effort, even using his connections to secure him a spot on the city’s list of highly sought-after talent, making Zhuo Cheng feel it would be a lifetime regret if he missed this opportunity,

who knew that in just a short time, he would discover Shao Qidong’s true nature, a ruthless and cunning villain.

“They’re holding this over you, either they want money, or they want to control you, and you came to me for help without even knowing their background, this isn’t like you.”

Zhuo Cheng’s spirit seemed to have been crushed.

“You’re my biggest backer in Meng City, if you won’t help me, then I’m truly lost.”

If they had demanded money, Zhuo Cheng would have gritted his teeth and paid, he could always return to the US, work hard for a few more years, and earn it all back,

but now, he was trapped.

“Take some time off, I’ll have someone look into this.”

“But…”

“I have other things to attend to, you can leave now.”

After dismissing Zhuo Cheng, Shao Qidong called in his secretary, he had decided on an impromptu meeting that afternoon, but this time, without Zhuo Cheng.

Zhuo Cheng’s performance had truly disappointed him, he lacked even basic composure, he couldn’t be trusted with such important matters.