Shen Yilin's eyes flickered uncertainly.
A bitter feeling welled up in his heart.
Her earnest tone of instruction sounded exactly like how she would treat a younger brother.
Especially when Qin He held his hand so openly…
She had always been so careful and distant with the opposite sex, which left him unsure whether to be happy or heartbroken.
They chatted for a while, with Qin He spending most of her time inquiring about Shen Yilin's studies.
"Yilin, is there any girl you like at school? If there is, you must tell me, sis. You're at an age where you can start dating now. I'll help you take a look then and even get you a gift."
Shen Yilin's thin lips tightened into a straight line. "Sis, it's almost time for the broadcast."
Qin He then turned to check the time on her phone. "You're right, it's almost time. Let's get ready."
She sat down at the desk, while Shen Yilin walked towards the nearby camera equipment.
Qin He keenly sensed that Shen Yilin seemed a little unhappy and hesitated.
Had she been too intrusive by asking about his romantic life, causing him to be upset?
Qin He didn't have time to ponder further; the livestream had already begun.
Almost as soon as it started, a large number of fans flooded into the chat.
【Qin He Qin He!】
【Ding Xiang Ding Xiang!】
Qin He chuckled. "You can just call me Diligent Little He, or just Little He if you don't mind."
Scrolls of messages flashed across the screen. This was Qin He's first broadcast since her return, and almost everyone on the leaderboard had shown up.
After answering a few questions from the chat, she began today's tutorial.
"I saw on Weibo that many of you have been asking me about the method for making incense. So, I've prepared some things today and want to share the process of making the 'First Love' aromatherapy incense I used in the competition."
【Hold on, I need to take notes!】
【This is the championship-winning incense, and she's just going to teach it like this?】
Qin He continued to introduce the materials needed for the process. "The ones I'm using might be a bit pricey, but you can find alternatives on online shopping platforms. For example, this incense burner, I actually chose it purely for its aesthetics. Those costing over ten yuan on shopping platforms will have the same effect."
Qin He spoke slowly, her voice gentle and clear, and she patiently guided them step by step.
She also wrote down the ingredient list and the process on a whiteboard nearby for everyone to record.
With a teacher like this, unless you didn't want to learn, you practically couldn't fail.
Qin He livestreamed for two hours, repeatedly making incense for everyone to learn from.
People in the chat occasionally asked questions, and she answered them all.
Ordinary Life, Little Witch, Gu, and Young Master Lu, the top spender, all remained silent, but their gifts kept coming.
Qin He could now infer their identities, but she had no intention of revealing them.
Suddenly, a large announcement flashed across the screen.
【'Strategist' sent Diligent Little He a set of Cosmic Knights.】
Cosmic Knights were a new gift on the platform, costing five thousand yuan each. A set had ninety-nine, and a grand set allowed for three nines.
Qin He stared at the screen, falling silent.
A grand set... that was five million.
Where did this 'Strategist' come from? They hadn't said a word and just sent a gift upon entering?
"All the gifts in our livestream are donated to charity. Thank you, Strategist, for the gift. I thank you on behalf of the children in the mountains," Qin He said with a smile.
...
In front of the Qin family mansion, a battered, second-hand Buick was parked.
Shen Yizong sat in the car, watching Qin He's livestream. Hearing her words, the corner of his eyebrow twitched, and his lips curved into a slight smile.
"You're welcome," he replied to the air.
Shen Yizong had brought Shen Yilin over and was waiting to take his brother home.
After the livestream ended, as it was Qin He's first broadcast since her return, coupled with the influx of new viewers who heard that all proceeds were being donated to children in mountainous areas and even the platform was waiving its commission, everyone eagerly sent gifts and donations.
Qin He's earnings from this livestream approached twenty million. Among them, an unyielding Young Master Lu tried to overshadow the Strategist's momentum, and Gu then outbid Young Master Lu.
Lu Mingxi, in his haste, wanted to continue sending gifts, but Qin He directly kicked him out of the livestream.
How childish!
After the broadcast, Qin He tidied up the incense materials on the table, while Shen Yilin collected the equipment.
As he carefully wiped the camera lens, the watch on his wrist brushed against the camera.
Shen Yilin paused and took off his watch, carefully putting it into his pocket.
After finishing the packing, he took the watch out again and put it on. Shen Yilin frowned, looking at the watch's clasp.
Would this thing, if buckled and unbuckled too many times, cause wear and tear, reducing its lifespan?
Qin He was unaware of Shen Yilin's thoughts. After tidying up, she saw him staring blankly at his watch.
"What's wrong? Is the time incorrect?" Qin He looked over. "I haven't adjusted the time yet."
"No, I specifically looked. The time is correct," Shen Yilin replied, lifting his face and smiling brightly.
Qin He nodded. "It's almost ten o'clock. I'll take you home."
"No need, sis. My brother drove me here today, and he has nothing else to do. He's waiting for me outside."
Qin He's brow furrowed.
"Why didn't you let him wait in the living room? Waiting in the car for two hours must have been quite tiring for him."
Shen Yilin pursed his lips. He didn't want his brother to enter the Qin residence.
He had a feeling his brother was deliberately trying to get close to the Qin family and Qin Corp. He had already become Qin Yun's special assistant—
But he didn't know how to articulate these thoughts.
"No, my brother also went to take care of some business and is waiting for me," Shen Yilin said.
Qin He escorted Shen Yilin to the Qin family's front gate and was relieved to see a car parked there.
The car window rolled down, revealing Shen Yizong's handsome face, his expression gentle.
"Miss Qin."
Qin He glanced at the battle-scarred Buick, strongly suspecting that Shen Yizong had driven it out from a junkyard.
My goodness, the paint was peeling off the lower side of the car, with a ring of rust.
"Mr. Shen," Qin He couldn't help but chuckle. "It looks like my brother's salary is quite low. Don't you have a company car? Why aren't you driving that one?"
Shen Yizong smiled. "That's a company car, and it can only be used when picking up or dropping off Mr. Qin."
"That's too rigid," Qin He said helplessly. "You should just drive that one normally. This one looks really dangerous."
Shen Yizong's attitude was mild. "The company has its rules. I am Mr. Qin's special assistant now and cannot set a precedent for exceptions."
With that, he looked at Shen Yilin beside him. "Yilin, get in."
After Shen Yilin got into the car, Shen Yizong drove away.
A dozen meters down the road, he glanced at Qin He's figure in the rearview mirror. Her slender form was still standing at the gate, watching them leave.
Shen Yizong touched the several buttons installed next to the steering wheel.
He never rode in strangers' cars, fearing surveillance, danger, or sabotage.
For instance, bombs installed under the chassis, or brake failure.
Shen Yizong let out a wry laugh, thinking that having walked too often in the dark, he had become increasingly fearful of ghosts like himself.