As Qin He was streaming live.
In the garden, Gu Qichen sat on the sofa, his long legs crossed, a tablet on his lap.
After his subordinates dragged away two more shouting individuals, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed.
When Qin He mentioned Ming Chi was her cousin, he also remembered that Mrs. Qin's surname was Ming, originating from the Ming family of Haicheng.
Because they were not from Qingcheng, he hadn't immediately connected the famous Ming Chi from the entertainment industry with the wealthy Ming family.
Gu Qichen felt a moment of ease, but then he thought of Song Nuan again.
He switched away from the live stream and clicked on Song Nuan's Weibo to check.
The still from the drama "The Fierce Wife Roars at the East Gate" was still there, now surrounded by a torrent of criticism.
Song Nuan—
Is it her again?
Gu Qichen pinched his temples. Another unintentional mistake?
Before he could finish thinking, his phone rang.
Gu Qichen glanced at the caller ID: Song Nuan.
Upon answering, a heart-wrenching cry came from the other end. Song Nuan choked back sobs, "Qichen, I'm so stupid. I think I've made another mistake by accident."
A trace of indifference flickered across Gu Qichen's face.
He suppressed his disappointment and lowered his voice, "Tell me."
Song Nuan recounted the events in a broken voice, claiming she hadn't known about the rumors between Ming Chi and Qin He. She had recently rewatched the drama "The Fierce Wife Roars at the East Gate," admired the seniors' brilliant acting, and posted a still from it. She never expected it to be interpreted by so many people.
Song Nuan sniffled, "When I saw people speculating and making connections, I didn't dare say much. Last time, my careless words caused trouble and dragged you down too. So this time, I thought silence was golden, but I didn't expect this—"
After Song Nuan finished speaking.
Gu Qichen sighed deeply, a significant portion of the pity he felt for Song Nuan having inexplicably disappeared from the depths of his heart.
She seemed unfamiliar and disappointing to him now.
How had Song Nuan become like this? Or rather, had she always been this way?
"Another unintentional mistake, wasn't it?"
Were there too many "unintentional mistakes"?
"Qichen, what should I do? Ming Chi's words were clearly directed at me, and now I'm being cursed so badly—" Song Nuan's voice grew urgent and pitiful, "I feel my heart pounding so fast, Qichen, I think I'm going to have an episode again."
Song Nuan had a "heart condition."
The last flicker of warmth in Gu Qichen's eyes vanished. His voice carried a hint of weariness.
"Song Nuan, I will resolve this matter."
"Qichen, you're still the kindest to me—"
"After this is resolved, let's break up."
Silence from the other end of the phone for a few seconds, then Song Nuan's voice trembled, "Why, Qichen, didn't you say you would marry me?"
"I understand. Do you also believe what those people online are saying? I really didn't do it on purpose! Qichen, you know how much I love you. I've liked you since I was little. I almost lost my life saving you that time—"
A chilling aura emanated from Gu Qichen, "I will compensate you in other ways, but not by marrying you."
"But you promised me!" Song Nuan's voice sharpened slightly.
"I won't pursue the matters you've hidden from me. That's all. Goodbye." Gu Qichen hung up the phone.
Ever since divorcing Qin He, the photos and videos from his mother's birthday banquet, Song Nuan's various tricks, her feigned illnesses, and her targeting of Qin He—
He had gradually seen Song Nuan for who she truly was.
Before, it was like a filter of childhood memories, those eyes still burning in the deep water, her innocent face.
But now, he finally understood.
It was time to say goodbye to the girl in his memories.
Gu Qichen sat in the living room for a long while. Closing his eyes, Qin He's image lingered in his mind.
He pursed his lips slightly. What was happening to him lately? He kept thinking of her.
Perhaps it was the deep imprint Qin He had left in Senyuan that made him unconsciously accustomed to it. The suddenly changed incense, the cold and quiet Senyuan, all made him feel a sense of discomfort.
Was it just not adapting, or something else?
Gu Qichen never shied away from confronting things. He made up his mind to face it directly and analyze the root cause of this emotional ailment.
Picking up his phone, he sent Qin He a WeChat message.
...
At the Qin residence, Qin He finished her live stream and sat at the table, slowly removing her makeup.
Shen Yilin diligently packed up the streaming equipment, occasionally stealing glances at Qin He not far away.
"Sister, after I graduate, can I still be your assistant?" he asked after some hesitation.
Qin He looked a little surprised, "You're from Qingda's photography department. After you graduate, many big companies will recruit you with high salaries. You still want to be my assistant?"
Shen Yilin nodded, "I feel that following you, Sister, is no worse than going to a big company."
Qin He smiled, "Of course. If you still feel the same way when you graduate, you can continue to be my assistant."
With the promise granted, Shen Yilin's handsome face seemed to light up, his star-like eyes shining.
"Sister, do you want a facial mask? I'll get it for you!"
Qin He watched Shen Yilin run off. Her phone on the table buzzed.
She picked it up and glanced at it. It was from Gu Qichen.
Gu Qichen: I attach great importance to this project. Starting tomorrow, I will go to the Joint Department every afternoon to supervise the work. I hope you will also take it seriously.
Qin He's lips twitched slightly.
What did this mean? Was she expected to go to the Joint Department in Xicheng District to supervise in the afternoon as well?
However, it was only for half a day, and they were in a collaborative relationship.
Qin He, adhering to the principle of fairness, replied: Okay.
She had nothing else to do in the afternoon anyway. She just hoped that the preliminary stages would be implemented quickly. Reconstruction would probably take several months, and she was worried her pregnancy might become apparent.
Shen Yilin had returned with the face masks, one bottled and one sachet.
"Sister, which one do you want to use?" His big eyes were bright.
"This one, please."
As Qin He applied the face mask, Shen Yilin didn't leave. He sat on the sofa nearby, looking at his phone.
"Sister, Song Nuan is being horribly criticized. Do you want to see?"
Qin He, with the mask on, dared not make large facial movements. She replied vaguely, "Not interested. Her mind is all on these petty rivalries, seeing everyone as a competitor, which is why she's so unsuccessful. If I were to get entangled with her, it would just be a waste of too much energy. I still have a company to manage. A simple clarification is enough. Yilin, remember this in the future: don't waste your time on small-minded people."
Shen Yilin nodded, "I understand, Sister."
"Alright, it's getting late. You should head back to school early." Qin He removed the mask, wiped her hands, and stood up. "I'll drive you."
"Sister, it's not necessary. I can just take a taxi back myself."
Shen Yilin, a well-behaved and sensible young man, made Qin He, who had many brothers but never a younger brother, feel a certain fondness.
She smiled and patted Shen Yilin's shoulder, "Let's go. Since you call me Sister, why be so formal?"
They walked out side by side. After getting into the car, Qin He observed the young man, "Not bad. Have you gotten a bit stronger recently?"
She had a maternal, elder-sisterly affection for Shen Yilin.
Before meeting her, Shen Yilin had been thrifty, often going hungry. He was in his growing years and appeared a bit too thin.
Now, he looked much healthier.
"I've gotten a bit fatter," Shen Yilin said sheepishly, scratching his head and smiling.
Qin He looked at him, "I wonder if you'll grow any taller. You're almost 1.9 meters now. Any taller and it might be too much?"
Shen Yilin paused, "Sister, I'm already twenty-one. I'm not at the age to grow taller anymore."
Why did his sister always treat him like a child?!