After finishing supper, Qin He went back to her room, tidied up, and then lay down on the bed.
Perhaps it had been too long since she'd worked at the funeral home, but today at the funeral home, she had a strange sense of discomfort.
Qin He touched her lower abdomen, unsure if it was due to her work or her current physical condition.
"Baby, Mom and you have worked hard today. You must be strong and healthy for Mom," Qin He whispered, stroking her belly.
The next day.
Qin He slept until ten-thirty in the morning before waking up. She got up, washed, and went downstairs for breakfast.
After breakfast, Qin He idly lounged on the sofa.
She should have gone to see Wilson and Amy, but thinking that they had just lost their only son, they needed the comfort of family. Her own presence, as a not-so-close "friend," would only make them feel obligated to take care of her.
Qin He sent a message to Gu Qichen.
Qin He: [After you left my place yesterday, did you see Wilson?]
Within three seconds of sending the message.
Gu Qichen: [I did. Wilson said Payson's funeral will be held in Country Y. They initially wanted to invite you and me, but decided against it due to your health.]
Qin He sighed.
Qin He: [I see.]
Seconds after she put down her phone, it buzzed again.
Gu Qichen: [Are you free today? Didn't you want to thank me for dealing with Bai Feifei's matter?]
Qin He stared at the screen for a long time before finally typing: [Yes.]
Gu Qichen and Qin He arranged to meet at two-thirty in the afternoon.
After making the appointment, Qin He switched to WeChat and checked the group chat, "For Human Procreation."
After she posted the interview locations last time, everyone had replied to confirm. The interview was only a few days away.
Di Shishi would also be back from her trip soon. Qin He planned to ask Di Shishi to stay at the studio for a while then.
Qin He put down her phone after making her plans.
After lunch, Qin He went back to her room for a rest. She got up at one o'clock to get ready. Thinking she was going to treat Gu Qichen to a meal, she changed out of her loungewear into a simple dress.
At one-thirty, Qin He drove out of the Qin residence. As soon as her car pulled out, it was surrounded by reporters with cameras and microphones!
Qin He was stunned by the swarm of reporters.
Ever since Song Nuan, that little green tea, had been chased out of Qingcheng, no one had bothered her. What was this commotion about?
Qin He rolled down her window slightly, and reporters surged forward.
"Miss Qin, at eleven this morning, the Embassy of Country Y in Qingcheng issued a public letter of thanks to you; the royal family of Country Y also made a public statement, expressing their admiration for your professionalism and dedication. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Qin He: "..."
She was completely unaware!
If there were only two reporters, Qin He could have handled it more easily, but there were many reporters surrounding her car, and quite a few photographers too. Qin He lowered the car window a little more.
"Excuse me, I have an urgent matter to attend to and it's not convenient for me to be interviewed. Regarding what you mentioned, it's simply what every embalmer should do. Could you please let me pass?"
The reporter at the front hesitated for a few seconds. "It will only take a few minutes of your time."
Qin He looked helplessly at the reporters behind him. "A few minutes for each person adds up to a lot of time. I really have an urgent matter, I'm sorry."
The reporters quickly cleared a path, and Qin He drove to Gu Corporation. After parking, Qin He checked the news in her car.
Wilson was a Duke in Country Y, but she had only performed the post-mortem care for Payson. She never expected such a grand gesture of gratitude.
As Qin He read the various news reports, her expression gradually softened.
Since she started live-streaming and doing TV interviews, she had always advocated for the profession of embalmer. The public had many misconceptions about this profession, and she had always wanted to correct some of those ideas.
There were too many taboos for embalmers; they couldn't say goodbye, and sometimes couldn't even shake hands. Qin He had even heard of an embalmer whose friend wouldn't let them touch their child.
After reading the news, Qin He got out of the car and called Gu Qichen.
"I've arrived."
Gu Qichen's voice was calm. "I'll be down to pick you up shortly."
A moment later, the man emerged from the Gu Corporation building. Qin He curiously glanced behind him.
"Yu Jing isn't here?"
"I'm getting off work early today. He's not," Gu Qichen said flatly.
Qin He tutted. "Gu the skinflint."
A hint of a smile appeared in Gu Qichen's clear eyes. He looked at the car Qin He was driving.
"Take my car."
"Okay."
Gu Qichen took Qin He to a commercial street.
"What are you bringing me here for?"
"There's still some time before dinner. I want you to accompany me to buy some things," Gu Qichen said, turning to Qin He. "Since you're here to express your gratitude, you won't refuse, will you?"
Qin He's lips twitched slightly. Her words were cut off, what else could she say?
As the two got out of the car, Gu Qichen's appearance immediately drew the attention of many people by the roadside.
Qin He lowered her gaze, trying to minimize her presence. She gritted her teeth, hoping that the people around would just consider her a mere assistant.
After getting out of the car, Gu Qichen walked alongside Qin He towards the mall.
He lowered his gaze slightly and could see Qin He's slightly furrowed brow. She clearly didn't want to accompany him to the mall.
However—
Gu Qichen's gaze lingered on Qin He's face: her fair skin, her high-bridged, delicate nose, and her slightly pursed lips, which were so tightly pressed that they showed a tempting redness.
Gu Qichen's heart skipped a beat.
It was truly… deadly.
After entering the mall, Qin He, adhering to the principle of "repaying kindness," was unusually generous. "Whatever you like, I'll pay for it."
Gu Qichen glanced at her, his clear voice tinged with amusement. "I think this mall is quite nice."
Qin He's face stiffened, and she let out a cold laugh. "Gu Qichen, don't push your luck too far, or I might regret this!"
They began to browse. Qin He pointed to a few men's clothing stores, but Gu Qichen seemed indifferent, wearing an icy expression that gradually silenced the shop assistants who were blushing and flustered.
Qin He had no choice but to pull him along.
As they passed a children's clothing store with a colorful brand, Gu Qichen stopped.
Qin He turned her head and also saw the many small clothes and posters in the store. Cute babies were wearing various outfits, each looking like a little angel carved from pink jade.
Qin He was instantly captivated.
Gu Qichen looked down at her. "Shall we go in and take a look?"
Ten minutes later, Qin He had bought enough clothes for the baby to wear for a year. After coming out, she realized that while Gu Qichen was swiping his card, she was still agonizing over which color bib to choose. She felt rather embarrassed.
"I'm sorry for taking up your time. I'll transfer the money to you."
Gu Qichen smiled faintly. "No need. Consider it a gift for the baby. It's quite nice."
Quite nice?
Where was it nice?