Lin Qiutong’s face was as grim as it could get as she left the coffee shop.
Her assistant trotted behind her, not daring to utter a sound, afraid of incurring Lin Qiutong's wrath.
Lin Qiutong suddenly stopped and pulled out her phone, dialing a number. "Do you know Song Qinian is back?"
"Song Qinian? You saw her?"
Hearing that the other party was also unaware of Song Qinian's return, Lin Qiutong anxiously asked, "Then what about Shen Chiyan? Does he know Song Qinian is back? Or... have they already reunited?"
Shen Qiwen glanced at Shen Chiyan, who was talking to someone else. Judging by Shen Chiyan's reaction and demeanor, he didn't seem to have seen Song Qinian.
"Probably not."
Lin Qiutong breathed a small sigh of relief. Only one thought occupied her mind: she absolutely could not let Shen Chiyan and Song Qinian meet, or she might never have another chance.
"You keep an eye on Ah Yan for me. If anything happens on his end, tell me immediately."
Shen Qiwen was silent for a few seconds. He hadn't expected that after two years, Lin Qiutong still hadn't given up on Shen Chiyan.
"Did you hear me!?"
"...I heard you. Tongtong, my birthday is the day after tomorrow, I..."
Before Shen Qiwen could finish, Lin Qiutong had already hung up. Shen Qiwen clenched his phone tightly, a deep sense of unwillingness in his eyes.
He had found out about Lin Qiutong's kidnapping later than Shen Chiyan. By the time he arrived, Shen Chiyan had already rescued Lin Qiutong.
He always seemed to be one step behind Shen Chiyan.
One step behind meeting Lin Qiutong.
One step behind making Lin Qiutong fall for him.
One step behind rescuing her when she needed it the most.
But it didn't matter, he had plenty of time.
It was just that Song Qinian, who had disappeared for two years and now returned, was a good thing or a bad thing, he couldn't tell.
...
Song Qinian and Yun Longyue hadn't seen each other for two years, so they had a lot to talk about.
"Niannian, where have you been all these past two years? You don't know how worried I was when I couldn't find you. Fortunately, 'Call Me Queen' became a huge hit, so I haven't let you down."
"Thank you, Chief Editor Yun. Without you, 'Call Me Queen' wouldn't have achieved what it has today. As for the past two years... I was looking for inspiration, of course. And I've also created a new work that I'll send to you later."
"Really? That's great! I knew you were a woman of potential and talent. It's a good thing I had the foresight to sign you, otherwise I'd be incredibly jealous of others right now."
"Yes, yes, Chief Editor Yun is my Bole."
After they had exchanged pleasantries for a while, Song Qinian's phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID, she answered without changing her expression. "Hello..."
"Are you done?"
"Almost."
"I'm near the coffee shop, waiting to go home with you."
"Okay, what about Zan Zan?"
"The weather's nice today, Sophia took him to the park."
"Okay."
As soon as Song Qinian hung up, she was met with Yun Longyue's inquisitive gaze. "Boyfriend or husband? Who is Zan Zan?"
Mentioning Zan Zan, Song Qinian's expression softened considerably. "Zan Zan is my son."
Yun Longyue was stunned. "What? You have a son? When did you get married? Who is your husband?"
Song Qinian reached out and touched Yun Longyue's face. "Darling, you have too many questions. Please focus more on my works, not my private life."
Yun Longyue: "..."
After two years, Song Qinian was no longer the gentle, introverted girl who blushed at the slightest tease.
Her entire demeanor had changed. With every move, she exuded a captivating charm. Being teased by her, Yun Longyue's face flushed.
This... even if they were both women, who could resist such a commanding aura!
The contrast from back then was too great!
"See you later!"
Song Qinian waved at Yun Longyue, who was still in a daze, and left.
Yun Longyue watched her back, and a spark of realization suddenly hit her. Niannian now was exactly like Xu Weiyu!
As soon as Song Qinian walked out of the coffee shop, she saw Li Junshen's car. Li Junshen personally got out and opened the passenger door. Song Qinian smiled faintly and got in.
"How do you feel?"
"About what?"
"Seeing an old friend, are you very happy?"
Song Qinian smiled. "Of course, I'm happy."
Li Junshen took Song Qinian's hand and gently kissed the back of it. "As long as you're happy."
Then, he took out a bag from the side. "I remember you used to love this bakery's matcha cake the most."
Song Qinian raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, that's thoughtful."
"Anything about you, I will always keep firmly in my heart."
Song Qinian said nothing, took a bite of the matcha cake, and her eyes lit up. She praised, "It tastes just like it used to, delicious."
"That's good to hear. Shall we go pick up Zan Zan?"
"Okay."
Watching Song Qinian's docile and obedient demeanor, Li Junshen felt uneasy.
After he had forced Song Qinian to marry him, she had become extremely compliant, especially after giving birth. Every time she saw him, she was respectful.
Although her face never showed fear or wariness, he knew that whenever he held Song Zan or played with him, her eyes would be fixed on him, as if she were afraid he would harm Song Zan.
Later, she realized she was overly vigilant. Whether it was him approaching Song Zan, or Sophia and Zhou Luote approaching Song Zan, she would be very scared. Especially at night, she would stay by Song Zan's bedside all night without sleep.
As time went on, her mental state deteriorated, and she became extremely thin.
Zhou Luote said Song Qinian might have postpartum depression. At first, she tried to please Li Junshen, wanting him not to harm her child.
Later, she feared they would harm her child, so she stayed by Song Zan's side, never leaving him.
If this continued, Song Qinian's condition would only worsen, and she might even do something extreme.
Li Junshen had Zhou Luote give Song Qinian medication and injections, but her depression did not improve significantly.
Zhou Luote said Song Qinian's was a heart ailment, and only a remedy for the heart could cure it.
Even if Li Junshen didn't care about Song Zan, he couldn't let Song Qinian continue to be sick.
After much thought, Li Junshen made a bold decision: he would take Song Qinian back to Jinghua City.
At first, Song Qinian didn't react much when she heard the news, perhaps not believing him. Later, when he began to arrange their return to China and even had her video call with Song Guanliang, she seemed to transform.
Facing him, she would occasionally act cute. When he reached out to embrace her, she no longer resisted or rebuffed him but would return his embrace.
This made Li Junshen feel unexpectedly cherished. Coincidentally, Li Junshen had his own selfish motives, so he brought everyone from the island back to Jinghua City.