After learning that Shen Chiyan had not mistreated Zanzan and had even hired someone to care for him, Song Qinian finally put her mind at ease. However, she still needed to maintain appearances with Li Junshen, so when he returned that evening, she immediately rushed to him.
"How is it? Is there a way to rescue Zanzan?"
Li Junshen reached out and stroked Song Qinian's head. "Soon. I promise you, I will bring Zanzan back within three days."
Three days?
What was with Li Junshen's confident expression? Did he already have a plan?
How would he deal with Shen Chiyan?
If Zanzan returned here, wouldn't she have to live in constant fear like before?
"How will you go to the Shen family to get him back?"
Li Junshen smiled faintly. "I naturally have my own ideas. Don't worry, just happily wait for me to bring Zanzan back."
Li Junshen was unwilling to elaborate, and Song Qinian dared not press further, fearing he might see through her act.
The next day, Song Qinian went to Yunlong Building for casting as usual. During this time, she received a WeChat message from Shen Keqin, asking her to meet at a Western restaurant after she was done.
Having been back for so long, Song Qinian hadn't had a proper get-together with Shen Keqin yet, so she agreed.
When Song Qinian arrived at the restaurant, waiting for her were Shen Keqin and Mu Yuxin.
"Niannian..."
As soon as Mu Yuxin saw Song Qinian, she rushed towards her. Song Qinian expected a hug and had excitedly opened her arms, but Mu Yuxin's expression suddenly changed. She grabbed Song Qinian's hand and smacked her palm several times.
"You little brat! You disappear when you want and come back when you want. You didn't tell me when you left, and you didn't look for me when you returned. Do you not want me as your friend anymore?"
Mu Yuxin's force was not strong. Song Qinian's heart was filled with mixed emotions, and she tightly embraced Mu Yuxin. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault!"
Mu Yuxin abruptly pushed her away, her eyes fixed on Song Qinian's mouth. "You can actually speak now! That's wonderful!"
She then pulled Song Qinian into a tight hug again. "That's wonderful, Niannian, you can finally speak."
Song Qinian wiped her nose and nodded with a smile. "Yes, from now on, I can say whatever I want and won't have to struggle with sign language anymore."
"Exactly! Let's find some time to chat all night."
Shen Keqin, who was beside them, said, "Why wait? How about we chat all night tonight?"
Mu Yuxin enthusiastically agreed. "I have no problem, it depends on someone else..."
Both their gazes fell on Song Qinian.
Seeing that Song Qinian didn't respond immediately, Shen Keqin pouted and huffed. "You're not going to ask Li Junshen, are you? Is he that strict with you?"
Previously, Song Qinian had no choice but to obey Li Junshen because Zanzan was in his hands.
If Zanzan were with Shen Chiyan, Song Qinian's courage would have grown a little. "Of course, I'll stay up all night with you."
Only then did Shen Keqin happily exclaim, "Yeah!"
After the three were seated, Mu Yuxin immediately asked, "Right, Niannian, I heard you're with Li Junshen and even had a child. What's going on?"
With Shen Keqin present, it was inconvenient for Song Qinian to reveal the truth directly, so she beat around the bush and evaded the question.
Mu Yuxin was arguably the person who understood Song Qinian best. Seeing that Song Qinian was unwilling to say more, she didn't press the matter further and instead asked about the baby.
Shen Keqin had already told Mu Yuxin everything. Mu Yuxin knew that Song Qinian's child was currently in Shen Chiyan's custody.
Shen Keqin, unaware of Song Qinian's thoughts and assuming she was still worried about Zanzan, comforted her, "Niannian, don't worry. Although my brother looks fierce and like he's going to devour Zanzan, he's actually very good to him. Zanzan is at the Xiangshan Yue Villa and hasn't suffered at all."
Song Qinian nodded and was about to speak when an advertisement filmed by Lin Qiutong suddenly played on the restaurant's large TV.
As soon as she saw Lin Qiutong, Shen Keqin snorted. "I have to say, Lin Qiutong doesn't have many skills, but she's good at pretending to be dead. She was so smug on Weibo before, but after it was officially announced that the role of Xu Weiyu would be played by my third aunt, she disappeared."
Mentioning that incident made Song Qinian recall how Shen Chiyan helped Lin Qiutong snatch the role, which made her heart ache.
At this point, Mu Yuxin beside them said, "Wasn't Shen Chiyan helping her before?"
"Who knows what possessed my fifth brother! He hadn't seen Lin Qiutong much in over two years. Humph, Lin Qiutong must have been incredibly smug when she knew my brother was helping her!"
Song Qinian suddenly looked at Shen Keqin. Shen Chiyan hadn't seen Lin Qiutong for over two years?
How was that possible?
Wasn't Lin Qiutong the one he loved the most?
Mu Yuxin voiced Song Qinian's question. "Shen Chiyan hasn't seen Lin Qiutong in two years? Impossible, right? Didn't he rush to save Lin Qiutong back then?"
After speaking, Mu Yuxin regretted it.
After all, Shen Chiyan had chosen Lin Qiutong over Song Qinian back then.
She didn't know the exact circumstances of that time, nor whether Niannian truly no longer loved Shen Chiyan. But regardless of love, not being chosen was indeed painful.
Shen Keqin sighed heavily. Looking at Shen Chiyan, she said, "At that time, Lin's family was pressuring my brother to save Lin Qiutong, and they were morally blackmailing him. Moreover, Lin Feichi did die saving my brother, so my brother had to save Lin Qiutong first as repayment."
Song Qinian lowered her head. Shen Keqin couldn't discern any emotion from her expression, so she continued, "But I can guarantee that my brother really wasn't with Lin Qiutong these past two years, because my brother doesn't love Lin Qiutong at all."
Shen Keqin knew Shen Chiyan well; he was quite stubborn.
She wasn't sure if Song Qinian truly loved Li Junshen or what her situation was, but she only hoped to tell Song Qinian what she knew so that Song Qinian could make her own decision.
Song Qinian's heart was indeed in turmoil, her mind a jumble, unable to think clearly.
Qinqin wouldn't lie to her, so it was true?
Just then, her phone suddenly rang. It was a WeChat message from Li Junshen: "Have you had lunch? Are you tired?"
Song Qinian instinctively replied with two words: "Not tired, eating now."
"Mhm, eat more. I'll pick you up tonight."
As Song Qinian was about to reply, saying she wanted to stay with Mu Yuxin tonight, someone suddenly sent her a text message.
She opened it to find a photo sent from an unknown number. As soon as the photo loaded, it was of Li Junshen and Shen Huanling.
In the photo, Shen Huanling was holding a cotton candy, smiling sweetly and happily. The man beside her was looking down at his phone, and judging by the time of the photo, he was likely sending her a message.
The photo was taken from Shen Huanling's perspective, her arm linked with Li Junshen's. They were in an amusement park, looking exactly like a couple.