RAHHSFL - Chapter 76
Chapter 76
The aroma of freshly baked bread and milk wafted in from outside. Without Zuo Yanzhen even calling them, Qin Juran and Ruan Nan stirred in bed. Zuo Yanzhen knocked softly on the door. "Ranran, are you awake?"
Qin Juran turned over and replied, "Awake, Mom. Be right out."
"I put breakfast upstairs for you and Nan Nan. Eat it while it's hot. If it gets cold, bring it down, and your dad will reheat it."
"Okay, Mom."
Qin Juran exchanged a few more words with Zuo Yanzhen through the door. After Zuo Yanzhen left, Qin Juran got out of bed, put on a thin sweater, then snuggled back under the covers to tease Ruan Nan.
Sunlight streamed in through the small wooden window, painting the plants and dreamcatcher on the balcony a soft gold.
Naked from the waist down, Qin Juran’s movements beneath the covers bunched up her sweater, her legs playfully nudging Ruan Nan. The bedroom, initially cold, suddenly felt warmer with Qin Juran so close.
A tingling sensation spread through her shoulders and neck. Ruan Nan couldn't pretend to sleep any longer. Qin Juran’s teasing tickled. She giggled softly. "What are you doing~"
Qin Juran snuggled closer, her nose nuzzling against Ruan Nan's back. "Missing my wifey."
"We just slept in the same bed. You already miss me?"
Qin Juran kissed the smooth skin of Ruan Nan’s back, her fingers trailing downwards. "It's not missing.”
"It's wanting."
Qin Juran's suggestive tone sent shivers down Ruan Nan’s spine. Unable to contain her shyness, she rolled over, pinning Qin Juran beneath her. "Hey, Qin Juran, yesterday you were so upset, you scared me and your parents. And now, just one night later, you’re back to normal?"
President Qin, looking at her adorable wife on top of her, smiled. "Ah Ruan is the best medicine. Being with you makes everything better.”
Qin Juran tried to flip them over, but Ruan Nan nimbly dodged her, whispering in her ear, "It's daytime, and we’re at your house. You’ll be the one suffering if you keep this up.”
Qin Juran, remembering Ruan Nan’s deliberate teasing from their last visit, smirked. Not giving her another chance to escape, she leaned in and kissed her, her lips moving from Ruan Nan’s mouth down her neck as her fingers slipped beneath her shirt.
Ruan Nan's face flushed. She wasn’t sure what Qin Juran was up to, but a familiar yet thrilling sensation washed over her. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her moans, but as Qin Juran’s fingers moved, a soft whimper escaped her.
Ruan Nan gasped for breath. Just as she was reaching her peak, Qin Juran stopped, straddling her, looking down at her with a smirk. "What was that about me being the one suffering?"
Ruan Nan, breathless, her long eyelashes glistening with moisture, stared at Qin Juran, momentarily stunned, then comprehension dawned, and her face flushed crimson. She turned her head away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Qin Juran didn’t let her escape, continuing her teasing. "It seems like you're the one suffering, Ah Ruan.”
"Qin Juran, don't..."
"Don't what? Don't stop?"
Ruan Nan was completely at her mercy. Professor Qin, ever the educator, chose this most vulnerable moment to impart some wisdom. "Ah Ruan, before, you could say it was me who was suffering, me who wanted this. Not anymore. This is about both of us. After all, Ah Ruan enjoys this too, doesn’t she?"
Ruan Nan’s face burned. She didn't want to answer, but looking at Qin Juran’s seductive eyes, she couldn't deny it either. Swallowing hard, she mumbled, "Yes..."
"Yes what? Does it feel good?"
"It feels good..."
"Do you want more?"
"I...I do..."
"Want who?"
"Professor Qin..."
"Wrong."
"President Qin?"
"Not today."
Footsteps approached outside. It was probably Zuo Yanzhen coming back upstairs. Ruan Nan, mortified at the thought of her walking in on them, nudged Qin Juran and whispered urgently about the approaching footsteps.
Qin Juran, seemingly oblivious, continued. "Want who?"
Ruan Nan playfully punched her, biting her lip. Qin Juran leaned closer, her ear against Ruan Nan's mouth, and heard a shy whisper, "Wifey~"
Qin Juran, her mood significantly improved, finally released Ruan Nan and got out of bed. She offered to help downstairs, but Zuo Yanzhen and Qin Haotian insisted she stay upstairs. Qin Juran had been unusually subdued last night. Knowing their daughter tended to bottle things up, they suspected something serious was troubling her.
They pulled Qin Juran aside, asking her repeatedly if she was alright, if anyone had bullied her, if everything was okay with her health and her mood, finally relaxing after she assured them she was fine.
Qin Haotian brought a plate of fruit upstairs. While Zuo Yanzhen was away, he pulled Qin Juran aside and winked. "Ranran, are you really okay?"
"I'm fine, Dad. I was just upset about the business deal not working out yesterday. I'm over it now.”
"I knew it was that damn business. Ranran, I might not be educated, and I know I can't give you everything you want, but remember, money is never as important as people. Mom and Dad are healthy, Julai is doing well. Do what you want. If it doesn't work out, come home. No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you.”
Qin Haotian's hand was warm, his touch reassuring. Every time he patted her like this, Qin Juran felt a surge of strength. She smiled. "I know, Dad."
"And no matter what happens, take care of yourself. You have no idea how worried Nan Nan was yesterday, seeing you so distraught. She was holding your hand so tightly, she didn't dare let go. For us, for Nan Nan, you have to take care of yourself.”
Qin Juran blushed slightly and nodded firmly. "I know, Dad, I really do."
Qin Juran carried the fruit into the room. Ruan Nan had tidied up, their clothes neatly hung in the closet.
Seeing that Ruan Nan wasn't packing to leave, Qin Juran assumed it was because the car was still being repaired. "Should I call the insurance company and check on the car?"
Ruan Nan shook her head, not even checking the date on her phone. "Let’s stay for another three days. I have some things to do in A City as well."
Qin Juran paused, noticing Ruan Nan’s serious tone. She didn’t ask for details, respecting Ruan Nan’s schedule, just as Ruan Nan respected hers.
Since they had their laptops and cameras, they could continue working on their "City Memory" project in A City.
Qin Juran checked their social media accounts. Qin Yuan had done a thorough job; everything looked normal, as if the Xia Jin incident had never happened. People only knew what Qin Juran had revealed in her videos.
Qin Yuan was a shrewd businessman. Having made his position clear yesterday, he saw no need to invest further in Qin Juran. Qin Juran, however, wasn't so proud as to refuse his help and start over from scratch. Some opportunities were too good to pass up.
She also made a list of companies and businesses they had collaborated with. She had already prepared most of the documents for company registration and could finalize it here in the next few days. Then, she would focus on securing investments.
Qin Juran copied the documents and was about to print them. Stretching after closing her laptop, she glanced at the new desk Qin Haotian had bought. Although the desk was new, the small note that read "My Dream" had been carefully removed and reattached.
The writing had faded slightly from sun exposure. Qin Juran opened the drawer and found an eraser. She erased the words "Become CEO," written in pencil. The sound of the eraser against paper caught Ruan Nan’s attention. She turned around and, seeing Qin Juran erasing her dream, asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"
Qin Juran paused. "Erasing.”
"You don't want to be a CEO anymore?"
Qin Juran explained, "I've realized that writing wishes on this note actually works."
"Then why are you erasing it?"
Qin Juran pointed to the note, which was now full of writing. "No more space.” She gently pushed Ruan Nan's hand aside, smiled, finished erasing, picked up a black pen, and carefully wrote:
[Family, safe, healthy, happy, and in love.]
Ruan Nan looked at the elegant handwriting. Qin Juran looked up. "Ah Ruan, becoming a CEO was my initial goal when I first came here. I thought that only by becoming a CEO could I have what I wanted. But now I realize that everything precious and beautiful in this world is already by my side.”
"So, now that my priorities have shifted, starting a company and becoming a CEO are just minor details, easily achievable with your support, right?"
Ruan Nan looked into Qin Juran's eyes, the subtle scent of freesia filling the air. She smiled. "True, becoming a CEO isn’t something you need a wish for.”
"Could Ah Ruan help me achieve that?" Qin Juran teased.
Ruan Nan lifted her chin and scoffed playfully, not responding.
They stayed in A City for two more days. Qin Juran spent her mornings meeting with potential investors, while Ruan Nan managed their online presence.
During the competition, Ruan Nan had only wanted to help Qin Juran with the music theory aspects, but she ended up contributing significantly to their victory. Similarly, with the video production, she had only intended to help because they were short-staffed, but she’d become more proficient than Qin Juran.
Ruan Nan closed her laptop and looked out the window, a clichéd saying coming to mind: No two people are perfect for each other. Love makes both people better versions of themselves.
She hadn't realized before how fulfilling it was to capture everyday scenes and express them through the lens of a camera and the written word, in a way she loved.
For three days, Qin Juran returned home disappointed after each meeting. Fortunately, she was resilient, not easily discouraged by rejections. Ruan Nan, having her own plans, wasn't concerned about whether Qin Juran secured any investments.
On the third evening, Qin Juran seemed unusually cheerful. Ruan Nan hurried over. "How did it go today?"
Qin Juran nodded, then shook her head.
Ruan Nan tugged on her arm. "Tell me, President Qin, how did it go?"
"I met with the general manager of a local restaurant chain in A City. I was originally scheduled for a bidding meeting with everyone else, but she had to cancel due to another meeting.”
"So you didn't meet her?"
"We ran into each other in the elevator."
"So you had a private audience?" Ruan Nan’s eyes widened.
Qin Juran nodded.
"And then?"
"And... we had a half-hour conversation."
"And she agreed to invest?"
"And she tried to recruit me to join her restaurant business, instead of pursuing my MCN company.”
So, no investment secured, but the CEO almost got poached.
Although she hadn’t gotten the investment, it was a testament to Qin Juran's abilities. Qin Juran smiled wryly. Ruan Nan hugged her comfortingly. "It's okay. Once our company takes off, these people will be lining up to invest~"
Qin Juran hugged her back, nuzzling her shoulder. "Okay."
Ruan Nan released her, turned on the light beside the closet, and took out a black suit. "Try this on, it should fit.”
Qin Juran froze, remembering Ruan Nan’s mention of waiting three days. She hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. "Is it..."
Ruan Nan nodded. "Tomorrow is the anniversary of my mother's death. Ju Ju, will you come with me?"
Qin Juran took the suit, nodded firmly, and whispered, "Okay."
The alarm rang at 5:30 a.m. Qin Juran got up without complaint, showered, and dressed. She brushed her hair back neatly, skipped any makeup, and meticulously put on the black suit and leather shoes Ruan Nan had bought for her.
Ruan Nan also dressed in black. Qin Juran, worried she would be cold, gave her the only black trench coat they had.
"Aren’t you cold?"
Qin Juran shook her head, not saying anything more, and grabbed the car keys.
The late winter sky was starting to brighten, the morning mist hanging heavy in the air. After getting into the car, Ruan Nan gave Qin Juran the address of a flower shop. Qin Juran followed the navigation. Ruan Nan went inside and returned shortly with a small bouquet of white chrysanthemums.
The flowers were wrapped in black paper. Ruan Nan, in her black suit and trench coat, her hair ruffled by the wind, looked pale in the cold morning light.
Her head was slightly bowed. Through the car window, Qin Juran couldn't see her expression clearly.
But as Ruan Nan walked out of the flower shop, Qin Juran felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she’d seen this scene before, every year on this day.
Every winter morning, Ruan Nan, dressed in black, a small, solitary figure, would appear around the corner, carrying a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. Just like today, her expression hidden, yet her silent longing and grief palpable in the wind.
Ruan Nan got into the car. Qin Juran got out and returned shortly with a bouquet of white daisies.
They drove west. It was a cold day, the sun hidden behind the clouds. The car sliced through the mist. Only now did Qin Juran understand why Ruan Nan had chosen the black Range Rover.
It was for the most important person in her life.
The car stopped. Qin Juran got out, holding the flowers, and walked with Ruan Nan towards the cemetery.
There weren't many people at the cemetery in the early morning. Ruan Nan's mother was buried in a quiet corner.
Qin Juran didn't touch Ruan Nan, keeping a respectful distance. As they approached the gravesite, she deliberately hung back half a step, letting Ruan Nan go first.
In the black and white photo on the tombstone, she was smiling. Her features were delicate, her smile serene and happy.
It was a photo from the best time of her life. Educated, ambitious, in the prime of her youth, she had dedicated her life to music, academics, and her ideals. She had followed her then equally passionate classmate to Spain. They lived and experienced life in a foreign land, and it was there that they had their beloved daughter, Ruan Nan.
A beautiful, adorable daughter, who inherited much of her musical talent.
She was so sweet, waiting by the window every day for her mother to come home from work. She was so playful and clever, pretending to draw a picture so her father would reward her with ice cream. When her mother came home, she would pretend to have a tummy ache, asking for a piece of chocolate, saying it would make her feel better.
On her deathbed, her only worry had been for her daughter.
Her daughter was still so young. She wished she could trade all her remaining time for a superpower, to see who, where, the person who would bring her daughter happiness would be.
She worried so much.
Qin Juran stood behind Ruan Nan, watching as she trembled, her hand reaching up to wipe her cheek. Ruan Nan bent down and gently placed the white chrysanthemums at her mother's grave.
Ruan Nan stepped back, standing behind Qin Juran. Qin Juran nodded and stepped forward, placing her daisies with equal reverence.
Neither of them spoke.
After a long silence, Ruan Nan reached for Qin Juran's hand. Qin Juran instinctively flinched, but Ruan Nan persisted. Qin Juran hesitated no more, intertwining her fingers with Ruan Nan’s.
The sun slowly rose. Standing before the solemn tombstone, Qin Juran and Ruan Nan, both in black suits, their figures looking small in the vastness of the cemetery, yet their presence there was unwavering.
Mom, for a long time after you left, I thought there would never be anyone in this world who could love me as much as you did.
Mom, I brought her to see you today, because I think I finally believe that Qin Juran is the person who will spend her life trying to make me happy.
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