RAHHSFL - Chapter 91
Chapter 91
The floor-to-ceiling windows of Ju Nan’s 18th-floor office seemed perfectly positioned to view the massive screens across the street. From this angle, everything was in clear view.
On the silver screen, Qin Juran, in a long evening gown, held a champagne flute at an event. Whether she was the main attraction or not, in that photo, all the glittering lights and stage decorations paled in comparison to her natural beauty.
Pedestrians below craned their necks, even without hearing the audio, they could guess the context. These screens were usually reserved for celebrities - singers, actors, the hottest new stars. For a CEO like Qin Juran to appear here spoke volumes about her influence.
And her image and aura were perfectly suited to this kind of public display.
The photos changed, the words "Young Entrepreneur" and "University Student Entrepreneur" flashing across the screens, capturing the attention of everyone on the street. Times were changing, the "new generation" was rising, and Qin Juran, the "beautiful university student," was undoubtedly an excellent representative.
The final image was a short, informal interview. Qin Yuan sat beside an elegant, middle-aged woman.
The interviewer turned to Qin Yuan. "Mr. Qin, we’ve heard you’re very optimistic about Ju Nan Cultural Media Co., Ltd., a rising star in the media industry. We know Chengmao Group also has a presence in this field. Could you tell us why you’re so optimistic about a young company like Ju Nan?"
Qin Yuan nodded curtly. "Because of its CEO, Qin Juran.”
The interviewer, slightly taken aback by his directness, hesitated, about to ask about the rumored personal connection between them, when Qin Yuan spoke up. "Are you curious about my relationship with Miss Qin Juran?"
The interviewer, cleverly, neither confirmed nor denied, just smiled. "You know, successful people always attract speculation.”
Qin Yuan pushed his glasses up his nose. "There's no need for that. I admire Qin Juran, partly because we’re both from A City. I have a certain fondness for this city and its people. The other reason is her talent. I first heard of Qin Juran when she won the national competition. I don't offer my support to those without potential."
That’s what he said on camera, but Qin Juran noticed his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the sofa.
She knew what that meant.
It meant he wasn't happy. When he disapproved of someone's actions or answers, he would tap his fingers like that. And now, he clearly wasn't happy with his own words.
In other words, he was lying to the media. After everything that had happened, Qin Juran had taught him a lesson: one couldn’t simply measure a person's worth based on their business value.
Qin Juran, looking at his tapping fingers, smiled. Even the wealthiest, most powerful people still had to lie sometimes, then use small gestures to seek forgiveness.
The woman beside him, his wife, maintained a composed expression, her demeanor impeccable, nothing for the media to scrutinize. Qin Yuan’s reason for having her there was probably quite simple: to dispel the rumors about Qin Juran being his illegitimate daughter. By openly discussing Qin Juran in his wife's presence, he was subtly denying any inappropriate relationship.
As for those who still chose to believe the rumors, there was no way, and no need, to completely silence them. After all, wherever there were people, there would be gossip.
The images on the screen continued to change, the silver light illuminating the night sky. Qin Yuan and his wife, Qin Juran – a simple romance novel, its backdrop a world far more strange and fantastical than it seemed.
Qin Juran, like an elderly person marveling at technology, filmed the screens with her phone and sent the video to Ruan Nan.
[Turns out tearing up a cheesy love letter earned me a front-row seat to Ah Ruan's world.]
October. Qin Juran only went home for three days for National Day, visiting her family and scouting potential locations for the restaurant expansion.
Ju Tavern's reputation was built on its "old-fashioned charm" and "city memories." Relocating, even to a larger space, would diminish its appeal.
Qin Juran contacted several nearby shop owners, inquiring about rentals or transfers. One owner expressed interest. Their business had initially suffered due to Ju Tavern’s sudden popularity, then benefited from the increased foot traffic. Their food wasn’t particularly good, so they were considering relocating.
However, with "Old Qin's daughter" showing interest, they were likely to inflate the price.
Qin Juran, sensing this, didn't immediately agree or refuse, instead delegating the task to two new employees in the legal and business development departments. The two, eager to impress the CEO with a matter concerning her family, were incredibly cautious. Qin Juran reassured them, telling them to negotiate as they saw fit, that she would handle any issues that arose.
Ruan Nan returned to China before October 15th, as promised. Her project was going well, and Qin Juran was also busy with the company. Their relationship felt more balanced now, a partnership of equals.
Except in certain areas.
Qin Juran hadn’t planned on giving Ruan Nan another chance to dominate, but she couldn’t resist her persistent efforts, her soft whispers and skillful touch. She was also starting to realize that certain pleasures were best shared.
Ruan Nan, several times, had asked Qin Juran about her past life, if she had ever been in love, if she had ever liked other girls. After much probing, Qin Juran finally admitted that at her sixth-grade graduation ceremony, while pinning a red flower on a girl from another class, she had found the girl's blushing ears rather endearing.
Her little wife pouted.
So Qin Juran had a crush in sixth grade.
"And then? Did you ask for her number? Ask her out to a movie? Childhood sweethearts growing up together?"
Qin Juran chuckled, stroking Ruan Nan's hair. "What are you thinking? We didn’t even go to the same middle school. I heard she went abroad in high school."
"What if you had gone to the same middle school? What if she hadn’t gone abroad?"
"If we had gone to the same middle school… No," Qin Juran said, looking at Ruan Nan, "Ah Ruan, since I was destined to meet you, there are no 'what ifs'."
No one could outdo Qin Juran when it came to sweet talk.
The first semester of their senior year flew by. The Lunar New Year was early this year. After the semester ended, Qin Juran and Ruan Nan stayed in S City to work on the company, instead of returning to A City. They no longer had the luxury of long summer and winter breaks. Ruan Nan still had some free time, but Qin Juran was constantly busy.
And a CEO couldn’t keep borrowing her assistant's car.
Ruan Nan, after some careful probing, asked Qin Juran what kind of car she drove in her past life.
Qin Juran, unsuspecting, told her.
Ruan Nan’s little scheme was in motion. A few days later, Qin Juran noticed the Range Rover was gone. Ruan Nan took her to a car dealership for a surprise: a brand new Mercedes.
Although not the same model as Qin Juran's previous car, it was still worth over 1.5 million yuan.
Qin Juran pulled her little wife aside. "What’s the meaning of this?"
"I couldn’t afford the one you had before..." Ruan Nan answered honestly, looking into Qin Juran’s eyes.
"..." Was she complaining about it being too cheap?
"You don’t even have that much saved up, why did you buy me such an expensive car?" Qin Juran asked, frowning slightly.
"Consider it a first-anniversary gift," Ruan Nan retorted.
A gift… Qin Juran was speechless. "If it’s a gift, I should be the one giving it to you. Why are you giving me a gift first?"
Ruan Nan waved her hand dismissively. "It’s fine. I’m the top now, so spoiling my girlfriend is my duty~"
She went to collect her new car, leaving President Qin staring after her, wondering who had told Ruan Nan that being on top a few times made her the dominant one.
Qin Juran didn't say anything, just tapped her fingers meaningfully on her sleeve.
February, Lunar New Year. Qin Juran finalized the deal for the shop next to Ju Tavern. She didn't tell her parents, waiting until after the new year, then, as they were leaving, handed Qin Haotian the contract and the keys.
The new shop was renovated in the same style as Ju Tavern. The business development team even helped with the decorations. Qin Haotian and Zuo Yanzhen were speechless when they opened the door.
Qin Juran wanted to get something for Qin Julai as well, but she thought it best not to spoil a high school student too much, especially with such a sudden change. She had given him money before, but he hadn't spent a cent, secretly returning it to her bag.
After much deliberation, they each came up with their own solution.
Qin Juran bought Qin Julai a set of highly recommended study guides for all his high school subjects, writing a note on the inside cover: "Do your best. I won't be mad if you don’t finish them all." Followed by two smiley faces.
Ruan Nan thought Qin Juran was putting too much pressure on him. A growing teenager needed good food, not study guides.
So, she topped up his meal card with 10,000 yuan.
For some reason, Qin Julai didn’t speak to them for two weeks.
By the second semester of their senior year, few finance majors were still on campus. Lin Wei was still in the UK, his studies taking another year and a half. Having slacked off during university, he was now making up for lost time, occasionally posting in their group chat: [Have you ever seen London at 4:00 AM?]
Wang Yuan Yuan, with her excellent grades and law degree, quickly secured an internship at a prestigious law firm, with a promising future. She had gone back to Switzerland a couple of times. When Ruan Nan asked, she just smiled, still a hopeless romantic, saying some things were better left unsaid.
Zhou Ziqing was still figuring things out. As a rich kid, he had always had an idealistic view of the world. After a few setbacks during his internships, he was finally starting to realize the challenges ahead.
Ruan Nan had asked him to join Ju Nan, but he was still too proud to "work under" Qin Juran, eventually declining the offer.
Ruan Nan understood his reservations. Several times, she had considered telling Zhou Ziqing about Qin Juran’s true identity, about how she wasn’t responsible for the incident with Jiang Chen, that in fact, she was trying to make amends. But even if she did, Zhou Ziqing probably wouldn't believe her. After all, everything had happened between her and Qin Juran.
It was their unique, shared secret.
Ruan Nan's graduation thesis was a major undertaking. Knowing Qin Juran was there to help, she hadn’t taken it seriously. Qin Juran had urged her several times to start working on it, but she kept procrastinating. Then, when the deadline was looming, Qin Juran declared she wouldn’t help.
No matter how much Ruan Nan pleaded, Qin Juran insisted she would only offer advice, absolutely refusing to write it for her.
Ruan Nan accused her of being heartless, of not cherishing their relationship. Qin Juran simply set up a table in the dining room, practically locking Ruan Nan inside, telling her to write, forbidding her from leaving until it was done.
Her little wife, looking utterly dejected, sat facing President Qin, who was working on her laptop, meticulously reviewing documents. She coughed a couple of times, and Qin Juran pointed behind her, mouthing, "There’s water. Help yourself.”
…
After a while, Ruan Nan, still restless, started fanning herself dramatically, then unbuttoned her cardigan, revealing a low-cut slip dress. She was about to give Qin Juran a seductive glance when Qin Juran, somehow having anticipated this, put on a pair of sunglasses.
Selective blindness.
Ruan Nan gritted her teeth. Fine, ignore me. Too much energy, is it? I’ll make sure you can’t get out of bed tonight.
The day Ruan Nan finished her thesis, President Qin took her to a spa and finally had that long-awaited steak dinner. The next morning, Ruan Nan went straight to the office.
Gu Xiaoxue and the lead singer of their band, "Midsummer," had called a few days ago. With graduation approaching, the band was about to disband. They asked Ruan Nan if she would be willing to do a video about their time together, a tribute to their youthful passion.
Ruan Nan readily agreed. Music was a genre they hadn't explored yet, and the theme had potential. Qin Juran and the planning and operations teams also approved. Ruan Nan personally oversaw the project.
She worked long hours that week, once returning to the apartment past midnight. Qin Juran, still awake, waiting for her on the sofa, noticed a faint scent of alcohol as Ruan Nan walked in.
"Have you been drinking?" she asked, taking Ruan Nan's bag and pulling her into a hug.
Ruan Nan looked up at her, her eyes sparkling, and shook her head. "I pretended to drink. I took a sip, then discreetly spit it out when no one was looking.”
She didn't look drunk. Qin Juran relaxed. "Who forced you to drink?"
With Ruan Nan’s status, few people would pressure her to drink.
Ruan Nan, seeing Qin Juran’s serious expression, smiled and tugged on her ear. "Relax, President Qin. I had dinner with a few girls from a band. We were having a good time, so I joined in the toast. It was my choice~"
Qin Juran caught the keyword, her brow furrowing. "Girls? Do I know them?"
"How would you know them? It's for my project~ I’ll introduce you when it’s finished~," Ruan Nan said, then, ignoring Qin Juran, kicked off her seven-centimeter heels and walked towards the bathroom, humming.
"By the way, Ju Ju, I have something to do tomorrow night. I’ll go with you for hot pot the day after tomorrow, okay~"
"The day after tomorrow?" Qin Juran had made plans for hot pot last week.
"Yes~ Company business, Ju Ju. Don't be mad. I’ll make it up to you when I get back tomorrow night.” She winked at Qin Juran, her eyelashes fluttering, an unusually flirtatious gesture.
Ruan Nan went into the bathroom. Qin Juran didn’t dwell on the “make it up to you” comment.
Having dinner with girls… girls?
Qin Juran walked over to the full-length mirror, studying her reflection. It seemed that ever since Ruan Nan found out she was actually 26, she hadn’t been treating her like a “young girl” anymore.
Qin Juran looked towards the bathroom, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
The next day, Ruan Nan went out again. Qin Juran had given her a curfew, telling her to be back by midnight or she would personally come and get her.
Ruan Nan waved her hands dismissively, saying leaving early would be rude. Qin Juran said she wouldn't be rude, that she would join them, that as long as Qin Juran was there, Ruan Nan could stay out as late as she liked.
At 10:00 PM, Qin Juran was still at the office, with no word from Ruan Nan. She waited. At 11:00 PM, Feng Qing rushed into the office, her face pale. Qin Juran, hearing the commotion next door, caught her just as she was about to sneak out.
Seeing the documents Feng Qing was hiding, Qin Juran asked, "Stealing company secrets?"
Feng Qing, her face paling, forced a smile. "No, President Qin. I just forgot something and came back to get it.”
Qin Juran didn't believe her, blocking the doorway.
Feng Qing, knowing she couldn't win against her boss, hesitated, then confessed. "President Qin, Chairman Ruan had a car accident outside a bar. It seems like there was a fight. I came back for the insurance documents!"
Qin Juran’s eyes narrowed. "A bar? A fight?”
Feng Qing nodded, about to explain further, when Qin Juran turned and ran downstairs to her car. Feng Qing scrambled after her, getting into the passenger seat, her voice pleading,
"President Qin, Chairman Ruan didn't want me to tell you! She said she was fine, that it wasn't her fault, that someone else started it! Please don't be mad…"
Qin Juran didn't say anything, her face grim, ignoring red lights, taking shortcuts, speeding towards the bar.
By the time she arrived, the crowd had mostly dispersed. A Ferrari and a BMW were parked by the entrance, a minor fender bender. A group of men stood near the BMW. Qin Juran stopped her car. Someone shouted something inside, and Ruan Nan rushed out, spotting Qin Juran in her black shirt and trousers.
Qin Juran, her expression cold and serious, her handbag slung over her shoulder, walked towards Ruan Nan.
A young woman followed Ruan Nan, her eyes red from crying, hesitant to approach Qin Juran.
"Are you hurt?" Qin Juran’s voice was icy.
Ruan Nan had been scared. She wasn't one for confrontations. The argument at the bar had left her flustered and upset.
Now, seeing Qin Juran, a wave of grievance, guilt, and fear washed over her. She stood there, speechless, shaking her head.
Qin Juran relaxed, walking towards the men. Her black outfit and the car she arrived in exuded an aura of authority. The men, seeing her, quieted down.
The man Ruan Nan had hit with a chair tried to start something, but his companions quickly pulled him back. "Hao Ge, let it go. We’ll just get them to pay for the damages. Don't fight with women."
After some discussion, they settled on 50,000 yuan in compensation, plus repair costs.
"Compensation?" Qin Juran glanced at the young woman behind Ruan Nan.
Ruan Nan rushed over to explain. "Ju Ju, they were harassing Xiao Qin at the bar. We were leaving, but they followed us in their car. I accidentally hit them while reversing.”
"Xiao Qin?" Qin Juran frowned.
The young woman timidly stepped forward. "Hello, President Qin. My name is Qin Xiaoyu. My surname is also Qin."
"So they started it," Qin Juran said, raising her voice.
The bar was crowded, many people watching the scene unfold. Qin Juran's words embarrassed the men further. As they started to argue, Qin Juran grabbed a nearby chair, raised it high, and smashed it on the ground.
The sound startled everyone. Qin Juran brushed the dust off her hands. "Just maintaining a safe distance.”
She turned to someone who looked like the bar manager. "Your customers harassed and threatened members of my company. I’m calling the police. If you don't want any trouble, please provide the security footage as evidence.”
As she reached for her phone, the men started shouting again. Qin Juran, unflappable, stood her ground. After a while, seeing they weren’t getting anywhere, they slipped away while no one was looking.
Qin Juran called the insurance company, handing the keys to Feng Qing and telling her to handle the rest.
She drove her Mercedes over to Ruan Nan. "Get in," she said, rolling down the window.
Qin Xiaoyu looked unsure what to do. Qin Juran simply pointed at Feng Qing, not saying a word to her.
They drove back in silence. Qin Juran went straight to the bathroom upon entering the apartment. Ruan Nan, realizing she had gone too far, that Qin Juran was truly angry, didn't say anything, just went to the kitchen to prepare a plate of yogurt and fruit.
When Qin Juran emerged from the bathroom, Ruan Nan offered her the plate. Qin Juran moved aside, avoiding her. "Go take a shower.”
"Have something to eat, wifey~"
Qin Juran still ignored her.
Ruan Nan held the plate, waiting, and seeing that Qin Juran still wouldn’t acknowledge her, felt a wave of helplessness and grievance wash over her. She put down the plate, bit her lip, and slowly walked towards the bathroom.
First, she had stood Qin Juran up, then gone to a bar with another girl, then gotten into trouble and not told her… Although Qin Juran wasn’t usually the jealous type, and never stopped her from interacting with other girls, this time…
Ruan Nan felt increasingly wronged as she showered. The water was hot, and after a long day with her makeup on, her eyes were red and puffy.
She turned off the water, dried herself, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and slowly walked out.
Qin Juran was in the bedroom, awake, sitting on the bed reading.
Ruan Nan walked over to her. Qin Juran looked up, putting down her book. "Were you scared during the accident?”
Ruan Nan nodded. It had been a potentially life-threatening situation; she couldn’t deny being scared.
"Taking another girl to a bar. That's your 'work'?" Qin Juran's voice was cold.
Ruan Nan quickly explained, "No, Ju Ju. The bar has a live band, Xiao Qin’s friend is in it. We were planning to film a video there, scouting the location…”
"Xiao Qin again," Qin Juran said, standing up and walking towards her, her voice low and menacing. "One Xiao Qin isn’t enough for Chairman Ruan?”
"No, Ju Ju. I met her because of the music project. Nothing else.”
"Then why didn't you tell me about the accident? Why did I, your girlfriend, have to hear about it from my assistant? Do you not trust me, or do you not trust my ability to help?”
Qin Juran's words, each one sharper than the last, cornered Ruan Nan, who, unlike Qin Juran, wasn’t quick-witted, unsure how to appease her angry girlfriend.
She bit her lip, her eyes welling up, like a child on the verge of tears. "I… I…”
"Or do you think you have to protect me, to be the strong one, and can’t show any weakness in front of me?"
Qin Juran’s words hit a nerve. Ruan Nan, even more embarrassed, nodded, looking down.
Qin Juran stepped closer, her body almost touching Ruan Nan's. She put one arm around her waist, the other reaching behind her to unplug the bedside lamp.
The room plunged into darkness. Qin Juran lifted Ruan Nan and tossed her onto the bed.
Qin Juran’s soft weight pressed down on her, the air thick with unspoken tension. Ruan Nan braced herself against the bed, Qin Juran’s hand slipping between her fingers.
Her long, slender fingers pressed against the mattress. "Ah Ruan, being loved isn’t about being strong. You growing up doesn't mean you don't need me.”
"Have you ever seen what I’m like when I’m jealous?"
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