Chapter 79
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
Yan Ruowen rarely smiles, at least in Li Xin's memory, the number of times she has seen Yan Ruowen smile can be counted on one hand, Yan Ruowen's smile is very beautiful, in Li Xin's view, it's understandable for the King to trick the feudal lords with the beacon fire, only to see the beauty's smile.*
*King You of Zhou lit beacon towers to trick the Feudal Lords into thinking enemies were approaching, just to make his rarely smiling concubine, Bao Si, smile. He succeeded in making her laugh but this prank eroded the Feudal Lords' trust in the King and contributed to the dynasty's downfall. I've T/Ned this before, I forgot if it's here or for another story =_=
"You should smile more. You look beautiful when you smile," Li Xin looked at Yan Ruowen's smile with warm eyes. If Yan Ruowen could keep smiling at her like this, it would be great.
Yan Ruowen felt uncomfortable being looked at like this, so she restrained her smile.
“Drive," Yan Ruowen said lightly.
Li Xin obediently continued driving. Afterward, Yan Ruowen remained silent, gazing out the window. Li Xin shifted her gaze from Yan Ruowen's profile, feeling the distance between them. She disliked this feeling of distance. When would she be able to enter this woman's heart? Li Xin had already spent five years on her. How many more five years of her life does she have to spare?
Yan Ruowen watched the passing scenery outside the window. Perhaps the rest of her life would be entangled with the woman in front of her. She should try to understand her. Otherwise, spending such a long time with someone she didn't understand would be a terrifying prospect.
"Li Xin," Yan Ruowen's voice was soft, but Li Xin still heard her call her name.
“Mm?" Li Xin waited for Yan Ruowen to say something.
"I will try to get to know you," Yan Ruowen turned her face back to say these words, feeling a bit awkward inside. Then she turned her head to the other side again, silent once more.
Li Xin was briefly stunned, then broke into a brilliant smile. This was undoubtedly a good start. Li Xin began to envision a happy life with Yan Ruowen.
….
Happiness is always fleeting. Zuo Qinghuan felt that time passed too quickly. These days, a lot of time was spent in bed, which was not Qin Wanshu's original intention. But Zuo Qinghuan was always persistent when it came to matters in bed, never getting tired of it. Therefore, Qin Wanshu had to indulge her. Qin Wanshu always indulged those she truly cared about, not only for Shi Yunyang and Qin Teng but also for Zuo Qinghuan. However, towards Zuo Qinghuan, she showed even more affection.
"Do you want to go back?" Zuo Qinghuan buried her face into Qin Wanshu's chest, reluctant to leave. How happy it would be if they could stay here forever without going back.
“Mm, I haven't handled the divorce with Han Shibin yet. It feels like something is hanging over my head that needs to be resolved," Qin Wanshu said softly, stroking Zuo Qinghuan's soft hair.
"Qin Wanshu, let's elope," Zuo Qinghuan said half-seriously, half-jokingly.
Qin Wanshu just smiled faintly without answering.
"Just kidding." Zuo Qinghuan said casually, brushing off the topic. Deep down, she knew there was a hint of truth in her jest, but she also understood it was impossible. She lived a solitary life, with no worries, unlike Qin Wanshu, who had numerous family ties and obligations. She would never jeopardize everything for love.
Qin Wanshu regarded Zuo Qinghuan's face seriously but remained silent. Her nature precluded her from sacrificing everything for love.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
"If you had to choose between me and your family, what would you choose?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, feeling a pang of unease as she observed Qin Wanshu's solemn expression.
"I don't see an inherent conflict between us. I believe I can reconcile the relationship. While they may not immediately accept my choice, I trust they will eventually come around," Qin Wanshu replied confidently.
"Would you leave me?" Zuo Qinghuan still felt unsettled. She was just one person among Qin Wanshu's many relatives—father, mother, grandfather, brothers, and numerous other family members. Zuo Qinghuan couldn't help but feel she had no advantage in comparison.
"I won't. The person I choose, I believe my family will ultimately respect my decision." Qin Wanshu understood Zuo Qinghuan's sense of insecurity. Zuo Qinghuan had already given her all, and since Qin Wanshu had accepted this relationship with Zuo Qinghuan, she wouldn't abandon her. She was a person of firm resolve. Once she made a decision, it wouldn't change, and she had the ability to compel others to compromise.
"I trust you." Whatever Qin Wanshu said, Zuo Qinghuan believed.
"Let's tidy up and head back." Zuo Qinghuan rarely took the initiative to leave Qin Wanshu's side, but she also hoped Qin Wanshu would divorce Han Shibin soon.
"Okay." Qin Wanshu nodded.
"Qin Teng, how's everything going?" Qin Wanshu called Qin Teng.
"It's almost done." Qin Teng always thought his sister was the most cunning person, and there was nothing she couldn't accomplish. A while ago, Qin Wanshu had asked him to find a body double of her for Han Shibin. He had just found someone who vaguely resembled his sister and sent her to Han Shibin. Han Shibin had foolishly taken the bait. Qin Teng guessed that his sister would try to persuade Han Shibin to divorce peacefully. If that didn't work, she would surely make him the villain and manipulate the situation using the body double to pressure Han Shibin. It was killing two birds with one stone. However, his sister was really protective of that woman. Qin Teng despised Zuo Qinghuan even more in his heart. He hated weaklings who needed his sister's protection, showing they were utterly pathetic.
"You've worked hard," Qin Wanshu suddenly understood why Shi Yunyang liked to boss Qin Teng around. Qin Teng could definitely be ruthless, and he was very efficient.
"Although I can't understand why my sister likes that woman, This brother will definitely help her with her affairs," Qin Teng said. His sister was still good. She knew how hard he worked, unlike Shi Yunyang, who always took him for granted.
….
"Go back first. I'll meet Han Shibin this afternoon to discuss the divorce. I'll come to find you after everything is settled," Qin Wanshu said, arranging a meeting with Han Shibin at Tianyu Villa as her first task upon returning.
"How long will it take?" Zuo Qinghuan asked. She didn't want to be separated from Qin Wanshu even for a moment now.
"If everything goes smoothly, it should only take an afternoon. But if it doesn't go well, it might take some time. I can't say for sure," Qin Wanshu replied. If she could persuade Han Shibin, it would only take an afternoon. If not, she might have to resort to more drastic measures.
"What if it takes a long time?" Zuo Qinghuan held onto Qin Wanshu's hand, reluctant to let go. Logic told her to release it, not to be stubborn. Yet, emotionally, she couldn't bear to let go. Being in the throes of passion, any separation is unbearable.
Qin Wanshu watched Zuo Qinghuan cling to her like a child unwilling to be weaned, finding it somewhat amusing.
"Then do you want to come back to the Tianyu Villa with me?" Qin Wanshu asked, planning to be cautious and let Zuo Qinghuan avoid any uncomfortable situations. She realized she was unusually indulgent toward Zuo Qinghuan.
"Okay." Zuo Qinghuan replied happily.
Upon arriving at the Tianyu Villa, Qin Wanshu arranged Zuo Qinghuan in one of the guest rooms. Han Shibin wouldn't enter the guest rooms, and there were plenty of rooms to ensure he wouldn't come across Zuo Qinghuan. The Tianyu Villa was a wedding gift from Qin Zheng to Qin Wanshu and Han Shibin when they got married.
"You can rest or read a book. Just don't go out. After everything is settled, I'll come in," Qin Wanshu instructed carefully.
"Okay," Zuo Qinghuan naturally understood she shouldn't cause any trouble for Qin Wanshu.
Qin Wanshu closed the door to the guest room and went to the study to print out the prepared divorce agreement. Then, she called Han Shibin to come over.
Han Shibin was surprised to receive Qin Wanshu's call and arrived at Tianyu in the shortest time possible.
"These days, whenever I go to the Qin family, you avoid me. I really missed you," Han Shibin expressed his feelings. Unaware that Qin Wanshu hadn't been at the Qin family's residence recently, he had assumed she was avoiding him. However, seeing two divorce agreements on the table, he furrowed his brows slightly. Was Qin Wanshu determined to divorce?
“I went out to clear my mind, and think carefully about the situation between us," Qin Wanshu said calmly.
"What's the result of all your contemplation these past few days?" Han Shibin asked knowingly.
"Let's proceed with the divorce. I don't think I'm suitable for you. I'm not like other women who can love you so ardently. It wouldn't be fair to you," Qin Wanshu said earnestly.
"I've told you, I really don't mind," Han Shibin persisted. Although he was somewhat drawn to the woman he had recently met, she was still far from matching up to Qin Wanshu.
"I've said it before, I don't enjoy that aspect of our relationship. I probably won't let you touch me again in the future. You can tolerate me now, but what about later? A lifetime is long. Do you only want to be with a woman you can admire but not touch? Do you really have no grievances against me? Even if you don't resent me now, what if you stray in the future? I might end up resenting you. I truly hope we can cherish the memories of our most beautiful moments and not end up resenting each other in the end," Qin Wanshu sighed softly.
It seems Qin Wanshu really wants a divorce. A lifetime is indeed long, and being with a woman he desires but cannot touch is torturous. He cannot convince himself not to care. Compared to the passionate woman he met a few days ago, Qin Wanshu is stiff in bed, but outside of that, she is perfect, perfect enough for Han Shibin to hesitate. Han Shibin is conflicted; he truly loves this woman, but she always feels distant, as if she doesn't truly love him. Unlike other women whose love he can feel.
"Are you sure there's no one else in your heart?" Han Shibin asked as if he had made up his mind.
“Mm," Qin Wanshu nodded without hesitation.
"Even after the divorce, you won't marry someone else?" Han Shibin continued, willing to accept that Qin Wanshu didn't love him, but he couldn't bear the thought of her loving someone else and leaving him.
"No," Qin Wanshu affirmed, knowing she had succeeded for the most part.
"I can sign the divorce agreement, but I also need you to sign one," Han Shibin proposed, suggesting a trade-off.
"What agreement?" Qin Wanshu asked though she had a hunch. To be honest, she felt somewhat disappointed in Han Shibin, and any lingering guilt she had was fading away.
"An agreement that you won't remarry for the rest of your life," Han Shibin stated firmly. In his mind, Qin Wanshu was like a goddess, and if he couldn't have her, then no one else should.
"Fine." She and Zuo Qinghuan were both women, they couldn't legally marry in China anyway, so signing or not signing the agreement didn't matter much. But Han Shibin's condition revealed a level of selfishness she hadn't anticipated.
Qin Wanshu quickly drafted an agreement, signed her name, and handed the divorce papers to Han Shibin.
Han Shibin could now be sure that Qin Wanshu hadn't been involved with other men, but he found it difficult to proceed. Part of him still hesitated to divorce Qin Wanshu, but under her urging gaze, he steeled himself and signed his name. It was for the best; he could be single again and be with other women without guilt, knowing that Qin Wanshu wouldn't marry anyone else.
Qin Wanshu noticed Han Shibin signing his name and a barely noticeable smile flickered across her face.
"Your company should be busy with a lot of things, do you want to leave first?" Qin Wanshu asked with feigned concern. Having obtained the divorce agreement, she was eager for Han Shibin to leave immediately. She would send someone to collect her belongings from Han Shibin's. place later, and the subsequent matters would be handled by the lawyer. However, she didn't mention these to him now, so as not to rush him and stimulate him too much.
Han Shibin remembered that there were indeed some matters at his company, so he left. However, in his car, the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss. So halfway through the journey, he turned back.
Author's Note:
What can you guess about the next chapter?
I decided to suppress Li Yan's story first and wait for Zuo Qin's story to come to an end before continuing…
So in the short term, it will be all about Zuo Qin…
