Chapter 118
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1363950 This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
"Is she doing well?" Zuo Qinghuan suddenly asked Li Xin, who was driving. She really wanted to know if she was doing well.
"Qin Wanshu?" Li Xin asked knowingly.
"Of course it's her." Zuo Qinghuan felt that Li Xin was teasing her, clearly knowing that she was anxious to know about Qin Wanshu's situation over the years, yet still teasing her.
"How could a woman like Qin Wanshu not be doing well?" Li Xin raised an eyebrow in response, as if that woman seemed to be transcending, realizing her own life's value.
“That's true, I just want to know about her recent situation." Whether she's doing well or not, Zuo Qinghuan still has a lot she wants to know.
"According to Wenwen, Qin Wanshu has spent a lot of effort on precious cultural relics abroad in recent years. It seems that she is still negotiating with a very valuable cultural relic and related parties in France. It is said that after negotiations, the cultural relic has been successfully recovered and is being transported back to the country. However, the specific date of return is unknown. However, she will definitely attend the charity gala this Saturday as the initiator. Qin Wanshu, either shuttling between countries for cultural relics or doing charity work, is very busy. It is said that the mayor wants to award her the Outstanding Youth Award, but she politely declined." The Qin Guang Charity Foundation was proposed by Qin Wanshu, supported by the Qin family's financial resources, and co-managed by Qin Wanshu and Wenwen. The public welfare achievements in recent years are obvious, and the Qin family is gradually transitioning from a local wealthy family to an aristocratic one. This transformation is spearheaded by Qin Wanshu's outreach, while Qin Zheng may seek the honor of the family, Qin Wanshu often personally handles everything, focusing on practical processes. Wenwen once gave Qin Wanshu a very high evaluation. She said that in the past, Qin Wanshu took pride in being born in the Qin family, but in the future, the Qin family will take pride in having Qin Wanshu.
"She truly is a wonderful woman," Kitano Aoba listened earnestly to Li Xin's description of Qin Wanshu, increasingly eager to meet the perfect woman in her sister's heart.
Zuo Qinghuan, upon hearing this, felt a complex mix of emotions. She was proud of the woman she loved, yet also felt a sense of loss, realizing that no matter how hard she tried, she could never reach her height. Zuo Qinghuan suddenly doubted if her decision to leave was correct, but she quickly shook off that feeling. There's no turning back in life, and even if she stayed, it might not be better than now. Qin Wanshu would eventually need to land, and if Zuo Qinghuan couldn't fly at her height, at least she could be there when she landed.
With their current status, obtaining an invitation from the Qin family wasn't difficult for Kitano Aoba and herself. Just the thought of meeting Qin Wanshu in three days made Zuo Qinghuan's heart restless.
In the evening, Zuo Qinghuan asked Li Xin to go back first, as she planned to take Aoba to see Aunt Xiao.
"Sister, you must be looking forward to meeting Miss Qin," Aoba asked as Zuo Qinghuan drove, sensing her sister's unrest.
"Whenever I think of her, my heart just can't calm down. I feel a mixture of anticipation and nervousness," she confessed. Zuo Qinghuan had been imagining countless times the scene of her reunion with Qin Wanshu, pondering what she would say to her. She felt a sense of anticipation mixed with fear, believing that no one could understand her feelings at this moment.
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1363950 This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
"I'm looking forward to meeting her too," Aoba smiled, expressing her eagerness to meet this woman called Qin Wanshu.
Zuo Qinghuan smiled back. Indeed, Qin Wanshu was a woman worth looking forward to.
….
"Wenwen," Li Xin saw Yan Ruowen sitting on the living room sofa and slid into her arms.
"This is the living room, and Mom and Dad could come back anytime, so tone it down a bit," Yan Ruowen said, though she didn't push Li Xin away. Instead, she casually wrapped her arms around Li Xin's waist.
"Today, Zuo Qinghuan came back, and she seems to have matured a lot. Well, she feels mature, but she still looks so tender, as deceivingly charming and ethereal as ever," Li Xin happily remarked as her hand encircled Yan Ruowen's neck.
"Of course, everyone matures a bit. Unlike you, who seems to have made no progress," Yan Ruowen criticized, noting that Li Xin hadn't changed much, still unserious and unreliable, although she had become more diligent in her work under her supervision and guidance. Zuo Qinghuan, whom she didn't interact with much, was often mentioned by Li Xin, so she felt somewhat familiar with her.
"Where haven't I progressed? Go ask at the hospital. Who doesn't say that Dr. Li is a dedicated and capable doctor with both beauty and skill?" Li Xin pouted, despite being a mature woman, she still harbored a childish heart, enjoying being cute and adorable.
"Dr. Li, please continue with this attitude towards work," Yan Ruowen affirmed in a superior-to-subordinate manner.
"Do you think Qin Wanshu still loves Zuo Qinghuan?" Li Xin asked. It was always difficult to guess what was on Qin Wanshu's mind.
"Perhaps," Yan Ruowen replied uncertainly. She felt that Qin Wanshu was the kind of woman whose thoughts wouldn't show on her face, giving off a cold demeanor that kept people guessing. However, after years of close contact with Qin Wanshu, Yan Ruowen faintly felt that there was still a burning spot in Qin Wanshu's heart, but she hid it too well. Whether that burning spot was for Zuo Qinghuan remained unknown.
"But what if Qin Wanshu doesn't love her anymore? Zuo Qinghuan still has a foster sister, and that foster sister gives me a good feeling too. She looks so tender and obedient, making me want to bully her. She and Zuo Qinghuan seem to match well, at least there wouldn't be too much pressure. Qin Wanshu is too much of a goddess; ordinary people can't handle that kind of pressure..." Li Xin gossiped.
"Can someone who has loved Qin Wanshu still love others?" Yan Ruowen thought this possibility was unlikely.
"That's true. To someone who once has seen the sea.; The clouds over Mount Wu are the only true clouds.* ”Li Xin said with a sigh.
*once having seen the best, the rest is not worth looking at. A line from the poem “Li Si” (Parting Thoughts) by Yuan Zhen in the mid-Tang Dynasty
Qin Wanshu's negotiations and discussions in France had finally concluded after more than a month, and the items had been delivered to the museum, marking a temporary end to the matter. This brought her a sense of relief, but also some fatigue. There were still three days until the charity gala on Saturday night, so there was no need to rush. However, despite this, she felt an urgent desire to return. She didn't need to delve deeply into the reasons behind her eagerness to return, but the date on the calendar clearly reminded her that it was three years ago today when Zuo Qinghuan left, promising to return in three years. No matter how much she tried to let everything go naturally, without consciously thinking or doing anything, her subconscious had made a choice—she was waiting for Zuo Qinghuan to come back.
Qin Wanshu finished showering and quietly blow-dried her hair. "Zuo Qinghuan, although I'm willing to wait for you, it doesn't mean I'll easily forgive you. It's been three years," she kept herself busy to make time pass faster because waiting is always the longest.
Lin Jingxian knocked on Qin Wanshu's door and entered her room. "Wanshu, how long will you stay home this time?" Lin Jingxian took the hairdryer from Qin Wanshu's hand and gently blow-dried her daughter's hair. Her daughter's three years of hard work had caused Lin Jingxian a lot of heartache. She couldn't help but complain about her father-in-law's methods that made that girl leave. If that girl hadn't left, Wanshu would have lived a stable life with her instead of traveling and toiling everywhere. Although her daughter's actions were always admirable, Lin Jingxian wished for her daughter to live a stable life and be by her side more often, like all mothers hope for. Lin Jingxian always felt reluctant every time her daughter left home. She hoped that girl would come back as promised and let her daughter settle down, never leaving home again.
"I haven't decided yet, but I'll stay longer this time," Qin Wanshu said with a smile. She knew her mother's reluctance, and she knew her mother worried about her being away from home. But she couldn't stop, and she didn't want to. She wanted to do something meaningful with her life.
"Shouldn't that girl be coming back soon?" Lin Jingxian suddenly asked.
Qin Wanshu fell silent.
"Do you miss her?" Lin Jingxian saw Qin Wanshu's silence and knew that her daughter still couldn't let go of that girl.
"I do, very much. Every time I think of her, I get very angry," Qin Wanshu admitted her true feelings to her mother. Although she tried to keep herself busy to avoid thinking of Zuo Qinghuan, whenever she had a moment of leisure, the feeling of longing and loneliness would overwhelm her, making her angrier.
"It's because you care too much, that's why you get so angry," Lin Jingxian smiled gently. She was afraid that her daughter would always be alone. Whether it was a man or a woman, she just hoped her daughter would have someone by her side to bring her stability and companionship.
Author's Note:
The most important aspect of Zuo Qinghuan's growth is the strength of her inner spirit. As she grows, so does Qin Wanshu. Therefore, she may not be able to catch up with Qin Wanshu...
However, with a strong spirit, the main goal is to gain recognition from the Qin family. Qin Wanshu, she might have to pursue again.
