Chapter 44: Can I Kiss You?

After leaving the Select Hotel, Shen Jin immediately went to the nearest clothing store and bought a set of clothes and a new pair of shoes.

Regardless of whether the price is affordable or not, at least they did not disgust her.

She threw away the clothes she had changed out of and was about to call A’Hui when she suddenly received a call from Qin Mo.

It was rare for the kitten to contact her, so Shen Jin answered immediately and said softly, "President Qin?"

The way she asked sounded like a summon to fuck her. Shen Jin instantly felt her heart itch.

"I'm near Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street," Shen Jin told a small lie. "What's wrong?"

"Uh..." Qin Mo seemed hesitant to speak. "Can you come over for a moment?”

She paused, then deliberately lowered her voice, "Um, my parents would like to invite you over for coffee."

Her future parents-in-law suddenly wanted to see her. Shen Jin was quite surprised, but after thinking about it, it also made sense.

Qin Mo's parents had met her before. After they had their passionate time in the private theater, Shen Jin didn't forget to book a restaurant in advance, so that after Qin Mo woke up, she could take her parents there for a meal.

Given Qin Mo's personality, when her parents happened to mention something, she probably also mentioned that Shen Jin had arranged the restaurant. The couple naturally wanted to return the courtesy by inviting Shen Jin for coffee.

Shen Jin was naturally delighted and immediately agreed.

When she reached a few hundred meters from the coffee shop, Shen Jin parked the car on the side of the road, got out, tidied her clothes slightly, and then walked briskly forward.

Qin Mo's mother, Song Qiao, runs a chain of bookstores in Lincheng and also works as a freelance writer. She is very tasteful, influenced by books, and the coffee shop she chose reflects that.

The bookstore-style coffee shop is decorated in a very elegant and simple style, with bright and warm lighting. In this bustling street, it has a sense of being a hidden gem in the city.

The shop was quiet, with soothing music playing. Shen Jin pushed open the door and entered, and the bell hanging on the door jingled.

Upon hearing this, Song Qiao turned her head and saw Shen Jin. She smiled and waved at her.

"Auntie."

Shen Jin politely greeted her. Song Qiao stood up, warmly took Shen Jin's hand, and had her sit beside her.

Song Qiao naturally gave people a warm feeling of closeness. She showed the loving smile of an elder, her eyes gentle, as if she also regarded this "junior schoolmate" who lived with her daughter as her own child.

"Xiao Jin."

She naturally called out that name.

Shen Jin suddenly trembled. Her pupils shrank, and her mind instantly went blank.

Under the warm light, Shen Jin blankly looked at Song Qiao. Time seemed to rapidly flow backward at that moment, until Song Qiao's face blurred and changed into another woman's face.

The same gentle and graceful appearance.

The same gentle way of calling her "Xiao Jin."

That person was her mother, Wei Jin, whom she had never seen again after she was kidnapped.

It was the first time Shen Jin realized that Song Qiao felt so much like her mother.

Her heart shook violently. Her nose turned slightly sour. Shen Jin stood frozen, only feeling the wound deep in her bones begin to ache again.

Unless she dreamed of it in the middle of the night, she would never again hear her mother call her "Xiao Jin."

"What's wrong?"

Seeing her suddenly freeze, Song Qiao felt puzzled and reached out to touch Shen Jin's forehead.

"Are you not feeling well?"

Shen Jin forced herself to gather her emotions. She lowered her eyes to hide the brokenness in them and calmly said, "I'm fine, Auntie."

Song Qiao frowned slightly.

Just then, Qin Mo and Qin Jianguo each came over carrying a plate of snacks.

When Qin Mo saw her mother holding Shen Jin's hand, she was first startled, then silently prayed that Shen Jin had not said something again.

Her eyes moved back and forth between the two of them. Qin Mo felt that Shen Jin seemed a bit off.

"Momo," Song Qiao suddenly said, "Didn't you say you had something to take care of? Then go back first with Xiao Jin."

Huh?

Qin Mo was a little confused, but Song Qiao gave her a look.

Was she talking about Shen Jin?

Qin Mo still understood her mother's meaning. She looked at Shen Jin again and found that she really did not seem right.

Was she feeling sick?

After all, she is her little mistress Qin Mo followed along and answered, "Uh... yes. Then A’Jin and I will head back first."

She placed the drinks on the table and called for Shen Jin to leave with her.

"Mom, I'll call you and Dad later.”

Song Qiao nodded, and Qin Mo then led Shen Jin out.

Father Qin looked bewildered and wanted to say something, but Song Qiao stopped him.

Outside the shop.

"Nothing." Shen Jin forced a smile. For the first time, she did not want Qin Mo by her side.

"It's just..."

"You're in a bad mood?"

Qin Mo made the judgment before Shen Jin could finish.

"..."

"Then I'll take you somewhere too."

Shen Jin froze.

Qin Mo smiled and raised her hand to stop a taxi.

Licheng University Old Campus, Swan Square.

Shen Jin never expected Qin Mo to bring her here.

The evening breeze blew gently. The lights around the square shone brightly. Maple trees swayed. A fountain stood in the center, with two swans facing each other with curved necks, looking at one another and forming a heart shape.

The old campus had now become more of a historical attraction. There were not many visitors at this time. Qin Mo held Shen Jin's hand and walked over. They sat on the marble edge of the fountain with their backs facing it.

The sound of water was quiet. The maple leaves rustled. The evening star shone in the night sky. This old campus felt like a peaceful place hidden away from the city's noise.

"Do you feel a little better?"

Qin Mo sat close to Shen Jin and raised her left hand to brush the hair beside her ear.

"When I hadn't graduated yet, whenever I had something bothering me, I'd come to the old campus and sit here."

The quiet old campus, full of history, could always easily brush away the restlessness in people's hearts and ease their worries.

Shen Jin suddenly smiled.

"President Qin, do you know why this fountain has swans?"

"Well..."

Qin Mo could not answer. She thought seriously for a while before replying, "I remember... I think a gentleman donated money to the school, then this swan statue was built. It's kind of like the Shaw Building."

Shen Jin nodded, then pointed ahead.

The old campus was not as large as the new one. Looking out from the main gate ahead, they could see a very beautiful Soviet-style building. It had once been a guesthouse for Soviet experts, and later it was bought and turned into a hotel.

"Many years ago, a wealthy businessman surnamed Shen donated a sum of money to Licheng University. He made one request, to build a swan fountain facing St. Peter Building."

"At the same time, he bought St. Peter Building and turned it into a hotel. On the hotel's opening day, the first happy event held there was this wealthy businessman Shen's wedding."

"He first met his wife here, so he built this swan fountain here. From this place to the Cupid statue at the entrance of St. Peter Hotel, the distance is just a little over 1,314* meters."

*1314 (yī sān yī sì) sounds similar to 一生一世 (yī shēng yī shì)  yī shēng yī shì which means lifetime or forever.

"'A lifetime together' and a little more. And the swan is a symbol of lifelong faithfulness. It was also his wife's favorite."

Shen Jin slowly told the story.

Qin Mo listened in a daze. Only after a long while did she look back at Shen Jin in surprise.

"How do you know it so clearly?"

Shen Jin said nothing and only smiled slightly.

Of course she knew.

Because that wealthy businessman was her father.

"I heard it from someone else." Shen Jin looked at Qin Mo with the corners of her lips raised. "Hasn't this place almost become a tourist attraction? I passed by before and heard a tour guide talking about it."

Qin Mo: "..."

How come she had never met a tour guide? The little kitten felt a little puzzled.

Then she suddenly heard:

"President Qin, may I kiss you?"

As soon as the words fell, an intoxicating fragrance had already drifted over.

Shen Jin turned her head, gently closed her eyes, and placed an extremely gentle kiss on Qin Mo's lips.

Qin Mo stiffened and did not dare move. She stared with wide eyes at the face so close to hers.

Shen Jin's eyelashes were so long and thick.

And she... was so beautiful.

For some reason, that thought suddenly appeared.

As if possessed, Qin Mo also slowly closed her eyes.

The night was very quiet.

Author's Note:

(The kitten is about to be tempted into getting a hotel room with the big leopard again.)

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