Chapter 58
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Han Shibin sent someone to investigate Qin Wanshu but found no evidence of the person supposedly causing Qin Wanshu to change her mind. Since that's the case, why would she be so determined to get a divorce? He couldn't comprehend the reason no matter how much he thought about it.
He had been to Qin's house many times in the past few days, but Qin Wanshu avoided seeing him and said nothing. Even Mr. Qin was a lot colder to him, which made Han Shibin extremely depressed. Today is Qin Wanshu's birthday. Han Shibin still went to Qin's house without giving up. This time Qin Wanshu didn't avoid seeing him, which made Han Shibin a little happy.
"Wanshu, why are you determined to divorce? Even when sentencing someone to death, you need to provide them with a charge," Han Shibin inquired persistently.
"I don't love you, and I don't like you touching me. I don't want to force myself, I can't fulfill my duties as a wife, and I don't want to hold you back. It's unfair to you. I don't come home at night because I don't want to face you. Facing you puts a lot of pressure on me. I think continuing like this is not a solution in the long run." Qin Wanshu spoke with a mix of sincerity and pretense, carefully avoiding any mention of Han Shibin's affair. She was a smart woman, understanding what reasons might make it easier for Han Shibin to accept.
"You don't have to love me; I love you. If you don't want me to touch you, I won't. As long as we don't divorce, I'll comply with anything you say." Han Shibin felt he had lowered himself enough, but compared to Qin Wanshu having someone else in her heart, dealing with a sexually indifferent woman like Qin Wanshu was relatively easier for Han Shibin, considering she had long disliked him touching her.
"Shibin, ask yourself sincerely, do you truly not care? Did you marry a wife just for show? I don't want to have children, but selfishly, I don't want another person's child to call you Dad. Moreover, you are the only one to carry on the family line. Do you think your parents can accept that? Even if they can, I can't accept it myself because I would feel guilty towards you. So, getting a divorce would be better for both of us."
Han Shibin listened quietly, pondering for a moment. Indeed, he felt irritated by Qin Wanshu's reluctance to be touched, and if she didn't want children and couldn't accept someone else having them for him, being the only son brought challenges from his parents. Wasn't he not limited to Qin Wanshu? However, he couldn't bear to let go of her. Qin Wanshu was the most perfect woman he had ever met, once appearing like a dream lover, capturing his heart at first sight. Han Shibin hesitated.
“Do you feel happy in our three years of marriage?” Qin Wanshu asked. Despite her efforts to play the role of a good wife, there was a difference between playing a role and wholeheartedly integrating into it.
Han Shibin remained silent. In these three years, he felt the happiest when he married Qin Wanshu, but the subsequent married life couldn't be described as happy or unhappy.
“What about you?” Han Shibin asked in return. If Qin Wanshu didn't bring happiness to him, did he bring happiness to her?
"Your feelings are my feelings," Qin Wanshu said calmly, giving a masterful response. Han Shibin definitely didn't want to hear a negative answer, but Qin Wanshu also didn't want to give an affirmative one.
“I'll go back and think about it.” Qin Wanshu never truly loved him, and Han Shibin felt a sense of frustration. After a long silence, he finally loosened up a bit.
“Mm.” Qin Wanshu was pleased with Han Shibin's loosening. She had put a lot of effort into orchestrating a peaceful divorce, deliberately making Han Shibin believe that it was an internal conflict rather than an external factor leading to their separation. This way, he would find it easier to accept.
"Happy birthday," Han Shibin suddenly remembered that today was Qin Wanshu's birthday.
"Thank you." Qin Wanshu responded with a faint smile. Han Shibin was a little stunned when he saw Qin Wanshu's goddess-like smile and felt a bit distracted. It gave him the illusion that Qin Wanshu had never been obtained by him, always remaining so out of reach.
….
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
On Qin Wanshu's birthday, Zuo Qinghuan's heart felt a bit restless. She knew it was highly likely that she wouldn't see Qin Wanshu today. Thinking about this, Zuo Qinghuan felt a sense of loss – love can make people feel lonely.
"Qin Wanshu, happy birthday," Zuo Qinghuan softly spoke into her phone's microphone.
"Mm." Qin Wanshu genuinely smiled. Perhaps, of all the people who wished her today, Zuo Qinghuan's words carried the most weight.
"In fact, I really want to say it to your ears in person, not through this cold phone," Zuo Qinghuan longed to see Qin Wanshu. Even though it had only been a few days, it felt like an eternity since they last met.
"Sorry, I can't be with you today," Qin Wanshu could sense the disappointment in Zuo Qinghuan's tone, expressing her regret.
"It's okay. When we meet, I'll celebrate with you again. I've prepared a gift for you," Zuo Qinghuan said, trying to sound casual.
"A gift?" Qin Wanshu thought about Zuo Qinghuan's half-joking, half-serious words a few days ago and felt relieved that it wasn't Zuo Qinghuan celebrating with her today.
"Are you thinking in the wrong direction?" Zuo Qinghuan asked with a somewhat wicked smile.
"No," Qin Wanshu is a person who lies more calmly than anyone, she replied with her usual calm tone.
"If Qin Wanshu says she isn't, then she definitely isn't," Zuo Qinghuan followed Qin Wanshu's words, but to Qin Wanshu's ears, it felt a bit strange.
"I'll talk to you later; they're calling me out," Qin Wanshu said as her mother entered the room, then hung up the phone. Due to the recent news of Qin Wanshu divorcing Han Shibin, the birthday celebration at the Qin residence was kept simple, only inviting immediate family members. Though described as simple, the Qin family was vast, and even just the immediate family members were quite numerous.
After ending the call, Zuo Qinghuan melodramatically recalled the phrase, ‘The festivities belong to them; I have nothing’. She sighed softly. Suddenly, a spirited idea struck Zuo Qinghuan. Since Qin Wanshu couldn't come to her, she could go to Qin Wanshu. However, the problem was that she couldn't enter the Qin family. Thinking about this, Zuo Qinghuan's enthusiasm deflated like a punctured balloon.
Suddenly, Zuo Qinghuan thought of someone—Shi Yunyang. She recalled how Shi Yunyang had forcefully handed her a business card before. She quickly found it and hesitated as she looked at the card. Although Shi Yunyang was a childhood friend of Qin Wanshu, it was evident that they were not of the same ilk. Zuo Qinghuan's instincts about people were usually accurate. Shi Yunyang clearly belonged to the selfish and opportunistic type. Her actions were either self-benefiting or driven by a desire to witness spectacle. If it weren't for Qin Wanshu's sake, there would be no connection between Zuo Qinghuan and Shi Yunyang. Even with Qin Wanshu's presence, there was still a faint disdain in Shi Yunyang's heart. It was the inherent arrogance of the upper class, and this fundamental difference between Qin Wanshu and Shi Yunyang was something Zuo Qinghuan keenly sensed, despite Shi Yunyang's well-concealed facade.
Even if Shi Yunyang were willing to help, Zuo Qinghuan doubted her ability to repay such a favor. Shi Yunyang might not hold Zuo Qinghuan in high regard, but as long as Qin Wanshu liked her, that was enough. There had always been an element of seeking Qin Wanshu's favor in Shi Yunyang's actions since childhood. Winning Qin Wanshu's favor was always beneficial for Shi Yunyang, and pleasing Qin Wanshu had no downside. Moreover, Shi Yunyang inherently enjoyed creating chaos and trouble, making it undeniable that she favored anything that could disrupt the peace.
Another person making a fuss was Qin Teng. He asked Shi Yunyang to show up at Zuo Qinghuan's coffee shop. He was somewhat surprised, as Zuo Qinghuan had shown no signs of activity for so many days. In fact, when Zuo Qinghuan saw his business card, she promptly discarded it.
"Did you know early on that my sister was interested in that woman?" Qin Teng glanced at Zuo Qinghuan, not pleased that both his sister and Shi Yunyang kept it from him.
"Miss did a good job hiding her. I just found out recently too," Shi Yunyang said casually.
"That woman is only decent looking; I can't see anything special about her," Qin Teng disdainfully remarked. Hearing that Shi Yunyang also recently learned about it somewhat balanced his feelings.
"Miss has her reasons for liking her. It's not for you to be picky about. Why bother?" Shi Yunyang found Zuo Qinghuan somewhat interesting but not to the extent of earning special attention. However, if Miss Qin likes her, that's fine. After all, everyone has their own preferences for their radish and greens.
"The Qin family has a rule – no prostitutes or performers are allowed to enter. Although the Qin family is a prominent clan, they don't particularly emphasize social status compatibility. However, their family rule on marriage since the Ming Dynasty has only this one condition – they don't mind a Cinderella from humble origins as long as she has a clean reputation."
"Miss is a woman, just keeping a lover, not marrying a wife. No need to make it so exaggerated," Shi Yunyang believed that even if Qin Wanshu took her relationship with Zuo Qinghuan seriously, she wouldn't expose it publicly. Even if Qin Wanshu didn't care about her own face, she would still consider the reputation of the Qin family. Qin Wanshu should be aware of this balance.
"My sister is divorcing Han Shibin," Qin Teng casually dropped this statement. Given his sister's unique status in the Qin family, her position always surpassed that of any male descendant. Even if their Grandfather could accept her divorce, it didn't mean he would accept her love for a woman, especially one with such a background.
Shi Yunyang was a bit surprised at the news but quickly thought that Qin Wanshu's always prudent style indicated there was no need for concern.
"Even so, it just means your sister doesn't like Han Shibin anymore," Shi Yunyang, being Qin Wanshu's childhood friend, knew her quite well.
"By the way, don't you know it's your sister's birthday today? Why haven't you gone back yet?" Shi Yunyang asked.
“I'm going back later, do you want to come with me?" Qin Teng asked.
"Of course, how could I miss the Young Miss's birthday? But what about bringing her along? Do you think the Young Miss will thank me?" Shi Yunyang pointed at Zuo Qinghuan, asking Qin Teng.
"Shi Yunyang, don't mess around with this kind of thing!" Qin Teng, for the first time, sternly addressed Shi Yunyang using both her first and last name.
Upon hearing this, Shi Yunyang couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Qin Teng, am I hearing correctly? The always playful Qin Teng actually said something like this. Is there anything in this world that Qin Teng is afraid of?" Shi Yunyang raised an eyebrow, teasing him. She remembered Qin Teng as the person who loved to have fun the most.
Zuo Qinghuan sized up the man who appeared with Shi Yunyang. He was the man from the bar who had tried to flirt with her. He knew Shi Yunyang, so does that mean he should also know Qin Wanshu? Thinking of Qin Wanshu, Zuo Qinghuan realized that the man looked familiar due to the resemblance in facial features with Qin Wanshu. Despite the similar features, the distinct aura surrounding their faces made it hard to connect the two from the very beginning.
Clearly, it wasn't just her imagination. The man occasionally glanced in her direction, the gaze carrying the familiar feelings of disdain and contempt that made Zuo Qinghuan quite uncomfortable.
"I'll discreetly send that woman to Miss Qin," Shi Yunyang provocatively stated to Qin Teng. This sister always worries the world is not in chaos, why? It was initially just a casual remark, but now, thanks to Qin Teng's response, Shi Yunyang felt compelled to follow through.
"My sister won't appreciate you acting recklessly like this," Qin Teng frowned.
"How do you know?" Shi Yunyang didn't share the same sentiment. Who knows, Miss Qin might actually appreciate this thoughtful birthday gift.
"Today is Miss Qin's birthday, do you know that?" Shi Yunyang asked Zuo Qinghuan.
Zuo Qinghuan nodded; of course, she knew.
"Should we go together to celebrate her birthday at the Qin's?" Shi Yunyang prodded, and Qin Teng, standing nearby, didn't look pleased.
"But..." Although Shi Yunyang's suggestion aligned with Zuo Qinghuan's thoughts, she hesitated, not wanting to cause trouble for Qin Wanshu.
"Don't worry, this sister can arrange it discreetly, without exposing your identity." If she doesn't have this little ability, she might as well not bother mixing in.
"Then, I'll trouble you," Shi Yunyang initiated the conversation, and for Zuo Qinghuan, this was a different and welcome approach.
Author's Note:
It seems like in the next chapter, there might be a rendezvous at the Qin residence, and Xiao Shi will be a hero…