Chapter 67
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
"Do you know what I like about you?" Qin Wanshu's fingertips slid over Zuo Qinghuan's cheek as she gently asked.
Zuo Qinghuan shook her head, genuinely unaware of what Qin Wanshu liked about her.
"You are sensitive, intelligent, resilient, and strong. You don't give up on yourself, nor do you indulge in self-pity. You always work hard to change the situation. You're similar to Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind'—a clever and beautiful girl, exactly the type I like. Actually, when I first met you, I had a rough idea about your profession. When I found out about your connection with Han Shibin, I looked into your past, but I didn't mind. I can feel the kind of person you are, and I have full confidence in my judgment." Qin Wanshu looked at Zuo Qinghuan earnestly, expressing her thoughts. The challenging environment had shaped Zuo Qinghuan into who she was now. The circumstances had made her more perceptive, more adept at understanding people's words and expressions. Having experienced less kindness, Zuo Qinghuan had developed a heightened sense of appreciation. Her wild nature, partly unrestrained and partly controlled, made her a charming woman. Qin Wanshu believed in Zuo Qinghuan's adaptability, and with proper education, she could excel. However, Qin Wanshu wasn't sure she would like that version of Zuo Qinghuan. Many assumptions seemed unnecessary in her eyes.
"Qin Wanshu, please never abandon me. I fear being left behind the most. In the past, she always left me, and I was always waiting for her to come back. After being left behind countless times, I stopped expecting her return. I told myself not to have expectations for anyone anymore. But then you, Qin Wanshu, such a beautiful woman, appeared before me like a goddess, radiating a warm light..." With her only family member gone, Zuo Qinghuan instinctively grasped onto the driftwood that now offered her warmth. If Qin Wanshu wasn't redemption, then it was destruction.
"I won't let go as long as you don't let go." Qin Wanshu gently kissed the corner of Zuo Qinghuan's eye, tasting the saltiness of her tears.
"How did you get out? Is everything okay?" Zuo Qinghuan inquired, noticing Qin Wanshu's hurried arrival and the slight disarray in her usually neat hair.
“It's okay, I can handle these matters." Qin Wanshu is meticulous in her actions. Even with her urgency, she takes precautions before meeting Zuo Qinghuan.
Zuo Qinghuan felt reassured hearing Qin Wanshu's words.
"Can you accompany me to the hospital to handle the procedures?" Zuo Qinghuan asked Qin Wanshu. Her eyes were still red, and tears clung to her eyelashes, making her look pitiful. Qin Wanshu couldn't help but feel moved.
“Okay, I'll accompany you to the hospital." Qin Wanshu stood up to support Zuo Qinghuan. However, due to crouching for too long, Zuo Qinghuan's legs had become numb, and her body leaned forward. Fortunately, Qin Wanshu caught her before she could fall.
"Are your legs numb?" Qin Wanshu asked.
Zuo Qinghuan nodded.
"Sit here; I'll massage it for you." Qin Wanshu instructed Zuo Qinghuan to sit on the steps. She crouched in front of Zuo Qinghuan and gently massaged her calves. As Qin Wanshu earnestly massaged Zuo Qinghuan's legs, tears welled up in Zuo Qinghuan's eyes. Perhaps it was compensation from fate, or maybe this woman owed her a lot from a past life, leading her to meet Qin Wanshu in this lifetime.
"Does it hurt?" Seeing Zuo Qinghuan's tears, Qin Wanshu thought she might have caused her pain and asked with concern. Zuo Qinghuan shook her head, wiping away the tears with her hand.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
"It's not numb anymore." Zuo Qinghuan hesitated to let Miss Qin, who held such a distinguished status, massage her legs.
Qin Wanshu took tissues from her bag and handed them to Zuo Qinghuan.
At the hospital, Zuo Qinghuan ran into Wang Qi. Wang Qi had already completed the formalities, and all the medical expenses were covered by her, which surprised Zuo Qinghuan.
"Have you been taking care of my mom all these days?" Zuo Qinghuan looked at Wang Qi, feeling a bit complicated, and asked.
"Occasionally." Wang Qi glanced at Zuo Qinghuan and then at Qin Wanshu beside her. She had to admit that she and Qin Wanshu were incomparable in terms of appearance, family background, and temperament. The two stood together surprisingly well.
“You two talk, I'll be waiting outside for you." Qin Wanshu, with subtle thoughts, left them alone to chat. She knew there were probably many things they wouldn't say in front of her. Despite their unpleasant encounter last time, they were old acquaintances and legal sisters. Qin Wanshu could sense from Wang Qi's care for Zuo Yan that their relationship wasn't as bad as she had imagined.
Wang Qi thoughtfully observed Qin Wanshu, who left on her own accord. This woman had subtle thoughts, and a poised attitude, and turned out better than Wang Qi had anticipated. She was cultured, gentle, and knew how to handle situations gracefully. It was challenging to dislike someone like Qin Wanshu.
“She is indeed a little different, but she doesn't fit in with us.” Wang Qi reminded Zuo Qinghuan that swan meat wasn't so easy to swallow. Qin Wanshu was from a different world, and they were incompatible.
“When my mother died, I've completely severed ties with the past." Zuo Qinghuan didn't appreciate repeated reminders. She knew that if she wanted Qin Wanshu, she had to withstand all the pressure. There were no free lunches in this world.
"What naive thinking!" Wang Qi sneered.
“Thank you for taking care of my Mom. I'll repay you for the medical expenses, but I don't need to accept your sarcasm.” Zuo Qinghuan said earnestly to Wang Qi. She genuinely appreciated Wang Qi's care for her mother, as Zuo Qinghuan had always been clear about gratitude and grievances.
“Zuo Qinghuan, I treated you so well back then, and you didn't even say thank you. Now, hearing this thank you from you is quite rare.” Wang Qi was also surprised to hear gratitude from Zuo Qinghuan. In fact, Wang Qi didn't want to argue with Zuo Qinghuan. There were many lingering feelings and grievances between them.
“At this moment, the situation is different from back then. If you were in my shoes at that time, I doubt you would express gratitude either.” Zuo Qinghuan was only focused on protecting herself back then, and in such circumstances, gratitude was the last thing on her mind.
"True, you hate your mom, hate my dad, and incidentally, you don't like me. But my dad wasn't that bad to your mom." Wang Qi felt that her dad didn't do too much wrong to Zuo Qinghuan and her mother, except for the attempted assault incident.
"It's all in the past." Zuo Qinghuan didn't want to dwell on this topic any longer.
"Has my mom been doing well these past few years?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, still hoping her mother had lived a better life in the last few years.
"My dad passed away two years ago. After that, she didn't return to her old profession. She wanted to find you, but you just disappeared." Wang Qi looked at Zuo Qinghuan. This woman had a strong character. Once she hated, she would vanish for several years without a word.
Zuo Qinghuan fell silent. She hadn't expected that in the end, her mother truly changed, yet she remained stubborn and unwilling to return. Coming back would have been their final meeting. Zuo Qinghuan felt uneasy; if only she had come back sooner. However, the world often lacks "ifs." The man responsible for the hatred had also passed away, becoming the reason for Wang Qi's transformation. With the ones she hated gone and the people around her changed, everything had shifted. It was time to let go.
"If my insincerity makes you uncomfortable, I apologize. I'm sorry," Zuo Qinghuan sincerely bowed, not because she genuinely felt indebted to Wang Qi but to sever all ties with the past and cut off all the rotten flesh of the past.
Wang Qi stared at Zuo Qinghuan in a daze. She had been waiting for Zuo Qinghuan's apology, but Zuo Qinghuan's solemn apology was not the result she desired. It left her feeling even more empty inside. She understood that Zuo Qinghuan was now distancing herself, heading towards a bright and sunny path, while she remained in the shadows, unable to step into the light, and without any companions.
"Zuo Qinghuan, I really like you," Wang Qi said to Zuo Qinghuan, her eyes red, completely contradicting her current composed appearance.
Zuo Qinghuan looked at Wang Qi and suddenly felt like she saw the innocent girl in pink from years ago. Pure and naive, with red eyes, she confessed that she actually didn't like her dad being the underworld boss and hated all the violence. Her mom died in a gang shootout. At that time, Zuo Qinghuan remembered feeling helpless looking at her. She could not save her, so she could only watch others with cold eyes.
At this moment, Zuo Qinghuan felt a slight sense of pity towards Wang Qi, but it quickly faded away. Many things in this world are unfair – you like me and I like her, making your affection insignificant. Such an environment taught Zuo Qinghuan to accept unfairness early on and to develop a heart of stone.
"I didn't like you before, and I won't like you in the future," Zuo Qinghuan said calmly.
Author's Note:
Actually, there is no relationship between Zuo Qinghuan and Qin Wanshu…
Zuo Qinghuan has no intention of revealing his identity. I think Zuo Yan feels guilty because Zuo Qinghuan doesn't know who her father is and has been mocked as a wild seed since childhood. That's why Zuo Yan mentioned it before her death. So, everyone, please don't speculate about who Zuo Qinghuan's father is…
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