If Qin Sheng didn’t tell, Zhu Qingwen had no idea of the close relationship between Xue Qingyan and her nephew. And she didn’t expect that Xue Qingyan had helped Qin Sheng so much for which she was grateful to Xue Qingyan. Since that Qin Sheng mentioned, she asked more details, and said if Qin Sheng had time after the Spring Festival holiday, they should meet up with Xue Qingyan, chatting away. He had not met Xue Qingyan for long time and it would be a surprise for Xue Qingyan.
In fact, Zhu Qingwen and Xue Qingyan were not that familiar with each other. Xue Qingyan’s brother and Zhu Qingwen’s husband were both government officials first in Zhejiang Province and then were transferred to Shanghai. They had been colleagues for a long time and they joined in the same faction in the government, getting along well with each other. That was why Zhu Qingwen and Xue Qingyan had contact.
They had met up for a few times in Hangzhou and became closer when they moved to Shanghai. They sometimes participated in some activities, or hung out and drank coffee together. But they were not girlfriends who could talk about anything, and still had some suspicion to their friendship.
Knowing Qin Sheng’s things, Zhu Qingwen had some new ideas of Xue Qingyan. Last night when she got home, she called Xue Qingyan asking her where she was and when she had free time. Xue Qingyan happened to be in Shanghai and was free. She was hiding from somebody. Then they made it on today’s afternoon.
Zhu Qingwen was busy with entertaining guests at home in the daytime, and this was responsibility in the big family. Though Zhu Changshun had reached such a high level as a government official, he still couldn’t escape from social activities. The number of visitors increased a lot since he got a promotion before the Spring Festival. After all, there were some people he couldn’t refuse.
After all the guests left, Zhu Changshun went out. Zhu Qingwen then contacted Qin Sheng and Xue Qingyan respectively, informing them of the place she booked for dinner.
She booked a Shanghai restaurant in Dongdaming Road only accessible to VIPs such as high-leveled government officials and rich people. It only had boxes for frequent visitors. Zhu Qingwen chose this place for its quiet environment and privacy.
Zhu Qingwen arrived first. The restaurant owner came to welcome her, chatting away and having a few laughs. Since her husband was at the top of the pyramid of Shanghai, almost all people were eager to flatter her for some benefits. It was a great fortune for the restaurant to have such a distinguished guest.
The restaurant owner was a middle-aged woman dressing luxuriously, having an elegant and graceful aura. She was a successful businesswoman, had a brisk business and was highly sociable, praised a lot for her sophistication by others.
When Qin Sheng and Qin Ran arrived, the restaurant owner had left. Before she left, Zhu Qingwen asked her to inform the box in advance when Xue Qingyan arrived.
Qin Ran took a seat. “Small aunt, what are you and Qin Sheng planning? Why do you hide from me?”
Zhu Qingwen smiled. “Qin Sheng didn’t tell you? I thought you’d already known.” For one thing, Qin Sheng wanted to meet this sister who had helped him a lot, after all, he was totally different now. For another, Zhu Qingwen wanted to deliver her gratitude to Xue Qingyan for caring for Qin Sheng.
Qin Ran was particularly curious. She urged Qin Sheng to answer. “Come on. What’s the matter? Why do you hide from me?”
Qin Sheng said, “It’s not a big deal. I wanna meet up with a sister who has helped me a lot, and my small aunt knows her. I wanted to let Small Aunt ask her out after the Spring Festival holiday, but she’s in Shanghai now, so we make it on today.”
“Oh, I get it. I’m expecting it. I’m curious about the woman who you are honest to call her sister.” Qin Sheng was kind of jealous since she didn’t like Qin Sheng called other people “sister”. She hoped it was a special title for her.
Qin Sheng couldn’t help but smile. “Sister, you’re jealous. Sister Qingyan really helped me a lot. She even took revenge for me secretly after I escaped from Shanghai.”
“Oh, well,” Qin Ran thought and said, “Small Aunt, how did you get to know her?”
Zhu Qingwen smiled and explained. “Sheng’er said that we used to meet because of Qingyan. But I had no idea of who he was at that time, so I was unable to recognize him. Anyway, Qingyan was good. Her father was a leader in Zhejiang province. He has retired, but was still influential. His brother got along well with my husband. They used to be colleagues in Zhejiang, and they still work together now in Shanghai.”
Qin Ran recalled and said, “Xue? I know who she is. She is not easy. I’m quite surprised since she did help Qin Sheng.”
“She’s coming.” Zhu Qingwen giggled.
They chatted for a few words. Zhu Qingwen asked something about their New Year call visits. About 10 minutes later, the restaurant owner came in, telling them Xue Qingyan arrived.
“Sheng’er, find somewhere to hide yourself.” Zhu Qingwen gave Qin Sheng a glance. Qin Sheng had told her that he wanted to give Xue Qingyan a surprise and she agreed.
Qin Sheng gave her sister a glance, saying nothing, and went out of the box. He would stand by the box door, waiting for Xue Qingyan. He couldn’t wait to give his Ms. Cheongsam a big surprise.
After Qin Sheng went out, it didn’t take a long time before the box door was opened again, and the restaurant owner led Xue Qingyan in. “Miss Xue, here’s your box.”
The restaurant owner didn’t come in. Xue Qingyan said “Thanks”, and she left. Xue Qingyan walked into the box, greeted to Zhu Qingwen. “Sister, sorry for being late. A guest came when I was about to leave.”
Xue Qingyan dressed herself up, with curly long hair, light makeup, grey suit, coat, and a customized handbag without logo attached. She was even more charming than Qin Ran.
Qin Ran met Xue Qingyan for the first time. She eyed this young lady and nodded. The first sight gave her quite a good impression. But Qin Ran was still wondering why she became friends of Qin Sheng and helped him. Did this young lady fall in love with her younger brother?
Zhu Qingwen and Qin Ran both stood up. Though they didn’t have to do that much out of courtesy due to their family backgrounds, they were still polite to Xue Qingyan for Qin Sheng.
“It’s OK. We just arrived. Did Old Master Xue celebrate the Spring Festival in Shanghai?” Zhu Qingwen asked politely.
Xue Qingyan sighed. “Well, I’ve done a lot for that. My brother is always busy. I tried really hard and finally persuaded my grandfather to come.”
“People all become stubborn when getting old.” Zhu Qingwen said and smiled.
Xue Qingyan took a seat and laid her handbag and coat on a chair beside. She eyed Qin Ran. “Sister, who is this?”
Zhu Qingwen pretended like she forgot to introduce. “Oh, this beautiful young lady is my niece, my elder sister’s daughter. She heard a lot about you and admires you very much. She came to Shanghai recently, so I brought her here. For your information, you two both work in the investment area.”
Xue Qingyan was surprised for the fact that this lady was Zhu Qingwen’s niece. She stood up and shook hands with Qin Ran, chatting for a few words. Qin Ran was a bit uncomfortable since her small aunt said she admired Xue Qingyan. She just heard of Xue for the first time and the Qin Family was among the tops in the areas of business and investment.
But she bore that since Xue Qingyan helped Qin Sheng.
Then the talk went on smoothly. Xue Qingyan and Qin Ran both worked on the area of investment, and had countless topics. Women were easy to make friends once they began chatting away.
When it was time, since Qin Sheng was still waiting outside, Zhu Qingwen said, “By the way, Qingyan, I went to Shangshan Ruoshui a few days ago, and I heard that you quit?”
Xue Qingyan sighed. “Hum, sister, I quit for a long time. Shangshan Ruoshui has changed too much.”
“What’s wrong? I thought it was nice. I was so impressed by a young man, Qin Sheng, but I’ve never seen him since then.” Zhu Qingwen put forward the topic.
Xue Qingyan heard the name and recalled some memory, with a sense of sadness in her eyes. She sipped the tea and said, “Qin Sheng? He left Shangshan Ruoshui two years ago. He’s good, and I’ve been appreciating him and treating him as my younger brother. But he’s not a lucky person. Why do you mention him?”
Zhu Qingwen had a strategy to deal with Xue Qingyan’s questions. “A friend of mine knew him. He wonders how Qin Sheng went on, so I’m asking you.”
Xue Qingyan offered a bitter smile and shook her head. “Sister, don’t mention him anymore. I’m really sorry for him. He treated me as his sister, but I was unable to help him when he got into trouble, and I had no idea of him now.”
The atmosphere went down at once, while Xue Qingyan’s words made Zhu Qingwen and Qin Sheng feel better about her. The words showed that Xue Qingyan had real feelings toward Qin Sheng.
Zhu Qingwen giggled for her trick and said, “I’m not saying anymore, but my friend also comes today, and he’s going to talk with you.”
Xue Qingyan was surprised and knew nothing about what would happen.
Qin Sheng, who was outside the door, heard this and knew that it was time to appear. He took a deep breath and opened the door, walking down to them slowly.
Xue Qingyan heard the sound and eyed the door. She was so astonished the moment she saw Qin Sheng walking in that the cup in her hand dropped down to the floor into pieces.
What?