Extra 80
Qin Anning arrived in Anshi, but she did not see Fu Lian.
But I saw a tombstone.
Looking at the photos and the cold tombstone in front of her, Qin Anning felt somewhat dazed, as if it were all unreal.
She had no idea that Fu Lian was gone forever.
Of course, this is also related to the buffer period of more than a year.
For more than a year, she had made up her mind that she would never see him again in her life.
Now it's just in a different way, and we'll never see each other again.
She didn't blame anyone, because at that moment, she wasn't as sad as she had imagined.
Fu Lian himself didn't tell her, so how could she blame her parents for keeping it from her?
Qin Anning even wondered if she was too cold-blooded and too selfish.
Her love for Fu Lian was too shallow; her current state was completely unworthy of Fu Lian's painstaking efforts to conceal the truth.
But she has to admit that she's selfish.
She loves herself first, and then she loves others.
Whether Fu Lian breaks up with her or passes away, she will be sad and heartbroken, but she will never contemplate suicide.
Qin Anning turned around and looked at Bai Lin beside her.
"Cousin, thank you for telling me."
Bai Lin's gaze fell on the tombstone in front of him. "It's enough that you don't blame me."
Qin Anning said, "Should I hug his tombstone and cry my heart out now? Otherwise, it would seem heartless?"
Bai Lin looked at her and said, "Not all sadness can only be expressed through tears."
"He didn't tell you because he hoped you wouldn't be sad. If you cry here, you'll be letting him down, and I'm sure he wouldn't want to see that either."
"You're quite good at comforting people."
Bai Lin shook his head. "It's not about comforting him. When you truly love someone, that's how you think. He won't blame you for being cold. On the contrary, your coldness will put him at ease."
He touched his arm, "Just like I'm afraid to go back, just like you're afraid to tell your aunt and uncle about the breakup."
Qin Anning gave a cryptic laugh and took Bai Lin's hand. "Since he's so considerate of me, wouldn't he be even happier if I got married?"
While seemingly asking Bai Lin a question, his gaze remained fixed on the tombstone, as if he were speaking directly to it.
Bai Lin paused, then suddenly looked at her.
Noticing Bai Lin's gaze, Qin Anning turned her head. "Why are you looking at me? Does he mean I have to be a widow for the rest of my life just because he's gone?"
That's not what I meant.
"That's too fast?"
"..."
Bai Lin fell silent.
Qin Anning simply took his arm and said, "Alright, we've seen enough, let's go."
Bai Lin was pulled out of the cemetery in a daze, and looked down at the hand that was holding his arm.
Before getting into the car, Bai Lin couldn't help but call out to her, "An Ning."
Qin Anning stopped and turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
Bai Lin's expression was complicated. "Are you... really alright?"
Qin Anning smiled. "What could possibly be wrong with me? And you? What I said earlier was true. What are you thinking?"
Bai Lin became uncomfortable again after being asked those questions.
Qin Anning let go of him. "This is indeed a bit unfair to you. Forget it."
Bai Lin grabbed her hand. "No, that can't count!"
Qin Anning glanced at him. "Didn't you say you hoped I would be single-minded? Why can't we just let it go now?"
Bai Lin gazed intently at her. A breeze blew by, and he pursed his lips, as if making a decision, before pulling her into his arms.
"I'm just afraid that if you find out, you'll change your mind and find a way to back down."
Qin Anning was amused by him. "Is that so? Aren't you afraid I'll sulk?"
"I'm not afraid, I'm already very satisfied with having it."
Compared to her previous hesitation, Bai Lin now appeared much more assertive, as if she had changed her mind.
He wasn't a coward; he just had too many concerns before. Now that he saw a glimmer of hope, he seized it with all his might.
Qin Anning pressed her face against his chest; to be honest, she had very mixed feelings.
Ahead lay Fu Lian's cemetery, but she was embracing Bai Lin at the entrance.
There was indeed an element of spite involved, but she didn't mind physical contact with Bai Lin. If there were truly no feelings involved, no matter the reason, it would be impossible to go against one's body's will.
Therefore, Qin Anning was certain that she had feelings for Bai Lin.
The reason she had mixed feelings was that she felt her behavior was despicable.
The two embraced for a long time before Qin Anning suddenly asked, "Are you afraid my parents will find out?"
Bai Lin released her, then held her hand tightly, lowered his head, and gazed deeply into her eyes. "Don't be afraid, I'll take care of everything."
His gaze was firm, and he was not content with sneaking around; he wanted to be aboveboard.
Qin Anning was moved and sensed his determination.
She smiled slightly, "Let's go back."
"good."
Qin Anning drove again, and the two returned to Chongqing.
Qin Anning glanced at Fu Lian's father, who seemed unaware of Fu Lian's situation.
Qin Anning tentatively asked, and it turned out that Fu Lian's explanation to his father was that the company was sending him abroad for development.
Qin Anning didn't tell him the truth either, but told him that Fu Lian had indeed gone abroad, and that there was no way to make international calls from that place, so he could only write letters.
Although the old man was somewhat disappointed, he was not too heartbroken; at least he was still hoping for his son to come back.
Fu Lian asked his friend to help take care of the child, and he gave all his money to that friend.
Qin Anning had no idea at all.
After leaving the old man's house, she went to see her friend, who was Fu Lian's childhood friend and whom Qin Anning also knew.
This childhood friend's family wasn't well-off either. He went out to work after finishing high school, but he was a loyal and trustworthy person.
Qin Anning also gave him a sum of money, and at the same time gave a sum of money to their nearby community. Their community would often bring gifts to visit those elderly people living alone.
Qin Anning explained the situation, and the community staff said they would visit her frequently.
Qin Anning also promised that as long as the old man is still alive, she will donate a sum of money every month.
She only hoped that Fu Lian's father could live out the rest of his days in peace.
I guess Fu Lian's biggest worry is his father.
Now he should be able to rest easy. After Qin Anning finished doing all this, he felt a little more at ease.
Bai Lin followed her around and didn't mind what she did.
He also hoped that Qin Anning could feel less guilty, so that he could occupy more of the position.
Then, he went home with Qin Anning.
Standing at the door, Qin Anning turned to look at him. "Are you really sure? I'm afraid my dad will kick you out."
The relationship between the two was rather awkward, and Qin Anning herself was unsure of what to expect.
Bai Lin said, "Then let him hit me. I won't leave even if he hits me."
Despite his words, Qin Anning could still see that he was somewhat nervous.
“Okay, let’s go.” Qin Anning took a deep breath and went inside first.
Upon entering the house, I found that there were quite a few people inside.
Besides their parents, Yang Han, Xiao Lin, Yang Jingyu, Qin Man, Qin Yi, and Chen Duo also came.
Qin Anning and Bai Lin exchanged a glance, puzzled. What were these people doing gathered together?
Qin Man was the first to see the two of them. She stood up and ran towards Qin Anning, "Where did you go? I called you but you didn't answer, and I sent you messages but you didn't reply. I thought something had happened to you."
Qin Anning was stunned for a moment, then quickly took out her phone to take a look.
There were indeed a lot of missed calls. Qin Man made several calls, and her parents also made several.
"Sorry, there was no signal where I went, and I was driving the whole way back without checking my phone."
She lied. She had looked at her phone earlier, but she was chatting with Fu Lian's childhood friend and was distracted. When she saw that it was a missed call from Qin Man, she swiped it away, thinking she would contact her again after dealing with these matters.
After saying that, she realized, "So you're all gathered here because you can't find me?"
Qiao Xing sighed, "You scared us to death! Xiao Man came to me saying she couldn't get in touch with you, and we were just trying to find you."
Qin Man said, "Yes, so many of us are worried about you, and you just go off and have some fun."
Qin Anning gave an awkward laugh, "I'm sorry for making everyone worry, and for having my second uncle come all the way here."
Qin Yi smiled and said, "I only came here by chance because I heard that I couldn't get in touch with you. I didn't come here specifically for this matter."
After he said that, Qin Man looked a little embarrassed.
Yang Han suddenly spoke up, "Since An Ning is alright, let's get back to business. Oh dear, Lao Qin, I never thought that in the end, we would still become part of the Qin family."
Yang Han grinned, looking quite smug.
Qin Anning glanced at Qin Man, then at Yang Jingyu. Both of them looked unnatural, but neither of them refuted her.
"You two... so fast?" Qin Anning was a little dumbfounded. How long has it been? And you're already talking about marriage?
Qin Man whispered, "It's Uncle Yang who's in a hurry. I don't want it to be so fast."
Her voice was very soft, but Yang Han still heard it. "Xiao Man, I caught you two kissing. Is that fast? I did this for you, to make Yang Jingyu take responsibility for you, you know?"
His opening remarks made everyone in the room feel awkward.
Yang Jingyu and Qin Man blushed even more. Why did he say everything!
Qin Yi glared at him. "You old lecher! What nonsense are you spouting?"
"How could I be lying? I saw it with my own eyes..."
Qin Yi's forehead veins throbbed. "If you say that again, I won't agree to this marriage!"
Yang Han choked for a moment, then raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."
They were busy discussing wedding arrangements, and Qin Anning and Bai Lin were ignored.
It seems that the matter of being honest will have to wait until later.
That evening, everyone stayed for dinner. They were originally supposed to eat at Yang Han's house, but since they couldn't contact Qin Anning, they all went to her house and ate together.
At the dinner table, Yang Han brought up Qin Anning again.
"Anning, Yang Jingyu is getting ready to get married, and you still haven't settled down?"
Qin Anning paused, her chopsticks still in her hand, and subconsciously glanced at Bai Lin beside her.
She forced a smile, "Me too, I'll be soon."
"Really? Don't lie to Uncle Yang, who is it? I don't know anyone about it."
Every time Yang Han spoke, Qin Ce would show an impatient expression. The more he looked at Yang Han, the more he disliked her.
He said, "Can't you even shut up while eating? Don't force me to kick you out in front of so many people."
Yang Han ignored his words and continued to say to Qin Anning, "Anning, look, your dad is going through menopause. Spend more time with him, otherwise he'll find fault with everyone."
"Xingjiu!"
"Oh my god, I'm not going to say anything more! Your temper is worse than your age."
Although Yang Han's mouth is a bit annoying, there's no denying that he's quite good at livening up the atmosphere.
After finishing their meal, Yang Han and his family of four said goodbye and left.
Qin Yi still has to stay here. Originally, it was said that Yang Han was going to the capital to discuss the marriage, but Qin Yi took the initiative to come and visit Qin Ce and the others.
He'll have to stay here for a few days.
Bai Lin had no choice but to get up and leave. Qin Anning saw him to the door and couldn't help but say, "Why don't you stay? You can't drive with this hand, and it won't be convenient for you to go back."
Bai Lin hesitated for a moment, "Wouldn't this be a bad idea?"
"What's wrong with that? We're not outsiders." Seeing that he didn't refuse, Qin Anning simply pulled him back.
Qiao Xing had been closely watching the two of them. When she saw them turn back, she nudged Qin Ce's arm.
Qin Ce also turned his head to look.
"Mom and Dad, my cousin injured his hand and it's inconvenient for him to drive back. Let him stay with us."
Qiao Xing laughed and said, "Just take him to the room. You didn't ask us when he stayed at our house before."
Qin Anning felt somewhat embarrassed; saying this made it seem like she was trying to cover up the truth.
"Alright then, I'll take him upstairs." Qin Anning didn't dare to stay any longer, so she pulled Bai Lin upstairs.
Qiao Xing watched the two figures walk away and sighed wistfully, "It seems there really is something going on between these two."
Qin Ce looked at them without saying a word, seemingly lost in thought.
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