Chapter Forty-Two
Despite the temperature being in the teens, the two of them still sweated a lot.
Liang Yuheng embraced her and kissed her. After seeing that she was slowly recovering, he carried her to take a bath as if he knew the way well.
At first, Shi Qing was embarrassed to shower with him. She couldn't help it because she was always exhausted afterward. Plus, Liang Yuheng's showers were indeed very comfortable, so she gradually got used to it.
After washing her up, Liang Yuheng wrapped her in a bath towel and placed her on the other side of the bed in a dry place.
That place is no longer safe to sleep in; it's damp and has other stuff in it.
Fortunately, the hotel suite was large enough that the other half could comfortably fit two people.
Liang Yuheng wasn't sleepy, but he still wanted to lie down next to her.
He placed his hand on Shi Qing and looked down at her: "Why did you suddenly come over without telling me?"
"I'm afraid you'll give me the cold shoulder."
Shi Qing played with his fingers.
Liang Yuheng chuckled: "I'm not that petty."
"Are you sure?" Shi Qing tilted her head slightly to look at him.
Seeing that he didn't believe him, Liang Yuheng explained, "I was in a meeting this afternoon, I wasn't giving you the silent treatment."
Shi Qing: "I'm a little worried because you haven't texted me."
Liang Yuheng lightly kissed her lips and then released them: "I was a little angry at the time. But it's not like I don't like you anymore."
Shi Qing admitted that she had always been very insecure, and her eyes welled up with tears after hearing his words.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Liang Yuheng softened: "I'm sorry, it's my fault today. I won't let you overthink things again."
"It's okay, I also have a problem with this." Shi Qing looked at him. "Then if I really have to see him in the future, can you come with me?"
Liang Yuheng smiled lazily and said, "Give me a kiss, and I'll think about it."
Shi Qing was afraid he would renege on his promise: "You have to agree before I kiss you."
"Okay," Liang Yuheng reluctantly agreed.
Shi Qing quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek.
But Liang Yuheng was not satisfied, and kissed her chin for a few more minutes.
"What happened yesterday? Why did Zhou Han go too?" Liang Yuheng asked, releasing the person.
Shi Qing: "You're not allowed to get angry after I tell you?"
Liang Yuheng's smile vanished instantly: "Don't tell me Zhou Han likes him."
"Okay." Shi Qing nodded, forcing herself to speak.
Liang Yuheng frowned: "Is she out of her mind?!"
Shi Qing knew he would be unhappy, but she still couldn't help but say, "Jun Zhe is a very outstanding person. Although his family is not as rich as Han Han's, he is highly educated and has a very good character."
"Do you think it's appropriate to praise him in front of me?" Liang Yuheng asked, emphasizing each word.
Shi Qing muttered softly, "You just said you weren't petty."
Liang Yuheng: "I mean I won't give you the cold shoulder, but that doesn't mean I won't get jealous."
Shi Qing: "Why do you have such a big problem with Junzhe?"
After a two-second silence, Liang Yuheng lowered his eyelashes and said, "Because I envy him."
"What?" Shi Qing tilted her head to look at him.
Liang Yuheng's expression was indifferent, but his eyes darkened: "He has been involved in your past all along, while I have only been with you for a few months."
Shi Qing felt a pang of sadness; she hadn't expected Liang Yuheng to care so much.
If she had a choice, she would certainly prefer to meet him sooner.
Liang Yuheng hugged her tightly: "It's okay, anyway, you're mine now, and you'll belong to me alone from now on."
“That’s right.” Shi Qing snuggled closer to him.
Shi Qing couldn't help but ask, "What if, I mean, what if Zhou Han and Jun Zhe really get together in the future?"
"It's best to avoid that possibility," Liang Yuheng scoffed. "If we really get together, he'll have to call me 'brother' from now on."
Shi Qing found it funny, thinking it was childish.
"By the way, do you know what I saw in the study?" Shi Qing remembered what happened that morning and looked at him, suppressing a laugh.
Liang Yuheng: "Hmm?"
"A few sheets of paper for practicing drawing eyebrows."
Upon hearing this, Liang Yuheng's face showed a hint of unease.
Shi Qing nestled against his chest: "You didn't start liking me back then, did you?"
"Probably, but what's certain is that he doesn't consider you a friend." Liang Yuheng pulled her close to him.
Shi Qing suddenly remembered that time at the wonton shop when she actually said she wanted to be friends with Liang Yuheng, and her cheeks immediately flushed.
Liang Yuheng laughed at her: "Are you stupid?"
Shi Qing buried her face in her hands: "I don't know what you're thinking. What if I'm just imagining things?"
Liang Yuheng: "And you? When did you start liking me?"
Shi Qing pressed her face against his smooth chest: "You're already good-looking, and you're so good to me, isn't it only natural to fall for you?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Yuheng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he turned the person over, instantly switching their positions.
The bath towel was ripped off, and there were no longer any barriers between the two.
Liang Yuheng's voice was hoarse as he gently kissed her earlobe, licking and kissing his way down her cheek: "Baby, I love you so much."
The room temperature rose again, shadows overlapped, and beds were scattered all over the floor.
...
Shi Qing ate something on the plane in the afternoon, but she was too tired from the physical activity and was too weak to go out for a meal, so Liang Yuheng had the hotel deliver it to her room.
During the meal, Liang Yuheng asked her if she wanted to stay a few more days, but Shi Qing hadn't brought anything with her since she had time, and decided to go back.
In addition, she was still worried about Zhou Han and wanted to go back and talk to her.
The next day, Liang Yuheng took Shi Qing to the airport. When they parted, Shi Qing looked back as she was about to go through security and found that he hadn't moved.
Meeting his gaze, Shi Qing felt even more reluctant to leave, so she turned around, ran back, and hugged him.
Liang Yuheng leaned down slightly to hug her back, supporting the back of her head with one hand and pressing her against his heart: "I can't bear to let you go."
Shi Qing felt like crying: "I'll wait for you to come home."
Liang Yuheng used to travel all over the world for business, and this was the first time he felt that two weeks would be such a long time.
-
After getting off the plane, Shi Qing didn't go home; she went straight to Zhou Han's place.
She had Zhou Han's fingerprints, so she knocked on the door and went straight in.
When Zhou Han saw Shi Qing, she walked over dejectedly and hugged her.
Shi Qing patted her on the back, feeling somewhat apologetic: "Hanhan, I'm sorry."
Zhou Han looked up: "Why are you apologizing to me? It's not like you rejected me."
Shi Qing sighed, "I really didn't know Junzhe was interested in me, otherwise I wouldn't have tried to set you up and made you so upset now."
Zhou Han pulled her towards the living room: "This has nothing to do with you. Maybe Zheng Junzhe doesn't like you, and he doesn't like me either. Relationships are about two people being attracted to each other. Maybe we're just not meant to be."
Seeing that Zhou Han didn't blame her, Shi Qing felt much relieved. She comforted her, "Don't be sad. Maybe you two just didn't have enough time to spend together. Who knows what will happen in the future? Even if you don't end up together, you'll definitely meet someone better in the future."
"I know, but I still like him quite a bit. I just feel a little sad, but I'll be fine in a couple of days." Zhou Han sat cross-legged on the sofa, took two oranges, gave one to Shi Qing, and peeled one for herself and put it in her mouth.
Shi Qing took the orange and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"No." Zhou Han didn't get up until noon, ordered takeout but didn't eat much, and now she feels terribly hungry.
Shi Qing: "What do you want to eat? I'll cook for you, order takeout, or we can eat out."
Zhou Han: "Let's go out to eat. I haven't left the house all day."
"Okay, then go change your clothes."
"Okay, wait for me a moment."
There's a small shopping mall not far from Zhou Han's apartment complex, and the two of them went there to eat congee hot pot.
After eating her fill, Zhou Han's mood gradually improved.
Shi Qing felt the food was a little hot, so she swept her hair behind her back.
Zhou Han then noticed the hickeys on Shi Qing's neck.
Shi Qing's neck was slender and fair, like a few crimson flowers adorning a white porcelain surface.
Zhou Han bit her chopsticks in shock: "Wasn't my cousin away on a business trip?"
"Yes, I've been gone for several days." Shi Qing scooped up a spoonful of porridge and put it in her mouth.
"Qingbao, you're not going to tell me this is a mosquito bite, are you?" Zhou Han pointed at her neck.
"No." Shi Qing wanted to laugh but held it back, pretending to eat calmly.
Zhou Han's eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock: "No! You were cheating on me with food outside! Even though you're my best friend, my cousin is pretty good to me too..."
Shi Qing interrupted her with a smile: "What are you thinking about? I went to Shanghai yesterday."
"That scared me to death!" Zhou Han patted her chest, then joked, "I never expected my cousin to be such a beast. He even said there were no feelings between them, this is too shocking!"
Shi Qing: "Keep your voice down, we're outside."
Zhou Han immediately fell silent: "Why did you go to Shanghai?"
Shi Qing explained the reason to her simply, and Zhou Han laughed: "I didn't expect my cousin to be such a jealous person."
“That’s him,” Shi Qing whispered to her. “He can be really childish sometimes.”
Zhou Han couldn't imagine what Liang Yuheng would be like in front of Shi Qing; it was simply too surreal.
At this moment, Shi Qing saw the message Luo Luo posted in the group.
Luo Luo: [Sisters, have you found jobs yet?]
Luo Luo: [I've only been resting at home for a few days, and my mom is already urging me to go back to work.]
Xiao Ke: [Me too.]
Xiao Ke: [I went for two job interviews yesterday. Not only were the salaries low, but they also made me try teaching a class first.]
Luo Luo: [Where are Qing Qing and Sister Li? Sister Li is qualified, she definitely won't have trouble finding a job. Qing Qing, are you going to stay home and enjoy life? (clings to her leg)]
Xiao Ke: [(clinging to someone's leg)]
Shi Qing: [Not yet, I'm still considering it.]
Seeing her sullen face, Zhou Han asked, "What's wrong?"
"My former colleagues are talking about job hunting." Shi Qing put away her phone and picked up a slice of beef to put in the pot to simmer.
Zhou Han: "What are your plans?"
Shi Qing: "I haven't decided yet. I'm considering whether to open my own shop or go to work for a company."
Zhou Han: "I'm voting for you to open the shop. Anyway, you don't have to worry about the shop rent, which will save you a lot of money. You have the ability and a good figure, so it's great to run your own business."
“Even if the rent can be covered, the renovation and employee salaries will still cost a lot of money. My savings are barely enough for the renovation.” Shi Qing rested her chin on her hand, staring at the meat in the pot.
Zhou Han suddenly had an idea: "Hey, how about we do it together? I'm pretty bored every day anyway, this way I'll have something to do. Or how about this, my cousin provides the venue, I provide the funding, and you provide the technical skills, that way you won't have too much of a burden."
After listening, Shi Qing thought it was feasible, and her face relaxed: "That's a good idea."
Zhou Han was instantly filled with fighting spirit: "Then let's do it this way! I'll be in charge of publicity and operation, and you'll be in charge of teaching. We'll definitely make our store the most famous Pilates brand in Beijing, and then a lot of people will be eager to sign up."
"Thinking about it this way seems really good!" Shi Qing also felt motivated.
Cheers to our grand entrepreneurial plan!
"cheers!"
After dinner, Zhou Han accompanied Shi Qing to get her eyebrows washed, and Shi Qing also got eyelash extensions done.
The two went back to Zhou Han's place that night and talked about opening a shop until midnight, so they slept until noon the next day.
When Shi Qing woke up, Zhou Han was still asleep. She took out her phone and saw that Liang Yuheng had made many missed calls.
Afraid of waking Zhou Han, she tiptoed to the living room to pick up the phone.
Shi Qing: "Hey, Aheng, I just woke up."
Liang Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief: "If you hadn't called back, I was about to head to the airport."
Seeing how worried he was, Shi Qing felt bad and gently coaxed him, "I'm sorry, I accidentally chatted with Zhou Han too late last night. I haven't been working lately, so my alarm clock wasn't turned on."
Liang Yuheng's tone softened a bit: "It's alright. You're not allowed to stay up late again tonight, or you won't be able to live with Zhou Han anymore."
"Okay," Shi Qing replied obediently.
Seeing that she was very nice, Liang Yuheng calmed down: "What do you want to eat? I'll order it for you."
Shi Qing didn't sleep well yesterday and didn't have the energy to cook: "Have some sweet porridge."
Liang Yuheng: "What did you sleep in yesterday? You went to bed so late."
Shi Qing told him about her idea of opening a shop: "I need you to sponsor a shop. If you don't want to join us, I can rent yours first, but I don't have that much money on hand, so I may have to rent it for a while first."
Liang Yuheng: "Why should we rent it? Don't be so formal with me."
Shi Qing: "No, I just want to hear your opinion."
Liang Yuheng: "I have no objection. Didn't I tell you last time that I support whatever you want to do? Not just a storefront, but an entire shopping mall is fine too."
Shi Qing: "No need for that. Let's try it out first. If it really makes money, we'll give you a share of the profits."
Liang Yuheng said with a rising tone, "I'm not very interested in profit sharing, but I can offer some compensation in other ways."
Shi Qing sighed helplessly, "Stop fooling around, I'm talking to you about something serious."
Liang Yuheng laughed: "How am I being irresponsible? Do you know what I'm talking about?"
"Okay, go ahead."
"Fine, I do want something a little unconventional."
"I'm not telling you, I'm going to wash up."
"Go ahead, and let me know if you need anything else."
"OK".
-
The day before Shi Qing's lunar birthday, she received a phone call from her maternal grandmother.
My maternal grandmother said that my maternal grandfather was coming to Beijing for a medical check-up and to celebrate her birthday.
Although she didn't want to go home, Shi Qing hadn't seen the two elderly people for a long time, so she still had to go back.
When Shi Qing woke up in the morning, she saw that the sky outside was gloomy, and she felt depressed.
Just then, Liang Yuheng sent her a message: 【What are your plans for today?】
Shi Qing: [My maternal grandparents are here. I'm going to the hospital later to take my grandfather for a follow-up liver checkup.]
Liang Yuheng: [Where should we eat lunch?]
Shi Qing: [With my parents.]
Liang Yuheng: [Don't let yourself suffer. If you're unhappy about anything, tell me.]
【good. 】
Upon arriving at the hospital entrance, Shi Qing saw that it was Shi Jian who had brought the two elderly people there.
Grandma had a very kind face and patted her with a smile, saying, "My darling."
Shi Qing greeted her grandfather, who was all smiles when he saw her.
She and Shi Jian had never spoken much, only calling each other "brother" in a casual tone.
Shi Jian grunted in response without any expression and urged, "Go and get Grandpa checked quickly."
Grandma: "Okay, okay, just don't bring too many people back."
After the test results came back, it was found that Shi Qing's grandfather was not in any major health problems, so they went back in Shi Jian's car.
As they passed a cake shop, Shi Qing's grandmother pointed and said, "Jianjian, why don't you stop the car for a bit and buy a cake for your sister?"
Shi Jian was woken up early this morning, already feeling annoyed: "Parking is difficult here, and even if I buy some, no one will eat it."
When Grandma heard that parking was difficult, she had no choice but to give up and patted Shi Qing's hand reassuringly.
Shi Qing shook her head and whispered that she was fine.
When she got home, Zhang Mei glanced at Shi Qing and wanted to scold her, but she held back when she saw her parents.
Shi Qing didn't say anything, and helped her grandmother into the house.
Qian Min was looking at her phone on the sofa when she saw the elderly man return. She politely asked about the test results.
During dinner, Zhang Mei complained to Shi Qing's grandmother, "Mom, Shi Qing's boyfriend is so clueless. He doesn't even know how to give his father a gift on such an important day as the Mid-Autumn Festival? I've never seen anything like it."
Grandma: "Really, Qingqing? That's a bit unreasonable."
Qian Min: "The richer people are, the stingier they are. They value money a lot. Marrying up means swallowing needles. I have a colleague's cousin who married a rich man. I heard that after the wedding, he wouldn't even let her turn on the air conditioner."
Zhang Mei: "You can't be with a stingy person. If it doesn't work out, just break up. There's no need to talk about it anymore."
"Grandma is a very nice person, she's just been away on business and hasn't been able to visit you." Shi Qing put some meat that her grandparents could chew on their plates.
Grandma: "If you think it's good for you, that's fine. But what your mother said also makes sense. Let's see how it goes."
Shi Qing nodded: "I know."
Zhang Mei, after listening to Shi Qing's words, felt that she was still unwilling to break off the relationship, so she continued, "If he really wants to become relatives with our family, he has to show some sincerity. Our neighbor's daughter married a supermarket owner and received a dowry of 600,000 yuan. Didn't you say that Liang Yuheng owns a company? How much dowry will he give then?"
"It's still early, we haven't talked about this yet." Shi Qing lowered her head and ate her food, not even glancing at her.
Qian Min looked at her and said, "Qingqing, what your mother said is right. If you ask for more, your in-laws will value it more."
Zhang Mei: "Your sister-in-law is right. It should cost at least a million, and the three gold pieces are a must. His family must have bought the wedding house, right? How many square meters is it?"
Shi Qing had long been disappointed in her family, but she found it funny to hear this.
"His family said they'd give two million," she said deliberately, just to see their reactions.
Sure enough, everyone was stunned and stopped to look at Shi Qing.
She calmly looked at everyone at the table and then asked, "I'd like to ask, am I supposed to take the bride price back with me?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others changed slightly, and Shi Yongwei and Shi Jian also stopped eating.
Shi Yongwei was always serious and rarely smiled in front of Shi Qing. He usually didn't talk to her much. At this moment, his face was tense: "Then what kind of dowry is that?"
Shi Qing used to be terrified of him, especially when he was angry, but at this moment she felt nothing: "How much dowry can you give me?"
Zhang Mei never expected her usually well-behaved daughter to ask them for money: "What kind of year is this? They can't expect the woman to buy the appliances and furniture for their house. Your dad and I have saved up money to pay for your brother's down payment, you know that. Your brother still has millions in mortgage payments on his house. Even if he gets married, you, as his sister, should help out the family."
Shi Qing: "So what is the meaning of my daughter to you? To sell her to someone else to get money for your son?"
Shi Yongwei slammed his hand on the table, his face darkening: "Shi Qing, what did you just say?!"
Shi Jian's face darkened: "Who said I wanted your money?"
Qian Min nudged Shi Jian under the table: "We don't really want your money, we'll just use it first and pay you back slowly later."
Shi Qing: "I just don't understand how you have the nerve to say these things. I just want to ask, on what grounds do you have the right?"
Zhang Mei: "What? Why should we? Do you think it was easy for us to give birth to you and raise you?!"
"Raise me? How did you raise me? You abandoned me in the countryside after I was born. You brought me back to do your laundry and cook for me during junior and senior high school. I took out a loan to attend university, and I earned my living expenses through part-time jobs. Even if I lived with you for a few years, the money I gave you after I started working should have been enough to pay it all off, right?" Shi Qing felt a tightness in her chest and said the words she had held back for more than ten years with red eyes.
Qian Min: "Qingqing, how could you calculate it like that?"
Shi Qing: "Then what am I supposed to do? Keep all the money for you as you say? You're really thinking too much. Do you think other people are stupid? Why am I worth so much money! Let me tell you the truth, I've already registered my marriage with Liang Yuheng, and I didn't ask for a single penny of the bride price."
"Shi Qing, what are you saying! Are you brainless?" Zhang Mei thought she had misheard. "How can you get a marriage certificate with someone without discussing it with your parents? You may not feel ashamed, but we do!"
Shi Qing: "Ashamed? I'm the one who should feel ashamed to have parents like you. Whether I get married or not, who I marry, and whether I ask for a dowry are all my own business, and it's none of anyone else's business."
Shi Yongwei slammed down his chopsticks: "Shi Qing, say that again!"
Shi Qing slowly stood up: "I wouldn't have come today if it weren't for my grandparents, and I won't come again from now on."
Shi Yongwei: "If you dare to leave, I will never consider you my daughter again."
"I couldn't be happier," Shi Qing said with a cold smile, turning to walk away.
Her maternal grandparents followed her to the door and stopped her, saying, "Silly child, we're all family, don't talk nonsense."
Shi Qing swallowed hard, her throat throbbing with pain. "I'm sorry, Grandma, I'm not in a good mood right now. I'll go back to the countryside to see you another day."
Grandma couldn't stop Shi Qing, so she had to cry and let her go.
After leaving the residential area, Shi Qing realized that it had started raining outside.
The sky was dark, raindrops pattered on the fallen leaves, and the whole world looked desolate and bleak.
Shi Qing felt she should cry, but she couldn't cry no matter what she did.
My heart feels empty, and I'm too lazy to think about many things.
The cold rain lashed her face. Shi Qing looked up at the sky, wondering where she was going.
She took out her phone, habitually opened Liang Yuheng's WeChat, and hesitantly typed a few words.
Shi Qing: [Are you busy?]
Liang Yuheng replied quickly: [Not busy, what's up?]
Shi Qing: [Nothing, I just wanted to ask how much longer it will take you to come back?]
Liang Yuheng: [Did you miss me?]
Shi Qing: [Yes, I really want to.]
Liang Yuheng: [Then turn around now.]
Shi Qing froze for a moment, then turned around abruptly and saw Liang Yuheng getting out of the car and walking towards her step by step with an umbrella in hand.
"Why are you back?" Shi Qing stared at him without blinking, feeling like she was dreaming.
Liang Yuheng hugged her with the hand that wasn't holding the umbrella, and his deep voice came from above her head: "Come back to celebrate my baby's birthday."
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