translated_Chapter 41

41: Back to the Main Story

“It’s really difficult. There are only a few women in the management. I thought foreign companies would be better, but in the end, it’s the same old thinking. Just look at my performance last month…”

Tsukimi Rin listened calmly: “I remember, your president before was a woman.”

The woman thought for a moment: “You must be talking about Ai La. She was very capable, but later she became too much. However, I heard she was a lesbian.”

“Why did she quit?” Tsukimi Rin took a sip of coffee.

The woman looked around and whispered, “She committed suicide.”

Tsukimi Rin frowned: “No warning signs?”

“Before she died, she kept doing some painting. Her younger brother also tried to persuade her, but Ai La was too stubborn.” The woman shook her head regretfully: “It wasn’t easy for a woman to get to that position, but in the end…”

“Indeed, so how was her estate settled?”

“Of course, her brother inherited it. Ai La didn’t marry or have children.”

“No lovers, fiances, or anything like that?”

“Yes, there were supposedly two of each, both male and female. I heard, you know, that she took up art because of a young boyfriend.”

“How old is that kid?”

“Almost twenty this year, I think. I went to her house with Ai La’s assistant to deliver documents before and saw him once. Some time ago, in a bar, guess what I saw?”

“What?”

“Big gossip.” The woman whispered: “I saw Ai La’s young lover with the current president, Ai La’s younger brother, Qiu Ci, and the young lover even sent CEO Qiu home.”

A flash of light appeared in Tsukimi Rin’s eyes.

Jing Yueming, lover, Qiu Ci.

…

Outside the banquet, after Qiu Ci and Jing Yueming drove away.

They chatted in the car.

“In short, my sister was quite fickle, but she was really good to you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have corresponded with you when you were in business school. If my sister hadn’t gotten into art later, the ending might have been better. It’s also my fault for not paying attention to her later.” Of course, Qiu Ci wouldn’t tell the whole story.

He just picked some beautiful fragments, true and false, to paint a picture of a deep and painful female character for Jing Yueming, lonely and strong.

In those love stories, Qiu Ci downplayed his own existence and didn’t mention Tsukimi Rin’s pregnancy.

Jing Yueming still received a lie.

Qiu Ci received a call.

Qin Yishan’s charming male voice came through: “I’m sorry, Qiu Ci, I agreed to let Miss Tsukimi come. I thought everyone would be friends.”

“If you didn’t tell me, I would have investigated this matter.”

“I’m sorry, Qiu Ci, please take care of her. Her condition hasn’t been good since Ai La passed away,” Qin Yishan advised.

“I’m already taking good care of her, but her running around between us will cause a lot of trouble. The profession of private investigator is illegal in China. You should take her back to Japan or France sooner rather than later.”

“That’s not easy either, her parents are still in China.”

Qiu Ci grunted in acknowledgment and hung up the phone.

He put away his phone and began to close his eyes to rest: “Drive carefully,” Qiu Ci instructed Jing Yueming.

Jing Yueming perked up and became serious.

Qiu Ci still couldn’t sleep. He was always uneasy when someone else was driving.

“No need to rush, just be steady.”

When they got home, Su Yuyang also called to inquire.

Qiu Ci mainly didn’t have the patience to put up with Tsukimi Rin’s nonsense anymore. If he could, he wanted to package her up and send her to a hospital for psychological treatment.

After life returned to normal and his relationship with Jing Yueming stabilized,

Qiu Ci resumed his after-work social events and nightlife.

As long as he didn’t overdo it, it was fine, and he tried to get home before Jing Yueming did.

Jing Yueming focused his attention on that painting.

“Qiu Ci, this ochre is used up, but the paint is limited.”

Jing Yueming used professional tools to try to squeeze the paint tube.

Qiu Ci thought for a moment: “Can you find a similar one?”

“It should be the same brand. I feel like others will be different.”

“Mix it.”

“It’s not easy to mix. Can you collect some from other colleagues?”

Qiu Ci shook his head: “I probably can’t get any. That brand is already niche. I have another set over there.” It was originally prepared as a gift for you.

“Great, then I’ll borrow it.” Jing Yueming looked at the paintings on the wall: “Qiu Ci, when I finish painting, let’s hold an art exhibition for Ai La.”

“Are these works enough?”

“Yes, an art exhibition doesn’t necessarily need a lot of pieces, just enough for everyone to see her melancholy and lonely heart.”

Qiu Ci nodded thoughtfully.

“Ai La’s style is a bit rougher than mine. I originally thought I couldn’t paint in this style, but I didn’t expect that after getting used to it for a while, my hand would start to shake. See, isn’t it indistinguishable?” Jing Yueming excitedly shared his progress with Qiu Ci.

Qiu Ci squinted and looked carefully: “The brushstrokes are indeed very similar. The texture and emotion expressed in this painting style are great.”

“That’s great, Qiu Ci, you’re so nice.”

“What?” Qiu Ci asked.

“You’re good to me and on the same wavelength as me.”

Qiu Ci smiled faintly: “Great painter, do you want to eat? I’ll book a restaurant.”

“Book it a little later.”

“Okay.”

Winter arrived, and the snow came this year as well.

Jing Yueming yawned as he went to class, wrapped in a thick down jacket. His nose was still stuffy, and he had another cold.

And a slight fever.

Why was someone always calling him during class?

“Hello…”

“Jing Yueming, it’s me.” Tsukimi Rin’s voice was tired.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m at the entrance of Qiu Shi’s studio. What time will you be there this afternoon?”

Jing Yueming shuddered: “I didn’t agree to take you to the studio, and I have something to do today.”

“When will you be free? What are you doing today?”

“Leave me alone.” Jing Yueming hung up the phone irritably.

After class, he went straight to the school gate. Qiu Ci had been waiting for a long time.

He had specifically taken leave to pick up Jing Yueming and take him to the hospital for a checkup.

Jing Yueming sat drowsily in the passenger seat.

A box of tissues was quickly emptied. Looking at the whole bag of snotty tissues, the young man smiled embarrassedly: “Sorry, my nose is stuffed up and it’s uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay.” Qiu Ci drove attentively: “Why don’t you go to the back seat and sleep for a while? I’ll call you when we get to the hospital.”

Jing Yueming sniffed again: “No need, no need. I’ll keep you company and look at the road. The snow scene is nice.”

Qiu Ci drove very slowly, very slowly. It took more than half an hour to get to a private hospital.

They arranged a full physical examination for Jing Yueming and got some special cold medicine: “Why is my resistance so low?”

Jing Yueming felt really uncomfortable recently. He also felt weak and sleepy: “Brother Qiu ~ Am I pregnant with your child?”

Jing Yueming joked.

Qiu Ci smiled: “Really? That’s great, then. If it’s born, I’ll make you the legal partner.”

Jing Yueming snuggled into Qiu Ci’s arms and squinted: “You’ll be the one giving birth.” After saying that, he stretched his head and bit Qiu Ci’s Adam’s apple.

“Sleep, I’ll call you when the director is done.”

The hospital was warm, and Jing Yueming’s down jacket was in the car.

Qiu Ci covered him with his coat.