Shen Que had just finished meeting the people he needed to meet and drinking the wine he needed to drink, and he almost immediately went looking for her.
His steps were hurried as he walked towards the quiet garden.
The evening breeze carried a faint scent of flowers, and he also saw the intimate figures of two people not far away.
The girl's forearm naturally looped around the man's neck, her small face obediently buried in Chengyu's shoulder, a completely different person from the cold demeanor she showed in front of him.
Gu Chengyu tilted his head, saying something in her ear that elicited a playful little punch from her. She then turned and buried her face even deeper, too shy to show herself.
Shen Que stopped in his tracks, even retreating two steps into the shadows.
He watched them until they disappeared around the corner.
Why was he always the one who arrived too late?
Today, he had invited her to the banquet, hoping to find an opportunity to tell her that Madam Gu's stance had never changed. Chengyu would definitely marry a chaebol heiress from a suitable family.
No matter how much Su Qianqian was doted on by him, in the end, she would only be a secret mistress.
But he was different.
Having experienced that scandalous affair of the previous generation, the Shen Family's clan had long since grown indifferent to the old prejudices about the legitimate and illegitimate lines.
As for whom he married, as long as she had a good temperament, a clean background, and wasn't too embarrassing to present, there wouldn't be much resistance.
Furthermore, his own father had been a hopeless romantic in his youth and wouldn't interfere in his choice of wife.
He wanted to tell her that if she was willing, he could give her a proper status.
These words had been churning in his heart for a long time. He had even thought about how to broach the subject.
But now...
Looking at the empty swing set and the high heels on the ground, all the unspoken words stuck in his throat.
He had missed another chance.
It was Monday again, and the university's plane tree leaves covered the ground.
Su Qianqian, wearing a cream-colored sweater and jeans, looked at Qin Yuwei beside her, who was still sporting a crop-top sweatshirt, and couldn't help but ask, "Yuwei, aren't you really cold?"
Qin Yuwei tossed her short hair. "Cold? You get used to it!
"Look at those female celebrities, don't they all dress like this for red carpets in the middle of winter?
"Besides, if those fake friends around me snap an ugly photo, they'd laugh themselves to death!
"Don't worry, Qianqian, I'm tough."
But just two days after saying those words,
Qin Yuwei paid the price—she came down with a fever.
Burning up and muddle-headed, she stubbornly refused to go to the hospital.
Su Qianqian had no choice. She practically dragged her to the Zhou Family's top-tier private hospital.
After settling Qin Yuwei in for an IV drip, Su Qianqian stepped out, intending to buy her something to drink to soothe her throat.
She hadn't gone far when, near a corridor bend, she heard a gentle male voice: "You're always in such a hurry. The doctor said the chances are slim. Why go through this fuss over and over?"
Another voice, familiar to her, lacked its usual casualness and carried a stubborn edge: "What if? We have to try.
"And if I'm not diligent enough, what if you start keeping your distance from me again like before?"
Was that Shen Que?
Su Qianqian stopped and peeked around the corner.
She saw Shen Que pushing a wheelchair. Sitting in it was a man in a light-colored sweater, his features somewhat similar to Shen Que's but softer.
Even seated in the wheelchair, his face showed no trace of gloom; instead, there was a clear, gentle smile.
Was this... the Shen Family's eldest son, who rarely appeared in public?
Next to them, in an open consultation room, stood a blond, blue-eyed foreign doctor, accompanied by Zhou Yu'an. They seemed to be discussing something.
Su Qianqian understood instantly.
So Shen Que had never given up hope of his brother walking again. This time, he must have found some top specialist and immediately brought him here.
Su Qianqian stood at the corner, stunned for a moment, not moving for a long time.
The door to a hospital room not far behind her opened. Qin Yuwei, still a bit dizzy from the fever, pushed her IV pole and poked her head out. "Qianqian, why are you just standing there? My water..."
Her voice wasn't loud, but the familiar name made Shen Que immediately turn his head.
Qin Yuwei also shuffled to Su Qianqian's side, saw the scene down the corridor, and her eyes widened in surprise.
Words tumbled out before she could think: "Shen Que? Big Brother Shen? What are you two doing together?"
Her face was full of disbelief.
The moment Shen Que saw Su Qianqian, he felt a pang of embarrassment and wanted to avoid her, but then he was angered by Qin Yuwei's attitude.
When he was alone, he didn't care what they thought.
But in front of his brother, her manner was clearly looking for trouble.
"None of your business," Shen Que's voice was icy, his sharp gaze sweeping over Qin Yuwei with clear intent to dismiss.
Big Brother Shen remained mild-mannered, nodding slightly to Su Qianqian and Qin Yuwei as he explained:
"Most of the rumors outside aren't true. It's just out of consideration for our mother that we've never stepped forward to clarify."
"Xiao Que and I, we have a very good relationship."
"Brother!" Shen Que interrupted him, unwilling for him to say more.
He didn't understand the people of the outside world. They only wanted to hear what they wished to hear, see what they wished to see. All explanations were a waste of breath.
Just like how, back then, the evidence chain for the car accident was so clear—it was an accident—but almost no one was willing to believe it.
They all believed he had harmed his own brother.
Shen Que didn't want to lose his temper in front of Su Qianqian. He pushed the wheelchair, wanting to quickly leave this place that made him feel ashamed.
His mind was unsettled, and he pushed somewhat hastily.
The medical file resting on Big Brother Shen's knees slipped off.
Shen Que didn't notice, continuing to push his brother forward.
Big Brother Shen felt his brother's tension. He sighed softly and didn't mention it to him about the dropped item.
Su Qianqian looked at the fallen file, then at the backs of the two brothers. She said softly to Qin Yuwei, "Wait for me a moment."
She jogged over, crouched down, and picked up the file.
Then she quickened her pace, catching up to the two men ahead.
"Shen Que."
"Your brother's file fell."
Shen Que's steps halted, his back stiffening slightly.
He slowly turned around.
Su Qianqian handed the file over, her gaze calm.
Shen Que looked at her too. He saw no trace of curiosity or surprise in her eyes.
It was as if she had simply helped a stranger in a hospital corridor pick up a dropped item.
Shen Que took the file.
Her calmness instead made him feel puzzled.
He spoke, his voice dry: "Don't you find it strange at all?"
He regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth; it was like proactively uncovering that past.
Hearing this, Su Qianqian actually gave a light laugh.
"Strange about what? Strange about why someone who supposedly climbed over his brother would privately bring that same brother to seek medical treatment?"
She looked at him frankly: "I have eyes. I can see for myself."
With that, she didn't linger any longer and turned to walk back towards Qin Yuwei.
Shen Que stood rooted to the spot, clutching the file, his fingertips applying slight pressure.
He knew she was telling the truth.
She really, truly held no prejudice.
Seated in the wheelchair, Big Brother Shen took in the entire scene, rarely getting a taste of some gossip about his brother's love life.
He spoke softly, his tone teasing: "That young lady seems perceptive and genuine."
"A-Que, if you like her, you should pursue her seriously."
Shen Que lowered his head, looking at the medical record in his hand, and curled his lips in a self-deprecating smile.
He continued pushing his brother's wheelchair slowly forward, his voice low and tinged with loneliness:
"Brother, I want to, too."
"It's just a shame... her heart was given to someone else a long time ago."
