Free Web NovelChapter 425: Chapter 425: Qin He
"Grandma Qin, Little He, this is my college classmate and her son. We’re heading upstairs first," Zhang Yaen briefly introduced Yi Roujing to them, then waved and led Yi Roujing upstairs.
"Is that your neighbor?" Yi Roujing glanced back at the elderly woman and the young girl, asking Zhang Yaen in a low voice.
"Yes." Zhang Yaen nodded, "Grandma Qin and Sir Qin live right below us. Both are retired from the hospital, but since they don’t have children, the hospital allowed them to continue living in the staff housing."
"No children? Then that little girl..."
"She is a child they found half a year ago." Speaking of Qin He, Zhang Yaen felt a bit emotional, "It was a freezing day when Sir Qin found her in the snow. If he hadn’t, she would have frozen to death. She was sent to the hospital and stayed there for a week before recovering, but the child lost her memory. She couldn’t remember anything from before, didn’t know where her home was, or even her name."
"The child is well-behaved and considerate. Sir Qin and Grandma Qin are getting older and have no one to take care of them, but she is very diligent, serving tea, doing laundry, cooking meals, and taking good care of the elderly couple. They grew happier over time. Initially, they reported to the police to send her away, even if they couldn’t find her family, she would have been sent to an orphanage."
"But after half a month of living together, the elderly couple couldn’t bear to part with her and decided to adopt her. Everyone around noticed over the past six months that the child is good, and Sir Qin and Grandma Qin registered her under their household, officially making this her home," Zhang Yaen explained Qin He’s situation.
"Oh, so that’s how it is." Yi Roujing understood and followed Zhang Yaen into the apartment.
The apartment building, the whole unit was just over thirty square meters, which was considered quite large. Zhang Yaen was an only child, so the family of three occupied the place comfortably, allowing for a decently-sized living room with all the essentials like a sofa, tea table, and radio.
Zhang Yaen brought out a tin box from the room and opened it, revealing all sorts of snacks inside: milk candy, peach crisps, canned food, and even chocolate.
"Baozi, have some." Zhang Yaen placed the entire tin in front of Baozi, her eyes full of expectation, letting him choose freely.
Baozi took a milk candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.
"Try the chocolate." Zhang Yaen started recommending, "It’s a specialty my dad brought back from a foreign exchange trip. It looks dark but is sweet and delicious."
Baozi had already tasted the chocolate and didn’t comment much, just took one and put it in his pocket, "I’ll eat it later."
"It’s hot now, and it will melt quickly, so you should eat it soon," Zhang Yaen advised.
Baozi nodded obediently.
"Knock, knock—"
"Yaen sister." It was Qin He knocking on the door, and the people inside recognized her voice.
Zhang Yaen got up to open the door and welcomed her in.
Qin He was holding a basket with freshly steamed baozi, "Yaen sister, we made baozi at home today, fresh from the pot and still hot. Grandma asked me to bring them to the guests."
Qin He peeked at Baozi sitting on the sofa and made brief eye contact before quickly averting her gaze, then handed the basket to Zhang Yaen.
Zhang Yaen laughed and pulled her in, grabbing a handful of candy from the tin box and a peach crisp to give her, "Take these home to share with Grandma Qin and Sir Qin."
Qin He smiled and nodded, "I’ll head out now." freewebnσvel.cøm
Yi Roujing watched Qin He the whole time until she left the doorway, keeping her gaze fixed, "I need to use the bathroom."
"First floor, on your right," Zhang Yaen reminded her.
But Yi Roujing wasn’t really going to the bathroom. She followed Qin He downstairs to the second floor, but stopped on the steps between the floors because Qin He turned around, her pupils trembling but with an expression of confusion, "Does this sister need something?"
"Not planning to go back?" Yi Roujing asked as she looked at Qin He, "Planning to settle down here permanently?"
Qin He’s hands clenched lightly, holding herself back.
"Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I’m just curious about your intentions." Yi Roujing sighed, "It’s good to know you’re still alive. I’m not living in Huaixi County anymore either."
Yi Roujing noticed the person opposite her relax visibly.
"I’m not going back. This is my home now. They are my grandparents, and I’m very happy," Qin He looked directly at Yi Roujing, her gaze steadfast, "If it wasn’t for them, I’d be dead."
"From Huaixi County to Dongji City, from south to north, I’ve suffered a lot and faced many dangers. Along the way, I hardly felt any warmth, but I don’t mind. My family treated me poorly, so what can I expect from strangers."
"But my grandparents aren’t like that. They treat me very well," Qin He said sincerely, and Yi Roujing knew she was telling the truth.
"Alright, I see. Live well here then." Yi Roujing smiled gently, "Here’s my contact information. If you ever need help, you can reach me."
Yi Roujing handed Qin He an envelope, and Qin He knew it contained more than just contact information; there were also money and tickets. She looked at Yi Roujing suspiciously.
"I just thought..." Yi Roujing switched topics, "Take it. You can use it in case of emergencies."
Qin He saw Yi Roujing’s sincerity, thanked her, and accepted it, "Well, I’ll be going then."
Yi Roujing nodded, watching Qin He walk away, looking back every few steps.
Yi Roujing had seen Liu Mohe’s interactions with her family and with strangers, so when she saw her with the elderly couple, she realized she had changed.
No longer trying to please through small calculations, but genuine joy from her heart, it seemed she truly had found a kind family. That was good.
Yi Roujing stood there for a while before returning to Zhang Yaen’s home. Baozi was already dozing off like a little chick pecking at grain on the sofa, with Zhang Yaen softly coaxing him, raising her index finger to remind Yi Roujing to be quiet as she entered.
Once Baozi was fast asleep, Zhang Yaen carried him into her room, with Yi Roujing following, intending to tuck Baozi in herself. But seeing Zhang Yaen’s clumsy yet careful attempts, Yi Roujing decided not to intervene and just watched.
After tucking Baozi into the bed, Zhang Yaen tiptoed out of the room, and Yi Roujing smilingly followed, with Zhang Yaen gently closing the door and letting out a long breath.
"Baozi is such a good boy," Zhang Yaen said happily.
"If you like children so much, find a partner and have one soon," Yi Roujing said, watching Zhang Yaen, curious about her thoughts on the engagement she’d broken off with Chai Guoqing. free𝑤ebnovel.com
"I never thought about it before, but now I do," Zhang Yaen replied bashfully.
"Is there someone you like?" Yi Roujing was a bit surprised.
"Something like that, but it’s not official yet. Once it is, I’ll treat you all to a meal," Zhang Yaen said earnestly.
