Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After falling pregnant that year, she had become completely lost and helpless. She was alone in France and could not afford to sustain herself, let alone consider what things would be like with the new life growing inside of her. She applied to defer her studies for a year and returned home to China immediately after her session of language classes ended. Her best friend, Lin Xiaojuan, though not considered a part of the rich and affluent, came from a fairly well-off family. She was living fairly comfortably, but for Shen Qianshu, she also took on various part-time jobs to support her.
For her child, Shen Qianshu almost gave up her studies. The inheritance from her grandmother was only enough to pay for four years of her school fees and was not enough for their living expenses in Paris. It was Lin Xiaojuan who held her hand with confidence and said resolutely, “Qianshu, after you give birth, take your child to France and study. I will earn your living expenses.”
Lin Xiaojuan lived up to her headstrong words and started working while she was still studying in university. She built up her network, and earned Shen Qianshu’s living expenses with her own ability.
After returning home, Shen Qianshu started work and was inundated with things to do, whilst learning the ropes and establishing her place in the company. However, as she did not have the means to employ a nanny, it was Lin Xiaojuan who took care of Tong Hua everyday. As she was a manager, she brought him along to discuss endorsement deals and network with clients. It was during one of those meetings that Tong Hua was scouted by an investor to film an advertisement. He gotten famous almost overnight. He was thrown into the entertainment industry and become a child star, his popularity skyrocketing beyond their wildest dreams.
“Qianshu, it’s the weekend tomorrow, are you coming to visit the production crew?” Although she was still relatively young, Lin Xiaojuan was bright and capable and had established herself as one of Brilliant Entertainment’s top managers. “Tong Hua really misses you. He hasn’t seen you for three days already and he’s not in the mood to eat.”
“Hahaha, you are roasting me right? Where’s Tong Hua?”
“He is filming now.” Lin Xiaojuan laughed, “He was complaining about Yuan Hui just now.”
“Tong Hua doesn’t really like him.”
“I don’t like him either.”
“Tell me, out of all my past boyfriends, which one have you ever liked before?” Shen Qianshu sighed helplessly. Lin Xiaojuan had always disagreed with several of her relationships and they had all inevitably ended in disaster.
“Your taste is sorely lacking, are you really considering to marry him?”
“Yuan Hui… dating him is fine, but marrying him, I am still not certain.” Shen Qianshu said truthfully.
“Then reject him! Dating is one thing, why are you mindlessly getting married at 25? You still have your whole youth ahead of you!” Shen Qianshu heard the indignation in her voice and could imagine Lin Xiaojuan throwing her arms up in the air in exasperation.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him recently, he keeps proposing. He’s been so persistent that it feels like this relationship will blow to pieces if I were to reject him.”
“That’s alright, I will introduce you to some young, hot men. There are plenty around.”
Shen Qianshu was speechless.
“Qianshu, you don’t actually like him right?”
“I just want to find Tong Hua a father.”
“Tong Hua doesn’t even like him, what father are you going to find in him?”
“You are right!” Shen Qianshu waved her hands irritatedly. “I will talk to you tomorrow. I still need to sort out all this information when I get home, I’ll have to stay up tonight.”
“Staying up late will cause you to die faster, take it easy, okay? Bye.”
Shen Qianshu laughed lightly then ended the call. After such a long day, she was happy to pack up her belongings and return home.
The next morning.
Just as Shen Qianshu finished her morning routine, readying herself for the day, her phone rang, flashing Yuan Hui’s name. Shen Qianshu was surprised that he was calling so early. Picking up the phone, Yuan Hui’s anguished cry burst out. “Qianshu, save me!”
Shen Qianshu was stunned.
Fear could be heard from his voice. “Qianshu, I sent an address to your phone. Come quickly, if not I will lose my life! Come alone, do not bring anyone else and do not tell anyone.”
“Hello? Hello?” Shen Qianshu shouted twice, a little dazed. Yuan Hui had already ended the call. Shen Qianshu was baffled and tried to call back, however there was no answer. Her phone lit up with an address straight after. It seemed to be a warehouse in the outskirts.
Shen Qianshu stared at her phone blankly, visibly shaken. What had happened to Yuan Hui?
Yuan Hui was a financial analyst and was always calm and collected. He would not have come to her for help if it was not an urgent matter. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she put her phone away, hurriedly grabbing her bag and leaving the apartment to hail down a taxi. It headed to the address in the outskirts.