Chapter 036 – The Driver Was Replaced

Shen Qingli wasn’t very familiar with the process of issuing membership cards, so her actions were a bit slow.

Seeing this, Yang Qianyu showed no sign of impatience. Instead, he continued chatting with her cheerfully.

He asked about her part-time job at the fishing park—how much it paid, whether meals were reimbursed, and other such details.

He asked so many questions, it was as if he were interested in applying himself.

Shen Qingli, being gentle by nature, answered each of his questions politely.

At that moment, Zuo Yanghui, who had gone to get water, saw guests had arrived and grew a little concerned about whether Shen Qingli could handle the membership process smoothly.

So, he quickly put down his water cup and hurried back to the front desk.

He came to stand beside Shen Qingli, their shoulders almost touching.

Zuo Yanghui lowered his head slightly and asked in a soft voice, “Are you processing annual memberships?”

Shen Qingli nodded and looked up at him a bit embarrassed. “Senior, I’m still not very familiar with this membership system.”

Zuo Yanghui was momentarily stunned when their eyes met, but he quickly snapped out of it and said, “It’s okay. I’ll help you—just watch for now.”

As he spoke, he naturally took the mouse from her hand, and his slender fingers brushed against hers.

Neither of them paid much attention to this little detail—but Pei Songjiang, standing tall outside the counter, noticed it all clearly.

His expression immediately darkened.

What had been a pretty good mood just moments ago soured at once.

Yang Qianyu leaned in and whispered, “Old Seven, looks like you’ve got some real competition.”

Pei Songjiang sighed helplessly, his expression grim.

Well, it couldn’t be helped. A girl who could make him fall in love at first sight was surely going to attract others too.

After all, Shen Qingli was not only beautiful but also gentle, sweet, and kind. If no one liked her, that would be the real surprise.

Zuo Yanghui quickly finished the membership process and handed over two cards.
“Your membership cards are ready. These are annual passes with unlimited visits during the valid period. You don’t need a reservation, and you can borrow fishing gear for free. If you want to book a private spot, you’ll need to reserve in advance.”

Pei Songjiang and Yang Qianyu took their cards and thanked Shen Qingli and Zuo Yanghui before heading off to find a good fishing spot.

Zuo Yanghui remained at the front desk, watching them walk away until they were out of sight. Then he turned back to Shen Qingli and lowered his voice to ask, “Are they your classmates?”

Shen Qingli smiled and nodded. “Yes, they’re seniors from B University.”

Zuo Yanghui raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. “College students like fishing?”

He’d worked at the fishing park for years and knew the member demographics well.

Young men like Pei Songjiang and Yang Qianyu were very rare. Not unheard of, but definitely uncommon.

Sensing his confusion, Shen Qingli quickly explained, “They’re from the Agriculture Department. The chubbier one is working on a project about aquaculture, so he came here to gather research material.”

Zuo Yanghui looked even more surprised. “Really? But as far as I know, B University’s Agriculture Department already has several of their own fish farms.”

Shen Qingli: “…”

She widened her eyes in shock. “Huh? Really?”

Clearly, she wasn’t very familiar with the inner workings of the Agriculture Department.

Zuo Yanghui, however, was quite informed.

Seeing her curiosity, he patiently began explaining.

He told her the Agriculture Department had expansive farmland for student training and practice.

Not just for growing crops—they also had livestock farms, fisheries, orchards, and more.

It covered nearly every aspect of agricultural science.

Then, his tone shifted as he brought up the curious case of the “research trip” to this small fishing park.

He clearly didn’t understand their reasoning. If their goal was aquaculture research, this small fishing park seemed like an odd choice.

The place was tiny and had limited resources—nowhere near the scale of the university’s own facilities.

Zuo Yanghui couldn’t help but mutter, “Can they really do research by fishing here? I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t even catch a single fish all day!”

There was clear doubt and concern in his voice about their intentions.

Shen Qingli: “…”

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It wasn’t until the sixth day that Jiang Junwen realized Shen Qingli had moved out.

Until then, his attention had been completely consumed by Luo Shuyao’s emotional state.

Because her mood had collapsed somewhat, Jiang Junwen had been worried she might do something impulsive, so he took a few days off and brought her back to his downtown penthouse to look after her.

During those five days, he did everything he could to soothe Luo Shuyao and help her rest and recover.

However, by the sixth day, she still hadn’t fully bounced back…

Even though Luo Shuyao insisted on returning to class, Jiang Junwen felt deeply uneasy.

He began to realize that Luo Shuyao’s post-traumatic symptoms might be more severe than he had initially imagined.

That night, Jiang Junwen lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Images of Luo Shuyao’s pale face and frail body kept replaying in his mind, making him increasingly anxious.

Unable to bear the torment of insomnia, he got up, as he usually did, and walked to the garden gazebo near the small building next door, leaning against the railing and smoking a cigarette.

The garden was especially quiet at night, with only the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Jiang Junwen silently stared at a tightly closed window.

No lights were on inside.

Pitch black.

He couldn’t help but recall the time he had spent in that room with Shen Qingli in their past life. A complicated, indescribable emotion welled up in his chest.

He took a long drag from his cigarette and glanced at his watch.

It was already past 1 a.m.

Shen Qingli was probably already asleep.

That night, Jiang Junwen stood outside her window, smoking through the entire night.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows and lit up his face. He hadn’t slept at all. His eyes were bloodshot.

After breakfast, he slowly stood up, preparing to go to school.

Standing at the front gate, Jiang Junwen looked uneasy. He kept glancing toward the small building behind him, as if waiting for someone.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, but the familiar figure never appeared.

His brows gradually knitted together, a trace of unease growing in his heart.

Shen Qingli always left at this exact time every morning. Why was today different?

He couldn’t help but let his thoughts spiral—had something happened?

Just as Jiang Junwen grew increasingly anxious, a black sedan slowly pulled up at the gate.

Seeing the car, he quickly stepped forward, ready to get in.

However, the moment he saw the driver, his expression turned dark.

The person behind the wheel wasn’t the familiar Uncle Shen, but a complete stranger.

Jiang Junwen frowned tightly, his tone stiff: “Why are you driving? Where’s Uncle Shen?”

The new driver seemed slightly surprised by his tone, but quickly regained his composure and respectfully replied, “Young Master, Driver Shen has resigned. The housekeeper asked me to take over your transportation from now on.”

Jiang Junwen: “…”

His face sank. His chest rose and fell with anger. He stepped out of the car, furious, and strode back into the villa.

Just then, the old housekeeper happened to be coming toward him. Jiang Junwen immediately grabbed his arm.

“Housekeeper! Where is Driver Shen?!”

The housekeeper, startled by the sudden grab, looked momentarily stunned. He said, a bit surprised, “Ah, Young Master, you mean Driver Shen? He resigned yesterday and has already left the Jiang household.”

Jiang Junwen’s expression darkened. “Why did he resign?”

If Shen Guiqi had resigned, then did that mean Shen Qingli…

Would she also leave the Jiang household?

As if on cue, before he even had to ask, the housekeeper continued explaining: “Driver Shen already moved out. He said he needed to go back to his hometown to handle some matters. A-Li also moved out. It seems she moved into a dormitory. Sigh, Driver Shen was such a good man. I fear it’ll be hard to find someone as dependable as him again.”

Jiang Junwen’s expression grew even darker. He stood there like a statue, unmoving, but his eyes were full of cold intensity, as though he could explode at any moment.

Things had escalated far beyond his expectations. He had never seen this coming.

In their past life, Shen Qingli had loved him wholeheartedly—completely and unconditionally. She had stayed by his side through everything, never once leaving.

And Shen Guiqi had continued working for the Jiang family as their driver. Even after Jiang Junwen and Shen Qingli had been dating for five years, he had never resigned.

But now, in this reborn life, everything had changed so drastically.

Why?

Was it simply because he had been reborn that everything else had to shift as well?

And what about Shen Qingli?

Would she still love him as deeply as she did in the past?

That question kept echoing in Jiang Junwen’s mind, filling him with fear and unease.