Chapter 39: Memories of Meeting Qin Shi An for the First Time

After leaving Ming Yue You You, Qin Jiao Jiao took a taxi straight home.

As soon as she got home, she locked herself in her room and furiously bombarded Tang Liyue with WeChat messages.

【Qin Jiao Jiao: Liyue, didn’t you say you were the CEO’s assistant? You got me kissing the wrong person!】

【Qin Jiao Jiao: Where are you? Why aren’t you saying anything?】

—

Meanwhile, on the private jet

Tang Liyue had just finished the tasks Yu Mo Yuan assigned and processed the documents that needed online rejections.

She glanced out the window, but all she could see was blue sky and endless ocean, the destination was still far away.

Stretching her arms, she grabbed her phone and connected to the satellite Wi-Fi on the plane.

The moment Wi-Fi connected, Qin Jiao Jiao’s messages started popping up nonstop.

After reading them, Tang Liyue was shocked and quickly called her back on WeChat.

As soon as the call connected, Tang Liyue hurriedly explained:
“Jiao Jiao, I didn’t know you were starting work today! I went on a business trip and forgot to tell you, I’m on a plane right now!”

Qin Jiao Jiao could vaguely hear the sound of the propellers through the phone.

“Alright then… I’ll forgive you this time. I’ll just wait until you’re back from your trip before I go to work.”

Tang Liyue laughed at her words.
“Jiao Jiao, I know you’re not short on money, but since you already decided to take this job, why not give it a try and do it well?”

Qin Jiao Jiao fell silent for a moment, then muttered gloomily,
“But I kissed the wrong person… That’s so embarrassing…”

“It’s fine! Assistant Yuan is a nice person. Just explain it to him.”

“Alright, I’ll think about it.”

Then Qin Jiao Jiao changed the subject.
“By the way, Liyue, when will you be back from your trip? My brother also returned to A City, I think he wants to celebrate your birthday.”

Hearing that, Tang Liyue froze.

It took her a while before she responded,
“I probably won’t be back for another seven days.”

“Huh? Then won’t you have to spend your birthday alone this year?”

“It’s not a big deal. It’s just a birthday. Jiao Jiao, you…”

“You what? Why are you hesitating?” Qin Jiao Jiao was impatient.

Tang Liyue hesitated before speaking,
“Can you… not tell Brother Qin about me?”

“You mean about you marrying Yu Minchuan instead of Tang Xue Yao? But isn’t it just a fake marriage? Why can’t I say anything?”

“Yeah… I just don’t want too many people to know.”

Being a substitute bride wasn’t exactly something to be proud of.

The fewer people knew, the better.

And more importantly…

She didn’t want Qin Shi An to look down on her.

“Alright, I got it. Don’t worry.”

Tang Liyue then said,
“Jiao Jiao, I have a favor to ask.”

“Just say it! No need to be polite with me!”

“Can you go to the Tang family’s house for me tonight? I need my parents to transfer Aunt Qiu to another hospital. She’s currently in a private hospital owned by Zhao Zhiliu’s family.”

“She’s been using Aunt Qiu to threaten me into doing things I don’t want to do. I refuse to comply, so I need to get Aunt Qiu transferred to a public hospital within seven days.”

“Got it! I’ll talk to them for you. Your parents wouldn’t dare refuse me!”

“Mm-hmm, thanks! And don’t let Brother Qin find out.”

“Don’t worry!”

After hanging up, Tang Liyue finally let out a sigh of relief.

But before she could enjoy the silence for long, her phone vibrated again.

She glanced at the screen, it was a message from Qin Shi An.

【Qin Shi An: Liyue, I’m back in A City. Do you have time for dinner tonight?】

Tang Liyue’s hand trembled, and her phone almost slipped from her grip.

She took a deep breath to steady herself before replying.

【Tang Liyue: Sorry, Brother Qin, I’m not in A City. I won’t be back for another seven days.】

【Qin Shi An: Are you traveling?】

Tang Liyue pressed her lips together.

She didn’t want to lie to Qin Shi An, but at the same time, she didn’t want him to know about her difficult situation.

So, she simply sent a cat emoji with a smile, brushing off the question.

She and Qin Shi An weren’t in frequent contact, but he was always a considerate gentleman.

Whenever they chatted, if she didn’t want to answer a question, she would send an emoji, and he would never press further.

Just like now, he didn’t ask again.

【Qin Shi An: Then make sure to have a good birthday, even if you’re away.】

Tang Liyue replied:

【Tang Liyue: I will. Thank you, Brother Qin.】

And with that, their conversation ended.

Yet, Tang Liyue didn’t exit the chat.

Instead, she stared at Qin Shi An’s profile picture, lost in thought.

Her mind drifted back to her 18th birthday…

---

Her 18th birthday was, of course, also Tang Xue Yao’s 18th birthday.

Their parents adored Tang Xue Yao and spared no expense in throwing her a grand birthday banquet.

A birthday needed a cake, and when the party reached its climax, her parents personally wheeled out a massive five-tier cake, taller than a person.

On top of the cake, the words read:

“Happy Birthday to Our Precious Daughter, Xue Yao.”

Not daughters, just Xue Yao.

Dressed in an elegant princess gown, Tang Xue Yao was the center of attention, making her birthday wish as everyone gazed at her with admiration.

Tang Liyue neither envied nor resented her, perhaps because she was used to it.

But Tang Xue Yao always had to pick a fight.

With everyone watching, Tang Xue Yao sliced a piece of cake and walked toward her.

With a sweet smile, she said:

“You’re the older sister, so of course, you should have the first piece!”

Tang Liyue didn’t take it.

Tang Xue Yao immediately pouted, pretending to be hurt.

And the moment she acted like she was about to cry, their parents’ hearts melted.

Tang Liyue still vividly remembers what happened next.

Her mother, Tang Lian, took the cake from Tang Xue Yao’s hands, And smashed it straight onto her face.

The thick cream clogged her pores, her vision went completely white, and she could only hear the sound of laughter echoing around her.

Amidst it all, Tang Xue Yao hummed in satisfaction.

Just when she felt utterly helpless, the front doors of the Tang family’s estate were kicked open.

A familiar voice rang out.

“Tang Xue Yao, you shameless bitch! If I don’t beat you to death today, I’m not a Qin!”

That was Qin Jiao Jiao.

Meeting Qin Jiao Jiao was truly the best thing that ever happened in her life.

No matter where or when, as long as she was bullied, Qin Jiao Jiao was always the first to roll up her sleeves and fight back for her.

Her eyes were still covered in cake, so she couldn’t see anything.

She tried to move toward Qin Jiao Jiao’s voice, but before she could take more than two steps, Someone gently took hold of her hand.

Then, with a handkerchief carrying a faint mint fragrance, he gently wiped the mess from her face.

While she was still in shock, he spoke, his voice deep and magnetic.

“You can open your eyes now.”

She slowly opened them, and saw Qin Shi An.

Qin Shi An tucked her messy hair behind her ear and introduced himself, “I’m Jiao Jiao’s brother, which makes me your brother too. We’re here to take you away.”

Brother…

She had heard Qin Jiao Jiao mention her brother countless times throughout high school.

And countless times, she had envied her.

That day, Qin Shi An and Qin Jiao Jiao took her back to the Qin family home.

For the entire two-and-a-half-month summer break after her senior year, she stayed at Qin Jiao Jiao’s house.

Every morning, she would wake up to Qin Shi An’s voice calling from downstairs, “Jiao Jiao, Liyue, breakfast is ready. Come down and eat.”

Qin Shi An, perhaps because he loved his sister so much, had treated her like a younger sister too.

But that was Qin Jiao Jiao’s life.

The house belonged to Qin Jiao Jiao.

The brother belonged to Qin Jiao Jiao.

No matter how much she longed for it, she knew she shouldn’t stay too long.

So, when college was about to start, she decided to leave.

Qin Jiao Jiao was furious and stormed off, slamming the door behind her.

She, on the other hand, quietly packed her things, even taking off the pajamas Qin Jiao Jiao had given her, changing back into her own clothes.

Just as she was changing, the door suddenly swung open.

Qin Shi An saw her bare back.

Not only Qin Shi An, but also Father and Mother Qin, who had just returned home from work.

The misunderstanding was instant.

Father and Mother Qin thought she was seducing Qin Shi An. Their opinion of her plummeted.

From that day on, Tang Liyue never stepped foot into the Qin household again.

Whenever she met up with Qin Jiao Jiao, it was always at a new milk tea shop called Ming Yue You You.

The next time she saw Qin Shi An again was on her 19th birthday.

That day, she and Qin Jiao Jiao were at Ming Yue You You, sharing a small cake, when Qin Shi An walked in.

In his hands, he held a bouquet of pink roses.

He smiled and said, “Liyue, long time no see. Do you still remember Qin Da Ge?”

It was from that moment on that Qin Shi An stopped calling himself ‘brother’, And instead, he became “Qin Da Ge”.

It was also that bouquet of pink roses, and Qin Jiao Jiao whispering in her ear, “My brother likes you.”

That made Tang Liyue realize Qin Shi An’s true feelings.

But she had only ever wanted a brother like Qin Shi An.

She had always seen him as half an older brother.

And yet, The man she thought of as a brother suddenly said he liked her…

It felt unreal, absurd, and completely overwhelming.

Snapping back to reality, Tang Liyue let out a quiet sigh.

Right now, the only thing she could do was stay away from Qin Shi An.

At the very least, she couldn’t give him any response, she couldn’t let him misunderstand.

Shaking off her thoughts, Tang Liyue turned her gaze outside.

The plane was descending.

Through the window, she caught sight of Yu Mo Yuan standing on the cruise ship’s deck.