Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 47

Shi Qingqiu walked into the house. Her parents had already gone back to their room, and the whole place felt empty—only she was left. That cold, desolate feeling tightly surrounded her again. Forcing her steps, she returned to her room and leaned weakly against the door.

She tilted her head back, not wanting the tears to fall, but the more she resisted, the more fiercely they streamed down. Silently, she let them overflow, her hands curling against the door as her body slowly slid downward until she sat on the floor.

Burying her face in her knees, her body trembled. But this time, no one was there to steady her shoulders and ask what was wrong, no one would open their arms to hold her. She felt no heartbeat—ever since she failed to turn back earlier, it was as if her heart had been lost, her chest hollow and aching unbearably.

Tears spilled endlessly from the corners of her eyes, soaking into her pants. Hugging her knees tightly, she didn’t dare wonder whether Wen Qinghan was still outside.

Because everything she could still see through her blurred vision, everything she could still recall in her mind—was all of Wen Qinghan.

The room was dark. Only the moonlight spilling through the window gave Shi Qingqiu a sliver of brightness, while her body kept trembling from her sobs.

She asked herself, Shi Qingqiu, is it still possible to leave now?

It was too late. Neither of them had a way out anymore. But how could they make sure there would never be a reason to separate?

The only choice was to guard that final step—to hold on to the promise. Whenever she dared to long for more, she would remind herself again and again: between them there was only the promise. Only then could this marriage endure.

In the darkness, Shi Qingqiu groped along the wall, slowly stood up, walked to the bed, curled herself up, and hugged her own body. She wanted to smile as she answered herself, but what came out instead was a low sob…

***

The next morning, Shi Qingqiu was woken by a call from Wen Qinghan. Her drowsiness vanished the instant she saw those two characters on the screen.

She wanted to resist, to remain silent, but before reason could dictate her response, the corners of her lips had already curved up at the sight of the call.

Sliding the screen to answer, she was met first with silence, then Wen Qinghan’s familiar, cool voice. “Qingqiu, are you up?”

“Mm, just got up.” Her voice was slightly hoarse—whether from waking or from last night’s crying, she couldn’t tell.

Wen Qinghan paused, then said, “The weather’s nice today. Let’s go out for a walk. If we keep staying home and never show up together, our parents will get suspicious.”

There was nothing to argue against in her reasoning. Since they were married, many things could no longer be done alone.

“All right. I’ll go wash up. Let’s meet downstairs after breakfast,” Shi Qingqiu said, softening her tone as much as possible.

Last night had only been a negligible interlude. She would bury it deep in her heart, hold on to her original resolve, and never bring it up again. The only thing she had to remember was the promise—nothing more.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Wen Qinghan’s car waiting at the gate. The window lowered, and somehow, today she seemed just like before—her expression calm and composed, carrying that same chill that could freeze someone in place.

Shi Qingqiu opened the door, sat in the passenger seat, and buckled herself in. Wen Qinghan said nothing, simply raised the window and started the car.

She thought Wen Qinghan wouldn’t say much, but just a few minutes into the drive, she spoke. “Anywhere you want to go? We have plenty of time today—you can tell me if you want.”

Shi Qingqiu hesitated, then shook her head. “You decide. I don’t really have anywhere I want to go.”

Wen Qinghan glanced at her. Just that brief look seemed to see through her makeup, noticing the redness still lingering around her eyes from crying.

“Then let’s just stroll around. Come with me to buy some clothes.” Wen Qinghan’s voice was softer now, and though she hadn’t slept the whole night, the smile tugging at her lips seemed to ease much of that fatigue.

She parked at the largest mall in City B. After getting out, she naturally took Shi Qingqiu’s hand, as if nothing at all had happened yesterday.

Gone was the panic when Shi Qingqiu struggled for words, gone was the tenderness in Wen Qinghan’s expression, gone were Shi Qingqiu’s slightly swollen eyes, gone the bitterness of Wen Qinghan’s sleepless night.

From the moment they stepped inside, a crowd formed around them. Many faces lit up with surprise, phones lifted to capture shots of Shi Qingqiu and Wen Qinghan. Some even called out to Shi Qingqiu.

“Wow, they really are such a perfect match! Even better than the candid photos online!”

“Right? I think so too. Such a shame Lawyer Wen isn’t a celebrity—she’s so gorgeous…”

“She totally has that dominant aura, while Qingqiu is so gentle—definitely the bottom one in the couple…”

“I really want to hire Lawyer Wen for a case. I’ll go home and ask if my family has any disputes we can take to court.”

“You’re insane! With that lovestruck look, if you go to her, your goddess will get jealous!”

The noisy chatter followed them from behind, and Shi Qingqiu couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Wen Qinghan turned her head, smiling slightly, and asked, “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I just overheard what they were saying. It’s kind of funny…”

Shi Qingqiu let go of her hand. Wen Qinghan stiffened for a moment, but before she could feel disappointed, Shi Qingqiu slipped her arm through hers instead. The gesture brought them closer, making them look even more intimate.

Snapping back to herself, Wen Qinghan smiled softly and said, “And wasn’t it you who insisted we not wear masks? Now it feels like we’re shopping with a whole entourage.”

Because neither of them mentioned last night again—and with this little unexpected moment—the emotions from before seemed to vanish like smoke.

You don’t bring it up. I don’t bring it up. That tacit understanding surprised Shi Qingqiu, yet at the same time she felt relieved that Wen Qinghan didn’t press her.

This was enough. This was already good. To be together like this, without worrying about whether one day they would part.

“Are you still blaming me? Do you think you’re the same as before? Even if I wear a mask, people still recognize you. And if they mistake me for someone else, then you’d be the one cheating.” Shi Qingqiu spoke carelessly, then deliberately recited, “It would go just like this—‘Barely a hundred days into her marriage, newlywed wife Wen Qinghan is caught cheating with a masked young woman, the two flaunting their affection in a mall as if no one were watching.’”

Wen Qinghan looked at her, narrowed her eyes, and then said with a faint smile, “Then, for the sake of the report’s authenticity, you’d better stay a little closer to me. Don’t keep too much distance. Do a good job completing this public-display-of-affection task, young woman.” She deliberately emphasized those last words, her tone carrying a trace of teasing.

Shi Qingqiu’s steps faltered. Only then did she realize Wen Qinghan was going along with her lead. Her expression grew complicated—part excitement, part fear. Afraid of being too close, yet unable to resist this warmth.

But Wen Qinghan, as if sensing her hesitation, didn’t press further. She looked ahead and smoothly shifted the subject. “Let’s go to that store.”

***

By now, the fans had mostly dispersed. After all, this was an unplanned encounter, and they had their own lives to return to. 

Wen Qinghan led Shi Qingqiu into a clothing store. As soon as they stepped inside, the salesgirl’s gaze hit them like two spotlights.

“Miss Wen, it’s been a while since you last came. We’ve just stocked new arrivals this season. You and this—”

The salesgirl was still thinking about how to address Shi Qingqiu, but Wen Qinghan cut her off with a cool tone. “No need, I’ll browse on my own.”

“This…”

Shi Qingqiu smiled warmly and said to the salesgirl. “Go on with your work. I’ll help her pick.”

“All right, just call me if you need anything.” The salesgirl pressed her palms together, her politeness tinged with genuine delight as she faced Shi Qingqiu.

Shi Qingqiu nodded with a smile, then was pulled away by Wen Qinghan. Leaning closer, she whispered with a laugh, “Qinghan, you scared her.”

Flipping through the racks, Wen Qinghan replied, “It wasn’t like this when I came before. It’s because you’re here. You’re too approachable, which makes me look unfeeling by comparison.”

Shi Qingqiu was torn between laughter and exasperation. Did Wen Qinghan’s aloofness even need contrast? Even without her, she gave off that same icy air—eye-catching, yes, but also distant, leaving others with the impression of coldness.

Biting her lip, Shi Qingqiu thought—yet it was precisely this cold Wen Qinghan that made her yearn to draw nearer. She wanted to try, to see if she could warm this aloof woman. But in truth, the one being warmed, the one being accompanied, was herself.

Her heart softened and softened again, and last night’s firm resolve wavered, teetering like a tall building on the verge of collapse.

As she gazed at Wen Qinghan lost in thought, Wen Qinghan pulled out a hanger, holding up a beige silk blouse against her. “How about this one? Does it look good?”

Shi Qingqiu snapped out of her daze, lips curving slightly. “It looks good. But you look best in white—or light gray. You’ve got that refined, cadre-like aura in those.”

At work, Wen Qinghan often wore white silk blouses, occasionally other pale shades. The silk’s softness lent her an air of quiet nobility, enhanced by her detached expression. How could she not draw attention? She probably had no idea how many boys and girls in university had wanted to get close to her.

Lifting her eyes to Shi Qingqiu, Wen Qinghan smiled faintly. “This one’s for you. It looks warmer. You’ll look beautiful in it.”

She then took a white one for herself, tugging Shi Qingqiu along toward the fitting rooms. A few minutes later, she emerged first, fastening the cuff buttons in front of the mirror. When Shi Qingqiu came out and saw her, she naturally stepped over, taking over the task of buttoning the sleeves.

Looking at her up close, Wen Qinghan noticed Shi Qingqiu’s long, thick lashes trembling faintly. In a low voice, she asked, “I think it looks nice. Let’s get these two. What do you say?”

Shi Qingqiu finished with the last button, stepped back a few paces, and—sure enough—the sight before her was still the same familiar image.

She moved closer and asked, “Would I look good in it too? But the styles match yours. I feel like you’d still look better in it.”

Wen Qinghan’s eyes softened suddenly. She said quietly, “They look like couple’s outfits. Of course you’d look good.”

Shi Qingqiu froze, unconsciously biting her lip again as waves of longing and expectation surged up. It was like stagnant water that had long shown no signs of life—yet because of Wen Qinghan’s warmth, offered again and again, that lifeless pool began to boil.

At this point, Wen Qinghan could no longer maintain the cold facade she’d worn when they left the house. She knew full well their relationship was one misstep away from being irreparable—but seeing Shi Qingqiu waver, she couldn’t retreat.

She brushed her hand gently over Shi Qingqiu’s hair, her voice softer. “Don’t hesitate anymore. If I say it looks good, then it really does. Change and have the salesgirl wrap them up. I’ll pay, and then we’ll get something to eat.”

Looking at Wen Qinghan, Shi Qingqiu suddenly felt another certainty stir inside her. It was as if Wen Qinghan understood her hesitation, her worries, without her needing to voice them. And precisely because she understood, she never crossed the line—always showing just the right degree of gentleness.

Her eyes fixed unwaveringly on Wen Qinghan. Finally, she smiled and nodded. “Okay.”