Chapter 60

Yang Tianlin changed into his new clothes and shoes. His face was delicate and handsome, but he only bore a slight resemblance to Qiu Rongxin—perhaps he took after his father more.

Qiu Rongxin watched her son grinning happily, then turned away to wipe her tears with her fingertips. It was her own incompetence that had caused her son to suffer all these years.

“Mama, Sisters, how do I look in these clothes? Do I look okay?”

Yang Tianlin asked shyly.

“You look great! Tianlin is a little heartthrob! I wonder which lucky girl will get to marry you in the future,” You Changqing teased with a smile, turning him around to remove the tags from his new outfit.

Yang Tianlin beamed with joy.

“By the way, Aunt Qiu, your health has improved a lot now. When do you think you can start work? I can make arrangements for you,” Shen Lihuan asked.

Qiu Rongxin’s eyes lit up instantly, her fingers nervously twisting together. “I’m almost fully recovered. I can start work tomorrow.”

“So soon? Don’t push yourself too hard. You can start later if you need more time,” Shen Lihuan advised, surprised by her eagerness.

“I’m not pushing myself. I know my own body—I can go to work now.”

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing were both taken aback by her intense reaction. Realizing that she had been too emotional, Qiu Rongxin swallowed and said, “I got carried away. I really need this job.”

“Did something happen that we don’t know about? Are you in urgent need of money?” You Changqing guessed.

“It’s because I want to move. The landlord’s husband is… inappropriate, so I want to leave,” Qiu Rongxin explained with some embarrassment.

The world was unfair—whenever there was a scandal between a man and a woman, regardless of the truth, it was always the woman who bore the brunt of criticism and insults. As a single mother, her situation was even more precarious. Now that her son was growing up, she didn’t want him to hear those nasty rumors. Even if she was completely innocent, she couldn’t stop people from slandering her.

Shen Lihuan understood immediately and frowned. “If you want to move, do it as soon as possible. This area isn’t safe—there are all kinds of people living here. Tianlin is still young; this isn’t a good place for him.”

“That’s why I want to start working as soon as possible. As soon as I get my first paycheck, I’ll take Tianlin and move out,” Qiu Rongxin said, gently patting her son’s head, her gaze filled with motherly affection.

“Why wait until next month? How about this—you can start work at my company tomorrow. I’ll ask the finance department to give you an advance salary for the first two months so you can find a new place and move in right away,” Shen Lihuan offered.

She could tell that, despite everything Qiu Rongxin had been through, she wasn’t the kind of person who could be ruthless. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let the landlord’s wife push her around.

If the landlord’s husband had bad intentions, it was best to leave as soon as possible. How could she sleep peacefully with a predator lurking nearby?

Qiu Rongxin had already accumulated so much debt that she no longer panicked at the thought of more. She stood up and gave Shen Lihuan a deep bow, her voice solemn. “Miss Shen, I will forever remember the kindness you’ve shown to me and my son. As long as you need me, I’m willing to work for you for a lifetime—even without pay!”

She had been abandoned by her parents as a child and had grown up struggling in an orphanage. When she finally found someone she thought was a good man, married him, and had a child, he disappeared without a trace, leaving her and their son to fend for themselves in this harsh world. If it weren’t for Miss Shen and Miss You, she would probably still be bedridden with illness—or worse, kicked out by her landlord.

She could die, but what about Tianlin? He was still so young. Without anyone to care for him, he would be sent to an orphanage and suffer the same hardships she had endured as a child.

She would never be able to rest in peace.

“Auntie, you don’t have to say that. I’m just offering a helping hand. Besides, if you didn’t have the skills, I wouldn’t be hiring you in the first place,” Shen Lihuan replied.

From her perspective, she had merely given Qiu Rongxin an opportunity. If Qiu Rongxin worked hard, she would shine in her new role—and in the end, it would benefit Shen Lihuan’s company, too.

While Shen Lihuan didn’t think she had done anything extraordinary, Qiu Rongxin would never forget this act of kindness. Offering help when someone was already doing well was easy, but offering help when they were at their lowest—that was something rare and precious.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing stayed until past ten before heading home. Although Qiu Rongxin wanted them to stay for dinner, Shen Lihuan’s uncle was coming over for lunch, so they agreed to have a meal together after she and Tianlin moved into their new home.

After leaving Qiu Rongxin’s house, the two of them stopped by a dessert shop. The moment they walked in, they attracted everyone’s attention.

“Wow, the taller one is unbelievably gorgeous. Her clear, bright peach blossom eyes are mesmerizing—I could drown in them.”

“The other one is just as stunning, okay? Her features are delicate and charming, but she has this cool aura too. Totally my type.”

“Doesn’t matter if we like them—they’re holding hands. With my twenty years of single-dog experience, I’d say they’re definitely a couple!”

“Pfft, ‘twenty years of single-dog experience’—that’s hilarious!”

They found a table by the window and sat down. A waitress dressed in a maid outfit approached them, and after hearing her recommendations, they ordered a few signature desserts and two cups of coffee.

When the waitress returned to the kitchen, the other employees immediately gathered around.

“So? Are they a couple?”

Seeing her coworkers’ eager, wolf-like expressions, the waitress hesitated before nodding. “Yeah, they’re a couple—and a very loving one at that.”

Love couldn’t be hidden. Even though the two women hadn’t shown any overtly intimate behavior, the way they looked at each other was filled with affection.

There was no way they weren’t together.

Young love was always the purest. She hoped they would always stay this way.

After their desserts arrived, Shen Lihuan sent her uncle a text, asking if he was free for lunch since her mom had invited him over.

She had originally wanted to call him, but she was worried he might be busy, so she opted for a message instead.

Before long, Uncle Guo Tingyu called Shen Lihuan.

“Lihuan, is it true? My sister is really inviting me over?”

“Yes! Why, do you not believe me, Uncle?”

Hearing Guo Tingyu’s incredulous tone, Shen Lihuan couldn’t resist teasing him a little.

“No, it’s just… I’m so surprised.”

On the other end of the phone, Guo Tingyu sounded almost dazed. “I never thought there would be a day when my sister would invite me to her house for dinner.”

Shen Lihuan felt a faint pang of sadness. Then she heard Guo Tingyu’s low voice say, “Lihuan, thank you.”

If it weren’t for you acknowledging me as your uncle, my sister wouldn’t be willing to reconnect with me.

Shen Lihuan couldn’t stand hearing him speak in such a humble tone. “Uncle, what are you saying? Mom is inviting you over because you’re a good person. Otherwise, no matter how much I said, she wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Still, I have to thank you.” Guo Tingyu gazed out the window, his eyes filled with warmth.

“By the way, it’s my first time going to my sister’s house. What should I bring as a gift? What do my sister and brother-in-law like? And you—what do you like? I need to prepare now.”

Thinking about this, Guo Tingyu became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

“You can get Mom a silk scarf. As for Dad, a tea set would be a good choice. As for me, I’m the easiest to please—just buy me something to eat. But there’s also your niece-in-law at home now. She prefers light flavors, so when buying food, make sure to avoid anything too strong-tasting.”

Shen Lihuan seriously advised him.

Sitting beside her, sipping coffee, You Changqing almost choked. Shen Lihuan quickly patted her back.

You Changqing bit her lip and gave Shen Lihuan’s waist a gentle pinch. “What nonsense are you talking about?” So shameless.

“You are my wife. Or do you not want to marry me?”

Shen Lihuan said smugly. You Changqing gave her a playful glare but didn’t deny her words.

Nearby, some people secretly watching them couldn’t help but squeal in excitement. Ahhh, these two ladies are way too cute together!

“Niece-in-law?” Guo Tingyu was momentarily stunned. Then, recalling the girl he had seen yesterday, he immediately caught on. “Silk scarf, tea set, and food—got it. I’ll go buy the gifts now. See you at noon!”

Guo Tingyu hurriedly hung up, leaving work early for the first time ever to go shopping.

Watching their boss leave, a few secretaries pinched their arms in disbelief.

“The president actually skipped work? He usually acts like he’d rather sleep in the office than leave! What could have made him abandon his beloved job?”

“Could it be that the president is in love?”

“You really think so? Who could eat peacefully while facing his stone-cold expression?”

“But the president is handsome! So what if he’s expressionless? Isn’t the aloof CEO type pretty popular?”

“You’ve read too many novels. The CEOs in stories are only cold to outsiders but warm to the female lead. But our president? He’s cold to everyone. I’ve been his secretary for years and never seen him be gentle to anyone.”

The nearly forty-year-old head secretary chuckled and turned to a younger male secretary who had just joined the company. “Xiao Liang, why are you so quiet? You haven’t said a word.”

Xiao Liang looked dazed. “Just now… I saw the president dancing in his office. He looked so excited. I must’ve been seeing things. I’ve worked with him for two months and never seen him make that kind of expression. Yes, I must have been mistaken.”

While Xiao Liang doubted his own sanity, the other secretaries’ eyes sparkled. Something is definitely going on!

“Xiao Liang, tell us! What exactly did you see?”

Feeling pressured by their intense gossip-loving stares, Xiao Liang panicked and bolted. “I know nothing! Ladies, please spare me!”

Unaware that his unusual behavior had sparked office gossip, Guo Tingyu arrived at the shopping mall. He carefully picked out a silk scarf that perfectly suited Guo Qinglan’s style, then selected a Longquan celadon tea set for Shen Jiashu. Since both his niece and his “niece-in-law” liked snacks, he went to a famous snack shop and bought a variety of treats—making sure to exclude anything spicy.

After gathering all the gifts, Guo Tingyu checked his phone. It was already past eleven. With the store clerk’s help, he loaded everything into his car and rushed toward the Shen family’s home.

He couldn’t be late. He had to make a good impression on his sister. If he did well today, maybe he could finally have a normal relationship with her and her family from now on!