"If I catch you giving anyone a ride again—man or woman—you can forget about keeping this scooter."
Song Qi Nian could still hear Shen Chi Yan's words echoing in her mind. So when Miao Ziai asked for a ride to visit Shen Yu Shu's grandmother at the hospital a few days later, she turned her down without hesitation.
"What's wrong with me getting a ride from you?" Miao Ziai demanded. "Am I not good enough?"
[No, that's not it at all] Song Qi Nian fumbled for words. [It's just... the battery might be low.]
The real reason burned in her mind—she couldn't risk Shen Chi Yan seeing her with a passenger. Who knew what he might do?
Seeing Miao Ziai's disappointment, they ended up sharing a taxi to the hospital instead.
When they finally saw Shen Yu Shu, the toll of caring for his grandmother was written on his face. He'd clearly lost weight during his days off.
"Oh, Yu Shu!" Miao Ziai's voice cracked with concern. "Are you alright? How's your grandmother doing?"
He stroked her head gently. "Don't worry yourself. She's doing much better now."
"That's such a relief."
Turning to Song Qi Nian, Shen Yu Shu's expression grew serious. "Nian nian, I just found out about that forum post. I'll set the record straight this afternoon. I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused you."
Before Song Qi Nian could speak, Miao Ziai cut in sharply. "Don't bother! The more you try to explain, the more they'll gossip. When you're innocent, you don't need to defend yourself."
"But—"
[Focus on your grandmother right now,] Song Qi Nian interjected. [That's what matters. Don't worry about anything else.]
"She's right. Let's go see Grandma."
Watching Song Qi Nian—how she brushed off the forum rumors without a trace of suspicion—Shen Yu Shu felt guilt gnaw at his conscience. But he'd made his choice. There was no going back now.
The moment they entered the room, Grandma's face lit up with recognition at the sight of Song Qi Nian. "Xiaoshu, isn't this the sweet young lady who gave you a ride home last time?"
"Yes, Grandma. This is Song Qi Nian. We all call her Nian nian."
"Nian nian—such a lovely name! Come closer, dear. Let Grandma have a good look at you."
Song Qi Nian hesitated for a moment before approaching the bed. Grandma took her hand, studying her with undisguised delight. "What a polite, beautiful young woman. Tell me, do you have someone special in your life?"
Song Qi Nian tried to free her hand to sign, but Grandma's grip was firm. Helpless, she shot a desperate look at Shen Yu Shu and Miao Ziai.
"Grandma," Shen Yu Shu said gently, "Niannian can't speak."
Grandma fell quiet, processing what this meant.
After what felt like an eternity, she squeezed Song Qi Nian's hand, her eyes full of sympathy. "You poor child. Life hasn't been easy for you, has it?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head, fighting the sudden tightness in her throat.
Being here with Shen Yu Shu's grandmother brought back memories of her own. When she'd lost her voice, her father Song Guanliang had been beside himself—sleepless nights spent searching for treatments, desperate for a cure. Her mother Liu Xiaohan had only complained, worried that no one would want to marry a mute daughter.
But her grandmother... she would hold her close and whisper, "Nian nian, the doctors say your throat is fine. You'll speak again one day. My Nian nian has such a beautiful voice—Grandma still wants to hear you sing Nanniwan."
She realized with a pang that she hadn't visited in too long. Next holiday, she promised herself, she would make the trip back to the countryside.
"Xiaoshu, you must look after Nian nian at work."
Something flickered in Shen Yu Shu's eyes. "I will."
After their visit, Shen Yu Shu insisted on treating them to lunch. Before they could decline, he added with a tired smile, "I haven't had a proper meal in days. Everything tastes bland when you eat alone. Please—keep me company?"
Put that way, they couldn't refuse.
They headed to a hotel restaurant near the hospital. At the entrance, Miao Ziai and Song Qi Nian shared an uncertain look.
"Do we really need to eat somewhere this fancy?" Miao Ziai asked, eyeing the restaurant. "This place looks expensive."
Shen Yu Shu gave a wry smile. "What, you don't think I can afford it?"
"That's not what I meant. It's just... with your grandmother in the hospital and all those medical bills..."
"Don't worry about it. One meal won't break the bank."
Miao Ziai glanced at Song Qi Nian. Seeing how insistent Shen Yu Shu was, Song Qi Nian decided pushing back might wound his pride. She smiled and nodded.
As they walked ahead, neither woman noticed Shen Yu Shu quietly sending a message to Lin Lanxing.
He watched Song Qi Nian's small frame, his fists tight at his sides.
Trying to be considerate, both women ordered the least expensive items on the menu. Shen Yu Shu, however, ordered red wine and poured glasses for everyone.
The sight of wine made Song Qi Nian remember her last embarrassing encounter with alcohol. [Sorry, I really shouldn't drink.]
"Nian nian," Shen Yu Shu said, raising his glass, "this is to thank you for taking me to the hospital. And... we've known each other over a month but haven't properly celebrated. It's rare for the three of us to be together like this. We should mark the occasion. Right, Xiao Ai?"
"Yes, absolutely! Come on, Nian nian... red wine barely counts as alcohol."
Caught between their encouragement, Song Qi Nian gave in. [Fine. One glass only.]
"Just one glass, promise!"
They raised their glasses together. While the women's smiles were genuine, something darker lurked behind Shen Yu Shu's expression.
As Song Qi Nian lifted the wine to her lips, Shen Yu Shu called out sharply, "Nian nian!"
Both women jumped, turning to him.
His phone buzzed. A message from Lin Lanxing appeared: "Don't disappoint me."
Shen Yu Shu gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white.
“Yu Shu, what’s going on?”
Hearing Miao Ziai’s voice, Shen Yu Shu closed his eyes for a moment before forcing them open again. He managed a stiff smile and turned toward the others. “It’s nothing. I was just reminding Nian nian to drink slowly so she doesn’t choke.”
“Ha! Nian nian isn’t a kid. How’s she going to choke on wine?”
“Exactly! Come on, let’s drink.”
“Yeah, yeah, cheers!”
Miao Ziai clinked glasses with Song Qi Nian, and the two drank together, their laughter blending with the lively atmosphere.
At first, everything seemed fine—easy conversation, good food, and lighthearted banter. But after a while, Song Qi Nian started feeling warm. Too warm. Her head grew heavy, and a strange dizziness crept over her.
She hadn’t even finished her first glass of wine, yet her vision swam, and her body felt oddly sluggish.
Oblivious, Miao Ziai and Shen Yu Shu continued talking, their laughter ringing out like nothing was wrong. Struggling to stay composed, Song Qi Nian reached for Miao Ziai’s arm.
“Niannian, your face is so red! Are you drunk already?” Miao Ziai teased, grinning. “Your tolerance is awful!”
Song Qi Nian’s tried to make a sign. [I… I need to go to the restroom.]
“Want me to come with you?”
She shook her head, her movements slow and deliberate. [No, you two keep talking.]
As she stood, her legs felt shaky, but she managed to walk away without stumbling.
Miao Ziai snickered, glancing at her barely touched glass. “She’s hopeless! Barely had a sip, and she’s already flushed. Next time, we’ll give her a bottle of Wahaha instead. Hah!”
Shen Yu Shu watched her retreating figure, his jaw tightening. His lips pressed into a hard, silent line.
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