Don't Say You're Heartless (Modern Edition)

23 Celebration

Shen Qiuhua looked at Yang Qiong running towards her with a smile, and as soon as they were in each other's arms, she held her tightly. The embrace was so intense that it even caused her some pain, but she didn't care, she just wanted to feel that Yang Qiong was truly back by her side.

Tears finally fell, landing on Shen Qiuhua's smiling face and on Yang Qiong's heart.

"You've suffered," Shen Qiuhua said softly.

"For you, it was all worth it," Yang Qiong replied.

Yang Qiong called the school to inform them she was out. The school granted them a day off, and since the next day was the weekend, they ended up with a nice three-day break.

"Why did they give you a day off too?" Yang Qiong asked in confusion.

"I told them I was traumatized, so I took these two days off from work," Shen Qiuhua admitted, not exactly playing the role of a dedicated teacher. She was unwilling to just be a placeholder but had no desire to be a model employee either.

"Well then, let's go out for a nice meal. The food at the police station was awful," Yang Qiong complained.

At the restaurant, seeing Yang Qiong devour her food, Shen Qiuhua put down her chopsticks and rested her chin on her hand. "I doubt whether the food at the police station was actually bad, or if you just didn't eat."

"It was bad, so I ate less. Besides, without you next to me, I couldn't eat," Yang Qiong said, in high spirits as she ate and chatted.

Shen Qiuhua no longer emphasized 'no talking while eating' and instead got up to pour some soup into a small bowl for Yang Qiong. "Drink some soup, so you don't choke."

After Yang Qiong drank the soup, she resumed eating, making Shen Qiuhua shake her head in exasperation.

Once Yang Qiong finished eating, Shen Qiuhua asked, "How did you get released?"

Yang Qiong recounted the events from start to finish. "Thanks to Officer Jin—oh, I mean, Chief Jin. You know, with that surname and position, it sounds like a fruit!" Yang Qiong couldn't help but tease.

"You're really fortunate," Shen Qiuhua remarked with a sigh.

Having eaten and drunk her fill, Yang Qiong paid the bill and took Shen Qiuhua home.

"You seemed worried on the way. What's wrong?" As soon as they entered the house, Yang Qiong hugged her and asked softly.

"I thought coming to this world meant I wouldn't have to deal with identity issues anymore. But through this incident, I've realized I couldn't help you at all. In the past, when you were taken away, I always found a way to save you. But now, I can only wait, and I can't even get any news," Shen Qiuhua said, feeling overwhelmed. She was not used to being protected and not being able to do anything herself. In her past life in the palace, though she was also powerless, she had always found ways to strategize and fight. In this life, she was just an ordinary person, unable to find any help except from Yang Qiong.

Yang Qiong hugged her sympathetically and sat her down on the sofa. "This is just a special situation. We've been doing well before this. Don't think too much or blame yourself. I've told you, I can protect you."

Shen Qiuhua nodded. She sat on Yang Qiong's lap and wrapped her arms around Yang Qiong's neck. "My bodyguard, did you miss me?" Her soft pink lips exhaled a delicate breath, enveloping Yang Qiong in a captivating mist.

Yang Qiong's heart raced wildly. She felt her breathing become labored.

"I missed you," Shen Qiuhua's lips brushed against Yang Qiong's ear, the warm sensation tugging at Yang Qiong's nerves.