Chapter 88 Qin Family vs. True Love

Chapter 88 Qin Family vs. True Love

"Finally, I can get out of this place."

Zuo Qinghuan smiled at Qin Wanshu.

"Mmm," Qin Wanshu responded with a smile. Zuo Qinghuan wore a hat, concealing her extremely short hair and the faint scar beneath.

Zuo Qinghuan's face remained as elegant and refined as their first encounter, like a lotus blossom.

Qin Wanshu knew the scar would fade over time but never vanish completely. Zuo Qinghuan never spoke of it, not wanting Qin Wanshu to feel guilty or blame herself. In turn, Qin Wanshu kept her heartache unspoken, not wanting Zuo Qinghuan to think her feelings were somehow diminished.

"I swear, I never want to set foot in a hospital again."

Stepping out of the hospital doors, Zuo Qinghuan inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air. It had been so long since she'd breathed air this clean or felt the sun on her face. She tilted her head to the sunlight, squinting against the bright rays, then looked back at Qin Wanshu, who was still smiling. In that moment, she felt a simple happiness that surpassed all else.

"Tell me about it, hospitals are just inherently stressful," Li Xin chimed in, having come to see Zuo Qinghuan off. She disliked hospitals intensely, yet her life revolved around them. In that sense, she was even less fortunate than Zuo Qinghuan.

"I'll go get the car…" Li Xin began, but before she could finish, two black BMWs pulled up directly in front of them.

Doors opened, and out emerged two of the Qin family's bodyguards, followed by Qin Zheng's personal driver, Qin Hai.

"Miss Zuo is discharged. The Qin family has fulfilled its duty. It's time for the young lady to return home," Old Chen announced respectfully to Qin Wanshu.

Qin Wanshu's brow furrowed slightly. She understood it was already a compromise from her grandfather to wait until Zuo Qinghuan's discharge before sending for her. Judging by Hai Shu's demeanor, it seemed she had no choice but to return today.

Zuo Qinghuan's heart clenched. It felt like a fairytale nearing its end, the dream about to break, and she was reluctant to wake up.

Sensing Zuo Qinghuan's unease, Qin Wanshu reached for her hand.

"It's alright," Qin Wanshu reassured her.

"I'm okay too. Don't worry about me, you should go home. I'll be here waiting," Zuo Qinghuan said, though desperately wanting Qin Wanshu to stay, she forced herself to be understanding and let her go.

"Hai Shu, could we possibly drop her off first before heading back to the Qin residence?" Qin Wanshu asked Qin Hai, her tone earnest. She wanted to take Zuo Qinghuan home.

Qin Hai hesitated. The old master would undoubtedly be displeased, but he couldn't refuse Qin Wanshu's request. His respect for the young lady was, after all, as profound as his respect for the old master.

"Very well, we'll take Miss Zuo home first," Qin Hai conceded, glancing at Zuo Qinghuan with a hint of reluctance in his nod.

"Li Xin, you can head back to the hospital. They'll take me home," Zuo Qinghuan said, forcing a smile as she spoke to Li Xin.

Li Xin had long anticipated the powerful Qin family as a significant hurdle. Now that the issue was here, she couldn't simply abandon Zuo Qinghuan.

"Nonsense, I'm coming with you," she insisted, unwilling to leave Zuo Qinghuan alone after Qin Wanshu returned to her family. The thought of Zuo Qinghuan facing that isolation was unbearable.

Li Xin settled into the front passenger seat, leaving the back for Qin Wanshu and Zuo Qinghuan, allowing Qin Wanshu to offer comfort.

"I'm so sorry, I might not be able to stay with you tonight," Qin Wanshu said, still holding Zuo Qinghuan's hand tightly. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but Zuo Qinghuan's hand felt faintly cold. Qin Wanshu squeezed it tighter, trying to share her warmth.

"It's okay. If you don't go home, your family will worry," Zuo Qinghuan replied, smiling at Qin Wanshu, striving for a natural demeanor.

"I'll sort things out at home. Just wait for me to come back," Qin Wanshu said, her gaze gentle but firm.

"Okay, I'll wait for you," Zuo Qinghuan nodded, believing Qin Wanshu would return, though a knot of worry tightened in her stomach. The Qin family was powerful and influential, and Qin Wanshu was their cherished daughter. Acceptance of her felt unlikely.

Listening to their conversation from the front, Li Xin felt a prickle of irritation. She remembered her own coming out, the family chaos, being cast out. Only after years of self-indulgence and rebellion had her family begrudgingly relented. If an ordinary family could react so strongly, how much more so a prestigious family like the Qins? Their future felt precarious. She hoped Qin Wanshu was extraordinary, strong enough to protect their love. But unease lingered.

If even she, as a friend, felt this restless, how much more must Zuo Qinghuan be suffering behind her forced smile?

Zuo Qinghuan wished the drive could stretch on indefinitely, never reaching their destination, so she and Qin Wanshu wouldn't have to part. But reality intervened, and they soon arrived at her home.

Qin Hai politely opened the car door for her to step out. The aristocratic gesture only amplified Zuo Qinghuan's bittersweet emotions.

Qin Wanshu also alighted and embraced Zuo Qinghuan tightly, her heart heavy with reluctance and pain.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself. I'll handle everything as quickly as I can," Qin Wanshu vowed to Zuo Qinghuan.

"Mmm," Zuo Qinghuan nodded, not wanting to add to Qin Wanshu's worries. Waiting for her return was the only path available to her now.

"Then, I should go back for now." Qin Wanshu felt Zuo Qinghuan's arms tighten around her before slowly releasing her.

"They're gone now. Don't keep looking," Li Xin said gently, unable to watch Zuo Qinghuan staring after Qin Wanshu, a picture of loneliness, almost pitiful.

"She'll be back," Zuo Qinghuan stated with conviction, trying to shake off the heavy sense of loss.

"Mmm," Li Xin murmured, unsure of the source of Zuo Qinghuan's confidence. She didn't foresee things being straightforward. This was, after all, the Qin family. Yet, this was also Qin Wanshu. Perhaps there was still reason for hope.

At least the Qin family possessed some semblance of decorum, waiting until Zuo Qinghuan's discharge before summoning Qin Wanshu home.

"Young lady, the old master has been quite out of sorts lately. He's lost his appetite, become quite thin," Qin Hai remarked, glancing at Qin Wanshu in the rearview mirror. The young lady had always been a dutiful child, never causing concern. This situation was unprecedented.

Qin Wanshu was silent for a moment.

"Hai Shu, do you think I'm wrong?" Qin Wanshu finally asked.

"It's just… unconventional," Qin Hai replied, feeling that someone as exceptional as the young lady deserved a good man to cherish her. Being with another woman just didn't seem right.

"Hai Shu, have you ever done something others disapproved of, but you felt compelled to do anyway?" Qin Wanshu inquired.

Qin Hai fell silent. The old master had once presented him with other opportunities, yet he had insisted on remaining his driver. Others might have questioned his choice, but he had stood firm.

"But the old master isn't as easily swayed as I am," Qin Hai countered. The young lady was sensible, her heart more discerning than most. She must have her reasons, but the old master was unlikely to accept them.

"You're back. Come to the study for tea," Qin Zheng greeted Qin Wanshu as she entered, inviting her to his study.

"Okay," Qin Wanshu agreed, following Qin Zheng to the study filled with antiques, a place she had once cherished.

Qin Wanshu prepared tea while Qin Zheng observed her in silence.

"When you were little, I loved holding you on my knee, teaching you about antiques. You were always the brightest and most obedient child." After a long pause, Qin Zheng picked up his teacup and sighed.

"It was all thanks to your guidance, Grandfather," Qin Wanshu responded with a smile. She knew the depth of her grandfather's affection, but this was a matter on which she couldn't compromise.

"You've always been my pride, the one I trusted most. This… situation has both surprised and saddened me," Qin Zheng adopted a gentle approach.

"Grandfather, I'm sorry to have disappointed you," Qin Wanshu said, a hint of guilt in her tone.

"Let bygones be bygones. End this foolishness, and you'll remain as dear to me as ever," Qin Zheng urged, unable to bear the thought of his beloved granddaughter jeopardizing her future with a woman of questionable background. If Qin Wanshu would only come to her senses, all could be forgiven.

"Grandfather, you know me. I've never acted impulsively, not since I was small. When I commit to something, it's with complete sincerity," Qin Wanshu said, meeting Qin Zheng's gaze directly, her expression unwavering and resolute.