Chapter 91 Giving Up Everything

Chapter 91 Giving Up Everything

"Once you walk out that door, you're no longer the eldest daughter of the Qin family. You'll just be an ordinary person," Qin Zheng stated, his voice questioning.

"Grandfather, my decision is firm," Qin Wanshu replied with a nod. Three days had passed already; the person waiting must be getting impatient.

"Very well, go then." Qin Zheng knew he could have used force to keep them apart, but the harder he pushed, the stronger the resistance would be. Conquering hearts is better than conquering cities, as the saying goes. He understood that forcing the issue when hearts weren't aligned would only lead to ruin for everyone. At his age, Qin Zheng knew this principle well. He didn't want to forfeit the respect his granddaughter had always shown him.

"Thank you, Grandfather," Qin Wanshu said, a hint of apology in her voice, before turning to leave the Qin family home.

"Father..." Lin Jingxian began hesitantly. They had given Wanshu the best of everything since she was a child. And now, they were letting her go with nothing. Even though she trusted Wanshu wouldn't let herself come to harm, it still hurt.

"Do you think I don't feel it? It's because I do that I can't stand to see her throw her future away." With that, Qin Zheng began to tap the table lightly, rhythmically, a habit of his when deep in thought about something important. Wanshu might be untouchable, but Zuo Qinghuan, on the other hand, might have weaknesses.

Lin Jingxian fell silent. She knew her father-in-law wouldn't budge easily. Wanshu had been raised by him, after all, and they shared a similar stubborn streak. Once either of them made up their mind, they were incredibly resolute and wouldn't back down.

Qin Teng drove Qin Wanshu away from the Qin family mansion.

"Sis, I've set up a few accounts for you..." Even though Qin Teng didn't think Zuo Qinghuan was worth his sister giving up everything, he would support her decision without question.

"That's alright. I promised Grandfather I wouldn't take a single cent from the Qin family, or use any of the advantages they gave me." Qin Wanshu was true to her word and wouldn't go back on it. Besides, she wanted to see if she could make it on her own, like a regular person.

"Okay, but seriously, if you need anything at all, just ask," Qin Teng said. He knew his sister never wavered once she'd made a decision.

Qin Wanshu nodded, though she doubted she'd need to. After all, Qin Teng was still part of the Qin family, and his resources were, in a way, still connected to them.

Zuo Qinghuan did her best to keep her emotions in check, going about her day as if nothing had changed. On the surface, she seemed the same as always, but inside, she felt completely different. Before, Zuo Qinghuan had lived without a care in the world, with no one to worry about. But now, her heart held someone who filled her with deep concern.

A while back, Zuo Qinghuan had given Qin Wanshu a key, and Qin Wanshu had accepted it. This had made her incredibly happy. Zuo Qinghuan often daydreamed about opening her door and finding the woman she loved waiting for her. But then, she'd scoff at herself – how could the Qin family ever let Qin Wanshu go that easily?

Zuo Qinghuan unlocked her door and pushed it open, hearing a clatter of sounds from the kitchen. She rushed in, quick as a shot, and there was Qin Wanshu, the person she had been longing for. Tears welled up and spilled down her face immediately. She had come back, just as she'd hoped, and hadn't kept her waiting too long.

Qin Wanshu walked over and wrapped Zuo Qinghuan in an embrace. Seeing Zuo Qinghuan cry always broke her heart.

"Hey, why the tears? Aren't you glad to see me?" Qin Wanshu asked, smiling gently.

"I'm just… too happy," Zuo Qinghuan mumbled, hugging Qin Wanshu tightly, burying her face against Qin Wanshu's neck, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent.

"Don't cry. You look so much prettier when you smile," Qin Wanshu said softly, gently wiping the tears from Zuo Qinghuan's eyes. Zuo Qinghuan didn't say anything, just held Qin Wanshu even closer.

After a long moment, Zuo Qinghuan asked, "How did your family agree to this? Usually, when wealthy families face something like this, they just lock their kids away, right?"

"Grandfather isn't that unreasonable. He might not approve of us, but he wouldn't go to such extremes. He's actually a pretty decent old man…" Qin Wanshu explained briefly.

"So, they just cut you off, but didn't make you break up with me?" Zuo Qinghuan asked, thinking about it. Old Master Qin did seem somewhat reasonable. Anyone who raised Qin Wanshu couldn't be all bad. Still, the pushback was less than she'd expected. Something felt off; it couldn't be this easy.

"More or less. I'm not the eldest daughter of the Qin family anymore. From now on, I'm just an ordinary woman," Qin Wanshu nodded. "I'm a little worried you might think less of me now."

Even though the Qin family had taken back all their gifts and privileges, they couldn't take away the grace and poise Qin Wanshu had cultivated over the years. Those qualities were now ingrained in who she was.

"From now on, I'll take care of you, okay? I just hope I can afford to," Zuo Qinghuan said, a touch of self-doubt in her voice. Looking after someone was one thing, but someone like Qin Wanshu, raised in such luxury, might be beyond her capabilities.

"I'm not as high-maintenance as you might think," Qin Wanshu said with a smile. "From now on, you take care of the world outside, and I'll take care of our home. Everything will center around you."

"So, you're taking over the cooking and running the house?" Zuo Qinghuan teased, noticing the chaotic state of the kitchen. It seemed there were some things Qin Wanshu wasn't so good at after all.

"I just thought I'd give it a go…" Qin Wanshu admitted, a little embarrassed. Watching Zuo Qinghuan effortlessly create her signature dishes, she'd thought it looked easy and decided to try. But she'd quickly found herself in a complete mess, wishing for extra hands. The results were either charred black or barely cooked, a culinary disaster. Qin Wanshu suddenly had a newfound respect for anyone who could manage a kitchen.

"Qin Wanshu's fingers are made for caressing antiques and gliding across piano keys. How could I let them be ruined by something as ordinary as cooking?" Zuo Qinghuan gently examined Qin Wanshu's hands, making sure they were still as perfect as ever. The thought of those beautiful hands getting damaged was unbearable.

"I might never get to touch antiques or play the piano again," Qin Wanshu murmured, noticing how carefully Zuo Qinghuan was looking at her hands. Those skills, too, had been gifts from the Qin family.

"Even so, they must stay perfect. These hands are mine now. They're meant for touching me. And I bet my skin feels better than any antique or piano," Zuo Qinghuan said seriously, though a twinge of regret touched her heart. If Qin Wanshu could no longer touch antiques, she would surely miss it.

Qin Wanshu remembered the sensation of her fingers tracing Zuo Qinghuan's smooth, jade-like skin, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks. Zuo Qinghuan was definitely corrupting her.