Volume 1, Chapter 58: Miss Lin Has Woken Up

Metaphysics is a profound study: it exists if you believe in it, and ceases to exist if you do not.

Yet too many people spoke of it, and there were so many facts and coincidences attached to it. Terrified that misfortune might befall them, no one dared to trouble Song Qinian anymore.

In fact, whenever they saw Song Qinian, they would greet her with a warm smile, leaving her face stiff from smiling back.

Song Qinian had expected Shen Chiyan to keep her in the Planning Department, but to her surprise, she received a WeChat message from him that very afternoon.

"Double your salary, and get your ass up to the eighteenth floor right now!"

The moment Song Qinian saw the words "double your salary," her heart raced and her eyes lit up.

Upon hearing that Song Qinian was leaving, Miao Ziai wore a mournful expression, clinging to her and refusing to let go. "Yushu is already gone, and now you're heading to the eighteenth floor too. What am I going to do all by myself?"

Song Qinian comforted Miao Ziai for a long time.

"You can come and find me whenever you want, and we can still have lunch together at noon."

"Are we still best friends then?"

"Of course!"

Only then did Miao Ziai release Song Qinian, watching with lingering reluctance as she headed up to the eighteenth floor.

With her salary doubled, Song Qinian was in high spirits, and everything she looked at seemed wonderful.

Li Nanxun had specially arranged a workstation for Song Qinian, situated right outside Shen Chiyan's office.

The work in the President's Office was no lighter than in the Planning Department. Song Qinian was kept in a constant flurry of activity every day, yet she rarely caught a glimpse of Shen Chiyan.

Time flew by, and soon it was May 20th—coincidentally falling on a weekend, which was also Song Qinian's birthday.

Early in the morning, Song Qinian received a flood of congratulatory messages and red envelopes.

Shen Keqin had bought her a designer handbag.

"Sister-in-law, my dad has been keeping me on such a tight leash lately. He won't let me out, so I can't celebrate your birthday with you. But the moment my dad leaves, I'll take you out to party."

Shen Keqin's father was a lawyer who frequently traveled away from home for trials.

When he was not around, Shen Keqin was an unruly little tyrant whom no one could control; but the moment he returned home, her days of reckoning began.

Unless she was lectured continuously for three days and three nights, it would not do justice to his reputation as a master orator in the legal world.

"Oh, right, Sister-in-law, today is your birthday—did my brother do anything special for you?"

At this thought, a pang of bitterness washed over Song Qinian. Forget about any grand gestures; she had not even seen Shen Chiyan for several days.

Although throughout their three-year marriage Shen Chiyan had never accompanied her on her birthday, a part of her still harbored expectations.

"No, he's probably just too busy."

"Hmph, busy with what? Today is May 20th—for all we know, he's holding a bouquet of roses and keeping Lin Qiutong company."

Guessing it in her own heart was one thing, but having Shen Keqin bluntly expose it was quite another.

Her chest felt tight and heavy. Song Qinian took a deep breath, trying her best to steady her mindset.

It was normal for Shen Chiyan to accompany Lin Qiutong; it would have been abnormal if he had come to celebrate her birthday instead.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

A sudden knock echoed. Song Qinian walked over and opened the door to find Zhang Qiaoqiao standing outside.

"Young Madam, the Young Master had this sent over. He said you should put it on and head to Ozone Restaurant."

Song Qinian stood frozen for several seconds. Realizing this was real and not just a dream or product of her imagination, an overwhelming surge of joy bloomed in her heart.

With trembling excitement, she opened the package to reveal a pink-and-white dress adorned with shimmering micro-diamonds. It looked breathtakingly gorgeous, instantly captivating anyone who laid eyes on it.

Moreover, at a single glance, it was clearly exorbitantly expensive.

Song Qinian caressed it affectionately, almost reluctant to wear it.

After all, this was the very first gift Shen Chiyan had ever given her.

Yet, reflecting that clothes were meant to be worn, and fearing she might keep Shen Chiyan waiting too long, she quickly changed into the dress and applied a light touch of makeup.

Unable to calm her surging excitement, Song Qinian wanted to share her joy with someone, so she sent a WeChat message to Shen Keqin.

Shen Keqin replied excitedly with a flurry of voice messages.

"Ahhhhh, Sister-in-law, you look stunning!"

"It's the dress that's pretty."

"If a person isn't pretty, no amount of gorgeous clothing helps. I misjudged my brother earlier; I never expected him to be so thoughtful. Ozone Restaurant is the most luxurious and romantic open-air restaurant in Jinghua City. Dining there even allows you to watch the fireworks over the Bund."

Song Qinian smiled, her excitement mounting.

"Sister-in-law, today is a golden opportunity. Since my brother invited you to dinner, he must be celebrating your birthday. You must seize this chance firmly, and use your charm to captivate my brother so he can never leave your side."

Excited yet nervous, knowing it was both May 20th and her birthday, Song Qinian took Shen Chiyan's proactive invitation as a sign that his feelings toward her had changed.

The lingering gloom in her heart was instantly swept away, and she hailed a cab to Ozone Restaurant.

Having harbored a secret crush on Shen Chiyan for so many years, she was determined to fight for and hold onto such an opportunity with all her might.

When Song Qinian arrived at the restaurant, Shen Chiyan had not yet appeared. She took her seat, pulled out a small mirror to check her appearance, and smoothed down her makeup and hair.

She wanted to present her most beautiful and flawless self to Shen Chiyan.

Given that it was May 20th, the restaurant was filled with couples.

Everyone around her was affectionate, sweet, and deeply enamored.

Watching them, Song Qinian felt a mixture of envy and longing.

When would she ever be able to openly kiss, hug, and feed each other publicly with Shen Chiyan?

Minutes ticked by. Song Qinian checked the time—it was already half-past nine, and the fireworks show had already begun.

Meanwhile, the moment Shen Chiyan stepped off the plane, he hurried toward Ozone Restaurant. Glancing at his wristwatch, he figured Song Qinian should have already arrived by now.

Had it not been for his grandmother's persistent phone calls, coupled with Song Qinian's recent acceptable behavior, he wouldn't have bothered celebrating her birthday at all.

Heh... wasn't it just a birthday?

Book a restaurant, eat a meal—how simple.

Even so, Shen Chiyan could not help imagining how Song Qinian would look wearing that pink-and-white dress.

Song Qinian had few virtues, but her skin was exceptionally fair and tender, feeling as though a gentle pinch would yield water.

Whenever Shen Chiyan looked at her, he always loved leaving traces of himself upon her skin.

Seeing his own marks scattered across her pale, delicate skin always sent an inexplicable sense of accomplishment surging through his heart.

"Gao Kunlun, drive faster!"

"Yes, sir!"

Gao Kunlun glanced at Shen Chiyan through the rearview mirror and smiled secretly. It was the first time he had ever seen the Fifth Master look so anxious to meet someone.

Had the Young Madam finally weathered the storm to see the dawn?

Gao Kunlun pressed harder on the accelerator. When they were still a dozen kilometers away from Ozone Restaurant, Shen Chiyan's phone suddenly rang. Pulling it out to see a call from the hospital, his brow twitched slightly.

Still, he pressed answer. "Hello..."

"Mr. Shen, Miss Lin has woken up!"

Shen Chiyan's heart violently convulsed. He snapped sharply at Gao Kunlun in the front seat, "Pull over!"

Startled, Gao Kunlun slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching harshly against the asphalt.

"What did you say? Say it again?"
The doctor said excitedly, "It's wonderful news! Miss Lin has been in a vegetative state for three years and has finally woken up. It's truly a medical miracle."

Shen Chiyan gripped the phone tightly, a fierce struggle playing across his features.

"Fifth Master..."

He squeezed his eyes shut tightly. When he opened them again, his voice was chillingly cold. "U-turn, head to the hospital!"

"Ah... but the Young Madam is waiting for you!"

"I said make a U-turn!"

To Shen Chiyan at this moment, ten Song Qinians could not compare to the importance of a single Lin Qiutong.

Though Gao Kunlun felt a twinge of resentment, he dared not defy Shen Chiyan, and obediently turned the car around toward the hospital.