Chapter 131 Zuo Qinghuan's New Posture: Maturity and Confidence
Through the glass door, Qin Wanshu watched Zuo Qinghuan presiding over a meeting with the company's senior executives. Dressed in a white suit, Zuo Qinghuan appeared more mature than usual. Her long hair, often worn loose, was tied back, giving her a sharper, more capable look—a stark contrast to the woman who would often playfully seek comfort in Qin Wanshu's arms. The serious, confident expression on her face held a unique charm; indeed, she drew even more attention now than before.
"I've reviewed the company's accounts," Zuo Qinghuan was saying, "and found that management costs have remained excessively high over the past few years, with many unreasonable expenditures. I won't delve into past issues, but after I take over..." She paused mid-sentence, suddenly spotting Qin Wanshu standing outside the glass door, watching her. Zuo Qinghuan glanced at her watch; Qin Wanshu had arrived half an hour early.
As soon as the meeting concluded, Zuo Qinghuan immediately pulled Qin Wanshu into her office. The moment the door closed, she wrapped her arms around Qin Wanshu.
"Have you been waiting long?" Zuo Qinghuan's heart ached at the thought of making Qin Wanshu wait for half an hour.
"I just arrived early," Qin Wanshu replied. Just moments ago, she had thought Zuo Qinghuan seemed more mature, yet in private, she was still just as clingy. Qin Wanshu naturally returned the embrace, realizing she felt an ever-growing desire to pamper this woman.
"I'll go change right now." Zuo Qinghuan drew the curtains and, right in front of Qin Wanshu, began removing her white suit, ready to change into an outfit she had prepared earlier.
Seeing Zuo Qinghuan undress so openly before her, Qin Wanshu felt a little awkward keeping her gaze fixed on Zuo Qinghuan's body, now clad only in underwear. While not exceptionally buxom, Zuo Qinghuan possessed a delicate, beautiful figure. Her slender frame evoked a certain fragility, stirring an urge to reach out and hold her, making it difficult for Qin Wanshu to look away.
Quickly, Zuo Qinghuan changed into a simple yet elegant outfit that further accentuated her refined, almost ethereal beauty, lending her an air of quiet grace.
"Is this okay?" Zuo Qinghuan was delighted that Qin Wanshu was watching her intently. If it weren't for the dinner at the Qin family home tonight, she might have been tempted to tease Qin Wanshu further. But there would be plenty of time for that later; the first meeting with the parents was crucial.
"It's perfect." Qin Wanshu stepped closer and undid Zuo Qinghuan's hair, letting it fall loose. She preferred Zuo Qinghuan with her hair down; it made her look particularly gentle and well-behaved. Elders always favored well-behaved children.
"Then let's go." Zuo Qinghuan linked her arm through Qin Wanshu's. A complex mix of anticipation and nervousness churned within her.
"Mm," Qin Wanshu nodded.
"Are you nervous?" Qin Wanshu asked Zuo Qinghuan, who was now in the passenger seat.
"It's alright." There was a tiny flutter of nerves, but it was well within manageable limits.
"Good, don't be nervous." Qin Wanshu leaned over to fasten Zuo Qinghuan's seatbelt, planting a light, fleeting kiss on her cheek, like a dragonfly skimming the water's surface, before returning to the driver's seat.
Though just a brief touch, the kiss brought Zuo Qinghuan an inexplicable sense of peace. As long as Qin Wanshu was by her side, she felt she could face anything.
The car soon arrived at the Qin family's ancestral home. This was her second time entering the Qin residence. Compared to the secretive way she had entered last time, she could finally walk in openly and honorably. The stark difference filled Zuo Qinghuan with a touch of emotion.
Qin Teng was leaning against a pillar by the main gate. Seeing his sister and Zuo Qinghuan get out of the car, he mused inwardly that since his sister was formally bringing Zuo Qinghuan back, he naturally had to be present for this rather significant meal.
"Long time no see." Zuo Qinghuan greeted Qin Teng proactively and gracefully. She noticed that Qin Teng seemed more sullen compared to his carefree, rebellious demeanor three years ago. Unbeknownst to her, Qin Teng was furious that Shi Yunyang had chosen to get serious with a woman far inferior to Zuo Qinghuan. He would rather Shi Yunyang remain heartless and continue playing games than settle down with someone utterly insignificant.
Qin Teng felt a flicker of surprise. If he recalled correctly, the Zuo Qinghuan from three years ago seemed quite afraid of him, usually choosing to avoid him passively. This was the first time she had initiated contact so directly, seemingly unafraid. Truly, after three years apart, one must see others with new eyes. Comparing her to the woman currently beside Shi Yunyang, Qin Teng suddenly felt his sister's taste in women was vastly superior to Shi Yunyang's. The more he looked at Zuo Qinghuan, the more pleasing she seemed. Qin Teng's biggest frustration now was the woman named Xu Zhaodi, Shi Yunyang's current partner. He had initially thought Shi Yunyang was just trying a simple dish for a change and would soon tire of her, but Shi Yunyang had actually gotten serious.
"Three years no see. It seems you're no longer the ignorant Lü Meng of old," Qin Teng remarked, raising an eyebrow. (Note: "吳下阿蒙" refers to Lü Meng before he dedicated himself to study, implying someone hasn't improved.)
"Looking at things with a developmental perspective is never wrong," Zuo Qinghuan replied with a smile.
"I heard you're the adopted goddaughter of Kitano Mine?" The Kitano Group was a major Japanese conglomerate. With Kitano Mine as a godfather and being on good terms with the future heir of the Kitano Group, Zuo Qinghuan indeed possessed some capital now.
"I'm grateful that Godfather didn't mind my background," Zuo Qinghuan answered lightly, not feeling it was something worth boasting about.
"Truly a case of the carp leaping over the dragon gate, your value has increased a hundredfold." Qin Teng's tone was ambiguous, neither praise nor criticism. Perhaps in his eyes, her origins were still a stain; even becoming Kitano Mine's daughter was merely borrowing power, like a fox exploiting a tiger's might. But some things couldn't be changed, only accepted gracefully. Over the years, Zuo Qinghuan had learned another lesson: to earn others' respect, you must first respect yourself.
"A soldier who doesn't want to become a general isn't a good soldier. A carp that doesn't want to become a dragon isn't a good carp," Zuo Qinghuan retorted nonchalantly, smiling at Qin Teng.
It seemed Zuo Qinghuan had come fully prepared for this visit to the Qin family. As his sister's woman, she barely passed muster, Qin Teng thought.
"Let's go inside," Qin Wanshu finally spoke. She had deliberately refrained from intervening to help Zuo Qinghuan, wanting her to handle Qin Teng alone. Seeing Zuo Qinghuan manage the situation appropriately, Qin Wanshu felt relieved. The three years spent honing her skills abroad had indeed been worthwhile.
When Lin Jingxian saw Zuo Qinghuan beside her daughter, she was somewhat taken aback. The young woman looked so clean and refreshingly unconventional; Lin Jingxian couldn't imagine her past identity at all. She seemed extremely well-behaved, like a child from a prominent family.
Looking at Lin Jingxian, Zuo Qinghuan saw a woman who radiated elegance yet possessed a gentle warmth. Wasn't this the kind of mother she had yearned for as a child? A world apart from her own stunning but somewhat irresponsible mother, Zuo Yan. Lin Jingxian looked like the epitome of a good wife and loving mother, gentle as water, exuding a softness that naturally drew people closer. Qin Wanshu resembled her somewhat, though Qin Wanshu's beauty seemed to surpass even her mother's, a case of the student outshining the master.
"Hello, Auntie. I'm Zuo Qinghuan. You can call me Xiao Huan." Zuo Qinghuan offered Lin Jingxian a sweet smile. She felt that connecting with Qin Wanshu's mother was effortless; on the contrary, she felt very much like a mother figure.
Children who smiled readily were often endearing. Looking at Zuo Qinghuan, whose smile was as pure as a lotus flower, Lin Jingxian immediately felt a sense of fondness. Like Qin Wanshu, she believed that appearance reflected the heart, so Zuo Qinghuan's looks greatly appealed to both mother and daughter.
"Come sit next to me." Lin Jingxian beckoned Zuo Qinghuan to sit beside her.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed by the favour, Zuo Qinghuan obediently sat down next to Lin Jingxian. Connecting with Qin Wanshu's mother felt completely natural; she truly exuded a motherly warmth.
Qin Wanshu watched them with a faint smile. She knew her mother would like Zuo Qinghuan.