The Silent World And Him - Chapter 36

Qin Yu quickly received a friend request verification message. The sender was the owner of Zhao Shu’s studio. After accepting the request, the two had a half-hour voice call that went very pleasantly.

The owner said they would draft an investment agreement for him as soon as possible, with details to be ironed out gradually.

After ending the call, Qin Yu finally noticed the message Zhao Shu had sent him twenty minutes earlier:

【Chenchen’s emotional threshold has gotten so low now. When she read that novel during summer vacation in her first year of high school, she said it wasn’t heartbreaking at all. She preferred open endings, believing the main couple would eventually come together in a better way rather than settling for less. You’ve spoiled her—the older she gets, the more childish she becomes, prone to tears now (smiling without speaking)】

Qin Yu’s heart sank: 【She’s read that novel before?】

Zhao Shu replied: 【Yeah, it was the first day of summer vacation. She read it all day and through the night, then we spent half the day discussing the plot.】

Qin Yu realized something was off. A vague unease weighed on his chest, growing increasingly intense.

She had clearly read that novel long ago, yet she claimed to have just finished it.

She was crying so hard—it probably wasn’t something happening at home. If anything had happened on Pu Wanli’s side, Lu Baisheng would have informed him immediately, not Pu Chen.

Maybe she was wronged at school, or maybe it had something to do with him.

He urgently needed to confirm one thing.

He didn’t want to broadcast family matters everywhere—it would only invite ridicule.

After some thought, the most appropriate solution was to ask his father for help.

Qin Yu found his father’s number and dialed it immediately.

He Junshuo was in the middle of his afternoon nap, and being interrupted during deep sleep was extremely unpleasant. His mind was foggy, but he could still barely calculate the time on his son’s end—it was 12:40 in the dead of night.

« What are you still doing up in the middle of the night? What’s the matter? » Despite his irritation, He Junshuo sat up to answer his son’s call.

Qin Yu decided not to hide things from his father any longer and explained the whole story, including his plan to pursue a J.D. degree after graduating with his bachelor’s.

He Junshuo rubbed his temples and finally let out a helpless « Hah »—was changing majors something that ran in the family?

Qin Yu had already prepared himself for a scolding from his father, but the expected reprimand and berating never came.

Hey, Dad?

He Junshuo sighed inwardly, « I’m listening. »

Qin Yu: « I thought you’d use your lawyer’s silver tongue to lecture me with life principles, trying to make me give up on pursuing a law degree. »

He Junshuo asked him, « Even if I did, would you listen? »

No.

Then that settles it.

He Junsuo knew exactly what kind of temperament his son had—there was no way he’d reveal his future plans years in advance unless absolutely necessary.

The phone call had completely robbed him of any remaining drowsiness. He threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Go ahead, what do you need help with?

Qin Yu: « Could you check for me whether my mom went to Chenchen’s school this morning? Just take a look at her car’s travel history. »

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of splashing water came through the phone.

He Junshuo finished washing his face before asking: « Did Pu Chen act unusually today? »

Dealing with smart people saves both time and effort.

« Yeah, her eyes were swollen from crying. » Qin Yu regretted not noticing her unusual state right away, actually believing her when she said she’d cried like that from reading a novel.

At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, trusting his mother unconditionally. He believed that even if she disapproved of his relationship with Pu Chen, she would at most hold him accountable and target him directly, never privately approaching Pu Chen. After all, his mother had always despised how Lu Baisheng’s mother used to privately nitpick at Pu Wenxin, making her life miserable.

His mother deeply detested Lu Baisheng’s mother’s behavior.

Who would have thought that after a few years, his mother had changed.

From the moment his mother learned he wanted to study law, his heart inexplicably hung in suspense, yet he still clung to a sliver of hope—perhaps she would take a hands-off approach.

This time, he miscalculated.

Not only did his mother not stay indifferent, she resolved it in a way he never expected.

On the other end of the phone, He Junshuo had just washed his face and stepped out of the lounge.

Washing one’s face with cold water in this season can instantly clear the mind and restore rationality.

He Junshuo leaned back on the sofa and said, « It’s true your mother is in Beijing, but whether she actually went to find Pu Chen or not, I can’t say for certain right now. »

After some contemplation, He Junshuo made a decision: « Here’s what we’ll do—leave this matter to me. Whether your mother went to the school or not, don’t get involved anymore. »

Impossible!

Qin Yu, can’t you trust me just this once?

It wasn’t that Qin Yu didn’t trust his father—it’s just that seeing Pu Chen cry like that tore at his heart.

He Junshuo said, « Since you’ve decided to stay with Pu Chen long-term, surely you don’t want her relationship with your mother to remain hostile, like sworn enemies meeting face-to-face? Pu Chen certainly wouldn’t want that either. »

Qin Yu remained silent.

All he could see was Pu Chen’s tear-swollen eyes.

He Junshuo tried to calm his son down. « If Pu Chen hadn’t been thinking of you, she would’ve told you right away that your mother went to see her. Take a step back—even if you have a huge fight with your mom now, what would it solve in the end? »

Whether it solved the problem or not was secondary; he needed to make his mother understand his stance.

He Junshuo wanted him to realize: « Qin Yu, when a man faces trouble, the priority is solving the trouble. If you want to confront your mom, wait until you’re back to do it face-to-face. If you blow up at her over the phone, can you guarantee she won’t go after Pu Chen again? »

Qin Yu couldn’t guarantee anything—some things, once started, would inevitably have sequels.

He Junshuo said, « What matters now is letting both you and Pu Chen focus wholeheartedly on your own goals without being weighed down by constant anxiety. You need to prioritize. »

These words struck a chord with Qin Yu—he couldn’t let Pu Chen live in perpetual uncertainty.

He Junshuo sighed, « If you truly didn’t care about your mother, you wouldn’t have transferred to Sucheng on her account back then. What you need to do now is figure out how to make someone you care about treat another person you cherish well. »

Qin Yu asked, « What are you planning to do? »

He Junshuo analyzed it for him: « Your mother—even if she went to find Pu Chen, she probably wouldn’t say anything too harsh. It’s still within the realm of fixing things. »

Qin Yu didn’t respond.

He Junshuo spoke matter-of-factly: « You might not understand your mother. She just has an unpleasant temper, but her bark is worse than her bite. Let her spend more time with Pu Chen. Feelings grow over time. Maybe after a few years, she’ll end up being the one who cares about Pu Chen the most, even pushing you two to get married. That way, Pu Chen gains another family member. How nice would that be? »

Qin Yu found it amusing—asking his mother to take the initiative to get along with Pu Chen?

That would be harder than convincing her to remarry his father.

He tactfully asked, « Dad, did you have some drinks at lunch? »

He Junshuo could tell his son was being sarcastic and retorted, « My mind’s perfectly clear. »

Qin Yu: « Then why are you talking nonsense! My mom can’t wait for me to break up with Chenbao right now—how could she possibly be willing to get along with Chen… Chenchen? »

He Junshuo said, « That’s my problem to handle. After twenty years as a lawyer, I should at least have that much skill. »

Qin Yu poured cold water on his optimism, trying to bring him back to reality and not let his confidence go overboard. « My mom is also a lawyer. »

He Junshuo dismissed it casually: « She’s not as seasoned as I am. »

Qin Yu: « …… »

His father rarely took the initiative to involve himself in matters, especially those related to his mother. Though Qin Yu held no hope for his father’s approach, he didn’t refuse this rare gesture of goodwill.

If it could put Pu Chen at ease and stop her from overthinking, he was willing to try any method.

Qin Yu urged his father to clarify things quickly—whether his mother had indeed approached Pu Chen. If not, then Pu Chen must have suffered some great grievance at school, otherwise she wouldn’t have cried so bitterly.

Dad, if it’s not because of Mom, could you go check out what’s going on at the school for me then?

He Junshuo agreed and urged his son to get some rest early before hanging up the phone.

Lost in thought on the sofa for a moment, He Junshuo stood up and sat at his desk. The computer screen was in sleep mode, not even the faint hum of electricity audible. He moved the mouse randomly a few times, and the screen instantly lit up.

Intense blue light washed over his face and reflected in his eyes.

He never expected his son would pursue law.

Since it concerned Pu Chen’s feelings, Qin Yu must be anxious. He Junshuo didn’t delay further—after collecting himself, he contacted Qin Mingyi.

Qin Mingyi always answered his calls with a strictly professional tone: « What’s the matter, Partner He? »

« Personal matter, » he replied.

Apart from their son, Qin Mingyi couldn’t think of any other personal matters between him and her.

Her tone softened slightly: « What’s wrong with Qin Yu? »

He Junshuo countered with a question instead of answering: « Did you go see Pu Chen this morning? »

It seemed to be a statement rather than a question.

Qin Mingyi was eating a strawberry when she suddenly frowned, accidentally biting the tip of her tongue.

She pressed her hand against her forehead, trying to ease the sharp pain radiating from her tongue.

« What’s wrong? » Qin Minghan, sitting across from her, asked softly with concern.

Today she had arranged to have lunch with Qin Minghan. The waiter had just cleared the table and brought a fruit platter for dessert. That strawberry was the first one she’d eaten—who could have guessed she’d be so unlucky as to receive He Junshuo’s call right then?

« Are you feeling unwell somewhere? » Qin Minghan asked again.

Qin Mingyi quickly waved her hand, while He Junshuo on the other end of the phone was still waiting for her answer.

No one was a fool. At this point, if she continued playing coy with He Junshuo by saying she hadn’t gone to Pu Chen’s school, it would just make her look foolish.

She didn’t deny it and asked, « Did Qin Yu tell you? »

He Junshuo: « Qin Yu asked me to help confirm something. He noticed Pu Chen’s mood seems off. »

That simple sentence revealed all the answers she wanted to know—Qin Yu already suspected she’d approached Pu Chen, yet Pu Chen hadn’t told him about their morning meeting.

Qin Mingyi dabbed her lips with a napkin and asked, « What’s the meaning behind this call? »

I don’t want to see you and our son fall out.

« Heh. » Qin Mingyi sneered.

She had long passed the age of being swayed by sweet talk. That account of him helping conceal their son’s early return last time was still marked against him in her books.

His so-called good intentions were nothing more than acting as their son’s advocate.

So I should thank you then.

He Jinshuo had no time for idle chatter with her. He went straight to the point: « From Qin Yu’s first year of high school until now, Mingyi, ask yourself honestly—what positive effect have these years of playing mind games with your son achieved, other than making him more rebellious? »

The remark left Qin Mingyi speechless.

He Jinshuo didn’t spare her any dignity: « All those years as a lawyer have clearly been wasted on you. »

Qin Mingyi instinctively retorted, « This is what they call ‘a physician cannot heal himself!' »

After saying it, she immediately regretted being so polite with him. She should have just bluntly replied with « None of your business » to shut him down.

Have I been practicing law for nothing? It’s not your place to tell me what to do.

He Junshuo didn’t argue with her, keeping his purpose for this call firmly in mind: « Regardless, you now know this path is wrong. Are you still determined to walk it into darkness? »

Qin Mingyi refused to admit she had taken the wrong path.

Yet at noon today, she ate half a bowl more rice than usual—she didn’t know how to explain that.

During the meal, no matter what Qin Minghan said, she couldn’t muster any interest.

And this meal was one she had actively invited Qin Minghan to.

He Junshuo spoke earnestly: « Mingyi, you surely don’t want to end up like Lu Baisheng and his mother with your son, do you? Can’t we try a different approach? »

It’s hard for people to refuse kindness when others put themselves in their shoes, even if this kindness might only be superficial.

Qin Mingyi was no exception.

So when He Junshuo mentioned Lu Bosheng and his mother, she also began to reflect on whether she needed to adopt a more effective approach. After all, she had already seen the dead end of this path—Qin Yu would never compromise with her, and Pu Chen was unwilling to cooperate either. If she continued forward, it would only lead to a hopeless impasse.

In front of her son, she refused to yield, nor was she willing to concede.

Qin Mingyi gradually calmed down, no longer resorting to sarcasm: « I’m all ears. »

He Junshuo prescribed the right remedy: « You frequently come to Beijing on business trips anyway. From now on, every time you’re here, go have a meal with Pu Chen and check in on her—consider it making amends. Tell me, as a worldly lawyer, do you think it’s excessive to threaten a young girl who can’t even speak? »

Qin Mingyi remained silent.

Ever since returning from Pu Chen’s school, she had felt uneasy, especially when recalling Pu Chen’s helpless and lost figure, and that final scene of Pu Chen desperately chasing her car—it had deeply unsettled her.

He Junshuo continued, « Since you love Qin Yu, try to love the crow for the sake of the nest. Spend some time with Pu Chen over the next few years, setting aside all your prejudices to treat her… »

« No, He Junshuo, are you out of your mind, or am I? » Qin Mingyi interrupted him.

This is so absurd—how could he even come up with something like this?

He Junshuo said, « I’m sane, and you’re not crazy either. Can you let someone finish speaking before looking for flaws to counter? Once again, I question your professionalism. »

Qin Mingyi: « …… »

She strongly suspected He Junshuo was using this opportunity to mock her.

He Junshuo poured himself a glass of water. « How can you understand whether Pu Chen and Qin Yu are truly compatible if you don’t interact with Pu Chen? Just based on your mood? Lawyers should never let emotions cloud their judgment. »

Only when you, as a mother, treat your child’s relationship with an ordinary mindset can Qin Yu calm down and understand what he’s doing. Right now, you’re constantly thinking about breaking them apart—you know how rebellious he is. He’ll never admit defeat to you.

He only spoke this much at once when communicating with clients.

He Junshuo took a few sips of water before continuing, « If you want what’s best for your son, you need to do it the right way. Trust me, stop interfering. Let Qin Yu get back on track as soon as possible. Who knows—once he cools down, he might realize law isn’t the right fit for him. »

There was a brief pause of a few seconds.

He made his stance clear: « If Qin Yu still insists on studying law three years from now, then it must be a decision he’s carefully considered. I fully accept any choice he makes—as long as it’s not blind. »

Mingyi, I’ve lived twenty more years than our son—do you really think I still don’t know which path is the right one?

Qin Mingyi patiently listened to his entire speech, yet remained unmoved.

She had to make him face a fact: « He Junshuo, you yourself are a ready-made example of failure. Do you intend to let our son walk the same path you did? »

These words didn’t sit well with He Junshuo. What did she mean by calling him a failure?

He retorted, « Do you think choosing to study law for you back then was a failure? »

Qin Mingyi didn’t respond to his questioning. The emotions she had hidden for over a decade were being unraveled thread by thread today, and that discomfort invaded every fiber of her being.

That was his failed past, but wasn’t it also her failed life?

There was silence from her end for quite some time. He Junshuo continued on his own: « When I chose to become a lawyer back then, my parents fully respected my decision and gave me ample time to consider it. »

Qin Mingyi could understand why He Junshuo had come as a mediator today. He wanted to give Qin Yu the most basic respect, just as his parents had done for him back then.

After the divorce, it was the first time they had laid their past out in the open to hash things out.

Back then, He Junshuo had even been willing to abandon the path his parents had paved for him abroad to return to China and start a business with her. Their families were well-matched in social status, they got married, and even had Qin Yu—so how did it all end up?

They still got divorced in the end.

So much for so-called love. She never expected He Junshuo to remain so stubborn after his own fall, still insisting on indulging Qin Yu.

Qin Mingyi asked him, « He Junshuo, have you ever regretted anything over the years? »

The sudden mention of the beginning stirred waves in He Junshuo’s heart, even though he was mentally prepared.

He asked, « Regret what? »

Qin Mingyi’s fingers were still twisting the napkin, which had become her outlet for the turbulent past. Neither she nor He Junshuo were the type to dwell on memories, so after their divorce, they each fell in love again and remarried.

Those who knew them couldn’t believe it—they had severed their past so completely, so thoroughly that their marriage seemed like nothing more than a product of two families’ alliance, something not worth regretting even if lost.

Yet the torment and pain in her heart were known only to herself.

Struggling to detach from the past, she finally found her voice to answer his earlier question: « Regretted leaving your family to return to China with me, regretted becoming a lawyer. »

He Junshuo always spoke to her with unshakable rationality: « Attorney Qin, where’s your logical thinking? Who would let their child relive the very thing they regret? »

Qin Mingyi didn’t want to argue with him because she didn’t want to bring up their past again. But she had to admit that He Junshuo’s phone call had shaken some of her previously firm convictions.

In her game with Qin Yu, it was clear she had lost, yet she refused to give up, trying to turn the tables at the last moment. Now He Junshuo had made it abundantly clear to her that there would be no comeback.

Why bother struggling in vain?

As soon as she hung up, Qin Minghan pushed a fruit platter toward her, suggesting she eat some strawberries to cool her temper.

Qin Mingyi was no longer angry now. She popped one into her mouth—the strawberry was sweet and tart, but she wasn’t in the mood to savor it, letting her mind wander freely.

Qin Minghan didn’t know what He Junshuo had said on the phone, but the change in her cousin’s attitude before and after was obvious.

She asked, « What brilliant advice did my brother-in-law give you? »

Qin Mingyi swallowed the strawberry and briefly relayed He Junshuo’s idea.

Qin Minghan laughed: « You’re really planning to listen to your brother-in-law? »

It’s not about whether to listen or not, it’s that I don’t have a better solution. » This was Qin Mingyi’s last resort. She always had one concern: « You know how deep the rift is between me and Qin Yu.

Although they both avoided mentioning it, the rift remained unhealed day after day, constantly reminding her that her son had nearly lost his life because of her.

She was afraid of pushing Qin Yu too hard, forcing him to break up with Pu Chen, only for him to give up on himself completely like he did in his first year of high school. She didn’t dare gamble, nor could she afford to.

So, she wanted to try He Junshuo’s method to see if she could truly let go of her ingrained prejudice against Pu Chen.

Qin Minghan picked the largest strawberry for her: « When are you planning to reconcile with Pu Chen? »

Qin Mingyi wasn’t in the mood to think about it right now. Having just confronted her, immediately turning around to reconcile felt too awkward—she needed time to mentally prepare herself.

She dodged the question: « We’ll see. I’m too busy lately. »

Qin Minghan nodded thoughtfully but said nothing more.

She hadn’t expected her cousin to genuinely try understanding Pu Chen.

—

After several hours of calming down, Pu Chen’s emotions gradually stabilized by afternoon. Alternating between warm and cold compresses on her eyes had mostly reduced the swelling.

The other two roommates, being locals, had gone home for the weekend, leaving only her and Zhuo Xuan in the dorm.

Her eyes were swollen from crying, but Zhuo Xuan didn’t ask her a single word about it, giving her enough time to heal on her own. In the afternoon, Zhuo Xuan didn’t suggest going to the study room either, instead silently keeping her company in the dorm.

At one particularly difficult moment, she dug out the diary she had written in high school to read.

That bittersweet and awkward feeling was still fresh in her memory.

[« Today marks the eleventh day since Qin Yu transferred here. I couldn’t control myself – every break between classes I went to the bathroom, then came back only to go to the water dispenser. Each time I went out, I felt guilty, afraid someone might notice I was going in and out repeatedly just to catch glimpses of Qin Yu. During one break, I walked past the back door twice, passing by him both times. »]

【Today marks the twenty-second day since Qin Yu transferred here. It’s my turn for classroom duty today. I asked Dad for a new absorbent towel to use as a cleaning cloth at school. I wiped the outer guardrail platform several times—that’s where Qin Yu likes to lean during breaks to play games.】

【Today is the one hundred ninety-fifth day since Qin Yu transferred. Qin Yu pinned my school badge onto his uniform, but unexpectedly got caught by the teacher on duty.】

【Today is the three hundred sixty-fourth day since my secret crush diary was discovered—which also happens to be the three hundred sixty-fourth day since Qin Yu and I confessed our feelings to each other. During lunch, Qin Yu asked me, « Chenchen, do you know what tomorrow is? »】

[« Of course I remember. How could I forget? »】

While reading the diary, her phone vibrated.

Pu Chen snapped out of her thoughts from the diary and put it away.

Qin Yu sent her a message: [« Baby, are you in the dorm? »]

It was only a little past 3 a.m. where he was. Pu Chen typed as quickly as she could: [« Yes, it’s the weekend. Why are you up so early? Or have you not slept yet? »]

Afraid he would worry about her, she proactively reported before he could ask: [My eyes are much better now, they don’t hurt. Unless you look closely, you can’t tell I’ve been crying. I’ll never read that novel again.]

Qin Yu replied to her first concern: [I didn’t sleep. I was afraid I’d wake up to a breakup message from you. Before dawn breaks, I wanted to reach out first.]

A dull ache spread through her chest. Pu Chen asked: [You knew?]

Qin Yu: [Yeah.]

They had been chatting through text the whole time, and he never suggested switching to video call.

[« I don’t know what my mom told you, and I’m sure you won’t repeat it verbatim to me. But whatever she said was definitely spoken with prejudice and resentment—just take it with a grain of salt and don’t take it to heart. »]

[« Whether it’s my current university or the law school I’ll be attending in the future, both are what I’ve always dreamed of. If you had the chance to study at these two schools, you’d make the same choice as me. You’ve never held me back—I didn’t stay in the country for college because of you, and you never got discouraged in high school just because I was going abroad. We’ve both been striving for the schools we love. So, Chenbao, don’t let my mom’s words make you doubt the three years of effort we’ve put in. »]

Seeing her silence, Qin Yu typed: [« Baby, say something. »]

Pu Chen: [« Qin Yu, I’m here. »]

Qin Yu sent another message: [« I’m just afraid that when the time comes, you’ll be dead set on breaking up with me, and no matter how hard I try to win you back, it’ll be impossible—just like with Teacher Lu and Auntie. »]

[« Chen Bao, no matter what happens, promise me you won’t break up with me just because you think it’s ‘for my own good,’ okay? That kind of ‘good’ is not what I need. »]

Pressing her eyelids, Pu Chen thought, [« I turned down Auntie’s request this morning. She must be very upset. I won’t break up with you unless one day you stop liking me. »]

Qin Yu let out a sigh of relief, the weight on his chest finally lifting. Heart aching, he said, « How could I not like you? You have no idea how much I adore you. »