The Silent World And Him - Chapter 39

The two kissed, and somehow ended up on the sofa.

Qin Yu was pressing down on her, but Pu Chen didn’t feel his weight at all.

The withered petals and leftover leaves of the roses on the coffee table, which hadn’t been cleaned up yet, were brushed off by her skirt, a mix of red and green scattered on the off-white carpet.

Qin Yu nuzzled and kissed her lips, gently biting her lower lip.

Pu Chen also imitated him, biting him lightly.

Her inadvertent teasing stimulated every nerve in him, the hormones in his body clamoring.

Qin and An both took a quiet breath.

Chen Bao.

He pressed his forehead against hers, finally suppressing that thought.

Pu Chen didn’t wait for what he was going to say next and mouthed, « What’s wrong? »

Qin listened several times before understanding. He pinched her cheek: « Nothing much, just wanted to say I love you. »

Pu Chen: « I love you too. »

I don’t know if he understands.

Qin Yu guessed it, wanted to kiss her, but was almost overcome by his own reason. If he kissed her again, he was afraid he would lose control.

Go take a shower, let’s go to bed early.

Pu Chen nodded.

Qin got up from her, and taking advantage of her shower break, he went to the terrace to get some cold air, calming the restlessness in his body a bit.

He logged into the game and played a few rounds to distract himself.

While he was fighting in the game, Peng Jingyang contacted him, asking when he would come to see him tomorrow.

The development of the voice synthesis app encountered many problems. Previously, he and Peng Jingyang communicated via video calls. Peng Jingyang knew he was back from vacation and suggested gathering together for a meeting to discuss.

Qin and Hui Peng Jingyang: [I am available anytime, just set the meeting time and notify me.]

Peng Jingyang thoughtfully considered: 【You don’t need to accompany Pu Chen? Send me the time you go to her school, and I’ll try to avoid that time slot when I look for you in the future.】

Right now, the most important thing for Qin Yu is to develop the app. He wishes the app could be launched as early as next year, so that Pu Chen would find it much easier to attend classes and communicate with others in daily life.

[The project comes first. I’ll go to their school tonight.]

« Knock, knock, knock, » came the sound of someone knocking on the glass door behind him.

Qin Yu turned around, and Pu Chen came over to find him after taking a bath.

She was holding his coat in her hand, 【Why are you standing here? Aren’t you cold?】

« I’m not cold. » He didn’t take her coat, afraid she would catch a cold. He held her hand and led her back inside.

Pu Chen placed his coat on the sofa, raised his hand to hug him, warming him up.

This hug reignited the anger that Qin Yu had barely managed to extinguish.

Qin Yu lowered his head and kissed her lips, leading her towards the bedroom as he kissed her.

Once on the bed, Qin Yu gestured to her, « Come a little closer to me. »

Pu Chen was confused, not understanding what he meant.

She was already in his arms, the two of them closely pressed together—how could she get any closer?

Qin hinted, « Your leg is too far from me. »

Pu Chenqu hooked his toe on his calf.

Thought to himself, this time it should be close enough.

Unexpectedly, Qin Yu said, « No, tighten your grip. »

Since it was a grip, it definitely meant both legs wrapped around his waist.

Pu Chenchao tilted his head to the side, avoiding eye contact with him, and lifted his legs to climb onto him.

Baby, » Qin Yu coaxed her, rubbing her cheek with his chin, « Turn your face this way.

Pu Chen shook her head; this posture was too intimate, and her heart was already racing.

Qin Yu’s two arms were used as pillows for her, making it inconvenient to move, so he freed one hand to hold her head, facing her towards him. He kissed her eyes: « Why are you squinting? That’s just self-deception. »

Pu Chen smiled and only opened her eyes to look at him after a long moment.

She wrapped one hand around his neck, the other arm embracing his back.

Compared to the last time they were intimate, she was clearly less nervous and much more relaxed.

Qin endured the torment, everything was tight but comfortable with her.

He looked up and comforted her, « Chenbao, relax, or your toes will cramp again. »

Pu Chen: « …… »

Without her phone nearby, she didn’t know how to express herself.

After Qin Yu finished speaking, he buried his head and kissed her again.

Every kiss he placed on her was extremely gentle.

In a daze of passion, Pu Chen only smelled the scent of the roses on the bedside table, stirring quietly within.

Later, when she couldn’t help but want to pull her legs back, Qin Yu tightly held her, not allowing her to move.

Just like last time, at the final moment, her toes cramped again.

She even began to wonder if she was calcium deficient.

Qin Yu got up and bent her toes straight.

After she recovered, he massaged her toes again.

Pu Chen propped herself up and handed him several tissues one after another.

Qin Yu was still relaxing her toes and didn’t take the tissues, saying, « No need. »

Pu Chen stretched out his arm, insisting on wiping his lips for him.

When wiping the corner of his mouth, she was too embarrassed to look directly.

Her toes were finally normal, Qin Yusong released her foot, wiped the sweat from his forehead, having endured a very difficult night and urgently needing relief.

He gave a sideways hug and carried her toward the bathroom, whispering, « Chenbao, help me out. »

Pu Chen buried his face in his neck, nuzzling continuously.

Qin understood what she meant—only she was comfortable, yet he endured such discomfort.

He kissed her forehead, « It’s okay, I just didn’t have a condom ready. »

The shower in the bathroom turned on, and soon, mist filled the air, enveloping the two tightly embracing each other.

—

The next day at noon, Qin went home to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

There was a traffic jam on the road, and he was stuck at an intersection for half an hour without passing through.

Qin Yu called his grandmother to tell her not to wait for him to eat.

After hanging up, Grandma said to Qin Mingyi, « Qin Yu won’t be home for at least two hours. Do you want to change your flight? »

Qin Mingyi had an afternoon flight back to Sucheng and had a meeting with a client in the evening. He originally planned to wait for Qin Yu to come home and have a meal together, but now there wasn’t enough time.

She still decided to go to the airport as planned: « If I change my flight, I won’t make it in time for the appointment with the client. The client is very anxious, and I can’t stand them up. Qin and Jiaqi have such a long holiday; it doesn’t have to be today. »

The housekeeper served a meal to Qin Mingyi, while Grandma and Grandpa waited for Qin Yu to come back and eat together.

Grandma sat beside the dining table, chatting leisurely with her daughter.

With the Spring Festival approaching, she asked her daughter, « Are you still planning to travel for the New Year this year? »

Qin Mingyi did not respond directly: « Mom, can you talk to me about something more digestible, like everyday family matters? »

Grandma lengthened the tone: « Okay. »

She switched to a gossiping tone: « How much revenue did your law firm generate this year? After bonuses, can you make it into the top three of the rich list? »

Qin Mingyi: « …… »

She chuckled silently.

Mom, can you please stop teasing me like this?

Grandma brought the soup to her daughter’s side: « Take a few sips, don’t choke just because you’re too happy. »

The mother and daughter were bickering when Aunt said Qin Minghan had arrived.

Soon after, the sound of a car came from the yard.

Upon hearing this, Qin Mingyi’s face instantly fell.

Grandma nudged her daughter’s arm: « What’s wrong with you again? Just a few days ago, you and Minghan were still getting along well, meeting up for meals every now and then, and now suddenly you’re at odds. Even a three-year-old is better than you two. »

Qin Mingyi almost choked.

Grandma asked, « What exactly happened? »

Qin Mingyi didn’t go into details with his mother, only said, « She’s focused all her attention on me, and yet she won’t let me show any attitude? »

You’re the older sister.

What’s wrong with me being the older sister?

Courtesy before force.

……

Qin Minghan had just parked the car, and before he even reached the villa, a warm voice came first.

“Sis, Second Aunt.”

After calling twice, the person came in.

Grandma patted her daughter’s shoulder and said no more. She had greeted Qin Minghan and, using the excuse of going to the study on the second floor to practice calligraphy, left the dining room to the two sisters.

Since Uncle and Aunt were not on the first floor, Qin Minghan no longer needed to keep up a smiling face. She sat down in the chair where Second Aunt had just been sitting.

From beginning to end, Qin Mingyi didn’t even lift her eyelids, let alone show any good expression towards her.

She knew very well what was going on and no longer pretended to be clueless. Originally, she had come today because of Pu Wenxin’s matter.

“Sis, are you still angry?”

Only then did Qin Mingyi lift her eyelids slightly. “Spare me the fake apologies.”

Even though Qin Minghan knew that my cousin was headstrong, she never expected her cousin to embarrass her like that in front of her.

“Sis, I admit I have selfish motives, but no matter what, I did it with your best interests in mind.”

Qin Mingyi smiled slightly and said, “I don’t need you to think for me.”

Everyone has a temper; Qin Minghan’s last bit of patience finally ran out.

She came over today originally to suppress her anger and politely ask Qin Minghan what was going on, and why Lu Baisheng found out so quickly.

Based on her understanding of Pu Wenxin, Pu Wenxin would never put aside her pride to ask Lu Baisheng for help.

Since Qin Mingyi was already so rude to her, there was no need for her to pretend everything was fine.

She asked, « Was it you who told Lu Baisheng that I went to find Pu Chen? »

Qin Mingyi didn’t respond, leisurely sipping his soup.

It wasn’t her who told Lu Baisheng; it was Pu Chen who asked Lu Baisheng for help.

Qin Minghan still didn’t know that Lu Baisheng was teaching in Sucheng, nor did he know that Lu Baisheng and Pu Chen had such a good relationship.

Qin Mingyi took a moment to reply to Qin Minghan while drinking soup: « I told Lu Baisheng, so what? »

Seeing her cousin’s self-righteous expression, Qin Minghan was furious: « Sister, what exactly do you want to do! »

Qin Mingyi put down the soup bowl, got up to rinse her mouth, and after returning, said calmly, « I want you to understand one thing: you shouldn’t drag me and Qin Yu into your schemes. »

Qin Minghan sneered twice.

Qin Mingyi wiped the back of her hand, covered in water droplets, with a towel. « You think just because we share that blood relation, I’ll turn a blind eye to the schemes you play on me? »

She answered herself, « No way. You don’t even value the family bond between us, yet you expect to use that worthless kinship to manipulate me? »

Qin Mingyi checked her watch; it was getting late, and she had to head to the airport.

She looked at Qin Minghan, smiled, and said, « If you’re unhappy, then just tear things apart with me. I don’t care. But you don’t dare. »

Leaving this provocative remark behind, she went upstairs to say goodbye to her parents.

Qin Minghan restrained the urge to flip the table and stormed off in high heels.

—

When Qin Yu returned home, his mother had already gone to the airport, and he didn’t know that his aunt had been there.

There were only him, grandma, and grandpa at the dining table—a rare moment of warmth.

Grandma asked with concern, « How has that child, Pu Chen, been lately? »

Pretty good, » Qin Yu shared with grandma. « She said she should be able to get a scholarship this semester, and she plans to treat me to a meal and give me a surprise.

Grandma thought seriously for a moment and asked, « Pu Chen didn’t get in with a high score back then, right? » She couldn’t quite remember the exact score.

Qin Yu: « Not really, Chenchen’s college entrance exam scores are only average within their department. »

Grandma sincerely said, « It’s really not easy to get a scholarship. »

During the meal, Grandma would bring up whatever topic made her happy.

After the meal, she asked Qin Yu if he had been in contact with his mother more often recently.

Qin, not wanting to worry Grandma, said against his will, « I’m fine. When my mom is not busy, she will call me. »

Grandma nodded, « Your mother has that kind of temper; only the things you say can get through to her. When you have time, try to find out from the side why she and your aunt are at odds. Even now, I can’t be sure whether it’s her bad temper that can’t tolerate Minghan speaking up, or if Minghan really did something to upset her. »

At noon, she heard from the housekeeper that Qin Minghan left in a huff, ignoring everyone as she left.

It seems the two parted on bad terms.

Qin Yu was not surprised that his mother and aunt were in conflict; both are proud people. His mother is used to being domineering, and his aunt doesn’t have a good temper either.

He told Grandma not to worry, saying that even if there were conflicts, they were just trivial matters over minor disagreements. If there were any serious conflicts, they wouldn’t be able to hide them anyway.

He brought Grandma and Grandpa’s coats. “Let’s go, I’ll drive you and Grandpa to visit your alma mater. I’m just about to go find Peng Jingyang.”

Grandma asked, “Aren’t you going on a date?”

Qin Yu: “I’ll keep Chenchen company tonight.”

—

In the days that followed, Pu Chen could see Qin Yu waiting punctually downstairs at the dormitory every evening. He accompanied her to the cafeteria for dinner, then went to the study room to review. During the day, she hardly saw him; he was extremely busy.

She didn’t understand the AI project and rarely asked him about anything related to it.

After New Year’s Day, they entered exam week.

Pu Chen didn’t forget her promise to Zhao Shu and sent her the exam schedule.

Zhao Shu’s school had an early holiday, two weeks earlier than Pu Chen’s.

She booked her ticket in advance, arriving in Beijing on the last day of Pu Chen’s exam week.

As soon as Pu Chen finished the exam, he immediately told Zhao Shu: 【I’m done with the exam. I’ll pick you up at the station tomorrow. Send me the exact train details.】

Zhao Shu replied with a voice message: “Chenchen, I’m almost at your school now, currently in a taxi. Which dorm building do you live in?” To avoid affecting Pu Chen’s exam, she lied that her ticket was to Beijing tomorrow.

The surprise came unexpectedly. Pu Chen sent his location and blamed himself: 【You came all this way, and I didn’t even go to pick you up.】

Zhao Shu: “There’s no need for us to be so formal. I told you early on that you wouldn’t have time to pick me up, and it would affect your exam.”

I’ll be there in about twenty minutes, you don’t need to rush downstairs.

While waiting for others, Pu Chen packed her suitcase for the holiday trip home.

She was the only one left in the dormitory. Zhuo Xuan had rushed off to a tutoring class after her exam, and the other two roommates had gone shopping together. They all had tickets to go home tomorrow.

Just as the packing was nearly done, Zhao Shu arrived.

The last time the two met was during the National Day holiday; they spent half a day together and had dinner.

Zhao Shu hooked her arm around Pu Chen’s and looked her over: « Why do I feel like you’ve become even more beautiful? »

Pu Chen: […Not really.]

Anyway, I think you’re getting more and more beautiful. » Zhao Shu tugged her arm. « So, do you think I’ve become more attractive? Hurry up and compliment me a couple of times. Three times is fine, the more the better.

The two of them chatted and laughed, as if they had gone back to high school.

After touring the campus, Pu Chen went back to the dorm to get his suitcase. Zhao Shu booked a hotel near Qin Yu’s apartment for convenience to meet her. She first put her luggage in Zhao Shu’s room, and in the evening, the two went out for dinner and shopping.

She sent a message to Qin Yu, telling him he didn’t need to pick her up: [Zhao Shu arrived early, I’m keeping her company today, you focus on your project.]

Qin Yu planned to treat the project team members to dinner that night. They had been working overtime these days, almost going bald from stress, so tonight was for relaxing.

[I was just about to pick you up to have dinner with us, so it’s perfect to invite Zhao Shu.]

Pu Chen didn’t know what Zhao Shu thought. She didn’t rush to reply to Qin Yu but showed Zhao Shu the message Qin Yu sent her and asked, [Do you want to join them? If not, the two of us can go out to eat alone.]

Zhao Shu asked, “Who all is there?”

Pu Chen: [It’s just the people from Qin Yu’s AI project team.]

Zhao Shu knew about this project, and Peng Jingyang was also involved. She didn’t mind eating with people she didn’t know, but she didn’t want any further entanglement with Peng Jingyang.

Just in case, what if he brought his girlfriend to the dinner?

She didn’t want to go through such a heartbreaking scene.

Zhao Shu refused, saying, « Just the two of us, I want to have a good chat with you. »

Pu Chen texted Qin Yu: « Zhao Shu and I are going out to eat alone. »

Qin Yu thought she didn’t want to go because she disliked interacting with strangers and felt burdened, so he said, « Call me when you’re tired from playing, I’ll come pick you up. »

On the way to the hotel, Pu Chen and Zhao Shu sat in the back seat of the taxi watching videos, sharing one earphone, watching the latest episode of a reality show.

Their minds were not on the video.

Pu Chen thought of how she and Qin Yu used to watch entertainment shows together in high school. Although he wasn’t interested, he still watched seriously to keep her company and ease her boredom.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shu’s thoughts had long since drifted miles away.

When she got to university, all her motivation to study was driven by the hope of one day attending undergraduate school in Beijing, then pursuing graduate studies there, striving to be in the same city as Peng Jingyang.

But recently, upon suddenly learning that Peng Jingyang had a girlfriend, she felt like a deflated balloon, unable to rise no matter how hard she struggled.

The taxi stopped downstairs at the hotel, and Pu Chen scanned the code to pay. Only then did Zhao Shu come back to her senses.

She gave an awkward smile: « We’re here so quickly? I was too absorbed in watching. »

Pu Chen also felt it was fast; they arrived at the destination before he even noticed any traffic.

Maybe it was because she had been distracted.

After sending the suitcase back to the room, Zhao Shu changed into a pair of flat shoes, and the two went downstairs to find something to eat.

Pu Chen had said in advance: « Tonight, it’s on me. »

Zhao Shu smiled and said, « Don’t worry, I’ll hold tight to my little purse and definitely won’t compete with you to pay the bill. »

Pu Chen asked her what she wanted to eat. There were many good restaurants nearby, and she suggested, « Let’s go for Western food. I haven’t had it in a long time. »

Zhao Shu wrapped her coat tightly. « The wind in Beijing is really strong. » She walked backward, « In such cold weather, it has to be hot pot. I miss my shrimp paste. If you want Western food, wait until we go with Qin Yu. »

Pu Chen decided to go to the hot pot restaurant she and Qin Yu had visited last time. The broth and dishes there were good, and the snacks were quite special.

She chatted casually with Zhao Shu, talking about how to spend the holiday. It was the first winter break of university, and without piles of winter homework, it felt a bit unfamiliar.

My winter break is quite fulfilling; I’m helping out at a friend’s place.

Zhao Shu didn’t say anything about friends or helping out.

She was going to do odd jobs at Yun Yue Cultural Studio. Qin Yu had invested in the radio drama rights for Xiaoximi and kept urging them to speed up production, hoping it could be released by the New Year.

He wished that on the first day of the new year, Pu Chen could listen to a radio drama adapted from his favorite novel.

—

At seven in the evening, the hotpot restaurant was at its busiest.

Pu Chen and Zhao Shu were standing in line in the waiting area, with several tables ahead of them.

Zhao Shu asked her, « Chenchen, do you come to this hotpot restaurant often? »

Pu Chen: [I’ve only been here once, Qin Yu comes often.]

Zhao Shu nodded, feeling inexplicably uneasy: « Where is Qin Yu treating tonight? Hopefully, he won’t come here too. »

Pu Chen didn’t know where Qin Yu was dining and didn’t ask further.

Zhao Shu felt like she was a jinx; whatever she said seemed to happen.

Ten minutes later, Qin and his group appeared grandly inside the hotpot restaurant.

However, they had reserved a private room in advance, so they didn’t have to queue outside like them.

Zhao Shu immediately spotted Peng Jingyang; the girl walking beside him was tall and beautiful, giving off a cold and aloof vibe. Anyone in this project team must definitely be a top student.

That girl was both good-looking and smart, and she felt completely envious.

« Chenbao. » Qin Yu saw Pu Chen and strode over to them.

Pu Chen « jumped » up from her chair, truly a meeting of minds; she hadn’t expected Qin Yu to choose this same shop.

Qin Yu grabbed Pu Chen’s wrist and looked at Zhao Shu: « Shall we share a table? »

What else could Zhao Shu say? If they hadn’t met, it would be one thing, but refusing now would seem pretentious. She smiled, « Then Boss Qin definitely has to treat. »

Qin and Qian were walking at the very front holding Pu Chen’s hand, with Zhao Shu following behind.

Peng Jingyang caught up in a few steps, “Why didn’t you say a word when you came to Beijing?”

In the past, Zhao Shu would definitely have snapped back: Didn’t say it because I wanted to surprise you, surprise or not?

But now she couldn’t be reckless anymore; she spoke with restraint: “I came to pick Chenchen up to go back, I was afraid you were busy, so I didn’t disturb you.”

Peng Jingyang glanced at her once more but said nothing.

When they arrived at the private room and after introductions, Zhao Shu learned that the beautiful girl was named Xie Jiaying. She was not Peng Jingyang’s girlfriend but their senior, a fourth-year student who had someone she liked.

Xie Jiaying was just collaborating with them on a project.

There was a person sitting between Zhao Shu and Peng Jingyang. She had deliberately chosen this seat so she wouldn’t have to talk to him much and could avoid eye contact with him.

Qin Yu didn’t know what kind of quarrel Zhao Shu was having with Peng Jingyang, and with so many people around, he didn’t want to say much.

Pu Chen tugged at his sleeve, [I’m going to sit with Zhao Shu.]

Qin Yu replied to her on his phone: [Go ahead, help yourself to more of the dishes you like.]

After changing seats, Pu Chen sat between Zhao Shu and Xie Jiaying.

Xie Jiaying was the only girl in the team, and this app was tailor-made for Pu Chen. Her understanding of Pu Chen was limited to the descriptions from Qin Yu and Peng Jingyang, not firsthand.

She was a detail-oriented person, striving for perfection in the details, hoping this app could bring a better user experience to Pu Chen. So she found an excuse to add Pu Chen’s contact information.

“I have a high school classmate who also goes to your school. Next time I visit her, I’ll bring you along.”

Pu Chen nodded and smiled: [Sure.]

She felt that Xie Jiaying was easy to get along with, not as aloof as he appeared.

Xie Jiaying handed her a QR code: « Then let’s exchange contact information. »

After adding him, she saw Pu Chen’s nickname, « Flying Over the Vast Sea, » and she remembered Qin Yu’s nickname was « Your Wings. »

It turned out to be a pair of special couple nicknames.

She wants to fly across the vast sea, and he becomes her wings.