The two were now living together.
After confirming it with Ye Lingyun repeatedly, Sheng Yunshu could not wait a moment longer. That very afternoon, she sent a message to Sheng Qingshan, asking her to come to the hospital to pick her up after work.
Her manager, Wu Jiang, followed her instructions and packed a few outfits to bring over.
“My dear ancestor, the bandage on your head has not even been removed. Can you not sit still for a while?” Wu Jiang looked at the woman who had switched from a small suit to a camisole dress and sat on the sofa, feeling exhausted. “You are staying at the Sheng residence tonight? What are the arrangements for tomorrow? I already talked to Director Shen about the film set. Do you have any plans?”
Although Shengshi was now under the management of Sheng Yanzhou, Wu Jiang was still used to addressing Sheng Qingshan that way during their conversations.
“I do not know. We will see when the time comes.” Sheng Yunshu changed into a cherry-pink long dress, lifted the hem, and twirled around. “Sister, does this look good?”
Wu Jiang yawned. “It looks good. You look good in everything. Are you still not going back home?”
Wu Jiang knew a little bit about her home situation.
Actually, that was not what she really wanted to ask. Since both of them had confirmed there was no blood relationship, would it not be awkward to continue living together? It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Sheng Yunshu did not catch the implication and was busy trying on hats. “No, I am not going back. If I do, we will just argue again. It is too troublesome.”
Hearing her say that, Wu Jiang did not pry further; she simply urged her to focus on recovering and not to cause any more fuss.
When Sheng Qingshan pushed the door open, the hospital room was already in a state of chaos.
There were four or five dresses spread across the bed, several suits and casual clothes piled on the sofa, and all sorts of bags strewn from the nightstand to the windowsill. The culprit was standing in front of the full-length mirror, holding two hats and comparing them with a conflicted expression.
Wu Jiang was curled up in the corner of the sofa, scrolling through her neural link with a look of despair. When she saw Sheng Qingshan enter, she stood up as if she had seen a savior. “Manager Sheng, you are finally here.”
Sheng Qingshan glanced at the mess in the room, her gaze eventually settling on Sheng Yunshu.
The bandage on her head was still there, and the thin straps of the camisole dress hung precariously over her shoulders, revealing a pale, delicate collarbone. The cherry-pink skirt draped down to her ankles. When she turned around and smiled softly, Sheng Qingshan felt as though she were seeing a flower just starting to bloom in spring.
It was just that the blooming season for this flower was too short.
“Sister, which one do you think looks better?” Sheng Yunshu had not given up; she wanted Sheng Qingshan to make the choice for her.
“Are you going to a gala?” From the sofa, Sheng Qingshan picked up a coat to drape over her and chose a wide-brimmed hat, placing it on her head to avoid pressing against her injury. “Is everything packed?”
“Why are you like this? This dress is not meant to be paired with a coat, let alone buttoned up! It looks terrible!” Sheng Yunshu complained, and while Sheng Qingshan was not paying attention, she unbuttoned the coat and threw a small tantrum.
Knowing Sheng Qingshan was asking her, Wu Jiang quickly said, “Everything is packed, Manager Sheng. Yunshu does not have many things; I will send over anything else she needs later.”
Sheng Qingshan nodded. As she turned her head, she saw Sheng Yunshu letting the coat slip down to her elbows, revealing her rounded shoulders.
“Your injury has not healed yet. What if you catch a cold dressing like this?”
“Can you not just turn up the air conditioning? Do not be fierce with me. I get a headache when I get angry!”
Sheng Qingshan did not want to argue with her. She pulled the coat back up, wrapped her arm around her shoulder, and left.
Watching them leave, Wu Jiang started cleaning up the mess, reflecting on what she had just seen.
Some things easily look wrong in the eyes of outsiders.
Although Sheng Yunshu was usually cheerful and loved to joke, she always kept a distance from everyone and never easily troubled others. But once she was in front of Sheng Qingshan, she turned into a young girl who loved to act spoiled, could be unreasonable, and would throw a tantrum if the other person spoke harshly to her.
Sheng Qingshan’s attitude was even more obvious. If it were not for the fact that the age gap between them was small, Wu Jiang believed that anyone familiar with how they interacted would have misunderstood their relationship.
Wu Jiang shook her head, cast those messy thoughts aside, and focused on packing the clothes.
The layout of Sheng Qingshan’s residence was very similar to the villa Ji Xi lived in, except that outside the first floor of Ji Xi’s house was a garden, while here there was a swimming pool, and it occupied a much smaller area than Ji Xi’s place.
Sheng Qingshan did not spend much time living here, and she did not need much space.
As soon as Sheng Yunshu entered the house, she threw her coat on the floor and spread her arms, flying around the room like a butterfly. Then, amidst Sheng Qingshan’s suddenly raised voice, she dove onto the sofa.
“Sister, I am starving. I want to eat!” Sheng Yunshu rolled over, lying on her back, and when she looked to the side, she saw a fluffy little panda holding a snack tray walking toward her.
“Dinner is already prepared. You must wash your hands before eating, Second Miss.”
Sheng Yunshu hugged her, rubbing her face against the fluffy belly. “01, I missed you so much. Did you miss me?”
“01 also missed Second Miss.”
“01, you are talking, hey, hey.”
Before Sheng Yunshu could finish, she felt a mysterious force lift her up.
“Sit up straight. Do you want to lie in the hospital for a few more days?” Sheng Qingshan checked her wound, her expression unhappy.
“Stingy! Sister Ye already said I was fine. Why are you so nervous?”
Although she protested, Sheng Yunshu would not go against her in this situation.
When dinner started, seeing a table full of the plainest vegetable dishes, Sheng Yunshu put down her chopsticks and looked up at Sheng Qingshan.
“This is abuse! I am a patient, and I need nutrition!”
She wanted to eat meat!
Sheng Qingshan had anticipated this; she had 01 bring over a bowl of minced meat steamed with egg and said calmly, “Before the wound heals, the diet should be light.”
Sheng Yunshu looked at the single serving of steamed egg and then at the spread of vegetables, becoming more convinced that Sheng Qingshan was tormenting her.
“Sheng Qingshan!” Sheng Yunshu crossed her arms. “I was almost killed in a car accident, and even if you do not feel sorry for me, you will not even give me a bite of meat? Do you have someone else outside and spent all your money on them?”
When she said the last sentence, Sheng Yunshu felt inexplicably nervous.
Sheng Qingshan picked up a piece of green vegetable and put it into her bowl, glancing at her faintly. “First, you were not killed in a car accident; it was just some abrasions and a mild concussion. Second, the doctor clearly advised avoiding greasy, spicy, and irritating foods for a week. Third, you do not need to worry about my financial situation; I have more than enough to support a hundred of you.”
01 stood to the side, its round black eyes flashing with confusion. “Master, Second Miss looks very unhappy. Do I need to play some soothing music?”
“No need.” Sheng Qingshan picked up her bowl and ate slowly. “Let her fuss. She will quiet down once she is tired.”
“Who is fussing? I am making a reasonable request!”
Seeing that she denied her suspicion, Sheng Yunshu felt relieved. She grumbled a few times and began eating honestly, though she could not help but comment again after a few bites.
“I have to eat this, but why are you eating it with me?”
Sheng Qingshan was usually so tired; how could these few vegetable dishes be enough?
To this, Sheng Qingshan did not reply, only letting her focus on eating.
After the meal, Sheng Yunshu asked where she would be sleeping.
Sheng Qingshan took her upstairs and opened the door next to the master bedroom. “It is not as if you have never stayed here before.”
“Can I not ask?”
Sheng Yunshu walked inside with her hands behind her back and took a tour. She found it exactly as it was the last time she was here. Her smile deepened, and she pushed Sheng Qingshan out.
“Alright, I am going to wash up. Good night, see you tomorrow!”
“Good night. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me immediately.”
“I know! Good night, good night.”
After the door closed, Sheng Yunshu hummed a tune as she walked into the bedroom, flopping onto the bed and rolling around. Once she thought about Sheng Qingshan being right next door, she could not suppress the smile on her face.
She buried her face in the pillow and laughed stifledly for a long time before turning over to stare at the ceiling in a daze.
The pillow smelled like sunshine mixed with pine wood.
It was likely that 01 had taken it out to dry.
The quilt was the same; it was soft to lie on.
Not knowing what she thought of, Sheng Yunshu hugged the quilt and laughed foolishly again.
In the dark, she could clearly feel her heart pounding uncontrollably.
This was not the first time.
But previously, due to the constraints of morality and ethics, Sheng Yunshu had not dared to let this feeling linger for too long.
But now it was different; she could boldly savor this unique emotion. No law could indict her, and even the highest levels of the Federation could not arrest her for this feeling.
The only person in this world who could judge her was Sheng Qingshan.
But if she could make her feel this overwhelming surge of emotion, Sheng Yunshu would be willing to put on shackles, kneel before her, and spend the rest of her life seeking atonement.
Separated by a wall, exhaustion was evident on Sheng Qingshan’s face.
In the light screen, many experts stood behind Ye Lingyun.
“Qingshan, I checked the latest medical literature of the Alliance. There is an experimental treatment, but the risk is extremely high, and it has only been verified in animal models so far. We cannot guarantee what will happen if a patient is used as a test subject. For specific details, let us talk in person tomorrow.”
Sheng Qingshan pressed her sore temples. “Good. Thank you for your hard work, Lingyun.”
“It is fine. Get some rest early; do not be too tired.”
“You too.”
After cutting off the communication, Sheng Qingshan leaned against the chair and closed her eyes to rest.
In her mind, the image of Sheng Yunshu standing at the door appeared, her eyes shining as she laughed and said “Good night, see you tomorrow.” Her tone was relaxed and a little playful, as if tomorrow would always come.
In Sheng Qingshan’s eyes, Sheng Yunshu was bright, energetic, and full of vitality.
She should always shine under the spotlight, not fade away in pain.
For the next period, Sheng Qingshan ran back and forth between the Committee and the hospital.
She did not tell Sheng Yunshu about the matter, fearing that she would be too frightened and suffer a mental breakdown.
Ye Lingyun also kept her mouth shut. Even when Lu Qiyue ran over to ask why Sheng Qingshan had been going to the hospital so frequently lately, she ignored her.
In the Committee, the Deputy Secretary-General was so tolerant and kind to Sheng Qingshan that the subordinates were shocked.
After helping Sheng Qingshan change to an easier task once more, someone finally could not help but ask.
They knew Sheng Qingshan had the backing of the Sheng family and a large business, but the Committee was not a hollow shell. Since they had already entered, things should naturally be done according to the rules. How could it be like this?
“An ordinary person would need at least thirty or forty years to climb to her position, but this is just a stepping stone she chose.” The Deputy Secretary-General looked at the angry young secretary and spoke more than usual. “You have been here for twelve years; have you ever heard of a city-state councilor being able to run for office directly through the special talent channel?”
“With so many departments, why did she choose the Security Department?”
“You know the Sheng family is not to be trifled with, but why does the Ji family have the upper hand?”
Those who had stayed in the Committee for many years were not fools. Under the guidance of the Deputy Secretary-General, she soon figured out the key—
In special times, the City-State Security Department could directly dock with the Federal Control Bureau and master military power.
And the Ji family had Ji Rusheng paving the way. Ji Xiayu’s career was smooth, and he was in his prime; he would not retire anytime soon.
As for Sheng Qingshan… she came from the IFIB, and her former colleagues and superiors would become her best support.
Backed by three giant mountains, it was difficult for her to stop at being a small councilor.
Seeing that she understood, the Deputy Secretary-General sipped her tea and said slowly, “Now she is reporting to me, but in a few years, I will have to bow and scrape when I see her.”
There was no need to ruin her career for a moment’s gratification.
While Sheng Qingshan was overwhelmed with work, Sheng Yunshu was busy having meals with friends.
After living with Sheng Qingshan, Sheng Yunshu changed from her past slump and accepted every invitation to go out. When people asked her if there was any happy event lately, she would inadvertently reveal that they were living together.
“Oh, she is just like that. I told her I was fine, but she still worried about me living alone. I am already so old; what could happen?”
“Manager Sheng is also concerned about you; she is really good to you. I am so envious!”
Every time she heard these words, Sheng Yunshu would act as if she were annoyed by it, and then tell the other person about the interesting things they experienced together.
That day, Lu Ling invited her for afternoon tea, and Sheng Yunshu changed into a pink suit and went over.
When she arrived, Sheng Yunshu was stunned.
She looked at the twins and then at the guilty-looking Lu Ling. Why did you not tell me she was here too?
Lu Ling lowered her head, drinking her milk tea, pretending not to see.
“Oh, I left my coat in the car.” Under Sheng Yunshu’s threatening gaze, Chu Jingyun pulled Lu Ling, and then ran away with a giggle. “Aunt, you guys eat first; Lingling and I will be back soon.”
Sheng Yunshu thought, “I believe your lies.”
“Oh, my bag seems to be left in the car too.”
Sheng Yunshu originally wanted to do the same, but before she could stand up, Ji Jingxing stood up and pulled out the chair next to her to sit down.
“I will send a message to Jingyun and ask her to go get it.”
Sheng Yunshu watched helplessly as the only escape route was blocked. Her mouth twitched, and she sat back in the chair, picking up the tea in front of her and taking a big gulp.
Fine, if she could not run, she would not.
She wanted to see what this kid still wanted to do.
But unexpectedly, Ji Jingxing was much more direct than she had expected.
“Aunt, are you living with Aunt Qingshan now?” Ji Jingxing tilted her head and looked at her, with no emotion visible in her eyes.
Sheng Yunshu responded, “What is the matter?”
“This is not good.” Ji Jingxing leaned in slightly, the tip of her nose catching the scent of her perfume.
“You have no blood relationship; being too close will cause misunderstandings.”
Her eyes flickered, and Sheng Yunshu looked up at her, her amorous eyes curling slightly.
“What kind of misunderstandings would there be?”
The smile on Ji Jingxing’s face faded a little. “What do you think?”
Sheng Yunshu leaned back a little and said, “So what if there are?”