Chu Tianqing dropped her "bombshell"—
"Auntie, the reason I say this is because on the night of my wedding, Sinian and Achen were in a car accident. Lin Zhichen, with his last remaining consciousness, signed a Designated Guardianship agreement, and the guardian he named was Shen Xinglan."
Chu Tianqing took out her phone, pulled up a scanned copy of the blood-stained, water-damaged document, and showed it to Chen Qingci.
After reading it, Chen Qingci braced herself against the sofa armrest, clearly shaken by this bombshell news.
Chen Qingci naturally understood what Designated Guardianship meant.
Designated Guardianship, in a certain sense, carried a trust heavier and more solemn than marriage itself.
Chen Qingci knew that on the night of Lin Sinian's wedding, there had been a heavy rainstorm, traffic was gridlocked across the city, and the ambulance had been delayed for a long time before arriving.
When the accident happened, it was Chu Tianqing and her bridesmaid who had pulled Lin Sinian, Lin Zhichen, and the driver out of the car together, preventing secondary injuries.
Chu Tianqing's bridesmaid—was she the Shen Xinglan she claimed was of one heart with Achen?
Chu Tianqing didn't give Chen Qingci time to think it through carefully, pressing her advantage: "If Lin Zhichen didn't love her, why would he sign her name as his Designated Guardian? And besides, after Shen Xinglan learned that Lin Zhichen might never wake up, she didn't shed a single tear."
"Even worse, because she had no official standing, the hospital room was constantly occupied by several of the Lin family uncles. She could only learn about Lin Zhichen's condition through the photos I took and the videos I sent."
"Shen Xinglan is a top student in biopharmaceuticals at the Institute of Technology—she was the top scorer in the college entrance examination. Her current research direction…"
Chu Tianqing couldn't remember the technical terms, but fortunately Shen Xinglan had explained it in simple language before.
"It's about rebuilding bridges for the damaged 'circuits' in the brain and forcibly recharging the 'battery' that's run out of power. In simple terms, the medication can help vegetative patients wake up."
Hearing this, Chen Qingci's cloudy eyes suddenly flickered for a moment, gaining light.
"Shen Xinglan now spends every day, apart from eating and sleeping, buried in the laboratory, focused solely on developing the medication that can save Lin Zhichen as quickly as possible."
Chu Tianqing sighed and smiled helplessly.
"She calls Lin Zhichen 'husband'… maybe… they pledged themselves to each other in private?"
In the original story, Lin Zhichen's phone and computer weren't damaged in the accident, but since no one knew the passwords, they could never be unlocked.
It was impossible to verify whether he had truly "pledged himself" to Shen Xinglan.
Chu Tianqing gently patted the back of Chen Qingci's hand: "Auntie, you need to believe in Shen Xinglan. She's a genius in biopharmaceuticals—she'll definitely find a way!"
Shen Xinglan's academic trajectory in the book was almost identical to the real Shen Xinglan.
Her educational background and grades were all real.
Chu Tianqing wasn't afraid of Chen Qingci investigating.
Even the Designated Guardianship agreement that the original owner had signed while Lin Zhichen's consciousness was fading was real.
The only thing that couldn't be verified through investigation was the "relationship" that belonged exclusively to Lin Zhichen and Shen Xinglan.
"Love"—that intangible, abstract thing—depended entirely on what Chu Tianqing chose to say.
Chen Qingci's emotions grew increasingly agitated: "Qingqing, swear to me that everything you've said is true?"
Chu Tianqing deftly dodged the topic—she wasn't about to swear any oaths.
"Auntie, you can verify every single thing I've said. I'll send you my best friend's name and school information right now."
Chu Tianqing added Chen Qingci on WeChat and sent her the information.
In the meantime, she silently turned up her phone's volume, pretending to accidentally play a voice message from Shen Xinglan.
Shen Xinglan's calm voice filled the hospital room—
"I have confidence in my experimental skills. Perhaps he'll wake up even sooner than expected."
When Chen Qingci heard "wake up even sooner than expected," she could no longer hold back her tears and emotions.
She choked up and covered her face: "Qingqing, how I wish this were true… If Achen wakes up with the help of your best friend, I promise to give her half of the Chen family's shares."
Chu Tianqing knew Chen Qingci was just caught up in her emotions at the moment.
Just like a man's sweet talk in bed can never be trusted.
Given Chen Qingci's life experience, she wouldn't follow through on any verbal promises until she received verified information.
But Chu Tianqing could use the time Chen Qingci spent verifying the information to add another layer of support for herself and Shen Xinglan.
Chu Tianqing spoke with a bitter tone—
"Actually… Auntie, this afternoon, Shen Xinglan and I were planning to go to the Lin family's old residence to ask the Lin uncles to allow her to marry Lin Zhichen."
"You know, when people are desperate, they'll believe in anything, even the supernatural. We even went to see a fortune teller and burned incense at the temple…"
"One fortune teller said that Lin Zhichen is currently 'trapped' by his Fate Pattern, which is why he can't wake up. A 'marriage to ward off evil' could help free his Fate Pattern. We know it might be futile, but we still wanted to try."
Chen Qingci had already sent the information Chu Tianqing had given her to her subordinates for verification.
Media professionals always have their own channels to quickly verify the authenticity of any information.
Soon, Chen Qingci's phone buzzed repeatedly with incoming messages.
Shen Xinglan's resume, academic trajectory, and photos were all delivered to her phone.
Chen Qingci, upon seeing Shen Xinglan's academic background and photos, already felt a favorable impression of her.
The sheer number of competition trophies, grade-skipping achievements, and being the top scorer in the college entrance exam was enough to prove Shen Xinglan's excellence.
Moreover, in the ID photo, Shen Xinglan, without a trace of makeup, was stunningly beautiful—elegant and refined, clearly a young lady of impeccable grace and bearing.
Chen Qingci unconsciously began to feel sorry for Shen Xinglan.
If Lin Zhichen weren't her own nephew, she would have wanted to personally advise Shen Xinglan—why would such a lovely young girl waste her time on a vegetative man?
Chen Qingci's voice was dry as she spoke: "Qingqing, I understand. I've been through all of this myself, but your best friend is such a young and beautiful girl. Marrying a vegetative man…"
"Auntie, do you believe in true love?" Chu Tianqing looked at her with clear, bright eyes.
Chen Qingci was stunned for a moment.
Chu Tianqing blinked. "I used to not believe in true love. Even with Sinian… you know, I voluntarily signed a prenuptial agreement with him, just to counter the rumors outside. They all think I married Lin Sinian for his money."
Chu Tianqing lowered her head shyly, like a young wife who both adored her husband and felt insecure: "Sinian is ten years older than me—more mature, thinks more deeply about things. I can say with a clear conscience that my love for Lin Sinian is true, but I can't guarantee to you that Lin Sinian's love for me is true."
Chen Qingci clenched her fist. "…"
That Lin Sinian kid was being a bit dishonest.
Downstairs, Lin Sinian, who was in a video conference with his subordinates, sneezed twice in a row.
Assistant Sun brought over a cashmere shawl, but he waved it away.
"But Shen Xinglan and Lin Zhichen are different. They came from the purest campus days. In Lanlan, I can see true love."
After saying these words, Chu Tianqing lifted her head, her eyes sparkling.
Upstairs in the villa, Shen Xinglan, who was researching materials, sneezed several times in a row. She knew for sure that her best friend was "making up stories" about her again.
Chen Qingci began to feel genuine sympathy for the two young women—Chu Tianqing and Shen Xinglan.
One fell in love with an older man and wanted nothing from him; the other had a secret crush on her dense-as-a-block-of-wood nephew but never said a word.
Why were these two young women so stubbornly sincere?!
The "stubbornly sincere" Chu Tianqing chatted with her for a while longer.
Chen Qingci was called away by a phone call.
Chu Tianqing's tense spine relaxed, and she quietly let out a sigh of relief.
She felt her acting skills had improved, especially in the "true love possessed" segment.
If she had recorded it, it would be worth replaying and savoring.
Chu Tianqing had just imagined an entire script in her head—a bittersweet campus story with a bad ending in the early stages, followed by a reunion in the city in the later stages.
She cast Shen Xinglan and Lin Zhichen's two stunningly handsome faces as the female and male leads, which instantly gave her strong conviction to "make things up."
Chen Qingci soon returned from outside the ward, her steps light.
As soon as she entered, she excitedly grabbed Chu Tianqing's hand: "Qingqing, I've verified everything. What you said is all true."
"That's good." Chu Tianqing maintained her smile.
Chen Qingci said, "Shen Xinglan and Achen did indeed attend the same middle school. Her grades and major are exactly as you said. Shen Xinglan is truly an outstanding young woman."
After a moment of hesitation, Chen Qingci glanced at Lin Zhichen lying there and said, "I even think… Achen isn't good enough for her."
Chu Tianqing told herself to stay steady. She needed to push Chen Qingci forward—she couldn't let her back out at the critical moment.
Chu Tianqing spoke up clearly—
"Auntie, whether a relationship is well-matched is something only the two of them can know. No third party can make that judgment."
"Even though I'm Shen Xinglan's best friend, and we can be completely open with each other, in matters of love, we each have to face them independently."
"The one who truly makes the decision is herself. I respect Shen Xinglan's choice. If she wants to marry Lin Zhichen, no matter how reluctant I am, I'll only offer my blessings."
"Auntie, don't you want to give them your blessings too?"
Chen Qingci looked into her eyes, which shone like bright stars, and was completely persuaded.
Chen Qingci's mind had already begun envisioning Lin Zhichen's wedding.
"You're right, Qingqing. I want to give them my blessings. Don't worry—if Shen Xinglan marries Achen, I will never let her suffer any injustice."
Chu Tianqing seized the opportunity to say, "If only we could successfully persuade the three uncles of the Lin family this afternoon to agree to their marriage."
"Those old fogies from the Lin clan?" Chen Qingci sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. "Isn't it easy to handle them? Those old men have already had their eyes on Achen's shares, and now they want to meddle in his marriage? They're not worthy! Do they really think the Chen family has no one left?!"
Chu Tianqing clasped her hands together and looked at her with adoring eyes: "Really? Auntie, you're so amazing, so cool~ I want to become a powerful woman like you too."
That sentence, Chu Tianqing meant from the bottom of her heart.
She truly wanted to become a career-driven woman like Chen Qingci—capable, resourceful, ambitious, and wealthy.
Chen Qingci's face flushed slightly, and she suddenly understood why Lin Sinian had married Chu Tianqing, who was ten years his junior.
Or rather, she understood why men were so fixated on marrying young, pretty girls.
A pure, charming, tender young girl who could practically be squeezed for water, looking at you with such adoring eyes, loving you and needing you with her whole heart, and praising you with "so handsome" and "so amazing"…
Even Chen Qingci, a woman, was charmed!
Chen Qingci patted Chu Tianqing's arm. "Leave it to your auntie. You two go ahead boldly this afternoon—I know exactly what they're most afraid of. I'll handle the rest."
"Auntie, could I ask you for a favor…" Chu Tianqing leaned close to Chen Qingci's ear and whispered a few sentences.
"You call that a favor? It's not even worth mentioning! Qingqing, from now on, anything involving you and Shen Xinglan is my business."
Back in Lin Sinian's hospital room, there were still ten minutes before lunch.
Chu Tianqing asked Shen Xinglan if she'd eaten and ordered her some takeout.
She also typed out the news about getting Lin Zhichen's auntie's support and sent it to Shen Xinglan, saying they'd discuss the details over the phone later.
The nurse brought in lunch.
Chu Tianqing spotted at a glance that the daily soup was pea shoot and meatball soup, and nearly burst out laughing.
Oh ho, so the chef really did make the soup?
She glanced at the bedside table—in the vase were pumpkin flowers and pea shoots, prominently displayed.
Huh? So they weren't used for the soup, meaning it was just a coincidence?
As usual, Chu Tianqing drank the soup first, one small meatball at a time, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster's.
"Wow! So pea shoots are this tender and this delicious~" After finishing her soup, Chu Tianqing leaned over and deliberately peeked at his soup bowl.
Sure enough, Lin Sinian hadn't touched a single bite.
Little devil Qingqing jumped out again, hands on hips, cackling wildly.
Oh my! Was the old man's pride really that strong?
After lunch, Chu Tianqing packed up her things, ready to leave.
They had a four o'clock meeting with the Lin family uncles that afternoon.
Even if she was reluctant, she still had to ask her "boss" for leave.
To be fair, Lin Sinian, this "capitalist," had a decent conscience—he'd voluntarily given her a day off yesterday.
This morning, Lin Sinian had two checkups, and he'd changed back into the hospital gown Chu Tianqing was used to seeing.
His hair wasn't combed back; fine black strands fell scattered across his forehead. Without his gold-rimmed glasses, he looked like someone easy to talk to.
Chu Tianqing sat sideways on the edge of his hospital bed, putting on a sweet, fake smile. "Um… I have something to do this afternoon. Can I take half a day off?"
Lin Sinian took off his Bluetooth earbuds and looked up from his tablet.
Chu Tianqing didn't get the silent nod she was used to seeing.
"I already gave you a whole day off yesterday." The warmth in Lin Sinian's eyes dropped faster than his voice.
If she was really treating coming to the hospital like a job, shouldn't she show a bit of professionalism?
Chu Tianqing: "…"
At times like this, only the ultimate move would work.
Chu Tianqing dropped the act and looked at him with utter sincerity. "I really have something to do. Something very important."
Lin Sinian: "How important?"
Chu Tianqing's big eyes darted around, and she made up an example off the top of her head: "Something like—if I don't go deal with it, I'll be buried in massive debt, become a deadbeat everyone shouts at and chases like a rat in the street, and live out the rest of my life in misery…"
If Shen Xinglan couldn't get married, the damn system really would dock their money like crazy and turn them into deadbeats in the third dimension.
Chu Tianqing felt she'd basically told the truth—sincerity was the ultimate move.
Lin Sinian cut straight to the point: "You have outside debts?"
"It's just a metaphor, an example—I don't actually owe a huge debt." Chu Tianqing caught on and had a sudden realization—was he worried she'd drag him down with her?
Chu Tianqing put on a righteous expression and patted her chest. "Rest easy. Even if I really did owe a massive debt, I'd divorce you first and wouldn't drag you into becoming a deadbeat with me."
Lin Sinian was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "You're already thinking about divorce?"