Quick Transmigration: Saving the White Moonlight in a Matriarchal World - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Studying Abroad – Senior Year

She had two reasons for taking things slow.

First, she had looked into Shen Yunzhou’s family situation and knew that he was currently juggling work and study, leaving no room for romantic distractions.

Second, she was afraid that if her liking for Shen Yunzhou was discovered by Fang Qiong, her personality would lead her to target him.

Thus, during her freshman year, she carefully concealed her feelings, revealing them only in private moments when she would affectionately call him “Zhouzhou.”

Every time she said “Zhouzhou,” it carried a fondness she couldn’t openly express.

Later, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

In her dreams, she often relived the day Shen Yunzhou, eyes reddened, came looking for her. He stared at her silently for a long time before abruptly turning and leaving without a word.

She asked him what was wrong, but he didn’t respond, walking away without looking back.

She had no idea what had happened. She was confused and panicked.

After that, Shen Yunzhou started avoiding her. To avoid her entirely, he even stopped going to the library and quit his tutoring job.

The only times they had any interaction were when Fang Qiong was present, and even then, they barely spoke.

Jinghua University’s campus was enormous. If someone wanted to avoid another person, it was almost impossible to find them.

A year later, Shen Yunzhou agreed to Fang Qiong’s pursuit. While she felt heartbroken, her wealthy upbringing and dignity kept her from interfering in her friend’s relationship.

She began taking over her family’s business and stopped appearing in Shen Yunzhou’s life, learning about him only through Fang Qiong.

A year after that, Shen Yunzhou disappeared without a trace, without any warning.

During that time, Fang Qiong spiraled into drinking and madness. It was then that she learned the truth.

That year, when Shen Yunzhou came to her with red eyes, it was because he had overheard Fang Qiong and a few friends saying that she was approaching Shen Yunzhou to help Fang Qiong pursue him.

This misunderstanding was heartbreaking. Shen Yunzhou, sensitive and proud, couldn’t bear it.

So, he avoided her and refused to be alone with her. A year later, as graduation approached, he decided to “give things a try” with Fang Qiong. And in trying, he truly fell for her.

In the world of business, she was unbeatable. But when it came to love, her indecisiveness and hesitation harmed not just herself but also others.

In the original story, Fang Qiong invited her to the “Shengshi” bar yesterday, but she didn’t go. After her meeting this morning, she would leave the country and not return for ten years.

By then, everyone would have forgotten there was once someone who had loved Shen Yunzhou.

She was both pitiable and frustrating. Though she dated a few times in the latter half of her life, none of the relationships worked out. She never married and died alone.

At this moment, after a night of intimacy, Shen Yunzhou held Lin Qingchi’s hand, pleading with her to stop toying with him and to let him go.

She couldn’t let him go.

Lin Qingchi tightened her grip, interlocking their fingers, and said firmly, “I’ve never been playing with you. I’m serious.”

Shen Yunzhou’s gaze trembled.

Lin Qingchi continued, “Zhouzhou, you’re not alone. You have me. Let’s head to the office first, and we’ll go home together at noon.”

She leaned forward, her lips brushing against his pale ones with a reverent tenderness. “Okay?”

At 9:30 a.m., employees of the Lin Group were gossiping in their group chat.

“The boss finally has a love life!”

“Congrats, congrats! Throwing confetti! I delivered coffee earlier and saw a side profile, so handsome I nearly collapsed!”

“Same! My legs went weak. He’s so tall and attractive, and standing next to the boss, his presence is just as commanding. I want him as my dad!”

“What are you guys talking about?” Latecomers to the gossip were confused. “The boss is in a relationship?”

The chat suddenly fell silent.

After a long pause, a message popped up:

“Guys, according to the secretary’s office, the boss is currently signing contracts in her office, while the handsome guy is reading a book ten meters away.”

“…”

“This… doesn’t seem like how couples act?”

“…”

The gossipers fell into collective silence.

Too soon to celebrate.

At 10:00 a.m., Lin Qingchi put down the contract and glanced at Shen Yunzhou, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, before leaving the office with the contract in hand.

Shen Yunzhou heard the sound of the door closing and shut the book he had barely flipped through, lost in thought.

Why did he nod?!

Why did he agree to accompany her to the office?!

Just yesterday, he had been so upset over Fang Qiong that he wanted to leave the capital immediately. Yet now, after spending a single night with Lin Qingchi, he was letting her lead him around and believing her nonsense.

Ah—

Shen Yunzhou internally groaned, burying his head in his knees, overcome with regret.

Should he just run away now?

Shen Yunzhou shot up, striding to the door and reaching for the handle—huh??

It was locked?!

Shen Yunzhou twisted the handle hard, using both hands and trying again,but nothing happened.

The door was really locked!

“Lin Qingchi!”

“You’ve turned bad!”

At 11:00 a.m., Lin Qingchi opened the door, only for a pillow to come flying at her. She reacted quickly, catching it before it hit her face.

Placing the pillow back on the sofa, she smiled at Shen Yunzhou, who was glaring at her with an icy expression, and waved the key in her hand.

“Let’s go. Home.”

Shen Yunzhou: “…”

Sitting in Lin Qingchi’s car, Shen Yunzhou was once again filled with regret, his heart metaphorically in tears.

Why did he keep letting her lead him around?!

“Relax.”

Lin Qingchi was trying hard not to laugh as she kept one hand on the steering wheel and used the other to gently squeeze Shen Yunzhou’s hand, which rested on his lap.

“Don’t be mad. It’ll only take 15 minutes to get to Zijinyuan. What do you want to eat? I’ve learned to cook and am quite good at it.”

Shen Yunzhou didn’t pull his hand away. Staring out at the retreating cityscape, he replied almost unconsciously, “I want tofu pudding.”

When his grandmother could still move around, she used to pick a day every month to soak soybeans and make tofu. Her tofu pudding had a particularly delicious flavor.

“Alright, I’ll make it for you.”

Lin Qingchi took out her phone and made a call. “Aunt Lin, could you please go to Zijinyuan? My boyfriend wants tofu pudding, and I’ll need you to help oversee it.”

“?”

Shen Yunzhou snapped his head toward her.

Boyfriend?!

I didn’t agree to this!

…This is too fast!

The person on the other end seemed to say something, and Lin Qingchi laughed. “Yes, boyfriend, you heard right. His name is Zhouzhou, and since I’m claiming him, I’ll handle everything.”

After a few more words, Lin Qingchi hung up. When they stopped at a red light, she glanced at Shen Yunzhou and noticed he still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

“ Are you scared?”

“…”

“Don’t worry.” The light turned green, and Lin Qingchi focused on driving, her tone calm and composed. “The head of the Lin family is me, Lin Qingchi. Whoever I like, whoever I choose to marry, no one has a say in it.”

Shen Yunzhou: “…”

Shen Yunzhou opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond. After a long pause, he finally let out a soft “hmm.”

Catching a glimpse of his face, Lin Qingchi noticed that most of the worry in his eyes had faded. Her mood improved as well, and she stopped talking.

In the aristocratic and business families of the capital, it was common to use the younger generation as pawns in arranged marriages. To avoid being treated as a mere tool, one had to seize the top seat in the family. Lin Qingchi had understood this since she was five years old.