After Becoming Roommates with an Obnoxious Wealthy Heiress - Chapter 28

She should be feeling something, but for some reason, there is nothing at all.

Chinese Language and Literature, Vocational Class Two: Qin Shuyue.

“I remember now! Her name is Qin Shuyue.”

Qin Shuyue ran all the way to the door of Room 601 in Heqing Court. She reached out, wanting to immediately knock and confront Zhu Lingyi with the videos on her phone.

How on earth did the videos from last night get leaked?

But then, she hesitated. Even though she was clearly the victim, if she knocked on that door, what would she even ask?

Should she confront her about what happened last night? Demand to know why she was kicked out? Or ask why so many people were cyberbullying her?

The maid had said that all surveillance footage was uploaded to Zhu Lingyi’s computer for backup. Were the videos people were sending her distributed by Zhu Lingyi?

But why? Why would she do this! What had she done wrong to deserve such punishment?

As she thought, her hand tightened into a fist and she slammed it against the door of 601. The loud “thud” jolted Qin Shuyue back to her senses.

What did I just do! Her entire body began to tremble again.

“Miss Qin? Why have you returned so suddenly?”

The door opened quickly, and once again, it was the maid. Inside, the staff were busily working away, but there was no sign of Zhu Lingyi.

Her train of thought interrupted, she recovered and lowered her head, asking in a timid voice, “Is… is Miss Zhu here?”

The maid smiled and shook her head. “Miss Zhu has gone to class. May I ask if there is something urgent? I can record it for you, and someone will contact Miss Zhu later.”

The maid’s professional tone left Qin Shuyue with no way to speak. Was she supposed to screenshot all the foul language and insults bombarding her phone and show them to a maid? What would be the point? Zhu Lingyi wouldn’t care about her petty problems.

Qin Shuyue forced a faint smile and shook her head. “It’s nothing urgent.”

The maid nodded and closed the door. Facing the locked entrance, the fire of Qin Shuyue’s anger was doused by a bucket of cold water, chilling her from head to toe.

She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to face the comments.

“Qin Shuyue is playing both sides; she failed to seduce the school director and threw herself into Master Gao’s arms instead.”

“Swinging both ways, huh? Tsk tsk…”

“Doesn’t she feel full from all that attention?”

“What kind of taste does Miss Zhu have? There’s no way she’d like Qin Shuyue. To the person above—it’s clearly Qin Shuyue throwing herself at her. Miss Zhu didn’t even look at her.”

“Also, what major and class is Qin Shuyue in? I want to go take a look one of these days.”

On a forum Qin Shuyue didn’t even know about, things had already exploded.

Song Jiajia looked at these speculative comments, a cold, sinister smile creeping onto her lips. She quickly typed out a line on her phone:

‘Qin Shuyue is in Chinese Language and Literature, Vocational Class Two.’

“Student Song Jiajia, please respect my classroom. Put your phone away during class.”

Mr. Han stood at the podium, looking at Song Jiajia with a warning glare.

Song Jiajia snorted, unbothered. She shoved her hands into her pockets and asked, “I say, Mr. Han, Qin Shuyue has been gone for half the class. Aren’t you worried about where she went or if she’s in danger?”

“We live in a society ruled by law.” Mr. Han pushed up his glasses and replied mildly, “If none of you are creating danger for her, I imagine she is safe.”

Faced with this rebuttal, Song Jiajia’s mouth twisted in displeasure. “You think just because you’re a teacher you can lecture me?”

Mr. Han’s fingers brushed against his lesson plan. He had no intention of continuing the argument. Instead, he flipped a slide on the PowerPoint and turned back to the class. “Alright. Next, let’s look at…”

Having been snubbed, Song Jiajia naturally couldn’t swallow her pride. She let out a silent huff. You dare treat me like this? Han Junli, you just wait.

She opened the forum again and posted several more messages.

‘I’ll tell you a secret. You don’t know yet, but this Qin Shuyue was originally in our dorm…’

Meanwhile, Qin Shuyue had already changed into her work uniform and was dutifully washing dishes in the back kitchen of a restaurant. Since she couldn’t stay in class, she might as well earn some money.

She couldn’t describe her emotions. It was strange; she couldn’t feel anything, and her mind was a total blank. She knew she should be angry, furious, or hateful, but those feelings weren’t there.

It was ordinary—like a still pond, so calm it was almost deathly silent. At that moment, Qin Shuyue suddenly felt she had grown up; she would no longer let other people’s words affect her mood.

At the thought of this possibility, her lips curled up in delight. However, she ignored the fact that her hands were trembling as she washed the dishes.

Qin Shuyue’s performance that day was observed by Yuan Mei, the wife of Boss Cai.

Diligent and focused, Yuan Mei was around thirty years old. She had invested in and opened this restaurant immediately after graduating university. Over the years, business had flourished. Only after her career stabilized did she decide to marry her current husband.

Boss Cai was Yuan Mei’s first love, a relationship spanning from middle school to university. After they both received admission letters to the same college, he had finally confessed his feelings. They spent four years of university together, and when Yuan Mei decided to invest in the restaurant, he supported her wholeheartedly, putting in the tens of thousands of dollars he had saved during his school years.

Later, because of her pregnancy, the management of the shop was handed over to her husband. Now that she had recovered, she had returned. She couldn’t let go of the place and had to check in on the business occasionally. Usually, either Boss Cai or she would be at the restaurant while the other stayed home with the baby.

Back when Yuan Mei was pregnant and waiting to give birth, she hadn’t met Qin Shuyue. Her impression of the girl came entirely from her husband, who was full of praise, saying she was hardworking, honest, and kept the kitchen spotless.

Seeing her today, Yuan Mei nodded; the praise was well-deserved. However, seeing a young girl doing such grueling labor felt wrong. She walked softly to Qin Shuyue’s side and asked gently, “Would you like to work at the front desk? The work is lighter and more comfortable. Being in the back kitchen all the time is dirty and exhausting.”

But Qin Shuyue acted as if she hadn’t heard. It was as if a membrane covered her ears, blocking out the outside world. Seeing her lack of response, Yuan Mei reached out and nudged her gently.

“Shuyue?”

Qin Shuyue snapped back to reality. “Uh… ah? Did I do something wrong…”

Yuan Mei shook her head with a smile. She had recovered well after childbirth and knew how to apply makeup, so she looked like she was only in her early twenties, not much older than Qin Shuyue. Her smile was kind and patient, inviting closeness.

She repeated her proposal. Generally, no one would refuse a transfer from a heavy, dirty job to a light, easy one.

But Qin Shuyue refused. She didn’t beat around the bush, saying directly, “Working in the back kitchen pays more. If I’m at the front desk… the salary is too low.”

Such an honest statement took Yuan Mei by surprise. To refuse for such a reason? Because the pay was too low?

Yuan Mei covered her mouth and laughed. She pinched Qin Shuyue’s small cheek and teased, “With such a cute little face, why are you always frowning and acting so serious? You look like someone in their fifties with endless worries. Why frown at such a young age?”

“You’ve worked for me for a while now. While the back kitchen isn’t desperate for help, the front desk really needs a girl who is precise, down-to-earth, and serious.”

The implication was that she definitely intended to transfer Qin Shuyue.

But Qin Shuyue’s brow remained furrowed. The back kitchen paid 6,800 a month. Even as a part-timer, she made 4,000. The front desk maxed out at 3,600, and if she couldn’t come in during classes… her monthly pay would be cut at least in half.

1,800? No way!

Qin Shuyue was about to refuse again, but the words died in her throat.

Yuan Mei knew what she was worried about. “You only need to help me with the accounts every night. We can negotiate the salary. Do you know how to keep books?”

Before her mother’s car accident, she had been an accountant for a foreign firm. Through osmosis, Qin Shuyue naturally knew the basics. More importantly, Yuan Mei said the salary was negotiable.

Qin Shuyue didn’t have high demands; she just wanted to keep what she was currently making. Yuan Mei suggested, “I’ll give you a 500 increase. 4,500, how does that sound?”

Qin Shuyue agreed immediately. After a day of filth and chaos, finally, something good had happened.

That evening, Qin Shuyue started her shift doing the accounts. Yuan Mei thoughtfully handed her a tube of hand cream. “It’s orange-scented. Smell it and see if you like it.”

Qin Shuyue took a serious sniff. The scent of oranges was rich, mixed with other fruity notes, and it smelled fresh without a hint of artificial chemicals. She nodded earnestly. “It smells good.”

Seeing her so literal, Yuan Mei’s eyes crinkled with laughter.

“Oh, my goodness! I didn’t mean for you to just smell it, I want you to use it! Even in summer, soaking your hands in cold water for hours will make them swell and feel uncomfortable. By winter, they’ll easily get chilblains and crack.” Yuan Mei felt caught between laughter and tears.

Qin Shuyue took the orange-scented cream from Yuan Mei’s hand, and a spark of emotion touched her heart. She lowered her head shyly, her eyes growing a bit moist.

“Thank you, Boss Yuan,” she whispered.

“No need for thanks. You’re such a good girl.” Yuan Mei’s smile was wide as she looked at the polite, lovely girl. She couldn’t help but sigh, “I really hope my daughter grows up to be as sensible and well-behaved as you.”

Later, Yuan Mei asked, “Do your parents know you’re working part-time at such a young age? Is your allowance not enough?”

At those words, the warmth and light that had just surfaced in Qin Shuyue’s eyes vanished instantly. She lowered her head and replied in a low voice, “My mother is ill and in the hospital.”

“And your father?”

“…Father?”

“I don’t have a father.”

Support After Becoming Roommates with an Obnoxious Wealthy Heiress