Married The Crybaby Childhood Crush First, Then Fell in Love - Chapter 32

Lin Wanqing had been busy these past few days preparing for the competition that was a few days away, so she was rarely seen.

The competition included not only fashion design but also jewelry design and sculpture work.

“Go home? It’s still early.”

Lin Wanqing was working non-stop in the studio, while her secretary stood at the door, urging her in a rather resentful tone.

Yu Fei: “Miss Lin, you’ve said that to me three times already.”

Lin Wanqing looked sheepish. “Let me finish this part and then I’ll leave.”

Yu Fei watched Lin Wanqing’s busy back, then thought of her boss’s sullen and lonely look, feeling awkward caught in the middle.

Yu Fei was indeed the boss’s most trusted person. She paced back and forth in the corridor, picking up her phone and pretending to be on a call.

Lin Wanqing put down the scissors and rubbed her sore eyes.

It was already past 8 p.m.

Normally, Yan Qiu finished work at 5 p.m. Yesterday, Lin Wanqing heard her say she had a banquet to attend in the evening, so she likely wasn’t home yet.

As long as she got home before Yan Qiu, it should be fine.

The entire business park was extremely quiet. Only the long shadow of the security guard stood in the gatehouse. The streetlights were dim and yellow, surrounded by a few moths fluttering towards the light.

Lin Wanqing tied her hair into a high ponytail, revealing her small, delicate face. She rubbed her little icy paws in the air-conditioned room.

“Ah, your leg pain has relapsed?!”

“How could this happen? Has the doctor seen it? Okay, okay, I’ll head back right now.”

“Miss Lin? Miss Lin is busy right now. Good, I won’t tell her. I’m going downstairs to start the car now.”

Yu Fei stood by the window, seemingly anxious, launching into an intense speech on her phone—furrowed brows, hurried tone, anxious eyes…

Judging by her tone, Yan Qiu was close to being critically ill.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Wanqing quickly pushed the door open. “What happened to CEO Yan?”

Yu Fei quickly put away her phone, whose screen wasn’t lit. “N-nothing, I have to go back for something urgent, Miss Lin, please take care.”

Yu Fei’s gaze flickered, and she forced a comforting smile that looked worse than a cry.

Lin Wanqing immediately reacted. “CEO Yan’s leg condition has relapsed?!”

Yu Fei’s face feigned panic. “N-no, nothing like that. With the doctor checking on her daily, how could it easily relapse? I won’t say more, I’m leaving now.”

Seeing her evasive behavior, Lin Wanqing couldn’t feel at ease. She quickly grabbed her bag and a coat, and got into the car with the secretary.

“Miss Lin, why did you come along? You still have work to finish.”

“It’s alright. The competition is not as important as CEO Yan.”

Lin Wanqing tightly clutched the cuff of her coat. The image of Yan Qiu in the gym, her legs giving out, and falling heavily, flashed through her mind.

How much pain must that be?

That proud, beautiful black cat, who was born to be pampered, served with fine food and exquisite clothes, and admired by everyone, should not have to endure even a tiny bit of pain.

Yu Fei glanced sideways. “Miss Lin, are you perhaps worried about the boss?”

The car sped onto the highway, the secretary pressing the accelerator all the way down.

The strong G-force made Lin Wanqing’s heart beat faster.

Lin Wanqing lowered her eyes and said, “Living together every day, it’s false to say I’m not worried at all.”

Yu Fei let out a long ‘Oh.’ Don’t feel sorry for a woman, or you’ll become unfortunate.

After exiting the highway, they quickly arrived at Yan Qiu’s residence.

The villa area was always quiet. The secretary’s phone ringing was particularly jarring in the silent car.

Seeing it was her boss, she carefully answered the call and got out of the car, keeping her voice very low, away from Lin Wanqing.

Yan Qiu was in the reception room, leisurely sipping tea in front of a dish of pine nuts she had just shelled.

“I told you to bring Lin Wanqing back before 8:30. You have three minutes left.”

Yu Fei: “Boss, don’t worry. Haven’t you always trusted my work?”

Yan Qiu: “…”

Yu Fei glanced at Lin Wanqing, who was looking out with a worried expression.

She tapped on the car window and whispered, “How are CEO Yan’s legs?”

Yu Fei nervously turned her head away. “Boss, I have to go now, I’m hanging up.”

Boss, you’ll thank me. A competent secretary should anticipate the boss’s needs and act urgently on them.

Yan Qiu looked at the phone that was suddenly hung up and slightly raised an eyebrow.

It was the first time Yu Fei had hung up on her so quickly. Before, no matter how busy she was, she was never so rude.

She vaguely heard Lin Wanqing saying ‘leg pain’ from a distance in the background of the call.

…

Yan Qiu placed the shelled, white jade pine nuts in an octagonal lotus silver dish.

“Butler, go get some swelling and pain relief medicine. Lin Wanqing probably fell down outside.”

The butler bowed. “I will prepare it immediately.”

Yu Fei hastily opened the car door, drove into the villa area, and parked the car in the boss’s yard.

Lin Wanqing anxiously asked from the back seat, “What did the doctor say about CEO Yan’s legs?”

Yu Fei’s gaze flickered. “They’re fine, fine…”

Lin Wanqing grew more anxious.

She didn’t wait for the secretary, pushed open the car door, and hurried upstairs.

Yu Fei followed, jogging, and managed to catch up. From afar, she saw the boss leisurely shelling pine nuts.

Yan Qiu looked up and saw her. “?”

Yu Fei’s eyes frantically signaled: Leg, leg, leg.

Yan Qiu: “?”

Yu Fei pointed at the boss’s legs, and then at Lin Wanqing.

Yan Qiu instantly understood. Her eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses lit up.

Yu Fei said goodbye and left, running faster than a rat, disappearing in a flash.

Lin Wanqing looked at Yan Qiu with teary eyes, carefully semi-squatted down, her fingers not daring to touch Yan Qiu’s legs.

“Sister Qiuqiu, it’s all my fault…”

Lin Wanqing looked at Yan Qiu as if she were an incredibly fragile porcelain doll. Just at that moment, the butler came over, holding a spray bottle.

Lin Wanqing took the spray bottle and carefully lifted Yan Qiu’s skirt.

Her legs looked no different from usual.

The injury must be deeper.

Yan Qiu was very cooperative, sucking in a sharp breath. “It hurts so much. Be gentle when you touch it.”

So she wasn’t just sweet, she was worried about me.

The butler: “?”

Just games between little lovers.

The elderly butler, who was over fifty, kindly retreated, not wanting to be a third wheel.

Lin Wanqing wiped her tears, carefully massaging her, her eyes full of distress:

“Why did it suddenly relapse? It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have stayed in the studio for so long…”

The more Lin Wanqing spoke, the guiltier she felt, hearing Yan Qiu let out faint, restrained cries of pain, like sharp knives cutting into her heart.

Yan Qiu smiled faintly and placed the shelled pine nuts in Lin Wanqing’s hand. “Stop working on it. Eat the pine nuts first.”

Lin Wanqing was stunned. Soft fingers were caressing Yan Qiu’s knee.

She was kneeling on the carpet, and Yan Qiu gently touched her cheek, the technique exactly like petting a cat.

Lin Wanqing couldn’t bear it. “Sister Qiuqiu, you shelled these specifically for me?”

Yan Qiu nodded. “When you get busy, you forget to eat. Have some of this to hold you over. The housekeeper is busy in the kitchen.”

Lin Wanqing felt even more guilty. “Sister Qiuqiu, your legs are so uncomfortable, how could you still worry about shelling pine nuts…”

Lin Wanqing had never dared to hope for genuine affection in this relationship, only wishing for the most basic respect.

Yan Qiu was too gentle. Whether kissing or hugging, there was never any sense of coercion.

How could Lin Wanqing not care for her?

The warm pine nuts melted in her mouth, providing the faint sweetness of nuts. She saw that Yan Qiu’s fingernails were somewhat rough from cracking the shells.

Lin Wanqing’s heart warmed.

Yan Qiu smiled faintly. “Stop rubbing my leg, it doesn’t hurt.”

Lin Wanqing was worried and pushed her towards the dining room. “What did the doctor say?”

Yan Qiu, delicate and weak, unable to take care of herself, looked at her helplessly. “The doctor said I need to maintain a cheerful mood and must not worry too much.”

Lin Wanqing felt a pang of sadness. “I will take good care of Sister Qiuqiu.”

Yan Qiu was slightly pleased with herself. She carefully removed the fish bones and placed a piece of tender, smooth fish meat in Lin Wanqing’s bowl.

Yan Qiu’s smile looked to Lin Wanqing like the forced strength of a patient.

Her eyelashes fluttered. “What can I do to make Sister Qiuqiu happy?”

Yan Qiu: “My leg hurts, so it’s hard for me to bathe myself. How about Sweetheart helps me?”

Lin Wanqing’s face instantly flushed red. She was already shy about helping Yan Qiu get dressed and manage herself daily. Bathing was such an intimate thing…

Yan Qiu gave a pale smile. “Never mind, I’m just teasing you. I’ll manage myself; it will just take a little more effort.”

The naive Miss Rabbit didn’t understand the concept of being ‘tea-like.’ The frail, helpless, yet strong Yan Qiu was like a premium cup of green tea.

The ‘tea flavor’ was quite pungent.

Miss Rabbit jumped into the trap without hesitation. “It’s only right to take care of a patient.”

Yan Qiu shifted forward from the wheelchair and buried her head in Lin Wanqing’s neck. “Please, Sweetheart, carry me into the bathroom.”

Yan Qiu’s breath sprayed onto Lin Wanqing’s neck, giving her goosebumps.

The beautiful woman spoke softly, needing her help. Lin Wanqing nodded as if hypnotized.

…

The next day, Lin Wanqing woke up, covering her face, unable to face what had happened last night.

The beautiful woman lay in the bathtub, constantly using the excuse of leg pain to have Lin Wanqing apply soap all over her and dry her body, inch by inch, with a towel.

So, nothing crossed the line, but this was definitely not what a mere caregiver should do.

The process of applying body lotion after the bath was even more agonizing.

The creamy white lotion was melted by body heat in her palm, which was then rubbed onto Yan Qiu’s flawless, jade-white skin.

She didn’t stop until the skin turned pink.

Not a single part of the body was left untouched. Lin Wanqing’s hands were truly mischievous.

Lin Wanqing climbed out of bed, covering her face. “Be more tolerant of a patient.”

Yan Qiu had been tired yesterday, her breathing light. Not wanting to wake the person beside her, Lin Wanqing got out of bed barefoot.

A light medical record lay on the bedside table.

The sunlight cast an orange-yellow color on the medical record. Outside, the weather was unusually pleasant. A small pond in the yard had frozen over, where plump koi swam around. The neighbor’s large orange cat was watching, ready to strike.

Lin Wanqing opened the medical record, worried about Yan Qiu’s leg condition.

Patient’s double legs are in good condition. Can walk and stand for short periods. Needs daily physical maintenance to prevent muscle atrophy.

Lin Wanqing narrowed her eyes. Good condition?

She flipped through the records. The most recent sudden leg ailment was two months ago.

Lin Wanqing looked at the medical record, then shifted her gaze to Yan Qiu.

Yan Qiu, seemingly aware of the gaze while asleep, slowly opened her eyes and groggily rolled deeper into the blanket.

She instinctively reached out to hug Lin Wanqing, but her hand grasped empty air.

The beautiful little wife was standing against the light, holding her medical record with a complex expression.

Yan Qiu’s smile stiffened, and she instantly sobered up.

Yan Qiu’s smile was ingratiating and guilty. “I can explain.”

Lin Wanqing: “Was bathing comfortable last night?”

Yan Qiu: “…Yes.”

Lin Wanqing: “Was the body lotion applied thoroughly?”

Yan Qiu: “…Yes, I’m sorry.”

Lin Wanqing: “Do your legs hurt?”

Yan Qiu hugged her from behind and explained, “Sweetheart, it was all Yu Fei talking nonsense to you. I knew nothing about it. I will make her apologize to you today.”

She placed a large amount of blame onto the secretary.

Lin Wanqing didn’t speak to her for the entire morning.

Lin Wanqing silently flipped through reference books, her lips pursed, clearly in a bad mood.

She had been genuinely worried about Yan Qiu last night and truly wanted to help her bathe, which was also true. Even the sensual touching of her entire body was instigated by Yan Qiu.

Her feelings for Yan Qiu had already gone beyond the terms of their agreement.

Lin Wanqing felt a sense of losing control.

The wheelchair slowly glided over. Seeing Miss Rabbit was upset, Yan Qiu pushed a bag of milk candies towards her.

Yan Qiu said gently, “A new mall just opened in the east of the city. They’ve introduced some international artist clothing brands, the first domestic store for them. Want to go check it out with me?”

Yan Qiu named a few artists, and Lin Wanqing, like a rabbit suddenly seeing Timothy hay, her eyes immediately lit up.

Lin Wanqing put a milk candy in her mouth and obediently got into the car with Yan Qiu.

She was still concerned. “Sister Qiuqiu’s legs really don’t hurt anymore?”

Yan Qiu: “No, they don’t. I lied to you yesterday. It was my fault.”

The usually proud and beautiful woman bowing her head to admit fault touched Lin Wanqing’s heart.

Yan Qiu thought she was angry again and was about to use soothing words to coax her.

Lin Wanqing was relieved. “It’s good that it doesn’t hurt. I was worried about you.”

After shyly saying this, Lin Wanqing turned her gaze to the window, clutching her sleeve tightly to show her agitation.

The new mall was high-end. Although new large malls were being built in the country, the foot traffic and spending threshold often left many in an unsustainable situation.

The budget-friendly outlet model might not work everywhere, but securing good land and attracting international first-tier brands would definitely appeal to fashion-forward consumers.

Coupled with large-scale online marketing and the introduction of popular brands liked by young people, it would trigger a wave of visits.

This city was not short of rich people. Yan Qiu had earned a lot over the years with her courage and vision.

The wheelchair moved along the bright and luxurious atrium. Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling above.

Yan Qiu saw Lin Wanqing dive into a crowded store, leaving her wheelchair alone in the empty space.

“Hello, ma’am, do you need any assistance?”

A thoughtful mall staff member came to inquire.

Yan Qiu’s face darkened. “No, thank you.”

“Okay, ma’am, may I ask where your guardian is?”

Yan Qiu: “…”

Do they really think I’m disabled?

Under Yan Qiu’s icy glare, the mall staff member, who intended to help the disabled person, finally left.

She suddenly regretted coming here with Lin Wanqing. There were too many people around.

About ten minutes later, Lin Wanqing squeezed out of the shop, carrying large bags. “Sister Qiuqiu, I picked out two outfits that suit you.”

Lin Wanqing pushed her wheelchair, smiling gently. “I don’t know if Sister likes this style. If you don’t, you don’t have to force yourself.”

Lin Wanqing noticed her displeased expression and silently thought that Yan Qiu might not like overly trendy items.

Yan Qiu stopped the wheelchair and made her listen to the broadcast.

“Dear esteemed guests, please watch over your elderly or children, and companions with limited mobility. The elderly, weak, sick, and disabled should not venture out alone. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Yan Qiu pursed her lips. “I am the sick and disabled.”

Lin Wanqing: “!”

Yan Qiu said, “You almost lost me just now.”

Yan Qiu raised her hand and grabbed Lin Wanqing’s collar, forcing the beautiful young girl to lower her head, her eyes looking up at her with an apologetic, innocent gaze.

Lin Wanqing was flustered. “I’m sorry…”

Yan Qiu bit her lip. “Do you perhaps think Sweetheart thinks I’m a burden, and wishes to just discard me anywhere?”

Lin Wanqing’s eyes widened, unable to believe Yan Qiu would say such a thing.

She had never treated Yan Qiu as an object. How could she ‘discard her anywhere’?

Seeing Miss Rabbit’s surprised and dazed look, Yan Qiu chuckled and poked her face. “Answer me.”

Lin Wanqing: “Of course not!”

Lin Wanqing muttered quietly, “Sister Qiuqiu is a beautiful big cat, you shouldn’t just leave her anywhere.”

She sulked and ignored Yan Qiu, taking out her phone to film the mall.

Lin Wanqing had been updating content about perfume on social media, gathering a few followers.

Occasionally, she would accept sponsored advertisements to earn a little extra money for unexpected needs.

Yan Qiu knew she had teased her too much, so she bought an ice cream and handed it to her.

“Sweetheart, walk slower. The broadcast is asking people to take care of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. You should pay attention.”

Yan Qiu, who was always proud and strong, softened her stance and referred to herself as the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.

The sweet ice cream was brought to her lips, and Lin Wanqing, moving her long hair aside, took a bite.

The tip of her ear was frozen red.

Yan Qiu smiled at her. “You have a sensitive stomach. You are only allowed to taste a tiny bit.”

While Yan Qiu and Lin Wanqing were speaking quietly, close to each other, they didn’t notice a young woman in a hoodie behind them quietly taking a photo with her phone.

…

In the evening, after returning to the villa, Lin Wanqing edited and posted the video she shot today online.

When she had time, she would do live streams under the online name Wanwan, adjusting the camera so her face wasn’t visible.

[Q&A Session, a quick chat about anything for five cents]

“Ahhh, Wanwan is finally online. Heaven knows how I managed without Wanwan (sad face).”

“Hello, senior! I didn’t understand the lecture, so I’m here for a catch-up.”

“Holding senior’s hand, hsss hsss hsss.”

“Wanwan’s background has changed. Did you move?”

Lin Wanqing watched lines of comments flash across the screen. “Please don’t send gifts. Yes, I moved.”

Lin Wanqing had almost 100,000 followers online. She didn’t update frequently, so her follower growth wasn’t fast.

But every time she started a live stream, her popularity quickly rose.

Lin Wanqing’s voice was gentle, perfect for listening to before sleep. “Just a moment, let me finish looking through the questions in my private messages.”

In another room.

Yan Qiu opened the live-streaming website and clicked on Lin Wanqing’s stream, which was lower down the ranking.

The girl rested her chin on her hand beside her desk, her long, delicate, pink fingers playing with a pencil, making the ordinary wooden pencil look like a priceless treasure.

“What clothes are suitable for travel?” Lin Wanqing looked at the private message question and pondered for a moment. “Didn’t you listen in class? Clothes that need to be packed in a suitcase shouldn’t be bulky. They should be easy to fold, wrinkle-resistant, and the material should not crease easily. Linen is very suitable for summer—comfortable, breathable, and textured.”

“Senior, stop scolding. Stop scolding. I really didn’t understand the class.”

“Wanwan, I don’t know how to draw perspective. Will you teach me QAQ”

“A wave of the little hand, a pile of landmines.”

“Congratulations to the streamer for receiving a deep-sea bomb.”

Lin Wanqing found a piece of white paper, drew a simple perspective diagram with a few strokes, and explained it to the camera.

Lin Wanqing’s voice was pleasant. Yan Qiu put on her headphones, listening with narrowed eyes, like a contented big cat that was being stroked nicely.

She had linked her bank card to the streaming platform and, with a grand gesture, sent 200 deep-sea torpedoes.

“Tsk, is that all the money this platform has?”

The most expensive gifts on other platforms cost thousands or even tens of thousands, but the most expensive gift here was only 100 yuan.

Yan Qiu continued to send gifts, spending 30,000 yuan in total. Lin Wanqing usually didn’t look at the comments, but she suddenly looked up and was shocked by the amount of money received in the backend.

Gift effects filled the screen. A wealthy patron was continuously showering her with money.

Lin Wanqing was instantly rocketed from a lower position to the very top of the ranking.

She earned almost 100,000 yuan from a single live stream.

Even without seeing her face, Yan Qiu could tell Lin Wanqing was shocked from her posture.

Lin Wanqing nervously said, “Friend… are you an adult? Please contact me backstage, and I will refund all the money to you.”

The anonymous top patron sent a message: Yes, I am an adult.

The effect came with a diamond comment, which was very conspicuous across the entire live stream.

Lin Wanqing finished discussing the questions she had at hand and couldn’t resist asking, “Let’s talk about something light-hearted. I recently moved, moved to… a friend’s house.”

“Streamer’s voice is so low. Is something wrong with my headphones?”

Lin Wanqing replied to the comment, “Could you please turn up your volume? I’m at a friend’s house, so it’s not convenient for me to speak loudly. She’s not well and goes to bed early.”

In the next room, Yan Qiu pleasantly narrowed her eyes.

Taking advantage of her anonymous top-patron status, she typed a question: Does the streamer have a girlfriend?

Many streamers secretly meet their top patrons, and the purpose is self-evident. The atmosphere in the live stream instantly became ambiguous.

Lin Wanqing’s lips moved. Since she had accepted the money, she couldn’t ignore the question.

“I have a girlfriend. She’s very nice.”

Yan Qiu continued to bombard her with gifts without any restraint. The lavish effects brought in a huge amount of revenue backstage.

This was the first time Lin Wanqing had encountered such a situation in all her time streaming.

She sat in front of the computer, at a loss, and messaged that she could refund all the money.

The message sank like a stone.

The top patron sent a comment: What type of girl does the streamer like?

In the next room, Yan Qiu couldn’t help but sit up straight.

Lin Wanqing was silent for a moment…

The image of Yan Qiu flashed through her mind. She covered her mouth and mischievously laughed. “I like someone a bit older, with some trouble with her legs, who acts like an elder to care for me, and tries hard to integrate into a young person’s life.”

“????”

“Didi the rich sugar mommy online. Rich mommy, come look at me.”

“LOL, Wanwan didn’t intend to tell the truth at all, right?”

“I want a rich mommy like that too QAQ. Preferably one who is proficient with all major payment apps.”

“Auntie, I don’t want to work hard anymore.”

Yan Qiu’s smile stiffened. She looked at herself in the mirror on the table and murmured,

“I’m not that old.”

She was only seven years older than Lin Wanqing.

It seemed the wealthy top patron sensed the streamer’s insincerity. They stopped sending gifts and didn’t say anything more, quietly leaving the live stream.

They also didn’t contact her in private messages.

After the live stream ended, Lin Wanqing washed up and got into bed. She took essential oil from the drawer, planning to massage Yan Qiu’s legs and feet.

“Sister Qiuqiu, the weather is cold today. Be careful of leg pain.”

Yan Qiu turned her back to Lin Wanqing. “Not tonight.”

Lin Wanqing stood there with the supplies. “How can you not? It might hurt tomorrow.”

Yan Qiu: “Well, for someone my age, a little leg pain and backache is perfectly normal.”

Lin Wanqing: “?”

Is she angry?

She put the medicine back in the drawer, puzzled, and lay down on the bed, wrapping herself in her separate blanket.

After turning off the light, Yan Qiu waited a moment and then whispered in disbelief, “You really aren’t going to rub my legs?”

Lin Wanqing was already letting out soft, long breaths.

Just then, an unsolicited pop-up from a spam software appeared on her phone.

[Attention, women over thirty. What should you do to reignite passion in your partner and return to the heat of the first date? Click the link below to purchase…]

Yan Qiu immediately uninstalled the software.