PSMD – Chapter 127

The news about Peng Kaimiao offending President Wen spread quickly and became even more exaggerated after a day of fermentation.

Qi Rong came to share during her break, her brows tightly furrowed, clearly finding the current version overly dramatic: “Yangyang, do you know how far it’s spread now? They’re actually saying President Wen couldn’t stand Peng Kaimiao being taller than him, so he fired Peng Kaimiao.”

“…” Qiu Yang, who knew the whole story, rubbed her forehead. But she couldn’t clarify anything herself right now because President Wen hadn’t made a move against Qu Yan yet.

On the surface, Qu Yan seemed no different than usual. She showed no emotional fluctuation regarding Peng Kaimiao’s departure, but she was likely just putting on a brave face.

After all, what if? What if what Peng Kaimiao said to President Wen had nothing to do with her? If she showed too much panic, but it turned out to be completely unrelated to her, wouldn’t she be giving herself away?

Qiu Yang couldn’t help but speculate on Qu Yan’s current thoughts. She felt Qu Yan might really be thinking this way, hoping for a lucky escape.

Qiu Yang pursed her lips thinking about this. A day had passed, and she was still trying to figure out why Qu Yan would treat her like this, and she still had no answer.

However, she was also very curious now about how President Wen would handle this matter.

Peng Kaimiao’s complaint to the top was very direct. Although Qu Yan’s work ability was decent, President Wen was ultimately the company’s general manager, holding the power of “life and death.”

He would definitely take action, it was just a matter of when.

Because of these things, Qiu Yang hadn’t slept well these past few days. Shen Ningruo held her at night, trying her best to offer comfort and warmth, but it wasn’t very effective, as Qiu Yang still had to put on foundation every morning to cover her poor complexion.

Shen Ningruo sighed inwardly. It wasn’t until the end of the work week that she thought of a way to cheer Qiu Yang up: visiting Auntie Mingfen and Auntie Xiaoqiong.

At the beginning of the month in Xicheng, Auntie Xiaoqiong had called, but both sides were busy having fun. By the time Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang returned to Yuncheng, the two aunts hadn’t returned yet. Then other things came up, and the meeting was put on hold.

But this week was perfect.

Qiu Yang was startled when she heard the news, her eyelashes fluttering: “Auntie Mingfen and the others are back?”

“Of course.”

Qiu Yang smiled: “I saw they went to Haicheng for fun again just two days ago. I didn’t expect them back so soon.” A hint of envy escaped her, “When I reach that age, I want to be like that too, traveling all over the world with you.”

Shen Ningruo’s eyes curved into a smile: “Okay.”

“Then I’ll reply to Auntie Fen?”

Shen Ningruo’s phone showed her chat with Auntie Mingfen, who was confirming the time to make arrangements.

“Mhm, tomorrow evening. I want to sleep in tomorrow,” Qiu Yang looked at Shen Ningruo.

Shen Ningruo knew what she meant by “sleep in.” It simply meant that since tomorrow was Saturday, they had time to rest more and recover their energy.

“Xiao Yang,” Shen Ningruo couldn’t help but say, “Everything will be resolved. Those who hurt you will all face their own bad endings.”

“I know.”

“It’s just that the process is a little difficult.”

Qiu Yang lowered her gaze: “Qu Yan…”

She didn’t finish, but they both understood what she meant.

Being hurt by someone close was the most painful.

The next afternoon, they went for a swim first before driving to Auntie Mingfen’s place. They didn’t bring expensive gifts like last time, just bought a gift box of fresh fruit near the complex.

Shen Ningruo hadn’t told Auntie Mingfen that she was coming with Qiu Yang, only that she was bringing her partner.

Downstairs, Shen Ningruo couldn’t help but smile: “I really want to see the two aunts’ expressions when they find out my partner is you. It’s going to be priceless.”

Qiu Yang’s lips also curved slightly, and she hummed in agreement: “I’m looking forward to it too.”

The elevator door opened, and they stepped inside.

Since they had been there before, and Shen Ningruo had mentioned bringing her partner, they didn’t ask the aunts to come down and meet them like last time, just to maintain enough mystery.

Soon they arrived at the floor where Auntie Mingfen lived. The two aunts had a long-lasting friendship and had bought apartments in the same complex. However, Auntie Mingfen’s place was more homey and suitable for hosting guests, so they came here this time.

Standing at the door, Shen Ningruo suddenly felt a bit nervous. She glanced at Qiu Yang and asked in a low voice, “Xiao Yang, are you ready?”

“Ready,” Qiu Yang nodded, quietly reaching out a fingertip to touch Shen Ningruo’s hand.

Shen Ningruo smiled, relaxing slightly, and then raised her hand to ring the doorbell.

After only two seconds, they heard footsteps approaching from inside. Qiu Yang moved slightly to the side, and the door opened.

Shen Ningruo first handed over the fruit gift box, saying with a bright smile, “Auntie Fen, long time no see. Bought some fruit for you.”

Auntie Mingfen thanked her with a smile, then leaned her head forward a bit: “Where’s your partner?”

“Auntie Mingfen,” Qiu Yang leaned closer to Shen Ningruo at this moment, her eyes curved in a smile, “It’s me.”

Auntie Mingfen was clearly a bit stunned, but still looked very surprised: “Xiao Qiu, why didn’t you tell Auntie you were coming?”

Shen Ningruo cleared her throat: “I did, Auntie Fen.”

Auntie Mingfen: ?

Auntie Mingfen: ???

“Oh my goodness,” Auntie Mingfen covered her mouth, “You two…?”

Qiu Yang nodded: “What I meant by ‘It’s me’ is that her partner is me.”

“Oh, you two kids.”

“Come in, come in quickly.”

“How could you keep it from us!”

Qiu Yang had always been worried that the two aunts would be like some other elders, thinking that homosexuality was monstrous or against human nature, which was why she had never shown any hint of it before.

But at this point, being honest was naturally the best choice. Neither she nor Shen Ningruo wanted to pretend in front of the two aunts.

“Xiaoqiong!” Auntie Mingfen took out two pairs of slippers and called towards the kitchen, “Xiao Shen and her partner are here.”

Auntie Xiaoqiong, wearing an apron and holding a kitchen knife, came out of the kitchen. Her eyes fell on the neatly standing Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang. She was stunned, clearly not having processed it.

Auntie Mingfen smiled and pointed at Shen Ningruo: “Xiao Shen.”

She then pointed at Qiu Yang: “Xiao Shen’s partner.”

“Or you could say Xiao Qiu and Xiao Qiu’s partner.”

Auntie Xiaoqiong blinked, thought carefully for a moment, and then emerged from her shock.

“Auntie Qiong.”

“Auntie Xiaoqiong.”

Auntie Xiaoqiong feigned anger: “Why didn’t you tell us about such good news in advance?”

“I thought you might have guessed,” Shen Ningruo gave a sweet smile.

She herself wasn’t entirely confident. Although she wasn’t part of this community before, she knew how difficult coming out could be. Many elders couldn’t understand this kind of relationship, and many even took their children to see psychologists. Moreover, she was now with Qiu Yang, and Shen Yuankai’s previous attitude represented the attitude of many elders.

It was false to say she wasn’t nervous, and false to say she wasn’t anxious.

Fortunately, judging by the two aunts’ reactions, they didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with two women liking each other and being together.

Shen Ningruo quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to look at Qiu Yang, who smiled back at her.

They were thinking the same thing.

Auntie Xiaoqiong laughed: “Alright, alright, it’s our fault for not guessing. Go wash your hands, dinner will be ready soon.”

“Okay.”

After washing their hands, Auntie Mingfen enthusiastically asked, “What would you like to drink? Yogurt or cola?”

“Yogurt,” Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang gave the same answer.

Several dishes were already on the table, all made by Auntie Mingfen and Auntie Xiaoqiong. The aroma of the food had long since filled every corner of the room.

Auntie Mingfen took the yogurt out of the fridge, just as Auntie Xiaoqiong came out of the kitchen. She was wearing oven mitts and carrying a clay pot, which she placed on a heat pad on the dining table.

“Mission accomplished,” Auntie Xiaoqiong straightened up and nodded with satisfaction.

The clay pot contained sour radish and old duck soup. The enticing aroma filled everyone’s nostrils. While Auntie Xiaoqiong was putting away the oven mitts, Auntie Mingfen began to introduce: “This sour radish is homemade, it’s even better than what they sell outside. You two each have to drink two bowls later.”

Shen Ningruo and Qiu Yang both looked down at the large bowls in front of them, both a little dumbfounded.

“These bowls?” Qiu Yang asked.

Auntie Mingfen chuckled: “Yes, these big bowls.”

“Do you think we’d let you two off easily tonight?”

Shen Ningruo spoke up: “Okay!”

“We understand what you two aunts mean!”

Auntie Xiaoqiong wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen. She had heard everything they said and also smiled: “That’s right, you two were secretly dating and only telling us now. Shouldn’t you be punished a little? Are you not trusting us?”

Qiu Yang and Shen Ningruo sat up straight. Hearing this, they wouldn’t dare admit it and could only find excuses.

“We’ve been too busy lately,” Shen Ningruo said.

“Indeed, we didn’t have time,” Qiu Yang replied.

Auntie Mingfen lightly tapped the table: “Alright, stop talking so much, eat first. I always feel like you two have gotten a little thinner again.”

Shen Ningruo immediately shook her head: “Not at all, we’ve both gained weight.”

The overhead light cast a soft, warm glow. The atmosphere at the table was harmonious and lovely. Qiu Yang and Shen Ningruo stopped worrying about anything. By the end of the meal, they couldn’t even eat the fruit.

Auntie Mingfen and Auntie Xiaoqiong’s enthusiasm was as warm as ever. They kept using serving chopsticks to put food into their bowls, and their conversation interspersed with topics about same-sex partners.

“A few years ago, when we were traveling, we met two friends. They were both mothers, and their daughters were together. Since their daughters didn’t have time to travel with them, they signed up for a tour group together.”

“When your Auntie Fen and I heard about it, we were surprised. We didn’t understand situations like yours back then. After spending a few days with them, we felt their mindset was worth learning from.”

“They said that from the moment they conceived their children, all they hoped for was for them to be happy, healthy, and safe in the future. Everything else wasn’t that important, right?”

“Since then, your Auntie Fen and I have had the same mindset. Life is only a few decades long. Getting married or not isn’t important, being happy is enough.”