The Hidden Heiress Is a Secret Big Shot

Chapter 375: Chapter 375: A Whiff of Sour Love

Su Mi raised her chin and glanced at the teacher giving the lecture on the podium.

“Why does the teacher seem off today?”

Even Su Mi, a self-proclaimed academic disaster, could notice, and naturally, the students in the class had also picked up on it.

Jin Qingzhou stared blankly at the blackboard for a long time, holding the teaching tool in her hand without putting it down, repeatedly saying the same thing.

This state was clearly unusual.

Shi Kui looked a bit worried. “Is Mr. Jin feeling unwell?”

Jin Qingzhou might be a young lecturer, but her professional standards were exceptionally strong. Her style had become uniquely her own, and her teaching level rivaled that of some senior professors!

Clearly, this wasn’t her usual self.

The moment class ended, Su Mi rushed out of school like a gust of wind.

Qingwu knew — she must feel she hadn’t been treating Shen Zhongshuang well and went off to find him for their romance!

Sure enough, when young couples are together, they exude an undeniable aura of love that stings the eyes.

…

Qingwu pushed open the door and entered the office.

Jin Qingzhou was explaining the class assignment to Shi Kui.

Shi Kui still looked slightly concerned about her condition.

“Teacher, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Today’s class didn’t go well; that’s on me. To avoid wasting everyone’s time, I’ll upload this session’s content to the group chat. Feel free to approach me with any questions.”

Shi Kui nodded. “Alright, no worries. Today’s material wasn’t too challenging. It’s just that the classmates are quite worried about your health, teacher. Please make sure to rest.”

They were students who had been working closely with Jin Qingzhou for a long time, familiar with her style and understanding that today’s situation was an anomaly.

Originally, there were more classes scheduled afterward. To avoid delaying the students’ learning progress, Jin Qingzhou had switched classes with another teacher.

After Shi Kui left, Jin Qingzhou finally raised her eyes and noticed Qingwu standing at the office door.

“Are you here to see me?”

“No, the department head asked me to drop by. But teacher, you seem emotionally off today.”

On the desk lay a vibrant bouquet of irises, their brilliance reminiscent of how toxic plants often appear extraordinarily beautiful.

Qingwu spoke softly, “Does the teacher know the meaning of irises in flower language?”

Jin Qingzhou froze momentarily and then shifted her gaze to the bouquet, freshly delivered and still adorned with a few water droplets.

A card was tucked into the bouquet, Shen Boyi’s handwriting sharp and pronounced.

[Best wishes for your health and happiness. Happy birthday. Shen Boyi.]

In an instant, Jin Qingzhou felt something hit her deeply, and tears began to stream uncontrollably down her face.

“Sorry, my family… It’s my sister Qianqian. She’s been sick recently, and I’ve been caring for her. I haven’t managed to adjust very well.”

Jin Qianqian worked at an art gallery, and Qingwu knew about her sick leave.

The gallery even arranged for health leave subsidies.

Jin Qingzhou clenched her fists. “Actually, it was me who pursued Boyi back then.”

Shen Boyi had always been dazzling, the kind of person who naturally drew attention when walking in a crowd.

“He might say he pursued me to save face, but that’s not how it was.”

“Back in university, I had a personality similar to Qianqian’s — overly confident, unaware of my own limits. My parents argued endlessly because they didn’t have a son. I admit I was a bit rough around the edges back then.”

Talking about the past brought a rare smile to Jin Qingzhou’s face.

“Do you know what I did to win over Boyi?”

Qingwu shook her head.

“Teacher Jin seems like someone who’s quiet and introverted.”

“For every class Boyi took, I attended too. I staged pretend encounters with him at the cafeteria and library, and even lit candles under his dormitory building to confess my feelings. Crazy, huh?”

Given Jin Qingzhou’s current personality, it certainly was hard to imagine she had once done such outrageous things!

“At first, I thought I was just badgering him and was ready to give up. Then Boyi told me…”

“If you’re going to give up, then let me chase after you instead.”

Thinking back on those days, Jin Qingzhou looked at the irises before her, her smile tinged with warmth.

“Between Boyi and me, maybe I’ve always been just one step behind.”

Qingwu shook her head and spoke calmly.

“This is something between you and my elder brother. I’m just an outsider. But if you still care about my brother, wouldn’t letting go just bring deep regret?”

Not regret — it would be heartbreak.

Some people don’t have to do anything at all; their mere existence is enough to make one’s heart ache unbearably…

Jin Qingzhou stared blankly at the bouquet before her.

Qingwu said quietly, “The flower language of irises is ‘thinking of you.’ Whatever my brother wants to express, teacher, you should already understand. The things you worry about aren’t necessarily items my brother cares about. The Shen family doesn’t have a throne to inherit, so even without children in the future, what’s the big deal?”

“Besides, if you pass judgment on my brother without asking him anything first, maybe you really aren’t suited for him.”

Qingwu’s words were blunt.

She understood that Jin Qingzhou’s current personality was influenced greatly by her family background and life experiences.

Depression wasn’t a severe illness, but it did make people prone to overthinking!

After finishing her remarks, Qingwu slung her bag over her shoulder and headed off toward the department head’s office.

Jin Qingzhou sat at her desk, her mind consumed by the bouquet and the name signed on the card.

Shen Boyi!

That name she had once written countless times, each stroke etched deep into her heart.

Jin Qingzhou thought for a moment, picked up her phone, and dialed the number she knew by heart. The other party answered quickly.

“What’s up?”

“I’d like to invite you to dinner. Is that alright?”

Shen Boyi glanced at his schedule and paused. “Tonight might not work. If this is about Qingwu, you can talk to A Shi about it too.”

“It’s about me. Tomorrow works as well. Or the day after.”

Hearing the slight change in Jin Qingzhou’s tone, Shen Boyi crossed out one of his scheduled meetings.

“Alright, I’ll pick you up at seven tonight.”

“No need. I’ll come find you now, and you can meet me after work!”

Shen Boyi was genuinely surprised.

That feeling… It was as if he had suddenly been transported back to their university days.

Jin Qingzhou, whenever wanting to meet him for dinner, would always appear eager, loitering around his department so she could see him the moment his class ended.

“Is that inconvenient?”

“Not at all. Just come directly to my office. Once you arrive, I’ll have my secretary bring you up.”

“Okay!”

The voice on the other end sounded jubilant, as though it couldn’t wait even a moment longer for the chance to see him.

Shen Boyi’s Adam’s apple rolled as he loosened his tie, his voice tinged with bitterness and hoarseness.

“Did something happen that you need my advice on?”

Jin Qingzhou replied softly.

“Yes, there’s something I’d like your help in figuring out.”

And also, because she missed him. Only Shen Boyi could fulfill that longing!

If he couldn’t accept her imperfect past, then their journey together had reached its end.

Jin Qingzhou ended the call, grabbed the bouquet on the desk, and hurriedly rushed out. Her steps were swift, almost urgent.

At the door, she bumped into Shi Kui, who had come to deliver homework.

“Teacher, where are you headed in such a hurry?”

“To see someone very important to me!”

…

Department Head’s Office.

Looking at Qingwu standing before him, the department head — still unfamiliar with domestic affairs after just returning from overseas — adjusted his glasses.

“Young lady, I hear you’re the one stirring up a storm in the department!”

Qingwu replied calmly, “I don’t think we’re the Agricultural Department.”