Category: Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth]

Chapter 8: Her Trust

As Qin Qianrou and Li Wan passed the nurses’ station, they specifically asked about Shen Yiqiu’s attending physician. Auntie Liu was already waiting outside the ward before they left, holding a few warm steamed buns; she had indeed been to the cafeteria.

Li Wan was chatting with Auntie Liu at the time. Seeing Qin Qianrou emerge from the room, she winked. Their understanding was seamless. Without further words, they simply bid farewell to Auntie Liu and disappeared down the corridor.

After pressing the elevator button, Li Wan looked back, and seeing that no one was around, asked about the situation in the ward.

Qin Qianrou had been thinking about what Shen Yiqiu had said to her before leaving, a statement that felt more like a request, or perhaps a demand. Initially, Shen Yiqiu’s tone hadn’t been firm, but when she repeated it, there was a subtle insistence.

“Qianrou, what are you spacing out about? Did things not go well?” Seeing Qin Qianrou’s silence and pensive expression, Li Wan became worried.

Qin Qianrou composed herself and said calmly, “Not too bad. We’ll talk about the details when we get back.”

Li Wan then remembered that she was staying at Qin Qianrou’s place tonight.

They waited for a while, but the elevator didn’t arrive. The ward wasn’t on a high floor, and no one else was using the elevator at this hour, so it shouldn’t be taking this long.

Li Wan stepped forward and pressed the button again, muttering, “What’s wrong with this elevator? Why is it taking so long?”

It was just a casual complaint, but Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled Shen Yiqiu’s expression earlier.

Qin Qianrou looked up at the elevator indicator; the upward arrow was lit but stationary, indicating it hadn’t started moving yet. There didn’t seem to be anyone using it, yet the elevator wasn’t coming.

Qin Qianrou suddenly said, “Xiao Wan, let’s take the stairs.”

“Huh?” Li Wan was taken aback, then realized, “Hey, hey, hey, I was just complaining. We’re not in a hurry…”

Qin Qianrou didn’t wait, heading towards the stairwell next to the elevator.

Hospital stairwells weren’t like other places; even late at night, they weren’t pitch black. Although deserted, they weren’t frightening.

However, Li Wan stood at the top of the stairs, hesitant to move, looking down at her feet with difficulty. Although she strongly disliked Zhuo Cheng, she couldn’t lose face when meeting her ex, so she had worn her highest heels tonight.

“Qianrou, look at our shoes. It’s not convenient to take the stairs.”

Li Wan grimaced, clearly still hoping for the elevator. Qin Qianrou wasn’t usually one for taking the stairs for exercise, so why the sudden change?

“Don’t you think there’s something strange about the elevator tonight?” Qin Qianrou was also wearing heels, although not as high as Li Wan’s, she still had to be careful.

Holding the railing, she slowly descended the stairs. Seeing that she was serious, Li Wan knew she couldn’t dissuade her and could only follow behind, shuffling slowly.

“It is quite strange, having to wait so long this late at night.”

“And, the ward is on the fifth floor, and there’s almost no one on the first and second floors now. So, who else would make the elevator so slow?”

Li Wan kept her head down, watching her feet, one hand on the railing, the other occasionally adjusting her long hair. Sigh, if she had known it would be like this, she wouldn’t have styled her hair this way!

“Qianrou, what do you mean?” Li Wan was also an experienced journalist. Although Qin Qianrou usually handled the risky tasks, she wasn’t completely lacking in vigilance.

Qin Qianrou continued descending at a steady pace. The only sounds in the stairwell were their clicking heels and occasional conversation.

“I can’t be completely sure, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”

Hearing this, Li Wan knew that the meeting with Shen Yiqiu must have yielded some unusual information. But it wasn’t convenient to talk in detail at the hospital. She recalled Auntie Liu hurrying out of the ward earlier and anxiously taking out her phone at the corner of the corridor…

Li Wan hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but she had become wary. After Auntie Liu returned, she had initiated a conversation, buying time for Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu.

Soon, they safely left the hospital. The driver dropped them off at home. Li Wan instructed the driver to go back first, emphasizing that he shouldn’t tell her father about their trip to the hospital.

Back at home, it was almost 11 pm. This wasn’t a time for relaxation on a weeknight.

After they both showered, Li Wan expertly grabbed a pillow and went into Qin Qianrou’s room.

“Are you planning to sleep on the sofa in my room tonight?”

Qin Qianrou, who had just finished drying her hair, didn’t seem to have considered letting her friend sleep in her bed. She had never been used to sharing a bed, something Li Wan had known since college.

“You’re definitely not sleeping tonight; I know you too well!”

Seeing Li Wan sit on the edge of her bed, Qin Qianrou didn’t actually try to make her leave.

She tidied up, then, as Li Wan predicted, opened her laptop, not in any hurry to sleep.

“Now tell me, what did you and that Shen Yiqiu talk about?”

Qin Qianrou opened a folder, clicking through the documents and information she had collected earlier.

“She told me she could assist me in investigating Dongsheng Group. And she has clues about them.”

Li Wan, hugging a pillow, sat on the side closest to Qin Qianrou.

“You believed her just like that? What if she’s lying to you?”

“What would be her motive for lying?”

Li Wan thought for a moment and said, “To use you. Look at her situation. She definitely wants to find someone reliable and powerful to seek justice for her parents.”

Qin Qianrou was intrigued by this statement. She stopped what she was doing, turned around, and leaned on the back of her chair, her tone meaningful, “You also think there’s something suspicious about her parents’ accident?”

“There are so many versions online. After reading them, you can’t help but feel there’s something fishy going on. I heard the Traffic Police Brigade still hasn’t released the investigation report, and although the insurance company has visited twice, the claim is still pending. Apparently, they’re waiting for the official report.”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t aware of these details. She and Li Wan had joined the television station at the same time, with comparable work experience and abilities. But the biggest difference was their personalities: one fiery and passionate, the other calm and collected. Yet, these two contrasting beauties were best friends.

What Li Wan had just mentioned must have been overheard from colleagues in other departments. Li Wan liked to visit other departments when she had free time, so naturally, she knew more gossip than the workaholic Qin Qianrou.

“Then what do you think she can achieve by finding me? I don’t cover this type of news and can’t be of much help.”

“Qianrou, you can’t be unaware of the power of public opinion. She must be afraid of being pressured behind the scenes, so she wants to find someone who can withstand the pressure and speak up for her, attracting public attention. Kids these days are clever. Given your reputation and online presence, who else would she turn to?”

Qin Qianrou was taken aback. “What’s my reputation and online presence?”

Qin Qianrou paid attention to the online response to her programs, but she didn’t care about personal comments. Everything she did was for her work, and what she presented to the public was her professional persona. As for who she was in private, she didn’t care what others thought, nor did she want others to see that side of her.

“They say you’re upright and firm, cold-faced and wise, an Iron Woman!”

Qin Qianrou was silent for a few seconds, then said softly, “That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

Li Wan covered her mouth and chuckled, “Who cares if it’s good or bad? You’ve never cared about these things anyway.”

Then, her laughter subsided, and she said seriously, “But you need to be careful this time with your insistence on investigating Dongsheng Group. Once you target this company, you’re bound to alert many parties. I’m afraid those online who don’t truly understand you will become tools for others to hurt you.”

They were both in this profession, so naturally, they understood the power of public opinion, especially the voice of the public. Over the years, the station’s management had repeatedly emphasized the importance of controlling the distance and interaction with the public. After all, once things escalated, and with ill-intentioned people manipulating public sentiment, it could often lead to bigger problems.

Qin Qianrou saw her friend’s concern and gently patted her hand in reassurance, “I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry.”

Seeing Qin Qianrou turn back to her work, Li Wan knew she was determined to take on Shen Yiqiu’s case.

“So, what did you offer her in exchange for her help?” She knew Qin Qianrou never liked owing favors; there must be some sort of agreement between her and Shen Yiqiu.

“She asked me to guarantee her personal freedom.”

“So, she’s not free now?” Li Wan thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, “No wonder I felt there was something strange about Auntie Liu, sneaking off to make phone calls.”

“Shao Qidong hired her. The call must have been to him.”

“Then why did you stay in the ward for so long? Weren’t you afraid that Shao Qidong…”

Li Wan stopped mid-sentence. Since she had gone, he would definitely find out; the length of her stay wouldn’t change anything.

“Then why did you suddenly want to take the stairs tonight? Did you discover something?” Li Wan was a little nervous; someone like Shao Qidong had considerable power in Meng City.

Qin Qianrou thought about Shen Yiqiu again, but she didn’t know how to explain, as Shen Yiqiu hadn’t given her an explanation either.

“I was just being cautious.”

**

After Qin Qianrou left, Auntie Liu quickly returned to the ward. Shen Yiqiu knew she was observing her, but she remained calm, pretending to be unaware.

She answered a few of Auntie Liu’s probing questions about Qin Qianrou, then politely ate a steamed bun before lying back down.

But she wasn’t sleepy. Qin Qianrou’s appearance tonight had been too impactful. Just when she was almost losing hope, Qin Qianrou had appeared like a deity, cleaving through the darkness, bringing light with her.

Although she was as aloof as expected, her words lacking warmth, different from her always gentle mother and other “Aunties” she knew, Shen Yiqiu still felt a sense of closeness to her.

It must be a sense of closeness, at least at the moment they met, she hadn’t felt any resistance and had called her “Auntie” involuntarily. And she hadn’t minded Qin Qianrou’s sudden touch, only feeling slightly embarrassed.

Thinking about Qin Qianrou’s reaction to being called “Auntie,” Shen Yiqiu found it amusing in hindsight. Qin Qianrou dressed maturely but wasn’t old at all; she was at the peak of her charm.

If she had to address her, “older sister” would have been more appropriate.

Thinking this, Shen Yiqiu’s anxiety from the night inexplicably eased. She had been paying attention, and it had been quiet outside until now, so nothing seemed to have happened. The elevator should be working normally, right?

Then what was the image she had seen earlier about? She had suddenly seen Qin Qianrou being bumped into in the elevator, her arm getting scratched. Although it wasn’t a serious injury, it had drawn blood.

It seemed she had heeded her warning.

Having her trust placed in her upon their first meeting, Shen Yiqiu drifted off to sleep with a faint smile.

Chapter 7: Reaching an Agreement

Shen Yiqiu glared at her indignantly for a while, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh. She had always been gentle and obedient, soft and carefree, living under her parents’ wings, sheltered from the harsh realities of the outside world.

If it weren’t for this sudden misfortune, she probably would never have imagined that one day she would need to be so cautious and calculating. After all, the words her parents had repeated most often were, “Our Xiao Qiu only needs to grow up simply and happily.”

As leading figures in the scientific field, her parents hadn’t set any strict demands for her. They only guided and disciplined her in terms of character and academic attitude. They never compared her to others in material aspects.

Although she had struggled alone in the world for several years after her parents’ death in her past life, maneuvering and grappling with Shao Qidong, ultimately losing, it still hadn’t completely changed Shen Yiqiu’s inherent nature.

Innate qualities, coupled with more than ten years of upbringing, wouldn’t be completely altered in just a few short years. During these few days in the hospital, Shen Yiqiu had tried to analyze why she had lost to Shao Qidong in her past life. She had to admit that it was largely because she couldn’t bring herself to be as unscrupulous as him; at least she still remembered she was a human being.

Qin Qianrou didn’t understand what was happening to her. It was her first time meeting Shen Yiqiu; they had no prior interaction, and she had only seen her name in news reports. Yet, she had this inexplicable feeling, a feeling that made her act out of character. Like just now, suddenly reaching out to touch the top of her head.

Even more surprising was that Qin Qianrou had actually initiated a joke. Although the joke wasn’t particularly funny, she had wanted to tease Shen Yiqiu.

As for the reason, Qin Qianrou would probably never admit that being called “Auntie” out of the blue had annoyed her.

“You…” Seeing Shen Yiqiu’s silence, Qin Qianrou couldn’t tell if she was truly angry, so she tried to initiate conversation.

“I want to be discharged. I don’t want to be restrained by others. But in my current situation, I can’t shake them off. Can you help me?” Shen Yiqiu blurted out her request, straightforward and honest.

From the earlier hint about Auntie Liu’s identity to this direct request, it was obvious that Shen Yiqiu’s freedom was restricted. Having gone too far with her teasing, Qin Qianrou knew when to be serious and began to ponder the situation.

Shen Yiqiu thought she was unwilling to help. After all, they were strangers, and Shao Qidong was a prominent business figure in Meng City, frequently appearing in media reports. No one would want to antagonize him.

Qin Qianrou didn’t rush to refuse, but instead said thoughtfully, “Can you honestly tell me what you’ll do if you gain complete freedom?”

Shen Yiqiu answered without hesitation, “Expose all of Dongsheng Group’s dirty secrets.”

Each word, spoken with conviction, was impactful.

“Are you sure you can uncover those things on your own? And aren’t you afraid of encountering even stronger resistance in the process?”

Shen Yiqiu turned to look at her. The amusement in Qin Qianrou’s eyes had vanished, replaced by an intense seriousness. Shen Yiqiu wondered, was she testing her, or putting her to the test?

Either way, Shen Yiqiu didn’t have many options; she had to do everything she could to gain Qin Qianrou’s trust.

She knew very well that Qin Qianrou was here tonight not because of her, Shen Yiqiu, but because of the potential exposé on Dongsheng Group. This famously righteous reporter would definitely be more interested in explosive news than anyone else.

So, all she could do was cater to her interests.

Meeting Qin Qianrou’s probing gaze, Shen Yiqiu raised her eyes resolutely and declared solemnly, “I’m not afraid! On the path to pursuing the light, who hasn’t stumbled a few times? Just get up and keep going.”

Her tone was resolute, like a warrior about to go into battle.

Such grand words, coming from Shen Yiqiu’s youthful, innocent face, seemed incongruous.

But Qin Qianrou didn’t laugh, because these seemingly ridiculous words expressed the very things she believed in.

If she didn’t believe in the pursuit of light, how could she withstand so much pressure, repeatedly challenging topics others dared not touch, tirelessly seeking the truth amidst difficult verification processes?

Shen Yiqiu didn’t realize her words had touched Qin Qianrou. Seeing her silence, she thought she was being overly dramatic.

“Even if it weren’t for the sake of light, I still need to investigate the cause of my parents’ accident.” Shen Yiqiu scratched her face lightly and added softly.

Qin Qianrou furrowed her brows and looked at her, “The accident? You suspect it wasn’t an accident?”

From the moment she met Shen Yiqiu, Qin Qianrou had sensed that this girl harbored many secrets. Although she didn’t fully trust her yet, she was gradually dropping hints, which made Qin Qianrou, as a reporter, feel a sense of anticipation.

Mentioning the accident brought back Shen Yiqiu’s sadness. Every time she thought about being separated from her parents, her heart ached.

Qin Qianrou didn’t treat Shen Yiqiu as an interview subject. She wasn’t on the clock, so she naturally wouldn’t be as restrained and composed as usual. Seeing Shen Yiqiu’s sadness, she subconsciously took two steps forward, moving closer to the bed again.

Without thinking, Qin Qianrou put her arm around Shen Yiqiu’s shoulder and drew her closer. Clearly, Shen Yiqiu hadn’t expected this and flinched at the contact, but didn’t resist. Her body stiffened for only a moment, then she greedily absorbed the rare warmth.

“The accident is still under investigation. The traffic police came by last time and said there would be results soon.” Shen Yiqiu leaned her face against Qin Qianrou, still sitting on the bed in a slightly awkward position.

“I understand how you feel, but we must respect the facts. Of course, I admit I’m very interested in the Dongsheng Group you mentioned. But I can’t completely believe your words just because I’m interested.”

While offering Shen Yiqiu comfort and encouragement, Qin Qianrou’s mind remained clear; she wasn’t easily swayed.

The person leaning against her chuckled softly and said, “That’s why you need to give me a chance, let me prove to you that everything I’m saying is true.”

Shen Yiqiu currently had no concrete evidence. Even with Qin Qianrou right in front of her, she couldn’t produce anything. If any other ordinary reporter had come to her ward tonight, they probably would have left already.

But Qin Qianrou was different; she wouldn’t let go of any clue easily. So, she stayed and listened to Shen Yiqiu patiently.

Both of them probed back and forth, their words laced with hidden meanings, simply wanting to gauge the other’s attitude.

Qin Qianrou wanted to know how much Shen Yiqiu knew about Dongsheng Group’s secrets, while Shen Yiqiu wanted to confirm how interested Qin Qianrou was in Dongsheng Group and Shao Qidong.

Although Qin Qianrou had a good reputation, this was a matter of life and death for her. In her desperation, Shen Yiqiu had grasped at this lifeline, but she wasn’t so naive as to blindly trust it. She needed to personally verify her choice.

Fortunately, Qin Qianrou’s reaction gave her hope.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the ward door. Shen Yiqiu, with her strong self-preservation instincts, immediately sat up straight.

Qin Qianrou turned and saw Li Wan entering from the doorway, but she stopped after only two steps.

A strong scent of perfume wafted in, different from Qin Qianrou’s light and elegant fragrance; this scent was very strong and pungent. Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but rub her nose, almost sneezing.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Li Wan noticed the girl’s action, but refrained from commenting since she was a patient.

However, her indifferent tone was vastly different from her usual enthusiasm.

Li Wan ignored Shen Yiqiu and turned to Qin Qianrou.

“It’s almost time. Someone should be coming over soon.”

Li Wan must have seen Auntie Liu’s movements outside the ward. Hearing this, both people in the ward frowned.

Qin Qianrou nodded, indicating she would be out soon. Li Wan didn’t linger, quietly closing the door behind her as she left.

Shen Yiqiu became anxious. Although the conversation had progressed as she had hoped, Qin Qianrou was about to leave after less than half an hour. What about her? After tonight, she would be a puppet at the mercy of others.

“How about we make a deal?” Qin Qianrou turned and suggested quickly.

“Tell me.”

“I’ll help you get discharged, and you tell me about the clues related to Dongsheng Group.”

It sounded like an enticing offer.

Shen Yiqiu was about to agree, but stopped herself.

“No, that won’t do.”

Qin Qianrou was truly puzzled. The purpose of calling her to the hospital tonight was clear. Since she could help her get discharged, the exchange wasn’t unreasonable. Why the sudden change of mind?

“I can’t just give you the clues and let you investigate on your own,” Shen Yiqiu explained.

“Do you really want to investigate this alone?”

Qin Qianrou thought, this girl was so naive that she didn’t know what to say. Had she watched too many movies and actually believed she could infiltrate the enemy camp and uncover the truth with just her courage?

Over the years, she had experienced and participated in investigations and interviews for many major cases. Whether learned through interviews with investigators afterward, or from her own reflections after fieldwork, every experience was unsettling.

The more formidable the subject of investigation, the more difficult and dangerous the process. Qin Qianrou had even received death threats, but she had bravely persevered due to her professional ideals.

Her situation was different from Shen Yiqiu’s. Investigating Dongsheng Group was her job, her responsibility. Shen Yiqiu providing valid clues could greatly reduce the possibility of detours and wasted time, making the investigation smoother.

But this didn’t mean she was willing to involve Shen Yiqiu, especially since she was now an orphan.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t give Qin Qianrou a chance to persuade her, continuing, “Without my guidance, you’ll be in danger.”

Qin Qianrou was startled and subconsciously asked, “What?”

“Dongsheng Group’s position and influence in Meng City are well-known. Even if you’re a famous reporter, it won’t be easy to conduct an in-depth investigation. Moreover, once this kind of thing starts, you either see it through to the end, or you give up halfway due to pressure. But even giving up can’t prevent retaliation, can it?”

Shen Yiqiu spoke calmly and fluently, as if reciting a textbook example. However, for Qin Qianrou, it was like reliving her past interview experiences. It was indeed as she said.

There was no turning back once the arrow was released. The more prominent the interview subject, the more she had to brace herself and press on.

“But you’re still a child. Even if you help me, it won’t prevent the dangers you just mentioned.”

“Two people are better than one. Just let me help you, okay?”

Qin Qianrou wouldn’t budge, perhaps subconsciously feeling that Shen Yiqiu had suffered enough and unwilling to let her get involved in what was bound to be a chaotic situation after her discharge. Shen Yiqiu should focus on recovering, both physically and mentally, after leaving the hospital.

Thinking this, Qin Qianrou stood her ground. Time ticked by, neither willing to concede. As long as one of them relented, tonight’s agreement would be reached.

Faint footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by hushed conversations; it was Li Wan talking to Auntie Liu.

Qin Qianrou glanced at Shen Yiqiu and found that she was also looking at her. But on the girl’s small face was the same persistence as before.

Reporter Qin sighed inwardly and decided to appease her for now.

“I’ll agree to your terms for now. You can assist me with the investigation. But the extent of your assistance is up to me.”

This was Qin Qianrou’s final concession. Shen Yiqiu knew when to stop and quickly nodded in agreement. She knew that if she refused again, Qin Qianrou wouldn’t give her another chance to bargain.

“Then I’ll come to the hospital tomorrow to finalize your discharge.”

Thinking about the person who would be coming to the hospital tomorrow morning, Shen Yiqiu anxiously requested, “Can you come at six? I mean six in the morning.”

“So eager to be discharged?” Qin Qianrou was slightly amused. Coming tomorrow only meant arranging for the discharge; it didn’t mean she could take her away immediately.

“Someone will be coming to the hospital to cause trouble for me tomorrow, so I need someone to help me.” Since they were being frank, there was no need to hide this matter. Shen Yiqiu knew Qin Qianrou preferred directness, and she didn’t want to deceive her.

Qin Qianrou understood and agreed without hesitation.

She picked up her handbag from the foot of the bed. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Shen Yiqiu suddenly close her eyes, looking as if she was in pain.

Worried about her discomfort but not daring to touch her casually, Qin Qianrou leaned closer to observe carefully, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Yiqiu’s complexion quickly returned to normal. She opened her eyes, looking at Qin Qianrou close at hand, a hesitant look flitting across her eyes.

Qin Qianrou naturally saw it, but didn’t understand why Shen Yiqiu would suddenly act this way.

Just as she was puzzled, she heard Shen Yiqiu say in an uncertain tone, “When you leave, take the stairs, don’t take the elevator.”

Chapter 6: Qin Auntie?

The click-clack of Qin Qianrou’s high heels on the floor wasn’t quiet, especially in such a silent environment; it was quite conspicuous. So, she had to slow down, reducing her walking speed to a fifth of her usual pace, trying to minimize the noise.

Even so, when she reached the bedside, she realized that Shen Yiqiu’s eyes were open, watching her.

The ward was dark, with only a small bedside lamp turned on. Shen Yiqiu’s small face was difficult to see clearly in the dim light.

Qin Qianrou inwardly cursed; she had still woken her up.

But then she thought, she had come to ask Shen Yiqiu for clues, not simply to visit. It was better that the person was already awake rather than being roused by her; it lessened her guilt considerably.

Qin Qianrou stopped, glancing at the person sleeping on the other bed. They were sleeping soundly with their back to her, presumably Shen Yiqiu’s caregiver.

“Are you Shen Yiqiu?” Qin Qianrou’s words were concise, devoid of unnecessary pleasantries, but spoken in a deliberately lowered voice.

Shen Yiqiu, lying on her side facing her, had locked her gaze on Qin Qianrou since the moment she entered. Hearing the question, she nodded repeatedly.

Qin Qianrou bent down, bringing them closer. The fragrance emanating from her was stronger than before but not overpowering. Shen Yiqiu found the scent particularly pleasant and couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

This action startled Qin Qianrou; no one had ever done that in her presence before. But the girl in front of her didn’t seem malicious. Although the surroundings were dim, the faint glimmer in her eyes was clear.

“I heard you insisted on seeing me because you have information for me?”

After getting closer, Qin Qianrou took the opportunity to carefully examine Shen Yiqiu. Her face was almost uninjured, and contrary to her initial image of someone covered in IVs and tubes, she indeed only had minor injuries.

Recalling the various online discussions about the car accident, all expressing disbelief at Shen Yiqiu’s miraculous survival, Qin Qianrou, as a journalist, naturally paid close attention to such hot topics but wasn’t keen on participating in the discussions, especially the more outlandish rumors.

However, after seeing Shen Yiqiu in person, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder: she was indeed incredibly lucky.

Shen Yiqiu stared at Qin Qianrou for a moment, until a hint of confusion appeared in the latter’s eyes, before slowly opening her lips.

However, she didn’t answer the question directly, instead uttering a soft complaint, “Why did you only come now?”

She had waited for so long, almost losing hope. Facing imminent danger, every second was torment. Qin Qianrou was her current hope, but hadn’t offered her any glimmer of light.

She had thought she wouldn’t come tonight.

Qin Qianrou paused, not getting angry.

She hesitated, then looked at the pouting girl with amusement, “Sorry, my phone died tonight, so I didn’t receive the message from my colleague in time.”

Reporter Qin, who usually disdained such explanations, unexpectedly spoke to Shen Yiqiu in such a gentle tone. After saying this, both of them were slightly taken aback.

Since waking up from her coma, Shen Yiqiu had been holding her breath, enduring until now, finally meeting someone she could somewhat rely on, her emotions becoming slightly difficult to control. She had regretted her words as soon as she blurted them out, afraid that Qin Qianrou would turn and leave.

Her memories of Qin Qianrou from her past life were limited to the calm and collected figure hosting interviews on television, and the time she had seen her slap her maternal uncle from a hidden vantage point.

Neither image associated Qin Qianrou with gentleness or affability.

Perhaps sensing Shen Yiqiu’s nervousness and slight apprehension, Qin Qianrou smiled after her explanation, deliberately softening her usual aura.

She was accustomed to keeping a distance from everyone, partly due to her personality and partly for self-preservation. It was just that she was too outstanding and eye-catching, always attracting followers, which she found very annoying.

“So, I’m here now. Can you forgive me? Can you tell me the information you wanted to share?”

Shen Yiqiu blinked. Such a soft voice, coupled with Qin Qianrou’s already pleasant tone, was truly like a celestial melody.

“I actually…”

Just as Shen Yiqiu was about to speak, the person on the bed behind her stirred.

Shen Yiqiu immediately stopped, turning around vigilantly for a quick glance. Qin Qianrou followed her gaze and glanced over but didn’t ask directly.

She had interviewed many unique individuals and had naturally encountered similar scenarios. A car accident survivor with almost no immediate family, and a caregiver in the ward who stayed by her side almost constantly; it looked like she was being monitored.

Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow, silently glancing at Shen Yiqiu, quickly confirming her suspicions from the latter’s reaction.

The caregiver was indeed someone who couldn’t be trusted, so it wasn’t convenient to talk now.

Whether or not the caregiver was awake, it wasn’t suitable to discuss the Dongsheng Group matter in detail here.

“You should focus on recovering, so you can be discharged soon. You don’t like the smell of disinfectant in the hospital, do you?” Qin Qianrou quickly changed the subject, completing Shen Yiqiu’s unfinished sentence.

Shen Yiqiu mentally gave Qin Qianrou a thumbs-up; she was indeed a reporter, alert and quick-witted.

“But I’ve been lying down for so long. My injuries have healed, but they still won’t let me leave.”

The faint complaint sounded exactly like a child clamoring to be discharged and go home.

However, Qin Qianrou sensed something more. “They?” It seemed someone was indeed obstructing Shen Yiqiu’s discharge.

The caregiver behind them woke up. Clearly, with an extra person in the ward, no matter how careful they were, it was impossible to be completely silent.

It was a middle-aged woman, who rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed. Seeing someone standing by Shen Yiqiu’s bed, she initially thought it was a nurse, but upon seeing Qin Qianrou’s clothes and appearance clearly, she was instantly wide awake.

“Who are you? Why are you in someone’s ward so late at night?” The question was laced with shock.

Qin Qianrou smiled, preparing to explain, but Shen Yiqiu spoke first.

“Auntie Liu, this is my mother’s friend. She heard about my accident and came to see me.”

Hearing Shen Yiqiu’s explanation, the caregiver, surnamed Liu, could only put away her scrutinizing gaze, but still seemed a little disbelieving.

“You’ve been hospitalized for days, and she’s only coming now?”

Shen Yiqiu pursed her lips. She hadn’t wanted to explain too much, but she was also afraid of arousing Shao Qidong’s suspicions later. It was better to let Auntie Liu relay the information.

“She’s very busy with work and often travels on business. She came to see me as soon as she got back, otherwise she wouldn’t have rushed over so late. Right, Qin Auntie?”

Shen Yiqiu addressed the first part of her explanation to Auntie Liu, but for the last sentence, she turned her head and looked at Qin Qianrou with bright eyes.

The tall woman standing by the bed now radiated a chill, causing the temperature in the ward to drop significantly.

Qin Auntie? In just a few minutes, she had inexplicably aged so much. Especially when compared to the Auntie Liu standing opposite her…

Twenty-eight-year-old Qin Qianrou admitted that she wasn’t young anymore and had never stubbornly clung to the idea of being eternally eighteen. However, as an unmarried and childless professional woman, being called “Auntie” in public, especially by someone who wasn’t a child under ten, felt rather peculiar.

The atmosphere suddenly became strange, the air seeming to still. Qin Qianrou glanced around inadvertently. Auntie Liu was looking at her hesitantly, while the person who had called her “Auntie” without any prior consultation was staring at her intently.

There wasn’t any mischievous glee in Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, nor the surprise and relief from their initial encounter, but rather a faint anticipation and a hint of… pleading?

What was she longing for? Qin Qianrou’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could think further, she nodded in acknowledgment of the address.

Sigh, for work, “Auntie” it was! After all, there was a ten-year age gap; being called “Auntie” simply meant she had a higher seniority.

Consoling herself in this way, Qin Qianrou felt at ease. Since she was now “Qin Auntie,” she naturally had to act accordingly.

For example, like now, reaching out and stroking Shen Yiqiu’s messy hair.

“Yes, I was busy with work when the accident happened and couldn’t get away. I rushed over as soon as I was free. Fortunately, this child is alright. Otherwise, I would have been even more upset.”

A flicker of sadness crossed Shen Yiqiu’s eyes, and she subconsciously shifted her body, moving closer to Qin Qianrou.

Seeing their intimacy, the hesitation in Auntie Liu’s eyes lessened considerably.

“Then you two chat. I’ll go to the cafeteria and get you something to eat.”

Auntie Liu left with an excuse, leaving the two of them alone in the ward.

Qin Qianrou clearly heard Shen Yiqiu sigh in relief the moment the door closed.

“Are you afraid of her?” Qin Qianrou removed her hand from Shen Yiqiu’s head; she wasn’t used to such close contact.

“Shao Qidong hired her for me. I’m not sure about her background yet.” Shen Yiqiu pouted and leaned back slightly; they no longer needed to put on an act.

“You know Shao Qidong?”

Shao Qidong was the owner of Dongsheng Group. Shen Yiqiu bringing him up naturally steered the conversation to the main topic.

“Before the accident, I didn’t know this person. After I woke up, he said he had business dealings with my father and volunteered to take care of me.”

Qin Qianrou had researched Shao Qidong and knew him to be a businessman through and through. Although he ran a technology company, he himself had little to do with high-tech.

Shen Yiqiu’s father was a professor at a well-known university in Meng City and a leading scientist receiving special national research grants.

How could these two have crossed paths?

But if their connection wasn’t deep, why would Shao Qidong voluntarily take on such a troublesome task?

Qin Qianrou fell into deep thought. Shen Yiqiu didn’t disturb her, instead quietly admiring the person lost in contemplation.

Compared to her deliberately gentle demeanor and soft-spoken words that felt somewhat unnatural, Qin Qianrou in this state was closer to her usual self, and even more… captivating.

Shen Yiqiu wasn’t aware of her own feelings; she simply felt an indescribable comfort admiring Qin Qianrou up close.

Perhaps it was simply human nature to appreciate beauty. No one could resist admiring a beautiful woman, especially one with such an outstanding temperament, far more beautiful than those cookie-cutter internet celebrities.

Qin Qianrou snapped back to her thoughts and was about to inquire further when she noticed Shen Yiqiu’s infatuated gaze.

Being stared at like this would normally annoy Qin Qianrou. But Shen Yiqiu was a girl and the provider of important clues, so Qin Qianrou was particularly tolerant of her.

She merely pursed her lips slightly and asked in an even tone, “Since you only just met him, how did you learn about Dongsheng Group’s situation?”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t referring to the information available in media reports or online. Since Shen Yiqiu had asked to see her, what she wanted to share wouldn’t be something anyone could easily find.

“If I say I haven’t fully grasped it yet, will you be angry?”

Qin Qianrou’s face turned cold. She wasn’t afraid of trouble or hard work, but she hated being deceived, especially being lied to about work, being called to the hospital late at night only to be toyed with.

Guessing Qin Qianrou’s thoughts, Shen Yiqiu straightened up, glanced vigilantly at the door to ensure no one would intrude, and then explained seriously.

“I’ve never had any contact with Shao Qidong before, and my understanding of Dongsheng Group is limited to what I’ve read online and heard from others. But through these few days of interaction, I’ve discovered several problems and clues. I believe he’s not someone who wastes his time and effort.”

Seeing Qin Qianrou listening patiently, Shen Yiqiu organized her thoughts and continued, “Since he’s spending so much time and effort on me, it means he can definitely gain some significant benefit from me. I have no connection to him, so it’s highly likely that what he wants is related to my father.”

Qin Qianrou was surprised that an eighteen-year-old could analyze the situation so clearly and logically, her previous displeasure dissipating.

“Go on.”

“I once heard my father mention an ongoing scientific experiment. He had invested a lot of effort into it and was very confident. He also said that if this experiment was successful, it would be a major breakthrough for all mankind.”

Qin Qianrou frowned slightly at Shen Yiqiu’s words; it was clear that the research project her father mentioned was no ordinary undertaking.

“So, to figure all this out, I have to be discharged from the hospital first.”

Shen Yiqiu finally revealed her purpose: she wanted to leave this place, to escape Shao Qidong’s watchful eye.

“Your injuries have basically healed. Applying for discharge shouldn’t be a problem.” Qin Qianrou had already learned about her injuries from the nurse, and having seen her in person, she was basically certain that Shen Yiqiu was fine.

“But if I leave on my own, Shao Qidong will definitely continue to keep an eye on me.” Shen Yiqiu was filled with resentment.

The explanation she had given Qin Qianrou was actually something she had only figured out step by step in her past life, after being tricked by Shao Qidong into signing the debt contract. When she had woken up from her coma back then, she had been completely clueless.

Fortunately, now that she knew the cause, she would strive to change the consequences.

Shen Yiqiu waited for a moment, but didn’t hear Qin Qianrou respond, so she looked up curiously.

Qin Qianrou said noncommittally, “So, have you figured out a way to get rid of him?”

Her detached attitude made Shen Yiqiu feel a slight pang of discomfort.

Although she knew Qin Qianrou was aloof, when she had asked about the details of Dongsheng Group earlier, she had been genuinely eager. Shen Yiqiu had thought the distance between them wasn’t that great.

It turned out she had been overthinking it.

Shen Yiqiu dejectedly lowered her gaze, but soon after, she heard a soft chuckle. Although suppressed, the sound had nowhere to hide in the quiet ward.

Shen Yiqiu then saw the playful glint in Qin Qianrou’s eyes and felt a surge of embarrassment and annoyance: Oh, you’re playing with me!

Chapter 5: She Came

Qin Qianrou’s call never came. Although the nurse had taken her phone back, seeing Shen Yiqiu’s state, she kept the matter in mind.

Back at the nurses’ station, she kept glancing at her phone, drawing teasing from her colleague on duty, “Anything special happening tonight?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Don’t hide it. How many times have you looked at your phone tonight? I’ve never seen you like this during a night shift. Did that guy your family introduced last time make a move?”

The nurse shook her head speechlessly. She wanted to explain, but felt it was a breach of patient confidentiality. Shen Yiqiu had trusted her with this request; it wouldn’t be right to spread it around.

“With our job, who would really want to date us?” The nurse pouted and shook her head. She wasn’t just saying that; she was only twenty-five and had already been through several failed blind dates.

Without exception, as soon as they heard she was a nurse, they frowned. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a good catch, but people wanted someone who could take care of the family, and being a nurse clearly didn’t fit that image.

**

Li Wan had barely managed to endure an hour and a half at the restaurant. After finishing her steak, she symbolically took two sips of red wine as a courtesy to Zhuo Cheng. He had only initiated conversation at the beginning, and after understanding Li Wan’s attitude, he stopped trying. This blind date dinner was exceptionally calm, but not to the point of being irritating.

Glancing at the time, it was almost 8:30 pm. Li Wan suggested they leave.

“Xiao Wan, let me see you out,” Zhuo Cheng quickly stood up, a sincere expression on his face.

Li Wan picked up her bag, straightened her clothes, and firmly refused, “Don’t bother, someone is picking us up. Besides, you drank the most tonight. If you want to get a DUI, don’t drag us into the headlines with you.”

Zhuo Cheng gave a wry smile; Li Wan’s personality hadn’t changed. Black and white, clear-cut, no chances given to those she disliked.

He shifted his gaze to Qin Qianrou, only receiving an indifferent response.

Qin Qianrou and Li Wan had been friends since college, but she had never been close to Zhuo Cheng. Qin Qianrou’s aloofness was well-known on campus, and Zhuo Cheng was long accustomed to it.

“Then I’ll walk you out.” Zhuo Cheng quickly paid the bill and followed behind them, speaking before Li Wan could refuse again, “If I can’t even do this, Uncle Li will blame me.”

Li Wan gave a sarcastic smile, ignoring him, linking arms with Qin Qianrou as they walked towards the entrance, treating Zhuo Cheng as if he didn’t exist.

Once they were in the car sent by the Li family, Li Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing how different she was from just moments ago, Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but tease her, “Tired from acting?”

Li Wan casually leaned against Qin Qianrou and quickly retorted, “No way! I just feel it’s ironic.”

Looking at Li Wan’s dejected face after she relaxed, Qin Qianrou felt a pang of sympathy.

Back in college, many had pursued Li Wan, but she had favored Zhuo Cheng, who came from an ordinary family. She had said that she valued character and talent and wouldn’t care about family background.

However, Zhuo Cheng had still succumbed to societal expectations. After receiving a full scholarship to study abroad, he had started preparing to leave without much discussion with Li Wan. As his girlfriend, she hadn’t officially learned about it until his visa was approved.

Zhuo Cheng’s explanation at the time was that he wanted better development and prospects, so he would have the confidence to meet Uncle Li in the future and ask for his precious daughter’s hand in marriage.

Yet now, it was Uncle Li who had arranged for him to go on a blind date with her, but Li Wan no longer cared.

Times change, and this was probably a prime example. Countless emotions, endless sighs.

The car drove smoothly. Li Wan’s phone vibrated continuously. In the restaurant, her handbag had been by her side, and her phone was set to vibrate. Coming back to her senses, she realized she might have missed quite a few calls.

But at this hour, it was most likely her father.

As she retrieved her phone, she complained to Qin Qianrou, “It must be Zhuo Cheng reporting to my dad.”

“Didn’t you say he wouldn’t even dare answer your parents’ calls before?”

“Things are different now. Didn’t you notice his change tonight?”

Qin Qianrou wasn’t one for gossip. Except for work purposes, she rarely paid special attention to anyone. She did feel that Zhuo Cheng was different from before, but in terms of understanding him, she couldn’t compare to his ex-girlfriend, Li Wan.

“Huh, why is it her?” Li Wan was surprised after seeing the caller ID.

Qin Qianrou’s attention was drawn, and she glanced over. The words “Team Leader” flashed on the screen.

However, Li Wan stared at the phone without answering. Qin Qianrou raised an eyebrow at her.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Li Wan gave a forced smile, saying nothing, still not answering the call.

After a while, the call automatically disconnected.

Now, Li Wan noticed something even more surprising: there were several missed calls. The earliest ones were from a colleague, using the office phone, and the later ones were from the team leader, including the one just now, a total of seven.

“They’re looking for you so urgently; it must be work-related.” Although Qin Qianrou didn’t know why Li Wan was refusing the team leader’s calls, so many missed calls suggested something important.

Li Wan nodded, busy dialing back. The small knot in her heart was temporarily forgotten.

The call quickly connected, and the team leader’s slightly tired voice came through. Li Wan couldn’t help but complain, “Still haven’t rested after a busy day?”

Her tone was a little harsh, causing both Qin Qianrou and the person on the other end of the line to pause. Li Wan self-consciously tucked her hair behind her ear.

Before Li Wan could say anything else, the team leader asked directly, “Can you contact Qianrou?”

Looking for Qianrou? Li Wan subconsciously glanced at the person next to her and pointed at the phone.

“She’s right here. We just finished dinner and are on our way home.”

“Let her answer the phone.”

The team leader maintained a business-like tone, giving Li Wan the illusion that they were still in the office.

When the phone reached Qin Qianrou, the team leader’s voice was a little anxious, with a hint of displeasure, “Qianrou, why weren’t you answering your phone tonight?”

She had initially assumed that since Qin Qianrou had left work on time for once, she must have special plans, so it wasn’t surprising she couldn’t be reached. But after learning from Li Wan that they were together, it seemed they had gone out for dinner and shopping.

The team leader had always been supportive of Qin Qianrou’s work and rarely interfered in her personal life. Tonight’s call was a little strange, and the tone was odd, but Qin Qianrou wasn’t one to dwell on such things.

Knowing the team leader, if it weren’t important, she wouldn’t be looking for her so late, even going through Li Wan.

“My phone probably died. Usually, at this time, I’m working overtime and my phone is charging. I left early today and didn’t pay attention.” Qin Qianrou took out her phone from her bag; it had indeed turned itself off.

The team leader sighed on the other end and got to the point, “I ran into Xiao Li after the meeting tonight. He told me there was a call specifically for you, someone with information about Dongsheng Group. But Xiao Li couldn’t reach you and was afraid of delaying important matters, so he came to me.”

Upon hearing “Dongsheng Group,” Qin Qianrou, who had been indifferent all evening, immediately lit up, as if energized.

“Team Leader, Dongsheng Group is definitely worth investigating in depth. I already wrote a detailed analysis report this afternoon and left it on your desk!”

“I’ve already seen the report, otherwise why would I be calling you so late at night? Alright, enough chit-chat. The person left a message saying that if you’re interested, you should go to City Central Hospital, Room 3217.”

“Do you know the person’s name?”

Qin Qianrou signaled the driver to pull over, preparing to take a taxi to the Central Hospital after getting out of the car.

“Shen Yiqiu.”

Qin Qianrou froze. This name… she had called her before, but hadn’t mentioned Dongsheng Group at that time.

“What? Do you know this person?” The team leader, hearing Qin Qianrou’s sudden silence, became curious.

“I’ve heard the name. Wasn’t there continuous coverage of the highway accident a while ago? As for the person herself, I haven’t met her.”

Qin Qianrou regained her composure, but Li Wan stopped her before she got out of the car.

Li Wan mouthed silently, “I’ll go with you.”

“What time are you going tomorrow? I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

Lin Shuangzhi already knew what had happened at the project meeting. The team had never been autocratic, and she welcomed this atmosphere of checks and balances, but the scene of Qin Qianrou being isolated and helpless at the meeting today was somewhat unexpected.

She had read the meeting minutes and Qin Qianrou’s analysis report. She naturally leaned towards supporting Qin Qianrou. But on the surface, as the team leader, she couldn’t be overly biased.

“I’ll go now. Team Leader, you should rest. I’ll go with Li Wan.”

“It’s very late now.”

Qin Qianrou glanced at her watch; it was just past 9 pm, around the time she usually finished working overtime. But for journalists, there was no such thing as “late.” News waited for no one, and she was annoyed at receiving the information so late.

“Alright, alright, I know and I can’t dissuade you. Just be careful on the road and keep in touch if anything comes up.” Years of working together gave Lin Shuangzhi the tacit understanding to not bother persuading her further. Qin Qianrou was always on the front lines of journalism.

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

Lin Shuangzhi hadn’t explicitly expressed her stance on the Dongsheng Group matter, but she had spent the whole evening trying to reach her and had relayed Shen Yiqiu’s message without reservation, indirectly revealing her position.

It seemed the team leader also found Dongsheng Group suspicious. Qin Qianrou’s confidence grew.

Li Wan hung up the phone and confirmed one last time before asking the driver to turn around, “We’re going to Central Hospital?”

“Yes.”

Li Wan had overheard Lin Shuangzhi’s call and grasped the key information. She also supported the team’s investigation of Dongsheng Group, but this unknown Shen Yiqiu suddenly wanting to reveal information made her suspicious.

“Qianrou, should we wait until tomorrow morning? Firstly, it’s late now, and visiting hours are long over. You might not be able to see her. Secondly, this Shen Yiqiu doesn’t seem to have any connection to Dongsheng Group. Suddenly asking to see you, I’m afraid Dongsheng Group is just an excuse.”

Li Wan wasn’t worried that Shen Yiqiu would do anything excessive to Qin Qianrou, but having just been in a serious car accident and lost both parents, such a blow was hard to bear, let alone for an eighteen-year-old. Coupled with the strange rumors circulating online, she was a little worried that Shen Yiqiu might have ulterior motives.

“She insisted on seeing me; I think she must have her reasons. As for the real reason, won’t we find out when we see her?”

The small talk with Zhuo Cheng had left Qin Qianrou bored and even tired, but as soon as work was involved, she was immediately revitalized.

“Fine, I’ll go with you to see what’s so special about this Shen Yiqiu that she insists on seeing you.”

**

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of Central Hospital. Before getting out, Li Wan called her father, briefly explaining the blind date and telling him that she would be staying at Qin Qianrou’s place tonight and wouldn’t be coming home.

The Li family had strict rules, but they knew Qin Qianrou well. Li Wan usually wasn’t allowed to stay out overnight except for work reasons. Staying at Qin Qianrou’s place was the only exception.

“Are you sure you want to stay at my place tonight?” Qin Qianrou smiled as she pressed the elevator button.

Li Wan shrugged nonchalantly, her tone relaxed, “I don’t want to go back anyway, I don’t want to be interrogated by my parents about the blind date details. I don’t want to recall anything about Zhuo Cheng.”

Qin Qianrou understood from tonight’s events that Li Wan not only had no lingering feelings for Zhuo Cheng but also clearly disliked him. In this case, either Zhuo Cheng had wronged her in the past, or Li Wan now had a new love interest.

… Either way, it seemed quite tiring. Standing in the elevator, looking at her reflection in the shiny panel, Qin Qianrou was a little lost in thought. Romance was such a bothersome thing.

Fortunately, she only loved work.

Soon, they reached the floor where Shen Yiqiu’s ward was located. It was almost 10 pm, and the ward area was quiet. Those accompanying patients had already settled down for the night, and visitors had all left.

Qin Qianrou stopped at the nurses’ station and was about to inquire about Shen Yiqiu, “Hello, excuse me…”

The nurse was busy writing something, her head still down, but her voice came through first, “Visiting hours are over. Please come back at 6 am tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, but I have something very important to discuss. I’d like to see Shen Yiqiu in Room 3217. Could you please make an exception?” Although Qin Qianrou had an aloof personality, she wasn’t arrogant or looked down on others. She simply wasn’t good at small talk and didn’t like too much interaction with people outside of work.

“You’re looking for Shen Yiqiu?” The nurse looked up, thinking that Shen Yiqiu was quite popular; either she was looking for others, or others were looking for her.

But when she saw the person in front of her clearly, she froze.

Qin Qianrou’s program had high ratings in Meng City, and many young people recognized her. Even though she looked slightly different from how she appeared on screen, her overall features and temperament were unmistakable.

“Oh! You’re… Reporter Qin!”

Qin Qianrou smiled politely. Seeing the other person’s reaction, she skipped the self-introduction.

The nurse whispered to her colleague, then stood up, walked out from behind the nurses’ station, and around to Qin Qianrou.

“When I called you earlier, you said you weren’t coming. I didn’t expect you to actually come tonight.”

Qin Qianrou was a little surprised, her tone unchanged, “You were the one who called.”

The nurse started leading the way. The moment she saw Qin Qianrou, she immediately recalled Shen Yiqiu pouting before falling asleep.

“Shen Yiqiu is in a single room, but she has a caregiver inside. So your conversation can’t be too long. If other patients or their families see you, I’ll be in trouble.” The nurse stopped at the door of Room 3217 and stuck out her tongue.

“Thank you, I’ll be mindful of the time.”

Li Wan stayed outside the ward, letting Qin Qianrou enter alone. It was too quiet here; two people entering at the same time would make too much noise.

Shen Yiqiu hadn’t been sleeping at all, waiting all night for news about Qin Qianrou. But before the final round of nurse checks, the nurse could only shake her head helplessly at her, and she had to give up for the time being.

The moment the door opened, Shen Yiqiu was awake. She opened her eyes alertly, staring at the place where the light shone in.

At the intersection of light and shadow, someone was slowly walking towards her. A slender figure enveloped in a dark business suit, a faint, elegant fragrance drifting from afar, all seemed out of place in the quiet, white hospital, yet surprisingly harmonious.

As the light gradually brightened, Shen Yiqiu finally saw the person clearly.

The pout that had lasted all night finally curved into a smile, and the heart that had been hanging all night slowly settled.

Qin Qianrou, I finally waited for you.

Chapter 4: No One But Her

The small interlude of the phone call didn’t affect Qin Qianrou’s enthusiasm for work. Although she had encountered some obstacles in the project meeting today, she was used to it. Which of her chosen topics hadn’t been a sensitive matter?

Seeing that she was about to dive back into work, Li Wan quickly stopped her, “Hey, don’t tell me you’re planning to work overtime again tonight?”

Qin Qianrou moved the mouse, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“What do you think?”

Li Wan’s beautiful face instantly crumpled. “No way! You promised to go with me tonight. I definitely won’t be able to handle it alone.”

Tonight was Li Wan’s blind date, the prospective partner carefully chosen by her deputy mayor father, a young and promising talent. Although such things happened every now and then, tonight’s was a bit special, which was why Li Wan had specifically requested backup.

“Xiao Wan, it’s been so long, haven’t you let go yet?” Qin Qianrou finally stopped what she was doing and looked at her friend seriously.

Li Wan paused, sighing softly, “I let go a long time ago.”

“If you’ve let go, why are you so afraid to see him?”

“I’m not afraid, I just feel a little awkward. Besides, Dad doesn’t know that we dated in college.”

Years after graduation, to meet an old flame at a blind date… just thinking about it was awkward.

“If you’re sure you have no feelings for him anymore, just make it clear to him tonight. I remember you two had an amicable breakup back then. It shouldn’t be difficult to communicate now.”

Li Wan gave her friend a resentful look, her tone slightly irritated, “He was the one who insisted on going abroad. I couldn’t handle a long-distance relationship, so I broke up with him. I was upset for a while afterward. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an amicable breakup, but a breakup out of necessity.”

Qin Qianrou leaned back in her chair, unable to offer any help in this situation.

“Actually, you don’t need to overthink it. Just treat it as seeing an old friend. If you really don’t want to reminisce about the past, then treat it as getting to know each other again. Maybe you weren’t suitable before, but you are now, since he’s back in the country.”

Li Wan waved her hands repeatedly, a look of disgust on her face. “No way am I starting over. Stepping in dog poop once is enough.”

Qin Qianrou was amused by her reaction.

Looking at her classmate of the same age, Li Wan suddenly felt envious. “Seriously, I really envy you. Not dating can really slow down aging. Look at you, you work so hard every day, but your skin is still so good.”

Qin Qianrou rolled her eyes inwardly and said, “Miss Li, you’re not bad yourself!”

“We’re both twenty-eight. How can we be the same as we were at twenty? You have no idea how much money and effort I spend just to maintain myself, but you do it so effortlessly.”

Some people are naturally beautiful, destined to be heaven’s favorites, good at everything, leaving others with nothing to criticize. Qin Qianrou was such an example. Li Wan genuinely envied her friend and liked her from the bottom of her heart.

To become best friends with the aloof Qin Qianrou, Li Wan relied not only on comparable capabilities but also on her sincere heart. She didn’t compare or envy, but treated Qin Qianrou as her best friend wholeheartedly.

“You’re talking as if I’m not twenty-eight. You’re already beautiful enough, so don’t transfer your anxieties to me.”

“Qianrou, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

After chatting for a while, Li Wan brought the topic back. “So you must come with me tonight. I have to make it clear to him that he’s not allowed to hang around my dad anymore!”

Qin Qianrou knew that Li Wan rarely got anxious for days over a dinner, understanding that this meal was more than just a simple meeting. From the moment Li Wan mentioned it, Qin Qianrou had decided to accompany her.

When Qin Qianrou left the office on time after work, everyone was stunned.

“Did the sun rise from the west today?”

“Even Iron Man needs some leisure time.”

“I think I heard Sister Wanwan say something about dinner in her office. Could there be something going on tonight?”

The more they talked, the more excited they became. No one was truly indifferent to the station’s two beauties; they just didn’t dare to gossip openly.

Qin Qianrou had an aloof personality, and Li Wan had her family background; who would dare offend such a powerful pair?

**

The atmosphere in the five-star hotel restaurant in Meng City was excellent, but the people at the table weren’t as cheerful.

Zhuo Cheng arrived fifteen minutes early. Seeing Li Wan, whom he hadn’t seen in six years since their breakup, he immediately stood up.

When he saw Qin Qianrou next to Li Wan, the spark that had momentarily flashed in his eyes was extinguished.

“Xiao Wan, long time no see.”

Li Wan was listless, there purely to appease her father, her attitude clearly displayed on her face.

Zhuo Cheng had matured considerably since his school days and was more composed than before. He dismissed Li Wan’s indifferent attitude with a smile and turned to greet Qin Qianrou.

“Qianrou, hello.”

Qin Qianrou exchanged polite greetings, “Zhuo Cheng, long time no see.”

The three of them sat down. Although it was a combination of handsome men and beautiful women, the atmosphere at the table dropped to freezing point.

Zhuo Cheng kept trying to find topics to converse with Li Wan, but Li Wan clearly maintained a distant attitude. After a few attempts, Zhuo Cheng stopped trying to make conversation.

The three of them ate their steaks in silence. Zhuo Cheng drank almost all the red wine on the table, while the two women didn’t touch a drop.

Qin Qianrou was thinking about Dongsheng Group when she heard someone call her.

“Reporter Qin, is that really you?”

The owner of the voice was clearly delighted, even a little excited. Qin Qianrou looked up and saw a familiar but not very well-known face.

“Captain Qian?”

“You still remember me? Haha, I was worried you wouldn’t and was about to introduce myself.”

Qian Zhifei was the deputy captain of the Economic Investigation Brigade. Last year, Qin Qianrou’s program needed a special guest, and he was the interviewee.

He had a good impression of the reporter at that time, but unfortunately, after their brief collaboration, there were no more opportunities to interact.

“I’m having dinner with a friend and came over to say hello when I saw you. I won’t disturb you. Let’s connect when we have time.” Qian Zhifei observed the situation at the table. He knew Li Wan, but the other man looked unfamiliar.

He had actually come over impulsively because he had run into Qin Qianrou. On the other hand, seeing Qin Qianrou having dinner with a man made him nervous and worried. Fortunately, the atmosphere didn’t seem very intimate, so he probably didn’t pose much of a threat.

Qin Qianrou nodded and responded softly, “Let’s connect next time.”

Qian Zhifei’s appearance didn’t affect the blind date, as the female protagonist was completely disengaged.

Qin Qianrou wasn’t a talkative person, especially in such emotionally charged situations. She wouldn’t take the initiative to get involved, becoming purely a prop accompanying her friend.

Meanwhile, the situation at the hospital wasn’t so peaceful.

After the young nurse finished the call and relayed Qin Qianrou’s reply to Shen Yiqiu, the girl became silent. She didn’t respond to anyone, similar to her previous comatose state.

“Shen Yiqiu, what are you doing?” The nurse was a little annoyed. It was just not being able to see Qin Qianrou, was it necessary to shut down like this?

“Give me the phone. I want to call her.”

The person who had been silent from day to night suddenly spoke, and her first words were about Qin Qianrou.

Actually, she had wanted to say this in the morning when she first heard the news, but Shao Qidong’s hired caregiver was still present. She couldn’t discern the caregiver’s background, so she chose to say nothing.

After her evening wash-up, during the nurses’ rounds, the caregiver could temporarily leave, finally giving Shen Yiqiu an hour of free time.

“You’re still not giving up?”

“Hurry and give it to me!” Shen Yiqiu was anxious, glancing at the door from time to time.

If the caregiver returned, she wouldn’t have the chance to make the call.

The young nurse didn’t understand her intentions but still tried to soothe her, “Don’t get so worked up. Don’t forget you’re still a patient. I only have her office number, and she’s probably off work by now.”

Shen Yiqiu paused, knowing this was true.

But she couldn’t give up this rare, perhaps only, opportunity. Because, according to her past life, Shao Qidong would bring the debt contract tomorrow morning.

Shen Yiqiu clenched her fists, insisting on calling Qin Qianrou.

Unable to refuse her, the nurse went out to get her phone, handing it to her and helping her find the number she had dialed earlier.

“You can only call twice. If she doesn’t answer, just forget it.”

“Deal.”

The first time, after a long ringing tone, there was a busy signal. Shen Yiqiu bit her lip.

She waited a while, then dialed again. This time, someone finally answered.

After she explained her purpose, the person told her that Qin Qianrou had already left work.

Shen Yiqiu refused to hang up, even pleading, “I have something very important to discuss with her. Could you give me her personal number?”

“I can’t do that. After work is her personal time, and even work matters shouldn’t disturb her. Besides, I can’t give her number to strangers.”

“I’m not a stranger. I’m…” Shen Yiqiu couldn’t think of how to convince the person that she knew Qin Qianrou.

However, her so-called acquaintance wasn’t close enough to warrant getting a personal number.

Just as the other person was about to hang up, Shen Yiqiu blurted out, “Then could you call her and tell her that I have information about Dongsheng Group that I want to share with her? If she’s interested, ask her to come to City Central Hospital, Room 3217.”

The person on the other end was stunned for a moment, then agreed.

Shen Yiqiu held the phone and waited for a while, but there was no return call. Normally, if Qin Qianrou received the message, she should have reacted by now, but there was no call back.

The nurse carefully took back her phone, and Shen Yiqiu returned to her silent state. But the nurse could clearly sense her previous urgency.

Perhaps, it really was something important.

“Are… are you okay?”

Shen Yiqiu wearily nodded in response.

The nurse hesitated, then said, “Do you really have to see Reporter Qin?”

“Yes, it has to be her.”

Shen Yiqiu’s heart grew heavier with anxiety. Through her observations during this time, she knew the nurses and doctors were good people. But they only treated her as a patient.

The only person who could save her was Qin Qianrou.

But, Qin Qianrou, will you really come?

Chapter 3: Qianrou, Not So Gentle

Meng City, as a second-tier city in the country, had developed rapidly in recent years. Especially the High-Tech Industrial Park, introduced ten years ago by the former mayor, was now flourishing, gradually becoming a crucial engine driving Meng City’s economy.

While other cities of similar size were still heavily invested in the real estate industry, the former mayor, with foresight, had planned ahead, resulting in Meng City’s current economic outperformance within the province.

Mayor Xu, due to the success of the High-Tech Industrial Park, had been smoothly promoted to the provincial level. Although Mayor Xu had moved on, many people in Meng City continued to enjoy the benefits of the Industrial Park, from the managing leaders to related industries; there were numerous beneficiaries.

If the Industrial Park was the shining representative of Meng City’s economy, Dongsheng Group was undoubtedly the most dazzling diamond, the kind that blinded the eyes. Back when Mayor Xu was lobbying everywhere and vigorously attracting investment, Dongsheng Group, without hesitation, responded to the call, relocating entirely from a first-tier city and settling down without moving again.

With this main engine in place, downstream enterprises followed suit, quickly injecting vitality into the newly established Industrial Park, much to Mayor Xu’s delight.

Similarly, Dongsheng Group received generous returns. Several major banks in the city jointly provided unlimited credit, essentially lending them a large sum of money at the lowest cost. Previously, in Hai City, there were too many companies similar to Dongsheng Group; they had never experienced such preferential treatment.

It was truly a win-win situation.

For many years, Meng City’s media coverage of Dongsheng Group had been predominantly positive. Occasional negative news mostly concerned insignificant matters. Recently, however, Meng City Television Station received an anonymous tip-off, alleging that Dongsheng Group was involved in selling the latest technology patents to foreign countries.

This morning, the “Today’s Meng City” program team was at loggerheads in the conference room. This was the station’s highest-rated current affairs documentary program, specializing in in-depth investigative reports on current hot topics. It often revealed shocking truths, without deliberately glossing over problems or sensationalizing topics for attention. The neutral, objective, rational, and in-depth style of the program was deeply loved by the Meng City audience, especially the program’s special reporter, Qin Qianrou, who left a particularly strong impression.

But today, Qin Qianrou’s face was grim. Even colleagues who had worked together for a long time inevitably had disagreements during project meetings, but today’s disagreement was particularly intense.

“The information in this anonymous letter is too limited, and it doesn’t provide any key evidence. To investigate Dongsheng Group based on just a few words is a bit too risky.” The speaker was the deputy team leader, a middle-aged man in his forties, a representative of the conservative faction.

Qin Qianrou remained silent with a cold expression. She sat with her arms crossed on the left side of the conference table. Including her, there were only two people on her side. Opposite her sat eight people.

According to the unwritten rule of the team, before the project meeting, everyone received an email about the topic and formed their own opinions beforehand. When taking their seats, they would choose a position aligned with their views.

They usually had arguments and disagreements during project meetings, which was a good thing, proving that everyone had the ability and right to think independently. However, such a one-sided situation like today was rare.

The deputy team leader’s opinion represented the thoughts of most members on his side, but seeing Qin Qianrou’s reaction, the others didn’t dare to voice too much agreement. After all, Qin Qianrou was not gentle at all.

The team leader had gone out with the station’s management, so today’s meeting was chaired by the deputy team leader. Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected so much opposition this time.

“Qianrou, I know we’ve encountered a bottleneck in selecting topics recently, but we can’t just rashly touch upon sensitive areas just because we’re anxious to find exciting points.”

Qin Qianrou, who had been silent, couldn’t help but snort at the deputy team leader’s words, “Sensitive areas? It’s precisely because there are suspicious points that it’s worth investigating and finding results, to give the public an explanation. As for whether it’s truly sensitive, shouldn’t that be determined after the investigation?”

He had already guessed that Qin Qianrou wouldn’t give up easily. The deputy team leader was known for his conciliatory approach, and even when confronted like this, he didn’t lose his temper, though the smile in his eyes diminished considerably.

“Xiao Qin, you know all the current evidence, and by ‘evidence,’ I mean that anonymous letter, which is the only thing that seems remotely credible. All those other messy so-called rumors can’t withstand scrutiny. I admire your diligence, but you must first have correct judgment.”

“So, Deputy Team Leader, you mean Dongsheng Group definitely has no problems, and everything stated in the anonymous letter is pure fabrication?”

“This…” The deputy team leader stammered for a moment, uncomfortably pushing up his glasses with a less confident tone, “There shouldn’t be any problems. After all, it’s such a large company and a star enterprise in the city.”

“Large-scale, well-known companies don’t make mistakes? What’s the logic? Where’s the evidence?” Qin Qianrou’s tone remained calm, devoid of warmth, but not harsh.

However, faced with her questioning, the people sitting opposite her exchanged glances.

The air conditioning in the conference room today was particularly cold, and the chill emanating from Qin Qianrou made it even more apparent.

The deputy team leader’s face completely darkened. He usually didn’t have much direct interaction with Qin Qianrou. He was mainly responsible for coordination and communication. The details of investigations and interviews were primarily handled by the team leader himself, and Qin Qianrou was his capable assistant.

“Xiao Qin, since you insist on pursuing this topic and investigating Dongsheng Group, tell us, what’s your reasoning?” The deputy team leader, seeing Qin Qianrou’s unwavering determination to get an explanation, decided to take a step back.

Qin Qianrou unclasped her hands, opened the folder in front of her, and took out a few sheets of paper, handing them to the deputy team leader.

“This is the material I’ve compiled, organized according to the clues provided in the anonymous letter.”

The deputy team leader hesitantly glanced down, then couldn’t help but look again and again. The person sitting next to him also leaned in, and after a moment, let out a gasp of surprise.

“No way, these all seem like insignificant matters, but when you connect them like this, it does seem suspicious.” Someone muttered in the deputy team leader’s ear, attracting more people to gather around.

In no time, the deputy team leader was surrounded. Soon, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, either because he was blocked from the airflow and it was too hot, or because the content of the material had made him uneasy.

Qin Qianrou remained calm. Even when there was a clear disagreement with the deputy team leader, she maintained good control over her emotions. However, she wasn’t entirely confident. After all, investigating Dongsheng Group meant alarming many people.

From the day she became a reporter, she hadn’t been afraid of any obstacles. The process of seeking truth was often not simple or smooth, and it was precisely because of the difficult process that the truth became more meaningful.

She had given up opportunities in the financial and entertainment channels, insisting on staying in the news channel, because here she could encounter more topics that urgently needed the truth to be revealed.

“Where did you find all this?” The deputy team leader shooed the people around him back to their seats and wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Most of it was found online. There are quite a few reports about Dongsheng Group online. Besides, the internet has a memory. As long as something has happened, it won’t be erased.”

“If this is all the evidence you have, I still can’t support this.”

Qin Qianrou was a little surprised. Couldn’t this even persuade him?

“The logical basis for connecting these trivial matters is that anonymous letter, but you can’t prove the authenticity of that letter. We don’t even know where it came from or who wrote it. What if someone is deliberately slandering, framing, or even just playing a prank on us?”

Such things had happened before, often resulting in wasted effort and offending many people. No one wanted to do thankless tasks, especially those in leadership positions.

Qin Qianrou seemed to remember something, her momentum weakening slightly, but she didn’t back down.

“Should we give up the chance to seek the truth just because we can’t determine its authenticity? If it turns out that this investigation is wrong, I’m willing to take full responsibility.”

“Qianrou!” The person who had been sitting next to Qin Qianrou finally spoke. She hadn’t wanted to get involved too early.

“Li Wan, since you’re sitting next to me, you should support my viewpoint, right?”

As colleagues and friends, they indeed had good rapport.

“I’ve always been on your side.” Li Wan placed her hand on Qin Qianrou’s forearm, making her stance clear.

“Since Xiao Wan is so supportive, let’s discuss this further.” The deputy team leader’s attitude softened slightly. After all, Li Wan was the daughter of the deputy mayor; her words carried weight.

Crucially, if he could find someone capable of taking the blame, he wouldn’t have to worry too much.

“Let’s end the meeting here today. Everyone, please go back and carefully study the related materials. We’ll have another meeting when the team leader returns.” Unwilling to take on the responsibility himself, the deputy team leader postponed it to the next meeting.

The corners of Qin Qianrou’s mouth curled up slightly. This was the outcome she wanted. Before the meeting, when the team leader was called away, she had a premonition that the project proposal wouldn’t go smoothly.

Back in her office, Qin Qianrou opened her computer and continued gathering information, her eyes glued to the screen. Li Wan followed her in and closed the door behind her.

“What do you think of today’s meeting?” Li Wan sat down opposite her. Since it was just the two of them here, they could speak frankly.

“What’s there to think about? I already expected it.” Qin Qianrou wasn’t discouraged.

“The resistance has appeared this early. It seems that there really is something wrong with Dongsheng Group.” Li Wan played with the ends of her hair; she had just gotten a new haircut the day before yesterday.

Qin Qianrou had beautiful long, black, straight hair, which had been the envy of female students on campus during college. Li Wan had initially noticed Qin Qianrou because of this hair.

In a blink of an eye, it had been years since they first met in college and started fighting side by side.

“Thank you for just now.” Qin Qianrou looked away from her computer, her eyes finally showing a smile and warmth as she looked at her friend.

“What’s there to thank me for? You were clearly in the right. Besides, if the deputy team leader knew your real identity, he might not even need a meeting and would unconditionally support you.”

Li Wan seemed to have thought of something and started laughing.

Qin Qianrou looked at her helplessly, and after a while, said, “Don’t go around revealing my background. I came to Meng City to work precisely because I wanted an independent identity of my own.”

Li Wan laughed and promised, “Okay, okay, I promise I won’t say anything. I’m already the daughter of the deputy mayor. If they knew about your background, they’d probably make you the deputy station director immediately.”

“You’re still talking about it.”

Seeing that Qin Qianrou was about to become serious again, Li Wan quickly waved her hand, indicating that she would stop.

Just then, the landline on Qin Qianrou’s desk suddenly rang. This was the publicly announced hotline. Although she often received nuisance calls, more often than not, it allowed her to get first-hand information.

Qin Qianrou answered the phone without delay, “Hello, this is the ‘Today’s Meng City’ program team.”

The other end was silent for a moment, then a female voice spoke softly.

Qin Qianrou glanced at Li Wan; this call didn’t seem simple. She had been collecting information on Dongsheng Group recently, and after receiving the call, she immediately connected it to this matter.

Perhaps she was too eager to receive more relevant information, so when she heard such a hesitant voice, Qin Qianrou felt a flicker of excitement.

“Excuse me, is Reporter Qin Qianrou there?” The caller asked directly for her, making Qin Qianrou both excited and expectant.

Her voice, rarely animated, gained a slight lilt, becoming more lively, “This is Qin Qianrou. May I ask who’s calling?”

Qin Qianrou rarely acted like this, which piqued Li Wan’s curiosity. She stood up, walked to Qin Qianrou’s side, and listened attentively.

Qin Qianrou focused, waiting for the surprise from the other end of the line.

“Um, could you come to the City Central Hospital?”

Qin Qianrou paused, asking, “Why?”

“There’s a patient here who wants to see you.”

Qin Qianrou hesitated, but she felt that the patient’s status was sensitive. Could it be a related informant who had been threatened or harmed? Or someone who had narrowly escaped and decided to expose the truth?

Either scenario was very appealing to Qin Qianrou.

“What’s the patient’s name?”

“Shen Yiqiu. I’m her nurse.”

Shen Yiqiu? Qin Qianrou knew the name; the station had reported on it not long ago. But she didn’t know the person.

“Why does she want to see me?”

Although Qin Qianrou had some expectations, her time was precious. She wanted to make sure it wasn’t a prank or someone who just wanted to meet her; she had been tricked before.

The other end fell silent again, clearly considering the answer.

After a long pause, the voice became even lower, with a hint of helplessness, “I don’t know. She was unconscious before, and after waking up, she kept asking to see you.”

Qin Qianrou’s anticipation waned. She knew about Shen Yiqiu’s general situation and had learned some information about her from online reports. But without a convincing reason to see her, she didn’t want to waste her work time.

“Then please ask her to call me again when her condition improves.” Qin Qianrou politely declined.

The other party hung up the phone, not seeming to be the type to argue. Perhaps they had anticipated Qin Qianrou’s refusal and made the call out of desperation, so they weren’t disappointed by the answer.

Li Wan stepped back, the disappointment on her face more apparent than Qin Qianrou’s.

“Another nuisance call. You should just let a designated colleague handle the hotline.”

Qin Qianrou chuckled softly and said, “The program team’s hotline naturally has someone in charge. This one is the Qin Qianrou hotline.”

Chapter 2: Watching Like a Hawk

The person didn’t stay long in the ward, their movements cautious, hardly making a sound. Even so, in the quiet single room, Shen Yiqiu didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, fearing that the person would discover she was feigning sleep.

After taking her pictures, the person left without a trace, as if the past five minutes had been Shen Yiqiu’s imagination. But she knew clearly that it wasn’t fake; the residual heat from the person’s presence lingered, and a dry, warm scent still hung in the air.

What puzzled her was, who had sent this person to check on her condition? The creditors had been waiting outside for days and had already learned a lot about her situation from the doctors. There was no need to sneak in late at night.

What surprised her even more was how she could have sensed this beforehand. She thought carefully but couldn’t explain this scientifically unfounded phenomenon. In the end, she could only comfort herself that perhaps it had happened in her past life, but she had been truly unconscious then, so she hadn’t been aware.

Now that she was awake, no matter how she pretended, it would be difficult to remain flawless. Doctors and nurses came every day, and sooner or later they would discover her true condition. Anxious, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t sleep all night.

She spent the entire night carefully reviewing the people she could trust, and the result left her disheartened. Staring blankly at the ceiling, Shen Yiqiu sighed, “Mom and Dad always said I should focus on my studies and not waste time on irrelevant things. It’s a pity that now, it’s precisely these ‘irrelevant things’ that could help me.”

If you don’t usually connect with or visit people, who would be willing to take on trouble for you when something happens? Besides, having been so tragically deceived in her past life, even if a stranger offered help, she might not dare to accept it.

After racking her brains all night, she finally fell asleep after dawn, saving herself from having to pretend. However, sleeping and being in a coma were different. She might fool the careless young nurses, but she couldn’t escape the professional eye of the attending physician.

“Xiao Qiu’s complexion looks good today, and all her indicators are stable. She should wake up in the next couple of days. Please pay close attention and observe her.” After completing his routine check, the doctor specifically instructed the nurses before leaving.

Shen Yiqiu frowned. It seemed she could only delay it until tomorrow at the latest.

Another night of usual quiet descended. Shen Yiqiu’s body didn’t experience any discomfort, and no one came to disturb her. She had slept too much during the day and wasn’t sleepy at all at night, so she just lay there in a daze.

Over the past few days, she had recalled everyone she knew, even struggling to remember the name of her elementary school deskmate, but to no avail. Perhaps because she had died once, Shen Yiqiu’s mentality was not as fragile and insecure as it had been at eighteen.

After a day and night of analysis and self-consolation, she had calmed down from her initial anxiety. But there was no way she would resign herself to her fate and relive the crappy and suffocating life of her past life.

Staring at the ceiling, trying to find a focal point, Shen Yiqiu gathered all her strength to encourage herself. She had to live a different life!

If the old path was blocked, she would find a new one. If there was no one suitable among her acquaintances, she would expand her search. Even a stranger would do, as long as they could help uphold justice.

Shen Yiqiu was grateful that she would be turning eighteen next month, which meant she could be free from the constraints of guardianship and live as a completely independent adult. But then she remembered that this family trip was also an early celebration of her birthday. It was a pity her parents didn’t live to see her become an adult. Another pang of heartache hit her.

The sky outside gradually brightened. As sleepiness and drowsiness washed over her, a name suddenly popped into her mind: Qin Qianrou.

Qin Qianrou… Shen Yiqiu fought off sleepiness, searching her memory bank for information about this name.

“Who is she? The name sounds familiar, but I don’t seem to know her,” she muttered to herself, feeling increasingly unfamiliar with herself after her rebirth.

Drowsiness overwhelmed her. Before falling into a deep sleep, a scene from two years ago under her maternal uncle’s apartment building suddenly reappeared: a tall, young woman stood facing her uncle, talking non-stop. Shen Yiqiu hid by the stairwell, not daring to approach, for fear of interrupting their date.

Shen Yiqiu waited for a while but they didn’t stop talking, leaving her unsure whether to leave or stay. She had planned to have dinner at her uncle’s place tonight, but it seemed that wasn’t going to happen. Suddenly, she heard a shout followed by a loud slap.

Shen Yiqiu’s eyes widened, confirming that her maternal uncle had indeed been slapped. What was even more surprising was that he wasn’t angry at all, but instead called out to the departing woman several times: “Qianrou, Qianrou, listen to me…”

After slapping her uncle, the woman turned and left without hesitation, not giving him a chance to stop her. Now, Shen Yiqiu dared not go out, and besides, she didn’t know how to comfort people.

To avoid embarrassing her uncle, Shen Yiqiu quietly slipped away. An hour later, when she received a call from her uncle, she pretended to be completely unaware, “Oh, I’m so sorry, Uncle. My classmate insisted on taking me to KFC. I won’t be coming over tonight.”

Her uncle’s voice was low and listless. He didn’t sound particularly happy or relieved when she said she wasn’t coming. He hung up after a few brief words.

Sitting alone in KFC, eating her burger and chicken wings, Shen Yiqiu thought about her uncle’s lifeless tone and couldn’t help but think of the woman named Qianrou again.

Named Qianrou, gentle and soft, but she wasn’t gentle at all.

Shen Yiqiu heard the name again after her maternal uncle returned from another failed blind date. He was distraught for some reason and drank a lot of alcohol by himself. Seeing his distress, Shen Yiqiu handed him a wet towel, awkwardly trying to think of something comforting to say.

As she was still formulating her words, her uncle, leaning against the sofa, suddenly collapsed onto the carpet, hugging an empty bottle and calling out repeatedly, “Qianrou… Qianrou… Qin Qianrou…”

Shen Yiqiu leaned closer to finally hear the woman’s full name. So her name was Qin Qianrou.

However, after that drunken incident, her maternal uncle started traveling extensively, and Shen Yiqiu never heard him mention the name again.

Later, Shen Yiqiu seemed to have heard the name Qin Qianrou a few times. A few classmates who followed current events seemed to particularly admire her, mentioning her frequently. They would say things like, “Did you know? This news was uncovered by Goddess Qianrou. I watched the special report yesterday; she was on the front lines for the entire interview!”

Shen Yiqiu wasn’t one to join in the excitement, but she had a gentle personality and a mild temper. Since her classmates were enthusiastic, she didn’t want to spoil their fun, so she listened quietly, being a dutiful audience.

After hearing it so often, she occasionally watched Qin Qianrou’s programs on the news channel, but most of the time she preferred reading and doing exercises. Qin Qianrou on screen had an outstanding temperament, a typical professional woman. She spoke concisely and wasn’t overly tactful in her interviews, sometimes even questioning interviewees into silence.

Perhaps because she had witnessed Qin Qianrou slapping someone, the seemingly aloof woman on the screen appeared a bit softer to Shen Yiqiu.

However, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but wonder, how could such a beautiful woman be so fierce?

The memories of Qin Qianrou mingled with her dreams, and the answer she had been pondering for days finally surfaced. Perhaps because she now had a solution, Shen Yiqiu slept soundly.

She was woken in the morning by voices around her. Having already made up her mind, she decided to stop feigning a coma, so she opened her eyes amidst the noise.

“Hey? Look, is she awake?” A middle-aged man’s voice rang out, and Shen Yiqiu’s hand, hidden under the blanket, suddenly clenched.

She would never forget this voice. The first voice she heard after waking up in her past life was this one. And the owner of this voice was none other than Shao Qidong, the creditor who had driven her almost insane!

Shen Yiqiu turned her head, instinctively wanting to avoid the eyes that were scrutinizing her. This debt couldn’t be left unsettled! Resentment boiled within her, but she couldn’t show it.

Now, she had to pretend she didn’t know Shao Qidong. Today was their first meeting. Before this, Shen Yiqiu had never seen this person nor heard her parents mention his name.

“Excuse me, I need to do a detailed examination on the patient.” The attending physician was also a middle-aged man, but Shen Yiqiu found him much more approachable than Shao Qidong.

Besides Shao Qidong, there were two other people standing in the ward. Through the gaps between the busy physician’s movements, Shen Yiqiu saw them.

Frowning, she stared at them for a while. Faced with strangers, she could only respond with silence.

As if sensing her confusion, the younger of the two took the initiative to introduce himself, “My name is Chen Kang, from the Traffic Police Brigade. We were the ones who brought you to the hospital last week.”

He then pointed to the person beside him and continued, “This is our Deputy Captain Liu.”

Upon hearing “Traffic Police Brigade,” Shen Yiqiu recalled the car accident a week ago, although to her, it had already been several years. But thinking about the scene of her loved ones’ deaths, no one could remain indifferent.

Shen Yiqiu moved her lips. Before she could speak, tears started flowing.

Faced with enemies and bad people, she couldn’t cry, and she wouldn’t cry.

But faced with those who had helped and saved her, the kindness in her heart prevented her from remaining indifferent.

Chen Kang had been worried about this poor girl. Taking advantage of his day off, he decided to visit her at the hospital. Unexpectedly, he ran into Captain Liu at the hospital entrance and learned that he wasn’t the only one concerned about Shen Yiqiu.

To their surprise, Shen Yiqiu woke up shortly after they arrived at the ward. Before Chen Kang and Officer Liu could rejoice, they were startled by her tearful face.

“Hey, hey, hey, waking up is a good thing! Why are you crying?” Chen Kang tried to comfort Shen Yiqiu awkwardly, but found himself at a loss for words.

Captain Liu, having seen such scenes more often, patted Chen Kang’s shoulder and took over, “Xiao Qiu, the most important thing for you now is to recuperate and strive for a speedy recovery and discharge. There’s still a long road ahead, and your family wants you to be well.”

Although his words were more impactful than Chen Kang’s, they still touched a sore spot, making her feel even more heartbroken. The attending physician couldn’t bear it and interrupted in a low voice, “The patient has just woken up and isn’t suitable for too many visitors. You shouldn’t say too many comforting words for now, so as not to affect Xiao Qiu’s emotions.”

From the moment the accident happened until now, Shen Yiqiu’s tragic experience and lucky escape had touched many people’s hearts. Perhaps out of pity and compassion for this child, they unconsciously treated her as their own.

“Doctor, when can she be discharged?” Shao Qidong, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Shen Yiqiu shuddered, even her tears momentarily stopping.

“We’ll have to wait for the results of today’s examination. If there are no major issues, she’ll need to stay for another week of observation.”

“A week?”

“A week!”

Chen Kang felt that a week was too short for someone who survived such a horrific accident, while Shao Qidong felt that seven days was too long.

The attending physician ignored their reactions. In his eyes, the patient’s condition was the only thing that mattered.

“Although Xiao Qiu’s injuries aren’t serious, she isn’t suitable for visitors at the moment. She needs more rest.”

The implication was clear: he wanted them to leave.

Chen Kang and Officer Liu had just come for a quick visit. They had been busy handling the accident and finally had a break, so they wanted to check on Shen Yiqiu. Seeing her awake, they were relieved. With the doctor’s words, they naturally wouldn’t stay and disturb her.

Shao Qidong’s face darkened. Even after Chen Kang and Officer Liu had left, he remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.

The doctor directed the nurses to turn Shen Yiqiu over and over for their examinations. Noticing that there was still someone standing in the ward, even the most good-natured person would be displeased.

Doctors disliked disobedient patients the most, as well as those who disturbed patients, the latter often being more annoying.

“Sir, is there anything else?”

Shao Qidong stared at the doctor’s back for a moment, then met his gaze. “I’ll stay and accompany her. She has no relatives to care for her now.”

Everyone present knew Shen Yiqiu’s current situation. A week after she was admitted, someone from the Traffic Police had come and explained: her parents were deceased, and they couldn’t contact any other relatives. The only person they could contact was a close friend of her parents, but it would take time for them to arrive.

While she was in a coma, there was nothing much to do; just lie there. Now that she was awake, being alone in the hospital wasn’t pleasant. Shao Qidong had been waiting outside her ward for days, claiming to be Shen’s father’s business partner, so he could be considered to have some connection with the family.

A young nurse suddenly spoke, “I’m afraid that’s not appropriate.”

Shao Qidong glared at her, causing the nurse to shrink back.

The nurse hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to continue, “She’s a young lady, and you’re not related by blood. It’s inconvenient for you to stay overnight. Besides, if she needs to use the restroom or wash up, it would be awkward with you here. You’d be more of a hindrance than a help.”

These were honest words and also a matter the hospital had to consider.

Shao Qidong’s face darkened. After a moment, he slowly shifted his feet. “I’ll find a woman to come.”

Chapter 1: Miraculous Survival

The scorching heat of July descended upon Meng City as expected, driving people to distraction.

A serious traffic accident that occurred a week ago on the highway leading out of the city remained the focus of attention: a pile-up involving more than ten vehicles, resulting in dozens of casualties.

Besides the lamentations and regrets for the lost lives, the most talked-about topic was Shen Yiqiu, the miraculously surviving passenger, and the sole survivor, from the Mercedes-Benz at the very center of the collision.

Before this accident, Shen Yiqiu was just an ordinary high school student who had just finished the college entrance exam and embarked on a short trip with her parents for the summer vacation. A sudden disaster struck, and now, lying in the cold hospital ward, Shen Yiqiu had become an orphan, both her parents deceased.

The ward was quiet, with occasional footsteps approaching, but they only stopped by the bedside to change Shen Yiqiu’s dressings and check her injuries. Like a puppet, she had been lying here for a week, still unconscious.

When she was carried out of the ambulance, the doctors and nurses waiting at the hospital entrance were stunned. Covered in blood, Shen Yiqiu was similar yet different from the other injured brought in. Her clothes were stained with blood, but upon closer inspection, it was easy to see that her face was almost uninjured, and her body only had wounds on her arm.

“This child is lucky. She only suffered minor injuries in such a serious car accident,” Officer Liu, the traffic policeman in charge of the escort, breathed a sigh of relief, speaking softly to his colleague.

“But her parents…” His colleague, a recent recruit, whose legs had been trembling at the accident scene, trailed off.

“Parents will always protect their children first. If she can survive, her parents will be gratified.” Officer Liu patted the young colleague’s shoulder and turned to walk away.

He had already heard from the doctor that the child was not in immediate danger. A series of detailed examinations were needed to determine whether her internal organs and brain had been injured in the crash.

Seeing that his colleague was slow to follow, as if unwilling to leave, Officer Liu called out in a deep voice, “Xiao Chen, there’s still a lot to do tonight. Let’s get to work.”

The person who had been peering into the emergency room finally snapped back to attention and hurried after him, replying, “I really hope that child can survive. It’s so rare to pull someone out completely intact from such a horrific accident scene!”

Officer Liu kept walking but agreed with Xiao Chen’s words.

“By the way, what was that child’s name again?” Xiao Chen asked, trying to recall. The accident scene was so chaotic that he couldn’t remember the victim’s name for a moment.

“Shen Yiqiu.”

**

Shen Yiqiu was undoubtedly lucky. After a thorough physical examination, the attending physician looked at the report, shaking his head and sighing, “This is truly a blessing in disguise. No serious external injuries, and no internal injuries either.”

Yet, she remained inexplicably unconscious for a week, with no signs of waking up. The attending physician made his rounds once a day, and the rest of the time she was mainly cared for by two nurses.

“When do you think she’ll wake up?” The younger nurse replaced the IV bag with a new one filled with glucose.

The nurse on the other side performed a basic check on Shen Yiqiu, already accustomed to the question.

“Who knows? The examination results show no serious injuries, yet she’s still sleeping.”

The nurse who had changed the IV bag looked around, then leaned over the bed, lowering her voice, “Do you think there’s something strange going on? There are all sorts of speculations online. Some people even said they were passing by and saw a strong light sweep across the accident scene.”

“Do you believe what they say online?” The other nurse seemed a bit surprised, pausing before asking in return.

“I didn’t believe it at first, but seeing Shen Yiqiu like this every day, clearly fine but still unconscious, and then reading those theories online when I get home… it’s hard not to believe.”

The two young nurses chatted more animatedly, standing shoulder to shoulder at the foot of the bed, exchanging the various versions of rumors they had seen online, completely oblivious to the fact that the person lying in the bed was the very subject of their discussion.

“Ahem, we must believe in science. Even if we can’t explain the reason for the patient’s continued coma for the time being, we cannot easily believe those superstitious rumors, and even more so, we cannot spread them.”

The attending physician walked in, and the young nurses quickly returned to their respective positions. It seemed that Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t be waking up today either.

After the doctor and nurses left the ward, silence returned. The air conditioner continued to run, separating this place from the hot and restless summer outside.

Shen Yiqiu opened her eyes, slowly adjusting to the light in the darkened environment. Her head still ached dully, but she bit her lip, not making a sound.

She had actually regained consciousness three days ago, but she couldn’t open her eyes or speak. She could perceive and hear the doctors and nurses entering and exiting the ward every day, performing their checks, and the nurses’ conversations by her bedside.

The moment she regained consciousness, she thought she was dreaming after death, and for a moment, she felt a strange sense of joy. Because she knew very well that her last days in her previous life were miserable. She had lost her personal freedom, her dignity, and had almost ceased to be Shen Yiqiu.

But now she was reborn in a hospital, back at the crucial moment when her fate took a turn. She didn’t have time to rejoice at how much heaven favored her, giving her a second chance at life, nor did she have time to grieve the loss of her parents, although she had suffered for years because of it in her previous life.

Now, all she could think about was how to change her upcoming fate and cherish this hard-won opportunity for rebirth.

Although Shen Yiqiu never understood when her scientifically-minded father had incurred such huge debts in her previous life, debts that led to her losing all her dignity to repay them. She also never expected that her parents’ old classmate, who had rushed from a city thousands of miles away to take care of her, would do so to obtain the inheritance her parents left her. To be precise, a priceless but currently illiquid intellectual property patent.

It was truly a headache. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but she still couldn’t think of a solution. The Shen family was small; the older generation had passed away when Shen Yiqiu was very young, and now her parents were gone, leaving only some distant relatives.

Her parents were both dedicated to academic research and usually indifferent to social interactions. The only person they occasionally interacted with was her relatively young maternal uncle.

But he loved adventure travel and spent more than half the year traveling around, his whereabouts uncertain. In addition, she had heard he had suffered a heartbreak two years ago and had been wandering around even more, never staying home.

After thinking about it, there was no one she could rely on, but there were quite a few people eyeing her covetously.

Shen Yiqiu was born into a scholarly family. Her parents and ancestors were intellectuals, treating others with courtesy and sincerity. She had been well-protected since childhood. Although she excelled in her studies, she was similar to her parents in terms of social skills: she wasn’t good at socializing, nor did she disdain flattery.

If it weren’t for that traffic accident, Shen Yiqiu would have followed the life path her parents had planned for her without worry: attending the top university in the country, then studying abroad for further education, and returning to contribute to the nation after graduation.

Before her death in her previous life, she had unexpectedly learned that the car accident was not an accident. Her parents had been deliberately murdered, and the so-called pile-up was just a cover-up!

A fire ignited within her, anger gradually rising, and Shen Yiqiu realized that a kind of power was accumulating within her body. This feeling was unfamiliar to her, and she dared not act rashly, so she lay still, waiting for her emotions to calm down.

After a while, the anger subsided. But that strange feeling remained, taking over, becoming distinct and powerful.

Shen Yiqiu was a little scared but chose to remain silent. She knew there were people guarding outside the ward, waiting for her to wake up. She remembered clearly that in her previous life, she had been seriously injured in the car accident and had been in a coma for a long time. When she finally woke up, she had barely heard the news of her parents’ death when creditors, alerted to the situation, began to press her relentlessly.

She was panicked and lost, unable to process all the information before being overwhelmed by the creditors’ aggressiveness. She then muddleheadedly signed a repayment contract that she regretted to this day.

So this time, she absolutely could not repeat her mistakes. Until she figured out a way to escape, she would rather continue feigning a coma than give the creditors another opportunity.

While randomly thinking about her past life, that strange feeling converged at her heart, and Shen Yiqiu instinctively held her breath for a moment. Then a bizarre image appeared in her mind: a person in a nurse’s uniform opened the door, walked to her bedside, observed her for a moment, then took out a phone and snapped a few pictures of her.

The image lasted only a short time, and as it disappeared, the strange feeling vanished as well, as if it had never existed. Shen Yiqiu pondered, puzzled, and was about to give up her confusion when she heard hurried footsteps in the corridor.

She was startled. These were not the footsteps of the nurses who usually cared for her, nor were they the footsteps of the kind, middle-aged attending physician. Without time to think, Shen Yiqiu quickly closed her eyes, returning herself to a state of unconsciousness.

The person gently closed the door, walked to her bedside in a few steps, and then performed the exact same actions as in the image she had seen in her mind just moments before.