Chapter 29: Blushing
You Ruxu didn’t return to the station until noon. She hadn’t done any live broadcasts for the past two days, leaving it to another reporter to report on the fireworks factory incident and other news. Back at the station, Chen Xiang was still worried: “Teacher You, is the boss going to scold us?”
“No.” You Ruxu said, “The fireworks factory case will be solved soon.”
Chen Xiang wasn’t as optimistic, but she still followed You Ruxu, head lowered. Shi Qi just glanced at them. Chen Xiang shrank back. Shi Qi called out, “Xiao Xu.”
You Ruxu looked up. Shi Qi said, “Come in with me.”
Without hesitation, You Ruxu followed Shi Qi into her office.
In the office, Shi Qi made tea. She had heard that Shi Qi was scolded by the station director for a whole hour, emerging from his office humiliated, becoming the laughingstock of Teams 1 and 3. She looked at You Ruxu: “Do you know what’s the most important thing about news, besides accuracy?”
You Ruxu said, “Timeliness.”
Shi Qi nodded: “Yes, timeliness. Then why did you hold back Mr. Zhao’s interview?”
If they had published it before today’s statement, their midday news ratings wouldn’t be so dismal! All the other stations were reporting on it, while they were just rehashing old news, without any new information.
Shi Qi took two deep breaths.
You Ruxu said, “I think Mr. Zhao just wanted to use us as his executioners.”
Shi Qi looked at her, “What do you mean?”
“This incident can’t be unrelated to Mr. Zhao. Chen Mo’s parents were the first wave, we were the second. Because we didn’t publish his interview, he had no choice but to issue the factory’s statement today.”
Shi Qi raised her hand, “What?”
Her expression turned serious: “Did you find something?”
You Ruxu said, “I did find some things, but we still need to wait for police verification.”
She had already sent all the information she found to Captain Zhou.
Captain Zhou chuckled, “Why don’t you come work at the police station? You can be a special consultant, I’ll submit a report.”
The little troublemaker beside her grinned, “Yeah, Reporter You, you’ve been a great help with this case.”
Although they would have eventually found out through further investigation, it wouldn’t have been this fast. Moreover, with the current online uproar, they had to investigate quickly and give the public an explanation, otherwise the situation might escalate.
You Ruxu just smiled.
Shi Qi asked, “How much longer will it take?”
You Ruxu thought for a moment and said, “Soon.”
Shi Qi looked at her and said, “Write an investigation report.”
You Ruxu agreed.
Leaving the office, she ran into Chen Xiang. Chen Xiang made a throat-cutting gesture and asked, “Are you okay?”
You Ruxu shook her head, “I’m fine.”
Chen Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, “Want a cup of coffee?”
You Ruxu said, “Please.”
Chen Xiang went to make her a cup of coffee. When she delivered it to You Ruxu’s desk, You Ruxu was turning on her computer. The screen was on, but the screensaver hadn’t loaded yet. Chen Xiang called out softly, “Teacher You?”
You Ruxu snapped back to reality.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard, typing in a string of numbers, ending in 0068.
Chen Xiang was curious, “Teacher You, your password is so long, is it your birthday?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
Chen Xiang said, “Then it must be a special date.”
You Ruxu took a sip of coffee, “It’s not a date.”
Chen Xiang gave a small “oh.”
You Ruxu opened her work journal and typed in all the results, hypotheses, and evidence she had gathered regarding the fireworks explosion. Chen Xiang sat beside her and asked, “Teacher You, do you think Zhang Xiaojie really caused the explosion?”
After investigating for so long, Chen Xiang also had her own thoughts: “I don’t think so.”
You Ruxu turned to her, “Then who do you think it was?”
“It’s hard to say.” Chen Xiang said, “I even suspect it might be Chen Mo.”
Chen Mo.
You Ruxu had suspected him at the beginning.
But after seeing his computer, his package, and the gift, she thought it probably wasn’t him. Chen Mo didn’t seem suicidal, and there was no trace of him being involved.
So, she ruled him out from the start.
Then it was Zhang Xiaojie.
Zhang Xiaojie had even less motive.
Mr. Zhao’s claim that Zhang Xiaojie was blackmailing him was absurd.
Zhang Xiaojie started spreading rumors about the illegal fireworks a month and a half ago. Why didn’t he contact the person he was supposedly blackmailing for a whole month and a half? Was he waiting for Mr. Zhao to contact him?
No blackmailer would be that stupid.
However, he did disable the camera.
And that was solid evidence.
If she guessed correctly, he must have disabled it with Chen Mo.
You Ruxu had seen the information. Chen Mo was 1.7 meters tall, while Zhang Xiaojie was 1.86 meters tall. He could easily disable the camera with a broom, something Chen Mo couldn’t do.
So, Zhang Xiaojie was responsible for the camera.
This also meant that Zhang Xiaojie wasn’t near the source of the explosion, while Chen Mo was, hence his death at the scene, while Zhang Xiaojie was only injured.
But was the explosion really caused by Chen Mo?
Or was he also a victim?
You Ruxu typed a question mark after that sentence, looked at the words on the screen, and messaged Captain Zhou: [Can I interview Mr. Zhao again?]
Captain Zhou, after entering the hospital, received You Ruxu’s call and replied: [Not at the moment.]
After sending the message, she walked into the hospital, saw a young nurse, and asked, “Where’s Zeng Jing’s ward?”
The nurse didn’t answer immediately. Captain Zhou showed her badge. The nurse said, “VIP room 408.”
Captain Zhou nodded: “Thank you.”
She was about to go find the VIP ward when she saw a familiar face: “Dr. Zhou.”
Zhou Tianzui looked up, not with Captain Zhou’s cheerful smile, but a calm and impassive gaze. Captain Zhou said, “What a coincidence.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Is something the matter?”
Captain Zhou had dealt with several cases where the suspects were treated at this hospital, and one of them was Zhou Tianzui’s patient, so they were acquainted, although only superficially.
Captain Zhou said, “I’m looking for Zeng Jing.”
She asked, “Do you know which ward she’s in?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Fourth floor.”
Captain Zhou wanted to ask more, but Zhou Tianzui had already brushed past her and returned to her office. The little troublemaker said curiously, “That doctor is so cool!”
“She’s even cooler when she’s scolding people.” Captain Zhou said, “Someone with your frivolous attitude wouldn’t last two days under her.”
The little troublemaker was intimidated.
He glanced in Zhou Tianzui’s direction, wanting to say, is she really that scary?, but remembering Zhou Tianzui’s stern expression just now, he swallowed and obediently followed Captain Zhou to the fourth floor.
Zhou Tianzui, back in her office, received a call from the director, asking her to come to his office.
She pursed her lips and rubbed her temples before going to find the director.
She knocked on the door. Five or six doctors were inside, Zhao Mingqi among them. Seeing her enter, he offered his seat. The director said, “Now that everyone’s here, I have an announcement. Next week, one of you will be selected to go to Yuhai for training.”
Zhao Mingqi spoke, “Yuhai? Another lecture?”
There were many types of training, and lectures were the least popular. You had to sit for half a day, and if you encountered a long-winded lecturer, you would be drained by the end of the day. So, lectures were the least preferred type of training.
The director looked at him, “What? Not happy? Look at you, slouching all day, no proper posture! And you call yourself a doctor!”
Zhao Mingqi was scolded for no reason. He took half a step back.
The director said, “It’s voluntary, anyone who wants to go, sign up with me.”
Seeing no one speak, she was a little displeased, “No one’s saying anything? Three days, if no one signs up within three days, we’ll choose someone randomly.”
Leaving the office, several doctors groaned, “It’s definitely going to be one of us.”
This kind of training was never assigned to Fu Shushu or Zhou Tianzui. It was obvious why. Zhao Mingqi’s face was grim: “It’s definitely going to be me this time, the director was glaring at me just now.”
Zhou Tianzui looked at him, “Serves you right for talking too much.”
“I was just trying to lighten the mood.” Zhao Mingqi waved his hand, “And now I’ve become the target.”
A doctor beside him chuckled, “Really, Dr. Zhao? Why don’t you just sign up? You might even earn some brownie points with the director.”
Zhao Mingqi glared at her, “Get out of here! Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?”
Zhou Tianzui listened to the commotion beside her, thinking about the police visiting Zeng Jing. After a moment of thought, she went up to the fourth floor. Seeing her, Lin Luo’s heart leaped into her throat. She quickly reported, “We did her routine checkup today, her physical condition…”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Are the police inside?”
Lin Luo breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, “Yes.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Go attend to other matters, you don’t need to stay here.”
Zeng Jing probably wouldn’t do anything rash again. Lin Luo said, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui brushed past her and stood at the ward door. The door was closed. Through the window, she saw Captain Zhou showing Zeng Jing something on a tablet. Zeng Jing said, “Isn’t this Youyou’s design?”
Captain Zhou understood. She asked, “Are you sure?”
“I remember she showed me the drawings a long time ago.” Zeng Jing said, “The drawings are still on my phone.”
Captain Zhou looked at her phone.
Zeng Jing’s pupils constricted, but she still took out her phone, searching for a while before finding the chat history. The design in the drawing was almost identical to the one on the tablet. Captain Zhou nodded, “Thank you, Ms. Zeng.”
“Does this have something to do with Youyou?” Zeng Jing said, “Is Xiaojie not involved?”
Captain Zhou said, “The investigation isn’t complete yet, please be patient, Ms. Zeng.”
But it would be soon.
She had found key evidence, enough to prove her theory.
Zeng Jing breathed a sigh of relief.
Captain Zhou left the ward and asked the little troublemaker, “Have Chen Mo’s parents arrived at the station yet?”
The troublemaker said, “Officer Wu is interrogating them.”
Captain Zhou nodded, her expression relaxing, knowing the case would soon be closed. The little troublemaker was also happy. He said, “We owe this to Reporter You, should we treat her to dinner after the case is closed?”
“Are you treating?” Captain Zhou asked.
The troublemaker said, “Let Captain Zhou do the honors.”
Captain Zhou didn’t hesitate and said, “Alright, I’ll call her after the case is closed. But I don’t know if she’ll come.”
Zhou Tianzui, holding a medical chart, stood at the door, listening to their conversation, her gaze darkening slightly. The little troublemaker saw her and said, “That cool doctor.”
“What cool doctor?” Captain Zhou said, “Show some respect, her name is Dr. Zhou.”
She was in a good mood and wanted to greet Zhou Tianzui. Turning around, Zhou Tianzui had already entered the ward, closing the door behind her. Captain Zhou cleared her throat and said, “She is quite cool.”
Zhou Tianzui entered the ward. Zeng Jing was surprised. Remembering Zhou Tianzui’s earlier encouragement, she felt grateful, realizing that Zhou Tianzui wasn’t as cold and aloof as she appeared, that she had a warm heart beneath her stern exterior. She wasn’t as afraid of her anymore, even offering her fruit.
“You eat.” Zhou Tianzui said, “You haven’t fully recovered yet, you need to stay for a few more days of observation.”
A few days ago, she couldn’t even eat, almost couldn’t even keep down her medication. There was no way she could have recovered quickly. Zeng Jing nodded, “Okay, thank you, Dr. Zhou.”
This gratitude was sincere. She was thankful for You Ruxu, who hadn’t given up, and for Dr. Zhou, who woke her up at the last moment. Without them, she might still be contemplating suicide.
Zhou Tianzui, seeing that she was speaking clearly and rationally, nodded, and couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Zeng, did you ever believe Zhang Xiaojie did this?”
“I don’t believe it.” Zeng Jing said firmly, “He wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Zhou Tianzui met her gaze, paused for two seconds, and nodded, “Rest well.”
Leaving the ward, she stood at the door for a few minutes before walking away.
You Ruxu rarely left work early. She had been incredibly busy these past few days, constantly on the go, with no time to rest. Seeing that the truth was about to be revealed, and the remaining tasks didn’t require her immediate attention, she relaxed and left the station early.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Tianzui to leave work early as well.
You Ruxu, arriving home, opened the door and saw Zhou Tianzui sitting on the sofa, a box in front of her. Hearing the noise, Zhou Tianzui turned and saw You Ruxu standing at the door. She stood up, put away the box, placed it in the cabinet under the coffee table. You Ruxu said, “You’re home early today?”
“A little tired.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Is the fireworks factory incident almost over?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, almost.”
Two days at most, tomorrow at the earliest, there would be a result.
She took off her jacket and sat on the sofa. Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on them. Neither spoke, the air still and quiet. They rarely enjoyed such peaceful moments, without messages, without phone calls, without work, without all the entanglements. Zhou Tianzui’s gaze rested on the cabinet door. She asked You Ruxu, “Want to go to the supermarket?”
You Ruxu looked at her, paused, and said, “Okay.”
They usually went grocery shopping on Tuesdays and Thursdays, stocking up on household necessities. They had been too busy this past week, both of them, eating out and not going to the supermarket together.
The supermarket was near the residential complex. After leaving the building, You Ruxu said, “Let’s buy some crispy pastries on the way back.”
She knew Zhou Tianzui loved them. She had tried them a few times, neither liking nor disliking them, but she would buy some every now and then. Zhou Tianzui nodded. They walked out of the complex like normal friends. Someone who knew them said, “Xiao Tian, going for a walk?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Going to the supermarket.”
“You better hurry, it’ll be crowded later.”
It was a budget-friendly supermarket, always crowded after work, so they usually went after dinner. Today, they were a bit early. Zhou Tianzui smiled and entered the supermarket with You Ruxu, heads lowered. It was empty at this hour, only a few staff members chatting, gossiping about online news or the recent fireworks factory explosion. While picking out vegetables, You Ruxu heard the butcher say, “Life is hard these days, all sorts of accidents can happen.”
“Tell me about it.” Another person said, “When you’re dead, you’re dead, nothing left. If someone remembers you, that’s good, but if no one remembers you, what’s left?”
“Look at Old Jin’s son next door, he also died in the fireworks factory explosion.” The woman’s tone was mournful, “I heard that Chen Mo, his family will receive a hefty compensation.”
More sighs and lamentations.
You Ruxu stood there, lost in thought. Zhou Tianzui, beside her, asked, “Are you done?”
She came back to her senses: “Yes.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “What did you buy?”
You Ruxu looked down at her empty hands, then at Zhou Tianzui, pouting slightly. She had never seen her make this expression before. Zhou Tianzui’s heart softened, and she asked, “What do you want to eat?”
You Ruxu picked two vegetables.
Zhou Tianzui weighed them and placed them in the shopping cart. You Ruxu followed her, as usual. They didn’t talk much while grocery shopping, just picking out vegetables, milk, eggs. Zhou Tianzui was a picky eater with a sensitive stomach, so they rarely had instant food at home. At the checkout, You Ruxu said, “I’ll make dinner tonight.”
“Okay.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Then I’ll have to trouble Teacher You.”
The formal address, rolling off her tongue, made You Ruxu’s ears burn. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, who was also looking at her. Zhou Tianzui asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” You Ruxu lowered her head and carried the bags outside, her phone ringing. She gestured for Zhou Tianzui to take the bags. Zhou Tianzui seemed to misunderstand, thinking she wanted her to answer the phone. She took the phone from her bag and said, “It’s your mom.”
You Ruxu nodded. Zhou Tianzui answered the call and held the phone to her ear.
This posture was strange. It would have been much easier for them to simply switch, You Ruxu holding the phone and Zhou Tianzui carrying the bags, but now Zhou Tianzui was holding the phone to her ear.
Because of the phone call, they were standing very close. You Ruxu could smell the faint, comforting scent of disinfectant on Zhou Tianzui.
She tightened her grip on the shopping bags, not letting go, and answered the phone in this awkward position.
Her ear tickled.
Zhou Tianzui’s fingers brushed against her skin, unconsciously rubbing. You Ruxu’s face flushed, making it difficult to hear her mother’s voice clearly.
“Ruxu?” Her mother asked, “When are you coming back?”
She focused, “In a couple of days.”
“Tell me when you’re coming back, I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
You Ruxu said, “Okay.”
She looked at Zhou Tianzui: “I’m hanging up.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Going home?”
You Ruxu lowered her head, “Yes.”
She tried to hide her flushed face and ears with her hair, embarrassed by her body’s honest reaction. Zhou Tianzui looked at her intently, put away the phone, and called out, “Teacher You.”
You Ruxu looked up.
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Why are you blushing?”
You Ruxu: …
If only she would just shut up sometimes!
Zhou Tianzui: Why are you blushing?
You Ruxu: Thinking about something happy.
Zhou Tianzui: What happy thing?
You Ruxu: Poisoning you and making you mute.
Zhou Tianzui: …
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