Chapter 84: I’ll Take It
You Ruxu was jolted awake by her ringing phone. She was used to the sound of her alarm clock, the sudden ringing of her phone disorienting her. She fumbled for it and answered. It was Shi Qi, “Xu Jinwan is missing.”
You Ruxu sat up abruptly, the blanket sliding down to cover Zhou Tianzui. It was still dark outside, the streetlights still on. You Ruxu glanced at the time on her phone; it was 5:30 am. She said, “Missing?”
Shi Qi said, “We haven’t been able to reach her since last night.”
After ten o’clock last night, Xu Jinwan had been discussing the Fengyuan news story with her team leader on WeChat, then suddenly stopped replying. The team leader assumed she was busy organizing information and didn’t think much of it, sending her a couple more messages. But there was no response. At midnight, sensing something was wrong, the team leader called her, her phone was off.
She went to Xu Jinwan’s apartment, but no one was there.
The station immediately called the police. With the recent Fengyuan incident, no one dared take it lightly, the police dispatched immediately, but they couldn’t find her. Xu Jinwan had left her apartment at ten o’clock. Security footage showed her leaving the complex, then entering a blind spot, disappearing from view. There was an alley near the complex, a blind spot not covered by cameras. Beyond the alley was a busy commercial area, crowded with people and cars, making it difficult to search.
But it was late at night, less traffic than during the day. They had already started searching.
You Ruxu asked, “What about Zhou Heng?”
“Zhou Heng was at his villa all night.” Even if it was related to Zhou Heng, he wouldn’t necessarily be directly involved, but the investigation would naturally focus on him. Shi Qi said, “Come to the station immediately, we need to assist the morning news team.”
Although there was usually friction between the teams, in times of crisis, they were united.
You Ruxu said, “I understand.”
She quickly got out of bed and heard Zhou Tianzui ask, “What’s wrong?”
You Ruxu said, “Something happened to Xu Jinwan.”
Zhou Tianzui sat up, “What happened?” You Ruxu said, “She’s missing.”
“Missing?” Zhou Tianzui frowned, “She was fine yesterday.”
You Ruxu, changing her clothes, said, “I’m going to the station to see what’s going on.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll drive you.”
You Ruxu said, “No need…”
“You can sleep in the car.” Zhou Tianzui said, “You’ve been too tired recently.”
You Ruxu’s hands paused. She turned to look at Zhou Tianzui, pursed her lips, a warmth spreading through her heart. She said, “Then you’ll be tired.”
“What choice do I have?” Zhou Tianzui said, “My girlfriend is so busy.”
She stood up, walked over to You Ruxu, and said, “If you feel that guilty, you can kiss me…”
You Ruxu pinched her cheek. Zhou Tianzui hissed softly. You Ruxu chuckled and went to the bathroom to wash up. Zhou Tianzui followed. They soon came out, You Ruxu’s makeup light and elegant. She carried her laptop bag and some documents, following Zhou Tianzui. Before getting into the car, she looked out the window. The streetlights were gradually being dimmed by the rising sun. She said, “It’s almost dawn.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, almost dawn.”
On the way, Zhou Tianzui told You Ruxu to sleep, so You Ruxu leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, but couldn’t fall asleep. She opened her eyes and looked out the window. Suddenly, a hand reached over and covered her eyes, a familiar scent, a soft touch. You Ruxu blinked, her eyelashes brushing against Zhou Tianzui’s palm, and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Go to sleep.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
You Ruxu closed her eyes in the darkness, leaning against the seat, although Zhou Tianzui’s hand was only there for a moment, it felt as if it was still there, a comforting presence.
Her breathing was shallow. At a red light, Zhou Tianzui turned and looked at her beautiful profile, a sudden urge to kiss her.
The light turned green, and she suppressed the urge, turning onto another street, then entering the TV station gates. Perhaps because of Xu Jinwan’s disappearance, the station was brightly lit. Zhou Tianzui unfastened You Ruxu’s seatbelt, a soft click. You Ruxu opened her eyes, “We’re here?”
Zhou Tianzui: “Yes, we’re here.”
You Ruxu nodded: “Then I’ll be going.” She added, “Don’t forget to have breakfast.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “You haven’t eaten either.”
“I’ll eat at the station.” You Ruxu said, “You can eat at the hospital.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “I know.”
She watched as You Ruxu opened the car door, then suddenly called out, “A Ran.”
You Ruxu turned around.
Zhou Tianzui said, “Be careful.”
You Ruxu wanted to say she wasn’t going to investigate the news, but she didn’t, just nodded at Zhou Tianzui, “Okay.”
Zhou Tianzui watched her enter the TV station. A few more cars arrived soon after, including a police car. She turned the car around and left.
There was still no news about Xu Jinwan.
The police had checked many vehicles, but found no clues about her disappearance. Chen Xiang, sitting at her computer, said, “She must have gone to meet someone she knew.”
There was no doubt about it.
Xu Jinwan left her apartment at ten o’clock, wearing pajamas under a down jacket and slippers, clearly going to see someone she knew.
Shi Qi said, “There are no call logs.”
The police had already checked her phone records, there were no calls around that time. It didn’t seem like a prearranged meeting either, as she wouldn’t have been dressed like that if it was. So, the investigation naturally focused on Fengyuan, but it was just speculation, they didn’t even have any evidence.
You Ruxu asked, “What about the evidence she mentioned last night?”
“We haven’t found it.” Shi Qi said, “She said it was on a USB drive.”
Xu Jinwan had told the team leader about it last night, even saying she would send a copy to him as a backup, but they hadn’t received anything.
You Ruxu said, “So the evidence is also gone?”
Shi Qi nodded.
So, Zhou Heng was the prime suspect. But no one had seen the evidence, they couldn’t investigate just based on Xu Jinwan’s words. They could only ask Zhou Heng to cooperate at most. You Ruxu, rubbing her temples, heard Shi Qi say, “Xiao Xu, you’re helping with the morning news later.”
You Ruxu nodded.
Before the morning news broadcast, news of Xu Jinwan’s disappearance leaked, and it spread like wildfire, especially with the recent Fengyuan incident and You Ruxu’s car accident. The public was outraged.
[No law and order anymore? These capitalists can do whatever they want?]
[I can’t believe this, they even dare kidnap a TV anchor?]
[Technically, she’s just missing.]
[Has Zhou Heng gone crazy?]
[Didn’t you hear? Xu Jinwan said she had evidence against Zhou Heng, evidence about his brother’s accident, and then she was immediately…]
[@Jindu Auxiliary Police @Jindu Public Security Bureau, are you planning to cover this up as well?]
Zhou Tianzui was browsing the news on her phone during breakfast when she received several notifications and heard her colleagues behind her discussing, “Xu Jinwan is missing?”
“Wasn’t You Ruxu’s car accident also because she was investigating Fengyuan?”
“I’ve seen Zhou Heng before, he doesn’t look like a good person.”
“Has Zhou Heng been to our hospital?”
“Yes, a few days ago, because of the car accident, a pregnant woman was injured, he came here.”
Whispers all around her. Zhou Tianzui held her phone, absently eating a few spoonfuls of porridge. Zhao Mingqi, carrying his breakfast, sat opposite her, “Dr. Zhou, heard the news? Xu Jinwan is missing.”
Zhou Tianzui asked, “Who reported it?”
“I don’t know.” Zhao Mingqi said, “You’re close with Teacher You, is it true?”
Zhou Tianzui didn’t speak.
Zhao Mingqi continued, “Really? Was it Zhou Heng? He’s really bold, isn’t he?”
Zhou Tianzui’s expression darkened. After You Ruxu’s accident, they had discussed that Zhou Heng wouldn’t resort to such drastic measures just because of a car model issue, it would damage his reputation. But now, with Xu Jinwan’s disappearance.
It felt like a cornered animal lashing out.
Zhou Tianzui, worried, messaged You Ruxu: [Are you going out today?]
You Ruxu, just coming out of the studio, saw the message. She replied: [No.]
Chen Xiang called out, “Teacher You!”
You Ruxu walked over. Chen Xiang said, “The boss called for a meeting in half an hour.”
“I know.” You Ruxu walked towards the meeting room with Chen Xiang, who said, “I wonder who dares to take over the Fengyuan story now.”
Before Xu Jinwan’s disappearance, everyone wanted it. It was the hottest story at the moment. But now, everyone was hesitant. They didn’t know whether Xu Jinwan was dead or alive, but the potential consequences of continuing the investigation were clear. If Zhou Heng decided to go down in flames, taking everyone with him…
Their concerns were valid.
You Ruxu and Chen Xiang entered the meeting room. Team 3 was already there, Team 2 sat in the middle, a few members from Team 1 scattered around, most of them still in the studio. You Ruxu sat down and heard Shi Qi say, “The meeting is about to start.”
Chen Xiang said, puzzled, “Team 1 isn’t here yet.”
“Why would they be here?” Shi Qi said, “To be assigned the Fengyuan story?”
Xu Jinwan was from Team 1, and with her disappearance, the responsibility naturally fell on them, so no one wanted to attend the meeting. You Ruxu saw the station director in the distance, his face dark, probably not only because of Xu Jinwan, but also Team 1’s attitude.
Chen Xiang said, “What if they don’t come?”
Shi Qi said, “What else can we do? They can’t just assign it to us, can they?”
The station director wouldn’t do that either. When You Ruxu had her accident, Xu Jinwan snatched the Fengyuan story from them, and now, with this incident, they wanted to give it back? Such a blatant slap in the face, he wouldn’t do it, so he could only choose someone from Teams 1 and 3.
Chen Xiang said, “I can’t believe we…”
You Ruxu said softly, “Or, I can take it.”
Shi Qi and Chen Xiang looked at her, surprised. You Ruxu continued, “I was the one initially investigating Fengyuan, I know more about the situation than anyone else. And now, with Xu Jinwan’s disappearance, if the station doesn’t assign a dedicated person to cooperate with the police, the longer it takes, the more dangerous it will be for her.”
Her analysis was clear and logical, not even mentioning how Xu Jinwan had stolen her story. Shi Qi looked at her, a warmth spreading through her heart, suppressing the words on the tip of her tongue, “Xiao Xu, this Fengyuan story is different from other news stories, do you understand?”
You Ruxu said, “I understand.”
Her gaze was clear and firm, filled with composure. Shi Qi nodded, “Okay, I understand.”
Shi Qi went to find the station director.
You Ruxu, after she left, took out her phone, opened her chat with Zhou Tianzui, typed a few words, deleted them, then turned off the screen, her face reflected in the darkness. She paused for a few seconds, then turned on the phone again, typed a few more words, her gaze fixed on the send button, her lips pressed into a tight line.
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