Chapter 17: Still Time
Shen Yiqiu slept the most soundly she had since her rebirth. She didn’t have to wake up and deal with Auntie Liu, worry about when Shao Qidong would suddenly appear, or force a smile for He Chao and Jiang Yuan.
The young nurse, upon entering the ward and seeing her good complexion, felt her own mood brighten.
“You look great today. How are you feeling?”
Shen Yiqiu smiled and greeted the nurse. These days, seeing the doctors and nurses was the most comfortable part of her day.
“I slept very well last night. I feel great this morning, just a little hungry.” Shen Yiqiu pouted and rubbed her stomach, successfully making the nurse laugh.
Medical staff always hoped to see their patients’ conditions improve, not only their physical injuries and illnesses, but also their mood.
Sad stories unfolded in the hospital every day; a depressing atmosphere was the norm. Seeing Shen Yiqiu, who had been rushed to the hospital not long ago, recovering day by day, the nurse smiled brightly.
“Wanting to eat is a good sign.”
**
The scenery outside the window was no different from usual, but it felt different to Shen Yiqiu. She stood by the window, admiring the greener-than-usual leaves and the brighter-than-usual sunlight, unconsciously fiddling with her phone.
It’s 7:30 am, I wonder if Qin Qianrou is awake?
Shen Yiqiu felt it was a bit inappropriate to be so concerned about Qin Qianrou’s daily routine, but she quickly rationalized it by reminding herself that Qin Qianrou was currently her closest connection in this world.
Since they had said good night yesterday, it should be okay to say good morning today, right?
Shen Yiqiu muttered softly as she typed her message.
After sending it, she didn’t feel as anxious as last night. Perhaps it was because she had some experience, or maybe she didn’t have any particular expectations; she was simply following her heart.
Just wanting to share this ordinary yet special morning with someone, Shen Yiqiu looked out the window and smiled.
**
Qin Qianrou had been awake for a while. She was very disciplined. As long as she was working on a program, whether in the preparation stage, during recording, or even when finalizing the summary report, she maintained a routine of staying up late and waking up early, devoting herself fully to her work.
Only after a program was successfully completed would she allow herself a short break to recharge before throwing herself into the next project.
Li Wan drove Qin Qianrou home first, grumbling slightly, but not slowing down.
“Qianrou, you’re so picky, insisting on going back to change. I have so many clothes; you don’t like any of them?”
“I have to go out today; I’m more comfortable in my own clothes.”
Having known her for so many years, Li Wan naturally understood her habits. But Qin Qianrou truly had no sense of humor. She couldn’t even recognize a joke; not only did she not play along, but she also explained herself so seriously. Li Wan could only respond with a noncommittal murmur of understanding.
Qin Qianrou said she was going back to change, and she only changed. She had already decided what to wear on the way and, upon arriving home, quickly changed, touched up her makeup, and returned to Li Wan’s car.
“Why are you suddenly going to the Economic Investigation Brigade today?”
“I reviewed Dongsheng Group’s industrial expansion data from the past six years last night. Considering that you said Zhuo Cheng was hired back by Dongsheng with a high salary, I’m guessing they’re planning something big in the financial sector.”
“So, you’re going to the Economic Investigation Brigade to find information?” Li Wan recalled their encounter with Qian Zhifei last time. He had taken the initiative to greet them, his eyes practically glued to Qin Qianrou.
“There’s no official investigation on Dongsheng Group yet. Even if they suspect something, they won’t tell me. Those are the rules.”
Li Wan was puzzled, “Then why are you going there so early in the morning?”
Wouldn’t that be a wasted trip?
“I want to find some information on last year’s Tuohai Technology case. There are some points I’m still not clear about.”
Tuohai Technology? Li Wan thought for a moment and recalled the case that had caused quite a stir in Meng City, the one their program had followed for three months.
“The one where Captain Qian was a guest?” Li Wan’s teasing was subtle, but Qin Qianrou caught it.
She paused slightly, looked out the window, and gave a noncommittal hum.
Then she took out her phone and glanced at it; there were no new messages.
Shen Yiqiu hadn’t sent anything else besides the good morning message.
Qin Qianrou had felt a little groggy when she woke up. No matter how comfortable the guest room at Li Wan’s house was, it couldn’t compare to her own bed. She had been utterly exhausted last night and had barely managed to sleep.
After working on her computer for a while, her phone rang.
The girl had said: Good morning! Have an energetic day!
Energetic? Qin Qianrou smiled and typed her reply.
She said: Good morning. I hope you’re well too, eating and sleeping well.
After sending it, she suddenly wondered what Shen Yiqiu’s expression would be upon seeing her message. Would she pout, or would she smile?
Since they met, Shen Yiqiu seemed to have frowned more often than smiled in front of her.
Li Wan glanced at Qin Qianrou, seeing her staring at her phone for a moment before putting it back in her bag. That almost inaudible sigh, why did it sound so wistful?
Li Wan followed Qin Qianrou into her office, feeling a little worried.
“Qianrou, I have a meeting with the production team this morning; it was scheduled last week. Why don’t you go to the Economic Investigation Brigade this afternoon, and we can go together?”
Qin Qianrou took some documents from her drawer, plugged in her voice recorder to charge, and, seeing Li Wan’s worried expression, couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s wrong with you today? I often go out on my own. What are you worried about?”
Besides, she was only going to the Economic Investigation Brigade to gather some information, not to interview some dangerous person.
Li Wan was still shaken by last night’s incident and felt they couldn’t let their guard down before things were clear. Having worked on their program for so long, they had seen the darker side of things, and naturally, they considered the worst-case scenarios.
Qin Qianrou finished packing the things she needed, put her voice recorder in her bag, and prepared to leave. Li Wan had no choice but to follow her to the elevator.
Qin Qianrou was amused by her friend’s behavior today, but her concern was evident, and she couldn’t ignore it.
“Alright, alright, I promise you, I’ll only go to the Economic Investigation Brigade today, gather the information, and come right back, okay?”
Li Wan nodded reluctantly, managing only one sentence, “Be careful.”
Li Wan stood silently by the closed elevator doors for a moment, taking a deep breath before returning to the office area. Seeing her colleagues gradually getting busy, her thoughts were pulled back to work.
Perhaps she had been frightened by last night’s incident, Li Wan thought wryly, berating herself for being overly sensitive.
Qin Qianrou had called Qian Zhifei earlier this morning. Upon hearing that she was coming in person, he was naturally very welcoming. When Qin Qianrou arrived at the Economic Investigation Brigade building, she saw Qian Zhifei already waiting at the entrance.
“Captain Qian, thank you for your help.” Qin Qianrou walked over politely and extended her hand.
Qian Zhifei politely shook her hand briefly, then released it.
“If Reporter Qin needs anything, we’ll definitely cooperate fully. It’s all for work; you don’t have to be so polite.”
Qian Zhifei was busy. After accompanying her initially, he assigned a young officer to provide Qin Qianrou with the materials she needed.
Qin Qianrou stayed until almost 1 pm. Looking apologetically at the young officer who had been waiting with her, she offered to treat him to lunch.
“Reporter Qin, you’re too kind. This is our job, it’s what we should do. I’ll just grab something in the office later; the captain won’t mind. You should go and eat; don’t go hungry.”
Having interacted with them briefly before, Qin Qianrou knew she couldn’t insist. After thanking him repeatedly, she left.
Just as she was about to exit the building, she heard Qian Zhifei’s voice behind her.
“Reporter Qin, please wait.”
“Captain Qian?” Qin Qianrou had heard that he was in a meeting.
Qian Zhifei smiled apologetically and gestured forward, “I was in a meeting all morning. Let me walk you out.”
Qin Qianrou instinctively wanted to decline, but he had come personally after his meeting; refusing would be impolite.
After only two steps, her phone rang. The ringtone was different; it was her personal number.
A call from Shen Yiqiu?
Although puzzled, Qin Qianrou answered immediately.
“Hello?”
On the other end was hurried breathing, making Qin Qianrou’s heart clench, instinctively thinking something had happened to Shen Yiqiu.
Her voice involuntarily rose, her tone no longer calm. Qian Zhifei, who was next to her, looked over, receiving an apologetic nod.
“What’s wrong?”
Before Qin Qianrou could ask further, Shen Yiqiu’s slightly hoarse voice came through, speaking in an urgent, almost commanding tone, “Qin Auntie, quick! Stop, don’t move!”
Qin Qianrou was even more confused; Shen Yiqiu sounded like she had just woken up from a nightmare.
“Are you in an office building with white walls all around, with a gray statue near the entrance?”
Qin Qianrou paused, then said, “Yes.”
Shen Yiqiu’s voice became even more urgent, almost a scream, “Don’t go outside, stay inside the building! And, if you see a woman in a purple jacket, avoid what she’s holding in her hand, stay far away!”
These fragmented words conveyed several clear messages. After thinking carefully, Qin Qianrou understood.
“Shen Yiqiu, is it your sixth sense again?”
“Yes, I just felt it! You’re in danger, so I called you immediately!”
In her panic, Shen Yiqiu couldn’t conceal her fear, her voice laced with terror.
Through the slightly distorted phone line, Qin Qianrou was touched.
“Okay, I understand.”
After hanging up, Qin Qianrou composed herself. Looking up, she saw Qian Zhifei’s puzzled but respectful gaze and simply smiled faintly.
She didn’t want to explain too much about the call.
“Is something the matter?” Seeing that Qin Qianrou wasn’t moving after hanging up, Qian Zhifei asked tentatively.
“I suddenly remembered there’s still some information I haven’t finished checking. I might need a little more time.” Qin Qianrou turned and walked back inside.
When the call came, she had been only a few steps away from exiting the building. Now she was essentially stepping back from the threshold.
As the lunch break ended, people gradually returned to the building. Most wore uniforms, but there were also a few visitors.
Qin Qianrou pretended to be casual but secretly observed everyone who entered. Qian Zhifei noticed her actions but didn’t ask.
Just as the crowd thinned and Qin Qianrou was about to relax, a flash of purple caught her eye, not giving her much time to react.
A loud, forceful male voice rang out. Qin Qianrou was suddenly pushed, stumbling in the other direction.
Qian Zhifei rushed forward and kicked the strange woman who had appeared out of nowhere. She had been holding a small bottle, now spilled on the ground, a few drops splashing onto Qin Qianrou’s hand.
A searing pain shot through her hand, the burning sensation on her skin making her instantly recognize it as sulfuric acid. Just a few drops caused this much pain; she couldn’t imagine the consequences if the entire bottle had been thrown at her.
The chaotic scene was quickly brought under control. Qin Qianrou was taken to the nearest hospital, Central Hospital, with Qian Zhifei personally driving her.
After her wounds were treated, Qin Qianrou spoke, “Captain Qian, thank you for what you did today. I’ll treat you to a meal another day. I have something to attend to now, so I won’t trouble you any further.”
Qian Zhifei was already familiar with Qin Qianrou’s dedication, but to be rushing back to work with an injured hand?
“You should be careful with your hand. What’s so urgent that it can’t wait?”
Qin Qianrou’s attitude towards him wasn’t as cold as before, after all, he had just saved her, but it was only slightly warmer.
“I’m not going anywhere else, just here. I have a friend hospitalized here; I’m going to see her.”
Qian Zhifei was taken aback again. “You’re injured, and you still remember to visit your friend. It must be someone very important.”
Qin Qianrou, however, was thinking about the phone call that had pulled her back from the brink of death. She smiled faintly and didn’t deny it, “Very important.”
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