Chapter 19: A Tactical Retreat
After the meeting, the leaders filed out. Lin Shuangzhi walked over to Qin Qianrou, who was still sitting motionless. Wanting to offer some comfort, but knowing it was futile, she simply patted Qin Qianrou’s shoulder twice after a few seconds of silent contemplation.
Li Wan rushed over as soon as she heard the meeting was adjourned. Qin Qianrou had already composed herself and, picking up her notebook, was about to leave when she was met with the scent of Li Wan’s perfume.
“Qianrou, are… are you okay?” She was definitely not okay; otherwise, why would Qianrou only be leaving now?
Qin Qianrou’s expression was almost the same as usual, only her aura was slightly weaker.
“I’m fine; it was no different from any other meeting.” She clutched her notebook tighter and looked at Li Wan with a faint smile, “You’ve been to these disciplinary meetings before, haven’t you? Why are you asking me?”
Seeing that her emotions were stable, Li Wan sighed and didn’t ask any further questions. She had run into the team leader on her way here, and Lin Shuangzhi’s expression had truly lived up to her name – frosty.
The team leader usually supported Qin Qianrou in such meetings. Her grim expression probably didn’t bode well. Li Wan had been burning with anxiety but was blocked from entering the meeting room. Everyone at the station knew that she unconditionally supported Qin Qianrou, no wonder they hadn’t let her in.
“It’s almost time to get off work. Let me drive you home. You’ve been tired these past few days; take a break from work.”
Li Wan kept glancing at Qin Qianrou’s injured hand. She had already asked Qian Zhifei about what happened over the phone. Considering how dangerous the situation had been, the few burns on Qin Qianrou’s hand were indeed fortunate.
However, Li Wan still felt distressed.
What deep-seated hatred could drive someone to throw acid, and so brazenly, at the Economic Investigation Brigade building? This was blatant disregard for the law, a challenge to society!
Surprisingly, Qin Qianrou didn’t refuse, even cooperating readily.
“Wait for me to organize things in my office; it won’t take long.”
Qin Qianrou’s ready agreement to leave work surprised Li Wan, rendering her prepared words of persuasion useless.
As promised, Qin Qianrou quickly left the office and went to the parking lot with Li Wan. They encountered many colleagues along the way, almost all of whom gave her concerned and inquisitive looks, some even staring at her left hand.
Qin Qianrou didn’t slow down, nodding in acknowledgment of their concern. The coldness in her expression softened slightly, but it wasn’t particularly warm, just like her usual demeanor.
“There are always so many nosy people these days,” Li Wan remarked sarcastically, recalling the scene earlier.
As Qin Qianrou fastened her seatbelt, she accidentally bumped her left hand and let out a soft cry, startling Li Wan.
“What’s wrong? Let me see, is the wound worse?”
Qin Qianrou pushed her friend back into her seat and said with a smile, “I’m not that fragile. It hurts a little, but I can bear it. Focus on driving.”
Shortly after arriving at Qin Qianrou’s apartment, Rong Fei arrived as well. Her BMW was practically unusable, and although Qin Qianrou offered to buy her a new one, she vehemently refused.
“Getting a car during rush hour is a nightmare. As soon as I opened the app, all the prices were inflated; it’s infuriating!”
Rong Fei complained as soon as she sat down. This hot weather was truly a prime opportunity for price gouging.
Li Wan poured her a glass of water, smiling as she watched Rong Fei wipe her sweat and drink.
“You usually drive yourself, and now you’re complaining after just one taxi ride? Now you know why we receive so many complaints; they’re not without reason.”
“Your program handles these matters?” Rong Fei finished half the glass of water in one gulp, finally feeling better.
“Normally, we don’t. This falls under the purview of the lifestyle channel. But if the price surge isn’t due to market forces but because of corporate manipulation or large capital deliberately inflating prices, then it might become our program’s topic.”
Hearing this, Rong Fei understood.
She glanced at Qin Qianrou’s left hand resting on her lap, her eyes filled with concern.
“You’re doing a good deed by exposing these problems, but you can’t disregard your own safety. Thinking back, those recent incidents are quite terrifying.”
Li Wan also sighed. For the first time, the three women together were unusually silent and somber.
After a while, Rong Fei spoke again, but this time with more caution, “Qianrou, shouldn’t you take a break? These recent incidents were clearly targeted at you, and it doesn’t seem like they’re just trying to scare you.”
Li Wan added, “Scare her? They were trying to kill her!”
Reporters did face many difficulties and dangers, and receiving threats was common, but such a direct and brutal attack was rare.
After saying this, they both looked at the silent Qin Qianrou. Although being forced on leave by the station director was infuriating, as her friends, they also felt it was a form of protection.
“I know you’re worried. I’ll be extra careful.”
It was rare for Qin Qianrou to offer such reassurance. Li Wan and Rong Fei, seeing this, decided not to push the issue further. Li Wan ordered takeout; since Qin Qianrou wasn’t comfortable staying at her place, she would come over to take care of her instead.
“Qianrou, have you made any plans for your leave?”
Li Wan ordered braised pig’s trotters and, after removing the bones, placed the meat in a bowl in front of Qin Qianrou.
“Nothing special. I’ll read, rest, or maybe go out.”
Go out?
Seeing the worried expressions of Li Wan and Rong Fei, Qin Qianrou explained, “I won’t go anywhere I shouldn’t. I’ll just visit the hospital, okay?”
Li Wan gnawed on a pig’s trotter happily, “You should visit the hospital frequently for your hand, to see how to minimize the scarring. By the way, you visited Shen Yiqiu today. How is she?”
“She’s fine, much better than when I first met her.”
Rong Fei thought for a moment and suggested, “Qianrou, I think you should spend as much time as possible with Shen Yiqiu during your leave.”
“Why?”
“Since she has a sixth sense, she can at least ensure your safety. And a hospital is a relatively safe environment.”
Li Wan agreed, “Anyway, you definitely won’t be able to stay idle at home. Instead of running around, it’s better to stay at the hospital.”
Qin Qianrou was usually difficult to persuade, but this time, she readily agreed.
She did want to visit Shen Yiqiu at the hospital for a chat, so this was a good opportunity.
Li Wan wanted to stay with Qin Qianrou but was mercilessly sent home. Rong Fei, smiling, dragged the reluctant Li Wan downstairs.
As soon as she returned, her phone rang. Qin Qianrou frowned as she answered.
“Mom.”
A dignified yet gentle female voice came through, calm but with a hint of concern, “Xiao Rou, what happened today?”
Qin Qianrou knew that this matter would eventually reach her family, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. After all, Meng City was thousands of miles away from home.
“I’m fine, I just suffered some minor burns on my hand. I just need some time to recover.”
“Sulfuric acid, and you say you’re fine?”
“Mom, this incident…”
“Don’t tell me it was just an accident.”
Qin Qianrou’s words were cut short; she could only remain silent.
A mother knows her daughter best; how could Wen Yirong not understand her daughter’s thoughts?
“Xiao Rou, we support your dedication to your work and your commitment to doing your best. But you can’t disregard your own safety. This was what you promised us.”
Qin Qianrou knew this was the condition for her parents’ agreement to let her work in Meng City.
“Mom, I know you’re worried, so I’ll listen this time. I’m starting my leave tomorrow.”
This surprised Wen Yirong, but she was also pleased.
Changing the subject, she asked, “And the car accident last night, has it been investigated?”
Qin Qianrou pressed her hand against her temple helplessly and sighed softly, “You even know about this?”
“This kind of thing needs to be thoroughly investigated; we can’t just dismiss it as an ordinary accident.” Wen Yirong paused, softened her tone, and asked tentatively, “Xiao Rou, if you can’t find anyone to help you in Meng City, I’ll have your father…”
Qin Qianrou immediately interrupted, “Mom, we agreed; no family involvement in my work.”
Wen Yirong had anticipated her daughter’s reaction. She had only asked tentatively, and it turned out as she expected.
However, Qin Qianrou didn’t simply refuse as she had in the past, but offered a rare explanation, “I think this is just the beginning; there might be many secrets we don’t know yet. Involving higher authorities now might not be wise.”
“Since you have your own plans, I won’t force you. But no matter what, you must protect yourself. Otherwise, your father and I will definitely bring you back.”
“I know.”
After ending the call with her concerned mother, Qin Qianrou finally had time for a relaxing hot bath. She had carefully protected her injured hand, resulting in a slightly awkward posture, but the atmosphere in the bathroom was pleasant.
With her tense nerves soothed, the armor Qin Qianrou had worn all day finally came down. Feeling the dull ache in her left hand and the almost invisible scar on her right ankle, her eyes stung.
Facing the unspoken pressure from her superiors and colleagues, taking on the unexpected burden of Shen Yiqiu, and enduring these repeated, life-threatening attacks, even the strong Qin Qianrou needed a moment to release her emotions.
So she allowed herself a brief cry in the shower. Emerging from the bathroom, she was composed again, as if nothing had happened.
**
Two days later, Qin Qianrou actually brought her laptop to the hospital. Shen Yiqiu knew she was coming and greeted her with a wide smile.
“You’re here early.” Shen Yiqiu had just finished breakfast.
“I didn’t interrupt your breakfast, perfect timing.” Qin Qianrou put down her bag and sat in her usual spot.
Shen Yiqiu craned her neck, trying to see Qin Qianrou’s hand, but it was strategically hidden.
“I just sat down, and that restless posture of yours doesn’t seem very welcoming.”
Shen Yiqiu sat up straight and, after a moment, explained softly, “I just wanted to see your hand.”
Qin Qianrou sighed; everyone was so concerned about her hand that she couldn’t help but feel a little anxious herself.
“It’s nothing serious. I just had the nurse check it.”
Shen Yiqiu smiled again, relieved and happy.
Qin Qianrou didn’t seem to want to ask about the sixth sense. After chatting with Shen Yiqiu for a while, she opened her laptop, seemingly ready to work.
Shen Yiqiu didn’t want to disturb her and quietly looked at her phone.
Qin Qianrou didn’t look up, seemingly aware of what she was doing, “What are you looking at?”
Shen Yiqiu paused, guessing she was asking about the content on her phone.
“I’m reading an ebook.”
“Reading an online novel?”
Shen Yiqiu smiled wryly and shook her head. She had enjoyed reading them before, but she probably wouldn’t have the opportunity now.
“I’m reading some legal articles.”
Qin Qianrou nodded and didn’t ask further. They both returned to their respective activities, the atmosphere harmonious.
After some time, the ward door opened. Shen Yiqiu thought it was the nurse and was about to greet her with a smile when she saw Jiang Yuan.
“Xiao Qiu, it’s been a few days. You look much better.”
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