Chapter 22
“He’s in District Two Hospital. Woke up a few days before you, injuries were quite serious, still hospitalized.” They weren’t kept in the same hospital, probably to prevent Shen Yiqiu from seeking them out privately, considering the immense animosity involved.
Chen Kang stared at Shen Yiqiu for a while, seeing only a slight nod and no other reaction, and only then did he relax a bit.
“You’ve seen the photos and the report. So, regarding your opinion on this case…”
“Could you give me a little more time, please?”
Chen Kang was troubled and a little irritated. He sympathized with Shen Yiqiu’s plight, so he tried his best to understand and accommodate her perspective. However, a family member’s stubborn emotions couldn’t interfere with his work. Delaying the case would hold up a series of subsequent procedures. Moreover, this accident had caused quite a stir in Meng City, and his superiors were constantly pressing for a quick resolution.
“This case is basically closed. You called and insisted on further investigation, and you refused the insurance settlement, so I made a special trip to explain in person.” Chen Kang, being relatively new to the job, couldn’t maintain the impassive expression and emotional detachment of his senior colleagues, but he couldn’t completely side with Shen Yiqiu either.
“I understand, so I just need a little time, just a little more time. Please don’t let me have regrets for the rest of my life, okay?”
Chen Kang was in a difficult position, while Shen Yiqiu stubbornly waited for his answer.
“Alright, we definitely need a result by next month at the latest.” Chen Kang, within the limits of his authority, gave Shen Yiqiu the longest extension possible.
“Thank you!” Shen Yiqiu sniffled, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.
Chen Kang collected the documents, shaking his head. “There’s no dealing with you, child. You’re cute, and well-behaved, it’s hard not to want to help you.”
Shen Yiqiu didn’t take the opportunity to act cute or play dumb, but rather thanked him sincerely once more. “Thank you for saving me back then.” She vaguely remembered that it was Chen Kang who carried her out of the almost mangled car.
“It’s my job, no need to thank me. You living well in the future is the greatest reward for me.”
Chen Kang had just left the hospital when he received a call. Before he could wipe the sweat from his brow, he became anxious.
“There’s something like that? I’ll be right there!”
**
Jiang Yuan returned to the hotel feeling displeased and immediately called He Chao.
“Lao He, my trip to the hospital today wasn’t very smooth. Xiao Qiu still refuses to return to Hai City.”
He Chao was also a little surprised, but remained relatively calm. “What? You still couldn’t persuade her?”
“That Qin Qianrou was there today.”
“That female reporter? What was she doing there?” He Chao had heard that Reporter Qin was a super busy person, an “Iron Woman” who often worked overtime until 9 pm.
Her presence in Shen Yiqiu’s ward during a weekday could hardly be attributed to leisure.
“She said she’s on vacation, so she went to accompany Xiao Qiu. But I always felt it wasn’t that simple. Xiao Qiu seems to rely on her a lot, and she also cares a lot about her.”
Jiang Yuan recalled what she had observed at the hospital today. She had a vague sense of an intangible connection between Shen Yiqiu and Qin Qianrou, but couldn’t quite grasp it.
“If she insists on not letting Xiao Qiu return to Hai City, it will indeed be difficult. Now that her parents are gone, she might not listen to us.”
Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but remind him, “Lao He, it’s Xiao Qiu herself who doesn’t want to go back. And haven’t you noticed, her attitude is very firm, as if she deliberately wants to oppose us.”
“How could this be? Didn’t you always say Xiao Qiu is very obedient?”
He Chao mainly interacted with Shen Zhifeng, and when the two families were together, it was Jiang Yuan who spent more time with Shen Yiqiu and her mother. Regarding Shen Yiqiu’s attitude, he was indeed not as familiar with it as Jiang Yuan.
“Our previous plan might need some adjustments. I’m afraid we won’t be able to manage it this summer vacation.” Jiang Yuan sighed helplessly, recalling Shen Yiqiu’s resolute tone in the hospital ward.
“That won’t do! I’ve already promised the other party. How can I deliver now?”
“Don’t get agitated yet. Adjustments don’t mean it’s over. I’ll think of other ways.”
The He Chao couple had a clear division of labor. Matters related to Shen Yiqiu were primarily handled by Jiang Yuan. If there were interpersonal or procedural matters to deal with, he would take over.
Jiang Yuan hung up the phone, and before she could even take a sip of water, there was a knock at the door.
She opened it to see Shao Qidong standing there, smiling sinisterly.
“Why are you here?”
“I’ve been looking for a chance to have a good talk with you, and I finally have the time today.”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
Compared to that day at the hospital, Shao Qidong’s temper had subsided considerably. He wasn’t annoyed by Jiang Yuan’s rejection.
“I heard you hit a snag at the hospital, so I came to offer my condolences.”
“You!” Before Jiang Yuan could get angry, she was surprised by how quickly Shao Qidong had received the news.
How long had it been since she left the hospital? This person had already received the news and rushed straight to the hotel.
“If you’re here to talk to me about Xiao Qiu, then there’s really nothing for us to discuss.”
“Don’t be so hasty. Although we both have our sights set on Shen Yiqiu, from a different perspective, we can also transform from enemies into allies.”
Seeing Jiang Yuan waver slightly, Shao Qidong raised the corners of his mouth smugly.
“It won’t take up too much of your time. Let me in so we can talk.”
After a moment’s consideration, Jiang Yuan stepped aside to let him in.
**
After returning home from the hospital, Qin Qianrou took a shower and leaned back on the sofa, pondering Jiang Yuan’s matter. Shen Yiqiu’s attitude had become increasingly clear; her feelings towards this “Aunt Jiang” had undergone a fundamental shift.
Shen Yiqiu’s words clearly implied other information, but what was Jiang Yuan’s insistence on taking her back to Hai City all about? If it wasn’t about taking care of her, then what was she hoping to gain from Shen Yiqiu?
Once her reporter’s instincts kicked in, Qin Qianrou couldn’t stop thinking. She desperately wanted to unravel the reasons behind it all. However, she was reluctant to press Shen Yiqiu; she had a feeling that one day, Shen Yiqiu would tell her everything voluntarily.
A call from Li Wan interrupted her thoughts. As soon as she answered, she heard her friend’s concerned greeting. “Qianrou, how’s your vacation going? Getting used to it?”
“Not bad, just got home.”
“You’re home? Didn’t you say you’d stay at the hospital for the day?”
“Shen Yiqiu was too busy, with constant visitors. It wasn’t convenient for me to be there.”
Li Wan paused, half-jokingly saying, “She’s a patient, and yet she’s busier than you, a reporter.”
Qin Qianrou corrected her, “A reporter on vacation.”
Li Wan didn’t quibble over her words. She knew that Qin Qianrou was definitely not happy about this vacation in her heart.
“Alright, let’s go out for dinner tonight, to make your vacation life more fulfilling and a little more real.”
Qin Qianrou actually didn’t like going out. She could run around for work, but during her off-hours, she preferred staying home.
“No refusing. Rong Fei is coming tonight too. It’s been a while since the three of us had a proper meal together.”
Eating hot pot in the scorching summer was one of Li Wan’s greatest pleasures. She claimed it was spicy and stimulating, and sweating profusely was effective skincare. Tonight, Qin Qianrou was assigned to the clear broth base and everything she dipped had to be inspected by Li Wan first.
“Xiao Wan, your level of strictness is almost catching up to a nurse.” Rong Fei couldn’t help but tease, but she joined in supervising Qin Qianrou.
“You think I want to do this? It’s all for her!”
Qin Qianrou, for once, didn’t retort, accepting all this concern.
After listening to Qin Qianrou’s account of what happened at the hospital, Li Wan and Rong Fei each had their own focus.
Li Wan thought for a moment and seriously asked, “Qianrou, Shen Yiqiu will be turning eighteen next month. What are your plans?”
Qin Qianrou looked at her with surprise. “Why would I need to plan her birthday?”
“It’s clear that she’s relying on you now. Regardless of the agreement between you two, in the eyes of others, you are the person she depends on. Since she refuses to go back to Hai City with Jiang Yuan, you can’t let her be all alone and pitiful in Meng City.”
Rong Fei chimed in, “An eighteenth birthday is indeed a special occasion that requires a certain sense of ceremony. Especially for a child who’s experienced what Shen Yiqiu has, it’s even more important. Given the circumstances, I think we need to pay special attention to her.”
Qin Qianrou considered it and agreed with their suggestion.
Knowing that Qin Qianrou wasn’t good at organizing such things, Li Wan volunteered to take charge.
“However, I’m not very familiar with her. You still need to act as a liaison and take care of things.”
Qin Qianrou wanted to say, I’m not very familiar with her either. But on second thought, she was indeed a little more familiar with Shen Yiqiu than Li Wan, so she didn’t argue.
Shen Yiqiu was completely unaware that three beautiful women were secretly preparing for her eighteenth birthday. Lately, Qin Qianrou kept asking her strange questions, seemingly out of the blue.
For instance, she’d chat about food, favorite colors, favorite books, or any wishes she might have. Was she collecting data and analyzing her? Speaking of which, her new caregiver, “Aunt Rong,” came much less frequently than “Aunt Qin.” Shen Yiqiu really wondered who the real new caregiver was.
That day, Qin Qianrou was reviewing documents in the ward when Shen Yiqiu suddenly spoke up.
“Why haven’t you asked me about Dongsheng Group these past few days?”
“You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“Aren’t you anxious?”
Shen Yiqiu had never met a reporter so indifferent to news material, as if the Dongsheng Group matter was optional.
“There are too many things to deal with right now. Focusing all attention on Dongsheng Group might not be a good thing.”
Too many things? Shen Yiqiu knew she had a major issue on her mind: the driver who caused the accident. Then what was Qin Qianrou preoccupied with?
“Such as?”
Qin Qianrou turned her laptop so Shen Yiqiu could see the screen. It displayed a news report. Shen Yiqiu moved closer and saw the date: last year. The headline mentioned Tuohai Technology.
That company had been quite famous once; she had heard her father mention it. When the case was concluded last year, many people discussed it heatedly online.
“Last year’s news, and there’s new gossip this year?”
Qin Qianrou corrected her. “There are new leads. This isn’t entertainment news, it’s not gossip.”
“But shouldn’t these things be investigated by professionals? Why is a reporter involved in solving cases?” Before meeting Qin Qianrou, Shen Yiqiu’s impression of reporters was limited to news reports, writing articles, stakeouts, and taking photos.
“Reporters need to uncover the truth and report the facts. If we find suspicious points, we should follow up.”
Shen Yiqiu nodded, seemingly understanding, but thinking to herself, So this old Tuohai Technology case is more appealing than Dongsheng Group?
But there wasn’t much to compare. Judging from the verdict, what Tuohai Technology did wasn’t much better. Dongsheng Group was probably just an upgraded, more malicious version.
Qin Qianrou’s phone rang. Shen Yiqiu recognized it as her work phone and tactfully stepped back.
The person on the other end spoke briefly, and Qin Qianrou quickly closed her laptop and stood up anxiously.
Shen Yiqiu rushed forward to catch the almost-dropped laptop and helped Qin Qianrou pack it into her bag.
“Captain Qian, I’ll be right there.”
Shen Yiqiu straightened up and clearly heard the male voice from the receiver: “I’m at the hospital entrance, waiting for you.”
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