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墨書 Inktalez
Xinchuan was surprisingly proactive this time, taking the initiative to follow Chen Feiyang. "I'll walk you out."
Before Chen Feiyang could decline, Xinchuan stepped forward and opened the door, adopting an air that brooked no argument.
Watching the two of them leave, one after the other, I felt a sense of unease creeping into my heart.
I knew Xinchuan wouldn’t be so courteous to Chen Feiyang without a reason.
He must have something to say to him when they went outside.
Deliberately keeping it from me.
It certainly wouldn’t be anything good.
The more I thought about it, the more curious I became.
After hesitating for a moment, I quietly got up and crept to the door…
"What exactly… are you trying to get close to her for…?"
"You’re overthinking it. I just… it’s not what you think… it was really an accident…"
The soundproofing of the hospital room door was decent.
Through the small window on the door, I could see Xinchuan and Chen Feiyang standing just outside, only a few steps away from me.
But I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
I perked up my ears, straining to distinguish their voices from the noisy commotion outside the door.
But the more I heard, the more uneasy I felt inside—
"I warn you! Stay away from her! She is already... those things you shouldn't..."
"Oh? What do you mean... but why should I..."
"She has already endured... you shouldn't... don't come looking for her again!"
"Xinchuan, you're being selfish... about Qiqi... are you going to... keep it from her forever..."
"You don't understand at all... I worked hard to make this happen... this is the best outcome..."
"…"
Xinchuan and Chen Feiyang seemed to be arguing about something.
I struggled to catch a few fragmented sentences.
From those words, I could only guess that their argument was related to Qiqi, and that Xinchuan had been hiding this matter from me all along.
But clearly, Xinchuan and Qiqi weren't familiar with each other; their encounters were few and far between.
What could be related to Qiqi that he knew but I didn't?
Things were becoming increasingly complicated, filling me with fear.
At that moment, I saw two people parting ways unhappily through the small window. Xinchuan turned and walked back toward the hospital room.
I quickly slipped into the nearby restroom and shut the door.
The next second, Xinchuan opened the door and entered the room.
Noticing I wasn't lying on the bed, he called out to the restroom, "Anan? Are you in there?"
"I have a stomachache and need to use the bathroom... Has Chen Feiyang left?" I responded as naturally as I could.
Xinchuan acknowledged with a sound but didn’t mention Chen Feiyang again. Instead, he asked if I was hungry and if I wanted something to eat.
From his tone, I guessed he hadn’t realized I had been eavesdropping behind the door, which relieved me.
I made an excuse about wanting some porridge, prompting Xinchuan to leave.
Once he was gone, I was alone in the hospital room, and my tense nerves finally had a moment to relax.
Reflecting on what I had just overheard, my mind raced with chaotic thoughts, and anxiety gnawed at my heart.
I never expected that the secret Xinchuan was hiding would be related to Qiqi...
What on earth was going on?
For a moment, I suddenly felt that everyone around me had become untrustworthy.
I thought Qiqi was the only person I could confide in right now.
But now it seemed...
No one could be relied upon.
As I pondered over the unsolvable mysteries, my brows knitted tightly together.
Just then, my phone buzzed repeatedly—
Qiqi: “Anan, I heard from my brother that you almost got into trouble last night! How are you now? Are you okay?”
Qiqi: “I’m really sorry! I was about to head out yesterday, but then the water pipe at home burst and flooded my kitchen! I was busy cleaning up the mess, so I missed your call…”
Qiqi: “Which hospital are you in? I’ll come see you as soon as I finish work. Just tell me what you want to eat!”
A series of messages from Qiqi filled my screen.
She included a long string of apologetic emojis. Even through the screen, I could sense her anxiousness.
After thinking for a moment, I replied, “I’m fine. I was actually worried about you; it’s good to hear you’re okay.”
“Ugh, don’t even mention it! I almost drowned in my own house!” Qiqi replied instantly, adding an exaggerated emoji.
Before I could reply to her, she sent several more messages, urging me to tell her which hospital I was in.
She said she wanted to come see me after work.
I thought to myself that since we hadn't met a few times before, it would be nice to chat today. Perhaps I could even probe a bit about Xinchuan.
So, I sent her the location of the hospital.
Qiqi quickly replied with three OK hand emojis, assuring me that she would rush over as soon as she got off work.
I picked up my phone to respond to her.
But suddenly, a question struck me—how did Chen Feiyang know which hospital I was in?
Xinchuan soon returned with congee.
He also brought along an Old Classmate.
As soon as the Old Classmate entered, he greeted me warmly, "Jiang An! Long time no see! I heard from Xinchuan that you were injured. Is it serious? Are you feeling better?!"
"Brother Lin? How come you're here…"
I looked at the unexpected Old Classmate in confusion and shot a questioning glance at Xinchuan beside me.
Xinchuan placed the porridge in front of me and explained, "I just ran into Brother Lin downstairs. He insisted on coming to see you."
"Yeah! I happened to be at the hospital bringing lunch for my dad, and as soon as I got in the elevator, I saw Xinchuan! Wow, after all these years, still so handsome! You haven't lost a single hair! Unlike me, just look at my hairline—it's almost..."
"Brother Lin, why don't you sit down and have a glass of water?"
It was clear that this Old Classmate was quite the chatterbox.
He had always been this enthusiastic back in college, and after all these years since graduation, he hadn't changed a bit.
Xinchuan noticed the helplessness on my face and poured a glass of water, subtly interrupting Old Classmate's incessant chatter.
However, Old Classmate seemed completely oblivious to the subtle shift in atmosphere. After taking a sip of water, he started talking non-stop again...
As I sipped my porridge and listened to Old Classmate's ramblings, I felt inexplicably more at ease.
At least with another person around, even if Xinchuan had something on his mind, he would have to keep it to himself.
Well, I should thank Old Classmate for that.
Just then, Old Classmate suddenly asked, "By the way! Jiang An, I remember you have a friend named Qiqi, right? The one who used to be the design director at Light Domain Media?"
"Yeah, what about her?"
Hearing Qiqi's name mentioned made me nod in acknowledgment.
Xinchuan's expression suddenly darkened as he caught a glimpse of something.
Old Classmate continued, "Not long ago, my company was about to collaborate with them. We were on the verge of signing the contract when suddenly we heard that the design director in charge of the project had an incident. I think it was..."
"Brother Lin! I just remembered something!"
Before Old Classmate could finish his sentence, Xinchuan abruptly stood up, startling him.
Old Classmate blinked in surprise. "What’s wrong with you? Just say what you need to say without jumping around like that..."
"We have a project at our company, and I wanted to see if you’re interested. But I left the materials in my car. How about you come downstairs with me?"
"Sure, but what about your..."
"Let’s go! We can talk while walking!"
Without waiting for a response, Xinchuan pulled Old Classmate along.
Even after stepping outside, Old Classmate still looked bewildered, completely unable to process how the conversation had shifted so quickly.
I watched as Xinchuan hurriedly left my sight, my brows knitting together once again.
It was too obvious.
Xinchuan's earlier actions practically screamed guilt!
Anyone who isn't a fool can see that he just didn't want Old Classmate to continue speaking, which is why he abruptly changed the subject to interrupt them.
But why didn't he want them to finish their thought?
Thinking back, Old Classmate had just mentioned Qiqi and said something about... Qiqi being in trouble?
Suddenly, it struck me. A few days ago, when I ran into Chen Feiyang at the bar, he seemed to have said that he returned to the country because of something that happened to Qiqi.
Also, just now, Xinchuan and Chen Feiyang were talking at the door and mentioned Qiqi...
So, what exactly happened to Qiqi?
Why does it seem like the whole world knows about this while I'm left in the dark?!
No!
I have to find out what happened to Qiqi.
I think no one knows the answer better than she does.
Remembering that she promised to come find me after work, my anticipation grew stronger, wishing time would move faster.
I have a feeling.
As long as I see Qiqi, everything will become clear.
About twenty minutes later, Xinchuan returned.
I pretended nothing had happened and casually asked him, "Did you finish talking with Brother Lin so quickly?"
"Yeah." He looked visibly troubled.
After a moment of thought, I asked him, "I feel fine now. I should be able to be discharged today, right?"
"No," he replied without hesitation. "The doctor said you need to stay for observation at least until tonight. The earliest you can leave is tomorrow."
"Oh, then could you go back and bring me a set of clean clothes? Also, please bring a blanket. This quilt is too thin, and I'm afraid I'll get cold."
"Sure, I'll go get it."
Hearing me actively ask him to help, a long-lost gentle smile finally appeared on Xinchuan's face.
I guessed he might have misunderstood my intention, taking it as a signal that I was willing to give him another chance.
What he didn't know was—
I just wanted to send him away so I could meet Qiqi alone...
I anxiously waited for Qiqi, keeping an eye on the time.
I remembered she should finish work at six and would take about half an hour to get here, considering the traffic.
But it was almost seven in the evening, and I still hadn't heard from her.
I was worried that Xinchuan would be back soon, so I anxiously messaged Qiqi: "Are you off work yet?"
Qiqi: "So annoying... My stupid boss suddenly called a meeting!"
Qiqi: "I might have to work late tonight, crying..."
Qiqi: "I'm really sorry, Anan, but I probably can't make it today. How about we reschedule for the weekend? I'll treat you to a big meal!"
Another string of apology emojis came through, leaving me at a loss.
I had been looking forward to meeting her, hoping to find a breakthrough in our conversation.
Unfortunately, my expectations were dashed once again.
As I stared at the chat window with Qiqi, I couldn't help but frown; something felt off.
Thinking it over...
It seemed like I had been just a step away from seeing Qiqi several times recently, only to miss her each time.
Now that I thought about it, it had been quite a while since I last saw her.
Could it be that she was intentionally avoiding me?
But that doesn't make sense...
If she really wanted to avoid me, there would be no need for her to actively invite me out and then stand me up.
Also, I remember she used to send me voice messages or video calls quite often.
Yet in the past few days, the only messages I've received from her are text and emojis.
This is really not like her at all.
What on earth is going on...
My intuition tells me that Qiqi must be hiding something from me.
Perhaps this matter is the key to unraveling all the mysteries!
I sneaked out of the hospital.
No matter what, I have to meet Qiqi today.
Xinchuan has already gone home, and he will definitely notice the letters I didn't have time to tidy up in the storage room.
Once he finds out that I discovered his secret...
God knows what he might do!
I absolutely cannot continue to sit idly in the hospital.
Before he finds me, I must figure everything out.
The time left for me is running out...
Thinking of this, I anxiously urged the driver to speed up.
Seeing my pale face and the thin hospital gown I was wearing, shivering in the freezing winter, the driver probably thought I had just escaped from a mental institution.
He pressed the accelerator, ran a red light, and dropped me off at the entrance of Qiqi's company building.
Ignoring the strange looks from passersby, I hurried into the building.
At that moment, I naively believed that the truth I was searching for was within those walls.
But I was wrong.
What I found inside that building was not the truth at all, but yet another terrifying mystery...
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