“I’m sorry, but can you be more precise? For example, other than the car being gorgeous, do you remember the number plate?” Ye Linhan wasn’t confident of this old woman’s memory, but he asked nevertheless. He just hoped to get more information out of her.
The woman took a closer look at the man in front of her and smirked. “Why are you asking so many questions? The girl didn’t seem forced when she entered the car. What are you trying to do?”
She didn’t seem forced? Ye Linhan was startled. Then it must be someone Shen Qi knew. But who could it be?
“Thanks for your concern. I’m her friend. We’re anxious because we can’t reach her, and we’ve been looking for her in this area for quite some time now.”
“Oh I see… I don’t remember the number plate, but I do remember that it was a black car.”
Ye Linhan heaved a sigh in his heart. He really shouldn’t have any high hopes of this old woman, for there were countless black cars in North City. “Thanks. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
He had to call Yan to inform her about it, and ask whether she knew anyone who drove a black car, so that he could get his hands on more clues.
Yan was relieved when she heard the news. However, she was confused as she asked, “A black car? Are you sure she wasn’t forced into the car?”
“I’m not.” Ye Linhan said solemnly, “But if that old woman’s statement is correct, and that she didn’t see it wrongly, then Shen Qi was probably not forced into the car.”
Yan fell into silence for a moment upon hearing that, then she nodded in agreement. “You’re right. There must be some struggle if she was being forced. Since that old woman said Shen Qi didn’t seem forced, then she should be safe for now. However, I’m still concerned before I can make sure that she is safe. Moreover, she looked a little frightened before she went missing. Please, Vice President Ye, I want to see her return safely.”
“You may go back first. My men will keep on searching. I’ll contact you when I have more information.”
“Well, alright…” Yan wasn’t any less concerned after hanging up the call. She tried to call Shen Qi, but failed to reach her. Out of better ideas, she sent Shen Qi a message telling her to contact her as soon as she was safe. She then kept her phone and headed home.
…
On the other hand, Shen Qi leaned against a soft sofa when a servant came over with a cup of tea. “Miss, please have some tea.”
Shen Qi didn’t move a muscle as she had no energy to take the cup. She politely shook her head and said to the servant, “Thanks, but I’m not thirsty.”
The servant froze for a moment before leaving with the cup. She then bumped into Su Jiu who was coming in. Seeing the tea cup still full, Su Jiu smiled and asked, “She didn’t want to drink it?”
The servant nodded. “She didn’t seem to be in a good mood, so…”
“I got it. Go do your things first.” Su Jiu smiled, hinting that she could leave now. The servant heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly walked off, for she was afraid that Su Jiu would make her sort out the matter. Even though she looked polite and harmless, she could never cheer up someone as dispirited as Shen Qi.
Su Jiu strode in and went straight to Shen Qi. Seeing that she was indeed very dispirited, Su Jiu couldn’t help but smile and ask, “What could make you feel so down, Miss Shen?”
Hearing a familiar voice, Shen Qi raised her head and looked at Su Jiu. “I’m fine.”
After Yan went to another place to make a call, Shen Qi stood up dazedly and left the place. She wasn’t aware how long had passed before she realized that she was standing right beside a busy road. Looking at the moving cars, an idea of suicide suddenly flashed in her mind. However, she was immediately stunned by that idea. She was pregnant after all. Even if she didn’t appreciate her own life, she couldn’t bring herself to end her child’s life as well. That was why she remained on the same spot for a long time, watching the cars come and go.
Until one car pulled in in front of her, and the door was opened. Shen Qi raised her head and was met with a deep gaze; it was Han Qing. “Miss Shen, why are you here?”
Su Jiu was startled upon seeing Shen Qi’s red eyes and the traces of tears on her face. Her lips parted but she couldn’t speak a word for a long time.
Han Qing looked at Shen Qi with a complicated gaze as their gazes hung in the air. After a short moment, Han Qing reached out to her. “No matter what the reason is behind your sorrow, don’t sit here and cry. Get up.”
He sounded like a stern brother, while his caring gaze gave warmth to Shen Qi. She bit her lower lip but didn’t get up, then she lowered her gaze again.
“Raise your head.” Before she could fully lower her gaze, Han Qing chided her.
Shen Qi was stunned for a moment before raising her head.
“Didn’t you hear me? Get up.”
Shen Qi was taken aback. She couldn’t help but bite her lower lip and say, “President Han, even though Han Xueyou and I are good friends, that doesn’t mean you can meddle in my affairs.”
She was in a very bad mood now, and… she didn’t think Han Xueyou and her were good friends anymore. Thus, she probably wouldn’t have any chance to meet Han Qing again. She wanted to be polite to him, because what happened between Han Xueyou and her remained their matters, and she shouldn’t blame it on others. However, if Han Qing wanted to butt in on her affairs, then she would have no choice but to speak up.
Upon hearing that, Han Qing frowned. “What did you say?”
Shen Qi bit her lower lip and turned away.
The next second, Han Qing reached out, held her arms and lifted her up. Shen Qi was shocked by his seemingly effortless move.
“Do you think I really care about you? You’re embarrassing everyone here, and you’re blocking the road.” Han Qing’s voice was cold and devoid of any emotions, however, his gaze was fixated on her.
Her angry and capricious looks resemble the girl in my memory… Is she really the sister that I’ve been looking for more than twenty years? Damn it. Why was I not aware of it? And how did those people mistake Han Xueyou to be my sister? Did she find out about it and stole Shen Qi’s identity? Moreover, why didn’t Shen Qi know her real identity when everyone else knew about it?
“Sigh.” Han Qing let out a heavy sigh with that thought in his mind. “Let’s get out of here first. You look like a mess now.”
Shen Qi froze for a moment. Of course she knew she looked like a mess now, but she was in a bad mood, so she didn’t mind how she looked.
“Leave me alone.”
“Su Jiu, get her in,” Han Qing ordered coldly.
Su Jiu chuckled as she walked toward Shen Qi. She then grabbed Shen Qi’s hands in a friendly manner and said, “Miss Shen, it’s really dangerous if you stay here any longer. Since you don’t have any friends with you now, why don’t you follow us and leave this place?” Then, she pulled Shen Qi into the car. Even though she appeared to be polite, she was firm in her action.
