TPIL - 56

The ebb and flow of the shallow tide, a breeze without any excess, sunlight as warm and soothing as tears. Luo Andi woke up from her dream to find herself covered with soft bedding, her shoulder held gently, and the person beside her flipping through a book. The rustling sound of pages being turned was faintly rough to the ear, yet it soothed her nerves. Qi Xiaochuan seemed to sense something and turned his body slightly when he noticed she had woken up. Calmly, he reached for the thermometer and leaned over.

“You’re no longer running a fever.” He didn’t mention anything about what had happened yesterday.

She raised her eyes, unconsciously leaning closer to nuzzle him. If this were any other time, Qi Xiaochuan would have been somewhat flustered, but now, he simply stroked her cheek.

On the way back, Qi Xiaochuan received countless phone calls.

First was Zhong Shiyiwei, who had even called via video. His face, which resembled that of a Russian, appeared on the screen. With a level of fluency that could recite “Eight hundred soldiers rushing to the northern slope” backward, he bombarded Qi Xiaochuan with frantic questions: “What happened? What’s going on? Did something happen to Luo Andi? I’ve called her over twenty times, and just now, why did a police officer answer? Was she bullied? Do you need me to think of a way to bring in some heavy artillery?”

How exactly was he planning to procure that? Did he know someone at an armory? Without a second thought, Qi Xiaochuan hung up.

Next was Zhu Peijie. When Qi Xiaochuan had visited earlier, she happened to be at the handicraft shop, likely overhearing something nearby. Coupled with a woman’s sixth sense, she frantically dug out a business card she hadn’t used in centuries and contacted him, trying hard to suppress her anxiety: “Boss Qi, have you found Miss Luo? She didn’t come to work today. My class isn’t urgent, but is she okay?”

When had their relationship become so close? Qi Xiaochuan brushed her off with a few casual words, but Zhu Peijie persisted, practically demanding that Qi Xiaochuan hold up his ID card and take a picture to confirm his identity and take responsibility for his statements. Only after ensuring Luo Andi’s temporary safety did she hang up.

Then came the owner of the Paradise Handicraft Shop. Recently, the second branch had good sales, and after handing over the first branch to Luo Andi, its popularity had only increased. As a result, she began inquiring about setting up a company. Whether it was out of concern for Luo Andi or because she was the shop’s cash cow, she also offered her care: “What’s wrong with Andi? If the pressure is too much, I can give her more vacation days. Remind her to rest well—”

Unscrupulous capitalist. Although when Qi Xiaochuan said this, he couldn’t help but recall how his employees often criticized him in the same tone.

Next was Qi Xiaochuan’s father. Describing him as “disrespectful in old age” might be a bit harsh, but the old man really didn’t act like a typical senior. Recently, he had even taken up street dancing, causing Qi’s mother to laugh and complain, “Did you switch roles with your son?” Qi Xiaochuan’s father wasn’t aware of what had happened to Luo Andi; he simply called to ask, “I have a final performance this weekend where I’ll be performing Wilber Pan’s 'Reverse Earth.' Are you coming to watch?”

“What nonsense—” At this moment, there was no time to deal with such prank-like suggestions. Qi Xiaochuan laughed bitterly in anger, utterly speechless as he prepared to hang up.

But his father continued to press him: “What’s the matter? Do you look down on Wilber? I know, people your age all like Fahrenheit, right?”

With the pressure mounting, Qi Xiaochuan kept stepping on the gas pedal, and finally, the phone rang one last time.

The secretary said, “Boss Qi, I’ve cleaned out your work email. That document you asked me to find for you—”

“Don’t bother me.” Qi Xiaochuan curtly rejected her and immediately ended the call.

The secretary was left utterly confused on the other end, barely suppressing comments about Qi Xiaochuan’s ancestors, and innocently smiled at her colleague: “...Did I do something wrong again?”

Fortunately, under the family doctor’s advice, Qi Xiaochuan took care of Luo Andi for the entire night, and she recovered smoothly. He got up before her and prepared breakfast. Luo Andi wore clothes that had been changed while she was unconscious. The straps were tied better than she usually did them herself, clearly showing how meticulous the person who helped her had been. She sat down and slowly drank the porridge he had cooked. He stopped eating, silently watching her, ready to act the moment she made a request.

Perhaps she ate too quickly and started coughing. He handed her water, his hand hovering over her shoulder, hesitating for a long time before finally awkwardly placing it on her back.

After eating, her body regained a little energy, and Qi Xiaochuan drove Luo Andi to the police station.

The suspect had already been arrested since the license plate number and car model had blatantly appeared in the surveillance footage, making it easy to apprehend him. However, the investigation process still needed to be followed. To be honest, Qi Xiaochuan was one of the most troublesome types of people civil servants encountered during official duties—overly cautious, with a grim expression and an intimidating presence, making it difficult not to be wary of him. He simply stood by the wall without any expression, not approaching anyone, yet his impact was like ultraviolet radiation, impossible to block. During the process, the opposing lawyer couldn’t help but remind him, “Excuse me, Mr. Qi, could you please stop intimidating us?” But instead, he responded with a cold smile, “Didn’t I not say a single word?”

Faced with so-called rules, he had already gone above and beyond. If he could make a wish at that moment, Qi Xiaochuan sincerely hoped that an asteroid would fall from the sky and flatten this place right now. He really didn’t want Luo Andi to be forced to endure any longer.

“It seems things are just as they appear,” the officer said casually, entering with his phone in hand. “As one of the victims, Mr. Su Yining will also be arriving from the hospital soon. Otherwise, we’ll—”

Luo Andi’s expression remained calm, though her pinky and ring finger unconsciously curled slightly.

Qi Xiaochuan tilted his gaze briefly before returning it to its original position. Calmly stepping forward, he acted as if nothing was unusual, flipping through a notepad aimlessly while saying, “We have a doctor’s appointment. Let’s do this another time.”

He draped her coat over her shoulders and guided her out by the waist. As they left, Qi Xiaochuan appeared composed, holding the car keys. At the sight of Su Yining's car, he raised his hand to the door, shielding Luo Andi’s view.

The driver had been waiting in the car all along, and Qi Xiaochuan gave him instructions to return via the same route. Turning to look at the backseat, Luo Andi had been gazing out the window. Qi Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should call someone to keep her company. But the next second, she turned her head toward him.

“Are you going to the company now?” Luo Andi said. “I’ll go to work too.”

“...” Qi Xiaochuan stared at her intently but refrained from delivering the classic domineering male lead line—”I’ll take care of you”—instead opting for a somewhat deflated response: “If you want to go, go; if you don’t, don’t. Have the driver take you.”

Turning his head, he signaled again to the driver to stay with her throughout: “Wei Hao will come later. The company will handle the car pickup.”

Upon returning, Su Yining had arrived as both a victim and a witness. Qi Xiaochuan walked in silently and waited for fifteen minutes until the secretary finally arrived late. The driver who had hit Luo Andi insisted he was retaliating against society, but his behavior of waiting on the roadside for such a long time was already suspicious. After hitting Luo Andi, he had driven off without reporting the accident. Moreover, there was an even more terrifying possibility—

Qi Xiaochuan glanced at Su Yining, who sat calmly, occasionally dropping a few nonchalant lines condemning the suspect. With sufficient funds and threats perfectly executed, neither witnesses nor physical evidence existed against him. They couldn’t touch him. His plans were always meticulous, leaving no loose ends. Almost provocatively, Su Yining returned his gaze.

After a long pause, Qi Xiaochuan suddenly blurted out: “Mr. Su is putting in quite the effort.”

Su Yining smiled: “Of course. Anything related to Miss Luo requires my utmost attention. I’m different from Mr. Qi. Mr. Qi built his empire from scratch, which hasn’t been easy. He’s someone who has weathered the storms of the business world. As for me, I haven’t worked as hard, but I’ve received significantly more care from Miss Luo.”

His words carried hidden meanings, layered like oil and water, utterly repulsive.

He showed absolutely no sign of remorse, radiating the satisfaction of someone whose wish was about to be fulfilled. In fact, Su Yining looked down on Qi Xiaochuan. His humble origins, his dullness, his overly rigid demeanor. For a brief moment, he had thought they might get along. But alas, fate loved to play tricks, and Luo Andi had appeared.

Qi Xiaochuan, under scrutiny, abruptly asked: “I remember Mr. Su has an aunt with whom he is very close.”

Su Yining was baffled, unsure why he had suddenly brought up his elder relative: “What about it?” This wasn’t the time to panic and act rashly.

Nevertheless, Qi Xiaochuan continued calmly: “I met her once. We had a verbal altercation, and it ended unpleasantly. It seems it caused the lady to stop patronizing Paradise Handicrafts.”

“...” Su Yining eyed him suspiciously.

“She dresses particularly strikingly, so she leaves a strong impression. Staff at restaurants near the handicraft shop have seen her come to dine. Your company’s address isn’t nearby, and there aren’t many social venues around. Saying she came specifically just to have tea would be unreasonable. Driving into a specific person based solely on photos could easily result in errors. So observing for a while and understanding the target’s movements is necessary.” Qi Xiaochuan was eerily calm, bordering on cold. “Luo Andi spends most of her time at the shop. If we investigate the area around Paradise from earlier, wouldn’t we possibly find traces of this driver?

“Or perhaps footage of him meeting someone at a nearby store?”

Su Yining interlaced his fingers, remaining unruffled: “Your implication is that this driver not only intended harm but was also acting under someone’s orders?”

“I’ve interacted with your sister for some time, and she mentioned how cautious you are. I believe you certainly wouldn’t oppose an investigation.”

“That goes without saying.” Su Yining wasn’t worried. First, he hadn’t personally appeared to negotiate. Second, with so many stores near Paradise Handicrafts, finding the right one wouldn’t happen quickly. Besides, private investigations lacked legal enforcement. With his financial resources, he could bribe each location to refuse providing surveillance footage.

Qi Xiaochuan nodded expressionlessly, finally deciding to end this tedious conversation. Before walking out, he turned back and said with bored clarity: “I made two copies of the footage. One was submitted to the prosecution—it’s up to them how they interpret it. The other was given to your father and the decision-making level under his authority. Since we’ll continue doing business, I’m sure he’ll recognize your subordinate. At the same time, he can evaluate your capabilities as an heir.”

Su Yining thought Qi Xiaochuan was merely suggesting something, but the progress had suddenly reached its endpoint. Caught completely off guard, he blurted out: “How did you—”

He didn’t know what he wanted to ask. Qi Xiaochuan couldn’t be bothered to mock him, simply giving him a look filled with ridicule: “Because Luo Andi likes those stores.”

His words were somewhat disjointed and difficult to interpret.

Under Su Yining’s questioning gaze, Qi Xiaochuan almost mercifully continued: “The investors and franchisees of those stores are all mine. I know the situation around the handicraft shop inside and out. I just didn’t expect you to sink this low. The reason I’m not destroying you right now isn’t because of your father or the law—it’s purely because I don’t want her to be heartbroken. Luo Andi has a kind heart, but you’d best not count on me.”

By this point, Su Yining understood the general situation. His parents had been busy with their careers for years, and aside from his aunt, their family didn’t value sentimentality much. Protecting him from being pursued was more than enough, but disappointing his parents would have the greatest impact.

The instigator was someone he despised the most—a beggar—but in this moment, Qi Xiaochuan didn’t even spare him a glance. He pragmatically warned: “I’ve never known how to write the word 'kindness' since I was a child.”