Don't Say You're Heartless (Modern Edition)

124 Rescue

The man never got to hear the story he wanted because Yang Qiong fainted right after saying a single sentence. His brow furrowed tightly, and after staring at her for a long time, he shook his head. Believing in such ridiculous things as past lives and reincarnation was a sign that he'd lost his mind.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuanming sat in a car heading to a remote location. This spot had been provided by Yang Qiong, otherwise, he wouldn't have left the warehouse. Before they arrived, his phone rang—a number known to very few people. He immediately pulled out his phone to check.

It was Qiu Yuanxin's number.

Liu Yuanming frowned. Wasn't Qiu Yuanxin arrested by the police? Could she have spilled the beans?

The phone rang only three times before the call ended. This was their prearranged signal—three rings meant it was safe. Liu Yuanming thought for a moment but decided to call back. On the other end, Qiu Yuanxin briefly explained that Shen Qiuhua had evidence of his crimes.

"Meet me at the usual spot," Liu Yuanming responded without hesitation. Qiu Yuanxin had proven to be a reliable subordinate, and he trusted her judgment.

In a sparse forest on the outskirts of the city, Qiu Yuanxin and Shen Qiuhua waited for Liu Yuanming. Shen Qiuhua was holding a can of Wangzai milk, sipping it slowly.

"Do you like milk?" Qiu Yuanxin asked, breaking the silence between the two women, which had started to feel awkward.

"I prefer tea," Shen Qiuhua looked up at the sunlight filtering through the trees. "Do you often discuss business here?"

Qiu Yuanxin shook her head. "I've never been involved. My job is  to bring Mr. Liu here."

Shen Qiuhua glanced at her. "Does Liu Yuanming trust you?"

Qiu Yuanxin froze, unsure how to answer. Trust? No trust? She had thought about this question before but never arrived at a clear answer.

"A man will only fully trust a woman under one condition," Shen Qiuhua said, watching Qiu Yuanxin closely. She believed the other woman understood her implication.

Sure enough, Qiu Yuanxin quickly shook her head. "Don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Liu and I only have a professional relationship."

"So, he doesn't trust you," Shen Qiuhua's gaze softened with pity. "That's why he left you to take the fall." She continued, "How much did Liu Yuanming pay you?"

By now, Qiu Yuanxin was beyond surprise. The woman in front of her seemed to have the ability to read minds. She could guess the truth of hidden matters with frightening accuracy. Was she guessing, or did she know something?

"As a fellow woman, I know how hard it is to survive in a man's world. But believe me, it's still easier than surviving in a woman's world," Shen Qiuhua remarked. "This era is great. Women can now rise to power and discuss national affairs. We are no longer confined to the inner chambers. But, sadly, greed knows no bounds. You've resorted to breaking the law, to violating ethics. From my perspective, Qiu, that's not the smartest choice."

Qiu Yuanxin looked at her with a mocking smile. "Miss Shen, if I had your beauty, I wouldn't need to take such risks. You have to understand, whether a woman is beautiful or not, the cost of living is the same."

Shen Qiuhua wasn't offended by her words at all. Many people believed her appearance was enough to grant her an easy life, with no need to strive for more. But the sorrow of relying on one's beauty was something those with ordinary looks could never understand.

"I know you've come too far to turn back. I'm not a saint, nor do I seek to save everyone. I just want to save Yang Qiong." Her eyes wandered to the trees in the distance. In a soft voice, she added, "I don't want anything else. I'm not afraid of anything. All I want is for her to live. Even if she's crippled, insane, or mad, it doesn't matter. Qiu, I've prepared myself for the worst." She smiled faintly—a smile with a hint of danger. "But every bit of suffering she's endured, I won't let it slide."