Night Wanderer

Chapter 44 "Thank God, you're still alive."

Sheng Qingrang was well aware of the relationship between Zong Ying and Xinxi.

Whether it was from the news article that exposed her connection to Zong Qinglin as his daughter, or from that scrapbook filled with clippings about Yan Man's life, by piecing together the scattered bits of information, one could basically reconstruct the whole story.

Upon seeing the English name "Xinxi," Sheng Qingrang recalled an interview with Yan Man in the clippings, where she expressed her ideals and determination toward independent pharmaceutical research. "Xinxi" seemed to embody all of her efforts and sincerity — it was truly a fitting name.

"Sincere," Sheng Qingrang murmured unconsciously. "It's a beautiful meaning."

"It was the first English word I ever learned — even before 'yes' and 'no'," Zong Ying said, sitting on the backseat of the bicycle. Still not fully recovered from her cold, her voice was slightly nasal. "This English name was given by my mother."

The way she so openly talked about Yan Man surprised Sheng Qingrang slightly and, at the same time, delighted him — it felt like he had gotten one step closer to her.

She continued, "It is said that several partners unanimously approved this name at that time. Only afterward did it get transliterated into 'Xinxi' in Chinese." Her tone gradually slowed, tinged with a sigh: "Back when Xinxi was founded, everyone was very young and had the same ideals. They just wanted to make good medicine sincerely. But maybe human forgetfulness really is scary. After vying for power and profit for a long time, the original intention is forgotten."

Zong Ying rarely said much. After she finished speaking, she looked at the Xinxi building and did not say anything for a long time. Sheng Qingrang stood quietly with her.

At this time, Sheng Qingrang's mobile phone suddenly rang. He was stunned and hurriedly opened his briefcase. There was only a string of phone numbers on the screen that lit up - even if it was not added to the address book, he recognized at a glance that the caller was Xue Xuanqing.

When he first confronted Xue Xuanqing in the apartment before, he wrote down her number.

These days, every time he came here, he could receive a call from Xue Xuanqing, but because Zong Ying was not around, he was worried that this impulsive friend might do something reckless, so he chose not to answer.

The screen kept lighting up, the default ringtone blaring obnoxiously.

He handed the phone to Zong Ying. She hesitated for three seconds, then pinched it between her fingers, quickly unlocked it, and before she could even bring it to her ear, a familiar voice barked from the other end: "God, you still remember how to pick up your phone?!"

The tone sounded furious at first, but every quiver and change in pitch carried all the worry and panic built up from countless failed calls.

The next sentence came immediately:

"You scared me to death. Thank God you're still alive."

Zong Ying said: "Yes, I'm alive. Where are you?"

Xue Xuanqing turned up her headset volume. "Just left the funeral home. Xiao Zheng went back to the team. I was going to go home, but I've changed my mind — I'm coming to find you. Send me your location."

"What for?"

"Miss Zong." She suddenly imitated Sheng Qingrang to use this address, "Excuse me, do you still remember the message you sent me a few days ago? I am a person who responds to requests."

Zong Ying remembered that she did send a message to Xue Xuanqing.

She had asked her to check the old case files related to Yan Man's fall, but never received a reply that day.