Zhao's father was deeply grateful, "Thank you, thank you so much!"
"Where is Zhao Yixin?" Shen Qingqing remembered the child saying he hadn't contacted Zhao Yixin. Although she knew he was safe with his grandmother, she couldn't help but ask.
Zhao's father's face immediately drooped. "Speaking of which, I have to leave now. I'm going to find the child."
"Looking for the child?"
"Yes, the child is missing."
Shen Qingqing's expression changed slightly. "How could the child go missing all of a sudden?"
Zhao's father clenched his fists, his face filled with anxiety and worry. "It's all the child's grandmother's fault. She was bewitched and helped those people harm you. The child didn't agree and wanted to go out to contact you. As a result, the old lady confiscated his watch and locked him in his room."
"The child was unwilling. To be able to go out and help you clarify, he jumped out of the second-floor window."
"Is he alright?"
Zhao Yixin was only seven years old, and Shen Qingqing had heard Zhao Yixin describe his home as a two-story villa with a balcony on the second floor, more than two meters above the ground. If he wasn't careful, he would be either dead or seriously injured.
Zhao's father shook his head, his face full of bitterness. "I don't know. I've had people search everywhere in the yard, but they couldn't find the child's trace. There was no blood either. I only found one of his shoes. I don't know where this child has gone, or if he was taken by bad people..."
The more Zhao's father thought about it, the more scared he became. His wife was not in good health, and he was grateful to have such a child.
This was the sole heir of the Zhao family, and nothing must happen to him!
Shen Qingqing comforted him, "Don't worry. The fact that there's no trace is a good thing."
"What do you mean?"
"If the child were injured, he certainly wouldn't be able to leave the villa, at least not silently. This means he is safe right now."
Zhao's father thought about it and felt a little relieved. "But I'm worried."
Shen Qingqing said, "I understand how you feel, but worrying won't help. The most important thing now is to quickly search the places where the child might have gone."
Zhao's father wiped his face, unable to hide his exhaustion. "I've already called the police and asked people to search around the villa extensively, but so far..."
He glanced at his phone, which was still black.
No news had come in.
Shen Qingqing thought of the proud young man and couldn't bear it. After sending Zhao's father away, she woke up the sleeping King. The latter was very unhappy when he woke up, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"I say, little apprentice, I haven't slept well these past two days because of your matters. Now that I finally get to rest, you're torturing me like this. Do you have a grudge against me?"
Shen Qingqing ignored his complaints and threw his clothes at him from the chair.
"Don't think I don't know. You went out to chase girls last night, so you woke up late. Don't blame everything on me. Get dressed. There's something you need to do."
King didn't feel guilty when he was exposed and slowly started to get dressed.
"At least let me take a shower."
"Don't think I don't know. You took a shower this morning before you went to sleep."
King tutted and raised his eyebrows at Shen Qingqing, his mouth very cheeky. "I say, little apprentice, are you paying attention to me all the time? Otherwise, how would you even know I took a shower?"
Shen Qingqing gave him a sideway glance. "Hurry up!"
King pouted. "No sense of romance."
He always got no face when he made a joke.
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "What romance do I have with you?"
He was the teacher. If she were to be romantic with him, it wouldn't be appropriate.
King thought about it and agreed. Then he put on his outer jacket, slipped on his shoes, and as he stood up, the sleepiness on his face slowly disappeared, replaced by a spirited look.
"Go ahead, what do you want me to do?"
"Help me find Zhao Yixin's whereabouts. I know you're good at this." Her teacher was particularly skilled at tracking and had once wanted to teach her, but Shen Qingqing had been focused on studying medicine and martial arts at the time and had no choice but to give up on tracking.
"No problem."
King agreed readily.
But before he could find out his whereabouts, Shen Qingqing received a call.
"You're looking for Zhao Yixin, right?" It was Ning Su's voice on the other end.
Shen Qingqing neither confirmed nor denied. "What do you want?"
Ning Su snorted coldly. "Don't play word games with me. I admit, I can't beat you. You're amazing, Shen Qingqing, both in words and in your methods. You're better than me."
Shen Qingqing remained noncommittal.
"However, there's one thing you're not as good as me at." Ning Su's voice was incredibly calm, lacking her usual jealousy and hatred. She didn't even sound like herself.
She was silent for a long time, clearly waiting for Shen Qingqing to ask.
Shen Qingqing cooperated and asked, "What is it?"
"Ruthlessness." Ning Su's tone carried a hint of pride. "If you want to know Zhao Yixin's whereabouts, come and see me. But you must come alone. No calling the police, and don't tell anyone."
Shen Qingqing's tone was flat. "Why should I trust you?"
"Do you have any other choice right now?" Ning Su was composed, seemingly sure that Shen Qingqing would come. "Also, you don't need to think about recording. Since I dare to do it, I'm not afraid of others hearing it. If you dare to take the recording to the police, you can wait to collect Zhao Yixin's ashes!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "You are truly stubborn."
"Less nonsense, are you coming or not?"
"Since you've invited me so cordially, I will naturally come." Shen Qingqing slowly walked to the balcony and looked down at the sea of roses. Her gaze was as gentle as her tone was cold. "But Ning Su, I'll warn you, don't regret it."
"What do I have to regret?" Ning Su treated Shen Qingqing's words as a last-ditch effort. "I'll be waiting for you!"
With that, she hung up the phone.
Shen Qingqing lowered her gaze to her phone, a smile of unknown meaning playing on her lips.
Soon, the phone screen lit up. It was a text message, simple and clear, with an address.
After reading it, Shen Qingqing turned off her phone and put it in her pocket. She checked the time. There was still more than an hour before Ning Su's appointed time, which was enough to prepare some things.
She returned to her room, closed the door, and tinkered for over an hour.
When she came out again, she handed a necklace to Fu Jingshu.
"What is this?" Fu Jingshu looked at the silver necklace. It was very thin and felt like a woman's necklace. However, because it had no extra pendants or patterns, it was low-key and simple. It wouldn't look bad on him.
Shen Qingqing said, "You must wear this with you at all times. It's a good thing."
"What good thing?"
Shen Qingqing smiled mysteriously. "You'll know later. Now, I want to tell you something."
Perhaps it was her serious expression that made Fu Jingshu sense something was wrong. He pulled her into his arms, his arms as strong and firm as iron clamps, making it impossible for her to break free.
"What happened?"