Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Xiaowang was about to open the car door when he heard Qin Zhiâaiâs voice. Scanning right and left, he finally saw her and immediately dashed toward her direction.
With a look of surprise on his face, he asked, âSecretary Qin? Why are you here? Werenât you supposed to fly abroad at noon today?â
As he spoke, Xiaowang lifted his hand and glanced at the time. It was already 12:30 p.m. âWas the flight canceled?â
Qin Zhiâai shook her head and before she could speak, Xiaowang noticed the redness in her eyes. âSecretary Qin, youâve been crying? What happened?â
Her lips lifted into a weak smile. Ignoring Xiaowangâs line of questioning, she dove straight into the topic. âWhere is Gu Yusheng? Is he in the room?â
âSecretary Qin, youâre looking for Master Gu?â After saying this, Xiaowang realized that Qin Zhiâai had addressed him as âGu Yushengâ instead of âMaster Gu.â Throwing her an odd look, he proceeded to reply, âMaster Gu left the hospital just a few minutes past noon, and he has yet to return...â
Not in the hospital? Qin Zhiâaiâs brows crinkled slightly.
Flashing Xiaowang a faint smile, she thanked him and left, ignoring Xiaowang calling after her and attempting to say more.
Flagging down a taxi, she hopped into the car and had the driver head toward Gu Yushengâs company.
After the receptionist informed her that Gu Yusheng had not returned to the office that day, Qin Zhiâai then took the taxi to Gu Yushengâs villa. She rang the bell for some time, but there was no response.
When she was leaving his neighborhood, she stopped to check with the security guard. The guard thought for a moment before shaking his head and replying, âI havenât seen Mr. Gu return today.â
Heâs not at the hospital, not at his company, and not at home... Then where could he be?
Qin Zhiâai thought hard and ultimately decided to head over to the Four Seasons Hotel, where Gu Yusheng was known to frequent because he rented a long-term room there.
Qin Zhiâai knew the room number and quickly made her way there; however, just as sheâd experienced at his villa, there was no response when she knocked on his door. A cleaner eventually passed by and volunteered that she had cleaned the room earlier and no one was living in it.
Xiaowang wasnât with Gu Yusheng, so he couldnât be out for business matters. Could he possibly be with Lu Bancheng?
As this thought crossed her mind, she fished out her phone but, before she connected with Lu Bancheng, it finally occurred to her that she hadnât tried to call Gu Yusheng yet.
She quickly canceled her call to Lu Bancheng and called Gu Yusheng, but it rang for some time and no one answered.
Qin Zhiâaiâs brows furrowed together. Upon hanging up, she redialed Lu Bancheng. He picked up immediately, within one ring, and sounded as surprised as Xiaowang had when she ran into him.
âXiaoâai? Arenât you supposed to be on the plane?â
âSomething... something came up and I was delayed...â Qin Zhiâai explained briefly before cutting to the chase. âBrother Bancheng, are you with Gu Yusheng now?â
âNope. Shouldnât he be at the hospital now?â
âNo... I called him but he didnât pick up...â
âDo you have something urgent to discuss with him?â
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Zhiâai replied, âMm.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lu Bancheng did not question her any further. After pondering for some time, he named a few places that Gu Yusheng liked to visit when he was feeling down.