TNSFC – Chapter 65

In the office building, Gu Shanxue was busy in her office.

A hurried knock on the door made her frown slightly. Anda pushed the door open and walked in.

Anda’s voice was a little anxious: “Boss, Miss Que has had an accident. There was a car crash on East Third Road. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper from our subsidiary contacted us, saying someone is already writing an article to publicize her accident. Should we suppress it and stop them from reporting it?”

When Gu Shanxue heard Anda’s first words, she froze. Her mind went blank, and she could only see Anda’s lips opening and closing.

Her consciousness seemed to detach from her body, and she heard her own voice echoing in the room.

“A car accident?”

Gu Shanxue’s first reaction was that it was impossible. Just moments ago, Que Yining had messaged her saying she was about to head to the press conference. How could she suddenly be in a car accident?

Anda: “Yes, I’ve already verified it. The traffic accident report from a few minutes ago has also been released…”

Seeing her boss’s pale face, Anda continued with some reluctance.

She had been with Gu Shanxue for many years and knew that her cold-hearted and aloof boss didn’t have many close friends. Que Yining was a special one, and she never expected something like this to happen.

Gu Shanxue clicked on a web search and, sure enough, found a report of the accident scene published a few minutes ago.

At the intersection on Donglan Road, two cars had collided. The car that was hit had its body caved in and had been thrown some distance.

Besides the official report, photos taken by onlookers had also surfaced.

The unconscious woman being carried out from the back of the car was covered in blood. Although her profile was obscured by blood, Gu Shanxue still recognized her as someone she knew well.

It was a heart-wrenching sight. The immense shock left Gu Shanxue’s face blank.

“Which hospital is she in?”

Gu Shanxue rushed out without a second thought, and Anda hurriedly followed her.

Only after the car had driven some distance did Gu Shanxue’s composure slowly return.

“Has the report been suppressed?”

Her voice trembled slightly as she tried her best to remain calm.

Anda nodded. “It’s been suppressed. We’ve also informed our colleagues in the industry. This is definitely someone targeting Miss Que!”

“Investigate. This car accident is definitely suspicious.”

A storm brewed in Gu Shanxue’s eyes, and her fists clenched tighter at her sides.

This was definitely a conspiracy against Que Yining. The accident happened on her way to the press conference. After the crash, before she even received notification, someone already knew Que Yining’s identity as the victim and planned to report it. The motive was self-evident.

Gu Shanxue was burning with anxiety and anger, yet her expression grew increasingly calm.

In front of the ICU, You Lanqing was supported by her husband and daughter, almost unable to stand.

She had rushed here a few minutes ago, only to see the red light on above the ward door, nearly fainting from distress.

You Lanqing had always considered herself a fortunate woman. Although her husband’s career hadn’t taken off much when they married, they had no worries about food and clothing. Her adopted sons and daughters were all filial. Though she regretted not having biological children in the first half of her life, this regret was filled after her daughter was born.

After her daughter was born, she became the apple of her eye. She doted on her, treasured her, and hoped she could live her life as she pleased without suffering, ultimately finding lifelong happiness.

When her daughter was first born, You Lanqing had worried if her three adopted children would have other thoughts. Fortunately, they didn’t. Her eldest son doted on his younger sister as if she were his own daughter, even more excessively than she and her husband did. Although her second daughter and youngest daughter had some arguments, there were no major conflicts. Moreover, from You Lanqing’s perspective, she sometimes agreed with the second daughter’s remarks that the youngest daughter didn’t need to chase after others. It was just that the second daughter had a sharp tongue. Her third daughter and youngest daughter were close in age, so their squabbles and bickering were normal. You Lanqing was actually quite satisfied with her family situation, but she never expected something like this to happen today.

“Someone must be trying to harm Ningning, Hanyi! Someone definitely wants to harm Ningning!”

You Lanqing’s eyes were red. When they arrived at the hospital, the police were there, saying the culprit was drunk driving.

How could that be? It was broad daylight, midday! How could someone be dead drunk and just happen to crash into her daughter’s car!

“I know, I know. I will definitely not let go of the person who wants to harm Ningning.”

Que Hanyi also looked haggard. He comforted his beloved wife, his heart no less anxious than hers.

He thought more deeply than his wife. Although he had gradually handed over the business to his son and daughters in recent years, he wasn’t blind to commercial developments. The game his daughter’s company made was so popular, and once the company went public, its future would be promising. Just yesterday, he couldn’t stop smiling about it. Who knew that his daughter would have an accident today? The reasons behind this were definitely not so simple.

“Dad, Mom.”

Que Linyang hurried over from the end of the corridor. When You Lanqing saw him, her eyes couldn’t help but redden again.

You Lanqing sobbed, “Linyang… your sister, she…”

“It’s okay. Ningning has always been lucky. She’ll definitely be fine. Don’t worry, Mom. Take care of yourself. Don’t let Ningning come out to find you collapsed.”

Que Linyang supported You Lanqing and comforted her.

Que Linyang was in his late forties, approaching fifty, but he didn’t look old. His refined and gentle appearance gave his comforting words a soothing power.

When Que Chuling arrived, she saw his hypocritical act. However, with her little sister in danger and her parents present, she suppressed her feelings, walked to her father’s side, and offered silent comfort.

The red light above the ward remained on, gripping everyone’s hearts, and the air grew heavy with an unspeakable tension.

Gu Shanxue and Anda walked over. Upon seeing the Que family members in the corridor, they politely greeted them and stated their identities, then looked intently towards the ward.

She was somewhat unfamiliar to the Que family, but since she was Que Yining’s friend, Father Que and Mother Que nodded gravely in acknowledgment.

“Uncle, Auntie, how is Ningning’s condition now?”

Que Hanyi shook his head. “She’s been in there for over twenty minutes. We still don’t know. The doctor said she’s seriously injured.”

At the time, Que Yining was sitting in the back seat, and the other car crashed directly into the side of their car. Que Yining suffered the most severe injuries. When they arrived, the doctor said her injuries were critical and her chances were slim, but they would do their best to save her.

Gu Shanxue recalled the photos of the accident scene she had seen and leaned weakly against the wall.

Besides praying, she didn’t know what else she could do. Her heart felt as if a large hole had been gouged out, with wind blowing through it, making her blood run cold.

This helplessness was even greater than the fear she felt standing outside her mother’s hospital room last year. Before her mother passed away, Gu Shanxue had been mentally prepared. Her mother had been ill for decades, and she knew she would leave one day, like a withered yellow leaf falling from a branch, eventually returning to the embrace of the earth.

But Que Yining was different. She was so young, so wonderful. She still had a long, long life ahead of her. Gu Shanxue hadn’t yet seen her live a happy life; how could she leave her just like this?

Gu Shanxue wouldn’t allow it.

Today wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Today, her Little Rose should have happily attended the press conference and then smilingly invited her to celebrate together.

Not like this, with her outside the door, waiting for the person inside to wake up.

All her worry, anxiety, pain, and anger were suppressed deep in her heart. To an outsider, this young woman appeared excessively calm, her face like still water. But if you met her eyes, you would be stunned by the deep sorrow hidden within.

Qiao Yuchu and Que Zixi arrived at the hospital almost one after the other. The corridor, now crowded with seven people, felt somewhat suffocating.

Gu Shanxue had Anda leave first to check on Que Yining’s assistant, Zhang Shiyu. She had also been in the car and met with misfortune.

Even with one person gone, the air remained heavy.

Amidst this spreading, silent pain, Gu Shanxue looked up and met Que Linyang’s gaze.

She suddenly looked up. Que Linyang quickly concealed the probing look in his eyes and forced a smile, appearing genuinely like a brother burning with anxiety over his sister’s accident.

But Gu Shanxue had clearly caught his earlier unusual expression. She didn’t believe for a moment that this man before her was truly upset. Que Yining had mentioned to her more than once the hidden aspects of this so-called adopted brother of hers.

In that instant, she even suspected Que Linyang was the mastermind behind this. Anyone could see Ningning’s talent and future prospects; her potential growth was immeasurable. Moreover, she had witnessed Ningning’s methods for dealing with others—undoubtedly a talent in the business world. It was hard to say this accident wasn’t something this man had orchestrated before Ningning could fully mature.

But these were ultimately just speculations. Looking at Mother Que leaning on Que Linyang, Gu Shanxue’s heart grew cold and heavy.

The emergency rescue continued for two hours before the red light finally turned green.

You Lanqing rushed forward, looking at the doctor with expectant eyes.

The doctor nodded. Gu Shanxue, standing to the side, let out a sigh of relief and slowly released the tightly clutched corner of her clothes.

As long as she’s okay, as long as she’s okay.

She watched as a pale Que Yining was wheeled out of the emergency room. She wanted to follow but found she had lost all her strength, her body covered in cold sweat.

‘Beep.’

‘Beep.’

The sound of medical instruments hummed in the otherwise silent hospital room.

Que Yining’s consciousness plunged into endless darkness, unable to touch a speck of light.

Like a solitary feather, it swayed gently as it fell.

Slowly and quietly, it landed on the calm, still surface of the water, creating tiny ripples.

Then, the feather swiftly sank into the water, and at that moment, Que Yining’s consciousness abruptly cleared.

She felt herself continuously falling, as if the lake water beneath her had an immense suction, constantly pulling her down.

The lake water was icy and deathly still, churning in the night like black blood.

The light shed by the bright moon above was cold and desolate, slowly receding from her.

She couldn’t see anything clearly.

Water poured into her ears and eyes, dragging her consciousness further away.

Her surroundings became scorching hot. Flames distorted the air, and the smell of burnt flesh emanated from her body. All she could see was a vast sea of fire.

In this sea of fire, Que Yining saw herself. She sat motionless in a chair, letting the flames engulf her.

Que Yining reached out her hand. The moment she made contact, she opened her eyes.

‘Beep.’

‘Beep.’

---

If you’d like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the full novel as an EPUB.