Once Qi Jun’s condition stabilized, the convoy immediately set off.
Lin Yiqiao tended to get carsick, so Qi Jun had her sit in the front of the transport vehicle. Surprisingly, it was Xiao Guohua who was driving.
The special forces team leader was personally driving, with heavily armed soldiers escorting them along the way.
Lin Yiqiao was lost in thought when she looked up and met Xiao Guohua’s half-smiling gaze.
She disliked this man but didn’t want to make things too awkward. After settling into her seat, she simply closed her eyes—out of sight, out of mind.
Xiao Guohua drove steadily, likely mindful of Qi Jun in the back, and refrained from making any more sarcastic remarks.
Lin Yiqiao slept soundly the entire journey. By the time they reached the northern capital, the sky was pitch black.
In the oppressive darkness, the only source of light was the glow from the military hospital, where dozens of people in white coats stood ready.
As soon as the transport vehicle stopped, they quickly wheeled Qi Jun inside.
Lin Yiqiao felt an uneasy restlessness in her heart. Instinctively, she tried to follow Qi Jun but was stopped by several soldiers in uniform.
The leader presented his credentials. “Comrade Lin Yiqiao, please cooperate with our investigation.”
Before she could process what was happening, handcuffs were clamped around her wrists.
She was escorted into a jeep, flanked on both sides by guards as if she were some heinous criminal.
Lin Yiqiao tried to calm herself. She had a clear conscience—perhaps this was just a routine check.
But when she was brought into the interrogation room, she began to feel afraid.
The small, dark room had only a tiny window the size of a palm. The iron interrogation stool was extremely uncomfortable, causing numbness from the waist down, and the handcuffs attached to it dug painfully into her wrists.
A glaring white light shone in front of her, forcing Lin Yiqiao to squint.
Behind the iron bars sat two interrogators, a man and a woman, their faces barely visible to her.
“Before you went to find Qi Jun, did you make contact with a female accomplice?” the woman asked.
“No, I didn’t do anything. I was following the troops to carry out the harvest mission. I have no accomplices and didn’t make contact with anyone.”
“Are you sure? Didn’t you meet with a woman in the cafeteria?”
A short-haired woman flashed through Lin Yiqiao’s mind, and she broke out in a cold sweat.
“I don’t know that woman at all. She approached me and told me to eat at the place where the troops were!”
The interrogators fell silent, leaving only a prolonged quiet.
Lin Yiqiao heard the sound of a pen scratching on paper. Her heart raced as if awaiting her own verdict.
Ding—ring ring
The internal phone in the interrogation room rang, piercingly loud in the dark little room.
The two interrogators hesitated, exchanging glances—who would call directly here?
Finally, the man picked up the phone.
“Chief.”
The call leaked sound badly. “This is Qi Jun from the 32nd Regiment. I order you to release Lin Yiqiao immediately.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Lin Yiqiao nearly burst into tears.
“Chief,” the interrogator glanced at Lin Yiqiao, “but… this is an order from higher-ups to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
“Higher-ups? Which higher-ups?”
The interrogator didn’t dare respond.
“Forget it. Have Hu Junsheng call me directly.”
“Yes, sir.”
The male interrogator hurriedly got up and left. The remaining female interrogator, Chen Yuxiu, looked at Lin Yiqiao properly for the first time.
Lin Yiqiao’s eyes were filled with relief after surviving a disaster. When she exchanged a glance with Chen Yuxiu, she understood the meaning in the other’s gaze.
A seductress.
She felt no anger at all.
After all.
Being a seductress also requires talent.
Not long after, the male interrogator from earlier returned, having rushed back in a hurry.
In his hand dangled a set of handcuff keys.
He came over and unlocked Lin Yiqiao’s handcuffs, no longer as aggressive as before. “You’re free to go.”
Lin Yiqiao rotated her wrist, then without another look at the two of them, she stood up and walked straight out.
Outside the interrogation room door were the same two people who had escorted her there. They once again accompanied Lin Yiqiao all the way out.