Zhou Zhenguo went to handle other matters. When he returned, Xu Qingru had already been taken away. “Where is she?” Zhou Zhenguo asked his teammate.
The teammate looked confused. “Who?” Zhou Zhenguo paused, realizing he had not asked for Xu Qingru’s name. “All others are accounted for. Only one female comrade was taken away by her partner.”
Who are you looking for, Captain?” The teammate led him over. Zhou Zhenguo saw that everyone was there except Xu Qingru. “Captain?” The teammate noticed his strange manner.
He wondered who the captain was seeking, a man or a woman. If it was a woman, he suddenly seemed to realize something astonishing and stared at Zhou Zhenguo in disbelief. Zhou Zhenguo felt a sense of disappointment. Did Xu Qingru have a partner?
Xu Yingying failed to gain acceptance into the Dong family. After thinking it over, she went to wait outside the research institute. She stood not far from the main gate.
Ten minutes later, two soldiers approached her. “Please come with us.” Around noon, Dong Yunzhou went to the laboratory to fetch Xu Qingru for lunch.
The atmosphere there had changed noticeably. Two senior researchers stood beside her, all engaged in lively discussion. Their bright eyes showed great satisfaction with her.
“Xu… Comrade Xu, time for lunch.” He had intended to use a more intimate form of address, but the memory of her calmly calling him “Comrade Dong” stopped him. Xu Qingru did not seem to mind.
She spoke briefly with the researchers and walked over to him. Her appearance was completely different from when she first arrived. Clearly, she found genuine joy in research.
Dong Yunzhou could not help speaking. “If you wish, you may study in my study for now. When you come of age, I will arrange for you to join the institute formally.”
Her eyes shone brightly. She nodded without hesitation. “Thank you, Comrade Dong!” He felt dissatisfied again. Why must she always add “Comrade”?
On their way to the canteen, a soldier approached. “Director Dong, we have detained someone who requests to see you.” “Let us go first. I am not hungry yet,” Xu Qingru offered.
Wondering who it was, Dong Yunzhou took her along. Inside the interrogation room, Xu Yingying’s eyes were red. Why was she being treated like a criminal for hours?
The door creaked open. She looked up and saw Dong Yunzhou enter. Standing outside waiting was Xu Qingru.
Xu Qingru! Why was she here? In her past life, Xu Qingru never entered this place. She herself had nearly been turned away simply for stepping into Dong Yunzhou’s study.
A bitter sense of unfairness rose in Xu Yingying’s heart. Dong Yunzhou frowned upon seeing her. He stepped back. “I do not know her. Handle the matter according to protocol.”
“Brother, it is me, Xu Yingying! I am Ma Xiulan’s daughter!” Panicked that he would leave, she called out. He paused slightly.
Brother? He imagined Xu Qingru using such a term, but this woman before him was not worthy. Seeing he truly intended to leave, Xu Yingying spoke urgently.
“I know why your research project has not succeeded!” The closing door stopped. He turned back and entered.
As the door shut, Xu Yingying met Xu Qingru’s gaze. Her eyes held defiance and triumph. If she helped him succeed, what was Xu Qingru compared to her?
Perhaps his attitude toward her would change too. Excitement filled her. She saw a new path, one that did not depend on Xu Hui or the calculating Chen Jiashu.
Dong Yunzhou studied her. “You claim to know why the project is failing?” Doubt filled his voice. Xu Yingying trembled.
He was exactly as she remembered, terrifying. She bit her lip and swallowed hard. She recalled how he had seemed to know every secret thought of hers in the past.
“I… I do!” She refused to believe he would dismiss her again. He sat, crossing his legs, watching her steadily. “Explain.”
She had planned to reveal only part of the truth, but now she realized she must gain his full trust or lose this chance forever. Recalling what she had secretly read in his study years ago, she spoke haltingly.
He listened and reflected. Xu Qingru’s answers had included her own insights. Xu Yingying’s words repeated his own reasoning.
Yet both had reached the same conclusion. Xu Yingying stopped suddenly. “Brother, you must promise me one thing before I tell you more.”
Otherwise, it may take years to solve these problems.” He raised an eyebrow. She was making demands. How unlike Xu Qingru, who had shared everything freely.
“I do not submit to coercion,” he said calmly. “I only want to be with my mother! I can be of great help to you!” she said anxiously.
He looked at her. She was desperate. Surely he could not refuse—research was his priority above all else.
“Think of me as a younger sister. It makes no difference whether it is me or Xu Qingru. I am the more useful one!” He remained unmoved.
Why? In her past life, he would have chosen her without hesitation.