“If the experiment you speak of has already proceeded successfully?” Dong Yunzhou said calmly. Xu Yingying heard this and felt her head buzz. She stood up sharply, unable to believe it.
“That is impossible!” Then she saw his gaze turn cold. She stared at him in disbelief until he stood up. “Why impossible?” He lifted his brows, his gaze sharp and piercing.
It made her shiver. “Brother, I am Mother’s daughter too!” She called out loudly as he turned to leave. The door shut firmly in her face.
Xu Yingying began to tremble. “No! It cannot be! I am the one who can help you! Do you not care who truly serves you best!” She refused to accept it. Why must Xu Qingru always outshine her?
Even in her past life, Dong Yunzhou had spoken well of Xu Qingru. He was a man of few words and great reserve. To earn his praise had been what finally drove her to try to take Xu Qingru’s life.
Now Xu Qingru would enter the Dong family through marriage. Everything would be stolen from her. Her face paled further. The door opened again and she looked up hopefully, only to see a stranger.
“You are Director Dong’s sister?” the newcomer asked. She gritted her teeth and nodded quickly. “Yes! I am his little sister! Our mother is about to marry into the Dong family!”
The person nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Come with me.” Dong Yunzhou and Xu Qingru walked into the canteen one behind the other. Without an official pass, she stayed close behind him.
They sat opposite each other after getting their food. She ate slowly, pushing scallions and ginger to the side. Their movements were nearly in step.
The meal passed more pleasantly than she had expected. He was quiet and reserved. She finished feeling full and at ease. The institute canteen was excellent.
He showed no sign of rising. “What were you doing at the black market? You have had all morning to think of an explanation.” Her heart sank. The matter was not settled.
“You may speak freely. If your help has value, I might assist you.” She felt a pang of guilt. It was true. Selling gold on her own was nearly impossible.
She had never intended to sell it all, only enough to help Ma Xiulan with the wedding. “I have something I wish to sell,” she said quietly. “Could you show me the way?”
In her past life, she would have been preparing to leave for the countryside with Xu Hui. She had been sheltered and knew nothing of such matters. She looked at him nervously.
Would he agree? “Certainly. Bring what you have to the Dong residence tomorrow.” She nodded eagerly. If only she had known it would be this simple, she would never have gone to the black market.
She had been caught for nothing. Ma Xiulan would worry if she knew. “Do you wish to continue working in the laboratory?” he asked. He saw her brightened mood and hated to see it fade.
She shook her head. There were other things she needed to do. He paused. His rare offer had been turned down. Still, he walked her to the gate.
She was about to leave when he stopped her. “Your fish research has begun. I have kept its origin secret. Do not tell anyone else.” She understood his kindness. “I only share such things with those close to me.”
He watched her go and spoke softly to himself. “Little liar. Do you think such words make me treat you like a sister?” The words drifted away on the wind. His expression settled into quiet composure.
When she reached the familiar compound, she saw a young man of about eighteen or nineteen standing at the gate with a stack of files. His eyes darted about nervously, yet his grip on the papers was firm.
She knew that face well. It was Lu Zheng, son of her former teachers in the countryside. A heartless ingrate. She stepped forward and blocked his path.
Lu Zheng jumped, already uneasy. He started to snap at the sight of a stranger. Then he saw her face—strikingly beautiful—and his anger faded. “Comrade, are you interested in me?” He reached out to take her hand.
She recoiled in disgust. “In your dreams!” She roared and slapped him hard across the cheek. He glared back, furious. “If you move, I will shout that you are a traitor selling state secrets!”
His rage died instantly. “Come with me!” She struggled to keep her temper. Those two teachers had been sent down to protect him. He had never once visited them.
They had died full of regret. Professors Lu and Zhang were resting at home. They woke with a start when the door burst open. They came out to see Lu Zheng clutching files and a strange young woman.
Lu Zheng tried to hide. “What is this?” Professor Lu asked, stepping forward. Lu Zheng shrank back. The top file was taken from his hands.
Professor Lu’s face darkened as he read. He struck Lu Zheng on the head with the papers. “You ungrateful boy, how could you…” He clutched his chest and staggered.
Professor Zhang caught him and quickly gave him heart medicine. “Old Lu! Hold on!” Slowly he recovered. Lu Zheng turned to run but Xu Qingru blocked the door.
“You shameless woman!” He snarled, caring nothing for her looks now. “Let me go or I will be beaten!”