Zhao Xiurong took a chair and watched the video feed on the desktop monitor together with Ling Qingyu as she explained the event. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
It was not far from the company at all. She understood why the guards equipped themselves with pistols, feeling relief and safe.
She didn't inquire how they went through background checks and licenses. Should they proceed with the paperwork, she would have seen it with her own eyes, as Ling Qingyu's personal secretary.
"Sister Zhao, I think you better come live near my manor. It's safer there." Ling Qingyu said.
"I'm planning to move this week. Now, I suppose the deadline will become earlier." Zhao Xiurong replied.
"Welcome." Ling Qingyu joked while Secretary Zhao rolled her eyes. "Not to mention, you'll understand why I say my place is safer."
"How? The company's guards residing near yours?" Zhao Xiurong asked. She was the closest to Ling Qingyu and understood the situation quickly.
"That is one reason. The other, how should I say?" Ling Qingyu rubbed her chin. "Actually, you know those SWAT officers and have met them."
"I do?" Zhao Xiurong was puzzled.
"Keep this one a secret between us." Ling Qingyu decided to confess to her reliable secretary. Although she wouldn't complain if Ling Qingyu hid her plans, Zhao Xiurong would have something stuck in her heart and the relationship between them could turn sour.
Besides, Zhao Xiurong was trustworthy according to her judgment and she would soon be her neighbor. "These SWAT are actually Sister Tang and the sisters of our security guards."
"What!" Zhao Xiurong exclaimed in disbelief. She barely found Ling Qingyu's words convincing.
After Ling Qingyu explained the formation of female SWAT plan and her gradual steps leading to this chaotic event, Zhao Xiurong rubbed and patted her chest, as she breathed deeply to calm herself.
The jumping melons raised Ling Qingyu's eyebrows as she stared at the scenery in enjoyment. How she wished to pull her secretary on her lap and nudge her lips on the fruit?
Unfortunately, Xiao Yue barged into her room nonchalantly, kicking away even her short dreamy moment. Annoyed, she asked: "What's the matter with you?"
Xiao Yue sat down on the sofas and slanted her head, ignoring Ling Qingyu's frustrated eyes. "Nothing. I come and check you up after hearing a scream."
"It was me. I have a panic mode." Zhao Xiurong was embarrassed her exclamation might have spread across the entire floor.
"En… Sister Xiao should have seen everyone is fine, right?" Ling Qingyu inquired, thinking Xiao Yue also had a pair of glasses like hers, to communicate with Athena.
As expected, Xiao Yue nodded and replied. "I've watched the video."
Afterward, she lay down on the sofas, arms behind her head and crossing her legs. Moaning out in satisfaction, Xiao Yue closed her eyes, not knowing whether she slept or just rested.
Question marks appeared above Ling Qingyu's and Zhao Xiurong's heads. That was it?
The two exchanged glances, puzzled but realized Xiao Yue must have been worrying about Tang Ziyi before. Despite not exuding her stress outward, the torment must have taken a toll on her mental strength.
Even if she knew the eldest sister was capable, this was a big gunfight. Any stray bullets meant misfortune. Numerous 'What if?' daunted her mind while she stayed near Ling Qingyu.
Zhao Xiurong stepped toward Xiao Yue and lifted her head, whose eyes looked at her suspiciously. Zhao Xiurong merely smiled, and sat down on the spot where Xiao Yue rested her head and served as a knee pillow.
From Zhao Xiurong's perspective, Xiao Yue was like her younger sister and her cute baby face was adorable. Her hands brushed Xiao Yue's hair softly, soothing Xiao Yue's tense mood, and her eyes to close.
Ling Qingyu's mood turned cloudy from the beautiful sight. An elder sister comforted her younger sister, looking at her with adoration. How heartwarming!
No, she hadn't even enjoyed her secretary and Xiao Yue robbed her place. They were the same kind, Ling Qingyu cursed at her summoned generals from the other world.
Ling Qingyu's phone rang and her jealously flushed away. She looked at the screen and discovered it was from an unknown number. Was it her cheap father, worried about today's chaos?
She wanted to ignore it but thought what if the number was from other people who had important issues. After some hesitation, she swiped to answer.
"Hello, who am I speaking with?"
"Hello, Miss Ling, I hope I didn't disturb your work." A familiar female voice entered her ears.
"Not at all. But who are you?"
"Ahem, I'm Doctor Mo Yunxi from the public hospital you stay before, Miss Ling." Hearing her introduction, Ling Qingyu recalled the image of a stunning doctor, a candy she wanted to taste since day one she opened her eyes.
"Well, hello, Sister Mo, it's good to hear your voice. But did something happen or something troubling you? Don't worry, I'll solve anything for you." Ling Qingyu said in a worried manner as she remembered she once told Mo Yunxi to give her a call if she faced any troubles.
"Actually, it's not a trouble." Mo Yunxi hesitated. "It's something I'd like to request from you. About the donation you sponsor—can I make a decision to , to some of the patients that will be coming to the hospital soon."
"Of course, I trust your decision and your character. You can make a choice as you deem fit. There's no doubt about it. But, who're the patients, if I may know?" Ling Qingyu affirmed Mo Yunxi's decision.
"I don't know if you're watching the news. The patients will be the officers, severely injured in today's event. Besides our hospital which has sufficient equipment in City N and with your donation, we have increased the tiers, there isn't a single hospital that's comparable to ours. So, they'll probably be sending the casualties to our hospital."
"Ah, I see. I know about them. Of course, we should provide the best treatment for those who serve the public and we mustn't chill their hearts. Please proceed with your choice, Sister Mo." Could she say, she sent her guards to intervene and extract these poor officers?
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Ling. I express my gratitude in place of those in need." Mo Yunxi replied in exhilaration.
"It's a donation. Every spending depends on your hospital, provided no one abuses the system. And calling me Miss Ling after even I call you Sister is bad, very bad." Ling Qingyu had no idea why she spoke in a coquettish tone.
"En-Miss,… I mean Sister Ling." Mo Yunxi changed her address when a snort rang in her ears.
"That's much better, Sister Mo."
"Since I received your confirmation, I'm about to get busy." Mo Yunxi explained.
"Has anyone ever said, you're cute, Sister Mo." Ling Qingyu had a strange idea.
"I'm sorry. Did I hear you call me cute?" Mo Yunxi sounded surprised. Ling Qingyu tried what Tang Ziyi suggested. Calling other girls cute might bring a heavenly result.
While Ling Qingyu's attention went elsewhere, she missed the fierce topics arose among the netizens, becoming hotter as time passed.
Someone realized something was amiss with the SWAT vehicle crashing at its colleague's one.
A conspiracy theory brew inside every netizen's mind. Discovering things weren't simple, everyone was prepared to wait for days to let the event unfold and tell the tale.
Most hoped the ambushed officers were safe and recovered quickly, particularly after seeing someone on the stretcher and battered officers evacuated by SWAT vehicles.
The plan created by Yang Qingyue's opponents backfired as the public attention had gone against the direction they set up. Should the officers weren't rescued, the situation would be completely different—inevitable Yang Qingyue's officialdom went downhill.
Ling Qingyu's help was crucial to Yang Qingyue's goals and her journey. Both women had now become alliance, despite not having discussed each interest yet.