Chapter 49 The Fourth SOS Call

One by one, exquisite dishes were placed on the table, and the atmosphere among the four people became more natural and harmonious because of the little episode earlier and Anran's genuine feelings.

During the meal, Qin Haoran mainly cracked jokes and told funny stories about the police station, making Su Xiaonuan and An Ran laugh from time to time.

An Ran also spoke softly about her experiences living abroad.

Su Xiaonuan occasionally chimed in with a few words, sharing some of the strange customers she encountered while setting up her stall.

Even Qin Haochu, who was usually quiet and indifferent, would occasionally glance at Qin Haoran when he said something too outrageous, or give a brief reply when asked for his opinion. Sometimes his gaze would inadvertently sweep over Su Xiaonuan's smiling face.

The meal was much more enjoyable than I had expected.

After the meal, the waiter removed the cutlery and served dessert drinks.

Qin Haochu picked up his teacup, took a small sip, turned his gaze to Su Xiaonuan, and said in a calm but authoritative tone, "It's getting late, Haoran, you should take Xiaonuan home."

Qin Haoran, who was picking at fruit with a toothpick, felt a sudden jolt in his heart upon hearing this, as if stung by something. Almost instinctively, he wanted to refuse, the words already on his lips: "Brother, I..."

However, before he could find a suitable excuse, Su Xiaonuan had already spoken calmly and confidently.

She wore a polite yet aloof smile, her voice clear and gentle, yet carrying an undeniable firmness: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Qin, but there's really no need to trouble yourself. I live not far from here, and it's easy for me to get back on my own. I won't bother Officer Qin."

Her words were impeccable, expressing gratitude while clearly declining the offer.

Qin Haoran's words of refusal caught in his throat. He stood there, looking at Su Xiaonuan's smiling face that clearly conveyed a sense of boundaries. He felt a strange unease, but couldn't quite put his finger on why.

He could only agree with her somewhat dryly: "Ah...yes, brother, the little cook...oh no, Miss Su can go back by herself, so I don't need to take her."

Qin Haochu's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly as he held the teacup.

His deep gaze lingered on Su Xiaonuan's calm face for two seconds, as if trying to discern something, but in the end he simply nodded slightly, without insisting further, his tone remaining steady: "Alright. Be careful then. When you get home... let us know in the group chat."

His last sentence was directed at An Ran and Qin Haoran, but the meaning was clear: he also wanted Su Xiaonuan to let him know she was safe.

He displayed the demeanor and respect expected of someone in a position of authority, and did not make any demands.

The group left the restaurant and said goodbye at the door.

Qin Haochu's driver had already brought the car over.

He looked at Qin Haoran and asked one last question: "Are you going back to the old house tonight?"

Qin Haoran shook his head almost without hesitation, his tone even carrying a hint of impatience: "I'm not going back. I have some things to do at the bureau, I'm going back to work overtime."

After saying that, he almost fled as he quickly walked to his SUV parked not far away, started the engine, and drove away rapidly, heading straight for the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Qin Haochu watched his younger brother's retreating figure, almost fleeing in panic, and let out a barely perceptible sigh.

He and An Ran also got into the car.

Inside the car, Qin Haochu leaned back in the comfortable rear seat, watching the dazzling night view rushing past the window, his eyes deep and unreadable.

Tonight's meeting, Su Xiaonuan's changes, An Ran's reaction, and her brother's unusual attitude... all stirred up waves in his heart.

He silently made a decision: perhaps he needed to get to know this "old friend" again.

Su Xiaonuan declined Qin Haochu's offer to have the driver give her a ride and hailed a taxi home herself.

Sitting in the car, watching the night view pass by outside the window, she felt a sense of peace.

Having reconciled with An Ran and resolved a matter that had weighed on her mind for many years, she felt much more at ease.

I got home, changed into my slippers, and hadn't even turned on the lights yet—

"Ring ring—!"

Her familiar cell phone rang sharply again!

Su Xiaonuan's heart skipped a beat! Almost reflexively, she immediately thought of that strange, nightmarish distress call!

She quickly pulled her phone out of her bag, and the screen lit up in the darkness, displaying yet another unfamiliar number that exuded an ominous aura!

Without hesitation or fear, she was calmer than ever before.

My fingers flew across the record button, then I took a deep breath, swiped to answer, and held the phone to my ear, raising all my senses to their peak as I carefully listened for any subtle sound that might come through the receiver.

At first, there was still that suffocating, deathly silence on the other end of the receiver.

However, just when Su Xiaonuan thought this would end without a trace like before—

A woman's voice, extremely hoarse, dry, as if her vocal cords had been sanded, and trembling with obvious fear, suddenly rang out!

The voice spoke extremely fast, as if using all its strength, reciting a very detailed address:

"...West suburbs...abandoned...Red Star Chemical Plant...Warehouse No. 2...underground...rescue..."

The conversation ended abruptly there!

Immediately following was the busy tone of the phone being abruptly hung up!

"Beep...beep...beep..."

Su Xiaonuan stood there, phone in hand, her breath catching in her throat for a moment! The woman's terrified plea for help and the clear address still seemed to echo in her ears!

Underground at the abandoned No. 2 warehouse of the Hongxing Chemical Plant in the western suburbs!

The specific location has been determined!

She quickly regained her composure and, without hesitation, immediately opened WeChat, found the newly created small group chat containing only her, Qin Haoran, and Zhao Liming, and quickly transferred the audio file she had just recorded, along with a text message:

"The fourth call. The other party spoke; it was a woman who gave a detailed address: underground of Warehouse No. 2 of the abandoned Hongxing Chemical Plant in the western suburbs. Her voice was filled with extreme fear."

The message was sent successfully.

Almost immediately, a new message popped up in the group chat.

It's Zhao Liming.

[Dawn breaks: "Received. We'll deploy immediately."]

Concise and to the point, as always, steady and reliable.

Seeing the message that was replied to almost instantly, Su Xiaonuan's tense nerves finally relaxed a little, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.

It seems... she doesn't need to go to the police station tonight. Let the professionals handle the professional matters.

She believed in Zhao Liming and Qin Haoran's ability to act; although he seemed unreliable, he should be able to handle things in crucial moments.

The woman who sent out the distress signal may soon be rescued.