17. Dust storm

◎"Rivals Meet"◎

Kim I didn't expect that he and the other party actually knew each other.

He immediately sensed that the situation was somewhat unfavorable to him: "Master Qi, I don't know any of these people. I just came here to watch the show."

"Stop pretending. The nearest town is dozens of kilometers away. Who would come here to cause trouble for no reason?" Qi Yanzhou had clearly seen through his little tricks: "You brought so many people here to cause trouble, what exactly do you want?"

Kim Er couldn't hide it from him. He looked around and crept closer to him furtively.

"Master Qi, we're one of our own."

His voice wasn't loud, but the archaeological team behind Qi Yanzhou heard it. They exchanged glances as if to say, "See? I told you they were in cahoots."

Song Chiyu licked her lips, offering no comment.

Qi Yanzhou remained unaffected, continuing to adjust the cuffs of his windbreaker. "Who are you on your side?"

This statement is not a denial, but rather a question.

Jin Er thought he didn't recognize him, so he carefully tugged at his sleeve and pulled him to a place away from the crowd: "Master Qi, I'm Fourth Uncle's man, yes!"

...

Qi Yanzhou walked away.

Song Chiyu's colleagues gradually gathered around. One colleague on her left asked, "How did you meet that Master Qi?" Another colleague on her right asked, "Is he really Master Qi? Or is he just an imposter?" A colleague behind her asked, "Is he in cahoots with them? Teacher Song, since you know him, why didn't you say anything before?"

Song Chiyu had even more questions than they did. The first question, "What is her relationship with Qi Yanzhou?" alone gave her quite a headache. If Jin Er hadn't said "one of our own," she could have answered truthfully. But now that Qi Yanzhou's stance was unclear, anything she said could easily lead to unfounded speculation.

So she didn't answer a single question.

He turned and walked out.

"Hey? Teacher Song, why are you leaving?"

"Teacher Song, don't go! You haven't answered our questions yet."

"Woof—" Xiao Hua barked at the crowd trying to stop her, and they retreated like a flood.

Qi Yanzhou turned around upon hearing the sound and nodded slightly.

The Rottweiler followed silently behind Song Chiyu.

After walking a distance absentmindedly, Song Chiyu realized that it was following her, so she stopped and said, "You don't need to follow me anymore. Go back to your master."

Xiao Hua glanced at Qi Yanzhou, then let out a soft whimper, as if begging Song Chiyu not to send it away.

Song Chiyu's gaze inadvertently followed Qi Yanzhou's, only to find that he was also looking at her. The moment their eyes met, she felt inexplicably nervous and hot, and quickly walked forward with the dog on her leash.

When Old Li saw her coming, he turned around awkwardly and said in a pretentious manner, "The weather is really nice today."

Song Chiyu glanced at him sideways, then walked forward as if she hadn't heard him.

This experienced craftsman clearly guessed it the moment he saw the dog, yet he didn't mention it a word to her, instead subtly inquiring about what Qi Yanzhou did at other times. No wonder he asked if their relationship was good; he probably thought it wasn't, which is why she knew nothing.

She had no idea what Qi Yanzhou was up to, how a perfectly good university teacher had become this damned Master Qi.

I glanced back.

He crossed his arms and looked calmly at the middle-aged man in front of him. His back was straight and upright, exuding an aura of authority without anger. Whether it was his upright aura or the man's evasive gaze, he looked exactly like a headmaster who was disciplining a student.

Perhaps sensing something, he suddenly turned his head to look at her.

Song Chiyu unconsciously turned her head away to avoid him. If she had known she would run into him here, she shouldn't have brought up Yuchi County with him in the first place, which made her quite embarrassed now.

"You, stand there." Just as Song Chiyu was feeling annoyed, Qi Zhannan limped over and said, "I have something to ask you."

Song Chiyu got angry just looking at him. If she had known he was Qi Zhannan, she shouldn't have saved him back then.

Now she's even turning around and accusing her of stealing the dog.

That is, Qi Yanzhou. Anyone else would have made her sit idly by and bear the consequences of this crime, and would have been in deep trouble.

Qi Zhannan walked up to her, looking down at her condescendingly: "You and me—ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, Song Chiyu kicked him hard in his good leg.

Caught off guard, Qi Zhannan was instantly kicked to the ground, letting out a miserable scream.

"Just because you ask me something doesn't mean I have to answer it," Song Chiyu stared at him coldly. "And I'm not calling you 'you,' I'm calling Song Chiyu."

"So what if your name is Song Chiyu?" Qi Zhannan didn't understand what she was so proud of.

“That’s truly remarkable,” Song Chiyu said matter-of-factly. “To make you, the dignified Young Master Qi, afraid to go home, and even beaten so badly by your own second uncle that you can’t stand up straight.” She also recalled what Qi Yanzhou had said at the dinner table: if his men found Qi Zhannan first, he would definitely break his legs. As expected of the good man she had certified, he truly lived up to his word.

"What did you say?" Qi Zhannan was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly realized: "You're that woman from the blind date?"

“Yes,” Song Chiyu grabbed his collar, showing off the ring on her ring finger: “Now it’s not just that blind date, it’s your second aunt too. Be more polite to me from now on, don’t be disrespectful!”

Qi Zhannan looked like an eggplant that had been hit by frost.

He immediately deflated and sat on the ground, completely lost.

**

When Song Chiyu was halfway through her meal, the others gradually returned. It was unclear what had happened after she left, but Qi Yanzhou's reputation had improved slightly; however, it was only slightly better, and people still had doubts about his stance.

"Teacher Song, we asked you a question before, but you haven't answered it yet." As soon as they saw her, her colleagues surrounded her again.

Song Chiyu stuffed the food in the bowl into her mouth, untied the leash from the corner of the table, and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a car horn sounded outside the door, and Qi Yanzhou's clear voice rang out, "Xiao Hua."

Little Flower, who had been lying obediently to the side, immediately stood up, wagging her tail and barking, "Woof—"

Qi Yanzhou stood quietly watching him in the orange-red sunset, the wind ruffling his hair and revealing his deep, broad brow bone, making his cool and indifferent eyes even more piercing and unfathomable. His black windbreaker fluttered in the wind, outlining his slender and powerful waistline, paired with black slim-fit jeans and matching Martin boots, completely devoid of any scholarly gentleness.

Song Chiyu led the dog and slowly walked up to him.

Without saying a word, he handed him the leash.

He didn't answer, but looked down at her and said, "Miss Song."

Song Chiyu didn't dare to look him in the eye, and said, "Mm."

"Don't you have anything to ask me?" he asked gently, a smile playing on his lips.

Yes, but it's inconvenient to ask.

She casually tucked a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes and said, "They're watching."

Qi Yanzhou didn't understand how this would affect her. He glanced at the heads that were furtively looking behind the cafeteria window and took the leash from her hand.

"I'm going up first." Song Chiyu turned to leave.

“Miss Song,” he lowered his eyelids thoughtfully, took a step towards her with his hands behind his back, and said, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Song Chiyu's heart jumped into her throat.

"Is there anything you want to say?"

"Yuchi County?"

Song Chiyu pursed her lips guiltily and avoided his gaze.

"You've been staying here for half a month like this?" he asked, glancing at the ink stains on her sleeve.

She instinctively clutched her sleeve. "Don't tell my mom."

"Won't."

Song Chiyu felt a little relieved and tentatively raised her eyelids: "I didn't mean to lie to you, I was just afraid you would overthink it if you found out. We're doing great here, we have water, electricity, internet, and even a basketball court."

Qi Yanzhou remained silent.

She lowered her head slowly, like a child who had done something wrong.

"Okay," Qi Yanzhou replied. "Let's go up."

Once the conversation started, Song Chiyu couldn't help but tilt her head back and add, "I didn't steal your dog either."

“I know,” he said with a gentle smile, “thank you for taking care of it.”

Song Chiyu couldn't see a trace of the fierce and ruthless gangster aura on his face; instead, he exuded a gentle and humble air, completely different from the Master Qi she had imagined.

"Then I'll go up first." Her attitude towards him softened a bit.

Qi Yanzhou watched her retreating figure, then glanced at the heads behind the window again. His indifferent expression and flat lips gave off a feeling of extreme impatience, and the heads leaning against the window immediately withdrew.

Qi Yanzhou left the dog in the back seat and sat back in the passenger seat.

This was the first time Zhou Yue had seen him speak to the young girl like this, and he asked with curiosity, "Master Qi, who is she?" "My wife."

"What?" Zhou Yue abruptly turned his gaze away from the windshield: "When did you get married?"

Qi Yanzhou, on the contrary, found him inexplicable.

He held up the ring on his left hand: "So what do you think this is?"

"I thought you were just wearing it for fun because it looked nice." He also wondered when Master Qi had become so fashionable.

Qi Zhannan got up to take a look and found that it was exactly the same as the one Song Chiyu was wearing.

There is no greater sorrow than a broken heart.

He closed his eyes in utter despair.

But then Zhou Yue asked him, "Young Master Qi, did you see that? That's your second aunt."

"I know!" Qi Zhannan said angrily. "Second Uncle, since you've already married her, why are you still chasing after me relentlessly?"

"My marriage to her is my business, and your running away without a word is your business." Qi Yanzhou rolled down the car window, biting the unlit cigarette holder, and coldly swept his eyes over him: "Don't lump me in with you."

**

Song Chiyu returned to her room, holding her phone, hesitating whether to ask Qi Yanzhou over the phone, but then felt that it was better to talk about it face to face, so she gave up the idea.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, startling her.

He picked it up and saw it was Li Li, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "Hello, Mom."

Li Li sounded particularly happy: "I heard from Xiao Qi that he was going to Suzhou, so he can come and see you. Did you see him?"

"..." She did see him, but he wasn't quite the Mr. Qi she had imagined: "Well, he just left."

"Huh? They've come all this way, and you're just letting them leave without even offering them a place to stay for the night?"

“He’s here on business, not to see me,” Song Chiyu retorted.

"Hmph," Li Li sneered, "What business does he have to come all this way for? Isn't it all to see you? You should call him back right now."

“He was with his friends,” Song Chiyu refused.

"Just because I'm with a friend doesn't mean I can't stay with you. I'm sure my friend will understand."

Song Chiyu didn't want to argue with her about this issue.

She and Qi Yanzhou aren't really together. She might be willing to keep him here, but he might not be willing.

"Mom, do you remember the dog I told you about?"

"What's wrong?"

“That’s Qi Yanzhou’s dog. He’s here to see it.”

"Oh? What a coincidence!" Li Li exclaimed in surprise, "How did his dog end up with you?"

That's a long story.

Song Chiyu explained succinctly, and Li Li was startled again: "Qi Zhannan didn't say anything after he found out you married his second uncle, right? He doesn't think you're getting revenge on him, does he?"

“His second uncle’s conditions are there, does he need to decide?” Song Chiyu’s face fell when she mentioned him. “Alright, Mom, I’m going to sleep now, that’s all.”

the next day.

The archaeological workstation was still discussing yesterday's events, and everyone fell silent upon seeing her. She ignored them, got her food, and found a corner seat.

Shen Liang and another graduate student, Xiao Zhang, exchanged a glance and sat down together without prior arrangement.

Shen Liang asked, "Teacher Song, this Master Qi isn't with them, is he?"

Song Chiyu took a bite of her steamed bun: "No."

You can tell from his demeanor that he's not one of them.

"Then what is he here for?"

"Looking for the dog." I also helped them deal with yesterday's matter.

"Just looking for a dog?" Shen Liang persisted. "Didn't you tell him how much those thugs bullied people?"

"He wasn't there yesterday, didn't you ask?"

Who dares to ask?

He wasn't as easy to talk to as he was with them.

"Since he's not with them, could you talk to him for us and resolve this matter completely before you leave? Isn't he the big shot in the Northwest antique world?"

From the moment he went to Mingzhou to become a teacher, it was clear that his role as the person in charge was probably quite unsatisfactory. Calling him "Master Qi" was just a title; he was essentially a representative pushed out by the Qi family. The fact that those people dared to openly call him one of their own showed that the Qi family must have played a role. To put it bluntly, he was Master Qi when he was on their side, but nothing when they weren't. In his family, only his brother and father seemed to respect him; everyone else didn't take him seriously.

Song Chiyu lowered her head and remained silent.

More colleagues gathered around, and even Zheng Qiu waited until everyone else left before asking her if she could think of a solution.

Song Chiyu couldn't bear it, so she quietly dialed Qi Yanzhou's number and stammered out her purpose.

But Teacher Qi is Teacher Qi after all. Hearing her hesitant question, he replied gently, "Miss Song, I would have done it anyway even if you hadn't said anything."

"..." Song Chiyu felt a little guilty: "Have I caused you trouble again?"

"Won't."

"Where did you sleep last night?" Song Chiyu asked belatedly, showing her concern.

"Do you really want to know, or are you just being polite?" Qi Yanzhou saw right through him.

Song Chiyu fell silent.

Qi Yanzhou chuckled: "Miss Song, you don't need to feel guilty about this. I've said it before, whether you tell me or not, I'll still do it."

“But I think this matter must be quite difficult for you as well.”

"Not too difficult," Qi Yanzhou replied.

He's always like that.

No matter how big the matter was, he would downplay it and not let her worry about it at all.

"Teacher Qi, you are such a kind person."

Qi Yanzhou did not take this as a compliment and did not respond.

Song Chiyu thought he didn't want to listen to her nonsense, "Then if there's nothing else, I'll hang up now, goodbye Teacher Qi."

She didn't know how Qi Yanzhou would handle it.

That evening, she saw a bonfire burning near the archaeological site. She and the others went to investigate, only to find several unfamiliar, kind-looking men guarding the site for them. To avoid any misunderstanding, they had deliberately chosen a spot that was far from the site but still visible to the men.

The burly man exuded a sense of integrity and showed them great respect: "Teachers, rest assured, we will stay here and guard the place, and we will not let anyone touch the things inside."

Shen Liang's expression was somewhat subtle.

She quietly sidled up behind Zheng Qiu and said, "Just because they don't let others touch it doesn't mean they won't touch it themselves."

Zheng Qiu quickly nudged him in the chest with his elbow, signaling him to shut up.

The big man noticed his hesitation and quickly handed Zheng Qiu a stack of bundled ID cards: "Teacher, these are our ID cards. Please take them and return them to us after this matter is resolved."

Their openness only made their pettiness stand out even more.

Zheng Qiu looked a little embarrassed: "No need, since you are Master Qi's people, we will definitely trust you."

To be honest, they didn't even know what Master Qi's real name was.

The one who actually acted as guarantor was Song Chiyu, whom he knew.

The big man was honest and didn't know what to say when he heard him say that.

He scratched his head, looking bewildered.

Seeing that everyone was too embarrassed to admit it, Song Chiyu, as the real guarantor, volunteered to take their ID cards.

“My name is Song Chiyu. Leave your ID cards here. If there are any problems, come to me.”

“Okay, Teacher Song.” The big man nodded hurriedly.

Just then, a black jeep drove through the silent, dark Gobi Desert and slowly stopped near the campfire. Qi Yanzhou approached, carrying a storage bag, and several burly men hurried forward, calling out, "Master Qi."

The archaeological team members snapped back to reality and called out, "Master Qi!"

Qi Yanzhou handed over the storage bag in his hand and walked towards Song Chiyu, saying, "Miss Song."

Upon hearing this, the members of the archaeological team tactfully made way for them and pretended not to care, shifting their gaze away.

Qi Yanzhou stopped: "What brings you here so late?"

Song Chiyu knew everyone was pretending not to care, so she listened intently. Calmly, she opened her palm and said, "Your friend gave us their ID card; I'll keep it safe for you."

Qi Yanzhou gently raised the corners of his lips: "Thank you."

Even though Song Chiyu knew others were listening, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "What were you holding in your hand just now?"

"tent."

Are you sleeping here tonight too?

"kindness."

The archaeological team members couldn't help but take a look and found that this Master Qi was really different from what they had imagined. He was completely different from the naive young Master Qi they had seen before.

"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?" Putting aside his status as "Master Qi," even if Teacher Qi were just sitting around guarding a construction site, it would be a waste of his talents. A hint of worry and heartache, which Song Chiyu herself didn't even realize, showed on her face.

Qi Yanzhou's gentle, smiling eyes conveyed a sense of reassurance: "No."

Where's the puppy?

"I'm going back."

Song Chiyu wanted to talk to him more, but there were too many ears around, so she could only reluctantly reply, "Oh, then we'll go back first."

"I'll take you." Qi Yanzhou took the flashlight from the burly man next to him.

The rest of the archaeological team exchanged glances and wisely turned around first.

Song Chiyu shook her head: "You'll have to walk back after you drop me off, no need, you should rest for a while."

"Let's go." He turned on his flashlight and gently shone it in the path ahead of her.

Song Chiyu hadn't felt this way in a long time since graduating from university; she felt both embarrassed and nervous, knowing that others were listening.

"Miss Song, the Big Dipper." He looked up at the starry sky above and said.

Song Chiyu raised her head: "Mm."

She had barely finished speaking when she tripped over a stone. He quickly grabbed her arm and said, "Watch out."

Song Chiyu instinctively grabbed his forearm, then belatedly let go after a while, saying, "Thank you."

Qi Yanzhou lowered his eyelids and did not answer.

His subtle expression revealed his dislike for this polite formality, but he didn't show it at all, and she didn't notice it either.

To ease the awkwardness, she continued the previous topic, gazing up at the starry sky above: "The stars are so bright."

"Yes." He had calmed down.

Is that a Leo?

"kindness."

Is that Andromeda?

"kindness."

No one brought up the previous matter again.

When they reached the vicinity of the workstation, Song Chiyu stopped and said, "Teacher Qi, let's stop here."

"Okay." He supported his narrow waist with one hand, held up the flashlight, and watched her enter the workstation before turning to leave.

Song Chiyu quietly turned around to look at him.

He turned off his flashlight, and his slender and upright figure stood out against the vastness of the world like an unshakable bluestone. No matter how time and landscape change, he remains the same, and no one can disturb him in the slightest.

"Teacher Song!" His colleagues, who had been pretending not to hear, all turned back as soon as he left. "You and this Master Qi... seem very strange."

"What exactly is your relationship with him? I get the feeling there's something ambiguous between you two."

Are you two dating? Or is he pursuing you and you didn't agree?

"Is he really that person in charge of the Northwest? He doesn't seem ruthless at all, and he's quite polite."

Song Chiyu didn't want to explain any further and subconsciously covered the ring on her ring finger.

But some sharp-eyed colleagues had already noticed that her attempt to cover it up only made it seem like she was trying to hide something, and they exclaimed as if they had discovered something amazing: "My God, Ms. Song, does he know you have a husband and still pursue you? This is so exciting!"

Song Chiyu: "..."

"Teacher Song, you must stick to your principles. No matter how handsome he is, it's just a fling, and you can't rely on him," a conscientious colleague immediately advised her.

“No,” Song Chiyu said in a barely audible voice, “he is my husband.”

"What?" Even her closest colleague didn't hear her.

Song Chiyu did not have the courage to say it a second time.

What married couple acts like this, so hesitant and awkward even when holding hands? If they knew, it would only create more problems. Without looking back, she rushed out of the crowd: "No, no, no! But don't ask! You'll know when the time comes!"

**

Qi Yanzhou returned to the camp.

Several burly men had already set up their tents and were chatting idly, jokingly asking, "Brother Qi, who's that?"

"My wife."

"Huh?" This word was too unfamiliar to them, and they didn't react for a moment.

"My wife."

"What? You got married?" Everyone reacted the same way as Zhou Yue: "When did this happen?"

"It happened before the Lunar New Year."

"Why didn't you tell your brothers? I'd have to prepare a big gift for you." This lifelong bachelor has finally found love. "I thought you'd never get married."

He used to think so too.

As if thinking of something, a faint, gentle smile appeared on his lips: "Not yet."

"Why?"

Why?

His wife is there, but he's here. Isn't that enough to explain the problem?

Qi Yanzhou raised an eyebrow helplessly.

Everyone immediately understood and surrounded him, asking, "Does your sister-in-law not like you?"

He did not deny it.

This was the first time anyone had seen him so embarrassed, and their lips twitched uncontrollably: "Why?"

He couldn't possibly answer that.

Instead of getting angry, she smiled with a hint of curiosity and said, "If you have the chance, you can ask her for me."

**

Since Qi Yanzhou's men arrived, Zheng Qiu hasn't had a good night's sleep like this in a long time.

In the morning, he pushed open the dormitory door. The first rays of dawn were just beginning to appear on the horizon. Smoke was rising from the village not far away. In front of the camp near the construction site, a slender and upright figure sat, as steady and reliable as a pillar of strength on the desolate and vast Gobi Desert.

Zheng Qiu's opinion of him changed without her realizing it.

I brought my own breakfast from the cafeteria.

After Song Chiyu found out, she silently put down the tongs she was using to pick up extra steamed buns and sat down in her seat.

Zheng Qiu left, and colleagues started arriving one after another. One colleague leaned closer to her mysteriously, "I asked around with my classmates in your department, and your husband is a university professor!"

Song Chiyu remained silent.

Because she didn't know if she could tell that Qi Yanzhou was teaching outside. Judging from Lao Li's previous attitude, no one here knew what he was doing outside.

"Don't worry, I haven't told anyone." The colleague became even more mysterious. "I also heard that you and your husband are about to divorce? So you and this Master Qi..."

Where are all these places?

Song Chiyu raised her hand to stop her, saying, "No. My husband and I are not getting a divorce."

It is common knowledge that she has a professor husband.

However, the fact that her professor husband is Master Qi cannot be revealed yet. Because no one knows if this identity will cause trouble for his work.

"So you and this Master Qi..." My colleague's gossipy nature reached its peak.

Song Chiyu remained silent, ignoring her colleagues' attempts to provoke her.

By the afternoon, almost everyone knew about it.

Song Chiyu was not surprised, but she did not give up. When the crowd surrounded her, she looked directly at her colleague and said, "Didn't you say you wouldn't tell anyone?"

That colleague avoided eye contact.

"They heard it themselves, not me."

Song Chiyu had no choice but to respond directly to everyone: "My husband and I have a very good relationship, and my relationship with that Mr. Qi is not the kind of relationship that everyone imagines. There was no cheating, and there was no divorce. Please rest assured."

"Don't just state your case, tell me what happened!" His colleague was getting impatient.

When it came to what had happened, Song Chiyu started to play dead.

Because besides getting a marriage certificate, there's nothing else between her and Qi Yanzhou. Could she really tell them that after all this time, they're married in name only, without any real marriage? That would be a laughingstock!

Song Chiyu originally thought that everything would be fine once they started work.

Unexpectedly, a sandstorm struck midway through the work, and the group that had begun excavating returned one after another. The villagers who were responsible for helping with the excavation disappeared in a flash. The yellow sand blown by the wind drew closer and closer like a tsunami, and the sense of oppression grew stronger and stronger.

Song Chiyu and the others closed the doors and windows tightly and hid in the cafeteria on the first floor.

The once clear sky visibly turned gloomy and dark, and two jeeps were parked on the basketball court in front of the work station before the strong winds passed.

Zheng Qiu quickly got out of the back seat, opened the cafeteria door first, and beckoned the people in the car to come in.

At first, Song Chiyu didn't know what the others were looking at, until she caught a glimpse of Qi Yanzhou leading two Rottweilers through the crack in the window, and then she suddenly came over.

Several burly men were the first to walk in.

He said politely, "I'm sorry for the trouble. We'll leave once the sandstorm stops."

"It's alright, please have a seat." Everyone had a good impression of them and greeted them warmly, but they were most concerned about Qi Yanzhou and Song Chiyu.

Song Chiyu pretended not to see and sat away from the crowd in a corner of the cafeteria.

Qi Yanzhou and Zheng Qiu walked in one after the other. The cafeteria door closed, and the sandstorm swept through. The sky, which was clear just a moment ago, was instantly engulfed by yellow sand, turning it dark and gloomy, as if it were the end of the world.

Qi Yanzhou could tell that Song Chiyu didn't want to get involved with him in front of so many people. Although he didn't understand why, he didn't rush forward.

These two Rottweilers are even bigger and darker than the little flower.

Just by lying there, no one dared to approach. Those who had initially wanted to watch the drama quietly fell silent upon seeing this scene, and the only sound in the entire cafeteria was the polite chatter of a few burly men.

Qi Yanzhou is a man of few words most of the time, especially when he is unwilling to speak. Just sitting there, he exudes an aura of authority without anger.

At this time, the visibility outside the window was less than two meters.

Compared to the howling wind outside the window, the room was eerily quiet. The burly man tried to smooth things over, but since the group was not familiar with each other, the conversation quickly fell silent again.

Before we knew it, it was dinnertime. The wind outside the window had subsided and seemed to be receding.

Just then, emergency lights flashed outside the door, and a black SUV appeared outside the workstation. Two people got out of the car, one tall and one short, seemingly a man and a woman.

The girl who got out of the back seat covered her face with a handkerchief and waved towards the driver's seat, seemingly doing something.

The boy with the bag walked straight towards the cafeteria. Just as everyone was wondering who it was, Zheng Qiu recognized him first and quickly opened the cafeteria door: "Teacher Xie, what brings you here?"

Xie Yunjin's clothes and face were covered in sand.

The once bright white shirt cuffs were now covered in a ring of dust. He seemed not to have heard Zheng Qiu's words as he searched the room.

Zheng Qiu quickly introduced him to the others: "He's a professor at our Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, specializing in Yin-Shang culture. He's a young Yangtze River Scholar and an outstanding academic leader—"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xie Yunjin spotted the person he was looking for in the crowd.

He ignored everyone around him and walked straight up to Song Chiyu. "Why didn't you answer my call?"

Perhaps because of the sand, his eyes were slightly red.

Song Chiyu had never seen Xie Yunjin like this before.

Even when this person was arrogant in front of her, he remained calm and composed when it came time to break up, only saying lightly, "Just don't regret it."

I never imagined that so many years later, this would be the scene.

Song Chiyu's expression was subtle.

Everyone else, without prior arrangement, looked towards Qi Yanzhou leaning against the wall. It was truly a case of one scandal after another.

Qi Yanzhou was also watching.

Several burly men were practically exasperated. Wasn't that Master Qi's wife? Why was she jumping around like that? Wait, who is this person?!

"Master Qi—" the burly men shouted in unison, clearly intending to attack.

Qi Yanzhou's deep pupils shifted imperceptibly, and he subtly raised his hand, signaling them not to move.

[Author's Note]

Someone is about to breach the defenses.

I won't say who broke it. [Cracked][Cracked]