After sending the message to Shi Miao, Gu Wanqing took a taxi directly to the agreed location.

A dozen minutes later, the taxi stopped on the side of the road in front of the coffee shop.

The taxi driver turned to look at the woman in the back seat and said, "We're here."

"Ah, okay." Gu Wanqing snapped out of her daze, paid the fare, and got out of the car.

Pushing open the glass door of the coffee shop, I found it completely empty.

A hint of suspicion flashed in Gu Wanqing's eyes, and her unease grew stronger.

Just as I was about to turn around and leave, my phone suddenly rang in my bag.

She stood at the door, took out her phone, and answered the call.

"Auntie, I'm sorry, I got stuck in traffic on the way and I might be a little late. Please come in and have a seat."

Upon hearing this, Gu Wanqing frowned slightly and said calmly, "I understand."

After hanging up the phone, she walked in and randomly found a seat by the window.

Just then, a shop assistant walked over, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. "Hello, what would you like to drink?"

Gu Wanqing was startled by the sudden appearance of the man. "Why didn't I see anyone here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was feeling unwell and went to the restroom."

Gu Wanqing rubbed her temples and said in a deep voice, "Give me a latte."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

A few minutes later.

"Your latte." The waiter came over with a tray, bent down, and placed the latte on the table.

Gu Wanqing nodded: "Thank you."

"Please enjoy your meal," the clerk said before leaving.

Gu Wanqing picked up her cup, took a sip of her latte, glanced at her phone, and her expression gradually became impatient.

She stood up with her phone in hand, then suddenly felt dizzy and slumped back onto the single sofa.

Before losing consciousness, she seemed to see Qin Chu walking towards her from the opposite side...

*

H City No.1 Middle School

"Damn, I'm exhausted after taking exams all morning." Ji Sinian walked in through the back door, rubbed his sore neck, and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"Let's go eat together, Sister Miao." He turned his head to look at the girl next to him.

Shi Miao had just returned from the exam hall. She picked up the juice on the table, took a sip, and said lazily, "I'm not going. I brought a lunchbox."

"Ah, okay. What about you? Want to come along? It's on me." Ji Sinian turned to look at Lu Hansheng.

Upon hearing this, Lu Hansheng slightly raised his eyes and refused, saying, "No need, I'm used to eating alone."

"Oh dear, eating alone is so boring, let's go." Ji Sinian said, reaching out to grab his arm and pulling him outside.

Lu Hansheng frowned and forcefully broke free. "Don't touch me."

A hint of surprise flashed in Ji Sinian's eyes; he hadn't expected Lu Hansheng to be so strong.

He crossed his arms, pursed his lips, and said, "Anyway, I'm sticking with you today."

Lu Hansheng coldly tossed out a "whatever" and stood up to walk towards the door.

Seeing this, Ji Sinian followed after her, saying, "Sister Miao, I'll go eat first."

"Mmm." Shi Miao took out the bento box that Gu Wanqing had made for her from her bag, and tapped on her phone screen while eating.

She saw the message Gu Wanqing sent her at first glance.

She frowned slightly and dialed Gu Wanqing's number directly.

"Hello, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."

Shi Miao's eyes flickered slightly, she pursed her lips, and then called Gu Qingshan again.

"Hey, Miaomiao, why are you calling Grandpa at this hour?"

Did Mom go to your place today?

"She told me she would be late."

"Okay, I understand."

......

After hanging up the phone, Shi Miao pursed her lips into a straight line, tightened her grip on the phone, stood up, and strode out of the classroom.

She bumped into Ji Yanchen as soon as she reached the door.

Seeing that her expression was off, Ji Yanchen asked gently, "What's wrong? Where are you going?"

Shi Miao's dark eyes held a hint of malice, and the corners of his eyes showed some restlessness. He said in a deep voice, "My mother went to see Gu Yanxin. I called her but no one answered."

A slight look of surprise flashed across Ji Yanchen's eyes, and he quickly said, "I'll go with you."

Shi Miao nodded. "Okay."

*

The two soon arrived at the coffee shop in the city center.

Shi Miao pushed open the door and went inside. She looked around but did not see Gu Wanqing.

Ji Yanchen's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Check the surveillance footage."

Shi Miao nodded, took out his phone and hacked into the coffee shop's surveillance system.

She frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "It was destroyed."

"Can it be restored?"

"Yes, you'll need a computer."

Ji Yanchen patted her head. "Don't worry, let's go back first. I've already asked Fu Jin to investigate."

"Um."

......

The two hurriedly returned to Lanting Apartment.

Shi Miao went straight back to her room, turned on her computer, and her fair, jade-like fingers flew across the keyboard, quickly restoring the destroyed surveillance video.

She leaned back slightly, her eyes narrowed, watching the video playing on the computer screen.

Ji Yanchen came in after finishing his call and asked softly, "How did it go?"

Shi Miao slightly raised her chin, her expression showing a hint of annoyance. "Watching."

Ji Yanchen frowned slightly, bent down, rested one hand on the table, and looked up at the computer screen.

On the screen, Gu Wanqing stood up and suddenly collapsed onto a single sofa. Qin Chu walked over unhurriedly from the opposite side, bent down, picked her up, and carried her out of the coffee shop.

Shi Miao's eyes seemed to be tinged with red, and an aura of menace lingered around him. "It really was him."

A hint of coldness flashed across Ji Yanchen's deep eyes. "Heh, it seems we overlooked the variable of Gu Yanxin, which allowed him to take advantage of the situation."