Chapter 38 Silent Confrontation
The footsteps outside the door paused for a moment, as if to confirm the movement in the room. Su Yan even breathed very lightly, his whole body focused on the door, and the crumbs in his palms were almost soaked with sweat.
A few seconds later, the footsteps sounded again, but they were moving away and gradually disappeared.
Su Yan's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but his back was already drenched in sweat. Was it Assistant Zhou? What was he doing here? Was it just a routine inspection, or had he noticed something?
The crisis was temporarily resolved, but Su Yan's alarm was raised to the highest level. Assistant Zhou's actions were faster and more direct than he had expected. He had to speed up.
His gaze returned to the safe. The scraps of medicine he had just found were like a hook, firmly entwining his thoughts. There must be more in there. But how could he open it?
He looked around, his eyes finally landing on Huo Shen's suit jacket draped over the end of the bed. Huo Shen sometimes put things he needed temporarily but couldn't bring into the bedroom in the inner pocket of his jacket.
His heart was pounding. Like a swimming fish, he slid silently to the end of the bed and carefully reached into the inside pocket of his coat. His fingertips touched a cold metal object—a simple spare key! But it wasn't a key to a safe, more like... the key to a drawer.
He calmly held the key in his hand and was about to search further when the person on the bed suddenly uttered a vague muttering.
Su Yan froze in his tracks, quickly retreated to the chair, stuffed the key into his pajamas pocket, and almost at the same time closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Huo Shen did not wake up, he just turned over, and his breathing soon became steady and long again.
Su Yan didn't dare to act rashly. He remained in a dozing position, his mind racing. What did this key open? It definitely wasn't the safe, so where could it be? The study? The office?
Time passed slowly in silence and disguise. As the daylight gradually brightened, Huo Shen's fever completely subsided. When he woke up, although he was still tired after the illness, his eyes had regained their usual clarity.
He saw Su Yan "sleeping" on the bed, and his eyes lingered for a moment on his slightly messy hair and slightly furrowed brows, his eyes complicated. He did not wake him up, but got up on his own, his movements a little slower than usual.
Su Yan "woke up" the moment he stood up, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and quickly got up: "Sir, are you awake? How do you feel?" There was just the right amount of concern and a hint of uneasiness in his tone.
"It's okay." Huo Shen glanced at him, his eyes fixed on his cheeks which had red marks from sleeping on his stomach. He said in a flat tone, "Go wash up, and then ask the kitchen to send up some light breakfast."
"Yes." Su Yan agreed with a humble look, secretly relieved. Huo Shen didn't seem to notice his little action at night.
At breakfast, Assistant Zhou showed up on time to report the company's situation to Huo Shen. He was still as calm and professional as ever, as if it was just Su Yan who had stopped outside the door and listened the night before.
"Is there any progress in the investigation of the technical department?" Huo Shen asked casually while drinking white porridge.
Assistant Zhou's expression remained unchanged. "We're still investigating. Their methods are very clean, so it'll take time. Also, there's been some recent staff turnover in the administration department, and the access records for some temporary terminals are a bit messy. We're currently sorting through them."
Su Yan's grip on the spoon tightened slightly. It came! Assistant Zhou was indeed investigating, and had already found the "disorganized access records" as a starting point!
Huo Shen raised his eyes and looked at Assistant Zhou. He didn't say anything, but just said "hmm" lightly.
After Assistant Zhou finished his report, he respectfully withdrew. From beginning to end, he did not look at Su Yan, but Su Yan felt as if a cold snake was crawling across his back.
"Are you scared?" Huo Shen suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
Su Yan snapped back to his senses and met Huo Shen's deep gaze. He tried to remain calm and whispered, "No...no. I just think that Assistant Zhou seems...very powerful."
Huo Shen put down his spoon, picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth. His tone was inaudible: "Just do your own thing and don't worry about him."
This sentence seemed to draw a blurred line. Huo Shen didn't defend Assistant Zhou, nor did he blame Su Yan. He simply put him in a category where he needed to "do his own thing" and not pay attention to Assistant Zhou. Was this a tacit protection, or a deeper temptation?
Su Yan lowered his head and responded obediently: "I understand, sir."
After breakfast, Huo Shen decided to work from home because he had not yet fully recovered. Su Yan was allowed to "rest" in his room.
As soon as he returned to the room, Su Yan immediately locked the door. He leaned against the door and took out the cold key from his pajamas pocket. The key was small and had no markings on it.
If this isn't a safe key, what exactly does it unlock? Why does Huo Shen carry it with him? Could it contain a secret more crucial than the medicinal dregs?
He carefully recalled the places Huo Shen often went to: the study, the office, even the old house... Possible locations flashed through his mind. He had to find the keyhole that matched this key as soon as possible. This might be the key to breaking the current deadlock or even turning the tables!
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