Chapter 147 The Dark Side of the Heart
"That's right. The mainland police currently have clues that the source of the artificial reproduction is in Hong Kong. However, the mastermind is not a Hong Kong citizen. After suffering setbacks in the mainland, they did not take action again. Current information is that the shipments are mostly to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. As you know, cross-regional police cooperation is difficult, so it will be difficult to completely resolve this matter. In the Nanbo incident, the only person they had a direct confrontation with was Qin Tian. The police originally hoped that Qin Tian could provide them with specific clues from the time, but I disagreed for safety reasons. I asked Director Wang to cooperate with the investigation, after all, he is also a party involved.
The police have told me that, at least within China, you're absolutely safe. You don't need to worry about Qin Tian or your personal safety; that should be guaranteed. Since you've told me about this situation, I'll do my utmost to ensure your safety when you return to China. I'll keep you updated on any progress on this matter. We'll also keep you updated if there's any new information.
But little boy, I know you're very capable, but there are some things you can't do on your own. Don't force anything. Look, I thought you were someone who wouldn't offend anyone, but I didn't expect you to be so stubborn. It seems I don't know you well enough."
Tong Zhongyuan smiled and bowed to Ming Yuanxing, then opened the office door.
"Wait a minute!" Ming Yuanxing hurriedly stopped him, "Explain your resignation to me clearly! Even if you have a studio, you don't need to resign. Xiaotong! Hey, Zhongyuan! Explain it to me clearly today..."
Tong Zhongyuan walked out of Ming Yuanxing's office, past the secretary's office, and to the fork in the hallway. He hadn't seen Qin Tian since he'd escaped her home that Saturday morning, nor had he contacted her. He calmed down and reflected on the conflict—specifically, the one-sided unhappiness on his part. Song Suiyang had said Qin Tian had been beautifully dressed that day, but the one he saw looked tired, her eyes dull, her hair matted. Clearly, she'd had a rough time that night. In his past relationships, he wouldn't call himself a great lover, but he did respect their privacy and space. The reason was simple: he needed it himself. He reminded them of the fundamental principles of love by remaining quiet, non-interfering, and non-impulsive. Stable emotions and behavior are the cornerstones of adult relationships. The purpose of seeking a partner is to add value, to make life more interesting and fulfilling. If love leaves one exhausted, needy, and irritable, then what's the point? But now, he'd repudiated his former self. His relationship with Qin Tian had left him exhausted and irritable, impulsive and unstable, even becoming the kind of lover without boundaries he hated most. Was he wrong in the past, or was he wrong in the present? However, all these negative emotions couldn't stop him from seeing her.
He turned right at the fork and headed towards Qin Tian's office. Don't think too much, just chat with her about the missing piece as if nothing happened, she'll be happy.
Yuan Junruo was sorting data in front of the computer when she looked up and saw Tong Zhongyuan walk in. Without waiting for him to ask, she said, "The boss is not here. He didn't go to work today."
Tong Zhongyuan stopped, nodded to him, and turned back. He was still hesitating whether to meet Qin Tian, but when he found out that she was not there, the desire to find her suddenly grew.
After dialing Qin Tian's number, Tong Zhongyuan was stunned when he heard the notification tone "User is powered off".
Even if he was on vacation or on a business trip, Qin Tian wouldn't turn off his phone in broad daylight. Could it be that he had been blocked?
Song Suiyang was thinking that Tong Zhongyuan showed up in the morning and then disappeared when the door opened and Tong Zhongyuan walked over with a cold look on his face.
"Call Qin Tian."
Seeing his expression, Song Suiyang didn't dare to ask any more questions. He picked up his phone and dialed. After a few seconds, he said in surprise, "Her phone is turned off."
"Call again."
Song Suiyang dialed three times and looked up: "It's turned off. Why would she turn it off? She doesn't turn it off in the middle of the night. Is she on the plane?"
Tong Zhongyuan was so concerned that he was confused. When she reminded him, he asked, "Who does she usually report to when she goes on a business trip? Mingguan?"
"Yes, Mingguan is directly in charge of her. If she's on a business trip, Mingguan should know."
Tong Zhongyuan walked to the window and dialed Ming Yuanxing's number.
Ming Yuanxing saw Tong Zhongyuan call again just after he left, thinking he was here to continue the previous topic. However, when he answered the phone, he was asking about Qin Tian's whereabouts.
"She's on vacation this week."
"When did she apply for leave?" Tong Zhongyuan asked.
Ming Yuanxing was puzzled and answered truthfully: "Last night."
Song Suiyang stared at Tong Zhongyuan in surprise. What happened between them? Could the talks have fallen apart? In that case, there was something fishy about Tong Zhongyuan's phone call last Friday.
Tong Zhongyuan lowered his phone. Before last Friday, they'd spoken every day, and she hadn't mentioned taking a vacation. This vacation must have been a last-minute decision. Yes, something had changed since last Friday. And he was so focused on the worry and anger he'd felt during the night alone that he ignored her reaction. If he'd been calm and concerned, perhaps she would have told him what had happened.
And now, where is she? Who knows her whereabouts?
As the office hours neared, the door to the calligraphy and painting department was ajar, with only the soft clatter of the mouse and keyboard. Luo Yijing patted Fang Tianyi lightly, then leaned towards Tang Zhixu's office and whispered, "How's that person been feeling these past few days?"
"Why? You want to see him?"
"I finished the catalogue of the Ming Dynasty calligraphy and painting exhibition last week. I'm afraid I'll be in trouble if I hand it in now."
"That's not the case. He clearly distinguishes between public and private matters. Don't worry about it."
"What's wrong with him? Jiade became famous after a battle, shouldn't he be feeling proud and happy?"
Fang Tian smiled but didn't answer: "How would I know? People always have ups and downs. Isn't there a saying that goes, where you are successful, you will also be frustrated?"
Luo Yijing suddenly understood and said in surprise: "You mean he is talking about love..."
"I didn't say that, don't make wild guesses."
"No way! He's also unsuccessful in love. Tall, rich and handsome, many girls in the museum are attracted to him. How could he do it for a woman..." When she said this, she suddenly thought of the previous rumors and covered her mouth in surprise, "Could it be! Is it really as they said before, the restoration department..."
Before he finished speaking, the half-closed door was pushed open. Tong Zhongyuan walked in, saw the two of them, nodded imperceptibly, and walked straight towards Tang Zhixu's office.
Speak of the devil, and he will appear. Luo Yijing was so frightened that she bit her tongue, groaned, and covered her mouth.
Tong Zhongyuan knocked on the office door symbolically, then pressed the doorknob and pushed it open.
Tang Zhixu was lying on his office chair, scrolling through his phone, his long legs resting on a pile of documents. He glanced sideways at the approaching figure, his posture unchanged, only putting his phone down and looking at him from a distance.
Tong Zhongyuan walked over with the door closed, looked down at him and said, "Have you contacted Qin Tian today?"
Tang Zhixu looked at him for two seconds, a sarcastic smile appearing on his face.
"What? Are you still worried? Are you here to remind me not to contact her anymore?"
Tong Zhongyuan looked at him calmly, trying to catch the subtle message in his words.
Tang Zhixu took his legs off the book, sat up straight and straightened his collar.
"If that's all you're asking. We haven't been in touch. Anything else?"
Tong Zhongyuan had no expression on his face and said calmly, "Did you contact me last Friday?"
Tang Zhixu's expression changed again and again, looking like he was laughing but also strange. Finally, he suppressed his anger and said, "Don't look for trouble. Get out."
Tong Zhongyuan's gaze remained fixed on his face. Qin Tian hadn't returned home all night on Friday, and he'd considered many possibilities. As the images flashed by, though he didn't want to admit it, deep down, he had a sliver of suspicion: Qin Tian and Tang Zhixu were together that night. Now he knew it was him.
The balance in his heart was swaying. Tang Zhixu's attitude was clear. If he guessed correctly, Tang Zhixu had admitted defeat and withdrawn. This was good. Even if it was a misunderstanding, he wanted to let it continue. But if he wanted to get more information from him, he would have to pay a price.
"Did you give Zhuang Xiangyan's information to Qin Tian?"
Tang Zhixu was annoyed to see that he had refused to leave even after being ordered to leave, and instead kept asking more questions. He stood up and opened the door for him: "Ask her yourself."
Tong Zhongyuan did not do as he wished, but instead walked to the reception chair and sat down.
"We had a fight."
Tang Zhixu slammed the door and laughed in anger: "Come to me to help you break up the fight?"
"Can you give me a copy of Zhuang Xiangyan's information?" He looked up and asked quietly.
The two men stood face to face for a moment. Tang Zhixu turned his head, ran his fingers through his hair, and exhaled. He walked over to the computer and inserted a USB drive. After a few clicks, the printer squeaked and spit out a few pages of paper. Tang Zhixu pulled out the paper and tossed it onto the table.
Tong Zhongyuan put away the paper, folded it, and stood up.
"Thanks."
Tang Zhixu ignored him and went back to his office chair and lay down again.
Tong Zhongyuan walked to the door and locked it: "Let's have dinner together when you have time."
After saying that, he opened the door and left.
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