Chapter Ninety-Five: Beware of Qin Sheng

"Xiaoshi, times have changed. Now that the world has ended, you must rely on yourself. My help is only supplementary," Uncle Guo said.

Shen Shi let her hands drop, unconsciously clasping them together, but she nodded earnestly. "I understand, Uncle Guo."

"Your parents entrusted me to take care of you, and I will do my best," Guo Jun stepped forward and patted Shen Shi's shoulder. "My niece Ting is spoiled by her parents. I hope you can bear with her a little."

A sharp glint flashed across Shen Shi's eyes, just as he had expected. A few days ago, she had refused Guo Ting, and almost immediately Guo Jun learned about it.

"Besides, you two make a handsome pair. I think you'd be perfect together..." Guo Jun had tried countless times to bring Guo Ting and Shen Shi together. Guo Ting was eager, but Shen Shi never gave any indication, and it was obvious she didn't approve of his matchmaking.

"Uncle, my mind isn't on such matters right now. Please rest well—I need to prepare for the arena competition," Shen Shi maintained her gentle manners, helping Guo Jun onto the bed and preparing to leave.

The bed was some distance from the window, so Qin Sheng shifted closer, accidentally snapping a tree branch outside the window.

"Who’s there?!"

Both people inside immediately grew alert, eyes fixed on the window.

"Uncle, I'll take a look."

With Guo Jun's nod of approval, Shen Shi approached the window slowly, then flung aside the curtain in one swift motion. No one was outside.

"No one?" Guo Jun remained wary, his years in the military making him highly vigilant. If someone really was outside and he hadn't noticed, that would be troublesome.

Shen Shi shook her head at Guo Jun and closed the window. "Perhaps a bird landed on the sill just now."

Guo Jun nodded, half believing, and seeing nothing amiss in Shen Shi’s expression, let his suspicion drop.

"Uncle, it’s getting late. I’ll head back now and visit you again soon." Shen Shi bent courteously, addressing Guo Jun.

Guo Jun waved his hand carelessly, sinking back onto the bed.

Just as Shen Shi touched the door handle to leave, Guo Jun called out to her once more.

"Is there something else, Uncle?"

Guo Jun glanced warily at the window again, ensuring no one was there before lowering his voice. "Be very careful in the arena competition, especially of a girl named Qin Sheng."

Shen Shi arched her brows, curious. "Uncle, what’s wrong with her?"

It was clear Shen Shi didn't know Qin Sheng, though she vaguely recalled someone with the surname Qin, but that person clearly lacked any skills.

"Just be careful. If she becomes your opponent, you must defeat her." Guo Jun’s tone became much more serious, his gaze fierce.

Shen Shi only paused in confusion for a second, then nodded, "Don't worry, Uncle."

"Go on, then."

"Yes."

As Shen Shi left, she closed the door behind her, her mind still pondering Guo Jun’s words.

Hidden in the shadows, Qin Sheng had listened to every word between the two.

Now it seemed that, even if she didn’t meet Shen Shi in the second round, Guo Jun would ensure they faced each other, making them rivals.

Qin Sheng began to understand. Guo Jun intended to promote Shen Shi as captain of the Seventh Guard Team, and at the same time, he was matchmaking between Shen Shi and Guo Ting—indeed, an old fox, linking his niece’s fate to Shen Shi’s.

It seemed necessary for her to win the arena championship, to teach Guo Jun a lesson.

A cold gleam flashed in Qin Sheng’s eyes as she quickly slipped away from Guo Jun’s ward.

Her primary goal tonight was to find Lin Xing.

Running into Guo Jun was unexpected.

Qin Sheng continued searching for Lin Xing in secret. According to the district chief, Lin Xing was eighty percent likely in the hospital within the safe zone. If not, then perhaps Lin Xing was being held in solitary confinement.

Qin Sheng searched room after room, even checking Shen Mei's room, but still found no trace of Lin Xing. She could only rest for a moment on the rooftop, waiting for the shift change among doctors to sneak in.

When some doctors finished their shifts and left the safe zone, Qin Sheng quickly descended from the rooftop, donned a white coat, and continued probing the remaining rooms.

"Stop right there!"

Just as Qin Sheng was peering through a doorframe into a room, a man appeared behind her.

"Who are you?!" He eyed Qin Sheng warily, seeing her in a white coat, skulking around the department head’s office, and asked, "Are you the nurse on duty tonight?"

Qin Sheng’s mind went blank, but she nodded.

"Where’s your ID badge?" He was still cautious, seeing that Qin Sheng had none, and pressed further.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips, fabricating a reason, "I just started today. Haven’t received my badge yet."

After scrutinizing her several times, he finally believed her.

"Get to your shift. Don’t loiter around the department head’s office."

Qin Sheng nodded and quickly slipped away.

The unexpected doctor had interrupted her investigation. She needed another chance to sneak into the department head’s office.

A gust of wind swept through the restroom near the department head’s office, leaving behind a white coat and an open window.

Qin Sheng easily reached the window of the department head’s office, but at some point the lights inside had been turned on.

Forced to observe from the adjacent window, she watched.

"Xiao Lin, shut the door."

"Yes, department head."

Inside, the very doctor who had caught Qin Sheng was present, while the other man seated was unmistakably the department head.

At two or three in the morning, the department head was still working—were all doctors here so dedicated?

Such oddity could only mean something unusual.

Qin Sheng decided to keep listening.

"Uncle, what’s the matter?"

Once the door closed, Qin Sheng heard the doctor address the department head as uncle, realizing she had stumbled upon another secret.

"Nephew, you remember the young man in the ICU, don’t you?"

Dr. Lin nodded, his expression contemptuous. "Of course. Everyone in the hospital knows there’s a young man in the ICU who refuses to leave despite being perfectly healthy."

Qin Sheng realized she hadn’t checked the ICU ward yet. She’d need to do so soon.

"He’s not refusing to leave. He’s being held there."

Xiao Lin was stunned. "He doesn’t look sick at all. Why keep him in the ICU?"

"Orders from above: this man is different from the others. We’re supposed to examine him, but so far we’ve made no progress…" The department head sounded helpless. The superiors wouldn’t clarify what to check for, just dumped the man here for examination.

"Why?"

"The testing can't involve any medical products, or it will affect the results. Perhaps you understand now."

Xiao Lin nodded, puzzled, looking at his uncle.

"Uncle, what do you want me to do?"

The department head wore a bitter expression. "Xiao Lin, you must understand—I have no choice. If we still can’t produce results, I won’t be able to keep my position as department head."

"Uncle, just tell me what needs doing. I’ll do it."

"You’re a good kid…"

The department head leaned in and whispered something to Dr. Lin, who hesitated but eventually agreed.

The distance was too great for Qin Sheng to hear what they discussed.

"If this succeeds, I'll promote you."

"Thank you, uncle."

"We’re family—no need for formalities..."

After that, the two ceased discussing the ICU case, chatting only about family matters.

When they left, Qin Sheng quickly made her way toward the ICU.

She didn’t know what the two had plotted, but it was likely some attempt to get the ICU patient to cooperate with their examination.

No medical means could be used. No force either.

That left only one possibility: persuasion and emotional appeal.

Based on descriptions, Qin Sheng guessed the person in the ICU was ninety percent likely Lin Xing.

Carefully moving through the shadows, she didn’t expect someone had arrived before her.

The silhouette was familiar, so she stayed hidden.

"Come out. I know it’s you," Shen Shi’s voice called out.

Soon, Qin Sheng landed before Shen Shi.

"What are you doing, sneaking around the hospital at this hour?" Shen Shi recognized the face, somewhat blurred, but those eyes were unmistakable.

Qin Sheng snorted coldly, "What’s it to you? Aren’t you sneaking around here too?"

Shen Shi was momentarily at a loss, having been secretly watching Guo Jun, never expecting to encounter an old acquaintance tonight.

He arched an eyebrow, suddenly remembering something, and continued, "You were at the window just now."

His tone was certain.

Qin Sheng hadn’t expected his vigilance to be so keen.

"I was just passing by. Your conversation didn’t interest me."

She sat carelessly on the edge of the roof, arms folded, utterly unafraid.

Shen Shi narrowed his eyes and sat beside her.

"It doesn’t matter if you overheard. I wasn’t interested either."

Qin Sheng was surprised. Normally, she would have been the one with no intent in overhearing, but the speaker seemed even less invested.

She nodded, pretending not to understand. "So, why did you stop me?"

Shen Shi glanced at her, seeing the calm lakes in her eyes, puffed his cheeks, and said, "Nothing. Just that you heard something you shouldn’t have."

Qin Sheng’s gaze grew cold. It seemed he had also overheard the department head and Dr. Lin.

Damn, how did she not notice?

"You're not an intern doctor? Why aren’t you on duty, sneaking out?"