CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 88: FAMOUS DETECTIVE QIUQIU!

Once the recording studio quieted down, Chu Tian lay there alone, his mood gradually sinking.

He didn’t know why. Maybe it was the first time he so vividly felt that a girl liked him? Realized the feeling of being loved by someone? Or perhaps this feeling had further closed the distance between him and this world, erasing that elusive sense of alienation he had felt before? In any case, his mind grew more and more chaotic. He thought about many things, but he could never make clear sense of them.

Until he recalled the scene that had just occurred...

He replayed Xu Qingqiu’s every move, every minute detail, in his mind.

Her long eyelashes; the intricate texture of her skin beneath a faint layer of foundation; the fine, downy hairs on her face swaying as if in 8K high definition.

In her large eyes, the pupils within her brown irises contracted and expanded, resembling undulating mountain ranges or a cluster of twinkling stars.

Her light pink lips, possibly still glistening with moisture from a recent drink of water, shone like a piece of exquisite jade.

With each breath, her well-shaped nose rose and fell gently.

Little by little, these details unfolded in his mind.

Combined with the faint, lingering fragrance that seemed to still hover around the tip of her nose, Chu Tian’s heart beat faster and faster.

As his breathing quickened, Chu Tian licked his dry lips, belatedly feeling an impulse to kiss her.

Damn it! What are you getting all worked up about now? What were you doing earlier?

He smiled wryly and slapped his head, annoyance written all over his face.

He had to admit that while he hadn’t thought much of it before, he now realized that, for a fleeting moment, he had indeed been moved.

It was just a shame that he seemed to have messed up a perfectly good situation.

But maybe this is for the better, he thought. I can properly consider my own feelings. Have I really thought about accepting this girl? Is this what I want? Is this... love?

He didn’t know...

He lost track of how much time passed as he pondered these things.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingqiu, still huffing indignantly, returned to her office, packed her things, and went straight home.

Sister Hua and Yiyi quickly followed, but no matter how much they asked, she wouldn’t say a word.

Soon, both of them realized it was most likely related to Chu Tian.

Sister Hua opened her mouth, wanting to say something. However, considering Xu Qingqiu’s current state, she figured it would likely be useless and decided not to bother.

After all, it’s her personal affair, Sister Hua thought. I can offer advice, but constantly meddling isn’t right. Saying too much would make me seem like a busybody. Best to let her be.

And so, the three of them returned home.

After dinner, as if suddenly remembering something, Xu Qingqiu stood up, put on her mask and sunglasses, and headed outside.

"Huh? Sister Qiu, where are you going?" Yiyi asked.

"Yiyi, tell Sister Hua I have something to take care of. I’ll be back later, no need to wait up for me."

"Should I come with you?"

"No need, it wouldn’t be convenient. I’ll go alone."

Not convenient? Yiyi tilted her head, pondering for a moment, then a look of understanding dawned on her face.

"Alright then, Sister Qiu! I wish you success! Be safe!"

Safe? What does she mean, ’be safe’?

Xu Qingqiu shook her head, puzzled. She changed her shoes, grabbed her small handbag, and quickly headed to the parking lot, driving straight to the studio.

Youmeng, is it? You’re always appearing and disappearing so mysteriously, aren’t you? But you have to come to the company eventually, right? I’m going to find out who you really are!

After parking her car, Xu Qingqiu turned off the engine and walked to the company entrance. She scouted around but found there weren’t many good hiding spots.

No, this spot is too conspicuous! she thought. Wait a minute! Youmeng knows me so well and is so familiar with the company... they must be someone from the company! Or at least someone close to me. I must know them!

With that thought, she quickly went downstairs and, just as she expected, saw a notice at the building’s reception desk.

It stated that after 8:00 PM, only the front entrance would remain open. This meant whoever came would have to enter through the front door.

Unless Youmeng managed to hide inside the company beforehand... Is that even possible? Youmeng is supposed to be a big shot, right? Would they really go to such lengths, scheming to hide in the building for hours? Definitely not! So, if they come, they *have* to use the front door!

Xu Qingqiu silently gave herself a mental pep talk, suddenly realizing she had a knack for detective work.

From now on, call me Detective Qiuqiu!

She smugly lifted her small nose, admiring her own cleverness.

Arriving in front of the office building, she scanned the area. The space directly in front was completely open, but on either side, beyond two rows of half-meter-tall ornamental shrubs, there were two narrow paths.

These paths led around to the back entrance and also passed by a convenience store that few people frequented.

An idea instantly struck her. She found a gap in the shrubs, evidently trampled down by others, and carefully squatted down inside it.

PHEW... They shouldn’t be able to see me now, right?

Oh no, I should have worn all black! This white outfit is way too conspicuous, isn’t it?

It’s fine, I’ll just squeeze in a bit more...

...

Ugh, so many mosquitoes! Is Youmeng coming or not? Weren’t there supposed to be a few more songs? Why isn’t anyone here?

Don’t tell me they’re not coming today! Then I would have waited all this time for nothing!

Who on earth is it? Making me wait so long and get eaten alive by mosquitoes! This is so annoying!

No! I can’t give up! I *must* find out who they are!

If it’s Chu Tian... then you’re dead meat...

...

"ACHOO!"

Chu Tian rubbed his nose and looked around blankly. Did I fall asleep?

Man, I was just sitting in the recording studio feeling gloomy, and somehow I ended up lying down on the couch. This couch is surprisingly comfortable; I must have fallen asleep the moment I closed my eyes.

He checked the time. What? Ten-thirty already? No way! I need to go downstairs and get something to eat. Perfect, I’ll eat and then head home. Sweet!

Chu Tian closed the door to the recording studio and, whistling, casually walked to the main exit of the building. He glanced around, saw that all the lights were off and everything seemed fine, then headed out to find something to eat.

He started humming a cheerful tune, "♪ We common folks are so happy today~ ♪"

"♪ We common folks are so~ ha-AAAAAAH! HOLY CRAP! What was that?!"

As soon as he stepped out of the building, he habitually turned right, planning to grab a drink from the convenience store. But after just a couple of steps, he spotted someone crouching on the ground.

"What are you doing squatting here? Are you nuts?" Chu Tian exclaimed. "You scared me to death, appearing in the middle of the night like that!"

The person retorted, "You’re the scary one, okay? Suddenly popping out like... Chu Tian?"

"Who... Xu Qingqiu?"

"What are you doing here?!" Xu Qingqiu demanded.

"What are *you* doing here?" Chu Tian shot back.

"Hmph, hmph! Caught you, didn’t I?" Xu Qingqiu said smugly. "Spill it! Was it you?"

"Me? What about me? What’s a big star like you doing squatting here in the middle of the night? Are you trying to catch your husband with a mistress or something?"

"You’re the one trying to catch a mistress! And you still won’t admit it? I’ve caught you red-handed!"

"What do you mean you’ve caught me? What am I supposed to be admitting to?"

"Fine, you won’t talk, right? Then you’re coming with me!"

"Go? Where are we going?"

"Back to the company!"

"Are you nuts? I just left. Why would I go back to the company?"

...

Unfortunately, Xu Qingqiu paid him no heed and simply dragged him along.

Chu Tian had initially intended to shake her off. But then, remembering their earlier moment in the studio, his heart softened, and he let her pull him. Fine, let’s go, he thought. Though I have no idea what she’s up to.

Once upstairs, Xu Qingqiu quickly opened the main door. FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! She turned on all the lights and then pulled him straight into her office.

She keyed in "0813".

After entering the password and swinging open her office door, Xu Qingqiu still wore a smug little expression.

"Huh?" Chu Tian remarked. "How come your password is exactly the same as my birthday?"

At his words, Xu Qingqiu, who had been looking triumphant just a moment before, suddenly froze.

"You... you don’t know my office password?" she stammered.

"What do you mean? Should I... know it?"

Could it be... I was really mistaken? Xu Qingqiu wondered, her confidence wavering.

"Mistaken about what?" Chu Tian asked.

He looked the picture of innocence, like a clueless Teenager unfamiliar with the ways of the world. His eyes held a clear, almost foolish naivety, making him seem utterly guileless.

Clinging to her last shred of hope, Xu Qingqiu turned on her office lights. Staring at the empty desk, she looked utterly dismayed, on the verge of tears but unable to cry.