books44 Chapter 102 Mist and Rain
Chapter 102 Mist and Rain
An indescribable sense of anxiety welled up in Gu Jinghe's heart. This inexplicable unease followed him like a shadow, making him unable to help but think of Qiao Xiao.
After careful consideration, he decided to go to a nearby public phone booth and make a call.
The reason for choosing a public phone booth was that Qiao Xiao had mentioned that phone calls were expensive abroad, and she hoped that Gu Jing could make as many calls as possible using public facilities.
Whenever he recalls what she said, Gu Jinghe can't help but sigh softly.
How could he possibly get Qiao Xiao to accept using his money so readily? Seeing her living such a frugal life, he couldn't bear it.
If there were no other way, perhaps he could seize the opportunity, start a company with his assets, and find Qiao Xiao a satisfactory and well-paid job.
Ideally, it would be a 9-to-4 job with weekends off and a high salary.
Thinking of this, Gu Jinghe's eyes gradually hardened, as if he had made up his mind. His motivation to learn about finance grew stronger.
Finally, Gu Jinghe dialed that familiar number.
Almost instantly, Qiao Xiao's calm voice came from the other end of the phone: "What is it? Make it quick."
Her tone was unusually urgent, as if she didn't want to give Gu Jinghe a second longer and would hang up the phone without hesitation the next moment.
Gu Jinghe knew very well that if he rashly said "I'm worried about you" at this moment, the consequences would be unimaginable and would definitely anger her. He had a strong premonition about this.
So, he suppressed his true feelings and asked calmly, "Did something happen to you? I just saw a news report about someone who looks a lot like you."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiao simply replied, "So fast?"
These three simple words made Gu Jinghe's eyes widen instantly, and his unease intensified.
He pressed, "What exactly happened?"
Sure enough, my premonition was right.
"How are you now? Are you injured?" Gu Jinghe asked anxiously.
However, Qiao Xiao remained calm and replied slowly, "I'm fine and have returned home safely. As for other things, we can talk about them when you get back."
He hung up the phone without hesitation as soon as he finished speaking.
Gu Jinghe collapsed like a deflated balloon, barely supporting his body with his arms.
His eyes still held an undisguised panic and deep worry, fine beads of sweat kept appearing on his forehead, and his whole body felt limp and powerless.
He couldn't understand why Qiao Xiao always spoke so calmly and composedly, yet the simple words "something happened" could terrify him so much.
A hint of stubbornness quietly surfaced deep in his eyes as he thought: How wonderful it would be if I could observe everything about her at all times!
However, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Sporz shook her head violently, trying to banish it from her thoughts.
Gu Jinghe muttered to himself, "This is absolutely wrong. Qiao Xiao will definitely hate me."
He couldn't help but recall the Snow White Prince, who, at the end of the story, actually attempted to use his magical perception to spy on his beloved's every move.
This behavior is completely wrong, and I must never follow in its footsteps.
At this moment, Qiao Xiao is searching everywhere for various charitable organizations, hoping to obtain a membership.
After some initial research online, she learned that only by becoming a member and advancing to a certain level could one be assigned to work in certain areas, holding positions such as security guards who could access surveillance footage.
After all, in this area, the police are often perfunctory and accustomed to arresting those unfortunate enough to live in slums for all sorts of absurd reasons, and treating them as terrorists.
This has led to residents of slums often suffering unwarranted calamities and being imprisoned, with some even being sentenced to life imprisonment and forced to spend their entire lives in jail.
His brief, fleeting appearance made him stand out as if he were under a spotlight, giving the police an excellent opportunity to capture him.
Police will arrest him on what seems like an absurd and unfounded reason as "damaging the city's appearance."
Therefore, the police do not devote much effort to thoroughly investigating these surveillance videos.
Only ordinary people who are determined to find the truth will go to great lengths to gain access to the information.
Achieving this goal is not easy; it requires the approval of qualified personnel, such as security guards, to access surveillance footage.
After all, these types of people have a firm grasp on key resources in this area.
Some people may wonder: why don't the general public take the exam to obtain such certification?
The reason is actually quite simple—this certificate possesses an astonishing "lifetime uniqueness" characteristic.
In other words, once you become a member of this type of work, you can only work in this field for the rest of your life, with no other choice.
The reason for this regulation is that the information involved in this job is highly confidential and extremely easy to leak.
Only through this highly tight binding and constraint method can the perpetrators who caused the information leak be quickly and accurately identified in the shortest possible time.
Of course, correspondingly, the occupational risks faced by people working in this industry should not be underestimated. A slight misstep could easily make them scapegoats, bearing responsibilities and consequences they shouldn't have to bear.
A sense of fear crept into Qiao Xiao's heart. After all, life is only once, and without the system's assistance and support, she would never dare to so rashly put herself in danger.
System: "Do you need my assistance, host?"
Qiao Xiao retorted without any politeness, "Then just tell me directly, what kind of help can you provide?"
The system seemed slightly exasperated by Qiao Xiao's cold attitude and said softly, "Please don't be so indifferent, host. I have the ability to give you a new life."
Qiao Xiao let out a disdainful sneer: "Hmph, even if you can help me be reborn, you are powerless to alleviate the excruciating pain I endured when I suffered the torment of death. You cannot relieve my suffering at all."
If she hadn't already adapted to the harsh and demanding environment of the underground factory, she probably wouldn't have been able to endure it.
Although she had a certain chance of avoiding the bullets, it was by no means a 100% guarantee.
Even if she could bear the pain of being pierced by a bullet, she didn't want to experience it.
System: "Host, there is currently no energy value, so I cannot activate the shop function. I can only rely on evil value to survive. This evil value is only used to maintain the operation of this world and cannot enhance my abilities. I am willing but powerless."
Qiao Xiao seemed somewhat distracted by these words, and casually replied, "Okay, okay, I understand."
She recalled the once all-powerful evil value system, and a surge of resentment welled up in her heart.
Who on earth tampered with such an important function? This behavior is absolutely outrageous!
Just then, a muffled rumble suddenly came from the sky, as if it were a warning from heaven, indicating that a torrential downpour was about to come.
Qiao Xiao's heart tightened. "I vaguely remember that Gu Jinghe is afraid of rain."
The system immediately responded, "That's right, host. Your memory is accurate."
After receiving a positive reply, Qiao Xiao acted swiftly without hesitation.
She hurriedly put on a raincoat, grabbed another one, opened an umbrella, and dashed out of the room like an arrow.
If Gu Jinghe were to catch a cold, fever, loss of appetite, or even fall ill from being caught in the rain, all the efforts I've made these past few days would be in vain.
On the other hand, Gu Jinghe has an extraordinary ability to perceive changes in the weather.
Whenever it is about to rain, he can clearly perceive the subtle change in the humidity of the surrounding air, followed by his nose starting to itch and him sneezing repeatedly.
At that moment, he slowly turned his head and looked out the window at the once clear blue sky, only to be surprised to find that it was now completely covered by thick dark clouds.
"It looks like it's going to rain soon." Gu Jinghe's face showed a hint of worry.
At that moment, a loud broadcast echoed throughout the school: "Dear teachers and students, according to the latest weather data, a heavy rain is about to sweep through our city. It is expected to arrive in just thirty minutes. We have received an emergency instruction from the school leadership to immediately suspend all classes. Please pay close attention to the weather changes and be extra careful on your way home to ensure your safety."
Gu Jinghe walked slowly toward the school gate with unhurried steps.
He keenly sensed a strong dampness in the air, as if countless fine silver needles were relentlessly piercing his skin, making him feel unbearable and restless.
Wang Wanqing, who has a private car that is specially assigned to pick her up, remained where she was. Her car had been specially approved by the school to drive directly to the front of the teaching building.
She watched Gu Jinghe drive away into the distance, and after getting into the car, she gave the driver an instruction without hesitation: "Follow that person in front."
The vehicle moved slowly forward, eventually walking alongside Gu Jinghe.
Wang Wanqing gently rolled down the car window, a hint of arrogance on her face, and asked, "Would you like a ride with me?"
Her words revealed an air of superiority.
Gu Jinghe looked down at her with a condescending gaze, his hands tightly gripping his backpack, as if trying to hide his slightly trembling hands.
He firmly declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, but it's really not necessary."
These words stirred something within Wang Wanqing. She gazed silently at the man before her, a strange impulse rising within her. She thought to herself: He's so polite even when rejecting people; such an outstanding person should belong to me.
"You should strive to get what you want in your lifetime."
This seemed to have become an obsession and belief in her life, and her motto.
However, reality is often not as one wishes. Some things are as illusory and fleeting as a mirage, and even if one yearns for them, they are ultimately unattainable.
At this moment, Gu Jinghe swiftly passed by, arriving at the school gate in the blink of an eye.
It turned out that his gaze had already been drawn to the beautiful figure in the distance—it was Qiao Xiao!
She was wearing an enormous raincoat, which resembled an impregnable fortress, giving people a sense of security and protecting them from the wind and rain.
Qiao Xiao said softly, "I didn't know your size, so I chose the loosest style. You'll definitely be able to wear it, but it might be a bit bulky."
Despite her strong physique, Qiao Xiao could still feel the heavy weight of the raincoat in her hands.
Qiao Xiao gently draped the raincoat over Gu Jinghe, her movements as tender as a loving mother caring for her child.
In an instant, deafening thunder suddenly roared from the sky...
Wang Wanqing sat calmly in the car, following behind unhurriedly, a faint smile on her lips, as if victory was assured.
She slowly rolled down the car window and tossed a cold remark to the two people in front of her: "Oh, are you planning to walk home? Look at the sky, it's about to pour rain! You'll definitely get soaked. Why don't you hurry up and get in my car?"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiao's heart stirred.
To be honest, Wang Wanqing's suggestion didn't seem wrong at all; in fact, it was quite reasonable.
After all, nobody wants to wander in a downpour, getting their clothes soaked and possibly catching a cold.
However, just as Qiao Xiao was about to nod in agreement, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind—she really couldn't be sure what Gu Jinghe would do once he got into Wang Wanqing's car.
You know, men like Gu Jinghe are always the objects of pursuit for those crazy women.
Wang Wanqing in front of me might also be this type of person, and she might launch a fierce offensive against Gu Jinghe one day.
Thinking of this, Qiao Xiao couldn't help but feel wary, and finally declined, saying, "No need, thank you for your kindness. We live not far from here, it won't take long to walk there. Besides, time is of the essence now, if we delay any longer, we might really get caught in this heavy rain."
After saying that, she raised her head, her gaze fixed on the dark clouds that were getting closer and closer overhead. Then, without hesitation, she took Gu Jinghe's hand and walked quickly towards home.
In this slightly cool and damp atmosphere, Gu Jinghe silently gazed at Qiao Xiao's back, a feeling of indescribable bitterness and helplessness welling up in his heart.
Qiao Xiao has always been the one to step up and help him solve his problems; but looking at herself, she is often powerless and can only watch helplessly as he bears all the pressure and difficulties alone.
This feeling left Gu Jinghe feeling extremely frustrated, and it also deeply hurt his sensitive heart.
She was like the unpredictable and elusive weather, sometimes sunny and sometimes cloudy; and I was like an outdated detector, unable to accurately detect her true thoughts no matter how hard I tried.
Although they were not separated by thousands of miles, it was as if a hazy mist always lingered around them, making it difficult for him to see her true thoughts, like looking at flowers through a fog.
Gu Jinghe was very confused by this. He couldn't understand why, even though he could often have contact with her, and even get quite close to her, he always had a feeling that she was like a ghost, as if she had gone through the test of life and death and was now wandering alone in this world.
What puzzled him even more was that this ghostly spirit had somehow chosen him, who was in dire straits.
The system issued a notification: "Gu Jinghe's favorability has increased by 5, and his current favorability is 90."