After school

Acute gastroenteritis is not a serious illness, but when it strikes, it can really feel life-threatening.

At that time, Song Qingzhu had just finished her shower and changed into pajamas. The illness came on like a collapsing mountain—her stomach twisted in agony, sapping even the strength to make a phone call.

Had no one been there to help her, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

So, her desire to express gratitude was only natural.

Song Qingzhu assumed that after she spoke, Lin Qi would immediately respond with excitement and gratitude. After all, she was the president of Jinyang Group—a connection many people would dream of.

Yet Lin Qi merely replied with a faint “oh,” as if her offer meant nothing to him. His eyes, however, continued to wander over her.

Another lecherous scoundrel, perhaps?

Song Qingzhu felt a surge of irritation. She had thought her rescuer was a kind-hearted person, but it seemed he was as shallow as any other man.

Though somewhat disappointed, she reminded herself that he had saved her life. Suppressing her anger, she said, “If you ever need anything, just tell me. I’ll do my best to help.”

As long as Lin Qi made a request and she fulfilled it, the debt would be repaid—nothing left between them.

A house, a car—whatever he wanted, she’d provide.

“Oh, there’s no need. I didn’t save you expecting a reward. Besides, I’m just a delivery man; I can’t do much else.” Lin Qi, having found nothing of interest, put on his helmet, ready to leave.

“This is my card. Call me if you ever need anything.” Song Qingzhu pressed a gilded card into his hand. She disliked owing favors.

“All right, I will.” Lin Qi accepted the card and slipped it casually into his pocket.

Before leaving, he glanced back at Song Qingzhu—her curves and poise indeed made her a rare beauty.

“What a person…” Song Qingzhu was at a loss for words. Realizing her savior might be a womanizer, she let out a long sigh.

She hoped he would make his request soon, so this knot in her heart could be untied.

Construction Street, Delivery Station.

Because of what happened with Song Qingzhu, Lin Qi had hardly made any deliveries that morning.

The system showed he’d only completed three orders, and then nothing.

Yet, the station manager, Hong Yu, didn’t blame him.

After a night’s rest, Hong Yu had sobered up. She’d heard about the previous night from others and now felt regret and guilt. As soon as Lin Qi arrived, she called him into her office.

“About last night… I’m really sorry. I caused you a lot of trouble…” Hong Yu’s face was full of remorse.

“It’s fine. Didn’t we already resolve it?” Lin Qi smiled gently, unconcerned.

In his three years at the delivery station, Hong Yu had always looked after him, so Lin Qi never considered it a trouble.

A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. Even if it happened ten more times, Lin Qi would help her without hesitation.

“You haven’t been feeling great these past few days, have you?” Hong Yu asked tentatively.

Word had already spread throughout Haitong City that Tang Long had beaten Lin Qi the previous night and declared their ties severed. Hong Yu was well aware.

Seeing that Lin Qi had hardly made any deliveries that morning, she guessed it was related.

“I’m all right, really,” Lin Qi replied, unfazed.

But in Hong Yu’s eyes, he was just trying to save face.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Why don’t you stop taking orders for a few days and help me pick up and drop off Xiao Rui instead? The pay stays the same. How about it?”

Hong Yu was a single mother, and Xiao Rui, her seven-year-old daughter, was in first grade.

“Sure!” Lin Qi agreed immediately—such an easy job was a welcome change.

Far better than making deliveries, after all.

“Good. Xiao Rui’s about to be dismissed from school. You can go pick her up now,” Hong Yu said, glancing at her watch. “Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

First graders finished early—school was out by four-thirty.

“OK.” Lin Qi turned and left, riding his electric bike straight to Haitong City First Primary School.

Hong Yu was always busy, rarely able to leave work, so most of the delivery riders had helped pick up her daughter at some point.

Lin Qi was well accustomed to the routine and soon arrived at the school gate.

After waiting a short while, a little girl with chubby cheeks and pigtails came running out, backpack bouncing behind her.

“Xiao Rui!” Lin Qi called out, waving.

“Brother Lin Qi!” Xiao Rui shouted joyfully, dashing over and nimbly hopping onto his bike.

Xiao Rui was well-acquainted with all the riders at the delivery station. Her sweet and lively nature made her a favorite among them.

“How many times have I told you—call me uncle, not brother.” Lin Qi pinched her cheek and carefully navigated through the crowd of parents picking up their children. The traffic jams could be monstrous.

“My mom told me to call you all ‘brother’ since you’re still young—calling you ‘uncle’ makes you sound old,” Xiao Rui replied, tilting her head up.

“Haha, don’t listen to your mom. We call her Sister Yu, and you call us brothers? That muddles the generations,” Lin Qi said earnestly.

“I know, Brother Lin Qi!”

“…”

Lin Qi was helpless and could only continue on, chatting as they went: “How was school today?”

But there was no reply from the back seat.

“I’m talking to you—how was it?”

Still, no answer.

He glanced over his shoulder—Xiao Rui had vanished without a trace!