This night, the watch was kept by Qin Ningyi's father, while Qin Ningyi was remotely handling company matters at the old Qin family residence.
During this period, he was simultaneously searching for Huo Rou, taking care of Old Master Qin, and only occasionally finding time to deal with the accumulated tasks.
Because of this, Xiao Konglin had adjusted his work hours to start in the afternoon and finish in the early morning.
"President Qin, regarding this quarter's Qin Corporation..." He was at a crucial point in his report via video when Qin Ningyi's personal phone rang.
Xiao Konglin paused his report and waited for Qin Ningyi to answer the call on camera. Qin Ningyi had become more irritable recently, and his personal calls had also increased.
Every time he reported work, he was extremely cautious, surviving in Qin Ningyi's low-pressure atmosphere.
Even though he was close to exhaustion, looking at Qin Ningyi's emotionless eyes, he didn't dare to complain or ask any extra questions.
Heavens know how much he wished Qin Ningyi would return soon to take charge! But his boss's grandfather was hospitalized, and his boss's wife had run away...
At such a time, he wouldn't dare to let his boss become detached and focus solely on money.
Qin Ningyi answered the phone. He looked at Xiao Konglin's face, covered in pimples and with dark circles under his eyes, on the video screen, and then glanced at his despairing expression. He contemplated giving him a raise.
"Hello, I apologize for disturbing you so late." The caller started with an apology.
Hearing the voice, Qin Ningyi moved his phone away to look at the caller ID.
It was probably Shen Wuyou.
He had noted it when saving the number, but it was on his work phone, so there was no remark here. It should be evening in Country B by now...
"Shen Wuyou," Qin Ningyi spoke the other person's name.
Shen Wuyou's previously gentle and refined tone changed instantly upon hearing Qin Ningyi's voice, "Qin Ningyi?!"
"So, is this Chief Qin your... grandfather?" His voice clearly lacked any goodwill.
Although Shen Wuyou's attitude towards him hadn't been good before, he had never been this flustered.
Qin Ningyi instantly thought of something, "Has A'Rou contacted you?"
There was a howling wind on Shen Wuyou's end, suggesting he was outdoors, and his voice was cold, "That's none of your business."
Previously, Huo Rou had called him from another number, saying she was at Grandpa Nong's place and that he shouldn't look for her at the Qin family's after returning.
He had felt something was wrong then.
It was already winter, not the rice-growing season, nor the time for New Year's greetings, so why would she go to Grandpa Nong's?
And not to look for her at the Qin family's...
This clearly indicated a problem between her and Qin Ningyi. But no matter how he asked, Huo Rou only said it was her own internal conflict.
Internal conflict.
For so many years, the only internal conflict Huo Rou had that he knew of was that traitor.
He didn't want to continue discussing Huo Rou with Qin Ningyi and immediately changed the subject, "Let's talk about your grandfather's matter first. I'm about to find the medicinal herbs I need here."
Another rustling sound came from Shen Wuyou's end, as if he were walking through a jungle, the surroundings silent.
After a sound of branches breaking, Shen Wuyou asked faintly, "What is your grandfather's relationship with that person?"
Hearing this question, Qin Ningyi felt that he seemed to know something. He frowned, "What does this medicine have to do with Cheng Guozhong?"
Hearing this name spoken by Qin Ningyi, Shen Wuyou's voice stopped. He took a deep breath and, with a hint of anger, said coldly, "This medicine has nothing to do with that scoundrel Cheng Guozhong, of course."
He paused for a long time before slowly saying, "But..."
"Ugh!"
"Shen Wuyou!"
There was a commotion on Shen Wuyou's end, as if the phone had fallen to the ground. Rustling and clattering sounds, and faintly, a familiar voice was calling Shen Wuyou's name, followed by gunshots. Soon, the call was disconnected.
When he tried to dial again, it was no longer connecting.
Qin Ningyi's brows furrowed. He slowly put down the phone, lost in thought.
Country B had been unstable recently, and Shen Wuyou was in that state... Something must have happened.
As expected, after Shen Wuyou lost contact, his people in Country B called him to report the incident.
Seeing him hang up the phone, Xiao Konglin on the computer screen cautiously looked at his grim expression and asked, "President Qin, regarding this quarter's Qin Corporation..."
Qin Ningyi calmed himself and gave Xiao Konglin instructions. He paused and looked at him.
Xiao Konglin, under his focused gaze, shrunk his bare feet dangling outside the camera's view and secretly pulled at his pajama pants. He hoped President Qin hadn't seen his disheveled state while working from home. He stammered and asked, "President Qin, what... what's wrong?"
"I'll give you a raise."
"Ah?"
The surprise came too suddenly, and Xiao Konglin was a bit overwhelmed. He almost jumped up and revealed his pink pajama pants.
Immediately after, he heard Qin Ningyi faintly say, "Double."
He had originally planned to return to the company once his grandfather's condition stabilized. Now, it seemed he would have to delay a bit longer.
Xiao Konglin tightly gripped the armrest, controlling his excitement to stand up and salute.
"Thank, thank you, President..." Before Xiao Konglin could finish his sincere thanks, Qin Ningyi continued, "I'll be back next week."
The phone call ended, leaving Xiao Konglin alone with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
Qin Ningyi left a message at home, squeezed his temples to refresh himself, and immediately set off for Country B.