eir hands, like a well-disciplined army, the flames forming a continuous line that illuminated this desolate land.Everyone's mood became more positive, and they curiously observed their surroundings w...I fell asleep halfway through the night when I heard some faint, rustling noises coming from inside the room.

She blinked sleepily, the room illuminated only by a dim night light. In the gloom, she saw a dark figure standing by her bedside, and was startled awake in fright.

Zhu Xiaowei saw this side profile and immediately shouted, "Qiao Baier, why aren't you asleep in the middle of the night What are you doing!"

"A scare can kill you, you know!"

She was used to living alone, and when she opened her eyes, she saw this person creeping around by her bedside. Her usually courageous heart nearly stopped from fear.

Zhu Xiaowei was very resentful.

"Hmm..." Miss Qiao gave a perfunctory hum, seeming somewhat absentminded.

Autumn is approaching, and the night wind outside the window carries a chill.

Zhu Xiaowei widened her eyes, watching as the woman actually stood up and walked to the window to feel the night breeze!

"Joe Baby, my stepson can't catch a cold!"

Complain as she may, Zhu Xiaowei is still very considerate. And she noticed that Qiao Baier was holding a mobile phone in her hand. Who was she going to call

"...a woman who says one thing but means another."

Suddenly, Zhu realized he didn't have the energy to deal with her and just flipped over to continue sleeping.

On the window side, Qiao Baoer felt a bit sleepy. She rested her hands on the windowsill, looking down at the dark scene from this high-rise apartment building. There were only a few scattered streetlights inside the compound, no pedestrians, and not a hint of life. It was really quiet at this time.

Such a peaceful night, suitable for deep sleep.

But she couldn't sleep.

Holding her phone in her right hand, she glanced at the familiar number on the screen and stared at it for a long time...

"Shepherd of the people..."

A soft whisper escaped her lips as she lightly traced the number on the screen, her finger hovering over the call button.

Suddenly, she thought of something again. She turned her head to look at Zhu Xiaowei on the bed. She remembered that Xiao Zhu was going for a job interview tomorrow morning. It was late at night, and she didn't want to disturb others' rest.

Holding her phone, she walked out of the room with lighter steps.

Turn on the living room lights, quietly settle into the small sofa, and take a look around. This set of beige sofas, cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants and Ghibli character pillows, simple white walls with three watercolor art paintings hanging on them, and the round dining table where they eat opposite each other create a feeling of home warmth.

Home.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally picked up her phone and dialed the number.

"What happened to Junzhi's shepherd"

The call was indeed made, but it was forwarded to Lu Qinian.

At this early hour, it wasn't much of a disturbance for Mr. Lu, who was accustomed to the nightlife; he was still enjoying himself.

He’s fine.

As always, he was reluctant to talk about Jun Zhimu's personal affairs, but tonight Lu Qinian's voice was unusually low.

"You told grandpa that Zhi Mu is at the golden club, didn't you" he asked back.

Actually, Lu Qinnan was almost certain that Qiao Baor was the one who reported him. He heard from the club manager that this woman suddenly came over in the morning and was eventually kicked out by Jun Zhimu. It seems his grandfather's surprise visit that afternoon was definitely her "revenge".

The woman on the other end of the phone didn't reply. She was very quiet tonight.

Lu Qinan was a little uncomfortable. He pursed his lips and said, "Grandpa came over personally at three o'clock this afternoon..."

"Grandpa going there himself" This was a bit of a surprise to Qiao Bao'er.

The old man didn't like going out much, he usually just sent people out…

Now her expression grew increasingly uneasy, she bit out each word heavily, "Lu Qinan, what's wrong with Jun Zhimu!"

He isn't sick!

Lu Qin Nan's voice was a bit loud, his left hand pointing at the cigarette which he impatiently crushed out, " Qiao Baoer, listen to me, Zhi Mu doesn't have any illness."

“He’s…he’s really fine now,”

He hesitated for half a second, then let out a breath and calmly explained, "Grandpa came over this afternoon in person. If Zhimu really had any problems, Grandpa wouldn't let him off so easily. Zhimu is really fine."

At least for now.

Lu Qinan and Jun Zhimu, they are different from Pei Haoran. He doesn't think he has that much depth or cunning. He can always laugh and coax women, but he is not good at lying.

A moment of silence hung between them over the phone.

For a long time, Qiao Baier finally spoke in a low voice, "Then why did he drive me away…"

Her words held no anger, nor jealousy.

Speaking softly, she was just worried about him.

"That day, Junzhi Mu returned home according to schedule. He heard that the flight was delayed, so he and Xia Chuixue went to a nearby commercial street to buy things. Xia Chuixue found that he seemed to be overtired and his complexion wasn't very good, so they simply postponed their return by a day."

Lu Qinan didn't really want to talk to her too much, this statement was half true and half false.

At this point, he was also quite puzzled.

The doctor in Seattle warned him repeatedly that he had to stay in the hospital for observation, but Junzhi Mu insisted on returning home immediately.

What's the rush for him to come back all of a sudden

Jun Zhi Mu's attitude was very firm this time. He wouldn't allow anyone to interfere, including them and Jun's grandfather.

The more he did this, the more unusual it seemed to him.

" Qiao Bao'er, I have something to ask you..." Lu Qinan held his phone, his voice unconsciously lowering.

"What's up"

"That rosewood box of yours..."

What!

Not hearing clearly, Qiao Baier was first taken aback, looking at the phone that had been abruptly hung up.

What exactly is Lu Qinan trying to ask

"The shepherd suddenly left."

Hurried footsteps approached, startling Lu Qinian into hanging up the phone. He looked up and let out a sigh of relief, thankfully it wasn't Jun Zhimou.

The woman who could easily run in had a face that wasn't so relaxed. Xia Chui Xue anxiously told him, "Just now Zhi Mu received a phone call. He was holding a palm-sized purple sandalwood box and drove to the city alone without any bodyguards..."

That wooden box belonged to Qiao Bao'er.

Lu Qinan remained calm, thoughtful. He didn't respond.

“You and Grandpa knew about Zhimu’s illness a long time ago. Why weren't you worried at all You even kept it from me. If I hadn’t seen his expression at the jewelry counter that day, I…” Xia Chuxue’s words carried a hint of blame.

"You're not a doctor," Lu Qinan knew she was concerned about Jun Zhi牧, and sighed.

In fact, even doctors can't do anything when patients are restless.

"Xiaoxue, you wouldn't want to drive out in the middle of the night to chase after him, would you To track Junzhi Mu" Lu Qinan paused. "Don't go..."

The shepherd has his own plans.

A man like Junzhi Mu would never need anyone's pity.

"No matter how capable he is, he's just one person. He just recovered from a high fever and drove to the city in the middle of the night. He didn't even bring a few bodyguards with him. What if something happens!"

Xia Chui Xue shouted urgently, she rarely had such an impolite and excited expression.

Lu Qinan looked at her, especially the moisture and slight redness in her eyes. It seemed like she had understood something, with a hint of surprise in her pupils.

"Actually, you're not really Tang Yu's girlfriend. You like Zhí Mù, aren't you You're just using this as an excuse to get close to him"

Xia Chuixue felt embarrassed under his gaze, “I, I just care about him…”

Neither admitted nor denied.

Lu Qinan didn't press further, and suddenly said, "Xiaoxue, what Zhīmù said to us at dinner just now... He was warning us not to mention his illness to Qiao Baor."

"Do you think, you know, Qiao Bao'er can't know, so you're more important than her"

He strode past her, completely bypassing her.

The two service staff at the entrance of the clubhouse bent down and politely opened the door. Lu Qinan walked out without looking back, casually reminding him.

"Xiaoxue, there's something you need to be clear about regarding Jun Zhimu. Qiao Baoer can't know, but you, you didn't need to know from the beginning. Understand"

In the stillness of the night, even a whisper seems to be crystal clear.

Xia Chui Xue stood frozen in place, utterly motionless.

Once in a position of power, her rationality and composure crumbled instantly.

"Have I put in less than her Have I put in less than Qiao Bao'er" she screamed out of control, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Why---

She has put in so much effort and worked hard for so many years——

Joe Bao'er can't know, and you...you never need to know.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!th a vast amount of weaponry, including explosives powerful enough to obliterate the entire valley."That's right, I just saw it with my own eyes," Elder Vesko rushed over, his gaze still fixed on the...