Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Nyoi-Bo Studio

  “This injury…” How severe of an injury was it that her whole hand had to be bandaged?

  Shi Yan arrived at Gu Yan’s side and saw the look he was giving Qin Shu’s bandaged hand, so he recounted what had happened. “The Young Madam injured her hand while climbing up the face of a stone wall.”


  Although Gu Yan had not witnessed how it happened with his own eyes, thinking of the circumstances which pushed her into committing such a self-destructive act was enough to fill his heart with sorrow.

  “A nurse will be changing the Young Madam’s dressing soon,” said Shi Yan.

  “It’s alright. ll change it. It’ll be a good opportunity to assess the severity of her injuries.” Gu Yan instructed Ji Fei, “Prepare the medicine.”


  “Yes, Young Master.” Ji Fei opened the medical box and took out the medicine the Young Master would need for later. The Young Master had concocted them to treat Qin Shu and her friends. They were potent restoratives.

  Gu Yan undid the knot fastening Qin Shu’s bandage together, unfurling it slowly. The gauze consisted of several tightly wound layers, and he could not immediately tell the extent of her injury, which made him frown.

  Once he undid the bandage, he noticed the yellowish tinge staining its underside. It carried a strong medicinal aroma.

  Ji Fei was quick to hand him a pair of tweezers.

  Gu Yan accepted them with his free hand and pulled open the final layer of gauze, concealing Qin Shu’s injury. His hands trembled at the sight of rotting flesh. An infection had taken root in her wound, with oozing pus and signs of gangrene showing.

  It was a far cry from what he had expected.

  Ifhe had thought the bloody wound very serious, it was nothing compared to the shock he received when seeing Qin Shu’s rotting flesh.

  “How did it come to this?”


  “The Young Madam bandaged her wound superfluously and went with Ye Luo in search of the Fourth Young Master. They spent six hours soaking in cold river water…” Shi Yan was a grown man; still, he could not help but choke up as he spoke of what had happened with Gu Yan.

  “She spent six hours soaking in cold river water? Does she have a death wish?”


  Gu Yan looked up at Qin Shu. Her eyes were screwed shut, and her face was as white as a sheet of paper. Not a trace of blood graced her lips. Gu Yan was so angry that he would have snapped at Qin Shu for her callous treatment of him had she been awake to hear him. Werent they supposed to be friends? How

  could she choose not to rely on him when she needed him most?

  People who did not know the pain of losing their loved ones tended to panic in times of distress. Gu Yan could not fathom what Qin Shu had been thinking, endangering herself like that. It was as if she had given up her will to live.

  How did she keep up her pretence of calm as she so desperately searched for Fu Tingyu?

  It was a wonder she managed to hold out as long as she did. Vomiting blood and fainting thereafter was to be expected.

  ‘What fanned the flames of his anger was how poorly the hospital had treated Qin Shu’s injury. Whoever had bandaged her hand had done it too tightly, giving no breathing room for the wound at all—moreover, the medicine they had used merely treated necrosis but not the inflammation or the open wound.

  “With her hand in such a state, why on earth would they bandage it so tightly? It hampers the blood flow and speeds up necrosis.”


  Despite his rising anger, Gu Yan restrained himself. He was afraid he would disturb Qin Shu if he were too loud.

  Gu Yan used the medicine he made and carefully applied it on Qin Shu’s injured knuckles as he spoke. Then, using a special gauze, he bandaged each finger one at a time. He was not about to strangle them together as the hospital had done.

  After bandaging the wound, he took Qin Shu’s pulse.

  After a while, he frowned.

  Not only was Qin Shu’s body weak, but also her qi and pulse. She likely had endometritis from soaking in cold river water for so long.

  All of this had to wait for her to recover slowly.

  Fortunately, in these two days, Qin Shu did not have any fever symptoms and was out of danger.

  It was three days later when she woke up. The sun was shining brightly that day, and the wind was strong.

  Qin Shu slowly opened her eyes and stared at the pure white roof above her head. The cloying smell of disinfectant stung her nose, making her feel a little uncomfortable.

  “Qin Shu, you’re finally awake.”


  Hearing a familiar voice, Qin Shu looked to the side of the bed and saw Gu Yan sitting there observing her. Without any warning, she grabbed his hand and babbled out an anxious question, “Have you found him? Where is he now?”


  As soon as she finished, she realised that she sounded hoarse, and her throat felt dry. It hurt.

  For a moment, Gu Yan did not know what to say. Qin Shu’s expectant gaze left him fumbling for an answer to comfort her. “Ye Luo and the others are still looking for him. You should worry about your own health for the time being. I’m sure we’ll learn of his whereabouts soon.”


  A short pause later, Qin Shu asked, “How many days have I slept?”


  “You slept for three days,” Gu Yan said.

  “Three days? I slept for so long, but he still hasn’t been found. Three or four days have passed, but he still hasn’t been found…”


  Qin Shu seemed to be talking to herself. Crystalline tears formed at the comers of her eyes as she mumbled to herself.

  “Qin Shu, Tingyu will be fine. The river flows into the sea. He might have washed ashore and been rescued by someone. Ye Luo and the others have already sent more people to search the surrounding waters. They will find him.”


  Gu Yan’s comforting words sounded hollow in his own ears. Even he could not convince himself that Fu Tingyu was alright.

  Qin Shu did not believe Fu Tingyu would willingly abandon her or Xiao Jiu to bear such pain alone.

  At this moment, Xiao Jiu ran over and saw his mother awake. His chubby little hand clasped hers tightly as he bounced with glee, “Mom, Mom, you’re awake! You slept for three days. Please say something!”


  Qin Shu looked at her son. He was still so young. She would not let him shoulder the pain that even an adult could not handle.

  “Xiao Jiu, Mommy is fine.”


  “Mommy, rest well. I’ve already grown up. I’l help you look for Daddy,” Xiao Jiu said.

  Qin Shu looked at her son, who was not even four years old, and how he was already so sensible. He was more mature than most other children his age. Her heart ached as she said, “Xiao Jiu has grown up. Mommy is very happy.”


  “Before Daddy comes back, I will protect Mommy. Xiao Jiu said resolutely.

  Gu Yan interjected at this time, “You just woke up. You should rest. I have asked Ji Fei to make some porridge. You can have some later.”


  “Please call Shi Yan. I have something to say to him,” Qin Shu said.

  Gu Yan hesitated but eventually relented. “Okay.”


  Gu Yan got up and stepped out of the room. Not long after, Shi Yan entered. He was relieved to know that Qin Shu had awoken.

  He walked to the bedside, lowering his head respectfully as he did so. “What can I do for you, Young Madam Fu?” He asked.

  “The news of Fu Tingyu’s disappearance is to be sealed and kept on a strictly need to know basis. The family elders and the company are not allowed to disclose it,” Qin Shu instructed.

  ‘The Fourth Young Master was missing?……

  Yes, Madam Fu was right. The Fourth Young Master was missing.

  The Fu family was big and powerful, but that did not mean it was invulnerable. Both within and without, many people and corporations had their eyes on the company. The company could not afford to show weakness at a time like this.

  “Lunderstand, Young Madam Fu.”


  “If the Old Madam asks, tell her he’s missing but nothing else. The Old Madam has overseen two generations of the Fu family. She knows her priorities.”


  Hesitantly, Shi Yan asked, “Then what about Master and Madam…”


  “Father and Mother have been gallivanting these few years with a sister, so there’s no need to inform them for now.” Qin Shu said.

  “Take care of the trivial matters in the company. Leave the important things to me.”


  As Shi Yan listened, he answered them one by one.

  “Get them to expand the search area. Fu Tingyu must be found – no matter the cost.”


  As Qin Shu spoke, she gripped the sides of her blanket with both hands and tried her best to keep herself from going crazy. She had to remain calm. There were still many things that required her attention.

  She would find him – no matter what it took.

  She suddenly remembered the killer who had appeared that day and asked, “Have you found out who sent the assassin?”