It was now certain that Shen Yizong was in Qingcheng. If he stayed, he could help cover up Qin He's temporary absence from Qingcheng. If he also left, it was likely that Shen Yizong would notice Qin's CEO's departure by afternoon.
Qin Yun couldn't rest easy and sighed, "Come eat."
Qin He obediently followed Qin Yun into the dining room. It was rare for the siblings to dine alone.
Qin He ate with her head down, and suddenly a mouthful of fish appeared in her rice bowl. She looked up at Qin Yun.
Qin Yun had picked fish for her, his handsome face now filled with worry.
Qin He's heart ached as she looked at him. "Brother, don't worry. During my absence, be sure to take good care of Wanwan. As for my master, I've already sent people to protect him. You should also be careful when you go out."
"Alright," Qin Yun agreed.
"Also, for the sake of caution, it's best to send people to surround the Xu family's vicinity for protection."
As for the Gu Corporation and the Gu family, Gu Qishen had arranged for their care, which had been agreed upon yesterday.
After finishing his meal, Qin Yun left the Qin residence and went to the company.
Qin He returned to her bedroom. After a simple tidying up, she went online to check notes and survival guides for the desert.
If any accidents were to occur in Shazhen, this knowledge could save her life.
At noon, Qin He had lunch with Ming Yuzhu and Xu Wanwan.
While eating, Qin He chatted with Ming Yuzhu in a casual manner, "Mom, Gu Qishen and I discussed it. He's going to the Jiangcheng branch company these two days, and I want to go with him for a few days. Jiangcheng is currently developing a new area, and I can go see if there's any investment value."
Ming Yuzhu snorted, "Are you going to look for investment value, or do you want to go out and play with Gu Qishen?"
Qin He smiled playfully. Across from them, Xu Wanwan, who was also eating, frowned and looked at Qin He with confusion.
Although Ming Yuzhu knew nothing, she was aware of how dangerous Qingcheng was right now. Qin He claimed to be going to Jiangcheng for a vacation at this time?
It must be a cover.
After lunch, Ming Yuzhu got up to stroll in the garden.
Xu Wanwan, with a serious little face, stood up and pulled Qin He, "Come with me."
Taking Qin He to his bedroom, Xu Wanwan said sternly, "What exactly are you going to Jiangcheng for?"
Qin He was worried about Xu Wanwan's pregnancy, having been frightened recently.
She said softly, "Qingcheng is not safe these days. I told Mom I'm going to Jiangcheng for a vacation, but it's also to lie low."
Xu Wanwan narrowed her eyes, "Qin He, I'm not an idiot."
It was impossible that with Qingcheng in danger, Qin He would go out to seek refuge alone. Xu Wanwan knew Qin He's personality well.
"What's going on?"
Qin He said helplessly, "It's true. Otherwise, ask my brother. He knows too."
Xu Wanwan thought for a moment, picked up her phone, and called Qin Yun.
Upon receiving the confirmation that Qin He was going to Jiangcheng with Gu Qishen for a few days, she fell silent.
She felt something was wrong but couldn't figure out what it was.
"Then when you go out, be sure to be safe. Do you have enough bodyguards? Should I ask my mother to pick a few from our family?"
"It's enough. Aren't I with Gu Qishen? Shishi will be with me too," Qin He said with a smile.
After reassuring Xu Wanwan, Qin He returned to her bedroom.
Her suitcase had been packed yesterday, but it was left in the van. However, she knew that Gu Qishen would definitely send someone to retrieve it.
Qin He exchanged a few messages with Qian Zimo and Gu Qishen, confirming their luggage and preparations, and waited at home for the departure time.
At five in the afternoon, a regular commercial van pulled into the Qin residence.
After getting into the car, Qin He saw Gu Qishen sitting in the back seat.
Di Shishi got into the front passenger seat, and Yu Jing drove the car out of the back gate of the Qin residence.
Qian Zimo's men had already scouted the surroundings, and there were no surveillance personnel.
Halfway through the journey, they switched to a Jeep.
All the luggage and equipment were in the Jeep.
Qin He looked at Gu Qishen, "Where are they?"
Gu Qishen knew Qin He was asking about Qian Zimo and Yan Chen's group. "They left last night. Qian Zimo went to Duncheng, Xiao Liyan went to Shazhen to make arrangements, and Yan Chen is currently at the Kalaya Club, monitoring our itinerary for any tailing."
Everything was proceeding as planned, and Qin He's mood inexplicably tensed up with a sense of nervousness.
Duncheng was remote. The scenery outside the car window gradually shifted from the evening glow to night. The car used its high beams, avoiding highways as much as possible, and drove through villages.
When unavoidable, they would immediately switch cars upon exiting the highway.
Qin He became increasingly sleepy amidst the bumps, dozing off.
Gu Qishen sat beside her, and just as Qin He was about to lean her head forward, he gently supported her.
He gently pulled her into his arms and looked out at the night sky.
It was already twelve o'clock, and stars were visible in the dark sky outside.
At three in the morning, after ten hours of non-stop driving, their car finally entered Duncheng, and an hour and a half later, they arrived at Shazhen, the most remote part of Duncheng.
There were no hotels in Shazhen, only two or three small guesthouses scattered around.
Yu Jing got out of the car and booked rooms. There were three rooms in total, one each for him and Di Shishi, and one for Qin He and Gu Qishen.
Di Shishi was also very tired and yawned as she got out of the car.
Gu Qishen, holding Qin He, was about to get out of the car when Qin He was woken by the sudden movement.
She rubbed her eyes, "Are we here?"
"Yes, we're here. Let's rest for the night and set off tomorrow."
Shazhen was already considered border territory, and the nights were very cold. The moment Qin He got out of the car, the cold wind blew on her, making her instantly sober.
Gu Qishen draped his jacket over her shoulders.
There were usually few guests in the small guesthouse. As they went upstairs, Qin He frowned.
The strong smell of cheap perfume in the air indicated that this was not a good place.
Indeed, in such an extremely remote and desolate area, it was unlikely that tourists would visit. The main purpose of the guesthouses here was to provide venues for local couples and some illicit services.
The rooms were on the third floor. After Qin He and Gu Qishen entered their room, the guesthouse owner also brought up their luggage.
The owner, woken up late at night by the guests, didn't say much and left after putting down the luggage.
Qin He went into the bathroom, took a shower, and got into bed.
The bedding had a strong smell of disinfectant, accompanied by the faint scent of mildew from the wooden floor.
She looked at Gu Qishen beside her with some concern. She knew he had a mild潔癖 (cleanliness obsession), and this environment would be a nightmare for him.
Gu Qishen was hanging up his suit jacket. After hanging it up, he turned and looked over.
"Get some rest quickly."
Qin He had been half-asleep when she got out of the car, and her eyes were still a little red.
"Are you comfortable here?"
Gu Qishen smiled faintly, "I'm comfortable anywhere as long as you're there."