Chapter 81: Recourse.

Qin Qianyu looked at the time and it was almost close to the time she had to meet up with the girls.

She pulled Yi Man aside and gave him and the other PIT members her condolences.

Then she asked to speak with him and all the team leaders.

"You guys knew what the commander was planning after SIC wrapped up right?"

"You knew Ma'am?"

"Mhm, say, will an interim commander be appointed from out of you lot?"

"No, it'll come from higher up until selections."

Qin Qianyu nodded in understanding.

All of them except Yi Ma knew. Qin Qianyu reached into her satchel and pulled out Xiao Yixuan's will.

She handed it off to the Lieutenant.

She accepted it. They didn't ask how she had it but they knew that the commander must had trusted in Qin Qianyu's integrity if she had it.

Qin Qianyu didn't say either, she nodded and left them the arduous task of dealing with the aftermath of Xiao Yixuan's death.

She got on her bike and headed home.

Back in her lab, Qin Qianyu stowed all of the samples and worms away in the bio safe.

She took the two listening devices and melted them in an acid bath.

She took a seat and collected her thoughts,

"The hell did that woman do!? Surely she ain't a real vampire! Even that's too far fetched. So let's breakdown what makes her less likely to be a vampire,"

"She wasn't strong, but she also wasn't weak, that can be explained with training."

"Her movement can be explained, I mean, my own shadowless steps can attest to that."

Qin Qianyu thought back to the encounter Wen Wú Ting had with the woman.

She analysed the scene she came upon frame by frame in a sense.

"She could had beaten him earlier judging by her escape skills. It was as if she was stalling for time. Could she have been waiting for me to arrive?"

"With Xiao Yixuan out of the picture, could they now be using the handsome wolf as Xiao Yixuan's surrogate in hopes of me forming a connection through him?"

These thoughts and more flowed though Qin Qianyu's mind.

The main one that kept coming up was, if their master wanted to tidy up the mess made by Xiao Yixuan's death, then they could have done so quietly, yet, instead, they caused this whole scene to play out.

"Seems I'll have to stop meeting the handsome wolf for some time now. Hmm, or at least show them that there's no way a connection to me through him is impossible."

Qin Qianyu changed again and started doing some martial training in the training grounds.

Soon Bai Saan ambled over after hearing her practice with a wooden staff.

An hour later, Qin Qianyu finished up and played with the tiger for some time before getting him some breakfast.

"You're getting a bit better. Let's do this again tomorrow too."

Qin Qianyu's "play" was actually teaching Bai Saan a movement technique. She had this idea after initially leaning arms of Wú.

If Bai Saan could use a movement technique then he may be able to dodge bullets if he came across any assailants that are armed.

Qin Qianyu pushed the thoughts aside for the time being. She prepared Bai Saan's meal and went to wash up.

When she was done, she headed downstairs and had breakfast with her parents then she caught a ride with her parents into the city where she'd meet up the the Lu sisters.

"Just call us if you need anything. Our meeting with the obstetrician shouldn't take too long."

"I'll be fine, just do what you have to do, then do as you like."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm, I don't know when would be the next time I'll get to see Mingxi and Mingyu so I'll spend as much time with them today to compensate."

"Alright, well, you have fun and do be careful. I just heard on the news this morning that there was a murder in the suburbs close to us. If in doubt, Shout!"

"Haha, I will, but don't forget, I got our home from fighting so they better not underestimate me."

" . . . "

"Just be safe!"

"Okay you two, off you go,"

Qin Qianyu waved off her parents and set off towards Highland Central Hotel.

As she made her way over, she passed the home of Véridique.

There were workmen carting building supplies in and she happened to spot Ma Chen.

"A moment of your time Mr Chen,"

"Who? . . . Oh young Miss. Have you come for an inspection today?"

"No, I was just passing by. I'm heading to a hotel close to here to meet up with some friends."

"Are you and your sister doing well? Is she resting properly?"

"Mhm, she is. I had to drag her to mine just to make sure she slept."

"Well done, Tsk! I told her to take it easy. The building is looking good."

"It is. Mr Chi is a great designer. He saw the vision Su Yin had and it's coming to life as we speak."

"And the name of your studio, it really suits!"

Ma Chen added excitedly.

Qin Qianyu explained that it was her friend Lu Mingyu who had christened the studio. She gave all credit to her.

"Really, I've learnt something new."

"And the reporters? Any problems?"

"No problems so far, we're all about to head out, apparently a big shot was killed and they need to cover it."

Qin Qianyu knew Ma Chen was talking about Xiao Yixuan. Her face turned serious and she added,

"Ma Chen, that person is a fallen soldier. Make sure those two show respect, understand!?"

When Ma Chen heard that, his back stiffened. He wasn't a military man, but many of those that are members of Wú Dang's Studio here in the capital are.

He too had a lot of respect for them, especially Lin Xie.

"I understand young Miss, please excuse my previous words if they seemed inappropriate for you. I do apologise."

"It's fine you don't have to, besides, you didn't know. But, you do know so make it count."

"Thank you young Miss, I will,"

"Haha, come on now! Loosen up, surely I'm not that hard a taskmaster right?"

While the pair were chatting, Liu Bing who had just finished up in a meeting with Zhu Yue and a small team who were discussing the death of Xiao Yixuan, came downstairs after their team briefing had finished.

She wanted to wait with Ma Chen and maybe have a chat with him a little before they all headed to the apartment block.

Inside the elevator she quickly rechecked her makeup and hair.

She then quietly practiced her small talk and conversational topics as well as her smile a few times.

"Good morning Mr Ma . . I'm fine and you?"

"Did you sleep well last night Mr Ma? . . Is that so? . . That's no good! Then, how about this! I'll treat you to a cup of coffee to help spruce up your morning?"

Her heart was a flutter and her inner self were giddy with joy as the elevator neared the lobby.

However when she stepped out, her smile dropped a little as she swerved around looking for Ma Chen.

She soon spotted him speaking happily with Qin Qianyu.

"They seem rather familiar with each other, who is she? . . She's so pretty, could she be his . . Girlfriend!?"

Liu Bing asked herself, she eyed Qin Qianyu dressed in a fashionable high end one piece dress with matching sandals.

Her hair was hanging loosely and and it framed her youthful face well.

Qin Qianyu seemed to sense eyes on her she didn't look directly but she knew they held no malicious intent, it was more of an inquisitive look.

She smiled and gave Ma Chen a pat on the arm before heading off to meet with the Lu sisters.

"Remember to tell your sister to rest more, you can call me directly if she doesn't."

"Don't worry young Miss, I'll look after her good."

"Alright, and when you're out today, keep extra vigilant, especially around that complex."

Qin Qianyu went serious once more, and says sternly,

"Things about all this don't seem so simple."

Ma Chen noted the seriousness and underlying worry in both her look and tone

"I understand. Please enjoy the rest of your day."

With that said, Qin Qianyu gave a final wave then headed towards Highland Central and left Ma Chen and Véridique behind her.

Ma Chen was all smiles, he excitedly pulled out his phone and messaged his sister to gloat.

"She only just left and your already messaging her,"

Liu Bing complained in her heart.

She misunderstood the situation and fell into a slight mood.

However, that changed when her eyes met Ma Chen's and she saw how his smile grew.

"Good morning Miss Liu, you look well! You must have slept well last night!"

"Mhm, . . I . . Ah, I did, thank you and you?"

"No, not really, but I managed to get a few hours sleep in! . . . Oh! But don't worry, I'm in top form, I'll surely do my duties well today."

"Oh that's no good! How about this! I'll treat you to a cup of coffee to help spruce up your morning?"

"Sure! Sounds great! Shall we go now?"

Liu Bing was stunned stupid and amazed, her practice lines in the elevator actually worked.

Liu Bing totally forgot about Qin Qianyu.

Her heart was to busy booming in her head to care about her insinuations regarding what the relationship between Qin Qianyu and Ma Chen could be.

Her thoughts ran away as the pair walked to a cafe close to Véridique.

Qin Qianyu meanwhile sat in the lounge of the hotel waiting for the Lu sisters.

She soon spotted Lu Mingxi and the teen excitedly ambled over to Qin Qianyu quickly.

"Haha, slow down you'll fall over and cause the world to stop as your dress is flipped up!"

"Mm! . . It's because it's been too long, How's Uncle and Aunty? . . Oh! And little QingQing?"

"Haha, they're good. Mum and Dad have both gone to visit their obstetrician today,"

"And you? How's the drawings and designing going?"

"It's good, I've finally settled on 8 designs, I'll be out looking for fabric today, but I promise it won't take up all our time together."

"It doesn't matter if it does, I've got nothing to do these days till the whole SIC situation is all cleared up."

"Right, say, will . . Will you still go to Zhishi when it's all sorted out?"

"Nope! I've decided to try for Renshi now. It's only because Zhishi has left a sour taste in my mouth. It's also why I've been trying to get in contact with Wú Ling, it's so I could let her know."

"Really!? So if I make it in, we'll all be together! Even Mingyu!"

"Mingxi, you'll definitely make it, there's really no doubt about that! It's like what Wú Ling said before. You have the talent for it and all of us believe you can do it!"

Qin Qianyu and Lu Mingxi chatted for awhile as the pair waited on Lu Mingyu to join them.

Lu Mingyu came down, her mood was sad and depressed. Qin Qianyu understood that she must had heard about Xiao Yixuan.

Lu Mingyu did her best to not let it show, but Qin Qianyu was already in the know.

"Alright, let's go! What's our plan for today?"

Lu Mingxi asked happily.

Lu Mingyu wanted to visit Mu Liang again so they all decided to visit him and leave to do other things after visiting hours were done.

Lu Mingxi mapped out fabric stores close to the hospital the trio could visit after visiting with Mu Liang.

Qin Qianyu had no opinions on the matter, she was just happy to be in the sisters company.

The visit went well, Lu Mingyu was holding back her somber emotions.

The topic of discussions during the visit mainly consisted of medical techniques and such that were related to TCM and acupuncture.

The three of them then discussed Lu Mingyu's current scores from the mock exam she had done.

"Which stream have you chosen?"

"Science. Before, when I was their ages, it was Social, but the teachers at my school talked my parents into setting me up for Science saying it would be a waste of my talents."

Lu Mingxi nodded and unashamedly added,

"And that's why I don't have any of those smarts! Because it all went to big sister! Not that I'm complaining though, the work she has to do is definitely harder."

"Mhm, we all have our own strengths. I'm the same, I don't have the genius people make me out to have. It's just some things come easier to me than others,"

"That, and I came from the future . . . "

Qin Qianyu added mentally to herself.

Lu Mingxi smiled happily. Lu Mingyu shared that out of a perfect score, she got 699.

The areas lacking for her were, chemistry and physics followed by foreign language.

Mu Liang suggested they speak in English for the rest of the visit to help Lu Mingyu.

Soon, all four were conversing in English. They were surprised that Qin Qianyu's English was almost as fluent as a native speaker.

He then sent a message on his phone and a short while later there was a knock on the door.

A resident came in a little mad, but he soon became flustered when he saw the three girls in the room with Mu Liang.

"Senior, I ah, Dr Cao asked me to deliver these here for you."

The flustered resident held a few text books in his arms, a few of them looked hand written.

"Ah, You're here! Thanks a bunch! I wanted these for Miss Lu,"

Mu Liang says to the young resident doctor.

The resident doctor looked around at each girl wondering which one was Miss Lu.

He didn't have to guess as she soon made herself known as she exclaimed,

"For . . For me? . . Whatever for?"

"These were written by my parents, they helped me a lot, I've had Dr Cao hold them for me since they passed. I'm sure you'll find them handy for revision."

"But these look too precious! How could I!?"

"Haha, it's fine, really. Think of it as a resource for recourse."

The resident doctor looked at Mu Liang as if he just ate a bag of lemons. He placed the books down and made an excuse to leave.