Shen Qi heard this, looked up, and smiled warmly at Shen Lu.
Her brother was doing better and better.
He had finally learned to express his feelings.
This was truly a gratifying improvement!
Indeed, taking her brother out of the Shen family was absolutely the right choice.
"You're the most important too!" Shen Qi replied softly.
Seeing Shen Qi's smile, Shen Lu's resolve grew even stronger.
Their exchange ended there, but even without a single word spoken, the deep familial bond between them was thick and unbreakable.
One was working on the computer, the other quietly reading.
They simply accompanied each other in silence.
For two straight days, He Yining surprisingly didn't summon her, and Shen Qi stayed home with Shen Lu.
On the third day, Shen Qi prepared to go grocery shopping as usual.
As soon as she stepped out, she ran into Yu Bao again.
Shen Qi had nothing left to say to this neighbor. This time, she didn't even feel like greeting him, only wanting to keep her distance.
Shen Qi tried to avoid Yu Bao, but he actively approached her.
"Shen Qi, I'm sorry about the other day! I didn't mean it!" Yu Bao said with a remorseful expression. "I was just too anxious! I always rush and mess things up. I really had no bad intentions!"
Shen Qi nodded, not wanting to waste more time with him.
But Yu Bao suddenly pressed the elevator button, stopping her from going down. "Can I treat you to a meal to apologize? We're neighbors, after all. We'll see each other all the time."
"I accept your apology, but forget the meal. Sorry, please move aside." Shen Qi looked at Yu Bao calmly, her determination unwavering.
Yu Bao reluctantly let go of his hand but still followed her into the elevator, unwilling to give up. "Refusing to meet me means you haven't really forgiven me!"
Shen Qi really wanted to curse at someone like this!
In the end, she bluntly pushed Yu Bao aside and slipped out of the elevator.
Yu Bao stared at Shen Qi's retreating figure with a dark, uncertain expression, muttering coldly to himself, "You're asking for trouble. I wanted to handle you gently, but since you're so clueless, don't blame me for being ruthless. If I don't ruin you, I'm done for in H Province anyway. Better you die than me!"
Yu Bao pressed the elevator button, returned to his place, made a few calls, and set his plan in motion.
Shen Qi returned from shopping and planned to pay the property management and utility fees.
But when she got to the office, she was told the fees had already been paid.
Shen Qi was baffled.
How could someone have paid these for her?
She had only moved recently, and since she hadn't changed buildings, the fees were carried over from the previous landlord.
She hadn't downloaded the property company's app, so she couldn't pay without coming in person.
Who had paid on her behalf?
Though puzzled, she couldn't figure out who it was and had to let it go.
She could always repay them later.
Back home, Shen Qi mentioned this to Wei Wei. He thought for a moment and said, "I think Xiao Liu asked about our fees yesterday."
Shen Qi glanced at Shen Lu's room but quickly shook her head.
How could that be?
Her brother only went out when she took him; he never ventured into crowds on his own.
There was no way he'd go to the property office himself.
Someone must have entered the wrong unit number and paid for hers by mistake.
Oh well, she'd sort it out if she ran into that neighbor later.
That afternoon, Wei Wei said to Shen Qi, "Xiao Qi, can I take half a day off today?"
Shen Qi immediately replied, "Uncle Wei, go ahead if you have things to do. I can manage at home."
Wei Wei looked a bit embarrassed. "My son is visiting me, and I want to take him out for a while."
It was the first time Wei Wei had mentioned his son. A hint of pride flickered across his weathered face, showing he was proud of him.
Shen Qi knew this—Wei Wei worked as a housekeeper to support his son's education.
He had his son later in life and doted on him.
When the child was young, his wife passed away, and he raised his son alone, acting as both father and mother.
His son was his everything.
Shen Qi opened her wallet, pulled out some change, and placed it on the table. "Uncle Wei, I don't have much cash on me, but take this. Treat your son to a good day out. Don't refuse—it's my way of showing appreciation. You take such good care of my brother; this is the least I can do."
She pressed the money into Wei Wei's hands, not taking no for an answer. "If it gets late, don't rush back. Spend time with your son. Family is what matters most."
Wei Wei's eyes reddened, and he choked out, "Alright."
After seeing Wei Wei off, Shen Lu came out of his room, gently wrapped his arms around Shen Qi from behind, and rested his chin on her head. "Xiao Qi is the most important too."
Shen Qi looked up slightly. "And my brother is the most important."
Without Wei Wei at home, their dinner was simple.
Shen Qi made two big bowls of zhajiangmian, one for each of them.
As they were eating, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Shen Qi went to answer it, finding a security guard from the property management outside.
"Miss Shen, there's someone outside who says they know you and wants to hand something to you in person," the guard said. "They insist it's too valuable to leave with us, so please come down to receive it. Otherwise, it might affect our work."
Shen Qi nodded. "Alright, I'll be right down."
She called out to Shen Lu, grabbed her keys, and headed downstairs.
Valuable? Hand-delivered to her?
Could He Yining have sent something?
No way—he'd already given her a phone and didn't owe her anything!
Confused, Shen Qi arrived at the security office, only to be told the person had waited a while, gotten impatient, and left, instructing her to wait for a phone call.
For some reason, Shen Qi felt a vague sense of unease.
She didn't linger at the office and hurried back.
She practically ran into the house.
The moment she stepped inside, her heart leaped into her throat!
Someone had broken in!
"Brother!" Shen Qi didn't bother changing shoes and rushed into Shen Lu's room.
The room was empty, with no one there.
She pushed open every door in the house, but there was still no trace.
Just then, her phone rang, and she answered immediately.
A strange man's voice came through: "Miss Shen, if you don't want anything to happen to this person, come to the abandoned factory in the northwest suburbs right now."
Shen Qi's heart sank.
She had been lured away, and her brother had been taken!
Who did this? Who?