Chapter 34: Drawing Fuel from Under the Cauldron

“…………！！！”

Zhao Shutong felt as if she had been struck by a bolt of lightning, her entire body stiffening.

Ren Queyue? How did she know about Ren Queyue?!

That name, along with that past, was buried deep in her heart. She had never even mentioned it to her closest friend, Feng Miwan.

How did Xiong Yibai know?!!

Zhao Shutong’s heart pounded wildly, her mind going blank. She barely managed to keep her expression from crumbling and let out a dry laugh:

“Ha, haha… Yeah, I know her. W-What’s up?”

Xiong Yibai took in her momentary panic completely:

“Nothing, just a coincidence. I know her too, and we’re pretty close—good friends.”

Zhao Shutong felt her scalp tingle.

Good friends?!

Xiong Yibai and Ren Queyue were good friends?!!

It was over. She had walked right into the crossfire!

What attack now?

She could barely save herself!

An intense sense of crisis left her with only one thought: escape!

She glanced sharply at her nonexistent watch:

“Oh no! Look at me, I got so caught up chatting I almost forgot about my errand!”

“I-I booked a flight in an hour! I need to get to the airport!”

She grabbed her bag in a flurry,

“You guys take your time eating! I’m off!”

Before her words even finished, she yanked open the door and bolted out.

“Hey! Shutong! You’re leaving already? In such a rush?”

Feng Miwan called out toward the door. She scratched her head and turned to Xiong Yibai:

“What’s up with her? So jumpy. When did she buy a ticket?”

Xiong Yibai picked up the last skewer of grilled rice cake and took a bite:

“Probably some sudden emergency.”

Actually, Xiong Yibai only knew that Ren Queyue had a long-term ex whose identity she didn’t know specifically, but she knew they had grown up together.

The first time she heard Zhao Shutong’s name, she had a vague suspicion. This time, she didn’t want to keep trading blows, so she simply took a gamble.

If the other didn’t know Ren Queyue, she lost nothing; but if she did, it was a one-hit kill.

Feng Miwan let out an “oh” and quickly put the doubt behind her:

“Forget her! Yibai, you can stay in my room tonight!”

Xiong Yibai looked at Feng Miwan’s completely trusting, utterly guileless smile and said with a smile:

“No need. I’ll check if this hotel has any rooms left.”

As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and opened the booking app.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shutong, who had fled to the presidential suite floor and swiped her card to enter, leaned against the door and let out a long breath of relief, patting her chest with lingering fear.

Once she calmed down, she remembered her “drawing fuel from under the cauldron” move and smugly curled her lips.

“Hmph, so what if you know Ren Queyue? I’m one step ahead of the devil! The presidential suite is already mine—let’s see where you sleep tonight! The game’s not over yet!”

She even strolled to the window in high spirits, admiring the city nightscape and feeling like she had finally turned the tables.

Just then, Feng Miwan’s phone dinged. It was a message from her brother Feng Yuxiao:

“Little Wan, bro’s pulling an all-nighter tuning data with the team tonight, won’t be back. My room’s empty—let Shutong stay there. Room card’s in your bag.”

Feng Miwan read it and looked up at Xiong Yibai, who was browsing her phone:

“Yibai! No need to check! My bro just messaged—he’s not coming back, pulling an all-nighter. You can stay in his room, 1107, right next to mine.”

Xiong Yibai put away her phone and nodded:

“Alright, perfect. Saves trouble.”

“Mm-hmm, and I booked your flight ticket too, for tomorrow with our team.”

Feng Miwan had it all sorted. As she spoke, she fished the room card from her bag and handed it to Xiong Yibai.

“Thanks.” Xiong Yibai took it and replied.

Feng Miwan suddenly thought of something and tilted her head:

“By the way, you rushing from Tanzhou to Yong City specially—won’t that mess with your hospital work?”

Xiong Yibai explained:

“Nope. I was on day shift today. I saw your car crash in the race live stream. Even though you said you were fine, I decided to come check on you in person after work, so I got here late. Tomorrow’s my day off—perfect timing.”

“Oh, I see. That’s good. Hey, but…”

Feng Miwan remembered the dinner table talk, her curiosity piqued:

“Who’s this Ren Queyue you guys were talking about?”

Xiong Yibai looked at her and prompted:

“The ER doc from last time who said you treated the ambulance like a plane. Remember?”

Feng Miwan recalled it vividly:

“Ah! Her!”

“So her name’s Ren Queyue! The Queyue who hung up on Shutong?”

She found the name combo amusing.

“Yep.” Xiong Yibai confirmed her association.

“Oh, got it.”

Feng Miwan’s questions answered, she was satisfied.

Xiong Yibai checked the time and stood:

“It’s getting late, and you’ve got travel tomorrow. Rest up. I’ll head to my room.”

Feng Miwan jumped up too: “I’ll walk you over.”

“No need, it’s next door, just a few steps.” Xiong Yibai gently pressed her shoulder. “Get some good rest.”

She reached the door, then as if remembering something, turned back:

“By the way, could you send me the exact address of Boss Zhao’s Western restaurant?”

Feng Miwan was a bit puzzled why Xiong Yibai suddenly asked, but answered readily:

“Sure! I’ll WeChat it to you. What’s up?”

Xiong Yibai: “Our department’s having a gathering next month, looking for a spot. Thought I’d support a familiar business.”

“Wow! She’ll be thrilled! Sending it now!”

Feng Miwan whipped out her phone.

Xiong Yibai received the info, said “Good night,” and left for room 1107 next door.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the hotel curtains’ gap.

Feng Miwan had just finished breakfast with the team and was packing in her room when her phone rang.

It was Zhao Shutong. She picked up.

“Hey, Shutong, calling so early?”

On the other end, Zhao Shutong sounded like she’d just woken up:

“Morning… Um, Wanwan, just checking—last night… how’d it go with Dr. Xiong? Sleep okay?”

Feng Miwan stuffed a team uniform into her suitcase as she answered:

“Huh? I didn’t sleep with her?”

“My bro messaged he was pulling an all-nighter and not coming back, so his room was empty. Yibai stayed there.”

The other end fell into dead silence:

“…………………………………”