QTIMP -Chapter 21 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 21)

“Alright, get some good rest. We’re already investigating that child, so you don’t need to inquire about it anymore. If there’s anything, we’ll come back to you.”

What they didn’t say was that they already had some leads regarding the child’s identity. However, the child’s background was indeed far from simple, so it had to remain confidential for the time being.

With that, the group stood up to leave. Si Qiu suddenly grabbed her eldest brother’s clothes.

“Don’t go yet. I helped you catch spies—shouldn’t I get a reward? If not a reward, then at least compensate me for the woolen fabric and meat coupons I lost. After all, when you arrested those three, you must’ve found money on them, right?”

Feng Fan felt somewhat speechless and increasingly convinced that both of his biological sisters were a bit abnormal. The third sister was always trying to trip up the fourth.

Lately, she had been acting rather strange too. Because of the spy incident, she had even been investigated. In the end, it turned out she had taken a liking to Xing Huai’en and followed him—using Feng Fan as an excuse—just to create a chance encounter.

Because of that, he would probably face disciplinary action when he returned.

And as for this fourth sister? Why did she now look like she had fallen straight into a pit of money? If anyone else were in her position, they would at least exchange a few polite words and perhaps earn a commendation letter that could benefit their future.

But not her. She was fixated on being compensated for that piece of woolen fabric and her meat coupons. The key issue was that she even had the nerve to buy things on the black market.

Feng Fan shot her a fierce glare, but it was Xing Huai’en who answered.

“We’ll report it. There will be a reward issued later.”

After they left, Si Qiu decided to check out of the hospital. There were too many people coming and going, making it noisy. Besides, she was genuinely hungry.

Perhaps because they had needed to question her about the spies, she had been placed in a double room. The other bed was empty, which spared her from a lot of curious questioning.

She quickly put on her shoes. Just then, there was a knock at the ward door before it was pushed open.

Qin Bei entered, still wearing that faded outfit of his, holding an aluminum lunchbox in his hands.

When their eyes met, neither of them spoke for a long moment. The atmosphere turned awkward. Si Qiu blinked and spoke first.

“Your name is Qin Bei, right? Did you need something?”

At her voice, Qin Bei’s face instantly turned red. He hurriedly held the lunchbox out toward her.

“Um… this… a soldier asked me to deliver this to you.”

What he was really thinking was: She’s really beautiful.

Si Qiu sat back down. Qin Bei placed the lunchbox on the bedside table, opened it, and set the chopsticks and spoon on the lid.

Inside, neatly arranged, were braised pork and scrambled eggs. Underneath was likely the staple food.

“Have you eaten?” Si Qiu asked politely. The braised pork was especially authentic—its fragrance rushed straight into her nose. She had no intention of giving any away.

“N-no, it’s fine.”

The moment he said that, Si Qiu quickly picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of braised pork into her mouth.

Standing beside her, Qin Bei’s eyes gradually lit up. How could she be this endearing? When she ate, her cheeks puffed out slightly and her eyes sparkled.

She was completely different from the first time she had gone to his house to mediate things. Back then, she had looked like she was watching a show. Her eyes had sparkled then too, but with a teasing glint.

Especially when she saw him punch his elder brother—her expression had been so excited, as if she wanted to rush up and kick him a couple of times herself.

He looked like someone who truly hated evil and injustice.

After finishing two pieces of braised pork, Si Qiu realized that beneath it was actually a mix of rice. They were in the north, where rice wasn’t common. Millet was grown more often, but after the famine of the past two years, even that counted as fine grain and was hard to come by.

Si Qiu herself wasn’t short on fine grains, but she didn’t dare openly eat them as her staple food all the time. Around here, the usual staples were sorghum rice and cracked corn grits.

And coincidentally, she didn’t like either of those.

Still, although the storage space gifted by the system had many drawbacks, its ability to preserve freshness was excellent. Every time she cooked staple food, she made plenty of it.

“You like braised pork?”

Si Qiu was interrupted mid-enjoyment. She looked up while chewing, only then realizing that the person was still standing there—he hadn’t left.

She hurried to swallow the food in her mouth. Seeing this, Qin Bei quickly stepped forward, grabbed the thermos, and poured her a cup of water. Holding it with both hands, he offered it to her.

“Slow down. Have some water—don’t choke.”

Si Qiu took the enamel mug, but inside she was screaming: Something’s not right. Very not right. This brat must have ulterior motives. Is he after my looks? My job? My house?

Then she sneered inwardly. How dare he set his sights on her? Back when she traveled the cultivation world with her master, her rule had always been: I can choose to give something to you. But if you dare reach out to ask—or worse, try to snatch it—then sorry. Chop it off. Chop it all off.

After taking a sip of the lukewarm water and swallowing slowly, she said, “If you’re busy, you can head back first. After I finish eating, I’ll wash the lunchbox clean and bring it back to you.”

At her words, Qin Bei’s eyes darkened briefly, but he quickly smiled again, looking much more radiant. “Alright, I’ll head back then. I’ll come by again tonight to bring you dinner.”

“Hey, no need—”

She only managed half a sentence before the brat turned around and walked out.

It wasn’t that she wanted to refuse his bringing food; she was planning to be discharged. There was really nothing wrong with her, and staying here was just suffering for no reason.

Seeing that he had already left, she thought it best to forget it. She’d just return the lunchbox when she went back later—he’d understand then.

Lowering her head, she continued eating. The braised pork was perfectly seasoned—salty and fragrant—and it made her think again of the state-run restaurant she had planned to visit.

Looks like she wouldn’t be able to go anytime soon. Thinking of that restaurant’s famous soy-braised pork knuckle, her heart felt strangely empty.

Just then, the ward door was pushed open forcefully.

“Qiuqiu! How are you?”

Li Qingxue burst in energetically, her forehead and cheeks covered in fine beads of sweat—it was obvious she had run all the way here. She must have been really worried.

“Come sit here,” Si Qiu said, standing up to pull her over—only to be pushed back onto the hospital bed instead.

“Why are you being polite with me? You’re injured—sit properly and don’t worry about me.” Not only did she push Si Qiu back down, she also casually picked up the enamel mug and drank the remaining water in one go.

Si Qiu didn’t mind. They used to share the same water bottle all the time.

“Have you eaten? At this hour, you probably haven’t. Let’s eat together.” She picked up the unused spoon and handed it to her.

“I’m not eating. This is such good food—you should have it to recover. I’ll just go out and buy a couple of shaobing later.”

Ignoring her refusal, Si Qiu stuffed the spoon into her hand. “If I tell you to eat, then eat. Do I look seriously injured? I was even thinking of getting discharged in a bit.”

“Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Is it because no one’s taking care of you? Don’t worry—I won’t go to tutoring for the next couple of days. I’ll come and look after you.”