Chapter 47 – Conflict

Outside, the heavy rain visibly lightened, and the noise of raindrops hitting the tent weakened significantly, no longer so unsettling.

When I lifted the tent flap, the downpour had already stopped, leaving only cool, fine raindrops carried by the wind to brush against my face.

Our clothes weren’t completely dry yet, but at least they weren’t clinging uncomfortably to our bodies anymore.

Gu Lanshan glanced at the weather outside and said, “The rain’s stopped. Let’s hurry and head down the mountain now. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable—if it starts pouring again, we won’t make it out today.”

Qin Yuezhang and I exchanged a discreet glance before he said, “I’ll go out first to pack up.”

“We’ll wait for you!” I waved at him cheerfully, signaling for him to go ahead.

Qin Yuezhang gave me a meaningful look before turning to leave.

Only after he was gone could certain things be said.

Gu Lanshan waited until Qin Yuezhang was out of earshot before positioning himself halfway out the tent flap, his face turned inward. “Xiao Qi, why didn’t you say anything sooner? You and Qinzhou were in a relationship—you two really kept it tight-lipped! We didn’t hear a single whisper about it!”

It seemed Xu Anran had already known about Qi Youxuan and Wei Qinzhou’s relationship in private and had just told Gu Lanshan.

Qi Youxuan straightened her back, lifting her chin to look at Gu Lanshan. Her slender, arched brows were like gentle curved blades as she sneered, “You think we didn’t know how you people gossiped behind our backs? Every time a woman joins the Senior Division, you all assume she got in through connections and favors. All the hard work and sweat we put in is never seen—all you notice are our makeup, curled hair, and high heels!”

Gu Lanshan froze, his pupils dilating in shock. His buzz cut seemed to wilt guiltily.

Sure, they occasionally chatted during breaks and exchanged gossip, but those were just harmless jokes, weren’t they?

Gu Lanshan’s lips parted as if to speak, but Qi Youxuan cut him off first, “Don’t tell me you were about to say those were just jokes?”

This time, Gu Lanshan was completely speechless.

“But your ‘jokes’ made me sick—absolutely sick!”

I sat in an inconspicuous corner, quietly enjoying the spectacle. This wasn’t my stage, but I didn’t mind being a good audience.

Gu Lanshan looked to Xu Anran for help, and Xu Anran deliberately cleared his throat. “Since this is an internal company matter, let’s not air our dirty laundry in front of Consultant Qin.”

Qi Youxuan turned her face away, hurriedly wiping away tears that hadn’t yet fallen. “President Xu, I believe you understand why Qinzhou and I never made our relationship public.”

“Of course.” Xu Anran sighed, his voice low and gentle, like a considerate old friend. “As the person overseeing the entire company, I noticed your relationship long ago. But since you didn’t bring it up, neither did I.”

Qi Youxuan countered, “If you could notice my relationship with Qinzhou, then you must have also heard the rumors in the company. Why did you never think to address them?”

This time, it was Xu Anran’s turn to look uncomfortable.

Who would’ve thought Qi Youxuan, who seemed so delicate, could hold her own in a war of words?

I said, “Of course we understand you, Miss Qi. The fact that you came back with me shows you still care about this mission. And now that things have taken a turn, we’ve already obtained crucial information. I believe we’ll soon have solid evidence against that despicable murderer and bring justice for Mr. Wei!”

Qi Youxuan glanced back at me, raising an eyebrow subtly before turning to Xu Anran. “So, President Xu, I don’t accept your earlier proposal—and it’s no longer necessary.”

She was referring to the plan of giving “Yan Ru” a corpse to hide now, to find the safest place in his subconscious.

Gu Lanshan’s expression shifted, as if he wanted to speak but held back. Xu Anran looked at her silently for a few seconds before he spoke, “Xiao Qi, as a senior technician, you should know better than anyone that the subconscious can’t be controlled. Once a thought emerges, it can’t be suppressed by sheer will. Even we, as trained professionals, can’t fully control our subconscious.”

Qi Youxuan’s eyes flashed. “Of course I know that! I realized it the moment I was caught in this storm!”

“Xiao Qi,” Gu Lanshan tried to mediate, “no matter what, this is Snowscape—everything here is fake. Why let a consciousness projection interfere with your actual job? Besides, that projection might not even be in danger now…”

His attempt to comfort her only infuriated Qi Youxuan further.

She scoffed and fell silent.

As the atmosphere grew tense, I interjected, “Miss Qi didn’t come back to argue. Now that we know what to do next, let’s focus on the mission.”

Xu Anran added, “That’s all thanks to Consultant Qin.”

I waved my hand modestly, exchanging a few polite words with them before Qin Yuezhang, who had gone outside to “pack up,” returned.

He lifted the tent flap and glanced around. “What were you talking about?”

Gu Lanshan quickly said, “Nothing, just waiting for you!”

Qin Yuezhang frowned instinctively. The dim light in the tent cast shadows over his handsome brow, making it look especially striking—so much so that I suddenly wanted to reach out and touch it.

I wondered if he was starting to feel a little of what it’s like to be excluded.

Our group decided to set off immediately for the place “Yan Ru” deemed important. If it checked out, Operation Blizzard could finally come to an end.

Gu Lanshan was the first to rush out of the tent, not daring to look at Qi Youxuan, like a guilty child.

I studied each of their faces in turn and suddenly found it all very amusing.

Everyone had their own motives, their own secrets, and even irreconcilable conflicts—yet here they were, pretending everything was fine, even exchanging pleasantries.

To an outsider, they might even seem “united”!

I couldn’t help but laugh a few times.

So this is what it means to be sanctimonious.

Pointing downhill, I said to them, “Let’s go.”

That’s my hometown down there. Of course, I welcome anyone to come visit—as my guest.