Guo Danu grabbed the phone at once.
"How's it going?"
"Dean Guo, I've copied the video as you ordered. I'll send it to your email right away."
"Good."
He hung up and opened his email. A surveillance clip popped up.
The video was only a few minutes long. After watching it, Guo Danu fell into deep thought.
He played it a second time.
Zhang Lili inched closer and peeked at the screen.
In the footage, Ye Qiu kicked open the door to Guo Shaocong's ward, spoke briefly with Bai Bing in the hallway, searched the garden, then hurried off with Bai Bing in a car, leaving the hospital.
Zhang Lili frowned in confusion.
"Dean Guo, this is the video from the day Shaocong disappeared. Why are you watching this?"
"How dare you ask? If you weren't useless and could find Shaocong, I wouldn't have to!" Guo Danu snapped. "Idiot!"
The hurt she had held back surged up again, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Stop it! Dry those tears right now! Cry in front of me, and I'll have you thrown out of this hospital this instant!"
Zhang Lili flinched and quickly wiped her eyes.
"Tears are the most worthless thing in my book. Just water — they're nothing but annoying."
"I'm sorry, Dean Guo…"
"You're not sorry to me. You're sorry to Shaocong! You can't even find your own boyfriend, yet you dare act wronged in front of me. Shameless."
After venting his anger, Guo Danu continued:
"I think your earlier guess was right. Shaocong's disappearance has something to do with Ye Qiu."
"Dean Guo, did you find something?" Zhang Lili asked hurriedly.
Guo Danu pointed at the surveillance on the computer.
"Look. In the video, Ye Qiu's target is clear — he went to the ICU ward specifically looking for Shaocong. He looked anxious. Something must've happened involving Shaocong. Otherwise, why would Ye Qiu and Bai Bing rush out of the hospital in such a hurry?"
"Could they have gone out to eat?" Zhang Lili said.
"Are you brain-dead? Was that meal time?!" Guo Danu glared at her. "Bai Bing is a workaholic. She's never taken a single day off in years. For someone that disciplined to leave work mid-shift — doesn't that strike you as odd?"
"…A little."
"A little? It's extremely odd." Guo Danu said. "Shaocong goes missing, Bai Bing abandons her post, Ye Qiu acts suspicious. Put it all together, and I'm certain: Shaocong's disappearance is linked to Ye Qiu."
Zhang Lili said: "Then what are we waiting for? Just call Ye Qiu and Director Bai in and ask them!"
Guo Danu stared at her, thinking to himself: Pretty face, good figure, but a total empty head.
"Dean Guo, should I go get them right now?" Zhang Lili asked.
"Calling them in won't work."
"Why not? If we ask, we might find out where Shaocong is."
Guo Danu almost choked on anger.
"If Ye Qiu and Bai Bing are really behind this, do you think I can just ask and get the truth? It's like if you murdered someone — if I asked if you did it, would you admit it?"
Zhang Lili shook her head. "Of course not. Only an idiot would confess."
"Exactly. Ye Qiu and Bai Bing aren't stupid. If they're involved, they won't say a word of value."
"Dean Guo, what do we do then?" Zhang Lili pressed.
Guo Danu thought for a moment, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.
"Director Bai, bring Ye Qiu to my office immediately."
He hung up sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Zhang Lili was confused by his actions.
"Dean Guo, you just said we wouldn't get anything out of them. Why call them here?"
"Quit asking so many stupid questions!" Guo Danu waved her away impatiently. "You're done here. Get out."
"O-Okay."
Zhang Lili left. Once she was gone, Guo Danu muttered another curse under his breath: "Idiot."
...
In the director's office, Bai Bing put down the phone with a deep frown.
"Director, what's wrong?" Ye Qiu asked with concern.
"Vice Dean Guo wants me to bring you to his office right now." Bai Bing was puzzled. "Why would he ask for us at a time like this?"
"I bet he's asking about the patient."
Word of Ye Qiu saving the patient had already spread through the surgery department. He guessed that was why Guo Danu wanted to see them.
"Ye Qiu, when we meet him, listen more and talk less. Don't upset him. He is our superior, after all," Bai Bing warned.
"Don't worry, Director. I know how to behave."
Ye Qiu had already made up his mind: he would show respect if Guo Danu acted reasonably. But if the vice dean tried to throw his weight around and bully him, he wouldn't hold back.
These days, a man was only a boss if you gave him face. Otherwise, he was nothing.
Ye Qiu followed Bai Bing to Guo Danu's office.
As soon as they stepped inside, before either could speak, Guo Danu stood up and greeted them warmly.
"Director Bai, you're here! Please, have a seat!"
He even poured them tea personally, wearing a wide, friendly smile.
Bai Bing was stunned. Ever since Guo Danu became executive vice dean, he had acted arrogant and above everyone else. She had never seen him pour tea for subordinates like this before.
As for Ye Qiu, he immediately tensed up at Guo Danu's behavior.
Growing up, Qian Jinglan had always told him: if someone suddenly becomes overly nice to you, they must want something from you.
What was Guo Danu after?
Ye Qiu glanced at him — and found Guo Danu staring right back.
"Little Ye, I hear you have the ability to bring the dying back to life?" Guo Danu asked, full of curiosity.
Ye Qiu spoke calmly and humbly: "You flatter me, Vice Dean. I'm just an ordinary person. I can't work miracles."
"Little Ye, I've heard all about what you did. A young hero — truly impressive!" Guo Danu gave him a thumbs-up. "Given your outstanding performance, the hospital has decided to give you this year's only permanent position."
At those words, both Ye Qiu and Bai Bing froze.