Nian Xi stayed at the crime scene until the fire was extinguished.
The fire burned five labs, a severe loss to the school.
The president came over and announced bitterly, “It cost us a lot to purchase the devices and materials in those labs. We’ve lost at least a million.”
The fire chief explained, “Many of those materials were flammable, as well as some electrical wires in the labs. The electric current was strong. According to our preliminary investigation, a device fell on the ground and caused a strong electric current that caused the flammable materials to go up in flames. The current was at least ten-thousand volts. Normal fire extinguishers couldn’t possibly put out that fire. Whoever was trapped in the lab would have died unless he got out within three minutes.”
When Nian Xi heard that, she broke out in a cold sweat. Once again, she thanked her lucky stars for deciding to bring Jiang Yuning with her.
The president nodded and said, “Yes, there were indeed some electric wires in those labs. But for safety reasons, we required our students to cut the power before leaving. Nothing like this ever happened…”
While speaking, he glanced at Nian Xi in a complicated way.
“What? Don’t you believe what I told you?” Nian Xi was annoyed. “I know nothing about the things in that lab. How could someone with no relevant knowledge cause a big fire like that? Besides, Professor Jiang was with me. Can’t he tell what the lab was for? I can’t believe that you bought Yang Wenzhi’s story.”
The president sighed. The fire chief said, “I think an arsonist set the fire. When our people got in the building, the device shelf was lying on the floor, exactly as what Officer Nian described. I hope you can find more evidence to prove what the murderer has done.”
“Thank you.”
…
Nian Xi finished her work, then headed straight to the hospital.
When she got in the car, she realized she was wearing just a shirt, no coat. She was too pumped up to realize that earlier, but now she was shivering.
She sneezed, then recalled that Jiang Yuning had lost his coat too.
So, she bought two coats on her way to the hospital.
There she called Jiang Yuning and learned he was having a transfusion.
When she entered his room she saw a couple of beds. He was lying on the one near the window with half his sleeve rolled up, his arms wrapped in gauze. A white quilt covered him. White light poured on his head, making him look so weak but oh so beautiful.
He looked like the fragile china doll she used to play with when she was little. All it took was a bit of carelessness and the doll would shatter.
His eyes were closed. Hearing her footsteps, he abruptly opened those eyes. Seeing Nian Xi standing by the side of the bed made him break out in a happy smile.
“You’re here.”
“How did you know it was me?” Nian Xi was surprised.
“Your footsteps.” Jiang Yuning upturned his lip corners in a proud smile. He smiled like a child. “You always walk fast.”
Nian Xi was enlightened. She glanced at the nightstand and found nothing on it. Not even a bottle of water. She felt slightly sorry for him. Had he been lying here all alone for the past hour?
“Why are you here alone? Isn’t Uncle Han always with you?”
Jiang Yuning slightly moved his lips. He hesitated briefly, then told her the truth, “I called him and told him what happened. Uncle Han said that he’s not coming here because you are. If he came here to look after me, you wouldn’t be responsible for me.”
Nian Xi didn’t know how to respond to that. She seriously admired Uncle Han’s thoughtfulness. At the same time, she wondered how he could be so heartless to his delicate and adorable Mr. Jiang.
…
