Three Minutes to the Edge of Death

Qin Huairen came back to her senses, and her first reaction was to curse Wen Yuzhi for being insane.

Wen Yuzhi didn’t refute it.

She seemed to tacitly admit she was crazy, waiting until Qin Huairen finished scolding before asking, “So tell me, was what I just said true or false?”

“Of course it was false. Do you take me for an idiot?” Qin Huairen snapped.

She warned Wen Yuzhi not to go too far, or she might really storm into Huaxin Group and personally punch her twice.

Wen Yuzhi laughed outright.

“My office password is the day you beat me into the hospital. When are you planning to hit me again?”

See?

What kind of normal person thinks like that?

Qin Huairen was so angry she started laughing instead.

“Damn it! You’re a freaking pervert.”

Wen Yuzhi sighed and repeatedly praised her for being clever, saying she had actually discovered her true nature.

Qin Huairen couldn’t win verbally, couldn’t out-crazy her either, and kicked the wall twice in frustration.

“Alright, A’Ren. What I promised you, I’ll do,” Wen Yuzhi said seriously.

“As for what Xu Jianing looks like when she’s drunk, I’ll show you someday. Then you’ll know what’s true.”

Qin Huairen hung up, feeling unsettled.

That night, Xu Jianing had indeed seemed drunk.

But how drunk?

Qin Huairen honestly didn’t know.

As Wen Yuzhi had said, she had spent more time with Xu Jianing in recent years.

People change.

Tolerance for alcohol changes too.

Deep down, Qin Huairen didn’t want to believe Xu Jianing had lied to her.

But later, when Xu Jianing used her “drunkenness” to lash out and hit Wen Yuzhi, every step she took was steady.

It really did feel like she was pretending to be drunk to go crazy.

And the harsh words she said afterward were clear and articulate.

Not like someone drunk at all.

Qin Huairen sighed.

Xu Jianing’s hatred for Wen Yuzhi ran deep into her bones.

What exactly had happened over these years?

Qin Huairen didn’t intend to pry.

But still…

She scratched her head irritably and went to eat lunch.

In the afternoon, her restoration work wrapped up.

She packed her things and left work on time.

When her colleagues looked up again, she was already gone.

They exchanged glances.

Someone muttered, “Is she in love?”

Qin Huairen had actually gone to Zhao Man’s house.

Zhengyang Martial Arts Center was close to her workplace, but Zhao Man’s home was far.

After transferring routes several times, it took her an hour to arrive.

Zhao Man had just finished the evening class at the dojo and drove up to the door at the same time.

After brief greetings, Qin Huairen followed her through warm-ups.

Sweating profusely, she ran over and said, “If we don’t start soon, I’ll lose all my strength.”

Zhao Man handed her water.

“You need more exercise. Otherwise you won’t even have strength to punch.”

It was Qin Huairen’s first time training.

After warm-up, her stomach was growling and her back ached faintly.

When Zhao Man came close to correct her posture, she heard it clearly and wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground from embarrassment.

“Want to eat something first?” Zhao Man offered compressed biscuits.

Qin Huairen waved them off.

“If you really can’t continue, we can end early today,” Zhao Man suggested.

“I can do it,” Qin Huairen insisted.

The winter evening wind slipped through the window cracks, brushing away the heat on her skin.

But she was still hot and thirsty.

She had already finished all the water she brought.

“I’ve got a spare cup at home, never used.” Zhao Man poured her water.

Qin Huairen glanced at the Doraemon printed on it.

“It’s cute.”

Zhao Man turned the cup to show her.

“It’s a collaboration between my favorite game and Doraemon. I wanted to buy one, but they don’t sell it separately.”

During the break, they chatted about how businesses come up with clever marketing tricks.

Qin Huairen agreed deeply.

She gave an example from college, when she went abroad for a competition.

A beautiful Western restaurant offered discounts only to couples.

“I really wanted to eat there, but I didn’t have enough money. So I went with a female classmate,” she said, shaking her head.

“We even took an intimate photo together for proof. Such is the life of a foodie.”

Zhao Man laughed.

“Good thing it was abroad, and good thing she was a girl. You didn’t lose out.”

Qin Huairen clutched her chest and shook her head like a rattle drum.

“Don’t remind me. We weren’t even close. It was so awkward. But I did eat the first steak of my life there. It was delicious. I’ve always wanted to go back once I save enough money.”

During their chat, Zhao Man asked about media outlets in Jingzhou.

The martial arts school planned to hold an event and livestream it for promotion.

“I’m not familiar, but my friend probably knows,” Qin Huairen agreed immediately.

It counted as returning Zhao Man’s favor.

After the break, class resumed.

Outside, the night deepened.

Streetlights grew brighter, linking into strands of light stretching far away, illuminating the road home.

Rush hour was nearing its end.

The red tail-light dragons shortened.

But another problem emerged — parking.

Yan Qing sat in the car and checked the time.

President Wen had gone in for half an hour with no movement.

Originally, she was supposed to fly out for a business trip this afternoon.

Yan Qing had taken her to the airport.

Unexpectedly, in the evening, Wen Yuzhi called and told her to turn back.

After waiting a few more minutes, Yan Qing bought expensive fruit from a nearby shop and left it at the store entrance.

She told the shop owner, “I need to step away for a bit, but I’m afraid traffic police will tow my car. If you see anything, please call me.”

The owner patted her chest confidently.

Yan Qing circled to the back of the teahouse, intending to use the rear door.

But she ran into Wen Yuzhi standing under a tree.

A black Bentley SUV was parked beside her.

Yan Qing didn’t dare approach rashly.

Just as she was about to message her, footsteps sounded.

More than one person.

Peeking out, Yan Qing saw Cheng Zeming step out first.

Was President Wen lying in wait?

Behind him were two men in suits — they looked like Wen Heyun’s people.

Close enough to hear, Yan Qing caught fragments of conversation.

“Uncle Cheng, rest assured. As long as you stay loyal to President Wen, she won’t treat you poorly.”

Cheng Zeming looked around nervously.

“The urgent thing is protection — protect me and my family. Wen Yuzhi is a lunatic. She’d even pry open a dead man’s coffin lid. If she finds out… I don’t dare imagine what she’ll do.”

The suited man lowered his voice.

“President Wen already has arrangements. Tonight must remain absolutely confidential.”

They turned back into the teahouse.

Cheng Zeming trembled as he dialed his phone.

“I’ve met Wen Heyun. Move the plan forward. No need to wait until June. That madwoman surnamed Wen will be kicked out and completely bankrupt…”

He hung up.

A metal door clanged behind him.

“Who’s there?”

Wen Yuzhi stepped out.

Cheng Zeming staggered back.

“You — why are you here?”

“I was supposed to be on a business trip,” Wen Yuzhi said calmly.

“But I suddenly remembered something important I forgot to tell Uncle Cheng.”

The door shut slowly, revealing the golf club in her hand.

Cheng Zeming retreated cautiously.

The calmer she looked, the more oppressive she felt.

“What do you want?”

“Don’t be nervous. I remember Uncle Cheng likes golf. This one’s custom-made.”

He had nowhere to retreat.

Jumping from the concrete ledge would break his old bones.

Calling for help was too late.

“Uncle Cheng, the club is yours. Just give me a ride. We’ll talk in the car.”

There was no room for refusal.

He agreed.

Yan Qing watched them get in the car.

A message arrived simultaneously: Go wait at Binhai Bridge.

The black Bentley drove into the night, speeding away from the city center.

Inside, the lighting was dim.

Cheng Zeming couldn’t see Wen Yuzhi’s expression.

As the speed increased, he grabbed the handle in fear.

“What exactly do you want to say?”

“Oh,” she said lightly.

“The tea house tastes good, doesn’t it?”

“For a Cantonese person, eating authentic dim sum before death isn’t a bad choice.”

“I remember you can’t swim.”

His heart pounded violently.

“What do you mean?”

“You have three minutes to confess what you and Wen Heyun plotted tonight.”

“Otherwise, this time next year will be your death anniversary.”

Her tone was calm, eerily so.

She pressed the accelerator.

“You’re insane! Stop the car!”

“I should’ve died long ago,” she said placidly.

“Since Uncle Cheng broke his promise and wants me as a scapegoat, I can’t disappoint you.”

“Binhai Bridge is abandoned. No surveillance. A perfect place to die.”

He fumbled with the seatbelt, cursing her as a madwoman.

She glanced back and smiled.

“Tighten it. If the car falls into the water and you can’t unbuckle, you’ll die faster.”

She swerved abruptly.

He slammed against the backseat.

Swerved again.

His glasses flew off, nose bleeding.

Outside, the deserted road stretched under sparse streetlights.

Only the black Bentley raced toward the bridge like a maniac.

“You have thirty seconds.”

The car shot onto the bridge like an arrow.

He clung to the seat, seeing how close they were to the edge.

“One wrong turn, and we’re done.”

She began counting down.

“10, 9, 8… 6, 5, 4…”

He saw the cold determination on her face and panicked completely.

“3…”

She remained terrifyingly calm.

He grabbed her arm and forced out a word.

“I’ll talk.”

The car screeched to a halt.

He was drenched in sweat — and something warm ran down his legs.

“I’ll talk.”

Wen Yuzhi exhaled slowly.

The darkness in her eyes faded.

“Uncle Cheng, saving a life builds a seven-tier pagoda. Maybe you’ll go to heaven.”

Yan Qing’s car pulled up behind them.

She ran forward, pounding the window, screaming.

When Wen Yuzhi lowered the window, Yan Qing grabbed her arm like a lifeline and refused to let go.

“You almost died! Do you know that?”

Trembling violently, crying uncontrollably.

Wen Yuzhi patted her hand.

“Let go so I can get out.”

Yan Qing clung tighter.

Wen Yuzhi glanced at Cheng Zeming in the backseat.

“That golf club’s really good. Let’s play sometime.”

After he collapsed inside, she helped Yan Qing stand.

“You’re yelling at me and crying before I even get mad. How am I supposed to scold you now?”

Just then, her phone rang.

“A’Ren’s calling. Pick up.”

Yan Qing sobbed, “Can’t you see I’m crying?”

“Pick up, or I’ll deduct your bonus.”

She ordered her not to cry.

On the phone, Qin Huairen sensed something wrong.

“If you’re in danger, tap the phone three times and send me your location. I’ll call the police—”

Before she finished, Yan Qing broke down crying loudly.

Qin Huairen panicked.

“What happened? Don’t scare me!”

“It was her… she almost killed herself…”

Qin Huairen soothed her, telling her to breathe deeply.

Then she asked to speak to Wen Yuzhi.

Wen Yuzhi walked aside.

“A’Ren.”

“Is what Yan Qing said true?”

Qin Huairen’s body was still hot from exercise, yet a chill spread through her.

She had broken into cold sweat hearing Wen Yuzhi nearly died.

“Do you care?” Wen Yuzhi asked instead of answering.

“Care about what?”

“My life.”

She stood at the edge of the bridge.

Below, seawater rolled eastward.

The moon’s reflection shattered into silver ripples.

“A’Ren,” she murmured softly.

“If I had died tonight… would you have cried?”