High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 27

Zhao Ke sat listlessly in her seat, idly scrolling through her phone. She had nothing to prepare.

When she saw Qiao Shuxue and her companion approach, Zhao Ke slowly put away her phone and stood up.

“Yes, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s our first time meeting,” Zhao Ke said, raising an eyebrow and playing along with Qiao Shuxue’s words.

Gu Jason looked down at Zhao Ke, sizing her up. “Please forgive my pronunciation. I’m Jason. I used to work in finance in New York, but now I’m based in City A. If you have any questions about banking or mortgages, feel free to consult me.”

Zhao Ke: …I can’t understand a word he’s saying.

Gu Jason still spoke with the same effortless fluency as before, his words gliding smoothly across her brain like an English listening exercise, leaving no trace behind.

Fortunately, the judge arrived just in time to halt this farce.

“Court is now in session.”

The prosecutor announced, “We hereby present the application for compulsory medical treatment. The respondent is Qiao Qinglu, represented by her legal guardian, Qiao Shuxue. The respondent, Qiao Qinglu, suffers from a schizophrenic episode, exhibiting symptoms such as visual and auditory hallucinations. During this episode, she used a knife to sever her colleague Zhao Ke’s climbing rope, causing Zhao Ke to fall off a cliff.”

“After the incident, forensic evaluation by the judicial center determined that Qiao Qinglu was in an acute psychotic episode of schizophrenia at the time of the crime, rendering her criminally non-responsible.”

The judge addressed the defense attorney: “Counsel, do you agree to the applicant’s commitment to compulsory medical treatment and placement in the psychiatric ward of the People’s Hospital for long-term supervision?”

Qiao Shuxue had retained a lawyer. She nodded to him, and he rose, bowing slightly to the judge.

“Your Honor, we fully understand the potential harm that individuals with schizophrenia pose to society, as well as the suffering inflicted upon the victim, Zhao Ke. However, the applicant is my client’s sister, and their bond is deep. We respectfully request that the applicant receive superior treatment and propose transferring her from the current psychiatric ward to the Mingde International Mental Health Center.”

Qiao Qinglu was currently confined to a public psychiatric hospital, where there remained a chance of improvement.

But if she were placed in the clutches of the male and female leads, and Qiao Shuxue were to deliberately provoke her, she would likely descend into lifelong madness.

The judge, seated on the dais, maintained a stern expression. “Does this Mingde International Mental Health Center possess the necessary forensic evaluation accreditation? Has it passed CMA or CNAS certification?”

Gu Jason, seated diagonally behind Qiao Shuxue, rose to his feet. “Your Honor, we assure you that all necessary certifications are in order. You may verify them at any time. We have deployed the finest medical resources in the hope of Qiao Shuxue’s swift recovery.”

The judge frowned, mentally rephrasing the statement several times before finally grasping its meaning.

The lawyer promptly added, “Rest assured, Your Honor, we will provide regular updates on the applicant’s treatment progress.”

The judge nodded and turned to Zhao Ke. “Victim, do you have anything to say?”

Zhao Ke startled, her body tensing as if she had been jolted awake by a teacher calling on her in class.

So, this concerns me too?

I thought I was just here for show.

Noticing Zhao Ke’s dazed expression, the judge repeated, “The applicant’s representatives have requested a transfer for treatment. Do you have any objections?”

“I object,” Zhao Ke stated firmly.

Ignoring Liu Tiande’s frantic waving from the gallery, she fixed her gaze on the judge and repeated, “I object.”

The judge frowned, about to ask for clarification, when Qiao Shuxue slammed her hand on the table and stood up. Her eyes, inexplicably filled with tears, pleaded, “Zhao Ke, even after all this, can’t you let my sister go?”

“I know she hurt you and deserves punishment. But Qinglu’s mental illness is hereditary; she doesn’t want to be like this either.”

“As her sister, I just want her to get better quickly. Once she recovers, I’ll make her apologize to you. Would that be enough?”

As if, Zhao Ke thought.

Qiao Shuxue had no intention of letting Qiao Qinglu recover. She wanted to keep her locked away in the mental hospital forever, never to see the light of day again.

“Your Honor,” Zhao Ke said, taking a deep breath, “I’ve known Qiao Qinglu for a long time, and I’d like to visit her occasionally.”

“I’m not sure if the hospitals represented by the two attorneys can accommodate such visits.”

The courtroom fell silent. The court reporter, baffled by Zhao Ke’s saintly behavior, secretly scoffed. How could someone be so forgiving? She was stabbed in the back by her friend, yet she still wants to visit her?

The judge tapped his fingers on the table, saying nothing.

“Of course, of course you can,” Qiao Shuxue replied immediately, snapping out of her daze.

She didn’t know what Zhao Ke was planning, but as long as it served her own purposes, Zhao Ke posed no threat.

Zhao Ke gave Qiao Shuxue a long, penetrating look before settling gracefully into her seat. “Then it’s settled. I consent to Qiao Qinglu’s transfer to another hospital.”

Qiao Qinglu’s fate seemed sealed. The judge delivered the closing remarks in a few perfunctory words, and the crowd dispersed like scattered birds.

As they walked away, Liu Tiande gritted his teeth and demanded, “Why did you suddenly jump in like that?”

The animosity between the Qiao sisters was common knowledge. He couldn’t understand why Zhao Ke had briefly sided with Qiao Qinglu before quickly reverting to her original stance.

Zhao Ke smiled, pulled her warm sunglasses from her pocket, blew on the lenses, and put them on. Her gaze at Liu Tiande remained hidden behind the dark lenses.

“Everyone has secrets, don’t they, Brother Tiande?”

Liu Tiande was about to press further when Qiao Shuxue’s high heels clicked sharply on the marble floor as she passed by.

She stopped and glanced back at Zhao Ke. “You’re welcome to visit my sister anytime.”

Gu Jason chimed in, “Wee.”

Zhao Ke shook her head. Even in her simple, thin-soled canvas shoes, she stood half a head taller than Qiao Shuxue.

“Not anytime. I’ll probably only come once.”

“What do you mean by that?” Qiao Shuxue asked sharply, her tone wary.

Zhao Ke didn’t reply, merely curving her lips into a slight smile as she walked past Qiao Shuxue.

I hope Qiao Shuxue likes surprises, Zhao Ke thought absently.

The “Commerce” segment of Four Frames of Life remained unannounced. The group members kept tagging Director Qu in their chat, but all they received in response was a single word: “Wait.”

Old Huang Not Ah Huang: “@Director Qu~~, don’t you want to see my new manicure~~”

Shu Shu Shu Shu Lin: “@Director Qu, please give me some advance notice so I can prepare! Pretty please!”

Director Qu only appeared occasionally, late at night when everyone else was asleep.

Qu Zhuocheng: Just wait. I’m setting up something big. 😎😎

Zhao Ke, on the other hand, had landed a new endorsement deal—for a clothing brand, and a luxury one at that.

Wang Ran and Li Minjing were frantic. “Do you think we’ll even have a market if we endorse this?”

“But Sister Ke, all your previous endorsements were canceled due to negative press. This opportunity is incredibly rare—we need to prepare thoroughly.”

“Sister Ke, you should read more fashion news to get a feel for things.”

Zhao Ke, however, remained calm. “What’s the panic? They came to us. We have nothing to lose.”

If worse came to worst, she could always go back to her old job.

Zhao Ke was like someone barefoot, unafraid of those wearing shoes.

Despite her nonchalant attitude, Liu Tiande took the matter seriously. He hired stylists and photographers, meticulously packaged Zhao Ke, shot videos and posters, and even sent her to fashion shows to observe.

Zhao Ke was forced to spend three hours clapping like a machine.

It wasn’t until a rainy day forced the cancellation of an outdoor mall event that Zhao Ke finally found time to fulfill her promise to visit Qiao Qinglu.