248 I am Afraid to Die
“Um...”
Isabella awkwardly took the cup and sat down uncomfortably. She decided to cut the mess quickly. Since she couldn’t leave, she might as well leave as soon as she finished asking.
She paused for a moment and said, “Octavio, I came here to ask you about professional questions. If a designer contracted a design, would his design affect the arrangement of the gas channel?
Octavio thought for a moment. “Isabella, your question is not clear enough. What kind of design do you refer to? Private designs, public facilities, architectural designs, or indoor designs?”
“Maybe it belongs to private design.”
“Oh, then I understand.”
Octavio analyzed, “Generally speaking, the natural gas channel of the building will be checked by the natural gas company. They will consider many factors when setting up the natural gas line. But if the employer has special needs, the designer will do it. Anyway, the large channel will be checked by the gas company. The interior part is very limited. If we design it, it will not affect anything.”
Isabella was deep in thought and asked again, “If the employer uses his own gas tank, does the design also need the gas company to check?”
“No, if employers don’t spend money on the check of the gas company to check, they will install it directly according to their ideas.”
.....
Isabella nodded. “If an employer hires a designer to from your design, will you keep a record of the draft?
“If it wasn’t a design of large buildings, records will not be a must. And the interior design wouldn’t have a record.”
Isabella thought for a moment and stood up. “That’s all my questions. I’m sorry for occupying your rest time on weekends. I’ll treat you to a meal as compensation.”
Octavio didn’t refuse her invitation but shrugged. “Are you done with your questions? Isabella, your questions are very vague. Are you sure you don’t want to ask more specifically?”
No wonder that Octavio rose to the position of Director of the Peace Design Institute at such a young age. He was so smart that he immediately guessed Isabella’s real question. “Was someone you know in trouble because of the design of natural gas tunnel?”
Isabella pursed her lips and hesitated.
“Tell me more details. I can help you analyze it.”
Cedric sat next to Isabella with a cup of water in his hand. His slender legs were crossed as he looked at Isabella from the side. “There are many details that only we professionals can understand.”
Isabella glanced at Cedric warily. If he wasn’t here, she would have said it already.
Cedric smiled in understanding and stood up. “It seems that my presence makes it not convenient for Miss Isabella to tell the truth. In that case, I will go first.”
“Hey, you’re already here. Why are you leaving? Let’s have lunch together.”
Octavio said casually, “Isabella, don’t worry. Cedric will not utter it to others. Not only is he one of my best friends, but he is also a top talent in the design department. He was a student of the world-class designer. Maybe he knows more about how to solve your question than I!”
Cedric looked at Isabella. Isabella’s eyes flickered with uncertainty.
“Forget it, it might be a private matter. After all, we just meet several times and it’s normal that you don’t trust me.” “I will wait for you downstairs.”
Cedric whispered in Octavio’s ear and walked away.
“Wait a minute, Mr. Cedric!”
“It’s not a big deal. I am afraid that you will think my words absurd. Have you ever heard the bombing at Slike’s Restaurant happened seventeen years ago?”
Cedric and Octavio were both stunned. Octavio was the first to say, “I heard of it. At that time, I was in middle school. The report lasted almost a month, so it was very impressive.”
“Well, it is said that the accident was caused by the illegal modification of the gas channel.”
“Could it be that it wasn’t Slike’s illegal modification, but the designer’s mistake at that time?”
Octavio was surprised. “The designer made a mistake? Isabella, are you related to that case?”
Isabella hurriedly said, “Oh, no, Slike’s wife is my aunt. Recently, she always said that Slike appeared in her dreams and said that he should not be to blame for the explosion...”
“I think she’s pitiful. I want to help her find out,” Isabella said.
Octavio laughed.
Octavio could not help but laugh, “It is really an absurd reason.”
“Then is it possible?” Isabella said anxiously.
“Whether it’s possible or not, it’s up to the design drawings.” “If that’s the case, there won’t be any answers,” Cedric said with his eyes lowered.
Octavio also came to a conclusion. “Isabella, you should buy some pastries and fruits to comfort that auntie. I’m afraid she thinks too much since she’s middle-aged. As long as the designer doesn’t have a grudge against Slike, she won’t deliberately make an unqualified gas tunnel. Even if the designer has limited ability, it won’t cause the Slike Restaurant to explode into powder, right?”
“Design drawings...”
“That’s right, only drawings can reveal the problem!”
Isabella lowered her head.
If there really was a problem with the design back then, would Carl have possibly left behind the design drawings?
I’m afraid they have already been burned to powder.
She should have expected this matter a long time ago, and there was no result at all.
“Thank you, Octavio. Thank you, Octavio.”
Isabella stood up and said goodbye. She smiled at Octavio and said, “When I have time, I will treat you to a meal. I will take my leave first.”
“Why don’t we choose today?”
Octavio smiled and said, “It’s rare to see you. Let’s have a meal today. It is hard to meet next time.”
” ... But it’s only 9 o’clock now. Octavio, you don’t have to take too serious about the meal.”
“It’s okay. Let’s go to the Small Bridge Restaurant in the northern suburbs. It’s an hour’s drive. We can drink a cup of tea before having lunch in the morning. The wild chickens there are delicious!”
Cedric smiled. “Maybe she doesn’t want to take me to a meal.”
...
For some reason, every time Cedric spoke, Isabella would be unable to refuse.
It was as if a person wanted to show goodwill to you and sincerely make friends with you. It would be very impolite if you repeatedly refused.
Isabella saw the enthusiasm on Octavio’s face and agreed with his ideas.
Octavio was driving and Isabella was sitting in the back seat. She wanted to give the passenger seat to Cedric so that they could chat on the way.
Unexpectedly, Cedric directly opened the back door and sat beside her.
Isabella looked at him in confusion. Cedric had a good understanding and smiled. “I’m afraid to die.”
“If there is an accident, the passenger seat is the most dangerous place. People have the instinct to avoid danger. Once there is an accident, the driver will take care of himself first. So, your current position is the safest place in the car.”
...
Isabella sprang up from the seat and said, “Why don’t we exchange?”
“When I’m with a lady, I think it’s better to be a gentleman.”