Chapter 37: Unwelcome

“What do you mean there are no serious injuries and I don’t need to be hospitalized? Which department are you from? Call Vice President Chen for me—I’ll have you fired!”

Nangong Li let out a light click of his tongue, pushed open the door to the hospital room, and walked in.

“I thought you were badly hurt! But you sound so full of energy, it looks like you’re perfectly fine.”

Hearing Nangong Li’s teasing, Nangong Xin, already on the verge of losing her temper, grew even more furious when she saw Xianyu Qing and Su Cha follow him in.

“So you’re all here to laugh at my misfortune? Get out!”

She shouted, grabbed a box of tissues from the bedside table, and hurled it across the room.

Su Cha’s reflexes were quick; she reached out and caught the tissue box neatly.

Nangong Li frowned in displeasure. “Xinxin, must you act out no matter the situation?”

Besides the Nangong family members, there was also a young male doctor and two nurses in the room.

But Nangong Xin had just suffered a fright and cared nothing for decorum.

“All of you, leave! I want to be alone!” She pounded the bed in exasperation.

“Miss Nangong, you have abrasions on your calf. While you don’t need to be hospitalized, if you don’t treat them properly, the injury could worsen,” the male doctor said calmly.

Nangong Xin had always been pampered wherever she went, especially here at Angel Hospital, which belonged to her family. She was always treated like a treasure. How could there be such an obtuse doctor today who kept provoking her with indifferent remarks?

“I don’t need you! Get out!”

The young doctor’s expression remained unchanged. “Then I’ll have the nurse apply the medication. After that, you’re free to go.”

With that, he turned and left the room.

Nangong Xin, still fuming, snapped at the nurses, “Call Vice President Chen here at once!”

The two nurses seemed new, standing nervously by the wall, stammering in confusion.

Usually, when staff wasn’t stretched thin, Miss Nangong would receive special treatment. But tonight, the hospital was full of VIPs, and since Nangong Xin wasn’t seriously hurt, she wasn’t a priority.

Nangong Li’s expression darkened. “Xinxin, that’s enough! Vice President Chen and the others are treating Madam Xi and a few elders right now. Don’t make trouble at a time like this!”

As soon as Nangong Xin heard that Madam Xi was also in the hospital, she sat up straight. “Aunt Xi is here too? Is she badly hurt?”

Nangong Li, knowing her thoughts, replied, “Let the nurse dress your wound, and you can go see for yourself.”

The suggestion worked. Nangong Xin immediately stopped her tantrum and hurried the nurse to dress and bandage her wound.

Glancing at Xianyu Qing, who stood silently nearby, she snapped, “Why are you still here?”

Xianyu Qing had no desire to remain and annoy Nangong Xin further. “Since you’re alright, I’ll head back now.”

“Hmph, how fake!” Nangong Xin snorted derisively.

Knowing Nangong Xin didn’t like Xianyu Qing, Nangong Li handed his car keys to Su Cha. “Drive my car and take Qing back to the manor. Be careful on the road.”

Su Cha nodded in agreement and led Xianyu Qing downstairs.

——

Wrapped in a light shawl, Xianyu Qing waited for Su Cha to fetch the car at the emergency entrance.

Xi Junle was on his way to the police station, but upon seeing her, he asked, “Miss Xianyu, are you injured?”

Xi Junle felt a pang of guilt. When she saved him earlier, he hadn’t noticed her get hurt. Preoccupied with other matters, he’d left her behind.

“I’m fine,” Xianyu Qing replied. “It was the third young lady who was slightly injured. I came to check on her.”

Upon hearing this, Xi Junle’s heart eased. “As long as you’re alright.”

He then offered, “Let me have someone take you home.”

Xianyu Qing declined politely. “No need, we have a car.”

After a moment’s thought, Xi Junle said, “Then please be careful on your way back. I’ll come by to thank you in person another day.”

Tonight, he owed her a great debt. Whatever she might ask of him in the future, he would do his utmost to fulfill.

Xianyu Qing took it lightly. “It was nothing, not worth mentioning.”

Her master had told her she wasn’t particularly capable and shouldn’t get involved in others’ affairs lightly. But as long as she could ensure her own safety, it was acceptable to lend a hand.

Xi Junle gazed intently at the clear-eyed girl before him. Outwardly she seemed obedient and delicate, yet she neither feared trouble nor shied from danger, and asked for no reward. She was truly remarkable.

After having her wound bandaged, Nangong Xin had a nurse help her downstairs, intending to visit Madam Xi in a VIP room on the third floor.

As she left the elevator, she saw Xi Junle entering another one and quickly hurried after him—only to come upon the sight of Xi Junle gazing tenderly at Xianyu Qing.

She strode over, leaving the nurse trailing behind.

“Brother Junle, are you hurt too?” Nangong Xin inquired with concern, noting the bandage around his arm.

Xi Junle glanced at the wound on her calf. “I’m fine. Are you badly hurt?”

Hearing his concern, Nangong Xin’s face blossomed with joy. “The doctor said it’s just a scratch, nothing serious.”

Xianyu Qing lowered her gaze. Who had been raging at the doctor upstairs just now?

Nangong Xin noticed and pouted, “Why haven’t you left? Pretending to care about her, but clinging to Brother Junle here.”

Hmph, what a schemer!

Xianyu Qing offered no defense. Just then, Su Cha arrived with the car, so she turned to Xi Junle, “I’ll be heading back. Take care.”

She got into Su Cha’s car and left the hospital.

Xi Junle, seeing Nangong Xin’s attitude, was even more convinced that Xianyu Qing was not favored in the Nangong family.

He said to Nangong Xin, “I’m sorry you were frightened tonight. I have pressing matters to attend to, so you should head home and rest.”

With that, he too hurriedly drove away.

Nangong Xin was frustrated; she’d hoped to speak with Brother Junle a while longer.

“Miss Nangong, would you like to return home, or go to the third floor to visit Madam Xi?” the nurse asked tentatively from behind.

Only then did Nangong Xin remember—yes, Madam Xi! It was a rare chance to make a good impression on her; she couldn’t afford to miss it.

When Su Cha delivered Xianyu Qing back to the manor, it was already late into the night.

Aunt Rong, being elderly, had retired early. Otherwise, seeing Xianyu Qing come home so late and looking as she did, she would have been full of questions.

Xianyu Qing dismissed Su Cha and, after freshening up, hesitated for a while before finally making her way to the surveillance room.

When the police had arrived at the venue earlier, Jiang Mohe was nowhere to be found. She didn’t know if he had returned safely.

Xiao Gao was on duty at the gate, so the surveillance room was empty. Xianyu Qing walked over to Jiang Mohe’s door and knocked softly twice.

There was no response.

She raised her hand to knock again. Suddenly, the door swung open.

Jiang Mohe stood there in casual gray attire, his hair still damp and dripping onto his clothes, as if he had just returned.

“Is something the matter?”

His expression was cool, as if he had completely forgotten everything that had happened that night.