Stretching his aching shoulders, Miao Tong felt as if he had suffered a lifetime of bad luck today.
It wasn't just a rough day; it was a day filled with twists and misfortunes.
After receiving basic treatment at the hospital, Miao Tong headed straight back to the Xia family residence.
He had expected the Xia family to be resting by this hour.
However, as soon as he entered the lobby, Miao Tong found Xia Qingtian descending the stairs to get some water.
Their eyes met for about thirty seconds before Xia Qingtian hesitantly spoke, "You... you went to the hospital, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," Miao Tong replied with a nod.
"Why do I feel like you're more injured now than before you went to the hospital?" Xia Qingtian scrutinized Miao Tong's face, and after a moment's thought, asked, "Was it a legitimate hospital you went to?"
"Are there any illegitimate hospitals in your z City?" Miao Tong's lips twitched. He didn't know where to begin his complaints, only inwardly lamenting how he had to be seen in such a sorry state by Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingtian didn't make things difficult for Miao Tong. She simply poured herself a glass of water, advised Miao Tong to rest well, and suggested he try a different hospital tomorrow if needed, before heading back upstairs.
At the turn of the stairs, Xia Qingtian couldn't help but mutter, "Probably beaten up again... this unlucky kid..."
Miao Tong wanted to explain himself, but as soon as he opened his mouth, half his face throbbed with pain. He could only wince and keep silent, quietly returning to his room.
After bathing in the evening, Miao Tong recalled his tragic day and shed a tear of sorrow.
He had learned nothing from Xia Qingyu and had inexplicably been punched.
After searching for so long and finally getting a lead on the whereabouts of the Tang family's Mingzhu, before he could even pursue, he was beaten up by some hooligans who suddenly appeared.
Although he had used his Gu to get revenge, the pain from the injuries was all his!
The Tang family's Mingzhu had also disappeared without a trace.
As soon as he returned to the Xia family, he was seen in his disheveled state by the person he least wanted to see.
What was all this...
Crying, z City is so dangerous.
He wanted to go home.
Hugging his quilt tightly, Miao Tong felt immensely wronged.
Meanwhile, in a private room at rosapub, Yu Linwan's expression grew increasingly grim.
She kept glancing at her watch, her molars grinding audibly.
She had arranged to meet Xia Qingtian at nine in the evening, but it was almost midnight now, and where was Xia Qingtian?!
After waiting until half-past twelve, Yu Linwan finally stormed out of rosapub with a dark expression, breathing heavily.
That damned Xia Qingtian had stood her up again!
She held Gu Yaoyang's biggest secret. Wasn't Xia Qingtian afraid that she would expose Gu Yaoyang's background, leaving him with no place in the Gu family?
"What a fickle and ungrateful bitch!" Yu Linwan grew angrier the more she thought about it.
Xia Qingtian must have decided to give up on Gu Yaoyang after learning the truth and thrown herself into another man's arms!
She had known all along that this kind of bitch was the most heartless, and would immediately run to another man at the slightest sign of trouble!
"I shouldn't have told her everything. If I had kept her hooked, she wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!" Yu Linwan felt a hint of regret.
If she had guessed earlier that Xia Qingtian would be so heartless, she would have preferred to wait until the very last moment, when Xia Qingtian married into the Gu family, to see her expression upon learning the truth.
Though she thought this, Yu Linwan also knew that some opportunities, once missed, were gone forever.
Since Xia Qingtian was being unrighteous, she couldn't blame Yu Linwan for being ruthless!
With that thought, Yu Linwan's gaze turned even colder.
If Xia Qingtian refused to obediently participate in her selection showcase to contribute popularity, lying down and being used, then Yu Linwan would ensure the variety show fully capitalized on Xia Qingtian's fame.
After all, this tactic wasn't uncommon in the entertainment industry, and with the young master's appreciation, Yu Linwan felt she had plenty of confidence.
With these thoughts, Yu Linwan's expression softened considerably. As she got into her car, just as she was about to drive home, her phone rang. The caller was a night shift staff member from a hospital, urgently informing Yu Linwan that the car accident patient she had sent to the hospital had suddenly escaped.
"Escaped?" Yu Linwan was also surprised, then her eyes darted around as she said, "Then this is your hospital's responsibility, isn't it? I brought a living person in, and now they've run off. Your hospital is responsible."
After a brief argument with the hospital staff, Yu Linwan completely absolved herself of responsibility for the car accident. Only then did she hang up the phone with satisfaction.
She had already demonstrated responsibility by not fleeing after hitting someone.
If this person escaped from the hospital themselves later, their life or death would have nothing to do with her.
She was very busy, after all.
Feeling as if she had shed a great burden, Yu Linwan let out a long sigh, tossed her phone aside, and then started her car, driving towards home, intending to get a good night's sleep and then settle accounts with that damned Xia Qingtian tomorrow!
Meanwhile, having escaped from the hospital, a tall man in a hospital gown with a bandaged head appeared on the beach late at night.
This person was Ah Long, the most loyal personal guard of the Tang family's Mingzhu.
He clearly remembered carrying the unconscious and injured Mingzhu here. Mingzhu had said he was thirsty, so Ah Long went to find water. But when he returned, Mingzhu was gone!
For the next few days, he had been searching for the Tang family's Mingzhu's whereabouts. However, no matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find him. At that time, he had also just realized his temporary lodging was being monitored, and his situation was dangerous. He had fled in the dead of night, only to be hit by Yu Linwan speeding her car.
It was fortunate that his physical condition was good, otherwise, he would have gone to see the old family head on the spot!
If it were any other time, he would have already killed Yu Linwan.
But now that Mingzhu had not been found, and his enemies were closing in on him, with danger lurking everywhere, he could not afford to cause any trouble.
He could only try to de-escalate the situation, escape the hospital, and continue his search for Mingzhu.
"Mingzhu..." Ah Long looked around blankly, inhaling the salty, fishy smell of the sea breeze, his brow furrowed, feeling lost and desolate.
The Tang family's Mingzhu was not found, his lodging was inaccessible, he could not stay long in the busy hospital, and there were enemies monitoring him... What should he do?
Just then, a man's sobbing sound was heard, as if in pain or calling for help.
Ah Long followed the sound and saw people lying scattered on the ground.
They were all alive, just unconscious.
One of them had a distinct Gu poison scent, clearly indicating the work of someone from the Miao family.
As Ah Long hesitated whether to help, the man afflicted with Gu poison reached out and grabbed the hem of Ah Long's hospital gown. His weak voice was filled with the will to survive: "Save me... I have money... I'll give you money... save me..."