Back at the Xia family's residence, Xia Qingtian took stock of her current situation.
The dog system's upgrade had consumed all her material possessions and points, and it had even landed her in the hospital.
She had used two of her three prophecy coupons, only to receive weather forecasts for the next two days.
Weather forecasts were considered prophecies now?
Xia Qingtian didn't know how to even begin to complain.
In short, she had been exploited by the dog system once again.
The system, feeling guilty, had gone into hiding.
Now, she was left with only one useless prophecy coupon and an SSS-grade mystery gift package she couldn't open.
Her heart felt weary.
Just then, Xia Qingyu knocked and entered, her words undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
"Sister, the weather forecast says there will be thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow. It looks like it'll clear up after the storms. Remember to bring an umbrella if you're going out," Xia Qingyu said, leaning against the door.
Xia Qingtian looked at Xia Qingyu, took a deep breath, and then said, "Thank you, Oracle."
"Hmm?" Xia Qingyu blinked, wondering when she had become an oracle.
Xia Qingtian waved her hand, stopping Xia Qingyu, who seemed about to ask more questions. "I want to take a bath. Do you need anything else?"
"No, I just wanted to remind you about the umbrella and… to see you again," Xia Qingyu said, looking at Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingtian's sudden collapse and hospitalization today had frightened her immensely.
Hearing Xia Qingyu's words, Xia Qingtian's battered heart found some solace.
She reached out, ruffled Xia Qingyu's hair, and chuckled, "I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Okay," Xia Qingyu nodded, then left Xia Qingtian's room with a gentle smile.
After closing the door and taking a bath, Xia Qingtian lay in bed, slowly embracing her optimistic nature of taking things as they come and accepting the system's latest disastrous scheme.
After all, this wasn't the first time the system had tricked her.
Since she had been given a second chance at life, she had to make good use of it.
Remembering the photo she had seen with Bai Yuqi, showing A'Long standing next to Song Junhan, Xia Qingtian's eyes narrowed slightly.
It seemed she needed to pay Song Junhan a visit.
At the same time, Song Junhan shivered inexplicably. He rubbed his arms, feeling a sense of unease rising from within his heart.
He wondered if it was a lingering effect from the time he had stood up for the young master and was subsequently punished.
Although that burly A'Long always brought him "antidote" whenever his condition flared up, the stuff was truly undrinkable.
Furthermore, he had recently felt his episodes becoming more severe, and the blood marks appearing on his skin were increasing. For now, his clothes could still hide them, but if they ever spread to his neck, his hands would be completely exposed.
What should he do then?
Song Junhan's brow furrowed, the growing unease in his heart and the accompanying panic in his chest made him feel a tightness in his chest.
"Hiss..." He gasped, trying to suppress the pain.
A'Long had told him that he needed to maintain a calm state of mind and avoid any significant emotional fluctuations, as it would only make his next poisoning episode more severe and worsen his condition.
To completely escape his current suffering, he had to quickly find the person that A'Long was looking for.
What he had initially thought would not be difficult now felt no different from searching for a needle in a haystack.
This was because A'Long couldn't describe the person in detail. Only if A'Long saw them and recognized them would they be found.
Damn it.
This feeling of his life being in someone else's hands was truly terrible.
At that moment, Song Junhan's phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, Song Junhan answered, "Hello, Su Wan, what's up?"
"Nothing much, I just missed you," Su Wan's voice was sweet. "How much longer will you be busy in City Z?"
"Probably for a while yet. This talent show just started not too long ago." Song Junhan's brows furrowed unconsciously. He truly couldn't stand this love-struck girl.
She only knew how to pester him every day. If it weren't for her father...
Song Junhan really couldn't be bothered with her.
"Then… do you remember what day next week is?" Su Wan asked.
"Next week?" A flicker of annoyance crossed Song Junhan's eyes. This Su Wan always came up with a pile of messy anniversaries, like their hundredth day together, White Valentine's Day, Pink Valentine's Day... Couldn't she busy herself with something more serious?
If Su Wan had even half of Xia Qingtian's capabilities, he wouldn't have to work so hard!
The thought of that despicable Xia Qingtian made Song Junhan's chest ache even more.
He clutched his chest with one hand, involuntarily letting out a "Hiss..."
"What's wrong?" Su Wan immediately asked upon hearing the sound. "Junhan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I've been staying up late working overtime recently, and my head is a bit sore." Song Junhan took a deep breath and said, "If you don't have anything else, I'll have to hang up. I still have a few procedures to confirm, and I'll likely be busy until late tonight."
"Alright..." Although Su Wan was unhappy, she couldn't say anything more upon hearing Song Junhan's words. "You need to take care of yourself. I miss you so, so much."
"Be good." Song Junhan pretended to gently remind Su Wan to rest well and not to anger Mr. Su before hanging up the phone.
Holding her phone, Su Wan leaned against the window and sighed before murmuring helplessly, "Next week is our one-year anniversary of meeting..."
Just then, the sound of a servant greeting the father of the house, who had just returned from entertaining, came from outside the room. Upon hearing this, Su Wan's eyes lit up. She quickly jumped off the bed and walked out of the room. "Dad, you're back~"
"Mm," Mr. Su responded, lightly pressing his aching forehead. "You're not resting yet?"
"Yes, I just finished a call with Junhan. He seems very busy over there, working overtime through the night for several nights. He looks so tired," Su Wan said, not forgetting to speak well of her fiancé.
"Is that so?" Mr. Su replied with a somewhat perfunctory tone.
Honestly, he didn't like Song Junhan much.
He always felt that Song Junhan was ambitious, cunning, capable, knew how to seize opportunities, and was daring and determined, but he lacked conscience.
If such a person could be kept under control, he would indeed be a capable subordinate.
But if he were to stir up any trouble… it would be hard to say.
He had recently heard that the young master had gone to City Z, and he wondered if Song Junhan had…
With this thought, Mr. Su looked at Su Wan, a hint of calculation flashing in his eyes. "Wanwan, since he's working so hard, why don't you go to City Z to help him?"
"Hmm? Really? Can I?" Su Wan's eyes lit up. She had planned to do just that tonight.
"Yes, go ahead," Mr. Su said. "Remember, if he has interacted with anyone you don't know recently, inform me immediately. Consider it an assessment for his promotion next year."
He paused and added, "Of course, this is just between us. Don't tell him, so he doesn't get suspicious."
"Okay!" Upon hearing that Mr. Su intended to promote Song Junhan and trusted her to assess him, Su Wan didn't think twice and happily agreed.
"You'll need to hand over your company affairs in the next two days. You can only go after the handover is complete," Mr. Su said, looking at Su Wan's excited expression, he felt a touch of melancholy deep down.
Both were his daughters, but how could Xia Honglang raise his daughter so well?
His own daughter had been turned into such a love-struck fool.
Alas…