After a nap, Xia Qingtian felt exhausted, glancing at her phone to see it was nearly noon.
After washing up, she left her bedroom, yawning as she went downstairs, and greeted her father, who was watching the news on his tablet.
"You haven't gotten up for morning exercises in eighteen years. Now that you've done it once, you've slept until noon. Maybe you shouldn't bother next time," her father said with a chuckle, looking up at her.
Teased by her father, Xia Qingtian just hummed and glanced at Xia Qingyu, who was sitting nearby reading a book.
As expected, Xia Qingyu met her gaze uncomfortably, then quickly looked away, seeming a little embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Aunt Liu emerged from the kitchen holding a freshly made cake, smiling as she said, "Your father wanted the maids to wake you for breakfast this morning, but your sister said you were up early for your morning exercises and didn't want to disturb you. Who knew you'd sleep all the way until noon."
Xia Qingtian knew Aunt Liu was explaining for Xia Qingyu, not wanting Xia Qingtian to overthink things and create a rift between them.
If it were the Xia Qingtian of her past life, she might have already lost her temper or made a sarcastic remark even after hearing Aunt Liu's explanation.
But the current Xia Qingtian knew that Xia Qingyu and Aunt Liu meant no harm to them or their father. She quickly moved past the issue and went over to Aunt Liu, actively saying, "This cake looks really good. Is it a heavy cream cheese cake? Give me a big piece."
"See, Qingtian knows good quality," Aunt Liu said, smiling as she cut the cake. She indeed gave Xia Qingtian the largest piece, then cut one for Xia Qingyu and her father, calling them over to eat.
Xia Father put down his tablet and walked over with a smile. Halfway there, his phone rang.
Xia Father answered the phone, and his smile quickly vanished. "What? A car accident? How serious!"
Hearing her father's words, Xia Qingtian's beautiful eyes flickered, and she put down her fork after taking a bite of cake.
"Okay, I understand. I'll be right there," Xia Father said, hanging up the phone with a somber expression.
"What's going on? What car accident?" Aunt Liu asked immediately, her brow furrowed.
Xia Father then relayed the news about Song Junhan's car accident to his wife and daughter.
"Was it at the east gate of Xinying Park?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"How did you know?" Xia Father looked at her in surprise.
"Dad, I'll go with you," Xia Qingtian replied without directly answering his question. "We're colleagues after all."
Xia Father assumed Xia Qingtian might have seen the news on social media and didn't think much of it, nodding in agreement.
Earlier, he had heard many times at the company that Xia Qingtian was targeting Song Junhan, and many people had openly or indirectly called Xia Qingtian spoiled and malicious.
However, Xia Father knew his own daughter was the most innocent and simple.
She had her little temper tantrums and was a bit spoiled, but she was by no means malicious.
Look at her now, hearing about Song Junhan's accident, she immediately went out with him.
If it were just an ordinary employee involved in a car accident, it wouldn't have been reported to Xia Father. It was Song Junhan's special status that led the HR manager, knowing of his relationship with Xia Father, to call him.
By the time Xia Qingtian and Xia Father arrived at the hospital, the HR manager and Song Junhan's department manager were already present.
The surgery was over. The doctor said he had a comminuted fracture of the left arm and a mild concussion, with abrasions on his leg and back. Fortunately, there was no major bleeding, and after prompt treatment, there were no further issues. The police said Song Junhan was lucky; the other party had braked in advance, otherwise, the truck would have hit him head-on.
It was a near-death experience.
Xia Qingtian looked at Song Junhan lying on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, bandaged all over, and his face pale. She showed no emotion.
Fortunately, everyone's attention was on Song Junhan, so no one paid much attention to her.
Xia Father sighed, "Let him rest well. I'll cover his medical expenses from my personal account."
"Okay," the HR manager said as if remembering something. "The police might need to ask a few more questions later."
This car accident also involved criminal charges. The hit-and-run driver had a prior record of fleeing, so the authorities were taking the matter very seriously.
"Junhan!" The door was pushed open abruptly, and a figure rushed in, face full of panic. Upon seeing the person on the hospital bed, she burst into tears, appearing as if Song Junhan had passed away. The person who rushed in was his fiancée.
The people in the ward seemed startled, and after their surprise, they recognized the girl as Su Wan from the company.
The daughter of Director Su.
Several colleagues from the company followed Su Wan in.
Xia Qingtian watched coldly as the HR manager and those colleagues gently comforted Su Wan, informing her of Song Junhan's condition.
Su Wan then stopped crying and calmed down.
Upon seeing Xia Qingtian, Su Wan almost lost control of her emotions again, but she managed to restrain herself after seeing Xia Father.
Everyone chattered about various things. Despite trying to keep their voices down, Xia Qingtian found it somewhat noisy.
It wasn't until the police entered that everyone finally quieted down.
When the police informed them that the driver responsible for the accident had recently received a deposit of 100,000 yuan, and that it was suspected to be a failed murder-for-hire attempt, Su Wan's emotions truly spiraled out of control. "Xia Qingtian! You got what you wanted now!"
Suddenly called out, Xia Qingtian was initially stunned, then gave Su Wan a subtle look.
"Everyone has witnessed how you treated Song Junhan at the company!" Su Wan glared at Xia Qingtian, her eyes seeming to spit fire. "What? Was ordinary bullying not enough to vent your anger? Did you have to wish him dead before you'd be satisfied?"
Hearing Su Wan's words, everyone turned their gaze to Xia Qingtian.
It was true that Xia Qingtian had been hard on Song Junhan at the company. Ten thousand yuan wouldn't be much for Xia Qingtian, but... would she really hire someone to kill him?
The crowd's gazes were hesitant.
"Everyone here is sad and worried about Song Junhan's accident, but you're acting like nothing happened! Even a stranger would find it hard to be indifferent after such a terrifying event, wouldn't they? Either you're cold-blooded, or..." Su Wan's words were interrupted by Xia Father.
"Su Wan, you must speak with evidence," Xia Father said, his expression immediately darkening upon hearing Su Wan's accusation.
Su Wan pursed her lips. "I don't have proof right now, but... but I believe the police will find out the truth!"
Everyone scrutinized Xia Qingtian, observing her expression. She did seem rather indifferent, not like someone who had just heard about a colleague's car accident.
[Chosen One System initiated.
Select A: Prove your innocence and retort, reward: an adrenaline shot, usable to break through physical limits in critical moments.
Select B: Ignore the slander, as the other party has no evidence. Reward: a gift worth 30,000 RMB.]