Du Ruoxin lay on the hospital bed with her eyes closed, her mind replaying her elder brother's words, yet sleep eluded her.
*Can't forget, can't let go?*
Was he referring to Qin Yunxi?
Or was he referring to her?
No, no, no—
Du Ruoxin shook her head vigorously. She was sure she could forget!
From this moment on, her career would be her priority.
Wasn't focusing on her career more fulfilling? Why would she let her emotions—her happiness and sorrow—be dictated by an unworthy man?
It wasn't like she was masochistic!
Did she cease to live without a man?
No!
She would live beautifully and vibrantly!
She would go find Miranda later and keep herself busy…
Suddenly, Du Ruoxin sat up and threw off the covers, swinging her legs out of bed.
Yes, Miranda was still in the police station because of her; she had to go rescue her.
"What's wrong?" Kristino asked, lowering his legs from their crossed position.
Du Ruoxin looked flustered. "I need to go to the police station."
Kristino knew exactly what she intended to do. His brow furrowed as he stepped forward and grabbed her, who was rushing about. "Your body hasn't recovered yet. You can't go anywhere."
Du Ruoxin pushed him away, her resolve firm. "Brother, let go. I have to go."
Seeing her stubbornness and refusal to listen, Kristino simply scooped her up in his arms and placed her back on the bed. "I said, I will handle it."
Du Ruoxin was held down by her elder brother's firm grip on her shoulders, unable to move. "But…"
Just then, a phone rang.
Kristino, still holding her down, answered the call, saying, "No 'buts'."
"Master, the situation has escalated. Due to public opinion, the police are hesitant to release her."
The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, audible to both of them.
Du Ruoxin asked worriedly, "What public opinion?"
With her brother constantly watching her, she hadn't had a chance to check her phone, let alone go online.
Kristino let out a low "Mm," and ended the call.
He casually ruffled Du Ruoxin's hair and smiled. "I'll handle it. You should focus on recovering?"
It was a rhetorical question, but his tone was affirmative.
He wasn't giving her a choice.
Du Ruoxin was a little displeased. "—"
Kristino continued, "If I can't resolve it by tomorrow, then you can step in?"
Du Ruoxin pouted. It seemed she had no other choice.
Her brother had always been this way—overbearing, dictatorial, and infuriatingly autocratic.
Du Ruoxin had no choice but to comply. "Okay."
Kristino gently pulled the covers back over her and smiled. "Aren't you sleepy? Go to sleep quickly. By the time you wake up, it will all be resolved."
Du Ruoxin replied, "Mm."
She obediently closed her eyes and pulled the blanket tighter.
However, after hesitating for a moment, she still voiced her concern. "Brother, don't kill anyone."
Kristino paused, staring at her feigned sleep with a hint of helplessness. "I'm not a murderer."
Did she truly believe he resorted to killing at the slightest provocation?
Clearly…
It was only when he was about to lose her, only when he lost control, that he couldn't restrain himself.
Du Ruoxin responded with another "Mm," and then drifted into a deep sleep.
Hearing Du Ruoxin's steady breathing, Kristino waited until he was sure she was truly asleep before picking up his phone, silencing it, and browsing the online public opinion.
A moment later, he sent two messages to his subordinate:
*Find out who is fanning the flames behind the scenes.*
*Bring Ivy over.*
—
Feng Linwan was preparing the evening soup.
Ruoxin didn't like oily food; Ruoxin preferred light flavors; Ruoxin didn't like it too sweet; Ruoxin…
Zhan Lan watched her good friend busily moving about and couldn't help but sigh. "Do you know Grace's preferred flavors?"
Thinking of her own restless, troublesome son, a fire ignited within her.
She stormed off to find Qin Yunxi and kicked him.
"Go ask her what Grace likes?"
"And tell her to have dinner with us tonight!"
The inexplicably assaulted Young Master Qin: "…"
With his father present, he dared not claim the title of "master."
"Mommy~" he said, sounding a bit pitiful and self-pitying. "Didn't I tell you Grace is back at the research institute and can't get away?"
Zhan Lan didn't believe these flimsy excuses. "I don't care. No matter what method you use, I want to see my daughter-in-law tonight."
Seeing his wife getting agitated, Qin Tianyi, who was famously devoted to his wife, mercilessly added fuel to the fire from the side. "You can't even win over a woman. You're a disgrace to the men of the Qin family. You might as well change your surname."