Jianghai Hospital.
Single luxury ward.
"Here… where is this…?"
On the hospital bed, Wang Yulan slowly opened her eyes.
She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, her thoughts sluggish and scattered.
She remembered losing consciousness midway through the pain.
Was this… the hospital?
Did Gu Yan bring me here?
"Are you feeling better?"
A familiar, reassuring voice sounded beside her.
Wang Yulan turned her head and saw Gu Yan sitting on a chair, looking at her with clear concern in his eyes.
Her heart warmed instantly.
"I'm okay…" she said softly.
Then her gaze dimmed.
"I'm sorry… I didn't expect Xiao Lin to be that kind of person."
As she said this, guilt flooded her chest.
She had almost gotten Gu Yan hurt.
If Gu Yan had been beaten in front of her because of Xiao Lin, she knew she would never forgive herself.
Gu Yan shook his head gently.
"I'm fine. But you fainted in the car after being hit by that dangerous man."
"The doctor said the back connects to many vital organs and nerves. Fortunately, that scumbag stopped in time. Otherwise…"
He didn't continue.
Wang Yulan understood immediately how close it had been.
A chill ran through her.
"But don't worry, Sister Yulan," Gu Yan added with a smile.
"I've already called the police. They'll catch that scumbag."
"He'll receive the punishment he deserves."
Police?
Wang Yulan froze briefly, then nodded.
Yes… there was still the law.
Someone that dangerous couldn't be allowed to walk free.
"And your work…" she hesitated, remembering something.
Gu Yan spoke before she could continue.
"I've already contacted your workplace. You can rest properly for the next few days."
She finally relaxed—but still shook her head.
"No… this hospital is too expensive. I'm much better now. Gu Yan, I want to be discharged."
For her mother's medical bills, Wang Yulan had always endured pain rather than spend money.
As she spoke, she tried to sit up.
"Hiss—"
Sharp pain shot through her back, and her face turned pale.
Gu Yan quickly pressed her down.
"Sister Yulan, don't move. Money isn't important. Rest is."
"No, no, I—"
She struggled weakly, anxious and flustered. She didn't want Gu Yan to spend money on her.
Seeing this, Gu Yan sighed helplessly and softened his tone.
"Alright, alright."
"How about this—just consider it a debt you owe me."
"Pay me back slowly once you start earning again."
Wang Yulan froze.
Looking into Gu Yan's sincere eyes, she knew he truly cared about her condition.
At this point, refusing again would only hurt his feelings.
"…Okay," she nodded quietly.
Time passed.
Gu Yan glanced at the time and stood up.
"Sister Yulan, rest well. I'll head out first."
"If anything happens, call the nurse. I've already recharged your meal account."
"Your belongings are on the chair beside you."
Listening to his careful arrangements, Wang Yulan felt warmth spread through her chest.
"Alright. Go do your work. I'm fine here."
Gu Yan left the ward.
Wang Yulan's gaze lingered on the door long after it closed.
Gu Yan…
It had been a long time since she'd felt this kind of warmth.
Suddenly remembering something, she reached for her sack.
Inside was a rice ball—still warm.
Feeling its temperature, she let out a small sigh of relief.
To save money, she'd made rice balls from last night's leftovers for lunch.
She had prepared two.
One… she had given to Gu Yan.
"Breakfast should be eaten properly…"
Holding the rice ball, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
I wonder if it suits his taste…
---
Gu Yan left the hospital calmly, already planning his next move.
Wang Yulan's favorability had likely reached a bottleneck.
If he wanted to push further, he'd have to wait for the next plot node.
Before that, he needed to find another future female lead—someone who would eventually help Xiao Lin.
Gu Yan took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Uncle Chen?"
"Yes. A vicious assault happened this morning at the entrance of Yulin Community."
"A friend of mine was beaten by a man named Xiao Lin and hospitalized."
"The injuries are serious."
"They'll be caught soon, right? Good. Thank you, Uncle Chen. I'll visit when I'm free."
Click.
He leaned back in the luxury car, humming lightly.
Sometimes, he really couldn't understand.
In so many novels, problems that could be solved legally—
Why did villains always rush in headfirst?
This was a civilized society.
Civilized problems deserved civilized solutions.
Of course…
In this world, warriors held a higher status than ordinary people—some even above the law.
Even if Xiao Lin went in, he'd probably be released soon.
But that didn't matter.
Gu Yan was perfectly happy disgusting him.
The car started.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gu Yan noticed something.
A rice ball.
He smiled faintly, then drove up to a trash can and tossed it inside.
"I don't eat rice balls."
---
Tianye Pharmaceutical Technology.
Outside the building, a group of former employees gathered, shouting angrily.
They held banners and yelled through loudspeakers.
"Give us back our hard-earned money!"
"Tianye Medical Technology is heartless!"
"They cheated us!"
"Pay us back!"
"I haven't been paid for two months!"
"Don't even think about running!"
Inside the security room—
Zhang Qing stared anxiously at Xiao Lin, who sat on a chair with a blank, lifeless expression.
"Xiao Lin, go out there already!"
"They've surrounded the place!"
Zhang Qing couldn't understand it.
Xiao Lin had been fine yesterday.
So why did he look like this today?