Chapter 225: You're Quite Daring

Arriving at the hospital, Yang Chen noticed that there were noticeably more bodyguards than yesterday, clearly indicating the Yuan family's concern that Zhou Guangnian might resort to desperate measures to harm those they cared about. So, they had strengthened their precautions.

However, no one probably anticipated that Zhou Guangnian would suddenly die in his own home. Although it was unclear who was behind it, based on Yang Chen's experience with such matters, it was most likely someone from within Dongxing.

Arriving at the door of the special care ward, several people were already seated there. Among them, the only one Yang Chen recognized was Yuan Ye's mother, Yang Jieyu.

Seeing Yang Chen's arrival, Yang Jieyu stood up and smiled faintly, "You've come so early to see Xiao Ye. As a mother, I must thank you for your concern."

"I don't have many friends, and he's one of them. I have to show some care," Yang Chen replied calmly, not rushing to enter. There was something peculiar about Yang Jieyu that made Yang Chen curious to know more about her.

Curiously, Yang Jieyu asked, "I've never heard Xiao Ye mention you before. Did you become friends recently?"

"I've been abroad before. I just returned to China this year. We became friends through Tang Tang, playing games together," Yang Chen replied without hiding anything.

Upon hearing Yang Chen's mention of being abroad, Yang Jieyu's pupils visibly contracted for a moment, but she maintained her composure and said, "I see. Xiao Ye is interested in the gaming industry, which his father doesn't support much. But I've always indulged him. It seems to have been somewhat helpful, at least in making a trustworthy friend like you."

"Perhaps. I'll go in and take a look," Yang Chen said, sensing Yang Jieyu's peculiar reaction and refraining from further conversation.

Entering the ward, the doctor and several nurses were conducting various tests on Yuan Ye. Tang Tang's eyes were swollen, obviously indicating she hadn't slept much the previous night. She stood anxiously by the bed.

"Doctor, how is Yuan Ye doing? His heartbeat seems normal. He should be fine, right?" Tang Tang asked.

The doctor took the chart from the nurse and examined it carefully before smiling reassuringly, "He's fine. His willpower is strong, and all his indicators are normal. I believe he'll wake up by tonight at the latest."

"Really?!" Tang Tang's eyes lit up with joy.

"Would the doctor lie to you, silly girl?"

Tang Tang turned around and suddenly saw Yang Chen walking in. Ignoring the propriety of the situation, she rushed over joyfully, hugged Yang Chen tightly, and exclaimed, "Uncle! Yuan Ye is okay! He's okay!"

Yang Chen patted Tang Tang's back gently and glanced at Yuan Ye lying on the bed, only to see him slowly opening his eyes!

"Hey, kid, look who's awake," Yang Chen gestured with his eyes.

Tang Tang spun around and saw Yuan Ye smiling weakly at her, though he seemed a bit weak.

Tang Tang covered her mouth with one hand, widened her eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, and tears of joy flowed freely.

The doctor and several nurses exchanged knowing glances and quietly left the room. Yang Chen finally relaxed, stepping out of the ward, allowing the siblings to have their private time.

As he stepped out, Yuan He and a group of people happened to arrive. Spotting Yang Chen, they greeted him warmly.

"Last night's operation was very impressive. Both the Yuan and Fang families didn't expect Rose, the leader of the Hongjing Society, to be so skilled. Although we had the cooperation of the court and the military, we old guys still fell short. We should really thank you for your help," Yuan He praised sincerely.

Yang Chen shrugged. "That should be said to Rose. I didn't do much."

"No, besides you, I don't think anyone could make Rose trust us so completely and fight alongside us," Yuan He said meaningfully.

Yang Chen didn't think it was difficult for these people to investigate his relationship with Rose, but he didn't care.

"What about the Xus?" Yang Chen asked.

Yuan He looked somewhat troubled. "Xu Zhihong is far more cunning than we imagined. Yesterday afternoon, he took a group of family members and confidants and left Zhonghai. If things go as expected, they've used illegal means to go abroad. It's impossible to arrest them now. All the Xu family's assets are now in a vacuum period. We've decided to acquire all the important industries. However, Xu Zhihong has transferred a large amount of wealth to Swiss bank accounts within the shortest time, and even the court and the military can't trace or freeze it."

Yang Chen frowned. So, Xu Zhihong had taken a substantial amount of assets with him, and his return was uncertain.

Although this wasn't great news, this troublemaker shouldn't affect his life in the short term. Yang Chen didn't bother to dwell on it. The series of events triggered by Yuan Ye's birthday had finally calmed down. The Yuan couple were eager to see their son awake, so Yang Chen bid farewell and left directly.

As he reached the hospital's entrance, just as he was about to turn towards the parking lot, he unexpectedly bumped into someone he knew.

It was Jingjing Li, wearing a beige blouse and a gray plaid skirt that fell below her knees, supporting an elderly-looking Mr. Li. She was walking towards him.

It had been a while since they had seen each other or been in contact. Jingjing Li seemed a bit worn out, but there was an even stronger aura of maturity and sophistication about her, which attracted the attention of many passersby.

Ever since Mr. Li had spoken candidly, expressing his wish for Yang Chen not to hinder Jingjing Li's future, Yang Chen had silently erected a barrier between himself and Jingjing Li, not allowing himself to think about her. However, seeing this girl, who had once been so close, now exuding womanhood, Yang Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of nostalgia and relief.

Both Mr. Li and Jingjing Li noticed Yang Chen at the hospital entrance. Mr. Li looked somewhat surprised and pleased, while Jingjing Li cast a complicated glance at Yang Chen before lowering her head.

"Xiao Yang, didn't expect to see you here. Are you not feeling well?" Mr. Li asked.

"No, I'm just visiting a friend. Mr. Li, are you feeling unwell?" Yang Chen greeted Mr. Li with a smile, not paying much attention to Jingjing Li.

Mr. Li sighed. "Old age makes one's body less reliable. I have a problem with my lumbar disc. Since Jingjing doesn't have to go to school on Saturday mornings, she said she'd bring me here for a check-up."

"Take care of yourself and don't overwork. This illness isn't a big deal," Yang Chen checked the time on his phone. "I have things to attend to, so I'll take off. Let's have a drink together next time when we have the chance."

Mr. Li bid farewell to Yang Chen with a nod.

Seeing Yang Chen leaving without even giving her a glance or saying a word, Jingjing Li's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, remaining silent.

Mr. Li noticed his daughter's distress and sighed. "Jingjing, your mom and I want what's best for you. Xiao Yang is a good person, but he's not the one you should like."

Jingjing Li's eyes revealed a mixture of pain and reluctance, faintly shimmering with a hint of something different.

Meanwhile, back in his car, Yang Chen closed his eyes for a moment, shook his head, and pushed away the image of Jingjing Li's despondent expression from his mind. Just as he was about to start the car, his phone vibrated.

Glancing at the number, it was an unfamiliar one, but Yang Chen answered it anyway.

"Is this Mr. Yang Chen?" A somewhat unfamiliar, gender-neutral voice came from the other end of the line.

Yang Chen furrowed his brow. "Zhou Dongcheng?"

The voice on the other end chuckled softly, almost like a woman's laughter, eerily authentic.

"Please call me Chanel, Mr. Yang Chen. I'm genuinely delighted that you recognized me," Chanel exclaimed cheerfully.

Yang Chen chuckled. "You're quite audacious. With your intelligence, you should know that I was behind last night's large-scale attack. Do you still want to pursue me?"

"I know Mr. Yang wouldn't care about a weak woman like me, so I felt quite reassured when I found your number and decided to call you," Chanel replied.

"What's the matter?" Yang Chen inwardly chuckled. This guy was indeed clever. He had no interest in tormenting him to death, nor did he have any interest in uprooting him completely.

"I'm about to leave the country. I hope to see you before I go. Consider it a farewell before I leave the country, for some comfort. Can we meet?"

Yang Chen fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, tell me where, choose somewhere you think you'll be safe."