Contract Termination

Huo Qingning's appearance was unexpected. He picked up Liang Yan and cradled her, the crease between his brows deepening. There was concern in his voice. "Don't worry. I'm taking you to the ER." He was at his best attempt keeping his composure, but he could tell Liang Yan wasn't doing so good. Against the sharp pain, tears ran down her eyes. Her clench on his shirt was tight, her breathing uneven.

"Hang on," Huo Qingning comforted her, though it seemed more like the reassurance was for himself. He couldn't imagine what he would do if something worse ever happened to her. He lifted his head, facing Liang Youli. "Scoot!"

His voice was firmer, harder than Liang Yan, leaving Liang Youli stunned. When she came back to her senses, she yelled, "Why are you still siding this b*tch? Did you think she married you out of love?"

Huo Qingning only found her annoying, his grasp on Liang Yan's lifeless body unyielding. "It's none of your business. F*ck off!"

He fought his way past Liang Youli and her minions, leaving her behind as she screamed to the top of her lungs.

It seemed Lady Luck was on their side because the ER wasn't fully packed. Liang Yan's cardiovascular disease, with stormy weather as the trigger, was dangerous and life-threatening. One second late would've jeopardized her well-being.

Though at the brink of unconsciousness, Liang Yan's priority was still the welfare home. They had already transferred her onto a stretcher, wheeling her towards the operating room, but she wouldn't relax her grip on Huo Qingning. "I...Wel-fare h-home..." She couldn't make out a whole sentence due to the throbbing pain in her chest, and she needed only an answer before she would let go.

He was too anxious to consider the terms and conditions they were on. He uttered all the words that had meant yes before they pushed Liang Yan in. Exhausted, he slumped in the chair outside the room. While the hospital was technologically advanced equipped with the best facilities, the attending surgeons had at least ten years of experience in their field. With these prerequisites, his worries were no longer valid.

Just one more thing.

It was then Grandpa Huo's assistant passed through the ER on his way to the pharmacy to collect his medicine. Huo Qingning stopped him. "What happened after I left? Why is Liang Youli here?" At this point, all of his energy depleted, and he regretted his impulsive behavior earlier.

After the assistant spat everything out, Huo Qingning let him go, ordering him to keep it from his grandfather.

At that instant, Liang Youli caught up with him. She no longer had that prideful look on her face but rather an innocent pout like someone mistreated her. "Please don't be mad at me, Qingning. I didn't know what I was talking about. I said the wrong stuff."

"Yeah? And which part of that was wrong?" Huo Qingning scoffed, unwilling to meet her eyes as the extra effort wasn't worth his time.

Her mind was not only preoccupied with getting his attention because there was also her family business's partnership with his. She sat next to him, her tone shifting into a soothing note. "I was wrong. I'm so sorry a..."

"No need to be." Huo Qingning stood up, looking down at her with scorn. "I could finally see how little the Liangs value this partnership, and I've decided to terminate our business relations."

"What?"

Liang Youli wanted to persuade him further. Yet, after the scene she'd caused during her visit, he had set his decision in stone. "I'll have my assistant forward the papers for the termination. Either way, this partnership is over."