From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Lu Qi sighed deeply, and reminded Xu Chunliang to burn some incense paper when he went to pay respects. Xu Chunliang didn’t think it was necessary, as Zhao Feiyang wouldn’t appreciate the gesture.

Just after hanging up Lu Qi’s call, Lu Ming called. Lu Ming was also inquiring about Qiao Rulong’s condition. Xu Chunliang didn’t expect Qiao Rulong’s injuries to concern so many people.

Lu Ming lamented as he had been reprimanded by his superiors due to the Qiao Rulong incident, saying his network supervision was inadequate. Although he had taken immediate measures, a video of the car accident still leaked out. Lu Ming felt uneasy and called Xu Chunliang for information, to prepare mentally in advance.

Xu Chunliang keenly sensed the situation wasn’t that simple. If it were just an ordinary car accident, even if someone had shot a video and uploaded it, it wouldn’t have much impact. Could there be more to it? Upon further probing, Lu Ming finally sent him a short video for him to analyze.

From the car accident video, Xu Chunliang recognized a familiar figure; the woman who first escaped from the car was clearly Qi Shuang. However, no one mentioned this point in the unfolding events, as if Qi Shuang had mysteriously vanished into thin air.

Xu Chunliang naturally understood why Qi Shuang chose to disappear and realized why Lu Ming was so anxious. If the matter wasn’t handled properly, it could possibly affect his career prospects.

Xu Chunliang returned to Mei Ru Xue with two bottles of water, handing one to Ye Qingya.

"Thank you," Ye Qingya said, as Xu Chunliang called Mei Ru Xue aside, suggesting that the Qiao Family should be informed about the incident promptly.

After watching the video, Mei Ru Xue bit her lip and muttered, "Does my sister-in-law know?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "Not sure." He didn’t believe this matter could be concealed for much longer.

Mei Ru Xue said, "Even if they were in the same car, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything." After speaking, she felt even she couldn’t convince herself. If it was nothing, why would the woman hide? Wasn’t this making things more suspicious?

Mei Ru Xue thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know her? Can you get in touch with her?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Mei Ru Xue said, "Get her to come forward and explain everything. Hiding is not a proper way to handle this."

On this point, Xu Chunliang and Mei Ru Xue agreed, speculating that Qi Shuang hiding might be intended for Qiao Rulong’s benefit, fearing it could have negative repercussions for him, or perhaps she was under some pressure.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Shouldn’t you first seek your uncle’s opinion?"

Mei Ru Xue looked at him, immediately understanding that Xu Chunliang suggested Qiao Yuanjiang might already know about it, and Qi Shuang hiding might be his arrangement.

Mei Ru Xue took out her phone and called her uncle.

After hearing Mei Ru Xue describe Qi Shuang’s situation, Qiao Yuanjiang showed no surprise: "That’s right, I arranged it. This matter being exposed wouldn’t be good." He glanced at Secretary Zhou nearby, who had already stood up and walked to the window. Such high-level officials are adept at reading the room.

Qiao Yuanjiang believed that the measures he took regarding this incident were timely and appropriate. If it were reported that there was another female passenger in Qiao Rulong’s car, it would definitely stir up a storm, possibly affecting the relations between the Qiao and Ye Families.

Mei Ru Xue was speechless; had her uncle never heard of trying to cover things up only making them worse? With such a significant event, did he think it could be concealed? Even if Qi Shuang was in the car, it wasn’t a big deal. Her uncle’s actions, however, made it hard for people not to speculate.

Mei Ru Xue said, "Uncle, I think this isn’t appropriate. Since it has already happened, there’s no need to cover it up. Influence control is fine, but altering the facts isn’t necessary. How it should be handled in the end is up to my brother."

Qiao Yuanjiang was a bit displeased; Mei Ru Xue’s words clearly questioned his decision. He never liked Mei Ru Xue and didn’t consider her part of the Qiao Family. Qiao Yuanjiang said, "You’re still young; you need to see beyond the surface and take long-term impacts into account."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Uncle, although I’m young, I understand the stakes."

Qiao Yuanjiang got angry, "Xiaoxue, are you trying to teach me my job?"

"Uncle, don’t misunderstand, I’m doing it for the Qiao Family..."

"You don’t bear the Qiao name!" Qiao Yuanjiang said before hanging up the phone, still simmering in anger. Abruptly, he realized Secretary Zhou was still in the room, making him feel somewhat embarrassed. He looked around for Secretary Zhou, who had gone to the restroom. Qiao Yuanjiang sighed with relief, glad that the previous conversation hadn’t been overheard.

These young people are truly reckless, just entering the system and yet daring to lecture him, all because of the old patriarch’s favoritism. The old man spoils Qiao Rulong’s siblings excessively, in the patriarch’s eyes, their status surpasses his own long ago. Thinking of this, Qiao Yuanjiang felt increasingly frustrated; making the woman hide was meant to prevent negative impacts. Such a simple principle that Mei Ru Xue failed to grasp.

A frustrated Mei Ru Xue stomped her foot in anger.

From her reaction, Xu Chunliang knew her communication with Qiao Yuanjiang did not go smoothly. He asked softly, "Should I try contacting her?"

Mei Ru Xue nodded, recognizing why her grandfather was disappointed in her uncle. Despite his years in the system, he lacked political astuteness, unable to prioritize effectively when it mattered. Talking about having a broad perspective, grandfather often criticized him for not having it.

Xu Chunliang made a call to Qi Shuang, but her phone was turned off. This outcome didn’t surprise him.

Xu Chunliang hesitated about whether to ask Zhan Tianhang, but Zhan Tianhang called first to inquire about Qiao Rulong’s condition.

Xu Chunliang thought this matter couldn’t have spread so quickly, and after a short deliberation, he guessed the intricacies involved, and asked back, "Are you asking on behalf of Qi Shuang?"

"Qi Shuang? No!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Zhan, the heart transplant surgery has just been completed by Shu Yuanhang personally. It seems a life has been salvaged."

"That’s good, that’s good!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Tell Qi Shuang for me, hiding is not the solution. Someone captured a video of her at the scene. This matter can’t be covered up. Instead of trying to clear her name, it’s better to face it. Innocence is more convincing than a cover-up."

Zhan Tianhang realized that Xu Chunliang had guessed he was acting on Qi Shuang’s behalf, and laughed awkwardly, "Alright, I’ll try to contact her."

"Ask her to give me a call."

Soon after Xu Chunliang hung up, Qi Shuang called him. She hadn’t gone far and had been waiting for updates at a café opposite Changxing Hospital, wanting to meet Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang told Mei Ru Xue about this, and Mei Ru Xue suggested he go, making sure to reassure Qi Shuang. There was no need to lie about the accident; he should just tell it like it is.

When Xu Chunliang went to see Qi Shuang, Mei Ru Xue hesitated repeatedly and decided to call her grandfather.

It was now almost certain that her brother would not be in immediate danger, and they couldn’t keep it from her grandfather forever. This time, she didn’t consult her uncle because she had a premonition that even if she did, her uncle would oppose it.

The sun was quite bright in the Capital City, but Elder Qiao felt unusually agitated today. He couldn’t figure out why. Upon receiving his granddaughter’s call and hearing about his grandson’s car accident, Elder Qiao finally found the reason. It was a familiar feeling; he had the same feeling when his youngest son, Qiao Yuanshan, left.

Elder Qiao was very calm, first inquiring if there was any life-threatening danger. Mei Ru Xue did not hide much and reported the actual situation to him.

Upon hearing that the heart transplant surgery was completed, Elder Qiao’s hand trembled slightly. Although he wasn’t a doctor, he understood about organ transplants. Setting aside the postoperative survival rate, his grandson would probably need medication for life. He didn’t dare think further and took a deep breath, deciding to head to Dongzhou immediately.

Elder Qiao notified his daughter-in-law Wang Siqi, who is Rulong’s mother. Such a significant event could not go unknown to her.

Upon hearing about it, Wang Siqi’s brother, Wang Sixuan, also decided to go with them.

Xu Chunliang braved the heavy rain to D.O. Coffee opposite the hospital, spotting a blurry figure behind the floor-to-ceiling window even from the outside. The café didn’t have good business, coupled with the heavy rain, leaving only a few customers in the large café.

Qi Shuang held a coffee cup, her face devoid of color, with a shallow scratch on her forehead. She was lucky not only to have escaped disaster but to have only this one minor injury on her body.

Xu Chunliang placed his umbrella on the stand and sat opposite Qi Shuang.

Qi Shuang said, "I ordered a mocha for you."

Xu Chunliang took a sip of the coffee, "Why hide?"

"I didn’t intend to hide; the Qiao family asked me to do so."

Xu Chunliang frowned; the Qiao family she referred to was likely Qiao Yuanjiang.

Qi Shuang said, "I have nothing with him, just hitchhiked to Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang set down the coffee cup, "I’m not interested in your relationship with him. Have you thought about the fact that you should have just stayed and stated the facts? Hiding makes people wonder more."

Qi Shuang sighed, "I think so too, but I didn’t have a choice."

Xu Chunliang gazed into her eyes. Qi Shuang, feeling guilty, believed Xu Chunliang had seen through her relationship with Qiao Rulong.

"How is President Qiao’s condition?"

Xu Chunliang said, "A heart transplant surgery was just completed, his life saved for now. How much he recovers will depend on his own fortune."

Qi Shuang already knew this earlier, but hearing it from Xu Chunliang, she couldn’t control herself anymore. Tears suddenly flowed down, and she quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe them, "I’m sorry, I lost my composure."

Xu Chunliang thought that feelings couldn’t be hidden. Qiao Rulong constantly watched whether he himself was involved with other women, yet sneaked around with Ye Qingya. Typical hypocrisy, forbidding others to light a lamp while setting fire himself, truly dominating and dictatorial.