From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Chunliang went outside.

Zhang Hengyang followed him out: "Town Mayor Xu, please don’t leave!"

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "When the conversation is disagreeable, even one more word is too many. Why not leave? To stay and be an eyesore?"

Zhang Hengyang said, "If you leave, Secretary Qin will not look good."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s harder to eat someone else’s food with a clear conscience. This meal is not that easy to swallow. If I don’t leave, he wouldn’t even have an excuse to refuse."

Zhang Hengyang sighed and said, "There’s someone setting up a grander scheme behind today’s arrangements."

Xu Chunliang said, "I understand, that’s why I must leave. This way, Secretary Qin has an excuse, and I can find some peace. Didn’t that punk Li Changyou say I should avoid suspicion? I’m doing as he wishes."

Zhang Hengyang laughed, "Your actions are always unpredictable."

Xu Chunliang urged him to head back quickly. If their tricks are all disclosed, he would be wasting his efforts.

Zhang Hengyang actually didn’t want to have this meal either. He had resigned from Da Heng and didn’t want to get involved in Da Heng’s business. He only attended today’s gathering out of respect for Zhou Guangda.

Elder Qiao stood outside the window, looking at his grandson. Qiao Rulong was recovering well. After recognizing his grandfather, he lifted his right hand gently and waved.

Elder Qiao felt very comforted. His grandson had passed a hurdle, and as for future matters, they would be dealt with in due time.

Qiao Yuanjiang, who stood beside his father, wanted to speak several times but hesitated as the words reached his lips. He was unsure of how his father would react.

Elder Qiao said, "Yuanjiang, you seem to have something to say?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, Rulong’s condition is good. It seems he’ll recover soon."

Elder Qiao said, "Good people have divine protection. By the way, Ye Changyuan has been here. Did you meet him?"

Qiao Yuanjiang nodded his head.

Elder Qiao said, "Do you know the woman who was in Rulong’s car?"

Qiao Yuanjiang was shocked internally. He glanced at his father, and under Elder Qiao’s stern gaze, he quickly lowered his head, swallowed, and felt his heart beat rapidly. Could his father already know?

Elder Qiao said, "I am planning to go back to Capital City."

Qiao Yuanjiang said in surprise, "When? Shall I accompany you?"

Elder Qiao said, "No need, Xiaoxue will accompany me." His gaze returned to Qiao Rulong inside the isolation room, and a multitude of emotions surged within him.

To resolve the dispute between the Ye and Qiao families, he would have to handle it personally.

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, I also need to make a trip back to Nanjiang tomorrow and will try to return the day after."

Elder Qiao nodded, "There’s nothing much left to do here anyway. Go ahead."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"What can you do?"

Elder Qiao’s seemingly nonchalant words pierced Qiao Yuanjiang’s heart like steel needles. He pressed his lips together but finally held back from speaking.

Elder Qiao said in a low voice, "By the way, do you have that woman’s contact information? I want to meet her."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "I’ll arrange it."

Qi Shuang got off at Hidden Dragon Lake, and saw the old man sitting by the lakeside. The old man’s back remained straight, exuding a sense of resilience and stubbornness from afar.

Qi Shuang gathered her courage and walked towards the old man, speaking respectfully as she approached him, "Are you Grandpa Qiao?"

Elder Qiao said, "Have a seat." His voice was gentle, and his expression was very calm.

Qi Shuang hesitated for a moment before sitting down, deliberately keeping some distance from Elder Qiao.

Elder Qiao said, "When I was troubled, I used to like sitting alone by the lake. Looking at the vast lake surface, my mind would become much calmer."

Qi Shuang didn’t dare to speak, listening quietly.

Elder Qiao said, "When I first heard about Rulong’s accident, I felt as though the sky had collapsed. I didn’t know how to face it. How about you?"

Qi Shuang said, "I’m sorry."

Elder Qiao glanced at her, noticing her tears streaming down her face. Elder Qiao did not trust tears, saying softly, "You don’t need to say sorry. You weren’t the cause of the accident."

Qi Shuang said, "Grandpa Qiao, rest assured, I won’t escape. I will take responsibility."

Elder Qiao laughed, "It’s good for young people to have a sense of responsibility, but you must consider whether you can bear it. I didn’t ask you here to hear an apology or to blame you. I just want to clarify one truth: what’s your relationship with Rulong?"

Qi Shuang said, "Grandpa Qiao, Rulong and I are just ordinary friends."

Elder Qiao nodded, "Boy or girl?"

Qi Shuang froze. She initially wanted to hide her relationship with Qiao Rulong. Ever since their involvement began, she always knew the disparity between them was too great, and she was destined to remain in the dark. Otherwise, it would affect Qiao Rulong’s promising future. She had tried to let go, but ultimately couldn’t control her emotions.

"Boy!" Qi Shuang looked at the ground.

Elder Qiao extended his hand, "Do you have a photo?"

Qi Shuang took out her phone, found a photo, and handed it to Elder Qiao. Elder Qiao looked at the chubby little boy on the screen with warmth and kindness in his eyes. At first glance, he determined that this was the Qiao family’s blood. He bore a striking resemblance to Qiao Rulong when he was little.

Elder Qiao took a long look before handing the phone back to Qi Shuang, "You shouldn’t have come back."

Qi Shuang pressed her lips, "Grandpa Qiao, rest assured, once this matter is settled, I will leave immediately. I won’t affect him."

Elder Qiao said, "It’s too late!"

Qi Shuang looked at Elder Qiao in surprise, but she soon understood the logic. Since Elder Qiao was already aware, it meant that her relationship with Qiao Rulong had been exposed. Indeed, misfortunes never come alone. If someone leveraged their relationship, it wouldn’t just affect Qiao Rulong’s future, but also the Qiao family’s reputation.

Qi Shuang said, "I’ll leave now. For Rulong, I can choose to disappear forever."

Elder Qiao looked at Qi Shuang with some pity. Why bring this upon themselves? Love has caused so many tangled fates.

Elder Qiao said, "What is the child’s name?"

"His English name is George. He doesn’t have a Chinese name yet."

Elder Qiao chuckled silently. George, at least the surname is still Qiao. He said in a low voice, "At this point, whether you stay or leave is no longer the critical issue. The child is still young, and many unforeseen dangers lurk around. You need to prepare early."

Qi Shuang nodded, understanding that Elder Qiao meant she should be wary of someone using the child against them.

"Rest assured, my mom is looking after him, and everyone around can be trusted."

Elder Qiao said, "If they’re trustworthy, how was this discovered? I don’t know how far this will go, but both you and Rulong should be mentally prepared for the worst."

Qi Shuang, with tears in her eyes, said, "I’m sorry!"

Elder Qiao shook his head, "The one who should apologize isn’t you. Child, protect yourself and your son well."

He handed a letter to Qi Shuang, "This letter was written by me. After you read it, memorize it carefully, and then return it to me."

Qi Shuang took the letter and read it thoroughly from beginning to end. The letter wasn’t long, and she quickly finished it. After reading, she memorized it word by word, ensuring it was firmly in her mind before returning the letter untouched to Elder Qiao, "Grandpa Qiao, I’ve memorized it."

Elder Qiao smiled, "Good. You may go now. I wish to be alone for a while."

A friend from out of town came, so this Chapter is a bit shorter.