From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Elder Qiao and his group arrived at nine in the evening, with a special passage arranged by the Changxing side.

Elder Qiao had already conveyed his wishes through Mei Ru Xue, trying not to attract too much attention. However, he understood that visiting in the manner of an ordinary person was impossible.

Wang Siqi cried until her eyes were swollen. With a mother’s heart, after Qiao Yuanshan left without a word, Qiao Rulong became her only concern. Even though she was living with her parent’s family now, she always considered herself part of the Qiao Family. Upon hearing that her son had a car accident, it was as if her world had collapsed.

Ye Qingya stepped forward to support her, gently comforting her. Compared to her mother-in-law, her emotions were relatively calm.

Everyone looked at Qiao Rulong inside through the glass. The doctor came out to inform them that Qiao Rulong’s vital signs were currently stable.

Qiao Yuanjiang came to his father’s side and whispered, "Dad, I was afraid you’d worry, so I didn’t inform you immediately."

Elder Qiao nodded without speaking, his gaze turned to Xu Chunliang. "Chunliang, how is Rulong’s condition exactly?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "The surgery was successful, but we still need to observe for a few days regarding the prognosis. Rest assured, with his physique, he should get through this."

Elder Qiao nodded and said, "No need for everyone to stay here; go back if you should, rest if you must."

Wang Siqi said, "Dad, I want to stay with him."

Ye Qingya said, "Mom, let me stay. I can handle things here at the hospital alone. We can’t do much right now since we’re in a quarantine period, and we can’t go in."

Elder Qiao said, "Okay, then let Xiaoxue and Qingya stay."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, arrangements have been made for a place to rest in Dongzhou, so why not..."

Elder Qiao said, "Alright, everyone else should go and rest."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa Qiao, leave the matters here in Changxing to me. I’ll stay tonight as well."

Although Elder Qiao had given his orders, Wang Siqi was unwilling to leave, so in the end, she had to be let be. Rooms had been arranged in Changxing for the Qiao Family to use and keep vigil.

Xu Chunliang sent a message to Secretary Zhou, informing him that Elder Qiao wanted to rest early today. Secretary Zhou replied with two words—Understood.

By the time Elder Qiao and the others left, it was already eleven at night. Ye Qingya accompanied Wang Siqi to rest.

Xu Chunliang took time to buy some late-night snacks and brought them to Mei Ru Xue. Mei Ru Xue said, "You’ve been busy all day too; quickly go back and rest."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m fine." He reached out and touched Mei Ru Xue’s pretty face. Mei Ru Xue leaned her face into his palm. After a day of tension, her nerves finally relaxed a bit. Although the outcome wasn’t ideal, as long as her brother was alive, it was enough.

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t worry, I have a way to help your big brother recover."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I believe you."

The two of them sat on the row of seats, Mei Ru Xue leaning against him. Xu Chunliang wrapped his arms around her slender waist, allowing her to lean more comfortably.

Only now could they be considered truly alone, without much communication but already understanding each other’s sentiments. Xu Chunliang thought to himself, this must be the true essence of companionship and love.

Xu Chunliang said, "Here are the snacks I bought for you, eat something quickly."

Mei Ru Xue nodded, "Chunliang, you should go back first. I’ll call you if something comes up."

Xu Chunliang advised her to rest early, escorted her to the caregiver’s room, and then left Changxing. Outside, the rain was still drizzling.

Xu Chunliang did not go home, worried about disturbing his grandfather’s rest. He found a hotel room opposite the hospital. As he was heading to the room, he unexpectedly encountered Qi Shuang in the corridor. Qi Shuang was still wearing the same outfit from the day, looking as dejected as ever.

She hadn’t expected to meet Xu Chunliang there either and greeted him. Xu Chunliang immediately guessed that Qi Shuang was still concerned about Qiao Rulong and nodded before going to his room. They had no need for further conversation.

After taking a shower, he lay on the bed and picked up his phone to search for related news, but did not find any reports about the car accident. It seemed Dongzhou had put considerable effort into controlling the spread of information as quickly as possible.

But he was unaware until he checked, the news that made it to the trending list was about taxi overcharging in Dongzhou. The incident arose because Dongzhou Barbecue recently surged in popularity, attracting many influencer bloggers to come to visit.

One of them, a food blogger with over ten million followers, named Wuyu, came to Dongzhou and immediately encountered taxi refusal, detours, and incorrect change upon arrival. This food blogger recorded the incidents and uploaded the evidence of the taxi overcharging.

Like a stone thrown into the water causing a thousand ripples, this video resonated with many people. The issues with Dongzhou taxis were long-standing. Even Xu Chunliang faced the same situation at the train station today. If he hadn’t been in a hurry, he would have had to deal with that taxi driver.

Although Xu Chunliang also believed that such exposure was true, as a member of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau, he realized that this exposure would be a significant blow to the recently uprising Dongzhou Culture and Tourism.

The video by Wuyu regarding the Dongzhou taxi overcharging received a lot of attention, while many others also reported incidents where their vehicles were fined by the local traffic management in Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang glanced through the rankings and found that the news about taxi overcharging in Dongzhou had surpassed Dongzhou Barbecue in popularity. He started to sense that something was amiss and forwarded the video to Fu Guomin.

Soon after, Fu Guomin called back, his voice filled with anger. He had already communicated with several major departments, but to little effect. Last week, when he was taking a stroll on Zhuangyuan Street, he noticed that the traffic police were too strict on illegally parked out-of-town cars, and he had even communicated about it. But now, it had indeed become an issue.

Xu Chunliang suggested that Fu Guomin address the matter promptly. "Water can carry a boat but also capsize it. Dongzhou Culture and Tourism thrives on online trends, which is a double-edged sword. Used well, it brings benefits, but if mishandled, it can backfire greatly."

Fu Guomin had also heard about Qiao Rulong’s situation and understood that Xu Chunliang was likely to be busy with it in the near future. He assured him that he would start dealing with it immediately.

After arriving at the Dongzhou Second Guesthouse, Elder Qiao made a call to Mei Ru Xue. He still couldn’t stop worrying about his grandson.

Someone had provided him with Shu Yuanhang’s information. After going through it, he felt much more relieved, as Shu Yuanhang’s medical skills were unquestionably sound.

Qiao Yuanjiang checked the time. It was nearing midnight, and he advised, "Dad, you should get some sleep. You’ve traveled a long way and must be tired."

Elder Qiao shook his head and said, "I can’t sleep! Yuanjiang, was there a woman in the car when Rulong had the accident?"

Qiao Yuanjiang nodded, "Dad, don’t worry. I’ve already arranged for this to remain confidential. No one will find out."

Elder Qiao looked at him coldly, "How old are you? Still this naïve?"

Qiao Yuanjiang looked at his father in surprise. He thought the old man would agree with his approach.

Elder Qiao said, "Aside from Ye Qingya, no one from the Ye Family has come."

Qiao Yuanjiang replied, "You mean the Ye Family already knows? That can’t be!"

Elder Qiao sighed, "Your biggest flaw is your lack of a broader perspective. You think you’re clever. With such a significant event, do you think you can hide it? The accident has already occurred, and the truth must be respected. Originally, there wasn’t much to it, but you insisted on concealing it. And now look, it’s just the opposite effect! Truly foolish!"

Qiao Yuanjiang secretly suspected it was Mei Ru Xue who told on him. The old man has always been like this—no matter what he does, it’s never right in his eyes. Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, I’m also doing this for the good of the Qiao Family, to prevent others from making an issue out of that woman."

Elder Qiao said, "A clear conscience fears no accusations!"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Then I’ll go arrange it now."

Elder Qiao waved his hand and pointed to the sofa beside him, motioning for him to sit down.

Qiao Yuanjiang sat obediently by his father’s side.

Elder Qiao said, "Find out the identity and background of the driver responsible, and also the woman who was with Rulong in the car."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "The police are already investigating."

Elder Qiao frowned, "I want you to investigate!"

Qiao Yuanjiang was taken aback, and he whispered, "Dad, do you suspect this wasn’t just an accident?"

Elder Qiao said, "Even if it was an accident, we must find out the truth. Our Qiao Family has faced too many unfortunate events over the years."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, you don’t have to worry so much. Shu Yuanhang is highly skilled, and with the heart transplant performed in time, the prognosis should be good—I’ve heard that after recovery, one can work and live like a normal person."

"A normal person? No matter how good that heart is, it isn’t his own. For the rest of his life, Rulong won’t be able to do without medication. It’s impossible for his life to remain unaffected." Elder Qiao was full of sorrow. He pinned his hopes on his grandson to shoulder the family’s responsibilities and envisioned the Qiao Family flourishing again under his grandson’s leadership. But this accident completely disrupted his plans and could render all his previous efforts futile.

Sometimes, one can’t help but believe in fate.

Qiao Yuanjiang didn’t feel particularly down. Such is destiny; no one remains lucky forever. Success is often followed by decline. When one begins to have good fortune, misfortune quietly accompanies it. This is the intertwining of fortune and misfortune.

He even felt that everyone in the Qiao Family lived in the old man’s shadow. The old man was too domineering, governing everyone’s destinies, claiming to respect his children’s choices, but never truly doing so in reality. Under such pressure, Qiao Yuanshan was the first to break down, followed by himself, and then Qiao Rulong.

Compared to Qiao Yuanshan and his son, he considered himself somewhat fortunate. At least his father didn’t have high expectations of him. In this family, the greater the hope, the greater the pressure. If Qiao Rulong hadn’t gone into politics, maybe this car accident wouldn’t have happened.

Elder Qiao said, "Do you know that woman?"

The abrupt question gave Qiao Yuanjiang a start. Upon realizing it, he quickly shook his head, "I don’t know her. I’ve never met her."

Elder Qiao leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes in some exhaustion, "Rulong had the accident in Pinghai, and as his uncle, you can’t shirk your responsibility."

Qiao Yuanjiang felt deeply frustrated. The good things never had anything to do with him, but he never escaped the blame. His father was truly partial. He sighed and said, "I indeed didn’t pay enough attention to Rulong."

Elder Qiao said, "Yuanjiang, do you think if Yuanshan were still alive, he would resent me for this?"