As he passed them, Xia Chengzong glanced at the two with a complex expression and then buried his head and ran away.
Panting heavily, he dashed out of the hospital and bumped into Huo Shiqian’s guards.
Two soldiers were standing straight, one on each side of the hospital entrance.
"Hey kid, slow down," one of the soldiers stepped forward to steady him as he startled and staggered.
"Thank you, thank you," he expressed his gratitude and then looked back toward the hospital, genuinely sighing, "My cousin has truly encountered an extraordinary person."
After Xia Chengzong fled in haste, Xia Chuyi and Huo Shiqian slowly made their way out of the hospital.
It was still dark outside, and there were hardly any people in the hospital lobby.
Walking through it, the chill of the night was strikingly bone-chilling.
Huo Shiqian unbuttoned his overcoat silently and draped it over her shoulders.
Suddenly warmed, Xia Chuyi paused mid-step and looked at him with mixed emotions.
"Brother Shiqian, did Chang Luhui inform you to come to Ling County? Did Soldier Xiao Wang leave the hospital last night to find him?" Xia Chuyi asked intently, finally voicing her query.
Huo Shiqian glanced at her, nodded slightly, and said, "Yes."
He didn’t intend to hide it.
As for why Xiao Wang sought out Chang Luhui, it was clear—it was about "Youwei" being smashed up and Cousin Zhao being beaten.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Xia Chuyi stopped completely.
In her mind, she vividly saw her cousin lying in a wrecked shop, covered in blood, and recalled the floating white funeral money from her past life.
A chill seeped out from her body little by little, and even Huo Shiqian’s overcoat could not stop her from shivering all over.
Seeing her shivering form, Huo Shiqian furrowed his brows.
Fortunately, she soon adjusted her breathing, controlled her shivering, and with utmost seriousness, looked at Huo Shiqian and said, "Brother Shiqian, there are some things I need to talk to you about."
She paused, then looked at him steadily and said, "Brother Shiqian, I have incriminating evidence against Lin Aiguo."
Lin Aiguo, the Ling County Police Chief, Zhang Xiaoling’s uncle.
Huo Shiqian’s eyes suddenly sparkled with a sharp glare.
Xia Chuyi didn’t flinch, she pursed her lips and met his gaze, insisting, "Brother Shiqian, please don’t ask me how I know this evidence."
"Simply put, I hold evidence that could overturn the entire situation in Ling County. This evidence could wholly bring down Lin Aiguo."
Her gaze was earnest and resolute.
Only if Lin Aiguo fell would the real mastermind, Zhang Xiaoling, receive the deserved punishment.
That was clear to everyone.
Previously, she had been too conservative, fearing exposure of her secrets, and hesitant.
And what did that yield?
Her beloved "Youwei" was vandalized, and her dear cousin nearly died.
Retreating was futile.
Hiding was meaningless.
Without significant power, even if she hid a myriad of secrets, what use would they be?
She was still vulnerable to others, to be smashed, beaten, or killed at their whim.
If she continued to weaken, not only her cousin but perhaps she herself might one day die again due to the same unknown secret of her past life.
Only by taking the offensive, turning passivity into proactivity and overturning the heavens of Ling County, could such scum as Zhang Xiaoling cease to commit any wickedness and no longer threaten her or her loved ones.
Huo Shiqian gazed into her eyes, which deepened ever more.