Chapter 74: Mrs. Qiao Was in a Car Accident

“Auntie suddenly fainted—she’s being resuscitated right now at the First City Hospital!”

On the other end of the line, Chu Xiangxiang’s voice was urgent. “Xi Bao, please, come home quickly!”

The phone slipped from Qiao Xi’s trembling hand and landed on the carpet with a dull thud.

Her face turned deathly pale, all strength seemed to drain from her body, and she staggered forward, ready to rush off the bed.

But a pair of steady arms caught her.

“Xi Xi!”

Fu Yancheng’s expression darkened instantly; he’d heard every word of the call.

He held her firmly, steady and reassuring. “Don’t panic! Look at me—breathe deeply!”

“As long as I’m here, nothing will go wrong. Leave everything to me, all right?”

Qiao Xi nodded in panic, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Fu Yancheng sprang into action.

He picked up his own phone and issued instructions with calm, methodical precision. “Contact the president of First City Hospital immediately.”

“Activate the highest-level medical protocol. Assemble the best specialists for a consultation—spare no expense.”

“I want my mother to receive the fastest, most effective treatment. Fu Group will cover all costs!”

Without pause, Fu Yancheng arranged for a private jet to be ready to fly home within the hour.

He turned to the ashen-faced Qiao Xi. “You’re in no condition to handle anything alone. I’ll go back with you.”

She looked up sharply, eyes blurred with tears. “But—”

“No buts.” He cut her off, gently brushing away her tears with his thumb. “Nothing matters more than you and Mom.”

“I’ll have the deputy manager finish up here. All celebrations and business meetings are postponed.”

His arrangements were thorough and decisive; in an instant, he shouldered all the burdens and chaos, creating a safe haven for her.

In less than ten minutes, everything was in place.

He took a coat and draped it over Qiao Xi’s shoulders, then led her quickly toward the elevator.

“The hospital’s expert team is assembled. They’re doing everything they can.”

Resting against Fu Yancheng’s shoulder, Qiao Xi’s frantic, helpless heart finally began to settle.

Thank goodness… he was here.

She knew, even if the sky fell, he would hold it up for her.

Fu Yancheng turned, gazing at her pale face, his heart aching with concern.

He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her hair.

“Don’t be afraid, Xi Xi.”

“Mom will be all right. Leave everything to me.”

—

In the operating room of First City Hospital, the team of specialists was working at full capacity.

Yet no one noticed: under the guise of adjusting the monitoring equipment, a masked doctor covertly implanted a capsule no bigger than a grain of rice into Zhao Huiyun’s body. The motion was subtle, unnoticed.

The capsule was perfectly designed to evade standard imaging scans.

Lu Group Headquarters.

In front of Lu Yanzhi, the screen did not display business charts, but an encrypted communication interface.

On it was a single word: “Implantation complete.”

At this, a manic smile crept onto Lu Yanzhi’s lips. He picked up an unregistered phone and dialed a number.

The call connected. His voice was chillingly calm. “Now that it’s in place, tell me exactly how to use it.”

An electronically altered voice came through the receiver.

“…It’s not lethal. It waits for remote activation—then triggers a series of severe, excruciating, and difficult-to-diagnose symptoms.”

“Perfect.”

Lu Yanzhi’s voice was a low, admiring murmur, as though he were appreciating a masterpiece. “Absolutely perfect.”

“That thing is a special gift for Qiao Xi. Without my permission, no one is to act recklessly.”

“I’ll make her beg me—on her knees.”

In the hospital corridor.

Fu Yancheng, half-supporting the nearly faint Qiao Xi, hurried forward.

Qiao Xi’s face was bloodless; her eyes were fixed desperately on the operating room’s glowing red light.

“Xi Bao!”

A choked voice rang out.

Chu Xiangxiang leapt from a bench at the end of the corridor and rushed over, her own eyes swollen with tears.

“You’re finally here…”

At the sight of her friend, Qiao Xi’s composure shattered; tears poured down her face.

She gripped Chu Xiangxiang’s arm. “How’s my mom? How long has she been in there? Did the doctors say anything?”

Her voice shook so violently it was barely recognizable.

Chu Xiangxiang quickly wrapped her in a hug, gently patting her back, her own voice trembling. “Almost three hours now. The doctors haven’t come out yet.”

“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Auntie will be fine—she’ll get better…”

Fu Yancheng stood nearby, watching Qiao Xi’s collapse, his heart twisting in pain.

He stepped forward, placing a large hand on her trembling shoulder. “Xi Xi, listen to me.”

He turned to Chu Xiangxiang. “Thank you for getting here so quickly to be with her.”

“Take Qiao Xi to the lounge to rest for a bit. I’ll wait here. If there’s any news, I’ll let you know immediately.”

His arrangements were rational and considerate; he simply didn’t want Qiao Xi to torture herself any longer in the hallway.

But Qiao Xi shook her head fiercely, tears pouring faster.

“No, I’m not leaving…”

She choked out, “I’ll wait here until Mom comes out. I’m not going anywhere…”

Fu Yancheng met her shattered gaze, and all his words of persuasion caught in his throat.

He was silent for a moment, then finally let out a heavy sigh.

“All right.”

He relented, his voice hoarse. “We’ll wait together.”

No one knew how much time passed before the rescue room’s light finally went out.

“Mr. Fu, Miss Qiao, please rest assured—the resuscitation was a success. Ms. Zhao is temporarily out of danger.”

The attending physician stepped out and removed his mask.

“The patient suffered intracranial bleeding and multiple internal injuries due to a car accident. Her condition was extremely critical, but for now, she’s stable. However, she’s not out of the woods yet and will need to be observed in the ICU for some time.”

All at once, Qiao Xi’s legs gave way; she nearly collapsed in Fu Yancheng’s arms, sobbing with relief.

He held her steady, thanking the doctor.

“Please, use the best medicine and equipment. I want her recovery ensured.”

Watching the nurses wheel her still-unconscious mother toward the intensive care unit, Qiao Xi finally felt the weight in her heart ease, and she followed closely behind the moving bed.

Fu Yancheng assigned his most trusted assistant and bodyguard to accompany Qiao Xi, making sure everything was in order.

But as Qiao Xi and Chu Xiangxiang disappeared around the corner, every trace of warmth vanished from Fu Yancheng’s face.

What remained was a razor-sharp coldness.

He strode to the far end of the quiet corridor, took out his phone, his gaze icy, and dialed a number.

“Investigate immediately. The car accident on the route from downtown to Bishui Garden half an hour ago—I want to know who was behind it.”

“Check all surveillance footage, dash cams, eyewitness accounts—leave no stone unturned.”

“Most importantly, find out: was this an accident, or… deliberate?”

He was determined to see just who dared lay a finger on his mother-in-law.