Du Chengrong wanted Du Zhaohui to return home with him.
Du Zhaohui’s expression changed. “Go back to be cared for by several stepmothers? That’s not good.”
He was worried someone might take the chance to kill him.
Moreover, with Xia Xiaolan staying in Hong Kong, Du Zhaohui wanted to stay by her side 24/7… Only a fool would leave now – it was clear Xia Xiaolan needed help. Shouldn’t he show her how capable he was?
Though even at his most capable, he still looked like a wrapped dumpling.
Du Chengrong couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Just go home and stay put. I’ll handle this matter, but if you don’t listen, I’ll wash my hands of you.”
Xia Xiaolan gave Du Zhaohui a meaningful look, making him hesitate.
Though she stood far away, she was still very much present – and a strikingly beautiful woman at that. Du Chengrong wasn’t blind; he had just prioritized checking on Du Zhaohui first.
Now he turned his gaze toward Xia Xiaolan.
Her beauty indeed caught Du Chengrong’s attention.
But being who he was, Du Chengrong wouldn’t let his eyes betray improper thoughts at the sight of a beautiful woman. He had his dignity, and any woman he’d been with was through mutual consent – forcing women held no appeal. Du Zhaohui’s wariness told him all he needed to know – this beautiful young woman must be someone his son cared about.
His eldest son was in his twenties now; could he be thinking of marriage?
Du Chengrong pondered this. “Zhaohui, is this young lady your friend?”
Warning bells rang in Du Zhaohui’s mind, but he kept a casual smile. “Father, let me introduce you. This is Miss Xia Xiaolan, daughter of Pengcheng’s Mayor. Miss Xia was returning from America via Hong Kong today, and I was entrusted to pick her up at the airport. Unfortunately, Miss Xia had this frightening experience. Miss Xia, this is my father.”
Daughter of Pengcheng’s Mayor?
Wasn’t Pengcheng’s Mayor surnamed Tang?
Cheng Rong Group had significant investments in Pengcheng – it was their foothold for expanding into the mainland market. How could Du Chengrong not take this seriously?
Hearing that Xia Xiaolan was the Mayor’s daughter, Du Chengrong became more respectful… She wasn’t some questionable entertainment industry figure; his attitude couldn’t be too casual.
She seemed quite suitable for Zhaohui.
Du Chengrong was somewhat pleased. He knew someone had been helping Zhaohui with the Electronics Plaza project.
So that’s how it was.
Du Chengrong showed a kind expression:
“Miss Xia, if you’re not in a hurry to return to Pengcheng, you’re welcome to stay at the Du residence. Rest assured, with such an incident happening in broad daylight, even if I weren’t concerned about Zhaohui, I would owe you an explanation. Please stay in Hong Kong for a few days and relax.”
Stay at the Du residence?!
The Du household had a nest of concubines competing for favor.
The Du household also had Liu Tianquan, that fat Liu.
Hah, asking her to relax at the Du residence? Xia Xiaolan would rather stand motionless on the street and get hit by another car.
“Chairman Du, I appreciate your kindness, but I have other arrangements. I sincerely apologize… I’ll visit another time. Please take Young Master Du home – I’ll be fine.”
Xia Xiaolan firmly refused to go to the Du residence.
Du Zhaohui naturally refused to go home.
Just then, Pan Bohua, who had gone to make a call, returned striding quickly:
“Xiaolan, Zhou Cheng will cross the border soon. He wants you to wait at the hospital – he’s coming to pick you up!”
Zhou Cheng was coming?
Xia Xiaolan’s furrowed brow instantly relaxed at this news.
Du Zhaohui was so angry he wanted to scratch his wheelchair’s wheels.
Wasn’t Zhou Cheng supposed to be confined in a classified facility? Did he grow wings to fly to Hong Kong?
No, Zhou Cheng must have been waiting in Pengcheng to surprise Xia Xiaolan… That’s why he could arrive just in time.
Du Zhaohui was furious. Seeing their expressions, Du Chengrong was speechless: Was this his offspring?!
He had conquered many hearts in his life, not only marrying concubines but having countless romantic encounters. Du Zhaohui couldn’t even win over one woman, which Du Chengrong found contemptible.
After some polite words, Du Chengrong forcefully took Du Zhaohui away, regardless of his wishes.
Du Zhaohui left A-Hua with Xia Xiaolan. That Zhou Cheng said he was coming but hadn’t arrived yet – who knew if Xia Xiaolan might be in danger?
“Young Master, I’ll take good care of Miss Xia.”
A-Hua was practically swearing an oath.
At this moment, A-Hua wasn’t swearing for the salary – he simply felt sorry for Young Master.
Of course, he dared not show this pity. A-Hua could guess Young Master’s reaction – he would curse him!
“Go back with Chairman Du and recover well. We’ll stay in touch if anything comes up.”
Xia Xiaolan encouraged the reluctant dumpling-wrapped Du Zhaohui.
Less than an hour after Du Chengrong took Du Zhaohui away, footsteps echoed in the hospital corridor again. Xia Xiaolan knew these footsteps well – only Zhou Cheng’s footsteps could give her such peace of mind.
The person turned the corner, revealing himself – it was indeed Zhou Cheng.
“Zhou Cheng!”
Zhou Cheng opened his arms and embraced her.
“When I heard about your accident, I nearly lost half my life to fright.”
Thankfully Third Brother and Xiaolan had been together. Zhou Cheng held his wife, his heart still beating irregularly in his chest.
It wasn’t that seeing Xia Xiaolan made his heart race with desire, but rather that until he saw she was safe and sound, his worried heart couldn’t rest… Despite Pan Bohua’s assurance that Xiaolan wasn’t injured, Zhou Cheng’s heart had remained suspended with worry.
Fortunately, his superior had given him leave.
He had originally planned to wait for Xiaolan at Luohu Border Control in Pengcheng, wanting to see his wife the moment she crossed.
Though he hadn’t been there when Xiaolan was in danger, at least Zhou Cheng hadn’t arrived too late afterward.
The couple embraced, oblivious to others around them.
The scene was more touching than any romance movie.
Even though A-Hua was on Du Zhaohui’s payroll, he couldn’t lie to himself about Young Master’s chances. Looking at the couple’s obvious affection – so close that not even water could come between them, leaving no room for a third person… Young Master was so pitiful.
Young Master himself hadn’t even admitted that he liked Miss Xia.
Pan Bohua glanced at A-Hua, “You can go now. Zhou Cheng is here – what else could that Du fellow worry about?”
But A-Hua wasn’t afraid:
“Young Master ordered me to see Miss Xia properly settled.”
He needed to find out which hotel Xia Xiaolan would stay at – how else could Young Master contact her?
Zhou Cheng was discussing the same matter with Xia Xiaolan. He wanted her to return to Pengcheng first. He and Third Brother Pan could handle matters in Hong Kong.
But Xia Xiaolan disagreed:
“I got involved in this first, and now that you’re all drawn in, you want me to retreat alone? I won’t leave. I want to stay at Zhang Jiadong’s hotel.”
Xia Xiaolan was very determined.
Zhou Cheng always indulged her – well, he’d have to clean up after the mess he’d allowed his wife to create.
Pan Bohua gave a cold laugh. “Xiaolan is right. Now that they’re trying to drive us away, none of us will leave.”
Since Xu Zhongyi had appeared, this 19-year-old grudge should finally reach its conclusion!
Pan Bohua wasn’t known for his good temper. If Zhang Jiadong was really behind the car crash, he had truly provoked him—
“Chengzi, let’s team up again, brother. How many bad guys have we taken down before? This one won’t be any different!”