Upon hearing this, everyone had complex feelings, even the usually aloof Hu Li didn't know what to say for a moment. If Cheng Xiang were awake, he would surely want to reunite with his family.
“Lao Yang and Lao Hei always took great care of Cheng Xiang, as if he were their own child or brother. Why would they injure them?” Da Pang said discontentedly.
Hua Yan felt the same pain but knew she had more important matters to attend to. She needed to see the extent of Lao Yang and Lao Hei's injuries herself to be reassured. “You all stay home, I’m going to check on Lao Hei and Lao Yang.”
Hu Li, however, was reluctant. Given Cheng Wei’s hatred for Hua Yan, he was worried about her going out alone. “I’ll go with you.”
Hua Yan was pleased but still shook her head. “No, I’m worried you might not even get in.” Given the gravity of the incident, Lao Yang’s hospital room would be heavily guarded, and Hu Li’s special status could cause more trouble.
Da Pang didn’t understand why Hua Yan wouldn’t let Hu Li accompany her and asked, “It’s not safe for you to go alone after what happened.”
Hua Yan explained, “His status is special; if he goes, he’ll likely face a lot of scrutiny.”
“Then I’ll go with you,” Da Pang volunteered.
Hua Yan hesitated, but Hu Li said, “No, someone needs to stay home.”
Da Pang’s expression darkened, but he didn’t persist. Still worried, he said, “Xiao Yan, it’s not safe for you to go alone.”
Hu Li raised an eyebrow and insisted, “I won’t go inside.” He meant he would still accompany her.
Seeing Hu Li so insistent, Hua Yan didn’t refuse any longer. She packed some clean clothes and other necessities for Lao Hei and Lao Yang, and they left immediately.
Not far from the military district, someone had already reported Hua Yan’s departure to their boss. Within minutes, both Hu Fu and the Cheng family knew Hua Yan had left the military district. Under the gloomy sky, dark movements began to stir.
Hua Yan wasn’t familiar with the ways of the large families like the Cheng and Hu families, but Hu Li’s gaze grew stern and intense. As they drove, Hu Li quickly noticed an unusual presence among the sparse pedestrians, indicating that his family’s people were nearby. Could this incident really be a collaboration between his father and the Cheng family?
As he pondered, Hu Li glanced at Hua Yan staring out the car window, lost in thought. He quickly sent a text message and then fell silent.
Hu Er was surprised to receive a text from Hu Li, as his master usually disliked texting. Upon reading it, he understood. The master wanted him to immediately investigate the movements of Hu family members and mobilize their trusted allies in Haibin City to the capital within five hours.
Some were to protect Hua Yan at all times, while others were to silently eliminate the Cheng family members and any Hu family members involved. Hu Li must not want Hua Yan to worry, hence the text.
Hu Er didn’t hesitate and quickly issued the orders. Many in Haibin City began to act.
“Aunt, the people you had me watch just started moving,” Ke Shaozheng reported. The drug operations had shifted from the mainland to some small foreign countries, leaving Ke Shaozheng with little serious business and plenty of leisure time.
At the last banquet, Hu Mu had noticed Hu Li’s trusted men. She hadn’t said anything at the time, but after the banquet, she had Ke Shaozheng’s men keep an eye on them. Most of them successfully evaded surveillance and disappeared again, but a few were still being watched.
“Have you found out where they went?”
“It seems they’re headed to the capital,” Ke Shaozheng hesitated to say.
"What do you mean 'possibly'? Confirm the news immediately," Hu Mu sternly reprimanded. She was aware of the cooperation with the Cheng family and was now deeply shocked. Hu Li had noticed something unusual from the start.
After Ke Shaozheng cautiously went to confirm the information, Hu Mu immediately relayed the news to Hu Fu.
Hu Fu was very pleased upon hearing the news. Under Hu Mu's astonished questioning, he explained, "My son is, of course, exceptional. Since he has figured it out, let's see my methods and give him a good lesson."
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Hu Li had no idea that due to his exceptional abilities, the situation would become even more serious. The next day, the number of Hu family members in the capital doubled, and their abilities were significantly enhanced.
Upon arriving at the military hospital, which was already under plainclothes police control, Hu Li did not go inside. Hua Yan showed her identification and successfully reached the top floor of the special ward. Stepping out of the elevator, she immediately saw Lao Qiao pacing anxiously outside an operating room.
"You're here," Lao Qiao said with a difficult smile when he saw Hua Yan.
"Who's in surgery, Lao Yang or Lao Hei?"
Lao Qiao, tears glistening in his eyes, replied hoarsely, "Both of them are inside."
Hua Yan's heart trembled. She took a deep breath and asked, "How long have they been in there?" Looking at the lit sign on the operating room door, she wasn't sure whether to be grateful that Lao Yang and Lao Hei could still be treated or to curse the situation that had led to their injuries.
"Four hours."
From the time Hua Yan learned the news until now, it had only been a little over an hour, meaning the incident occurred earlier than reported. This suggested that the news had been suppressed for a while before being released. She didn't know if this was due to higher-ups or if the situation was too significant to conceal.
She was even more worried about Lao Yang and Lao Hei, given how severe the situation was, and the fact that they had been in surgery for four hours without coming out. Because Lao Qiao was there, the doctors performing the surgery must be the top experts in their field, which sparked a glimmer of hope in her uneasy heart.
As they were discussing the situation, the operating room door suddenly opened, and a smiling doctor emerged, followed by medical personnel pushing a patient.
Hua Yan stood up, feeling very relieved. It seemed that either Lao Yang or Lao Hei had been taken out of danger. However, she didn't notice that Lao Qiao, initially startled, became disappointed upon recognizing the doctor and sat back down.
Before Hua Yan could approach and check on the patient, a pale yet distinguished-looking man who had been sitting on the other side nervously walked up to the doctor and urgently asked about the situation.
At that moment, Hua Yan's foggy mind cleared up. The patient from the successful surgery was not Lao Yang or Lao Hei. Her momentarily hopeful expression fell as she slumped back into her chair.
She found it curious, as the top floor wasn't accessible to just anyone. Who was that man? "Why are there others here?"
Lao Qiao rubbed his stiff face and said softly, "He's a relative of a military district leader." He didn't want to say more.
Hua Yan heard this and realized the person had gotten in through connections. After a few seconds of frustration, she continued to watch the surgery room's light and door, alert to any changes.
The clock's hands kept ticking away, and outside, the sky went from bright to dim. Since that person left, the operating room had remained tightly closed. Hua Yan's heart remained on edge, her nerves taut. She couldn't bring herself to eat the food Lao Qiao brought. With an empty stomach and exhausted spirit, Hua Yan didn't notice the imperceptible glow from the dragon and phoenix jade pendant around her neck, spreading over her body.
Receiving Hua Yan's text, Hu Li learned of Lao Yang and Lao Hei's situation. Despite his concern, Hu Li didn't leave the hospital as Hua Yan had instructed. Instead, he sat in the car driven by Hu Er, dealing with messages from his trusted aides and keeping an eye on the hospital entrance, waiting for Hua Yan.
"Master, how should we deal with these people? You don't intend to hand them over to the police, do you?"
Hu Li gave Hu Er a quiet look and said in a calm, hoarse voice, "No, once we get what we need, we'll deal with them." His brief words sealed the fate of many.
Hu Er, looking troubled, asked again, "Are we dealing with the people sent by the master as well?" If that were the case, it could strain the relationship between Hu Li and his father.
After a moment of serious thought, Hu Li replied, "Keep the compliant ones under watch. Deal with the uncooperative ones as necessary. But we need to get the information."
Understanding Hu Li's intentions, Hu Er realized that even the master's people would face harsh treatment if needed. He knew Hu Li would get the information, but this could make it difficult to explain to the master.
"Master, this might cause problems with the master," Hu Er cautioned. Though Hu Li was his father's only child, angering the master could hinder Hu Li's future prospects.
Hu Li remained silent, and Hu Er understood that his master had made up his mind. Worried but resigned, he fell silent.
After half a day, Hu Er sifted through the information he received and reported to Hu Li, "Master, we've captured three people from the Cheng family and one from the master's side. But the information we got is trivial..."
Hu Li raised an eyebrow and interrupted, "Why?"
"They only knew so much," Hu Er said, frustrated. He knew Hu Li's tough measures were for Hua Yan's safety and wished he could gather more information. Unfortunately, it seemed the Cheng family and Hu family had anticipated such a scenario.
"We have no grasp of the Cheng family's or the master's plans," Hu Li's frown deepened. Without understanding their plans, future threats would be impossible to predict. Hua Yan couldn't stay indoors forever, and based on his knowledge of his father's methods, there was a high chance his father would succeed if given the chance.
Frustrated, Hu Li got out of the car and called his father.
"What do you want?" Hu Li asked directly, not beating around the bush.
On the other end, his father, unsurprised, seemed to have anticipated the call and Hu Li's straightforward question. Without hesitation, he replied, "Leave that woman."
The simple statement made Hu Li's chest heave with anger, leaving him speechless for a long moment. Just as his father expected him to respond, the phone suddenly went dead with a series of beeps.
Hu Fu's smile froze instantly, his eyes, as dark as Hu Li's, gleaming with cold light.