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After returning home, Jian Xi placed her phone on the table. After some thought, she picked it up again and double-checked—He Ran’s number was indeed in the blacklist. She sighed in relief.
Her mood had been thoroughly ruined by him, but this wasn’t like dealing with unreasonable patients at work. After years in medicine, one of the most important skills was compartmentalizing work from personal life. Thanks to psychological training, Jian Xi had mastered this balance.
Tonight, she attributed all her frustration entirely to He Ran’s audacity.
It was barely eight o’clock, so Jian Xi decided to head to the gym. She changed into her workout clothes and walked out, taking a side entrance that was just ten minutes away.
As she left the building, she hesitated for a moment at the fork in the path—one leading to the main gate, the other toward the side exit.
“He must have left by now,” she thought instinctively.
Then she immediately chided herself. “Of course he’s gone—it’s been ages.”
Still, after wavering for a few seconds, she chose the longer route around to the main gate.
The straight path stretched ahead, lined with evenly spaced lampposts. Jian Xi walked slowly along the familiar road, which offered a clear view all the way to the end—there was no one in sight.
Her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes, an indescribable feeling washing over her.
A few steps later, she suddenly noticed something familiar by the roadside—a plastic bag wrapped several times. Jian Xi approached and recognized it as what He Ran had been carrying earlier.
She picked it up and opened it to find a brand-new thermos inside.
Jian Xi froze momentarily, then unscrewed the lid. Steam rose, and the liquid shimmered faintly—it was a rich, golden chicken soup.
________________________________________
At the gym that night, Jian Xi threw herself into her workout with unusual intensity. Even her usually stern coach couldn’t help but warn her, “Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy, Dr. Jian. You’re going to damage your ligaments like this!”
Jian Xi slowed down the treadmill, panting heavily. “You’re always nagging me about being lazy, but when I actually push myself, you complain.”
The coach handed her a bottle of water. “There’s such a thing as overdoing it. Besides, there’s plenty of time—you’ve got five more years prepaid by Ms. Tao.”
Jian Xi choked on her sip of water, coughing for a while before replying, “What if your gym goes bankrupt before those five years are up…?”
The coach laughed. “Ms. Tao said that won’t happen. If it does, she’ll buy the place.”
Jian Xi was truly exasperated by her mother’s antics.
After exhausting herself completely, Jian Xi returned home and took a bath. Emerging afterward, she stared at the thermos of chicken soup she’d brought back, hesitating before finally picking up her phone and navigating to the blacklist.
________________________________________
The obstetrics department was perpetually overcrowded, with no distinction between peak and off-peak seasons. At a major hospital like First Municipal Hospital, even booking a four-dimensional ultrasound required scheduling two months in advance.
That day, Jian Xi spent all her time in the operating room, performing five consecutive cesarean deliveries—all baby girls.
Being tired didn’t matter as long as the surgeries went smoothly and safely, bringing her immense relief.
The department had planned a dinner gathering that evening, and everything had gone exceptionally well, allowing everyone to leave on time.
As per tradition, they headed to karaoke afterward. Many colleagues brought their families, while only a few remained single.
One of the eager intern nurses blurted out, “Dr. Jian, why didn’t you bring your boyfriend?”
Jian Xi smiled. “He’s too handsome—I’m keeping him hidden for my own enjoyment.”
The nurse perked up. “Is it the guy who picked you up last time? I saw him—he looked super cool in that light-colored coat.”
Her comment immediately sparked curiosity among their coworkers. “Who? Who is it?”
Jian Xi continued to smile. “I told you, boyfriends are meant to be kept secret. If you see his face, it definitely isn’t him.”
Everyone chuckled, moving on to enjoy themselves.
Jian Xi massaged her neck, glancing at her phone when it buzzed with a new message. It turned out to be from 10086. She dismissed the notification, trying to suppress the slight flutter in her chest.
A week had passed since He Ran’s last attempt to contact her.
Feeling stifled, Jian Xi stepped outside the private karaoke room for some fresh air. Standing by the window, she could hear the chaotic mix of singing from below. Looking out, she observed the bustling scene—cars zipping by, drunk people being supported, and street vendors selling roses everywhere. Her gaze swept past a stone pillar.
Downstairs, three or four men stood near the pillar, partially concealed by its bulk. From the third floor, however, Jian Xi had a clear view of their actions.
She recognized the shorter figure—it was Lin Jia, the man who had accompanied He Ran during the debt collection incident.
The group exchanged something furtively and quickly dispersed. Jian Xi didn’t think much of it.
After lingering for a few minutes, she prepared to return to the room when the elevator beside her dinged open. Out walked the very same group she had just seen.
This time, she recognized Lin Jia clearly.
A burly man draped an arm around Lin Jia’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, little brother. Nothing will go wrong. Just keep doing your job.”
Lin Jia hesitated but nodded repeatedly, his hand clutching something tightly inside his pocket.
Jian Xi felt uneasy—it was obvious this wasn’t anything legitimate.
Hiding behind a wall, she pulled out her phone and dialed without hesitation.
He Ran was helping out at Old Zhao’s shop when he saw the caller ID. Ignoring the grease on his hands, he answered hastily, blurting out, “What’s wrong?”
His tone was harsh, and he immediately regretted it.
But after hearing Jian Xi’s words, his expression shifted dramatically. “Send me the address—I’m coming right away!” He barked fiercely, “And you stay with your colleagues! Don’t move around recklessly.”
Jian Xi whispered while keeping an eye on the group, taking small steps to follow them. “I’ll keep an eye on them until you get here.”
“Jian Xi! If you dare do anything stupid, I’ll kill you!”
________________________________________
After hanging up, Jian Xi stood dumbfounded, gripping her phone. No man had ever spoken to her so harshly.
This building housed various entertainment options: a dance floor on the first floor, karaoke on the third, and massage parlors above. Lin Jia and the others entered the stairwell. Through the slightly ajar door, Jian Xi saw them heading downstairs.
The dance floor below pulsed with dazzling lights, blurring the outlines of writhing bodies.
Jian Xi followed them into a long corridor. Pretending to make a call, she lingered near the restroom door while discreetly observing the hallway’s far end.
The tall man’s voice boomed. “Little Brother Lin, once this batch is sold, Boss Jia promised you this much.” He proudly held up five fingers. “He really values you.”
Lin Jia sensed something amiss but was too enticed by the lure of profit to care.
“I’ll ensure nothing goes wrong,” he replied.
The tall man added, “Your wife is due soon, and your mother’s medical bills aren’t cheap. We know, and we won’t let you down.”
Jian Xi caught the gist of the conversation, fully realizing that Lin Jia hadn’t stayed on the straight path.
A stack of red bills and a palm-sized packet of powder were swiftly exchanged between the two men.
Without time to deliberate, Jian Xi stepped forward. “Oh, look who I ran into here!” She smiled brightly, addressing Lin Jia.
Lin Jia froze, mouth half-open. The transaction halted abruptly, and the tall man’s eyes flared with anger.
Jian Xi’s tone remained friendly. “You left some tools in my car last time. Coincidentally, I can return them to you now.” She acted as though it were a casual encounter.
Lin Jia jolted, his already shaky resolve crumbling further under her intervention. He forced a grin, inching closer to Jian Xi. “Right, right! I was wondering where that wrench went. I thought maybe Brother Ran had taken it.”
The two moved in sync, walking side by side toward the exit.
Jian Xi added, “Let’s go outside to retrieve it. My colleagues are still gathered.”
“Wait!”
Jian Xi’s spine stiffened at the thunderous voice. “Brother Lin, this isn’t appropriate, is it?” the tall man growled.
Lin Jia quickly turned, shielding Jian Xi behind him. “I’ll grab the item first and come back to meet you.”
“You think you’ll return once you leave?” The tall man sneered, his fake smile dripping venom. “I gave you time to consider. You called me yourself saying you wanted in—tonight, you’re taking responsibility for this deal!”
Jian Xi feigned innocence. “What deal? Alcohol? Well, many of my colleagues are here. Let me buy it.”
“Shut your mouth, woman! Stop acting!” the tall man roared, pointing at Jian Xi. “Another word, and I’ll rip your lips off!”
Before his threatening finger could hover in the air for more than three seconds, another hand swatted it away.
He Ran stepped forward, placing himself squarely between Jian Xi and the threat. His brows furrowed like a volcano ready to erupt.
“Try pointing your filthy finger again!” He snarled.
“Ran Ge.” Lin Jia, trembling like a chastised schoolboy, barely managed to squeak out the greeting.
He Ran shot him a venomous glare. “How dare you still call me ‘Brother’!”
The tall man faltered under He Ran’s intimidating presence, his bravado evaporating. “Oh, Ran Ge is here too? I didn’t know this lady was acquainted with you. My mistake, my mistake.”
He grinned apologetically, though his next words carried a sharp edge. “But let’s not forget—Lin Jia agreed to take on this business. My goods are already out of inventory. Backing out now doesn’t sit well, does it?”
He Ran’s gaze darkened. Already broad-shouldered and lean-waisted, the dim lighting accentuated his menacing aura.
Narrowing his eyes, his voice turned icy. “Backing out? So what? Playtime’s over—you’re done!”
The tall man’s face tightened. Several henchmen loitered nearby, their pride wounded. “Don’t think you’re untouchable just because Boss Jia favors you! Without him, you’re nothing!”
He Ran smirked coldly. “Then why don’t you watch me prove otherwise?”
With that, he raised his fist and delivered a powerful punch, sending the tall man’s chin flying skyward.
Chaos erupted. Lin Jia tried to intervene, but He Ran barked, “Get lost! Take her away! If a single hair on her head is harmed, I’ll skin you alive!”
Jian Xi, stunned by the raw violence, snapped back to reality at He Ran’s command. Shaking off Lin Jia’s grip, she pulled out her phone, her expression frosty.
One of the henchmen shrieked, “This bitch is calling the cops!”
Their focus shifted toward Jian Xi, intent on silencing her. He Ran cursed aloud, shoving the tall man aside and shielding Jian Xi just as fists began to rain down.
A muffled thud echoed—through the broad, hard chest of the man protecting her, Jian Xi felt every impact.
He Ran’s complexion paled, but his grip on her never loosened.
The situation spiraled out of control. Outnumbered, punches and kicks landed relentlessly on He Ran’s body.
Music, curses, flesh striking flesh, and even the sound of bones cracking intertwined into a cacophony of terror. Amidst this chaos, Jian Xi trembled—but the one thing anchoring her was the fierce rhythm of He Ran’s heartbeat against her ear.
The heartbeat of a man shielding her with everything he had.
Suddenly, a lazy male voice cut through the commotion—
“Fighting on my turf without permission—isn’t that disrespectful?”
The tall man and his gang froze, turning to see the source of the voice. Their faces morphed into expressions of dread. “X-Xiao Ge!”
At the corridor’s entrance, framed by backlight and surrounded by rows of bodyguards, stood a man clad in a black shirt, his posture straight and commanding. Behind him stood two rows of burly bodyguards, their presence exuding authority.
The tall man immediately cowered, shrinking into himself like a deflated balloon. He bowed deeply, stammering apologies. “Xiao Ge, please forgive us! It was all a misunderstanding—we’ll leave right away, we’ll leave!”
“Wait,” Lu Hanxiao said with a cold smirk, his tone dripping with disdain. His gaze shifted to Jian Xi, and he walked over to her, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “You’ve always been trouble, haven’t you? From childhood till now—looking for death, are you?”
He then glanced at He Ran beside her, his voice laced with mockery. “Mr. He, don’t you think it’s time to let go?”
He Ran let out a low chuckle but didn’t loosen his hold on Jian Xi even slightly.
It had been two years since they last saw each other.
Lu Hanxiao, that infuriating flirt, still hadn’t changed one bit.
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