Outside the outpatient department, Quan Yu finished his phone call and stood on the steps, lighting a cigarette. His powerful aura made everyone who passed by unconsciously give him a wide berth.
After taking only a few puffs, someone approached him, their tone exceptionally polite, "President Quan, what an honor. Why didn’t you call me?"
Quan Yu glanced up. The man wore gold-rimmed glasses, and his short, sparse, salt-and-pepper hair was combed immaculately. Dressed in a blue and white striped shirt, he exuded a scholarly air.
"Director Hong." Quan Yu had an impression of him. He was the vice-president of this hospital, in his fifties, and they had met on some occasions.
"Is President Quan here to visit a patient?" The hospital had invited an expert from Beijing for a lecture that afternoon. It had just ended, and Director Hong was about to escort the expert to their hotel when he spotted the magnate standing on the steps of the outpatient entrance.
Quan Yu brought the cigarette to his lips, took a drag, and slowly exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "A junior of mine sustained a minor injury. I brought her over to get it looked at," he said nonchalantly.
"What’s her name? I’ll inform the staff inside." Director Hong smiled, eager to please. "The hospital is quite busy at this hour. I’ll tell them to provide attentive care; it’ll save you some time, President Quan."
Quan Yu remained silent.
His gaze fell upon Ning Guiwan supporting Lai Yang as they walked towards the pharmacy window.
The girl was as tall as Lai Yang and similarly slender, but Ning Guiwan’s waist was more supple. As she moved, her skirt swayed elegantly, her unique feminine allure impossible to conceal. Any man who walked past her couldn’t help but turn his head for a second look. Yet, the girl seemed utterly oblivious.
"No need," Quan Yu said, only shifting his gaze back to Director Hong’s wrinkled face after the two women had turned a corner and vanished from sight. "I’m not busy today. I have plenty of time."
Director Hong was secretly astounded.
The Ruiyin Group was a vast conglomerate; how could its president possibly be so at leisure?
Even if he were, no one would willingly waste time on such trivialities, especially not someone like Quan Yu, for whom every second was precious.
However, he knew better than to press the matter and simply smiled. "Well then, President Quan, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."
Quan Yu flicked the ash from his cigarette, his well-defined, slender fingers momentarily in view. His tone was exceptionally nonchalant. "I won’t see you out."
Director Hong glanced a few more times at the Ruiyin president.
Somehow, that "I won’t see you out" felt like a dismissal.
After collecting the medicine, Ning Guiwan thanked the nurse as a matter of course. The nurse couldn’t help but look at her a couple of extra times.
Lai Yang was practically draped over the marble counter, standing quite improperly. When Ning Guiwan took the bag of medicine, Lai Yang immediately sagged against her, draping an arm over her shoulder.
Ning Guiwan nearly lost her balance, swaying to the side. After steadying herself, she tapped Lai Yang on the forehead. "If you fall again, you’ll be the one in pain."
But as she turned and saw Quan Yu standing behind them, watching, Lai Yang jumped and quickly straightened up. "S-Second Uncle, y-you finished your call?"
Quan Yu’s gaze settled on Ning Guiwan. As she supported Lai Yang, she had to lean to one side, causing her collar to slip and reveal a sliver of pale skin beneath her clavicle, hinting at the curves below.
A young man walking by couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting to that spot.
With a cold expression, Quan Yu strode forward. Reaching out a long arm, he lifted Lai Yang as if she were a small chick, pulling her in front of him.
The action was somewhat rough. Seeing the frightened look on Lai Yang’s face, Ning Guiwan frowned. "Please be gentler; she’s still injured."
Quan Yu’s gaze landed unabashedly below Ning Guiwan’s collarbone. His eyes were like the deep sea, his voice cold and resonant. "Worry about yourself first."
Ning Guiwan followed his gaze downwards. The next instant, her face flushed crimson, and she hastily adjusted her collar.
Held by her Second Uncle, Lai Yang didn’t dare move. Her attention was fixed on the arm he gripped, rendering her oblivious to the rather improper exchange between the other two.
"S-Second Uncle... I’d rather Xiaowan help me..." she suggested weakly, her voice trembling slightly.
Quan Yu glanced at her coolly. "Your father just called, asking how you were doing."