About twenty minutes later, Duan Jingming gradually awoke.
The Duan family was seated around the hospital room, earnestly advising him to follow the doctor’s orders and not to take his health lightly.
The old man remained silent, merely giving Duan Yixuan a faint glance and pursing his lips as he looked at the ceiling, sulking by himself.
Out in the corridor, Li Qiao leaned against the wall, taking a phone call.
Academician Jiang was on the other end, inquiring about how she was considering the proposed matter.
Li Qiao gave an affirmative response, and Academician Jiang ended the call with a cheerful remark that she was "teachable."
As she turned around, the door to the hospital room opened, and Li Qiao bumped into Duan Yixuan face to face.
Duan Yixuan carried a purse, seemingly ready to leave.
She bumped into Li Qiao’s shoulder, exclaimed softly as she took a step back, and, fixing her gaze, spoke sarcastically, "Everyone is in the room taking care of grandpa, and here you are, finding a quiet corner to hide in."
Duan Yixuan had never held Li Qiao in high regard and, without others around, she spoke without restraint.
At that moment, Li Qiao fiddled with her phone, glancing up to meet Duan Yixuan’s contemptuous eyes. She arched an eyebrow, her tone nonchalant and with a trace of comprehension, "The anonymous complaint at the South Sea Police Station, you did it, didn’t you?"
This sudden question caught Duan Yixuan off guard.
Without any mental preparation, she gazed at Li Qiao in shock but quickly forced herself to calm down and feigned confusion, "What complaint? What are you talking about?"
Eyes don’t lie; the deliberate panic she was trying to suppress still betrayed Duan Yixuan.
Li Qiao glanced at her coolly and dispassionately, not bothering to argue, and as she pushed open the door to enter the hospital room, she whispered, "You truly are... incomprehensibly foolish."
Duan Yixuan stood outside the door, her expression uneasy.
It was an anonymous complaint; even the police station would not be able to trace it back. How could Li Qiao have known?
After a moment of calm analysis, Duan Yixuan optimistically concluded that Li Qiao was bluffing her.
The next morning, Duan Jingming’s blood pressure was well under control, and the Duan family returned to the hospital to discuss the follow-up treatment plan.
Li Qiao did not accompany them, instead, she arrived at River View Grand Court at ten in the morning.
It was Sunday, the day Li Shaoquan took the risk to return home.
Fearing a beating from his own father, he pleaded for Li Qiao’s company.
At the bottom of the apartment building, Li Shaoquan donned a newly bought black suit, paired with a white shirt and tie, and decently gripped a briefcase in hand; even his hair was deliberately groomed, looking rather spirited.
Li Qiao parked her car beside him, her glance layered with unsaid thoughts as she watched him get in, remaining silent for a long while.
Li Shaoquan fastened his seatbelt, turning to meet her gaze. He adjusted his tie and self-assuredly smiled, "How do I look? Handsome, huh?"
Too handsome, just like a meter reader.
Li Qiao gave him a sidelong glance and said nothing as she started the engine.
On the way, Li Shaoquan fidgeted nervously. As the distance to his home shrank, his anxiety intensified.
Suddenly, the villa of his uncle Li Guangmao came into view.
Li Shaoquan adjusted his suit again, clutching the briefcase tightly, his eyes revealing a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
As the car stopped in front of the villas hedge gate, two figures came into view.
It was the couple, Li Guangmao and his wife.
Seeing Li Qiao’s car arrive, Li Guangmao advanced with firm strides, his authoritative and dignified face showing signs of age but not of weakness.
Li Shaoquan, the only son of his uncle, had not been home for years and suddenly seeing his father’s graying temples made him pout and feel like crying.
Li Qiao got out of the car, approached Li Guangmao with a smile, "Uncle, auntie."
Li Guangmao’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. He glanced into the Mercedes, then nodded at Li Qiao, "Qiaoqiao, you’ve worked hard."