The hospital.
The pungent smell of disinfectant assailed her nostrils. A white light flickered back and forth in front of her eyes. It wasn't until a voice reached her ears that Jiang Ziyu snapped out of her surprise.
"Bear with it, it'll hurt a bit," the doctor said, pulling up a stool to sit in front of Jiang Ziyu. He held an alcohol swab, gently reassuring her.
Her fingernail had split quite deeply. The cold alcohol landed on the wound, and the pain instantly shot from the surface to the depths of her heart.
Jiang Ziyu gasped, earning a displeased sound from Di Mingjue beside her.
"Gently!"
Jiang Ziyu dazedly looked in the direction of the voice.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here with you," Di Mingjue said, placing his hand beneath Jiang Ziyu's palm. "Hold on to me if it hurts."
Feeling the warmth, Jiang Ziyu's heart became utterly confused.
What did he mean by this?
Was this a case of "strike and then offer a sweet date"?
Thinking of his initial promise not to cooperate with the Jiang Corporation, and then his subsequent cooperation, Jiang Ziyu felt nothing for his current display of tenderness.
She withdrew her hand and calmly told the doctor, "Continue, I'm fine."
The doctor changed the bloodied swab. Glancing at Jiang Ziyu's resolute gaze, he lowered his head and carefully applied the swab to the wound.
The pressure was lighter than before, but the pain was the same. Jiang Ziyu gritted her teeth, but made no sound despite the agony.
Seeing her stoically enduring the pain, Di Mingjue felt a hint of displeasure.
After her fingers were bandaged, and the doctor had explained the precautions, Jiang Ziyu thanked him and walked towards the exit.
Di Mingjue, noticing her deliberate distance, didn't get angry and followed her like a persistent shadow.
It so happened that Jiang Wenbin was also admitted to this same hospital.
As soon as she stepped into the elevator, Jiang Ziyu spotted Xu Jingya amidst the crowd. Her hair was disheveled; she looked nothing like a wealthy wife.
Her gaze was too intense, and Xu Jingya noticed Jiang Ziyu as well.
In the midst of the crowd, sparks of animosity flew.
Jiang Ziyu had intended to leave, but seeing Xu Jingya made her want to check on Jiang Wenbin.
Stepping out of the elevator, Xu Jingya exploded.
"Why are you following me? Are you trying to drive your father to his death?"
The hospital was crowded and full of prying eyes. This enraged shout instantly attracted a large number of patients to gather and watch.
"Aunt Xu, have you forgotten why I'm doing this?" Jiang Ziyu approached Xu Jingya, whispered a few words into her ear, then looked up and smiled at her. "When you killed my grandmother and drove me out of the capital, did you ever think about forcing me to my death?"
People are visual creatures; they naturally side with the one who appears pitiable. Hearing Jiang Ziyu's words, the onlookers began to whisper accusations at Xu Jingya.
Xu Jingya knew that the current Jiang Ziyu was no longer the easily bullied child of the past. Anxious to see Jiang Wenbin, she wisely chose not to argue with her.
However, Jiang Ziyu had no intention of letting her leave so easily.
"Do you know how I've lived these past few years?" Jiang Ziyu grabbed Xu Jingya, who was trying to leave, moving close to her. She whispered menacingly into her ear, "The thought of you getting your comeuppance fills me with strength."
She not only intended to bring about the downfall of the Jiang Corporation but also to find evidence of their past harm to her grandmother. She wanted to personally send them to languish in jail.
Xu Jingya frantically shook off Jiang Ziyu's arm, as if encountering a lunatic. Terrified, she stumbled backward, "Lunatic! You and your mother are both crazy women."
"Crazy?" Jiang Ziyu smiled. "If I recall correctly, a crazy person who accidentally kills someone is not committing a crime."
Her fingers creaked ominously. Xu Jingya heard the sound and felt as if all her bones ached.
"Let's go, I need to see my so-called father too." Jiang Ziyu proactively walked towards the ward.