Guo Xuyang went downstairs and called Xiao Yu.
“Are you still in the hospital? I just came down from upstairs, are you free?”
“What’s the matter? Come over.”
“Alright, we’ll talk when we meet.” Guo Xuyang hung up the phone and hurried to the third floor.
The hospital Liu Sen contacted was the same one where Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Hong were.
In his haste earlier, he was only focused on accompanying Jiang Qixin and didn’t notice which hospital it was.
It wasn’t until he went downstairs that he realized this was the hospital where Xiao Yu and the others were.
When he arrived, the police presence at the entrance had significantly increased.
Xiao Yu was waiting for him at the entrance.
“What’s going on? Why are you back here?”
“You can tell these people to stand down. The main culprit has been apprehended. An Ran Hotel will be mine soon.”
“The main culprit has been apprehended? By whom? And how did An Ran Hotel become yours?” Xiao Yu was utterly confused.
“You just need to know that the main culprit has been apprehended, and no one will pose a threat to us anymore. You can go back and report now. I’m counting on you to send Xiao Yu and Xiao Hong back to their hometowns.”
“What? Reluctant to part?”
“I just feel like I owe them.”
“I never realized you were so sentimental,” Xiao Yu said with a teasing tone.
“Alas, it was a matter of ‘the arrow was already on the string and had to be shot.’ Who wouldn’t like such fine young ladies?”
“Fine. You men are all driven by your lower halves. We can’t discuss this.” Xiao Yu said with disgust.
“I came here to tell you that the alarm can be lifted. You can go and send those trafficked individuals back.”
“We don’t need to worry about them; that’s under the jurisdiction of the local police. Relevant departments here will handle their repatriation.”
“Oh. Then what about Xiao Yu and Xiao Hong?”
“They just need to register at the bureau and then they can leave. Since they don’t have identification at the moment, they’ll need the bureau to issue them some proof.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could take them to get that done.”
“You’re not planning to keep them?”
“I’ve asked for their opinions. They want to go back.”
“Alright then. You owe me a favor.”
“Okay. I’ll treat you to king crab when I get back.”
“Forget the meal. I’ll ask for your help when I return, and you can’t refuse.”
“As long as it’s within my capabilities, I’ll help. But it cannot be publicized. You should just keep it to yourself. I don’t want to be treated like a lab rat.”
“You have my word on that. I promise.”
“Alright then. Talk to you later.”
Guo Xuyang turned to leave, but as he saw Xiao Yu turn, she stumbled and almost fell.
He quickly reached out to steady her, but accidentally grabbed her collar, tearing her clothes halfway open.
Coincidentally, Lü Liang, who was passing by, witnessed this.
“Are you alright?” Guo Xuyang asked.
“I’m fine.” Xiao Yu adjusted her collar. “It’s an old problem.”
“What’s wrong? What kind of problem at such a young age?”
“Ankylosing spondylitis.”
“Ankylosing spondylitis? I wouldn’t have guessed. Who diagnosed you?”
“I know my own body best.”
“How do you feel?”
“My lower back is sore and stiff, and sometimes I get dizzy, my vision blurs, and I can’t see clearly,” Xiao Yu said.
“Relax, let me feel it.” Guo Xuyang said.
He was about to reach out and touch Xiao Yu’s back.
“Are you a doctor? What are you touching for?” Lü Liang interjected, swatting away Guo Xuyang’s hand that was reaching for Xiao Yu’s back.
“Brother Liang?”
“Lü Liang?”
Both of them exclaimed in unison.
“When did you transfer out? Was it because of this illness?” Lü Liang asked Xiao Yu.
“Yes. It’s been a few years.”
Guo Xuyang looked at Xiao Yu’s demure demeanor, utterly bewildered, not understanding their situation.
“How does it feel to be the third wheel?” Lü Liang asked slyly.
“I’ll leave now, I won’t disturb your good times.” Guo Xuyang said, about to bolt.
“Don’t go.” Xiao Yu said. “Who’s the third wheel? What are you talking about?”
Lü Liang scratched his head and stood aside, remaining silent.
“When did you get back?”
“I just got back less than half a day ago. Who would have thought I’d see you here? Are you here for treatment?”
“No. I’m on a mission. Are you leaving?”
“Do you want me to leave?”
Guo Xuyang felt a pang of jealousy upon hearing this. This wasn’t how you flaunted your affection.
“Your legs are on you, how can I stop you?”
“If you don’t want me to leave, I won’t. If you don’t care about me, I’ll leave.”
Why did it sound like a tongue twister? Why was it so hard to speak? He truly was a straight man.
“I was saying…”
“Shut up.” Both of them said in unison.
Guo Xuyang rubbed his nose, not daring to speak further.
What was the situation with this couple? Their ages didn’t match! Was it an older woman and a younger man?
Guo Xuyang had ten thousand questions flashing through his mind.
“My mission is complete, and I’m planning to return in the next couple of days,” Xiao Yu said.
“I’m escorting a batch of goods back this time, and I have to leave in at most seven days. If you don’t let me stay, I won’t go,” Lü Liang said.
“I can’t tie you down. You should go and attend to your business.”
“Don’t say it like that. It was my fault back then; I shouldn’t have been so impulsive.”
“Don’t talk about it, it’s all in the past. Why bring it up?”
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been injured, and those three wouldn’t have sacrificed their lives. I can never forgive myself.”
“The situation was urgent at the time, and it wasn’t entirely your fault. The follow-up rescue didn’t arrive. If it had, none of this would have happened later.”
“If I had waited a little longer, perhaps the outcome wouldn’t be what it is now.”
“No. I don’t think you did anything wrong. If we had waited longer, the expert might have been killed, and our mission would have been a complete failure. Although we lost three people, the mission was accomplished. You absolutely didn’t need to take all the responsibility.”
“I couldn’t face my comrades, nor did I have the courage to face the families of the three fallen comrades. I could only choose to retire. Otherwise, I would have gone mad.”
“You always blame yourself, and that’s not good. It only allows those with ulterior motives to accept the glory with peace of mind. The mission was completed, you left, and that perfectly satisfied some people’s wishes.”
“Forget it. It’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it. Has your injury still not healed?”
“Perhaps it’s nerve damage. My condition is deteriorating day by day. I’m afraid that one day I won’t be able to stand up anymore.”
“Don’t say discouraging things. Medicine is so advanced now; it will be cured someday.”
“I know my own body. Don’t comfort me.”
“Um, can I take a look at your condition?” Guo Xuyang asked timidly from the side.
“Brother, you’re not trying to take advantage of the situation, are you?”
“What’s your relationship?” Guo Xuyang asked.
“Comrades.”
“I don’t believe it,” Guo Xuyang pouted.
“You two, stop arguing and let’s find a place to check it out?” Xiao Yu said. “No, how do you two know each other?”
“By chance.” Lü Liang said. “This is a brother I’ve just met.”
“Rare. There aren’t many people you’d call a brother.”
The three of them walked into a medical room as they spoke.
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