"I owe two thousand yuan. You advance me the money to pay off the debt, and after we reach the provincial capital, you provide me with food, lodging, and a salary."
Zhang Liunian smiled upon hearing this. "Uncle, are you agreeing to work for me?"
"If I don't agree, what else can I do? You've already stolen my Xiao Hua away," the barefoot man put on a helpless expression.
"Welcome to the team, Uncle Yi."
"You promised not to steal business from our old boss."
"Don't worry, I don't have that much ambition, nor do I have any interest in knowing others' secrets." Zhang Liunian had always known that human energy was limited, and he had no peculiar hobbies that involved prying into others' privacy.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, the barefoot man stood up and said, "You're leaving tomorrow night, right? I need to go back and handle some things."
After speaking, the barefoot man turned to leave, but Zhang Liunian called out, "Wait a moment, Uncle Yi. I'll get you two thousand yuan so you can settle your debt first."
Having said this, Zhang Liunian had intended to ask his wife for the money, but by chance, Zhang Qian returned. His tone shifted, "Xiao Qian, do you have two thousand yuan on you? Give it to Uncle Yi, and if not, go get it."
"Yes," Zhang Qian had just returned from attending to something. Upon entering the ward and hearing this, he didn't ask why and directly took two thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to the barefoot man.
The barefoot man took it and left directly.
After he left, Zhang Qian asked, confused, "Brother Liunian, are you giving him money for something?"
"I just asked him to come and work with me, and he agreed. The two thousand yuan is an advance salary. His daughter will also be coming to work. You'll meet her tomorrow."
Zhang Liunian explained why he had given the money and that the barefoot man would soon be one of them.
Zhang Qian nodded in realization. "I understand."
The next morning, Gu Lou, who was eagerly expecting to hear of Zhang Liunian's death, was surprised to find that after a night had passed, Zhang Liunian was still alive and well, and the Sun family was calmly keeping vigil at the hospital. This news sent his heart plunging into the abyss.
"Why didn't it succeed?" Gu Lou smashed the ashtray at the feet of a subordinate below, startling the man into trembling.
"I heard that Zhang Liunian had sharp eyes and discovered a problem with the IV drip, then called the police to arrest them," the subordinate said fearfully.
Gu Lou refused to believe that Zhang Liunian could detect such a thing and roared, "Is he a spirit? He can notice something like that?"
"Perhaps he was just lucky." The subordinate also found it unbelievable that Zhang Liunian would notice such a problem. It would require an extremely meticulous and cautious person to check the brand of their nutrient solution. If it were him, he would never have noticed, but Zhang Liunian had, and he had even handed their accomplice over.
Hearing the subordinate say that Zhang Liunian might have just been lucky, Gu Lou felt a tiny bit better. Attributing Zhang Liunian's tenacity and meticulousness to good luck was something he could accept.
"Even if he was lucky enough to escape this round, he can't escape the next. You take your men and keep an eye on them. As soon as you see Zhang Liunian leave the hospital, have them surround and intercept him. Beat him to death, regardless of whether he lives or dies. This is your last chance. If you fail again, all of you get out." Gu Lou was determined to take Zhang Liunian's life and issued a final ultimatum to his subordinates.
"Yes, yes, yes." The subordinates below naturally dared not object, responding and leaving to make arrangements.
After he left, Gu Sanqing entered with a white flower pinned to his chest. "Father, you haven't rested for the past two days. You should rest and take care of your health."
Gu Lou looked at his third son with a strange gaze, remaining silent for a long time, as if contemplating whether this son had the possibility of fratricide.
He had ordered an investigation into Changqing's death and discovered several suspicious points. Firstly, Changqing had sustained lighter injuries than Zhang Liunian, so why had Zhang Liunian survived while his Changqing had died?
Furthermore, Changqing's condition had suddenly worsened for no apparent reason, and the doctors could not provide an answer. Was there human intervention involved?
If so, who stood to gain the most? After much consideration, it was only this third son.
"Sanqing, you should know who the person I dislike the most is, right?" Gu Lou slowly sat down, leaning on his desk.
Gu Sanqing replied expressionlessly, "Father, you dislike those who harm their brothers and betray their family the most. I remember, and I have never, nor would I dare to entertain such thoughts."
Gu Sanqing could see that his father suspected him of behind-the-scenes manipulation, so he had to prove his innocence.
"It's best if you don't. If you do, let me know," Gu Lou's tone was extremely cold, not at all like a father's attitude towards his son.
Gu Sanqing was unfazed, understanding that his father ultimately favored his elder brother, and he was merely an expendable son.
But it didn't matter. Wouldn't the one who laughs last be the victor?
On the other side, after Zhang Liunian received his injection at the hospital, he was joined by the Yi father and daughter, and Xiao Zhou.
Zhang Liunian specifically observed Xiao Zhou and Yi Wanghua and found that this was their first meeting. They merely exchanged glances, with no signs of love at first sight.
"Let's set off!" With everyone present, Zhang Liunian got up, dressed, and led the group of six out, hailing three rickshaws to head directly to the train station.
The people sent by Gu Lou to tail them immediately sprang into action. Before Zhang Liunian and his group could reach the train station, they were intercepted by men sent by the Gu family.
Upon seeing the imposing lineup, the three rickshaw drivers abandoned their vehicles and customers and fled as fast as they could, fearing they would be implicated.
Zhang Qian's legs felt a little weak as he looked at the endless stream of thugs.
"Brother Liunian, what should we do? Your injuries haven't healed, and you can't possibly deal with so many of them!"
Zhang Qian came to Zhang Liunian's side and said, looking at the crowd.
Jiang Qingqing was also anxious. "Liunian, let's call the police quickly. You're injured, you can't move."
She was very worried that something like what happened last time would happen again. With her man injured like this, how could he possibly deal with so many people?
If her man hadn't been injured, she wouldn't have been so worried, because she knew her man was truly capable, but not in his current state.
She couldn't bear to experience the despair of last time again, nor did she want to see Liunian collapse in her arms. She was terrified.
"Boss, don't be afraid, I'll protect you." Yi Wanghua suddenly stepped forward to shield Zhang Liunian, rolling up her sleeves as if ready to fight.
Seeing this, the barefoot man quickly pulled her back. "Xiao Hua, what are you doing? You don't know kung fu, how can you possibly fight these people? It's best if we call the police."
The barefoot man did not understand his daughter well. For years, he had been busy avenging his wife against the Tang family and had neglected his daughter's upbringing.
Seeing his daughter impulsively wanting to protect Zhang Liunian, he was very worried.
"Dad, I can do it. I've been practicing boxing at home recently, you haven't seen it." Yi Wanghua was very confident in herself.