Chapter 312: What A Zhi Did
Wu Yong knew this wasn’t the time for discussions. Once the Hua family left, he also took his leave.
The room instantly felt empty. Gu Yanxi wrung out a cloth and continued wiping the bloodstains from A Zhi’s fingernails. Gradually, as if only just coming to his senses, the calm and composure on his face faded bit by bit. His hands began to tremble, and his facial muscles twitched.
Suddenly, he stepped onto the bed, pulling the unconscious A Zhi into his embrace, as if only this could reassure him that she was still there.
He had nearly lost A Zhi!
Just the thought plunged him into an abyss of despair. He had to breathe deeply to keep from sinking further, to avoid imagining worse outcomes.
Kissing the top of A Zhi’s head, Gu Yanxi thought, no matter who it was, no matter who was behind this, he would make them pay with their life.
By the door, Hua Pingyu tightly held his fourth brother’s hand, preventing him from rushing in. Compared to the man’s earlier calm, this emotional outburst actually reassured him. It wasn’t just his daughter’s one-sided affection—this man’s feelings for her were no less than hers.
That was enough. Even if they couldn’t be together in the end, at least they loved each other now. If this was her trial in love, it was worth it.
The Chen couple was summoned once more. Hua Pingyang wiped his face and stepped forward to greet them. “Sister Chen, we have to trouble you again.”
Sister Chen’s eyes were red, her voice still choked with emotion. “No trouble at all. A girl like this… ah…”
Not only were the two families neighbors, but likely everyone nearby had been watching through their door cracks, afraid of being implicated. Some had already fled through the back door, terrified the men in black would return to finish them off.
Hua Pingyang forced a smile and led them to the room. By then, Gu Yanxi had already stepped down from the bed. He didn’t care what others thought, but he had to consider A Zhi’s reputation.
Sister Chen was afraid of this man who killed as effortlessly as chopping vegetables. She took two steps forward, then one back, too fearful to approach.
Gu Yanxi pretended not to notice, placing several small bottles in a conspicuous spot. “Mix strong liquor with water to clean the wounds. Then use the medicine in this bottle first. There isn’t much, so just drip a little onto the wounds and spread it evenly. Wait a moment before applying the powder from the box. Understood?”
Sister Chen nodded repeatedly. This wasn’t difficult.
Gu Yanxi glanced at A Zhi one last time before turning to leave, his hands clenched tightly into fists behind his back.
Under the corridor, Hua Pingyu approached Gu Yanxi. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and patted the man’s shoulder. With that pat, he could feel the tension in Gu Yanxi’s body and understood that this man likely cared even more than he let on.
He sighed deeply and said, “Thank you for arriving in time. Otherwise, the Hua family might not have escaped this calamity.”
Gu Yanxi shook his head. “As long as A Zhi still draws breath, you will be safe.”
Hua Pingyu was instantly reminded of his daughter standing firm at the door, refusing to retreat even a step. His heart ached, overshadowing the pain in his back. At that moment, he had even wanted Zhi Er to give up, to stop resisting so stubbornly. At worst, they would die together—why endure so much suffering?
But over the past year, his daughter’s actions had given him a deeper understanding of the daughter he had never truly known. She could accept the worst outcome, but only if she had given her all. And in that moment, she was doing just that—she would never give up.He had thought she was waiting for him to exhaust his strength, but only when Lu Yanxi arrived did he realize she had been waiting for him. She had held on at the cost of her life just to wait for this person's arrival. She trusted him, believing that once he came, the crisis would be resolved.
That was why she didn't allow them to step forward, not wanting them to throw their lives away for nothing.
She didn't know that, at that moment, they had wanted nothing more than to rush forward and stand with her, even if it meant losing their lives! But she refused, and so they obeyed.
With a deep sigh, Hua Pingyu suddenly asked, "Aside from the danger at the estate, when else has Zhi Er been injured?"
Gu Yanxi showed no intention of hiding the truth. "Before heading north, A Zhi went south first. There, she encountered some reckless people."
South? Thinking of the family's various business ventures, Hua Pingyu's heart stirred. "For the new business matters?"
"Yes."
After a moment of silence, Hua Pingyu said quietly, "Our family's current situation is already quite good. Please persuade her not to work so hard anymore. We will find our own way back."
"A Zhi is well aware that you might still have a chance to turn things around." Gu Yanxi looked up at the faint light breaking at the edge of the sky. "But how long would that take? Five years? Ten? Or twenty? She can't bear to see you suffer—she can't even wait five years."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Gu Yanxi's lips. "Her business ventures aren't just about making money. She has allocated a portion of each business, using money to pave the way, accumulating as much capital as possible for you. All she wants is to seize the opportunity when it arises. In this regard, her foresight is beyond your imagination."
No one in the Hua family was asleep at this moment, and few had returned to their rooms. They listened, captivated. They had known nothing about this, as the person in question had spoken at length about family matters without revealing even a hint of these efforts.
What about other matters? How many more things had she done—things they were unaware of, had never considered, or dared not imagine?
Hua Pingyu smiled bitterly. "I never knew my daughter was so remarkable."
He hadn't known she possessed such impressive skills, such a strong will, so many talents, such sharp business acumen, or such meticulous planning...
He knew nothing.
"I always thought she was content with domestic life, a person of the gentlest temperament."
He had always assumed it was because she was a good elder sister, always indulging her younger brother, that made the mischievous boy so attached to her. Little did he know it might have been because she had tamed Berlin, keeping him firmly under her control.
"I am not a competent father."
"To her, every member of the Hua family is worth protecting with her life." Gu Yanxi had initially felt indifferent toward Hua Pingyu, finding Hua Pingyang more memorable. But today, he felt a newfound respect for him. If Hua Pingyu hadn't taken that blow for A Zhi, she might have...
He had harbored some resentment toward the Hua family. If not for their incompetence, why would A Zhi have struggled so desperately? Yet he couldn't help but understand her fierce protection of her family—that determination to "protect you for as long as I live, and even in death, I will die before you."
It was this very protectiveness that had drawn him to her in the first place.
Hearing the stifled sobs, both near and far, Gu Yanxi's mood lightened slightly.
Noticing movement in the room, he turned around.Sister-in-law Chen opened the door, wiping sweat from her brow as she stepped out. "Everything's been taken care of, but... I must admit I used quite some force, yet the young lady still hasn't woken up despite all the commotion. Should we call the doctor again?"
The physician, whom Gu Yanxi had detained earlier, was immediately summoned inside.
Hua Pingyang took out a Red Envelope and pressed it into Sister-in-law Chen's hand. "Sorry for the trouble - making you come twice so late at night. I'm afraid we'll still need to bother you for the next few days."
"No need, no need." Sister-in-law Chen hastily tried to return the Red Envelope. "This isn't necessary. Such a brave young lady - I'm more than happy to lend a hand."
Hua Pingyang didn't insist, thinking he would properly express his gratitude another time. Anxious about his niece's condition, he assigned someone to escort her home before immediately following right back into the room.
OpenNovel