Ch 5: Don’t Worry, I’ll Take Responsibility

Xiao Yao’s Mother waited outside the emergency room, her complexion pale, her eyes swollen and red, her hair slightly disheveled. She was taking a Fast-Acting Heart Pill from a Nurse.

“Mom.”

Xiao Yao ran to her, asking urgently, “How is my Father? Why did Shen Mingzhe attack my Father?”

Xiao Yao’s Mother’s hands trembled with anger, “That little bastard Shen Mingzhe, he shoved your Father, and as a result, your Father had a heart attack and is still undergoing emergency treatment.”

“Shen Mingzhe went to our house to cause trouble?”

“No, your Father and I went to their house, and guess what?” Xiao Yao’s Mother became increasingly agitated, “That dead kid, he was actually with another woman! No wonder you suddenly returned from Lijiang looking distraught. You were bullied like that and still indulged him? Our precious daughter, wasn’t meant to be mistreated by him!”

Apparently, her Parents had figured it out. Xiao Yao felt immense guilt. If she had known things would escalate to this point, she should have confided in her Parents. It was exactly what she feared.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve worried you again.”

“That little bastard Shen Mingzhe is not worthy of you. We don’t need him. Yaoyao, don’t worry, there are still good men in this world. Mom will always find someone who will wholeheartedly love you. Actually, someone had introduced someone to you before, but I saw that you and Shen Mingzhe were doing okay, so I rejected them. Mom will contact them tomorrow. Don’t be sad, out with the old, in with the new.”

Xiao Yao’s complexion stiffened, “Mom, my Father is still in there, don’t talk about this.”

After the emergency doctor’s strenuous rescue efforts, Xiao Yao’s Father finally pulled through and was transferred to a ward, still unconscious.

Late into the night, Xiao Yao rented a bed in the ward for her Mother to accompany her, and went downstairs to buy her a late-night snack before leaving.

Xiao Yao did not go home. After going downstairs, she went directly to the inpatient department building next door. Shen Mingzhe’s Mother was also in this hospital, and she planned to try her luck.

She had to settle the score with Shen Mingzhe.

As luck would have it, while waiting for the elevator, Xiao Yao suddenly saw Shen Mingzhe emerge from another elevator, still embracing his beloved ex-wife, the “Rib Woman.”

“Shen Mingzhe!”

Xiao Yao roared with burning anger, strode forward, and threw a punch at Shen Mingzhe. Shen Mingzhe fell backward, dazed, and sat on the ground.

The Rib Woman screamed, hurriedly helping Shen Mingzhe up, and turning to shout at Xiao Yao, “What are you doing!”

Compared to daytime, there were not many patients visiting the hospital late at night, and most of the medical personnel had gone off duty, leaving only a few on night shift. Seeing this, they peeked out from the windows to look.

Xiao Yao pointed at Shen Mingzhe’s nose and scolded, “You dare to hit my Father? Have you no conscience? He treated you like his own son, and you still did this. He was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, and you feel no guilt? If anything happens, you’ll go to jail!”

“Xiao Yao, you’re crazy! Are you even a woman?”

Shen Mingzhe’s face, beaten by Zhuang Lingyun that morning, was still swollen. Now, he was punched again by Xiao Yao. He touched his swollen face, gritting his teeth, his eyes blazing, “He deserved it! He came to my house to make trouble; that’s self-defense. What’s more, he also injured Jin Yu. I didn’t settle the score with you, and you dare to hit me!”

His ex-wife, Jin Yu, was on the same page as Shen Mingzhe, adding, “My arm is dislocated. If we pursue this, let’s see who the Police arrest? I thought you were a virtuous woman, but you’re so rude and savage. It’s fortunate that Mingzhe doesn’t want you anymore; otherwise, how would you spend the rest of your life!”

This pair of shameless, ungrateful people.

“Shameless, ungrateful.”

Xiao Yao was trembling with anger, her head hot, about to rush forward to fight, when a large hand suddenly grabbed her waist, lifted her into the air, and threw her behind.

Xiao Yao looked up and saw a tall, strong figure.

Zhuang Lingyun? Why hasn’t he left yet?

“Fighting is a man’s job; you just watch.” Zhuang Lingyun loosened his fists, glanced at her, “I’ve disliked him for a long time.”

Why does he always butt in?

Before Xiao Yao could say anything, Zhuang Lingyun, with his long legs moving like the wind, instantly arrived in front of Shen Mingzhe, his fist, hard as stone, whistled as it smashed down.

Shen Mingzhe instinctively raised his hand to protect his face, covering his arm, and stumbled back several steps, his face contorted in pain.

He had been seething with anger since the morning beating. Now, beaten again in public, he lost face. Shen Mingzhe was filled with rage, furious. He suddenly roared, clenched his fist and charged forward, fighting with Zhuang Lingyun.

The Rib Woman, like a mother hen protecting her chick, squawked and fluttered around the two men. Not only did she not help, but she distracted Shen Mingzhe, causing him to take several more punches, completely losing ground.

Watching Shen Mingzhe get beaten, Xiao Yao’s mood improved, and she was no longer angry.

Zhuang Lingyun was agile, his punches forceful, without fancy moves, solid hits, obviously someone who frequently fights, experienced.

“Good!” Xiao Yao couldn’t help but cheer him on in her heart.

Zhuang Lingyun suddenly delivered a beautiful spinning kick, hitting Shen Mingzhe directly in the face. The bottom of his Martin boots was like a sharpened knife, instantly cutting open a bloody gash on Shen Mingzhe’s face, the flesh turned outwards.

Whether it was due to the severity of the injury or anger, Shen Mingzhe spat out a large mouthful of blood, mixed with two broken teeth that fell to the ground, rolling to Xiao Yao’s feet.

Xiao Yao was startled and jumped back a couple of steps in disgust. Looking up again, Shen Mingzhe’s eyes rolled back, and he fell straight down.

“Mingzhe!”

The Rib Woman let out a shrill scream, rushed to Shen Mingzhe’s side, hugged his head, and cried out heartbreakingly.

A circle of people had gathered around, clicking their cameras incessantly. Seeing that the fighting had stopped, the Nurses dared to come forward and treat Shen Mingzhe.

The hospital lobby was spacious and echoed, and the Rib Woman’s voice was shrill, so her cries were particularly piercing. Coupled with the murmurs of the crowd, the background was a chaotic mess, but Xiao Yao’s mind was strangely calm.

She automatically isolated herself from the outside world, only looking at the two blood-covered teeth in front of her, and Shen Mingzhe, covered in blood and held in the Rib Woman’s arms, suddenly feeling a little at a loss.

He really hit hard.

Zhuang Lingyun walked to Xiao Yao’s side, looking at her expression, “Scared?”

“Is he dead?” Xiao Yao swallowed, voicing her worry.

He smiled indifferently, fearless, “If he’s dead, I’ll take responsibility; you don’t have to be afraid.”

“Are you serious? Killing someone means going to jail!” Besides, this matter had nothing to do with him; if he were to go to jail for this, wouldn’t that be unfair?

Zhuang Lingyun looked at Xiao Yao: “If your conscience bothers you, remember to bring extra meat when you visit me every month.”

Xiao Yao: “…”

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