The provincial hospital's inpatient surgery ward.
Yu Feng sat by Yang Jian's bedside. She had returned from out of town and, upon hearing about Yang Jian's accident, came straight to the hospital after landing.
Lu Yao sat beside Yang Jian, pouting. She disliked Yu Feng intensely. Normally, when Yang Fan, Song Jianhao, and others visited, she would politely excuse herself and leave. Today, however, she was acting uncharacteristically, sitting by Yang Jian's side and even holding his hand.
"Sister Feng, you look travel-worn. Where have you returned from?"
Having been hospitalized for nine days, Yang Jian could now sit up on his side, though he still couldn't sit fully.
"I went north to inspect engineering projects. Song Jianhao told me you were injured. What happened? Did you make enemies in Hancheng too?"
"No, I was a victim of misfortune."
Yang Jian briefly recounted the incident.
Yu Feng opened the patient's chart by the bed and looked at it. "Er Jian, your injury will heal quickly. You'll be discharged soon, and with one or two months of rest, you'll be fully recovered. What are your plans after you get out? Will you continue working in casinos?"
"No immediate plans. I'll decide after I'm discharged."
"Why not come back to Xinhe? I'll arrange a project for you. Our company's Xuefu Huayuan development is about to start. If you don't have the capital to invest, you can take on the general contract for the earthwork. This project isn't very large, and you should be able to earn five to six hundred thousand."
"Doesn't earthwork also require upfront capital? I know that dump trucks are paid daily, while the client's settlement is monthly. I understand this rule."
"It's fine. I can lend you thirty thousand to get started. With your reputation in Chengguan, no one should cause trouble for you."
"When will construction begin?"
This was a good opportunity, and Yang Jian was tempted. Earthwork was a quick and profitable project with a short construction period and fast returns, making it the most lucrative in the construction industry. However, it had always been controlled by dark forces.
"We plan to officially start excavation on June 1st, which is more than twenty days away. By then, although you won't be fully recovered, you should be able to be discharged. You can arrange for a few brothers to oversee the site. You don't need to be there every day."
"Let me consider it. I'll give you a reply as soon as possible, alright?"
"You need to consider this? Many people are eyeing this project – both official and underworld figures have been lobbying my father. Giving this project to you puts me under a lot of pressure, as Dong Sheng Group isn't run by me alone."
Yang Jian quickly waved his hands. "Sister Feng, you've misunderstood. It's not that I don't want to do it, but I still have a major problem that needs to be resolved."
"What trouble? Do you need me to step in?"
"A month ago, Yao Yao and I were ambushed by over thirty people with knives in Xinqiao. We were nearly hacked to death. You probably don't know about this. Even if I weren't injured, my father wouldn't allow me to return."
Yu Feng's expression changed drastically. "What? Such a thing happened? Do you know who did it?"
"It should be Wu Laizi, Baoguo, and their group. I only have conflicts with them, and Wu Laizi has been pestering Yao Yao."
"Wu Laizi? That brutish, uncouth scumbag wants to pursue Lu Yao? That's like a toad wanting to eat swan meat."
Lu Yao harbored deep animosity towards Yu Feng, but this statement made her feel that this woman had some discernment, making her slightly less detestable.
Yu Feng continued, "Then this matter is indeed troublesome. Currently, Hong Xing and Baoguo's influence in Chengguan is unmatched. Moreover, regarding the project I mentioned, Hong Xing will also be involved. He has already spoken to my father, wanting to participate in the bidding. They dared to chase and kill you so openly, indicating they are not afraid of you. If you want to participate in this project, you must deal with them. Otherwise, I won't be able to convince my father."
"I understand. I won't make things difficult for you."
"Don't push yourself too hard. There will be plenty of projects in the future. Make plans after you've fully recovered. I need to return to Xinhe. Keep this money for some tonics."
Yu Feng took out ten thousand yuan from her bag and placed it on the bedside table, then got up to leave.
Yang Jian didn't refuse but said to Lu Yao, "Yao Yao, your leave is up. Why don't you ride back with Sister Feng?"
"I won't. I've requested two more days of leave. I'll leave after you get your stitches removed."
"The doctor said I'll get my stitches removed tomorrow. Staying one more day is pointless. It's safer to get a ride."
"I refuse."
Lu Yao already had a prejudice against Yu Feng, so how could she ride in her car?
Yu Feng gave a wry smile, waved, and left the ward.
Lu Yao immediately got up, closed the door, and then grabbed Yang Jian's ear. "Tell me honestly, the rumors outside say you're involved with her. Is it true?"
"How could that be? I swear to heaven, I'm still a virgin."
"I'd rather believe in ghosts than a man's words. Where there's smoke, there's fire. She's so flirtatious, wealthy, and good to you. I don't believe there's nothing going on between you two."
Lu Yao's jealousy flared, her flushed little face turning red.
Yang Jian smiled and stroked her face. "You look so beautiful when you're jealous."
Lu Yao slapped his hand away. "Let's talk business. What exactly is going on between you and her?"
"Heaven knows, I have nothing with her. If you don't believe me, ask my sister. She's already admitted that she herself spread the rumors about me and her. Her goal was to use me against Pan Wenbin, Lao Gui, and those people. Your brother knows about this too."
"Hmph, this woman is too insidious. If she couldn't use you, she used my brother, sending him to jail, while she lives freely outside."
"Now you believe your husband, right?"
"Get lost. Who's your wife? I still need to confirm this with Sister Hui and my brother. I'll let you off for now."
"Alright, alright. Go and confirm. If you've wronged me, don't you owe me some comfort?"
Yang Jian reached out his hand, but Lu Yao dodged it.
"Don't push your luck. I warn you, you are not to take Yu Feng's project, and you are to have less contact with her in the future, unless you give me up. It's either me or her, you choose."
"What is all this? Yao Yao, I'm doing engineering to earn money to pay off debts. Half a year has passed, and I haven't even earned a tenth of the money. I can't face the migrant workers by the end of the year."
Yang Jian was also a little annoyed. Women could act cute and be jealous, but not excessively.
"Don't bring up paying off debts. If there isn't enough money by the end of the year, I'll help you figure it out. In any case, you're not to use Yu Feng's money."
"Oh, is my wife some kind of hidden rich girl?"
"I'm not a rich girl, and I don't have money, but I can borrow money. As long as I ask, my uncle, and my cousins will give me money without hesitation. A million or so is not a problem, and it's fine if it's not repaid."
"That's right. I forgot you have a very formidable family behind you. But I can't live by borrowing money."
"There's no room for negotiation. Apart from this matter with Yu Feng, I'll listen to you on everything else. Even if you continue working in casinos, I can persuade my parents to agree to us being together, unless you don't want me."
Lu Yao's attitude was firm. For her, loyalty in love was more important than anything else.