Just as everything had reached a stalemate, a turning point occurred. The bridge had already collapsed, the signal tower was no longer able to receive signals, and mobile phones were useless. At this point, no one expected reinforcements to arrive.
When Ye Tiancheng saw several cars approaching, he wondered if he was hallucinating due to his intense desire for everyone to be saved. However, when he saw Hou Mingzhu step out of the car, holding an umbrella, dressed in a camel-colored trench coat, still exuding that extraordinary aura, Ye Tiancheng realized that it was not a hallucination after all.
"Get in the car with us."
Ye Tiancheng was also somewhat weak. Seeing Hou Mingzhu standing vibrantly before him, speaking in a voice that was slightly gentle and caring, Ye Tiancheng was momentarily dazed.
"Hurry and get in the car. There are impurities in this rain that are quite harmful to people. My umbrella won't hold for long. I'm here to save you, don't hesitate and waste time."
Noticing Ye Tiancheng's bewilderment, Hou Mingzhu reminded him again, finally bringing Ye Tiancheng back to his senses. He had been in a state of shock, unable to even utter half a sentence.
"Hou Mingzhu."
Before he could say more, Hou Mingzhu took Ye Tiancheng's hand. Her bodyguards then helped all the villagers into the cars, using special umbrellas to shield them from the rain during the entire transfer process, trying to prevent the rainwater from touching them. Even a single drop of rain would scald a hole in the spot it touched, emitting a wisp of white smoke. Its corrosiveness was indeed formidable, no less than sulfuric acid.
"Ye Tiancheng, don't talk for now, saving people is more important!"
At Hou Mingzhu's reminder, Ye Tiancheng nodded, saying nothing more. He felt immensely grateful, believing that Hou Mingzhu's timely appearance meant she had been keeping an eye on him, otherwise, she wouldn't have found this place.
Ye Tiancheng didn't say much more and got into the car. After the car drove away and quickly escaped the area, the corrosive effects of the acid rain no longer posed a threat to them.
"How did you know I was here?"
Ye Tiancheng sat next to Hou Mingzhu. After a silence of over ten minutes, he could no longer resist and asked Hou Mingzhu, needing an answer as everyone has curiosity.
"First, I've been keeping an eye on you. When I noticed your whereabouts disappeared, I immediately sent people to investigate. Knowing there was a situation here and fearing for your safety, I quickly brought people to rescue you."
Ye Tiancheng was surprisingly moved. Their relationship wasn't particularly deep, but there was a sense of unspoken understanding. It felt as if only by Hou Mingzhu's side could he feel a sliver of security.
"Thank you. I thought you still held a grudge against me, and would rather watch me die than show even a shred of pity."
Hou Mingzhu's timely rescue this time was unexpected for Ye Tiancheng, especially since they had some misunderstandings before, and Hou Mingzhu had left with a resolute air, as if they would never meet again.
"Let's leave this place first. Actually, I have a specific purpose for returning to the country. You know me, I don't do things in vain; I only do what is useful."
Hearing Hou Mingzhu say this, Ye Tiancheng realized that Hou Mingzhu's return was not simply for tourism; there must be a purpose. However, since Hou Mingzhu had saved them this time, Ye Tiancheng felt indebted. Unless it was something excessively unreasonable, he would agree to Hou Mingzhu's requests. After all, he owed her a favor, and since they weren't married, this debt had to be repaid, or he would feel uneasy.
"Alright, whatever it is, we'll discuss it when we get back. The losses this time were quite heavy, and we need to recuperate properly. We can't be so willful anymore. I need to rest."
What Fu Xi Qin or anything else was no longer important; everything was beyond repair. Ye Tiancheng now only wanted to rest and recuperate. After the hardships of this period, Ye Tiancheng had grown weary of life. Even living felt exhausting. If he didn't rest well, even if his body was fine, his mental state would eventually falter.
When the villagers were sent to the hospital, seeing the hospital environment, Ye Tiancheng suddenly had a strange thought: he wanted to escape reality by staying in the hospital. Perhaps staying in the hospital for a while would be better than facing reality outside.
"I want to be hospitalized too."
Ye Tiancheng had only thought it, but for some reason, he found the courage to say it out loud, finding it incredible himself.
"The environment of this hospital is indeed quite good. Although the VIP rooms are a bit expensive, it's fortunate that my family has shares in this hospital, so you can stay in any room you like."
As expected of a wealthy young lady, her words were capricious. A normal room costing thousands per night was unaffordable for ordinary people, and even the wealthy wouldn't treat it like a resort. But for Hou Mingzhu, it was not a problem; Ye Tiancheng could afford whatever he wished.
"Then thank you. I really need to rest. I feel like both my body and mind are having issues. It's good to stay in the hospital, and the environment here is quite good."
Ye Tiancheng merely wanted to escape the world. He even felt the hospital was too large and a different place would be better, a place more secluded, where no one would bother him.
Hou Mingzhu understood Ye Tiancheng quite well and quickly grasped his thoughts, knowing that Ye Tiancheng didn't genuinely want to stay in the hospital. Initially, Hou Mingzhu didn't object. After arranging all the patients and when everyone was having a meal together in the ward, Hou Mingzhu, taking small bites of the shrimp from the stir-fried shrimp with cucumber, began to suggest to Ye Tiancheng.
"It's better not to stay in the hospital. The food here is indeed good, but I always feel a smell of disinfectant. Moreover, you'll be interacting with patients here, which can make you more pessimistic over time. How about going to a postpartum center? They take better care of people there."
Ye Tiancheng knew that Hou Mingzhu was holding back some anger, which was why she was saying such strange things. Postpartum centers are for women who have just given birth. Even if he was lazy, he, a grown man, couldn't possibly stay in such a place. It would also be inconvenient.
"I know you have something to tell me. If there's anything you need me to do, I will do my best to accomplish it. Wherever you want me to stay, I'll stay. As long as my brothers and Little Fox are with me, I have no other requests. I'll listen to you."
Ye Tiancheng was truly without desires or ambitions now, and didn't want to make too many of his own judgments. If Hou Mingzhu could arrange everything, Ye Tiancheng would be more than happy. Otherwise, having to rely on his own mind to think was a truly agonizing matter.
"There are no outsiders here, so I'll be direct with you. I've returned this time because my daughter's health has some problems, issues that conventional medicine cannot solve. I know only you can solve them, which is why I brought our daughter back. Just consider yourself her doctor and don't have any excessive intentions towards her just because you are her father. You know I don't like Qingcheng having too much involvement with you."
No wonder Hou Mingzhu seemed to be holding back her temper. It turned out she was afraid Ye Tiancheng would fight for their daughter's custody. In reality, Hou Mingzhu had completely misunderstood. Ye Tiancheng was exhausted from the previous events and had no inclination to fight for custody. He felt so weary just living, even breathing felt difficult. He truly didn't want to waste more time doing things that harmed others and benefited no one.
"I understand. I will not shirk my responsibility regarding the child. Even if it costs me my life, I am willing to make my daughter better. You just make the arrangements. I only hope you can arrange for my two brothers as well. I don't want to be separated from them for now; I need someone by my side to maintain a normal state."
Hou Mingzhu knew Ye Tiancheng was negotiating with her. Of course, Hou Mingzhu wasn't angry, but she was somewhat defensive towards Ye Tiancheng, forcing a smile.
"Alright, let's not waste any more time. Let's leave the hospital quickly. This VIP room isn't very comfortable for you. I've arranged a small villa on the mountain for you. It's a famous 'White House.' I believe you'll find it much better than here once you stay there. There are also maids to serve you, so your days will surely be comfortable."
Hou Mingzhu said this simply to get Ye Tiancheng to compromise and treat their daughter. Hou Mingzhu knew Ye Tiancheng was cultivating, and only his methods could truly impact their daughter's condition.
"It's even better if there are maids. That way, my brothers can also have a few days of good living. They've followed me through so much hardship; it's time they had some comfortable days."
Ye Tiancheng was truly exhausted, utterly weary at heart, and wanted to rest. Perhaps only after a brief respite could he embark on his journey better. Therefore, Hou Mingzhu's arrangements were exactly what he desired.
Hou Mingzhu nodded, said nothing, finished the last bit of rice in her bowl, and then stood up to arrange the next steps.
Half an hour later, a car arrived and picked up Ye Tiancheng, Fatty, and Little Fox. The scenery along the way was beautiful. Ye Tiancheng felt as if they had been driving on winding mountain roads. After passing the toll station, the feeling of moving further and further away from the city filled him, along with a slight unease.
"Brother Ye, you should sleep for a while. Your complexion is a bit pale. We still don't know your daughter's condition. You need to rest and accumulate your true energy to face the difficulties ahead."
Fatty's words were merely a tactic. Even though he was worried about Ye Tiancheng's health, he tried his best to persuade him to rest.
"I'll rest when we get to the White House. The scenery along the way is truly beautiful; I can't help but want to look at it a bit longer."
It had been a very, very long time since he had been busy. With the passage of time, it seemed he had forgotten. Perhaps for him, life was a process, and occasionally looking at the passing scenery was how one could slowly appreciate life.
Now, a thin mist enveloped the mountains, and the scenery outside the car was as beautiful as a landscape painting. Ye Tiancheng was momentarily captivated, unable to extricate himself.