He bolted to rush inside, only to see Zhao Liang calmly emerge from the house, the blade of his knife still dripping blood.
"From now on, keep your eyes open. Anyone who doesn't, will end up like Sun Liu'er."
Seeing the situation, the two of them guessed what had happened and dared not respond.
Only after watching him leave did they hastily rush into the house.
The others playing cards in the room were already stunned. They hadn't expected Zhao Liang to be so ruthless, entering the room and stabbing Sun Liu'er twice without a word.
Sun Liu'er lay in a pool of blood, his abdomen a bloody mess. His mouth opened and closed, his body occasionally twitching.
When Jin Kun received the news, Zhao Liang was at home drinking with peanuts.
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand when such a big thing happened?" Jin Kun initially wanted to scold him, but since it had already happened, there was no point in saying anything more.
He pulled over a nearby stool and sat opposite Zhao Liang.
"Brother Kun, in this day and age, if you don't get tough, who will respect us? I know you have principles, so I took care of Sun Liu'er's matter."
"This is my passbook. You know the password. Go hide for a while." Jin Kun placed the passbook on the table.
"Call me once you're settled."
Zhao Liang put the passbook into his pocket. He then recalled something and said, "Oh, right. When I went over, I heard from Sun Liu'er's men that Wang Er Biao's people seem to be going into the clothing business and ordered a batch of goods from Shuse Clothing Factory. Wang Er Biao isn't a good person either. Regardless, we have some connection with the Chen family. If you encounter her, remember to remind her to be careful."
Jin Kun nodded, indicating he understood.
After he left, Zhao Liang casually packed a few clothes, locked the door, and turned to leave.
Shortly after his departure, several police officers arrived, but the place was already empty.
Sun Liu'er's injuries were severe. Although he was eventually rescued, the damage to his internal organs caused his health to deteriorate. He had always been a disagreeable person and hadn't garnered any loyalty, so his subordinates dispersed soon after.
Xu Ning went to the provincial hospital for an internship, recommended by He Ziyu.
If all went well, she would be able to stay at the hospital after her internship.
The provincial hospital was a renowned neurosurgery hospital in the province, gathering many neurosurgery experts. She could learn a lot of valuable experience here.
One day, she was on duty. After finishing her ward rounds, she suddenly received a call from home. Her sister, An'an, had gone out early in the morning and hadn't returned yet. The entire family had searched several times, and with the sky growing darker, they were worried and decided to call her.
With her sister missing at night, especially a young girl, Xu Ning also grew anxious. She quickly informed another on-duty doctor in the department, took off her white coat, grabbed her jacket, and headed out.
In her haste, she bumped squarely into someone entering from the opposite direction.
"What's the matter? Rushing around like that," He Ziyu's voice came from above.
Xu Ning, preoccupied with her sister's situation, didn't even bother to feel shy. She took a step back to increase the distance between them. Xu Ning couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why are you here so late? Are you looking for Doctor Ye? She's inside."
"I came to find you. I didn't know if you were used to your first night shift. I went to Li Shu's place during the day, and when I left, she made a lot of dumplings for me to take back. I couldn't eat them all by myself."
He Ziyu jiggled the insulated lunchbox in his hand as he spoke. "The school isn't far from the hospital, so I thought of you."
Xu Ning politely declined, "I'm sorry, Professor He. There's a situation at home, and I need to rush back now."
Seeing the anxiety in her eyes, He Ziyu didn't pay attention to whether she accepted or not. He asked, "What happened? The buses have stopped running so late. It's not safe for a girl like you to walk alone at night. I happened to ride my bicycle here. I can give you a ride."
Xu Ning hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "Thank you, Professor He."
"Wait for me for a moment." He Ziyu quickly entered the department and handed the insulated lunchbox to Doctor Ye, who was on duty. "Sister Ye, these are dumplings for you."
Before Doctor Ye could even thank him, He Ziyu had already hurried out.
By the time they rushed home, Xu An'an had already been found. The little girl was timid and hadn't wandered far. She had hidden in a storage room behind the community.
She had cried herself to sleep and consequently hadn't heard her family calling her.
Seeing the commotion she had caused, Xu An'an felt both remorseful and guilty. Thinking about her job, she couldn't help but cry again.
"I didn't steal any money, but no one believes me. The bank even fired me. I finally found a job, but with this stain, how will I find work in the future?"
The family hadn't anticipated such a situation.
They comforted Xu An'an extensively until her emotions finally calmed down.
Xu Mu's emotions were greatly affected by her daughter's situation, and her complexion was not good.
Xu Ning watched her take her medicine and comforted her softly. Only after seeing her fall asleep did she leave home.
"Thank you today." The winter night wind felt like a knife against their faces. On the way back, they walked slowly instead of cycling, as they were heading against the wind.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself regarding your sister's situation. Since she didn't do it, the bank will eventually clear her name."
"Mm."
Dim streetlights stood lonely along the roadside, casting long shadows of the two figures.
He Ziyu glanced at the thin girl beside him, who barely reached his shoulder. Her pale face was flushed red by the cold wind.
On this cold winter night, he suddenly felt an urge to protect this girl.
"Why are you so free these past couple of days?" When Chen Lishu entered the house after work, she saw He Ziyu playing with the two younger children, lifting them high. The house was filled with the children's giggles.
"You know me, I'm half idle."
He Ziyu stopped what he was doing as he spoke. Chengzi immediately urged him on, kicking his little legs.
"Uncle, fly!"
He Ziyu obliged and lifted him a couple more times, earning a burst of laughter from Chengzi.
Chen Lishu took off her coat, changed her shoes, and entered the house. "These two are so heavy, I can barely carry them. You take care too."
He Ziyu: "The older boy dislikes me disturbing his homework, so in the eyes of these two, their uncle is still likable."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but laugh. "If you like children so much, find someone quickly. What type do you like? I'll keep an eye out for you."
He Ziyu patted Chengzi's bottom and placed him on the ground to play with his sister, then sat down with Chen Lishu on the sofa.