Chen Guochao, upon seeing Huo Rou unharmed, predictably found Qin Ningyi lying in bed.
"Playing the hero?" he asked, coming to the bedside to scrutinize Qin Ningyi's pale face.
Qin Ningyi, holding Huo Rou's hand, gave him a languid glance.
Chen Guochao had only intended to check on Huo Rou and leave, but seeing Qin Ningyi like this...
"I'll visit you again tomorrow," Chen Guochao mused after some thought. He had just apprehended someone and needed to attend to official business, lest he be lectured by the old man again.
Judging by the message the old man had sent earlier, he would likely come in person. Given the situation concerning Huo Rou's safety and the involvement of BDD, the old man certainly couldn't remain calm.
He could only hope that when the old man arrived tomorrow, seeing Qin Ningyi, Qin family's son, wouldn't cause him too much distress.
With that thought, his eyes darkened, and a hint of sympathy crept into his gaze as he looked at Qin Ningyi.
Huo Rou noticed his peculiar look and asked with a touch of bewilderment, "What do you mean by that look?"
The look of profound sadness, as if he had lost a loved one, sent a shiver down Huo Rou's spine.
Chen Guochao merely walked to Qin Ningyi's bedside, gently patted his shoulder, and said, "Brother Qin, good luck."
That evening, after concluding the interrogation, Chen Guochao returned home to find his imposing father illuminated by the living room lights.
The next morning, before Chen Guochao could even visit, Qin Ningyi, with Huo Rou's support, got out of bed.
"You should rest your injury for a few more days," Huo Rou said, looking uncertainly at his chest.
She lacked experience; after all, if it were her, she would likely be clamoring to get out of bed and be discharged around this time.
Qin Ningyi showed her his phone's call log. "An'an has called so many times. He must be uncomfortable there alone."
A father's bond with his son, coupled with his inherent sensitivity, allowed him to perceive An'an's unease and loneliness.
Huo Rou, who had been wavering, heard An'an's name and felt her own longing surge forth at that instant.
Huo Rou helped Qin Ningyi downstairs, constantly monitoring his injury.
"Alright, watch your step."
"Slow down, don't walk so fast!" Huo Rou whispered, her voice tight with anxiety.
Since their reunion, this was the first time he had seen Huo Rou so nervous, aside from when they were looking for An'an. Her tone of voice and expression were so reminiscent of the younger Youyou.
It seemed the qualities of Youyou that resided within Huo Rou were slowly awakening; she was gradually transforming back into that delicate young girl, prone to nervousness, anger, needing protection and care.
"Okay, I'll walk slowly."
They had deliberately chosen a discreet route for their discharge, even employing a diversionary tactic. Yet, BDD seemed to have sniffed them out.
"Young Master Qin, we have tails behind us."
As soon as the car left the hospital gates, the subordinate keenly spotted the tail. He immediately contacted other teams. If it was a widespread pursuit, then the other teams should also be followed.
However, the information they received was that no one was following them.
It was as if BDD possessed a bloodhound's nose, capable of discerning their whereabouts.
Qin Ningyi had already made arrangements. The car changed direction, no longer heading towards the hospital, while the other teams moved in rapidly.
"It might be a tough fight," Qin Ningyi swallowed a pill and squeezed Huo Rou's palm.
He didn't want her to overexert herself. "My men are on their way. Lead them to a secluded spot to finish them off. You stay in the car and don't get out."
Huo Rou was about to refuse when the car suddenly accelerated forward. The individuals behind them had already crashed into them without regard.
"You don't get to decide anything now," Huo Rou said, her face hardening. In her other hand, she clutched a compact pistol. "Qin Ningyi, don't move your wound."
The BDD operatives seemed to have grasped Qin Ningyi's intention and were no longer willing to waste time. They chose a relatively open area and forced them to stop.
"Hand over Qin Ningyi and Huo Rou, and we'll spare your lives." The leader spoke decent Mandarin, standing tall within the group, negotiating with Qin Ningyi's subordinates.
Although the strict orders from above were to engage directly, at all costs, and their lives were forfeit the moment they boarded the plane, who wouldn't want to live if given the chance?
Villains die by talking too much.
In the span of that single sentence, gunshots rang out decisively. His elevated head became a patch of crimson.
Huo Rou stood by the car, her expression stern, the compact pistol in her hand still smoking in the winter wind.
Why waste words?
Her gaze swept over the BDD personnel not far away. Since they were acting so brazenly on the streets of China's capital, they must have resolved to die here. Why were they begging for their lives now? A waste of time.
"Let's begin!"
A confrontation was inevitable. Weapons clashed, and gunshots echoed one after another.
"Brother?" Huo Rou looked at the group that had suddenly appeared behind her, her heart stirring.
Chen Guochao's voice came from within the crowd, "Stay clear, your brother is earning military merit here!"
Huo Rou smirked. Could she listen to him?
"Xiao You, be obedient." Another voice, as if guessing her thoughts, called out with loving authority.