Shen Qi left without hesitation.
Feng Kexin was momentarily surprised. "Hey, Shen Qi! Since you sent my brother here, you can't just leave like that!" Feng Kexin immediately called out. "I may hate you, really hate you! But the Feng family doesn't take advantage of others for nothing! Whatever medical expenses you paid, I'll pay you back double!"
Shen Qi paused mid-step. "No need. It wasn't much money. When I'm short on cash, you can pay me back then."
Feng Kexin's face twisted with rage. "What does she mean by that? Showing off that she has more money than me? Just because she married He Yining, she thinks she can compete with me in wealth?" Feng Kexin angrily lifted her foot to kick the trash can by the wall, but a bodyguard quickly grabbed her.
"What? Are you going to oppose me too?" Feng Kexin roared.
"Miss, this is the He family's property. If you cause trouble here, it'll get back to the He family," the bodyguard advised earnestly. "Besides, Kangning Private Hospital has its own security team. If you stir up trouble, the few of us won't be able to ensure your safe escape. And the young master is still in surgery—if a commotion affects him..."
Feng Kexin barely suppressed her anger and shook off the bodyguard's grip. "Shen Qi, this isn't over!" She waved her hand and stood fuming in place.
Just then, the operating room doors opened, and a doctor stepped out, looking around. "Huh? The surgery isn't over yet, why did the patient's family leave?"
The doctor's words made Feng Kexin's expression even darker. "I'm the family! What kind of family member is she?" Feng Kexin retorted discontentedly. "Are you letting just anyone pose as the Feng family's eldest young master's relative?"
The doctor glanced at Feng Kexin and said flatly, "Then where were you, the family member, when we needed an urgent signature for the surgery?"
"I..." Feng Kexin was instantly silenced.
"The patient was brought in just in time, or it could have been life-threatening. We've handled it with a minimally invasive procedure, but he'll need to stay for observation," the doctor continued. "As a family member, take good care of the patient and settle the remaining balance."
With that, the doctor turned and left.
Feng Kexin, choked twice in a row, was barely holding back an explosion. "Doesn't Shen Qi like playing the family member? Why should I stay here to take care of him? Let Shen Qi do it! Isn't that what lowlifes like her are for?" She immediately turned to the bodyguard. "Call Shen Qi and tell her to come serve!"
After saying this, Feng Kexin stormed off in a huff.
The bodyguards exchanged helpless, bitter glances. A couple followed Feng Kexin, while the rest stayed behind to wait for Feng Manlun.
Just as Shen Qi reached the hospital entrance, her phone rang. "Shen Qi, since you like playing the good Samaritan, see it through! My brother's surgery is done and he needs care. You take care of him! I'll pay you ten times what you spent!"
Before Shen Qi could respond, the line went dead.
Shen Qi was speechless. Thinking it over, she had nothing else to do anyway. Since she'd already brought him to the hospital, she might as well finish the job. Feng Manlun's family would surely send someone to look after him, but she could at least bring him some suitable congee. That would be doing her part.
Shen Qi bought a portion of congee from outside and delivered it to the hospital. She planned to drop it off and leave, but before she could turn around, Feng Manlun opened his eyes on the bed.
"You saved me? Thank you," Feng Manlun said, still pale from the anesthesia.
"It's nothing. I wouldn't ignore a stranger either. I brought you some plain congee—you can't eat anything hard to digest right now." Shen Qi held up the congee. "The doctor said it's just a mild intestinal obstruction. They did a minimally invasive procedure, so you'll be up and about soon. But if you're under too much stress, it could come back."
Feng Manlun stared at Shen Qi for a few moments before shifting his gaze. "Are you always this soft-hearted?"
Shen Qi shrugged, looking unconcerned. "If I weren't, you'd be in critical condition right now." She raised the congee again. "Want some now?"
Feng Manlun gave a faint smile. "Alright, thank you."
Shen Qi poured a bowl from the thermos and handed it to him.
Feng Manlun noticed that Shen Qi had very beautiful hands. Her nails were neatly trimmed, clean, with no polish or nail art. Her fingertips were warm and her skin a delicate pink. Clearly, she took good care of her hands. As a stylist, fingertip sensitivity was important.
Feng Manlun took the congee and ate a few spoonfuls before looking up at her. "I heard you're in some trouble lately?"
Shen Qi thought for a moment. "You mean the accusations flooding the newspapers and the internet?"
Feng Manlun smiled, curious to see how she would handle it.
Shen Qi gave a bitter laugh. "I don't know. What can I do? Let them have their fun."
Feng Manlun's eyes flickered. He suddenly felt that his sister's rival wasn't as annoying as he'd imagined. On the contrary, she seemed straightforward and kind-hearted. If she weren't his sister's rival, he might have become good friends with her...
Feng Manlun set down the congee and snapped his fingers at the bodyguard by the door. The bodyguard immediately entered. Feng Manlun gave an order, and soon a checkbook was brought. He thought for a moment, wrote down a number, tore off the check, and handed it to Shen Qi. "Thank you for covering the surgery costs."
Shen Qi glanced at the amount. "I spent less than a tenth of that. That's too much. Send me the money via Alipay instead. I'll give you my account." She picked up a pen, wrote her Alipay account on a piece of paper, and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back. Get well soon."
After leaving her account, Shen Qi turned and left.
Feng Manlun looked at the Alipay account she'd left behind and couldn't help but laugh. He found himself liking this straightforward woman more and more.
He Yining kept calling Shen Qi, but her phone was always off. He called the housekeeper, who said Shen Qi had driven off and hadn't returned yet. He Yining was furious. He'd seen the reports online of the Shen family smearing Shen Qi and had immediately had them taken down. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't reach her!
When he heard from the housekeeper that she'd left in the morning and still wasn't back, he found himself worrying about that woman! Was she thinking of doing something drastic? Hadn't she always been strong? After Shen Lu left, she'd just had a high fever. Was she crumbling without him?
That foolish woman... When would she learn to use her status as Mrs. He? If she just showed that card, no media would dare mess with her! She was driving him crazy!
He Yining slammed his phone onto the table and stood up. "Let's go back."
Xiao Chun was taken aback. "But boss, the contract hasn't been signed yet..."
"If he wants to work with the He Group, he can come to H City!" He Yining's face was dark as a storm cloud. He couldn't wait another minute. He was damn worried about that foolish woman! The thought of her being bullied by the Shen family made his blood boil.
He Yining suddenly pointed at Xiao Chun. "What's the Shen family up to lately?"
Xiao Chun quickly replied, "They're currently working on a residential development project. They've pulled funds from other projects to focus on this one. It's tied to the Feng family's business."
"Hmph, just as I thought." He Yining's handsome, devilish face darkened. "The Shen family is trying to curry favor with the Feng family. Spread the word—make sure they don't get a single cent from this project."
"Yes, boss." Xiao Chun immediately carried out the order.
Xiao Xia stepped in. "Boss, when do we leave?"
"Now." He Yining didn't want to stay a second longer. That foolish woman never fought back when bullied. She was probably hiding somewhere, silently suffering.
Shen Qi didn't return to Jinghua Manor until late. As she entered, she saw He Yining sitting motionless on the living room sofa, as imposing as a king descending.
Shen Qi was startled. Wasn't he supposed to be away for a few days? Why was he back already?
The moment He Yining saw Shen Qi, all his worry settled. Seeing that she looked tired but hadn't been crying, he relaxed a little. But her coming home so late still angered him.
"Come here," He Yining said coldly.
Shen Qi paused, then walked over. Before she could speak, He Yining suddenly stood, strode forward, and pulled her into his arms, pressing her face firmly against his chest with a strong hand on the back of her head.
Shen Qi was stunned. What was this?
"I'm sorry I came back late and let you suffer," He Yining said suddenly. "I've already sent the PR team to handle it. By tomorrow, all the news will be gone. And those who doxxed you will pay."
Shen Qi froze. Was he... comforting her? Was he... worried about her?
She leaned against his chest, but instead of feeling moved, her heart grew heavier. He Yining, if you have another woman in your heart, don't be so kind to me. If you've never liked me, don't get too close. I'm afraid I'll fall for you, against my will...