When Jiang Yuan opened his eyes again, he found himself no longer in the "Orchid" private room, but lying on a hospital bed.
He reached up to touch his head and felt thick gauze wrapped around his forehead, covering his left eye as well, leaving only one eye to see with.
"You're awake?"
A soft, sweet voice sounded by his ear—gentle and reassuring.
Jiang Yuan turned his head with effort and saw Heng Yuwei sitting beside him.
The bloodstains on Heng Yuwei's forehead had been cleaned, and her cheongsam had been replaced at some point with a black tracksuit. Her long, sleek hair was casually tied into a ponytail, giving her an overall youthful and vibrant look.
"Ah!"
Jiang Yuan tried to sit up, but as he exerted force with his right hand, he realized a pair of warm, jade-like hands were holding his. Startled like a frightened rabbit, he quickly pulled his hand away, let out a yelp, and his face flushed crimson.
"Miss Heng, where am I?"
Jiang Yuan was also a bit flustered and quickly spoke to break the awkward silence.
"This is a hospital my family invested in Songjiang, conveniently close to Golden Pine Ridge. I brought all the injured here."
Heng Yuwei smiled at Jiang Yuan. He Xinyuan had been bandaged and left hours ago, while Jiang Yuan had been unconscious until now. Seeing him awake, Heng Yuwei felt relieved.
"How are the others?"
"Xie Hong suffered some minor scrapes, nothing serious. Jiang Haoran slipped away as soon as the fight started. He Xinyuan left after getting bandaged. You were the last to wake up. As for Zhang Ergou and Ding Ye, they're perfectly fine."
After Heng Yuwei finished speaking, Jiang Yuan struggled for a moment to match the names with their in-game IDs, surprised that Heng Yuwei remembered them so clearly.
"By the way, were the attackers caught? Did they find out who ordered the hit?"
Suddenly remembering the most important matter, Jiang Yuan asked urgently.
Heng Yuwei nodded, then shook her head. Jiang Yuan looked puzzled and asked, "What do you mean?"
"All of them were handed over to the security bureau without exception, but they're tight-lipped and refuse to reveal the mastermind, insisting on taking the fall themselves. However, I have ways to make them talk."
As she spoke, Heng Yuwei's eyes turned sharp, a stark contrast to her earlier gentle and graceful demeanor.
"Good that they're caught. Attacking in broad daylight—how audacious!"
Jiang Yuan nodded, clenched his fist, and slammed it against the bedside in anger.
"Jiang Yuan, I've been meaning to ask you something."
At that moment, Heng Yuwei's sharp gaze softened, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth as she looked at him.
"Please go ahead, Miss Heng."
Facing the heiress of the Hengyun Group, Jiang Yuan couldn't help but feel a twinge of inferiority, his tone weakening.
"When those men swung their clubs at me, why did you block for me? Didn't you know it could be life-threatening?"
Heng Yuwei fixed her star-bright eyes on Jiang Yuan and asked seriously.
"At that moment, I didn't have time to think. There was only one thought in my mind."
"What thought?"
"I couldn't let you get hurt."
"Us? You mean me and Ouyang Xuan?"
"Yes."
"What if Ouyang Xuan and I were attacked at the same time, and you could only protect one? Who would you choose?"
As they chatted, Heng Yuwei threw a tricky question at Jiang Yuan.
"Whoever's closer."
Maybe someone else would have said, "Of course, I'd save you!"
But Jiang Yuan was straightforward, answering from a practical standpoint.
"Pfft!"
Heng Yuwei never expected such a reply and couldn't help covering her mouth with a laugh.
"By the way, you mentioned earlier that you're a senior. Have you thought about where you want to work?"
Heng Yuwei didn't dwell on the previous question and began asking about Jiang Yuan's upcoming job prospects.
"I'm not sure. My family wants me to be a Chinese teacher, but I don't like dealing with kids. Maybe I'll find a secretarial job, or perhaps go to graduate school."
Jiang Yuan put his hands behind his head, thought for a moment, then turned to look at Heng Yuwei and shared his thoughts.
"Interested in joining Hengyun Group?"
Heng Yuwei looked at Jiang Yuan with a smile, extending an olive branch.
"I'm not talented enough for such a responsibility. I appreciate your kindness, Miss Heng, but I'll have to decline. Sorry!"
As soon as Heng Yuwei finished speaking, Jiang Yuan refused without hesitation!
Heng Yuwei was surprised by his answer. Every year, countless graduates would kill to get into Hengyun Group, only to be weeded out by the strict HR screening. Now she was offering Jiang Yuan a direct pass, yet he showed no gratitude!
It wasn't that Jiang Yuan didn't want to work at Hengyun Group—after all, it ranked among the top ten of Dragon Country's top 500 companies and was the dream employer for many outstanding graduates.
But Jiang Yuan didn't want to use his connection with Heng Yuwei to get in. If possible, he'd rather earn his way through the doors of Hengyun Group headquarters on his own merit!
"Here's my card with my number. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me. Well, since you're out of danger, I should go. See you in the game!"
Heng Yuwei took a card from her bag and placed it on the bedside table. She said goodbye and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Yuan grabbed Heng Yuwei's smooth forearm in urgency.
"What is it?"
Heng Yuwei froze at the sudden touch, stopping in her tracks and turning around.
"I have class tomorrow. Could you help me arrange to be discharged?"
Jiang Yuan let go and looked at Heng Yuwei with a pleading expression.
"No! The doctor said you need at least a week of rest. Don't worry, I'll handle the leave procedures with your school. Just focus on recovering here!"
Hearing Jiang Yuan wanted to leave, Heng Yuwei shook her head firmly, refusing to let him go.
"It's just a minor injury. What's the big deal? Look!"
Jiang Yuan waved dismissively, trying to show he was fine.
He pushed himself up from the bed, stood, and intended to prove he had recovered.
But as soon as he stood, his head spun, his feet felt like they were treading on cotton, and he stumbled forward!
"Ah! Take it easy!"
Heng Yuwei quickly stepped forward to support his shoulders, but as she spoke, her gaze dropped to her chest, and her fair face flushed bright red!
Jiang Yuan's hand had landed squarely on Heng Yuwei's chest. The soft sensation made his fingers involuntarily tighten!