Volume One, Chapter 42: Protection

Jiang Wan ultimately attributed the cause to her family.

Since both sides came from blended families, she and her stepsister were not particularly close. It was only natural for conflicts to exist.

After the police officers learned about the situation—given how late it was—they finished the statement and left.

Once they were gone, the atmosphere in the hospital room subtly shifted.

“With no evidence, what are you going to accuse her of?” Lu Wenzhou broke the silence with a deep voice.

Jiang Wan looked at him. Ever since she had uttered the name “Lin Zhi,” his expression had soured. His words of defense now felt more like a bucket of cold water, splashed directly onto Jiang Wan.

“Precisely because there’s no evidence, the police need to investigate,” Jiang Wan insisted, “I refuse to believe this is a mere coincidence.”

Lu Wenzhou’s response was silence.

His face was taut, his dark eyes inscrutable, giving nothing away.

Jiang Wan turned her head aside.

“If you wish to speak for her, wait until the investigation’s results,” she said.

“The police won’t find anything incriminating about her,” Lu Wenzhou declared with certainty. “Give up.”

His gaze was cold and unwavering, crushing Jiang Wan’s suspicions—extinguishing the fire smoldering in her heart.

He looked, in her peripheral vision, as if he was in complete control.

Jiang Wan clenched her teeth in irritation and turned her gaze toward the driver standing by the door.

Qi Mo, burly and muscular, stood there like a wall of flesh—a living barricade. He had a buzz cut and a stern, upright appearance. His right hand hung at his side, the knuckles visibly reddened, evidence of how hard he’d fought moments earlier.

Qi Mo showed no expression as Jiang Wan stared at him.

It wasn’t until she spoke her gratitude.

“Qi Mo, thank you for coming to my rescue tonight.”

Under her gaze, Qi Mo remained silent, only giving a small nod.

He made as if to leave.

Then Jiang Wan said, “Please take your boss with you. I don’t want to see him.”

Qi Mo’s movement paused.

His eyes swept past Jiang Wan and landed on Lu Wenzhou.

Lu Wenzhou’s already gloomy expression grew even darker at her words.

It felt as though the air in the hospital room had been sucked away.

Cold and thin.

In the end, Lu Wenzhou said nothing and walked toward the door.

With the closing of the door, Jiang Wan was left alone in the room.

She lowered her gaze to her injured right hand; her earlier agitation had reopened the treated wound. Blood seeped through the gauze, tinting her eyes red.

Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Resolute, unwavering.

*

The next morning.

Jiang Wan had barely woken up when a hurried voice shattered the quiet of the hospital room.

“Jiang Wan!”

Ji Jiali threw open the door and rushed in, her expression anxious.

Striding to the bedside, she scrutinized every inch of Jiang Wan, her gaze shifting from worry to heartache.

“That bastard deserves to die a thousand deaths!”

She reached out to touch Jiang Wan’s neck.

Because of the man’s elbow strike—and later, his attempt to strangle her with a belt—after a night’s rest, Jiang Wan’s delicate neck bore conspicuous bruises.

“Thank goodness he didn’t succeed. Otherwise, I’d make your uncle finish him off!” Ji Jiali said, sitting at the bedside, reaching for Jiang Wan’s hand. But seeing it wrapped in gauze, she hesitated and withdrew her own hands.

Jiang Wan noticed everything.

She didn’t respond, only asked, “Why are you here?”

“I got up this morning and saw police canvassing the street. I asked around and learned something had happened. Then I found out about last night’s incident!” Ji Jiali explained, emphasizing, “Don’t worry—the police station handling this case is an old acquaintance of your uncle. They’ll definitely investigate thoroughly and give you a satisfactory answer!”

Jiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

“What… What did you say?”

Before Jiang Wan could confirm, a familiar voice approached from the doorway.

“Yes, something like this happened. The Lin family can’t shirk responsibility,” Lin Zhi said, carrying a thermos and walking in with a guilty look. “If I’d insisted the driver take you home last night, none of this would have happened.”

“Exactly! You’re so stubborn—you never listen to advice!” Ji Jiali echoed, full of concern.

Lin Zhi placed the thermos on the bedside table. “The main problem is that Jiang Wan is too beautiful. Sometimes, being too outstanding isn’t a blessing—it attracts trouble and bad intentions.”

“That’s true,” Ji Jiali nodded, lightly patting Jiang Wan’s arm in concern. “From now on, don’t go out alone at night.”

“Wasn’t it you who invited me out? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity.”

After speaking, Jiang Wan glanced at Lin Zhi, who stood by, expression unreadable.

“Yes, the Lin family is responsible for this, so we’ll see it through.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“The renovation worker has confessed. After he’s discharged, he’ll be prosecuted—he’ll face at least three years in prison. His employer has agreed to cover your medical bills and compensation for emotional distress,” Lin Zhi listed for Jiang Wan. “Additionally, the villa’s management has offered a fifty-thousand yuan condolence payment. If you feel anything was handled poorly, let me know, and I’ll fight for it on your behalf.”

Her calm, collected demeanor made it seem as if she was utterly uninvolved.

“Seems the police didn’t pass on my suspicions to you,” Jiang Wan remarked.

Lin Zhi replied immediately, “They did, but—”

She drew out her words, half-smiling at Jiang Wan.

“What reason would I have to deliberately harm you?” Lin Zhi said bluntly. “Unless you have a guilty conscience, unless you’ve done something to wrong me.”

Their exchange left Ji Jiali stunned.

“Wait a minute,” she looked between them, unable to process the meaning. “What are you talking about?”

Lin Zhi didn’t hide anything.

In front of Ji Jiali, she stated outright that Jiang Wan suspected her of ordering the attack.

Ji Jiali’s face went pale.

“Jiang Wan, are you insane?”

She jumped up in alarm, grabbing Lin Zhi’s arm, her tone turning gentle.

“Lin Zhi, don’t take it to heart. This child is suspicious and difficult, and after such a shock, she’s bound to lash out. I know what kind of person you are. I’m sorry on her behalf, but please don’t ever mention this to your father. If he finds out…”

Before Ji Jiali could finish, Lin Zhi turned aside and placed her hand atop Ji Jiali’s.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t say anything. I understand Jiang Wan’s feelings.”

She responded with gracious composure, “This was my oversight. Otherwise, Jiang Wan wouldn’t have had the chance to say such things.”

With that, Lin Zhi said to Jiang Wan, “I made this porridge for you this morning. Drink it while it’s hot. I have work to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Hey…” Ji Jiali tried to stop her, but Lin Zhi withdrew her hand and left with a smile, never looking back.

Watching her resolute departure, Ji Jiali was momentarily speechless.

When she turned to Jiang Wan, her gaze had lost all sympathy.

“You ungrateful brat!”