Chapter 36: Missed Opportunity

She summoned someone urgently, "Quickly, fetch an ambulance, if this escalates to a fatality, it will be disastrous!"

In recent times, this area has been under stringent scrutiny. Should anything untoward occur at this juncture, the entirety of Yulou Chun will be in peril!

Sister Ling, her mind in turmoil, was suddenly approached by someone whispering in her ear.

Her finely delineated brows were on the verge of knotting together, her entire being almost faltering. Yet, she rallied like a coiled spring, straightening her spine as if on cue, and flicking her ink-colored handkerchief into the air, "Why has this venerable one chosen this inopportune moment to appear!"

With that said, she briskly strode towards the door, selecting several exceptionally charming maidens to escort to the entrance.

Liang Shu, her head throbbing fiercely, lacked even the strength to reach out and touch. In a haze, she seemed to catch sight of Gu Hansheng, followed by Ji Chen, who was carrying a large bag identical to the one he had given her that night.

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, her clammy fingers clutching at Qian Hui's silk qipao as she choked out softly, "He has sent money to me."

Sister Ling, in the presence of Gu Hansheng, bent and bowed, her words of goodwill almost exhausted. Yet, there was no sign of Gu Hansheng's countenance softening.

Nevertheless, she continued to plaster on a smiling countenance as she approached the cold posterior, "Mr. Gu, allow me to escort you directly to the private chamber. The main hall is abominable; let us not sully your eyes."

Although Gu Hansheng was not a frequent visitor here, his status and influence made him an elder in Sister Ling's eyes. He mainly came for business negotiations, but today, the atmosphere was peculiar.

His aura was exceedingly cold, his gaze resembling that of a predator, as if he could devour one with a single glance. Sister Ling was startled into retreating two steps, her back breaking out in a cold sweat, her fingers instinctively reaching for her neck, before slowly exhaling a sigh of relief.

It was as if time had come to a standstill with Gu Hansheng's arrival.

Only that intoxicated individual remained causing a ruckus, jesting why these maidens were not keeping him company for drinks.

...

Gu Hansheng carried Liang Shu away from Qian Hui's embrace.

Ji Chen intervened, leaving the man with barely half a life left, hanging on to his breath amidst a pile of shattered glass. Then, he poured a heap of money onto the man, instructing Sister Ling, "Take him to the hospital, but do not let him perish."

No one uttered a word, but everyone understood that this was Gu Hansheng's intent.

The curtain fell on the spectacle.

Sister Ling, worldly-wise, struggled to restore order to the scene, summoning Qian Hui.

"Slap—"

She raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap to Qian Hui.

She trembled, her fingers still quivering, as she knocked over the pot of flowers placed on the low table, panting, "Look at the trouble you've brought upon me! Can we afford to offend the associates of that venerable one? Do you wish to bring ruin upon me or upon Yulou Chun?"

Caught off guard, Qian Hui received a slap, covering her face and staring at the flowers on the ground, closing her eyes with a heart as lifeless as ashes.

Yet, Sister Ling remained unwilling, sneering, "Do you think you can supplant me by pulling me down? Let me tell you, it is impossible! Do you think I dare not act against you? If you provoke me, even your patron cannot save you!"

As Sister Ling left, she leaned against the doorframe, casting a piercing glance back at her, "Ha, have a look at what kind of person you are bringing us all to ruin. Can someone like Gu Hansheng truly deign to look upon you?"

The door slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the heavens.

In Qian Hui's mind flashed the image of Liang Shu's bloodied visage, as she wryly curled her lips.

...

Liang Shu bore numerous minor and major injuries, though none were life-threatening, yet they were distressing to behold.

The most severe was a small wound just above her left brow, deep at the root of her hair, requiring two stitches.

She was awakened by the pain.

The effects of the anesthesia had dissipated.

The sight before her was glaringly white, inundated with the redolent fragrance of flowers tinged with the faint scent of antiseptic, permeating her senses. Liang Shu was momentarily stunned, only then realizing: this was a luxurious private ward.

Outside the pristine glass window, sunlight filtered through the green leaves, scattering into fragmented specks of light, disrupted by a warbler perched on a branch, disturbing a peaceful dream.

She tentatively lifted her arms and legs, relieved to find them intact, albeit dizzy.

Soon, someone pushed open the door, standing by her bedside. "Miss Liang, how are you feeling now that you've awakened?"

Liang Shu's gaze shifted from the intensely fragrant bouquet by the bedside to the white-clad nurse, her voice hoarse as she spoke, "I wish to be discharged."

The nurse was taken aback, "The doctor advised that you have a mild concussion. It's best to stay for observation..."

"Very well, then arrange for me to be transferred to another ward."

"Um... What?" The nurse furrowed her brow, then quickly added, "This is already the best ward in the hospital, ma'am..."

Liang Shu raised her voice, her tone chilly, "That's precisely why I wish to change wards!"

Seemingly surprised by her strong attitude, the nurse was somewhat bewildered, hesitantly asking, "Which ward would you like to be transferred to?"

"The one with the worst conditions and the cheapest rates."

As footsteps gradually faded away, the jarring conversation continued to echo in Liang Shu's ears.

"I don't understand why she's making such a fuss, fussing around as if afraid someone wouldn't know she was brought here by Mr. Gu!"

"Are we really going to go along with her request to change wards? If Mr. Gu gets angry..."

"What does it have to do with us? It's her own decision. This woman is quite shrewd, probably went to great lengths to climb into a man's bed, but the wealthy don't appreciate it."

After venting, there was a grunt, "I heard when she was brought in last night, her clothes were extremely revealing and all torn. It was unbearable to look at. Someone said her attire wasn't much different from those in the nightclub!"

"Ugh... Let's stop talking about it. How can we understand the world of the wealthy? If it's that Mr. Gu's... special interest, if we say something wrong, we'll all suffer later."

...

Liang Shu drifted back to sleep.

Later, she was awakened by the pain once again.

And it was still in that luxurious private ward.

An older nurse was inserting a needle into her arm, and as the needle pierced her vein, Liang Shu's gaze cleared.

She tilted her head slightly and saw the figure sitting on the sofa.

With a crisp white shirt and black trousers, legs crossed to reveal the contours of expensive pants underneath, the trousers riding slightly up to expose a corner of black socks.

This was the attire of a complete businessman, as if he had just come down from a negotiation table.

At this moment, Gu Hansheng was looking at her.

His eyes were like ancient wells, profound and unfathomable, capable of drowning anyone who met his gaze.

Was it unexpected?

Gu Hansheng's appearance here was indeed unexpected for Liang Shu.

She slowly closed her eyes, scenes from last night playing out in her mind, unsure whether in the end it was her fortune or misfortune.

The opportunity to make money had slipped away from her.