A Cornered Rabbit Will Bite

After Xu Xiuyuan left, Huo Xingzhou took out his phone and dialed the last number in his contacts. The call was quickly answered.

Huo Xingzhou spoke softly, "Mr. Cheng, I'm sure you're already aware of what happened in Haicheng. This time, Qiao Xi needs you."

He knew that Cheng Han's decision to change his name and hide his identity had reasons behind it. It would be difficult to get him to appear.

"Her finger bones are shattered. The doctor says it's hard to heal, unless we can find the National Physician Cheng Han from back then. I remember the last time you showed me many certificates. I think now, Qiao Xi could really use them. I'm sorry to trouble you."

His tone was sincere, not the slightest hint of arrogance.

On the other end, there was some cursing.

Huo Xingzhou, unfazed, said many more kind words.

Half an hour later, he presented the whole plan. Only then did the other party agree.

After hanging up the phone, Huo Xingzhou traced the edge of his phone with his fingers, a faint, indifferent smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Everything was ready, just waiting for the right moment.

He turned to the bodyguards at the door and ordered, "You stay here and make sure no one approaches the room."

He was going to confirm something—a matter that would cause immense pain to Huo Beiting.

"Understood, Mr. Huo," the bodyguards responded, standing firmly like statues at the door. Even the nurses, seeing them, kept their distance.

In the afternoon,

From the stairwell at the end of the corridor came loud noises.

Two groups of people, a dozen in total, poured down from the elevators, causing a commotion.

Leading the group were Director Wu and his niece Wu Yachun, followed by a crowd of agitated relatives of patients and reporters.

It was an intimidating scene.

Director Wu and Wu Yachun, having suffered demotions and punishments, were filled with resentment. They had finally found something to blame Qiao Xi for.

Behind them were relatives of seriously ill patients, all grieving and angry, needing an outlet for their frustration. Among them were the parents of Wang Dafu, a couple in their seventies, crying uncontrollably.

Upon reaching the 21st floor, the disguised reporters switched on their mini-cameras.

"Qiao Xi is in Room 2106," Wu Yachun said coldly.

"Wang Dafu's parents, look, she has professional bodyguards outside her door. Wang Dafu's disappearance must be related to her!" Director Wu provoked them. "She probably ordered the bodyguards to hurt Wang Dafu in a fit of anger!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Dafu's mother rushed forward, crying hysterically.

"Give me back my son!"

She had seen news reports about how Wang Dafu was treated by a quack doctor. After failing to contact her son, she came to the hospital. Misled by "kind-hearted" Director Wu, she believed Qiao Xi was responsible for what happened.

They had heard that powerful people often commit evil deeds.

"My son must have been harmed by her!"

Wang Dafu's mother collapsed to the floor, wailing uncontrollably.

"Please leave. Don't disturb the patients," one of the bodyguards said, blocking them from approaching Room 2106.

"Qiao Xi! Get out here!"

"Quack doctor, give me back my son!"

"You're the one who harmed my son, get out here! My son!" Wang Dafu's mother's voice echoed loudly.

The relatives of other critically ill patients seemed to resonate with her, starting to cry as well. They yelled at the door, "Quack doctor, get out here!"

"Qiao Xi, are you a coward?"

"Reporter friends, she doesn't care about her patients. Doctors who don't care if people live or die, who else can we turn to?"

The relatives of the patients seemed to be stirred by these words. They pushed and shoved, trying to break through the bodyguard's line of defense to drag Qiao Xi out and beat her up.

"Qiao Xi, give us an explanation!"

"Give me back my son!"

The noisy voices woke Qiao Xi up.

She slowly got out of bed, moved toward the door, and opened it.

The insults from outside became clearer.

"Madam, please stay inside," the bodyguards advised, trying to shield her.

But as soon as she appeared, some people threw bottles of mineral water at her. The bodyguards were outnumbered, and the cold water splashed across her face, soaking her hospital gown.

The water dripped down her neck, soaking her clothes. She slowly opened her eyes, water droplets clinging to her long lashes.

Seeing the bandages wrapped around her body, the crowd froze for a moment, then someone cursed, "Serves her right!"

"Give me back my son! Qiao Xi, please, spare Dafu!"

Wang Dafu's parents knelt on the ground, crying and wailing. Their figures were hunched, their hair graying.

The scene was heart-wrenching.

Qiao Xi remained impassive, her gaze cold as she looked at them.

Comparing the two sides, it seemed as though Qiao Xi was heartless. The reporters quickly captured the moment and posted it online with a sensational headline: "Quack Doctor Qiao Xi Suspected of Murder, Wang Dafu's Parents Kneel and Beg for Mercy."

This headline ignited a storm of public outrage, launching another wave of online harassment against Qiao Xi.

"Qiao Xi, we only have one son. Please, tell us where he is!" Wang Dafu's mother continued, skillfully playing the victim. Seeing so many people supporting her, she slammed her head against the floor, drawing blood.

"Wife, these rich people don't see us as human beings," Wang Dafu's father muttered as he helped his wife up, both of them crying like children.

Qiao Xi's black eyes, once calm, now felt like they had been washed with water—deep and still. Their words felt like knives cutting through her skin, piercing her very being.

A sudden wave of bitterness and injustice surged through her nostrils.

In an instant,

Her heart became firmer.

She spoke slowly, "If you want to find Wang Dafu, you should go to the police. You can contact Officer Lin Tao from Haicheng Public Security Bureau for further details."

Everyone else was confused by her response.

Ignoring their confusion, Qiao Xi looked directly at Director Wu and Wu Yachun, "As medical staff, you are disturbing hospital order. I will report this to Dean Xu. I hope you have some luck this time."

"And to all the reporters here, please take responsibility for what you say. I will take screenshots of your reports and consult a lawyer."

Her tone was resolute, her posture strong, a stark contrast to her usual gentle and delicate demeanor.

"Qiao Xi! You're bullying us with your power!"

Wu Yachun was the first to object.

She was jealous of how Qiao Xi had become the young mistress of the Huo family and the wife of the president of Tianyuan Group.

The resentment had been building up inside her, and now she couldn't wait to kick Qiao Xi while she was down.

"Yes."

Qiao Xi stood in the corridor, radiant like a beam of light.

"I'm bullying you. I'm using Huo Xingzhou's power to bully you!" she said coldly, looking at them.

"So when you insult me, humiliate me, and slander me with your reports, remember who's standing behind me."

A fire burned within her, shattering the fragile cocoon of her gentleness.

Her face, bruised but still strong, stood defiantly before them.

"I am Qiao Xi, the wife of Huo Xingzhou, the president of Tianyuan Group!"

She had always treated others kindly, even tolerating insults. But this time,

She didn't want to tolerate it anymore!

Standing outside the crowd, Zhou Yu, who had his hand on Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair, seemed to see Qiao Xi in a new light for the first time.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, little sister-in-law is like a rabbit who's been cornered. Now she bites back!"

They hadn't expected to come back and witness such a scene.