8 - Yang Qing
Jiang Family Villa
"Beep… beep… beep…"
Hearing the disconnected tone on the phone, Jiang Lan blinked in confusion.
She considered calling back, but at that moment, Xia Guodong walked in.
"Lan-jie, what's going on? Where's Xiao Hao?" Xia Guodong started with three questions in a row.
Since Xia Guodong was a few months younger than Jiang Lan and the Jiang family had significant influence, he always called her "Lan-jie" in private.
"Guodong, do you remember that plot of land in the northern part of the city? The one the Jiang family bought two years ago for seven hundred million?" Jiang Lan asked in a daze.
"Of course, I remember!"
Xia Guodong nodded and sighed. "That plot of land has a great location, surrounded by several upscale neighborhoods and high-end clubs. But unfortunately, Wang Quezi doesn't get along with the Jiang family."
The Jiang family and Wang Quezi had long-standing conflicts and had been avoiding each other for years.
When the Jiang family purchased the land two years ago, it hadn't yet been developed. But now, if sold at market value, it could fetch over one billion!
Thinking Jiang Lan was worried about the land, Xia Guodong offered reassurance, "Lan-jie, there's no need to worry. Wang Quezi will eventually come to you to buy it back. Besides…"
"Hao'er just told me he sold that plot of land," Jiang Lan interrupted.
Xia Guodong blinked in confusion, then rubbed his ears as if he'd misheard.
No wonder he doubted his hearing. Everyone knew no one dared to take over that land now—not with Wang Quezi involved.
If the Jiang and Xia families represented the city's visible elite, then Wang Quezi was the emperor of the underground world.
Years ago, the city had many underground factions, but Wang Quezi defeated them all. Now, as long as he didn't overstep, even the authorities hesitated to intervene.
With over a thousand subordinates and connections to international underground leaders, Wang Quezi was a force to be reckoned with.
In contrast, prominent families valued their reputation and were cautious in their actions.
Even if they clashed with Wang Quezi, they would need to use significant resources and connections to win, which would leave debts and harm their family's reputation.
But now, Jiang Hao had sold the land?
Who did he sell it to? Who dared to take it?
"I don't know the details, but you know Hao'er's character—he wouldn't joke about something like this." Jiang Lan shook her head, her eyes showing both pride and concern.
Xia Guodong fell silent.
In the past, Jiang Cheng's only shortcoming was his lack of ambition. He preferred playing the piano and collecting antiques over running the business.
But to the Xia family, that didn't matter much. The Jiang family was already wealthy, and rising further at their level was no easy feat.
"Xiao Hao has changed a lot recently," Xia Guodong said after a long pause.
"Yes, but that's not a bad thing. As long as he's not in danger, let him do his thing. It's better than…"
Jiang Lan trailed off.
What she wanted to say was, It's better than him chasing after Xia Siyu every day, only to be met with mockery and rejection.
How Xia Siyu treated Jiang Hao wasn't a secret to Jiang Lan.
If it weren't for how much Jiang Hao liked her, and how satisfied Jiang Lan was with Xia Siyu, she would have cut ties with the Xia family long ago.
"Lan-jie, it's all Siyu's fault! I'll go home and give her a proper scolding!" Xia Guodong said sincerely.
Jiang Lan raised a hand to stop him and then invited him to sit down.
After preparing some premium tea, she smiled gracefully and said, "Guodong, let the kids handle their own affairs. You must have another reason for visiting today, right?"
"Indeed!"
Xia Guodong admitted frankly, his tone turning serious. "Lan-jie, have you heard of someone called 'Master Li'?"
"Master Li?" Jiang Lan frowned slightly.
"Yes. Siyu has been using many connections recently to find someone called 'Master Li.' I've looked into it, but there doesn't seem to be anyone by that name in our city."
"There isn't anyone like that in our city, but there is one in the neighboring city."
"You mean…" Xia Guodong's eyes widened in realization.
"Yes, the same person even Wang Quezi avoids—a man also known as 'Madman Li.'"
---
Anping County
When Jiang Hao arrived, he drove straight to the county hospital.
The flashy sports car, the aura of a wealthy young man, and Jiang Hao's good looks caused a stir among the girls he passed.
The county hospital's facilities weren't great, and the patients here clearly came from less affluent families.
Recalling the original storyline and checking the signs, Jiang Hao headed to the inpatient department.
In the original novel, the girl entrusted to Ye Feng was named Yang Qing.
Yang Qing was young, just coming of age.
With looks that easily scored above 90, she was nicknamed the "people's campus belle" back in school.
Perhaps because she came from a single-parent family or had faced trouble due to her beauty, Yang Qing was gentle, introverted, and shy.
According to Jiang Hao's memory, this was the time when Yang Qing's mother was sick!
In the original, when Ye Feng arrived, Yang Qing's mother had already passed away due to a lack of money for treatment.
Left all alone and learning that Ye Feng was her brother's comrade, Yang Qing developed a strong affection for him, eventually becoming his devoted companion.
Jiang Hao couldn't let such a tragic story unfold.
"This capable little sister? I'll take care of her! After all, I have such a good heart," Jiang Hao sighed and stepped out of the elevator.
The hallway smelled strongly of disinfectant, with patients looking pale and desperate everywhere.
Since Jiang Hao wasn't sure which room Yang Qing was in, he asked a nurse for help.
The nurse was initially impatient but turned into a fangirl upon seeing his looks and attire. Not only did she give him the room number, but she also subtly tried to get his WeChat contact.
"Yang Qing? What's so great about her? Sure, she's pretty, but she's inexperienced. Unlike me, I know all the right moves!" the nurse muttered angrily as she watched Jiang Hao walk away.
Jiang Hao didn't hear her and wouldn't have cared even if he had.
How could a mere background character compare to the female lead?
After searching for a while, Jiang Hao finally reached a room at the end of the corridor.
"Little girl, looks like your mom won't make it. Why don't you let me take care of you?"
"I heard you're short on medical fees? Tell you what, keep me company for a bit, and I'll give you 5,000 bucks!"
"Five thousand? What a joke! I'll pay ten!"
"Do you people have no shame? Can't you see she's heartbroken? Let me comfort her instead!"
"…"