Rumors

"Hi, little sister Mian, I haven't seen you in a few days, and you've gotten even prettier."

Huo Siqian was dressed in a deep purple suit and black trousers, adorned from head to toe in luxurious designer brands.

Unlike Qin Chu, he was more flamboyant in his attire, favoring bright colors like pink and deep purple.

Huo Siqian, at 29 years old, was handsome and carried himself like a true gentleman.

Coupled with his position as Vice President of the Huo Corporation, he was very popular in high society.

It was said that he was also a master at charming women. His female companions, ranging from entertainment celebrities to international young models and even daughters of prestigious families, were too many to count on two hands. His presence was often seen in entertainment magazines, yet he was highly regarded in society.

People said he was the future helmsman of the Huo family, and his status as an adopted son clearly surpassed that of the siblings from the second branch.

Wherever Huo Siqian went, he had a pair of captivating "peach blossom eyes" and a foxy smile, making him very popular with women.

Several young nurses in the obstetrics and gynecology department were completely smitten, secretly glancing at him.

"I've told you countless times, don't call me that. I'm not your sister," Huo Mian responded with unusual coldness.

"Alright, Huo Mian, I have a favor to ask you today. A female companion of mine wants to get a gynecological examination, but it's really hard to get an expert appointment at your hospital. I thought of you being in obstetrics and gynecology, so could you help us out and arrange an expert for her?"

"Impossible. I'm just an intern nurse and don't have that much authority. Young Master Huo's influence is immense; why don't you just go directly to the director?"

With that, Huo Mian turned and walked into the obstetrics and gynecology consultation room, ignoring him.

But Huo Siqian didn't seem angry; he merely raised the corner of his mouth.

As the esteemed Vice President of the Huo Corporation, he could certainly use the VIP fast track at the hospital. Why would he need to bother a small fry like Huo Mian?

However, he particularly enjoyed having contact with Huo Mian because seeing her inexplicably put him in a good mood, just like back then.

Just then, an exquisitely beautiful woman walked out of the obstetrics and gynecology professor's clinic and intimately linked arms with Huo Siqian.

"Siqian, the professor said I've caught a cold recently and shouldn't eat seafood too often. It seems we'll have to go to the beach less on our future vacations."

"It's alright, I'll warm you up properly when we get back."

"You're so annoying, hehe, you always tease me." The woman playfully whined in a saccharine voice, then the two turned and left.

"Sister Huo, who was that person just now? She's quite pretty, and dressed in all designer brands. You can tell she's from a wealthy family," a young nurse, Huang Yue, asked with interest.

"A friend of a friend of a friend. I'm not very familiar with her," Huo Mian always preferred not to say too much about the Huo family.

"Huang Yue, are you silly? Don't you read the newspapers? Wasn't that Young Master Huo? He truly lives up to being one of the Four Young Masters of our C City. He's indeed handsome and wealthy. The real person is much better looking than in photos, though he's a bit of a playboy," another young nurse said.

"Four Young Masters? We haven't heard of them." Huang Yue looked bewildered.

"That's why I say you're from the countryside. The Four Young Masters are all eligible bachelors in high society, and it's said none of them are married yet. Huo Siqian ranks second. I heard the third is Wei Liao, the second young master of the Wei family in Nancheng, and the fourth is Shen Mingxi, the young master of Beiyang Automotive Trading's CEO."

"Eh? Who's the first?" Huang Yue grew even more curious.

"The first one, ah, that person is truly formidable. He's my dream man too. He's the super crown prince of our entire city, known for his good looks and wealth, and rumored to spend money like water—Su Yu."

"Hmm? Su Yu, I think I've heard of him. Isn't his father among the top five on the Forbes list, who made his fortune from private banks? It's said his family's banks are already spread across the country," Huang Yue said with great relish.

"Yes, but Young Master Su is now managing his own film company, specializing in creating stars. Two of the four most popular young actresses in the entertainment industry were promoted by Young Master Su."

Huo Mian listened quietly, not interjecting, as she had no interest in any of it.

Just then, an older nurse walked in, glanced at them disdainfully, and said, "What Four Young Masters? That's all old news, okay? The hottest new elite now is the crown prince of GK Group. The crown prince reportedly returned to the country about a month ago and has secretly ascended to power, but he's very low-key, rumored not to accept any media interviews. I heard the crown prince has incredibly good looks; I really want to meet him."

"Really? The GK crown prince? Why haven't I heard of him?" another young nurse pouted and asked.

Huang Yue, however, excitedly interjected, "I know! The GK crown prince went to No. 2 Middle School. My sister studies at No. 2 Middle School, one year below him. I even know his name is Qin Chu! But back then, it was said he had gone abroad for many years. Has he come back? Why is there no news at all?"

Finally, Huang Yue tugged at Huo Mian and asked, "Sister Huo, weren't you also from No. 2 Middle School? You should know more, right? Quick, spill the beans on this GK crown prince's background! I'm so interested! My sister once said Qin Chu himself is incredibly handsome."

Huo Mian was so taken aback by the question that she didn't know how to answer.

"Uh... I'm not very familiar with him." Not wanting to be too high-profile, she could only give a vague answer.

Upon hearing Huo Mian's words, the other three young nurses showed slight disappointment in their eyes.

---

Taking advantage of a lull in the obstetrics and gynecology department, Huo Mian got up and went to the VIP ward to visit her brother.

At the door, she encountered the patient's family member from that day again—the mother of the boy involved in the multi-car pileup. She was a plump middle-aged woman, and her red dress was particularly striking.

"Hey, wait a moment."

"Is there something you need?" Huo Mian turned her head.

"I heard you're unwilling to settle privately, is that right?"

"Yes."

"Is it because they didn't offer enough? How much did they give you?" The middle-aged woman's eyes gleamed, seemingly trying to extract information from Huo Mian that would benefit herself, but Huo Mian wasn't a fool.

"Nothing. I didn't ask for compensation."

"Didn't ask for compensation? Why? Did you not agree on terms? Let me tell you, you should take the opportunity to ask for more. I heard your brother's head was injured. You can exaggerate and say there will be sequelae, that he'll become foolish, unable to care for himself or something, and they'll give you a lot more." Finally, the middle-aged woman intentionally lowered her voice and said, "Do you know? I heard that guy's parents are from the Ministry of Finance. They have both money and power!"

"I will proceed with legal action through the normal channels. I won't ask for compensation or anything like that. I will make the perpetrator accountable." After saying this, Huo Mian wasn't willing to say more and turned to enter the ward.

The middle-aged woman was startled, then rolled her eyes and cursed, "This girl's brain must be rusty, right?"

---

Inside the ward,

After Jing Zhixin woke up, aside from looking a bit pale, everything else was fine.

Huo Mian hired a caregiver to rotate with her mother for nursing, and she herself would visit frequently.

"You look much better today than yesterday," Huo Mian walked in and smiled.

"Sis," Jing Zhixin said, smiling warmly when he saw Huo Mian.

"Aren't you on duty? What are you doing here?" Her mother's tone was still cold.

"Obstetrics and gynecology isn't very busy today, so I took the opportunity to come and see you. How are you, Zhixin? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere today?" Huo Mian reached out and touched her brother's forehead.

Jing Zhixin shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Sister, don't worry."

"What about the compensation? I heard those people contacted you?" Yang Meirong asked, knitting yarn in her hands.

Huo Mian paused before slowly replying, "Mom, I gave up on the compensation. Anyway, there's enough money for the surgery, and Zhixin's surgery was successful. I didn't ask for compensation. I want to pursue legal action, sue them, and make that perpetrator get punished. Otherwise, he'll think he can just pay us off and continue to get away with it, while my brother almost lost his life. When I think of that, I feel uncomfortable."

She thought her mother would scold her relentlessly, as it was a significant amount of compensation.

But surprisingly, she didn't. Her mother just glanced at her and retorted, "Didn't you say the other party has quite a background? If we lose the lawsuit, won't we suffer a greater loss?"

"No, we won't lose. The other party was speeding on campus and drunk driving, causing such a major accident. That in itself is a huge mistake. If we lose, unless the judge is blind. Taking a step back, even if their family has power and wants to suppress this matter, I can still go to the media, post on Weibo, and put up posts on forums. In short, once this matter gains attention, it won't be ignored. I believe no matter how powerful the other party is, they won't be able to cover up everything."

After Huo Mian finished speaking, Jing Zhixin revealed his cute little incisors and smiled, "Sis, you're so smart. You thought of all this."

Yang Meirong, however, rolled her eyes at Huo Mian and said, "Since you've decided, then handle this properly. But... how are you going to pay back all that borrowed money? Isn't it too much of a loss for us not to take the compensation? With your meager salary, how long will it take to pay it back? You really are good at causing trouble. Let me tell you, I won't help you pay back a single cent. You know the family's situation; we're very poor. Unless you go borrow from that deadbeat father of yours, but that's impossible. You should know how little he cares for you."