NOVPUBChapter 290: Chapter 290: Not Strong Enough
Chapter 290 -290: Not Strong Enough
Jiang Shaoqing got out of the car and walked over to An Zhiyuan, “How is it?”
The scene was indeed horrific.
An Zhiyuan shook his head, and the two walked directly to the front of the car. The driver lay on the ground, having slammed his head into a roadside utility pole when he was thrown out; his head was now so deformed that it was unrecognizable. His whole body was still in the position it had been when he fell, bent with limbs splayed, a pool of blood underneath his head staining the ice and snow red.
He knelt down, checked for breath, and shook his head again, “He’s gone!”
Jiang Shaoqing punched the car door, “It must have been that bastard Shang Kaijie who sent someone. We hadn’t gotten far when they came back for death!” No need to say more; it was clear who they had just clashed with.
If it were targeting him and An Zhiyuan! They definitely wouldn’t strike here! Everyone who knew them understood that it was impossible under these circumstances to harm them even slightly. There weren’t many who were deranged enough to destroy a restaurant, and An Zhiyuan knew that the car was aimed where Bai Xiao had been sitting. If not for him grabbing Bai Xiao and dodging, that wall would have collapsed, and Bai Xiao would have been in grave danger.
“We have to dig three feet into the ground to find him!” An Zhiyuan was furious, wanting revenge for the attempt on his woman’s life.
“No need to tell me, with this happening right before my eyes, I can’t ignore it. I’m fucking ready to kill someone.” Jiang Shaoqing cursed, his always elegant and scholarly demeanor finally slipping to reveal the ferocity beneath.
An Zhiyuan returned to the restaurant. Bai Xiao and the others had already called the police since it was inappropriate not to handle such an incident through the authorities. They were taking care of the injured at the scene, victims of an unwarranted disaster. Bai Xiao, with a stern face, was helping to bandage several victims, administering stitches where necessary to stop bleeding. Fortunately, everyone had surface wounds, and no one was seriously injured.
Bai Yue and Wang Yan also looked upset; to encounter such a significant issue on the day of their opening was something they needed to say.
It was impossible not to feel disheartened.
The city was too dangerous.
“Xiaoxiao, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?” An Zhiyuan came in, instinctively concerned about Bai Xiao, since he had rushed out as soon as the incident happened without having time to check on Bai Xiao’s condition.
“I’m fine, just some burns, bruises, and cuts from glass shards, nothing serious. But it looks like this person was out for revenge, otherwise they wouldn’t have just crashed into a wall.” Bai Xiao calmed down, realizing she had underestimated Shang Kaijie’s vindictiveness. Although the bastard was not yet as sinister as he would be in adulthood, his recklessness at such a young age showed that he was not worried about her retaliation.
“He probably thinks, what could Bai Xiao possibly do! Apart from Jiang Shaoqing and An Zhiyuan protecting her, she wouldn’t stand a chance on her own,” Shang Kaijie probably thought.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find the person for you,” An Zhiyuan didn’t want Bai Xiao to worry about the incident.
Jiang Shaoqing had already made calls. After hanging up, he said to Bai Xiao, “I’ve already called the workers; they will fix this place overnight, and tomorrow it will look just like the old Bai Family Hot Pot again. I’m really sorry for today’s events; it’s my fault for dragging that bastard here, which probably precipitated this incident. Rest assured, I will make it up to you.”
Bai Xiao nodded, “If you catch him, let me see him, please.”
Jiang Shaoqing nodded.
He walked away with heavy steps.
Li Dongliang was furious and immediately ordered a manhunt for the mastermind behind the scenes. Under broad daylight, it was a flagrant violation of the law, such a vile act could not be tolerated.
A few veteran chiefs had barely touched their hot pot, having just begun to enjoy it and feeling finally satisfied with a taste to their liking when the crash spoiled everything.
Bai Xiao apologized to the group, “Uncle Li, gentlemen, I’m sorry about what happened today, it was truly an act of both natural and human calamity unforeseen by anyone. It looks like you won’t be able to enjoy your hot pot today. How about this? In a few days, we will send you an invitation to come over for a meal personally, to make up for our apologies today.”
At this point, nothing more could be said.
The police quickly arrived at the scene and, after a simple investigation, found that the driver responsible for the accident had died. The vehicle was privately registered to the driver himself, and now, without any living defendant, finding compensation was impossible. Seeing the damaged scene of the restaurant, there was no possibility of finding compensation, leaving them to imply that Bai Xiao and the others should just accept it.
In such circumstances, even the police felt helpless; with the person dead, there was nowhere to seek compensation.
Bai Xiao and the others didn’t say anything.
All the people at the restaurant dispersed. Although Li Dongliang sternly demanded that the police seriously investigate and follow up on this case — to ensure such malicious incidents threatening public safety and ignoring citizens’ rights did not continue to occur — everyone was aware of the reality. With the person involved dead, it was very hard to find evidence for anything,
whatever was held as truth in their minds was futile, what is called “dead without a witness” is exactly this.
Bai Xiao sent people away in waves.
An Zhiyuan settled Bai Yue and Wang Yan, telling them just to go back to their courtyard and sleep, leaving everything else here to them without any worry.
Although Bai Yue and Wang Yan felt uncertain, they knew there was nothing they could do by staying, other than follow the arrangements laid out to them.
An Zhiyuan took Bai Xiao back to her dorm.
In a stable yet almost perceptible affectionate tone, he said, “Go back, have a good sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, just go to work as if nothing happened. Leave everything here to me and Jiang Shaoqing. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure to return the Old Bai Family Spicy Hot Pot to you, undamaged.”
Bai Xiao nodded her head, and suddenly, An Zhiyuan hugged her, allowing her to lean on his chest. Perhaps she was too tired and numb to resist. She nestled contently in his arms. His strength enveloped her; his warmth comforted her.
His arm’s wound caught her attention. Lifting her head, she examined the wound! Medical personnel had already done simple stitching and gauze wrapping, but there were still some blood stains seeping through the white gauze, and she could faintly smell the blood.
She pulled him to the sofa and took her acupuncture kit from the house.
It was then that An Zhiyuan realized what Bai Xiao intended to do. He hesitated as he glanced at the wound, “Actually, it’s alright. It has been stitched. It’s still bleeding a bit, but it will heal slowly.”
Bai Xiao took a needle, pressed down on his arm, her fingers ice cold, causing An Zhiyuan to suddenly feel a warmth from where her fingers pressed.
After two needles, Bai Xiao gently turned a circle of special ability, controlling it to not be too excessive, “All done! Your wound was just sutured, but it wouldn’t do for it to keep bleeding like this. I’ve stopped the bleeding for now. Be sure to keep the wound dry when you go back.”
An Zhiyuan nodded his head, “Don’t worry, you rest now. I’ve got everything under control!”
Bai Xiao saw him out.
Watching An Zhiyuan’s Jeep drive away, Bai Xiao’s expression grew colder. She had been too confident, always living in her own perceptions. She wasn’t the Bai Xiao from her past life; she didn’t have numerous powerful followers or Guardians. Now, she realized she had oversimplified everything; her conflict with the Shang Family was irreconcilable.
Yet, she had acted too hastily.
She wasn’t powerful enough yet.
