Chapter 4
"We're just stepping out for a while. Don't worry, we won't go far." Gu Xi's voice was tight as she tried to reassure the nurse, her pale face betraying the anxiety bubbling within. "We've already paid the deposit, so we're not going to run off or anything."
Wei Xiangqin, still trying to explain to the nurse, turned toward her daughter, who forced a small smile. "Sister nurse, my mother and I are just going downstairs to buy something. We'll be back soon."
The nurse hesitated for a moment, considering the situation. The room they occupied was a private one, and the mother and daughter weren't poorly dressed, so it wasn't too unusual for them to step out. With a reluctant nod, she took a step back, offering a final warning. "You still need to hang your IV this afternoon. Don't go too far."
"Okay, thank you!" Gu Xi smiled brightly, masking the storm of worry inside her. She and Wei Xiangqin hurried toward the elevator.
As the doors closed behind them, Wei Xiangqin glanced at her daughter, her voice laced with doubt. "Xixi, is what you heard yesterday really true? Could Zhang Yue—someone your dad trusts—really do something like that?"
Gu Xi's footsteps quickened. The cool hospital air did nothing to calm the heat of her rising panic. "You can't always know what's in someone's heart," she said, her voice firm. "Sometimes, it's better to be cautious."
The hurried pace of the mother and daughter caught the attention of a few passersby. Before long, a middle-aged man approached them, his tone smooth but insistent. "You two look like you're in a hurry. Need a taxi?"
Gu Xi's instincts flared. She shot the man a wary glance, her heart racing. She wasn't about to trust anyone, especially not a stranger. "No, thank you," she replied quickly, pulling her mother along.
The man didn't seem discouraged. He took a step closer, his smile widening. "There are a lot of people seeking medical treatment today. If you walk out to the main street, it'll take a while to get a taxi. My car is parked right next to the building. I can take you wherever you need to go. You look a little pale, little girl, maybe you should sit down."
Gu Xi's grip tightened on her mother's arm, her heart pounding in her chest. "Mom, we don't have time for this. Let's go!" She urged, her voice strained. The man's insistence raised her hackles.
Wei Xiangqin paused, glancing back at the man, clearly concerned about her daughter's condition. But Gu Xi was already pulling her forward, not giving the man a chance to persist.
When the middle-aged man saw that they weren't taking his offer, he exchanged a brief glance with an accomplice in the distance. A subtle, knowing nod passed between them.
But before they could go any further, another voice called out.
"Aunt Wei?" The voice was familiar, and it stopped both women in their tracks.
Gu Xi's heart skipped a beat. Wei Xiangqin turned to see a young man hurrying toward them. "Xiao Fan?" she exclaimed, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Xiao Fan, a young man in his late twenties, gave a sheepish smile. "My relative is sick, and I came to visit." He looked at Wei Xiangqin with concern. "Aunt Wei, you're in such a hurry. What's going on? Is everything okay?"
"We... we need to go," Wei Xiangqin said hesitantly, but she didn't want to drag Xiao Fan into their trouble. "Don't worry about us."
Gu Xi, still tense, quickly interjected, "Mom, we'll talk about it when we get back. Let's go."
Xiao Fan noticed her strained expression and how quickly they were trying to leave. His concern deepened. "Aunt Wei, wait. If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me. I'm here, and I can take care of things for you."
Gu Xi shot him a sharp look. She didn't want to involve anyone, especially someone who might be connected to the people who could be in league with Zhang Yue. But the warmth in Xiao Fan's eyes made her hesitate.
"Xixi," Wei Xiangqin murmured, clearly torn. "Maybe he can help."
But Gu Xi's mind was already racing, the feeling of being watched making her skin crawl. She couldn't afford to trust anyone right now. "No, Mom," she said urgently. "We'll figure it out ourselves."
Xiao Fan, seeing the tension in the air, raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Alright, I understand. But please, take care of yourselves."
Gu Xi and her mother quickly turned and walked away, their hearts heavy with the uncertainty ahead. As they stepped outside the hospital, Gu Xi couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. Her instincts told her they were in more danger than they realized, and every second counted.