My Angel, My Guardian (GL) - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“I’m telling you, she and I are really just friends. She’s the daughter of the Yuanhang Group. Didn’t we just have a collaboration with them recently? I met her at a banquet. It’s really as simple as that. Yes, I admit she confessed to me, but I rejected her on the spot. Lele, please don’t misunderstand, okay?”

“Did I say anything? Why are you so nervous? Does this mean someone has a guilty conscience?”

Ying Aiai (En) pulled a nail clipper out of her bag and began trimming her neat nails. She opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately made the smart choice to stay silent, knowing that right now, the more she said, the more mistakes she would make.

“Lele, I’m hungry…”

Ying Aiai looked at Xiao Zetong with a piteous expression. Xiao Zetong gestured with her chin toward the thermal lunch box.

“The food is right there, eat it yourself.”

“How am I supposed to eat right now!?”

“You can call a caregiver to feed you. Or, if not, there are beautiful female bodyguards at the door; should I have them feed you?”

Xiao Zetong blew on her nails and tucked the nail clipper back into her bag. Ying Aiai stopped talking and simply stared at Xiao Zetong with a puppy-dog expression. Xiao Zetong stood up, walked over to her, and reached out to poke Aiai’s puffed-out cheeks.

“Alright, stop looking like an abandoned pet. I’ll feed you.”

Xiao Zetong compromised. She opened the thermal box, picked up a dumpling, and held it to Aiai’s lips. Aiai opened her mouth and ate obediently. Not long after finishing the meal, Aiai seemed hesitant to speak, her face turning red before the words even came out.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Xiao Zetong asked concernedly, reaching out to feel Aiai’s forehead. It wasn’t very hot, so there shouldn’t be an infection or fever.

“I need to pee…”

Aiai spoke in a voice no louder than a mosquito.

“What?”

Xiao Zetong truly didn’t hear her. Aiai’s face turned beet red from holding it in.

“I need to go to the bathroom!”

Aiai shouted, wearing a look of deep grievance. Xiao Zetong burst out laughing. Finally, after she’d had her fill of laughter, she gave a couple of dry coughs and nodded with forced seriousness.

“Okay, I’ll help you there.”

Despite Xiao Zetong being extremely careful, she still accidentally brushed against Aiai’s wound. Aiai hissed, drawing in cold air from the pain. Once they reached the bathroom, Aiai insisted that Xiao Zetong turn around. Unable to win the argument, Zetong turned her back and waited. Just then, her phone rang. She stepped out of the bathroom, checked the caller ID, glanced back at the bathroom door, and stepped out of the hospital room to answer.

“Uncle Bai, any leads?” Xiao Zetong asked softly after reaching the outdoor balcony.

“I’ve found out. It’s the eldest daughter of the Long family, Long Xun. As for why she’s moving against the Ying family, I shouldn’t need to remind you what happened back then. During her years abroad, she secretly founded an organization. In just ten years, it became a major power there. Now she has moved her influence back to Country Z for the sole purpose of revenge. Aiai, it’s not that I won’t help you this time, but you know the rules of the underworld. I believe the Ying family’s power is enough to stand against Long Xun. What I can do is give you full authority to deploy the men from my five branches. Aiai, Long Xun is not simple; keep your wits about you. You need to send more people to protect Ying Aiai, and keep a close eye on the medical staff. I’ve received word that Long Xun has put out a hit—she wants you, Ying Aiai, and Li Mingxi all dead. So, stay vigilant. This is all I can say and do. The rest is up to you.”

The call ended. Xiao Zetong lowered her phone, narrowing her eyes as she stared into the distance. Long Xun… she had almost forgotten that person. It was time to settle that debt. She let out a sigh. If she had felt a shred of guilt toward Long Xun before, she felt none now. From today on, she would fight Long Xun to the bitter end.

“What’s wrong?”

Ying Aiai’s voice came from behind her. Xiao Zetong turned to see Aiai standing there, supported by two bodyguards. Zetong gave her a smile.

“Nothing. Why aren’t you resting in the room? Do you not hurt enough already?”

Xiao Zetong spoke with a stern face, walking over to take Aiai’s arm from the bodyguard and gently helping her back toward the room.

“I was just worried about you. Who was on the phone?”

Aiai wasn’t trying to pry into her privacy; she had felt the murderous aura radiating from Xiao Zetong while standing behind her, which is why she asked.

“I’ll tell you when we get back to the room.”

Xiao Zetong had no intention of keeping it from Aiai. This wasn’t the kind of thing you hide; keeping her in the dark wouldn’t be for her own good—it would put her in danger.

“Okay.”

Aiai nodded and didn’t press further. Soon, they were back in the room. Xiao Zetong helped Aiai lie face-down on the bed and sat in a nearby chair.

“I found out who tried to kill you. And she’s not just after you—she’s after me and Mingxi, too. It’s Long Xun. She knows what we did back then, and she wants revenge.”

“Long Xun… I thought that matter was settled. I didn’t expect… I guess what goes around comes around. I’ll be fine; the Ying family won’t let anything happen to me. But you and Mingxi need to be careful.”

Aiai gripped Xiao Zetong’s hand, her voice full of worry. Suddenly, Xiao Zetong thought of Li Mingxi. The Li family had been honest scholars for generations; without a background in the underworld, wouldn’t she be in great danger? Thinking of this, she dialed a number.

“Third Hall Master, this is Xiao Zetong. I need you to do your utmost to protect two people. One is Li Mingxi, the General Manager of Guangqiang Group, and the other is Jingchun, the world-famous pianist. I want them to remain completely unharmed.”

“Understood,” a woman’s low voice replied before hanging up. Xiao Zetong then called Li Mingxi.

“Mingxi, Long Xun is back. I’ve already sent people to protect you in secret. You and Jingchun both need to be careful. Long Xun is no longer that girl we cornered and humiliated in the alley. Aiai has already been hit. You must be extremely cautious.”

Xiao Zetong warned her. There was a moment of silence on the other end before Li Mingxi’s voice came through.

“Okay, I understand. If Long Xun wants revenge, I’ll see it through to the end. Sister Lele, I don’t need protection—send more people to protect Jingchun instead.”

In this moment, Li Mingxi’s first thought was still of Jingchun.

“I will protect both of you. Until this is resolved, don’t work late, don’t go to dangerous places, and don’t go out alone. It’s better to be cautious.”

“I got it, Sister Lele. I’m hanging up now.”

As Li Mingxi ended the call, Xiao Zetong pinched the bridge of her nose. How did things turn out like this? Just then, the door opened, and Ying Xing’er and Ying Yu walked in.

“We found out who did it,” Ying Xing’er said, frowning as she stood by the bed.

“We already know. It’s Long Xun,” Xiao Zetong replied. “Sister Xing’er, we need to increase the guard at the hospital and watch the medical staff closely. Also, send people to protect Li Mingxi and Jingchun. I’ve sent some people already, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Xiao Zetong stood up to meet Xing’er’s gaze. Ying Xing’er nodded, made a call to her subordinates to give orders, and then put her phone away.

“My aunt already told me about the history between you all and Long Xun. Regardless of who was right or wrong back then, the fact that she dared to touch you today means she is challenging the entire Ying family. I won’t let her get away with it. Also, I plan to move you all to my villa in the suburbs. It has a fully equipped infirmary and medical staff I trust. It’s safer there. I’ve already sent for a car; we’re leaving shortly. Leave this matter to me to handle. None of you are to take any action, do you understand?”

Ying Xing’er spoke with absolute seriousness. She didn’t want her family or friends to suffer another scratch. She would do everything in her power to protect them.

“But…”

“No ‘buts.’ Lele, I know what you want to say. Aiai’s injury is already the highest price I’m willing to pay. I don’t want that price to increase. If you trust me, let me handle this. I know you have your own connections in the underworld, but I also know they can only do so much for you. If you trust me, listen to me.”

Ying Xing’er’s attitude was firm. Xiao Zetong knew she couldn’t win this argument and finally conceded with a nod.