Chapter 1013: East Ming Street

Chapter 1013: Chapter 978: East Ming Street

When Xu Chunliang came home, it was already quite late. Because there were guests at home, he tried to tread lightly so as not to disturb Lin Sijin and her daughter.

As Xu Chunliang was going upstairs, he heard the door gently open; it was Ye Qingya who came out of her room upon hearing the noise.

Xu Chunliang smiled at her.

Ye Qingya whispered, “Why are you coming back so late?”

Xu Chunliang glanced at the guest room. Ye Qingya pointed towards the living room, and the two walked over there.

Ye Qingya said, “Grandpa Xu prepared some sobering soup for you. Honestly, you shouldn’t stay out so late. You know how much the old man worries about you.”

Xu Chunliang chuckled, “There’s nothing to worry about. I was just talking some business. By the way, how’s the material collection for your mom’s novel going?”

Ye Qingya laughed, “She had a great chat with Grandpa. The two of them even agreed to go and see the old site of Huichun Hall together tomorrow.”

Xu Chunliang took the sobering soup she handed him and finished it, putting down the empty bowl. Ye Qingya poured him another bowl, urging him to drink it.

Xu Chunliang, resigned, had to drink it: “There’s no old site of Huichun Hall anymore. The building was torn down, and they’re currently constructing the second phase of Changxing Hospital there.”

Ye Qingya said, “I guess they’re just going to talk about the surrounding environment. My mom’s wholeheartedly dedicated to writing your family’s history now.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Once she’s set on something, she has to do her best, just like you.”

Ye Qingya whispered, “I’m not like her.”

Xu Chunliang gazed at her delicate face, feeling a strange flutter in his heart. Ye Qingya seemed to sense something and stood up, “I’ll go wash the dishes.”

Xu Chunliang reached out to stop her, “No need…” Just then, their hands brushed against each other.

Ye Qingya quickly pulled her hand back, but Xu Chunliang moved faster, already holding her slender hand in his. He softly said, “How’s your health lately? Let me check your pulse.”

Ye Qingya’s cheeks flushed as she thought to herself: He’s not checking my pulse; he’s clearly taking advantage of me. Yet, she didn’t pull away, finding it very comforting to have her hand held in his palm like this.

Xu Chunliang’s fingers rested on Ye Qingya’s pulse point, though his attention was more on her smooth, porcelain-like skin.

“How is it?”

Xu Chunliang said, “Your heart rate is a bit fast, no need to be nervous.”

Ye Qingya bit her cherry lips and said, “I’ll still let Grandpa Xu check my pulse.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “What? You don’t trust me?”

Ye Qingya looked into his eyes, always feeling that his gaze was full of aggression. She pulled her hand back from his palm: “I’ll go wash the dishes. You should get some rest.”

Ye Qingya fled to the kitchen, her heart pounding. This guy must have had too much to drink. Saying it was to check my pulse, he clearly was just taking advantage. Thinking about how their relationship had become increasingly ambiguous, Ye Qingya felt that keeping on this way might be dangerous. Reason told her she should keep a distance from Xu Chunliang, but she couldn’t deceive her heart. She liked being with Xu Chunliang.

Even though she knew he had ulterior motives towards her, she didn’t mind at all. Instead, she found joy in it. Ye Qingya let the cool water wash over her hands, using this method to force herself to calm down. Could she really have fallen for Xu Chunliang? Impossible, she insisted to herself that her feelings for him were like those for a younger brother. Ye Qingya emphasized this silently to herself.

In the morning, Lin Sijin accompanied Xu Changshan to the old site of Huichun Hall. The former building had long been demolished, replaced by the second phase of Changxing Hospital.

The second phase of the construction was also nearing its completion. Xu Changshan looked up at the towering building, feeling a great deal of emotion, for Huichun Hall could never be found again.

However, this narrow alley leading to the market still held many memories of the past. Xu Changshan and Lin Sijin walked along the narrow stone-paved alley, facing the morning sun, chatting as they went.

With Elder Xu’s introduction, Lin Sijin’s mind conjured an image from long ago; old houses and courtyards they passed by, even a tree or a wall, each held endless stories.

Xu Changshan sighed, “In the past, there was a Ciji Nunnery up ahead. Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, there was a temple fair. On that day, this alley leading to the market would be crowded shoulder to shoulder with people coming to the fair, incredibly lively. But now, many people don’t know about these things anymore.”

They arrived at the market, much of which had been relocated to a centrally planned building now. Street-side grocery markets like this were rare, and East Ming Street was one of Dongzhou’s few remaining places that maintained its original appearance.

Xu Changshan bought fried dough sticks and hot porridge, intending to take them back for the kids.

Lin Sijin found herself intrigued by the market’s lively atmosphere. While Elder Xu went to buy breakfast, she wandered nearby, asking about the vegetable prices.

A voice filled with surprise came from behind: “Mom, when did you come to Dongzhou?”

Lin Sijin was taken aback for a moment and turned around, only to see Qiao Rulong standing not far behind her, along with someone else.

Lin Sijin never expected to meet Qiao Rulong here. She frowned slightly, a bit displeased, and said, “President Qiao, it seems you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Qiao Rulong gave an embarrassed smile: “Even though Qingya and I are divorced, in my heart, you will always be…”

Lin Sijin interrupted him unceremoniously: “Your mother is called Wang Siqi. If she knew you were calling people randomly outside, she would definitely be unhappy.”

Qiao Rulong said: “Why are you here?”

Lin Sijin replied: “Who said I can’t be here?”

The man behind Qiao Rulong had an expression of displeasure. They clearly thought Lin Sijin’s attitude towards Qiao Rulong was too hostile, an affront to President Qiao.

Lin Sijin turned and left. Qiao Rulong watched her walk away and saw Xu Changshan ahead. He immediately understood that Lin Sijin had come with Xu Changshan, growing even more displeased.

The man beside him was his actual brother-in-law, Pan Weidong. When Nanjiang’s Spring Thunder Operation started, Pan Weidong fled overseas in a hurry, only returning to the country after the storm passed. During this time, he transformed into a shareholder of Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd.

This Spring Thunder Operation caused severe losses to the Pan Family’s He Dong Group. Only then did Pan Tianhua realize why Ji Buyao had suddenly chosen to disappear from the world, and his ambition was used by Ji Buyao, making him the biggest taker for Blue Star Property.

Finally, it was his daughter who intervened to plead, and only then did Qiao Rulong find someone to help resolve the He Dong crisis. However, Qiao Rulong also left a message for their father and son to behave themselves.

Recent events have dealt a heavy blow to Pan Tianhua, and he began considering the future of his children. His daughter was determined to be with Qiao Rulong; although she may never have official status, after all, she had borne a child for the Qiao Family, and Qiao Rulong was quite good to Qi Shuang.

What truly worried Pan Tianhua was his son, Pan Weidong. Pan Weidong was ruthless in his actions, much like he was back in the day. However, in today’s harmonious society, attempting to exploit legal loopholes to make money will come at an extremely heavy price. Pan Tianhua does not want his descendants to continue such a life; he has accumulated enough wealth, and it’s time to consider cleaning up the family legacy.

That’s why Pan Tianhua sought his daughter’s advice, wanting Pan Weidong to invest in Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd., hoping to use this method to completely legitimize the Pan Family’s assets.

Jishi has successfully acquired Changxing Hospital, and Pan Weidong came to Dongzhou as a major shareholder and executive director. If it weren’t for Qi Shuang’s sake, Qiao Rulong wouldn’t bother with this cheap brother-in-law.

Pan Weidong murmured, “That woman doesn’t know her place; should I find someone to teach her a lesson?”

Qiao Rulong looked at him coldly, and Pan Weidong dared not meet his gaze, timidly dropping his eyes and murmuring, “Sis… President Qiao, I’m standing up for you.”

At first, he called Qiao Rulong his brother-in-law, but after being severely scolded by his father, he realized that his sister Qi Shuang could never be openly married.

Qiao Rulong said, “Don’t interfere in my matters.”

Pan Weidong replied, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

The two of them came here today not by chance. Zhao Feiyang proposed a second-phase expansion plan. Initially, Changxing’s second-phase project took over an area including Huichun Hall. However, the city recently had a new plan for the entire East Ming Street, intending to rebuild the market and completely demolish the shantytown area here. Of course, Changxing Hospital wouldn’t miss this excellent opportunity.

Zhao Feiyang discussed with Pan Weidong, who didn’t understand much about this aspect. After talking to the president of Jishi, his sister Qi Shuang, Qi Shuang asked him to contact Qiao Rulong, who was in Dongzhou, to see if Qiao Rulong could offer some advice. The two came for a field visit today, only to meet Qiao Rulong’s ex-mother-in-law at the market.

Qiao Rulong was somewhat distracted, and unfortunately stepped into a puddle of wastewater, frowning with some disgust.

Pan Weidong cursed, “This lousy place, in a few days we’ll buy it and renovate it properly. I’ve already thought about it; the land near the hospital will be developed into a new radiotherapy center, and a tall building will be erected to the southeast. Apart from the portion allocated for the market, we’ll retain other properties…”

Qiao Rulong wasn’t interested in listening to his chatter and strode forward.

After walking a short distance and not seeing Pan Weidong following, Qiao Rulong had no choice but to stop and turn back, only to see a crowd gathering behind.

Qiao Rulong didn’t want to watch the commotion, but since he came with Pan Weidong, he couldn’t just leave alone. As he turned back, he guessed Pan Weidong was watching the excitement too. Before he got closer, he heard someone shout: “Murder, murder…”

Only then did Qiao Rulong realize something was wrong; the crowd watching the commotion suddenly dispersed, and he saw Pan Weidong sitting on the ground, hand covering his neck, with blood spraying through his fingers.

Qiao Rulong immediately panicked. He rushed towards Pan Weidong, yelling, “Call an ambulance, hurry…”

Pan Weidong’s neck had been sliced with a sharp blade; the opponent was an extremely professional assassin, and with Pan Weidong unprepared, used a razor blade to cut open his carotid artery.

The carotid artery is one of the body’s main arteries. Most of the blood supply to the head is delivered by the neck’s vessels.