Seeing Zhao Yuan and Lu Qing laughing and talking, Yang Zi quietly nudged Lin Xue with her elbow and whispered, "Xuexue, looks like you've got some competition."
Lin Xue shot her a look and said irritably, "What competition? Don't be ridiculous. Zhao Yuan and I are just ordinary friends."
Yang Zi pursed her lips. "Ordinary friends? Would an ordinary friend be calling out his name in her sleep?"
"When did I ever say Zhao Yuan's name in my sleep?" Lin Xue's face instantly turned red. Her complexion was already fair, and now it was a lovely shade of pink, making her look exceptionally pretty.
"Last night," Yang Zi replied.
"I... Besides his name, what else did I say?" Lin Xue asked nervously, terrified she might have accidentally said something inappropriate.
Yang Zi put on a show of seriously trying to remember. "You didn't say anything else, really. You just kind of... moaned and groaned. The sounds were so seductive, even more intense than those 'little movies' we watched on the computer. Oh, right! Besides the panting, you also mumbled 'don't... stop.' It was hard to tell if you were saying 'don't stop,' or 'don't... stop...'"
"Huh?" Lin Xue's face grew even redder. "I... I really said all that?"
She vaguely recalled having a similar dream last night. 'But I can't believe I said it all out loud! How humiliating!'
But when Yang Zi heard this, her eyes suddenly lit up. "Whoa, no way, Xuexue! You really had that kind of naughty dream last night? I never would have thought! Our innocent little Xuexue is finally thinking about boys and having dirty dreams."
Lin Xue finally realized that Yang Zi had just been teasing her. Both embarrassed and annoyed, she immediately started to playfully tussle with her friend. In the process, however, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Lu Qing out of the corner of her eye, mentally comparing herself to the other woman.
'In terms of looks, they both had their own unique charm—each easily a nine out of ten.'
'In terms of aura, one was a heroic and dashing police officer, the other a gentle and youthful future nurse. They were both captivating in their own way, making it impossible to say who was better.'
'She really is a formidable rival...' Lin Xue muttered to herself in her head.
Lu Qing, after all, was on duty and couldn't stay long. After chatting with Zhao Yuan for a few more moments, she and her colleagues escorted Zhao Jingrou away from the manor.
Zhao Dezhu was also required to go to the station to assist with the investigation.
But at that moment, he was pulling aside his old friend, Dai Lou, the Chief of the Jinling City Public Security Bureau, to plead for his daughter. "Old Dai, we've known each other for so many years. Can't you think of something for this situation? You watched Jingrou grow up. You should know she's not a bad person at heart, she was just a bit impulsive this time..."
Before he could finish, Dai Lou cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Old Zhao, it's not that I don't want to help Jingrou, it's that she's gone way too far! Hiring a hitman! Who would dare cover that up? Not to mention she almost got the president of West Hua Medical University killed too! That's a department-level official, a higher rank than even me! This case isn't just a joint investigation between two provinces; it's being supervised by a special commissioner sent down from the Ministry of Public Security! I can't help, and I don't have the power to help! If you really want what's best for Jingrou, you'll convince her to confess honestly and cooperate with the investigation. Once she's inside, she should behave well and try to earn a sentence reduction for an early release."
In that instant, Zhao Dezhu seemed to age several years.
'He knew his daughter's temperament all too well. With Zhao Jingrou's spoiled and arrogant personality, she'd definitely be straightened out by the guards and other inmates every single day in prison!'
At this thought, he couldn't help but let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Old Zhao, I told you before, you spoil Jingrou too much, but you just wouldn't listen. And look what's happened now. You've gotten yourself into this huge mess. You really need to take a good, hard look at yourself! Alright, stop sighing. Come with me back to the station to assist the investigation. If you really want to help Jingrou, you'll honestly answer whatever they ask you later." Dai Lou clapped Zhao Dezhu on the shoulder, gesturing for him to follow.
As he passed by Zhao Yuan, Zhao Dezhu lifted his head and shot him a fierce glare, his eyes filled with hatred.
"What's this? Harboring resentment? Planning to get revenge on me later?" Zhao Yuan read Zhao Dezhu's thoughts from his gaze. After a cold snort, he leaned in close to Zhao Dezhu's ear and whispered, "If you want revenge, feel free to try! But don't say I didn't warn you. If you dare to retaliate, I will return it tenfold, a hundredfold! If you truly piss me off, I will wipe out your entire Jinling Zhao Family!"
The frigid words, filled with sharp killing intent, made Zhao Dezhu shiver involuntarily.
He believed Zhao Yuan was serious! He would absolutely do what he said! In an instant, the hatred in his heart was replaced by terror.
The reason Zhao Yuan's words had such a terrifying effect on Zhao Dezhu was all due to the power of an Enchanting Talisman.
As he spoke, Zhao Yuan had activated an Enchanting Talisman, planting a 'lock' in Zhao Dezhu's mind. From now on, whenever Zhao Dezhu had a thought of revenge, or if another clan member suggested it to him, this 'lock' would open, plunging him into such deep terror that he wouldn't dare to entertain the idea any longer.
Zhao Dezhu was quickly taken away. The few other Zhao Clan Members who had previously traveled to Rongcheng City were also taken to the police station to assist with the investigation.
The remaining Jinling Zhao Clan Members, even if they hated Zhao Yuan, did not dare to make a move.
Zhao Yuan got into a car, surrounded by Liu Zhu and the others, as well as Professor Ma Guotao and his colleagues.
There was no other way; the reporters were too frenzied. If they weren't kept separate, there was no telling when the impromptu interviews would ever end.
After returning to the hotel, Ma Guotao hosted a banquet to celebrate Zhao Yuan's victory. Medical experts like Li Heping and Qiao Zhixue were also invited, and every single one of them attended gladly.
They had been utterly astounded by the profound medical skills Zhao Yuan displayed today. They all wanted to build a good relationship with this rising star who was shooting up in the medical world and was destined to have a brilliant future.
The meal was a joyous affair for hosts and guests alike.
After the meal, Zhao Yuan chatted for a while with the group of medical seniors and Great Gods before excusing himself to leave. Although they wanted to keep him and talk longer, they saw Lin Xue and the others waiting for him, dismissed the idea, and waved him on.
Qiao Zhixue hadn't given up on his idea of poaching Zhao Yuan. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but ponder, 'Those girls are all very pretty. Could they be the reason Zhao Yuan is staying at West Hua Medical University? If that's the case, I can work with that. Capital City Medical University has just as many beauties as West Hua Medical University, if not more! Hmm, next time I see student Zhao Yuan, I'll bring a few campus belles and department beauties with me. Maybe I can trick—no, I mean, persuade him to come to Capital City Medical University.'
Well now, Qiao Zhixue was really willing to go all out. To pull Zhao Yuan over to his university, he was even prepared to resort to the 'honey trap' technique...