The thought that the Xia family had deceived and tormented her for an entire lifetime while her true savior was lying injured on a hospital bed made Qin Yuan want to tear Hu Yinglian and Xia Min apart on the spot.
But after everything she had suffered in her previous life, she had long since learned never to reveal all her cards at once.
Xia Junsheng still hadn’t been found, and she had no solid evidence that Xia Min had secretly tampered with anything. If she wanted this disgusting family to truly pay the price, she couldn’t reveal everything she knew yet.
For now, she had to play along.
More importantly, her savior’s condition was critical. Her top priority was finding a way to save him, not exposing his identity!
While Qin Yuan was thinking about how to get rid of these disgusting people so she could focus on treating the injured man, Hu Yinglian had already been thrown into a panic by Qin Yuan’s words.
She grabbed Xia Kunshan and began wailing.
“Clan Uncle, that little bitch from the Qin family is trying to weasel her way out of this! She even hit my Xia Min! Aren’t you going to do something about it?
“Junsheng disappeared because he was trying to save her! If the man lying on that bed isn’t my Junsheng, then my Junsheng must be dead!
“We can’t let Junsheng die for nothing! You have to make Qin Yuan marry into our family! Otherwise, our third branch will lose its bloodline! How am I supposed to face the Xia family’s ancestors then? Clan Uncle, I might as well die!”
This time, with her hair disheveled and despair written all over her face—and without a bottle of dichlorvos in her hand—she actually looked like someone who might genuinely kill herself.
Xia Kunshan was thoroughly irritated by all the commotion.
He grabbed Qin Yuan and pulled her into the outer room, his voice stern and authoritative.
“Qin girl, you and Hu Yinglian both insist you’re in the right. But everyone in the village saw and heard that Xia Junsheng was the one who saved you.
“If you have evidence proving otherwise, show it to me right now. If you don’t, then you’ll have to marry Xia Junsheng!
“You can’t expect me to cover for you just because you gave me a pack of cigarettes, can you?”
As he spoke, he slipped a hand into his pocket, revealing the corner of the pack of Peony cigarettes.
He looked as though he wanted to return it but couldn’t bear to part with it.
At the same time, his words carried an unmistakable threat—
If she wanted his help, she had better offer him more benefits.
His greed truly knew no bounds.
Qin Yuan sneered inwardly.
She had never trusted the old clan chief’s character.
These people would always side with anyone bearing the Xia surname.
If they discovered that Hu Yinglian and her children had deliberately set her up, and that the man on the hospital bed was her true savior, what if they joined forces to stop her from saving him?
Then everything would be ruined!
Qin Yuan straightened her back and put on an expression that said she was prepared to fight to the bitter end.
“No! Grandpa Clan Chief, my own eyes are the evidence! I saw it clearly. The person who saved me wasn’t Xia Junsheng at all!
“If you insist on forcing me to marry him, I’ll report this to the commune! If that doesn’t work, I’ll go to the county! And if that still doesn’t work, I’ll keep appealing all the way to the central government!
“But…”
She deliberately paused.
Xia Kunshan had been about to lose his temper, but her sudden pause forced him to swallow his anger and listen patiently.
“I also know that Grandpa Clan Chief has always taken good care of families of martyrs like ours. Why don’t we both take a step back and wait a few days?
“Maybe Xia Junsheng will come back in a few days. Then Hu Yinglian won’t have any reason to make trouble, and you won’t have to put yourself in a difficult position.
“You’ll even be able to enjoy your drinks in peace at the bridgehead in Houwan. Isn’t that right?”
“Enjoy your drinks at the bridgehead in Houwan.”
The words sounded perfectly ordinary.
But they were actually a secret phrase whose meaning only Xia Kunshan and his precious Widow Zhou understood.
No one else would have thought anything of it.
But the moment Xia Kunshan heard it, his expression changed drastically.
After all, Qin Yuan had been reborn.
She knew better than almost anyone about the dirty little secrets hidden beneath the surface of Xia Family Bay.
He had already accepted a pack of cigarettes and still wanted to squeeze more benefits out of her?
Perhaps he should first consider whether his own hands were clean!
“You… you…”
Xia Kunshan’s pupils abruptly contracted.
A flash of panic appeared in his eyes, instantly shattering the dignified authority he’d been displaying as clan chief.
His mouth opened and closed, but for a moment, he couldn’t say a word.
What could he possibly ask?
“How did you find out about that?”
Wouldn’t that be admitting everything?
Qin Yuan, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm, as though the cryptic remark she’d just made had been nothing more than a casual comment.
“Grandpa Clan Chief, you’re the head of the entire clan. Why let Hu Yinglian manipulate you?
“What’s wrong with waiting a few days?
“If Xia Junsheng really comes back, then there’ll be no problem at all.
“If he’s truly dead, his body should float up in a few days anyway. We can settle everything then. I’m not going anywhere.
“And I never tell ‘lies.’
“Besides, the wine at the bridgehead is still waiting for you.”
She deliberately emphasized the word “lies.”
Her meaning was obvious.
She wouldn’t talk nonsense about his secret—as long as he cooperated.
Xia Kunshan understood perfectly.
His widened old eyes slowly narrowed.
He had already compromised inwardly, but outwardly he maintained his tough demeanor, stubbornly clinging to his authority.
“For your father’s sake, I’ll give you seven days!
“If there’s still no news of Junsheng after seven days, then everything that needs to be done must be done, and every cent that needs to be paid must be paid!
“And don’t even think about playing tricks with me. Otherwise, I’ve got plenty of ways to deal with you!”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever Grandpa Clan Chief says!”
Qin Yuan immediately accepted the compromise, her expression obedient and respectful.
But a cold glint flashed through her eyes.
Seven days.
That was enough time for her to accomplish many things.
Everything the Xia family owed her—
Everything they owed her savior—
She would make them repay it all, with interest!
Xia Kunshan returned to the clinic.
Looking at Hu Yinglian and Xia Min, who were still crying and causing a scene, his expression darkened.
“Enough! Stop wailing!
“I’ve already given Qin Yuan a deadline. Even if she’s going to marry into your family as a widow before the wedding, it can’t happen today! Our clan has no such custom! There’s no such custom anywhere within ten li of here!
“We’ll wait seven days!
“If he’s alive, we need to see him. If he’s dead, we need to see the body. If we truly can’t find him, then we’ll summon his spirit and hold the burial rites.
“If there’s still no news after seven days, the clan will personally step in and have Qin Yuan dress in mourning clothes and marry into your family!
“But this time, you must listen to me! If you cause any more trouble, don’t come crying to the clan about your family’s affairs ever again!”
Qin Yuan’s fingertips tightened.
This damned old man was just as stubborn, backward, and domineering as he’d been in her previous life.
Who had agreed to put on mourning clothes and marry into their family?
Absolutely shameless!
She had to uncover the truth within these seven days.
Most importantly, she needed to save her benefactor and wake him up.
As long as he regained consciousness, he could testify for her.
Then who the hell would she have to marry?
In their dreams!
Xia Kunshan’s words hadn’t intimidated Qin Yuan, but they successfully subdued Hu Yinglian.
The mother and daughter exchanged glances and whispered to each other.
Xia Min finally nodded through her tears, while Hu Yinglian reluctantly agreed.
The production team captain stepped forward and helped Xia Min, who had cried so much she could barely stand.
The group began making their way outside.
Hu Yinglian was so distracted that she stumbled at the doorway and nearly fell, only for Xia Kunshan to grab her and pull her upright.
Qin Yuan watched them leave.
Then she turned and took one long, meaningful look at the man lying on the hospital bed, engraving the sight deep into her memory before walking out.
She slipped ten yuan to the doctor.
“Comrade, please treat the patient inside for now. Use whatever methods you have. No matter how much it costs, please save him. I’ll come back in an hour to discuss what we need to do next.”
Doctor Qiao hurriedly called after her.
“Hey! Wait! Why are all of you leaving? Isn’t that man from your Xia Family Bay?”
Qin Yuan didn’t dare explain too much.
Seeing Hu Yinglian turn around to look back, she used the door curtain to conceal herself and quickly whispered,
“He’s not from Xia Family Bay, but he’s my friend. Please take good care of him for now. I’ll be back soon.”
“If he’s not from our forestry farm, then he can’t stay here! He needs to be transferred immediately—to a proper hospital!
“He hasn’t regained consciousness since last night, and his body temperature is far too low. I suspect he may have internal bleeding. Our little clinic simply doesn’t have the facilities to handle something this serious!”
Qin Yuan’s heart tightened.
She forcibly suppressed her panic and replied in a steady voice,
“I understand. I’ll come back as soon as possible and arrange his transfer.”
The doctor reluctantly nodded.
“All right. But since he isn’t from our forestry farm, remember to bring a transfer letter from your production brigade when you come back. Bring your household registration booklet and any other necessary documents too.
“Otherwise, the larger hospital won’t admit him.”