“I’m coming over now.”
Jiang Lai said in a low voice and asked the servant to arrange a car.
Ren’ai Hospital.
Although news of Old Madam Gu’s car accident had been suppressed, it still leaked out. Many entertainment reporters carrying large cameras were camped outside the hospital entrance.
Jiang Lai put on a mask and followed the crowd straight to the VIP ward on the top floor.
Song Qin was sitting on a bench outside the ward, her bloodshot eyes swollen.
When she saw Jiang Lai, she immediately stood up. “How dare you show your face here!”
“You stole Qianhe’s engagement and caused Mom to get into a car accident and be hospitalized. The entire Gu family has been turned upside down because of you — are you happy now?!”
Jiang Lai suddenly let out a cold laugh. “What does Grandma’s accident have to do with me?”
“If it weren’t for you constantly messing with those weird, mystical things, how could Mom have gotten into trouble?” Song Qin shot back harshly.
When Jiang Lai was first recognized by the Gu family, she gave them talismans folded from yellow paper at their first meeting and said strange things no one understood.
Song Qin had felt that Jiang Lai was ominous from the start — and now it seemed she was right.
“Grandma will be fine,” Jiang Lai said.
She shook off Song Qin’s hand gripping her shoulder and spoke calmly, “Instead of smearing me, you should investigate who planned this car accident behind the scenes.”
The Gu family’s driver was professionally trained and capable of handling all kinds of dangerous situations. The accident that night was extremely suspicious.
In her past life, she had been timid and powerless, only able to watch helplessly as the case was swept under the rug.
This time, she was determined to find out who was behind the attempt on Old Madam Gu’s life.
Song Qin replied coldly, “That’s none of your concern!”
At that moment, the ward door opened slightly.
“Has Jiang Lai arrived? The patient wants to see you,” a nurse called out.
“That’s me.” Jiang Lai quickly entered the room.
Inside, only the bedside lamp was on, and the beeping of medical equipment filled the air.
Could it be that her talisman, like in her past life, still failed to fully protect Grandma?
Her heart tightened as she feared seeing how weak Old Madam Gu might be.
But to her shock, Old Madam Gu suddenly ripped off the electrodes attached to her body and pulled Jiang Lai to sit on the bed.
“Don’t just stand there!”
“Grandma… you…” Jiang Lai stared at her in disbelief — she was completely unharmed.
“You silly girl, I wasn’t injured at all!” Old Madam Gu stood up and stretched.
The accident happened in the suburbs of Nancheng. The Gu family’s car had been hit by a cargo truck and flipped over.
She had almost lost consciousness from the impact and remembered only flames everywhere and the sirens of police and ambulances.
Such a severe accident should have been fatal — yet she was delivered to the hospital safely.
Even the doctors said it was a miracle.
Thinking of this, Old Madam Gu pulled a shattered safety charm from her pocket.
“It must have been the charm you gave me, Lai Lai. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t have survived tonight!”
Jiang Lai finally relaxed. “It’s all because Grandma has great fortune.”
Suddenly, a slender hand snatched the broken charm from Old Madam Gu and threw it straight into the trash.
“Jiang Lai, I told you long ago — stop touching these low-class superstitious things!”
Jiang Lai immediately recognized the voice — her second brother, Gu Shaochen.
He was the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Ren’ai Hospital, known as a brilliant surgeon.
Standing in a white coat, tall and cold, his peach-blossom eyes carried a chill, and his features resembled Song Qin’s somewhat.
“Second brother,” Jiang Lai called.
He ignored her completely, picked up the electrodes, and spoke to Old Madam Gu.
“Grandma, I told you to listen to your doctor. Even if the test results are good, basic monitoring is still necessary.”
Old Madam Gu coughed. “I’ll put them back later.”
Gu Shaochen continued, “Qianhe is very worried about you. Even if you don’t like her, you shouldn’t treat her so coldly.”
Old Madam Gu snorted and slapped his hand away.
“If it weren’t for Lai Lai, you wouldn’t even see this old lady today!”
Gu Shaochen pinched the bridge of his nose, regretting what he had just said.
Jiang Lai looked at him steadily. “It seems Second Brother has a lot of opinions about me.”
“But I am the real Gu family daughter. If you’re afraid my sister feels wronged, then you should tell her to leave sooner rather than later.”
“Talking back?” Gu Shaochen stepped closer, looking down at her.
In the past, she had seemed gentle and considerate — now she appeared sharp-tongued and cold.
Jiang Lai met his gaze fearlessly. “I’m just telling the truth.”
“You get nervous the moment I mention Gu Qianhe, but you didn’t treat Grandma with the same care just now. Are you closer to a fake daughter who only knows how to play the victim than to your own blood relative?”
Gu Shaochen froze, beginning to reflect on his own behavior.
“You don’t have to like me,” Jiang Lai continued. “Just don’t break Grandma’s heart.”
In her past life, Gu Qianhe’s spell had gradually amplified the Gu family’s favor toward her.
Jiang Lai had spent two years trying to break it — and lost her life for it.
This time, she had already found a way to escape her fate. The spell no longer bound her.
What worried her most was Old Madam Gu.
If Gu Qianhe kept sowing discord, the relationship between the three Gu brothers and their grandmother would eventually be destroyed beyond repair.
“What do you mean?” Gu Shaochen snapped back.
Jiang Lai stood up coldly. “Since when did Second Brother become so slow to understand?”
“Don’t regret this later.”
She turned and slammed the door behind her.
Outside, Song Qin was nowhere to be seen — likely comforting Gu Qianhe.
“How boring. Same tricks every time,” Jiang Lai muttered softly.
She took the elevator to the rooftop terrace and looked down. Reporters were still swarming the hospital entrance.
If she left through the front, she’d walk straight into a trap.
She took a step back — and suddenly bumped into a warm, solid chest.
A faint scent of pine surrounded her.
A low, magnetic male voice spoke behind her:
“Need help, Miss Jiang?”