"STOP!"
The moment Ye Qiu's right foot was about to come crashing down, a sharp female voice cut through the air.
Ye Qiu quickly froze. He looked up to see Bai Bing striding over quickly, her face icy cold.
For some reason, his heart suddenly fluttered with panic — like a schoolboy caught misbehaving by his teacher.
At the sight of Bai Bing, Guo Shaocong latched onto her like a lifeline, screaming desperately:
"Director Bai, help me! Ye Qiu's trying to kill me! Please save me!"
Zhang Lili chimed in at once: "Director Bai, Ye Qiu's gone crazy! He's going to murder someone! Stop him!"
"Let Dr. Guo go," Bai Bing said, staring coldly at Ye Qiu.
"Director Bai, let me explain —"
"Let him go!" Bai Bing cut him off with a commanding tone before he could finish.
That tone only infuriated Ye Qiu.
"You're not even my supervisor anymore. What right do you have to order me?"
Bai Bing was both angry and anxious. "Do you still want to work at this hospital?"
"That medical record was a frame-up by Guo Shaocong and Zhang Lili. You didn't even investigate before demoting me to a care worker. To hell with this hospital!"
Ye Qiu had made up his mind. Even if he couldn't be a doctor, with his new abilities, he would never starve.
Bai Bing suppressed her anger and pleaded: "Ye Qiu, I may not be your supervisor now, but I was still your teacher during your probation. I trained you."
"If you still respect me as your teacher, listen to me and let him go."
"You've studied medicine for years and finally earned your license. Are you really going to throw it all away so easily?"
"Do you think this is fair to your mother?"
That last line struck Ye Qiu like a heavy hammer. He turned and saw tears streaming down his mother's face.
Guilt flooded his heart.
"Mom!"
"Qiu'er… let Dr. Guo go."
"But he —"
"I know he's a bastard. You were right to hit him. But it's not worth throwing your life away for a scum like him."
Her words acted like a wake-up call, and Ye Qiu calmed down instantly.
She was right. Dying for a piece of trash like Guo Shaocong would be the stupidest thing he could ever do.
"Guo Shaocong, listen carefully," Ye Qiu snarled. "I'll spare your life today. But if you ever dare lay a hand on my mother again, I will kill you."
He lifted his foot, helped Qian Jinglan up, and said: "Mom, let's go."
"Hold it right there!" Zhang Lili stepped in front of them. "You beat Shaocong half to death and you think you can just leave?"
"Out of my way." Ye Qiu's expression turned dark.
"I already called Vice Dean Guo. Until he gets here, no one leaves."
"Zhang Lili, are you asking for death?"
"Ye Qiu, it's too late for that. You crippled him. If he presses charges, you'll spend the rest of your life in prison."
Only then did Bai Bing notice Guo Shaocong's bloodied, mangled limbs.
This is a disaster.
She spoke quickly: "Ye Qiu, take your aunt and leave. Go as far away as you can."
"Director Bai, what are you doing?" Zhang Lili glared at her in dissatisfaction. "Ye Qiu attacked someone and seriously injured Shaocong. If he runs away, who takes responsibility? You?"
"I will."
"You?" Zhang Lili stared at her in shock.
Bai Bing said: "Yesterday at the medical administration office, I already promised I would take full responsibility if Ye Qiu caused any more trouble."
"What relationship do you two have? Why are you covering for him?"
A strange feeling twisted in Zhang Lili's chest. Could Ye Qiu really be sleeping with Bai Bing?
"That's none of your business. Ye Qiu, take your mother and go," Bai Bing snapped.
"Director Bai, if I leave, what will happen to you?"
"Don't worry about me. I have my own way out."
Ye Qiu was deeply moved.
Bai Bing was not only protecting him but also willing to take the blame for him. He didn't know whether to call her kind or foolish.
But as a man, how could he let a woman take the fall for him?
"Director Bai, thank you. But I'm the one who hit him. I won't let you take responsibility for me."
"I'm trying to help you!" Bai Bing urged anxiously. "You beat Guo Shaocong this badly. Do you think Vice Dean Guo will let you live?"
"If this goes to court, you'll go to jail."
"Guo Shaocong's father is the executive vice dean. He's well-connected in Jiangzhou. If you don't leave now, you never will."
"Director Bai, I know all that. But I'm not afraid of him."
Ye Qiu had made his choice. He would rather fight to the bitter end. As Lin Jingzhi had said: he had nothing to lose, so he had nothing to fear.
Bai Bing kept trying to reason with him. "Have you thought about your mother? If you go to prison, what will happen to her? Can you bear to leave her all alone?"
"Director Bai, thank you," Qian Jinglan spoke up gently. "Thank you for looking after my son. As his mother, I truly appreciate it. But a real man takes responsibility for his actions. If Ye Qiu can't do that, he doesn't deserve to be my son."
"But Auntie, Ye Qiu is still young. Prison would ruin his entire life."
"Don't worry, Director Bai. Ye Qiu won't go to jail. I may not be powerful, but I can still protect my son."
Qian Jinglan spoke firmly, her voice brimming with unshakable confidence.
Bai Bing was confused. Qian Jinglan seemed like an ordinary housewife — where did this confidence come from?
She studied her closely and felt a strange sense of familiarity, even warmth.
"Auntie… have we met before?" Bai Bing suddenly asked.
"Yes, once," Qian Jinglan smiled. "I brought Ye Qiu here on his first day in the surgery department. We greeted each other then."
I see. Bai Bing was about to speak when a furious roar boomed from behind:
"WHO HURT MY SON?!"
They turned to see a pot-bellied, bald middle-aged man charging out of the inpatient building with several security guards, his expression fierce.
This was Guo Shaocong's father — Guo Danu, executive vice dean of Jiangzhou Hospital.
"Uncle, you're just in time! Shaocong's hurt badly!" Zhang Lili cried.
Guo Danu rushed over, knelt beside his son, and asked anxiously: "Shaocong, how are you? How badly are you hurt?"
"Dad… help me… he crippled me…"
What?!
Guo Danu's eyes widened as he saw his son's broken limbs. Murderous rage exploded across his face. He roared:
"WHO DID THIS?!"
"He did!" Zhang Lili pointed at Ye Qiu. "Uncle, it was him!"
"Not even the Heavenly King himself can save you now." Guo Danu stared at Ye Qiu with venomous hatred and shouted at the security guards:
"What are you waiting for?! Cripple him!"