Chapter 20
When Lin Xiaowan recalled how Song Zhiyi had said that she wanted Huo Zheng to die together with her, fear drowned her heart. She said anxiously, struggling to speak as her body was racked in pain, “H-hurry up and leave… S-Song Zhiyi is here…”
Song Zhiyi was a lunatic. Lin Xiaowan was really worried Song Zhiyi would hurt Huo Zheng. She did not listen to him and left, implicating Huo Zheng as a result. If anything happened to him, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.
“Don’t be afraid, Qingqing,” Huo Zheng said as he carried Lin Xiaowan out, “I’ll bring you back.”
When Huo Zheng was carrying Lin Xiaowan up the stairs, Qin Yanchuan, who was standing at the top of the stairs, suddenly raised his gun and pointed in Huo Zheng’s direction. He said in an unfriendly tone, “You better not act rashly.”
Huo Zheng froze. Then, he realized that Qin Yanchuan was not looking at him but behind him.
Song Zhiyi had appeared at some point. She was trembling as she held a small pistol and aimed it at Huo Zheng’s back.
Huo Zheng, who was carrying Lin Xiaowan, turned to the side and sneered disdainfully.
Song Zhiyi held the gun with both hands as she looked at him tearfully and said, “If you take another step with her in your arms, I’ll really shoot you!”
Huo Zheng ignored Song Zhiyi. All of his attention was on Lin Xiaowan at this moment. Although there was a small heater in the cellar and it was warmer than it was upstairs, Lin Xiaowan’s body was extremely cold.
Lin Xiaowan grabbed Huo Zheng’s shirt. Her eyes were closed as she twitched.
Seeing that Huo Zheng disregarded her and made his way up the stairs with Lin Xiaowan in his arms, Song Zhiyi cried out, “Huo Zheng!”
Song Zhiyi’s voice was sharp, and it carried a hint of sorrow. As soon as her voice fell, she fired the gun.
Almost at the same time, Qin Yanchuan who saw through Song Zhiyi fired as well, and the bullet hit Song Zhiyi’s hand.
Song Zhiyi had never learned how to shoot after all. Moreover, her hands were trembling. In the end, the bullet only grazed Huo Zheng’s waist and hit the cement wall.
Huo Zheng paused briefly in his steps before he walked out with Lin Xiaowan in his arms.
Song Zhiyi shrieked Huo Zheng’s name, holding her bloody hand.
Qin Yanchuan jumped down and knocked Song Zhiyi out before he grabbed one of her legs to drag her up the stairs. At the same time, he muttered under his breath, “My wife doesn’t like me touching other women. This is all Huo Zheng’s fault. I hope my wife doesn’t ignore me when I get home.”
…
When Qin Yanchuan’s two subordinates saw Huo Zheng coming out with Lin Xiaowan, they said anxiously, “Second Young Master Huo, we have to leave as soon as possible. I don’t know why a fire broke out upfront. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be trapped.”
The duo covered their mouths and noses as they called out, “Chief!”
Qin Yanchuan cursed and said, “Both of you come here and bring this woman out.”
It would have been easier for Qin Yanchuan to carry Song Yizhi out instead of dragging her out, but he was really unwilling to carry her.
Huo Zheng moved very quickly with Lin Xiaowan in his arms. In the end, he began to run.
Lin Xiaowan was in a terrible state. The injury at the back of her head had worsened over the past two days. When Huo Zheng ran, she bit her lip tightly in pain, too afraid to make a sound. She had heard that there was a fire. She had already caused so much trouble for him, and she did not want to slow him down now. After all, time was of the essence now.
Apart from two or three brick houses in the back of the farm, the other buildings were constructed from wood. As such, the fire spread very quickly.
The farm was located in the wilderness, nestled between lush hills. The air in winter was dry and strong, further spreading the fire.
It was difficult for the group of people to avoid the fire as they navigated their way out of the sea of flames.
…
Huo Zheng only brought one man with him. He had just reported to Huo Cheng that the matter at the farmhouse had been dealt with when he saw the raging fire.
He did not dare to drive in recklessly. The houses and trees were burning; he would not be able to see where he was going. Moreover, the car was not fireproof, and if it caught fire, there might even be an explosion. At that time, things would be even more difficult to deal with. As such, he could only wait anxiously and helplessly.
…
Lin Xiaowan felt her consciousness drifting away, and she dug her nails into her palms to stop herself from fainting. She still had many things to say to Huo Zheng. She could smell burnt wood and hear the sound of Huo Zheng’s heavy breathing.
“Second Young Master!”
When the Huo family’s trusted aide saw Huo Zheng rushing out, he quickly leaped out of the car.
“Get in the car. Let’s go!” Huo Zheng said, not wanting to waste time.
Qin Yanchuan also got into the car. The first thing he did was to call his wife. When he called Gu Yuwu, his wife, his aura changed immediately. He, who was domineering outside, was like a golden retriever wagging its tail when he spoke to his wife.
He told Gu Yuwu to contact the nearest Forest Management Department and sent her the location so they could put out the fire.
The place was too big, and it would be difficult to put out the fire if it grew too big. They had to put it out as soon as possible.
While one of Qin Yanchuan’s men drove the car, Huo Zheng’s trusted aide saw Huo Zheng’s stiff posture and the blood stain on his shirt. He asked in a low voice, “Second Young Master, there’s a first aid kit in the car. Do you want to bandage your wound?”
Huo Zheng glanced at him and did not loosen his grip on Lin Xiaowan at all as he said, “Send Madam to the hospital first.”
With that, the trusted aide only nodded and no longer dared to interfere.
Lin Xiaowan’s hand kept tugging at Huo Zheng’s shirt. When Huo Zheng held her hand to calm her down, she struggled, trying to break free.
Huo Zheng, who was always aloof, was very gentle when he lowered his head and asked, “What’s wrong? Where do you feel unwell?”
Lin Xiaowan’s breathing was weak; it was difficult for her to breathe. With the gas mask, she felt even more suffocated. She shook her head and cried, “No, no… this…”
Seeing that she was in great pain, Huo Zheng hurriedly helped her remove the mask.
Every time Lin Xiaowan drew a breath, her chest ached and her throat burned. She could taste blood in her mouth. She tried to endure it as she coughed and asked, “Where… Where are you… injured?”
“I’m not injured. Don’t talk. We’re almost at the hospital. Do your eyes hurt? Close your eyes and rest,” Huo Zheng said. His usually charming voice was hoarse at this moment.
Huo Zheng gently caressed the top of Lin Xiaowan’s bloodshot left eye as he spoke.
In fact, they were still quite a distance away from the hospital. The location of the farmhouse was very remote after all. At this time, they had not even left the wilderness.
Lin Xiaowan obediently closed her eyes, but she shook her head and said, “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying,” Huo Zheng said before he kissed her gently.
Lin Xiaowan inhaled deeply again. “You’re injured. You lied to me…”
Tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she coughed again and said, “D-don’t lie to me…”
Huo Zheng’s heart ached when he saw the state she was in. He kept kissing and comforting her. “It’s just a scratch. Stop talking, okay?”
Although Lin Xiaowan was already in his arms, he still felt panicked and anxious for some reason.
Tears continued to fall as Lin Xiaowan said, “S-sorry…”