Chapter 4: Su Qingqing
Chapter 4: Su Qingqing
As soon as Ling Yi stepped out of the school gate, he saw Su Qingqing with red, swollen eyes standing beside an inconspicuous silver car. She spotted him and waved him over.
“Where’s Ling Yun?” Ling Yi walked over and asked.
“She was too upset and didn’t sleep all night. She fell asleep at my place. Let’s go,” Su Qingqing said.
Once in the car, as soon as he fastened his seatbelt, Ling Yi quickly pulled a tissue from his pocket and pressed it against his mouth.
Su Qingqing, who was about to start the car and leave, looked at him with concern.
The thick tissue covering Ling Yi’s mouth was quickly soaked through with a bright red color.
“What happened? Are you hurt this badly?” Su Qingqing couldn’t help exclaiming.
She knew Ling Yi had been expelled, but she wasn’t aware of the events on the square.
Ling Yi held the tissue to his mouth, leaned back in the seat, and his eyes scanned around.
Su Qingqing reached into the back seat for a bag of snacks, tossed the snacks back, and handed the empty bag to Ling Yi.
She then grabbed a tissue box from the center console and pulled out a large pile of tissues.
Ling Yi threw the blood-soaked tissue into the bag, spat another mouthful of blood into it, took the tissues Su Qingqing offered, and carefully wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and his hands.
With sharp eyes, Su Qingqing noticed the injuries on Ling Yi’s hands and frowned immediately. “How did this happen?”
Ling Yi picked up an unopened bottle of water from the cup holder, twisted off the cap, took a few sips, and let out a long sigh. “Just drive,” he said.
As he spoke, he casually switched on the car radio.
“A sixth-tier Demon Beast suddenly appeared, attracting top experts from five countries. Another major battle erupted at the Spatial Rift 305 in Zhao Country… Speaking of which, the 305 rift has been very active this year. In just half a year, this is already the fourth or fifth time… Oh, the fifth time. This is the fifth time a high-tier Demon Beast has emerged from it.”
“Zhao Country strongly protested against the illegal border crossings by warriors from other nations, ignoring treaties. But honestly, if experts from five countries hadn’t appeared simultaneously, Zhao Country alone would have struggled to subdue a sixth-tier Demon Beast…”
The radio broadcasted a conversation between a host and a guest.
Demon Beasts invading through Spatial Rifts weren’t unusual at all; it was just that sixth-tier ones were rare.
Ling Yi pressed a button and changed the station casually.
“Old Principal Shen Xiaowu of Zongwu Academy passed away due to injuries at the age of sev…”
A slender hand reached over to switch the station, but Ling Yi stopped it. “Let’s listen,” he said.
Su Qingqing withdrew her hand, fell silent, and focused on driving.
“Principal Shen, once a senior military official, was seen as the military’s strong counterattack against the Academic Faction when he took over Zongwu Academy years ago.”
“His iron-fisted approach did bring significant changes to Zongwu, rapidly boosting our country’s military strength in recent years. Sadly, with his departure, all these efforts are likely to go to waste. It’s truly lamentable.”
“Based on our reporter’s information, shortly after Principal Shen’s passing, Zongwu Academy immediately underwent major personnel adjustments!”
“First Vice-Principal Zhao Tianping was promoted to principal. Vice-Principal Zhang Chenggong, in charge of administration, Vice-Principal Meng Xu, in charge of logistics, and several mid-level leaders cultivated by Principal Shen in recent years all resigned. This series of dazzling moves is seen as the Academic Faction’s major counteroffensive…”
“In other news, our reporter just learned that Ling Yi, hailed as a genius student at Zongwu Academy, appearing once in fifty years, was also caught up in this incident. With only a few days left before graduation, he was expelled. It’s said he also incurred three billion in debt for causing significant property damage to the academy… Honestly, even I find this number hard to believe. I wonder if Zongwu will provide a clear explanation…”
Screech…
The car braked sharply, nearly causing a rear-end collision. The driver behind them, both startled and furious, leaned out and yelled—
“Damn it, how are you driving? Are you crazy?”
Su Qingqing raised a hand and waved apologetically to the car behind, then started driving again.
Ling Yi was almost thrown into the center console by the sudden stop but was saved by his seatbelt.
“Be careful while driving,” he reminded her.
“A bunch of shameless scoundrels! Bastards! Jerks!” Su Qingqing cursed, her face pale with rage, and turned off the radio.
“You already knew. Why get so worked up?” Ling Yi said helplessly, then smiled bitterly. “This is what they call keeping it quiet. In less than two hours, even the radio knows all about it…”
“But it felt good to hear. That radio host has some guts!”
Ling Yi muttered.
“What are you planning to do next?” Su Qingqing tried to calm herself and asked Ling Yi.
“I want to take Xiaomei back to the old house in Spring City,” Ling Yi said.
“The old house? No one’s been back for over a decade. It’s probably abandoned by now. Forget it. Don’t go back there. Come with me to the Military Headquarters. Our connections are in the Military,” Su Qingqing glanced at Ling Yi. “Xiaomei will take the college entrance exam next year. Don’t disrupt her now. Let her stay peacefully in the Capital City. I’ll take care of her.”
“I’m not going to the Military Headquarters,” Ling Yi shook his head without hesitation.
“Why? Don’t tell me you still want to return to Zongwu?” Su Qingqing said through gritted teeth.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ling Yi glanced at her, then noticed the street views didn’t look like the way to her home. “Where are you taking me?”
“To Uncle Chen’s place. Your injuries need treatment as soon as possible!” Su Qingqing stepped on the accelerator. The seemingly ordinary car emitted a low roar, zooming forward like an arrow shot from a bow.
“Su Qingqing, you maniac!” Ling Yi grabbed the overhead handle in fright.
By the time they reached Old Man Chen Feng’s villa, Ling Yi, already seriously injured and not yet recovered, took a while to catch his breath.
He glanced at Su Qingqing’s expressionless face and thought about scolding her for driving so recklessly, but decided against it.
It wasn’t because she was in a bad mood and needed to vent, but because she’d hold a grudge for a long time if he scolded her. He still had to ride with her later, and his life mattered more.
At the villa entrance, someone was already waiting. They led the siblings into the living room, served tea and snacks, and told them Old Chen would be down shortly.
In less than five minutes, Old Chen finished his tasks and came downstairs. Seeing Ling Yi, he frowned slightly. “Did you get into a fight again?”
Su Qingqing also looked at Ling Yi. She had wanted to ask earlier but was distracted by the news on the radio.
“A few ungrateful people tried to gain attention and curry favor with the new leaders. It’s fine; I already taught them a lesson,” Ling Yi said.
“Ah…” Old Chen sighed and shook his head angrily. “These high-level matters shouldn’t involve young people like you. Some people nowadays… I thought Zhao Tianping was decent, but turns out he’s a petty man. A real petty man!”
The old man was a doctor, highly skilled and revered as the Divine Physician, but outside the field of medicine, he couldn’t intervene. Faced with Ling Yi’s situation, he could only sigh.
Then, Old Chen began carefully examining Ling Yi.
Despite his reputation, the old man didn’t rely solely on his eyes. His home was equipped with all kinds of high-tech instruments, which he didn’t hesitate to use on Ling Yi, the adopted son of his old friend.
After completing a series of checks, Old Chen stared silently at the results.
Su Qingqing grew anxious and asked, “Uncle Chen, is Ling Yi going to be okay?”
“It’s serious…” Old Chen was blunt by nature, which was why he had told Zhao Tianping earlier that Ling Yi’s injuries were severe and nearly irreversible.
Now, facing a worried Su Qingqing and a seemingly calm Ling Yi, he didn’t hold back. He sighed directly. “Even if I give it my all, I can only heal the surface injuries at best. The sealed Acupoints are beyond treatment.”
Su Qingqing turned pale with fright. Although she knew Ling Yi’s injuries were serious, she hadn’t dared believe they were this severe.
Her already-red, swollen eyes grew teary again. She choked up. “What did you and Dad really go through? You both left perfectly fine, but Dad didn’t come back, and you ended up like this…”
Old Chen sighed. “Old Shen encountered a powerful enemy. Xiaoyi must have been caught in the crossfire, damaging his Acupoints and causing them to seal themselves. Healing this kind of seal is completely different from unblocking normal Acupoints. Even a fifth-tier Dao Enlightenment expert skilled in medicine would struggle to treat it.”
“Is there really no hope at all?” Despair flashed in Su Qingqing’s eyes as she looked sadly at Ling Yi.
Ling Yi looked at Su Qingqing and smiled. “Don’t be sad. It’ll be fine.”
Despite comforting Su Qingqing, Ling Yi felt even more sorrowful inside.
Given his nature, if not for this accident, not being able to cultivate wouldn’t have mattered much to him.
But now he had no choice but to care!
If he truly couldn’t cultivate anymore, he would be powerless to clear his own name or avenge his Adoptive Father!
This was unacceptable to Ling Yi.
However, one thing caught his attention—the meteorite that had inexplicably entered his body seemed to have completely vanished!
A large piece of metal inside him had just disappeared!
The high-tech instruments here at Uncle Chen’s couldn’t detect it at all!
He didn’t dare ask.
Uncle Chen was definitely a good man, but he couldn’t keep a secret!
Ling Yi feared the old man might accidentally spill it someday.
His Adoptive Father had also warned him never to mention this to anyone.
Not even Qingqing or Xiaoyun.
Carrying a bunch of healing medicines, Ling Yi and Su Qingqing politely declined Old Chen’s invitation to stay for a meal and left the Chen residence.
Back in the car, Ling Yi thought for a moment. “Get me some money, cash. Then take me to the long-distance bus station.”
“You…” Su Qingqing frowned slightly, looking at Ling Yi.
“You’re right. It’s better for Xiaomei to stay with you for now. You can take care of her more easily than I can. I want to return to the old house to rest for a while and think about what to do next,” Ling Yi told Su Qingqing.
“Alright, resting back home for a bit might be good. But be careful. Those petty men have no limits; they’re capable of anything!” After some thought, Su Qingqing nodded in agreement.
Even though she was two years older than Ling Yi, ever since they were kids wandering together, Ling Yi had always been the one making decisions. She and Xiaomei just had to listen. That habit had continued to this day.
Besides, she understood that Ling Yi’s current condition wasn’t suitable for entering the Military Headquarters directly.
“Oh, why don’t you have any money?”
Su Qingqing looked at Ling Yi curiously. She knew Ling Yi never spent money recklessly; he was even a bit stingy and had always been the most well-off among them.
“My account was frozen, and all the money was taken… After all, it’s three billion,” Ling Yi said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Wasn’t that just a nasty rumor to slander you?” Su Qingqing was genuinely shocked.
“What do you think?” Ling Yi glanced at her. “The account was frozen immediately.”
“They’ve gone too far,” Su Qingqing’s eyes burned with anger.
“This isn’t over!” Ling Yi said calmly.
Su Qingqing took a deep breath and looked at Ling Yi. “Aren’t you going to see Xiaomei?”
“No, she’ll be even sadder if she sees me,” Ling Yi shook his head. “Also, don’t tell Xiaomei about my situation yet.”
“It’s all over the city. News spreads so fast these days. How long do you think you can hide it from her?” Su Qingqing retorted.
“I meant my injuries,” Ling Yi looked at Su Qingqing seriously. “I believe I’ll get better!”
Su Qingqing paused, then nodded gently. “Right, of course you will!”
She thought Ling Yi was seeking comfort, so she went along with it. But in truth, he wasn’t.