Chapter 98: An Ulterior Motive

A few people chatted for a while longer before Jiang Xiwen urged Zhang Ya to call home together, each reporting their safety to their respective families. To avoid worrying their parents, Jiang Xiwen did not disclose the details of his prison ordeal to Jiang Hong and Wang Yanan.

Jiang Xiwen planned to stay in Mudu for two more days—one to discuss KTV matters with Yang Wei, and the other to leave money with Luo Xiaoyin. After notifying his family, Jiang Hong felt reassured about his son and said nothing further. Zhang Ya also wanted to linger and enjoy herself, but Old Master Zhang was adamant and immediately called his son, Zhang Yong, to drive to Mudu.

Zhang Yong was a man who remembered kindness. Before arriving, he had already inquired about the cause of the quarrel between Zhang Ya and Qin Shu. Upon hearing from his father about Jiang Xiwen’s imprisonment and all the suffering he endured for his daughter, he harshly reproached his beloved wife.

Once at the hospital, he had his daughter thank Jiang Xiwen and took responsibility for all his medical expenses, even purchasing many nutritional supplements.

When alone with Zhang Yong, Jiang Xiwen spoke candidly, bluntly asking why, despite Zhang Ya’s disappearance, he had not reported it to the police for fear of affecting his official position.

Zhang Yong explained that the Liu Dashan case was still unresolved; as long as the trial was ongoing, it was possible that Liu was responsible for the kidnapping, so he dared not mention it. While the excuse was somewhat plausible, Jiang Xiwen sensed that beneath Zhang Yong’s affability lay a far deeper political ambition than Old Master Zhang’s.

Later, Zhang Yong, Zhang Ya, and Su Lai returned to Su Lai’s home. At Su Lai’s request, Zhang Ya did not reveal the lake incident to her parents. After the New Year greetings, Zhang Yong took Zhang Ya back to Yangjiang, despite her wish to stay a few more days.

That evening, Su Lai quietly packed some chicken porridge at home, planning to bring it to Jiang Xiwen. Upon arriving at the hospital, she noticed numerous luxury cars parked outside and a bustling crowd inside.

During the New Year, who would be rushing to the hospital so frequently? She recalled when her father was ill, many visitors came but were harshly rebuked by him—her father despised such cliques. Could it be that another high-ranking official was admitted today? Su Lai, though curious, did not inquire and proceeded directly to Jiang Xiwen’s ward.

The closer she got, the more people she saw. At the door of Jiang Xiwen’s room, she was stunned—these visitors were all there to see Jiang Xiwen, completely blocking the ward’s entrance. Each held numerous nutrition supplements.

This hospital was the best military hospital in Mudu, boasting more advanced equipment and more professional doctors than local hospitals. Many provincial and municipal high officials preferred to be admitted here.

The nurses, accustomed to such scenes, were unphased. Yet, this time the patient was a young boy, prompting speculation about which princely faction this child belonged to.

“Xiwen, take good care of yourself. These are the best supplements…”

“My health is excellent!”

“Xiwen, this is Sun God, good for brain health…”

“I’m not mentally challenged!”

“Xiwen, this is for calcium supplementation…”

“I’m past infancy and not yet in my old age!”

“Xiwen, say hello to your father for me…”

“Do you even know who my father is?”

“Xiwen, how is Old Master Zhang’s health?”

“Now that I’m hospitalized, you’re asking about Old Master Zhang? Are you cursing him to get sick?”

These exchanges drifted into Su Lai’s ears, making her chuckle quietly. Though Jiang Xiwen’s words were biting, she admired his frankness—no one dared speak so boldly in front of so many high officials and wealthy merchants.

This fellow really reminds me of my father! Su Lai, raised under her father’s influence, despised these customary bribes and gift-giving under various pretenses.

From the conversation, she easily sensed these visitors’ ulterior motives aimed at Old Master Zhang. They must regret not arriving earlier and missing Zhang Ya herself.

Jiang Xiwen’s sharp retorts sent them retreating with forced smiles despite their anger. After more than an hour, the number of visitors gradually dwindled.

Jiang Xiwen wondered who had leaked the news of his and Zhang Ya’s hospitalization. Only Police Chief Zhu Wei knew the entire situation, yet he himself had not come—very odd. Jiang Xiwen couldn’t be sure, but Zhu Wei was known for fairness and strictness, never greedy for money but coveting political power.

It was Zhu Wei who had leaked the news of Jiang Xiwen’s hospitalization. He knew well that both Zhang Song and Zhao Changfeng, the current provincial party secretary and Zhang Song’s former subordinate, were upright officials.

Zhu Wei’s aim was to expose anyone who might stray, forcing them to reveal themselves. At that moment, he sat in a police car not far from the hospital, watching the entrance through binoculars. If visitors were expected, he let it pass; if they were rumored honest officials like himself, he immediately recorded their details.

Of course, these people never mingled with the crowds; their vehicles were parked discreetly nearby, waiting for others to leave before making their appearance. They did not realize that after the hawk, Zhu Wei was watching them.

Though these records could not serve as evidence, they allowed Zhu Wei to recognize each person’s face, making future political maneuvers smoother.

Even if Jiang Xiwen knew all this, he would prefer not to think about such complications—it was simply exhausting.

Now, something that did not tire him stood right before his eyes: Su Lai, smiling brightly, holding a thermos container at the ward’s entrance.

“Little prince, I wonder if you’ll refuse my gift?”

Su Lai’s eyes were large, but whenever she smiled, they curved like two bright moons. Jiang Xiwen loved to see her smile like that.

“Miss Su personally brings a gift, of course, this prince consort must accept it.”

“Prince consort?” Su Lai was momentarily taken aback.

“Of course! Those people only came because of Old Master Zhang’s face,” Jiang Xiwen chuckled.

Su Lai quickly understood Jiang Xiwen was joking that he was Zhang Ya’s husband. This thought made her briefly unhappy, but she soon composed herself and said, “Prince consort, even if you refuse, I’ll still feed it to you. This is a delicacy I sneaked from home.”

Jiang Xiwen did not notice Su Lai’s displeasure; calling himself prince consort was merely a joke from his perspective, reflecting how the gift-givers saw him.

He wore a greedy expression and said, “Hurry, I’m starving! Those folks only brought tonics and pills that made my mouth dry. I haven’t even had dinner.”

Seeing his look, Su Lai couldn’t help but laugh, then opened the thermos to reveal chicken porridge made by her mother, Wang Chengyun. She ladled a bowl and handed it to Jiang Xiwen.

The aroma awakened Jiang Xiwen’s appetite. He eagerly took the bowl and began eating quickly.

Watching him, Su Lai laughed at how he made a mess around his mouth. She handed him a tissue. Jiang Xiwen swallowed a spoonful and said, “Let’s be honest—please help me out. My hand is broken; you’ll have to take care of this patient. I don’t even have enough hands to drink porridge.”

“You’re in luck. Miss Su will personally serve you,” she smiled, wiping his mouth gently.

After just a few strokes, Jiang Xiwen stopped eating and stared at her blankly.

Originally, asking Su Lai for help was just casual talk, but when she actually assisted him, he was overwhelmed with emotion. He had dreamt of such warmth for years. Now that it arrived, he didn’t know what to say or do, so he simply looked at Su Lai quietly.

“What’s wrong?” Su Lai, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, quickly withdrew the tissue, lowering her eyes shyly.

Uh... Jiang Xiwen noticed his awkwardness, smiled sheepishly, then sincerely said, “Su Lai, thank you. Thank you for saving me, for bringing me chicken porridge, and for helping me.”

Su Lai still kept her gaze down, blushing as she replied, “No need to say that—you risked your life to save me too.”

An awkward silence followed; neither knew what to say when a knock sounded at the door, followed by Hu Pao’s voice: “Xiwen, so this is your little girlfriend! Why didn’t you tell us? Keeping us from seeing her?”

Hu Pao’s head immediately received a light smack—no doubt from Yang Wei. Jiang Xiwen chuckled and glanced at Su Lai. “You guys are talking nonsense…”

Speaking simultaneously, Su Lai echoed, “You guys are talking nonsense…” They both stopped and exchanged looks.

Having experienced many women, Yang Wei was far more knowledgeable than Hu Pao in such matters. Smiling to break the awkwardness, he said, “Xiwen, is this your classmate?”

“Yang Wei…” Jiang Xiwen began to respond but was interrupted by Su Lai.

“I’m not. I’m Xiaoya’s friend. Xiaoya returned to Yangjiang and asked me to visit Xiwen…” Su Lai hastily explained, knowing Yang Wei and the others mistakenly thought she was Zhang Ya. Hearing Chen Lu call Zhang Ya “Wen’s wife” during the day made it clear they all assumed Zhang Ya was Jiang Xiwen’s girlfriend.

“Oh?” Yang Wei was surprised. He and Hu Pao both thought Jiang Xiwen was quite the player. Chen Lu had described Zhang Ya as a beautiful girl, but this woman before them was also a top-tier beauty. In a few years, who knew how many men she would captivate?