A Favor Done, A Husband Won-Chapter 498 - 492: Wait for Me
The fire at the restaurant pointed suspicion directly at her father, Shi Lingkang. Moreover, since Shi Xiangchao was always with her father, all conflicts seemed to target them both.
It was indeed a coincidence, Shi Lingkang invited her to dine, and this incident happened on the same day.
Even though investigations showed some connections behind the scenes between the restaurant and Jingjian, any ties to her second uncle, Shi Wancheng, were completely hidden.
Shi Wancheng hadn’t returned to the imperial capital these days, as if he’d disappeared, yet in truth, everything remained under his control.
Moreover, the presence of Shi Su and Jing Jihan posed the greatest threat to him.
Outside the ICU critical care unit, a bodyguard came in and said, "Mr. Lu, Mrs. Jing has left the hospital and met her father at the main entrance."
Lu Zhao pondered for a moment before saying, "Understood."
"Do we need to escort Mrs. Jing back to the ward?"
"No need, sooner or later she must face Shi Family matters alone. Even without Mr. Jing, those family affairs she can still handle independently. Mr. Jing has already paved the way for her in terms of connections and information channels with Jingjian, if she decides to use them, our intervention is unnecessary for now." Lu Zhao paused. "Have we figured out the connections of Shi Yuan, that little girl? Is there any problem with her?"
"That young girl is quite isolated within the Shi Family, living rather miserably. In recent days, she’s the only Shi Family member allowed into the hospital. Observing her current actions alone, there’s nothing suspicious, but we can’t completely guarantee other aspects. However, for now, she’s focused on being with Mrs. Jing, taking care of her. Seems like... the young girl mentioned that Mrs. Jing helped her before, and she always calls Mrs. Jing sister."
"Keep an eye on Shi Yuan’s movements, but if she doesn’t do anything, don’t alarm her for now. Whatever Mrs. Jing intends to do now, as long as there’s no danger, there’s no need to interfere further. Mr. Jing is currently in critical condition, naturally she has things she needs to accomplish."
The bodyguard nodded and called down to have several people trailing behind return, leaving just two to stand guard at the entrance.
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Shi Su spent another two days in the hospital to unravel the entire business layout of the Shi Family, clarifying every related network path, and familiarized herself once again with the complete enterprise structure between Jingjian and the Shi Family in the imperial capital.
During this period, she took advantage of the opportunity that doctors no longer restricted her from getting out of bed, visiting the ICU ward a few times.
Initially, the bodyguards in the hallway refused her entry and repeatedly requested her return, but later Lu Zhao allowed her to enter once, though only to gaze through the glass window outside the ward.
Inside, the ward was large, filled with many instruments, Jing Jihan remained unconscious, his face pale and bloodless.
The man who held her and jumped from the third floor amidst the flames, the man who placed all survival means on her without regard for his own safety...
The man who told her that although he wasn’t there seven years ago, he’d always be there seven years later.
He lay inside, motionless.
Now, even if she were to lean over his bedside, pleading for him to hang on, for her, for Mianmian, to beg him to wake up, he would still not react.
Having spent a long time by his side, she subconsciously developed a dependence she had never anticipated. As he said, he had become the one she needed most in her life — many things no longer required her worry or management, everything was covered by him.
Even if she returned to the Shi Family, her sole intent was to visit Mr. Shi while avoiding the various sinister plots of the Shi Family. Subsequently, once affairs in the imperial capital were in order, she could smoothly return to Jiang City.
Yet idealism always diverges from reality, as Jing Jihan once remarked — some people bear constraints due to their identities and social standings, finding themselves unable to act freely.
The Shi Family was a place she could never truly avoid.
Shi Su lifted her hand, gently placing it on the glass, tracing over Jing Jihan’s brows and eyes from several meters away. His face in repose was delicate and serene, devoid of the usual coldness or sharpness, simply calm with no stir in his features.
Lu Zhao spoke beside her, "Mrs. Jing, while Mr. Jing needs us to guard him here, should you need anything, feel free to call me, I’ll dispatch someone to follow you, ensuring your safety. Additionally, Mr. Jing installed a location software on your phone — on the day of the incident, we received a location alert from Mr. Jing ahead of the event, so you need not worry. Even if you return to the Shi Family, we can still pinpoint your location here, and can rush over should there be a need."
Shi Su’s fingers paused against the glass, she turned to look at him, "When was it set up?"
"Soon after arriving at the imperial capital."
Indeed, Jing Jihan was aware early on that this return to the imperial capital bore complications — paths needed paving and precautions were set well in advance, without intending Shi Su to know these calculations concealed beneath the calm surface. His intention was to quietly shoulder everything for her, enabling her to effortlessly come to the imperial capital and return peacefully to Jiang City.
Yet, the unforeseen blaze disrupted the plan, indicating something went awry. The opponent’s moves were originally stable and cautious; having startled them at the hospital before should have halted their actions temporarily. However, suddenly adopting brutal measures wasn’t solely intended to kill Jing Jihan and Shi Su — likely also involving Shi Lingkang. There must be underlying issues, or perhaps unknown causes tied to Mr. Shi’s side.
Shi Su had calmly scrutinized the variety of reasons behind this, noting that only a few individuals in the Shi Family could be worth speculating, even under discreet circumstances.
Though the purpose was obvious, concealment was indeed the optimal strategy. Even under suspicion, one could still perfectly clear all allegations.
"I’m going back to the Shi Family in the afternoon, I’ll return to see him in the evening. I’ll leave hospital matters to you for now." Shi Su nodded to Lu Zhao, and her gaze returned to the man sleeping inside the ward, softly mouthing two words.
Wait for me.
Lu Zhao arranged for someone to escort her and Shi Yuan away together.
The Shi Family’s car was outside, including Shi Lingkang’s, but Shi Su didn’t ride in them, merely called Lu Zhao downstairs, saying she’d first go to the hotel to retrieve some items before heading to the Shi Family later.
Lu Zhao arranged a driver for her, hung up, and turned to gaze toward the glass where the ICU ward was visible, focusing on the sleeping Jing Jihan.
It was evident that Shi Su had been trained to endure from a young age, adapting vigorously to her present environment under any circumstance.
Just moments ago, when she gazed into the ward at Jing Jihan, her fingers were visibly trembling, yet she didn’t utter a word, nor shed a single tear.
Time gently fashioned her into a person of smooth diplomacy and quiet attachment to tranquility. This widespread fire, however, handed her the blade of vengeance.
Lu Zhao could discern that ever since Shi Su regained consciousness, she had been overly composed.
