Chapter Twenty-Three: Qianyin and Molan Are Injured

Such a significant matter could not be decided by many of those present. After all, the current auction price for the emerald raw stone had reached 1.8 billion; if both the person and the item were simply released, the police station would be liable for the loss. Even if they didn’t have to compensate for the loss, they would certainly be occupied with this incident for quite some time.

An Feng took a deep breath, blaming himself for his subordinate’s lack of sense. If it hadn't been for that, things would never have escalated to this point. He shot Xiao Qi a fierce glare. Xiao Qi kept her head down, pretending not to notice, her gun still aimed at the man.

Mo Lan stood up with effort, her eyes red as she looked around at the police officers present. With a resolute roar, she commanded, “Everyone, get out now!”

That thoughtless Xiao Qi actually ran over again, pointing her gun at Mo Lan’s head, angrily protesting, “Deputy Captain, are you insane? Are you willing to sacrifice everyone’s interest for your own?”

Mo Lan, unable to hold back her anger, slapped Xiao Qi across the face, knocking the gun out of her hand with her other. Her gaze was icy as she swept over her. If she could, she would have killed her right there and then.

Mo Lan’s voice was laced with murderous intent as she declared, “If you hadn’t pushed me out there, none of this would have happened. If anything happens to her, I’ll see you cut to pieces and thrown into prison. You little wretch, I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

The cold, murderous tone frightened Xiao Qi, making her stumble back several steps before falling to the floor, shock written all over her face.

Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear; the chilling hostility she exuded stunned the entire room.

An Feng was silent. It was true, all of this was because of that damned woman—otherwise, none of them would have been hurt.

“Have you all finished your squabbling? Internal strife, really? Your three seconds are up. If you don’t get out now, I’ll take action,” the masked man’s hoarse voice sounded again.

As he spoke, he tightened his finger on the trigger. With just a little more pressure, the bullet would have been fired at Qianyin.

“No!” Hearing this, Mo Lan cried out in anguish.

“I told you all to get out. Did you hear me?” Mo Lan turned to glare at the officers who still refused to leave, her eyes utterly cold, devoid of emotion.

Qianyin had already braced herself to be shot, but seeing Mo Lan fighting so desperately for her, she was deeply moved.

While everyone hesitated, at the very last second, there was a sharp “whoosh”—a dagger flew through the air, striking the man. He cried out in pain and dropped his gun.

Seizing the moment, Qianyin kicked him hard in the chest, and as he fell, she pressed her knee into his stomach, pinning him firmly so he couldn’t get up.

This flurry of action made the man cough up blood, surprise flickering in his eyes. When he caught sight of Lengxue, he hesitated. Why were these two together?

Lengxue hadn’t intended to interfere, but when he saw the man’s finger pulling the trigger, his heart clenched. He quickly threw the dagger, fully aware this might expose his identity. Still, catching that man was more important, so they wouldn’t bother investigating the surveillance. By throwing the dagger, he was prepared for the risk.

An Feng also glanced back at Lengxue—he’d recognized at once that the dagger was his. But seeing this man’s handsome face and immaculate suit, he didn’t seem the type to be a criminal.

Lengxue slowly approached Qianyin, gently drawing her closer as if to embrace her, but in reality, his hand struck the back of her neck with force, knocking her out instantly.

“You—”

Qianyin, before losing consciousness, managed to shoot him a look of utter disdain.

“Qianyin!” Mo Lan, clutching her chest, hurried over awkwardly. Seeing Qianyin faint, she had pushed herself to her limit.

No one noticed the hidden camera in a corner, recording everything that happened. The moment they left the hall, the footage was sent directly to various media outlets. Now, the entire world knew about the dramatic incident at the auction.

The police gathered around. Outside, the head of the Mo family, who had been held back for some time, finally arrived. Seeing his two “treasures” both injured, the old master trembled with rage.

“Hurry up and get them to the hospital!” His stern voice echoed throughout the hall. Mo Fan immediately helped his sister into the car, while Lengxue carried Qianyin and rode with them. The others followed as well.

At the hospital, after various examinations, it was determined that Qianyin had fainted from exhaustion—medicine, however, was not advanced enough to detect she’d actually been knocked out.

Mo Lan’s injuries were more severe; she had forced herself to hold on until they reached the hospital. Thanks to the Mo family patriarch, the best doctors were summoned for her care. The two women were placed in the same ward, surrounded by people.

Lengxue kept the closest position to Qianyin, while the Mo family clustered around Mo Lan. An Feng stood quietly at the door, blaming himself for his failure—he was usually a cautious man, yet he’d stumbled over this case.

Two hours later, Qianyin began to stir, and Mo Lan watched her intently.

“She’s awake!”

“Are you alright?”

As soon as Qianyin opened her eyes, she shot Lengxue a cold glare. But seeing so many people present, she swallowed the curse on her lips and replied indifferently, “I’m fine. I’m perfectly well.”

“Captain, are you alright?” Liu Fei barreled in, holding a bouquet of roses and a fruit basket, completely oblivious to the crowd filling the room.

Seeing so many people, he was dumbstruck, frozen in place.

“I’m not your captain anymore, you are now. Thank you for coming to see me. Have a seat,” Mo Lan said. She was genuinely pleased that a former colleague would come to visit her in the middle of the night—it counted as half a friend.

“I have other matters to handle, so I’ll leave these things here for you and come see you again when I can,” Liu Fei said, quickly setting the gifts down on the empty table before hurrying away as if fleeing.

“That’s the guy who brought you that cake the other day, isn’t it? He seems quite nice,” Qianyin teased Mo Lan once she’d collected herself, pursing her lips in a mischievous smile that made the two men present falter for a moment.

If these two women smiled more, probably many would pursue them. But with their perpetually cold expressions, it was enough to intimidate anyone.

Mo Lan was rather embarrassed and turned to her grandfather and the others, saying, “Grandfather, you should all go home. I’ll be fine with a day’s rest and can leave the hospital tomorrow. You’re all exhausted—please go home and rest.”

The old master glanced at the crowd, nodded, and let Mo Fan help him out.

Now, only four people remained in the ward. Lengxue casually picked an orange from the fruit basket and began peeling it carefully. Before long, a perfectly clean, beautiful orange appeared in his hands.