Chapter 106: Ten Minutes

Song Chen’s hospital room was one floor below Fu Wenzhou’s. After four or five rounds of emergency resuscitation throughout the previous night, Song Chen’s life was saved, but he was left in a permanent vegetative state. When or if he would ever awaken was now a mystery.

Song Yuan only learned of this development that morning. He could not understand why his own son had been so gravely injured and hospitalized without any word reaching him, while Li Ruo had managed to rush to the hospital at the earliest moment. Combined with what he’d heard that morning—about Song Chen kidnapping Song Qingyou and provoking Fu Wenzhou to stab him—the truth dawned on him almost instantly.

He had someone investigate and, sure enough, discovered that a document had been delivered to Li Ruo the previous day.

Song Yuan was no fool; after years of maneuvering in the business world, his wits were sharp. Fresh from the police station, he went straight to the hospital to find Song Qingyou.

When he saw Song Qingyou emerge unhurriedly from the elevator, he was nearly driven mad with rage. “Song Qingyou! Is what happened to Song Chen your doing?”

This was a hospital, and Song Yuan’s shouting was immediately checked by the medical staff. He stood there, breathing heavily, arms at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger.

The Song family’s current predicament was, in his eyes, entirely her fault.

How could he not be furious?

Song Qingyou stood several meters away, a faint smile on her lips. “Father, perhaps you should ask Li Ruo. How would I know?”

Song Yuan’s face turned ashen, rage reddening his eyes as he glared at her. “Li Ruo doesn’t know the first thing about pharmaceuticals. You’re the only one in the Song family who studied such things. Why would she suddenly come to the hospital and harm Achen unless you put her up to it? This is all your doing, isn’t it?”

Song Qingyou’s gaze remained light and unperturbed. “The police will uncover the truth.”

Behind her stood Fu Wenzhou’s bodyguards. Song Yuan dared not be reckless; instead, he fixed Song Qingyou with a deadly stare and, after a long inhale, said, “Come with me. We need to talk.”

The corridor was crowded and not suitable for conversation.

Song Qingyou glanced at him, then followed him into the hospital room.

The two bodyguards followed closely behind.

When Song Yuan saw them enter as well, he immediately snapped, “This is a family matter. Who let you in? Get out!”

The bodyguards acted as if they hadn’t heard.

Song Qingyou smiled at Song Yuan. “They won’t leave. If you have something to say, just say it.”

Inside, Song Shi and Song Wei were by the hospital bed, making a show of massaging Song Chen as if performing the role of devoted siblings before Song Yuan.

Song Shi, feigning disapproval at Song Qingyou’s actions, spoke in a lecturing tone, “Qingyou, no matter what happened between us, you’ll always be part of the Song family. Although it was wrong for Song Yuan to kidnap you, you shouldn’t have done this to him or framed our stepmother. What you’ve done is truly disappointing.”

Song Wei squeezed out a couple of tears, her voice choked. “Sister, no matter what, you shouldn’t have turned Second Brother into a vegetable.”

Song Yuan trembled with anger, his lips twitching. “Turn yourself in to the police and get your stepmother out. I won’t pursue your part in what happened to Song Chen for now.”

Song Qingyou watched the family’s performance in silence, her brows lightly arched. “Do you have any evidence?”

Her abrupt question stunned them all into silence.

How could they possibly have any evidence? If they did—

The syringe had Li Ruo’s fingerprints. The surveillance footage only caught Li Ruo entering Song Chen’s room. If Song Qingyou didn’t confess, Li Ruo would surely be convicted. Song Yuan had consulted a lawyer; even if he, as her husband, chose not to press charges, Li Ruo would still face at least seven years in prison.

If Li Ruo had to serve time, so be it. But if the scandal got out, Song Group’s stock price would be in turmoil.

If Song Qingyou confessed, it would be different. Song Yuan had already publicly severed ties with her. Whatever she did was no longer the Song family’s concern.

Weighing his options, Song Yuan’s expression softened and he even began to apologize. “Qingyou, I’ve wronged you before. Song Group is facing critical financing now; nothing can go wrong. Help your stepmother by taking the blame just this once. When the funding comes through, I’ll see to it that you’re released.”

Song Qingyou stared at Song Yuan for several seconds before suddenly realizing—

Ah, yes. This was her father.

How could she have such a father?

It was truly revolting.

A slow, almost serene smile spread across her lips. She spoke softly, “Song Yuan, do you take me for a three-year-old who’d believe such nonsense? I came here to tell you—transfer Song Chen to another hospital. I don’t want to see your repulsive faces every time I come downstairs.”

The mask of civility dropped from Song Yuan’s face. Blood rushed to his cheeks, his eyes blazing with fury. “Song Qingyou! Don’t push your luck! You think you’re untouchable just because Fu Wenzhou is backing you? He’s nothing but a brat. One day I’ll cripple him and make him pay for his ignorance!”

Song Qingyou’s eyes turned cold in an instant as she met his gaze. “Too bad you’ll never get that chance.”

But Song Yuan, still caught up in his rage, didn’t understand what she meant.

Song Qingyou had no intention of wasting more time. After her falling out with the Song family, she went to the doctor’s office to consult about Fu Wenzhou’s leg injury.

With the New Year approaching, she didn’t want Fu Wenzhou to spend the holiday in that chill hospital.

Learning from the doctor that the injury was not serious and that he could recover at home, Song Qingyou immediately arranged for a team of private physicians to bring Fu Wenzhou back to Yalin Villa that very afternoon.

Her own apartment was too small, but Yalin Villa had everything—servants, private doctors, drivers, and bodyguards—making it far more convenient to care for Fu Wenzhou.

On the day of discharge, Gu Bai also arrived.

He was a little surprised to see Song Qingyou heading to Yalin Villa. In his memory, Song Qingyou had visited Fu Wenzhou’s place only a handful of times in recent years. She cared too much for her reputation and was afraid of being photographed entering or leaving Fu Wenzhou’s villa, so she rarely came. Usually, it was his friend who pursued her endlessly, showing up at her own Wutong Apartment.

But this time...

Gu Bai got out of his car, hands in his pockets, and glanced nonchalantly at Song Qingyou before curling his lips into a smile. “Fu Wenzhou, lend me Song Qingyou for ten minutes.”

Fu Wenzhou, sitting in his wheelchair, was displeased to see Gu Bai’s gaze on Song Qingyou. When Gu Bai asked to borrow her, his brows drew together, and he eyed Gu Bai with the wariness of a wolf guarding its meal. “Why can’t you say it in front of me?”

Gu Bai rolled his eyes. “Who are you trying to scare with that look? As if I’d eat your wife.”

At the word “wife,” Fu Wenzhou’s expression eased a little, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile before he quickly suppressed it. “What nonsense are you spouting this time?”

Gu Bai was speechless.

Song Qingyou could tell Gu Bai really did have something to discuss with her. She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, walked over, and ruffled Fu Wenzhou’s hair twice. It was soft and smooth to the touch. “You and Uncle Chang go inside first. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Fu Wenzhou, clearly displeased, shot Gu Bai a vicious glare. “Try going over ten minutes and see what happens.”

Gu Bai muttered under his breath, cursing inwardly, his chest heaving in irritation. He didn’t even want to spare another glance at his friend, who so obviously put romance before friendship.

Once Fu Wenzhou had been wheeled inside by Song Chang and the door had closed, Gu Bai habitually took out a cigarette and waved it in front of Song Qingyou.

She cast him a cool glance. “I mind.”

Gu Bai fell silent, putting the cigarette away. After several seconds, he finally spoke. “Do you know that Fu Wenzhou asked me to look for Yun Fang?”