(Special thanks to book friends "Feng Yiren" and "Fate Decides You and Me" for becoming new "Grandmasters" of Mixed. When the writing comes through, I'll definitely add more as thanks. Thank you all for your strong support!)

"Third Brother? Why are you here?" Li Yan gathered his spirit and went to greet him.

Seeing the bloodstains on his hands and body, Zheng Yixuan quickly came to him and examined him closely. Though Li Yan looked anxious and listless, he didn't seem on the verge of collapse, which reassured Zheng Yixuan a bit.

Understanding his concern, Li Yan bitterly smiled, pointed to the bed inside, and whispered, "The one shot wasn't me, it was Queen. She took a bullet for me."

Only then did Zheng Yixuan realize. He wasn't part of "their" organization, but being someone closely connected to Li Yan, and Queen sometimes being his right hand or a stand-in, he had contacts with Queen too. For instance, during the Prince Hotel incident, when he couldn't reach Li Yan, he found him through Yue Yao.

He went over to check, then turned to his private doctor friend to inquire, "What's the situation now?"

"The bullet has been removed, and the emergency surgery was successfully completed. But my conditions here are lacking; for urgent life-saving measures, it's fine, but to ensure the wound doesn't get infected and for faster treatment and observation, she'll need to be transferred to a regular hospital," the doctor explained truthfully, only now having a chance to wipe his face.

Zheng Yixuan immediately took out his phone, "I'll make some calls, thank you!"

Going to a hospital for bullet removal surgery requires explaining the gunshot wound, which involves reporting to the police department. This would cause delays and complications with identity. But not now; only wound treatment is needed. The procedures and impact are different—all it takes is a few doctors and nurses, or a leader's decision.

"No problem, I'll write a detailed diagnosis report. You should find a reliable person to arrange it quickly," the private doctor didn't waste time and got busy immediately.

While Zheng Yixuan was contacting his leadership friends at a large hospital, Li Yan sat next to Yue Yao, who lay unconscious.

For this girl in front of him to act this way today, he wasn't surprised at all, because he knew long ago that if he were in danger and she could intervene, she would exert every effort, even risking her life to save him! Conversely, for him, the same holds true.

Therefore, today's incident seemed like fate to him.

Nonetheless, Yue Yao being shot was far more distressing to him than if he himself had been shot, or taken a bullet for her! That's why he fired a shot and hurried away; if it were only him, he would have made sure Rocana Rose was dead and that no other assassins were around before leaving. But given the situation, he had to prioritize saving Yue Yao.

At this moment, Yue Yao's face, like a cartoon girl's, had lost its usual dreamy luster, only the pallor from excessive blood loss remained, paining Li Yan deeply.

"Old Seven, I've contacted the hospital, an ambulance should be on its way. Sitting there won't help, tidy yourself up. Queen wouldn't want to see you in this state if she wakes up. Also, you need to clean up your car!" Zheng Yixuan came over, patted Li Yan's shoulder, and reminded him sternly.

Li Yan took a deep breath, maintaining composure in any situation is what he taught Li Jie, and he himself embodied it. Clearly, Zheng Yixuan's advice was sensible; a man like him shouldn't be brooding and in need of comfort but should handle everything properly.

He spent some time washing the blood off his hands, changing the bloody clothes, borrowing a cloth from the clinic to clean the blood stains in the car. Considering that certainly, Yue Yao must return to Yurong or notify her if they didn't return by evening, Li Yan also dismantled the car's GPS, preventing tracking in case calls go unanswered.

Doing tasks helped calm his mind, yet he remained anxious internally, so he worked very quickly.

...

"Why hasn't the ambulance arrived yet? Should we take her to the hospital ourselves?"

Impatiently waiting inside, Li Yan felt restless; the private doctor's only action had been administering fluids, not a blood transfusion.

"Stay calm, how could we transport her like this? She just underwent surgery; can she withstand being jolted?" Zheng Yixuan admonished, asking further, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Li Yan habitually pulled out a pack of cigarettes, but in such a small space, smoking was clearly inappropriate. Realizing, he re-pocketed the pack, "I returned from H City last night, and this morning at the train station…"

He recounted the events of the morning, despite it being unpleasant to do so, because re-telling brought those scenes back to his mind, replaying Yue Yao taking a bullet for him.

After hearing him out, Zheng Yixuan was silent for a while before asking, "Why did you go to H City?"

"Business," Li Yan replied dismissively, believing Zheng Yixuan was aware of the matter, no need for elaborate explanations.

Looking at him, Zheng Yixuan questioned, "You're always prudent, why the excess this time?"

"Those who fear nothing feel no limits. I can at worst do unpaid favors," Li Yan replied impatiently.

"Someone's quite upset!"

Li Yan fell silent, recognizing the implications behind the cryptic statement.

After a while, he laughed coldly, "Hah, even I'm not happy!"

Zheng Yixuan studied him for a long time, then sighed helplessly, "I know you're upset about Queen getting shot. Let's not dwell on that; you know yourself, don't act recklessly."

Li Yan didn't respond further, nor did Zheng Yixuan speak again; they sat in mutual silence.

Eventually, the ambulance arrived, and with the assistance of clinic nurses, Yue Yao was moved onto the stretcher. As the ambulance departed, Li Yan and Zheng Yixuan each drove to follow it.

It was a major hospital with a well-stocked blood bank, not to mention the leadership's special orders to look after the patient. Even for ordinary folks, if they could pay for medical costs, there was always sufficient blood. Still, Li Yan requested his own blood be used first, then supplemented by the bank's if needed.

The request wasn't about money or concerns over freshness, quality, or infection from blood bank supplies. It was that Yue Yao could take a bullet for him, yet he couldn't act, only watch. Giving her some of his own blood would ease his distress.

After the transfusion, Li Yan and Zheng Yixuan, who had recently returned from socializing with hospital leaders, sat on a bench outside.

"Why put yourself through this? Do you think your blood will hasten Queen's recovery? You've been in poor spirits since Queen got shot; do you want to impair your physical state too?" Zheng Yixuan concernedly reprimanded.

Despite knowing Queen, having interacted with her, and being aware of Queen's loyalty and sacrifice for Li Yan, Zheng Yixuan lacked deep personal feelings for her. His bonds were with Li Yan, caring about Li Yan's wellbeing! Had he known beforehand that the shot victim was Queen, even if shielding Li Yan, he would've arranged his schedule but wouldn't have rushed immediately to the clinic. He'd visit the hospital, however, when it suited his itinerary, not dedicating himself as entirely as now.

Li Yan faintly smiled, "You also notice my mental state issues, but doing this allows me to feel somewhat better, which might improve my mood. Regarding physical health, isn't there a saying about staying resilient, even if weakened?"

Zheng Yixuan was rendered speechless by his comments but seeing Li Yan jest more easily now compared to his subdued state at the clinic, Zheng Yixuan grinned wryly, "Are you implying more than blood was transfused to Queen?"

"Stop with the nonsense!" Li Yan joked with a scolding tone, "Of course, she's my woman."

"Ha... I fear Queen might refuse to be your woman though, discovering your blood within her might incite blood-for-blood retaliation…"

Li Yan inexplicably thought of Azhi from Celestial Dragon, a woman committed to love, who repaid love and virtue by gouging out her eyes... "Nonsense! Queen wouldn't do that."

Observing his improved spirits, even bearing an infamous name, Zheng Yixuan accepted it, encouraging him to relax a bit, offering farewell as he returned to the law firm. (To be continued. For more updates, please visit www.qidian.com and support the author and legitimate reading!)

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