Chapter 27: The Icy Heiress Part 1

-Li Li, you have to come back. If you don’t, I can’t guarantee where the next cut will land.

Cat Cat kiss kiss.gif

And you still have the nerve to ask for kisses.

Jiang Li’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot as she stared at the message from the other woman on her phone. She felt her teeth itch with hatred.

This mad dog— she’d barely left, and the woman had already sliced her own hand with a knife. Mad dog!

Her brows furrowed deeply. Jiang Li carefully zoomed in on the photo, scrutinizing every inch for more traces of the knife, not daring to miss a single detail.

Fortunately, this mad dog probably just wanted to force her back home. Or maybe she was worried she’d really anger her and gone too far. The cuts were shallow, only grazing the already battered arm.

The shallow knife marks sliced through skin and flesh, densely crisscrossing the arm. She’d even calmly avoided the kiss marks Jiang Li had left behind.

How thoughtful of you, Luo Yihuan.

The more closely Jiang Li examined it, the more she wanted to grab this mad dog and give her a good thrashing.

Just since they’d woken up that morning, Luo Yihuan had tormented that arm beyond recognition.

Blood trickled in fine threads down the arm, mingling with the fresh red welts inch by inch, blending vivid crimson with festering dark red in a grotesque beauty.

The remaining patches of white skin looked like they were strangled at the throat, pinned helplessly in place.

Noticing Yang Mu’s occasional glances, Jiang Li’s fingers flew across the screen. She fired off a quick reply to Luo Yihuan and, under Yang Mu’s watchful eye, set her phone on her lap with an impatient expression.

“What’s wrong? Is Luo Yihuan still harassing you?”

Yang Mu’s eyes were shadowed as she gripped the steering wheel. Her expression softened with gentle concern, nothing like the frightening intensity she’d shown earlier at Luo Yihuan’s door.

Jiang Li scratched at her hair in evident distress, her face showing just the right amount of irritation. “Yeah. When we first partnered with Luo Corporation, I thought she was a decent person. Turns out her true colors are something else entirely.”

“Sigh. I have no idea what to do now.”

Seeing the impatience on Jiang Li’s face, Yang Mu sensed her opportunity. She quickly asked, “Is there something inconvenient going on? Next time Luo Yihuan comes bothering you, call me right away.”

“It’s not just that… mainly…”

Jiang Li sighed and glanced at Yang Mu before lowering her head as if reluctant to speak. The corners of her mouth, usually curved in an open smile, drooped. Her expression dimmed.

It was clear she had something weighing on her mind but was held back by some constraint from voicing it.

Now that they were away from Luo Yihuan’s house—and right after Luo Yihuan’s foolish failed confession and kidnapping stunt—Yang Mu itched to crush her underfoot for good. Seeing Jiang Li like this, she made a guess.

“Li Li, we’re friends. Whatever’s troubling you, you have to tell me.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Driving while talking wasn’t easy, so Yang Mu pulled over to the side of the road. She unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to face Jiang Li, and spoke in a low voice. Her eyes brimmed with sincerity.

She played the role of the gentle big sister to perfection.

Jiang Li’s face flickered with hesitation. Her hands twisted on her lap in conflict. She met Yang Mu’s gaze with a touch of, bit her lip, and finally decided to open up.

“You know I just signed a contract with Luo Corporation. But with Luo Yihuan acting like this, that contract’s definitely going nowhere. I don’t even know if Luo Corporation will agree to terminate it.”

“Plus, the person who signed the contract with me is a good friend. I’m worried that if I push to break it unilaterally, it’ll cause problems for her.”

“What should I do?”

So that’s it.

A confident smile crossed Yang Mu’s face. She patted Jiang Li’s shoulder reassuringly. “Leave it to me. Within a week, I’ll make Luo Corporation come begging to cancel the contract.”

Hearing this, confusion flashed in Jiang Li’s eyes. She looked at Yang Mu with concern. “Don’t go picking a fight with Luo Yihuan over this. I know your family still has business ties with Luo Corporation. If you offend them because of me…”

Seeing the worry in Jiang Li’s eyes softened Yang Mu’s heart. Her hand naturally moved to stroke Jiang Li’s hair, undisguised affection shining in her gaze.

Her brows softened into the gentle big sister Jiang Li had first met.

“Don’t worry. I have my ways.” Yang Mu’s lips curved in contempt. “As for Luo Corporation’s partnerships? Heh, soon no one will want to touch them.”

Jiang Li’s heart skipped. She hurriedly said, “When I visited Luo Corporation last time, it seemed like they were doing really well.”

She glanced around, suppressing her shock. Tentatively, she asked, “Do you have some inside info from your channels?”

Watching Jiang Li’s shaken expression at the mere mention of Luo Corporation, Yang Mu chuckled softly. She reached out and flicked Jiang Li’s forehead. “Keeping it under wraps for now. Just watch and see.”

Yang Mu exuded total confidence. With that, she buckled up and merged back into traffic, saying no more.

Looks like Yang Mu had already made her move against Luo Corporation.

Strands of hair fell over Jiang Li’s ear, hiding her contemplation. Her eyes gleamed thoughtfully.

Yang Mu, Su Yize, Luo Qing—these three together could deal Luo Yihuan a massive blow.

But one thing was uncertain: what pretext would they use? Luo Corporation was running smoothly right now. Where could the problem arise?

Discussing it with Luo Yihuan was feasible, but Jiang Li had no evidence—just guesses.

If she told Luo Yihuan to investigate, she wouldn’t even know where to start warning her.

She needed more proof.

“Hm?”

Yang Mu let out a puzzled hum, and the car slowed to a stop. Jiang Li followed her gaze ahead, missing the vicious glint in Yang Mu’s eyes.

She recognized the bustling crowd up ahead.

It was the hospital where she worked.

The usually quiet hospital entrance was blocked by a mob, who seemed to be arguing with someone in a white coat. Their faces twisted in agitation as the leader waved his hand, nearly jabbing it into the nurse’s face.

Jiang Li knew that nurse—kind and smiling Nurse Zhou, who greeted everyone warmly.

But now, a vivid handprint marred her fair face, one side swollen red.

Jiang Li’s brows furrowed. She unbuckled, grabbed her phone, and prepared to get out and check.

“Thanks so much for today, Yang Mu. I’ll treat you properly another time. I’ll get out here—I need to see what’s going on.”

Apology flickered in her eyes as Jiang Li smiled softly at Yang Mu.

Yang Mu nodded understandingly.

Once Jiang Li headed toward the crowd, the lingering smile vanished from Yang Mu’s face. Her gaze locked on the hospital sign. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Su. Yi. Ze. Well played.

Well played, Shore Lake Mingtang Hospital.

She slammed her palm on the horn with a piercing blare. Rage burned in Yang Mu’s eyes as she glared at the entrance. She wanted to put a bullet in Su Yize right then.

That damn idiot dared to change the plan without her approval and send these thugs to Shore Lake Mingtang Hospital!

Just then, her phone rang.

Yang Mu snatched it up. Seeing the name, her fury nearly solidified.

She answered abruptly, her voice icy with suppressed anger. “Explain.”

Compared to Yang Mu’s grim tone, the other end sounded leisurely. Fawning female voices murmured “Young Master Su, please enjoy,” amid the playful banter of a rich boys’ gathering.

Hearing the commotion, Yang Mu’s eyes darkened inch by inch. Her patience wore thin.

Finally, Su Yize’s smug voice came through.

“Explain? Explain what?! I just switched to a more efficient, faster method. What, you feeling sorry for your little sweetheart?”

His laughter echoed from the phone. Yang Mu narrowed her eyes, chill spreading.

“You’d better keep laughing after this.”

Su Yize caught the threat but scoffed dismissively. “Of course. I changed the plan, so the follow-up’s all under my control.”

“Everything will go perfectly.”

Yang Mu hung up expressionlessly. Shadows clouded her eyes, her chest rising and falling calmly, as if nothing had happened.

Crash!

A flash of crimson in her eyes—Yang Mu hurled her phone with all her might. It smashed against the back of the seat, bounced off the rear window, and landed on the backseat.

Heavy breaths echoed in the car. A mocking smile curled Yang Mu’s lips.

Well played, Su Yize.

Burning bridges after crossing the river, without knowing his own weight.

Since Su Yize wanted to test the waters with Luo Yihuan, let her see how Luo Yihuan responded. The harder they fought, the more she’d gain on the sidelines!

As the saying goes—the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

She glanced at the ongoing commotion at the entrance, then at Jiang Li in the midst of it. After a moment’s thought, Yang Mu drove off first.

At the gathered crowd, Jiang Li approached with a cold expression. She slipped behind the nurse and stood beside Nurse Zhou.

“Doctor Jiang, why are you here?”

Nurse Zhou startled at her sudden appearance. Seeing the bald guy gearing up to lunge again and point fingers, she hurriedly shielded Jiang Li.

The bald guy had sharp ears and caught Nurse Zhou calling her “doctor.” Not distinguishing between doctors, he saw a new target after all this time and turned his ire on Jiang Li.

“I don’t care what kind of doctor you are—you have to take responsibility for my mom! She’s been treated here for so long, and her condition hasn’t improved at all. You owe us an explanation!”

His accomplices chimed in. “Yeah! Give us a proper explanation!”

Their voices grew louder by the shout, drawing passersby to the hospital entrance after their half-day racket.

As the crowd swelled, Jiang Li pulled Nurse Zhou behind her to face the bald guy squarely.

“Sir, from what you said, your mother is currently a patient in our hospital?”

“Of course. I heard your hospital has top-tier doctors and equipment, so I transferred her here specially. But she hasn’t gotten any better!”

“Sir, every doctor in our hospital does their utmost for patients. That’s my guarantee as one of them.”

Seeing Jiang Li’s calm demeanor, the bald guy worried he wouldn’t get his way. His face twisted, and he bellowed at the top of his lungs.

“I don’t buy your doctors’ bullshit! All I know is my mom poured tons of money into this place and got nothing for it!”

His agitation flared again as he stomped in place. His group pressed forward, howling that the hospital was ripping off honest folks and demanding answers.

Security tried to calm them. Jiang Li seized the moment to whisper to Nurse Zhou, “How long has his mom been here? Why’s it escalating like this?”

Nurse Zhou leaned in and murmured, “Just two days. Doctor Tian handled it personally. The surgery went fine, no major issues—just a case of the mind being harder to heal.”

Only two days in, and this much trouble?

Jiang Li arched a brow. She eyed the handprint on Nurse Zhou’s cheek and noted the group’s aggressive posturing, the subtle shoves at security.

If they were here to cause a deliberate scene, no need to play nice.

Jiang Li dialed the police and stepped in front of the bald guy. Her words cut through the din opposite.

“Hello, this is Shore Lake Mingtang Hospital. We have a group causing a disturbance and assaulting people.”

The sudden quiet amplified her clear voice to every onlooker.

At “police,” the crowd dispersed rapidly—gawkers who didn’t want trouble.

Only the bald guy’s crew remained, hemmed in by security.

His face soured. Glaring at Jiang Li as she turned into the hospital, venom flashed in his eyes.

No worries. That guy promised safety. The bigger the scene, the more cash.

Once inside, Jiang Li didn’t rush upstairs. She lingered by the entrance, watching security escort the group in. A sharp glint lit her eyes.

Too coincidental.

This trouble came too perfectly timed.

Jiang Li memorized the bald guy’s features. She’d inquire around the hospital later, dig privately. Was it what she suspected, or mere chance?

Ring~~~

Her phone buzzed at her side. Jiang Li’s eyes snapped open. Luo Yihuan grabbed her phone; excitement turned to ice. She sank back onto the sofa.

“Hello. What is it.”

The report came in detail. Luo Yihuan listened, eyes flickering. Her fingers drummed her thigh thoughtfully. Her lips mouthed silently.

Shore Lake Mingtang Hospital.