Chapter 19: Misfortune Strikes

The driver steered the car toward the nearest hospital to the accident scene. Meng Zexiao glanced at the hospital’s name outside the window and frowned. “I’m not going to this hospital!” he declared.

Kong Lingxin found it amusing. Even wealthy people have to be picky when seeking emergency care? And this was the best hospital in the city—what was there to fuss about?

Seeing the wound on his arm, Kong Lingxin restrained her impatience. “There’s a traffic jam ahead. Don’t let your injury get worse. Let’s just go here.”

Meng Zexiao refused without hesitation. “I said, switch to another hospital!”

Kong Lingxin inwardly scoffed. It’s not me who’s hurt, so do whatever you want.

The driver hesitated, then looked back at Meng Zexiao. “Young master, your injury is serious. Maybe you should see a doctor here. Delaying might cause infection.”

Meng Zexiao’s temper was about to flare. Afraid the driver would get into trouble, Kong Lingxin quickly interjected, “Old Qin, listen to the young master. Let’s go to another hospital.”

The driver obeyed and prepared to turn the car around.

At that moment, a familiar figure suddenly appeared beside Meng Zexiao—it was none other than the graceful Dr. Peng Nan.

Peng Nan gently tapped on the car window and said, “Young master, why are you here at the hospital?”

Meng Zexiao grew impatient, wanting Old Qin to drive off immediately. But Peng Nan’s chest was pressed against the window, and Old Qin dared not make a move.

The car was tinted, so no one outside could see in. Peng Nan noticed the license plate belonged to the Meng family and, just as Old Qin turned the car, she caught sight of Meng Zexiao sitting in the back through the windshield.

Kong Lingxin watched the standoff between Meng Zexiao and Peng Nan with a hint of amusement, as if watching a play.

She began to understand: Meng Zexiao refused to be treated at this hospital because he didn’t want acquaintances to see him—especially since the woman here was someone he was intimately involved with.

Kong Lingxin turned her face aside, barely suppressing a smile.

Unfortunately, Meng Zexiao caught the upward twitch of her lips.

He snapped harshly, “Get out and send that woman away!”

Kong Lingxin was speechless. “She came looking for you, not me!”

Defying his order so openly—she clearly didn’t want to live peacefully.

His gaze was sharp and murderous, and combined with the blood smell in the car, it made Kong Lingxin’s hair stand on end.

After hesitating, she opened the door, expressionless, and told Peng Nan, “The young master is injured. Please contact the emergency room immediately so he can get treated as soon as possible.”

Peng Nan was surprised to find Kong Lingxin in the car. Her expression shifted from shock to disdain, though her scorn was masked by a smile—one that did not escape Kong Lingxin’s notice.

Meng Zexiao grew irritated. This woman disobeyed him repeatedly!

He yelled from inside the car, “Get in!”

Kong Lingxin adopted the tone of a doting wife concerned for her husband. “Honey, look at you—you’re bleeding so much. You can’t wait any longer. Don’t be stubborn just because you’re afraid Dr. Peng will see you and cause gossip. Besides, Dr. Peng will keep it quiet if you ask her to. Right, Dr. Peng?”

Kong Lingxin had almost figured it out: Meng Zexiao’s reluctance to be treated here stemmed from fear that news would spread about their affair. Since Peng Nan was the first to see him at this hospital, even if word got out, it’d have little to do with Kong Lingxin and would place the burden on Peng Nan.

A twofold advantage.

If the news leaked, Peng Nan would bear much of the responsibility. Meanwhile, Kong Lingxin could play the role of a loving wife in front of Peng Nan, pushing her to slip up and reveal her true colors, allowing Meng Zexiao to see her real face.

But that depended on whether Meng Zexiao cooperated.

Seeing his gloomy expression, Kong Lingxin was instinctively afraid but restrained herself, coaxing him in a sweet tone, “Please, honey, behave. You’re bleeding so much, and we don’t even know how serious your injury is. What if it leaves lasting damage? What will I do then?”

She added, her eyes moistening convincingly.

Meng Zexiao glanced at her. If she weren’t his wife, Kong Lingxin would be a star-level actress. He might as well see what performance she was putting on. He said, “Fine, I’ll listen to you. We’ll get the wound treated here.”

Peng Nan still didn’t know the full story. All she heard was Kong Lingxin’s commanding tone, which irritated her.

After securing Meng Zexiao’s agreement, Kong Lingxin instructed Peng Nan, “Please notify the emergency room. The young master will be there shortly. Make sure to maintain privacy and prepare a private room for his treatment.”

Peng Nan, stuck outside the car window and unable to see Meng Zexiao face-to-face, had to listen to the weak and ineffectual Kong Lingxin give orders. She was very displeased but couldn’t cause a scene in front of Meng Zexiao.

“I’ll arrange it immediately. Young master, are you alright?” Peng Nan asked.

Before she finished, Kong Lingxin closed the door and told Old Qin to drive to the emergency entrance.

Peng Nan’s face turned pale with anger. “You just wait, Kong Lingxin!”

But she didn’t waste time. Running toward the emergency room, she called Director Huang. “Director, the young master is injured and coming to emergency. Please arrange everything quickly and maintain confidentiality.”

Out of breath, she arrived shortly after the Meng family car. Meng Zexiao didn’t get out immediately; Kong Lingxin and Old Qin stepped out first.

Kong Lingxin cast a critical eye on Peng Nan, who was panting from the run. “Why are you so slow? I thought you’d already arranged everything. You’re slower than us.”

Peng Nan was furious, feeling as if she were running on legs whereas they had wheels.

Seeing Peng Nan too intimidated to retort, Kong Lingxin felt especially satisfied.

Usually, Meng Zexiao kept spare clothes in the trunk in case he wanted to change into something casual after work—a wise preparation that now proved very useful.

Old Qin opened the trunk and handed the clothes to Kong Lingxin. She took them and addressed Peng Nan, who was still peering into the car, “Well? Have you arranged everything inside yet?”

Peng Nan was angry but dared not resist openly, as Kong Lingxin’s arrangements were flawless.

After Peng Nan left, Kong Lingxin returned to the car and personally helped Meng Zexiao put on the clothes. His sun-kissed skin and defined muscles—this man was truly a heartbreaker.

As Kong Lingxin looked at him, Meng Zexiao looked back, sometimes gentle as flowing water, sometimes cold as ice. Which was his true self?

Soon, Director Huang arrived with three doctors, greeting Meng Zexiao as he stepped out of the car. “Young master, what happened?”

Meng Zexiao frowned, displeased by the crowd of white coats. “It’s nothing, just a minor injury.”

Kong Lingxin appeared anxious and helpless. “You say it’s nothing, but you’re bleeding so much. Let’s get you treated quickly, alright?”

After Meng Zexiao’s tender concern, Kong Lingxin felt a wave of nausea. This environment had turned her into someone she despised—hypocritical and powerless.

Peng Nan stood behind Director Huang, wanting to push Kong Lingxin aside.

Then Meng Zexiao followed the doctors inside and was taken to a private room for treatment.

Kong Lingxin pretended to follow but was predictably blocked by Peng Nan. “Family members must wait outside to avoid disrupting the doctors.”

Hmph! Who cared about witnessing that gruesome sight?