Chapter 11 Injured
Xi Qing, wearing an apron, stood solemnly in front of the stove, with a large steaming iron pot in front of him.
In the pot, two-finger-wide slices of pork belly were dancing happily with the spatula in his hand, making a sizzling sound, and the whole kitchen was shrouded in the tempting aroma of fat.
Uncle Wang stood beside Xi Qing and gave her instructions. "For this stir-fried pork belly with green vegetables, controlling the heat is crucial. First, stir-fry the pork belly over medium heat until the fat is released. This will remove excess fat and make the meat more tender."
Xi Qing nodded seriously, but the spatula in his hand did not obey his command. The pork belly slices were distributed in a strange state in the pot, some were already browned, and some were still raw.
Uncle Wang had a complicated expression. If Xi Qing had been his apprentice in his youth, he would have been scolded to death by now. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but he stopped himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Chen Yuanchuan smirking, and quickly pulled him over to take over.
"Ahem, Brother Xi Qing doesn't seem to be suitable for this. Brother Yuanchuan, you try it. It's time to cook the vegetables now." Uncle Wang said awkwardly.
Chen Yuanchuan uttered a "hmm" and confidently walked to the stove. He took the apron that Xi Qing had untied, tied it around his waist, picked up the spatula, and adjusted his posture and the position of the iron pot.
After Xi Qing stepped back, he still maintained a decent smile on his face, muttering in his heart: I have been an AI for so many years, so what if my body movements are a little uncoordinated?
Then her eyes moved down, and she was attracted by the slender waist outlined by Chen Yuanchuan after he tied the apron belt. Xi Qing's lips curled up slightly, and her good mood returned.
Uncle Wang breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as he saw Chen Yuanchuan's posture, he knew that he could cook.
The next moment, Chen Yuanchuan reached out and picked up the drain basket full of vegetables next to him. With a flick of his wrist, all the vegetables fell into the iron pot. The temperature in the pot rose instantly and oil splashed everywhere. However, Chen Yuanchuan's movements did not pause at all. He stir-fried the vegetables and pork belly slices together like flowing water.
Under Chen Yuanchuan's skillful hands, the green vegetables quickly absorbed the aroma of the meat, becoming brighter and more fragrant, making people salivate.
Uncle Wang nodded his head incessantly, noting that Chen Yuanchuan's cooking was done with just the right amount of force, scientific application, and impeccable form. Uncle Wang offered a few pointers on subtle details that laypeople wouldn't notice, offering a few tips.
In the end, Uncle Wang took the lead in preparing most of the dishes, Chen Yuanchuan also made a steamed sea bass, and Xi Qing could only wash vegetables and meat in front of the sink, which was also considered a contribution.
The three of them sat around the dining table, which was filled with seven or eight steaming hot dishes. Uncle Wang smiled and toasted the two of them, "Eat it while it's hot, eat it while it's hot." After that, he scooped a spoonful of peanut stewed pork trotters for Xi Qing, and then prepared to scoop the next spoonful into Chen Yuanchuan's bowl.
"Yuanchuan doesn't eat peanuts..." Chen Yuanchuan was about to refuse when he heard Xi Qing's reminder. He suddenly turned his head to look at him with a subtle expression.
No way, when he was investigating me back then, he even knew my dietary preferences? He couldn't possibly know exactly what size underwear I was wearing.
Xi Qing raised an eyebrow. Seeing Chen Yuanchuan's wary and frustrated expression, he knew he was overthinking it again. He explained in a gentle voice, "Last time at the food stall, you specifically picked out the peanuts."
Uh, what a keen eye, observing so carefully.
Seeing Uncle Wang's embarrassed expression, Chen Yuanchuan calmed down and said to Uncle Wang with a smile, "I can just pick up the food myself. You can eat yours."
None of the three had the habit of not talking while eating or sleeping. Halfway through the meal, Xi Qing smiled and praised the meal as a testament to Uncle Wang's cooking skills. He then looked at Chen Yuanchuan with a burning gaze, "The two dishes Yuanchuan made are also delicious."
Chen Yuanchuan looked up when he heard the words. He felt relieved when he heard him praising himself. He pretended to be humble for a few words and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
After a satisfying meal and a happy dinner, Xi Qing and Chen Yuanchuan said goodbye to Mr. Wang, who had warmly tried to keep them. They walked down the stairs, one in front of the other, their footsteps echoing in the empty stairwell.
"Yuanchuan, can I give you a ride?" Xi Qing didn't drink.
"No need, my home is nearby." Chen Yuanchuan subconsciously distanced himself from Xi Qing.
“…I thought we were on better terms.”
Chen Yuanchuan paused slightly, having not expected Xi Qing to say something so flattering. Slightly tipsy, Chen Yuanchuan became more direct, whispering, "Xi Qing, I really don't understand you." Xi Qing was slightly taken aback, snorting and chuckling, remaining silent.
Arriving downstairs, the two went their separate ways.
Another incident happened during this period, and Chen Yuanchuan's first business venture failed.
He received a call from Li Fubin. After a long while on the line, the other party finally spoke, "Brother Yuanchuan, Bingchuan is going bankrupt."
Chen Yuanchuan closed his eyes, his voice dry, "Okay, I get it. How much debt do you owe now?"
Li Fubin was embarrassed because he had dragged Chen Yuanchuan into this. He quickly declined, "No need. You invested purely for your technology and didn't make much money. And you've done a favor to our family. I'm fine with that."
Before Chen Yuanchuan could answer, Li Fubin remembered something and said, "By the way, do you know the owner of Qingyanlu?"
Chen Yuanchuan denied it without hesitation, how could he know her.
Li Fubin changed the subject, gritting his teeth in anger, "I heard that Qing Yanlu's sudden surge in popularity was due to stepping on our shoulders to rise to the top."
"I guess the power behind Qingquan is quite powerful. They were able to collude with several influential figures in the wealthy women's circle to spread rumors that the ingredients of Bingji Cream were fake and that they bribed the National Medical Products Administration to release it. Then they promoted Qingyanlu."
"Many people were skeptical, but were willing to save their reputation, so they switched to Qingyanlu. The result is just as you can see."
Chen Yuanchuan was shocked. He didn't expect Qingquan Company's competitive tactics to be so dirty, and he suddenly felt disgusted with the boss behind it.
…
One day, Xi Qing was looking through financial statements in the office when his assistant rushed in, forgetting to knock on the door.
"Boss, there's a patient's family member in the cardiology department causing trouble with a knife," the assistant explained breathlessly.
Xi Qing was shocked when he heard this, and without saying a word, he got up and rushed downstairs.
As soon as the elevator door opened, an excited male voice was heard, echoing throughout the entire floor.
"Where is Meng Gang? This quack doctor killed my wife! I want to kill him!"
When the tall, thin man with red eyes appeared in the cardiology department holding a fruit knife, the surrounding patients and their families screamed and fled. The medical staff immediately kept a certain distance from the man and called security and the police.
"Family member, please calm down! Doctor Meng Gang isn't at work yet!" a doctor shouted at him from afar. However, the man ignored all the warnings and persuasions from those around him.
He brandished the sharp blade in his hand, shook his head and muttered to himself: "Give me back my wife! Give me back my wife!"
The informed doctor tried to explain to the man: "We have already reminded you in advance that your wife is not suitable for pregnancy, but you just don't believe it." After he finished speaking, the man was even more stimulated.
He staggered around and looked around, then rushed towards an unsuspecting female doctor like an enraged beast. The female doctor's eyes widened in fear, and she wanted to run away, but her feet seemed to be nailed down and she couldn't move.
At this critical moment, Chen Yuanchuan rushed over a few meters away and quickly grabbed the man's arm.
Seeing this, the man swung his hand back and stabbed the tip of the knife at Chen Yuanchuan. Chen Yuanchuan turned sideways, constantly changing the posture of his hands and feet, looking for an opportunity to grab the weapon.
The man had already lost his mind and was approaching Chen Yuanchuan while waving the sharp blade in his hand.
Chen Yuanchuan's Six Yang Fitness Fist training focused on physical fitness. Although his movements had improved significantly, allowing him to dodge most attacks, his lack of combat experience ultimately hindered his ability to fight. A sharp blade accidentally sliced his arm, drawing blood. He ignored the pain, gritting his teeth as he continued to fight the man.
After the man swung his knife several times, Chen Yuanchuan was forced into a corner by the blade. Panic-stricken, the man took advantage of the situation and decisively pressed the tip of the knife in his hand directly to Chen Yuanchuan's chest, just a hair's breadth away from piercing his skin.
Chen Yuanchuan's heart was in his throat. He grasped the knife handle with both hands and pushed it out. His injured hand was shaking violently.
At this moment, a figure suddenly emerged from the corridor, stirring up a gust of wind. Xi Qing, who had just come down from his office, saw the life-or-death scene and rushed to their side. Without hesitation, he grabbed the man's waist from behind and pulled him back with all his strength.
The man was caught off guard by the sudden force, instantly losing his balance. Panicking, he instinctively stabbed backwards, and with a flash of cold light, the tip of the knife pierced Xi Qing's abdomen.
Xi Qing's face darkened for a moment, and a muffled groan escaped his throat. He gripped the blade with his right hand, preventing it from going any further. The dark green shirt surrounding the blade's edge was covered in a large pool of inky blood.
Suddenly, there was a noisy sound of footsteps "dong dong dong" in the distance, and the security personnel wearing armor and carrying shields arrived late. More than a dozen people rushed up, surrounded the man who had regained his senses, and pressed him to the ground.
The medical staff also regained consciousness and rushed forward to send Xi Qing to the operating room for sutures to stop the bleeding.
When the dust settled, only the bloodstains on the ground still spoke of the thrilling moment. Even the dazed Chen Yuanchuan was called in by the nurse to have his arm bandaged.
Two hours later, Xi Qing was lying in a luxurious ward, with her chest and right hand wrapped in thick bandages. Her porcelain-white skin had become almost transparent, and a few strands of hair wet with cold sweat stuck to her prominent brow bone, making her look like a sick beauty.
This was the scene that greeted Chen Yuanchuan after he knocked on the door. Seeing Xi Qing's gloomy expression, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
Under Xi Qing's gaze, Chen Yuanchuan slowly walked to the bedside, placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, tilted his face slightly, kept his eyes on the colorful fruits, and muttered something.
"...What?" One was lying down and the other was standing, and the distance between them was quite far. Xi Qing didn't hear clearly what Chen Yuanchuan said.
Chen Yuanchuan turned around impatiently and looked at Xi Qing, "I say, why did you save me?"
After hearing what Chen Yuanchuan said, Xi Qing's eyelashes trembled and she said softly, "This is just my first reaction."
Chen Yuanchuan's heart trembled. His first reaction was to save me? What the hell? Chen Yuanchuan subconsciously didn't want to investigate further, as if doing so would lead to irreversible consequences.
He touched the tip of his nose, pulled out a chair beside the bed and sat down. "How are you injured?"
Xi Qing glanced sideways and offered a weak smile. "Fortunately, it didn't penetrate the pleural cavity. The wound on the hand... depends on its own ability to recover."
Chen Yuanchuan saw Xi Qing forcing a smile, as if he didn't want to worry about her, and he felt annoyed. "Alright, stop laughing. I'm the one who got you into trouble this time. I will take care of you until you recover."
Xi Qing accepted the instructions, restrained her smile, and her beautiful eyes became even warmer.
At this moment, there was a rhythmic knock on the ward door, and a familiar clear female voice called out hurriedly from outside: "Brother! I'm here to see you!"
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