C21 All Familiar Faces

As the elevator doors slid open, Lin Hao intended to head straight for Lee Guangrui's ward.

But he had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice echoed from the fire escape.

"Keep quiet if you know what's good for you. Keep up that noise, and don't blame us for not being nice!"

"Our terms are simple. Once this is over, you're free to go. But if you don't cooperate and keep making a fuss, well... heh."

"Don't mess around, this is a hospital, and what you're doing is illegal!"

Hearing this, Lin Hao felt a shiver run down his spine.

"That line again..."

Memories of his first encounter with Qin Sisi flooded back as he let out a resigned sigh and shoved the fire escape door open.

Silence fell in an instant. The six or seven people inside all whipped their heads around to gape at Lin Hao as if they'd just spotted a ghost.

With another sigh, Lin Hao said, "Didn't I warn you before? Why are you stirring up trouble again?"

These were the same thugs who had cornered him in the elevator before.

They had let Lin Hao go without harm last time, nearly getting Boss Bao killed in the process.

Since then, they had reflected deeply and recognized their mistake. They were outlaws, and yet they had let someone preach to them and even let him get away with it!

If word got out, they'd be the laughingstock of their circles.

"Damn, it's you again?"

The ringleader glared at Lin Hao, his face twisted with rage.

Lin Hao just shrugged: "Life's full of surprises. Who knew we'd run into each other here?"

"Enough already, will you? All of you ganging up on one girl, don't you feel any shame?"

"Shut your mouth!" The leader's eyes bulged with fury as he pressed the expandable baton against Lin Hao's throat.

"Oh, this old trick again? Can't you come up with something fresh?"

Lin Hao smirked.

He noticed that the monitor only displayed one option this time: 'Combat Mode.'

It looked like he wouldn't even get a chance to run, much less give another lecture!

"Fifth Brother, why bother jawing at this kid? Boss Bao's waiting for us downstairs. Let's just take him down now and settle the score from last time!"

Fifth Brother, upon hearing this, whipped around with a furious glare at his underling. "Shut your mouth!"

Lin Hao let out a cold chuckle. "Oh, so Little Bao is lurking below, huh?"

"Fine, I'll deal with you lot first. Then I'll head down and pay him a visit!"

No sooner had he spoken than Lin Hao's right hand struck out like a viper.

He had been distracting these thugs all along, simply looking for the perfect moment to strike.

In a brawl like this, striking first was key.

His hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, seizing the expandable baton from his opponent's grip. Before the thug could react, Lin Hao yanked him forward with raw strength.

His power might not match the assassin from before, but it was more than enough to handle these debauched ruffians.

After pulling his opponent in, Lin Hao rammed his shoulder into the man with such force that it left him gasping for air, almost unable to breathe.

Naturally, the expandable baton ended up in Lin Hao's possession.

Clutching the baton firmly, he lifted it high, parrying another descending strike. He then unleashed a savage kick, sending the attacker stumbling backward, tumbling down the stairs, and crashing into his cohort, throwing the whole corridor into disarray.

"What are you standing around for? Let's go!"

Lin Hao snatched Qin Sisi's hand, snapping her out of her stupor.

"Oh, right!"

Qin Sisi responded instinctively.

She let Lin Hao lead her through the fire escape and out into the bustling hospital lobby.

It was visiting hour, and the lobby was teeming with people. As they noticed the commotion, heads turned in unison.

Lin Hao and Qin Sisi quickly vanished into the throng, while the ruffians found themselves hemmed in by the crowd of onlookers.

Security guards, spotting the batons in their hands, immediately buzzed into their walkie-talkies. They grabbed riot gear from the corner and closed in.

"Fifth, Fifth Brother, what do we do now?"

Fifth Brother was in a panic. He certainly didn't want to escalate the situation, especially in a hospital. If things went south, he'd be behind bars for sure.

"What do you think? We need to get out of here, fast!"

Fifth Brother's expression was one of dejection. He realized that yet another attempt had gone awry. It looked like his days of thuggery were numbered.

Tucked away in the corner of the information desk, Qin Sisi let out a sigh of relief once the group had dispersed.

She shot Lin Hao a look and huffed, "Hmph, I thought you said you weren't coming. What are you doing here?"

Lin Hao gave her an exasperated eye roll. "For the record, I never said I wouldn't come—I said I'd come later!"

"Besides, I just saved you. You don't have to offer yourself up like in the dramas, but the least you could do is show a little gratitude, right?"

"Pfft, me, polite to you? That'll be the day—only if I go blind or lose my mind!" Qin Sisi gave Lin Hao a sidelong glance before standing up.

"What are you standing around for? Let's go, you said Uncle Lee was in danger, didn't you?"

Qin Sisi looked back at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao had given up trying to understand the whims of these women; he wasn't going to waste any more time on it. Each one was a walking headache!

They made their way through the crowd, unimpeded by security, and quickly reached Lee Guangrui's hospital room.

Approaching the corridor, they spotted Zhou Ya standing guard at the door. Her face was a mix of emotions as she locked eyes with Lin Hao and Qin Sisi.

Qin Sisi's face was also clouded with unease. She had considered Zhou Ya a close friend, yet here she was, poised to harm her uncle. And after sending people to confront and threaten her, how was she supposed to come to terms with this betrayal?

"Hehe, so you did come after all!"

Zhou Ya let out a self-deprecating chuckle, her gaze settling on Lin Hao and Qin Sisi with a sense of resignation.

"Good dogs don't stand in the way. Move aside!" Lin Hao's voice was icy.

Zhou Ya paid no attention to Lin Hao, instead turning her gaze to Qin Sisi. "Sisi, the truth is, I'm dealing with some tough issues. You..."

"Enough!" Qin Sisi cut her off, her voice stern. "Your troubles don't matter to me. The man lying in there is like family; my best friend's uncle. He's been part of my life since I was a child. I won't stand by and watch him be harmed!"

"If you have even a shred of decency, step aside and let us through!"

Zhou Ya rose, her face etched with sorrow, and let out a bitter laugh. "Hahaha, Sisi, even after I've pleaded with you, you won't give me a chance? Well then, don't blame me for what comes next!"

No sooner had Zhou Ya's words faded than Lin Hao noticed the monitor flashing red, a warning he'd seen before during his encounter with the assassin.

Words sprang onto the screen, sending a jolt of alarm through Lin Hao.

"Fatal Danger!"