Ruan Qingqing's arm was injured, and she had lost too much blood, remaining unconscious.
Cheng Wenyu, however, was still conscious, gazing motionlessly at Ruan Qingqing, his eyes red.
Upon seeing Cheng You enter, his eyes reddened further, on the verge of tears.
"You are both injured. Your sister doesn't want to pursue this too much right now, but I need to understand what happened."
Cheng Wenyu raised his hand to cover his eyes and said hoarsely, "It's all my fault."
Qian Dazhi and Wen Jiahao had planned to trap him from the start.
Ruan Qingqing overheard their plan.
Ruan Qingqing went back to warn him not to go.
Cheng Wenyu trusted Qian Dazhi completely, mainly because Qian Dazhi had helped him a lot before.
He was like a subordinate following Qian Dazhi, always looking to him for guidance.
Even though he wasn't involved in their activities anymore, in his heart, Qian Dazhi was no different from his own brother.
Between Qian Dazhi and Ruan Qingqing, he chose to believe Qian Dazhi.
This trip led him straight into Qian Dazhi's trap.
The only variable was Ruan Qingqing.
"Qian Dazhi and Wen Jiahao staged a scene to fabricate evidence of me injuring Wen Jiahao, intending to threaten you. Since Qingqing warned me in advance, I was prepared. Qian Dazhi's scheme was exposed by us, and in his rage, he attacked me. Qingqing took a knife for me."
Qian Dazhi was also provoked by him at the time and acted impulsively.
After injuring two people consecutively, he regained his senses, abandoned Wen Jiahao, and fled.
Cheng You felt a sense of powerlessness, yet also relief.
On one hand, she felt sorry for Ruan Qingqing, and on the other, she was grateful for her presence.
If not for her, she dared not imagine what would have happened to Cheng Wenyu.
"Now you know what kind of person Qian Dazhi is."
Cheng Wenyu's pupils were bloodshot. "From that incident with my cousin, I actually knew his character was not good."
But he couldn't overcome years of friendship with Qian Dazhi.
He always felt that Qian Dazhi treated him differently.
"Sister, I'm sorry."
Cheng You ruffled his hair. "There's nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should apologize, it's not me, it's Qingqing you should apologize to."
Cheng Wenyu lowered his head. "I know."
He hadn't expected Ruan Qingqing to take a knife for him.
The hospital room was quiet when suddenly the door was pushed open, and a woman rushed in.
"Qingqing! Qingqing!"
The woman lunged towards the bed, crying heartbrokenly.
Cheng You felt helpless, not knowing where to put her hands or feet, unsure how to comfort her.
After crying, the woman suddenly looked up, her sharp gaze falling on Cheng Wenyu.
Before Cheng You could react, the woman had already quickly rushed to Cheng Wenyu and slapped him hard.
She instinctively wanted to step forward to stop her but held back.
This was what Cheng Wenyu deserved.
"Stay away from my daughter!"
Cheng Wenyu lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Auntie, I'm sorry."
"What's the use of apologizing? I want you to stay away from her!"
Cheng You stepped forward and said gently, "Auntie, I'm sorry, Wenyu was wrong this time. Qingqing was injured because of him. We will cover all the medical and nutritional expenses."
Kindness often softens anger. Cheng You's good attitude seemed to slightly abate Ruan Qingqing's mother's rage.
"She's my only daughter, she's my life," she murmured.
Cheng You had heard from Cheng Wenyu that Ruan Qingqing came from a poor family, raised by a single mother.
Seeing her sallow complexion now, it seemed like she had been suffering from long-term malnutrition and deficiency of qi and blood.
Their living conditions were indeed difficult.
"Auntie, I understand. We will give you an explanation for this incident."
Ruan's mother nodded and fell silent.
Around noon, Qi Chengyan went out to buy lunch when some police officers arrived to take statements.
Wen Jiahao was mentioned during the questioning.
"He insists that he was the one who stabbed you."
He was trying to cover for Qian Dazhi.
Cheng Wenyu gritted his teeth. "He is an accomplice, but Qian Dazhi was the one who acted. Many people saw it at the time. You can go and ask them."
Before the police officer could speak, someone walked in from outside the door. It was Deputy Director Qian.
He was carrying many items, and said with a smile, "I'm here to visit the two children."
Ruan's mother didn't recognize him and looked at Cheng You with a questioning gaze.
Cheng You said coldly, "He is Qian Dazhi's father, the deputy director of the commune."
Upon hearing this, Ruan's mother's expression also turned cold.
"My daughter doesn't need you to visit. Get out!"
Deputy Director Qian ignored her and proceeded to put down the items.
"Although Wen Jiahao was responsible for this, Dazhi also has a part in it. I've come on his behalf to apologize. We will compensate for whatever is due, considering it as treatment and nutritional expenses for the children."
Ruan's mother stared at him incredulously. "What do you mean Wen Jiahao was responsible? It was clearly your son Qian Dazhi who injured my daughter! He is the main culprit, and Wen Jiahao is an accomplice!"
Deputy Director Qian smiled agreeably, "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. Perhaps the two children didn't explain clearly. It was Wen Jiahao who acted, and my Dazhi, being loyal, went along."
Cheng You ignored him. "The truth will be known once the police investigate."
Deputy Director Qian nodded calmly, as if agreeing with Cheng You's words.
"Indeed, let the police handle the investigation."
His confident demeanor made Ruan's mother instinctively suspect that the police had also been bribed.
She spat heavily, "Officials protecting each other, a den of thieves."
The two police officers taking statements had darkened faces. "How can you speak like that! We have interrogated all the witnesses at the scene, and they all identified Wen Jiahao, saying Qian Dazhi didn't make a move."
Even if they were bribed, it wasn't by them.
Deputy Director Qian glanced at Cheng You, his eyes filled with undisguised triumph.
"Facts speak louder than words. Justice will prevail."
Cheng You sneered, "Deputy Director Qian is quite efficient."
"Moderately so. Otherwise, how could I have rushed over to apologize to you at the first opportunity."
His demeanor made Ruan's mother want to tear him apart.
She felt despair. Her daughter was so badly injured, and she couldn't even find a place to reason.
Deputy Director Qian smiled. "I've brought the items, and you've seen them. Send over the bill later, and I'll do my best to cover the compensation. Let this matter be over. They are just children, a small squabble, not worth bringing to the surface."
"Whether it's over or not, the police station will have the final say. What Deputy Director Qian says is premature," Qi Chengyan said as he entered from outside, his voice deep.
His gaze was cold yet sharp, fixed on Deputy Director Qian.
This was Deputy Director Qian's first time facing him directly, and he couldn't help but be startled.
He could see at a glance that the man Cheng You married was no ordinary person.
Deputy Director Qian didn't want to say more. After all, he had already made the necessary arrangements.
The dragon may be strong, but it can't overpower the local snake. He didn't believe that he, as a local snake, couldn't handle an outsider.
"Then let's wait and see."