"Trash belongs in the trash can."
Fu Yan Ting said, then strode away. The bodyguards, understanding his intent, directly brought over a not-too-full trash can and shoved Kong Ya Lan inside. After finishing, they left without looking back.
Yan Xi arrived at the hospital in time. Doctors cleaned her face and body. Her body was protected by clothing, so her injuries weren't severe. However, Yan Xi's face was damaged by the sulfuric acid. Even with prompt cleaning, the damage was done. Her face was essentially beyond recovery to its original appearance.
Yan Xi knew she was disfigured, but she didn't become emotional. She sat calmly by the bedside. Fu Yan Ting came to the hospital and went to the doctor's office to learn about Yan Xi's condition.
Upon learning that Yan Xi was out of danger and had been moved to a ward, Fu Yan Ting felt relieved. He secretly peeked at Yan Xi from outside her room and sent a text message to Mu Jing Chen. Mu Jing Chen was in a meeting, and his phone was on silent. After the meeting, when he saw the text message, he tried to call Fu Yan Ting, but his phone number was disconnected.
Mu Jing Chen frowned. Who had sent him the message, and why was their number disconnected right after?
Mu Jing Chen couldn't afford to worry about it. As soon as his meeting ended, he hurried to the hospital. Who was this person? Why were they telling him Yan Xi was injured and hospitalized? Was it true or false? He would know by just taking a look at the hospital.
All the way, Mu Jing Chen kept calling Yan Xi, but her phone remained unreachable.
This made Mu Jing Chen even more worried.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Mu Jing Chen parked his car and went to the ward. He found Yan Xi sitting by the bedside, lost in thought.
She was completely unaware of Mu Jing Chen's entry.
Mu Jing Chen was concerned and wanted to ask Yan Xi what had happened.
However, on second thought, Mu Jing Chen did not ask directly. He said, "Xi Xi, are you feeling any better?"
"Jing Chen, thank you. You're so busy, yet you still care about my safety. I'm much better, it's just my face, it can never be the same again."
Mu Jing Chen was startled by Yan Xi's words. Then he realized that the anonymous person who sent him the message was likely the one who took Yan Xi to the hospital. However, they hadn't revealed themselves, so Yan Xi believed it was Mu Jing Chen who had taken her to the hospital.
Mu Jing Chen would investigate this matter thoroughly in secret.
Since Yan Xi was mistaken, he would let her continue to be mistaken. Mu Jing Chen had no intention of clarifying things with her.
He looked at Yan Xi's face for a moment, then softly comforted her, "Xi Xi, don't worry. Medical technology is so advanced now, they will surely restore your face to its former beauty."
Yan Xi, however, shook her head in refusal.
The past Yan Xi belonged to Fu Yan Ting.
Now, Fu Yan Ting was gone.
There was no point in Yan Xi recovering her former appearance.
Yan Xi's refusal made Mu Jing Chen a little flustered. He comforted her, "Xi Xi, don't overthink it. If there aren't any authoritative doctors in the country, we can go abroad for treatment. I happen to know a few top experts in this field, and I can invite them to help you recover your appearance."
"Jing Chen, that's not what I mean. I actually don't care what I look like. Even like this, I can accept it. It's just that now, I'm no longer worthy of you. You should cancel our engagement."
Mu Jing Chen knew that Yan Xi's heart had never truly been with him.
However, he hadn't expected Yan Xi to say it so directly to his face.
Hearing Yan Xi's words, Mu Jing Chen's expression changed drastically. He looked at Yan Xi and defended himself, "Xi Xi, don't be angry. I didn't mean that. I'm not disgusted by your appearance. I'm just worried about you, afraid you'll overthink things. If you don't want to restore your former appearance, then we won't seek medical treatment. No matter how you look, you'll always be the dearest person to me. I won't allow you to say such things anymore."
"Jing Chen, you don't need to be so cautious and cooperate with me. Actually, I'm not overthinking. External appearances are meant for others to see. I don't care at all. Since fate has made me disfigured, I will accept it with a calm heart. I only feel sorry for you."
"I'm not wronged. No matter what, I will never abandon you. Xi Xi, we promised to be each other's family forever. You can't abandon me. If you don't want me anymore, then what's the point of me living?"
Yan Xi had only spoken casually, but she hadn't expected Mu Jing Chen to react so strongly.
Yan Xi stopped speaking. Mu Jing Chen had been a bit emotional and had spoken quite a bit.
For a moment, the ward fell silent. Yan Xi wasn't talking, which made Mu Jing Chen feel awkward and unsure how to face her.
However, Yan Xi had just been doused with sulfuric acid by Kong Ya Lan, and someone had called 120 for her, rushing her to the hospital. Mu Jing Chen always felt something was amiss about this incident, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was yet.
He stayed with Yan Xi at the hospital for the entire afternoon, but he had so many things to do, and his phone rang constantly throughout the afternoon.
Yan Xi knew Mu Jing Chen had a lot of work to do and didn't stop him. She simply said softly, "Jing Chen, I'm fine. If you have work, go ahead and take care of it. I'll be fine on my own."
Mu Jing Chen genuinely had a lot on his plate. Recently, after returning to the Mu family, he had inherited the family fortune because of Yan Xi. Therefore, his half-brother was extremely resentful and was always trying to cause trouble for Mu Jing Chen.
Moreover, regarding Yan Xi's injury, Kong Ya Lan might have some clues.
Mu Jing Chen was still searching for Kong Ya Lan's whereabouts.
Indeed, there were quite a few matters to attend to.
So, seeing Yan Xi's words, Mu Jing Chen didn't insist further and left the hospital.
As soon as Mu Jing Chen arrived at his company, his assistant called to inform him that Kong Ya Lan's whereabouts had been found.
Mu Jing Chen didn't dare to delay for a moment and immediately went to see Kong Ya Lan.
In a dark room, Kong Ya Lan's clothes were dirty, stained with dried blood, and she reeked.
Mu Jing Chen, being a person with severe mysophobia, couldn't stand the smell as soon as he entered the room and couldn't help but frown.
Seeing this, the assistant stepped forward and whispered to Mu Jing Chen, "Mr. Mu, Kong Ya Lan must have offended someone. When I found her, her tongue had been cut off. She was bound with ropes and thrown into a trash can. I had to put in a great deal of effort to rescue her from the trash can."
Hearing the assistant call him Mr. Mu, Kong Ya Lan guessed that the man before her was probably Yan Xi's newly appointed fiancé, Mu Jing Chen.