The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 165 Woman in White

Qiao Xiao has already spent a long month in this hospital.

In recent days, her existence has become a hot topic of private discussion among the hospital staff.

Almost everyone knew that their high-ranking CEO had personally brought this woman back and had generously provided her with what could be described as the best hospital environment and medical resources.

"Hey, who exactly is that woman?" a caregiver asked her colleague in a low voice, full of curiosity.

"Shh! Let's not pry into the boss's affairs. If we're caught talking about these things, it could get us into big trouble. There are surveillance cameras everywhere here," another, more cautious caregiver quickly warned.

"Oh, right... But speaking of which, did she eat well today?" The caregiver asked again as if she had suddenly remembered something.

"Sigh, it's still the same old story. Her daily intake is far below the normal standard. Dr. Zheng even wrote a special prescription for her, telling us to find a way to get her to eat more." At this point, the two of them sighed in unison.

And so, as they chatted, they slowly made their way to the special ward located on the top floor of the private hospital.

Upon entering the room, the first thing that catches the eye is an extremely spacious and bright hospital room. Without careful observation, one might easily mistake it for a luxurious hotel room.

The only thing that could make one realize that this was a hospital ward was the hospital bed placed in the very center of the room.

The woman lying on the bed faced the window, quietly admiring the scenery outside. Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew by, softly stirring her flowing long hair.

"You'll catch a cold, ma'am!"

The caregiver went over and helped her close the window.

Qiao Xiao: Why are you here at this hour?

Qiao Xiao turned her head slightly and asked in confusion, "Why did you come at this time of year?" Her gaze returned from the window, her long eyelashes like light gauze, gently covering her eyelids. Her bangs were smooth and silky, like delicate satin, obscuring her eyebrows and eyes. Her face showed no emotion, only a familiar smile at the corner of her mouth.

"Madam, Mr. Qin asked me to deliver something to you."

Qiao Xiao's gaze was fixed on a red invitation card with the word "Joy" written on it.

Qiao Xiao: "Whose happy occasion is it?"

"Mr. Qin is getting married, madam."

Qiao Xiao did not react to this, which led the people taking care of her to believe that she had no feelings for Mr. Qin.

Qiao Xiao thought to herself, "Is it because I haven't been acting out my feelings for Qin Yan that they're telling me so bluntly that Qin Yan is getting married?"

Qiao Xiao: "I understand. You can put it down now. I need to be alone for a while."

The caregiver replied, "Yes." She seemed to vaguely see a tear fall from Qiao Xiao's eye, and was somewhat taken aback, thinking, "Does Miss Qiao like Mr. Qin? But I've never heard her mention Mr. Gu's name."

Meanwhile, Qin Yan was in a dressing room that could fit hundreds of people, surrounded by professionals from the wedding planning team, including stylists, fashion designers, and etiquette consultants.

Qin Yan sat calmly in front of the dressing table, his hair styled into a noble and elegant boar bristle look, which added a touch of nobility to his already aloof and ascetic appearance.

This marriage, based solely on self-interest, is truly tedious. He couldn't help but complain to himself.

Suddenly, the phone rang, and the screen showed Zheng Junzhou.

"what happened?"

“Mr. Qin, Miss Qiao is making a fuss about leaving the ward, we…” Zheng Junzhou’s voice sounded somewhat troubled.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yan frowned, a look of worry flashing in his eyes. His voice instantly became stern: "No matter what, you cannot let her leave the hospital! You must protect her!"

"What right do you have to restrict my freedom, Qin Yan?"

Qin Yan's expression froze instantly, his voice trembled slightly, and he only managed to utter the word "Qiao..." before he could only hear the busy tone coming from the phone.

The staff around them were all astonished by what they saw. They had never seen Qin Yan so out of control; he was usually a calm, composed, and gentle person.

"What? The bride ran away?" someone wondered.

When Qin Yan learned that Qiao Xiao was leaving, an unprecedented sense of fear washed over him, as if he were facing a second humiliation. That dark memory was mixed with the panic brought about by the disappearance of his lover.

It's like cutting a knife straight off yourself, exposing the true form hidden behind the human skin to the world—behind that skin lies a savage creature.

With Qiao Xiao's skills, there's no way she can't escape!

No, she can't leave!

Despite his emotional breakdown, Qin Yan forced himself to suppress his unease and continued attending the wedding, arm in arm with Song Qingyu—his bride in a pure white wedding dress.

The wedding unfolded perfectly and ended perfectly.

At the moment it ended, Qin Yan was pushed into the bridal chamber.

Upon entering the room, Qin Yan immediately took off his wedding attire and changed into his usual casual clothes.

Song Qingyu asked, "Where are you going?"

Qin Yan: "We're not really getting married, Miss Song."

Song Qingyu: "We're really married. You've forgotten, we've already registered our marriage."

Qin Yan: "I have important business to attend to, excuse me!"

After saying that, he slammed the door and left, taking another route to avoid bumping into the guests.

After Qin Yan left, Song Qingyu immediately messaged Song Zhi: "Did he pass the test, Dad?"

Song Zhi chuckled on the other end of the phone: "You're quite sensible; you didn't run away from the wedding for that woman."

Song Qingyu: "Men, they're all about self-interest. By the way, Dad, what about those invitations?"

Song Zhi: "If we pin this on Lin Feng, isn't that exactly what he needs to deal with?"

Song Qingyu: "I understand."

...

Qin Yan was extremely anxious and rushed to the hospital as fast as he could. His heart was in his throat the whole way, and he kept praying.

When he finally arrived at the ward, he saw that familiar figure still lying quietly on the hospital bed, and an indescribable sense of relief welled up in his heart.

Qin Yan stood by the hospital bed, gazing at the person before him, thinking, "Could it be that she actually couldn't bear to part with me? Is that why she didn't?"

Qiao Xiao sat blankly on the bed like a soulless sculpture, her eyes empty and lifeless.

Qin Yan waved his hand gently, signaling the other people accompanying her to leave first, and then walked slowly and heavily toward Qiao Xiao.

After walking to the bedside, Qin Yan called softly, "Qiao Xiao, what's wrong with you?"

"What have you done?" Upon hearing this, Qin Yan was startled and subconsciously looked up, only to meet Qiao Xiao's resentful gaze.

In that instant, Qin Yan was stunned by Qiao Xiao's gaze. Her eyes were filled with resentment and confusion; her once bright eyes had turned pitch black, like bottomless black holes, exuding a chilling numbness.

The two stared at each other silently, as if time had stood still.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but as if all her strength had been drained, Qiao Xiao suddenly hugged her knees tightly and burst into tears.

She cried and sobbed, "Please, let me go, okay? I really don't want to stay here anymore. This is a hospital! I hate this place!"

Standing to the side, Qin Yan looked at Qiao Xiao, who was so fragile, and felt heartbroken. "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. What if something happens to you if you go out now?"

Qin Yan's tone was as gentle as if he were coaxing a child, both earnest and sincere, and his words were filled with deep concern for Qiao Xiao.

Qiao Xiao suddenly grabbed the pillow next to her and threw it at Qin Yan, shouting angrily, "You keep saying you care about my injuries, but you're actually imprisoning me! I'm a person, not a prisoner!"

Qin Yan quickened his pace, urgently explaining, "Qiao Xiao, please calm down and listen to me, okay? The person who shot you that day was none other than Lin Feng! If I let you leave now, what if you encounter danger again? So please, trust me this once, don't think about leaving anymore, okay?"

Qiao Xiao covered her face with her hands, thinking, "This is absolutely terrible..."