The drive to the provincial hospital took an hour and twenty minutes with no traffic, thanks to Gao Daqiang driving Yang Jian's SUV.
After parking in the hospital lot, the three of them prepared to head to the emergency center. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw a large crowd gathered in the lobby. Several people were crying uncontrollably.
"Brother Qiang, Sister Hui, you're here?"
Biao Biao and Liang Liang rushed over. They had been staying at Gao Daqiang's place for a while, so they were familiar with him.
Noticing their expressions weren't overly sad, Yang Hui anxiously asked, "Biao Biao, where's my brother?"
"Brother Jian is in the intensive care unit. The doctor said he won't be moved to a regular ward until tomorrow."
"What did you say? Didn't the doctor say the rescue was unsuccessful?"
Lu Yao rushed forward, grabbing Biao Biao's arm and asking in disbelief.
Biao Biao awkwardly pulled his hand away. "Sister Lu Yao, you're too anxious. There were two other people injured and operated on with Brother Jian. The doctor announced that the other person died due to unsuccessful treatment. We originally wanted to explain, but your phone was unreachable. We didn't expect you to rush over so quickly."
Lu Yao started crying again, overcome with emotion. "You scared me to death! I'm so glad he's alive."
Gao Daqiang asked, "Biao Biao, what exactly happened? Hurry and tell us."
"Brother Qiang, Sister Hui, Brother Jian was having a late-night meal with friends when they were attacked by gunmen. He was shot while trying to save his friends. Fortunately, his injuries aren't serious. The gunmen used a shotgun. Three pellets hit his buttocks, one his waist, and another grazed his head."
Before Biao Biao could finish, Yang Hui's face turned pale with fright. "He's not seriously injured even with so many pellets?"
"Sister Hui, listen to me. The pellets that hit his buttocks didn't injure any bones. The one that hit his waist was blocked by his belt, so it didn't cause much damage."
"What about the one that hit his head?"
"That one just grazed his scalp and didn't damage any brain nerves. He bled a lot at the time, and the attending doctor at the scene mistakenly thought it was very serious. However, it did cause a mild concussion, which is why Brother Jian has been unconscious."
"Thank heavens, thank Buddha."
Yang Hui let out a long sigh, her heart finally at ease.
"Brother Qiang, you won't be able to see Brother Jian today. Why don't you find a nearby hotel to rest? We two will stay here and keep watch."
"You two go back and rest. I'll stay here. Huihui, you and Xiao Lu can get a room nearby."
Lu Yao quickly shook her head. "No, I want to stay here."
Yang Hui checked the time. "It's past one o'clock. Dawn is not far off. We can just doze off in the car. Biao Biao, you two go back and rest."
"Alright, Sister Hui. We'll come over tomorrow morning. Brother Jian's hospitalization procedures have all been completed, and you don't need to worry about the expenses."
After Biao Biao finished speaking, he and Liang Liang left. They had volunteered to stay. Song Jianhao and the others had already left when Yang Jian was out of surgery.
The ones crying earlier were Xiao Jiu's relatives. Yang Fan had also arranged for people to maintain order here.
Lu Yao wanted to wait by the ICU entrance, but Yang Hui pulled her into the car. Waiting there was meaningless, and they couldn't go in. It was still a bit chilly at night, and catching a cold wouldn't be good.
At 8:30 in the morning, Yang Jian was transferred to a general surgical ward. His head, waist, and buttocks were all wrapped in bandages, and he could only lie on his stomach in bed.
"Sister, Brother-in-law, Yaoyao, you all came."
Yang Jian seemed to be in good spirits, though his face was a little pale from blood loss.
Knowing her brother was not in grave danger, Yang Hui became somewhat angry. "Second brother, why are you so foolish? Taking a bullet for someone, do you think you're Superman?"
Lu Yao was also very angry. "Exactly! You always have to play the hero. Those are killers who don't blink when they kill. The doctor said if that pellet had been one centimeter off, you would have died on the spot."
Yang Jian gave a wry smile. "Sister, Yaoyao, you don't know the situation at the time. The gunmen had shotguns, and their target was Yang Fan. But Yang Fan and I were sitting face-to-face, both within the shotgun's firing range. If I hadn't moved, those pellets would have hit me head-on, and I would have surely died.
Getting close to the killer quickly was the only way to get into the blind spot and counterattack. Saving Yang Fan was actually saving myself. As it turns out, my gamble paid off, while Xiao Jiu, who took the shot head-on, couldn't be saved."
Lu Yao sneered. "So, you sound quite capable, don't you? Do you know you walked through the gates of hell? You were playing with your life. Do you know how scared we all were?"
"Yaoyao, I'm sorry."
"Second brother, Yaoyao fainted yesterday evening when she heard you were in trouble. She even called an ambulance. You'd better treat her well from now on."
Yang Hui could tell that Lu Yao and her brother were already an item, otherwise, she wouldn't have reacted so strongly.
Lu Yao's face turned red. "I fainted because the doctor said on the phone that someone's rescue was unsuccessful. If I had known you weren't seriously injured, I wouldn't have come."
Yang Jian chuckled. At this moment, he finally knew that Lu Yao truly liked him. A feeling of happiness surged through him, making him forget his pain and want to sit up.
Gao Daqiang quickly pressed him down. "Why are you moving around so carelessly? Although your bones aren't injured, the surgery to remove the pellets required over twenty stitches. The doctor said you have to stay like this, lying on your stomach, for at least a week."
Yang Jian had no choice but to lie down obediently. However, he still asked with concern, "Yaoyao, your sudden fainting shouldn't just be from fright. Why don't you get a check-up here?"
"No need. Sister Xia said I had temporary shock due to anger, so I'm fine. I'll be relieved once you get better quickly."
"Then did you ask for leave?"
"Ask for leave for what? It's the May Day holiday. I called you yesterday wanting to come to Hancheng for a few days. I didn't expect you to have an accident and not answer the phone. If Biao Biao hadn't answered the call in the end, we wouldn't have known you were hurt until now."
Yang Jian finally understood why they had come so quickly.
As they were talking, Song Jianhao arrived with all the members of Emperor Company.
After greeting them, Lu Yao and Yang Hui withdrew. They hadn't eaten breakfast and needed to go out to buy some for Yang Jian.
Everyone inquired about his condition and offered varying amounts of condolence money, some three hundred, some two hundred yuan. Their concern was evident. Yang Jian was touched; this makeshift team also showed collective warmth.
Song Jianhao offered three thousand yuan as condolence money. "Xiao Yang, you're truly fortunate. You almost didn't make it. This money is from all the brothers. Although we're not a formal company, since we've come together, we are a collective. We share fortunes and face hardships together. Please accept it."
Yang Jian didn't refuse. "Thank you, Brother Hao, thank you, everyone. I'll treat you to a meal after I'm discharged."
At Yang Jian's signal, Gao Daqiang accepted all the money.