Chapter 23: Wounded While Protecting Her

"Secretary Jiang, I am currently near Yunhua Road. Track my location based on the GPS of the car I am driving."

"Someone is planning a deliberate attack on me. Get here as fast as you can, and make sure to bring a group of capable brawlers." Jin Shixun said while driving, his hand gripping his phone to call Secretary Jiang.

I kept a cool head, observing the surroundings and alerting Jin Shixun from time to time.

"Understood, Mr. Jin. I am bringing men over immediately." After hearing the instructions, Secretary Jiang hung up at once to mobilize help.

After putting down his phone, Jin Shixun grew even more focused. These people had clearly planned this for a long time; they had even managed to block off other vehicles in such a bustling area. On this narrow side road, there was now only Jin Shixun’s car and the vans that were relentlessly pursuing us.

"Watch out!" Just as I was fixated on the movements of the van behind us, Jin Shixun’s car was suddenly forced to a halt.

The abrupt stop caused me to lurch forward due to inertia, but I never expected Jin Shixun to move first, shielding my head with his hand. My head bumped against his injured hand, but fortunately, the force wasn't severe. I quickly looked up at him, relieved to see he was alright.

"Get out! What’s the point of hiding in the car?" A group of men in black rushed out from the vans, wielding clubs and marching toward us with an aggressive, menacing aura.

Looking at the group of men shouting not far away, both Jin Shixun and I knew that staying in the car was a death sentence.

"Stay behind me once we get out," Jin Shixun said, still maintaining his composure as he instructed me while exiting the vehicle.

I observed the scene calmly. To say I wasn't afraid would be a lie, but I knew this was no time to seek comfort. "I understand. I won't be a burden to you. You... please protect yourself as well." I watched him, feeling a surge of anxiety. I only prayed that Secretary Jiang would arrive in time and that nothing terrible would happen.

"What is your objective? Who sent you?" After stepping out of the car, Jin Shixun pulled me tightly behind him.

However, none of the men in black answered. Instead, they clutched their clubs, their eyes fixed on Jin Shixun with cold, vicious intent; their target was clearly defined.

"Take him!" Without further ado, the men in black didn't give us a moment to react and charged at us with their weapons.

Jin Shixun fought them off single-handedly. With his background in martial arts and free combat, coupled with his regular fitness training, he managed to hold his own against the group for a while. I stood to the side, cautious not to get in his way, while reaching for my phone to call for emergency services.

"Boss, it looks like someone is coming!" Just as I was about to dial, several black SUVs appeared in the distance. Some of the men in black began to lose their nerve.

"Mr. Jin, we're here!" Secretary Jiang arrived with over a dozen burly men, rushing straight toward us the moment they stepped out of their vehicles.

Jin Shixun was still fighting, but I noticed his injured hand and realized he was merely pushing himself through the pain.

"Secretary Jiang, over here!" I shouted, waving at him. He led his men over immediately.

"Damn it! The situation has turned—retreat! Everyone, retreat!" The leader of the men in black realized they were at a disadvantage and had no choice but to call for a withdrawal.

"Secretary Jiang, stop chasing them. Mr. Jin is injured; get him to the hospital first," I commanded, seeing the men in black scramble into their vehicles to flee. There was no point in pursuing them further.

"Are you alright?" I hurried over to Jin Shixun’s side. I noticed his hands were covered in injuries; it was sheer willpower that kept him standing.

"I... I am fine," Jin Shixun replied, his expression grave as he kept his eyes on the direction where the attackers had vanished.

"Mr. Jin, Miss Qinxin, are you alright?" Secretary Jiang approached, his face etched with worry.

"Secretary Jiang, bring the car around. Take care of the vehicle Mr. Jin was driving today, and keep today’s incident quiet. Then, investigate who ordered this. For now, get Mr. Jin to the hospital." I supported Jin Shixun, letting him lean on me. I issued my orders to Secretary Jiang calmly and methodically, showing no signs of panic.

I knew that since Jin Shixun was hurt, it was natural for the secretary to be flustered. Indeed, Secretary Jiang looked stunned by my composure, though he hesitated for a moment, looking toward Jin Shixun for confirmation.

"Do as she says," Jin Shixun murmured, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, yet he nodded at the secretary.

"Very well. Miss Qinxin, please come this way." With his instructions, Secretary Jiang led us to the car.

As we sped toward the hospital, I sat beside Jin Shixun, watching his wounds bleed. "Secretary Jiang, is there a first-aid kit in the car? Give it to me." I had studied basic first aid and wound treatment. We were still some distance from the hospital, and I was terrified of what might happen to his hand.

"Yes, yes! Here!" Secretary Jiang had been so panicked that he had forgotten about the kit.

"Try to bear with it. I am going to disinfect the wounds, and then we will have the doctors examine you properly at the hospital. But your wounds are bleeding, so I need to treat them now." I took the alcohol and gauze from the kit. I poured the alcohol over his hand, cleaned the area, and bandaged the wounds. I performed every step without a hint of tremor.

Jin Shixun kept his eyes closed, not uttering a single sound. I had grown accustomed to his stoicism.

"Mr. Jin, Miss Qinxin, we have arrived at the hospital." By the time I finished the bandaging, we were there.

I helped him into a VIP suite at the Jin family's private hospital, where doctors immediately began their examination.

"It’s fortunate—very fortunate—that the wounds were treated so promptly. Mr. Jin’s other injuries are not critical; he just needs medication and regular application of ointment," the doctor said. "However, the hand wound needs to be stitched. Please wait outside."

Hearing this, Secretary Jiang and I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out.

"Secretary Jiang, this was clearly a deliberate attempt," I said. "If you hadn't arrived in time, and if Mr. Jin hadn't possessed a background in combat, the consequences today would have been unthinkable."