Chapter 82 Someone Has Been Here

"What are you looking at?" Gu Xiangnan, with a hint of confusion, turned his gaze to the computer screen.

On the screen was a new post from the university forum, detailing the events of last night on Back Street—Gu Xiangnan injuring a white man. Someone had filmed the entire incident and uploaded the video. Although the dim lighting at night obscured Gu Xiangnan’s face, the moment when he stopped the car with one hand was clearly captured. Even as a spectator, one could feel the intensity of that scene.

The comment section below was flooded with responses.

“I’m so angry, those arrogant white pigs deserved a lesson!”

“As everyone knows, the campus beauty is the pride of our College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. How dare anyone covet her!”

“Who is this guy? So handsome!”

“One-handed car block—could it be the legendary Buddha’s Palm?”

Gu Xiangnan felt relieved that no one recognized him as the protagonist in the video. He had always intended to keep a low profile and avoid unnecessary attention.

He asked, "Why are you showing me this?"

"Professor Gu, isn’t this you?!" Huang Ying grinned.

Gu Xiangnan’s pupils contracted. "What are you trying to say?"

Huang Ying quickly smiled, "Professor Gu, I was on Back Street last night and witnessed your heroic deed! You were incredible! You’re truly my idol!"

She couldn’t admit that she had been following Gu Xiangnan recently.

Gu Xiangnan relaxed.

Huang Ying continued, "Professor Gu, how is that girl’s mother? May I visit her? Maybe I can help."

Gu Xiangnan was a little surprised, unsure of her intentions.

"I just thought the girl’s family might not be well off, maybe facing financial difficulties. I’d like to donate some money, do what little I can," Huang Ying explained.

"No need, she’s not lacking money."

Unwilling to give up, Huang Ying found another excuse:

"Then… Professor Gu, that girl must be very busy, juggling classes and caring for her mother. I can help look after her mother, share some of the burden."

Huang Ying’s task was to win Gu Xiangnan’s trust as quickly as possible. She had to start by raising her favorability.

Gu Xiangnan was moved—Zi Xiaoyin truly had enormous pressure. If he hired a caregiver, the expenses would eventually be repaid by Zi Xiaoyin herself, and she would be reluctant to spend the money.

Since Huang Ying was eager to help, he didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm.

He nodded, agreeing to her request.

With no classes that afternoon, Gu Xiangnan and Huang Ying went together to the hospital. After making inquiries, he finally located Zhang Hongmei’s ward.

As soon as he reached the door, he sensed something was wrong.

Zi Xiaoyin sat by the bedside, head bowed, wiping tears from her eyes.

Xu Chenyin stood nearby, speaking softly to Zhang Hongmei.

Gu Xiangnan entered the room.

Xu Chenyin walked over and whispered in his ear, "Brother Nan, something happened! Aunt tried to climb out the window and jump last night. Luckily, I found her in time and stopped her."

As expected! Gu Xiangnan’s intuition had been right.

"Now, whenever she’s not watched, Aunt tries to find an opportunity to jump. What should we do?" Xu Chenyin was troubled.

Gu Xiangnan approached the bed. Zi Xiaoyin’s eyes were swollen from crying, and she looked up at him.

"Professor Gu, my mother…"

Zhang Hongmei lay in bed, her gaze empty, muttering to herself:

"I’m useless, dragging down my daughter. Treating the illness costs so much—better for me to die, just let me die!"

"Mom, I can’t lose you," Zi Xiaoyin choked out.

Gu Xiangnan sat on a stool by the bed.

"Aunt, you don’t need to worry about money. Zi Xiaoyin is a diligent student—she won a scholarship of a hundred thousand yuan, enough for your medical expenses."

Zhang Hongmei’s eyes finally focused. She looked at her daughter and asked, "Xiaoyin, is this true?"

Gu Xiangnan signaled to Zi Xiaoyin.

She immediately understood, nodded, "Mom, it’s true. We really don’t lack money."

"And besides, Student Zi’s brother hasn’t been found. How can you leave her behind like this?" Gu Xiangnan added.

Zhang Hongmei closed her eyes. "All right, I promise you I won’t do anything foolish."

Zi Xiaoyin wept with joy, gripping her mother’s hand tightly.

Xu Chenyin gave Gu Xiangnan a thumbs-up.

Huang Ying, who had been waiting in the hallway, finally entered.

"Hello, everyone! Hello, junior brother, junior sister!"

Gu Xiangnan introduced her, "This is my graduate student, Huang Ying. She heard about last night and wants to help care for Aunt."

Huang Ying volunteered, "Aunt, junior sister has classes and needs to look after you. I’m afraid she’s overwhelmed, so I’d like to help."

"Please treat me as your own daughter. If you need anything, just ask. By the way, junior sister must be tired from staying up all night. Let her go home and rest!"

Zi Xiaoyin, though embarrassed to accept Huang Ying’s help, couldn’t refuse such genuine warmth.

"Please go rest first and come back tonight."

Gu Xiangnan said, "I’m heading out as well. Let’s go together."

Zi Xiaoyin agreed.

Leaving Zhang Hongmei’s ward, Gu Xiangnan walked upstairs and told Zi Xiaoyin, "My senior sister is also hospitalized here. Wait for me in the lobby downstairs for a few minutes."

When he reached Su Hanyan’s ward, she was sitting on the bed and Liu Piaopiao was beside her.

"Xiao Nan, why didn’t you tell me about senior sister’s poisoning? If I hadn’t called her myself, I’d still be in the dark!" Liu Piaopiao complained.

Only then did Gu Xiangnan realize he’d forgotten amidst last night’s chaos.

Su Hanyan explained, "What good would telling you do? It would only add worry."

Gu Xiangnan quickly admitted his fault, "It’s my mistake—I deserve punishment."

He sat by the bed and took Su Hanyan’s pulse.

"Senior sister, how do you feel?"

"I’m all right, just a bit tired."

"No problem. From your pulse, the toxins have been cleared. You just need to rest after so much recent strain."

Liu Piaopiao’s eyes grew moist, "Senior sister, I almost lost you. Who could be so cruel? I want to avenge you!"

Gu Xiangnan said gravely, "It was Zheng Youwei. But he’s already dead."

"What? Dead?" Su Hanyan was shocked. "Little brother, was it you?"

Gu Xiangnan reassured her, "Don’t worry, senior sister, it wasn’t me."

Su Hanyan relaxed.

Remembering that Zi Xiaoyin was waiting downstairs, Gu Xiangnan left a pill for his senior sister and departed.

He hailed a taxi and first took Zi Xiaoyin home.

Her home was a shabby two-story building on the back street near campus, at least fifty years old. It was only a hundred meters from her pancake stall.

As the taxi stopped downstairs, Zi Xiaoyin hesitated.

"Professor Gu, I’m a little scared. Can you walk me home?" she pleaded.

Her striking looks often attracted local troublemakers. Zhang Hongmei used to wait at the corner to accompany her daughter home.

"All right."

He paid the fare and walked with Zi Xiaoyin toward the building.

Leading the way, she paused at the door on the second floor, her face alarmed.

The door was wide open, the house in chaos—clearly ransacked.

"This…"

Zi Xiaoyin rushed inside to check her room.

Gu Xiangnan followed into the living room, surveying the space.

The home was not destitute, but certainly very simple. There was little decent furniture.

On one wall, someone had scrawled a few big letters in red paint:

"Gu Xiangnan. Die."

Zi Xiaoyin emerged from her room clutching a bankbook, relieved, "The bankbook is still here."

Gu Xiangnan took her hand, "You can’t stay here. Let’s go, quickly!"