Lu Tianxing and Qiu Zhengfeng walked straight out of the ward, and just as they did, Lu Tianxing’s phone rang with a melodious ringtone.

Lu Tianxing took out his phone, and upon seeing the caller ID, he answered without hesitation: "How is it? What’s the situation on your end?"

"You guessed right. The other side hasn’t given up. They’ve sent someone to capture Qiu Yingrong, trying to force Qiu Zhengfeng to turn against you."

A man’s voice came through the phone.

"Have the attackers been captured?"

"They’ve been controlled. Moreover, I’ve captured the one who attempted it. Do you want to come and take a look?"

"Alright, I’ll be right over."

With those words, Lu Tianxing hung up the phone with Sima Lingyun and then looked at Qiu Zhengfeng, saying, "Mr. Qiu, I’m afraid I can’t accompany you to see Young Master Qiu. I plan to go to the Qiu family first. The safety here is entrusted to you. If anything happens, inform me immediately."

Upon hearing Lu Tianxing’s words, a trace of tension flashed across Qiu Zhengfeng’s face, and he said solemnly, "What’s the matter? Did something happen to Ying Rong?"

"Miss Qiu and the others are fine. I’m just going to check on things. Elder Qiu, you don’t need to worry."

Lu Tianxing waved his hand and said, "Elder Qiu, after I leave, you still need to be cautious. Although the assassination attempt failed this time, there’s no guarantee there won’t be a second attempt. If necessary, you should take Young Master Qiu away from the hospital. I will be there to assist you at any time."

"Mr. Lu, I know what to do about this matter."

Qiu Zhengfeng nodded slightly, and then, as if recalling something, suddenly and without warning, knelt heavily in front of Lu Tianxing, speaking with unprecedented seriousness: "Mr. Lu, thank you for everything you’ve done for the Qiu family. I, Qiu Zhengfeng, have no way to repay you. This kneeling is to thank Mr. Lu, and additionally, I hope Mr. Lu can promise me one thing: if the Qiu family suffers unforeseen misfortune, I hope you can protect Tian Rui, Ying Rong, and Lingling, even if it means they live as ordinary people from now on."

Lu Tianxing was startled by Qiu Zhengfeng’s action and quickly reached out to help him up, saying with a bitter smile, "Mr. Qiu, I can hardly protect myself now. Do you think I can protect them?"

"Whether you can protect them or not, I just need a promise from you, Mr. Lu," Qiu Zhengfeng took a deep breath and spoke with a hint of pleading.

Listening to Qiu Tianrui’s pleading tone, Lu Tianxing’s eyes flashed, and he said, "Alright, I promise you, Elder Qiu. As long as I, Lu Tianxing, am alive and within my capabilities, I will ensure the safety of Young Master Qiu, Miss Qiu, and Lingling."

"Thank you, Mr. Lu," Qiu Zhengfeng said, looking at Lu Tianxing with gratitude.

"Elder Qiu, you’re too kind. Young Master Qiu is my friend, and Lingling is my daughter. It’s only right for me to do this."

"Elder Qiu, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head over now."

With that, Lu Tianxing said no more and turned to walk towards the elevator.

Qiu Zhengfeng watched Lu Tianxing’s back, sighed quietly in his heart, and thought that the Qiu family and Lu Tianxing were now completely in the same boat. Whether they win or lose depends on this moment.

After leaving the hospital, Lu Tianxing wasted no time and immediately drove towards Qiu Yingrong’s villa.

Twenty minutes later, Lu Tianxing arrived at the entrance of Qiu Yingrong’s apartment. After parking his car, he got out and instantly caught a faint whiff of blood in the air. Though the smell was subtle, almost unnoticeable, for someone like him who had been in life-and-death situations for years, even the faintest scent of blood could be detected.

Lu Tianxing frowned slightly and, without any hesitation at the door, walked briskly into the villa.

"Mr. Lu!"

Inside the villa, several Qiu family bodyguards cleaning the front yard saw Lu Tianxing and respectfully greeted him.

"How’s the situation now?" Lu Tianxing asked one of the men.

"It’s been resolved."

"How are Miss Qiu and Lingling?"

"They’ve been inside the villa all along."

The man looked at Lu Tianxing and said, "Mr. Lu, do you need me to take you there?"

"No need, I’ll go myself."

Lu Tianxing waved his hand and walked towards the villa.

At the entrance, Lu Tianxing gently knocked on the door before pushing it open and stepping inside.

Upon entering the living room, Lu Tianxing saw Sima Lingyun sitting on the sofa, deep in thought. Next to him, an elderly man stood with a pale face, enveloped by layers of frost, almost appearing dead save for the movement of his eyeballs.

Qiu Yingrong was sitting on the adjacent sofa, with Lingling peacefully asleep in her arms. Judging by her appearance, someone seemed to have tapped her sleeping acupoint, which was understandable considering how many things had happened tonight, including several deaths. If Lingling had seen it, it might have left psychological scars. It’s best she sleeps through it.

"Tianxing...,"

Seeing Lu Tianxing enter, Qiu Yingrong hurriedly stood up with Lingling in her arms, a worried expression on her face: "Are you hurt? How’s my brother?"

"Young Master Qiu is fine."

Lu Tianxing smiled warmly and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine!"

Qiu Yingrong gently shook her head, looking at Lu Tianxing, trying to say something but unsure of how to begin.

Seeing Qiu Yingrong’s expression, Lu Tianxing seemed to understand what she wanted to say, smiling at her and saying, "Are you trying to ask me why I argued with Elder Qiu at the hospital this afternoon, correct?"

After hearing Lu Tianxing’s words, Qiu Yingrong silently nodded.

"It was all a play staged by Elder Qiu and me."

Lu Tianxing explained to Qiu Yingrong without hiding, "Since the other side wants to kill Young Master Qiu and spread rumors to bring me down, they definitely won’t let things go. The Qiu family and I are partners. If the Qiu family turns against me and aims their guns at me, then the rumors they spread will become true. After all, even the Qiu family, my partners, are acting against me; it will show how ambitious I am and how ruthless my methods are."