"Mommy!"
In the hospital room, Junjun's big eyes, like grapes, squinted into a joyful smile.
She tightly hugged the limited edition Minnie that Sheng Xiangsi had just unwrapped for her.
"Thank you, Mommy! Junbao loves it so much!"
"Junjun is so happy?" Sheng Xiangsi lovingly patted her daughter's head.
"Yes! Very happy!"
Her daughter's face was full of smiles, and Sheng Xiangsi felt so happy she wanted to cry. But she held back her tears in front of her daughter, only managing a big smile.
"If Junbao is happy, Mommy is happy."
Yu Huanxi came over with a cup of water. "Have some water. You came straight from the airport, didn't you?"
She knew Xiangsi was arriving today and had rushed over from her department.
By the way, Yu Huanxi was an intern doctor at this hospital and a doctoral student at Penn Medical School.
Because of this, she was able to take extra care of Junjun.
And thus, Sheng Xiangsi could go to Jiangcheng with peace of mind.
"Huanxi, thank you for all the trouble you've gone through."
Though her gratitude felt insufficient, Sheng Xiangsi had to express it.
"Mm." Yu Huanxi raised her eyebrows and smiled. "I've accepted your thanks, so don't feel burdened."
"...Alright."
Sheng Xiangsi laughed quietly.
That was Huanxi's character. Even though she was doing a favor, she never made others feel indebted.
"Xiangsi."
Yu Huanxi held her hand, looking at Junjun playing by herself nearby, and spoke softly.
"William isn't here today, so I'll let you in on something. The surgery has been scheduled, and William will inform you in a couple of days."
"Oh!"
Sheng Xiangsi covered her mouth, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"Aren't you happy?"
As a doctor, Yu Huanxi fully understood her emotions. "Although Junjun's illness isn't..."
...life-threatening.
"But if it can be cured, her quality of life will be completely different. Our Junjun will have great fortune in the future!"
"Mm." Sheng Xiangsi, eyes red, nodded repeatedly, unable to speak through her tears.
That night, Sheng Xiangsi stayed with Junjun, only leaving after she fell asleep.
...
The day before the performance, Fu Hanjiang was discharged from the hospital.
Rong Zheng asked him, "Sir, should I book the flight for tonight or tomorrow?"
"Why book a flight?" Fu Hanjiang paused as he dressed.
"Huh?" Rong Zheng was surprised. "To return to Jiangcheng."
"Oh." Fu Hanjiang closed his eyes in frustration. "Sorry, I forgot to inform you. We'll return in two days."
"Why?" Rong Zheng was puzzled.
Fu Hanjiang smiled nonchalantly. "We've come all the way to Philadelphia, and I just spent time in the hospital. Shouldn't we relax a bit?"
What? Rong Zheng was taken aback.
They frequently traveled back and forth for business. This trip was no different. Why did he suddenly want to relax?
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to see a performance."
This...
"Alright." Rong Zheng, still confused, asked, "What performance?"
"Modern dance."
Rong Zheng: ...
He knew it!
The next evening, Fu Hanjiang got ready and set off with Rong Zheng. This performance was held at the RED Dance Company's venue.
The same place that had once oppressed Xiangsi.
Fu Hanjiang thought, Xiangsi must feel vindicated now.
They checked in and entered.
As time passed, the theater filled up as the performance time drew near.
Suddenly, there was a loud 'bang' from the direction of the backstage!
"Ah!"
"What happened?"
Suddenly, the hall erupted in panic!
In the VIP box, Fu Hanjiang stood up abruptly. He had heard it too.
"Sir..." Rong Zheng frowned. "It sounded like gunfire?"
Yes!
Fu Hanjiang nodded. That was the backstage area, where Xiangsi was!
He turned and opened the box door.
"Sir!"
Rong Zheng quickly followed.
In just a minute or two, the theater was in chaos. People were rushing out in fear!
"Don't panic!"
"Everyone stay calm!"
Security was trying to maintain order, but the situation was out of control.
In the chaos, there were already stampedes happening!
With the scene in such disarray, Fu Hanjiang still headed further inside.
"Sir!" Rong Zheng grabbed him. "Where are you going?"
"Where do you think?" Fu Hanjiang glared at him. "Xiangsi is inside!"
With that, he tried to move forward again.
"Sir!" But Rong Zheng held him back. "You can't! It's chaotic here, and there might be a riot in the back!"
Riots in Philadelphia weren't frequent but not unheard of either!
"So?"
Fu Hanjiang raised an eyebrow. Didn't he know?
He shook off Rong Zheng. "That's why I need to go in!"
"Sir..."
"Don't follow me!" Fu Hanjiang interrupted him. "One of us has to stay back to assist! You wait outside for me. I'll bring Xiangsi out!"
"Sir!"
Rong Zheng wanted to stop him, but Fu Hanjiang was already running off.
Gritting his teeth, Rong Zheng had no choice but to follow orders.
But it wasn't easy for Fu Hanjiang to move forward either.
Pushing through the crowd was harder than navigating a boat against the current.
"Excuse me, please let me through!"
"You're going the wrong way! Why are you heading in?"
"Sorry, I need to go in!"
"Excuse me, please move!"
Sweating, Fu Hanjiang pushed through the crowd.
'Bang!'
Suddenly, another loud noise!
"Stop running!"
"Everyone stop! Do you hear me?"
The panicked crowd didn't stop.
'Bang' 'Bang'! Two more shots!
The chaos intensified!
Fu Hanjiang looked ahead. The theater entrance was now controlled. He frowned, wondering if Rong Zheng had managed to get out.
Pushing against the flow, he struggled to move forward.
He slipped out a side door, and suddenly the noise subsided.
Now, the sound of footsteps was distinctly clear.
Fu Hanjiang held his breath, quickly moving behind the door, pressing his back against the wall, and staying still, observing his surroundings carefully.
The footsteps approached. It was the theater security.
They didn't seem panicked.
Why?
Either they were the rioters, or at least in cahoots with them, or they had been taken over by the rioters!
Fu Hanjiang's eyes flashed with realization. Perfect, he knew what to do.
Once the footsteps receded, and the guards left, he stepped out, glancing at the sign above.
He had a plan.
...
In the dressing room.
All the dancers, including those from the Lightning Dance Troupe and the RED Dance Company, were held captive.
Five rioters, fully armed, had everyone in the dressing room terrified.
Sheng Xiangsi crouched with her head down, not daring to move.
"You!"
Suddenly, one of the rioters pointed at Sheng Xiangsi. "Come out!"