C23 Was This the Final Ultimatum?

"Is this an ultimatum?"

"If you don't come back soon, I'll spill the beans. The nurse hassled me forever to change. I've got to get discharged today; I can't stand the stench in here any longer. I need a shower." Guibao stripped off his hospital gown and handed it to Bao Guo, grumbling with a look of utter dismay.

Bao Guo managed a wry smile. "I've been setting some things up. Getting out today works for me. I need to head home and gather supplies because it won't be long before I head to the town market. That's an opportunity I can't afford to miss."

However, when they hurried to the first floor to handle the discharge, they hit a snag. "Hold on, what's the deal here? What kind of operation is this, not letting people leave? It's just a minor injury. I can recuperate at home, a chicken soup cure-all. Why must I stay? I'm broke. I should be free to go. Or do you plan to keep me here for a live dissection, harvesting my organs to settle the hospital bill?"

Bao Guo's sharp tongue got into a spat with the stone-faced receptionist in the hospital lobby. His loud complaints drew the attention of hundreds of eyes in the hall.

Draped in a white bandage, donning a black jacket, green jeans, and his pale, angry face, Bao Guo stood at 1.78 meters with a round face. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he exuded a certain rugged charm. Despite his harsh words, the ladies nearby couldn't help but find him intriguing.

Guibao, rubbing his forehead, tried to rein him in. "Come on, this isn't the way to do it. The hospital's got to make a living too."

Bao Guo shrugged off his hand and whispered, "We've been set up. Someone's definitely in cahoots with the hospital brass, trying to keep us here. Check your phone—no signal, right? I've got a bad feeling there's a conspiracy targeting us."

At that, Guibao whipped out his brand-new Honor phone to check, and his heart sank. No signal?

"Damn it, they're trying to sabotage our business. But where could the problem be? Our contract is signed, sealed, and delivered. Ten million should be hitting your account today. Where could there possibly be a hitch?"

Ten million? Bao Guo's eyes bulged in shock. It was only then that he recalled Luo Yuqiong liquidating her entire estate, pooling a significant amount of cash with Loo Meiya and Guo Xin, and handing it over to him as earnest money. Her intent was to demonstrate her commitment and secure a partnership for the Teeth Whitening Formula. She had indeed succeeded, but now, was it time to transfer the funds? Bao Guo had neglected to scrutinize the contract's final page. Guibao's reminder suddenly made him realize that this conspiracy might just revolve around the ten million.

"How dare you speak like that? Security! Security! Arrest this man and call the police! He's spreading rumors and causing trouble—seize him at once!" The woman behind the counter, her face ashen like a zombie's, shrieked for the guards to take action.

Bao Guo and Guibao snapped to attention. The opposition was cornered and lashing out. Bao Guo, with a firm tug on Guibao, declared resolutely, "Let's get out of here. I refuse to believe it. So what if we forfeit the one thousand yuan deposit by not checking out? I can't imagine they'd have the gall to hold us against our will."

As fate would have it, Bao Guo's words turned prophetic. Six security guards emerged at the entrance. For a small county hospital, this was practically the entire security force.

"Stay back and record this with your phone. I'll handle them. We're leaving today, no matter what," Bao Guo commanded before advancing step by step toward the approaching security detail.

"Gentlemen, we simply wish to leave. Could you please let us pass? We're willing to forgo the deposit—can't we just check out of this hospital?" Bao Guo's plea came out surprisingly meek, leaving four of the guards exchanging puzzled glances. What was this tactic?

The two ringleaders smirked ominously. "Come on, guys, let's take him down together. This fellow's been spreading lies. We'll hand him over to the police—don't let him get away. Go!"

It dawned on Bao Guo that these two were the real troublemakers. When the scuffle began, he'd make sure to give them a 'special treatment.'

Many onlookers were busy capturing the scene on their phones, though a greater number realized their signals were dead. The commotion in the hall escalated, but all eyes were on Bao Guo, now firmly in the grip of the security guards, without an inch of space to fight back.

As two smirking security guards advanced on Guibao, Bao Guo's roar filled the air, "My brother doesn't have a dime on him. You want money? I've got it. Let him be. It's in my bag. And cut the signal jammer; I won't spill a word about this. I get it, the hospital's after cash. I've overpaid my own hospital bills already. Just give it to me straight—how much do you want? I'll pay. Just release my brother."

In an instant, the crowd's faces lit up with comprehension, and anger bubbled up among the spectators. They pointed at the security guards and shouted, "What's the meaning of this? Seizing people in broad daylight—are you detaining them illegally or is this a kidnapping? We're all witnesses. Do you plan to round us up too?"

"Exactly! This Orthopedics Hospital is way out of line, sending security to snatch up patients over unpaid bills. Someone snap a picture and post it online—let's make them infamous."

"Damn, why's my phone got no signal? So, the hospital's behind this, trying to kidnap us all? I'm here for treatment, not to be your hostage. Let's take them down!"

Several gutsy individuals in the crowd pocketed their phones and rolled up their sleeves, charging at the security guards. Amid cries of "What are you doing?", fists flew. In minutes, a dozen young men had given the six security a lesson in humility.

Once Bao Guo and Guibao made their escape, their phones flickered back to life, showing two bars of signal and four new voice mailbox notifications.

"Report it to the police, say the hospital's holding people against their will. We've managed to get out. I've tried reaching Luo Yuqiong, but something's wrong..."

...

"Yuqiong, can't you see? You keep dodging me, but why? Tell me, in what way do I not measure up? Family, education, wealth, looks—I'm second to none. Why won't you give me a chance?"

In the lobby of a hotel in Ye County, Luo Yuqiong found herself cornered by a flashy young man in a cream suit. She was trapped in a nearly empty coffee lounge, unable to slip past him. Throughout the ordeal, she remained silent, frantically dialing Bao Guo and Guibao, desperate to apologize. For some inexplicable reason, the hotel had lost its internet connection, and her phone signal had vanished. She was supposed to pay the ten million yuan earnest money today, and failing to do so would mean breaching the contract, owing Bao Guo triple in damages. How on earth could she afford that?

She was on the verge of tears, the infuriating pest before her having the audacity to pursue her at the worst possible time. Her carefully laid plans were in shambles. It felt like her world was crumbling. The business her father had poured his life into had fallen apart after his passing. She had abandoned her studies abroad and returned home, tirelessly working to breathe life back into the company. Just as a glimmer of hope appeared, she was blindsided by this exasperating mess. She was so overwhelmed, she wanted to let out a scream and have a good cry.

Her phone suddenly rang, and upon seeing the caller ID, she answered in a panic, "I'm so sorry, Bao Guo, please listen. I had no signal, no internet—I won't default on our agreement. Trust me, I'm about to make the transfer."

But before she could finish, the dashing man in the cream suit snatched her phone. "Listen up, I don't know who you are, but stay away from my woman, or you'll regret it." He ended the call abruptly.

Bao Guo was left baffled. What in the world was happening? His intention had been to reassure Luo Yuqiong; the money was of little concern to him. But clearly, someone was out to get them, and he needed to get to the bottom of it. Now, this uninvited troublemaker had thrown a wrench in the works, and it was infuriating.

"Hehe, Mr. Bao Guo, fancy seeing you again. May I have the pleasure of inviting you to the tea house up ahead for a chat?"

Guibao was still on the phone a short distance away when an old Accord pulled up next to Bao Guo. The window rolled down, revealing a middle-aged man with a grin full of yellowed teeth.

"Well, if it isn't the two Mr. Jins. Looks like you've been fished out of trouble—congratulations. But I'm afraid I must decline your invitation. I'm in a hurry to get back to my shop, so I won't be joining you for old times' sake. Take care, no need to see me out." With that, he turned to leave but was stopped by a disdainful snort.

Jin Shaozhong's voice followed, "Bao Guo, don't be so prideful. We've given you chances before, and here's another. Hand over the formula, and don't bite the hand that feeds you. You think catching those two thugs puts an end to this? No, this is just the beginning. You have no idea who you're dealing with. Someone like you, a bottom-feeder in society, can't comprehend the power of those at the top. They could toy with you—or rather, crush your entire family—with less effort than it takes to squash an ant. So, be wise and don't make things harder for yourself."

Bao Guo gave him a sidelong glance and asked coolly, "Are you finished?"

"I'm finished. Now it's up to you to decide."

With a disdainful spit, Bao Guo sneered, "Is this supposed to be an ultimatum?"

Jin Shaocheng huffed, "What if it is? If you won't consider your own well-being, what about your parents, your friends? We're advising you not to make a grave error. It would be unfortunate if something were to happen, making things difficult for everyone involved. Heh."

"Really?" Bao Guo's response was almost a growl through clenched teeth.

"Well, we'll just have to see what happens, won't we? Goodbye, or rather, let's not meet again." Without warning, Bao Guo hurled something into the car. It flew swiftly, crashing through the window and striking the car's armrest with a dull thud.