C5 The Little Girl on the Sickbed next Door!

"Do you think you're some kind of fortune-telling guru? Cut the nonsense."

Despite both Hu Chuan and his father subscribing to the idea of fate, it was Hsiao Rann who was now dishing out these predictions. No matter how grave Hsiao Rann looked, Hu Chuan wasn't buying it. He knew Hsiao Rann all too well.

True seers who could divine others' destinies were considered masters. Clearly, Hu Chuan didn't see Hsiao Rann in that light.

"You've got to be more convincing when you lie, you know? If getting hit by a meteor could turn someone into a seer, I'd be out there every night hunting for meteor showers to run into."

While speaking, Hu Chuan flicked his hair from his forehead and continued, "Just so you know, I recently went with my dad to consult a real master. He told me my face is glowing with a rosy light, and I'm about to meet the love of my life. How could I possibly be in danger?"

Hsiao Rann felt a twinge of frustration at Hu Chuan's disbelief. But upon hearing the latter part of Hu Chuan's claim, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Ridiculous! Who would fall for a fat guy like you?"

Let's be honest, Hu Chuan wasn't exactly a looker. While most chubby guys had soft, fair skin, Hu Chuan was the exception, with a rather intimidating appearance. He wasn't the type most girls would go for.

With a scoff, Hu Chuan retorted, "Who says fatties can't be loved? That master is spot-on with physiognomy. He even predicted that I'll meet my soulmate within days!"

Hsiao Rann sneered at the thought, considering Hu Chuan overly superstitious.

He finally conceded, "Fine, if you won't take my word for it, so be it. But don't come crying to me if you do run into trouble—I warned you."

Truth be told, while Hsiao Rann could sense danger for Hu Chuan through the Qi Gazing Technique, he couldn't pinpoint the source of the impending misfortune. He could only surmise that it wasn't anything severe. At worst, Hu Chuan might get hurt, but it wouldn't be life-threatening. With that, Hsiao Rann dropped the subject and moved on.

Finally, Hsiao Rann spoke up, "Please fetch the nurse. I'm awake now and I need to be discharged immediately."

Hsiao Rann was aware that his prolonged unconsciousness was due to the time required to assimilate the Pill Sovereign's memories. There was nothing physically wrong with him. Moreover, it was Hu Chuan who had been covering his hospital expenses. Despite their close relationship, Hsiao Rann didn't want to impose on Hu Chuan any longer.

"You're ready to be discharged now? I'll get the doctor to give you one more check-up."

With that, Hu Chuan got to his feet and made his way to the ward's door. But as he reached out to open it, a flurry of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside.

The door to Hsiao Rann's ward burst open, catching Hu Chuan off guard and smacking him squarely in the face.

"Who's there? Didn't you see someone was behind the door?"

Wincing in pain, Hu Chuan stepped out from behind the door, his irritation palpable. Yet, when he caught sight of the intruders, he froze in place.

Entering the room were eight imposing men dressed in black, each sporting oversized sunglasses and a stern demeanor. They exuded an air of authority.

Hu Chuan instinctively recoiled, but before he could retreat, the men had fanned out across the room. One of them pinned Hu Chuan between the door and the wall.

Following the men in black were doctors familiar to Hsiao Rann. Eight of them hurried in, pushing a small gurney. Accompanying them was an ordinarily dressed elderly man, flanked by several individuals who appeared to be his children.

Hsiao Rann instantly grasped the situation. This was a family, and the men in black were their personal security.

As he pieced it together, the doctors lifted a slight figure from the gurney. But with the crowd obstructing his view, Hsiao Rann couldn't make out who was on the bed.

"Xiao'er has been brought to the hospital. Everyone, please leave," the elder stated, once preparations were complete. As his raspy voice faded, the men in black bowed respectfully and filed out of the ward without a hint of disorder.

Hu Chuan finally regained his freedom.

As a wealthy heir, Hu Chuan had been through far more than Hsiao Rann. So, when Hsiao Rann could deduce the identity of the unexpected visitor in the ward, it was no surprise that Hu Chuan was also well aware. Despite being bullied inadvertently, he kept silent, not daring to make a fuss.

He was even too afraid to make the slightest move.

The elderly man turned and noticed Hu Chuan, then said, "Please escort this young friend out."

It was then that Hsiao Rann noticed Hu Chuan, emerging from behind the door, his face smeared with blood. It was pouring from his nostrils. It took him a moment to grasp the situation.

He was bleeding!

Staring at the blood on his hand, Hu Chuan's mind raced back to Hsiao Rann's earlier prediction, and his eyes widened in shock.

But before he could voice his astonishment, a man in black re-entered, seized Hu Chuan by the sleeve, and dragged him out. Hu Chuan appeared robust, yet he was effortlessly hauled away.

In the blink of an eye, from the black-clad man's entrance to the doctors' departure and Hu Chuan's removal, the ward was left with only the old man, his offspring, and the patient Hsiao Rann had yet to encounter.

The old man's gaze lingered on Hsiao Rann, who was reclining on the hospital bed, scrutinizing his plain, inexpensive clothing. For a fleeting moment, Hsiao Rann felt as though the old man might expel him, but ultimately, he did not.

Turning to the young people trailing him, the old man spoke with a furrowed brow, "Have Ren and the others stand guard outside. We'll go speak with the hospital director."

The old man wielded such authority that he intended to meet with the hospital director directly. Hsiao Rann was left wondering whether he was a wealthy individual or a government official.

As Hsiao Rann pondered the scene, an objection arose from the old man's entourage.

"Dad, is this municipal hospital capable of treating Xiao'er's condition?"

"After all, even the provincial hospital is at a loss with Xiao'er's peculiar illness. We should make haste to seek out a more reputable hospital in J City."

Upon hearing this, the old man's face twisted into a scowl. "Are you doubting my words?" he challenged.

"This may be just a city hospital, but are you aware of who the former director is? You'd do well to research these things before speaking, lest you become the butt of jokes!"

"Moreover, if you, as her elders, had taken proper care of Xiao'er, would she be suffering from such an odd ailment now? I find myself with no choice but to implore the aid of Godly Doctor Gu to save her!"

The old man's anger escalated with each word he spoke, his face contorting with intense irritation. With his piece said, he stormed off.

The chastised group, visibly rattled, sheepishly trailed behind him.

"Isn't the hospital director's last name Zhang?" Hsiao Rann pondered aloud as the ward door shut, leaving the room deserted. His curiosity piqued, he turned his attention to the adjacent bed.

He was eager to catch a glimpse of this mysteriously ill patient. But upon seeing the girl in the bed next to his, he was taken aback.

Such a strikingly beautiful child!

Words failed to capture the exquisite beauty of the little girl lying there. Hsiao Rann was certain that Xiao'er would grow up to be a breathtaking woman.

Her complexion was as pristine as snow. Bathed in the soft sunlight, she resembled an ethereal white lotus in full bloom. Her hair, a delicate shade of light brown, complemented her straight nose, which lent her a serene appearance. Even with her eyes closed, the sight of her long lashes led Hsiao Rann to envision the splendor of her eyes.

What mysterious illness could afflict such a lovely girl?

Shaking off his initial astonishment, Hsiao Rann recalled the old man's fury upon departing. Clearly, the ailment that could provoke such a reaction was no trivial matter.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, a spark ignited in Hsiao Rann's eyes, which then took on a dreamlike quality.

He was invoking the Pill Sovereign Lineage's Qi Gazing Technique!

Hsiao Rann employed the only skill he had recently mastered, focusing intently on Xiao'er's condition.

Yet, the more meticulously he observed, the graver his expression grew.

Ultimately, Hsiao Rann's attention fixed on Xiao'er's right shoulder. To the untrained eye, there appeared to be nothing amiss, but Hsiao Rann could distinctly perceive a faint red glow enveloping the skin. It was clear that the root of her mysterious illness lay there.

"A red halo... it has to be Blood Qi."

"Her Blood Qi is leaking out. Could it be due to a blockage in her body's meridians?"

Drawing upon the Pill Sovereign Lineage's knowledge, Hsiao Rann meticulously considered the potential causes of Xiao'er's ailment, yet he hesitated to jump to conclusions.

Given his nascent understanding of the Qi Gazing Technique, caution was paramount in diagnosing her condition.

But as Hsiao Rann's eyes moved over Xiao'er's bare elbow, his pupils constricted sharply, his gaze intensifying.

A faint mark was present.

The mark was barely noticeable, but Hsiao Rann's keen vision didn't miss it. The shape of the mark sparked a daring hypothesis in his mind.

"Could this be the ancient parasite, the Blood Tapeworm?"