C9 Chapter 9: the Arrival of a Big Shot

The worm cracked a grin. He was puzzled by the sudden change in his boss's appearance, but one look was all it took to confirm that this man was indeed his boss, no question about it!

By now, the worm had exited the airport, which had just lifted its lockdown. Announcements echoed through the hall, signaling the resumption of boarding.

Tang Xueqi urged in desperation, "The plane's cleared for takeoff. What are you waiting for? Go!"

"Let him escape today, and nobody's going to have an easy time!" bellowed the chief bodyguard.

The worm's face tensed, ready to act, but then Luo Yun's voice cut through, "I'll go with you."

"Luo Yun!" Tang Xueqi's eyes reddened with fury.

"They're too strong," Luo Yun explained. "I can't beat them."

The worm couldn't help but roll his eyes.

But with the boss opting out of a fight, he dared not make a move. Instead, he stealthily tailed the boss's car.

The duo was escorted by Zhang's Group bodyguards to the most elite private hospital in Yunhai City.

Inside Zhang Tinglei's hospital room, a man in his fifties sat brooding by the bed. "You're saying Luo Yun is the one who hurt you?"

"Yes! That's the guy! The waste the Luo family left behind!" Zhang Tinglei confirmed.

Zhang Peng was there too, his arm in a cast, lamenting, "Uncle, Luo Yun's lost it! It's one thing to hit me, but to strike my brother? He's clearly got it out for our Zhang family. He doesn't respect you at all! You've got to stand up for us!"

The middle-aged man was none other than Zhang Zhenbang, the founder of Zhang's Group.

"You're certain it was Luo Yun himself?" Zhang Zhenbang's gaze was icy as he pressed for confirmation.

The brothers flinched, but ultimately nodded, "Absolutely. It was Tang Xueqi's husband, Luo Yun. Is there a problem?"

"Nothing." A fleeting sharpness crossed Zhang Zhenbang's eyes as he berated them, "Incompetents! He's been out of his mind for three years, and he still managed to make fools of you! What's the use of raising you? This will only bring shame upon the Zhang family!"

"The kids were just too soft-hearted," interjected Zhang Tinglei's mother, distressed at her son's scolding. "He took pity on him, thinking he was just a simpleton. Who knew he'd strike so viciously? You mustn't let him off lightly this time; teach him a harsh lesson!"

"Do I need you to tell me that?" Zhang Zhenbang retorted sharply.

No sooner had he spoken than the head bodyguard, his hand maimed, announced respectfully, "Chairman, we've brought the individual."

"Bring him in!"

Luo Yun was ushered into the ward by the bodyguards.

Following Zhang Tinglei's orders, Tang Xueqi was confined by the bodyguards to the adjacent ward.

With Tang Xueqi out of sight, Luo Yun's demeanor grew even more composed as he entered the ward with a calm and collected stride.

It was as though he wasn't a captive but an honored guest.

Zhang Zhenbang's piercing eyes met Luo Yun's. "So, you're Luo Yun?"

"Indeed."

His response was met with a gaze that was even more incisive and frosty.

Despite his experience in judging character, Zhang Zhenbang felt an unexpected chill at the young man's stare.

What a commanding presence!

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Zhang Zhenbang's eyes, sharp as an eagle's, bore into Luo Yun.

Luo Yun let out a mocking laugh. "You're nothing but trash."

The entire room gasped in shock!

To call the chairman of Zhang's Group trash to his face!

He was either a complete fool or had a death wish!

A flicker of malice crossed Zhang Zhenbang's features, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Kid, you might be out of your mind. You need a doctor to fix that."

"Bring in the patient. It's time for his surgery!"

At his command, two doctors in white coats burst through the door, syringes in hand, and lunged for Luo Yun's neck.

With a swift move, Luo Yun disarmed them, examined the syringe's contents, and sniffed. "Anesthetic, how thoughtful." He tossed the needle aside with a smirk. "So, you've even scheduled brain surgery for me? Why all the courtesy?"

Zhang Zhenbang's sneer returned. "Not so foolish after all! You've harmed my son and nephew. What's your plan?"

Luo Yun smiled back. "What's your plan for me?"

"I've always been fair and never abuse my power," Zhang Zhenbang claimed. "Since I've kindly arranged this surgery, don't let it go to waste. Complete the procedure, and we'll call it even. Deal?"

"Just like that?" Mrs. Zhang, on edge, couldn't wait for Luo Yun's response. "He broke my son's three ribs! Nearly punctured his lung! He could've killed him! And you're going to let him off just like that?!"

Furious, Mrs. Zhang charged at Luo Yun, fruit knife in hand. "Die! Your worthless life couldn't make up for this even if you died a million times!"

"My son's single hair is worth more than your entire family's lives!"

The knife aimed straight for Luo Yun's heart.

"Careful with that. Knives aren't toys," Luo Yun warned, without moving an inch.

As the knife was about to pierce Luo Yun's chest, a jarring ringtone cut through the tension.

"Silence!" Zhang Zhenbang barked at his wife after seeing the caller ID.

Mrs. Zhang froze, her attack halted.

Luo Yun's raised hand also stilled.

He didn't want bloodshed on this day of his rebirth.

Zhang Zhenbang answered the phone with reverence. "Mr. He, what can I do for you?"

"Now's your chance! You've been wanting to expand southward, right? Well, a VIP from the south is visiting Cloud Ocean today! Win his favor, and the south is yours for the taking. Get ready and head to Cloud Hospital within half an hour!"

"A VIP at Cloud Hospital?" Zhang Zhenbang's voice dropped to a whisper. "May I ask who this VIP is? I'm at Cloud Hospital right now."

"The king of hackers from the Southern Territory, Lord Worm!" the caller informed. "Since you're already there, clear the hospital immediately. We can't risk offending Lord Worm. Neither of us could bear the consequences."

"Understood," Zhang Zhenbang said, nodding eagerly. He ventured, "Do you know why Lord Worm is visiting Cloud Hospital alone? Does he have an old acquaintance here? If someone could introduce me to Lord Worm..."

"How could I possibly be privy to the private affairs of the higher-ups? Anyway, Lord Worm is already on his way to Cloud Hospital. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Zhang Zhenbang hung up the phone with a cold snort, "You're lucky I'm tied up today and can't perform your surgery. You'll have to wait one more day. Once the VIP has left, then we'll settle our accounts."

"Dad, was that Uncle He on the phone? Is there a breakthrough with the southern branch opening?" Zhang Tinglei asked eagerly.

Dealing with a nobody like Luo Yun was trivial compared to the family's expansion.

Zhang Tinglei gestured to his bodyguard, "Lock him up for now. We'll have all day tomorrow to sort him out. Make sure he doesn't cause a ruckus and disturb the VIP's visit."

"How do you know Lord Worm isn't here because he heard about Tinglei's injury and came to see him?" Mrs. Zhang exclaimed with excitement.

Zhang Tinglei was taken aback and chuckled at his mother's audacious speculation, "Mom, you're overestimating me. I've sent Lord Worm numerous invitations in the south, but he didn't accept a single one. Why would he come to see me now?"

Let's be real, even if it were my father in the hospital bed, he probably wouldn't merit a personal visit from Lord Worm!

Zhang Zhenbang joined in with self-deprecating laughter, acknowledging he wasn't that influential.

But Mrs. Zhang was undeterred. To her, her son was exceptional – why shouldn't Lord Worm come to visit him? Surely, her son's invitations had made an impression on Lord Worm!

"Honey, Lord Worm has been active in the Southern Territory for years, rarely venturing to our central region, with little to no connections here. Who could he possibly be visiting in Yunhai City?" she pondered.

"The only connection he might have here is with our dear son!"

"That must be why he headed straight for Cloud Hospital upon his arrival in Yunhai City!"

Mrs. Zhang grew more animated as she spoke, her eyes shining with pride as she looked at her son. "Exactly, he must be here for our son! Who else in this hospital would be of interest to Lord Worm?"

"If our son isn't worthy of a visit from Lord Worm, then I doubt anyone in Cloud Hospital would be," she concluded.

Zhang Tinglei felt a rush of realization at his mother's words. It did make sense!

All the patients here were wealthy and influential, but none had the clout of the Zhang family!

If not to see him, then who? It seemed Lord Worm was considering a partnership with the Zhangs!

In the midst of this discussion, a tall figure strode into the room – it was none other than Lord Worm himself!

Upon seeing Lord Worm in person, stepping into his hospital room, Zhang Tinglei was ecstatic, bouncing up from his bed in surprise.

"Lord Worm! It really is you!"

"I heard you took a beating, so I came to check on you," Lord Worm said, glancing at the elder Zhang and suppressing a smile with a stern face. "Who would be so foolish as to harm a Zhang family son?"

"It was him!" Mrs. Zhang said, her eyes brimming with tears.

See? What did she tell you? Who else but her beloved son would be graced with a visit from Lord Worm!