Chapter 74: In My Entire Life, I Have Never Taken a Blade Nor Shed Blood for Any Woman!

It was actually Qiao Yudong!

As soon as Song Mi recognized him, she heard a muffled groan, and he spun around abruptly to confront the attacker. He shielded her behind him. "Mi’er, run!"

Night had already fallen. Under the glow of the streetlights, Song Mi caught sight of the knife lying on the ground—bloodstained.

Someone wanted her dead!

She had already taken a few steps to flee, but the person behind her was faster. As she turned, a flash of cold steel swept past her eyes.

Another knife!

In a split second, Song Mi ducked and spun, barely evading the strike. A gust of wind swept over her head as the assailant lunged forward.

So close!

More pressing, the maneuver had left her back numb—she couldn’t steady herself, and she crashed toward a trash bin by the roadside.

Just as she scrambled up, the attacker advanced with the knife raised. In desperation, Song Mi instinctively lifted her arm to block.

But the expected pain never came. "Mi’er!"

Qiao Yudong again! He charged forward, knocking the attacker aside. With a thud, both men went flying.

The long knife clattered to the ground right at Song Mi’s feet!

At that moment, Ye Zhao finally arrived. "Miss Song!"

Rushing over, Ye Zhao delivered a swift kick to the man who had been grappling with Qiao Yudong, then dashed to Song Mi. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine… Qiao Yudong, he…"

"Careful!"

With Ye Zhao’s warning, Song Mi turned to see Qiao Yudong, sprawled on the ground, receive a vicious kick.

Ye Zhao couldn’t leave Song Mi’s side, but just then, more people arrived—clearly allies.

One of them tackled the man Ye Zhao had kicked in the groin, pinning him to the ground. "Stay down… don’t move!"

The other two rushed to Qiao Yudong, raining blows from both sides, pummeling the assailant.

Ye Zhao helped Song Mi to her feet, asked if she was hurt, and while keeping a wary eye on their surroundings, explained, "I noticed someone watching our car, so I drove off to circle around. I’m sorry I was late!"

Song Mi instantly understood Ye Zhao’s implication.

He was referring to the three helpers who had suddenly appeared.

But there was no time to discuss it. Seeing one of the attackers about to break free and escape, Song Mi urged, "Go help them—you can’t let those two get away!"

Ye Zhao hesitated, so Song Mi pressed, "Qiao Yudong got stabbed!"

As she spoke, she fished out her phone from her coat pocket. "I’ll call an ambulance."

She saw several missed calls as soon as she unlocked her phone.

She dialed emergency first, then called back Qiao Weiwei.

When Qiao Weiwei answered, her voice was weak, but as soon as Song Mi explained, her tone changed abruptly. "I’ll be right there!"

Once both attackers were subdued, Song Mi strode over to Qiao Yudong. "How are you?"

He was clutching his lower back, propped up on the ground, looking seriously hurt.

Song Mi leaned forward, checked his wound, then crouched beside him. "Hang in there, the ambulance will be here soon."

"Mi’er, do you believe now that my feelings for you are sincere?" Unexpectedly, Qiao Yudong quickly raised his head to look at her. "In my whole life, I’ve never taken a knife for a woman—never bled for one!"

Sweat streamed down his face, his hair drenched at the temples. The words Song Mi had intended to say died on her lips; instead, she murmured, "Save your strength, don’t talk."

Yet Qiao Yudong managed a smile. "What, afraid I’ll blame you if something happens to me?"

Song Mi frowned, saying nothing more.

Soon, Qiao Weiwei’s anxious voice echoed from afar. "Mi’er!"

Song Mi glanced in that direction, about to stand up, but Qiao Yudong tried to grab her hand. "Don’t go!"

He genuinely didn’t want her to leave, but the hand he used to block her was deliberately the one covering his wound.

This stab couldn’t be in vain.

So much blood couldn’t be shed for nothing!

If he didn’t let her truly feel his sacrifice, how could she ever spare him a glance?

Song Mi hadn’t expected Qiao Yudong to reach for her; unable to halt her movement in time, she saw him sway, about to collapse, and quickly caught his hand.

Sticky to the touch.

Blood from his wound.

Qiao Yudong held her hand tightly. Song Mi’s lips pressed together, but she said nothing.

Just then, Qiao Weiwei rushed over. "…Brother… are you alright!"

She looked Qiao Yudong up and down, frantic. "Mi’er said you were stabbed. Where’s the wound?"

The ambulance arrived quickly, but since this was a pedestrian street, the vehicle couldn’t get through.

Ye Zhao volunteered to carry Qiao Yudong, but he refused. In the end, the medical staff brought a stretcher, and once Qiao Yudong was laid on it, wheeled him to the ambulance.

The wound was deep and wide; before they even reached the hospital, Qiao Yudong lost consciousness from blood loss.

If that knife had struck her, there was at least an eighty percent chance it would have gone straight through.

Someone wanted her dead!

Without hesitation, Song Mi concluded the one behind the attack was Shen Yanye.

But Lu Zhiyuan was the true instigator!

On her way to Meise, Song Mi had called Shen Ruming, who did not hide the fact that Lu Zhiyuan had sought her out.

At the time, Shen Ruming hadn’t known that the drugged Lu Zhizhi would encounter several men that night.

Lu Zhiyuan brought many people to confront her, threatening and intimidating.

Shen Ruming said she acted out of self-preservation, and after much thought, realized that the most likely "hidden threat" was Shen Yanye.

Because Shen Yanye had been aware of her plan to have Lu Zhizhi drug Song Mi and arrange for clandestine photos at the charity gala.

All these incidents revolved around Shen Yanye. Their siblings worked together to topple Song Mi and drive her out of Sihai Group—a mere step in their grand scheme.

Lu Zhiyuan would never let Shen Ruming off so easily, since she was indeed the one who drugged his sister.

So, Shen Ruming bargained with the scandal between Shen Yanye and Tang Lishi.

The photos Lu Zhiyuan posted online had been handed over by Shen Ruming herself.

Song Mi had assumed Shen Ruming merely knew about it, without concrete evidence—never expecting she had proof in hand.

If she surrendered even those, it was clear how much pressure Lu Zhiyuan had exerted!

Still, Song Mi didn’t feel much sympathy for Shen Ruming.

Some mistakes are made step by step, each worse than the last.

Shen Ruming’s error was knowing she had an enormous weakness—Su Zerui—who could be used against her at any moment, yet she couldn’t let go or take risks. She shouldn’t have been so greedy for money from the start, not only colluding with Shen Yanye against Song Mi but also accepting payment to help Lu Zhizhi deal with her rival.

Otherwise, why would Lu Zhizhi be the one to drug her, and how would Lu Zhizhi have video evidence of her with Lawyer Wen?

Shen Ruming probably thought she was playing both sides, gaining from two parties with one action.

But in the end, she had to flee to Switzerland in haste, only to have Lu Zhiyuan find her for retribution.

Of course, the most crucial player was Shen Yanye!

If he hadn’t been so ruthless as to use his own sister, and after his plan failed, abduct Su Zerui to force Shen Ruming into a life-or-death struggle with Song Mi, Shen Ruming would never have come to beg her and owe her a favor.

Had it not been for this, Shen Ruming wouldn’t have had to fulfill her promise to help Song Mi by drugging Lu Zhizhi.

A person can choose to do evil, but only if they have the capital to do so.

More importantly, they must have no weaknesses!

Shen Ruming’s Achilles' heel was too obvious—Su Zerui.

Without Su Zerui, Shen Ruming wouldn’t have been so easily manipulated, nor would she have taken Song Mi’s money and fled abroad.

Originally, Shen Yanye’s weakness was his relationship with Tang Lishi. Now, with his most dreaded secret exposed, his immediate reaction was to hire a killer—to take Song Mi’s life.

It was a feasible plan!

If she had died tonight, tomorrow morning he could have installed Minghao in her place.

Tonight’s calamity was her own carelessness!

If not for her drunken impatience to return to her apartment, she would have waited for Ye Zhao to pick her up.

And her urgency was nothing more than overwhelming longing—the man haunted her thoughts, almost to the point of hallucination!

Not just tonight, but yesterday as well.

When she received the message, she had no idea what would happen, but only one thought consumed her—go find him!

When Wang Lisha finally confessed with Song Mi’s hand around her throat, for a fleeting moment, Song Mi had felt murderous intent.

Yesterday’s ruthless act was born of anxious concern.

Tonight’s solitary outing was the result of longing.

Even earlier, she’d been so bewitched as to deliberately take a knife from Lu Zhizhi.

Did this mean Lawyer Wen had become her weakness?

If so, she must not allow it—she must cut ties swiftly and cleanly.

As a "short-lived tool," she could seek pleasure, find men, even have a fleeting romance.

But letting a man become her weakness—risking all for him, being bound by him—would be a disastrous mistake for both herself and him!

These reflections took shape as Song Mi sat in the waiting area outside the emergency room, amid Qiao Weiwei’s anxious pacing. In this moment, she was more calm and rational than at any other time in recent days.

Qiao Yudong’s blood had dried on her palms and the backs of her hands—a sticky, heavy feeling.

Her phone rang incessantly in her coat pocket.

Few people knew this number; with Qiao Weiwei beside her, there was no doubt who was calling.

But now she was stone-cold sober—her heart no longer ached, nor did she see any illusions before her eyes.

When they met again, she would simply state her decision.

It was late, inside a hospital, quiet all around. The phone’s ringtone sounded especially abrupt.

Song Mi rejected the call, and a familiar voice approached with hurried footsteps. "Mi’er, how is everything?"

It was Pei Qiuyang.

Song Mi had barely looked up when Qiao Weiwei, who rose before her, suddenly swayed, barely able to stand.

Before Song Mi could react, Pei Qiuyang rushed over to support her. "…Are you alright?"

Qiao Weiwei had fainted, likely from standing up too quickly. But why was she so agitated at the sight of this scoundrel?

How embarrassing!

She instinctively tried to push him away, but had no strength, ending up collapsing into his arms instead. "…You… what are you doing here!"

Pei Qiuyang was awkward too!

But after such a major incident tonight, he couldn’t not show up—it would be unmanly.

Besides, he wasn’t here just for her. "…I came…"

As she struggled to break free, Pei Qiuyang let go. "Mi’er, are you alright?"

He stepped toward Song Mi. "I’ve called Li-ge—he should be heading to the airport now!"

Once Qiao Weiwei was steady, Song Mi shifted her gaze to Pei Qiuyang. "You had someone follow me?"

Pei Qiuyang was taken aback, then chuckled. "Not follow—protect. Li-ge’s orders!"

"This wasn’t meant to be kept from you, but since you kept rejecting me, Li-ge said…"

Song Mi replied crisply, "Thank you."

She stood and walked to Qiao Weiwei. "Are you alright?"

Qiao Weiwei looked pale, instinctively clutching her stomach. "I think I got food poisoning—when you called, I was hugging the trash bin trying to vomit but couldn’t. My stomach feels awful."

Song Mi glanced at the nearby seats, gesturing for her to sit if she felt ill.

Qiao Weiwei nodded and walked over just as the emergency light above the operating room went out.

…

Elsewhere, Wen Yanli hung up Pei Qiuyang’s call, striding out of his room, dialing Feng Jue as he descended the stairs to explain the situation.

Before he hung up, Feng Jue told him something important.

Qiao Yudong was investigating him.

He simply said, "Understood."

He hung up, exited the call screen, and booked the earliest flight back to Jinzhou as he walked.

Despite the rush, he didn’t forget to stop by the small dining room to bid farewell to his grandfather in person.

Ignoring the old man’s repeated pleas to stay, Wen Yanli walked out, calling Jiang Fei to bring the car around.

Once in the car, he started calling Song Mi.

But she never answered.

Half an hour later, Rong Xin’an called again, and he picked up.

Rong Xin’an said she didn’t know why, but originally she was working with Sihai Group. Now, a Mr. Huo from Wanjia Group had contacted her, inviting her to a company meeting.

They wanted her to share her design concepts, in preparation for tomorrow’s West Suburb Old Town renovation project’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The caller assured her that, according to yesterday’s contract with Sihai Group, the partnership’s terms, structure, and compensation would remain unchanged.

Only, from now on her partner would be Wanjia Group instead of Sihai Group.

Rong Xin’an called to ask his professional opinion. Based on the information from her two calls, he gave rational advice—strictly business, no personal bias.

He knew very well that this abrupt change was almost certainly due to the incest scandal between Shen Yanye and Tang Lishi that broke online that afternoon, sparking widespread condemnation and damaging Sihai Group’s reputation, prompting the authorities to replace them at the last minute.

Wanjia replaced Sihai.

But why would Song Mi hand over her meticulously prepared project to Wanjia Group, including Rong Xin’an, whom she’d only agreed to work with yesterday?

What irresistible terms did Huo Qingjue offer to make her agree?

Too coincidental!

Why did everything happen at once?

His instincts told him that someone behind the scenes was orchestrating all this.

Lu Zhiyuan, Lu Zhizhi, Huo Qingjue, Qiao Yudong, Shen Yanye, Tang Lishi, Wang Lisha, Liu Hai, and other members of the Shen family.

These names flickered through his mind, then faded.

Only Qiao Yudong remained.

Now Qiao Yudong had taken a knife for Song Mi—rumor had it, his injuries were grave.

Feng Jue had just said Qiao Yudong was investigating him.

Investigating his connection to the Wen family?

Was Qiao Yudong trying to know his enemy, so he could defeat his rival in love?

He’d forgotten Wen Yanli was married—what did he take Song Mi for?

At this, Wen Yanli’s fingers curled into a tight fist, knuckles protruding.

The car sped onto the main road, neon lights swept past the windows, flickering inside the car. In the back seat, Wen Yanli’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes dark and sharp.

Quickly, he suppressed all his hostility, picked up the phone, and dialed Feng Jue’s number.

…

Hospital, intensive care ward.

Though Qiao Yudong was not in mortal danger, given his excessive blood loss and persistent unconsciousness—not to mention his distinguished status as the eldest son of the Qiao family—Song Mi had Assistant Lin contact the hospital director immediately, who personally arranged for Qiao Yudong to receive the highest level of care in the shortest time possible.

The area around Qiao Yudong’s ward was very quiet, under strict lockdown.

It was already half past ten. Qiao Weiwei, feeling unwell, was sent to rest in the neighboring ward by Song Mi.

Through the observation window, Qiao Weiwei cast one last look at Qiao Yudong, then turned to Song Mi. "Mi’er, I’m so scared. I don’t think my brother has ever been like this before."

"Look at him—just lying there, completely still."

"Is this really the infamous Qiao Da, the terror of the city?"

Qiao Weiwei was deeply troubled.

Blood is thicker than water; familial bonds run deep.

Song Mi could see just how worried Qiao Weiwei was for her brother tonight.

She’d seen it once before—Lin Shen’s sister, Lin Qian, had fainted when Lin Shen was rushed into emergency surgery, collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

But Song Mi merely said, "He’s weak now. When he recovers, he’ll be back to his lively self."

"Mi’er, you…" Qiao Weiwei stared at her for a long moment before speaking. "Are you moved?"