Chapter 262

On the ground, Hua Xin stealthily slipped out through the back door. Walking down the empty corridor, Hua Xin frowned and dialed Xia Yan's number twice. But both times it showed that the phone was switched off. If the messages weren't being replied to, then calling via voice wouldn't be of any use, so Hua Xin simply dialed Xia Yan's cell phone number, but still no reply. What's wrong with this guy?! Is he so busy that he doesn't even have time to reply to a message? Now she finally understood why the female protagonists in domineering CEO novels couldn't stand the male protagonist's cold violence. Hua Xin held up her phone, her face slightly Red Temperature, standing on tiptoe and stretching her arm, trying to get Xia Yan's caller ID by raising the phone. "Ding..." The ringtone had just sounded when she answered without even checking if the number on the screen was Xia Yan's. Because besides him, no one else should know her phone number. "Hello? What's wrong with you today? Why didn't you come..." Hua Xin's anxious tone suddenly stopped. The unfamiliar yet unforgettable voice made her momentarily stunned, unsure whether to put down her phone or hang up. This call. Not Xia Yan. 199. Silent Encounter After hurriedly walking out of the station exit, a slightly lonely and thin figure stood out from the crowd of people carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases. He had nothing on him, and even the phone in his hand was blacked out. The man didn't linger or think much, running straight to a taxi not far away and getting in. The moment the door opened, the driver also stubbed out his cigarette and casually threw it out the window, skillfully shifting gears and starting the car forward, instinctively driving forward. A fare has arrived. "The First Municipal Hospital." Before the words "Where to?" could even be uttered, an undisguised urgency reached the driver's ears. Okay, looks like an impatient guy. The driver silently swallowed those two words, expertly turning at the intersection ahead, only to relax again when he saw the green light with just over ten seconds left. His right hand, off the steering wheel, reached for his thermos to take a sip of warm tea. After all, speeding up meant passing through, waiting meant passing through through, why rush so much? Life, ah, is about slowing down to feel safe, slow and steady, steady and slow, that's how you stay safe and sound for a long time... "Can you hurry up, sir? I'm in a real hurry, I can add a hundred yuan."... The words had barely left his lips when, although the driver couldn't clearly see the young man's expression in the rearview mirror to judge what had happened, upon hearing "fifty yuan," he had already shifted gears and pressed the accelerator, sharply turning the steering wheel and driving off in the last second of the green light. The speed was so fast that a nearby electric scooter was startled, thinking someone had mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. Fortunately, it wasn't rush hour, and there wasn't much traffic. Unless someone was in a hurry, no one would pay extra to save a few minutes of time. The driver sighed inwardly, then focused intently on maintaining the maximum speed limit for the area, a speed that was both within and safe of exceeding the speed limit. As a veteran driver with thirty years of experience, he had never been in an accident. Not to mention, he had driven through every street and alley in the city; there wasn't a road he didn't know. Causing an accident was harder than avoiding one. "Thanks, sir. How much further?" The driver glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing the handsome young man who seemed slightly relieved, but the tension between his brows remained. "Five or six minutes, I guess." "There are two traffic lights; I wonder if I can get through them on time." The driver estimated the time in his mind, then said casually after a slight pause. A master's demeanor was still necessary. A competent taxi driver and a seasoned veteran should maintain the demeanor of a skilled professional. What kind of decorum would that be, with someone loud, boastful, and obsequious for money? "Okay, thank you." The young man in the back seat seemed somewhat silent, but not at all restless, quietly watching the scenery flashing past the window. "No problem." "What's wrong, young man?" the driver casually asked, breaking the somewhat heavy silence. Since there was no music playing in the car, the silence between the two was a little awkward. However, for a seasoned taxi driver, this was nothing new. After all, it's not the number of passengers that's the problem, but the length of time. If you've been in this line of work long enough, you'll see all sorts of people. He was just habitually striking up a conversation. "The elderly at home..." "They're sick." The young man wearily looked away, leaning back in his seat and rubbing his eyes with one hand. His low voice clearly revealed the reason for his troubled silence. Seemingly still harboring pent-up emotions, he didn't say anything more, simply waiting to reach his destination. The experienced driver clearly understood the young man's thoughts, so he didn't utter a word, letting out a slight sigh before focusing even more intently on driving. Normally, an experienced driver like him would be more mindful of traffic rules and reluctant to speed. But different situations call for different approaches. He was confident his skillful driving speed would prevent any mishaps. He steadily overtook other vehicles, maneuvering smoothly. "Thanks, driver, keep the change." Before the car had even come to a complete stop, the young man hurriedly handed over two red bills and ran off. The traffic lights along the way were all coincidentally green; he was incredibly lucky not to encounter even two red lights requiring a two-minute wait. Coupled with his superb driving skills, it was like a taxi deliveryman carrying Sylvester Stallone. The driver, in a good mood, pocketed the two hundred yuan, but inwardly felt a pang of regret that the young man had sped off so quickly. He hadn't even considered making a dishonest profit, but the young man had left before he could even speak. This trip should have cost twenty yuan, so this tenfold increase made him feel a little embarrassed. However, it was a mutually agreeable transaction, and he hoped the young man's elderly relative would be healthy and safe. The driver silently offered this blessing, then reached for his teacup to take a sip of warm tea... "Bang!" A not-too-loud sound accompanied the slightly forward movement of the vehicle, and the teacup spilled from his hand. The driver's smile froze, and his legs became soaked. Turning his head, he saw in the rearview mirror a scooter that had inexplicably collided with him, shattering his myth of zero accidents. ———————————————— "How is Grandpa?" A series of hurried footsteps and panting breaths came from behind. The man, his voice urgent and cold, questioned the middle-aged man in front of him, causing the man sitting on the chair in the corridor to look up abruptly. His eyes seemed slightly dazed, but he quickly concealed it and said softly, "Still in surgery." After a slight pause, he...