The Road Home

The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the sunlight struggled to penetrate the clouds, gilding the city with a thin, desolate golden edge.

Ankang Hospital, a well-decorated private hospital, did not see the bustling crowds that usually throng public tertiary hospitals in the early morning.

Occasionally, a few medical staff in white coats would hurry in and out, or a few family members with worried expressions would add a touch of life to the silence.

In the midst of this somewhat desolate tranquility, an extremely abrupt and violent engine roar and sharp braking sound shattered the peace of the morning like a razor-sharp blade!

"Squeak--" "Squeak--!"

A series of sharp, heavy braking sounds rang out as seven or eight massive, all-black Hummer SUVs, resembling steel beasts, came to a sudden, almost brutal halt, neatly blocking the not-so-spacious entrance to Ankang Hospital. The tires even left several clear tire tracks on the ground.

The car doors were flung open almost simultaneously.

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

The dull thuds of doors opening and closing filled the air.

The next moment, a group of men in black emerged from the bellies of these steel beasts. There were at least thirty or forty of them! They were all dressed in tight black T-shirts or jackets, which accentuated their bulging muscles. Most of their bare arms were covered with tattoos. Their faces were cold and hard, their eyes fierce, and they exuded a fierce aura that kept strangers at bay. They silently got out of the car and quickly gathered together, like a dark cloud that suddenly descended, instantly blocking out most of the light at the hospital entrance.

This horrifying scene instantly stunned several passersby, who hurriedly walked around it and stood watching from a distance. Several medical staff who had just arrived for work also froze on the spot, their faces filled with fear and helplessness.

The Monkey, who had been waiting at the hospital entrance all night with sunken eyes, felt his heart skip a beat when he saw this scene. Then, when he saw the person getting out of the passenger seat of the Hummer in the middle, his eyes instantly lit up with anticipation!

That man was none other than Li Jun!

He was still wearing his signature black leather jacket, sporting a buzz cut, with a thick neck, and the prominent lines on his face and the menacing Scar his face were particularly clear in the morning light. He simply stood there, like a pillar of strength, or a drawn blade, blending seamlessly with the group of fierce-looking men in black behind him.

The Monkey quickly took a few steps, almost running, to meet Li Jun. Reaching Li Jun, he looked at the dozens of burly men exuding a dangerous aura around him, subconsciously swallowed, and asked in a trembling, uncertain voice:

"Brother Li... Brother Li, what... what is this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jun turned his head, a smile appearing on his face. However, this smile did not ease the atmosphere; instead, it made him appear even more ferocious and terrifying because of the twisted Scar on his face. He raised his hand and forcefully patted Monkey's thin shoulder, causing him to stumble. His voice was loud and clear, carrying an undeniable domineering air:

"Didn't I tell you?" He glanced around at his men, his gaze finally settling on the white hospital building, his tone resolute, "I'm here today for only one purpose—"

"Pick Xiaoya up and take her home!"

After saying that, he ignored the Monkey's reaction and gestured to one of his henchmen beside him.

The henchman understood immediately, turned around and ran to the trunk of a Hummer. He opened it with a "bang," deftly took out a brand-new, foldable wheelchair, and quickly unfolded it with a few "clicks," pushing it next to Li Jun.

Li Jun didn't even glance at the wheelchair; he simply waved his hand and squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth:

"Walk!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already taken long strides, leading the way, and walked towards the brightly lit entrance of Ankang Hospital.

Behind him, the thirty or forty burly men in black moved silently and swiftly, like a pack of wolves on command, following closely behind with their uniform and imposing steps.

The heavy footsteps converged, striking the ground with a muffled "thump-thump," like the beating of war drums, heading straight for the enemy's stronghold.

The Monkey watched this scene unfold, which resembled something out of a gangster movie. His heart pounded, and his blood inexplicably began to boil. He gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and trotted to the side or rear of the group.

The group, like a black tide, instantly surged into the exquisitely decorated lobby of Ankang Hospital, which at this moment seemed exceptionally empty and fragile.

The two uniformed security guards at the entrance, clearly never having seen anything like this before, paused for a moment before reacting, then steeling themselves to step forward and ask, "You... what are you doing here?..."

Before he could finish speaking, four henchmen immediately sprang out from behind Li Jun. Working in pairs, they used their strong bodies to separate the two security guards like an iron wall, firmly "fixing" them in place. No matter how much the guards struggled and shouted, they couldn't move and could only watch helplessly as these ruthless men stormed in.

"It's... it's over there! The ICU is over there!" The Monkey hurriedly led the way, his voice trembling with excitement and nervousness.

Led by Monkey, this silent and massive black-clad team, with a clear goal and resounding strides, headed straight for the ICU ward deep within the inpatient department. Their passage seemed to stir up a chilling whirlwind. A few Patient and their families scattered along the corridors cowered against the walls, barely daring to breathe. Occasionally, medical staff would attempt to approach to inquire or stop them.

Who are you people?

"You can't go in here!"

"Stop right there! I'm calling the police if you don't stop!"

However, their voices were like pebbles thrown into the ocean, failing to even create a ripple. Anyone who tried to approach or obstruct them was unceremoniously blocked by Li Jun's henchmen, their tough stance and cold eyes enough to freeze any doubt or courage in an instant.

The journey was smooth and unimpeded, like a sharp blade cutting through butter.

Soon, the team arrived at the heavy isolation door of the ICU ward area.

Inside the nurses' station at the entrance, a young nurse on duty had already turned pale from the commotion outside. When she saw the large group of people rushing towards the entrance, she was so startled that she stood up from her seat, completely at a loss.

Li Jun stopped and gestured to a younger brother beside him who had a slightly youthful face but equally fierce eyes.

The young man immediately understood, took a few steps to the nurses' station, and under the horrified gaze of the young nurse, suddenly raised his fist and slammed it hard onto the smooth, hard countertop!

"Bang!"

A loud bang shook the pen holder and documents on the table, causing them to jump.

The younger brother leaned down, his face almost touching the trembling nurse's, his eyes fierce, his voice forced out through clenched teeth, carrying an undeniable command:

"Key! Open the door!"

The nurse trembled with fear, tears welling in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Who... who are you people? What... what do you want?"

The henchman glared, about to yell again, when a thick arm blocked his way.

It's Li Jun.

He stepped forward, forcing what he considered a "peaceful" smile, though it looked particularly awkward and even more frightening against his fierce face. He addressed the terrified nurse in a deliberately gentle yet undeniably menacing tone:

"Hello, don't be nervous."

He pointed to the Monkey and the empty wheelchair behind him, trying to make his words sound more believable:

"We are the Patient's family members, the family of Hou Xiaoya in bed 18."

His gaze swept over the tightly closed ICU door, and he continued in a "calm" tone:

"Now, we want to arrange for the Patient to be transferred to another hospital."

"Excuse me, could you please open the door?"