Chapter 559: Jiang Wei’s Trouble, Unshaken Status After Years Away

The Mercedes sped through the night.

Towering buildings and streetlights blurred past on either side. The city’s bustling allure sometimes carried a hidden edge, a subtle threat of being left behind in its relentless pace.

Zhou Can and Jiang Wei chatted casually, bridging the gap between them.

Despite working together for nearly two months, Zhou Can knew little about her.

This conversation shed new light on who she was.

“This is my neighborhood!”

Jiang Wei pointed to an upscale residential area nearby.

Century New City could barely be called high-end. Compared to the three properties Zhou Can owned by Baying Lake, it fell short by at least a tier.

The architecture here mimicked Western castles and manors. Stepping inside felt like entering a world from a developed Western country, which made it especially popular among international students and those enamored with foreign culture.

This drove property prices sky-high, with opening bids starting at over sixteen thousand per square meter.

At its peak, prices soared to twenty-one thousand.

As the hype faded, values dropped. Now, second-hand listings in the area hovered around fifteen thousand.

“Do you want me to walk you in?”

Zhou Can figured a young woman might feel uneasy walking alone at night. Escorting her to her building seemed like the gentlemanly thing to do.

“No need, I’m used to getting home late. Drive safe and I’ll see you tomorrow!”

She waved with a bright smile.

“Go on in first!”

After hearing about her struggles, Zhou Can couldn’t help but admire her grit.

His respect for her grew deeper.

From a modest undergraduate school to securing admission to a top-tier university abroad, her hard work was beyond what most could fathom.

“Okay! Thanks!”

Sensing Zhou Can’s concern, she seemed touched. With a nod, she headed into the neighborhood.

Most upscale areas separated pedestrians and vehicles, but not this one.

She walked straight in through the sidewalk by the guard post. The security guard didn’t question her or even offer a greeting.

It felt like the property security here was just coasting through their shifts.

Once she was inside, Zhou Can reversed his car, turned around, and slowly drove toward the main road.

Barely a moment later, his phone screen lit up and started vibrating.

A call was coming in.

Glancing down, he saw it was Jiang Wei.

Did she forget her keys?

He answered, only to hear rapid footsteps echoing through the line, like someone sprinting down a stairwell.

It sounded as if she was racing downstairs.

“Let’s see where you run!”

“Take the elevator down and block her! Don’t let this wretch escape!”

A vicious male voice snarled through the phone.

From start to finish, Jiang Wei didn’t say a word.

She must have deliberately called Zhou Can, letting him hear the situation so he could call for help.

Saving someone was like putting out a fire. Zhou Can spun the car around and raced back to Century New City’s entrance.

Parking to block the exit, he yanked out the keys, grabbed a wrench, and leapt out of the car.

“Hey, hey, what’s with the parking? You’re blocking the gate! Move it… move it, big guy! I’m just a security guard, please don’t hit me!”

The guard shrank back at the sight of Zhou Can approaching with a wrench as thick as a forearm. He quickly shut the booth door and gripped a riot fork as a weapon.

A single glare from Zhou Can was enough to freeze him in place.

He even started pleading.

Most neighborhood guards were ordinary folks. They might bully weaker residents, but when real trouble struck, they cowered faster than anyone.

For a couple thousand a month, no one expected them to risk their lives for residents.

Besides, due to property management issues, guards often stood against residents.

Collecting fees for utilities or parking often put them at odds, like enemies.

Zhou Can ignored the guard and charged into the neighborhood. He knew Jiang Wei lived in Area B, but had no clue which building or floor.

“Jiang Wei, which building are you in?”

“Can you hear me? Which building?”

There was no reply, only the sound of footsteps and harsh shouts through the phone.

Clearly, after dialing, she couldn’t talk normally.

Her situation made sense. Being chased by at least two male thugs, trying to speak on the phone while running would get her caught in seconds.

She was smart. After calling Zhou Can, she didn’t hold the phone to her ear.

This kept her speed up while letting the thugs lower their guard.

After all, they knew assault was illegal.

If they realized she was calling for help, they’d panic.

“Wretch, where do you think you’re going? Keep running!”

A smug male voice echoed from another direction. It seemed she’d been cornered.

Descending stairs was no match for an elevator’s speed.

Especially in a high-rise building.

“Stay back, or I’ll jump from the ninth floor of Building 3 in Area B!”

She gasped out a warning to the thugs, her voice trembling.

Her fear was palpable, her heart undoubtedly racing with terror.

Any woman facing this kind of threat would be scared out of her wits.

“Pay your debts, it’s only right. We’re just here to collect. Return the money and you’re free.”

“Even if you jump, we’ll track down your family for the debt!”

“Your death would mean as much as a stray cat or dog.”

The men closed in slowly.

Judging by the voices, there were likely three thugs.

Though there could be a silent one among them.

Just as despair gripped Jiang Wei, footsteps echoed from below. Starting from a lower floor, they approached at an incredible speed.

The thugs tensed up, hearing someone coming.

They quickened their pace, eager to grab her before dealing with the newcomer.

These debt-collecting punks often danced on the edge of the law, acting with reckless abandon.

“Boss Dian, it’s just one guy, a man.”

The moment he reported, Zhou Can was already behind him. Without a word, Zhou Can kicked him down the stairwell.

“Ah…”

The thug’s screams mixed with the sound of him tumbling down the stairs.

Against small-time crooks like these, Zhou Can didn’t even need the wrench.

“Touch her and see what happens!”

Zhou Can’s four words carried a chilling menace.

The remaining two thugs watched their buddy get kicked down the stairs, badly hurt. Fear mingled with rage in their eyes.

“Dare to meddle in our business? You looking to die?”

The leader, a middle-aged man, drew a dagger with a murderous glare.

The sight actually made Zhou Can smirk.

Racing up nine floors with a heavy wrench in hand was exhausting. Now, it finally had a purpose.

Shielding Jiang Wei behind him, he held his phone with one hand, snapping pictures of the thugs. The flash lit up the dim stairwell.

The stairwell’s voice-activated lights paled in comparison to the phone’s harsh glare.

“Waste him!”

Seeing Zhou Can capture evidence of their crime, the two thugs grew frantic.

If this got to the cops, they’d all be done for.

They charged at Zhou Can.

In this critical moment, Jiang Wei watched Zhou Can descend like a guardian from the heavens, bravely standing before her. Her heart swelled with emotion, nearly moved to tears.

“Don’t do anything rash, I’ve called the police!”

She was indeed dialing for help.

The thugs gave her no chance, both lunging forward.

The leader was far more skilled than expected.

Clearly, he’d trained a bit.

His dagger struck fast and fierce toward Zhou Can.

It was obvious they didn’t want a murder on their hands. The blade avoided Zhou Can’s vital areas like the heart.

The other thug sneaked in from the side for a surprise attack.

Facing two opponents while protecting Jiang Wei, Zhou Can found himself on the defensive.

Luckily, he had the wrench.

In a split second, he’d already traded several blows with the leader. The thug’s attacks were methodical, his speed startling. Knocking the dagger away with the wrench was near impossible.

As for the sneaking thug, Zhou Can split his focus to guard against him.

He waited for the right moment to deliver a devastating kick.

A trained fighter against common thugs usually had the upper hand.

“Die!”

Seeing Zhou Can’s skill, the sneaking thug kept his distance.

He likely sensed the danger.

Seizing an opening, he hurled his dagger straight at Zhou Can.

“Watch out!”

Jiang Wei’s face went pale, her legs trembling.

A flying knife terrified anyone.

She was just a woman under thirty, raised with higher education. When had she ever witnessed such a brutal knife attack?

Zhou Can had two choices.

Dodge or block.

Dodging meant the thrown dagger might hit Jiang Wei behind him. These combat daggers were heavy with strong penetration. A fatal wound wasn’t out of the question.

As a doctor who saved lives, Zhou Can couldn’t bear to let a vulnerable woman face a deadly threat.

Even if the chance was just ten percent, he wouldn’t risk it.

Almost instinctively, his left hand shot out to block the flying dagger.

Thud!

The dagger sliced into his arm before clattering to the ground.

Blood gushed out instantly.

“Ah…”

Jiang Wei screamed in horror, fear gripping her.

Death felt so close.

Sensing an opportunity, the leader pressed forward, his dagger slashing ruthlessly at Zhou Can’s right arm.

He clearly underestimated Zhou Can’s strength.

Bang!

Clang!

Their weapons clashed fiercely, sparks flying. The leader’s dagger nearly slipped from his grip.

A lightweight dagger against a heavy wrench was at a clear disadvantage.

The other thug, seizing the moment, crept closer to retrieve the fallen dagger.

A mocking smirk tugged at Zhou Can’s lips.

With a swift kick, he sent the man flying.

The blow was heavy, striking the head. The thug didn’t even groan as he crashed onto the stairwell steps, motionless.

Only one thug remained, and Zhou Can felt the pressure ease.

Seeing the tide turn, the leader abandoned his two comrades and bolted.

Zhou Can didn’t give chase.

The man’s agility was decent, and Zhou Can was only slightly stronger. Better not to pursue a cornered foe. With evidence of the crime and two accomplices left behind, it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

“You’re hurt!”

Seeing the thugs driven off, Jiang Wei rushed to check Zhou Can’s injury.

“It should be fine. I’ll head to the hospital for cleaning and bandaging soon.”

Zhou Can sensed the wound on his left arm wasn’t too deep.

His clothes had absorbed some of the impact.

The bleeding hadn’t stopped, likely a cut to an artery.

“Let me bandage it to stop the bleeding first! I’ll go with you to the hospital! Why didn’t you dodge earlier?”

Her lips quivered slightly.

She trembled, still recovering from intense fear, mixed with deep gratitude and concern.

“Call the police first! Leave these two to them.”

Zhou Can didn’t answer her question.

Instead, he pulled out his phone to report the incident.

Jiang Wei carefully inspected his wound, applying a simple bandage to stop the bleeding. Her nursing skills were top-notch. Using a belt from her clothing, she wrapped it around his arm, and the bleeding soon slowed.

With her sharpness, she likely knew why Zhou Can refused to dodge the flying dagger.

The police arrived quickly, apprehending the two thugs and taking them away.

After asking Zhou Can and Jiang Wei a few basic questions, they instructed Jiang Wei to accompany Zhou Can to the hospital for treatment.

The nearest hospital was Xinxiang Hospital.

Xinxiang Hospital was no longer just a specialized maternity and pediatric center. It had evolved into a full-service general hospital.

It had been quietly growing, recruiting talent and building strength.

Unlike the Third Hospital, which relied on gimmicks with little substance, Xinxiang Hospital learned from past failures and was making steady, grounded progress.

Jiang Wei drove Zhou Can’s Mercedes to the hospital.

After years away, Zhou Can noticed Xinxiang Hospital had undergone dramatic changes. Its appearance was refreshed, and even at night, the hospital operated with orderly efficiency.

Nurses bustled at the station.

In the emergency window, a doctor was on duty, attending to urgent cases.

“Hey, Dr. Zhou!”

The doctor at the emergency window recognized Zhou Can instantly.

Years ago, Zhou Can’s performance here had been exceptional. Like a dark horse, he even caught the eye of Director Tian, who personally tried to recruit him.

“Hey there!”

Zhou Can didn’t remember this doctor well, unsure of their name.

He offered a polite smile in return.

“My arm got cut by a knife and it’s still bleeding. Could you help treat the wound?”

Zhou Can briefly explained his injury.

“Of course, I’ll check it right away.”

The attending doctor showed clear respect for Zhou Can, eagerly assisting with the examination and cleaning the wound in the outpatient room.

“It’s just a small artery that’s torn. The bleeding has mostly stopped. Can I suture it for you?”

“Please do!”

Zhou Can nodded.

During the cleaning, he realized the wound was deeper than expected.

Thankfully, no major arteries or tendons were damaged.

“Just to be safe, I’ll give you a tetanus shot.”

A nurse brought over the medication.

Though it had been years since he’d been here, Zhou Can was surprised by the level of respect he still commanded at Xinxiang Hospital.

He also noticed a stark difference in the staff’s work attitude compared to before.

The arrogance, laziness, and slack behavior of the past were gone.

This hospital was truly improving.