Blood Queen

September 7th, 2:00 PM.

Eastern suburbs of X District, C City, at the Second Branch of Army General Hospital.

Underfoot was a gently rolling small hill, with abandoned farmland returning to forest all around. At this moment, Wan Yue stood in front of Xiao Ai in jeans, holding high-powered binoculars.

Through the lens, the nationally famous military hospital looked the same as usual, with ambulances occasionally coming and going, patients strolling in the beautiful gardens accompanied by family members, and male and female medical staff in white coats hurrying back and forth between various buildings.

However, the scenery around the two connected medical buildings was somewhat incongruous. Not only were several SWAT armored vehicles parked inside and outside, but also several armed men and women in black combat uniforms guarding each entrance.

Suddenly, two special figures appeared in the binoculars' field of view.

A man of indeterminate age, his entire body wrapped in bandages and wearing a hospital gown, sat in a wheelchair pushed by a young nurse wearing a mask. When turning toward the central courtyard corridor, the nurse casually touched her shoulder and tapped several times with her fingers.

This was the signal agreed upon between Zhao Peng, Jiang Yan, and Wan Yue, indicating they had successfully learned of old Jiang Chunhua's surgery time: tonight at 10 PM, basically at the end of the golden window.

The reason was simple to understand—for the final bone marrow transplantation, suitable bone marrow resources needed to be matched in the national database, plus multiple pre- and post-operative treatment procedures. Completing surgery within twenty-four hours was already very difficult.

"Sister Wan, Xiao Yan just joined Hyacinth recently. She doesn't believe your words. Being so stubborn and involving Brother Zhao with her..."

Usually steady and quiet Xiao Ai kept her head slightly lowered, looking somewhat nervous, with hints of resentment in her words.

"She won't give up until she hits the Yellow River. She knows this might be a trap, but she can't get past that hurdle in her heart... In her mind, Jiang Chunhua gave her life, and the welfare institute gave her a home. For the value of that life, for the meaning of that home, she's willing to accept the consequences of her gamble. This is her only obsession."

Wan Yue removed the cigarette from her mouth, her expression playful and tone relaxed: "They've already infiltrated. If I'm not mistaken, that disguise won't be very effective. Shadow Arrow won't allow a fruitless return either. We'll just wait for tonight's show..."

"Sister Wan, there are so many Shadow Arrow forces hidden around... Will Brother Zhao and Jiang Yan really be okay this time?"

Besides this, Xiao Ai couldn't find any other suitable words.

In Xiao Ai's impression, the Hyacinth leader before her was almost an omnipotent woman, as if there was nothing in this world that Wan Yue couldn't solve.

But given the current situation, no matter how you looked at it, Zhao Peng and Jiang Yan would have difficulty escaping unscathed, which troubled Xiao Ai greatly.

"Don't speculate wildly. Go back and prepare. Tonight we might need to provide armed assistance to those two. If something unexpected happens... hehe, it might not necessarily be us. This kind of heavyweight operation makes it almost impossible not to attract some people."

After speaking, Wan Yue turned and walked down the small hill.

Xiao Ai still held the binoculars nervously, seemingly still trying to observe Zhao Peng and Jiang Yan's movements, apparently not having absorbed the second half of Wan Yue's statement.

One kilometer away from the military hospital in another direction, a tour bus was parked by the roadside. Several enthusiastic European men and women were touring and photographing the scenery of an ecological sightseeing farm.

"Lord Erwin, according to intelligence, Shadow Arrow's operation time remains unchanged, confirmed for tonight. They're luring two former Shadow Arrow members who escaped from D City several months ago after suffering blood infection. We can basically conclude that Shadow Arrow has confirmed those two are the targets baited by 'Grandmother' before her collapse.

Emma held a digital camera, showing it to the European youth beside her while speaking quietly: "Currently, Shadow Arrow forces standing by around the hospital are roughly estimated at no less than two action squads, possibly more. The mission level should be B-grade.

"However, the internal space of the hospital building is limited. No matter how many troops Shadow Arrow deploys, they can't spread out. Most can only execute blockade missions on the perimeter. When the time comes, at most only an assault company-sized force can actually enter. With Mr. Luca's arrangements, the difficulty shouldn't be great."

After speaking, Emma gestured to Luca not far away as if preparing to take a photo.

"Excellent. Then I'll trouble you two to go in and take a look when the time comes. If those two mice really take the bait, bring them out. Many truths still need to be excavated from them."

Erwin brushed his beautiful blonde hair from his forehead, turned to embrace Emma's waist, and gestured to Luca in the distance, who pressed the camera shutter.

The moment was frozen: the beautiful ecological farm, the cold beautiful female secretary, the sunny and carefree tall youth, forming a pleasing picture.

…

…

Pushing the disguised patient Zhao Peng, Jiang Yan carefully observed the surroundings, her lips beneath the mask slightly bitten by her teeth.

Whether openly or secretly, the two connected medical buildings had been sealed off by Shadow Arrow forces. All medical staff and patients were unable to leave.

The reason given was that the military hospital was conducting regional control to prevent infectious disease spread.

This reason was far-fetched, but for a military hospital, any unreasonable measures seemed acceptable to enforce. After all, they were about to perform secret surgery on a dangerous blood infection victim. If anything went wrong, it had to be contained within the medical building.

So theoretically, before nightfall, Jiang Yan and Zhao Peng could no longer escape.

Along the way, Jiang Yan had already seen many familiar faces—all female members of Xuan Jia Squad's Support Company or Intelligence Company, almost without exception disguised as doctors or nurses, frequently appearing on various floors of the two connected medical buildings.

A small cart marked with blood bank symbols quickly passed by, escorted by two nurses rushing into a surgery-specific elevator. It appeared that surgery requiring massive blood transfusion was being intensively prepared.

This is a trap, an open conspiracy. Sister Wan was right... Perhaps even Grandma Jiang might not actually be blood-infected as I saw with my own eyes, but the entire process was arranged too realistically.

What's wrong with me? Clearly Xia Yan is already dead. He has already left Director Jiang's world. He has already obtained the worldly recognition that most people in this world can't get. What more does he want?

Jiang Yan's expression grew increasingly dim. She felt as if a monster named Xia Yan had appeared inside her body, roaring, crying, cursing, and becoming hysterical with intense unwillingness, madly driving her to resolve the final obsession in her heart.

After several minutes of twists and turns, the two arrived at a certain floor in the middle section of Building B. At Zhao Peng's hint, Jiang Yan pushed the wheelchair past the empty waiting hall, through a corridor, to a secluded elevator area.

Before them was a medical staff elevator surrounded by yellow warning signs, indicating it was currently out of service for maintenance.

This was intelligence Wan Yue had obtained from somewhere. The elevator shaft was currently empty and would become their only escape route in the dead of night.

Returning to the waiting hall, they turned into the department corridor and quietly entered an unoccupied treatment preparation room at the end.

Closing the door, Zhao Peng leaped up, quickly removed all the bandages, took out a prepared bag from the hidden space under the wheelchair, and put on a white coat.

A few minutes later, a male doctor and his demure nurse emerged from the unoccupied treatment preparation room.

Both wore masks, appearing natural and aloof as they directly took the stairs to higher floors, preparing to hide during the remaining time and wait for the final moment of action.

Night fell. In a high-end villa complex in Q District, a special after-dinner leisure activity was underway.

Today was Saturday. Tsurumi Harume, studying abroad at C City University of Science and Technology, was visiting the Zhong family again and had even accepted the elders' invitation to stay overnight.

Dressed in a European-style gown, Tsurumi Harume was touring a rather exaggerated study room accompanied by Zhong Jing.

Everywhere were 2D anime girl posters, with densely packed anime figures, models, and related merchandise filling glass cabinets covering two entire walls.

"This is truly shocking, Jing-kun. I really didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic about Japanese anime culture! May I touch it?"

The elegant and quiet Japanese girl repeatedly exclaimed at what she saw. After receiving permission, she reached out to touch a super-large anime figure.

"Anime culture isn't unique to Japan, at least that's what people in this circle believe, and I like beautiful things."

Zhong Jing smiled as he opened the glass cabinet, took out an Asuna figure, and handed it to Tsurumi Harume with a grin: "For example, I have a particular fondness for blonde anime characters."

"Could real people really not compare to these virtual characters?"

Tsurumi Harume turned and walked toward posters on the other side, her beautiful skirt drawing a lovely arc beneath her, the flower knot at the back of her head swaying along, appearing so youthful and charming.

"I'm quite curious why Miss Tsurumi, being a native Japanese, would be so unfamiliar with your country's 2D culture."

Zhong Jing smiled and followed, his gaze involuntarily glancing toward the study door: "Actually, in the real world, there's a beautiful creature that can resonate with 2D characters—pet cats."

There, a very cute little cat was crouching, a Ragdoll. Gentle and elegant, with blue eyes, a fluffy tail, and the characteristic fur coloring on its face extremely symmetrical and refined—clearly the finest quality.

"Mm, I love cats the most. But when visiting for the first time, I was afraid of causing allergies for uncle and aunt, so I didn't dare bring Kaoru-chan along. However, I later saw many cats and dogs in your backyard, so I boldly brought Kaoru-chan to play today!"

Tsurumi Harume gestured toward the door. The  cat called Kaoru-chan yawned, walked over with elegant steps, and was then embraced by the girl.

Up close, this cat was even more beautiful, with an excellent temperament. But the moment it yawned, Zhong Jing saw the pair of sharp fangs in the cat's mouth with faintly glowing blood-red tips, making his back run cold.

When this cat first stepped into the Zhong family villa, all the household cats and dogs had hidden as if they'd seen a ghost, making Zhong Jing vaguely sense something was wrong.

"Jing-kun, do you like her?"

Tsurumi Harume held the cat up to her face, nuzzling it affectionately, her beautiful eyes smiling into crescents.

"Mm, my mother also loves keeping cats. As long as it doesn't scratch up my things here, I can appreciate it."

Speaking, Zhong Jing pretended to check his watch.

"Oh, it seems quite late. Then I'll go rest. Thank you for sharing your study with me, Jing-kun!"

Tsurumi Harume was very perceptive, immediately understanding Zhong Jing's meaning. With a slight bow, she left gracefully carrying the  cat.

At the study door, the short young man beside Tsurumi Harume also appeared, bowing to the girl while secretly observing Zhong Jing.

Returning to the luxurious bedroom converted from the Zhong family's side hall, Tsurumi Harume lifted her skirt and sat on the bedside, patting with her hands and looking around, quite satisfied.

The  cat was well-behaved, not getting on the bed but jumping onto the dressing table nearby, sticking out its little tongue, stretching legs and claws, arching back and raising its rear, in an alluring pose.

"Miss, the Engel Family people made their move today. They should have intelligence on Shadow Arrow's operation."

The short young man knelt on one knee before Tsurumi Harume, his bearing rigid.

"Mm, I heard. They seem to have lost something important... and they've long been watched by the Wang Family and Shadow Arrow. If the Engel Family wants to find it again, it won't be so easy. The news has been sent to the main family. Just watch the excitement for now and don't get involved."

"Hakuha-kun, starting today, I want to know all of Zhong Jing's movements. He's different from his father. This man is very important to me."

"Hai!" The short young man nodded vigorously again, then withdrew from the room.