As soon as these words were spoken, Song Xiyin's agent seemed a bit embarrassed. "Ms. Yu, it's not that we're not cooperating. It's just that Xiyin's popularity is simply too high. Ever since the news of her hospitalization spread, this hospital has been surrounded three - layers deep by paparazzi and obsessive fans. It's not just difficult for her to go home; even getting discharged is a hassle!"
Yu Nian walked to the window and looked down. Sure enough, dozens of reporters carrying cameras were gathered at the hospital entrance, forming a dense mass. There were even several fans holding Song Xiyin's light boards crouching in the nearby grass.
Moreover, the fans were shouting something in unison. Even though the hospital security guards had tried to stop and drive them away many times, it was of no use. He Zhiping strained to listen and finally realized they were shouting, "Far and wide, Xiyin's the pride..."
The corner of his mouth twitched, and he sighed, "It seems that sometimes, being too popular isn't necessarily a good thing."
Yu Nian thought for a moment, then draped her coat over Song Xiyin. "I've been wearing a mask since I entered the hospital through the main entrance. Although the reporters and your fans saw me, they didn't recognize me as Yu Nian. We can exchange clothes, and you can pretend to be me and walk out."
Song Xiyin was taken aback and hesitated. "What about you?"
"Don't worry. I'll protect Yu Nian." Feng Chengyuan gave a few instructions to Chen Xian and continued, "This hospital has two passageways. One is for patients and their families, and the other is an exclusive passage for medical staff. I'll have Chen Xian coordinate with the doctors and take you out through the medical staff's passage. Let Chen Xian take you home first. Yu Nian and I will follow shortly."
Song Xiyin's gaze shifted back and forth between Feng Chengyuan and Yu Nian. She felt that the two of them were becoming more and more similar in terms of their aura and calmness in the face of changes. Her heart settled a bit. She gave Yu Nian a few more instructions, and under the escort of Chen Xian and her agent, she wrapped Qin Hao, who was still unconscious, tightly and left the ward.
...
At the corner of the hospital's side door, a thin figure that had separated from the crowd was sneaking around.
Two soft buzzing sounds came, and two messages suddenly popped up on his phone: "Jiang Zuo, pay attention. It seems that Song Xiyin is getting discharged. This time, you must be the first to take a clear - face photo of her and release the first - hand information to outdo your peers!"
"Understood!"
Jiang Zuo carefully poked his head out. His bean - sized eyes scanned everything around constantly. As time ticked by, he still hadn't seen Song Xiyin.
Vaguely, it seemed that someone had walked up behind him slowly and asked with a smile, "Busy?"
Jiang Zuo thought the voice sounded familiar. He just assumed it was a reporter from another newspaper and replied impatiently, "Of course. I've been waiting here for so long just for these photos!"
"What if you don't get the photos?"
Jiang Zuo grinned confidently. "Then I'll disguise myself as a delivery guy and sneak into Song Xiyin's ward. Maybe I'll find some explosive scoop!" He paused for a moment and suddenly realized something was wrong. "Hey, wait. Who the hell are you, asking so many questions..."
Before he could turn around, a strong hand grabbed him by the back of his neck.
Yu Nian walked around and looked at him with a smile. "Which newspaper are you from?"
Jiang Zuo was immediately startled. He nervously put away his camera. "Sister Yu Nian, you're here too... I was just joking. I haven't taken any photos yet."
Yu Nian let go of her hand with a half - smile. "Really? So I misjudged you?"
Jiang Zuo nodded aggrievedly and was about to run away when he was blocked by Feng Chengyuan who emerged from another corner of the alley. Feng Chengyuan took out his phone from his pocket with his slender fingers and casually played a recording that contained all of Jiang Zuo's previous words.
Feng Chengyuan looked up at Jiang Zuo. "Breaking into a female patient's ward to take photos secretly will land you in jail. You'd better confess honestly. Otherwise, once this recording is made public, not only your newspaper but the entire journalism circle won't hire you."
Feng Chengyuan's aura was already cold. At this moment, with a straight face and staring intently at Jiang Zuo, he was like an ice sculpture, bone - chillingly cold.
Jiang Zuo shivered, and his voice was on the verge of tears. "I... I'm from Jiayu Newspaper. I won't have any more bad ideas! Mr. Feng, Sister Yu Nian, please forgive me this time!"
Hearing Jiang Zuo call Yu Nian "Sister Yu Nian" so affectionately, Feng Chengyuan raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Why do you call me Mr. Feng but Yu Nian 'Sister'? Are you very familiar with Yu Nian?"
Jiang Zuo scratched his head embarrassedly and took out his phone. The screensaver was actually a photo of Yu Nian.
Feng Chengyuan:......?
Yu Nian was also a bit surprised. "You... shouldn't be my fan, right?"
Jiang Zuo explained, "We journalists often stay up late to write articles. When walking at night, we can't help but feel scared. Later, Meng You told me that using your photo as a wallpaper can ward off evil spirits and ensure safety!"
Yu Nian:........
It was the first time she knew that her photo had the function of warding off evil. Her mood was complex. After a long silence, she gave Jiang Zuo a talisman. "You can change the wallpaper."
Jiang Zuo received it flattered but still strongly recommended his beloved wallpaper. "You know, since I used your photo as a wallpaper, my life has become much smoother!"
Seeing Yu Nian's expression as if she wanted to say something but stopped, Feng Chengyuan turned his head and chuckled.
Yu Nian glanced at Feng Chengyuan and thought that his look of enjoying the show was really... quite annoying!
Watching the backs of the two as they walked away, Jiang Zuo hugged his phone and laughed foolishly. He used to be in the same editorial department as Meng You. Through daily exposure, he once thought that Yu Nian was really a misbehaving artist as the rumors said. However, he didn't expect that she was quite amiable and interesting. On his way home after packing up his equipment, he casually posted a Weibo post on his small account: Ran into Yu Nian and Feng Chengyuan visiting Song Xiyin at the hospital entrance. Received a talisman from the Mistress. So happy!!
As the moon rose, Yu Nian and Feng Chengyuan got rid of a group of reporters and arrived at Song Xiyin's house.
It was a white three - story villa with a simple and grand appearance. The surroundings exuded a steady atmosphere, which was not quite in line with Song Xiyin's lively personality.
Feng Chengyuan knocked on the door three times, but there was no response.
He dialed Chen Xian's phone number, but only muffled sobs came from the other end. Feng Chengyuan and Yu Nian exchanged a look, and they both saw suspicion in each other's eyes.
Just as Feng Chengyuan took a step back and was about to break in, the door creaked softly and slowly opened a narrow slit just wide enough for one person to pass through. Peering inside, it was so dark that it was hard to see clearly.
At the same time, a very faint smell drifted out from inside through the crack in the door. The smell was strange, like the rot of decaying wood or the rust smell caused by something getting damp.
Feng Chengyuan hesitated. "What's this smell?"
"It's incense ash."
Yu Nian lowered her eyes. She remembered that Song Xiyin had said that there were no deities enshrined at home. So where did this strange smell of incense ash come from?