"Brother Ming, where are we heading now?"
With everything wrapped up and everyone gone, only Gao Xiang and Su Ming remained at the entrance of the Wan Hao Hotel. Both had been in the city earlier; Su Ming was at work, and Gao Xiang was learning barbecue techniques.
However, Su Ming had planned to switch jobs after his wedding and had already resigned. Gao Xiang, having mastered his skills, was preparing to start his own business. Thus, both were currently unemployed.
"Let's go! Let's grab some barbecue. I didn't eat enough earlier, I was too busy toasting!"
"Alright, but Brother Ming, we've both been drinking. What about the car?"
"Just leave it here. We can come back for it tomorrow. It's not like it can fly!"
"But Brother Ming, what about the cash...?"
"What's there to be afraid of? No one knows it's in the car. Besides, the banks are closed now. Do you think we should carry it with us while we eat? That would be even more dangerous!"
"You're right. Alright, let's go!"
They hailed a cab and headed straight to the most famous barbecue street in Jiangzhou. They found a random stall, sat down, and started eating skewers and chugging beer.
But less than half an hour later, Gao Xiang's face changed.
"What's wrong? Drink up!"
Su Ming held a bottle of beer, looking annoyed at the frozen Gao Xiang.
"Brother Ming, something's wrong! I've got a fish bone stuck in my throat!"
"What? Quick, eat something and see if you can push it down!"
Su Ming panicked.
"It's no use. I've already eaten a lot, and it's still stuck. What do I do, Brother Ming?" Gao Xiang grimaced, feeling a burning sensation in his throat.
"Shit! What else can we do? Let's go to the hospital!"
Su Ming paid the bill, called a cab, and they rushed to Jiangzhou People's Hospital.
Soon, they arrived at the hospital, and after some fuss, the fish bone was removed.
"Hehe... It's all good now, Brother Ming. Let's go eat some more!"
"Forget it, let's just go to sleep!"
As they prepared to leave, they were unaware that Li Na's parents and Li Chao were arguing on their way out.
"You beast! She's your sister! How could you do this to her!" Li Na's father, filled with anger, slapped Li Chao across the face.
"Why did you hit me? You ask how I could do this? What about her? She said she loved me the most, but she ruined my dowry. And look, these scratches on my face and body, they're all from her!"
Li Chao lifted his shirt, revealing shocking bloodstains all over his body.
"So what if she scratched you a bit? You're a man, can't you take it? Besides, you started it. Do you think we're blind?"
Li Na's mother also shouted at Li Chao.
After Su Ming and the others left, Li Na and Li Chao had a fight. Their parents couldn't stop them. The fight became intense, and Li Chao picked up a sharp stone, hitting Li Na's face. The impact was so severe that her face was badly cut, with a deep gash from her left forehead to her right chin.
The family stopped fighting and rushed Li Na to the hospital. After initial treatment, her condition stabilized, but the doctor said it would cost at least 500,000 RMB to fully recover without scars.
Now, the family was arguing in the hospital over the 500,000 RMB.
"You beast! Your sister is in this state, and you still won't repent. 500,000 RMB for treatment, what do you plan to do?"
Li Na's father, red-eyed, roared.
"I don't care. It's all her fault. I'm telling you, you can't touch the 500,000 RMB for my marriage. If worst comes to worst, don't treat her!"
Li Chao truly had a heart of stone.
Hearing this, Li Na's parents were almost driven to despair.
"Bastard, bastard!"
Li Na's father pounded his chest, regretting ever raising such a monster.
"Honey, maybe... we should ask Nana to call Su Ming. He might help with the money. He was angry today, but he still loves Nana."
"Let's... ask Nana."
Li Na's father hesitated but nodded.
"Oh? Call me? For what? To pay the money? What money?"
Just as they were about to enter the ward, Su Ming and Gao Xiang passed by. Hearing his name and the request for money, Su Ming was stunned.
This is too shameless, he thought. Even now, they want to take advantage of me.
"Su Ming! You're in the hospital? Did you hear about Nana? I knew you still love her!"
Li Na's mother was suddenly delighted.
*Click!*
The ward door opened, and Li Na, her face wrapped in bandages, rushed out.
"Su Ming, it really is you. Thank you, thank you!"
As Li Na moved towards him, Su Ming blocked her.
"Wait, what are you doing? Stop! I'm not here to see you. What happened to you?"
If it weren't for the familiar voice, Su Ming wouldn't have recognized her.
"Sigh... Su Ming, you don't know. It's all because of that beast!"
Li Na's father sighed and began to explain.
After hearing the story, Su Ming and Gao Xiang were speechless. They turned to Li Chao, impressed by his audacity.
"Su Ming, you know the situation. 500,000 RMB, and the doctor guarantees my face will be restored, no scars at all!"
"Su Ming, I was wrong today. Help me, and we'll get married. I won't ask for a dowry. I'll do anything you say, please, please!"
Li Na grabbed Su Ming, her exposed eye full of pleading.
Su Ming looked at her skeptically.
Do you think I'm a fool? Pay for your treatment and marry you again? So you can demand more dowry on our wedding day?
Screw that!
*Ding! Choice activated!*
*Option 1: Overlook the past and pay for Li Na's treatment. Reward: Good Person Card.*
*Option 2: Refuse to pay and demand the immediate return of the dowry. Reward: Soldier's Body, Soldier's Skills.*
*I choose option 2!*
In his mind, Su Ming made his choice. Instantly, a flood of memories and unique skills imprinted in his brain. A newfound strength surged through his body, like a dormant beast ready to unleash deadly power.