A flash of shock crossed Li Qiao’s eyes!
The Li family had rushed to the hospital—everyone except Grandpa, who hadn’t been notified.
“How could this happen out of nowhere? How did he get stabbed?” Liu Yus’s eyes were red, and Li Qiao gently comforted her.
At the hospital, Li Qiao ran into an old acquaintance—Ding Xiaozhou.
“Master… You…”
“This is my third brother. What’s the situation now?” Li Qiao asked.
Ding Xiaozhou’s expression was complicated. These days, it seemed most of his cases were somehow connected to Li Qiao.
“We’ve already caught the culprit. He’s your third brother’s anti-fan. Tell your brother to be more careful about his schedule and security from now on.”
After explaining, Ding Xiaozhou left the hospital with his team.
An anti-fan of Third Brother? That was unexpected.
Inside the hospital room, Li Shaoxing looked unusually pale, his brows carrying a trace of sickness. Yet when he smiled, his entire demeanor brightened.
Just as Li Qiao entered, she caught sight of that radiant smile.
“Qiaoqiao… So you’re Qiaoqiao. You’ve had it rough all these years away from home. From now on, if you need anything, just tell Third Brother—I’ll buy it for you.”
“Thank you, Third Brother.”
Li Qiao studied Li Shaoxing with quiet amusement. Even injured, he wore a warm, effortless smile.
After chatting with their parents, Li Shaoxing shooed them home. In the end, only Li Shaoyang and Li Qiao stayed behind, while Li Shaojing went to the police station.
Hospital Room
“Third Bro, how’d you end up in such a sorry state?” Li Shaoyang shot a disdainful glance at the wounded Li Shaoxing.
With a sigh, Li Shaoxing replied, “Anti-fans think I’ve lost my touch.”
“Quit this gig. Come work with me—I’ll make sure you’re rolling in cash.”
Li Shaoxing chuckled. “Second Bro, are you trying to drain my savings?”
“How heartless! Do I look like that kind of person?”
“You are.”
Li Shaoxing’s firm reply left Li Shaoyang at a loss for words.
“I’ll pay you back what I owe. Just you watch—your Second Bro’s luck is turning around. Good days are coming.”
No more “Investment Jinx” nickname—it was time to shed that cursed label. Li Shaoyang brimmed with confidence.
Li Shaoxing merely smirked, clearly unconvinced.
Now, about that anti-fan—what should be done?
Whether to press charges was entirely up to Li Shaoxing.
“Sue him into the ground. I want a massive compensation payout. Whether he can afford it is irrelevant—I want him buried in debt.”
He wouldn’t kill the guy, but he’d make sure he wished he were dead.
Li Qiao, who had just stepped in, silently revised her earlier assessment. Gentle? More like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Third Brother Li Shaoxing was a famous esports superstar in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). With his god-tier skills and striking looks, he had amassed a legion of fans—male and female in equal measure.
A year ago, during the Bright Cup tournament, Li Shaoxing injured his hand, costing his team the championship. They had been one of the top favorites to win.
The loss triggered a backlash. Some fans turned against him, accusing him of deliberately injuring himself to avoid responsibility.
The rumors spiraled, and life hadn’t been easy for Li Shaoxing since. His anti-fan base could fill two elementary schools.
This attack was likely the result of long-term stalking.
When Li Shaoxing spotted Li Qiao, his eyes lit up.
“Qiaoqiao…”
“Third Brother, are you feeling any discomfort?”
“Just the wound in my abdomen. Everything else is fine.”
Li Qiao shot him a no kidding look.
Li Shaoxing’s grin widened, his gaze brimming with curiosity.
He’d been in closed training recently, with all phones confiscated. The moment he got his phone back, he was bombarded with family messages—most about Li Qiao.
From their eldest and second brother, he’d learned she practiced metaphysics.
She could even catch ghosts!
This little sister had completely captured his interest.
Li Shaoxing had endless questions, and Li Qiao’s mood shifted dramatically under his relentless interrogation.
“Third Bro, rest up. It’s late—Qiaoqiao needs to go home and sleep. I’ll stay with you.”
With that, Li Qiao was ushered out.
“Qiaoqiao, come see me tomorrow!” Li Shaoxing’s eager voice followed her.
Third Brother isn’t at all what I imagined.
Back home, Li Shaojing was just taking off his coat when she arrived.
“Qiaoqiao, how’s Shaoxing?”
“He’s injured, but in good spirits.”
She chose her words carefully.
Li Shaojing chuckled. “That’s just like him. Even as a kid, no matter how badly he got hurt, he’d always laugh it off. Seems like a gentle soul, doesn’t he?”
Li Qiao nodded.
Li Shaojing shook his head. “Don’t be fooled. Behind that smile, he’s ruthless.”
Looks like I’ll need to reassess this Third Brother.
Returning to her room, Li Qiao drifted off to sleep.
…
The Next Day
Li Qiao accompanied Liu Yusi back to the hospital.
“Third Bro, can’t you put down that game while you’re injured?”
Liu Yusi made a grab for Li Shaoxing’s phone.
“Mom—this isn’t just a game, it’s my life! Also… I’m live-streaming right now.”
“You little brat! Trying to trick me again? Hand over that phone until you’re healed!”
“Qiaoqiao… Help your Third Bro out here.” Li Shaoxing turned to Li Qiao with an innocent smile.
Li Qiao shrugged playfully. “Sorry, Third Bro. As much as I sympathize, Mom’s right. You’re a patient—you should rest.”
Defeated, Li Shaoxing’s handsome face fell.
But then—
“Mom, I am live-streaming. The camera’s pointed at your profile right now.”
Liu Yusi hesitated, then gasped when she saw her reflection on screen. She shoved the phone back at him.
“You—why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m not even wearing makeup today!”
“…”
Li Shaoxing felt deeply wronged.
The chat exploded with laughter:
[Is that really Xing-ge’s mom? So pretty and young! No wonder he’s so handsome.]
[Mother-in-law, notice me!]
[Pick me—I have wide hips!]
[Wait, focus, people! Why is Xing-ge injured?]
[That glimpse of the room… Is this a hospital?]
[Xing-ge, are you okay?]
[Trash got what he deserved. Serves him right.]
[Mods, ban that troll! Get out! (╯°□°)╯]
[But seriously, who was that girl’s voice? Since when does Xing-ge have a sister?]
Li Shaoxing saw the comments but ended the stream.
Meanwhile, Li Qiao stared at him, momentarily stunned.
