As for Liu Zhizhong, he had regained his strength quite well by the afternoon of the second day, and he no longer needed an IV drip.

The freakishness of his physique even shocked the bedside nurse.

He replied to Zhang Qixiang's message, telling her to check out the trending searches and not to worry about him, nor come to the hospital to see him, lest their illicit affair be exposed.

After receiving the message, Zhang Qixiang immediately checked the trending topics and was completely astonished.

Truth be told, she saw some videos at the scene that favored Liu Zhizhong, some taken by car owners, but most had been censored, leaving only a few for the news. Zhang Qixiang was quite worried and scared after seeing them, but she didn't expect Liu Zhizhong to be so lucky that he was already safe and sound.

She still admired Liu Zhizhong quite a bit and even replied, "Liu Zhizhong, you rotten scoundrel, I've really gained a new respect for you! Among those in office, you're truly one of the few positive forces, fearless and brave. Even fate seems to be on your side. I'll leave you be to recover and won't come to visit you. Rest up and come back soon; your political future should still be ahead of you."

Liu Zhizhong replied, "I certainly want to come back soon. I can give up anything for my political career, but I can't give up Sister Qixiang."

"You dog, still so flirty while lying in a hospital bed?"

"Heh heh... I just hurt the head up top, the lower one's still intact!"

"Get lost, lost, lost..."

"..."

As for Zhao Han, Liu Zhizhong had already told her in advance that Zhang Hongyang was going back to Yangzhou and that she should not accompany him home or share a bed with him; she should claim to have contracted COVID.

Zhao Han also asked what she should do in the future? This COVID excuse could only last for so long! Liu Zhizhong told her not to worry; they would talk about it after some time, and he would think of a solution.

After lunchtime on the third day following the incident, while Liu Zhizhong was still napping, Zhang Hongyang and the others arrived.

The Lu Family Sisters, Zhang Hongyang, and Zhao Yan came into the luxurious private room with fresh flowers, fruit, and high-end post-injury recovery supplements, very pleased with the medical and recuperation conditions here.

Upon seeing this, Liu Zhizhong woke from his dream and still flashed an innocuously gentle smile upon seeing everyone.

"Hehe, ah, mom, auntie, Brother Hongyang, wife, you all didn't need to go to such trouble. I'm fine...," he said, attempting to sit up.

Lu Yuqing actually spoke up first, "Hey, Zhizhong, lie down, rest up. You don't need to get up. Healing is what's most important."

Liu Zhizhong had no choice but to stay lying down, which was quite comfortable. The hospital bed here was really damn nice since it was a super VIP private room where top leaders from the city and province stayed for hospital visits; indeed, it was an elite-level indulgence.

Lu Yumei sat down and seemed genuinely concerned, asking this and that, which was a normal behavior.

Zhao Yan sat in silence next to her mother, wholly uninterested. She had given up on Liu Zhizhong and lost all interest and thoughts about him, and thus was indifferent to her husband's condition.

As soon as Liu Zhizhong was healed and back in Yangzhou, she was going to take the divorce agreement to the Civil Affairs Bureau with him. It was only a matter of time, and sooner was better than later.

Lu Yuqing sat next to her elder sister, throwing caring remarks now and then, behaving normally.

Zhang Hongyang, this brother-in-law, was all about false pretenses, lavishly praising Liu Zhizhong's bravery, saying he was the pride of Yangzhou's officials. "For Brother Zhizhong, the future is surely bright!"

Liu Zhizhong knew this guy was insincere, so he said, "Brother Hongyang, I'm a bit thirsty, could you peel an apple for me?"

"Uh..." Zhang Hongyang paused, his expression revealing his annoyance.

The hell, why should I peel an apple for you?

Liu Zhizhong quickly followed up, "Brother Hongyang, look, mom can't do it, auntie can't do it, they're my elders. As for my wife, heh, we've exhausted all marital affection, no need for her to do it. Ah, who else but my Brother Hongyang? Plus, if you peel a couple more, we all can eat together, isn't that better?"

The Lu Family Sisters caught wind of this and couldn't help but want to laugh, especially Lu Yuqing, who felt like Liu Zhizhong was putting Zhang Hongyang in his place, and he was doing it quite reasonably at that.

Zhao Yan gave Liu Zhizhong a cold look, seemingly saying, it's right, I won't be peeling an apple for you.

Zhang Hongyang had no choice but to peel the apple, unable to swallow his pride. He was boiling with anger, and his face revealed it as he peeled the apple in front of everyone, his stomach filled with fury.

Fuck it, I've never peeled an apple for anyone in my life. When I want to eat an apple, it's Zhao Han who peels it for me, damn!

Zhang Hongyang was so annoyed that, while peeling and cutting the apple, he accidentally cut his left middle finger. Blood started flowing, and he was both in pain and angry, dropping the knife to the floor and glaring at Liu Zhizhong he cursed, "Liu Zhizhong, you bastard, this is all your fault!"

"Brother Hongyang, you've got to calm down. You're too impatient, I didn't see this coming. Quick, go bandage that up. Tsk-tsk-tsk, that's a lot of blood. Look at you, nearly chopped your hand off," said Liu Zhizhong with a smug satisfaction. Fuck, who could have imagined this turn of events?

"You..." Zhang Hongyang was so frustrated he was flaring his nostrils, clutching his hand and rushing out to get it looked at and wrapped up in the emergency department.

The Lu Family Sisters saw this and really didn't feel like commenting on the situation. Zhang Hongyang's psychological resilience was lacking, wounded by Liu Zhizhong subconsciously once more.

Zhao Yan gave Liu Zhizhong another look and said, "There you go, blood has been shed, still want to eat that apple?"

Liu Zhizhong nodded, "Of course, why wouldn't I? I want to eat, and you all should too… so, nurse, could you peel one for us?"