Early in the morning, Lin Mo arrived at the hospital.
Chu Miaomiao was lying asleep in the hospital bed, while Chu Lintian had already gone for her check-up.
As Chu Miaomiao slowly opened her eyes, she saw Lin Mo sitting beside her.
"You're awake? Have some congee. Sister Chu went for her medical exam."
Chu Miaomiao lowered her head and took the bowl of congee Lin Mo handed her.
By now, the congee had cooled to a warm temperature.
At that moment, Chu Miaomiao suddenly spoke up. "Why do you call Mom 'Sister Chu'?"
Lin Mo was momentarily taken aback but answered, "Xie Yuling called your mom 'Sister Chu' before, and it made her really happy. So I just went with it."
Chu Miaomiao looked at Lin Mo seriously. "Calling her that makes her happy?"
"Yeah, didn’t you see how pleased she was last time?"
Chu Miaomiao nodded and went back to eating her congee.
The congee had originally been bought by Lin Mo for Chu Lintian, but he only found out upon arriving that medical exams required fasting.
So, Lin Mo ate the portion meant for Chu Miaomiao and left Chu Lintian’s portion for her.
Hmm… something about this felt a little off.
The morning passed quickly, and the main examinations were soon over.
Chu Lintian returned in her hospital gown, which looked bulky on her due to her status as a G-rank powerhouse.
Seeing Chu Lintian, Chu Miaomiao raised her hand.
"Oi, you’re back, Sister Chu."
Lin Mo turned his head sharply toward Chu Miaomiao.
You’ve got some nerve?
Chu Lintian immediately walked over and delivered a classic "Misae-style" knuckle rub to Chu Miaomiao’s temples—a move often used by Misae on Shin-chan.
"You little brat, what are you calling me? No respect for your elders, huh?"
Lin Mo simply turned his head away.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Several police officers in uniform stood at the entrance.
"Hello, are you Ms. Chu Lintian?"
Chu Lintian stopped her assault and nodded.
"We’d like to take your statement. Would you mind if the two of you stepped outside for a moment?"
The officer spoke politely, so Lin Mo naturally took Chu Miaomiao’s hand and stood up.
"We’ll wait outside, then."
Chu Lintian’s room was private, so once the door closed, the officers began their questioning.
"Let me introduce myself. I’m Captain Kang of the city’s criminal investigation unit. Ms. Chu, have you encountered any threats recently?"
Chu Lintian immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Captain Kang, are you saying last night’s car accident wasn’t an accident?"
Kang Qizhong nodded. "The driver who hit you was a hired assassin. We arrested him early this morning, and he confessed to being paid for the hit."
Chu Lintian responded calmly.
"So, you think someone with a grudge against me hired a killer?"
The word "grudge" sounded a bit harsh, but Kang Qizhong didn’t correct her.
"That’s a possibility. Whoever hired a professional assassin must have considerable wealth."
Hiring assassins was a rich person’s game.
Those without money would do the job themselves.
According to the assassin’s confession, the bounty on Chu Lintian’s life was 1.2 million.
It might not sound like much, but it was a hefty sum just to kill one person.
Chu Lintian lowered her head in thought before shaking it.
"I don’t know. The company I run now was inherited from my brother and sister-in-law. I don’t think I’ve made any enemies at work, and my personal life is simple."
Kang Qizhong studied Chu Lintian’s expression carefully. Sensing no deception, he decided to wrap things up for now.
"Ms. Chu, if you remember anything or encounter any trouble, please call us immediately."
He handed her his business card.
Chu Lintian accepted it with thanks and saw them out.
Though Lin Mo was outside, he heard everything clearly.
Chu Miaomiao, however, seemed oblivious.
It felt like Chu Lintian was constantly surrounded by dark, chaotic affairs.
Chu Miaomiao, meanwhile, happened to be in the eye of the storm—seemingly calm and safe.
But that was probably an illusion.
Considering the deaths of Chu Miaomiao’s parents and Chu Lintian taking over their shares, Lin Mo decided to activate one of his hidden moves.
But for now, he’d focus on helping Chu Lintian leave the hospital.
---
Back at home, Chu Lintian watched as Chu Miaomiao packed her things and sighed.
"Miaomiao."
"Hmm?" Chu Miaomiao looked up from her packing.
After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Lintian waved her hand.
"Never mind. Keep going."
"Okay~" Chu Miaomiao resumed her task.
Chu Lintian was still conflicted but ultimately decided to wait until Chu Miaomiao started university before telling her the truth.
For now…
"Miaomiao, remember this—if I’m ever not around, you must listen to Lin Mo, understand?"
Chu Miaomiao blinked in confusion.
"Why wouldn’t you be around?"
"I might go on a long trip or have business engagements. I’d just be asking Lin Mo to look after you."
"Mm, got it."
Chu Miaomiao had been about to say she wasn’t a child anymore, but then she remembered her fear of the dark.
Besides, having Lin Mo take care of her wasn’t a bad thing.
She knew some things—but she also knew the police wouldn’t find anything and might even alert the enemy. So she stayed silent.
Her fingers brushed against the protective charm in her pocket.
With this, she might actually uncover some clues.
If Lin Mo knew Chu Lintian was using the charm as a second life, he’d probably give her thunder talismans too—at least then she’d have both offense and defense.
---
With the charm in place, Lin Mo wasn’t worried.
He had also added a spiritual imprint to it. His previous oversight—not realizing when the charm activated—was unacceptable.
That wasn’t the level of preparation Lin Mo demanded of himself.
So, he imprinted all protective charms with his spiritual sense.
Not because he lacked the power, but because his focus was spread too thin.
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was strong—but not strong enough to protect everyone he cared about.
He either had to grow stronger or make them safer.
"Here, take this."
Lin Mo handed two protective charms to Xie Yuling.
"What’s this?"
"Protective charms. They’re very effective. Keep one for yourself and give the other to Auntie Zheng. Wear them at all times."
Xie Yuling took them and carefully tucked them into her pocket.
After a pause, Lin Mo added, "They really work."
"I believe you. You always manage to escape danger."
She probably assumed Lin Mo had one too and had gone to get charms for them over the weekend.
Then, Xie Yuling suddenly asked, "So… does Jiang Yunlu have one too?"
Lin Mo froze. This was the first time Xie Yuling had ever mentioned Jiang Yunlu.
The two of them had never been close, even though they’d met countless times and interacted up close more than once.
Yet here she was, bringing it up.
"N-no… not yet."
At least, not for now.
Jiang Yunlu was chauffeured everywhere, and Lin Mo remembered her giving the valedictorian speech at graduation.
So, she was probably safe—at least until she graduated.