Me! A high-ranking official!

Zhao Jianguo instantly snapped out of his earlier gloom. His mind raced, and he immediately stood up. Without the slightest resistance, he took two steps forward, lowering his posture to the lowest level, and bowed repeatedly with a beaming smile and apologetic expression: "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Brother, and the two police officers, I'm really sorry to have troubled you!"

He pointed to the person on the hospital bed and explained sincerely, "Officers, it's like this. My girlfriend suddenly suffered a severe anaphylactic shock while eating out. She was on the verge of death; it was a matter of life and death! I was in a hurry to get her to the hospital, but I couldn't flag down a taxi on the street. In desperation, I had no choice but to stop this guy's car. I did smash the window, but I promised to pay him 10,000 yuan for the repairs!"

"When we got to the ER, the doctor immediately issued a critical condition notice. I was so focused on helping the doctor save him that my mind was a complete mess. I didn't even think to transfer the money right away. I was just wondering how to contact this guy when I realized you'd called the police! I'm so sorry, I'll transfer the money to you right now!"

After hearing this reasonable explanation, the two police officers turned to look at the hospital bed again.

The instant the door was pushed open, Zhou Qingyan reacted swiftly, pulling up the white blanket to cover his face and head completely, not even a single hair showing. What a joke! The dignified Party Secretary of Linshui County, in the middle of the night, in the city hospital because of something like this? If the city's grassroots police officers recognized him, the entire Linshui County officialdom would be in turmoil tomorrow!

Seeing this, Zhao Jianguo naturally blocked the police's view and said with a forced smile, "Officers, you see, I'm not lying at all. My girlfriend was just wheeled out of the emergency room, she's survived. What I did just now was a helpless act forced by circumstances, causing this guy fright and loss. I'm willing to compensate her for whatever amount it costs! My girlfriend is still lying here, and there are no other family members with her. I really can't leave and can't go to the station with you."

The two police officers exchanged a glance and looked at the nurses' station outside. In fact, they had already verified the situation with the emergency department before responding to the call. There was indeed a female patient who was brought in with anaphylactic shock and was on the verge of death. Since the incident was for the purpose of saving a life and she was so cooperative, the nature of the case was completely different.

One of the older police officers turned to the burly driver, his tone softening: "We understand the situation. He was indeed in an emergency and needed to save his life; it was an act of self-defense, not an attempt to cause trouble. You see, since he's willing to offer compensation and his attitude is quite good, why don't you two settle this privately?"

The burly driver, neck stiff, muttered, "So, you think you can smash my car just because you're trying to avoid a collision? Well... how much are you willing to pay for it?"

Zhao Jianguo smiled slightly and said without hesitation, "Didn't we agree on ten thousand yuan in the car? I keep my word, I'll transfer it to you now, no delays!"

The burly driver's eyes lit up when he heard it was 10,000 yuan. His beat-up old car would only cost a few hundred yuan to replace the glass with an aftermarket one and do some bodywork and painting at the auto parts market. This 10,000 yuan would not only be enough to repair the car, but he could also make a lot of money for free! The anger in his heart vanished instantly, and his face immediately brightened.

"Alright! Considering you're trying to save your wife's life, and since you can transfer the money now, I won't pursue the matter further, and the police won't need to file a case!" The driver waved his hand magnanimously.

In front of the police, Zhao Jianguo took out his phone, scanned the driver's QR code, and promptly transferred 10,000 yuan to him.

The driver took the money and didn't pursue the matter further, happily leaving with the police!

Silent all night.

Anaphylactic shock is an acute condition that comes on quickly and goes away quickly. After a night of emergency treatment and intravenous fluids, Zhou Qingyan's life was saved, but the burden on her body was enormous.

When he was hospitalized, in order to prevent Zhou Qingyan's sensitive identity from being exposed, he took precautions and asked Lin Jiaojiao to use her own identity information to complete the admission procedures in the emergency room. Therefore, no trace of Zhou Qingyan was left in the hospital's system.

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed in through the blinds of the ward. He had spent the night curled up in the chaise lounge, and in his drowsy state, he heard a soft rustling sound of fabric beside him.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw that Zhou Qingyan had already removed the IV needle from the back of his hand, gotten out of bed, put on his shoes, and was tidying his clothes in front of the mirror.

"Where are you going?" He was startled and quickly stood up.

Zhou Qingyan turned her head, her face still showing a sickly pallor and paleness. Due to a severe allergic reaction, her cheeks were slightly swollen. She glanced at Zhao Jianguo, her throat injured from the intubation and emergency treatment last night, her voice hoarse and unpleasant like sandpaper: "At eight o'clock, the Municipal Party Committee has an important city-wide economic work coordination meeting, and I have to go."

"Are you crazy!" He strode over and grabbed her arm. "You almost died last night! You're so weak, you're not fully recovered, you absolutely can't go!"

Zhou Qingyan forcefully shook off his hand, raised her head, and gave him a cold glance with her eyes, which had regained their coldness. Her tone was filled with unquestionable authority: "What, do I, the county party secretary, need to ask you, a village-based first secretary, for instructions regarding my schedule?"

He frowned, completely unmoved by her words: "I'm doing this for your life! No matter how important work is, you can't joke around with your health! In your current condition, you can barely stand, what kind of meeting are you going to attend!"

"I know my own body best." Zhou Qingyan's voice was devoid of warmth, even carrying a hint of resentful petulance: "Instead of wasting your time worrying about whether I go to the meeting or not, you should be thinking of a way to get rid of this problem in my belly! Since I'm allergic to regular anesthetics, next time we can do it without anesthesia, just force it. See if your old classmate is still willing to help!"

He felt a chill run down his spine and frowned, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about! Scraping without anesthesia? That would be excruciatingly painful! Besides, after what happened last night, Lin Jiaojiao is probably terrified. Forget about next time, even if I threw a million at her right now, she probably wouldn't dare to take that risk again."

Zhou Qingyan didn't reply. She laboriously tied her long hair up, put on a black baseball cap, and then took out a large medical mask to cover her swollen and haggard face completely. She then turned and walked out of the ward.