Chapter Nine: The True and False Heiress, Part 9

The air was filled with the cries and wails of children, and Huai Ying frowned impatiently. She was on the verge of losing her patience.

“Boss, calm down, calm down. These are just a bunch of kids who just escaped from the den of demons. It’s natural for them to be a little excited. Don’t take it personally,” Xiaohong urged.

She caught sight of Huai Ying’s clenched fists and held her breath. Fortunately, the fists tightened and relaxed repeatedly; she hadn’t lost her temper.

Relieved, Xiaohong spoke softly, “I’ve already notified their families, but I don’t know how they will react.”

Her gaze swept over the children with pity. They had suffered terribly and would never live normal lives. Over time, they would inevitably be rejected by their families, just like those children who were kidnapped, crippled, and forced into begging. Families would only distance themselves, hoping they would simply perish outside.

The first to arrive at the laboratory was Mu Jinnian. He had also received Xiaohong’s message—a strange text that yielded no clues even after investigation. But since Huai Ying was involved, he had to come check.

On the way, he passed many laboratories, his heart heavy with unease. Only when Huai Ying appeared unharmed before him did he finally feel at ease.

“Your parents are arriving soon,” Xiaohong said. “Both the Bai and Mu families are powerful. With them here, you’ll be safer.”

Moreover…

She glanced at Mu Jinnian. Today’s events also needed a reasonable explanation. She couldn’t expect Huai Ying to fabricate excuses—it had to be him.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” Mu Jinnian said with guilt, standing before Huai Ying. He had brought her here but ended up putting her in danger.

“I’m fine,” Huai Ying shook her head. Suddenly, an overwhelming fatigue washed over her—not physical, but spiritual weakness—and without warning, she fainted.

In the moments before darkness claimed her, she could hear Xiaohong and Mu Jinnian’s anxious calls.

When she woke, she was in the hospital. The Bai family surrounded her bedside, rushing over excitedly as she opened her eyes.

“Huai Ying, how are you? Are you feeling any pain? Do you know you scared your mother to death?” Bai’s mother tried to embrace her but stopped abruptly, remembering Huai Ying disliked physical contact. She stood awkwardly by the bed.

Bai’s father had already gone to call the doctor.

“You’ve been unconscious for five days; it’s normal for your family to be worried,” Xiaohong explained. “They truly care about you.”

“The laboratory incident has been publicized. Though some tried to cover it up, it made the top trending searches for five straight days.”

“I contacted the police and reporters who arrived first; they exposed all the information and suffered repercussions as well.”

“But now, the Bai and Mu families have taken the victims under their protection.”

Xiaohong recounted everything that had happened these days, her heart heavy. Luckily, Huai Ying had discovered this in time, and luckily she had the system, the Bai family, and the Mu family behind her. Otherwise, this might have never seen the light of day.

“Huai Ying, don’t be afraid. Those villains have been punished and can’t hurt you anymore.”

Huai Ying’s stunned silence during their conversation touched Bai’s mother deeply. Unable to hold back any longer, she gently embraced Huai Ying.

Huai Ying reached out to push her away, but the gesture was weak. She only asked, “What about those children?”

“They’re all here in this hospital. Do you want to see them?” Bai’s mother released her and tenderly stroked her cheek. When Huai Ying nodded, she helped her to her feet.

Upon entering the ward, the children’s families recognized Huai Ying and knelt gratefully on the floor.

“You’re our great benefactor. Thank you so much.”

“We have been searching for our children all these years. We never expected them to be so close and to have suffered so much.”

“Those beasts, I will see to it they receive the death penalty.”

Huai Ying’s attention was not on the tortured children but on their families. She asked bluntly, “What do you plan to do now?”

The group was taken aback.

“They are disabled and no longer the children you hoped for. They will require care for their entire lives, draining all your savings.”

“Do you still want them?”

Her words cut through the tender atmosphere like a cold knife.

Some immediately replied, “No matter what, they are our children. Even if we have to sell everything, we will save them, at least enough to make them self-sufficient.”

But most fell silent.

“Actually…” Xiaohong sighed.

“Boss, during the five days you were unconscious, several children passed away—some couldn’t endure any longer, others died indirectly at the hands of their families.”

“A child so tortured that they lose all self-care ability may be beyond even their parents’ help…”

She stopped there.

“The Bai family’s hospital will provide free treatment for all victims,” Bai’s mother stepped forward. She did not want her daughter to suffer.

“Really?” The families brightened with hope.

“If you still see them as burdens, the Bai family will offer special education to equip them with survival skills for adulthood.”

Bai’s mother’s words were a beacon of hope. One by one, they knelt and repeatedly bowed their heads.

“Thank you, living bodhisattva, thank you.”

An hour after Huai Ying had seen all the victims, she returned to her room expressionless, unreadable.

“Huai Ying,” Bai’s mother called softly. “No matter what happens, you are my daughter. I will never give up on you.”

Huai Ying paused, then quickly understood. Bai’s mother must have been imagining herself in the children’s place. The original incarnation had a pitiful past—abusive adoptive parents, even attempted molestation after they discovered she wasn’t their biological daughter. Yet, the timid foster daughter had actually killed her adoptive father to protect her and ended up imprisoned.

“Besides, I think you’re wonderful—truly wonderful,” Bai’s mother’s eyes grew tender. Her daughter was a flower blooming amid adversity. Despite every reason to resent, she remained kindhearted. How wonderful!

Huh?

Huai Ying tilted her head, feeling uneasy. Why was this woman looking at her with such a nauseating expression?

After waking, Huai Ying had undergone a medical examination, but no issues were found, and she was discharged directly.

The police never appeared before her once.

Xiaohong finally relaxed. She had feared Huai Ying’s anti-social remarks might land her in trouble with the authorities.

After this incident, Huai Ying had gained a lot of goodwill, and her points were soaring. It was a huge win!

Immersed in joy, Xiaohong hummed a tune until Huai Ying silently took out bacterial bomb materials and began studying them in her bedroom.

Damn, how could she have forgotten about this?

“Boss.”

Xiaohong forced a smile and hurried over.