Chapter 54 The Spooked Stallion

Chapter 54: The Spooked Stallion

The moment Xue Hu spotted Lei Ding, and with no one from the Liu family around to back him up, he felt like a mouse seeing a cat, sobering up fast. He knew full well how deeply Wu Qiu hated him. Moreover, Lei Ding had been sentenced to severe punishment and had seen him show up at the clinic to cause trouble with Liu Yu. Lei Ding was already his mortal enemy. He quickly pressed himself against the wall, then couldn't resist peeking out to see what Lei Ding was doing.

Lei Ding seemed unaware of the figure lurking in the shadows at the street corner. He turned back, exchanged a few more words with the homeowner, then headed straight east along the street, likely returning to the clinic. Working up his nerve, Xue Hu followed from behind, observing that Lei Ding still held himself tall and straight, showing no sign of someone who had nearly lost his life just over two months ago.

Xue Hu trailed Lei Ding all the way back to the clinic, watching him enter. Wu Qiu didn't appear, but Lei Ding's younger brother greeted him at the door, his face beaming with joy, nothing like a house in trouble.

Xue Hu's eyes darkened like churning storm clouds.

Lei Ding entered and closed the clinic's main door securely. Lei Tan met him at the entrance. In the front hall, Lei Xun and Lei Li were waiting for him. Seeing him return safely, Lei Xun finally let out a sigh of relief and asked, "How did it go today?"

Lei Tan was already rummaging through his medicine case, checking if he'd brought back any pastries or sweets. Lei Li answered from the side, "Brother Qiu and the others are all in the east wing. They're probably playing with Ai Geer right now."

Lei Ding busied himself stopping Lei Tan's hands from rummaging, pulling some sweets from his pocket to give him, telling him to share with Lei Li. He smiled, "Ai Geer will have another feeding soon, then he'll be ready for sleep. Do you want to go see him? We can all go over together."

Wu Qiu, Cui Nanshan, Yang Shu, and Madam Liu were all in Ai Geer's room. Wu Qiu was holding Ai Geer while they chatted. Suddenly, they heard Lei Tan's repeated shouts of "Ai Geer!" as he ran into the courtyard. Cui Nanshan hurried to the door to look. Lei Tan was in the lead, with Lei Li following, and Lei Ding and Lei Xun walking behind. He smiled first, "The whole family's crowding over. How was it today, Ting Er?"

Lei Tan had already rushed over, clinging to him, chattering about wanting to see his little nephew. Cui Nanshan staggered from the impact and rapped him on the head, "You're half-grown now, still so careless. Be careful, or your father will punish you later. Quiet down, don't scare Ai Geer—come here, wipe your mouth first. How did you get crumbs all over? Did your elder brother buy you sweets again?"

He took out a handkerchief to wipe Lei Tan's face. By then, Lei Li was about to go inside. Lei Tan, anxious, tugged at his sleeve, insisting Cui Nanshan wipe his face too, refusing to let Lei Li see Ai Geer first. The two of them tussled playfully, laughter filling the air. Hearing this from inside the room, Wu Qiu knew Lei Ding must have returned safely and unharmed. He felt relieved, and gave Ai Geer a kiss on the cheek, "Look, your two little uncles are almost fighting to see you."

Ai Geer was very attached to him. Being kissed by his father seemed to please him immensely, and he wriggled in Wu Qiu's arms. Wu Qiu patted his little bottom, a gentle smile on his face. Lei Ding entered from outside just then. Seeing him and the child, he instinctively softened his voice, "This little fellow, it's getting late, yet he's still so lively."

Wu Qiu's eyes remained on Ai Geer as he spoke to Lei Ding, "Look at him, when he's happy, he wriggles like this. He did this when he was in my belly, remember? Pat him, and he'd move. Who knew he'd bring this habit with him."

Lei Ding reached out and cupped his face. His hand was warm, and Wu Qiu nuzzled into his palm before handing Ai Geer over. Lei Tan had already crowded close, so Lei Ding took the child to show them. Watching them, Wu Qiu felt a warm, full feeling swell in his chest. Clearly, the smile on his face came from genuine joy deep within, yet he was suddenly overcome with the urge to cry, followed by a wave of happy anxiety.

These past few days, Lei Ding was often out. Eight out of ten house calls were made by him. Wu Qiu hadn't quite understood at first. Lei Ding explained it was a plan to draw them out. He wanted to show Wu Peng and Xue Hu that not only was he not dead, but he was living happily and carefree.

Wu Qiu had asked him then if Wu Peng might see through his deliberate actions. Lei Ding had laughed, saying Wu Peng would naturally see it, but even if he knew it was intentional, even if he guessed they were preparing to deal with him, he would still be compelled to continue his revenge as they anticipated. The Lei family had become Wu Peng's obsession. Lei Ding's provocation would only fuel his rage, making him willingly step into their trap, step by step.

At the time, Wu Qiu felt Lei Ding and the others had considered everything thoroughly and there shouldn't be any more danger. But now, seeing such a harmonious and joyful family, he felt a twinge of fear again and fell silent, pressing his lips together.

Lei Ding held Ai Geer, with Lei Tan and Lei Li crowding around him. He happened to look up and caught a hint of melancholy in Wu Qiu's expression. Knowing he must be worrying about him again, he handed Ai Geer to Cui Nanshan and Lei Xun to hold, letting them look first. He then subtly moved to Wu Qiu's side and whispered in his ear, "What's wrong? Are you tired? Should we go back to our room first?"

Wu Qiu quickly smiled, "Brother, you're too cautious. It's nothing. I just had a momentary lapse, thinking of other things. Ai Geer will be sleeping soon. Shouldn't you hurry and spend a little more time with him?"

Lei Ding gave him a long look, didn't insist further, just gave his cheek a gentle pinch. But soon, he reminded everyone that Ai Geer needed to be prepared for his feeding and sleep, suggesting they all return to their rooms to rest. The child still needed to be tended to several times at night, so Yang Shu continued to care for him. From morning until noon the next day, Wu Qiu would watch him, with Cui Nanshan and Lei Ding helping when they weren't busy, allowing Yang Shu to rest properly. However, Ai Geer was gradually recognizing people now. Seeing Wu Qiu about to return to his room, he whimpered and cried a couple of times in distress.

Wu Qiu's heart softened again. Holding the child's little hand, he discussed with Lei Ding, "How about letting the child sleep with us tonight?"

Lei Ding had seen this coming. But Wu Qiu had just finished his month of postpartum confinement. The physical depletion from childbirth couldn't be recovered in just one month. He was afraid Wu Qiu wouldn't rest well, lacking energy the next day and harming his health. Moreover, Wu Qiu clearly had something on his mind earlier. If he didn't help dispel that worry, taking the child back and dealing with the fuss might carry that unease into his dreams. So he persuaded him, "I wanted to talk to you tonight about what happened when I went out. Our talking might disturb his sleep."

Wu Qiu's curiosity was indeed piqued, "I was just about to ask you. How was it today? Did you see anyone?"

Lei Ding smiled without speaking, only nodding. Wu Qiu's eyes widened, "Really? You really saw Xue Hu? How was it? Did he give you any trouble?"

As he spoke, he pulled on Lei Ding's sleeve, looking him up and down carefully. Lei Ding, while guiding him back to their room, reassured him, "It's fine. He was alone, not feeling too bold. When he saw me, he didn't approach, just hid and watched secretly. I pretended not to see him, ignored him. He followed all the way to the clinic entrance before leaving."

Wu Qiu frowned, "In that case, Wu Peng will probably know tonight. Brother, do you think he'll really act as we predicted? Could there be... some unexpected move?"

Lei Ding sat him on the bed, holding him, considering whether to tell him the truth. In the end, he decided not to hide it, "To be honest with you, Qiu Er, I can't guarantee it either. But we're not at a disadvantage now. Wu Peng doesn't know what preparations we have. He and we are somewhat mutually wary. Although Wu Peng has Liu Yu's favor, Liu Yu is still young, under strict family supervision. Besides, he doesn't have Wu Peng's obsession. So Wu Peng can hardly get much substantial support from him now. Don't worry, Qiu Er. Even if he makes other moves, I reckon they won't be of great consequence."

Having been married this long, Lei Ding knew exactly what Wu Qiu was thinking and quickly soothed his worries.

However, Lei Ding truly hadn't expected Wu Peng's retaliation to come so swiftly. Just one day after he deliberately showed himself to Xue Hu, he encountered a trap set by Wu Peng. Around noon that day, he was returning from a house call. At this hour, every household was having lunch and resting. Apart from shopfronts, the smaller alleys were almost deserted and silent, doors tightly shut. Though it was daytime, it felt somewhat like night.

Lei Ding had been extra cautious these past few days when out, not daring to be careless. Wu Peng could strike at any moment, anywhere. And Lei Ding's willingness to go out was precisely to lure him into action. Wu Peng hadn't yet reached the point of complete derangement, obsessed solely with revenge. If he acted now, he would still be cautious, leaving room for maneuver. Even if Lei Ding caught him, it would be difficult to have him severely punished by the authorities. For this reason, Lei Ding was willing to risk himself, using his own person as bait to first provoke Wu Peng into making a move. As long as he avoided this first attempt, it would be like adding fuel to the fire of Wu Peng's anger, likely prompting an even greater act next time. Therefore, although Lei Ding walked forward with his head held high, not looking around, his body was tense, his peripheral vision keenly observing his surroundings, ears attuned to any sound.

It was precisely because of this that when he heard the sound of a frantic horse's whinny behind him, he snapped to attention in an instant, without a moment's delay.

This alley was extremely long and very narrow, only wide enough for a single carriage to pass. When Lei Ding looked back, he saw a horse charging in from the far end of the alley, accompanied by someone shouting from behind, "Everyone, get out of the way—the horse is spooked—"

But Lei Ding had nowhere to hide. The houses on either side had their doors closed. The other end of the alley was still far away. He was destined to be unable to outrun a panicked, galloping horse. If that horse collided with him, at worst, he'd be trampled to death under its iron hooves; at best, he'd suffer broken bones and become disabled.

Although Lei Ding had been prepared, he hadn't expected a situation like this. The horse came thundering down, emitting sharp whinnies as it closed the distance in the blink of an eye.