Chapter 180

The ancient signal deep in the Pacific, suspected to be linked to the Traveler-7, struck Qin Feng's heart like a stone dropped into still water, instantly capturing all his attention. Compared to this trivial traffic incident, exploring the unknown mysteries of the universe was far more compelling.

He drove directly to the top floor of Fengqi Group's headquarters, to his exclusive Command Center. It housed a global satellite network, a supercomputing center, and select cutting-edge detection equipment provided by Super Technology—ideal as a hub for handling such incidents.

"Deploy all available deep-space and deep-sea surveillance satellites to concentrate scanning on the target sea area! Activate our unmanned submersible array near the Mariana Trench and move toward the signal's coordinates!" As soon as Qin Feng entered the Command Center, he issued orders with decisive authority.

The vast machinery of resources resumed its efficient operation; countless data streams began converging and analyzing on the screens.

Yet, just as Qin Feng focused entirely on deciphering the faint signal, an urgent communication from the hospital interrupted his work.

The call came from Su Wenqian; her voice carried a hint of unmistakable fatigue—and something… odd?

"Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you. There's something… you might need to know." Su Wenqian's tone was hesitant.

"Speak." Qin Feng's gaze remained fixed on the constantly updating sonar and energy spectrum data on the main screen.

"It's… about the driver of the earlier traffic accident, Miss Li. And… the young man driving the Maybach—his father really is named Li Gang, a local official with considerable power." Su Wenqian reported.

Qin Feng frowned slightly. Was this minor detail worth reporting? "Isn't Gao Yuan handling it?"

"Gao Captain is handling it. But…" Su Wenqian paused, her tone growing stranger, "Upon learning his son had provoked you, Li Gang's reaction… was extremely intense. He personally brought his son—whose wrist was injured—and went to the hospital where Miss Li was staying, then… in front of everyone, he beat his son severely. Reports say his face was black-and-blue, then he forcibly dragged him to kneel before Miss Li's bedside."

"Oh?" Qin Feng's interest stirred slightly. This Li Gang was far more "reasonable" than he'd expected. Clearly, the precedent set by the Xiao Family carried immense deterrent power.

"And then?"

"And then…" Su Wenqian's voice carried a note of helplessness, "Li Gang said he failed to raise his son properly, that he offended you and Miss Li, and he's willing to bear all consequences and compensation. He also said… he hopes to apologize to you in person."

Qin Feng chuckled lightly. Apologizing was a pretense; he was really trying to feel out the situation, see if he could save his own official position.

"I'm too busy to see him. Tell him to keep himself and his son in line—this matter is settled." Qin Feng spoke coolly, preparing to end the call.

"But… Sir, there's one more thing." Su Wenqian hurried to say, her tone tinged with exasperation, "Miss Li… she was frightened, and after being insulted by that playboy, her emotions are unstable. She… she learned your identity, and through the hospital, expressed… she very much wants to thank you in person."

Qin Feng rubbed his temples. He had no interest in the clichéd scene of a damsel thanking him with gratitude—and possibly offering herself.

"Go on my behalf to visit her, calm her down. Cover all expenses, and give her a generous compensation."

"I went, Sir." Su Wenqian's tone grew even more helpless, "But Miss Li insisted—she said if not for you, she might have suffered more than just fright. She only wants to say thank you in person."

Qin Feng looked at the ancient signal still being analyzed on the screen, then checked the time. Fine. The detection and analysis would take time anyway. A trip to the hospital wouldn't hurt—better to change environments, clear his mind.

"Send me the hospital's address. I'll go there shortly."

Half an hour later, Qin Feng arrived alone at the private hospital.

He didn't disturb anyone; following Su Wenqian's directions, he reached the VIP ward area.

As he stepped to the door of the ward, he heard muffled sobs and a middle-aged man's humble, pleading apologies.

"Miss Li, I'm truly sorry—it's all my fault for failing to raise my son properly! I've already punished that scoundrel severely! Please don't take it to heart—every medical fee and emotional damage compensation, the Li Family will pay double!"

It was Li Gang's voice.

Qin Feng pushed the door open.

Inside the ward, Miss Li leaned half-upright on the bed, her face still pale, eyes red. A middle-aged man in an executive jacket, slightly overweight, forehead glistening with sweat, stood bowed before her, his demeanor reverent to the point of abasement—Li Gang. Beside him stood a young man with a bruised, swollen face, head hanging low, wrist wrapped in bandages—the arrogant Maybach driver.

In the corner sofa sat another person—Lin Wan'er, who had previously attempted suicide under Xiao Chen's coercion and had just been discharged after recovery. She had apparently come to visit Miss Li from the same company.

Seeing Qin Feng enter, the people in the room reacted differently.

Li Gang, as if seeing a savior—or a grim reaper—jolted violently, his face instantly contorting into a mixture of fawning fear and reverence; he bowed nearly ninety degrees: "Qin… Qin Sir! You've come! This lowly Li Gang brings this unworthy son to apologize to Miss Li!"

As he spoke, he kicked his son hard: "Kneel down and apologize to Qin Sir and Miss Li right now!"

The young man stumbled forward and fell to his knees with a thud, sobbing: "Qin Sir, I'm sorry! Miss Li, I'm sorry! I was blind and foolish! I was wrong! Please forgive me!"

Miss Li was startled by the spectacle, helplessly staring at Qin Feng.

In the corner, Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up the moment she saw Qin Feng; a flush of excitement spread across her pale face as she struggled to rise.

Qin Feng ignored the father-son performance, his gaze first falling on Miss Li, his tone gentle: "Miss Li, are you alright? Do you feel better?"

Miss Li looked at the extraordinary young man who had saved her; her heartbeat quickened, her cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered: "I… I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Qin Sir."

Qin Feng nodded, then turned to Lin Wan'er in the corner, giving a slight bow: "Lin Miss, you're here too? Has your health fully recovered?"

Lin Wan'er nodded eagerly, voice trembling: "I'm all better, Qin Sir. Thank you… thank you for everything you've done for me!" She meant, of course, the matter with the Xiao Family.

Qin Feng smiled: "It was nothing."

At that moment, the kneeling son of Li Gang, sensing Qin Feng showed no immediate intent to punish, dared to lift his head slightly—and happened to catch sight of Lin Wan'er's delicate features and fragile aura. His eyes involuntarily flickered with admiration—and then, habitual lewdness.

Though he quickly lowered his head again, that fleeting glance could not escape Qin Feng's acute perception.

Qin Feng's expression darkened instantly.

He had intended only a minor punishment; since Li Gang was so "reasonable," he had no desire to waste time on such a petty insect.

But dogs can't change their nature.

This kind of filth, left in society, would inevitably remain a menace.

Qin Feng's gaze shifted to Li Gang, still bowing, sweat pouring down his face, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable chill:

"Li Gang."

"Yes! Qin Sir, please command!" Li Gang shuddered violently.

"Your son's eyes are restless." Qin Feng said lightly. "Keeping them may cause trouble again."

Li Gang instantly understood Qin Feng's meaning; his face turned ashen white! Was he ordering his son's eyes gouged out?!

The young man on the ground was terrified beyond words, screaming like a slaughtered pig: "Dad! No! I'm sorry! I'll never do it again!!"

Li Gang's facial muscles twitched violently, torn within. One side: his only son. The other: the demon before him who could destroy his entire family with a finger.

In the end, greed for power and terror of Qin Feng overwhelmed everything.

He gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes, then turned and roared at his son: "You bastard! Qin Sir's word is law! You don't deserve those eyes!"

Saying this, he raised his foot and kicked hard—aimed straight at his son's eyes!

"Ahhhh—!" A piercing scream echoed through the ward!

Miss Li and Lin Wan'er both shut their eyes, unable to watch.

Qin Feng watched coldly, his face expressionless.

When Li Gang stopped, panting heavily, his son was already covered in blood, rolling on the ground in agony, clutching his eyes.

"Qin… Mr. Qin… please look…" Li Gang gasped, his voice trembling as he sought guidance.

"Take him and go." Qin Feng waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly. "Never let me see you again."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Mr. Qin, for your mercy! Thank you, Mr. Qin!" Li Gang felt as if released from death's grip; he hurriedly summoned his men waiting outside and dragged his half-crippled son out, then scrambled away from the ward himself.

Inside the ward, silence finally returned, leaving only a faint scent of blood and the shaky breaths of the two girls, still shaken.

Qin Feng walked to the window, opened it, and let fresh air flow in.

He turned around, looking at Miss Li, pale-faced, and Lin Wan'er, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and suddenly found it ironic.

These two girls, once strangers to each other, had each crossed paths with him for different reasons—and now, by chance, they met here in this hospital.

One, because he casually resolved a traffic collision. The other, because he used a curse to obliterate an entire family.

Fate is sometimes so strange.

"It's over now," Qin Feng said to the two girls with a gentle smile. "Rest well. No one will disturb you again."

His smile dispelled the last shadows in the ward.

Miss Li looked at him, her eyes brimming with gratitude and a faint, almost imperceptible admiration.

Lin Wan'er looked at him, her eyes filled with reverence—and… something deeper.

Qin Feng did not stay longer. After offering a few words of comfort, he turned and left the ward.

Walking through the hospital corridor, he received the latest message from the Command Center—the preliminary analysis of the ancient signal was complete, revealing it was not of the same kind as Traveler-7, but something… older, more silent, resembling a Civilization Tombstone.

A flash of keen light passed through Qin Feng's eyes.

Civilization Tombstone? Interesting.

He quickened his pace, heading toward headquarters.

Compared to these trivial entanglements in the hospital, exploring unknown cosmic relics clearly stirred his passion far more.

As for the two girls? Merely two tiny ripples in his long life.