Chapter Six: The Seven-Colored Auspicious Cloud

For nearly half a month, Ling Xueqin’s health remained flawless—she ate well, slept soundly, ran and jumped freely—no longer the frail invalid she once was, reminiscent of a delicate porcelain doll.

Of course, the Ling family, wary of a fleeting recovery, maintained their attentive care, continuing to provide her with nourishing tonics daily. Only after one instance of excessive supplementation that caused a nosebleed and a thorough examination by the family’s private physician confirmed her complete recovery did they ease off on the fortifying regimen.

One evening, in a bedroom on the third floor, Sun Yi lay on the bed, scrolling through public comments on his phone. Ling Xueqin entered gracefully, clad in a sheer lace dress barely covering her hips. Beneath it, black lingerie hugged her shapely figure. Perhaps it was due to her lengthy illness and the restorative herbs that her exposed skin appeared extraordinarily pale and tender. She walked in with the poised elegance of a cat.

“Yi,” she called softly, her voice clinging, sweet and seductive.

“Hmm?” Sun Yi lifted his head. As his eyes met hers, a flush rose to his cheeks, his mouth went dry. It had been an interminably long time since he had felt this way about her—the green gleam in his eyes mirrored a starving wolf ready to pounce on its prey.

“Xueqin, don’t do this. I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist,” he confessed, reason conquering hormone-driven impulse. At his age, and as the deputy mayor, he knew better than to act rashly. To rush now could jeopardize her health and leave him with lasting regret.

“It’s alright. The doctor said I’m fully recovered now. I’ve been unfair to you all this time,” Ling Xueqin replied, her eyes filled with longing as she pressed her inviting red lips against him.

Unable to resist any longer, Sun Yi swept her into his arms and laid her gently on the soft bed amidst her surprised laughter and delighted gasps. What followed was a passionate union brimming with endless tenderness and desire.

A year later, at the Central City One Hospital in Longcheng—the city’s largest and most prestigious medical institution—the Ling family, having invested heavily, transformed it into the nation’s finest hospital, ensuring convenient medical care for their kin.

Outside, more than thirty luxury cars were lined up: Land Rovers, military Hummers, Mercedes, BMWs, Bentleys, Cadillacs, and even a stretch Rolls-Royce. The opulence rivaled a high-end auto show. Despite a light drizzle, many car enthusiasts lingered at a distance, secretly snapping photos, though police and military personnel guarded the premises.

All this grandeur was in anticipation of two births—the newborn grandson of the Sun and Ling families, the fruit of Sun Yi and Ling Xueqin’s love—and the daughter-in-law of the president of Longteng Nation, who coincidentally was also in labor on the same day.

Outside the VIP delivery room on the thirteenth floor, Sun Wenchong, Ling Tianlong, and Sun Yi paced anxiously. Though usually composed in public, the imminent arrival of their heirs stirred a rare excitement within them. Listening to Ling Xueqin’s agonized cries kept their hearts tightly clenched.

Nearby stood two men dressed in black suits, their hair neatly parted in the same style. A father and son duo: the elder, Xiao Yunting, the president of Longteng Nation, and the younger, Xiao Jie, director of the National Security Bureau—a prodigy who had risen swiftly through the ranks. The elder appeared somewhat calmer; the younger’s expression betrayed concern.

At each of the three corridors on the thirteenth floor stood a guard, focused intently. A squad of soldiers patrolled each hallway, preventing any unexpected incidents. The elevators on this floor were sealed off accordingly.

Friends of the three families, as well as dignitaries drawn by the prominence of the Sun, Ling, and Xiao households, waited quietly in the lobby downstairs. All were figures of national standing, aware this was an opportunity for meaningful exchange. Yet, out of respect for the families, they maintained a solemn silence.

The two expectant mothers had been in labor for an hour, their cries heard throughout. If not for the presence of the nation’s top obstetricians, who emerged every ten minutes to reassure the anxious relatives, the men might have stormed in.

“I shouldn’t have let Xueqin bear a child,” Sun Yi muttered, each cry wrenching his heart, fearing she might not endure.

“Don’t worry. Both will deliver safely,” Xiao Jie said, seated on a bench, offering comfort to Sun Yi while soothing his own nerves.

The elders exchanged words of encouragement.

“Wenchong, Feilong, what if Xueqin has a daughter and Yiyi has a son? Perhaps we should formalize a familial alliance,” Xiao Yunting smiled faintly. As a national leader, he remained composed, always looking ahead for the country’s benefit. These men were pillars of Longteng Nation, his old friends. To cement their ties and ensure the nation’s ongoing prosperity, he wished this bond to extend to the next generation.

“Yunting, what if Xueqin has a son and Yiyi a daughter?” Ling Feilong chuckled softly. Concern for his daughter’s pain made him eager to divert his thoughts from anxiety.

“Exactly. What if the Sun family’s heir is a grandson and the Xiao family’s is a granddaughter?” Sun Wenchong laughed. Their friendship was longstanding, and they understood Xiao Yunting’s intention perfectly. Historically, a triangular alliance was the most stable. Sun Yi’s young ascent to deputy mayor was thanks in part to the Xiao family’s support.

When Xiao Yunting and Sun Wenchong’s wives birthed their children, they had made such an agreement, though both bore sons, and thus they became as brothers, always supporting one another. When Ling Xueqin was kidnapped, Xiao Jie mobilized the National Security Bureau to rescue her swiftly.

“That’s the same, just changing father-in-law to grandfather, ha ha,” Sun Wenchong joked.

“And if both have boys?”

“Boys work just as well... ha ha.”

The lighthearted banter eased the tense atmosphere outside the delivery room, offering a momentary reprieve for the anxious hearts.

Suddenly, with a click, all the lights on the thirteenth floor went out, plunging the entire level into darkness.

A rapid staccato of gunfire erupted from below, interrupting their conversation.

Sun Yi, Ling Feilong, and Xiao Yunting dashed toward the delivery room door.

Xiao Jie and Sun Wenchong reached for their weapons cautiously, eyes sharp on the corridor.

Inside, the cries of labor continued unabated. The seasoned obstetricians remained undeterred by the blackout, continuing their work.

Xiao Yunting blocked Sun Yi and Ling Feilong from entering.

“Listen,” he urged.

“Head is crowning, keep going, one more push,” came the doctor’s voice from within.

“Trust the doctors. We just need to hold the perimeter,” Xiao Yunting said calmly.

Footsteps approached swiftly.

Sun Wenchong and Xiao Jie drew their guns silently, releasing the safeties.

“Commander,” “Director,” “Sir,” three figures appeared before them, and relief washed over the five men. These were their trusted bodyguards stationed to protect them in case of emergency.

The one in green military fatigues was Guan Lv, a talented officer under Sun Wenchong, only twenty years old but with an impressive record.

The young woman in sleek black attire was Feng Miao, an elite National Security Bureau agent, renowned for cracking numerous high-profile cases.

The man in black suit and sunglasses was Fei Lian, the Ling family’s specially trained bodyguard, a master of the throwing knife.

“What’s the situation?” Sun Wenchong asked.

“Several terrorists disguised as severely wounded patients infiltrated the hospital. The military and police are engaging them now,” Feng Miao reported promptly.

At that moment, two nurses rushed down the hall pushing a cart with emergency lights.

“Excuse me, please make way. We need to bring the emergency lights inside,” one nurse said politely.

Sun Yi and Ling Feilong stepped aside.

“Stop,” Feng Miao called out sharply.

One nurse pushed the cart towards them with both hands, while the two nurses swiftly drew concealed firearms beneath the cart.

Under the glow of the emergency lights, two silver flashes flew—throwing knives sliced through the wrists of the armed nurses, causing their guns to clatter to the floor.

Undeterred, the nurses drew daggers from their boot holsters with their remaining hands, attempting to rush inside.

With a swift flying kick, Guan Lv struck one nurse’s head, rendering her unconscious.

Bam! Bam! Gunshots rang out as Feng Miao shot the other nurse’s legs, causing her to collapse.

The fallen nurse, clutching her dagger, plunged it into the vital area of her unconscious comrade, then bit down hard and fell lifeless herself.

“She committed suicide,” Fei Lian murmured, prying open the nurse’s mouth to reveal a crushed pill bound to her teeth.

Guan Lv checked their pulses—both were gone.

Suddenly, a newborn’s cry echoed through the corridors.

“Wah wah wah…”

Minutes later, another baby’s wail answered.

As the children entered the world, the sky cleared, and a magnificent seven-colored auspicious cloud appeared, heralding a new beginning.