Han Qianqiu’s speech was too inexperienced, making others feel uncertain, especially with a bunch of confusing matters. How did this injustice come about?
Zheng smirked and said, “Stop overthinking; he’s definitely messing with you.”
Xia He agreed, “Based on our past gaming experience, in such a worldview, there are only monsters, not ghosts. You’ve been deceived.”
Han Qianqiu: “…Fake ghosts?”
He still didn’t believe it.
Shen Lin had been pondering the two clues that Han Qianqiu brought back, analyzing the causes and consequences. Even though he was in an amnesic state, the notes helped him grasp the clues well.
Tapping his index finger rhythmically on the table, Shen Lin said, “Let’s focus on Han Qianqiu’s clues for now. What about Zheng De and Xia He? Do you have any clues?”
Xia He’s eyes lit up. “Yes! There’s a big problem with a mental hospital. There are two sets of patient records, one clear and one hidden. I took a summary of the records, have a look.”
She took out her phone, shared the photos with everyone, and explained, “Comparing these with the records in Room A’s archives, we can see that the list of patients here is almost the same as there. But the hidden list has some additional patients, few in number, but mostly ‘three-no’ patients – no family, no friends, no stable job.”
“Why would a group of people do this? It sounds more and more like the hospital is conducting some sort of human experimentation…” Han Qianqiu muttered.
Shen Lin asked, “Is Xu Lu on the list?”
Xia He was startled. “How did you know?”
Shen Lin furrowed his brows slightly. He felt he was gradually grasping the edges of the truth.
“Is that girl also a ‘three-no’?” Han Qianqiu was puzzled. “How can someone with a diamond ring casually thrown into the trash be ‘three-no’? Aren’t there many nurses who know her?”
“I was surprised when I saw the list too,” Xia He smiled and said, “So I specifically looked for information about Xu Lu in the database. Her life was so unfortunate. Her family was originally well-off, but then they faced bankruptcy and her parents were forced to death. The shock was too much for her, so she developed a mental illness. And as soon as she came, she was classified as Level 5.”
“Level 5? Doesn’t seem like it. That girl seems harmless,” Han Qianqiu was confused.
“It’s indeed Level 5, clearly stated in the documents,” Xia He said, “When her parents went bankrupt, factory workers often caused trouble at her house. Not only did they come to the door, but they also sent threatening letters and dead mice by mail. She attempted suicide several times but failed, leading to an avoidant personality disorder.”
“This personality makes her have a strong self-protection awareness. Once she senses any attack from people around her, she will show corresponding resistance, and the attack is determined by herself. But the specifics are not recorded in the documents. We need to ask her attending physician about her condition.”
“Zhao Li?” Han Qianqiu’s face darkened.
“It’s useless to ask Zhao Li,” Shen Lin said. “He’s a useless doctor. You need to ask Wang Jing’an.”
After exchanging clues, the group continued to gather information separately.
Shen Lin was concerned about the matter. After lunch, he went directly to Building A. He went to Liu Xiaotao’s ward, but didn’t find him. Nurse Fang Ning was making Liu Xiaotao’s bed. When she saw Shen Lin coming, she greeted him shyly, “Dr. Shen, hello.”
“Hello,” Shen Lin nodded and asked, “Where’s Liu Xiaotao?”
“He’s gone for a checkup,” Fang Ning said. “An emergency checkup today.”
“Emergency checkup?” Shen Lin asked.
“Yeah, Liu Xiaotao’s condition has been gradually improving. Today, the dean came and personally examined him,” Fang Ning said with a blush.
“…,” Shen Lin was puzzled.
Shen Lin frowned and asked, “Is the dean good to Liu Xiaotao?”
“Not particularly,” Fang Ning pondered, “The dean is very good to the patients here; he doesn’t have the air of a dean at all. He often gets close to the patients, and even personally examines them when he has time.”
Fang Ning’s tone revealed her admiration for the dean. Shen Lin said, “Do you admire him a lot?”
“Yes,” Fang Ning tucked her stray hair behind her ear and smiled shyly, “When I was studying, I always wanted to work here after graduation.”
“Foolish,” Wang Jing’an, who had his hands in the pockets of his white coat, walked over. He tapped Fang Ning’s head, sarcastic and sharp, “Why choose this hospital? Stupid.”
“What’s wrong with it!” Fang Ning was annoyed. “Everyone likes this hospital. The environment is good, the treatment is good, and there are so many patients discharged. The dean is also good. You’re just jealous! Stingy!”
Wang Jing’an looked at her coldly and snorted.
Fang Ning became even more annoyed. She glared at Wang Jing’an, changed the bedsheet, and left.
After she left, Wang Jing’an frowned in annoyance. He was both annoyed and angry, cursing, “Who the hell is jealous! Stupid!”
Shen Lin: “…”
Shen Lin bluntly said, “Do you know what it’s like when elementary school students fall in love?”
Wang Jing’an’s ears turned hot. “What’s it got to do with me?”
Shen Lin noticed that he couldn’t beat around the bush with this person. He came straight to the point, “I want to remind you that your love life is like that of an elementary school student.”
“Nonsense.” Wang Jing’an’s ears turned even hotter. “Who wants to date that idiot?”
Shen Lin pushed his glasses down slightly. “Sorry, I insulted elementary school students.”
Wang Jing’an: “…”
In a moment of embarrassment, Wang Jing’an compromised. He pressed his temples and said, “Is it that obvious? Then why doesn’t she realize it? She’s angry with me every day.”
“If you talk to me in that tone every day, you might have grown two meters tall by now in the graveyard.”
Wang Jing’an clicked his tongue, resignedly saying, “From childhood to adulthood, it’s the same. I… am I so bad?”
“Very good, you can still realize that there’s hope.”
Wang Jing’an: “…”
“The hospital is quite strange, don’t you think?” Shen Lin didn’t want to continue the topic of love. He tried to dig out some information from Wang Jing’an. “There are only mediocre doctors and nurses in the hospital, yet they still receive praise from municipal leaders. Nurses and doctors don’t find it strange to work here. When Fang Ning said those things just now, I was quite puzzled. What’s so admirable about this hospital according to her?”
Shen Lin rolled a persuasion check.
He then rolled for persuasion, successfully passing the check.
Wang Jing’an nodded. “You’re right. I’ve always felt that there’s something wrong. What about you? Have you ever thought about it?”
Shen Lin raised his eyebrows. “Of course, but I’m just a resident. What can I do?”
“Your attitude is wrong.” Wang Jing’an sneered. “What can you do? Are you going to solve the problem?”
Shen Lin thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”
Wang Jing’an’s sneer deepened. “Then go ahead. You’re an expert, right?”
Shen Lin: “…”
Returning to his office, Shen Lin had a complicated expression. The office was small and shabby, with dust on the bookshelf and a pile of A4 paper on the desk – all case reports.
He picked up one and flipped through it – Liu Xiaotao’s. There were stacks of them, almost a foot high.
He picked up the phone and called the archives.
“Hello, archives? I’m from the psychiatric department, Shen Lin. I want to know something about Liu Xiaotao’s case.”
“Wait a moment,” the man on the other end said.
After a while, he said, “Sorry, Dr. Shen, but Liu Xiaotao’s case has been sealed by the dean. You don’t have the authority to view it.”
Shen Lin was taken aback. “Sealed by the dean? Why?”
“I don’t know,” the man said. “But I heard that Liu Xiaotao’s condition has improved significantly recently. He’s even become the dean’s favorite. It seems that he’s going to be released soon.”
Shen Lin hung up, his heart sinking.
Liu Xiaotao’s case had been sealed, and his condition had improved significantly. What did this mean?
He pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked out of the office.
He decided to find Liu Xiaotao in Building B.
In the psychiatric ward, he saw Liu Xiaotao standing at the window, looking out.
“Liu Xiaotao, what are you doing here?”
Liu Xiaotao smiled. “Dr. Shen, what brings you here?”
Shen Lin frowned. “I’m here to check on your condition.”
Liu Xiaotao smiled. “My condition has improved a lot. The dean personally examined me today and said that I might be discharged soon.”
Shen Lin was taken aback. “Discharged soon? But your case hasn’t been resolved yet.”
Liu Xiaotao smiled mysteriously. “Don’t worry, Dr. Shen. Everything will be fine.”
Shen Lin felt a chill. He had a bad feeling.
Just then, the dean walked in with a smile. “Dr. Shen, what brings you here?”
Shen Lin’s expression was serious. “I came to check on Liu Xiaotao’s condition.”
The dean smiled. “His condition has improved significantly. He might be discharged soon.”
Shen Lin frowned. “But his case hasn’t been resolved yet.”
The dean’s smile faded slightly. “Don’t worry, Dr. Shen. We’ll take care of everything.”
Shen Lin’s heart sank.
Just then, Liu Xiaotao collapsed, unconscious.
Shen Lin rushed forward, but the dean stopped him. “Don’t touch him, Dr. Shen. Leave him to me.”
Shen Lin glared. “What did you do to him?”
The dean smiled coldly. “Nothing. He’s just a patient.”
Shen Lin clenched his fists. He didn’t know what to do.
Just then, he heard a voice.
“Dr. Shen, what’s going on here?”
Shen Lin turned and saw Wang Jing’an.
Shen Lin quickly explained, and Wang Jing’an’s expression turned grave.
“We need to get Liu Xiaotao out of here,” Wang Jing’an said. “I’ll distract the dean. You take Liu Xiaotao and get out of here.”
Shen Lin nodded, and they hatched a plan to rescue Liu Xiaotao.
As Wang Jing’an distracted the dean, Shen Lin grabbed Liu Xiaotao and rushed out.
They managed to escape, but Shen Lin knew they were in danger.
They needed to expose the truth before it was too late.
“Has Liu Xiaotao’s situation been stable?” Shen Lin suddenly turned the conversation around.
“Yes,” Wang Jing’an, though completely unaware, didn’t reveal any flaws. “Children’s worlds have always been simple, and Liu Xiaotao lacks the ability to perceive emotions, so he rarely experiences emotional fluctuations. It’s a good thing for mental patients, but it also… makes treatment difficult. So, over the years, while his condition has been stable, it’s not a good sign.”
“Xiao Lin Ge,” Shen Lin was about to inquire further, but heard a crisp and tender voice of a boy from the room.
Liu Xiaotao stood at the door with jet-black eyes, a thin and frail body, and a sickly pale complexion. He looked at Shen Lin, suddenly curled his lips, and asked, “Are you here to see me?”
Shen Lin was startled, feeling somewhat guilty. When Liu Xiaotao asked, he was still suspicious of Liu Xiaotao’s identity.
Shen Lin waved to him. “How was the check-up?”
Liu Xiaotao looked at Wang Jing’an. “Uncle Wang, I want to play with Little Lin brother.”
Wang Jing’an helplessly said, “Why do you call Fang Ning Little Ning sister, and him brother, and only call me uncle?”
Liu Xiaotao looked at Wang Jing’an expressionlessly, as if he had asked a foolish question.
Wang Jing’an shrugged, conceding to Shen Lin, “Fine, he likes you. Big brother, little brother, he likes you. It’s annoying. I’m… uncle, am I not good enough?”
He put his hands in his pockets and left.
Liu Xiaotao closed the door, and the room fell silent.
He slowly walked to Shen Lin’s side, looking up at Shen Lin, reaching out to touch Shen Lin’s finger. That finger felt icy cold, sending shivers through the skin upon contact, definitely not the body temperature a human should have. Perhaps the cold touch would inadvertently evoke a sense of fear.
But Shen Lin didn’t hesitate to hold Liu Xiaotao’s hand, lifted him onto the bed, covered him with the blanket, and sat at the edge of the bed, observing Liu Xiaotao’s condition.
“Feeling better?” Shen Lin asked.
Liu Xiaotao nodded, then worriedly asked Shen Lin, “Is Little Lin brother feeling better? Does Little Lin brother still remember me?”
Shen Lin didn’t want to deceive the child. He shook his head and said, “Sorry, I’ve lost my memory again.”
Liu Xiaotao looked at Shen Lin blankly, murmuring softly.
Shen Lin said, “Let’s have a listening test.”
He succeeded.
Soon he heard Liu Xiaotao whispering, “Why doesn’t it work…”
KP said, “Do an investigation.”
Shen Lin succeeded.
While Liu Xiaotao was whispering, he noticed a bruise on the back of the child’s neck, not too dark nor too light in color.
Shen Lin said, “Medical examination.”
The examination result told Shen Lin that the bruise was a mark left by a whip, fresh within the hour.
Shen Lin touched the bruise with his fingertips, causing Liu Xiaotao to flinch.
Shen Lin pressed his anger and asked, “Who did this to you?”
Liu Xiaotao shook his head.
Shen Lin grabbed his hand, pushed up the sleeves of his gown, revealing numerous whip marks on his tender and sickly skin.
Shen Lin tightened his lips, falling into silence.
Liu Xiaotao looked up at Shen Lin. “Little Lin brother, are you angry?”
Shen Lin nodded.
Liu Xiaotao held onto Shen Lin’s hand tighter, giving Shen Lin a feeling as if he were being held by a wild beast. His cold, skinny fingers felt like sharp beaks of hummingbirds, piercing deeply into Shen Lin’s skin.
“Don’t be angry,” Liu Xiaotao’s tone sounded pleading. “Let me tell you a story.”
Shen Lin said, “Let me give you your medicine first.”
Liu Xiaotao said, “It’s okay, the wounds will heal quickly.”
He proactively rolled up his sleeves, showing Shen Lin the scars on his arms. The bruises were visibly fading at a speed that was visible to the naked eye, changing from dark to light, as if they would return to normal with just another blink of an eye.
“You see, Little Lin brother, I’m fine,” he paused, then added, “Don’t worry, let me tell you a story.”
Shen Lin patted his head gently.
Liu Xiaotao chuckled and said, “Once upon a time, there was a wizard who had a magical flute…”
It was the story Liu Xiaotao had just told him.
Following the story, there was an additional passage:
“The wizard saved the town. The people in the town regarded the wizard as a hero, praising him and cheering for him. However, the wizard politely declined all honors and left the town without any attachment.”
“He arrived at a vast and deep lake, knelt on the dark soil—where the world had completely decayed, with no signs of life, the sky was low, dark, and deep.”
“He drew twisted yellow marks on the ground.”
“From behind him emerged a giant monster composed of countless human brains. The wizard played the flute, causing violent winds to stir up the lake, and in the blink of an eye, numerous twisted tentacles emerged from the bottom of the lake, piercing into the monster’s body. The wizard and the monster were all engulfed by the lake.”
“In the town, people were still singing praises to the wizard’s virtues, but the truth was, the wizard’s purpose wasn’t to save them, but because there was a more powerful monster residing in the magical flute, he needed something as food to produce good sacrifices.”
“Only then would the god respond to the call.”
After the last entry in the diary, the handwriting became messy, and some words even pierced through the paper, leaving deep marks.
It seemed like a spell, yet also a prayer—
“May the Black Star rise again.”
