Han Qianqiu, having easily followed along since the last seduction attempt, stood idly by the door, while Xia He, sneaking around, slipped into the room unnoticed while Shen Lin and Director Zheng were talking, hiding behind the cabinet.
Xia He expressed, “This is quite thrilling.”
Shen Lin said, “The reason I came this time is because there are some matters regarding Liu Xiaotao that I would like to trouble you with.”
Director Zheng asked with confusion, “Liu Xiaotao? Isn’t Dr. Fang Jing’an his attending physician?”
“Yes, but I want to request a replacement for Dr. Fang Jing’an. I want to be Liu Xiaotao’s attending physician instead.”
Director Zheng didn’t agree, and without much consideration, he said, “Changing attending physicians is a very serious matter that requires careful consideration. So far, I haven’t seen any reason to change Liu Xiaotao’s attending physician.”
“Isn’t covering up a reason?” Shen Lin asked.
“What do you mean?” Director Zheng frowned.
Shen Lin continued, “The empty room on the third floor has been sealed off since the incident of a psychiatric patient accidentally killing medical staff. It’s said that the patient involved has been detained in the observation ward for closed treatment. But in reality, it was Liu Xiaotao who harmed the person, and Dr. Wang covered up for him. He lost his integrity and neutrality as the attending physician. Considering possible reasons for the cover-up, one might even infer that he lost his rationality and sanity.”
Before Director Zheng could respond, KP was startled, “…Where did you get this information?! You’re making things up!”
Director Zheng said sternly, “Dr. Shen, do you have evidence for what you’re saying? The hospital does not accept unsubstantiated accusations.”
“Just take a look at the records.” Shen Lin threw a file in front of Director Zheng. It was a ward assignment sheet clearly showing whose room was on the third floor of building A, and the dates matched perfectly.
KP said, “…I wasn’t prepared for this kind of clue. Don’t deceive my NPCs. You’re just fabricating evidence. You’re trying to cheat information.”
Shen Lin said, “I have my ways.”
He rolled the dice and succeeded.
KP said, “…”
Director Zheng believed Shen Lin’s words completely. He sat back in his chair, his brows furrowed, staring intently at the file.
Shen Lin said, “Psychology.”
A psychological assessment allowed Shen Lin to notice subtle muscle twitches in Director Zheng’s expression, indicating that he seemed very anxious, as if trying hard to resolve the matter.
Shen Lin said, “I believe Dr. Wang is no longer qualified. Liu Xiaotao’s condition is serious and should be transferred to me for treatment.”
“You?” Director Zheng looked up at Shen Lin, his gaze showing a hint of hostility, but he was adept at concealing his emotions, still smiling as he said, “Dr. Shen, if what you say is true, I will consider it carefully. But do you have a reason to insist on being Liu Xiaotao’s attending physician?”
“There’s something I’m curious about,” Shen Lin said. “I checked the records of that case. The nurse who was killed was strangled to death. Given Liu Xiaotao’s physical condition, he couldn’t have done it. Also, I obtained a copy of your schedule, and you were present in the hospital that day.”
KP said, “…You’re better at fabricating than I am. Why don’t you come and be the KP?!”
Shen Lin said, “I have my ways.”
He rolled the dice again, and succeeded once more.
Director Zheng completely believed Shen Lin’s words.
He suddenly reached into the drawer and pulled out a handgun, pointing it at Shen Lin. “What do you know?”
“Which one are you asking about? Do you want to know that when Liu Xiaotao had an episode, it was actually you who killed the nurse? Or do you want to know the secret of successfully curing the psychiatric patients in your ward?” Shen Lin replied.
Director Zheng’s hand hovered over the trigger.
Han Qianqiu hurriedly intervened, stepping forward to stop Director Zheng. “Director, calm down, calm down.”
Han Qianqiu was at a loss. “What should I do?”
“Attract his attention,” Shen Lin said. “Do whatever you can.”
Suddenly, Han Qianqiu had an idea. “I’ll use charm! I’ll use charm to distract his attention.”
KP said, “…You’re…”
Han Qianqiu interrupted, “Success!! A big success!!!”
KP muttered, “…Bringing a group of ancestors to interfere like this, he’s really digging up the ancestors’ graves.”
With the successful charm attempt, Han Qianqiu gained confidence. He spoke softly and persuasively, “Director Zheng, let’s have a good conversation. I didn’t quite understand what was said earlier, but I know you’re a rational and courteous gentleman. Think twice before acting, don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Some things, I know you’re forced into. If you’re willing, tell me, and we’ll figure it out together.”
Shen Lin remarked, “You almost sounded like reciting scriptures.”
Han Qianqiu remained silent.
But the charm attempt was a great success, meaning that whatever Han Qianqiu did, it would succeed.
So when he delivered his speech advocating goodness, it immediately resonated with Director Zheng.
Director Zheng looked at Han Qianqiu with a softened gaze. “Qianqiu, you’re a good kid.”
Xia He couldn’t help but smile when she saw this scene unfold. She mouthed to Shen Lin, “Stepmother secured.”
In building A, Zheng Demei, bound like a silkworm cocoon, suddenly sneezed. He wrinkled his nose, thinking it was chilly on the ground.
Han Qianqiu, completely oblivious to anything amiss, nodded earnestly and began to exchange compliments, “You’re a fine gentleman.”
“I’m not. I’m not a good husband, nor am I a good father. I’ve been longing for that night over a decade ago in Hassan Creek Town. I heard the call of the gods that night, their voices were so sacred, like the wind blowing up from the abyss. For so many years, I’ve been searching for that voice. I tried many methods. I killed my beloved wife, sacrificed her to the gods. I still remember her expression of disbelief before she died. I never inquired about my son’s affairs until a few days ago, when I found out I had such a big son, who turned out to be a cartoonist.”
Everyone: “…”
“But—why can’t I ever see him?! So many people have received his enlightenment, why only me! That night in Hassan Creek Town was just one night, the only night! Only that one time, I gazed upon my great Yellow King in the abyss. And then—” he stared intensely at Han Qianqiu, “the night I met you.”
Han Qianqiu: “….”
Xia He: Damn, it’s true love.
Director Zheng aimed the gun at Han Qianqiu, originally intending to quickly snatch it away, but Han Qianqiu was too close. Now, the cold gun was pressed against his face, a slight movement would pierce his flesh, making him a bloody mess.
Director Zheng’s expression was serious as he contemplated a possibility, “Perhaps if I sacrifice you, I’ll have the opportunity to meet the gods.”
Han Qianqiu shouted, “No! Calm down! I’m just an ordinary person. Sending me to your god won’t help! It’s a waste of resources!”
“Give it a try,” Director Zheng said, smiling at him.
Shen Lin gave Xia He a knowing look. While still in stealth mode, Xia He quietly approached Director Zheng. People tend to keep life-saving things within reach, and when Director Zheng pulled out the gun earlier, he had already revealed the position of the stone flute.
Xia He: “I’m a skilled hand.”
Rolling a 75 out of 35, success.
While Director Zheng’s attention was focused on Han Qianqiu, Xia He successfully stole the flute.
The flute was heavier than expected, made entirely of stone without any impurities. The texture of the stone was pure, with deep and shallow patterns distributed inside. It felt different from any other stone Xia He had touched.
She couldn’t find the right words to describe the feeling of touching the flute.
Thanks to her skilled hands, Xia He emerged from stealth mode. Seeing the flute being stolen, Director Zheng was furious. He suddenly aimed the gun at Xia He.
KP: “Combat round, Xia He gains the hatred of Director Zheng for stealing the flute, making her the target of an attack. Director Zheng shoots, and it’s a success. Xia He, make a dodge check.”
Xia He rolled a successful dodge.
Han Qianqiu praised, “Truly a professional journalist! Can steal, run, and dodge!”
Xia He said, “Being a journalist is the most versatile profession in the world!”
KP: “…Get out!”
With emotions calmed, KP asked, “What are the rest of you planning to do?”
Shen Lin said, “Give me the flute.”
Xia He handed the flute to Shen Lin, who raised it high and then suddenly slammed it against the edge of the wooden desk.
KP: “???”
Director Zheng was shocked, “What are you doing?!”
Shen Lin looked at him and said, “Chatting?”
Director Zheng asked, “Chatting about what?”
“Talking about you,” Shen Lin replied, tapping the desk with the flute, each tap seeming to strike Director Zheng’s heart.
Director Zheng watched, feeling a pang in his heart. He sat down heavily and said to Shen Lin, “Let’s talk.”
“What’s the story with Hassan Creek Town?” Shen Lin asked, holding the stone flute.
Director Zheng looked at the stone flute in Shen Lin’s hand and said, “You should know about the situation in that town. The meteorite from the black star brought blessings from the gods. Those who were influenced in the town dreamed of the gods in their dreams, except for me. That was my only encounter with the gods, but it was just a vague shadow. I know he stood in the dense fog.”
“The town formed a cult because of this. They worship the one true god. Some saw the appearance of the god in their dreams, a thin figure, three times the height of a person, wearing tattered yellow robes and a pale mask. Under the yellow robes, countless strong tentacles extended, giving the appearance of clumsiness but possessing a graceful elegance. The members of the cult call him the Yellow King.”
“Later, I joined the cult. The leader of the cult was a thirteen-year-old boy, the one closest to the god. It was he who brought the blessings of the god. He led me to participate in the cult’s gatherings, study its doctrines, and every member of the cult could recite the hymns fluently.”
“The miraculous night when the black star rose, the night when the moon ran through the night…”
He devoutly chanted hymns, then continued, “I was devout, but after that night, the god never appeared in my dreams again. I repeatedly asked myself why, until I intentionally received a revelation from the god. My existence was to offer more sacrifices to the god.”
“That flute revealed my mission. I turned that thirteen-year-old boy into an attendant of the god. He could absorb the madness of others and instill it into the chosen sacrifices of the god. You should know a game called 2048, where a small 2, added repeatedly, becomes an infinitely large number. The sacrifices we’re going to present to the god are just as massive.”
The pursuit of the god drove him to madness. Director Zheng stared at Shen Lin and said, “But it’s not enough yet. The madness of the entire town is not enough. I established a psychiatric ward, trying to find all the sacrifices sufficient to summon the god—”
The door to the side room opened, and Xu Lu walked out, looking disheveled and contorted.
KP: “Everyone, prepare for combat rounds.”
