The sound of wheels grinding against the train tracks was particularly jarring.
It was already eight in the evening. Streetlights reflected on the train window, blurring its outline.
"Dear passengers, the train will soon arrive at Taixi City. Please take your belongings and prepare to disembark."
"We're here," Ye Huai reminded.
"Mm," Tong Yang responded.
Half an hour had passed since returning to the real world, and none of the passengers on the train had noticed anything amiss.
The bomb installed on the train had been dismantled. Utilizing two spaces and with the help of Yang Lin's mother from the First World, it hadn't required too much effort.
The train slowly pulled into the station platform. Staff opened the exits of each carriage, and passengers crowded into the aisles, queuing to leave.
Tong Yang remained seated without moving. Only after everyone in front had left did she rise and step into the aisle.
"Tong Yang." Chu Shiyu and the other two were waiting on the platform.
"Let's go."
Taixi City was a small, geographically remote city. There were no towering skyscrapers; the buildings appeared somewhat old.
"Still thinking about the First World?"
Noticing her distracted state, Ye Huai asked softly.
"Mm," Tong Yang nodded, her expression anything but relaxed.
The First World—the culprit behind the invasion of the parallel world, the prime cause of the parallel world's current state.
Yet, it was such an existence that had saved her life and the lives of the passengers on the train.
The reason given was simply that she couldn't die right now, with no other information disclosed.
In the parallel world, apart from Dr. Wu and the higher-ups who wanted her dead, there was also "Yang Lin's mother" who temporarily spared her life. Their goals differed, yet all were closely tied to her.
"Dr. Wu probably knows."
Hearing this, Tong Yang scoffed, "That sly old fox would never tell me."
The most pressing matter at hand was dealing with the defective products. However, through this incident, Tong Yang had come to understand something: besides people from the parallel world, there were also humans from the First World involved.
The two worlds had already merged. Using herself as an example, besides the parallel world Tong Yang who had informed her, there might also be an invader Tong Yang from the First World.
The train station was bustling with people coming and going. In the moment they brushed past, a man suddenly bumped into Tong Yang.
Ye Huai pulled her aside in time. With a downward glance, he spotted a cold-glinting dagger hidden in the man's sleeve, deliberately aimed at Tong Yang.
"Be careful," Tong Yang said gravely.
They hadn't expected Taixi City to have made arrangements in advance.
"Two people left front, Tong Yang, one person behind you, two at the kiosk, four on the roadside." Xu Junyue, having undergone professional training after all, had quite good counter-surveillance skills.
Those who have received systematic training carry a different aura from ordinary people; those with a keen sense can spot it.
"They probably won't dare to act openly. Let's find a way to leave."
"Okay."
The group quickened their pace, leaving the train station. Those people indeed followed.
Tong Yang said, "The police have people nearby for support. We just need to find them."
"Okay."
"They're catching up, be careful."
Arriving at a traffic light intersection, the pedestrian signal turned red. Cars stopped behind the crosswalk slowly started moving.
With a loud thud, a normally moving car was struck by a heavy object on its windshield. In a panic, the driver swerved left, crashing into a roadside curb. Pedestrians cried out in alarm.
At the same moment, a hand appeared behind Tong Yang. Sensing someone approaching, she grabbed the person's wrist and, using the momentum, yanked them forward, right into the path of an oncoming car.
"Ah!"
"What happened?"
"Someone's hurt!"
"Go!"
Amidst the chaotic crowd, Tong Yang and her companions took the opportunity to slip away from the scene.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Tong?"
Looking at the clean-cut young man before her, Tong Yang nodded. "Yes."
"I'm an officer from the Taixi City branch. Please come with me."
"Okay."
"This way..."
The moment the young man turned around, Tong Yang tilted her head as a signal. Xu Junyue stepped forward swiftly, locking his neck in a chokehold until he lost consciousness from lack of air, then casually tossed him into the roadside bushes.
"Idiot, what cop wears flip-flops with a police uniform?" Xu Junyue said with an eye-roll.
"Let's go."
Crossing a street, they saw a black police car parked by the roadside. Its license plate matched the one sent by the old city district police. Without a word, Tong Yang opened the rear door and got in.
The others followed closely, unanimously leaving the front passenger seat for Ye Huai, who was still recovering.
After closing the doors, the young police officer in the driver's seat started the vehicle. There was no conversation, not even a glance exchanged.
"Watch the left side," Ye Huai warned.
No sooner had he spoken than a car on the left suddenly accelerated, occupying two lanes in an attempt to cut off and stop the police car.
The young officer remained silent, slowing down to give way. A sedan from behind overtook them.
"Can you drive or not? If not, get the hell back and wash your dad's stinky feet!" the sedan driver yelled at the car blocking two lanes.
Several traffic police officers happened to be standing ahead. The blocking vehicle had no choice but to return to its original lane. The sedan and the police car both hit the gas and overtook it one after the other.
Afterwards, the sedan driver moved to another lane, clearing the way for the police car ahead. He was likely another police asset.
They passed through the intersection unimpeded. Before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, a truck in the opposite straight lane suddenly signaled right, attempting to crash through the central barrier and ram into the police car.
Bang—
A loud gunshot rang out. The truck's window shattered from a bullet strike. The driver was hit in the shoulder, followed by two more shots hitting the tires, bringing the vehicle to a halt on the spot.
Snipers were likely positioned nearby. Their guns equipped with silencers, they stopped the situation from escalating without causing panic among the citizens. The police car sped forward.
After shaking off the pursuing vehicles, the police car finally slowed down.
Xu Junyue remarked, "It's like a police action movie. They even deployed snipers."
Then, the young police officer spoke up: "The bureau's orders were to ensure your safety at all costs. Seven snipers were positioned along the route."
"We're here."
The police car turned onto a remote road where a military truck was parked.
"Get on."
The town belonged to Taixi City but wasn't within the urban area; there was still a journey ahead.
Once on the truck, accompanied by two soldiers, they were temporarily safe.
During the ride, Tong Yang received a call from Mr. Du, inquiring about the situation on the train.
Tong Yang gave him a brief rundown. After understanding, Mr. Du told them to be careful and hung up.
By the time they entered the town, it was past nine.
There were about six hours left until the next cycle of magnetic field energy.
The town wasn't particularly prosperous, but the streets had quite a few residents.
They found a restaurant to eat. The food was decent, but unfortunately, it was quite spicy, so they didn't eat much.
"Old Zhu, your cooking's not up to par! The kids didn't eat much!" a middle-aged man sitting by the door teased.
The townsfolk had distinct accents, often emphasizing the last syllable of words, but it didn't hinder communication much.
"Is that so? If the taste is bad, why did you leave so much?" The owner, Old Zhu, came out holding a spatula to look. "Did I put too much salt?"
Chu Shiyu, worried he'd misunderstand, quickly explained, "No, it tasted very good. We just can't handle much spice."
Tong Yang, Ye Huai, and Tang Shuyan all preferred lighter flavors, and Chu Shiyu and the other person couldn't eat that much either.
"Ah! You should've said so earlier! I thought you young folks liked spicy food! No problem, no problem, this meal's on me, uncle's treat!"
"No need, thank you, uncle."
"It's fine, don't stand on ceremony with me. I can tell you're not from around here. We don't get visitors often in our little town!"
Chu Shiyu didn't refuse further and said thank you.
"Uncle, I heard there's a particularly famous old Chinese medicine practitioner in town, is that right?" Tong Yang asked.
The uncle by the door slapped his thigh. "You're here to see him for treatment? Let me tell you, he's amazing! How many cigarettes I smoke a day, what brand I smoke—he can tell just by feeling my pulse, clear as day!"
Xu Junyue became interested. "That miraculous?"
"Absolutely! Young lady, I see there's something wrong with your eye, right?"
Xu Junyue nodded. "Yes, blind in one."
"Believe it or not, he can cure your eye!"
"I don't believe it." Xu Junyue shook her head.
Tong Yang asked, "Uncle, is he really that skilled?"
In the information provided by the future Officer Lin, the town's famous old Chinese medicine practitioner was the defective product who died in this cycle of the loop.
"Yes! There's a blind man in our village, born blind in both eyes. In just this long—" The uncle held up two fingers. "Two days! He cured him!"
"Really?" Xu Junyue was astonished. "Congenital eye disease cured in just two days?"
"That's why he's so amazing! Someone paralyzed for most of their life, he cured them in half a day. Now they're working hard in the fields."
"Everyone for miles around knows about him!"
Tong Yang asked thoughtfully, "What are his fees?"
"Very cheap, around a hundred bucks."
"Is that so? Thank you, uncle."
"You want to go find him? I happen to be free, I can show you the way."
Tong Yang agreed. "Sure."
In the end, they still paid for the meal. The owner couldn't refuse, so he told them to come eat again tomorrow.
"Where are you all from?"
On the way, the uncle chatted with them.
"From Yao City."
"Yao City? That's not close at all. Has Liu Banxian's name really spread all the way to your parts?"
Chu Shiyu explained, "We heard about him from a friend by chance and thought we'd come give it a try."
"Liu Banxian is getting on in years, he doesn't like us talking about him outside."
There weren't many streetlights in the small town, and coupled with the late hour, the light was dim.
The uncle led them, navigating familiarly between the houses.
"Do you have a place to stay here?"
"No, uncle. Are there any hotels here? We didn't see any on the way."
The uncle laughed. "Our town is quite remote, we hardly get any outsiders. Those who work away have all brought their families and children out to live with them. There is one hotel, but it's about to go out of business. It's right in front of Liu Banxian's shop. I'll take you there."
"Okay, thank you, uncle."
They arrived at a quiet street. The shops on both sides were already closed. Only in front of a single-story house was a bright yellow light bulb lit, hanging above an old, cracked plaque that read "Chinese Medicine Clinic."
"That's the place, see it? Liu Banxian's shop. A bit further ahead is a hotel, the one with the lights on."
On this street, only the Chinese medicine clinic and the hotel still had their lights on.
"We see it now, thank you, uncle."
"Sorry for the trouble."
The uncle waved at them. "No trouble at all. Our little place isn't like the outside world, with surveillance cameras everywhere. A child went missing not long ago! Finish your visit and go to the hotel early."
"Thank you."
The uncle rubbed his hands together, huffing into them from the cold, waved goodbye, and left.
Tong Yang said, "Let's go in and take a look."
"Maybe your eye really can be cured."
Xu Junyue blinked her right eye. "If it can be cured, I'll definitely give him a commendation banner: 'Miraculous Skill Bringing the Dying Back to Life, Divine Healer!'"
"If he can cure congenital eye disease and paralysis, maybe heart disease can be cured too," Chu Shiyu said.
"Hey! Then this trip of ours is really worth it!"
Tong Yang chuckled. "You really think you're here for treatment?"
Tang Shuyan, hands in his coat pockets, shook his head. "It's a bit unscientific."
Xu Junyue gave him a heavy slap on the shoulder. "A Taoist priest? Science? You're talking to me about science?"
"Tsk... Hit me a little harder, and this humble priest will ascend directly to immortality."
Chu Shiyu was amused by them.
"It really is unscientific," Ye Huai said.
Tong Yang nodded. "Yes, at least it doesn't conform to the science of the real world."
Ye Huai nodded in agreement.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
Reaching the door, Chu Shiyu didn't go straight in. She knocked and peered inside.
It was an old-fashioned medicine shop.
The space wasn't large, with a dirt floor. Medicine cabinets with drawers stood on both sides, labeled with the names of corresponding Chinese herbs. A faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.
Two incandescent bulbs hung, one at the front and one at the back. Behind the counter was empty. Next to it was a pitch-black doorway, leading who knows where.
Everything in the room was old, and combined with the dim, hazy light, the atmosphere held a hint of eeriness.
Chu Shiyu knocked again and called out, "Excuse me, is anyone there? We're here for a consultation."
After waiting a moment, there was still no response.
"Go on in."
Just as everyone was puzzled, a hoarse, aged voice came from behind them.
All five turned around simultaneously, surprised to find an old man leaning on a cane standing by the roadside watching them.
His hair was frost-white, his face full of age spots, shoulders hunched. His drooping eyelids obscured his eyes, making his expression hard to read.
"Are you Liu Banxian?" Xu Junyue asked.
"You can call me Dr. Liu."
Liu Banxian walked towards them. Everyone instinctively made way, then followed him into the Chinese medicine clinic.
"Who needs treatment?" Liu Banxian asked.
"Me, me, me!" Xu Junyue excitedly raised her hand, sat down in front of the counter, automatically pulled up her sleeve, and stretched out her arm.
Liu Banxian looked at her but didn't take her pulse. He said directly, "The eye cannot be cured."
Xu Junyue was stunned, then said angrily, "You didn't even look! The uncle said you even cured congenital eye disease! Mine is acquired!"
Liu Banxian raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the five of them. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh and said, "Young lady, your eye was damaged by a scald. It cannot be cured."
Xu Junyue stared, dumbfounded. "Scalded?"
"Yes, it cannot be cured. You should leave quickly."
"No, I'm not leaving." Xu Junyue acted like a stubborn troublemaker. "So what if it was scalded? You cured someone else's congenital condition, why can't you cure mine? You have to give me an explanation today."
Liu Banxian's gaze rested on them, profound and obscure. "Everything must follow logic and science. I say it cannot be cured, so it cannot be cured."
"Then how did you know my eye was scalded? I didn't even know that myself."
"I could see it."
Xu Junyue awkwardly pulled her hand back. Then, pointing at Ye Huai, she said, "What about him? Can you tell what's wrong with him?"
"Hereditary heart disease."
"You can really tell? Hereditary?"
Hearing this, Tong Yang couldn't help but glance at Ye Huai. It seemed he had never mentioned it was hereditary heart disease.
Ye Huai's expression froze, his brow slightly furrowed. "Hereditary? Not congenital?"
Liu Banxian said, "Congenital heart disease has a chance of being cured, but hereditary heart disease is basically incurable. One can only prolong survival through careful maintenance and control."
Ye Huai pressed his lips together. "My parents and younger brother don't have heart disease."
Liu Banxian beckoned to him, gesturing for him to sit closer.
Xu Junyue vacated the spot, and Ye Huai sat down, rolled up his sleeve, and extended his arm.
Liu Banxian placed his rough fingers on Ye Huai's pulse. A band-aid was stuck to the knuckle of his right index finger.
Gradually, Liu Banxian's brow furrowed, and his gaze towards Ye Huai became grave and perplexed.
"While there is a possibility of skipping a generation, given your physical condition, one of your parents must have had hereditary heart disease. It's highly likely to be your father."
"My parents are very healthy."
Squinting his eyes, Liu Banxian asked, "Are you certain they are your biological parents?"
Ye Huai fell silent for a moment before replying, "Yes."
"That's strange then."
Frowning, Liu Banxian suddenly seemed to remember something, his face changing dramatically. "Your parents couldn't possibly have..."
He stopped abruptly.
"Couldn't possibly have what?" Tong Yang, keenly sensing something, pressed for an answer.
Liu Banxian's expression returned to calm as he shook his head. "It's nothing."
"Child, are your parents still alive?"
"My father is dead. My mother is still here."
Liu Banxian seemed to let out a slight sigh of relief. "It's getting late. If there's nothing else, please leave."
"Not so fast." Tong Yang stepped beside Ye Huai, her eyes fixed intently on Liu Banxian. "Since we're here, prescribe him some medicine. Can't it be managed with conditioning? With your excellent medical skills, capable of curing the blind and the disabled, surely prescribing something to help him live longer isn't a problem? Or perhaps give him a couple of acupuncture treatments?"
Liu Banxian's face darkened. "Young lady, I don't know why you've come to find me, but it surely isn't for medical treatment. Seeing that you're young, I'm thinking of your well-being. Leave the way you came."
Tang Shuyan said, "Dr. Liu, you're right. We didn't come here for medical treatment."
Liu Banxian sighed. "Hurry up and leave. I'm just an ordinary practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine."
"If you're just an ordinary practitioner, then what about the cures for the blind and the disabled? Were they just rumors?" Xu Junyue asked, puzzled.
Chu Shiyu said, "Dr. Liu, we mean no harm. We just want to understand the situation from you. Do you know something?"
Liu Banxian's words had made them all sense something was off.
"Dr. Liu, just say what you have to say," Tong Yang urged.
Looking at them, Liu Banxian wearily shook his head. "This is not something you should know. Leave as soon as you can."
By saying this, Liu Banxian indicated there was definitely a hidden story, one that might even be helpful to them.
Seeing his persistent refusal to reveal anything, Tong Yang tentatively asked, "It wasn't you who cured their illnesses, was it? Their illnesses cured themselves, right?"
Hearing this, Liu Banxian's face changed slightly.
Seeing his sudden shift in expression, everyone understood; Tong Yang had probably guessed correctly, at least in part.
The blind and the disabled weren't cured by him. His medical skills were just a cover for their cure.
There was no need to think deeply; the handiwork of the parallel world was undoubtedly involved.
Tong Yang's face turned gloomy, her fingertips digging into her palms as she cursed under her breath.
Those scumbags had actually integrated into the real world in this way.
The muscles on Liu Banxian's face tightened. "Who exactly are you? What do you know?"
Tong Yang said, "You haven't answered my question yet."
Liu Banxian was silent for a moment. "Just leave! This has nothing to do with you!"
Tightening her lips, Tong Yang grabbed him by the collar. "My patience is limited. You'd better not test it."
"Tong Yang." Ye Huai placed his hand on her wrist. "Calm down."
"I am calm. Otherwise, I'd have chopped him up right now."
Chu Shiyu pulled Tong Yang back, her tone unfriendly. "You clearly know there's a problem, yet you're still helping them cover it up? Aren't you a doctor who heals the wounded and rescues the dying?"
Xu Junyue let out a cold laugh. "We should torture you bit by bit, make you slowly spill everything."
“Hey, where's the virtue of respecting the elderly and caring for the young?” Tang Shuyan strongly disapproved of her suggestion. “He's so old, he'd be gone with just a little hassle. Does he have a son? Grandchildren? Torture them instead!”
"Makes sense!" Xu Junyue suddenly had an epiphany.
Chu Shiyu said, "Isn't it bad to involve others? We could torture him while making him treat himself. That should keep him going for a while."
Tong Yang, arms crossed, watched the three of them. Was it her illusion? Chu Shiyu seemed to have been corrupted by those two.
Liu Banxian's face turned blue and then purple, nearly passing out from anger.
Ye Huai signaled for the four to calm down. "Let me try to negotiate first. If that doesn't work, we can use your methods."
Tong Yang: "..."
Leaning against the medicine cabinet, listening to their back-and-forth, Tong Yang felt she was still relatively kind-hearted, only wanting to give the other party a quick end.
"Dr. Liu, you are right. Our coming to this town was indeed not for medical treatment," Ye Huai said, his tone unhurried.
"We received information that 'those people' from over there will send someone to kill you around 3 a.m."
Ye Huai's words were ambiguous. If Dr. Liu knew the inside story, he should understand.
Hearing this, Dr. Liu's expression became grave. He stared fixedly at Ye Huai but said nothing.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
After a long pause, Dr. Liu said in a low voice.
"I have never made an enemy of anyone in my life."
Ye Huai said, "Perhaps you no longer have any use value. Or perhaps, you have already served your purpose."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I am just an ordinary practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine."
Tong Yang let out a disdainful "tch" sound.
"Since Dr. Liu has repeatedly asked us to leave, let's go."
Ye Huai stood up and politely bowed to Dr. Liu. "Take care."
Tong Yang looked down at the old man behind the counter, a smile on her face. "Don't worry. I'll be the first to arrive to collect your body, and by the way, I'll help you take revenge."
With that, Tong Yang turned and left briskly.
"Wait."
As Tong Yang reached the door, the old man suddenly called out to her.
She turned back, her eyes cold and annoyed. "I have no patience. You'd better say something I want to hear."
Liu Banxian looked at them and warned, "It's too late. Stay at the hotel up front for the night. Try not to go out after dark."
"Worry about yourself," Tong Yang said coldly, leaving the traditional medicine clinic without looking back.
"Stubborn old fool," Tong Yang cursed.
"From what he said, the town might have problems," Tang Shuyan remarked.
Tong Yang said, "The parallel world gave those people my coordinates. They chased us to Taixi City but have been unable to enter the town for a long time. That's enough explanation."
Although military vehicles were parked at the entrance to take them away after resolving the matter, the town had more than one entrance. It wouldn't be difficult for those people to sneak in.
The town's problems were probably not small.
They left the traditional medicine clinic and came to a hotel about fifty meters away.
Looking back, the clinic was already closed, with only a dim yellow light bulb glowing above its door.
“Boss, do you have any rooms?”
The owner behind the counter was watching TV when, unexpectedly, someone came in. He said in surprise, "You're checking into the hotel?"
"Doesn't it look like it? Do you have any rooms available?"
"Yes! As many as you want!"
Xu Junyue turned to look at the others and asked, "How many rooms?"
"One should do, we won't be staying long."
"Oh, then just one room."
"One room?" The owner looked at the group in astonishment. "The four of you in one room?"
Xu Junyue was taken aback. "Four people?"
She counted among the group, "One, two, three, four..."
"What the hell?" Xu Junyue exclaimed strangely. "Where's the boss?"
Chu Shiyu froze. "She was right behind me just now..."
Tang Shuyan stretched lazily. "Don't know, didn't see her."
Ye Huai lowered his gaze and said, "When we passed the backyard of the traditional Chinese medicine clinic, she told us to go ahead and climbed in herself."
"She went alone?" Chu Shiyu frowned. "Dr. Liu is clearly suspicious, what if he's working with..."
"What do you mean Dr. Liu is suspicious?" The owner looked at them warily. "You're not thieves, are you?"
Tang Shuyan smiled. "Boss, we're just joking."
"We want one room, the one at the far right end of the second-floor corridor," Ye Huai stated.
While eyeing them suspiciously, the owner rummaged for the key. "You don't look like thieves from your clothes. There are surveillance cameras in my place, don't try anything funny."
Tang Shuyan leaned in with a smile. "Boss, you've misunderstood. I see your complexion isn't great. Have you been losing a lot at mahjong these past couple of days? And losing quite a bit?"
The owner was shocked. "How did you know?"
"This humble Taoist knows a little about reading faces."
"Fortune-telling? You can tell fortunes?" The owner suddenly became excited.
"Indeed."
Xu Junyue stared at him, wide-eyed. "Since when did you know how to tell fortunes? We didn't know that."
Tang Shuyan said, "Fortune-telling depends on fate and connection. It can only be done when the timing is right."
The owner asked, "You really can tell fortunes?"
"Show me your right hand."
The owner extended his right hand. "Well? When will I start winning at cards?"
Tang Shuyan shook his head. "Your gambling luck is poor. You lose every time you gamble."
"So accurate! Then how can I make big money?"
Tang Shuyan looked at the lines on her palm, his expression complicated. "One should enjoy life in time. Don't let worldly possessions hold you back. Spend more time with your parents."
The owner nodded, somewhat understanding. "Master, I understand!"
"Good that you understand. This reading is free. Just give us the key."
"Alright! Room at the far right end of the second-floor corridor!"
"Thanks."
Tang Shuyan led them away from the lobby into the pitch-dark stairwell.
As footsteps approached, the motion-sensor light flickered on.
Xu Junyue asked curiously, "Do you really know fortune-telling? Or are you just making it up?"
"No, I'm not," Tang Shuyan replied, hanging his head, distracted.
Xu Junyue pressed on, "What did you mean by telling the owner to 'enjoy life in time'? Does it mean she'll never make big money in this lifetime?"
Tang Shuyan glanced at her. "What do you think?"
Ye Huai said, "Probably means her time is short."
Tang Shuyan nodded. "Correct."
Then, he added disdainfully, "Xu Junyue, you could try using your brain a little."
"Who are you to manage me?" Xu Junyue shot him a glare. "If her time is short, just say it directly."
"Are your fortunes accurate?" Chu Shiyu asked.
Tang Shuyan said, "Accurate."
"Have you told fortunes for others before?"
Tang Shuyan nodded. "Yes. Some are already dead, others will be soon."
Xu Junyue exclaimed in awe, "You're the real jinx!"
"Get lost," Tang Shuyan cursed.
"Then tell my fortune? Let's see if your prediction is accurate, or if my fate is stronger." Xu Junyue eagerly stretched out her hand.
Tang Shuyan lifted his chin. "I said, it's not something done casually. It depends on fate and connection. Those I feel the connection with are, without exception, people about to die."
After saying this, he glanced at Ye Huai and said with a smile, "So be glad. I don't feel like telling your fortunes yet."
Ye Huai asked with a calm expression, "When? Can you tell?"
Tang Shuyan said, "Within half a month. Cause of death is likely homicide."
"Is there a way to resolve it?"
Tang Shuyan looked surprised. "Why would you want to help her for no reason? You don't seem like a good person."
"If he's not a good person, then who is? He's the most good-natured one among us."
Ye Huai said, "No, I'm just a bit curious."
Tang Shuyan didn't ask further. Looking at the surveillance camera on the corridor ceiling, the owner had lied. There was no camera; it was just an empty shell.
He sighed and said, "There's no solution."
"Is that so." Ye Huai's tone was flat, indifferent.
They reached the end of the corridor, where there was a window leading outside.
The rusty window was wide open, cold wind pouring in. The view perfectly framed the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.
Not far away, a slender figure sat on the courtyard wall. Under the cold moonlight overhead, hands tucked in pockets, she was looking down at her phone.
Soon after, all four of their phones buzzed simultaneously.
Ye Huai opened his to see several photos sent in the group chat.
Opening the photos revealed a dimly lit backyard with some blurry objects hanging upside down.
Swiping to the next photo, the objects in the yard became clearer.
"Human organs?"
Chu Shiyu, also looking at her phone, questioned in confusion.
"Why would there be human organs in the backyard of a traditional Chinese medicine clinic?"
Immediately after, a video was sent.
Playing the video, the camera focused on the objects hanging under the eaves, zooming in continuously. Those human organs were actually still squirming!
"That old bastard is definitely involved! He's collaborating with the parallel world! No wonder he can cure the blind and disabled! So he's been replacing their organs!"
Ye Huai frowned. "He probably can't do that."
"Replacing human organs would require surgical incisions. Never mind whether the clinic has the equipment, Dr. Liu is too old. His physical condition wouldn't allow him to perform surgery."
"He's just a front? A smokescreen." Chu Shiyu said seriously.
"Mm, likely."
Tang Shuyan looked at his phone screen and sighed. "I never thought, not just internationally, but the black market trade has appeared domestically too, and in this manner."
Chu Shiyu said, "But why do it this way? In a remote domestic town."
"Domestic scrutiny in this area is very strict. If it were done elsewhere or in a hospital, information would spread too fast, and the police would have discovered and shut it down long ago," Ye Huai explained.
"What's important is that there are many similar towns domestically. A thorough investigation is needed."
"Is Dr. Liu their accomplice? Then why kill him?"
Ye Huai raised his wrist, rubbing his pulse point, and said, "What if he had already been injected with defective products long ago?"
The other three were visibly shaken. If defective products had long existed within Dr. Liu's body, how many people had he taken the pulse for? How many people's skin had he touched? How wide was the potential virus transmission range?
And, just moments ago, he had taken Ye Huai's pulse.
Looking up at their stunned expressions, Ye Huai said, "Tang Shuyan, interested in telling my fortune now?"
Tang Shuyan shrugged. "Not interested."
"Excellent. It seems I won't be dying just yet."
Tang Shuyan then changed the subject, "However, I'd quite like to do a divination for Dr. Liu."
Ye Huai gave a helpless smile, "So it seems I'm still in great danger."
"Yes."
Studying is for Making Money: [I've called Mr. Du. He'll send people over overnight.]
What they had thought of, Tong Yang had probably also considered.
This matter needed to be handed over to specialists.
Studying is for Making Money: [You all rest. Come over again at three.]
Ye Huai: [Okay, be safe.]
Tong Yang sat on the courtyard wall. She took out some snacks she'd pocketed earlier at the research base from her backpack and ate a few.
The backyard was completely separated from the front. Aside from human organs, there was nothing else.
Tong Yang wanted to try her luck. Perhaps there were parallel humans who had been injected with the high-quality gene serum involved in this; they weren't controlled by magnetic field energy and could freely travel to and linger in the real world.
If parallel humans injected with the high-quality serum were involved, they might appear ahead of time.
She had specifically scouted the area. The traditional Chinese medicine clinic only had the old man, Liu, which puzzled Tong Yang. He likely hadn't been injected with any gene serum, not even the inferior kind.
Because he had a band-aid on his right index finger, and the wound hadn't healed automatically.
If that was the case, it didn't seem like the parallel world had given him any benefits either, so why was he helping them?
Moreover, the old man didn't seem like an utterly wicked person.
Tong Yang toyed with her phone, deep in thought.
Tong Yang guessed he had been injected with defective serum long ago.
Time gradually passed, and the sky grew darker.
Tong Yang waited for a long time, but no one else appeared in the courtyard.
She felt a bit disappointed. She had thought that once they appeared, Old Man Liu would try to contact people from the parallel world, given the secret was now at risk of exposure.
Tong Yang rested her chin in her hand, recalling the words he had cautioned her with before she left.
What did it mean? Could something strange happen tonight?
After some thought, and to ensure safety, Tong Yang put on her earphones and dialed Ye Huai's number.
"How's it going?" Ye Huai asked.
Tong Yang propped her elbow on her knee, replying lazily, "Nothing's happening. I thought I might see something interesting."
"Tired? Come back and rest for a bit."
"No need. I'll rest after this is over."
"Alright. I can see you from over here."
"Oh?"
Tong Yang turned around and saw a figure standing by the corridor window on the second floor of the hotel.
Seeing her look his way, Ye Huai waved a hand in the air.
Tong Yang raised a hand in response and asked, "What about the others?"
"Resting."
"Are you scared?" Tong Yang suddenly asked.
Ye Huai chuckled, "Of what?"
"I always feel that old man won't live much longer. If the antidote isn't made, you'll die."
Ye Huai said, "Tang Shuyan knows divination. I heard he only does readings for those about to die. Dr. Liu is one of them."
"Well, there's nothing to be done then. That guy's readings are pretty accurate."
"I think so too."
"So, are you scared?"
"No." Ye Huai's voice was soft, "Just a bit regretful."
"Regretful of what?"
"I just started feeling like life was getting a bit interesting."
"Is that so."
"What about you? Your life must have been interesting from the very start, right?"
Tong Yang thought for a moment and said, "Yes, my life is interesting."
Ye Huai's voice held a smile, "That's good."
After a pause, Ye Huai asked, "Would you mind if an interesting story ended briefly?"
Tong Yang said, "That depends on whether the value this story creates for me is worth the brief time and effort I waste on it."
"Is there a standard?"
"No."
"Okay. I understand."
Tong Yang lowered her eyes and said nothing.
"Aren't you going back to your room? A gust of wind could take your life."
Ye Huai laughed softly, "It's not that bad. I'll keep you company for a while."
"Suit yourself."
They chatted idly for a bit longer. The backyard remained utterly quiet.
Old Man Liu's room was right behind the shop, separated from the backyard by an enclosed corridor. He should have been asleep long ago at this hour.
Sitting on the wall, Tong Yang suddenly saw a slanted beam of light cast onto the corridor wall.
"Movement."
"Be careful."
Tong Yang gripped the top of the wall with both hands and dropped lightly into the courtyard.
She approached with light steps and entered the corridor.
A light was on in the medicine shop. A figure pushed the door open and entered!
