A-Lai held his breath and listened carefully to what was happening outside. Once he felt sure that Hu San and his family had left, he quickly pulled up his pants and led his grandfather back to the hospital room, a look of relief on his face. He gave Li Fang a thumbs up and shared a knowing smile.
The three of them chatted for a while.
It was already nearing 3 PM.
A-Lai urged his grandfather to head back home, reminding him that if he didn't leave soon, he would miss the last bus. He assured him that the doctor had said his condition had improved and that he could be discharged in a few days.
But his grandfather was still worried and didn't want to leave.
Li Fang, concerned about the toll the hospital stay was taking on his grandfather, also urged him to go home, promising that she would take good care of A-Lai.
Grandpa Lei, having learned about Li Fang's work at the hospital and seeing how well she treated A-Lai, was delighted. After repeatedly reminding her to look after A-Lai, he reluctantly left.
The two of them, one on each side, practically forced Grandpa Lei out of the hospital.
As soon as his grandfather left, A-Lai eagerly turned to Li Fang and said, "You promised my grandpa that you'd take care of me, so aren't you going to help me?"
Li Fang, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, "You're a hero and my idol. It's my duty to take care of you, but I'm afraid you might shock me with your electricity."
A-Lai chuckled, blurting out, "I already used up all my electricity on that guy Hu San, so there's none left. Don't worry."
He then lightly touched Li Fang's arm, asking if she felt anything.
When she shook her head, he confidently linked his arm with hers as they walked back to the room.
Hu San was standing by the hospital window, watching as Grandpa Lei quickly disappeared into the crowd. Delighted, he hurried over to A-Lai's room to wait.
As soon as A-Lai returned, Hu San immediately addressed him as "Master Monk," begging to be his disciple and learn his skills. He even promised that A-Lai would make a fortune, spewing out a string of grand promises.
A-Lai thought to himself, *My God, what skills do I have? At the construction site, I couldn't even handle heavy work, only doing odd jobs. All the strange things that have happened in the hospital—I'm still baffled by them.*
On one hand, he had been pretending to be mysterious to scare Hu San.
On the other hand, he was trying to impress Li Fang with his supposed skills.
A-Lai feared that Hu San might seek revenge later or that he might accidentally expose the truth. Not daring to explain anything, he simply kept his eyes closed and pretended to meditate, chanting softly, "Amitabha, the highest good."
Seeing A-Lai's monk-like demeanor, Hu San felt helpless.
The next day was the same.
Hu San, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, repeatedly came to A-Lai's room, probing him with questions and instructing his wife to buy various gifts to curry favor with him.
By the third day, he respectfully handed A-Lai a business card. The card's header read "Xiongfeng Fitness Club," with Hu San listed as a deputy section chief of the affiliated security company. He also gave A-Lai a free annual membership coupon.
A-Lai thought to himself, *This guy, Hu San—he tried to kill me just a few days ago, and now he wants to be my disciple? He must be out of his mind! Once I uncover the truth, I'll confront you and make you confess why you tried to kill me. I'll make sure you pay!*
*You're nothing but a guard dog, pretending to be someone important. But I'll play along for now and see what schemes you come up with next.*
Thinking this, A-Lai continued his act, eyes closed, chanting softly, "Amitabha, the highest good."
Hu San, frustrated, left the business card and coupon on A-Lai's bed and left dejectedly.
As he walked away, Hu San was filled with anxiety. *This kid survived—eventually, the boss will find out. The hush money I received might be the least of my worries. Will they let me off so easily?*
*To succeed, one must be ruthless. Friends fall out over three games of cards, and enemies over three meals. But hey, a meal is still a meal, right?*
*That stuttering office manager at the Xiongfeng Gym is my nemesis, always trying to undermine me. He's the one who conveyed the boss's orders for the assassination. This was definitely his rotten idea.*
*Why not have this kid teach him a lesson, let him taste the power of the "Three Heavenly Strikes"? That way, the boss will see that it's not me, Hu San, who's incompetent.*
A sinister plan began to take shape in Hu San's mind. His scarred face twisted into a sneer as he plotted.
On the fourth day.
Hu San quietly pushed open the door to A-Lai's room.
He saw the young nurse, Li Fang, chatting with A-Lai. Clearing his throat, he waited for them to stop talking before speaking. "This is all my fault, causing you both harm. I'm truly sorry. I know, Master, that you'll be discharged soon. Please, do me the honor of letting me treat you both to a meal. It's the least I can do."
Li Fang coldly replied, "I don't think that's necessary. Your child might need a second surgery, and you'll need money for that."
"Sigh."
Hu San sighed deeply. "What's a little money? If you don't accept, I'll feel guilty forever, unable to sleep at night. I have this strange quirk—if something weighs on my mind, I can't let it go until the other person forgives me and gives me a chance to make amends. Only then can I feel at ease."
*This guy's not just mentally troubled; he's also hiding something,* A-Lai thought. *Avoiding him won't solve anything.*
Seeing no way out, A-Lai reluctantly agreed, "Just this once. No exceptions."
Hu San was overjoyed that A-Lai finally accepted his invitation and left the room with a spring in his step.
Li Fang, who had been silent, watched Hu San's twisted, scarred face with disgust and worry. "If this keeps up, it's like trying to wring water out of a burlap sack—it's going to be impossible to deal with him if he keeps pestering us."
"What can we do?" A-Lai replied. "I've already given my word, and a man's word is his bond. Once spoken, it's final."
Li Fang bit her lip, frustrated. "I have a bad feeling that Hu San is up to something. Who knows what could happen over a meal? You should seriously reconsider."
"Humph!" A-Lai boasted, "Do you think I'm afraid of him? The Thunder God title is not for show. And don't forget, he's already experienced the power of my 'Three Heavenly Strikes.'"
He playfully rested his hand on her shoulder, laughing, "It's just a meal. What's the big deal? Why worry so much? Give me a smile, beautiful."
Li Fang's lips curled into a reluctant smile.
A-Lai beamed, "Your smile is intoxicating, but your tears break my heart…"
"Stop with the smooth talk," Li Fang retorted, "If you mess with me again, I won't care about you anymore... I've warned you, so it's up to you if you want to go."
A-Lai thought to himself, *Better to be prepared before going. I need to plan for any surprises.*
*You can be as crafty as you like, but I'll be ready for you.*