Fangfang thought for a moment before responding, "Alright, let's get an X-ray. Maybe that big machete caused some damage."
A Lai saw this as an opportunity to investigate the attempt on his life. He decided to send Fangfang back to the city and told her to meet him later at Renxin Hospital.
Fangfang agreed, thinking it had been a long time since she'd returned home. Her mother had been constantly messaging her, asking for updates, and she had been lying to keep her mother at bay. If she didn't go home soon, her mother would definitely become suspicious.
After explaining the situation to Grandpa, Fangfang took the bus back to the city that very morning.
As soon as Fangfang left, A Lai went to Leiyin Temple to find Miyue and Mile. He asked them to help him investigate a mysterious case, stressing the need for absolute secrecy and insisting that they follow his instructions without questioning the details.
Having been thoroughly impressed by the success of the last "Absolute Intimidation" operation, both Miyue and Mile agreed without hesitation and asked the Abbot for leave.
The Abbot readily agreed but repeatedly reminded them to ensure A Lai's safety.
That afternoon, they traveled to the city together.
Upon arriving in the city, A Lai donned sunglasses and led the two monks to a waiting rickshaw motorcycle.
After explaining their destination to the driver, they were quickly transported to a luxurious villa.
The three of them got off and found a secluded spot nearby.
A Lai instructed Miyue and Mile, "It's broad daylight, so our task is to scout the area. We'll act under cover of darkness. It's not convenient for me to go right now, so you two should go beg for alms and gather information."
The two monks obeyed without question.
One of them began beating a wooden fish drum, while the other carried an alms bowl, fingers rolling prayer beads as they approached the villa's entrance.
A Lai watched from a distance, carefully observing every movement at the gate.
He saw Miyue and Mile standing outside the iron gate, chanting sutras continuously.
An elderly woman, dressed as a servant, came out and politely engaged with them before leading them into the courtyard.
A Lai clearly remembered that he hadn't seen this old servant on the day he was attacked. The only person on duty at the gate had been Hu San. Could Hu San be absent? How could this den of criminals allow two monks inside? What on earth was happening?
Inside the villa, Miyue and Mile were out of A Lai's sight, so he could only wait anxiously for their return.
An hour and a half later, the old servant escorted the two monks back out, bowing and making a Buddhist greeting, "Amitabha, thank you, thank you, you two have worked hard. I hope you'll come again."
Miyue, hands pressed together, responded, "Amitabha, may the Buddha bless you."
Mile, also pressing his hands together, said, "Benefactor, please stay well. We will return."
A Lai grew impatient, thinking, *What the hell is going on? Stop with the chatter and report to me already.*
The two monks leisurely made their way back to A Lai, smiling as they began their report.
First, there was no one in the guardroom. No security personnel were present, and there was no sign of the scar-faced man.
Second, according to the old servant, the villa had recently been purchased by her master from someone else.
Third, several renovation workers were inside, remodeling the villa according to the owner's instructions.
Fourth, they were invited inside to chant sutras to ward off evil spirits and ensure the house's peace. The mistress even gave them 500 yuan for their trouble.
Mile excitedly added, "The mistress said she'll reward us handsomely if we return after the renovations are complete."
"Come back my ass!" A Lai burst out, "How sly!"
He had thought that the criminals wouldn't be able to flee, but now he realized he had miscalculated. The criminals had already vanished, and he had no leads.
Miyue, confused by A Lai's frustration, asked, "We chanted sutras all over the villa, including the basement you mentioned, but it was filled with cement, sand, and renovation materials. We didn't see any strange tools like the pliers you described, nor did we find the person you're looking for. Are you sure this is the right place?"
A Lai sighed deeply, exasperated. "Don't say another word. I was too late. Damn it, I've been distracted by too many things and missed my chance." He felt dejected, his suspicions now confirmed.
*Where did they go? I know who you are now. I'll track you down—even if it means chasing you to the gates of hell.*
A Lai took a deep breath, realizing it was getting late. He led the two monks to a rickshaw motorcycle, which took them to a restaurant near Renxin Hospital called "Hao Zai Lai."
The three of them ate, drank, and spent the night there.
A Lai used the restaurant's phone to contact Fangfang and told her to meet him at the hospital the next morning.
Early the next morning, Fangfang arrived at Renxin Hospital, waiting for A Lai.
Seeing A Lai approaching with Miyue and Mile, she was immediately irritated and pulled him aside to question him, "Are you destined to be a monk? If so, why are you with me?"
A Lai thought to himself, *They're here as my bodyguards. You may be smart, but you don't know everything.*
He defended himself, saying, "We grew up playing together in the temple. They're like brothers to me. Can't you be a little reasonable?"
Fangfang snapped, "You're always hanging around with those two. Don't you ever think about how that makes things difficult for me?"
A Lai grinned, "Little Miss, they're here because they were sent on an alms round by the Abbot. They happened to run into me and even collected 500 yuan for my surgery. How can I refuse to be with such kind-hearted monks?"
He then pulled out the crisp 500 yuan bill and waved it in front of Fangfang's eyes.
"Alright, alright, stop being cheeky. But this is the last time," Fangfang relented, her tone softening.
She then led A Lai directly to Dr. Wang Zhi's office.
Dr. Wang greeted A Lai warmly and immediately wrote a note, handing it to Fangfang, "Take this note and go get an X-ray. No need to pay at the window."
"That's too much trouble," A Lai protested.
"No trouble at all. Didn't I introduce you to Director Li last time? He's already arranged for your treatment to be free of charge."
A Lai slapped his forehead, "My memory is terrible; I forget everything."
Dr. Wang smiled, "It's normal to lose some memory after a concussion. It takes time to recover." Then he added, "Even if Director Li hadn't said anything, as his wife and the deputy director, I could have made the call. Fangfang, take A Lai to get the X-ray quickly. I'll be waiting."
Fangfang led A Lai out.
Miyue and Mile followed closely behind, not leaving his side.
Everything went smoothly.
Before long, the four of them returned to Dr. Wang's office.
Dr. Wang examined the X-ray carefully, repeatedly scrutinizing it before staring at A Lai as if he were a visitor from another planet.
Fangfang, growing anxious, asked, "Is there a problem?"
Dr. Wang didn't respond.
He simply gestured for A Lai to move his arm, asking him to make a fist and raise his arm.
Buoyed by the recent success of his "Absolute Intimidation" plan, A Lai was in high spirits and began to show off, performing a few chest-expanding exercises, dropping to the floor for some push-ups, and then doing several burpees.
Fangfang, alarmed, shouted for him to stop, "If you don't get up, I'm going to kick you!"
A Lai looked up and gave Fangfang a playful glance, "What's the big deal?"
Fangfang grabbed A Lai's arm and pulled him up, scolding, "Do you want to break your arm again?"
Miyue and Mile, standing nearby with their hands pressed together in prayer, couldn't help but laugh. A Lai was right—Fangfang was like a tigress. If they ever got married, A Lai would definitely be a henpecked husband...
Dr. Wang finally spoke, "There's nothing wrong. He's fully recovered. The X-ray shows the fracture has completely healed. To be honest, I'm the one who's surprised. What's astonishing is that there's no trace of the fracture. A severe displaced fracture with no residual damage is incredibly lucky. But the strangest part is that it's only been a few weeks!"