Given there was only an hour left, Zhang Chenyan let him be, even occasionally helping Chen Yijing keep watch.
Although Chen Yijing had already disguised himself, Zhang Chenyan was still worried that a few persistent people might recognize him.
Fortunately, their physical exam results were fine, and Chen Yijing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Next was the interview, their last chance to back out.
Chen Yijing didn't care at all, while Zhang Chenyan had long made up his mind.
The so-called interview was conducted by Tels Company's internal trial staff to comprehensively evaluate and screen them, the final hurdle.
Chen Yijing had prepared detailed materials and even simulated the interview with Zhang Chenyan.
Zhang Chenyan hadn't even been this serious when interviewing for jobs, as he had solid professional skills to back him up. This time, the questions would likely have little to do with his expertise.
Chen Yijing, though usually unreliable, was incredibly helpful in the interview preparation.
If it weren't for Chen Yijing's thorough preparation, they wouldn't have passed the interview so smoothly and reached the final trial stage.
According to Tels Company staff, the surgery wouldn't take long. Any surgery involving the head, especially the brain, is major. However, due to accumulated experience and various simulations, this surgery's techniques had matured.
Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing's surgery times were scheduled later, with other volunteers undergoing brain-machine installations before them.
While waiting outside the operating room, Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing listened carefully as the medical staff explained the surgical and postoperative procedures. The surgical part was more about cooperation since the surgeons were in charge. The explanations were meant to prevent nervousness and make them understand what to expect during the surgery.
"The surgery is performed under general anesthesia; you won't feel any pain during the procedure."
"All you need to do is stay relaxed and trust the doctors. Otherwise, it might affect the anesthesia and surgery results."
Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing listened attentively.
"If you don't follow medical advice, it's your own fault if things go wrong," Zhang Chenyan told Chen Yijing. "We both need to make it out of this alive!"
Chen Yijing scoffed, "How many times have you been sick in your life? Don't lecture me."
Zhang Chenyan fell silent. Indeed, Xie Han had taken excellent care of him since childhood, so he had no right to lecture Chen Yijing.
"You brat, why are you acting all rebellious again?" Zhang Chenyan joked.
"Just letting you relive the feeling when we first met," Chen Yijing replied with a laugh. "Isn't there a poem that says something like, 'If life could be as it was at first sight'?"
Zhang Chenyan wanted to tell him that he was misusing the poem, but the staff began explaining postoperative care.
The surgery wasn't long, and they would only stay in the hospital for a day for observation before being discharged. Tels Company staff would follow up, ensuring it didn't disrupt their lives, which was one reason Zhang Chenyan joined the trial.
Postoperative care was crucial and mainly up to the participants, so Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing listened even more intently.
Zhang Chenyan and Chen Yijing were wheeled into the operating room simultaneously. Before separating, they encouraged each other one last time.
As the staff had said, Zhang Chenyan barely had time to look around before falling asleep under the anesthetist's soothing voice. When he woke up, he was already out of the operating room and lying in a hospital bed.
"How do you feel? Any discomfort?" asked a middle-aged man in a white coat, with several people holding electronic devices to record data.
Zhang Chenyan tried to sit up but found himself connected to various monitoring wires and tubes.
"Just lie down, no need to rush," the doctor reassured him.
Zhang Chenyan assessed his condition and shook his head slightly, "Just a bit weak, nothing much."
"Maybe the anesthesia hasn't worn off completely. Rest a bit," the doctor nodded. "Remember to follow medical advice, take your medication, and cooperate with check-ups. You're in good health, and the surgery was successful, so don't worry too much. Report any discomfort to the staff immediately. We'll regularly check on your condition."
The doctor's words reassured Zhang Chenyan.
Perhaps it was indeed the anesthesia, as he felt sluggish until the doctors finished their notes and were about to leave. He then remembered to ask, "How's the person who was in the surgery room next to mine?"
The doctor paused, "You know him? A friend?"
This time, Zhang Chenyan didn't hesitate, nodding firmly, "Yes."
The doctors exchanged glances but didn't answer directly. Instead, one said, "We've informed his family."
"Family?" Zhang Chenyan was confused. "My friend's name is Chen Yijing. He doesn't have any family waiting for him here. Are you sure you're talking about the right person?"
"Yes, the person who had surgery at the same time, in the next room, is Chen Yijing," the doctor confirmed. "His condition isn't good. We informed his family."
Hearing this, Zhang Chenyan panicked. He tried to get out of bed, despite the many wires, but was held back by the doctors.
"Calm down! Why are you more anxious than his family?!"
"Yes, lie back down. The anesthesia hasn't worn off yet. Take it easy!"
"His family is handling it. There's nothing you can do."
...
Seeing Zhang Chenyan so agitated, the doctors and nurses tried to calm him down. Only Zhang Chenyan knew that if no "family" had come for Chen Yijing, he wouldn't be so nervous. It was precisely because "family" had shown up that he was scared.
Yes, this feeling was fear.
"Fine, I'll lie down and listen," Zhang Chenyan said, trying to calm himself. "Just tell me, how is Chen Yijing?"
The doctors looked at each other, and eventually, one explained, "He came out of surgery before you, but soon after, he showed signs of severe discomfort. We determined it was a rejection reaction. The best solution was to remove the brain-machine interface immediately, but that's another surgery. Since he was unconscious and unable to make decisions, we informed his family to decide. We can't perform surgery without consent or bear that responsibility."
Hearing this, Zhang Chenyan felt his heart sink.
"Did anyone come?" Zhang Chenyan asked, his voice trembling.
He hoped no one came. He had an instinct that Chen Yijing's "family" was scarier than the rejection reaction.
"His family arrived at the hospital immediately after we informed them," the doctor said. "I must say, you kids are too daring. Such a big thing should be discussed with family. His family said they didn't even know he was participating in a human trial."
"Lies!" Zhang Chenyan was genuinely furious. "Chen Yijing's registration made a huge commotion, and they even fueled it by inciting a group to attack him. Now they claim ignorance. Nonsense!"
The doctor seemed puzzled, not understanding what Zhang Chenyan meant. A young intern explained the situation to the doctor.
After hearing everything, the doctor's face turned pale.
"So... his family did it on purpose!" the doctor rushed out without further explanation, seemingly to stop something.
"What's going on?!" Zhang Chenyan was frantic. He grabbed the intern, "What happened? Did his family say something?"
The intern, red-eyed and avoiding eye contact, struggled to speak.
"Tell me! What's going on?" Zhang Chenyan was truly desperate. He had never been so impolite to a stranger, but now he was both angry and anxious.
The intern calmed down and explained, "According to protocol, we explained the situation to them and showed them the consent forms you signed. But we didn't expect them to refuse further surgery."
"Refuse surgery?" Zhang Chenyan was stunned.
The doctor had made it clear that the best solution was to remove the brain-machine interface to eliminate the rejection reaction. Refusing further surgery was essentially a death sentence.
"His family claimed he was too weak to endure another surgery," the intern continued, "Although the simplest solution was to remove the interface, their firm stance and refusal to sign the consent made everyone hesitate. Besides, his family caused such a commotion, making it impossible to communicate."
The intern, tearful, added, "I tried to explain, but before the doctors could hear, his family attacked me. His mother cried hysterically, and his father threatened me. I didn't know what to do..."
Hearing the intern's tearful recount, Zhang Chenyan felt a crushing weight on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Can I sign the consent? I'll take responsibility! Let his family come to me!" Zhang Chenyan pleaded.
"You're not closely related enough to sign the consent," the intern replied, though it was the truth.
Zhang Chenyan nodded, then bolted out of the room before the intern could react, "He needs the surgery! No matter how much they argue, the surgery must happen!"
However, when Zhang Chenyan stumbled out, he only saw a body covered with a white sheet being wheeled away. The doctor stood by, silently, eyes red.
"Is it him?" Zhang Chenyan's voice was barely a whisper, as if afraid to wake someone.
"Is it him?" he asked again softly.
No one answered, so Zhang Chenyan lifted the sheet himself, revealing the familiar face.
The boy's face was still clean, with a delicate look, and the distinctive mole under his right eye. But now he lay there, motionless, cold.
Zhang Chenyan wished he would stand up and argue, showing his rebellious spirit, but no matter what he said, Chen Yijing remained unresponsive. Even his tears falling on the boy's face didn't provoke a reaction.
"Want the latest handheld game console? I'll buy it with my first paycheck."
Zhang Chenyan tried to tempt him, but only silence greeted him.
After a long time, Zhang Chenyan finally accepted the reality. He slumped against the wall, asking weakly, "What happened?"
"The rejection reaction was too strong, and we missed the optimal time for surgery," the doctor said briefly, explaining the situation.
"You didn't make it in time, did you?" Zhang Chenyan wasn't sure why he asked, maybe just to say something, anything.
He had never hated silence as much as he did today. He wanted a response.