Inside the emergency room, doctors and nurses bustled about. Resuscitating Lin Fan alone had been relatively straightforward, but the subsequent arrival of Old Zhang had thrown them into a frenzy.
"Director Li once told me to come to our hospital, promising I'd get to perform all sorts of high-risk surgeries and hone my skills," the head doctor remarked. "I didn't understand back then where all these high-risk surgeries would come from. But in the nine years since I joined, I've dealt with this kid forty-eight times, each time with him half a foot in the grave."
"Dr. Wang dealt with him thirty-two times. Of course, Dr. Wang has since resigned."
The nurses in the ER listened quietly as the head doctor recounted past experiences. They knew all too well. This guy was a cockroach – constantly courting death, yet somehow never dying.
"What did the Vice Director say?" the head doctor inquired. He was subtly fishing for information. If he didn't get a satisfactory answer, he was seriously considering resigning and going home to look after his grandchildren. Mental illness was simply too terrifying.
A nurse replied, "The Vice Director said that as soon as the resuscitation is over, an ambulance will be arranged. He'll personally drive them back to Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital."
Hearing this, the head doctor's spirits lifted. "Everyone, perk up! I want these two out of our hospital within three hours, understand?"
"Understood!"
At that moment, a fiery passion ignited within the doctors and nurses. A sacred, indestructible light emanated from them. They were firing on all cylinders, determined to protect their sanctuary. They asked for nothing more.
At the hospital entrance, an ambulance stood waiting. The Vice Director checked his exquisitely crafted, wildly popular, several-hundred-dollar electronic watch.
"They should be about done."
The ambulance driver spoke humbly and respectfully, "Vice Director, let me drive. How can we let you do it?"
"Even if the highest authority came today, I would drive," the Vice Director declared firmly. His meaning was clear: No one would stop him.
Before long, several doctors and nurses pushed two gurneys towards the ambulance. They had rushed the patients out immediately after surgery.
"Get them in the vehicle! No matter what, these two are going back to Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital today," the Vice Director commanded.
"Yes, sir!"
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The ambulance sped out of the hospital, taking corners with a touch of flair, demonstrating the Vice Director's eagerness to be rid of his passengers. This was arguably the first time in medical history that a vice director personally drove patients away.
At Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, Director Hao stood by the window, his expression grave. He stared intently at the entrance.
"Heaven help me, don't let them be back so soon."
But when an ambulance appeared in his line of sight, he knew all his prayers were in vain. They had indeed been heartlessly returned.
Downstairs, the Vice Director directed the scene as doctors and nurses unloaded the gurneys. The two vehicles stood side-by-side at the entrance.
"Brother Li, this is a bit much, isn't it? Sending them back before they've recovered isn't quite right. Give me some face, let them stay at your hospital a bit longer, alright?" Director Hao pleaded.
The Vice Director looked at Director Hao, his breathing growing rapid. Suddenly, he performed an act that astonished everyone.
Thud!
The Vice Director bent his knees and knelt. "Director Hao, Brother Hao, Senior Hao, please have mercy on us!"
"I kneel before you!"
Director Hao stared, speechless. His prepared arguments vanished. This unexpected tactic had caught him completely off guard. It was brutal.
"Brother Hao, since you're not saying anything, I'll take that as a yes."
"I'll even leave these two gurneys as a small token of my appreciation."
"Let's go."
He didn't say another word, didn't even glance back. He didn't even turn on the siren. Like the wind, the ambulance vanished around the corner.
Director Hao sighed and walked over to Lin Fan. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Lin Fan replied.
Old Zhang, with an oxygen tube in his nose, was a bonus. Not only did they get gurneys, but also a free oxygen tank. What a loss.
"I'm fine too," Old Zhang mumbled.
Director Hao waved his hand and closed his eyes. "Take them back. Reinforce their restraints."
"Yes, sir."
Back in Ward 666, which had been hastily repaired, the equipment had been removed. Old Zhang lay in bed, struggling against his restraints. "I can't move! I can't move! How about you?"
"I'm cultivating," Lin Fan replied.
The Thousand Tempering Method gave him a unique, comfortable sensation. A stream of energy flowed through his body.
They had succeeded. The Electro-Cultivation Method was a success. The Galactic Rotation Method was a success.
Director Hao, learning of their quiet return, felt relieved. Perhaps there would be a period of peace. But he knew he couldn't let his guard down.
The next day, Lin Fan lay in bed with his eyes closed. He suddenly opened them, his gaze sharper than before. His arm muscles flexed, snapping the restraints with a bang.
"Feels good."
He walked over to Old Zhang, who was snoring peacefully, and pinched his nose.
Old Zhang choked, nearly suffocating.
"What's up?" he sputtered.
"I need your help," Lin Fan said calmly.
"Happy to oblige," Old Zhang replied.
…
In the corridor, a maintenance worker was making repairs. He felt a presence behind him and turned to see an old man standing there, smiling. He nearly screamed.
Relieved it was just a person, he relaxed, but then he recognized the patient's uniform and tensed up, searching his toolbox for a weapon. This was a veteran mental patient; his survival thus far suggested he wasn't to be trifled with.
Old Zhang shifted his position, observing the worker, then said seriously, "You know…"
"I know," the worker nodded. Whatever it was, he'd agree. He didn't want to argue with a mental patient.
Old Zhang nodded approvingly. "Your complexion is bad. Your kidneys are weak. Did you know that?"
"I know," the worker repeated.
Meanwhile, Lin Fan stealthily pocketed a tool from the toolbox and casually walked away.
"Good that you know. Goodbye," Old Zhang said, leaving.
"Goodbye," the worker replied, relieved that the bizarre encounter was over. Those few moments had felt incredibly dangerous.