Chapter 141 High-Level Fury

About twenty minutes later, the health bureau officials arrived. The staff at the hospital cafeteria were utterly astonished to see them.

They had just undergone a health inspection the previous week, so why were the officials back today? Normally, inspections by the health bureau only occurred once a month.

Fatty Xu, the head chef in charge of the hospital cafeteria, hurried out to welcome them. Upon meeting, he instinctively reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of premium cigarettes, and offered them to the officials.

"Someone reported that your food is poisoned, and we are taking it back for testing." The health bureau personnel were not as casual as before. Having received direct instructions from Municipal Party Secretary Li Zemin, they were determined to conduct a thorough investigation.

"Section Chief Huang, didn't you just come and inspect us last week? There's nothing wrong with our food! This must be a complaint from some patient who got a stomach ache. Please don't take it to heart."

Fatty Xu quickly produced a small, neatly wrapped package from his pocket and pressed it into Section Chief Huang's hand. Chu Feng witnessed this entire exchange from not far away.

Unlike previous occasions, Section Chief Huang did not pocket the small package. Instead, he pushed it back, then instructed the two men behind him to confiscate a barrel of rice and take it back for laboratory testing.

"Fatty Xu, this time the order came directly from the Municipal Party Secretary himself. My hands are tied. Even if you want to pocket extra money in the future, be more careful and don't make things so difficult for me."

Section Chief Huang pulled Fatty Xu aside to brief him on the purpose of this visit. The two of them were birds of a feather; every time Section Chief Huang conducted a sanitary inspection, Fatty Xu would bribe him. Although Fatty Xu intentionally inflated the procurement costs of ingredients, his cooking was decent and usually free of major issues.

"I understand. Don't worry, Section Chief Huang, something like this won't happen again," Fatty Xu replied dismissively, still assuming it was just a disgruntled patient who had called the complaint hotline.

Just as Section Chief Huang was finishing his conversation with Fatty Xu, Li Zemin walked in from outside. Seeing Li Zemin arrive, Chu Feng hurried forward to greet him.

"Chu Feng, have there been any cases of poisoning among the patients or doctors yet?" Li Zemin asked immediately upon arrival.

"Not yet, I suppose. I didn't have breakfast today, which is why I came to eat at this hour. These meals were likely prepared for the doctors and patients for lunch."

Following closely behind Li Zemin were two other men. Chu Feng recognized one of them as Li Zemin's secretary, while the other was a stranger, likely an official from a relevant department.

"Director Wang, I expect the results by noon today, or you can write your own resignation letter," Li Zemin said, turning to the man behind him. This man was undoubtedly the director of the health bureau.

"Director Li, I guarantee you the results within half an hour," Director Wang pledged solemnly, clearly having come fully prepared.

"Oh no! Elder Chen's breakfast every morning is bought from the hospital. He has congee every single day. I need to check on Elder Chen's condition right now."

It suddenly dawned on Chu Feng that Elder Chen consumed breakfast from the hospital every day, specifically the congee. There was no telling when the poison might have been administered, especially since Chu Feng had not eaten at the hospital yesterday.

Chu Feng, Li Zemin, and the others rushed to Elder Chen's ward. Elder Chen was in the middle of reading some documents. Ever since his surgery, his physical condition had improved significantly, and Chu Feng no longer restricted the time he spent reading paperwork.

"Why are all of you here? Did something happen?" Seeing them out of breath, Elder Chen knew immediately that trouble had struck.

"Someone poisoned the hospital cafeteria's food. Ziyan and I almost fell victim to it when we went to eat earlier. Have you felt any physical discomfort over the past few days, Elder?"

When Chu Feng had previously taken Elder Chen's pulse, the elder's constitution had seemed fine, with no signs of poisoning.

However, this type of poison involved extremely small doses. A single meal would produce no initial sensation; it required continuous consumption over several meals, accumulating a certain concentration and time in the body before symptoms would finally manifest.

"Li Zemin, if you don't get to the bottom of this matter, I'll have your father break your legs! Stop standing around—go investigate!"

Elder Chen was thoroughly startled by Chu Feng's words, never imagining that anyone would dare poison the food in a hospital.

"Elder Chen, you'll have my results within half an hour. If not, I will resign from my position as Municipal Party Secretary right here in your presence."

Knowing Elder Chen's temper, Li Zemin realized that failing to uncover the truth might prompt the old man to beat him personally.

Li Zemin pulled out his phone again and called Director Wang, instructing him to confiscate all the food from the hospital cafeteria and test it immediately to determine how much of it was poisoned.

Concurrently, Li Zemin reported the incident up the chain of command. Such a crisis could not be concealed; if anyone were to die from the poison, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Upon learning of the incident, Li Zemin's superior flew into such a rage that he smashed a teacup on the spot, issuing a direct order for a citywide sweep and investigation.

The high-ranking officials were so incensed because the hospital accommodated well over a thousand people, including doctors, patients, and various staff members. If all of them were to be poisoned...

Should this scandal leak, it would trigger a massive nationwide shockwave, ignite widespread social panic, and give bad actors an opening to spread rumors online.

By 11:30 AM, Director Wang of the health bureau called to report that the test results were out: aside from the hospital's rice, all other dishes met safety standards.

"Elder Chen, your diet and daily living arrangements must go through my inspection from now on. I have a strong feeling this poisoning incident was targeted specifically at you."

After receiving the test results, Chu Feng concluded that this was not the work of an ordinary person. If an individual patient harbored grievances against the hospital, they would simply file a complaint rather than commit mass poisoning in the cafeteria.

"Li Zemin, you and Chu Feng will investigate this matter together. No matter who is behind the poisoning, apprehend them immediately."

Though currently a patient, Elder Chen commanded absolute obedience from Li Zemin. Even Li Zemin's superiors would have to defer to Elder Chen's authority here.

"Rest assured, Elder Chen, I will capture the perpetrator today."

Having been chewed out first by his superiors and then by Elder Chen, Li Zemin was burning with suppressed fury. He swore a silent oath to drag the poisoner into the light.

Chu Feng and Li Zemin headed straight back to the cafeteria to find the head chef, Fatty Xu. Unaware that the hospital food was tainted, Fatty Xu was currently basking in self-satisfaction as he flirted with a female kitchen worker.