Chapter Fifty-Six: Madness Beyond Reason

After arriving at the hospital, Chu Feng parked his car and headed straight to Old Chen’s ward. He needed to assess Old Chen’s physical condition; if he was recovering well enough, Chu Feng would operate to remove the two shrapnel fragments lodged inside his body.

“Chu Feng, where have you been? You reek of alcohol—did you drink that much? Where’s that little girl? Did you get her drunk and do something meaningful together, hmm?” Old Wang eyed Chu Feng, his mind already conjuring up lurid scenarios involving Chu Feng escorting Han Xuefang home. Unfortunately, all his thoughts were rather indecent.

“I ran into her father just now, and we had a couple of drinks. Imagine, nearly sixty years old and still behaving so irresponsibly.” Chu Feng gave a brief explanation, not bothering to elaborate. No matter what he said, Old Wang’s imagination would fill in the blanks.

“Old Chen’s inside reviewing some documents. Let’s go in together.” Old Wang and Chu Feng entered the ward.

Inside, they found Old Jin and Old Chen examining some papers. Upon seeing Chu Feng, Old Chen stopped reading and gestured for Old Jin to put the documents away.

“You’re back so soon? I thought you’d spend the night with that girl. Looks like you’ve got the heart but not the courage, eh?” Old Chen’s words were meant to change the subject, for he had already reviewed the documents that afternoon; to do so again at night would violate his agreement with Chu Feng.

“We barely know each other. Going to a hotel so soon wouldn’t be right. I’m an upright person, not someone ruled by base desires.” Chu Feng didn’t dwell on the issue of reviewing documents—he knew Old Chen’s diligence stemmed from a desire not to let his efforts go to waste.

“Old Chen, starting tomorrow I’ll prescribe traditional medicine. The hospital staff can prepare it for you; this will aid your recovery,” said Chu Feng after taking Old Chen’s pulse, sharing his plan with him, as he always did.

“Very well. I’ll follow your instructions,” Old Chen replied. Now that he was the patient and Chu Feng the doctor, he would heed Chu Feng’s advice.

“Sir, this is a message just received from the base. Please review it,” said Captain Zhang Dayong, handing a document pouch to Old Chen.

“You two step outside. Chu Feng, stay.” Taking the pouch, Old Chen dismissed Zhang Dayong and Old Wang, leaving Chu Feng alone with him.

“Old Chen, if this is a confidential document, I should excuse myself. There are regulations, and keeping me here might attract gossip.” Chu Feng had no desire to know what weapon research Old Chen was involved in. His task was simply to cure Old Chen.

“No need. It shouldn’t be anything classified. If there were urgent matters, they’d call me directly.” Old Chen motioned Chu Feng to sit.

Opening the pouch, Old Chen took out a sheet of A4 paper. Upon reading its contents, he suddenly coughed violently.

“These animals! Absolutely depraved beasts!” Old Chen cursed loudly after his coughing fit.

“Old Chen, what happened? Please don’t get agitated—what’s going on?” Chu Feng, not knowing the cause, could only try to calm him.

“See for yourself. Look at what these heartless monsters have done.” Old Chen handed the paper to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng read the sheet, and as he finished, his fists clenched and veins bulged on his forehead.

“Old Chen, these two must be your personal assistants at the research base. The perpetrators tried to use them to get information about you, intending to kill you.”

Judging from Old Chen’s reaction and his own deductions, Chu Feng recognized the identities of the two people mentioned in the document.

“That’s right. They’ve worked as my assistants for two years. I never imagined these young people would fall victim to such evil. The military must find their killers and avenge them.”

Had Old Chen’s health not improved somewhat, the shock of this news might have made him faint.

The two assistants—a man named Zhao De and a woman named Chen Yalei—were both in their early twenties and unmarried.

They had been abducted while out shopping one night. Their bodies bore numerous wounds, and Chen Yalei had been violated by her captors.

An old shepherd had discovered their corpses in a wasteland and quickly called the police. After some investigation, the authorities determined their identities.

“Old Chen, from now on, whenever you go downstairs for sunlight, you must call me. Without my accompaniment, don’t leave with anyone.”

Chu Feng was now responsible for Old Chen’s safety. If such people dared to openly kidnap national researchers, they might just as brazenly attempt to abduct Old Chen from the hospital.

“I won’t go out anymore. Once I recover, I’ll return directly to the base. Even if I die, I want to be buried there.” Old Chen’s previously cheerful mood had turned somber.

The deaths of these two assistants represented the loss of two families. When their families learned the news, it would be a devastating blow.

“Chu Feng, go outside and bring in Old Wang for me. Also, call Old Jin and ask him to come back,” said Old Chen.

Chu Feng obeyed, calling Old Wang inside and phoning Old Jin to hurry back.

“Old Wang, call the base’s director. Tell him that from now on, all supplies must be purchased by designated personnel. Researchers are not allowed to go out. Compensation for my assistants must be paid in full.”

“From now on, you and Old Jin are not to leave without my permission. If documents need to be delivered, use secure channels. I can’t let you share Zhao De and Yalei’s fate.”

All Old Chen could do now was use financial compensation to help Zhao De and Chen Yalei’s families, and take preventive measures to protect other researchers from the same tragedy.

“Chu Feng, I think you’d better leave now. My old life isn’t worth much, and staying here puts you at risk as well.”