Chapter Sixty-Three: Strange Shrapnel

“Haha!” Chu Feng and Old Chen burst out laughing together. Han Xuefang, this little girl, had always focused on learning nursing skills, and had never bothered to read up on information about traditional medicine.

“Actually, most traditional medicines aren’t that bitter. Sometimes it’s just a matter of improper simmering times that makes the decoction especially bitter. Other times, it’s because they didn’t use a ceramic or earthenware pot, but a regular cooking pan instead,” Chu Feng patiently explained to Han Xuefang. Hearing his explanation, Han Xuefang’s cheeks flushed red.

“Take these over to the Traditional Medicine Department first. We’ll head out for dinner together in a bit,” Chu Feng handed the bowl to Han Xuefang for her to deliver.

“Old Chen, let’s sit down and have a proper talk—about those two fragments in your body,” Chu Feng settled onto the sofa, fixing Old Chen with a steady gaze.

“It seems nothing escapes your eyes. These two fragments aren’t relics from wartime; I was injured not long ago, and my body was too weak for surgery, so they remained. I wasn’t deliberately keeping it from you,” Old Chen finally confessed under Chu Feng’s scrutiny. The fragments had entered his body before he was hospitalized, wounded at the base. At the time, his body was too frail for an operation, so the fragments stayed inside.

“I detected some radioactive elements on the fragments. What’s even more astonishing is that there are chemical substances present, which explains why they’ve caused so much harm to your body,” Chu Feng shared all his findings with Old Chen. After he finished, Old Chen fell silent.

“Since you’ve discovered it, I’ll be honest. I hope you won’t tell anyone about this,” Old Chen deliberated for a moment before deciding to lay everything bare.

“I was actually the target of an assassination at the base. The Longlin guards were protecting me, but something resembling an explosive detonated nearby. Two fragments entered my body. Many doctors in the country have studied them.”

“They said if the fragments aren’t removed, they’ll cause immense damage, and I wouldn’t live long. But my body was too weak for surgery, so they’ve stayed with me,” Old Chen recounted the origin of the fragments, a trace of guilt on his face for having concealed the truth from Chu Feng.

“So your story about being wounded on the battlefield in Seoul was fabricated. If you’d told me earlier, I’d have had the confidence to remove those fragments from your body,” Chu Feng hadn’t expected Old Chen to have lied to him. He’d been too engrossed in Old Chen’s account of the battle to scrutinize the details.

“The fighting in Seoul was real, but I wasn’t injured there. Everything else I said is true,” Old Chen replied, avoiding Chu Feng’s eyes.

“I suppose your superiors instructed you to say that, to ensure your safety and avoid complications,” Chu Feng didn’t blame Old Chen—in fact, he understood why he’d acted as he did.

“Yes, the orders came from above. The Longlin guards are still investigating the matter, but there’s been little progress so far.” Seeing that Chu Feng wasn’t angry about the deception, Old Chen’s mood lightened.

“Rest well for now. Later, I’ll call the team leader and ask about the investigation’s progress.” Chu Feng referred to Longlin’s inquiry, wanting to find out which organization was behind the attack at the base.

Leaving Old Chen’s ward, Chu Feng went to find Han Xuefang. He’d promised to join her for dinner.

At that moment, Han Xuefang was helping her night-shift colleagues administer injections and change dressings for patients. To her, idleness was wasted time; she preferred to help with injections and hone her skills.

“Come on, let’s go eat. What do you want for dinner?” Chu Feng finished the last injection for a patient, then led Han Xuefang away.

“I need to call my mom first, otherwise she’ll worry again.” Han Xuefang was a remarkable girl—her conduct and character were flawless.

“My mom says you should come by our house again later; she and dad have something they want to talk to you about. Will you go?” Han Xuefang blushed slightly as she spoke, evidently recalling last night’s scene at her home.

“I think I’ll pass. It’s been a busy day and I’m exhausted. I’ll take you home, then head back to sleep.” Chu Feng shivered at the memory of Han Xuefang’s parents’ enthusiasm—the kind of warmth he wasn’t used to enduring.

There couldn’t be many parents nationwide who would so readily push their daughter into someone’s arms upon first meeting.

The main reason, of course, was that the couple were very satisfied with Chu Feng—otherwise, they wouldn’t entrust their daughter to him.

Chu Feng drove Han Xuefang to a small food stall near the Air Force Hospital. These stalls only appeared at night; during the day, they would disrupt the city’s appearance, but at night, the city inspectors left them alone as long as they kept things tidy and paid a sanitation fee.

Chu Feng ordered a few snacks, and so did Han Xuefang. It was already eight o’clock; she could have eaten at six, but stayed late to prepare medicine for Old Chen.

“Wait here—I’ll get two bottles of water,” Chu Feng told Han Xuefang, heading to a nearby convenience store.

He bought two bottles of mineral water; he never drank soda, only mineral or purified water.

After paying, Chu Feng stepped out of the store and saw a man in a suit sitting at his seat—clearly trying to strike up a conversation with Han Xuefang.

“Miss, I’m Liu Long, director at Nebula Entertainment. I see a lot of star potential in you. How about we find a place to talk?” Liu Long pulled out a business card and handed it to Han Xuefang.

Out of courtesy, Han Xuefang accepted the card, but as she did, Liu Long’s finger brushed her palm.

Han Xuefang didn’t think much of it, assuming it was accidental, though she could see the lecherous look in Liu Long’s eyes.

After taking the card, she set it down on the table and busied herself with her phone, ignoring Liu Long completely.