Li Feng sat in the laboratory, his legs on the table, leaning back in the chair with his eyes closed.
The wall of the room opposite him was made entirely of glass, through which he could see Qiu Shi lying on the hospital bed and a circle of busy doctors.
When he saw Qiu Shi, Li Feng imagined that he was seriously injured and was about to die.
But I didn’t expect that “dying soon” was not just a description, but a fact.
Director Wu even felt that it was unscientific that Qiu Shi was still alive when he was sent here.
"How long has it been?" Li Feng asked.
"A few hours, I didn't check the time." Director Wu was standing nearby.
"Don't you want to go in and take a look?" Li Feng said.
"I'm not a doctor," said Director Wu. "These things should be done by professionals."
Inside the glass ward is the best doctor in Yuncheng, who is also the highest level of human beings currently.
To be honest, the medical equipment is indeed the best. When the company first established Yuncheng, it brought the best equipment at the time. Over the years, on this basis, various equipment has been constantly updated.
But as for the medical skills, Li Feng was not sure, but there was no other way at the moment.
"Can he wake up?" Li Feng asked, "Will losing so much blood affect his brain?"
"It's hard to say," Director Wu said, "If it doesn't work..."
"Don't do that yet," Li Feng said, "That's the last option."
"You asked someone to bring him back even if it means he has to die, doesn't that mean you have already considered the final option?" Director Wu said.
"It's not the end yet." said Li Feng.
Zhang Qifeng walked in from outside: "Do you have any other questions? Zhao Yi has finished the examination."
"Let him wait for me in the conference room," Li Feng stood up, walked to the glass wall and looked at it for a while, then turned and walked towards the door, "Old Wu, I'll leave this to you first."
Zhao Yi had already changed into casual clothes. When he saw Li Feng walk into the meeting room, he stood up and said, "Deputy Team Leader Li."
"Sit down," Li Feng closed the door, "Originally there should be military personnel present, but this matter needs to be kept secret, so it's just the two of us."
"I know." Zhao Yi said.
"How are the controlled infected people cleared out?" Li Feng sat down and went straight to the point.
Zhao Yi hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Xing Bi controlled them."
Li Feng raised his eyebrows and looked at him: "What?"
"Xing Bi has controlled all the infected people." Zhao Yi said.
Li Feng was silent for two seconds: "These infected people were originally... "
"It was controlled by five entities," Zhao Yi said. "Sang Fan said there were five entities that could be felt at the scene. It's unclear if there were more."
"Okay," Li Feng nodded, "and then he killed these infected people?"
"Some of them collapsed suddenly, some killed their own kind, and some were killed by the black blood." Zhao Yi answered. Recalling these things obviously made him a little emotional, and he spoke quickly. "After that, he attacked the main body that controlled the infected and stabbed Qiu Shi, and then crushed Qiu Shi's left wrist bone, and went after those main bodies."
It took Li Feng at least ten seconds to go through this information.
"Besides the people from the second team on the scene, who else knows this?"
“That old man,” Zhao Yi thought for a moment, “the black-blooded people he brought back probably didn’t know that they were caught while hiding in the underground level.”
"Do you know what to do with this information?" Li Feng asked.
"I know." Zhao Yi replied.
"You are the heroes of Yuncheng." said Li Feng.
Zhao Yi looked at him, and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes: "I know."
Li Feng sat alone in the conference room for a long time before he got up and returned to the laboratory. He originally needed to meet Lin Sheng and Sang Fan, but now he might have to put it off.
He did not doubt the accuracy of the information provided by Zhao Yi, but he did not expect the actual situation.
He had always assumed that Xing Bi had exploded with combat power, or that he had used some method to kill all the infected people at once... If the situation was like this now, Lin Sheng and Sang Fan might not be able to find Xing Bi back.
Yuncheng had completely lost contact with Xing Bi, and the body information transmission had long been cut off due to the excessive distance. Before leaving, Xing Bi crushed Qiu Shi's wrist bone, obviously to prevent Qiu Shi from stopping him from leaving.
What is he going to do
Revenge for Qiu Shi
Going for revenge when Qiu Shi was so injured
Li Feng sat down on the chair and rubbed his hair in annoyance.
Director Wu handed over a comb.
"What are you doing?" Li Feng looked at him. "Do I look like I'm still in the mood to do this?"
Director Wu placed the comb on the table in front of him.
After a while, Li Feng took the comb and combed his messy hair: "Old Wu."
Director Wu sighed heavily: "Am I going to hear some incredible secret again?"
"It's not a secret, I just want to ask a question." Li Feng said.
"Ask." said Director Wu.
"How did Xing Bi manage to control all the infected people at the same time?" Li Feng asked, "and they were all under the control of the main body."
Director Wu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at him and said, "What's the difference between this and telling me a secret?"
Li Feng didn't say anything. Director Wu was silent for a while: "It is possible to control those entities, but it is difficult in theory."
All questions remain unanswered for the time being.
Li Feng was lost in thought as he looked at Qiu Shi, who was surrounded by several doctors.
Outside, the residents of Cloud City have begun celebrating the return of the heroic team, but in the laboratory lies a hero who may never wake up.
It was already late at night when the operation was over. Li Feng felt that he was the one who needed to use that final choice. If he strengthened himself, maybe he wouldn't need to sleep anymore.
He walked to the bedside. Qiu Shi's face had some color than when he was first sent back, but still pale. He looked nothing like the arrogance he usually had, who would kick anyone he didn't like.
The wounds on his body were covered by the quilt and could not be seen, but his left hand in a splint could be seen outside the quilt, with blood stains on the fingertips that had not been cleaned up.
"Qiu Shi." Li Feng sat on the chair and called Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi naturally wouldn't react at all.
"If you don't wake up within three days, you may never wake up again," Li Feng said, "You may be... I think you will not be willing. If you want to refuse, you have to wake up and tell me."
There was no other sound in the room, and the several instruments beeping beside the bed made the whole space even more suffocatingly quiet.
"Making a choice is actually very difficult, and sticking to your choice is even more difficult, so I never question my choice," Li Feng whispered, "You asked me if I would feel sorry for you."
He was silent for a long time, watching Director Wu and the experimental team members busy outside the glass wall.
"Yes," he said.
The command center is quite busy, but there is no need to keep an eye on it. The garrison troops have arrived at Xima Town and are carrying out the final cleanup. Then all kinds of equipment and heavy weapons will move in. A team has been transferred there to investigate the surrounding security area.
Originally it was Team Three's job, but because Lin Sheng might need to cooperate in the search for Xing Bi, Team Three had to make adjustments. They were waiting for new orders in the inner city while watching Team Two enjoying the treatment of a heroic team. The other team members were fine, but Captain Liu Wu was obviously dissatisfied.
Li Feng found a corner to sit down, ready to take a nap. There were so many trivial things, all scattered and it seemed that he would never be able to finish them.
Just when I felt a little confused, Xiao Lei called me.
Xiao Lei was the corpse collector. In this situation, Li Fenghuo couldn't speak, so he put on his headphones and asked, "What's the matter?"
"What do you think it could be?" The voice coming from the other side was Zhao Lu's.
Li Feng pinched his brows and said, "I'll come find you guys later."
"We are at the inner city gate checkpoint now," Zhao said. "If we don't see you in five minutes, we will fucking destroy this checkpoint."
"Wait." Li Feng said.
Five minutes later, Li Feng's car drove out of the inner city. Zhao Lu and Xiao Lei, along with Hu Xiaoling and He Jiang, squatted outside the checkpoint.
"I'll be there in about 20 minutes," Li Feng said while talking on the phone, asking the driver to stop the car. "Just have someone clear the safe passage."
He got out of the car, walked around and opened the back door, and tilted his head towards Zhao Lu and the others: "Get in the car."
Zhao Lu glanced at him and waved to his brothers. Everyone got in the car. Li Feng did not return to the passenger seat, but also got into the trunk.
The car turned around and started driving towards the inner city.
"Director Li," Xiao Lei said awkwardly, "We..."
"I know you can't stop me," Li Feng said, "but I don't expect you to be able to stop me."
"Is Qiu Shi dead?" Zhao Lu asked.
These people really think Qiu Shi will die every day.
"No," Li Feng said, "but he's injured and hasn't woken up yet."
"Where are we going now?" Zhao Lu asked.
Zhao Lu's personality is slightly more stable than Qiu Shi's. If it were Qiu Shi, he might have kicked him when he said the three words "not awake yet".
"Go see him," Li Feng said, "you might be able to wake him up."
"How could he be so badly injured?" Hu Xiaoling shouted in a hoarse voice, but his voice was filled with tears. "I saw that everyone else in the heroic team was fine, so why was he the only one who was injured and couldn't wake up!"
"Where is Xing Bi?" Zhao Lu asked.
Li Feng hesitated for a moment and didn't answer.
"Where is Xing Bi?" Zhao Lu asked again.
"I don't know, he's missing." Li Feng said.
Zhao Lu didn't say anything, and everyone in the car fell silent.
A special passage was reserved in the exhibition hall, allowing the group to enter Qiu Shi's ward without passing through any sensitive facilities.
Li Feng pushed open the door of the ward and saw a doctor standing inside.
"How is it?" Li Feng asked.
"The condition is basically stable," the doctor said, "it just depends on when he wakes up."
"Please wait outside for a moment." Li Feng said.
The doctor left the ward and closed the door.
Zhao Lu and the others slowly walked to the bedside and looked at Qiu Shi lying on the bed. The room was eerily quiet.
"Director Li, where is he injured?" Xiao Lei asked.
"There are knife wounds all over my body," said Li Feng.
Zhao Lu frowned and lifted the quilt. There was blood seeping out of the bandages wrapped around Qiu Shi's body. Hu Xiaoling leaned over to take a look, then immediately squatted down, holding his head and started crying.
He Jiang squatted down silently and patted him gently on the shoulder.
"Brother Shi," Zhao Lu leaned over and leaned close to Qiu Shi's ear, "Can you hear me?"
"Brother Shi..." Hu Xiaoling also came over, lying on the bed and wiping his tears, "Brother Shi, did you hear that?"
"Qiu Shi," Xiao Lei also spoke, but he didn't seem to know what to say, "These few days... the supplies... are enough."
He Jiang looked at him: "What are you talking about?"
"Take a different approach," Zhao Lu said, "You're trying to make Shi Ge angry and wake him up."
"Qiu Shi," Xiao Lei adjusted himself, "Wake up, these brothers can't survive without you."
Hu Xiaoling burst into tears.
"Not really," Zhao Lu sighed, "say something auspicious."
"I want to join the team of corpse collectors." said Xiao Lei.
"This is not auspicious either," said He Jiang.
"Qiu Shi," Zhao Lu gently touched Qiu Shi's face with his fingers, "Did you hear that? These people can't even speak clearly. Do you know how hard I'm trying? Hurry up and wake up. Hurry up."
Qiu Shi suddenly hummed in a low voice.
Li Feng was stunned.
"Did you hear that?" Zhao Lu raised his head suddenly. "Did you hear that?"
"Let's talk later." Li Feng rushed to the bed.
"I broke Li Gouguan's leg." said Zhao Lu.
"The guys from the City Defense Bureau are here to cause trouble in the bunker again." He Jiang said.
"Hu Xiaoling has to go find Xing Bi himself." Hu Xiaoling said.
Qiu Shi's left hand fingers, which were placed outside the quilt, moved slightly.
"Xing Bi," Xiao Lei immediately came over, "Xing Bi Xing Bi Xing Bi Xing Bi Xing Bi..."
"Fuck, I knew you two..." Zhao Lu poked Qiu Shi's face, "Are we a bunch of people no match for Xing Bi? Xing Bi Xing Bi Xing Bi..."
After half an hour of effort, Qiu Shi did not wake up. However, although he only had two slight reactions, it still gave people hope.
However, Qiu Shi still needs to rest. His inability to wake up is also related to his current poor physical condition.
"Can we still come to see him tomorrow?" Hu Xiaoling asked.
"I'll arrange it when I have the chance," Li Feng whispered, "but Qiu Shi is injured and Xing Bi is missing. These are confidential. If you come here too frequently, problems may arise."
"Please try your best to arrange it," Zhao Lu said, "We can just come alone."
"Yeah." Li Feng responded and looked at him.
"You can rest assured that it's confidential," Zhao Lu said, "We've been dealing with corpses for so many years, we're used to not talking."
"I'll ask the driver to take you back." Li Feng said.
All of Yuncheng’s best equipment and treatment methods have been used to treat Qiu Shi’s injury. Currently, there is no other normal means except waiting for him to wake up.
There are some unusual means.
Director Wu has always been eager to try. He usually tries to avoid things as much as possible, and is especially unwilling to participate in various fights. The only thing that can excite him is probably biochemical bodies and things related to biochemical transformation.
Li Feng was unwilling to do so. He insisted on waiting for Qiu Shi to wake up and make his own decision.
"What if he can't wake up?" Mr. Long asked, "He is our only hope to find Xing Bi. We all know how dangerous it would be if a biological being like Xing Bi didn't stand by us."
Li Feng looked at Mr. Long's face on the screen and was silent for a long time: "Mr. Long, wait a little longer. You should know what Xing Bi has done for his teacher. Qiu Shi is no less important to him than his teacher. If we really go against Qiu Shi's wishes, Xing Bi will be turned into the biggest danger by our own hands."
"Can we find Wei Yuan now?" Mr. Long asked, "Xing Bi knows that he has a good relationship with Qiu Shi, will he..."
Li Feng was stunned for a moment when he heard the old man's name. He then reacted: "I can't find him. Zhao Yi left him some supplies. He told Zhao Yi that he was in Xima Town, but the garrison officers haven't found his whereabouts."
Mr. Long sighed.
"He wants to stay in Xima, probably to wait for Qiu Shi or Xing Bi," Li Feng said, "After Qiu Shi recovers, I plan to let him go to Xima Town first."
"The general has agreed to use some extraordinary measures against Qiu Shi," Mr. Long said. "If Qiu Shi doesn't wake up in two days, I won't be able to bear it."
"I know." Li Feng said. After dealing with the pile of problems in the Security Bureau, Li Feng called the driver and went to the exhibition hall.
On the road, you can see that there are a lot more pedestrians than before. From time to time, you can see slogans about the heroic team on the lasers and neon signs on the mountain walls on both sides, which looks quite exciting.
Li Feng's mood wasn't good.
The hero captain is still lying in bed and has never appeared in public. Naturally, people will become suspicious over time.
He sighed and looked out the window.
A minute later, Director Wu's phone call was connected. Before he could say anything, an anxious voice came over: "Come over, Qiu Shi has responded."
"I'm on my way," Li Feng gestured to the driver, and the car immediately accelerated forward. "Is he about to wake up?"
"I'm not sure, but he reacts to light and sound," said Director Wu. "Maybe with some more stimulation, he'll wake up."
"I'll stimulate him when I get there," Li Feng said, "Don't stimulate him blindly."
"I am a professional," said Director Wu.
"I'll do it." Li Feng said.
"I know, I know." said Director Wu.
As soon as he entered the laboratory, Li Feng saw Director Wu standing outside the ward waiting for him.
"As soon as you go in, ask me about Xing Bi." Li Feng said.
"Xing Bi?" Director Wu looked at him. "Is it effective?"
"It will be." Li Feng said and walked into the ward.
Qiu Shi was still lying in bed. He looked okay, better than the previous two days.
"Qiu Shi," Li Feng sat down beside his bed, "I'm going to the headquarters in a while, so I came to see you on the way."
Director Wu pushed open the door and a head popped in.
Li Feng winked at him.
Ask Xing Bi.
"Xing Bi is back!" Director Wu shouted.
Having your head clamped by a door can really cause your brain to short-circuit.
Li Feng was a little speechless. Just when he wanted to ask Director Wu to try again, the sound of the heart rate monitor changed. Then Li Feng discovered that Qiu Shi's breathing rate was also faster than before.
"Qiu Shi," Li Feng leaned close to his ear, "We need to send someone to Xima Town to look for Xing Bi, but we can't do it without you..."
Qiu Shi's eyes were rolling.
Director Wu called a doctor. When the doctor came in, he brought a bottle of unknown medicine and prepared to give it to Qiu Shi. Li Feng saw the laboratory logo on the bottle at a glance.
"What's this?" He stopped the doctor and looked at Director Wu.
"It's an auxiliary medicine, for human use," Director Wu said. "It won't cause any changes to the human body. It's just used when you're about to wake up. Mr. Long has used it, too."
Li Feng didn't say anything and asked the doctor to hang up the medicine.
My head feels swollen and my eyelids feel heavy.
My body still hurts a lot.
Qiu Shi didn't want to open his eyes, but he knew he had been lying there for a long time. He heard many noises and saw many swaying figures, but he couldn't hear or see them clearly.
The last clear image in his memory was Xing Bi's boots.
And the step on his wrist.
As the scene ran through his mind, Qiu Shi once again felt that piercing pain.
Either from the wrist or from the left side of the chest.
His breathing suddenly became so rapid that it was difficult to breathe smoothly.
"Qiu Shi? Can you hear me? Open your eyes."
Someone was calling him, and the voice was very familiar, which made him unhappy.
"You're already awake, open your eyes, we don't have time."
It’s Li Feng.
Qiu Shi tried hard to open his eyes.
"If it's any later, I'm afraid I'll miss the best time to find Xing Bi." Li Feng said.
Xing Bi.
Qiu Shi's eyes suddenly opened. The light in the room was very soft, but this little light still made his eyes fill with tears instantly, and he quickly closed them again.
"The lights are off." said Li Feng.
It got dark all around.
Qiu Shi opened his eyes again.
"You finally woke up." Li Feng said.
"How long?" When Qiu Shi opened his mouth, he realized that his throat felt like it was burned and he could hardly utter a word.
"It will be three days soon. If you don't wake up..." Li Feng put a straw to his mouth, "Take a sip."
Qiu Shi took a sip of water and felt as if his soul was swallowed back into his body along with it. His vision gradually became clear.
"I want to get up." Qiu Shi moved.
"Don't move yet," Director Wu came over quickly, "You are still very weak."
"I feel good," said Qiu Shi.
"You've been given medicine now," Li Feng said, "to wake you up in a short period of time, but it doesn't mean you're fine. You were stabbed seventeen times and your blood is almost drained. You can't recover by lying down for three days."
Qiu Shi stared at the ceiling, and after a while he asked, "Where's Xing Bi?"
“… I can’t contact him for the time being,” Li Feng said, “He’s missing.”
"After you break my bones?" Qiu Shi turned his head to look at his left hand and saw a splint and thick bandages.
"Yes." Li Feng replied.
Qiu Shi was silent.
"Where do you think he will go?" Li Feng asked.
"He and the subject knew each other," said Qiu Shi.
Li Feng leaned forward: "Are you sure?"
"Sure," Qiu Shi said, "Before..."
Qiu Shi paused. His body was indeed not in good condition. He began to feel weak after saying a few words. He took a breath before continuing, "When I came back from Donglin, it was the same... The infected person called Xing Bi... by name."
"I understand." Li Feng patted his shoulder, "You take a rest first."
"Let's talk about the matter." Qiu Shi said.
"Hmm?" Li Feng looked at him.
"You've been waiting here for me to wake up for... three days," Qiu Shi said, "Why... when did you become so... concerned about me?"
Li Feng smiled and said, "That's not right. Although I cheated you, I also care about you."
Qiu Shi didn't say anything and just looked at him.
Li Feng glanced at Director Wu next to him.
Director Wu took a step forward and said, "Qiu Shi, your physical condition has fully recovered and you can get out of bed. With the existing medical care in Yuncheng..."
"How long?" Qiu Shi interrupted him.
"Two months," said Director Wu. "Use all the best medicines and equipment."
Qiu Shi frowned.
He didn't expect this length of time.
"You are relying on drugs to talk to us like this," Director Wu said. "You can't use this drug anymore. It has side effects. After the effect wears off, you may fall into a coma again. Your organs are severely damaged. You have been stabbed in too many places."
Qiu Shi was silent.
"Old Wu," Li Feng looked at Director Wu and the doctor, "please step aside for a moment. I want to talk to Qiu Shi alone."
Director Wu hesitated for a moment, then turned around and went out with the doctor.
"You guys don't agree, right?" Qiu Shi asked.
"Well," Li Feng smiled, "After suffering such a serious injury, you are still so sharp after waking up?"
"That's the effect of the medicine." Qiu Shi glanced at the bottle hanging above. There was a light yellow liquid in it, like urine, "Tsk."
"If you can remember anything," Li Feng said, "I can ask Lin Sheng and Sang Fan to find Xing Bi."
"Don't," Qiu Shi said, "You're going to die."
"Is Lin Sheng also going to die?" Li Feng asked, "Sang Fan is a newly activated biochemical body, it is normal that he lacks experience. Lin Sheng is a first-level submersible guard like Xing Bi, they are from the same batch..."
"I will die." Qiu Shi said, "I will go."
Li Feng didn't say anything, just looked at him.
"Xing Bi is not an ordinary... first-level submersible guard." Qiu Shi turned his head and Li Feng quickly handed the straw to his mouth. He took a sip of water. "His control... is too strong. He is now... out of control. Maybe Lin Shengdu will be controlled by him."
"He may not have lost control," Li Feng whispered, "When he left, he left instructions for Sang Fan and the two Level 2s to protect your safety."
Qiu Shi was stunned and looked at Li Feng for a long time without saying anything.
When Li Feng handed him a piece of paper, he realized that his face was covered with tears.
"Oh shit." He raised his left hand and saw the splint. When he tried to raise his right hand, he found that his hand was full of tubes and wires.
"Let me do it, let me do it." Li Feng took the paper and wiped his face.
"Why do you and Director Wu disagree?" Qiu Shi asked.
He had actually already vaguely guessed it, but still wanted to confirm it.
"Your injuries should have meant that you would not survive," Li Feng said. "Even though we can save your life now, we cannot be sure whether you will continue to be in a coma or no longer be in a coma. Many functions of your body may also be damaged. It will take a long time to fully recover."
"Maybe I will never recover," Qiu Shi was not surprised. When those raised knives fell, he knew he might die. "You want to... reform me."
Li Feng was silent.
"If I can't recover," he said, "Xing Bi won't have a suitable... partner."
"To be exact, there is no one he trusts anymore," Li Feng said. "Yuncheng will lose Xing Bi, and there may be one more enemy. It is impossible for Xing Bi to let us find him."
"Why do you... think he is willing to..." Qiu Shi closed his eyes, "be found."
"I may not know," Li Feng said, "but you certainly do."
Qiu Shi didn't say anything.
"There's no rush for this," Li Feng said. "I hope you can decide this yourself."
"If I... don't agree," Qiu Shi looked at him, "can you withstand the pressure?"
"Not necessarily." said Li Feng.
"You actually," Qiu Shi said, "know that I will agree. You just... want me to say it myself."
Li Feng turned his head, stood up and slowly walked to the glass wall, looking at the laboratory outside.
"Xing Bi and I have been the same for a long time." said Qiu Shi.
Li Feng didn't move or make a sound.
"We are just tools." Qiu Shi closed his eyes and sighed softly, "There is a small square behind the old man's neck. He has strengthened it. He said that if we install it, we will be expelled from the human race."
Li Feng still didn't speak.
"You dog officer," Qiu Shi turned to look at him, "Tell me, if I were... strengthened, would I still be a human being?"
Li Feng turned around and walked back to his bedside: "Tell me first, why did you agree?"
"I'm not... doing this for Yuncheng, humanity... or peace. I'm not that... great," Qiu Shi said. "I'm just afraid that something might happen to Xing Bi."
"That's enough," Li Feng said, "To be able to do this for the people you care about, with such emotion and courage, who dares to say that you are not a human being?"
The author has something to say:
Continue tomorrow ╰_╯.