Mutated Tao

Although Li Huowang was a key target of assistance and visitation by the Neighborhood Office, he was generally not allowed to leave the small district.

However, going to a psychiatric hospital for a follow-up was very reasonable. There was no excuse to refuse, as preventing a follow-up could lead to serious issues if he had another episode.

“You should have said earlier you were going for a follow-up. Here, fill out this form. Young lady, are you his caregiver? What is your relationship with him?”

After Li Huowang filled out some forms under Madam Qi’s supervision, a ride-sharing car was waiting at the community gate.

Before Li Huowang and Yang Na could get in, Madam Qi stuck her head into the front passenger seat and instructed the driver, “Mister Wang! Is the tank full? Remember, only drop them off at Kangning Hospital, and don’t stop midway. Keep your phone on the whole time!”

“I need to go to the fruit stall to buy some things,” Li Huowang interjected.

“Aren’t you going for a follow-up? What do you need fruit for at a psychiatric hospital?” Madam Qi eyed him suspiciously, as if afraid he might use this as an opportunity to escape.

“I have a lot of friends there. Can’t I visit them while I’m at the hospital?”

“Friends from the psychiatric hospital? They must be psychiatric patients too, right?”

After some back-and-forth, it was finally resolved by Yang Na going to the neighborhood supermarket to buy the fruits.

Though the ride-sharing driver looked somewhat like the previous police officer, Li Huowang didn’t overthink it. It didn’t matter whether he was being monitored or protected—he didn’t want any trouble on the way.

Once Li Huowang and Yang Na got into the car, it started heading onto the road. Li Huowang rested his head against the window as the car sped up, his eyes unfocused as he thought about everything that had happened.

What are those people? What do they want from me? What do I have that they are so interested in?

There were no answers to these questions, and even the police couldn’t help. In any case, they didn’t trust him. His only clue now was Qian Fu at Kangning Hospital.

Since they could alter surveillance footage, it was highly likely they were also the ones who placed needles in his food.

But... why? If they wanted to kill me, they could have poisoned my food. Why put needles in it? The needles merely caused pain and nothing else.

Hold on. Could Qian Fu have been right? Maybe they were trying to drive a wedge between me and him. That way, I would suspect and stay away from him.

This thought solidified Li Huowang’s determination to meet Qian Fu again.

Yang Na sensed Li Huowang’s anxiety and clasped his hand. They interlocked their fingers in silent comfort.

Li Huowang turned to her and smiled reassuringly. “It’s nothing. I’m just going to the hospital to ask some questions. I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright. No matter what happens, don’t bear it alone. I’m here with you.”

“Sure.” Li Huowang closed his eyes and hugged her gently, just like that night on the rooftop.

The car sped along the road. As they got closer to Kangning Hospital, Li Huowang grew increasingly anxious.

After what felt like a long time, the car finally stopped. Li Huowang and Yang Na walked towards the hospital with white walls and green windows.

His attending physician, Wu Cheng, greeted him. It was clear that Li Huowang was being treated much better than before.

In Wu Cheng’s office, Li Huowang casually chatted with him while holding a disposable cup.

“I heard you were kidnapped?” Wu Cheng asked while holding his tea cup.

“It wasn’t an episode. Someone really tried to kidnap me,” Li Huowang explained.

“Of course. Don’t worry, I didn’t say you were having an episode. Since you have two severed fingers as evidence, there must be real people involved. What did the police say?”

“They told me to wait. They even put a tracker on me. It’s not easy for me to even leave my neighborhood now,” Li Huowang said, lifting his left foot.

“Don’t worry. They’ll find something with so much surveillance around. So, why are you back this time?”

“Nothing much, just a follow-up to check if there’s any change in my condition,” Li Huowang naturally didn’t mention he was there to see Qian Fu.

“If you’re aware of that, it means you’re mostly fine. Since you’re here, let’s do some tests.”

When Li Huowang held the tablet with the test questions, he felt a bit nervous. Perhaps he didn’t fully trust his own perception, and he wondered if he was actually still insane due to his previous experiences.

Li Huowang sometimes doubted his own senses after having gone through so much.

He focused on the test questions and completed them one by one.

After he discussed the results with the doctor and he saw Wu Cheng’s relaxed expression, he sighed in relief. He wasn’t crazy. Everything he experienced was real and not hallucinations caused by his illness.

“Don’t be too stressed. If there were really an issue, we wouldn’t have let you leave the hospital. Relax at home and take your medicine on time.”

Li Huowang heard him and knew his follow-up was over. He should be heading home, but he had something else to do.

He stood up and looked towards the inpatient ward, then he hesitantly asked, “Doctor, can I visit some other patients? I made some friends during my stay here.”

“Sure, go ahead. You know your way around the hospital. Most of them are still here.”

When Li Huowang entered the visitation area, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. He had always exited from the inside door before. This was his first time entering from the outside door.

He couldn’t go directly to Qian Fu since that would be too conspicuous. He visited several acquaintances and handed them the fruits he had bought.

Everyone else was fine, but when he saw Zhao Ting, the girl with depression, he immediately felt a resentful gaze.

Li Huowang patted Yang Na lightly. “I have nothing with her. I’ll explain when we get back. I just got one more friend to see.”

Li Huowang took a deep breath and anxiously waited for Qian Fu, but he never showed up. Instead, he received bad news.

“Qian Fu had an episode and is in the seclusion room. You can visit him next time.”

Li Huowang’s heart sank, and a bad premonition arose.

What’s going on? Did I come too late? Did those people get to him?