I dragged the unconscious nurse aside and searched her, finding a chocolate wafer. I peeled it and wolfed it down. Slowly, my focus began to return.
If it were truly March 15, 2007, I'd likely been trapped for two months.
Unquestionably, this was the work of "Fairy Forest," just as Zhang Si had dealt with Old Ghost back then. The simplest way to handle a wise person was direct force and drugs; such methods were often concise and effective.
About half an hour later, aside from an internal weakness, most of my body's functions had recovered. I knew this couldn't continue; they would soon discover a nurse was missing.
At that moment, a strange bell rang outside. I gently pulled the door open a crack and peered out. Many patients, dazed and confused, were walking out.
What were they doing? If I didn't go out, I'd be exposed.
I pulled the nurse under the bed, smoothed the covers, and then walked out, joining the patients heading towards the bell.
It pleased me to see Lin Han among the group. I called out softly. Lin Han seemed unaware of her name. I glanced at the others; they all appeared similarly vacant.
Suddenly, a patient ahead turned his head and made a face at me before returning to normal and walking forward. I recognized this person – the old man with the crutch from that day.
It seemed only he and I were awake.
…
We walked into a hall together. Four security guards stood at the entrance, along with five or six people in white coats, chattering away. One person sat in a prominent spot, observing the patients. I saw him glance my way and quickly feigned a dazed expression. But the moment he turned away, I saw his face – Mr. Duan, the elite professional married to my senior sister.
"Line up!"
Someone shouted, making gestures. The bewildered patients seemed to understand the gestures and lined up diligently. A person in a white coat handed the first two people a stack of documents.
I was astonished. The two looked like zombies, yet they could read the documents.
Those two documents resembled scripts.
About three minutes later, the two reached the front and began a dialogue like a skit.
A: "Who are you looking for?"
B: "I'm from the Cola Sales Company. I heard there was a problem with the cola you bought yesterday."
I squinted at B. Neither he nor A looked dazed or sleepy; their eyes were open and alert. A didn't answer B, displaying a look of suspicion.
B saw this and continued, "We called after you contacted customer service."
A: "Did you?"
B pretended to offer a business card: "My name is Tang Nan. Can I come in?"
"Then come in!"
Once inside, B pretended to survey the surroundings and said, "Regarding the problem with your cola yesterday, the company has decided to compensate you. On behalf of the company, please accept my apologies for any inconvenience."
A: "How do you plan to compensate us?"
B: "We guarantee your satisfaction. We've reviewed your purchase history; you're a loyal customer. Our company's policy has always been that the customer is God, and loyal customers are God's God."
A smiled: "You're quite eloquent."
B made a motion as if handing something over. A pretended to take it: "What's this?"
"It's a new product developed by our company, tailored to your taste. You can try it. I'll organize the compensation contract for you to review."
After speaking, B pretended to arrange the contract while secretly observing A. A seemed oblivious to B's actions and raised the empty beverage, mimicking a gulping motion.
At this moment, B stood up straight, his expression turning cold.
A: "Quickly, let me see the compensation contract."
B: "I have a question for you."
A, impatient: "Ask away."
B: "Are you a member of 'Logical Paradox'?"
Upon hearing this, A suddenly clutched his stomach and collapsed to the ground.
"Qualified!"
The doctor in the white coat shouted. The two immediately reverted to their dazed state, like machines reset.
…
This scene felt eerily familiar. My senior sister had used similar tactics on me back then: drugs plus psychological suggestion. However, the drugs in this hospital were more potent, making people appear utterly vacant. The psychological suggestion, its timing unknown, was far more sophisticated than my senior sister's half-baked methods.
It appeared "Fairy Forest" intended to control human minds through spirit and drugs to commit murder. No one would suspect their closest companions. When you're busy, would you refuse a glass of water offered by your wife? No!
This was terrifying.
Director Duan, who had been observing coldly, was pleased with the result. He instructed, "Let the real Tang Nan try."
A doctor walked towards me, while in front, Lin Han was also called forward.
"What to do?"
I pondered. This was my only chance. My current state was likely due to my resilience against their drugs and mental manipulation. Four guards, five doctors (male and female), and Director Duan – could I break through with my weakened body? If they discovered me, would I ever have a chance to wake up again!
Just as I was hesitating, the doctor approaching me suddenly stumbled and fell. The old man, who had been sober earlier, had tripped the doctor. He cackled and stomped on the doctor's face.
The four guards intervened to stop him.
The old man was agile, darting around like a mouse. The guards couldn't catch him immediately.
I couldn't wait any longer. I strode towards Lin Han. Director Duan stood up and shouted, "Catch Tang Nan."
The doctor closest to me tried to block me. I slapped him, making him sway precariously…
"Lin Han!"
To my call, Lin Han showed no reaction.
"Go!"
I rushed to Lin Han's side and grabbed her hand. Her hand was ice cold. As I grasped her, she instinctively started to run with me. We bolted out the door.
High walls surrounded us, impossible to climb, and even if we could, there were electrified fences on top.
The compound was quite large, with several cars parked. The only exit was the large iron gate. I pulled Lin Han towards the vehicles, grabbing a stone along the way. A driver was sleeping in one of the cars. I ran ahead, with the guards pursuing me. The commotion drew the driver's attention. He locked the car doors, but I smashed the window with the stone. The driver, startled, fled from the other side.
I went around and caught up to him, striking him twice in the head. He fell to the ground. Grabbing the keys, I pulled Lin Han into the passenger seat. At this point, seven or eight guards had surrounded the car, closing in like hyenas.
Starting the engine and accelerating, I crashed through the guards without hesitation. I floored it. Approaching the iron gate, I didn't stop. BANG! The gate was smashed open, and I sped away.
…
I had entered here from Daxing District in Beijing, but after escaping, I found myself in a desolate wilderness.
Regardless of location, the only path to survival was escape.
I drove along the bumpy mountain road. In the rearview mirror, I saw four or five cars in pursuit. Just then, Lin Han began to convulse, her eyes rolling back, foaming at the mouth.
"Lin Han, Lin Han, hold on, hold on!"
I could only shout, unable to do anything else. The mountain road was treacherous; a moment of distraction nearly sent me over the edge. But seeing Lin Han's state, I disregarded everything else and went for broke!
On the winding mountain road, I pushed the accelerator to the floor. The tires left the road several times during turns. Perhaps because I was going too fast, the pursuing vehicles gradually fell behind.
The road slowly leveled out and began to merge with the highway.
But I had reached my limit. My vision kept blurring.
"Aargh!" I yelled, smashing my elbow against the spiderweb-like glass. The windshield I had already damaged shattered completely. I picked up a shard and pricked my arm. The pain jolted me awake.
"Lin Han, Lin Han! Don't sleep, don't sleep!"
I shouted and cried, but Lin Han remained unresponsive. The foam still clung to her lips, and she showed no sign of life.
…
I don't know how long it had been. Even self-inflicted injury could no longer stimulate my mind. I was at my limit.
Then, I vaguely saw a large sign that read: "Welcome to Beijing!"
Finally, I saw a highway toll station. I couldn't hold on any longer and slowly closed my eyes.
BANG!
The car crashed into something.
…
I don't know how long had passed. I saw a nurse!
Damn it!
I wanted to keep fighting, but I had no strength left.
But then, I heard the nurse exclaim with surprise, "He's awake, he's awake!"
Vaguely, I saw Yu Xiaoluo's tear-streaked face. Relief washed over me, and I passed out again.
When I woke again, I saw nurses, doctors, Yu Xiaoluo, and Luo Bo. I weakly called out, "Lin Han, Sister, where is Lin Han?"
Yu Xiaoluo looked at me, hesitating, then turned away.
"Where is Lin Han? I'm asking you, where is Lin Han?"
I struggled to sit up, but Luo Bo held me down. "Tang Nan, calm down and listen to me. Lin Han was declared brain-dead two hours ago!"