Immortality of the dead

Chapter 9

"Oh? Tell me about it." He Xi poured herself another drink and took a sip. I felt like she had picked up the wrong glass.

I told her about Cheng Gen's recovery.

“Hennier’s disease, I know that disease.” She interjected with that, and then fell silent. Her previously playful expression turned serious.

“Take me there tomorrow,” He Xi said after I finished speaking.

"What?"

"Take me to that hospital tomorrow. I need to see Cheng Gen's medical records and lab reports, and then find that person." He Xi's tone left no room for argument.

"Why?" I asked in surprise.

He Xi finished the wine in her glass in one gulp; she was very excited.

“I have a hypothesis, which may be wrong, but I'm going to take a look. Heinz disease is a multiple organ failure disorder, didn't you think of anything?”

"Fan syndrome!" I knew what He Xi was thinking. I had thought so too, otherwise I wouldn't have called Dr. Lin this evening.

“That’s right, the symptoms of Heinz O.J. and Fanyi disease are completely opposite.” He Xi stared at me: “What would happen if a Heinz O.J. patient were infected with the Fanyi virus?”

"I called the attending physician, and he said Cheng Gen is fine, completely recovered, and didn't explode..." I suddenly stopped, and He Xi seemed to mean: "You mean fighting poison with poison, the two cancel each other out? The patient won't die?"

"I don't know about that, but you just said that Cheng Gen's appetite suddenly increased, and many of his health indicators became unlike those of an elderly person. The Fanovirus has a very short survival time in the human body, so it cannot be detected unless tested in time. The virus will be eliminated by the immune system within three hours after the excitation period, but the hospital you mentioned only conducted a comprehensive examination at least five hours after the excitation period."

“It’s definitely more than five hours,” I said.

“If Cheng Gen is really not dead,” He Xi suddenly stood up, “our research will have a new direction!”

I stood up too: "Let's go now, right now!"

“Don’t worry, he’s not dangerous right now. If it were Fan’s syndrome, there wouldn’t be any virus when you interviewed him. Without the virus, it’s not contagious. Otherwise, do you think you’d still be standing here?” She misunderstood me.

“No, every minute earlier gives them a better chance. The hospital is closed now, but I can find that doctor, and then I can find that old man, Cheng Gen! We can’t wait any longer, now!” I glared at He Xi like a fighting cock.

"You?" She frowned as she looked at me.

I'd already rummaged through my bag for my phone, pulled up my contacts, and muttered to myself, "Who should I call? Lin Ling, Guo Dong, Liang Yingwu... Yes, Liang Yingwu. He'll definitely find a way to get to that person..."

"Hello!"

I looked up at He Xi.

"Smack!"

After the crisp sound, my left cheek started to burn.

"Wake up! You've been anxious all night!"

I covered my face and stared at her blankly.

"Relax, there's plenty of time tomorrow." After saying this, her body began to sway.

I quickly helped her up.

"You have good news for me, but I have bad news for you. I've had too much to drink, and it seems like you'll have to take me home," He Xi said softly, her face resting against my neck.

I let out a long sigh of relief, and finally relaxed completely.

I wrapped my arms around He Xi's waist, clearly feeling its elasticity and warmth. The only drawback was that my own steps were unsteady. Most of the time, her entire weight rested on me; I had strong, powerful shoulders and arms. Only occasionally would I suddenly lean closer to her.

To passersby, they would probably only see two staggering individuals causing trouble for each other.

Fortunately, the Ruijin Hotel was very close. I escorted He Xi to her room, watched her open the door and go in, said "Goodnight" and left.

The first thing I felt when I woke up this morning was a headache.

I drank way too much last night. It wasn't He Xi's fault; I know I was just drowning my sorrows. I should thank her for that final slap.

I sat up in bed and suddenly felt something was wrong.

When did my bed get so big? Also, I don't usually wear pajamas to bed.

Two seconds later, I realized I was in a hotel room.

He Xi came out of the bathroom, wearing a brown cable-knit sweater and with her long hair draped over her shoulders.

“There’s freshly squeezed orange juice if you have a headache,” she said, pointing to the bedside table next to her.

"Didn't I go home yesterday?" I asked a stupid question, but I really didn't understand.

“You went home. Yesterday, you left the hotel, hailed a car, and told the driver to go to Ruijin Hotel. The driver drove around and brought you back. Then you ran to my door and tried to open it with your key.” He Xi’s stern face finally broke into a slight smile as she spoke.

My mouth dropped open.

"I had just woken up a bit after taking a shower and realized that I hadn't arranged a time or place to meet you at the hospital, and I didn't have your phone number. Then I heard strange noises outside the door. You're really something, though. There's no keyhole, and you rubbed the doorknob for a full five minutes. As soon as I opened the door, you collapsed."

Seeing my bewildered expression, her smile widened.

“I think I hit you yesterday, I’m so sorry, I was drunk then,” she said.

"I didn't tie it, I was drunk too." Actually, I should thank her for hitting me well, but I just couldn't say it. My mood is still heavy now, but I no longer have the restless anxiety I felt last night.

Looking around, I saw my clothes neatly folded and placed on the chair beside the bed. Looking at the clothes I was wearing, I couldn't help but wonder.

“Waiter changed it, Waiter folded it, get up quickly, we’re going to the hospital.” He Xi could tell what I was thinking at a glance.

He Xi ate breakfast at a food stall outside Ruijin Hospital. The Shandong-style sesame cakes were very fragrant, and she ate two servings.

I keep thinking about where she slept yesterday. There was only one big bed in the room, and I remember there was a pillow next to it when I got up.

An unexpected romantic encounter that the parties involved were completely unaware of.

We met Dr. Lin before the clinic officially started. He seemed quite respectful of the beautiful colleague I had introduced us to. He had heard of Heller International.

"I heard you previously met a patient with Heinz O. disease who miraculously recovered. This might be quite helpful to my research, so I'd like to ask you about the specifics." He Xi's tone was relatively gentle, but there was no smile. Normally, she was truly unapproachable.

Upon hearing He Xi's words, Dr. Lin's face showed a strange expression.

"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient to check the medical history?" I asked.

"That's one reason why I can't easily access the patient's specific treatment records."

"As for peer exchanges, I think it's possible after going through certain procedures," I said. I doubt He Xi would resort to such requests or requests.

"That's true." Although he said that, Dr. Lin's troubled expression was still there.

He Xi looked at Dr. Lin and suddenly asked, "Could it be that the patient is already dead?"

"No, Dr. Lin told me yesterday that he's better," I replied.

Suddenly I saw Dr. Lin's expression; he was speechless after He Xi's question!

"Oh no, is he really dead?" I exclaimed in surprise.

"How did you know?" Dr. Lin asked.

"Was your death horribly?" He Xi asked.

Dr. Lin nodded: "It is quite tragic."

"Has anyone been infected?" I asked hurriedly.

"Infection? What infection?" Dr. Lin's question startled both He Xi and me.

"Has no one been infected?" He Xi asked, frowning.

"You...you must be mistaken. Cheng Gen didn't die of illness." Dr. Lin said something that surprised us even more.

"How did he die?"

“He was killed by his son,” Dr. Lin said in a low voice.

"Was the body burned?" He Xi then asked.

Dr. Lin's expression changed, and he said, "Of course it would have a fever after so many years."

"Did the forensic pathologist perform an autopsy?"

Dr. Lin's expression darkened further. He said, "I don't know. You can ask at the police station. The outpatient clinic is about to open, and we can't waste the patients' time. Let's leave it at that for now."

"If Heller International asks for Cheng Gen's medical records, we can still get them," I said to He Xi as we walked outside.

“That person just now didn’t say something.” He Xi turned her head and glanced at Dr. Lin’s back in the internal medicine clinic.

“Yes, his reaction was indeed abnormal when you asked him whether the body had been burned and whether an autopsy had been performed.” I nodded.

"Do you have any way to find out more indirectly?" He Xi asked.

"OK."

As I walked to the entrance of the outpatient hall, a nurse rushed in from outside; I recognized her.

"Hello." I quickly stopped her.

"I'm Na Duo, a reporter from the Morning Star. May I bother you for a moment?" I handed her my business card.

"Is there something you need?"

“I interviewed a patient named Cheng Gen three months ago. I saw you in the ward at that time. You worked as his nurse, right?”

"Ah, Cheng Gen!" She gasped, her face filled with horror. "Yes, I know he was later killed by his son, and... sigh." I sighed and shook my head.

"It's really too tragic. She survived a terminal illness, only to die at the hands of her son, with her internal organs ripped out. Oh dear."

He Xi and I exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise on each other's faces. His internal organs had been removed? Surprise aside, we couldn't just stand there dumbfounded.

"Regarding the fact that his internal organs were removed..." I said, quickly thinking of an explanation, "Not many people know about it, and the police haven't fully figured it out yet, you..."

"Didn't I already give a statement? I told you everything I know." The nurse's eyes widened.

“Of course, I’ve also seen that statement.” I had already thought of what to say, and I lowered my voice: “The relevant leaders attach great importance to this matter and have instructed our newspaper to write an internal report on it. Because of my interview process, they asked me to write this internal article. The police statement is too thin for my writing, so we need to interview you again and ask you to tell me what you know in detail. I hope you can cooperate.”

“Oh, but I have to go to work now,” the nurse said.

"Of course it won't take up your work time." I smiled. "At noon, I'll find a place nearby and treat you to a simple meal."

Having obtained the phone number of this young girl named Du Qin, I snapped my fingers at her retreating figure. Everything was settled.

"You reacted pretty quickly," He Xi said.

"hehe."

"What an untrustworthy man."

My smile froze. I looked at He Xi, who seemed to have said nothing, only her lips were slightly upturned.

"The one you just gave to Du Qin, aren't you going to give me one too?"