Chapter 18: Asking for Help
When pain reached a certain threshold, the human body seemed to activate a self-defense mechanism, blocking the brain from receiving pain signals. Tang Yu’an felt he was experiencing this now.
He sat in the backseat of the car, Yu Liao beside him, apologizing profusely.
It wasn’t really his fault; he had simply broken a glass in his own home.
But Tang Yu’an’s injury wasn’t entirely unrelated to him. The attacker was likely targeting him, and if he had cleaned up the broken glass immediately, Tang Yu’an wouldn’t have been hurt.
Not wanting to burden Yu Liao further, Tang Yu’an changed the subject, asking if he knew anyone who wanted him dead.
Yu Liao shook his head: “I can’t think of anyone I’ve offended, and I’ve never been in debt.”
In that case, it was likely Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals.
After such a long silence, why would they suddenly try to silence him? What were they afraid of?
Lost in thought, an image suddenly flashed through Tang Yu’an’s mind.
He was back by the lake, soaking wet, lying on the ground, coughing up water.
Another flashback?
It seemed he had survived that incident.
Could pain trigger his memory recovery?
But as he tried to focus, the image vanished completely, his vision darkening, but not dizzy, more like a drunken haze.
He thought for a moment, then called out: “Wei Langxing?”
Wei Langxing, who was driving, immediately responded: “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t see.”
Wei Langxing ran three red lights.
Fortunately, by the time they reached the treatment center, his vision had returned, likely due to the stabilization of his data fluctuations.
After an examination, they confirmed no bones were broken, but his arms and hands were unusable for the time being.
Tang Yu’an was annoyed. He should have sat on the other side. Now he couldn’t even eat properly.
Wei Langxing didn’t seem to mind, bringing the water to his lips.
After he finished drinking, he brought Tang Yu’an a soft blanket and pillow, telling him to rest.
Perhaps the earlier defense had depleted his mental energy, as Tang Yu’an felt drowsy. The painkillers also kicked in, making him drift off to sleep.
Wei Langxing stood by his bed for a long time, watching the slight rise and fall of his chest, as if seeking reassurance.
The phone rang. He quickly stepped outside to answer.
It was Pang Jin: “How’s Xiao Tang? Is he alright?”
“He’s been treated and is asleep now.” Wei Langxing’s voice was cold. “Have you caught the perpetrator?”
He had notified Pang Jin as soon as the incident occurred. Headquarters sent a team to search the area around Yu Liao’s apartment, with Xie Cun staying behind to assist.
With such a powerful mental energy attack, the perpetrator couldn’t be far.
Pang Jin naturally wanted to catch the attacker. It was his subordinate who was injured, Xiao Tang no less. Who could tolerate this?
But reality was often disappointing. Yu Liao lived in an old residential area with limited surveillance, and there was a time delay. The chances of finding the attacker were slim.
Judging by Wei Langxing’s curt tone, he guessed he must be in a terrible mood, so he spoke cautiously: “We’re still searching. Yu Liao is under protection. Just take care of Xiao Tang.”
“Naturally.”
After a few more instructions, Wei Langxing hung up, leaning against the cold wall, feeling drained.
The attack had happened just a wall away.
Tang Yu’an had almost died, he thought. If it weren’t for his quick reflexes and preemptive defense, that attack, even if aimed at Yu Liao, would have killed them both.
Even a second later, and the scene he would have walked in on…
He couldn’t bear to think about it.
Wei Langxing exhaled, picking up his phone again, his arm feeling heavy.
He dialed another number.
A slightly mature female voice answered: “You little rascal, why are you calling me? Did you get into trouble again? I’m telling you, if you offend anyone else, I’m not helping you. You deserve to learn a lesson…”
Wei Langxing called her “Jie” (older sister). She immediately sensed something was wrong, her voice turning serious: “What happened?”
“Help me investigate a company called Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals,” he said. “I know you’re not involved in those things anymore, but I really need your help this time. We can’t find much information here, but your old underground connections might be able to.”
She didn’t agree immediately. Wei Langxing knew she was hesitant.
He knew this request was a bit much, reopening old wounds and potentially causing trouble.
His sister never talked about her past for a reason.
The past was painful; it wasn’t the environment she wanted to leave behind, but her past self.
“Just this once. This is really important to me.” Wei Langxing softened his tone. “I’m begging you.”
————
Tang Yu’an lay on the ground, his clothes dripping, his limbs heavy, gasping for air.
As his breathing returned to normal, the dizziness subsided. He looked at the person beside him, patting his back.
It was a boy about his age, around eleven or twelve, with healthy tanned skin and a buzz cut. His T-shirt was dirty and also soaking wet.
He pulled Tang Yu’an up, then said something surprising: “Hey, why did you jump in the lake?”
Tang Yu’an was stunned. When had he jumped?
The boy, assuming he had some unspeakable reason, patted his shoulder, acting mature despite his young age.
“No matter what setbacks you face, being alive is most important. My parents say that when you’re dead, there’s nothing left. You have to think positively!”
He patted his chest: “Look at me. Even when Gappy and his gang ganged up on me, I didn’t give up. A few bruises are nothing. I’ll be fine tomorrow!”
Tang Yu’an asked: “Why did they beat you up?”
The boy, like a dam bursting, launched into a story: “It’s because I was selling eggs on the street. They said it was their territory and I had to pay them… What a joke! The street is public, when did it become theirs? I refused to pay, so they attacked me, ganging up on me, shameless…”
He angrily cracked his knuckles, trying to make a clicking sound to express his anger, but failed, only coughing to cover it up.
“But revenge is a dish best served cold. In a few years, when I’m tall and strong, I’ll beat them up so badly they’ll cry for their mommies! Then, whoever I don’t like, I’ll just punch them, turn Gappy into No-teeth.”
A child’s words were always unrestrained. The boy spoke passionately, as if he had already achieved his revenge.
Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but compliment him: “You’re amazing.”
He wasn’t the first to say this, but it was the first time someone had truly meant it.
The boy beamed, feeling like he had finally found a kindred spirit after a lifetime of wandering.
He excitedly put his arm around Tang Yu’an’s shoulder: “From today onwards, I’ll protect you! If anyone tries to bully you because you’re skinny, I won’t let them!”
He glanced at Tang Yu’an’s fair skin, adding: “Of course, I’m not saying you’re weak or anything… You’re quite pretty, like Erniu’s doll next door.”
To demonstrate his strength as the older brother, he boasted: “Tell me, who made you so upset that you jumped in the lake? I’ll go teach them a lesson!”
“I didn’t jump. The railing broke.” Tang Yu’an explained. “I was just looking at the scenery.”
Scenery? What was so interesting about this dirty lake? The boy didn’t understand.
With his fighting spirit deflated, he felt frustrated.
“Fine, but don’t get so close next time. If I wasn’t here, you would have drowned!”
Although he boasted about his strength, he was still a child, his abilities limited. Saving someone was a huge risk, he could have drowned himself.
Tang Yu’an asked: “Why… did you save me?”
The boy’s eyes lit up. He had been waiting for this question.
But he didn’t answer immediately, looking around instead.
Tang Yu’an was puzzled: “What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for a stage. Wait a moment…”
He spotted a large rock under a nearby tree and ran over, hopping onto it, crossing his arms and legs, and declaring theatrically, like a hero from a novel: “Does saving someone need a reason? I, the great Chen Fei, right wrongs and help those in need! It’s that simple!”
Childish words, in certain situations, could become less childish. Tang Yu’an looked at the boy on the rock, separated by a few weeds, feeling the gloom in his heart lift.
The water on his face had mostly dried. He smiled openly, a pure, untainted smile.
The boy seemed to freeze, staring at him.
“What are you thinking about?”
Were there more lines he had forgotten?
The boy shifted awkwardly, looking away: “Nothing, just looking at the scenery.”
“Oh.” Tang Yu’an agreed that this place felt close to nature. “Is it beautiful?”
The boy looked back, nodding seriously: “Beautiful.”
————
Tang Yu’an opened his eyes in his bed, the familiar surroundings bringing him back to the present.
Unlike before, he remembered this dream vividly, every detail etched in his mind.
Was it a memory? Were his memories truly returning…?
He took out his old phone, searching his contacts, but he didn’t find anyone named “Chen Fei.” He felt a pang of disappointment.
But it had been so many years; it was normal for childhood friends to lose touch.
Just then, Wei Langxing and the therapist entered. Tang Yu’an told them about his dream.
The therapist was a gentle, middle-aged woman, highly respected in the Bureau, skilled in treating both physical and psychological trauma.
She wore black-rimmed glasses and a kind smile, making Tang Yu’an feel at ease.
She told him that his mental energy had fluctuated drastically during his dream, likely related to his memories.
Tang Yu’an sighed: “Besides the long dream, I’ve also been seeing fragmented images, but I can’t grasp them, and thinking about them gives me a headache.”
This problem had been troubling him for a while, affecting his daily life. Sometimes, while walking, images would flash through his mind, nearly causing him to fall.
Initially, he had been reluctant to seek medical help, but the system was useless, and this therapist seemed trustworthy, so he relented.
After listening to him, the therapist pondered for a moment, then suggested a special treatment.
Tang Yu’an hesitated after hearing her suggestion: “Hypnosis?”
If it was just for treatment, it would be fine, but what if he accidentally revealed the system? Wouldn’t he be considered insane?
“I’ll… think about it.”
