Chapter 37: The Good Guy Card
Tang Yu’an looked at Zuo Tinghan, then at Wei Langxing: “Am I… going to be living in the hospital now?”
“Don’t mind him. I asked the doctor, you can go back in a couple of days.” Wei Langxing turned to Zuo Tinghan: “What were you thinking, buying a stack of washbasins? Are you planning to open a shop here?”
Zuo Tinghan, seeing nothing wrong with his actions, explained to Tang Yu’an: “I only bought one at first, but I was worried the size might not be right, so I bought one of each size. But then I thought you might not like the color, so I bought one of each color…”
Tang Yu’an wondered if Zuo Tinghan had misunderstood him. Was he really that picky?
He didn’t think so. Aside from his aversion to nutrient paste, he was quite easy to please.
The last time he saw Zuo Tinghan, he had been distraught after the car accident. Everything had happened so fast that he hadn’t had a chance to properly greet him, the “welcome back” forgotten.
Now, after so long, Zuo Tinghan… seemed more muscular. The treatment and training were clearly effective.
But like Wei Langxing, he looked exhausted, his dark circles almost comical, his whole demeanor weary.
Was it because of him and Yu Liao?
Tang Yu’an said sympathetically: “You’ve worked hard these past few days.”
These simple words eased Zuo Tinghan’s anxieties, yet also brought a pang of guilt.
It wasn’t hard work, he thought. I was just useless, taking so long…
He put down the items, squeezing beside the bed, scanning Tang Yu’an from head to toe, then declared: “You’ve lost weight.”
Tang Yu’an thought it had to be an illusion. He had been eating well at Yu Liao’s place; he couldn’t have lost weight. But seeing Zuo Tinghan’s worried expression, he didn’t argue.
Wei Langxing interjected: “Listen to the doctor, eat properly from now on. I’ll supervise you.”
He stood up, ushering Zuo Tinghan and Pang Jin out: “The doctor also said he needs rest. Everyone out.”
Pang Jin, already busy and having just received the news about the potential internal problem, bid Tang Yu’an farewell and left.
Zuo Tinghan, labeled as “everyone,” was dissatisfied: “Why aren’t you leaving?”
In his view, Wei Langxing was more talkative, conversations with him more tiring, so he should be the one to stay.
Wei Langxing simply said he had to discuss Yu Liao’s matter with Tang Yu’an.
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an immediately sat up: “I’m sure you have things to do, Zuo Tinghan. Go ahead, don’t worry about me.”
Zuo Tinghan wanted to say that staying with him was the most important thing, but seeing his eagerness to hear about Yu Liao, he nodded and left the room, but he didn’t go far, standing silently in the hallway.
A passing medic, seeing him standing there like a statue, asked if he was lost, and he suddenly raised his voice: “I’m right here, I’m not leaving!”
The startled medic mumbled and walked away: “Fine, stay here then, why so loud? What a weirdo…”
Inside, Tang Yu’an gripped the sheets, asking: “Is Yu Liao still alive? Did his healing ability save him? Is the Bureau hiding it?”
Wei Langxing’s heart sank. He hadn’t explained clearly, giving Tang Yu’an false hope.
He shook his head, speaking gently, like to a child: “You saw him stop breathing, remember? People can’t come back from the dead. Yu Liao is truly gone.”
Tang Yu’an stared blankly for a few seconds, then gave a wry smile. He had been delusional.
Wei Langxing retrieved the crystal night light from the drawer, handing it to him: “Yu Liao left this for you. Do you know what it means?”
The memories of his delirium returned. He hadn’t expected Yu Liao to remember his childish request.
He gently traced the smooth surface of the night light, afraid of damaging Yu Liao’s last gift.
“It’s a promise,” he said. “Perhaps Yu Liao… was just tired.”
So, after fulfilling his promise, he could finally rest.
Yu Liao’s life had been too difficult, every step forward burdened by another shackle, like a punishment.
He had carried an increasingly heavy load, his youthful vigor fading, until he finally collapsed from exhaustion.
Tang Yu’an held the night light, its surface warmed by his palm.
I’ll find the person who punished him, he thought. Even if it’s not a system mission, I have to do it.
But within days, he realized that wishes and reality were two different things.
The enemy had been hiding for so long, and they had so few leads. Unraveling this mystery wasn’t easy.
And his teammates insisted he avoid work, leaving him idle and restless after returning to the building.
But everyone else was working hard, and as a tool-man, he couldn’t stand idly by. He tried to sneak some work in, only to be caught by a protagonist appearing out of nowhere.
Most of the time, it was Wei Langxing, who would simply take the tablet from his hands: “Others can handle the data analysis, you don’t have to worry about it.”
He had repeatedly assured them he was fine, but they countered that they weren’t doctors and couldn’t make that judgment.
“The doctor said you need at least a month of rest.”
Tang Yu’an retorted: “I think he meant a month of avoiding strenuous activity, not being waited on hand and foot. If this continues, I’ll forget how to walk.”
“So what?” Wei Langxing didn’t see it as a problem. “I can carry you, so you don’t get tired.”
Once, when Tang Yu’an hadn’t eaten on time and felt dizzy from low blood sugar, he had carried him back to his room.
He had been too worried at the time, only later realizing—
Tang Yu’an’s legs were slender, easy to grasp, but surprisingly soft, his fingers leaving imprints.
His whole body pressed against his back, his legs dangling, like a piece of white lotus root.
This made Wei Langxing associate soft textures with that sensation, making him wonder when he would have another opportunity to carry him.
And now, the opportunity presented itself.
Tang Yu’an looked at Wei Langxing’s eager eyes, thinking he resembled a puppy wagging its tail at the sight of a bone.
Were all protagonists this… excessively helpful?
He was clearly lacking in experience.
He had experienced leg amputation before; everything was more difficult. And in that world, he had been alone, sometimes unable to get back into his wheelchair after falling.
Helplessness, frustration, anger, ultimately turning into despair.
Initially, as the protagonist’s companion, he had received some assistance, but after the mission was complete, he was gradually forgotten, surrounded by people yet feeling utterly alone, the hands reaching for him not to help him up, but to push him down.
Having experienced it once, he never wanted to go back.
Perhaps the only advantage of being a tool-man was the joy of finding his limbs intact upon entering a new world.
Tang Yu’an knew Wei Langxing was sincere, but he wasn’t so injured that he couldn’t walk.
And if he became accustomed to such kindness, it would be even more painful when it was withdrawn.
So, knowing Wei Langxing wouldn’t dare use force against him, he snatched the tablet back: “I have legs, I can walk myself. I also have arms and eyes. I’m bored sitting here, I might as well do some simple work.”
Wei Langxing still disagreed, saying the department didn’t exploit its employees, but Tang Yu’an countered with a single sentence.
He said that only by keeping himself busy could he stop thinking about Yu Liao.
Wei Langxing realized then that Yu Liao might become a thorn in Tang Yu’an’s heart.
Losing someone close to you was always difficult. Wei Langxing had lost teammates before, grieving for a long time.
But as he rose through the ranks, witnessing more and more bloodshed, he had become somewhat desensitized.
He confessed to Tang Yu’an that he was afraid of this change, afraid of becoming numb, indifferent to loss.
After listening quietly, Tang Yu’an simply replied: “You won’t.”
Wei Langxing, lacking confidence in himself, was moved by his certainty.
“How can you be so sure? I have so many flaws, I’m impulsive, short-sighted, ambitious, I might become even worse…”
Tang Yu’an wanted to say it was because he was a protagonist, destined for greatness, but he didn’t want to be considered insane, so he changed his approach.
He recounted a story he heard from Pang Jin – about a mission years ago, where Wei Langxing, without backup or support, had chosen to expose himself to save a dozen criminals trapped in a room filled with poisonous gas.
Tang Yu’an asked, why did you risk your life to save them?
“I… I didn’t think much about it at the time. I just did it.”
Wei Langxing never hesitated when making decisions.
Tang Yu’an answered for him: “Because saving people is your instinct. Perhaps you see your flaws, but I see a kind, compassionate, and courageous person.”
His words were final.
It took Wei Langxing a moment to process it, a rare blush creeping up his cheeks.
Tang Yu’an, seizing the opportunity, kept the tablet. Wei Langxing, unable to refuse him, simply made him promise not to overexert himself.
Leaving Tang Yu’an’s room, Wei Langxing felt lightheaded.
He had received many compliments in his life, but this time was different, making him feel euphoric.
It was a strange feeling, like bubbles of happiness constantly rising within him.
He values me, he thought.
Not well-versed in social cues, he was afraid he hadn’t fully understood Tang Yu’an’s meaning, so he sought advice online.
This inquiry turned his world upside down.
What did they mean by “being friend-zoned means there’s no chance”?
This was Tang Yu’an’s highest praise, not some subtle rejection!
“Good person” was clearly a compliment. These people online were spreading nonsense!
He was about to put away his phone, annoyed, when the system alerted him that the network comparison he had requested had yielded results.
He had given up hope of tracing the address hidden within the Bureau, but now, a surprise!
Although he couldn’t see the specific route, he could see that a masking key had been used.
His excitement turned to dread.
Only high-ranking officers had access to such masking keys. This meant the person connected to Yi Xin Pharmaceuticals within the Bureau was at least a deputy director.
Could they even investigate this?
The invisible pressure weighed him down, and he almost laughed in frustration.
Unbeknownst to him, a masked man logged out of the Bureau’s system, erasing all traces of his intrusion and manipulation.
His actions swift and flawless.
Wei Langxing had received the lead he provided, his goal achieved. As for that troublesome person… he could be dealt with soon.
He stood up, leaving the room, walking through the white corridor to a metal door at the end, scanning his eyes and fingerprints for authentication.
The door opened. He ignored the greetings of the researchers, heading straight to a small compartment at the back.
Inside, a new type of treatment pod held a sleeping figure, Yu Liao’s face clearly visible through the glass.
Both the hospital and the Bureau had confirmed and recorded his death. To the world, he was dead, but the monitor showed his heart beating faintly.
The masked man activated a voice modulator, his synthesized voice echoing: “How much longer until he wakes up?”
A nearby technician replied: “The subject’s condition is stable. Mental energy restoration at forty percent. Full recovery estimated in one week.”
The masked man gave an almost imperceptible nod, instructing: “Wipe his memory clean. We finally have a successful sample. If anything goes wrong, the higher-ups won’t be happy.”
AH? WHAT- SO THE LEAD IS WRONG??? and he from that research?