Chapter 844: Spirit

Chapter 844: Spirit

Li Huowang’s words nearly made Yi Donglai burst into laughter. He even entertained the thought of giving up—regardless of his professional perspective as a psychiatrist, this man was simply too insane.

“Is that so? You’ve finally recognized the truth of this world?”

Yi Donglai released the two layers of restraints from Li Huowang and shoved his phone into his hands, quickly swiping through several screens with his fingers.

“This is your mother’s WeChat! If you have the guts, video chat with her. Look at her with your remaining eye and explain to her—you’re not crazy! You’ve merely seen the truth of the world! If you dare, repeat it all to her!”

Li Huowang’s skin twitched slightly. He suddenly snatched the phone from Yi Donglai and flung it hard against the ground. “You know nothing! It’s over!”

“All the troubles are over now! Yi Donglai, I know! I had mental illness before, but you’ve cured me!”

The grotesque expression on Li Huowang’s face failed to intimidate Yi Donglai in the slightest. He stepped forward, his gaze firm as he looked directly at Li Huowang.

“Tell me! Tell me what all this nonsense means! Only then can I help you!”

Li Huowang’s expression gradually softened, and finally, he shook his head lightly. He walked to the inner part of the restraint ward and sat cross-legged against the wall. “Doctor Yi, I’m not sick anymore. I can undergo any tests now. Whether you believe it or not, I am truly a normal person.”

Since everything was over, there was no point in talking further to Yi Donglai—it would only make him think he was more deranged than ever.

Moreover, he didn’t know exactly what Yi Donglai was—a projection of something, perhaps. One thing he was certain of: these people were definitely not on his side.

Otherwise, when he fought with Yu’er Shen, Yi Donglai should have come to his aid instead of sending people to arrest him.

Since the danger had passed, he could just wait. Even if Qingwang came back and reneged on their deal, as long as he followed the rules set by this projection, and passed all the tests, he’d surely be released again.

It might take a while, but he wasn’t in a hurry. As long as those he cared about weren’t in immediate danger, his own situation mattered little.

Li Huowang sat there for a long time, waiting. But no door slammed shut. He turned his head slightly and saw that the iron gate of the restraint room—the one that should have been closed—was wide open.

Come out, Doctor said you don’t need to stay locked in anymore,” said the nurse standing at the entrance.

Li Huowang felt puzzled. He had just killed many people not long ago, yet they were so trusting as to let him go out and interact with other patients?

No matter how he thought about it, Li Huowang believed Yi Donglai was playing tricks. This couldn’t possibly be simple.

After pondering for a moment, Li Huowang stood up and began walking toward the exit.

Whatever Yi Donglai was planning, it didn’t matter. A straight man fears no shadow. After all, he was a normal person. As long as he never revealed anything about Si Ming, he wouldn’t fear being probed by psychological tactics.

“Wait,” Li Huowang had barely stepped out when four burly orderlies blocked his path. “We still need to take precautions. Calm down and don’t cause trouble again.”

Soon, he was shackled once more with heavy handcuffs and ankle chains, and a specially designed helmet was placed on his head to prevent him from covering his remaining eye.

Li Huowang didn’t care. With all that on him, he walked into the recreation square like a hardened criminal.

The sun was pleasant today. Li Huowang looked up at the sky and sat down on a nearby bench, relaxing under its warmth.

He could feel strange stares from all directions. Li Huowang paid them no mind—he had long grown accustomed to such attention.

He greeted some familiar faces casually, even waving at the guards on the watchtower.

Among them, he didn’t see the person who had spoken to him earlier. Li Huowang understood—they were right to keep their distance. Yi Donglai had just released him, so meeting him too soon would draw too much attention.

Li Huowang stretched lazily. Compared to the suffocating restraint room where he’d been bound in restraints, this was far better.

At least now he could scratch an itch, shake a numb limb.

And more importantly, he could go to the rest room to watch TV and enjoy the fresh air here.

A breeze from outside the wire fence gently lifted his bangs, revealing his hollow, blood-red eye sockets. “Today’s weather is really nice.”

Li Huowang murmured these words as he relaxed and slowly closed his eyes.

His body lay completely still on the bench, his head eventually drooping forward until his whole body slid sideways, lying on his side.

The restraint room was not a place for sleep. Lights were never turned off inside to avoid accidents. During that period, Li Huowang hadn’t slept much at night.

Once fully relaxed, Li Huowang fell into a deep slumber.

His body curled up on the bench like a baby in its mother’s womb—peaceful.

But this peace was fleeting. His expression grew solemn, then twisted into something sinister.

“No! Wait!” Li Huowang suddenly opened his eyes, sweating. His shout startled the others who had gathered around.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Li Huowang took a deep breath and realized that what he had feared was nothing but a nightmare.

“Are you okay?” Zhao Ting reached out with her scarred wrist to support him, whispering softly.

“I’m fine. Just had a nightmare.” Li Huowang pulled away his hand and spoke in a low voice: “Go ahead. Don’t contact me for now. Yi Donglai is watching me.”

Zhao Ting nodded and left Li Huowang’s side, stepping out of the White Tower detention area.

Li Huowang sighed softly, recalling the nightmare. A wave of fear washed over him.

Thankfully, it was only a dream. Nothing had actually happened.

Li Huowang scratched his scalp with both hands. “It’s fine. Just a dream. Everything’s over.”

“If everything’s over, then I can live a normal life from now on.”

“Think about Qingwang. We’re in the same situation, why is he a graduate student and I’m locked up as a mental patient?”

“As long as I get out, I’ll cherish every moment of my life. I won’t let anyone worry about me anymore. I want them to be proud of me!”

“I don’t care what kind of projection this is, but they’re definitely not hallucinations. They’re real!”

With that resolve in his heart, Li Huowang stood up and walked back into the prison area.