Chapter 159: 159, Hypnosis

"Do you feel as though something is missing?" Ren Xiaosu asked as he ate dinner.

"It seems so," Wang Fugui wiped his mouth.

Yan Liuyuan said, "It's the voice of Luo Lan trying to flatter Dong Funiang..."

Tonight was unusual. Luo Lan, who had been visiting the shop three times a day these past few days, had not shown up once.

Ren Xiaosu suddenly realized that Luo Lan and the others must be planning to raid the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital tonight.

He asked, "Do you know where the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital is?"

"What's the matter?" Xiaoyu Jie exclaimed, "Three days ago, Liuyuan asked me to buy a 109 Bieji map. Let me check—it should be on there."

Ren Xiaosu looked at Yan Liuyuan, surprised that the boy had already made preparations.

"I just thought we should familiarize ourselves with the place first. There's no harm in looking at a map," Yan Liuyuan said.

This was probably a habit Yan Liuyuan had picked up from Ren Xiaosu, who always observed his surroundings in the wilderness, believing survival required understanding the environment.

The six of them huddled over the Bieji map, the size of a table, when Wang Fugui suddenly said, "Found it. It's about ten kilometers away."

Ren Xiaosu thought the Bieji was too vast—any place would be ten kilometers away. This was considered close.

He instructed Chen Wudi and Yan Liuyuan, "Keep an eye on Dong Funiang. Be careful not to let her cause any trouble."

As soon as he finished, Ren Xiaosu seemed to remember something and pulled Yan Liuyuan aside to whisper, "There's no danger. Don't make a wish."

"Hmm," Yan Liuyuan nodded obediently, but both understood that the wishes they had to make would still be made.

After speaking, Ren Xiaosu left.

...

Night fell. Bieji's usual nights were lively, with residents gathering at street teahouses, the sound of mahjong tiles clacking echoing through the streets.

Wealthier residents could enjoy hot pot, the red broth filled with fresh vegetables and meat, looking especially tempting.

These days, dining at a restaurant was a sign of prestige. If someone frequented restaurants, they were surely a prominent figure in Bieji.

In the park, the older women danced square dances, undeterred by the winter chill, while some song and dance halls were already filled with lonely singles.

As darkness fully enveloped the area, the crowd gradually dispersed.

A manhole cover outside the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital suddenly slid open from the inside, and thirty armed operatives, including the stout Luo Lan, emerged.

Their weapons were fitted with suppressors, and their faces were painted with camouflage, preparations thorough.

It was unclear when Qing Zhen had begun mapping Bieji, but they had already mapped out the entire underground system of 109 Bieji. Perhaps even the Li Clan had no idea how many people or what else was hidden beneath.

Tang Zhou spoke through a makeshift communication device, "Three squads, infiltrate separately."

With that, the full tactical unit split into three teams, surrounding the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital.

The security inside the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital numbered over a hundred, yet the thirty attackers showed no fear. To them, these guards were merely private forces, not to be feared.

Luo Lan swaggered behind them, watching as the three squads pierced the Fourth Psychiatric Hospital like three sharp black daggers.

The security inside the psychiatric hospital crumbled instantly upon encountering Qing's operatives.

As they advanced, the tactical unit finally regrouped outside the main building. Tang Zhou whispered, "No lingering. Find the 2nd White Mouse and retreat immediately. All other targets are to be eliminated."

According to intelligence, the 2nd White Mouse was scheduled for an autopsy tonight, which was why they chose to strike now—they could wait no longer.

The Fourth Psychiatric Hospital housed only two extraordinary individuals, but the 1st was deemed too dangerous, so Luo Lan opted to abandon it.

The group pushed upward, and the hospital staff never expected an attack at this time. After all, Bieji was peaceful, though the Huo Corporation incident had occurred, and its personnel had been expelled.

Luo Lan laughed from behind the tactical unit, "No need for mercy. These people who use their own kind as lab rats—one for each is no injustice."

There was an odd radiance in Luo Lan's demeanor, warlike and agitated.

Many assumed he was just a useless bastard, and his most common title was "Qing Zhen's brother," but those in 113 Bieji, along with Qing Zhen and his soldiers, knew Luo Lan was no coward.

The small-scale wars he had orchestrated were countless. Some said Luo Lan's blood ran as wild as his brother's.

Passing the records room, Luo Lan entered and found the research files on the 1st White Mouse, including three thick old videotapes.

He slowly inserted the tapes into the recorder and turned on the TV.

The tapes contained three recordings. A fair and delicate young man sat in an interrogation room, facing a doctor in a white coat.

The young man suddenly asked, "Did you see where 'I' went?"

"I ask you—did you see where 'I' went?"

"What? Don't just open your mouth and say nothing."

"Hey, that guy—did you see where 'I' went?"

The doctor remained silent for a long time.

The young man slowly lowered his head, "Oh... sorry, 'I' couldn't find it."

The young man sat alone, dejected, unable to find even himself.

Luo Lan stood silently before the TV, unsure why, but suddenly felt that young man was sitting in the farthest corner of the world, forgotten by others and by himself, until he had nothing left.

This was true solitude.

...

The second segment of the medical record showed the hypnotist attempting to hypnotize the young man, who now appeared much more normal.

The doctor told the young man, "Close your eyes... relax... imagine walking through a tunnel. The world gradually darkens..."

"That's the tunnel you know. You run toward the right tunnel, where light awaits. When you reach the light, you'll arrive at the place you most desire. Listen to me count 3..."

"...2..."

"...1..."

At that moment, the young man opened his eyes, and the doctor exclaimed in surprise, "Why did you open your eyes?"

The young man smiled, "I ran the wrong way."

...

The third segment of the medical record continued the hypnosis.

This time, the doctor said, "Close your eyes... relax... imagine lying in the sea. Warm water embraces you. As you sink into the surface, you can breathe freely. When you reach the bottom, you'll arrive at the place you desire. Listen to me count 3..."

"2..."

"1..."

But a sudden change occurred—the doctor fell asleep!

Meanwhile, the young man wore a faint smile.

...

Thanks to Qifeng Kanshuahua and Deyou Jiao Chen two classmates for becoming the new allies of this book!