After hearing Zhang Menglong's words, everyone burst into laughter, not just the people from Huaxia, but even the media personnel.
The condition of those 700 psychiatric patients was already made clear by the on-site surveillance and videos – their illnesses had almost reached an uncontrollable state; even with reinforcements later on, it took nearly five people to barely restrain one patient.
In other words, if violent measures were to be used to control the patients, at least a few thousand people would have been needed, and that was obviously impossible because the entire Dawn Psychiatric Hospital only had two to three thousand staff members, including doctors, nurses, and other workers combined.
And the number of patients in this hospital far exceeded these 700; even just maintaining order in the hospital was very difficult for them, let alone doing such a thing.
Moreover, anyone with eyes could see that these patients were all behaving normally at first, and it was all of a sudden that they started to show symptoms. It couldn't possibly be that Zhang Menglong used some kind of Demon Art to control those patients, right? That would just make it even more absurd.
"I seriously suspect there is something wrong with your brain. Why don't you go have a CT scan? I'll reimburse the medical bills. Money is not the issue here; it's that I like to do charity, especially for intellectual disability!"
Laughter filled the area once again, distorting Murray's face with anger.
After being roasted by Zhang Menglong like that, even the most even-tempered person would probably find it hard to keep their emotions in check.
But he couldn't show that now; he represented the image of a country, and he had to remain calm!
"Alright, Mr. Zhang, then let's talk about why these patients appeared here!" Murray continued.
"Well, I had no choice, they themselves requested," Zhang Menglong said, "I always say I respect your European cultural customs and laws a lot. I know you value human rights and freedom. They wanted to come out, what could I do?"
Zhang Menglong tossed over a USB drive. "Take a look for yourself; they were all protesting last night!"
Indeed, the content of the video was exactly as Zhang Menglong had described: the patients were very rational and healthy at that time, a stark contrast to their state today. No one would think they were any special group.
"The video hasn't been tampered with; it's real!" someone whispered to Murray.
"You see, they were protesting to go out, so I couldn't do anything about it, right? Here, we also have medical reports!" Zhang Menglong pointed to another document.
Those were signed medical reports, showing that these patients had completely normal brain functioning, with communication, language, and motor skills all meeting the standards of regular people, which allowed for their discharge!
"However, Mr. Zhang, according to our investigation, you administered a medication to all the patients beforehand, and maybe it was this medication that caused this temporary normality!" Murray accused.
"Holy shit, this guy actually guessed right for once!"
But Zhang Menglong was still unruffled, "Well, this medication is still in trial and sometimes can be unstable. But we have the consent of the patients' families, everything is legal and by the book, and our hospital is fully accredited!"
"You're just making excuses!" Murray didn't believe a word of Zhang Menglong's bullshit!
"Medication instability" was a very vague excuse, but if you really wanted to hold them accountable, they had all the proper paperwork and the families' consent, with clear evidence in black and white. If you really wanted proof, there was none to be had!
And even if the medication was the issue, it was the patients who requested to leave the hospital. From the moment they left, strictly speaking, it had nothing to do with Zhang Menglong anymore; he bore no responsibility!
"How am I making excuses?" Zhang Menglong laughed, noticing that Murray was getting anxious.
"You're clearly retaliating for what happened yesterday!"
"Oh? If you want to think that way, I can't help it," Zhang Menglong said, "But if you insist on bringing that up, then I have to ask, why when our citizens were respectfully queuing here, they were met with violent line cutting by your countrymen, and instead of stopping them, the security of Champs-Elysees even chose to restrain the people getting hit? I hope Mr. Murray can give me an answer."
"That's just your side of the story!" Murray said, "Clearly it was your people who first disrupted the civilized queue, and furthermore, this is not what we are discussing right now."
"Oh, then Mr. Murray's previous words are just your side of the story as well, without any evidence. Therefore, I'm going to sue you for slander!"
"666666!" The live broadcast's comment section started rolling with a wave of sixes.
"Hahaha! They want to play dirty when we talk reason, and now they've met the ultimate dirty player!"
"What if you suspect? But you have no evidence!"
"Hahaha, everyone knows this is Zhang's masterpiece, but he just won't admit it, and you can't do anything about it, are you mad or not?"
"The 'Mom, please kneel' series!"
"Zhang, I want to have your monkey babies!"
Zhang Menglong's words left Murray speechless; everyone knew Zhang Menglong was doing this on purpose, but they had no evidence!
"Mr. Zhang just acquired this hospital yesterday, and today these patients appeared on the Champs-Elysees. Don't you all think this is too much of a coincidence?" Murray looked around for help with pleading eyes.
"Yeah, it is quite a coincidence," Zhang Menglong said with a smile, "but I was thinking, since everyone is about to be discharged, they've made quite a few friendships in the hospital. So I organized a team-building event to give everyone a proper farewell. What's wrong with that?"
"Too freaking noble, you almost had me fooled!"
"Keep bluffing! After all, we're already crippled by your trickery!"
"With that eloquence, it's a waste not to become a diplomat!"
"I just smashed the bookstore under my house because I couldn't get a hold of Zhang's works!"
"@Qingbei University Chinese Department, suggest granting direct admission to the master's and Ph.D. program!"
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first. I still have to go take good care of my hospital!" Zhang Menglong said with a pained expression, "Ah, once I've cured them, where should I take them for team-building next time? How about playing around the Presidential Palace?"
"Hahaha! Slick ass trickster, he's at it again!"
"Zhang is mighty, this is downright threatening in their face!"
"See if you dare to bully Huaxia people again! If there's a next time... tsk tsk tsk, it'll be too exciting!"
"Smashing the Presidential Palace or not isn't important, the main thing is to enjoy being bullied!"
"Upstairs is a certified masochist. Identification complete!"
Upon hearing this, Murray's face turned pale.
"Wait a minute!" Murray interjected, "Mr. Zhang, I'm afraid this matter can't just end here. I think we may need to invite you to spend some time at the investigation center as a guest!"
Murray took out a small notebook, which was actually a local arrest warrant!
Someone had to take responsibility for this incident, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to explain themselves to society!
"What the hell? Arresting our people abroad?"
"Can't out-argue, can't outplay, and now they resort to these disgusting tactics?"
"Are you sure?" Zhang Menglong's face showed a dangerous expression; he hadn't expected a cornered dog to jump over the wall.
"We will apply for the necessary procedures with your country, but right now you cannot leave here. Please cooperate with us, or we will have to take coercive measures!" Murray said.
"Blowing in the wind!" Zhang Menglong laughed, "Alright, I don't mind at all. It's easy for me to stay here, but getting me to leave, that's not so easy!"