Li Ya, still unaware of the approaching danger, started chatting with Mu Sha when Su Tang ignored him. During surgery, the more serious a doctor is, the higher the risk. If they can still chat, it means the surgery is going smoothly so far. Li Ya had initially gone to the research institute for Lin Yang, a god-like figure in academia. So, he believed that with Su Tang present, the surgery would definitely be successful.
“Sha Sha, do you still remember Experimental Subject Number One?”
Mu Sha replied, “I remember. Boss was so good to him back then. Hey, Boss, I heard from Li Ya that you got out this time thanks to him?”
Su Tang, while operating, occasionally responded. Even without her replies, the two kept chatting.
Li Ya said, “Seriously, back then I thought Boss had fallen for Experimental Subject Number One. With so many enemies, she managed to have those insane people brought over. I still remember her saying, with a straight face, that she needed new experimental subjects, and then rattling off a list of names.”
Mu Sha added, “That's not all. What's even more incredible is that Boss wanted to install bathroom fixtures for Experimental Subject Number One. Have you ever seen an experimental subject with their own bathroom? Boss is truly the Boss.”
As they chatted, Li Ya seemed to recall something important. “Boss, among those people you had me investigate for framing Experimental Subject Number One, I remember one who was still under suspicion.”
Su Tang replied, “Yes, I remember. Song Wenyi. Did you find him?”
Li Ya was surprised that Boss had recalled the full name as soon as he mentioned it. Excitedly, he said, “Yes! This guy recently overthrew the former base leader. Boss, I inquired with his subordinates before. He came to this small base because he offended someone. Do you think he might know something?”
Two years had passed. Su Tang had captured quite a few people, so it was normal for Song Wenyi to be cautious.
Su Tang said, “It doesn't matter. He's not a threat.” A single Song Wenyi could be dealt with by Shen Yi single-handedly. She spoke with extreme indifference, but Li Ya and Mu Sha were used to it. Back at the research institute, everyone thought Dr. Lin was unapproachable. But after truly interacting with her, they would find that she was actually very kind, just not good at expressing herself. Otherwise, if it weren't for her, they would have died several times over.
Mu Sha asked, “Boss, I'm actually quite curious. Why did you help Experimental Subject Number One so much?”
Su Tang replied, “I'd met him before. He was the captain of the Falcon Special Forces. Someone like him shouldn't be reduced to an experimental subject, so I suspected someone had framed him. Those who could frame him could frame others too, so I might as well keep him as my experimental subject.”
The experimental subjects at the research institute were officially advertised as drug testers, with safety and regulations emphasized. But only they knew the true origins of those people.
Li Ya was stunned into silence, then filled with rage. “He was the captain of the special forces! He must have carried out countless life-or-death missions! How could they treat him like that?!”
Compared to him, Mu Sha was much calmer, but her tone was sarcastic. “Did you think the experimental subjects at the research institute were all volunteers?”
Li Ya asked, “Then why did Boss cooperate with them?”
Mu Sha rolled her eyes. “Li Ya, is your brain filled with mush? Even a special forces captain could be dragged in as an experimental subject. Do you think Boss had a choice?” Then, she couldn't help but mutter, “With your brain, it's a miracle you've survived this long.”
…
Outside the operating room, Shen Yi's body tensed. Even his previously non-existent breathing became heavy.
After an unknown amount of time, the operating room door opened.
Su Tang had just removed her mask and hadn't yet seen the situation outside when a gust of cold air swept over her. She was grabbed by the wrist and pressed against the wall, unable to move.
She frowned, looking at Experimental Subject Number One who had appeared at some point. Too tired for any other expression, she simply said coldly, “Mr. Shen, violence doesn't solve anything.”
Shen Yi's breathing was heavy, his grip on her wrist tightening, the terrifying aura around him almost reaching its peak. When he was calm, the bloodshot veins in his eyes would slowly recede. But now, the bloodshot eyes had turned from bright red to a dark, almost black color.
His gaze was fixed on Su Tang, intense enough to be almost tangible. “You lied to me.”
For a moment, Su Tang felt he resembled a pitiful husband who had caught his wife cheating and was angrily demanding answers.
“Let go.”
Her wrist bones felt like they were about to be crushed. Su Tang frowned, and the System trembled, whispering, “Kid, you need to stabilize his emotions. His vital signs are unstable!”
Hearing the System, Su Tang softened her voice slightly, but only slightly. “My hand hurts.”
At this moment, Shen Yi felt his blood begin to boil. His senses seemed to be sealed off, his hearing muffled, all sounds buzzing in his ears, his vision blurred. At this moment, he only wanted to kill, to see blood.
Yet, Su Tang's two words strangely calmed him down.
Lin Yang, due to her years in the lab, had skin so pale that the blood vessels underneath were visible. His grip had left her wrist red and swollen, a shocking sight.
Shen Yi stared at her hand, his eyes filled with both self-blame and frustration.
Li Ya and Mu Sha were initially stunned by the sudden action. When they reacted, despite their fear of Shen Yi's aura, they still stood in front of Su Tang.
“Experimental Subject Number One?”
Li Ya’s words undoubtedly struck a nerve with Shen Yi. Su Tang, fearing the poor young man would be strangled, pulled him aside. “His name is Shen Yi.”
Li Ya said, “Boss, I think he's too dangerous.”
Su Tang: … If you keep talking, your Boss will be the one in danger.
“You and Mu Sha leave first. No, wait, you stay. I'll go back first.” With that, she pulled Shen Yi back to her apartment.
The surgery had taken almost seven hours, and Su Tang was exhausted. She sat down on the rickety chair, her voice weary, “What do you want to ask? Ask.”
Shen Yi had heard a lot at the operating room door, things he should have heard and things he shouldn't have. He had previously thought that what he saw was the truth, but it turned out to be all an illusion.
“Back at the research institute, why were you good to me?”
Su Tang looked up at him wearily. Perhaps due to the surgery, her exhaustion masked her usual coldness, giving her a touch of human warmth. “Why are there so many 'whys'? I just thought it was a pity for someone like you. And when I needed to break your leg, I still did. It's only human nature for you to resent me.”
Yes, it was precisely because of this indifferent attitude that he never thought this woman could be truly kind, but rather that he was like a toy to her. Happy, she'd give him a bone; unhappy, she'd break his arm.