Chapter 323: That Layer of Glass
Li Qingshan was a villain, a thoroughly despicable man.
He had an affair with his own brother’s woman and fathered a child. He cuckolded his brother, tricking him into unknowingly raising the child as his own.
In the end, he deceitfully sent his brother to die in his place.
Afterwards, he even pocketed the money his brother had died for!
Such actions, from any perspective, left absolutely no room for excuses.
He was, by all accounts, a thoroughly despicable man.
A person like that deserved retribution!
But Chen Nuo said nothing and did nothing.
He believed he was not the most suitable person to handle this matter.
Only Fang Yuanchao was qualified.
Fang Yuanchao turned off the computer. He then walked over to the internet café’s counter and bought a bottle of mineral water with his deposit. Twisting it open, he drank as he walked out of the internet café.
Standing on the roadside, Fang Yuanchao rubbed his head vigorously.
His head ached a bit.
For many years, headaches had tormented him, each time causing his consciousness to blur.
This used to happen only occasionally, years ago.
But this past year, it had become increasingly severe.
There were still many things in his mind that he couldn’t remember, many memories that were blurred. It was as if numerous scenes and fragments were within reach, yet obscured by a layer of frosted glass; he could only make out their outlines, not see them clearly.
Standing on this street, gazing at the surroundings, Fang Yuanchao endured his headache. He tried to pierce through that frosted glass in his mind, desperate to see what lay on the other side.
Instinctively, he felt this street was extremely familiar, extremely, extremely... He could remember that the farmer’s market at the end of the street used to be a grain and oil store. He could remember that the company across the street used to be a kindergarten. He could remember that the residential complex in the distance used to be an area of single-story houses... But... Why do I know these things? Why do I remember them? He had come to Jinling following fragments of memories. But now that he was truly here, he still couldn’t remember anything. This street... why is it so familiar? Why do I know it?
Fang Yuanchao felt lightheaded, so he simply sat down on the curb. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
He was trying to use tobacco to alleviate the headache. He couldn’t contact Lv Shaojie right now, nor his son... But that didn’t matter. From their previous online interactions, his son seemed to be doing very well. He was a top student in medical school with a promising future. He... seemed to have no regrets. But... it seemed that apart from his son, he always felt he had forgotten something else very important. Right here in Jinling, in this city. It seemed there was still something important, some crucial matter, that he had forgotten. He couldn’t go find his brother... He was in great danger now! The Electric General would definitely send people to track him down. They had already traced him to Thailand. And now that he was in Jinling, he hadn’t thought of finding anyone else, so as not to implicate his brother. Li Qingshan. He remembered this person; this was his brother. He must know what memories I’ve forgotten in Jinling City. Maybe I should ask Li Qingshan... No, no...
Fang Yuanchao pinched his philtrum forcefully.
Those people under the Electric General were too dangerous. For ordinary people, that was another world, a completely unimaginable world! Even though he had heard Li Qingshan was doing very well these days, Li Qingshan definitely couldn’t withstand someone like the Electric General. I can’t cause trouble for him! But what exactly had I forgotten? Since arriving in Jinling, it felt like that layer of glass in my mind was getting thinner and thinner... Many things, many memories, seemed about to surface at any moment. But I just couldn’t remember them, no matter how hard I tried. That feeling of being so close, yet unable to grasp them, was truly maddening.
Fang Yuanchao gasped for breath and then slowly stood up. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. THUD. He collapsed onto the ground. A cigarette butt fell from his hand and rolled to the side of the road.
"Damn! That guy fainted?"
"Let’s see what’s going on!"
"Oh no, could it be heatstroke?"
"Impossible, it’s already October."
"Quick, call someone! Hey, dial 110!"
"Not 110, you should dial 120!"
Fang Yuanchao faintly heard the conversations of the bystanders gathering around him, and then... he closed his eyes.
Fang Yuanchao awoke as the ambulance arrived at the hospital. He was then carried into the hospital’s emergency center.
By this time, Fang Yuanchao had regained some consciousness but temporarily lacked strength.
He watched a portly doctor examine him. He clearly realized he was lying on a hospital bed in the emergency center.
When he fully regained his senses, he felt strength slowly returning to his body.
Looking up at the incandescent light on the ceiling, he saw the IV needle inserted into the back of his hand.
As his strength returned, Fang Yuanchao sat up. He furrowed his brow, looking as if he wanted to remove the IV needle.
Soon, a nurse and a doctor approached.
"I’m fine," Fang Yuanchao whispered.
"You’re fine for now, but it would be best to have a thorough examination..." the doctor advised.
"I really am fine. I know my own condition," Fang Yuanchao said firmly as he yanked out the needle. However, he nodded at the doctor. "Thank you, Doctor."
"It’s an old problem. I’ve been checked at other hospitals. I really am fine," Fang Yuanchao lied casually.
"Then, should we notify your family to come..."
"No need, I can manage on my own," Fang Yuanchao refused. He then got out of bed and put on his shoes.
He looked at the doctor and the nurse beside him. "Do I need to complete any procedures?"
"...Go with her to take care of that. There are some fees to be paid," the doctor said, scrutinizing the older man. "Are you sure you don’t need to call your family, or... have a further examination?"
"Really, it’s not necessary!" Fang Yuanchao’s tone was very firm.
A moment later, Fang Yuanchao stood in line at the payment window, holding his bill, with a nurse still by his side.
Walking through the hospital’s outpatient corridor towards the lobby, Zhang Suyu’s mind was in turmoil.
Faintly, she still remembered the conversation she had just had with the doctor in the outpatient office.
Spread... Transfer... chemotherapy... hospitalization... radiation therapy... Read complete versıon only at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Actually, the doctor had said a lot, but Zhang Suyu hadn’t really listened carefully. It was as if those words, spoken from the doctor’s mouth, never reached her ears... She only remembered her last question to the doctor:
"How long do I have to live?"
The doctor paused for a moment, then slowly said, "It’s hard to say. You don’t have to be too pessimistic. Current medical standards are improving. If you maintain a positive attitude and actively undergo treatment, the prognosis is very hopeful..."
"Doctor, how long can I live?"
"...I suggest you bring your family members with you next time."
She stumbled out in a daze, looking at the prescription the doctor had written.
Oh, right, I haven’t picked up the medication yet. Yes, I need to pay quickly and then get the medication. I have to go home and cook for Fang Lin at noon.
Zhang Suyu sighed softly.
Looking around at the bustling hospital lobby... Actually... there’s nothing to fear anymore. Fang Lin is grown up, and the elders in the family have already passed away. I have nothing left to worry about. Well, there’s still the house and money. I can leave it all to Fang Lin. Although she’s a bit rebellious, she’s not stupid. She should be able to live well on her own. Yes... on second thought, there’s really nothing to be attached to. Right, cooking... I need to cook... After leaving the hospital, I’ll go to the market to buy a fish. Fang Lin drank too much a few days ago; I should make her some fish soup to soothe her stomach... Yes, nothing to worry about.
Her mind a jumble of thoughts, Zhang Suyu slowly walked towards the payment counter.
Suddenly feeling quite thirsty, she paused. She took a thermos from her cloth bag, unscrewed it, took a sip, and looked at the long line at the payment window...
Zhang Suyu stared at a profile in the line ahead. Her entire body began to tremble uncontrollably, as if she had been electrocuted!!!
"...Yuanchao? Yuanchao?"
Fang Yuanchao heard the voice behind him and instinctively turned his head.
A few meters away stood a middle-aged woman with short hair.
A thermos fell to the ground, water spilling everywhere.
The woman’s body trembled uncontrollably.
"Yuanchao! Yuanchao... Yuanchao... Is it you? Yuanchao!!!"