Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 202: Jiang Chen and I are good friends

The food court is bustling with people and filled with delicious aromas.

Xu Fei and Chen Lei held their plates full of food in their hands and finally found an empty seat to sit down.

As I was looking at the steaming beef noodles and pies and preparing to devour them, my eyes inadvertently swept towards the TV on the wall that was broadcasting the news.

At this moment, the TV screen was showing the scene of the rehabilitation center building being destroyed by artillery fire.

"In the early morning of January 1, an unexpected riot broke out in a hospital in Xiguan District, Dongdu City, resulting in some casualties and a certain degree of property damage."

"Due to the suddenness of the incident, the hospital security forces were unable to respond quickly and effectively. In order to protect the lives of other patients and medical staff in the hospital, the relevant departments immediately dispatched the army to the scene for support. After a hard fight, they finally succeeded in stopping the riot."

The host spoke at a steady pace, but the tension between the lines was overwhelming, allowing every listener to feel the criticality of the situation that night.

The scene then switched to the studio, where a male host in formal attire sat upright, reading the news release with a solemn expression:
"After several days of careful investigation, the relevant departments have now found out that late at night, some illegal terrorists secretly sneaked into the rehabilitation center building under the cover of darkness and tried to release some dangerous substances with great harm. This action caused extreme panic among the people in the building, and the situation was out of control for a time."

"Fortunately, the army responded quickly and launched an attack immediately after receiving the order, engaging in a fierce confrontation with the terrorists. With their heroic and fearless fighting spirit and excellent military qualities, they successfully controlled the scene and prevented the situation from further deteriorating."

"As for the patients who were originally receiving treatment at the rehabilitation center, they have all been properly resettled. All work, including the treatment of the wounded and the compensation of the families of the unfortunate victims, is proceeding in an orderly manner..."

The host paused for a moment, then continued:

"This incident has undoubtedly sounded a heavy alarm for the whole society. Government departments will further strengthen security measures and strengthen emergency response mechanisms. Our news media will also pay close attention to the follow-up developments of this incident to ensure that the safety of the people is always within the scope of protection and is no longer subject to similar threats..."

Listening to the news report on the incident and explaining the relevant reasons, the diners around had different reactions.

Some people put down their chopsticks and stared at the TV screen with an expression of sudden enlightenment.

Some people whispered to their companions, seeming to still have doubts.

After reading the news for a while, Xu Fei shook his head slightly and sighed:
"We have finally completed this mission successfully."

"Still early."

Chen Lei, who was sitting next to him, had already started eating with his bowl. He swallowed a big mouthful of noodles and mumbled:
"It will take at least until the Chinese New Year for the last batch of patients in the rehabilitation center to be transferred out, so we can forget about going home early for the Chinese New Year."

"I don't care whether I go home for the New Year or not."

Xu Fei glanced at him and whispered back, "I hope I don't run into that old immortal monster here again, then good luck will come."

Then he also picked up a piece of noodles with chopsticks, put it into his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

But his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was still thinking about something.

Seeing this, Chen Lei said while eating:

"Xiao Fei, relax. Gao Jin said that although the old ghost is still alive, he won't be able to cause any trouble in the short term."

"Now the higher-ups have issued a death order. Our entire team is searching for his real whereabouts. No matter where that guy hides, as long as he can't help but show his true colors, we will definitely catch him."

Xu Fei nodded in agreement.

Given the greedy nature of a ghoul, resisting the urge to eat would probably be more painful than killing himself.

Chen Lei grabbed a pie and continued:
"My only concern now is whether that officer will be implicated in the subsequent search."

Hearing his companion still treating the masked man as a colleague, Xu Fei couldn't help but turn his head to look at him:
"Aren't you curious about who that officer is?"

"No matter who he is, I can't repay him for saving my life. Anyway, I don't believe he is a bad person."

Chen Lei took a big bite of the pie, then picked up the bowl with both hands and drank the hot noodle soup in big gulps.

It is sucked into the mouth with a "slurp", and the fresh aroma of the soup and the solid texture of the pie intertwine and collide in the mouth.

He closed his eyes in satisfaction and let out a sigh from his throat.

"I suddenly miss the delicious food here. What should I do if I can't eat here after I leave Yan'an Hospital?"

"That's easy. Just come to the hospital more often in the future."

"Fuck, there's something wrong with what you said, you're cursing me!"

Listening to his companion's joking words, Chen Lei came to his senses and immediately laughed and cursed.

Xu Fei swallowed a mouthful of noodles, looked at Chen Lei's left leg which was still wrapped in gauze, and laughed too.

This guy is stronger than an ox, but he suffered such severe penetrating injuries. Now he is just limping and slightly inconvenient. He is almost like a monster.

The two chatted casually, enjoying a moment of leisurely time brought by a bowl of beef noodles and a few pies.

At this moment, an "acquaintance" happened to walk quietly behind them and heard clearly what the two were whispering about.

Fang Cheng looked straight ahead, the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised slightly.

After finishing my meal with my uncle, we walked out of the food court together, strolled around downstairs, and then went back upstairs to the ward.

It was almost 3:30 in the afternoon, and the relatives had long finished their visit and left one after another.

Seeing Fang Cheng coming back, the aunt and uncle talked to him for a few words, asked about his recent life and studies, and then said goodbye and left.

They work for a multinational pharmaceutical company and are very busy at work and often travel on business.

It's a rare holiday, so I have to visit relatives and friends a lot.

Fang Cheng did not continue to persuade them to stay. He sent his aunt and uncle downstairs and then returned.

When I entered the ward, I saw three nurses busy sweeping the floor and cleaning.

After asking my mother, I found out that it was my uncle who invited them yesterday.

As for why we need to hire two more.

According to my uncle, one takes care of the old man's daily life, one is responsible for health care, and the other can take turns at any time.

Fang Cheng shook his head speechlessly, sat beside the bed, and chatted with his grandfather.

Since my uncle has already made all the arrangements, there is no need for me to do anything more.

At around six o'clock in the evening, I had dinner with my mother and uncle in the hospital cafeteria. Seeing that there was nothing else to do there, I left first.

The cold wind was like a knife, whistling through the dimly lit hospital campus.

It is still warm during the day, but the temperature drops sharply at night.

Fang Cheng zipped up his jacket, turned up his collar, and walked quickly towards the door, ready to take a taxi home.

After walking for a while, my eyes inadvertently turned to the gray building in the distance where soldiers were still stationed.

Under the cover of night, the exterior walls of the rehabilitation center were covered with black scorch marks, as if they had been smeared with ink.

The window glass on some floors was blown to pieces, leaving only empty, crumbling window frames.

It seemed to be describing to outsiders in a silent manner the thrilling battle that took place that night.

....................................

An hour later, Jiangbei Jiuchang Street.

When I got home, it was just past seven o'clock.

The streets here are obviously much busier than those in Xiguan.

The noisy laughter and clattering sounds of frying pans from the night snack stalls could be heard from downstairs from time to time.

Fang Cheng washed up in the bathroom and then quickly walked towards the bedroom.

Click.

After closing the door, he turned and faced the window through which neon lights were shining.

With a "rustle", the curtains were drawn again.

As the last tiny gap was covered up, the noise, prosperity and fireworks were all blocked out of the window.

The room was shrouded in a hazy and quiet hue, and it seemed as if the entire world was left with only this small space.

In the darkness, Fang Cheng's eyes were bright and sharp.

Then he sat cross-legged on the bed, ready to start meditation. He gently closed his eyes and took a long breath.

Thoughts are like ripples on a calm lake, spreading out in circles and extending deep into the heart.

Soon, I was immersed in the tranquility of solitary meditation, searching for the quiet corners of my soul.

a long time.

Fang Cheng suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the scene inside the house.

The originally dark bedroom suddenly became extremely bright, as if day had arrived.

The outlines of the desk, bed, wardrobe, all objects are clearly outlined and covered with a layer of shining warm halo.

It seemed that this meditation practice lasted for more than ten hours, and in the blink of an eye it was already the next morning.

Fang Cheng's eyes flickered as he thought for a moment.

Then he gently raised his hand, interlocked his thumb and middle finger, and snapped his fingers.

In an instant, the scene in the house seemed to be under a spell.

The sunlight disappeared as quickly as the tide, and the outlines of the furniture disappeared into the darkness again.

The night outside the window rushed in, and the house was once again shrouded in a hazy and cold hue.

The ticking sound of the alarm clock on the desk rang out, as if time was going backwards.

The daytime just now was just a short and beautiful dream.

however.

"Snapped!"

Fang Cheng then snapped his fingers again.

The surrounding scene changed again, and the entire bedroom was instantly immersed in the warm and bright daytime atmosphere again.

With the sound of snapping fingers, just like a light turning on and off, the surrounding environment constantly switches between light and dark modes.

"It's better to keep it in day mode. It's not easy to confuse reality and fantasy in the memory palace."

Fang Cheng looked around, muttered to himself, then got up and got out of bed.

He walked to the bedroom door, reached out and grasped the somewhat cold door handle, and turned it gently.

The door that was originally tightly closed quietly opened with an almost inaudible "click".

call--

The wind was howling, as if a dormant ferocious beast was trying to rush into the house through the slightly opened door.

crunch--

The door continued to open slowly, revealing a dark and chaotic void outside the bedroom.

Endless fog rolled like ink, too thick to dissolve.

There seemed to be strange tentacles dancing wildly, trying to drag the house that was emitting bright light into the abyss.

Fang Cheng's face was calm, and he stood steadily at the door, not affected at all.

His lips moved slightly, and he recited an extremely difficult spell fluently.

"Om, A, Mi, Ma, Wa, She, Moo..."

As the spell was recited word by word, it echoed clearly in the wind.

His eyes instantly penetrated the extremely thick black fog and locked onto another point of shining consciousness hidden in this dark world.

Then, a manor gate with intricate carvings appeared not far away.

Fang Cheng walked out of the bedroom, stepped forward, raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Boom, boom.

After just two knocks, the door creaked open.

It emits a hazy light, vaguely illuminating the door, as if welcoming travelers in the dark to visit.

Fang Cheng took a step forward and entered the light gate with ease.

As the eyes blurred, the figure appeared in the old place the next moment.

An empty room wrapped in black curtains, as if the lights were turned off.

Just by stepping in, Fang Cheng vaguely felt that there were changes compared to the last time he came, and it was slightly different.

It seems... the room has become a little bigger.

And when you step on it, it feels more real, not so light and floating anymore.

Just as I was wondering, a feminine and cold voice sounded:

"Hey, what brought you here today? You came to chat so early in the morning, don't you usually have a nightlife?"

Along with the muttering, a figure emitting dim green light emerged from the darkness.

His face was still as blurry as before, and only the outline of his figure could be discerned, like a wandering ghost.

After floating in front of him, seeing Fang Cheng remained silent, the Smiling Devil could not help but ask:
"What do you want from me? Are you here just to act cool?"

Fang Cheng stared at him and suddenly asked:

"What is your relationship with Jiang Chen?"

The Smiling Devil was stunned when he heard this, and his eyes pierced Fang Cheng directly, with a bit of sharpness, and his voice unconsciously rose a few degrees:
"How do you know this name? Where on earth did you hear it?!"

His tone was urgent, and his previous cold state was instantly broken, replaced by shock that was difficult to conceal.

Fang Cheng smiled slightly and replied casually:
"I met him by chance. We became friends through martial arts and we admired each other. We can be called good friends who can talk about anything. It was also from him that I learned about your situation."

Hearing this, the Smiling Demon's shoulders trembled noticeably, and his body suddenly leaned forward. His eyes seemed to see through Fang Cheng, judging the truth of his words.

Fang Cheng behaved calmly, meeting the gaze of this mysterious man:
"Why, is he important to you?"

"hehe."

The smiling devil stared for a while, then suddenly sneered: "So you wanted to trick me?"

Then his entire tense body relaxed, and he shook his head calmly:
"If that old ghost knew my whereabouts, he would have come to my door in person a long time ago. How could he possibly tell you, an outsider?"

There is indeed a big logical loophole in the statement just now, and the only way to deal with it is to use a sudden trick and a subtle blow.

Unfortunately, the other party was very alert and did not fall for it.

Seeing that his trick had been discovered, Fang Cheng did not continue to act and shrugged his shoulders in a very simple manner:

"Well, Jiang Chen and I did fight each other, but we were not friends, but enemies."

Then he said solemnly, looking at the other person levelly:
"I came to you only because I felt that you two have similarities. Since Jiang Chen can be said to be our common enemy, you should tell me his true origins."

The Smiling Demon was silent for a moment after hearing this, as if he was thinking seriously.

Suddenly he let out a long breath, raised his head, and looked at Fang Cheng again:

"Do you believe in the existence of ghosts?"

"Believe."

Fang Cheng answered without hesitation.

The smiling devil couldn't help but be stunned again:
"Have you seen it before?"

(End of this chapter)