Chapter Forty-One: Methods of Expelling Poison

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Hong Chen and his companion stepped out of the private room; Assistant Manager Mo and the others did not linger either. Before leaving, Assistant Manager Mo fixed a sharp gaze on Chen Feiyang, issuing a warning: “Mr. Chen, you’re luckier than Manager Cai. He didn’t even get a chance to redeem himself. I hope you’ve truly taken Mr. Hong’s words to heart. There won’t be a second opportunity.”

At the instruction of Minister Xiao, three security guards split into two pairs. Each grabbed one of the manager’s legs and dragged him out of the private room, leaving a long trail of blood across the carpet.

Silence reigned within the room.

“Good food, good drinks, and the show is over. Those who can keep their mouths shut may now go home, freshen up, and sleep. If you can’t, leave ten thousand for the meal and you can still leave.” Chen Feiyang’s cold gaze swept over the crowd, his voice slow and somber.

They exchanged nervous glances. Moments later, people hurriedly rose and departed. In less than ten seconds, only Chen Feiyang remained.

Seven or eight minutes later, Lu Ke’er returned, trembling as she approached Chen Feiyang. He glanced at her, and the anger he’d suppressed erupted at last.

“Good-for-nothing, always ruining things!” Chen Feiyang sprang up and kicked Lu Ke’er in the stomach. She let out a miserable cry, rolling twice across the floor, terror etched on her face.

Chen Feiyang followed, bent down, and seized her hair, raising his hand as if to slap her. Then, as if struck by another thought, his hand lowered. He picked up the half-full bottle of champagne from the table and slowly poured it over her head.

Watching Lu Ke’er’s ruined makeup and the drenched dress clinging to her graceful curves, Chen Feiyang’s wicked desire grew. He loosened his collar, gripped her hair, and dragged her toward the private room’s bathroom.

...

On the way home, Hong Chen noticed Lin Yuxin seemed troubled and refrained from speaking much. He only reminded her not to harbor illusions about mending her friendship with Lu Ke’er and advised her to end the relationship altogether.

In Hong Chen’s view, the closer the friend, the more decisive the break should be after betrayal—unless there’s some unavoidable reason. If someone’s character cannot endure the test of deep friendship, then it’s futile to try to repair such a bond once it’s fractured.

Lin Yuxin nodded ambiguously, uncertain whether she truly listened.

By the time they reached home, it was nearly ten o’clock. Lin Yuxin showered first, and when Hong Chen finished his bath, she was already asleep. He gently covered her heels with the quilt, laid out his own bedding, and settled into the covers with a laptop.

That same night, at the King’s Club, inside a card room—

Eight players sat around the fan-shaped table, including Lin Meimei, Lin Huihuang, Lin Yufei, and her boyfriend, Li Yi.

Lin Yufei, young and fond of excitement, didn’t love gambling herself, but her boyfriend was addicted. Through Lin Yufei, he’d met Lin Huihuang, and they often played poker or mahjong together.

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That afternoon, Lin Huihuang sent a message on CloudChat; Li Yi was instantly tempted. Since the venue was a club, Lin Yufei tagged along.

Tonight they played Texas Hold’em.

After more than two hours, Lin Yufei, Li Yi, and Lin Meimei each won a few thousand, while Lin Huihuang’s luck plummeted. He lost over eighty thousand he’d brought and borrowed fifty thousand twice from the club.

The situation turned after midnight. Li Yi drew a small straight flush, only to run into Lin Huihuang’s royal flush. The pot reached two hundred and thirty thousand, including Li Yi’s twenty thousand cash, Lin Yufei’s twenty-five thousand, two credit cards totaling fifty thousand, and another ten thousand borrowed from Lin Meimei.

After that hand, Li Yi and Lin Yufei were wiped out. If they stopped now, the consequences wouldn’t be dire—just a period of financial hardship at school. But anyone with experience knows this is the hardest moment to stop.

Especially with the burly, bald lender, whose smile was friendlier than Santa’s, offering to lend another hundred thousand for just an ID card as collateral...

For the next three hours, Li Yi and Lin Yufei were like people possessed—losing over and over, borrowing again and again. By nearly four in the morning, Li Yi owed two hundred thousand, and Lin Yufei three times that—six hundred thousand. It wasn’t Li Yi’s self-control that halted the borrowing; the bald man refused to lend him more. He still lent to Lin Yufei only because Lin Huihuang and Lin Meimei vouched for her.

Their lost money didn’t go to Lin Huihuang or Lin Meimei, but was won by four unfamiliar faces.

“Yufei, there’s only one way left. Pick a hand, bet everything. If you fail, it’s over.” Under Li Yi’s bloodshot gaze, Lin Yufei, her mind muddled from losses, mechanically nodded.

As she left the card room, Lin Yufei barely knew how she managed to walk out. She owed one million three hundred fifty thousand in debt, plus interest—one and a half million; the IOU doubled to three million, with only three days to repay.

...

Early the next morning, Hong Chen made his usual weekly visit to the Wellness Hall.

Nine patients came in, all with common ailments. Qi Gang handled them with ease, leaving Hong Chen little to advise on. So, he spent most of his time on his gaming business.

As dusk approached, Hong Chen finished off a game boss, logged out, and stretched, preparing to step outside for a cigarette. Just then, a figure darted into the shop—a man in camouflage pants, his upper body wrapped tightly in a leather jacket.

Qi Gang went up and learned the man needed a house call. Just as he was about to agree, Hong Chen said, “I’ll go. Taizheng Road isn’t far from home anyway.”

Qi Gang was a little surprised. Hong Chen had been at the pharmacy for only two full days and hadn’t treated a single patient himself—why the sudden change?

Of course, Hong Chen wouldn’t reveal to Qi Gang that the man’s eyes, though carefully restrained, radiated danger. Moreover, his body harbored several severe internal injuries—not an illness, but trauma likely from fighting.

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The man drove a Nissan. Hong Chen glanced at the plate and settled into the passenger seat. Shortly after setting off, Hong Chen yawned and apologized, “It’ll take at least half an hour to Taizheng Road. I’ll nap for a bit—please wake me when we arrive.”

Without waiting for a reply, Hong Chen closed his eyes and leaned back.

Who knows how much time passed? The Nissan stopped outside an abandoned warehouse. Hong Chen was gently awakened and glanced out at the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Where are we?” he asked.

The man’s expression was indifferent, his voice chilling: “Get out. The patient is inside.”

Hong Chen frowned. The man now held a dagger. “Cure her and you’ll be released. Fail, and your life stays here.”

Hong Chen’s face tensed. He met the man’s murderous gaze, then quickly lowered his head, his body trembling as though struggling inwardly, finally nodding with gritted teeth.

He got out and followed the man into the warehouse. On a machine hung two kerosene lamps, and beside them lay a figure.

The man pointed. Hong Chen approached and crouched down for a closer look—stunned.

It was a girl, wrapped in blankets so her figure was hidden, but her exposed face was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her features were refined and striking; her skin delicate as porcelain. Judging by her youthful look, she was only seventeen or eighteen. Illness had forced her eyes closed, lashes trembling, her face pale and beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Hong Chen drew a deep breath, steadying his heart, unsettled by her beauty. He placed his hand on the girl's forehead, his gaze lingering a moment on her cheeks, then drew out her slender arm from the covers. A finger pressed to her pulse, he concentrated for over a minute.

“How is she?” The man stood nearby, watching. As soon as Hong Chen finished, he impatiently asked.

“She’s been poisoned. The toxin isn’t fierce, but it’s lingered too long—now it’s invaded her organs, causing low immunity and persistent fever.”

The man’s expression subtly shifted as he inhaled. “Can you cure her?”

Hong Chen responded with a soft “mm,” hesitated as he looked at the girl’s face, then turned to the man, embarrassment coloring his features: “The most effective method is to force the toxin out. That... that requires acupuncture on her body. It’s best if she’s not wearing clothes, otherwise, it’s difficult to... suck it out by mouth...”