Chapter 8, An Unexpected Surprise

Zhou Lan went to meet that person

Father smiled wryly: "Your mother is worried about you; she fears you might get cold, then she worries you might be hungry. Sigh, she just likes to fret unnecessarily. You are already quite grown up, yet she still can't let go of this and that. However, Zhiqiang, it's not that I want to criticize you, but you are no longer a child. Shouldn't you start considering your lifelong matters?"

I thought about it and told my father about Wen Hui's situation. I did not expect him to be able to help me in any way; I merely shared it as a story to satisfy his curiosity.

There are some things I cannot comprehend

Speak up and let me hear it; perhaps I can offer you some suggestions

My father is a retired teacher, so I am not surprised that he can say such a thing. I think the same way; however, if that medical institution is truly that formidable, then it would not be so easy to deal with them. Not to mention how to confront them, at present, we only know the name of one institution, and we are completely unaware of the others.

Zhang waved his hand to call the waiter and ordered two cups of premium Nanshan. We were seated in the smoking area. I handed him a cigarette, and he took it without hesitation and lit it: "This afternoon, a woman named Zhou Lan called to complain, saying that a medical institution called Future had deceived her. According to the contract they signed, this medical institution has committed serious breaches of contract, and she hopes we can help her recover the penalty for the breach.

My father looked at me with great satisfaction: "All these problems should stem from that medical institution. Although I, your father, am an atheist, I know that life sciences is a fascinating discipline. Perhaps some things we consider unbelievable are indeed possible."

Because she can no longer remember what the other person looks like, she doesn't even have any impression of whether the person is male or female, isn't that strange

"By the way, in a few days, your mother and I plan to go back and stay for a while," said my father, extinguishing the cigarette butt in the ashtray and squinting his eyes.

We agreed to meet at the "Red Bean Coffee Bar," which is not far from my home. I arrived at the coffee bar in about fifteen minutes, and Da Zhang was already there.

I have some confusion: "What does it mean?"

The woman said that her father was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. The doctor stated that although surgery was performed, it could only allow her father to live a few more years at best, and there was no guarantee that it would not relapse in the future. Just a month ago, during a routine check-up, her father was found to have cancer cells again, which had already metastasized from the liver to the lungs. This time, even if surgery were performed, it would not be of much significance, as he was already in the late stage of cancer. The doctor advised her to let her father return home to rest, to eat and drink as he pleased, and to allow him to do whatever he wanted. Upon hearing the doctor's words, she naturally understood that her father probably would not last much longer

Upon returning home, my parents had already prepared the meal

Zhiqiang, I have some news regarding the matter you asked me to keep an eye on last time, said Dazhang over the phone

After having dinner, I retreated to my study, lit a cigarette, and sat quietly. This is when I feel the most content; during this time, I can contemplate matters that elude my understanding. Of course, more often than not, I think of nothing at all, simply enjoying this sense of ease and tranquility.

I promised Sun Yueping that I would find an appropriate time to talk to Liu Wei. Such matters cannot be rushed, nor can they be forced. One thing that Sun Yueping did very well was that he did not directly inform Liu Wei about this matter, as that might frighten her and exacerbate her condition. Even if I want to talk to Liu Wei, I must pay attention to the approach and method.

I have come to my senses; it turns out that my father's intentions were here all along, and it seems this should also be my mother's wish

"Tsk tsk, can such a thing really happen?" The expression on my father's face was one of disbelief, clearly he was also taken aback by this story

At that moment, my phone rang. I took a glance and saw it was a call from Da Zhang, whose full name is Zhang Yumin. He is also a classmate of mine from university and works at the Municipal Health Bureau as a section chief. I had previously inquired with him about a medical institution called Future, but he had not heard of it either

My mother does not have many complaints; she feels that although there are many unsatisfactory things in the city, she is able to take care of her son, and as long as I can return home to a warm meal and a hot soup, she is content

"Is there something on your mind?" He sat down on the sofa and then picked up a cigarette from my coffee table to light one. I knew he was here to mooch cigarettes again, as he had mild asthma and his mother had already ordered him to quit smoking. In front of my mother, he dared not smoke anymore; he only occasionally came to borrow one when I was in the study.

Da Zhang nodded and said, "I saw it." However, he then added with a somewhat strange expression, "But it feels no different from not seeing it at all."

Father walked in holding his large teapot. He enjoys drinking tea, particularly strong tea, and his large teapot is almost always filled with half tea leaves and half water. I told him that drinking too much tea is not good for his health, as everything should be done in moderation. However, he did not take it seriously, saying that he has been accustomed to it for so many years, and if he were to use less tea leaves, he might as well not drink it at all

There is still about a month until National Day. I know that my father must be tired of staying in the city. I nodded and said, "I will definitely go then, Dad. If you feel uncomfortable living in the city, you can stay in our hometown. Come back whenever you want to visit the city."

Dad, you know that this kind of thing cannot be rushed I said somewhat awkwardly

Just three days ago, she suddenly received a phone call from someone claiming to be from Future Medical Institution. He told Zhou Lan that they could extend her father's life, and even grant him immortality. Zhou Lan initially found it hard to believe, but in moments of despair, people often resort to desperate measures. As a dutiful daughter, when she learned that her father did not have long to live, she was unwilling to give up any potential lifeline. Therefore, she agreed to meet with that person to see if they truly had the means to save her father

Then what? I asked eagerly, and Zhang took a sip of coffee: "Don't be anxious."

Originally, they were reluctant to come to the city; they preferred the life in their hometown county, where they had familiar old neighbors and friends, and could gather together to chat about trivial matters when there was nothing else to do. Especially my father, who was a teacher at the Chengguan Middle School in the county and was highly respected there. Wherever he went, people would greet him warmly, but in the city, he lost this honor.

Da Zhang said: "That person told Zhou Lan that they are not a medical institution aimed at profit; rather, they focus more on scientific research. In other words, they are conducting a great experiment, which is to retain the souls of those who are about to die and, at the right time, find suitable vessels for them to be reborn"

I truly did not know that there would be such a story between Liu Wei and Sun Yueping. If Sun Yueping is not lying, then it is indeed very likely that Liu Wei is suffering from a serious psychological issue. This is a terrifying matter; it is almost impossible for a psychologist to undergo conventional psychological treatment when afflicted with a severe mental illness.

Father is just this kind of person, warm-hearted, and no matter what the matter is, he hopes to be able to help others.

Did she see what that person looked like? I interjected again, as I felt this point was very important, because although Wen Hui had dealt with those people before, she had never actually seen what they looked like.

Oh? I was momentarily at a loss for words. Ever since I learned about this medical institution from Nie Lan, I realized it was quite unusual, and it would be difficult to gather information through ordinary channels. I didn't expect that Da Zhang would actually surprise me; I felt a bit excited inside.

I furrowed my brow and asked Da Zhang for the specific situation

How could this happen? Could it be that the other party erased this part of her memory? However, from Zhang's description, apart from not being able to recall what the other party looked like, Zhou Lan remembers clearly everything else that was discussed with the other party. In my view, this is not scientific. From a psychological perspective, erasing someone's memory from a certain period is not an impossible task, but if it is only a specific part that is to be erased, that is not easy, and may even be entirely impossible. In my view, this is not scientific. From a psychological perspective, erasing someone's memory from a certain period is not an impossible task, but if it is only a specific part that is to be erased, that is not easy, and may even be entirely impossible.

"What happened next?" I asked.

I was taken aback; everything was fine, yet they are thinking of going back home again.

Father coughed and said: "It is like this, your third uncle's family is getting ready for his daughter’s wedding during the National Day holiday. We will go back to see if there is anything we can help with. You should also go at that time, so that people won't say you have become distant from your relatives since moving to the city"

I also understand that quitting smoking is not an easy task; once a person develops a habit, it is very difficult to break it. My father has done very well; at least he hardly smokes now, and when he does smoke occasionally, it is more like just for fun.

Father said, "Zhiqiang, you surely do not believe that there are ghosts or gods in this world, do you?" His expression was very serious, and I nodded. Until now, I have always been a staunch atheist

I nodded slightly; cancer is an incurable disease, and once it reaches the advanced stage, there is essentially only one outcome

I originally intended to call you earlier, but I was occupied with handling that complaint in the afternoon, and then I had a social engagement in the evening. As soon as I finished, I hurried to call you

Continuing life? I can't help but think of Luo Hua again. Wen Hui said that Luo Hua lives on in another form, and I have even felt that Luo Hua seems to truly still be here. Could it be that what that person mentioned is the same way as Luo Hua?

He always complains about the tall buildings in the city, where people living in the same building are strangers to each other, never interacting until death. He says this is a regression in social interpersonal relationships

How is that girl doing now? The father was somewhat worried about Wenhui. I shook my head; Wenhui has already told me not to interfere in this matter anymore, and I do not know her current situation.

This afternoon, I received a complaint regarding this medical institution's breach of contract. The specifics cannot be clearly conveyed in just a sentence or two over the phone. How about this: let's arrange a place to have tea and chat, as it has been a long time since we last met.