Chapter 6 The Achievements of Men

"Ah... that means you're pretty badass."

Chen Yu instantly lost the desire to continue the conversation and turned his head toward the television, waiting for the local news program to replay.

But the short criminal still went on incessantly, "Crimes are crimes, but rapists are the least welcome in prison. They definitely get a beating, right? Kid?"

Chen Yu: "Right, right, right."

"Regret it now?" the short criminal lectured his pal, "Will you dare to do it again in the future?"

"No more," his cohort replied, shivering.

"Scared now, are you? Where's that arrogance from before?!" The dwarf criminal was smug as he looked at the duty officer, "Big brother, isn't it true that rapists are at the bottom tier in prison?"

The duty officer drank his tea, expressionless, "They're all prisoners. There's no difference in class. Whether you get bullied inside doesn't depend much on what crime you committed."

"Old comrade, you're inexperienced," mocked the short criminal, smacking his lips, "You obviously haven't been locked up before."

The veteran officer: "…"

Seeing that nobody was paying attention to him anymore, the short guy went on blabbering for a while before he finally shut up.

Now Chen Yu could watch TV in peace for a while.

About half an hour later, the midday program began its replay. He smoothly saw himself on the screen.

As he watched, his heart pounded in terror.

The director at the local TV station had actually turned the material about him into a "Close to Science" segment!

"Why did a young boy in the prime of his life become involved in a murder case?"

"Can a grisly future not be changed?"

"Is all this the arrangement of fate? The degeneration of human nature? Or a self-directed performance?"

"Duang!" (Close-up of Chen Yu, accompanied by a drum sound, the screen in black and white.)

"'Dead body,' two simple words, yet they are like an unshakable curse, making it difficult for the young man to break free. Leaving the police clueless…"

"Can the experienced and responsible people's policeman save this innocent and vibrant life from the hands of the Grim Reaper?"

"All will be revealed in Qingcheng TV Station's midday news special program—'Death Destined by Fate'..."

Chen Yu: "..."

Chen Yu: "Fuck your mother."

"What the fuck?" The squatting short criminal beside was surprised, pointing to the TV, "The guy in there looks a lot like you?!"

Chen Yu: "..."

After a moment of silence, Chen Yu fell into contemplation, his brows tightly furrowed.

If a dumbass stranger could recognize him, then how could his mother have overlooked this…

...

The night passed in a blink of an eye.

Early the next morning, the "highly acclaimed chief psychiatrist" arrived at the police station early to treat Chen Yu for his "mental illness."

"Ah..."

In the interrogation room, Chen Yu yawned, sleepy-eyed.

Sitting across from the psychologist, neither of them spoke a word.

But as time ticked away by the second, the willpower-drained Chen Yu began to wake up and feel increasingly restless.

Originaly, he had planned to just go with the flow, let the cops do whatever they wanted to him. He wanted to get out quickly once the "title" over his head changed in a few days, to avoid any more complications.

Yet, the psychologist's face, full of concern for a "mental patient," irritated him so much that he couldn't help but speak up, "You say I have mania, do you have any fucking evidence?"

"Ah." The psychologist scratched his chin, "Well, as for evidence, there wasn't much before, but now there is."

Chen Yu: "..."

After a moment of silence, Chen Yu patiently explained to the other party how he had been taken to the police station, how he had spent a day at the hospital with tubes inserted all over, how the TV station had reported on him as if he were an "entertainment product," and how his emotions couldn't possibly remain calm…

And the psychologist kept nodding, signaling agreement and understanding, busily jotting down notes with his pen.

About twenty minutes later, Chen Yu felt parched and tired. Having said all he had to, he peeked at the psychologist's notes, only to find that the diagnosis still read "Manic Disorder," and to make matters worse, "Severe Explosive Disorder." He exploded, "You motherfu—"

"Calm down, Mr. Chen," the psychologist suddenly stood up, serious as he pulled out a pocket watch from his pocket.

The pocket watch was all silver with a golden chain, quite exquisite and beautiful.

Chen Yu tensed up instantly, "Are you going to hypnotize me now?"

"No," the psychologist opened the watch to check the time. "I'm actually over my time. Would you like to add another session?"

Chen Yu: "...Get lost."

The psychologist nodded, "Alright."

Watching the psychologist leave, Chen Yu sat in the so-called chair of regret, sighed deeply, and rubbed his face.

He figured it out.

To him, whether he had "Manic Disorder" was not important.

But to the psychologist, it was crucial that he had "Manic Disorder" because that would keep the money rolling in every day from the "police station."

Hence, by the same token, the "police station," "TV station" must think the same...

Only their objectives were different.

"..."

"..."

"...no wait, that would mean..."

Chen Yu suddenly looked up, feeling a surge of foreboding.

"Creak—"

The door to the interrogation room opened.

The policewoman peeked her head in, gave Chen Yu a few glances, and said, "Um, the hospital contacted us this morning. When the doctors had a consultation, they found some issues with your medical examination report. They suspect you might have a rather rare disease."

"..." Chen Yu retorted, "So you're saying I need to undergo a whole day of medical examinations again, right?"

"Uh... yes, and in addition, two minor minimally invasive surgeries," the policewoman said cautiously. "They're painless and quick, and our department head has already agreed."

"And did I agree? You motherfuckers just sheer me alone, huh?!" Chen Yu exploded with fear and anger, pounded the table, and shouted, "Let me out! I want to go home!"

...

"Still want to go home?"

That very afternoon, in the Second People's Hospital's operating room.

The hospital director, holding the titles "Postgraduate Supervisor at Medical University; Authority Expert; National Academician; Deputy Director of the Second People's Hospital of Qingcheng," held a syringe filled with a sedative and said gently to Chen Yu.

"Not anymore," Chen Yu said with a smile, lying quietly on the operating table. "Put down the anesthetic first."

"Sure," the director put down the sedative and explained patiently to Chen Yu, "Don't be too nervous, my friend. For your health, we are just going to take a bit of tissue for a pathological test. We need to rule out any possible diseases."

"Fine, whatever you say, I'll believe," Chen Yu's smile faded. "But I'm staying awake to watch you operate. No funny business."

"That's fine," the director suppressed his delight, checked his surgical gown and sterile gloves with the help of an assistant. "Ever heard a saying, young man? Scars are a man's most valuable badge of honor. Where would you like to earn this 'badge of honor'?"

"How about on the foreskin?" Chen Yu asked.

The director: "..."

All the operating room doctors: "..."

The director: "...That can be arranged."

Chen Yu: "Make the scar deep."

The director: "No problem."

...