Chapter 10 The Strange Patient

"Aside from a slight headache, I feel no discomfort at all."

Chen Yi's words were half-truths. Ever since regaining consciousness, his mind had felt extraordinarily sharp, clearer than it had ever been. This, of course, was the benefit of advancing to the Divine Insight stage.

If he were to speak the truth, it might cause a great commotion.

"Doctor, is Chen Yi alright? Will there be any lasting complications?" Liu Aijiao asked anxiously from the side.

"There's something peculiar about his condition."

"Peculiar? In what way?"

"Given the severity of his injuries and the extensive blood clots in his brain, it's already a miracle that he survived. Under normal circumstances, even if he managed to cling to life, his recovery would not have been this rapid. His current state is entirely beyond my expectations."

The doctor hesitated for a moment before finally voicing his thoughts. In his nearly three decades of medical practice, he had never encountered a patient like this.

"So, does that mean Chen Yi's injuries are no longer a concern?" Liu Aijiao asked, her voice tinged with joy.

"It's hard to say. I'll conduct a comprehensive examination, and by then, we should have a clearer answer."

With that, the doctor gestured to the nurse, and together they wheeled Chen Yi's bed out of the ward.

Although Chen Yi felt completely recovered, without the slightest issue, he had no choice but to comply with the doctor's instructions to avoid suspicion. First came a CT scan of his brain, followed by an MRI.

"A miracle—this can only be described as a miracle!"

The doctor, holding Chen Yi's test results, could barely contain his excitement.

In just three days, without any surgery or targeted treatment, the blood clots in Chen Yi's cranial cavity had completely dissipated.

This was the most extraordinary case he had ever encountered in his medical career—a patient recovering entirely on his own before treatment even began.

At the doctor's insistence, Chen Yi underwent another round of tests, which yielded identical results.

"We'll observe him for another two days. If no further issues arise, he can be discharged," the doctor announced after the second round of tests.

Though slightly disappointed at losing the opportunity to perform a lucrative surgery, the doctor felt privileged to witness such a medical marvel. Chen Yi would undoubtedly become a topic of conversation for years to come.

Chen Yi was eager to leave the hospital. He knew he was in perfect health, but under the doctor's "strong recommendation," he reluctantly stayed for two more days.

During those two days, Luo Yan visited once and informed him that the recovered 100,000 yuan had been transferred to the hospital where Xiao Nannan was being treated. The arrangements for her kidney transplant surgery had already been made, and the procedure was scheduled for the following week. As for Chen Yi's own medical expenses, they were being covered by the Public Security Bureau, so he didn't have to pay a single cent.

Director Liu of the Municipal Bureau planned to hold a commendation ceremony for Chen Yi after his discharge, presenting him as a model of police-citizen cooperation to the media. However, Chen Yi firmly refused. He wasn't keen on drawing attention to himself, especially since some of the criminals might still have accomplices at large. If his identity were widely publicized, he'd have to live in constant fear.

Seeing Chen Yi's resolute attitude, Luo Yan refrained from pressing the matter and reported his decision to Director Liu. The director, who already harbored some grievances against Chen Yi, was more than happy to go along with it. This kid had nearly given him a heart attack before, and the idea of showcasing him as a model citizen was more of a necessary evil than a genuine desire. Since Chen Yi had no interest in being in the spotlight, Director Liu was happy to let the matter drop. However, an internal commendation was still necessary. According to Luo Yan, the Municipal Bureau would issue Chen Yi a certificate of merit.

"A certificate?"

The Public Security Bureau was truly stingy. After helping them recover over a million yuan in stolen funds, was he really being brushed off with just a piece of paper?

"Well, while the Bureau's rewards may be modest, I can offer you some compensation myself," Luo Yan said with a sly smile, noticing Chen Yi's dissatisfaction.

"And what kind of compensation would that be?" Chen Yi, no fool, was skeptical of her words.

"What? Can't a beautiful woman like me treat you to a meal?" Luo Yan retorted, clearly displeased with Chen Yi's distrustful attitude.

"Well, a meal sounds fine," Chen Yi replied with an awkward laugh, realizing he might have overreacted.

"Alright then, I'll pick you up once you're discharged."

"There's no need to wait. I'm feeling perfectly fine now, not a single issue with my body. Could you talk to the doctor and—"

"Don't even think about it. You'll leave when the doctor says you can leave!" Luo Yan interrupted him firmly before he could finish.

Faced with such resistance, Chen Yi had no choice but to stay put in the hospital, enduring the whims of the doctors and nurses. Fortunately, the nurses were pleasant to look at—some with striking figures and others with charming faces. While they couldn't compare to Luo Yan's beauty, they were at least a visual distraction, making his extended hospital stay slightly more bearable.

Over the next two days, Chen Yi's attending physician developed a "keen interest" in him. The doctor frequently checked in, asking about his condition and finding various excuses to subject him to additional tests, most of which Chen Yi didn't understand.

"Doctor, my injury is in my head. Why are you examining my feet?" Chen Yi asked, exasperated.

"The head is the central hub of the nervous system. Any injury there could potentially affect other parts of the body. I'm being thorough for your sake. Alright, later we'll check your urinary system."

Chen Yi: "…"

"Don't pull that face, young man. I'm doing this for your own good. After the urinary system, we'll move on to the reproductive system."

Chen Yi: "…"

If it weren't for the fact that they were in a public place, the doctor might have dragged him to a lab, dissected him, and studied him like a specimen.

This kid's physical condition was simply abnormal. Setting aside the mysterious disappearance of the blood clots in his brain, the rest of his body was equally astonishing.

His heart rate was only thirty-seven beats per minute, half that of an average person, indicating a heart far stronger than that of even elite athletes.

His muscle fibers were unusually dense, his bones exceptionally robust and resilient…

After enduring two full days of what felt like "inhumane torture," Chen Yi finally defied the strong protests of the doctors and nurses and discharged himself from the hospital.

Once outside, he called Luo Yan, only to hear a recorded message: "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."

"She's probably on a mission. Being a police officer isn't easy—no matter what they're doing, a single call can summon them to a scene, often facing danger head-on."

Chen Yi understood the demands of Luo Yan's profession. Now that he had reached the Divine Insight stage, he could craft simple magical artifacts. Perhaps he could make one for her. Despite their rocky first encounter, during which he had suffered a significant loss, subsequent interactions had revealed her to be a decent person beneath her proud exterior.

She'd make a trustworthy friend, at the very least. Someone as straightforward as her wouldn't stab him in the back.

Of course, Chen Yi wouldn't mind if their relationship developed further. Having a police officer as a girlfriend would certainly be impressive. However, he was self-aware enough to know his limitations. He had no house, no car, and his looks were average at best—far from the level of a "pretty boy."

With his current circumstances, the idea of winning over the police force's "thorny rose" was laughable.

The notion of a toad eating swan meat was a fantasy Chen Yi didn't dare entertain. Even if Luo Yan were to inexplicably fall for him, her male colleagues—many of whom were likely nursing unspoken feelings for her—would probably tear him apart.

Thinking about the Public Security Bureau left Chen Yi feeling disgruntled once more. They were far too stingy. After helping them crack two major cases and nearly losing his life in the process, all he got was a certificate. Not even a small monetary reward. They were tighter with money than the most miserly landlords of old.

Since they had acted dishonorably, Chen Yi saw no reason to play fair either.

After all, the stolen funds recovered from Thief Three weren't the full amount. The rest could serve as his "compensation."

Five days had passed since Thief Three's arrest. Luo Yan had mentioned that the case was closed, and she hadn't mentioned any other assets. This reassured Chen Yi. Even if he took the remaining funds, the Public Security Bureau would never know.

Chen Yi called Liu Aijiao and Li Haoran, assuring them he was fine and asking about Xiao Nannan's condition before hanging up.

Instead of returning to his small rental apartment, he hailed a taxi and headed straight for Thief Three's hideout. Even cunning hares have three burrows, so a sly old thief like him was bound to have more than one stash.

Circling the property twice, Chen Yi found a secluded spot, leaped over the wall, and entered the courtyard.

The main house was unlocked, and Chen Yi pushed the door open without hesitation.

When Thief Three had been apprehended, Chen Yi had noticed a spot he frequently glanced at—clearly a hiding place for stolen goods. However, Chen Yi had deliberately left it untouched, thinking to leave the man some retirement money.

Who could have predicted that this scoundrel would leave behind evidence of murder and nearly take Chen Yi's life in the process?

Upon entering the house, Chen Yi immediately sensed a faint, lingering black aura. It was weak and slowly dissipating.

The feng shui of this house was terrible—the Chou Gate was afflicted, foretelling imprisonment for its owner. Now that Thief Three and his accomplices had been arrested, the prophecy had come true. With no new occupants, the ominous energy was gradually fading.

But what truly caught Chen Yi's attention wasn't the black aura—it was the faint golden glow emanating from behind the television. This was the very spot Thief Three had frequently glanced at.

There was no doubt—something was hidden there.

Chen Yi found a hammer in the room and struck the wall with force.

"Bang!"

The wall cracked open, revealing a small cavity the size of a soup bowl. Inside, several gold bars lay quietly, their faint golden light shimmering softly.

Gold, prized not only for its rarity but also for its mystical properties, had long been regarded as a talisman against evil.

Buddhist statues were often gilded for this very reason—to ward off malevolent forces.

While these unrefined gold bars emitted only the faintest trace of spiritual energy, their value was undeniable.

Gold was gold, and gold meant money. Chen Yi decided to consider it his compensation from the Public Security Bureau.

There were ten bars in total, each weighing approximately 500 grams. At current market prices, their combined value was around 400,000 yuan—enough to buy a decent apartment in the city center.

Without hesitation, Chen Yi pocketed the gold bars, feeling no guilt whatsoever. If Thief Three knew, he'd probably cough up blood in fury.

Four hundred thousand yuan was more than enough to cover the orphanage's expenses for the next year or two.

Chen Yi planned to sell the gold, keep 30,000 yuan for himself, and donate the rest to the orphanage. This way, the children would have better food and accommodations, and Uncle Li and Aunt Liu wouldn't have to worry about funding for a while.

He found a burlap sack, packed up the gold bars, and climbed back over the wall, leaving the property as casually as he had entered.

"Ring, ring…"

Chen Yi's phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Luo Yan.

"Chen Yi, I had something to take care of earlier and my phone was off. Where are you now?"

"Me? I'm at the shopping district!" Chen Yi lied without hesitation. He couldn't exactly admit he had just looted Thief Three's stash. Besides, he was planning to head to the shopping district soon to sell the gold.

"The shopping district? Which part? I'm here too!" Luo Yan's voice was filled with excitement.

Chen Yi felt a pang of despair. Of all the coincidences… If he had known, he would've made up a different location.

"Well, I have something to do first. Can we meet in half an hour?" Luo Yan said apologetically.

She felt guilty for not picking Chen Yi up from the hospital as promised, and now, even though they were in the same area, she couldn't meet him immediately.

"Uh, no rush. Take your time. I'll just wander around the shopping district until then," Chen Yi replied hastily before hanging up and breaking into a run.

"D*mn it, Thief Three! What kind of remote place did you choose for your hideout? I can't even find a taxi!" Chen Yi cursed as he ran, the gold bars clinking noisily in the burlap sack slung over his shoulder, as if protesting his ungratefulness for their newfound wealth.