Chapter 181: Chess Game

The hospital examination results indeed indicate a stroke from falling downstairs.

Zhu Mengmeng stood up, her eyebrows raised in anger, “My dad has been as strong as a bull for years. He can run ten kilometers in the morning and can knock out a pig with one punch. And you’re telling me he had a stroke!”

The doctor helplessly replied, “Miss, even if you don’t trust our medical expertise, you should trust the equipment…”

“I don’t believe a word from you!” Zhu Mengmeng exploded, “Have you ever seen someone in a coma from a stroke for this long? Can your equipment tell me when he’ll wake up?”

The doctor looked embarrassed; the equipment couldn’t provide such information. Based on his experience, he also found this stroke case unusual. At least it shouldn’t result in such a prolonged coma. If it were a brain injury from the fall, the equipment should have detected something. But apart from a stroke, he couldn’t explain it; he couldn’t possibly suggest that his soul was taken away…

However, it was Qiu Wuji who had returned from outside, stopping the furious Zhu Mengmeng. “Mengmeng, don’t worry, I can help your father wake up.”

Before the doctor could say anything, Chu Ge intervened, “My girlfriend was just trying to console, helping her find some relief.”

The doctor was taken aback, smiling wryly, “Thank you, then. Help persuade this family member… You can try staying with the patient and talk to him about things he cares about, see if it has any effect.”

After coaxing the doctor and nurses into leaving, Zhu Mengmeng hesitated, “Qiuqiu, were you really just comforting me? Why do I feel like you might actually be able to do it…”

Chu Ge chuckled, “Of course, the hospital won’t allow outsiders to treat patients freely. There’s no need to put the doctor in a difficult position, and we don’t have to stage a drama like those urban divine doctor stories, right? We can handle it discreetly ourselves.”

Cai Zhijian on the side clapped his hands and laughed, “Chu Ge is really considerate of others. Your girlfriend is fortunate.” His gaze fell on Qiu Wuji, seemingly very interested in her ability to help Old Zhu wake up.

Then, Qiu Wuji only extended one finger and lightly tapped it on Old Zhu’s forehead.

As if a soft light flashed by, it seemed like nothing happened, but the unconscious elderly man slowly opened his eyes, his cloudy gaze filled with confusion.

Zhu Mengmeng was ecstatic, hugging Qiu Wuji, laughing and jumping, “Qiuqiu, you’re amazing!”

Qiu Wuji smiled, “Uncle’s soul sea was in disorder and damaged. I just tidied it up and calmed it down…”

Before, she thought the doctors could handle it, so she didn’t want to reveal her abilities too much. But since the doctors couldn’t treat the situation, saving the person became the priority; lying unconscious for too long might cause even more problems.

“Both of you…” Old Zhu spoke somewhat dazedly, “Have we met before?”

“Uncle, you’ve seen us rowing a boat, and maybe we took some pictures together,” Qiu Wuji smiled, “I’m Mengmeng’s friend. Uncle, just rest well, and you’ll be fine.”

Zhong Yi peeked in from the side, “Do you recognize me too?”

Old Zhu retorted, “I haven’t lost my memory. Seeing your ugly face just makes me nauseous.”

Zhong Yi replied, “You old ***… Forget it, what kind of injury did you suffer? How did the opponent attack you?”

Old Zhu still appeared perplexed, “Attack? I was just playing chess with someone. Then, I don’t know what happened, and I woke up here.”

Zhu Mengmeng interjected, “Dad collapsed in the park, and someone we know called me after it happened.”

Zhong Yi asked seriously, “Did you feel any virtual attacks during the chess game? For example, did you feel like you entered a different world, and when your opponent moved a knight, you actually felt a knight galloping towards you? Or another possibility, like a result-based calculation, where losing in the game means you suffer a defeat, leading to unconsciousness or even death?”

Old Zhu pondered for a moment, “I didn’t feel the first kind… It might be the second one; I lost the game.”

Realizing the situation, he finally exclaimed, “Damn it! I was hit by someone with special abilities? Damn it…” Seemingly agitated, the old man tried to get up but ended up dizzy, falling back weakly onto the pillow, gasping for breath.

Qiu Wuji said, “Uncle, please rest well. I just sorted out the disorder in your soul sea, but the damage remains. It can’t be healed by external forces; you need to rest and recuperate. It might take half a month…”

The old man weakly thanked her, “Thanks, Sixth… Uh…”

Qiu Wuji awkwardly turned her head away.

It seems he’s not foolish; he might have realized that they are the “Cabalash Brothers.”

In the future, the disguise for the “Cabalash Brothers” should be strengthened, even their clothes… No, the “Cabalash Brothers” outfits are too recognizable.

Over there, Zhong Yi’s expression was very grim as he asked in a low voice, “Do you remember what the person who played chess with you looked like?”

Old Zhu shook his head, “The elderly people playing chess in the park change all the time. They are not familiar faces…”

“Did anything special happen before the incident?”

“A senior executive from Shanghai came and said he wanted to buy the mine. I refused him, but this kind of thing happens frequently.” Old Zhu’s voice gradually lowered as he continued, “The mine is actually… the root of trouble. I shouldn’t have been stubborn… Nowadays, the methods used are more diverse and cunning than before… In case it harms Mengmeng…”

Zhu Mengmeng held her father’s hand, crying softly.

Even someone carefree like her could sense her father’s love. He had protected the family business all his life, but now, at the end, he regretted it and didn’t want it anymore, not because of his own injuries but out of fear for his child’s safety.

Cai Zhijian said, “Dad, I will protect Mengmeng.”

Zhu Mengmeng turned to look at him with joy in her teary eyes.

However, Old Zhu did not respond.

On the other side, Chu Ge was asking Zhong Yi, “Have you made a judgment?”

Zhong Yi remained silent for a moment, sighing, “I’m almost certain. He said he wouldn’t cause trouble, just looking for clues. It seems he couldn’t hold back and started investigating sooner than expected.”

Chu Ge looked at him without saying a word. He didn’t want to reveal that he knew Du Lianfeng. Explaining the source of the information would be tricky, but Zhong Yi’s meaning was probably referring to Du Lianfeng.

Additionally, he thought of something else…

Could it be that Zhong Yi’s interactions with Old Zhu were mainly to investigate the source of spiritual energy? After all, the mine is underground, and Zhong Yi made friends with Old Zhu. Du Lianfeng forcibly acquired the mine, not for the friendship or the mine itself, but for the secrets hidden underground.

So, when his mother said that Zhong Yi had a wide network of friends, getting along well with both sides of the law… he was actually searching for something.

Including forming the Black Room, gathering a group of seemingly useless ability users to huddle together, should all be part of this goal, investigating various special abilities and their sources.

But how to put it… Chu Ge doesn’t resent this approach; everyone has their own goals, and as long as one hasn’t done anything wrong, there’s no need to criticize them harshly.

Especially, without comparison, there’s no harm. Du Lianfeng, for instance, arrived in Nanjiang just a few days ago, and he already started harming people. Does having abilities make someone remarkable?

Zhong Yi’s expression fluctuated as he contemplated for a moment, before sighing to Chu Ge, “The opposing force is complex and not easy to provoke. I suggest you don’t get involved rashly in this matter, otherwise, it could really mess up your lives. I will try to handle it first, and if needed, I’ll ask for your help.”

Chu Ge found this rather comforting. Regardless of Zhong Yi’s other thoughts, he was generally good to his friends and considerate of their interests. This was one of the reasons he was well-liked.

Qiu Wuji asked from the side, “Should we keep watch? In case someone secretly comes to harm Uncle…”

Zhong Yi shook his head, “It’s not necessary. They won’t openly do anything in a hospital like this. Zhu Mengmeng and her husband will take care of her father. You can go back and rest.”

Chu Ge nodded without being pretentious, saying straightforwardly, “Then, we both will head back first. We’ll wait for your message.”

Zhu Mengmeng reluctantly held Qiu Wuji’s hand, her eyes filled with tears, “Qiqiu…”

Qiu Wuji comforted her, “It’s okay, we’ll come to see you tomorrow.”

“Please come tomorrow for sure…”

“Good…”

Leaving the hospital, Qiu Wuji turned back to look at the hospital room window and whispered, “Chu Ge, do you think Cai Zhijian has an ability?”

Chu Ge paused, “I haven’t noticed, and neither has Moon Shadow.”

Qiu Wuji smiled, “That can only prove… he’s hiding it well, and his level of ability development is even higher than Moon Shadow’s.”

Chu Ge’s heart skipped a beat, “He really has an ability?”

“Yes,” Qiu Wuji said with certainty, “With such a special soul sea, how could he hide it from me, Qiu Wuji!”

“Damn… This little guy is quite sneaky…”

“But it seems that Uncle Zhu’s situation has nothing to do with him. Don’t think too much about it,” Qiu Wuji said, “Besides, I don’t trust the claim that others won’t cause trouble in the hospital. I secretly cast a defensive spell on Uncle.”

Chu Ge laughed, “I noticed that.”

Qiu Wuji was surprised, “You couldn’t even tell that Cai Zhijian has an ability, but you can see through my hidden actions?”

Chu Ge hugged her affectionately, “It’s just because I know you too well. With a simple movement of your fingers, I know what you’re up to.”

“You were planning to meet the actress from Cai Zhijian’s company, but you were afraid I would find out!”

“Haha…” Chu Ge didn’t even bother to defend himself, he mounted the electric bike and patted the back seat. Qiu Wuji naturally sat down and hugged his waist.

“He wanted to rope you in, help you with copyright and other things. Why didn’t you entertain the idea?”

“Because… no actress could portray my beautiful Qiuqiu.”

“Hmph…”

The electric bike rode away, quickly turning at the end of the street, disappearing from sight.