Upon hearing that there might be a way to get rid of the drug, Zhang Jianzhou's expression changed abruptly. His previously dejected face instantly brightened. He licked his dry lips and said, "So, you mean you already have a solution?"

I shook my head and said, "I don't have a solution yet, but we can try to find out more. You don't know exactly where the research institute is, but I'm sure someone knows something. If people in the central town don't know, then we can try to ask people in other places. We'll surely find out something."

Zhang Jianzhou stared at me and said, "You...you're not setting me up, are you? Deliberately cooperating with me first, then killing me?"

I sneered, shook my head, and said dismissively, "Do you think I'd need to waste my breath talking to you if I wanted to kill you? I know there are some things you haven't told me the truth, but I have no interest in knowing. So if I wanted to kill you, I would have already stabbed you to death. Why would I be wasting my breath talking to you here?"

Zhang Jianzhou frowned and stared at me. "So you're really only willing to cooperate with me because you want to find Pu Weichao and the others?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, I have my purpose, and you have yours. Besides, our identities as doctors can be put to good use. Maybe we can learn a lot of things in the future. I don't think you want to be subservient to others for the rest of your life."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jianzhou's eyes widened in shock. "You, your ambition is far too great."

I was speechless, knowing he had misunderstood, and said, "That's not what I meant. I just want a peaceful life and to no longer get involved in any power struggles."

Zhang Jianzhou was taken aback, then gave a helpless bitter smile.

Immediately after discussing all the details of the cooperation with him, he said, "Now that we have established a cooperative relationship, could you please untie the ropes binding me? These things have been constricting me all day, and they're making me feel terrible."

Now that it's been confirmed and his performance has shown considerable sincerity, I can't keep him tied down any longer.

Although I don't know if he's really willing to cooperate with me, he's not a threat right now.

And I believe that he will try every possible means, at any cost, to get rid of this drug.

Therefore, we can still make use of him at that time.

As long as he doesn't do anything stupid, I reckon he can find the location of that research institute.

After untying the ropes, because of his injury on his waist, he lost his footing and fell to the ground the moment he got out of bed.

Seeing his condition, I was speechless. "Don't you know you were shot in the back before?"

Zhang Jianzhou lay on the ground, stunned for a moment. "I didn't think that much. Hurry up and help me. I can't get up."

I had no choice but to pull him up from the ground and make him sit in a chair. He gasped for breath several times because of the pain in his waist, and his face was horribly contorted during that time.

After that, he found some painkillers, took them directly, and drank most of a bottle of water. Only then did I see that he felt much better.

"Feeling better now?" I asked.

Zhang Jianzhou nodded.

"I'll leave now that I feel better. I'll come back to find you after you've recovered. If you need anything, just ask that guy outside named Wu Lin. He should be able to help you."

After saying that, I left the infirmary without waiting for Zhang Jianzhou to speak. Wu Lin was waiting outside the door. When he saw me come out, he asked, "Dr. Lu, how is Dr. Zhang?"

I said, "It's nothing. He's sitting in the chair right now. I reckon he'll need your help with something later, so you can go in and keep an eye on things."

"Oh, okay." Wu Lin listened to my words and went into the house.

Zhang Jianzhou's matter has been mostly resolved. Unless he's an idiot, he's unlikely to tell Ye Qian and the others that I know him.

Now that this matter has been resolved, it's about time we left.

After I went upstairs and discussed it with Sister Jing, she went out to find Song Muyuan. Since she was leaving, she definitely needed to say goodbye to Ye Qian and the others.

So, around 2 PM.

Our group gathered in the infirmary; Zhang Jianzhou, Ye Qian, and Zhang Lincai were all there.

Ye Qian said, "Since Dr. Lu is leaving, we won't try to stop you. We wonder when you'll be coming next time?"

I smiled and said, "We'll see next time. The main reason I'm going back this time is to discuss with my companions whether or not we should settle down in the central town. It will take at least three days, maybe five, and I will definitely come back to give Mr. Ye an answer by then."

Ye Qian nodded and said, "In that case, I'll wait for you here."

I smiled and agreed.

After a few casual words, Zhang Jianzhou played along with my act, thanking me a few times. Then, the four of us drove away.

...

As I watched the town center recede into the distance behind me, I felt a mix of emotions I couldn't quite describe.

Since we set off the day before yesterday, quite a few things have happened since we arrived in the central town yesterday. Overall, the trip was thrilling but safe, and I even found my sister Wang Luyao, which I never expected.

My younger sister is in much better spirits than yesterday. Although she is still silent, I believe that she will definitely start talking to me in a few days, and she will definitely be willing to tell me what happened to her.

I can only wait patiently; I can't rush it.

On the way back, I told Sister Jing about Pu Weichao's situation, and she was very surprised after hearing it.

Jing asked doubtfully, "Are you sure he's not lying to you?"

I said, "He had never met Pu Weichao and the others before. If he hadn't seen them with his own eyes, how could he know their names? And since he knows that I know Pu Weichao, it means he has talked to Pu Weichao. But none of that matters. Now that we have a lead on Pu Weichao, it means he must still be alive. Let's try to find him later."

"How do we find him? Didn't Zhang Jianzhou say he left the research institute?"

I said, "Let's find the research institute first. I think Ke Jiamin is still alive, so let's find the research institute first, and then we can consider other things."

Song Muyuan was driving and couldn't understand what we were saying, so he chimed in, "I think we should go back first. By the way, Brother Lu, are we really going to settle down in Central Town?"

When I heard him ask this question, I smiled and asked, "Do you really want to settle down in the central town?"

Song Muyuan hesitated for a moment and said, "I'd like to come, but I don't have any special skills. I'm afraid I'd just be a guard if I came, which would be so boring. I'd rather stay out here and enjoy myself."

I laughed and said, "That's what I meant too."

(End of this chapter)