“In the first few months after the hospital was built, things were alright, but now the mortality rate is getting higher and higher. Almost everyone who goes to the hospital never comes back,” Zhang Qi paused seriously and continued, “Moreover, the hospital doesn’t allow visits now, saying that there is a lack of medical equipment and to prevent infection. When people die, all that’s sent out are their ashes.”
"So nowadays, if people are sick, they don't really want to go to the hospital as long as they can bear it themselves."
"No wonder there are so few people in the hospital these days," Gu Yanzhi muttered to himself.
"Do you know where Li Sheng lives?" Gu Yanzhi asked thoughtfully.
"I only know he lives in Block C. Give me an hour, I'll find out and come back." Although Zhang Qi makes money through information channels, he won't go back to inquire about information unless someone is willing to pay him, except for major events. Especially insignificant figures like Li Sheng; if it weren't for his family's accident, Zhang Qi wouldn't have even noticed him.
"Okay, when does it start to get lively here?" Gu Yanzhi looked around and found that there were still the same few vendors, but fewer and fewer customers were strolling around.
"It will take about two more hours," Zhang Qi looked up at the sky. It was about 4 p.m. now, and people who went out to collect supplies would not return until at least 6 or 7 p.m. That would be the busiest time for this trading market.
"Then I'll wait for your news here in two and a half hours," Gu Yanzhi said decisively, setting the time for their next meeting. Then Song Zhao pushed him back to rest.
Two hours later
As darkness fell outside, the streetlights at the base began to illuminate the scene.
People who work outside the home finish their day's work and drag their tired bodies home.
The base, which had been silent all day, came alive with sound again because of the return of these people.
When Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao left, the members of Squad 532 and Gu Yanlin, who had participated in the Tenglong search team, had not yet returned.
The two changed into thicker clothes, left a note in Gu Yanlin's room, and headed to the trading market at the agreed time.
The trading market was not far from the hospital, but it took us through most of the base to get there.
After leaving the villa area, the streetlights went out not long after they left. Fortunately, the two of them remembered to bring flashlights when they went out. There were many people on the road, and many of them were on their way to the trading market.
Those who can afford to go to the market, set up stalls, or be customers are considered to be of some means, and many of them own flashlights or other lighting tools, so their flashlights weren't particularly eye-catching. However, Gu Yanzhi, sitting in a wheelchair, attracted more attention.
The streetlights didn't come back on until we were almost at the trading market.
It was still early, and the trading market wasn't too crowded yet. Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao waited in line at the entrance for a few minutes before they were able to get in smoothly.
When we showed our tickets to the inspectors at the entrance, they took a few extra glances at them, as if trying to memorize our faces.
When they arrived at the agreed-upon location in the afternoon, Zhang Qi was already there waiting.
Seeing the two approaching, he quickly waved to them and led them to a less conspicuous place.
"Miss Gu, Mr. Song, we've found out." Zhang Qi said eagerly as soon as the three met. Gu Yanzhi had exchanged names with him before leaving that afternoon, which was why Zhang Qi could now call them by name accurately. Although Zhang Qi was considered a gossipmonger at the Liancheng base, knowing that a special forces team had arrived and accurately identifying the members involved involved the military and high-ranking officials—it had already exhausted all his information channels. Most ordinary people didn't even know that a new family had moved into the villa area, and that the best house in the area temporarily belonged to them.
Gu Yanzhi looked at Zhang Qi, signaling him to continue.
"Miss Gu, this..." Zhang Qi rubbed his fingers together slightly, hinting. Although he wanted to get involved with the two people in front of him, he still needed to make money. He didn't want to lose everything.
Song Zhao took out an opaque black plastic bag from the backpack behind him and tossed it to Zhang Qi, saying, "Here you go."
"Thank you, Miss Gu, and thank you, Mr. Song, for patronizing my business." Zhang Qi didn't open the bag to look inside immediately. The weight of the contents was enough to indicate that the bag was quite valuable.
Of course, he believed that these two people were not the type to do something like shoddy work or try to fool him with rubbish.
"Speak quickly," Gu Yanzhi said impatiently.
“Li Sheng lives in Building 12, Room 1204, Block C.” Zhang Qi stated Li Sheng’s address directly, but he didn’t finish his sentence. He continued, “I guessed that Miss Gu and Mr. Song might want to see him, so I arranged for Li Sheng to meet nearby. What do you two think?”
Gu Yanzhi remained silent for a moment. She did indeed want to meet Li Sheng to learn more about his situation. After a brief thought, Gu Yanzhi agreed to Zhang Qi's suggestion and gestured for him to lead the way. Zhang Qi, however, did not move. Instead, he looked in one direction. Following Zhang Qi's gaze, a person slowly emerged from the shadows. Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao gasped; they hadn't noticed someone hiding so close.
Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao were only taken aback for a moment before they quickly composed themselves and looked at the newcomer with blank expressions.
When the person walked into the dim light, Gu Yanzhi recognized him as Li Sheng, whom she had met at the hospital during the day.
As the others approached, Zhang Qi voluntarily gave up the space, swaying his head as he walked to the side to keep watch for the three of them.
"Miss Gu, Mr. Song, I am Li Sheng," Li Sheng greeted Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao.
“I know Miss Gu and Mr. Song are here because of my wife. I want to tell you two that there is a problem with the Liancheng base, and my wife is still alive,” Li Sheng said directly and bluntly.
The fact that Li Sheng's wife, who had been dead for six months, was still alive shocked Gu Yanzhi. However, she maintained her composure well, her expression remaining calm and composed, as if she had known about it all along.
"Tell me more about it," Song Zhao said, trying to understand his wife's thoughts.
“My wife and I had a very good relationship. I didn’t believe them when they said my wife had passed away. I wanted to see her alive or dead. What kind of nonsense is this, giving me just a handful of ashes?” Li Sheng’s face was pale, and his tone was not good, filled with resentment towards the base hospital.
"One night, I sneaked into the hospital when the guards weren't looking. There were very few patients in the entire inpatient ward, just a handful. It was a stark contrast to when I first took my wife to the hospital. But strangely, during the day, the hospital would be packed with family members wanting to visit, a stark contrast to the few patients there."
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