Chapter 024: Don’t Infect Us

Li Changqing lay face-down on the mattress, while Zhao Feng stood beside him. At this moment, Zhao Feng’s eyes were sharp, all traces of his previous gentleness gone. Zhao Feng flicked his right hand.

With a swift motion, one of the Eighteen Life-Reaping Needles shot into the air, and Zhao Feng caught the silver needle deftly. He lifted Li Changqing’s shirt and inserted the needle directly into his back.

A muffled groan escaped Li Changqing’s lips. Zhao Feng gently twisted the silver needle, and inch by inch, it sank into Li Changqing’s flesh.

“How does it feel, Director Li?” Zhao Feng asked.

Li Changqing managed a smile. “It feels fine. There’s a warm current at my lower back, and I can already tell—my left arm doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Zhao Feng chuckled. “That’s perfectly normal, Director Li.”

“To be honest, your cancer is actually easier to treat than my father’s leg injury.”

Li Changqing looked a little surprised. “Why is that?”

Zhao Feng smiled. “It’s a rather profound matter.”

“I’d love to hear the details.”

Zhao Feng laughed softly. “My father’s leg injury wasn’t something his body originally had; it was caused by an external force. Cancer, on the other hand, is just a problem within the body itself. Compared to external injuries, cancer can actually be easier to treat.”

Li Changqing nodded, half understanding. Zhao Feng didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he picked up another silver needle. With a flick, he inserted it into Li Changqing’s lower back, perfectly parallel to the first.

And so, Zhao Feng continued inserting needles, until he had used five of the Eighteen Life-Reaping Needles, before finally stopping.

“I’m going to remove the needles now,” Zhao Feng said with a smile.

Li Changqing nodded. “Alright.”

With swift, precise movements, Zhao Feng removed all five needles in the blink of an eye.

Li Changqing felt supremely comfortable now. He sat up with a cheerful grin. “Xiaofeng, it really worked! I can feel it—my left arm doesn’t hurt at all anymore!”

Zhao Feng smiled. “Director Li, you’ll be able to sleep soundly tonight when you get home.”

Li Changqing nodded. “I feel the same way.”

He scratched his head. “Xiaofeng, is that it? Are we done?”

Zhao Feng shook his head. “I’ll write you a prescription next. Go fill it, and follow the instructions—soon you’ll be much better.”

Li Changqing was instantly excited. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

Zhao Feng smiled, took out a sheet of paper and a pen he’d prepared in advance, wrote out the prescription, and handed it to Li Changqing.

Li Changqing glanced at the paper. He didn’t have any particular feelings about the contents, but he did notice that Zhao Feng’s handwriting was quite beautiful. He folded the paper and put it in his pocket. “Xiaofeng, I can’t make heads or tails of this, but I trust you.”

Zhao Feng smiled. “Director Li, just follow the prescription. Within three days, you’ll see a significant improvement.”

Li Changqing nodded. “Alright, I’ll head back now.”

Zhao Feng nodded. Li Changqing was already impatient to return home and try the medicine.

He got up, put on his clothes, and prepared to leave. Just then, Zhao Jun hobbled over.

Zhao Feng blinked. “What is it, Dad?”

Zhao Jun glanced at Li Changqing, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

Zhao Feng smiled. “Dad, Director Li isn’t an outsider. If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Alright,” Zhao Jun replied. “Yesterday, County Chief Wang came over. He brought a ton of gifts with him.”

“What?” Zhao Feng was surprised, but didn’t dwell on it. He’d expected County Chief Wang might come, but not so soon.

Zhao Jun asked, “Should we let him in, or should I just say you’re not home?”

Zhao Feng shook his head. “Let him in.”

Zhao Jun nodded. After a moment, he returned with Wang Meng.

As soon as Wang Meng saw Zhao Feng, he greeted him effusively. “Xiaofeng, Uncle has finally met you! Oh, what a relief!”

Zhao Feng rolled his eyes inwardly. “Isn’t this County Chief Wang?”

Wang Meng playfully punched Zhao Feng’s chest. “Don’t call me County Chief Wang, call me Uncle!”

Zhao Feng could only sigh inwardly. He could imagine how frightened and helpless County Chief Wang must have been upon learning he had HIV.

Ignoring Wang Meng, Zhao Feng walked over and flopped onto the sofa.

“So, County Chief Wang, what brings you here?” Zhao Feng asked.

Wang Meng looked a bit awkward. No one in the room was particularly warm or welcoming, and no one offered him any hospitality, which made him uncomfortable. Wang Meng, seeing Zhao Feng seated, rubbed his nose, found a spot, and sat down as well.

Just then, Chen Lan and Chen Ying returned from outside.

They were both startled. “Isn’t that County Chief Wang? What are you doing here?” Chen Lan was practically horrified. “Get out, don’t infect us!”

Wang Meng’s smile froze on his face. Though Chen Lan didn’t mean any harm, Wang Meng instantly tensed up; this matter had become a thorn in his heart.

He forced an awkward smile. “Chen Lan, what are you talking about?”

Chen Lan snorted. “You know exactly what I mean. Get out of my house right now!”

Chen Ying was equally alarmed. “That’s right, County Chief Wang, you’re not welcome here!”

Wang Meng gave a wry smile. “Is this really necessary?”

Chen Ying rolled her eyes. “It’s HIV! Does everyone not know what HIV is?”

Wang Meng shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “Honestly, I don’t even know how I got this disease. My private life isn’t what you think.”

Chen Ying snorted. “We don’t care about your private life. Just leave at once!”

Wang Meng grew anxious. He’d come to seek treatment—what if he didn’t get it and ended up being thrown out instead?

He glanced at Zhao Feng, but Zhao Feng was quietly sipping tea and chatting idly with Li Changqing, as if nothing was happening.

Seeing this, Wang Meng became even more desperate.

With a thud, he dropped to his knees right in front of Zhao Feng. “Xiaofeng, you have to save me!”

Zhao Feng was taken aback. “County Chief Wang, what are you doing?”

Wang Meng kowtowed three times. “Xiaofeng, I don’t even know how I contracted this disease. Please, you have to save me!”

Zhao Feng rolled his eyes. “County Chief Wang, please get up first.”

“No! You have to promise to save me, or I won’t get up!” Wang Meng declared with determination.

Zhao Feng was at a loss for words.

He rolled his eyes again. “Alright, alright, I promise. Is that enough?”

“Really?”

Zhao Feng could only sigh. “What else would I do?”