CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 171 SUDDEN INCIDENT

"Xiao Ding!" Chen Xin greeted Ding Ning: "Why did you come over?"

"I heard Sister Lan got injured, so I came to check on her. What were you guys talking about just now? What’s the matter that needs to be urgently told to my dad?" While greeting Chen Xin and Qin Lan, Ding Ning was also concerned about their previous conversation.

Chen Xin explained to Ding Ning and then followed up with his earlier speculation: "A group of ordinary criminals, when faced with special forces and armed police, at most would resist desperately and only fight back when there is no way out. Most would act like a cornered dog.

But these criminals are clearly not like that. They obviously launched a premeditated suicide attack, and even their action of occupying the shelter itself is suspicious. They couldn’t possibly be unaware that taking over the shelter would attract the police, armed police, or even a military crackdown."

"It’s also possible they were so ignorant that they didn’t realize it," Ding Ning listened to Chen Xin’s analysis and added a possibility.

Chen Xin nodded, affirming Ding Ning’s supplement but added, "But people that ignorant couldn’t execute a suicide attack or a death charge unless they’re fools who don’t even realize what death means."

At this point, Chen Xin turned to Qin Lan and asked her, "Lan, do you think those people are fools?"

Qin Lan earnestly recalled the faces of those criminals she saw through the scope, shaking her head as she said, "They don’t look like fools; rather, they seem like..."

It’s undeniable that the faces deeply carved into her memory were full of ferocity and menace, with not a hint of foolishness. If anything, they seemed extremely fanatical.

"Their targets were very clear, and their actions decisive. Even in the heat of battle, they weren’t affected by the deaths of their comrades. Their fighting spirit was very tenacious. This doesn’t seem like a group of misled fools or typical criminals." At calm moments, Qin Lan’s mind as a sniper was very sharp, quickly analyzing the critical elements.

Listening to Chen Xin and Qin Lan’s analysis, Ding Ning’s expression also grew serious, nodding as she said, "If it really is as you both analyzed, then this matter urgently needs to be reported to my dad."

Being a police officer herself, Ding Ning understood the seriousness of the situation. With such a major incident happening yesterday, resulting in over twenty casualties, she would inevitably know what happened.

Since Ding Ning and Qin Lan both said so, Chen Xin did not insist on his view, acknowledging that this matter indeed needed to be reported to Uncle Ding.

The hospital had a phone; although mobile phones were unusable due to satellite and base station disconnection, traditional landline phones were still functional.

The call was quickly connected, and after listening to Chen Xin’s analysis, Uncle Ding also took the matter seriously.

After all, more than twenty casualties was a first in the city’s history. Both the city bureau and the government, as well as the armed police, were angered by it. The city government specifically ordered a thorough investigation.

A special investigation team was formed to get to the bottom of why such a heinous act of terrorism occurred. As a SWAT team captain, Uncle Ding was naturally a member of the investigation team.

Chen Xin’s analysis came timely; although the investigation team had already gathered many clues, Chen Xin’s analysis provided a new perspective.

After expressing gratitude to Chen Xin, Uncle Ding also asked him to convey to Qin Lan via phone: she should focus on resting and not worry. The team granted her a month-long leave and sent Ding Ning to take care of her.

After hanging up and returning to the ward, Chen Xin couldn’t help but find it strange to give Qin Lan a month’s leave and have Ding Ning take care of her at a time like this. Was that okay?

With such doubts, Chen Xin relayed the situation to Qin Lan and Ding Ning, both of whom looked somewhat puzzled after hearing it.

"Indeed, it’s odd. Taking a leave to recover from an injury isn’t a problem, but why would my dad want me to take care of Sister Lan?" That was Ding Ning’s most perplexing issue; what was the real intention behind arranging her to care for the injured Qin Lan?

Qin Lan also found it odd. Though the injury to her bones required a hundred days’ recuperation, being shot and given leave to recover wasn’t unusual, but granting a month-long leave during such a turbulent time was overly generous.

She had the lightest injury among everyone. Despite being hit by a stray bullet in the shoulder, after removing the bullet, it was expected to recover in about a week according to doctors.

Even if concerns about her mental state or related investigations were a factor, a month’s leave seemed too excessive given the current need for personnel, especially since Uncle Ding, the SWAT captain, sent Ding Ning to take care of her, making things even more suspicious.

Although Ding Ning could manage care, if someone were to look after Qin Lan, there were idle people in the shelter, and hiring someone would be more reliable than Ding Ning.

"Don’t overthink it. Since Uncle Ding said to give you a break, Lan, focus on recuperating first." Chen Xin couldn’t quite figure it out himself and advised Qin Lan to rest easy.

Since Ding Ning was temporarily assigned to take care of Qin Lan, Chen Xin didn’t have to stay by her side and could return to his shelter to manage things.

After all, the vegetables in Chen Xin’s shelter needed replanting, and the rice seedlings being nurtured needed timely transfer to the fields. There were plenty of tasks to handle.

Leaving the hospital to return to his shelter, Chen Xin didn’t forget to thank Li Yulong, who brought him back: "Thanks a lot this time. If not for you lending your car, Xiaolong, my car couldn’t possibly handle such frequent city trips in this weather."

The porridge in the hospital earlier was made by Chen Xin, who utilized the time while Qin Lan slept to fetch the rice he’d grown. He’d been able to make quick trips to the city thanks to Li Yulong lending his modified RV, even making porridge in the well-equipped kitchen of the RV.

The convenience of the RV made Chen Xin envious and appreciative. He thought if he were to modify a vehicle, regardless of the style, the living compartment must be fully equipped, and a kitchen was essential.

"Brother Chen, you’re too polite. I’m also worried about Sister Qin; lending the car is no big deal." Although Li Yulong was a businessman, in this matter, he acted like a true brother, showing no reluctance or stinginess.

As Chen Xin thanked him again, during his expression of gratitude, a long-inactive system suddenly displayed a message: "Personnel death at others’ shelters, survival points daily -2."