CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 404: THE LONG-AWAITED MEETING

"Director Xia."

Inside the prison hospital.

A composed man walked through the hospital corridor, receiving a salute from every officer he passed.

Xia Yuefeng nodded in response to each salute.

Nan Zhubin followed behind Xia Yuefeng, attracting some curious glances himself.

He couldn’t help but look around as well.

"Have you been waiting long for this visitation?"

In front, Xia Yuefeng suddenly spoke, pulling Nan Zhubin’s attention back.

"Indeed, but I understand the necessity of strict procedures here."

Xia Yuefeng nodded: "If you simply wanted a ’meeting,’ it might have been possible when Lin Lulin was in a regular hospital, but here, I would absolutely not permit it."

The prison hospital cannot be compared to the outside world.

"Ultimately, considering you as both a victim and key witness in Lin Lulin’s case, there is a certain judicial necessity for your meeting."

"Moreover, Lin Lulin himself agreed to and even anticipated this visitation."

"He might have thought it was a family visit?" Xia Yuefeng chuckled, meaningful, "That’s why your application got approved."

Nonetheless, it took considerable time.

In this matter, Xia Yuefeng was entirely businesslike. At most, he ensured that Nan Zhubin’s application wasn’t hindered by any accidents or oversights, but every required procedure had to be followed.

Nan Zhubin expressed understanding: "Allowing this meeting to proceed normally is already quite challenging."

Xia Yuefeng nodded, showing appreciation for Nan Zhubin’s obedient and understanding demeanor.

After walking a few more steps, he suddenly asked, "Do you know where Tiantian has been recently, and what he’s doing?"

"Tiantian? You mean Xia Tian, right?" Nan Zhubin laughed, "I don’t know, should I?"

There was no change in their tone or rhythm compared to the previous topic, and even their pace remained steady.

Watching Xia Yuefeng’s back, Nan Zhubin could not see any expression, only the nodding head.

They exchanged no further words.

Until—

"We’re here."

They stopped in front of a ward.

Upon entering, there was a guard and a nurse inside.

And lying on the bed, eyes wide open, was Lin Lulin.

...

The last time Nan Zhubin saw Lin Lulin, he was lying at the bottom of the school building.

Now, he looked in worse condition than before.

Sometimes, the visual impact of a severely injured person during treatment is even more shocking than when they are covered in blood.

For instance, Lin Lulin at this moment, with widespread swelling of unknown cause enveloping him, had densely packed stitches across his exposed skin.

The stitches crossed each other as if dividing his body into sections, with some areas smoother, some rougher, some redder, and some bruised.

He resembled a dried-up old bat.

Not to mention the unpleasant odor in the room, a kind of putrid stench.

Even with regular cleaning by the nurse, the smell couldn’t be eradicated.

However, no one present wrinkled their nose.

"...Huh..."

Before seeing Nan Zhubin, Lin Lulin’s face showed evident anticipation from the side view.

But when his gaze completely met Nan Zhubin’s, seeing the poised and radiant figure, his eyes started to dodge immediately.

Unfortunately, Lin Lulin couldn’t control any part of his body, so he lay exposed to the gaze of the three people in the room.

"Director Xia, you have thirty minutes," the guard reminded from the side.

Xia Yuefeng nodded, then stepped aside, letting Nan Zhubin take the main seat to face Lin Lulin.

The visit discussion officially began.

"Long time no see," Nan Zhubin said, taking a good look at Lin Lulin before speaking first.

Lin Lulin remained silent for a moment, unsure whether he was adjusting or contemplating.

After five breaths, he gasped a few times and then laughed hoarsely.

The sound was like a harsh wind blowing through a dried-up canyon, grating to the ears.

"Long time no see, Zhuren," he used a rather intimate term, "I heard you wanted to see me?"

Nan Zhubin nodded: "I heard you wanted to see me as well."

"Of course, just seeing you makes me want to jump for joy..."

Nan Zhubin reminded him: "You shouldn’t mention jumping, you can’t even stand for the rest of your life."

Lin Lulin’s gasping paused, then he laughed hoarsely again.

"Yes, yes, that’s the feeling. You’re my only one now, the best..."

No one knew what bizarre things Lin Lulin had thought about while lying in the hospital, but his words were unsettling.

Nan Zhubin almost couldn’t resist doing an [Emotion Rebalancing] himself.

"Cough, cough, what have you been doing outside lately? Consulting? Lecturing? Investigating cases?"

Nan Zhubin didn’t answer, continuing with his own rhythm:

"I am here mainly as a core witness, so we must get the job done first."

"Let’s start from the beginning, with telling the truth—what did you have for lunch today?"

Nan Zhubin had long established a baseline for Lin Lulin’s facial expressions.

However, people in different periods and conditions naturally have different baselines.

Currently, Nan Zhubin was uncertain about Lin Lulin’s state, so reestablishing the baseline was necessary.

Lin Lulin smiled again, murmuring "Exactly," "That’s right," as if immersed in something strange.

Nan Zhubin patiently asked again: "What did you have for lunch today?"

This question brought Lin Lulin back to awareness: "Huh huh huh... Cough, cough, for lunch? Let me think... It was vegetable puree, probably made with carrots and chicken... and some bread soaked in broth."

Nan Zhubin jotted down Lin Lulin’s reactions and nodded: "How many times a day do you take your medication?"

Lin Lulin answered: "Three times a day, morning, noon, and night... Right after surgery, there was an extra time at night."

"How many IV drips do you have a day?"

"Five bags."

Nan Zhubin looked toward the nurse.

After glancing at Director Xia and receiving his nod of approval, the nurse also nodded towards Nan Zhubin.

"Good, next, let’s talk about the lie—what was your undergraduate major?"

Lin Lulin’s facial muscles twitched: "...Clinical Medicine."

The baseline was established.

Nan Zhubin nodded and posed the first businesslike question:

"In the past period, are there any details about the case you’ve withheld from the officers, or any lies that haven’t been uncovered yet?"