[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-4":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290302,4478,"Chapter 4: He Jiaqing","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sat in the ward, watching He Jiaqing on the hospital bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two full days of emergency treatment, He Jiaqing’s life was saved, but he fell into deep coma, with no sign of when he might wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cause of the coma was unknown, and the hospital had not formulated a next-stage treatment plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the hospital, the next-stage treatment plan depended on He Jiaqing’s physical condition and on the wallets of Li Banfeng and He Jiaqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s entire living allowance had been spent, and even after deducting the portion covered by medical insurance, it was still a drop in the bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s card held some savings, but since the password was unknown, the funds could not be accessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng tried contacting He Jiaqing’s family; though they were close, Li Banfeng did not know their contact details—he didn’t even have Lu Xiaolan’s number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things continued like this, Li Banfeng wouldn’t have money for his next meal, and He Jiaqing’s oxygen tube might be cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, on the third day, things took a turn: a man named He Haisheng appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He claimed to be He Jiaqing’s third uncle; though Li Banfeng had never met this uncle, it didn’t matter—he immediately paid He Jiaqing’s medical bills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who voluntarily pays money is unlikely to be a scammer, assuming the money is real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re Li Banfeng, right? The school said you’ve been taking care of Jiaqing these past two days. You’ve worked hard.” He Haisheng peeled an apple for Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like this…” Li Banfeng took a bite of the apple and was about to recount the events when He Haisheng interrupted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Other matters can wait,” He Haisheng pulled out his wallet and handed Li Banfeng a stack of cash. “This is a small token—don’t say it’s too little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng desperately needed money—he had none left for food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t want to take it: “I don’t lack money. Jiaqing needs it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No other meaning—just a token. If you refuse, you think it’s too little!” He Haisheng shoved the cash into Li Banfeng’s pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, He Haisheng sighed: “The school called home saying Jiaqing had an accident. I thought Brother Er and Sister-in-law would rush over quickly, but neither of them was reliable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s my fault for arriving late—you’ve been worn out, Banfeng. Go rest. I’ll handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left the ward. He hadn’t slept properly in three days—he was exhausted, and even walking down the hospital corridor made his legs feel weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he neared the elevator, his phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click-click-click~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a message—the number displayed was still He Jiaqing’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng immediately frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The message still read the same four characters: “Brother, save me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng replied: “Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you get this phone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had taken He Jiaqing to the train station; He Jiaqing boarded the train, then suddenly appeared on Li Banfeng’s bed. Before that, Li Banfeng had called He Jiaqing; after that, He Jiaqing had sent him a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was bizarre—so bizarre that Li Banfeng couldn’t grasp its logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how bizarre the process, the outcome remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing lay in the hospital; though he had no ID or phone on him, he was undeniably He Jiaqing—Li Banfeng wouldn’t mistake him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the question arose:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who answered the phone earlier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who is sending this message now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reasonable explanation was that He Jiaqing’s phone had been lost; the person who found it had answered Li Banfeng’s call that night, imitated He Jiaqing’s voice to deceive him, and was now sending this message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the phone—why contact me again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is classic fraud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This incident should be reported to the police.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng believed He Jiaqing’s coma was connected to this person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other side didn’t reply for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng put away his phone and was about to go downstairs when a middle-aged man with a broad forehead, narrow cheeks, and a gaunt frame blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled at Li Banfeng and pulled out an ID: “I’m a police officer. You’re Li Banfeng, right? I have a few questions regarding He Jiaqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked over fifty, with a hoarse voice that sounded like he had a lump of phlegm stuck in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just about to report this—and here comes the police…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wanted to examine the man’s ID closely, but the middle-aged man tucked it back into his coat and whispered to a doctor in a white coat nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doctor seemed familiar with him—he led the middle-aged man and Li Banfeng into an empty ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doctor closed the door outside the ward. Inside, only Li Banfeng and the middle-aged man remained, seated on adjacent hospital beds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be nervous,” the man smiled. “I’m Chen—call me Old Chen. I just have a few simple questions. You’re the one who brought He Jiaqing to the hospital, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Li Banfeng nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you notice something was wrong with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was sleeping on my bed—his face and breathing were abnormal. I immediately called emergency services.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen nodded, scanning Li Banfeng up and down. His gaze shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Li Banfeng’s face—but not his eyes. He stared at Li Banfeng’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you two drank together that day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Li Banfeng nodded. “He was going home—I saw him off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saw him off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I took him to the train station, then took the subway back. When I got to the dorm, I suddenly found him sleeping on my bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s story made no sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could He Jiaqing have been at the train station and then appear on Li Banfeng’s bed in the dorm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen wasn’t surprised by this answer. His expression remained calm, his gaze still fixed on Li Banfeng’s forehead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you and He Jiaqing have any conflicts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any conflicts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he seen photos of He Jiaqing’s girlfriend? Did that count as a conflict?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The point was the subtext behind the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Old Chen and said calmly: “You suspect I harmed He Jiaqing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen shook his head: “Not suspecting—just asking. If I truly suspected you, I wouldn’t be asking here. I heard you have some mental health issues?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “I have some issues, but I’m not insane. You can check my medical records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sent He Jiaqing and Lu Xiaolan to the train station together—we all returned to our hometowns. You can verify this with Lu Xiaolan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Xiaolan…” Old Chen pulled out a cigarette, glanced around the ward, decided it wasn’t appropriate, and put it back in the pack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is this Lu Xiaolan you mentioned?” Old Chen asked next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s He Jiaqing’s girlfriend. Our classmate. I saw them both off at the station—she boarded the train with him. She can vouch for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they both boarded the train, how did He Jiaqing end up in your dorm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know,” Li Banfeng answered honestly. “You should ask Lu Xiaolan—they were together the whole time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have Lu Xiaolan’s contact information?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. The school can check. The train ticket records should be available too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which train did they take?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know…” Li Banfeng thought, then a string of numbers suddenly surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Train 1160.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Train 1160. They took Train 1160.” Li Banfeng remembered the station announcer’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen rubbed his lips with his fingers. Stuck in a dead end, he really wanted a cigarette: “Looks like Lu Xiaolan won’t be easy to find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?” Li Banfeng didn’t understand Old Chen’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen continued rubbing his stubbled upper lip, speaking slowly: “On the night He Jiaqing had his accident, Train 1160 derailed and plunged off a cliff. No survivors have been found yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng blinked. Thunder seemed to roll in his mind, the sound repeating He Jiaqing’s voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She sleeps deeper than me—so deep, even if the train derailed, she wouldn’t wake up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train really derailed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaolan might really be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is He Jiaqing’s mouth blessed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or did he already know something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me once that Lu Xiaolan was lying to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really just because of Song Laoshi’s peach?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he tell me to return to the dorm and call him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen kept staring at Li Banfeng’s forehead and asked softly: “What are you thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “Nothing. Just worried about Lu Xiaolan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen was intrigued: “What’s your relationship with Lu Xiaolan? Between you, her, and He Jiaqing—is there some kind of…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean a love triangle?” Li Banfeng’s lips curled up—he was annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Readers, are you satisfied with today’s update?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsatisfied?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No problem, there’s another chapter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of this chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1494,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ad23994162610fa661965f3469ad47708bf51a63d20a019db6ac09036cae1b6e","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-5","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-3",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]