Chapter 386: She Has a Problem

This stone is only the size of half a date, polished into a square shape, tied with a red thread, and engraved with unintelligible seal script characters around the edges.

"Nine times out of ten, Uncle Bai, you are a scientist; you should understand that some radioactive radiation from this kind of stone can cause death. This stone is the trigger for your illness."

"At the beginning, it makes people dizzy and nauseous, inexplicably irritable, then abdominal pain follows; in severe cases, one faints and vomits blood. In the final stage, the person becomes bedridden, and their consciousness becomes muddled under the influence of the stone, making them susceptible to control," Chen Yu said.

"How terrifying," Bai Zhan muttered. "The state has placed no shortage of people around me to protect me, but no matter how much one guards against things, one cannot guard against those by one's side."

"Who brought this stone to you?" Chen Yu asked tentatively.

"It was Muyu," Bai Zhan said, knitting his brows.

"That's impossible," Chen Yu was startled. "She wouldn't harm you."

"Of course she wouldn't harm me, but that doesn't mean others wouldn't. Perhaps this stone is a trap someone deliberately set, having her bring it to me?" Bai Zhan said.

"I don't know about that. Originally, I wanted to remind you that there was a problem with the item on your person, but now it seems I overthought it; your vigilance is very high," Chen Yu said with a wry smile.

"It's not that my vigilance is high; it's that my profession forces me to be highly vigilant. Kid, although this is my first time meeting you, I feel that you are a person worth entrusting," Bai Zhan stared at Chen Yu and said, "I kept you here because there are a few things I want to say to you."

"If Uncle Bai has something to say, just say it," Chen Yu nodded.

"If one day I have an accident, please take good care of Muyu for me," Bai Zhan paused, spitting out a sentence that shocked Chen Yu.

"Uncle Bai, what are you saying? Why are you saying such depressing things when you're fine? I..." Chen Yu looked at Bai Zhan's face, and he was instantly stunned.

Above his head, a strand of black Qi was tangled together, congealing at the center of his brow without dispersing. This was the Seven Kill Tribulation, which meant he might face a bloody disaster.

"Heh, a master under the Dragon Breath's Five Elements Pavilion once measured my fate for me. I know my own fate in my heart," Bai Zhan smiled and said. "There is nothing in this life worth lingering over."

"The only thing I can't let go of is Muyu, and my unfinished research. Listen, the quantum domain I am researching is a project that can benefit humanity. After I am gone, Muyu might take over for me," Bai Zhan said.

"So if I have any mishaps, take care of her for me, do you understand?" Bai Zhan took an alloy square box from his bosom and handed it to Chen Yu. "If I have an accident one day, this must be handed to her."

"What is this?" Chen Yu asked. "Why don't you give it to her now?"

"Don't ask too much, just do as I say. Inside this are things her mother left for her, and I also have a portion of things left for her, but she cannot know about it now," Bai Zhan sighed and said.

"Alright, I understand. Uncle Bai, don't be too pessimistic. Things like fate... are actually ethereal," Chen Yu sighed; he didn't know how to comfort Bai Zhan.

"Enough, don't comfort me here. I'm a man of several decades, do I need you to comfort me? I only had this daughter when I was nearly forty; I cherish her more than anyone," Bai Zhan glared at Chen Yu. "She likes you."

"This... we knew each other when we were in school; what did children know back then?" Chen Yu was caught between laughter and tears.

"Shut your mouth. I'm her father; don't I know what's in her heart?" Bai Zhan said indignantly. "The daughter I've raised for over twenty years is actually going to be arched by a pig like you."

"I really don't have the relationship with her that you think," Chen Yu tried his best to explain.

"Alright, don't play coy after getting the advantage. I am entrusting her to you. If something happens to me, take out the item I asked you to pass on and tell her not to trust anyone," Bai Zhan said earnestly.

"Alright, I understand," Chen Yu felt a bit uneasy in his heart; why did it feel like Bai Zhan was giving final instructions?

"Uncle Bai, you cannot wear this stone anymore; hide it away quietly. Its range of influence is limited. I have already resolved the internal problems in your body caused by the stone's radiation; you will be healthy from now on," Chen Yu said.

"Good, worthy of being the man my daughter has her eye on; you have some skills," Bai Zhan muttered.

After the two finished talking, they walked out of the room, and Chen Yu also offered his farewells.

"Chen Yu, what did my dad say to you?" Bai Muyu asked curiously on the way as she saw Chen Yu out.

"He didn't say anything. He just asked me to help treat his illness," Chen Yu put on a puzzled look. "It's my first time meeting him; what could he possibly have to say to me?"

"Hmph, you're even hiding things from me?" Bai Muyu was displeased. "Don't I know my dad?"

"Haha, it's nothing, we were just chatting. By the way, that stone on your dad's neck, did you give it to him?" Chen Yu asked.

"Yes, I gave it to him," Bai Muyu said. "When I returned to the country to see him a year ago, Jing Yi accompanied me to a Mountain to pray for it. Why?"

"Nothing, it's quite exquisite." Chen Yu understood; it seemed there was a problem with Bai Muyu's stepmother, but since Bai Muyu's father knew what was going on, he didn't need to worry.

"Alright, regardless, thank you for today," Bai Muyu smiled. "I'll treat you to a meal another day."

"Sure, go back and take care of your father. He'll be fine after recuperating for a period of time," Chen Yu smiled.

Just as he was about to leave the hospital, he saw a man and a woman in ordinary clothes supporting a young boy of about ten years old, walking out of the hospital's inpatient building with their luggage.

The Medical Research Center was not completely closed to the public, but its patient intake was very small; most of the work was in research.

Judging by the couple's clothing, their family background was not good.

The little boy's face was pale, frighteningly so, and his body was extremely thin, almost skin and bones.

"Jun Jun, let's sit down and rest for a while." Seeing the little boy panting and gasping for air, the woman helped him sit to one side.

The man took out a water bottle to feed the little boy some water.

"Dali, what should we do now?" The woman's eyes were full of tears. "There is hope for Jun Jun's illness, but the treatment costs four or five hundred thousand."

"His type of blood disease is quite special. We've spent all our savings, and even with a bone marrow transplant here, the chance of a full recovery is only thirty percent," the man shed tears of despair. "And the treatment fees and follow-up nutritional costs require four or five hundred thousand."

"I plan to go back and think of a way to try again," the man said, stroking the boy's head. "Regardless, I will do my best for him."

"Dad, Mom, I won't get treated anymore. Let's go home; my illness can't be cured," Jun Jun said. "You still have a younger sister to raise; save some money for her."

"We have to raise your sister, and we have to treat your illness too. Don't worry, Jun Jun," the woman smiled, then turned her head and said, "Where are we staying tonight?"

"Rest for a bit, let's just make do for the night at the overpass, then go back tomorrow," the man sighed. They had come here to see the doctor, and while there was hope, all their money was spent, and now they were penniless.

"Why are you still here and haven't left?" Just then, Wu Zheng happened to pass by the entrance. "You are affecting the image of our Medical Center by staying here. Hurry up and leave; come back when you've scraped together the surgery fees."