Chapter 162
Chapter 162 - You Can Treat Me as a Lunatic
“Don't be rash. Do you realize what you're doing?” The four police officers were in a state of panic, completely baffled as to how their handguns were taken. The lead officer quickly tried to de-escalate the situation, “We can talk this through, but you're breaking the law with your actions. You're risking jail time.”
It was clear to them that Zhang Xiaolong had no intention of hurting Su Mei. After all, Su Mei wouldn't survive much longer without intervention. Why would anyone take such a massive risk just to silence her?
“I'm aware of my actions and I don't want to resort to violence, so please don't push me,” Zhang Xiaolong said, steadying his nerves and firmly aiming his pistol at the officer's head. “I'm trying to save a life. You're aware that if we do nothing, the patient will certainly die within hours. But I have a chance to save her. It's in everyone's best interest if you cooperate.”
The officers exchanged uncertain glances. They were skeptical of Zhang Xiaolong's claims, yet perplexed; lying at this juncture seemed pointless. Could he genuinely heal her?
“Captain Yao…” In the midst of the standoff, another officer entered and, upon seeing the scene, instinctively drew his weapon.
“Don't move,” Zhang Xiaolong commanded, unfazed as he ducked behind the man known as Captain Yao. “You won't hit me. You're more likely to injure him or a patient in the ward. Now, go get the hospital's top surgeon, or I'll be forced to take action.”
“Do what he says. Find the doctor,” Captain Yao Feng finally ordered.
He had a preliminary grasp of the situation. The young man before him didn't appear to want to harm anyone. If he had, with his skill in disarming them of their guns, he could have easily killed all four officers and Su Mei, then made a clean getaway.
Yet, his demand was for a doctor to perform surgery on Su Mei, which hardly seemed the request of a murderer.
Furthermore, the man had remained composed throughout the ordeal, clearly not the actions of a deranged individual. There had to be a valid reason for his actions, and it was entirely possible that he could indeed save Su Mei.
Yao Feng was acutely aware that if they tried to negotiate through normal channels, the Su family would never agree to let a stranger recommend surgery for Su Mei.
He was acutely aware that even if he wanted to stop what was happening, he was powerless. Any attempt to intervene could potentially escalate the chaos.
So, he decided to seize the moment and create an opportunity for this individual. The situation was already botched, so taking a bit more risk seemed justified. If Su Mei could recover, it could change everything.
The doctor arrived promptly, and per Yao Feng's instructions, no one else was alerted.
“I'm Zhu Tanfan, the director of the People's Hospital. What do you need me to do?” The man, clad in a white coat and around fifty years old, remained composed in the face of the unfolding situation. It appeared he was already informed about the incident.
Zhang Xiaolong assessed him and said, “I need you to perform surgery on Su Mei immediately. Just remove the bullet; don't worry about anything else.”
“I'm sorry, sir,” Zhu Tanfan replied, clearly troubled. “I want to help, but any slight movement of the bullet in Miss Su's brain could cause irreversible damage and immediate death. As a doctor, my duty is to save lives, not take them. I cannot comply with your request.”
“Excellent, I appreciate a doctor with your principles,” Zhang Xiaolong said, nodding approvingly as he tapped his gun lightly. “However, if you don't perform the surgery, Su Mei will only live a few more hours. Meanwhile, the police officers here, along with the Su family's bodyguards, will all die. You won't be their direct killer, but their blood will be on your hands due to your obstinacy.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Zhu Tanfan was internally collapsing. Who would have thought this man could be reasoned with? This was a setup.
Zhang Xiaolong just smiled. “You can think of me as insane, just do as I say.”
Zhu Tanfan was momentarily speechless, yet he was clearly shaken. Su Mei's life was hanging by a thread, and several other lives were at stake. The choice seemed clear, but he dreaded how he would explain this to the Su family.
At that moment, Yao Feng gave a confirming glance, prompting Dean Zhu to make a decision: “Move Miss Su to the operating room.”
Zhang Xiaolong's eyes flickered, signaling the bodyguards to take action. Holding Yao Feng hostage, they slowly made their way into the operating room.
Subsequently, the bodyguards and police officers all withdrew, leaving Yao Feng, the hostage, behind.
“You can release me. Since I've agreed to your terms, I won't interfere further,” Yao Feng stated calmly. “Besides, in your current state, you're not capable of operating on Miss Su.”
“You make a good point,” Zhang Xiaolong acknowledged, “I apologize for the inconvenience, Captain Yao.”
Yao Feng thought he was being released when the handgun was withdrawn, but before he could speak, the butt of the gun came crashing down. Internally cursing, “Damn kid!” he collapsed.
“Dean Zhu, you may begin the surgery,” Zhang Xiaolong instructed after locking the operating room door.
With no other options, Zhu Tanfan began the surgical preparations, fully aware of the patient's grim prognosis yet determined to minimize any further harm.
Zhang Xiaolong silently approved as he watched Zhu Tanfan's adept movements, recognizing the dean's surgical expertise—exactly what he needed.
Once everything was ready, Zhu Tanfan sought confirmation from Zhang Xiaolong with a glance, not expecting any assistance with the scalpel. He was on his own.
“As soon as I say ‘start,' focus on removing the bullet. I'll handle the bleeding and wound care,” Zhang Xiaolong directed succinctly, then gestured to begin.
Zhu Tanfan wanted to protest the impossibility of the task—this wasn't a simple cut that could be stopped with pressure; it was a brain injury. But he knew arguing was futile; Zhang Xiaolong wasn't there for a medical consultation.
Extending his hand, Zhu Tanfan channeled a strand of divine power into Su Mei's brain, safeguarding the area around the bullet. “Begin,” Zhang Xiaolong whispered softly.
Zhu Tanfan was unsure of the other party's intentions. Upon receiving the command, he sprang into action, swiftly and securely clamping down on the bullet before expertly extracting it.
As he breathed a sigh of relief, he remained vigilant, watching to see if the anticipated developments would unfold.
Simultaneously, Zhang Xiaolong was at work, channeling all his divine power. His application of the Hundred-grass Spring Coming Arts miraculously healed the wound in an instant, with virtually no bleeding. Even the brainwave monitor showed no significant fluctuations.
“Huh?” It was then that Zhu Tanfan noticed something astonishing.
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