Judge of Souls - Chapter 70

The nurse said, “It’s like this. Don’t laugh at me. Earlier I saw a supernatural story online about someone who was disemboweled, do you know it? Oh, let me continue. The original poster said there was a haunting. Actually, I think… it might be true, because I’ve seen that patient, and he’s definitely not the type to make such jokes. And in his photo, that wound – I’ve been a nurse for many years, and I can tell it was a fresh wound, definitely was, and quite deep too. Who would joke around by first making several cuts on themselves when alone, right?”

The nurse calmed herself down, and after not hearing a response for a while, she couldn’t help asking, “Hey, are you listening?”

“I am,” Chu Xuanliang asked, “What do you want to tell me?”

“I just wanted to talk about Dr. Zhao’s situation. It’s really distressing.”

“Go ahead,” Chu Xuanliang reassured her, “Take your time, I believe you.”

“Actually, the day the patient was brought in…”

Chu Xuanliang: “Which patient are you referring to?”

“Oh, the HIV patient,” the nurse said. “Let me start from the beginning. When the patient was brought in, Director Sun directly requested that Dr. Zhao take responsibility for the patient. The patient’s medical record had all the information clearly documented, including HIV.”

Chu Xuanliang: “Did Dr. Zhao refuse after finding out?”

“No. In the emergency room, any delay could endanger the patient’s life, so he accepted without complaint,” the nurse said. “I think Dr. Zhao was responsible and technically skilled. Though his temperament was a bit strange and he seemed fierce, he was very practical when prescribing medication and giving injections. If I were sick, I’d rather encounter someone like Dr. Zhao. I wouldn’t mind being scolded a bit, but at least he wouldn’t take advantage of me.”

Several questions flashed through Chu Xuanliang’s mind, but he decided to continue following her train of thought.

“I see. Then he got infected during surgery?”

“Yes. But I didn’t see it myself; I heard it from my friend. While Dr. Zhao was treating the patient’s wound, the patient’s hand suddenly moved, and he was cut by the surgical knife. He went out to initially treat the wound, rinsed it with water, then came back to finish the surgery before taking preventive medication. Within two hours, it should have been fine.”

The nurse sighed. “Director Sun went to get the preventive medication. Usually, HIV preventive medication causes some side effects after use. Like headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and so on. But Dr. Zhao didn’t seem to have any. He came to work as usual the next day and looked quite well. I guess he had some doubts too, so after a day, he went to take preventive medication again. But two weeks later, his blood test results confirmed he was infected.”

Chu Xuanliang: “…I see.”

“I just—I—” The nurse was tongue-tied. She took a deep breath and said, “I don’t have evidence, and I don’t have a grudge against Dr. Sun. I’m not trying to maliciously speculate or falsely accuse Director Sun, but I feel Dr. Zhao died so pitifully. He really didn’t do anything wrong. He was the most responsible doctor I’ve ever seen, but why did this happen? I want to know the true cause of his death. It can’t remain unclear like this, right? I suspect Director Sun. No matter how I try to convince myself, I can’t help but suspect him.”

Chu Xuanliang: “I know. I understand.”

The nurse sniffled as she spoke, “The emergency room is exhausting; most people don’t want to go there. Dr. Zhao used to be in surgery, but then he was transferred to the emergency room and couldn’t get back for several years. His family’s financial situation wasn’t great, and he had a gloomy personality with no friends. Plus, he looked intimidating and had an abrupt manner of speaking. When he spoke loudly to patients, it sounded like scolding, so family members often complained. But in terms of skill, he was very fast and steady, much better than Director Sun. He worked night shifts and scheduled surgeries, prescribed the cheapest yet effective medicines for patients, and urged patients to follow medical advice. Was this harming them? What, if you don’t look good and don’t speak nicely, you’re a bad person? These patients are so disappointing!”

Although they say judging people by appearance is wrong, it’s a historical tradition. Throughout history, which dynasty didn’t judge people by their appearance?

The nurse continued. “Director Sun’s greatest strength is actually his face and his ability to boast, and somehow he’s actually marketed himself successfully. He has the guts to say things, and others have the guts to believe him.”

Chu Xuanliang noticed she couldn’t say a few sentences without criticizing Director Sun, showing how much she disliked him. He asked, “Do you know about Dr. Zhao’s medical dispute?”

The nurse gritted her teeth angrily. “Just thinking about that makes me angrier. I don’t know the specifics, but when it spread around the hospital, people only said Dr. Zhao was suspected of irregular operations. He wasn’t well-liked, so the rumors were nasty. They said he was too proud and stubborn, and now he was finally getting his comeuppance. What comeuppance? What did he do to deserve this? Besides, he’s a doctor—how could he make such a basic error in principle?”

Chu Xuanliang: “I heard there was a family member’s signature.”

“He said there was, but later it couldn’t be found. Why would Dr. Zhao lie about something like that?” The nurse lowered her voice again and said cautiously, “Actually, I really suspect Director Sun. I think someone in the hospital was harming him, and Director Sun is the most suspicious.”

Chu Xuanliang asked the question the nurse had been waiting for. “What do you think of Director Sun as a person?”

The nurse blurted out. “I don’t think he’s a good person. He likes to flirt with the female nurses and juggles multiple relationships.”

Chu Xuanliang: “???”

The nurse continued, “His family is wealthy, and he knows how to maintain relationships. He often treats everyone to meals. His father is an academic giant who takes him to give speeches, appear in newspapers, and attend exchanges. His professional title rises rapidly. But he’s not really good at surgery. He’s probably rusty.”

Chu Xuanliang: “I understand.”

Whatever his public image was, it seemed quite different from the Sun Yi he had met today.

Could humans be this changeable?

After they chatted a bit more, Chu Xuanliang’s phone kept showing new call notifications.

It was Mr. Ye.

Calculating the time, tomorrow would be the next disembowelment.

He ended the call with the nurse and answered Mr. Ye’s call.

Mr. Ye was breathing heavily and said hysterically, “I can’t take it anymore! I’ll tell you everything! But you have to come to my house tomorrow and watch over me.”

After a moment’s consideration, Chu Xuanliang agreed. “Alright.”

Mr. Ye’s body relaxed, and his voice deflated. “When you arrive, I’ll tell you everything.”

****

The next evening, Chu Xuanliang brought the talismans he had drawn to the appointment; he had a small bag full of them. As soon as he entered, he started arranging them, filling every corner of the room.

To reassure Mr. Ye, he hung two talismans in every conspicuous place.

Perhaps as a psychological effect, Mr. Ye’s gaze frequently wandered to the talismans, and his complexion actually improved significantly.

Chu Xuanliang went to Mr. Ye’s home. Jiang Feng, however, went to the hospital.

The hospital at night was still brightly lit but much quieter. The nurses who passed by deliberately lightened their footsteps as they hurried past. The entrance was filled with the smell of disinfectant, and because the air didn’t circulate well, there was also a stale body odor.

He stood by the small window at the end of the corridor, not knowing what he was looking at.

Before long, Sun Yi walked over.

He took out a cigarette pack from his pocket, pulled one out, lit it, and held it in his mouth. He exhaled white smoke, took a breath, and coughed a couple of times, still not quite used to it.

Seeing this, Jiang Feng asked, “Don’t you know how to smoke?”

“I do, I’ve been smoking for over ten years,” Sun Yi said, holding the cigarette between two fingers. “But I’ve never liked the taste.”

Jiang Feng: “A smoker who doesn’t like the smell of smoke? Then why do you smoke?”

Sun Yi: “To stay alert. It’s a habit. I don’t like smoking, but I feel uncomfortable if I don’t.”

Jiang Feng remained silent.

Sun Yi asked, “Why did you come looking for me?”

Jiang Feng: “I didn’t. I’m not here to find you. I just came to look around the hospital.”

“Who would come to a hospital just to look around?” Sun Yi said. “You’re not a police officer, so why are you still investigating this matter? Are you a Taoist priest?”

Jiang Feng: “Just curious about the truth.”

“Sometimes, the truth isn’t so important; what you believe is what matters,” Sun Yi pushed open a window crack, and small flying insects took the opportunity to come in. He leaned his lower back against the windowsill and said, “No matter what kind of situation it is, what makes it worse is always people.”