The asylum was the same as ever, the entire ward steeped in the stench of feces and urine. The severely ill patients were locked in their rooms, restrained with leather cuffs on their wrists and ankles; those who could manage some self-care were allowed out into the main hall at fixed times, which afforded them the perverse pleasure of defecating and urinating wherever they wished.

Xiao Yu was revisiting the old grounds, carrying with him the initial memories, recalling everything that had transpired after Hou Dayong brought him to Yuan Ying Villa. Had it not been for the transfer that day, had it not been for that story about spending money, had it not been for that warm invitation, perhaps Xiao Yu would still be sitting obediently in class today, or perhaps, like those he saw in the hospital, he would simply be worn down by the struggle.

Upon reaching the hall, Xiao Yu stood still for a moment, then turned and walked toward Wen Shu's office. Pushing the door open, he saw that everything had changed. The desk, once piled high with case files and folders, was now bare, gleaming under a thick layer of dust in the sunlight. Wen Shu’s favorite chair sat solitary in the middle of the room. Xiao Yu remembered the last time he had contact with her was when Wang Jue was being sought by the authorities. Now, the office was long abandoned, devoid of its former warmth.

Xiao Shu had been standing behind Xiao Yu, and seeing his crestfallen expression twisted her heart, yet she didn't know how to offer comfort.

“Let’s go find Old He. Hua Gu has already been moved to a ward; Ali and Xiao Hei are taking care of her,” after a pause, Xiao Shu finally summoned the courage to pull Xiao Yu out of his reverie.

“Yes, thank goodness for the ambulance; it took her straight from the suburban hospital to the ward. I’m sorry for making you spend more money,” Xiao Yu turned to Xiao Shu, his voice laced with sorrow.

“Let’s not talk about that now. Let’s find Old He first, finalize the surgery arrangements, and then sort out the rest,” Xiao Shu said, though her thoughts were focused on calling Xiao Yu’s sister the moment he entered the operating room, asking her to come see him one last time. This way, the surgery wouldn't be delayed, and Xiao Yu wouldn’t be overly heartbroken. At least fulfilling one wish would be a form of release for him.

Just as this thought formed, Xiao Shu’s phone began to ring loudly. Expecting it to be Old He, she picked it up without checking the caller ID. To her surprise, it was her father’s voice on the line, which startled her greatly.

“Xiao Shu, have you and your friends arrived at the hospital?” Her father spoke in a deep voice, as if he knew every detail of the situation. If Xiao Shu guessed correctly, the director of the psychiatric hospital had some unspoken connections with her father, explaining how he knew so promptly that she had come here seeking help.

“Yes, we’re here. Hua Gu has been admitted to the ward, just waiting for my friend and the director to arrive,” Xiao Shu replied calmly.

“Hua Gu has already been taken to the operating room. Just bring Ming Xiao Yu to the second-floor elevator landing. Your brother is here too; you two brothers should have a good talk.”

Hearing that Li Xiaohao was also at the hospital sent an immediate wave of foreboding through Xiao Shu. She remembered the look in Xiaohao’s eyes when he made the prisoners line up to be scrutinized, clearly selecting suitable eyes for Xing’er. Was 9457, the one who left with him, a good match? If not, would he try to use Xiao Yu’s eyes for transplantation? At this thought, Xiao Shu shivered involuntarily and hung up the phone without committing to anything.