Chapter 83: How Did Lu Mang Escape Disdain?

After confirming that Si Zhan would not suffer any mishap due to emotional agitation, the investigation team began their questioning. Xu Lin sat outside the hospital room, listening to the interrogation within, and finally understood how Si Zhan had been afflicted by the talisman.

At the time, Si Zhan was responsible for researching a secret weapon, and his team had made a breakthrough. If successful, the Dragon Nation’s military strength would double. Si Zhan knew the importance of this research and worked tirelessly, night and day, striving for early success.

Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, the intern Lu Mang approached Si Zhan, persistently probing about the breakthrough achievements. Such questions were confidential for any researcher, and Si Zhan had signed a nondisclosure agreement—there was no way he would be easily tricked.

Not only did Si Zhan avoid divulging any secrets, he also managed to extricate himself skillfully. After leaving, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, so he turned back to find Lu Mang and confirm his suspicions.

It was this return that led him to catch Lu Mang stealing documents. The consequences of such a theft would have been unimaginable. Without hesitation, Si Zhan rushed forward to stop him, not only blocking Lu Mang but also sounding the alarm.

Faced with Si Zhan’s sudden intervention and alarm, Lu Mang immediately attacked him. According to Si Zhan’s recollection, after exchanging only a few words, he suddenly lost consciousness. What happened afterward, he did not know. As for whether the documents had been stolen, Si Zhan was also uncertain.

Seeing Si Zhan’s worry, the investigation team leader, Guo An, quickly reassured him: “The documents were not stolen. As for why, that will be investigated. But what’s strange is that you passed out in the research institute’s office area, yet were found in the lounge. Next to you were several dishes; the chopsticks and food were marked with your saliva. To orchestrate such a performance in such a short time, Lu Mang could not have acted alone. There must be accomplices in the institute.”

The more Guo An spoke, the deeper his frown grew. The plot they failed to notice two years ago was now even harder to unravel. Over two years had passed; who knows how much secret information enemy agents had transmitted. The mere thought was headache-inducing.

Si Zhan was greatly relieved to hear the documents had not been stolen, but worried anew upon learning how much had occurred while he was unconscious. Their research was vital to national security; the fact that enemies had infiltrated, more than one, meant their institute was far from secure, and their research was at risk of being leaked.

Xu Lin sat on a long bench, her back against the cold corridor wall, as a question rose in her mind. Why had the enemy staged the scene of Si Zhan being poisoned? What were they trying to conceal?

Si Zhan wondered the same thing. “Captain Guo, why did they create the illusion that I was poisoned? Weren’t they afraid this would alert us? As a senior researcher, being poisoned inside the institute would prompt a lockdown regardless of whether I lived or died. Everyone would undergo strict scrutiny, which would hinder their operations, wouldn’t it?”

“Indeed, after you were sent to the hospital, the institute was sealed off. For the first two weeks, all personnel were forbidden to enter or leave; supplies were delivered from outside. All security staff were replaced and investigated, especially those responsible for the area where your incident took place—they were taken in for questioning. After two weeks, the lockdown was lifted, but all entering and exiting staff were strictly checked, and every department's security level was raised. By all accounts, such measures should have hindered enemy activity.”

Guo An’s voice grew softer, his brow more tightly knit. If they could see the problem, why had the enemy acted this way?

“How did Lu Mang evade suspicion?” Si Zhan asked.

The excessive mental strain gave Si Zhan a headache, but he endured it without showing. His intense pursuit of truth made him more willing to cooperate with the investigation team, eager to uncover the facts.

“No one suspected Lu Mang at the time. He had an alibi,” Guo An replied, flipping through his documents until he found the relevant record. He handed it to Si Zhan. “Here is the interrogation transcript.”

Si Zhan took it and read, his brows furrowing even more. Lu Mang claimed he was resting in his office at the time. Most notably, there were witnesses—three other interns were also resting in the office. One of them was the last to fall asleep; before drifting off, he sat up to drink a glass of water and was certain Lu Mang was asleep.

Such ironclad evidence of an alibi kept Lu Mang from even being considered a suspect in the first round.

Si Zhan waved the document in his hand, puzzled. “Who can guarantee that he didn’t leave during his nap?”

Guo An spread his hands. No one could prove it, yet neither could anyone prove Lu Mang had left. The only one who knew, Si Zhan, had been unconscious, creating an unsolvable puzzle.

But with Si Zhan’s awakening, the puzzle became solvable.

That is, Lu Mang really had left at the time, and as for why the others hadn’t noticed, it could only be that they were sleeping too deeply.

The questioning lasted several hours. Xu Lin ate her dinner in the neighboring ward, delivered by the guards. When the investigation team departed, Xu Lin administered another acupuncture treatment to Si Zhan, after which he fell asleep.

With this night of rest, Si Zhan’s condition would improve by tomorrow; if all went well, he could be discharged. However, given how much the authorities cherished Si Zhan, he probably wouldn’t leave so soon.

Before leaving, Xu Lin glanced at Si Zhan’s face. The great calamity had passed, good fortune was arriving, and his future would be smooth and rising ever higher. As a researcher, his achievements would spring from his work, indicating that Si Zhan would make significant contributions in the future.

Truly a remarkable man.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Xu Lin rose early and ran into Si Han as she left; he greeted her with a radiant smile. His smile was like a spring breeze, bright as the sun, warming even the coldest winter.

A charming trickster!

Xu Lin silently cursed him in her heart, then returned his smile.

“Good morning, Dr. Xu. What would you like for breakfast?” Si Han asked.

“I want soup dumplings, three-flavor buns, fried dough sticks, and a bowl of mung bean juice,” Xu Lin replied, ordering without a hint of restraint.

Si Han smiled and agreed, leaving quickly.

Breakfast also brought Grandma Zheng and Yu Tong. Grandma Zheng was in high spirits, visibly rejuvenated by joy. After greeting everyone, she sat at Si Zhan’s bedside, watching him eat; with every bite, Grandma Zheng nodded and smiled. The scene was almost unbearable, and Xu Lin hurried off with her breakfast.

Yu Tong was amused and followed Xu Lin to her ward. Once they were seated, Yu Tong said, “Linlin, please don’t mind. My mother just cares deeply for Brother Si.”