Ling Chen had just sent Bai Zhi off and was about to change out of his combat uniform, which was stained with sorrow and blood, and was contemplating how to naturally visit Old K when a heavy alloy door to his residence was rudely pounded upon!
The knocking was heavy and urgent, carrying a familiar, boisterous, and overbearing force.
Ling Chen's eyebrows slightly raised, and the Soul Jade Physique's icy will instantly swept outside the door—a huge, scorching, lava-like surging life aura, and an intensely rich aroma of aged strong liquor, along with the charred scent of roasted meat!
Leimeng!
He came at just the right time!
Ling Chen's lips curved into an almost imperceptible, cold arc.
He quickly adjusted his facial expression, allowing the pallor and fatigue to resurface, and his eyes instantly became dim and lifeless, carrying a hint of disturbed bewilderment and lingering sorrow.
He walked unsteadily to the door and opened it.
Outside, it was indeed Leimeng's figure, like an iron tower!
He held a large, seemingly aged, dark red ceramic wine jar in one hand. The mouth of the jar was sealed with mud, yet faint wisps of rich wine aroma still escaped;
In his other hand, he carried a large package wrapped in oil paper, still steaming and sizzling with roasted beast meat!
The meat chunks were huge, roasted to a crispy exterior and tender interior, with dripping fat and an intoxicating aroma!
"Lin Chen, my brother! Open the door! I've come to see you!"
Leimeng's booming voice rang out at the doorway like a clap of thunder! His crimson beast eyes scanned Ling Chen's haggard appearance, and his brows immediately furrowed into a knot!
"Damn it! How did you end up looking like this! Like your soul has been sucked out!"
He didn't wait for Ling Chen to invite him in, directly pushed the door open, strode in, and heavily placed the wine jar and meat package on the alloy table in the living room, making a dull thud!
"I heard your team had an accident? And lost two people?"
Leimeng turned around and clapped his large, fan-like hand heavily on Ling Chen's shoulder. The force was so great that Ling Chen's weak body swayed!
"Damn it! How unlucky! I specially brought Earth Core Fire Lotus and freshly roasted Split-Earth Rhino King leg meat to calm your nerves! And to pay respects to those two lads, Han Feng and Shi Lei! They were both good men! What a pity!"
Earth Core Fire Lotus! A famous strong liquor in Shengjing Underground City!
It is said to be brewed from special plants growing near the earth's core lava. The liquor is extremely potent, containing a trace of fire-element energy, and an ordinary Energy Condensation Stage cultivator would collapse after just one cup!
Split-Earth Rhino King! That's a Bone Eater Realm mutated beast! Its flesh and blood are highly nourishing, rich in energy, and extremely expensive!
Leimeng really spared no expense this time!
Ling Chen's face showed a perfectly timed expression of gratitude and a hint of bitter smile: "Brother Leimeng, you've spent too much, I… I'm really not in the mood right now."
"Bullshit!"
Leimeng glared!
"If you're not in the mood, all the more reason to drink! Drowning your sorrows in drink! Get drunk! And you'll forget everything! Wake up! And get back on your feet! Like a man! Don't cry and whine like a woman! I hate that the most!"
As he spoke, he reached to break the mud seal of the wine jar.
"Wait! Brother Leimeng!"
Ling Chen suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hoarse urgency!
"Hm?"
Leimeng paused, looking at him in confusion.
Ling Chen's face showed a complex expression mixed with sorrow, responsibility, and a hint of determination:
"Brother Leimeng… I appreciate your kindness, but this wine, I can't drink it now."
"Why?!"
Leimeng was a bit displeased!
"Old K Captain."
Ling Chen's voice deepened, carrying a barely perceptible choke.
"He… he's still lying unconscious in the Medical Center, Han Feng and Shi Lei just sacrificed themselves for the mission, and I, the acting captain, am here drinking and eating meat. I… I really can't swallow it, I can't get over this hurdle in my heart."
He looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Leimeng, filled with sincere pleading:
"Brother Leimeng, if you really want to accompany me! Can you please accompany me to see Old K Captain first? Bring this jar of wine and this meat there, and offer it by his bedside to our fallen brothers, and also let him smell the wine and meat, maybe it can stimulate him to wake up sooner."
Ling Chen's words were full of genuine emotion!
To see Old K! That was his true purpose! Leimeng's arrival!
It just gave him the most natural and reasonable excuse! To get in touch with Old K in advance! To observe his recovery up close! To assess whether he still had value or if there was a potential threat!
And bringing Leimeng along! It further demonstrated his loyalty and sense of responsibility! Further solidifying his positive image in the eyes of Leimeng and others in the guild!
Leimeng was stunned when he heard this! A hint of surprise flashed across his rough face, then slowly transformed into a complex emotion of emotion and a touch of admiration!
He clapped Ling Chen's shoulder heavily! The force was still great, but it seemed to carry a different meaning!
"Good lad! I didn't misjudge you!"
Leimeng's voice also lowered a few octaves, carrying a hint of hoarseness!
"That's right! Old K is still lying there! We really shouldn't enjoy ourselves first! Let's go! Right now! Let's go see Old K! Let him smell this good wine and good meat! Drive this old fellow crazy with desire! See if he wakes up!"
Leimeng was also a man of loyalty!
Ling Chen's words hit a soft spot in his heart! Any slight dissatisfaction he had with Ling Chen due to the command error was instantly diluted by this sense of brotherhood!
"Good! Thank you for understanding, Brother Leimeng!"
Ling Chen's face showed a relieved and grateful expression!
As the two were about to leave, Ling Chen seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Leimeng:
"Brother, please wait for me for a moment. I just sent Doctor Bai Zhi back, and she seems to have left something at my place. I'll take it to her on the way, and she's also been very worried about Old K Captain's condition."
"That little girl Bai Zhi? Alright! Let's go together!" Leimeng waved his big hand! He also had a good impression of that pure and kind young doctor!
Ling Chen turned and picked up a light blue silk scarf with a fresh disinfectant scent that Bai Zhi had accidentally left on the sofa (of course, he had subtly hooked it off her clothes and hidden it when she wasn't paying attention just now), then left the door with Leimeng.
Arriving at Bai Zhi's dormitory door (located in the senior staff area within the Medical Center), Ling Chen gently knocked.
The door quickly opened. Bai Zhi seemed to have just washed her face, her silver hair still somewhat damp, and her pure sapphire eyes were slightly red and swollen, clearly having cried again.
Seeing Ling Chen and Leimeng outside the door, she was startled.
"Brother Lin Chen? Uncle Leimeng? Why are you here?"
Bai Zhi's voice carried a slight nasal tone.
"Girl Bai Zhi, look what this is!"
Leimeng shook the wine jar and meat package in his hand!
"I was looking for Lin Chen to drink, but this kid insisted on seeing Old K first! He also said he wanted to bring the wine and meat to pay respects to those two lads, Han Feng and Shi Lei! And to tempt Old K to wake up! We thought you were also worried about Old K, so we came to get you! Let's go see him together!"
Hearing this, Bai Zhi's pure eyes instantly lit up, and she nodded repeatedly:
"Mhm mhm! I'll go! I was just thinking of going to see Old K Captain again!" She looked at the silk scarf in Ling Chen's hand, "Ah, my silk scarf."
"You left it at my place just now,"
Ling Chen smiled gently and handed the silk scarf back to Bai Zhi.
"Perfect, let's go together."
Bai Zhi took the silk scarf, her small face slightly flushed, and she whispered, "Thank you, Brother Lin Chen."
So, the three of them, with Leimeng carrying the wine and meat, and Ling Chen and Bai Zhi following behind, walked towards the intensive care unit of the Medical Center.