Chapter 135: There Is Always a Strength Stronger Than Guns
With extreme unease, yet also extreme anticipation, Cheng Lei finally waited for her father to come out of the washroom.
He was still covered in sweat, his lips and face pale, and his emaciation was even more severe than before.
But those eyes, oh heavens, they were definitely not the eyes of a late-stage cancer patient, nor even the eyes of a middle-aged man.
They were her father's eyes from his youth.
That optimistic, energetic gaze that could see through people's hearts at a glance!
“Dad—how do you feel?”
Cheng Lei didn't dare to ask loudly. She intuitively sensed that her father's body had greatly improved, but how could such an intuition be easily believed!
“I feel much better—really!”
Even Cheng Yun himself looked very dazed.
“But you look even paler and weaker than before—”
“Yes! I know! But it should just be dehydration, oh, and maybe a little low blood sugar.”
“No other feelings?”
Cheng Lei was afraid of any mistakes and had to cautiously confirm.
She was now in a very contradictory psychological state; the vague feeling that “a miracle wouldn't really happen, would it?” was particularly tormenting her.
Because for Cheng Lei, all the past hopes of recovery were like delicate flower petals, too fragile, too illusory.
Any gust of wind named “medical examination” could instantly shatter them, bringing deep pain and despair like a great sandstorm.
“Oh dear—how should I put it, I feel like I've just fought a big battle inside my body! It's as if a lot of bad things have been expelled through sweat and urine! Hmm, although there's no evidence, this feeling is very strong!”
“Really? Then I'll go call the doctor and have him give you a full check-up as soon as possible.”
“No need. First, get me some diluted salt water. I'm almost dying of thirst, and I'm so hungry! I feel like I could eat as much as at least five young men right now!”
Her father's tone of voice, that authoritative yet cheerful feeling, had also returned to how it was before he fell ill. That last phrase, “so hungry,” finally put Cheng Lei truly at ease.
Because for a patient, appetite is actually a very valuable health indicator.
Even for a severely weak patient, as long as their appetite is slowly improving, it means their physical condition is getting better.
And even for someone who looks very healthy on the outside, if their appetite suddenly worsens, they must be careful.
In fact, Cheng Yun's illness was first detected precisely in this way.
“Then you go back to bed and wait. I'll go have someone send food up.”
Cheng Yun waved his hand.
“No need! Why bother with that? Once I change into my pajamas, I can walk to the kitchen right now.”
“Okay! I'll get your clothes!”
On the way, Cheng Yun happened to meet his old butler. The butler's eyes were filled with shock as he watched him stride downstairs, and only his excellent professional etiquette as a butler allowed him to maintain his expression and not gape in an undignified manner.
“Good morning, is there anything I can do for you?”
Cheng Yun was in a very good mood, and his greeting to the butler was half-joking.
“Um—I, I wanted to tell you that the two distinguished guests left early this morning. They said they'd be back in about an hour.”
“Hmm, good! Then I need to hurry, fill my stomach first, and also bathe, otherwise it would be too impolite!”
After the master went downstairs, the old butler immediately turned alertly to the two maids following him, his expression extremely serious.
“You two go call the doctor and have him come over immediately!”
He was old and had seen too many partings and deaths, thinking that his master was experiencing a final burst of energy. “Mason! Is there anything to eat? Anything at all, I'm starving!”
The cook, Mason, heard her master's voice and ran from the kitchen to the dining room. Seeing Cheng Yun's refreshed appearance, she also covered her mouth in surprise, unable to speak.
“Master, you, how are you—”
“Ah, there's nothing ready, is there?”
“You, have you recovered?”
“Hmm, I think so! I woke up this morning and suddenly felt much better, haha!”
“Oh! Master, you're well! You're well!”
The cook ran over and hugged her master, and no one expected her to burst into tears.
Cheng Lei secretly wiped away her tears from behind.
She knew her father was good to the household staff, and she also knew that Aunt Mason's son was able to attend the best school in the city thanks to her father's financial support, but seeing her genuine emotions firsthand at that moment still deeply moved her.
Other servants also gathered at the sound, all curious, and the younger maids covered their mouths, whispering.
“Didn't they say before that the master had an incurable disease? And they told us not to spread it—”
“Have you all had breakfast?” Cheng Yun looked at the servants. “How about this, I'll show off my skills today! You can evaluate whether my cooking has deteriorated, and who is better, me or Mason!”
“Okay, okay! Master, we'll do whatever you say today!”
Soon after, Ye Xing and Grassland, having completed their mission, returned.
As soon as they entered, Cheng Yun, with Cheng Lei, almost jogged forward to greet them.
At this time, he had eaten his fill and showered. Although his weight couldn't be immediately regained, his face already had a healthy glow.
Seeing Cheng Yun in this state, Ye Xing and Grassland exchanged smiles.
Cangyuan Technology, best technology!
“Gentlemen, please allow us to express our apologies!”
Cheng Yun bowed deeply, maintaining this posture as he spoke.
“It is truly shameful to say, but my daughter and I both doubted the effectiveness of the medicine you provided, no!
Worse than that! We even suspected it was... some kind of poison!
“But facts have proven that the Executive Officer's kindness is so pure and selfless. In comparison, our suspicions are truly shameful beyond words!”
Listen…
Neither of them understood immediately.
Saying the Executive Officer is kind, that's understandable.
Saying they doubted the true efficacy of the special medicine, that's also understandable.
But why say the kindness is pure and selfless?
Cheng Yun himself explained the reason.
“Logically speaking, if I were to die quickly, or remain seriously ill, then no matter what plans there were for Oasis City later, my daughter, Cheng Lei, would obviously be an easier target to control and manipulate, after all, she is only 19 years old—”
Oh—so that's it…
Ye Xing and Grassland finally understood.
“Any other ruler in this Desert would do so without hesitation, but the Executive Officer did not! This also made me truly understand the character of this outstanding leader!
“I have always believed that a person might succeed in starting something through cruelty, tyranny, and petty cleverness, especially in this wasteland; but to ultimately succeed, it must rely on noble virtues that can inspire those around them. And the Executive Officer is precisely such a person! So once my body fully recovers, I must go and meet him. I must express this apology in person! It shouldn't take too long—”
Grassland quickly raised his hand to decline.
“I will certainly convey your words, but now is not the right time. We have more urgent matters.”
“Right! That's true! Then how can I help with your subsequent mission?”
Ye Xing: “Let's talk in a safer place, Uncle.”
Cheng Yun: “Let's go! To my study!”
Upon arriving at the study, Grassland got straight to the point.
“According to the Executive Officer's plan, the first step in taking Oasis City is a propaganda and public opinion offensive.”
“At that time, we will bring Cangyuan's promotional videos into the city, and you need to gather people in advance and prepare for the operation.”
“And the battlefield will be those video rental stores.”
Ye Xing continued.
“On the day the city's power supply is restored, you will act in unison. No matter what method you use, you must ensure that the video rental stores in every street and alley play the videos we provide.”
“That's not difficult, just give the owners more money,” Cheng Yun said.
“But you can probably guess Cole's attitude; he will only allow the videos to play for two nights at most, and then there will inevitably be a complete ban.”
Ye Xing smiled leisurely.
Exactly, what he feared was that he wouldn't ban it!
“Not two nights, one night is enough. One night is enough for the news to spread, and after that, as long as Cole bans it, it will be a great help to us.”
Many times, rumors, especially widespread ones, are more troublesome for rulers than the truth.