Chapter 18

Zhao Zhu gave his parents a call. Although his father was a doctor, he held a high military rank, so he was well aware of certain matters and had the qualifications to know some inside information. At this moment, upon receiving his son's call and hearing that he was safe, he felt relieved. Although he knew that dealing with this matter would be quite troublesome, and at his level, he could only glimpse some details and had no authority to interfere, as long as his son was alive, everything could be discussed.

Moreover, this was not the era of white terror. Even if the state wanted to conceal the news of that hospital, it would do so through reasonable means. For example, even if the relevant state departments knew Zhao Zhu's location and the fact that he was alive, nothing would happen to him. On the contrary, the relevant departments might send someone to give Zhao Zhu a new identity and have him cooperate with the matters related to covering up the hospital.

As for Zhao Zhu's mother, she was indignant. She had always doted on her son, and although he sometimes caused trouble, compared to the children of other prominent families, her son's education and abilities were commendable and a source of pride for her. Now, with the state's relevant departments playing this game, it was as if all her son's previous achievements were being erased. How could a mother bear this?

Zhao Zhu's mother repeatedly suggested that he go abroad, offering to help him open a new psychiatric hospital. However, Zhao Zhu refused her suggestion. He was already in a situation where he had no choice, and some things were unavoidable. Whether he went abroad or stayed, it made little difference. There were people in the group who were already abroad, and when the task time came, they were still teleported into the task world.

After calming his mother, Zhao Zhu hung up the phone. On the opposite sofa, Xiong Zhiqi was watching TV, but he still had a backpack on his back because he was about to enter his next task world in just fifteen minutes.

"Can you bring anything into the task world?" Zhao Zhu asked.

"Of course not. Otherwise, if you were powerful in reality, you could bring a nuclear bomb into the task world. When you are teleported into the task world, a force—let's call it the group leader—automatically identifies the items you are carrying. It will leave behind anything it deems unsuitable for the next task world and allow you to bring in what it deems acceptable. Generally, ordinary firearms and not too extreme equipment are not a problem. Of course, the restrictions on items vary depending on the task world, so it depends on your luck." After saying this, Xiong Zhiqi pointed to the refrigerator and said, "There's plenty of food and drinks in the fridge. If you don't want to cook, you can order takeout. I'll be back!"

"Um, I have a feeling you'll come back," Zhao Zhu said.

"Why?"

"In most novels, a fat guy like you, who is stubborn and hard to kill, often doesn't die easily."

"..."

Hearing this, Xiong Zhiqi didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

About ten minutes later, Xiong Zhiqi disappeared right in front of Zhao Zhu. Now, all Zhao Zhu could do was wish the fat guy good luck.

Pulling out his phone, Zhao Zhu saw a private message on QQ from... Zhu Jianping.

...

"Hey, the car you were driving last time looked pretty expensive. Why are you living here? Isn't this the kind of place where single men live?" As soon as he entered, Zhu Jianping couldn't help but complain. Clearly, he was not satisfied with the environment, expecting to live in a luxury house with Zhao Zhu, but this place was no different from his old nest.

"This is a friend's house. I'm staying here temporarily," Zhao Zhu explained.

"Oh, where is your friend?"

"He's on a mission."

"Oh~ Is it that fat guy Xiong Zhiqi?"

"Right, it's him."

"Heh, I guessed it would be him. There are only a few of us in the group living in SZ City. That fat guy is quite a character, like a cockroach that can't be killed." Zhu Jianping took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and said, "You don't smoke, right? And even though your yang energy has been adjusted after being possessed by a ghost, your body is still a bit weak. You should pay attention to your diet and lifestyle. If you don't take care, it could leave a lasting health issue. And you haven't enhanced your body, so your resistance is not great."

Zhao Zhu smiled, "It's a bit unusual for you to be so concerned about me."

"There's nothing unusual about it. We're all in the same boat, right? I have injuries too, although I've recovered a bit, some internal injuries are still not fully healed. My place was raided, and I've been staying in a hotel for the past few days. I thought it would be better to stay here with you. We're all in the group, and it's good to have someone to look out for each other."

"Okay, that's fine."

"Too bad, I went back to check, and that fish-faced guy took away my things. Otherwise, I could have brought you the medicine, and my injuries would have healed better."

"Hmm? You mean the box under your bed?"

"How... did you get it?"

"I got it before that fish-faced guy did, from your house."

"Where is it?"

"It's at the hospital."

"Uh... the one where Li Fan is?"

"Right."

"Then that's no help. Li Fan is dead there. Even if I weren't injured, I'd probably end up like him. Let's just wait patiently. When the next task world time comes, the group leader will heal your injuries when you enter and exit the task world. It's a small benefit."

"Alright, we'll wait. If you're hungry, there's food in the fridge. I'm going for a run; I haven't sweated in days and need to exercise."

"Sure, go ahead. I saw a mother and daughter living downstairs when I arrived. Although I'm injured, most of my strength is still there. How about I hypnotize them and have them join me for some exercise?"

Zhao Zhu was changing clothes and couldn't help but recall the first time he met Zhu Jianping, when he hypnotized everyone in the classroom and had a relationship with his female teacher on the podium. He teased, "Is this still a teenage sexual impulse? Your desire seems a bit too strong. I suggest you see a doctor."

"Pfft, I don't believe you don't want to."

"Um, I don't mind the mother and daughter, and I even like it, but I can't accept doing it with another person."

"Then we can have separate rooms. I'll take the bigger one, and you can take the smaller one."

"Mother complex?"

"Spit, no."

"Good, do what you want. Remember to take the key when you go out. I'm going for a run." Zhao Zhu took a towel and hung it around his neck, then left.

"Ah, what a boring person. Why are you exercising? You should save some points and plot, and directly ask the group leader to exchange for a bloodline or enhanced body. No matter how much you exercise, you can't compare to a barbarian or a werewolf."

Zhu Jianping shook his head, then took the key and put it in his pocket. He went out, closed the door, and came to the door of the next floor's residents. He knocked lightly.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice asked from inside.

"Open up, I'm checking the water meter." Zhu Jianping snapped his fingers, and the door opened. A middle-aged woman knelt at his feet, looking very devout, as if facing her master. Of course, her eyes were somewhat confused, as if she were sleepwalking.

"Ah, life. Not knowing how to enjoy it is a sin." Zhu Jianping sighed, then entered the room and closed the door behind him.

---

**End of Chapter**