"No need to rush, Director. Tell me, what's going on first?" After so long, Yu Zhengbo finally came looking for him, and it seemed trouble had arisen. Xiao Lin wasn't particularly bothered by such results; he planned to wait for the other party to make a move, and he would counter it.

"Someone leaked that the kidney had no legitimate source. Two days ago, people from the Ministry of Health came to inspect the matter. I managed to brush them off by claiming it was from a donor, but the Ministry still insists on having the donor's family sign a confirmation of donation." After finally taking a sip of coffee, Yu Zhengbo looked directly at Xiao Lin, "Xiao Xiao, be honest with me. Where did this kidney come from?"

"Was it someone from the medical department?"

After a moment of silence, Yu Zhengbo nodded, "That day Sun Mingwei discreetly came to me, asking me to handle the matter seriously. Not long after, people from the Ministry of Health visited."

"If the director treats it as provided by a donor, it'll be fine."

Yu Zhengbo gazed at Xiao Lin for a while, realizing further questioning wouldn't yield any results. He had his suspicions about the kidney's origin. Xiao Lin's silence was a courtesy, offering him a final retreat, a favor he appreciated.

"Understood. Handle this matter promptly." Considering the time given to Xiao Lin, Yu Zhengbo prepared to return to the hospital for further dealings with the Ministry of Health—an intricate task requiring appropriate justification.

"Director, I'll return to the hospital with you. It's still early."

"Alright!"

Xiao Lin accompanied Yu Zhengbo into the hospital, bypassing his own clinic and heading straight to the medical department. The sight of Xiao Lin turned Sun Mingwei's previously smiling face into a stiff one. Instinctively, he sank into his chair, "Why are you here?"

Xiao Lin scanned the room and focused on the person across from Sun Mingwei, working on a computer. "I'm looking for him!" Xiao Lin pointed.

"Why are you looking for him?" Sun Mingwei glanced at the person opposite him and stood up. "What's an emergency department person doing in the medical department? Or have we offended you again, prompting you to come for some disciplinary action?" Sun Mingwei recalled the previous incident when he was hospitalized due to a beating, an enmity he harbored, waiting for any opportunity to strike against Xiao Lin—a typical act of pettiness.

"Minister Sun, speak with evidence. Without proof to back your claims of my misconduct, I can charge you with malicious defamation; more severe, it could escalate to slander."

Under Xiao Lin's stern demeanor, Sun Mingwei remained silent, subtly nudging Xiao Sun opposite him with a pen. Noticing Sun Mingwei's direction, Xiao Sun acknowledged Xiao Lin's presence.

"Come outside, I have something to say." Having spoken, Xiao Lin walked out of the medical department and lit a cigarette in the corridor.

"Dr. Xiao, smoking is prohibited inside the hospital building. You've once again violated medical ethics." Xiao Sun stood behind Xiao Lin, adjusting his glasses, while his overly long bangs covered his eyes.

Xiao Lin didn't turn back but entered the elevator, his finger pressing the door-open button, waiting for Xiao Sun to enter. Helplessly, Xiao Sun brushed his bangs aside and walked in. They sat silently in Xiao Lin's car until it stopped in front of an abandoned railway track. Xiao Lin stepped out of the car and lit another cigarette.

"Dr. Xiao, why did you bring me here?"

"Forensic scientist, do we still need pretenses here?" Xiao Lin faced the ruins. This railway, once military-exclusive then repurposed for civilian use, eventually faded from people's memories.

The person behind Xiao Lin removed his glasses, pushed back his bangs, revealing a prominent forehead, "Didn't expect you'd find me so quickly."

"Or should I call you something else? We've met on the ship already." Xiao Lin politely gestured toward a dark crevice hidden by the grass. "Surely you're aware of what's there, aren't you?"

"The 'Underground City' location." The forensic scientist walked forward, crossing the grass to reveal the familiar symbol.

The dry weather made the bridge tunnel less intimidating during the day. The forensic scientist naturally proceeded downward—no barking stray dogs, no sight of the old lady; the door to 'Underground City' was absent. The overhead lamp emitted a weak glow, intermittently flickering, close to burning out entirely.

Xiao Lin stood at the bridge tunnel entrance, waiting for the forensic scientist to emerge. It wasn't long before the forensic scientist's head came into view.

"State your purpose." Xiao Lin waited for him to ascend the steps, extinguishing his cigarette butt with his foot. The 'Underground City' had evacuated the area, those who once encircled both him and Wu Shuang had vanished; they might be the last batch to leave.

"Dr. Xiao, are you pleased with my surprise?" The forensic scientist, tidying his wind-scattered bangs, examined Xiao Lin's profile.

"Regrettably, I couldn't discuss with you aboard the ship." Upon his initial entry into the medical department, he hadn't sensed the individual's presence—their disguise was impeccable, able to mask their aura completely, even altering one's natural emanations to an entirely different essence.

The forensic expert chuckled and candidly admitted to Xiao Lin's comments. "They say the Xiao Family has an heir adept at analysis and discernment. I did not underestimate you, but you're not as formidable as I imagined."

"I'm just an ordinary person; you're the ones who made me out to be more complicated than I am."

"Since you know it's me, why not eliminate me immediately? Keeping me around doesn't fear future trouble?"

"One cannot get the tiger cub without entering the tiger's den. If I don't accompany you to the end, how could I know what your purpose is?" Xiao Lin smiled, a touch of purity in his smile under the sunlight. "Are you working for Xiao Mu? The Wang Family will be history; what will you do next?"

"Xiao Lin, you're wrong. I don't work for anyone; I serve only for the fun of it. Besides, I am indeed a forensic expert; as for the rest, it's just for amusement."

"Ah! Oh." Xiao Lin nodded and then shook his head. "If you're not one of Xiao Mu's people, then I really need to guard against your existence."

The forensic expert laughed heartily. "You are an interesting person."

"Likewise!"

"I hope what follows won't disappoint me, but rather bring more surprises."

"Not catching a ride back with me?" Xiao Lin asked, watching the forensic expert's departing figure. He suddenly thought, if this person isn't standing on Xiao Mu's side, he'd genuinely want to seek his advice. On the ship, although he hadn't personally stood by this person's side during surgeries, merely the timing alone stirred a desire to contend with him.

"The police station has many bodies waiting for my autopsy. You attract too much attention; it's unsafe to ride with you."

The forensic expert stepped out of Xiao Lin's sight and got into a car that had been parked nearby for a long time, driving it away with a gust of wind.

"How does it feel to be seen through so quickly?" Xiao Mu teased, looking at the person who had gotten into the front seat.

"It's nothing. If he couldn't guess this, he wouldn't be worthy of being my opponent." The forensic expert's real name was Mu Rongyun. Xiao Mu, resting his head, felt a bit disapproving of Mu Rongyun's tone, but wouldn't criticize further, especially since he was from the Mu Family, appearances had to be kept.

"It's best not to be complacent. My brother sometimes does things even I can't predict." Xiao Mu hadn't expected Xiao Lin to strip the Wang Family down to just a shell in such a short time, with unexpected and unpredictable deployments in secret, leaving him momentarily at a loss. Though these mattered little, without even a façade left of the Wang Family, things would get tricky for him.

"He said he's just an ordinary person; you're the ones who think he's more complex." Mu Rongyun really liked this line. With just a few interactions, he couldn't help but view Xiao Lin differently, especially the people around him, for whom a person could inspire such loyalty and sacrifice, must have a personal charisma.

"Great men say the same." Xiao Mu suddenly chuckled. "What's your next move?" The trip to Yanjing didn't seem so dull, after all.

"I'm curious how you plan to deal with Fatty Wang?"

"I'll see how I feel." Xiao Mu looked out the window, lazily leaning against the door. Not yet fully awake, he had to come over when he discovered Mu Rongyun had left for the undercity, deviating from the planned route. "Didn't Xiao Lin say anything when he brought you here?"

"He's so smart there's nothing to ask. It was just finding a secluded spot for a brief confirmation." Mu Rongyun noticed the silver QQ car from his rearview mirror. "That car is really something, luxury amidst discretion."

"What?" Xiao Mu glanced at the car behind them, understanding Mu Rongyun's implication. "This car isn't cheap."

"You're lucky you found an old car, or your brother's keen eye would have seen through it." The silver QQ car sped past them, disappearing around the previous bend in an instant.

Xiao Mu noticed Xiao Lin's car passing by, still a reckless driver disregarding traffic rules.

"Xiao Mu, is what you're doing worth it? This brother is the one you care for the most."

"Some things simply must be attained, surpassing any emotion!" Such is fate, coincidental as it may be, Xiao Mu can't avoid it, determined from the start. If that's how heavens decree, he sees no need to mind manners.

"You truly are a cold person.!"

"Thanks for the compliment." Xiao Mu smiled indifferently. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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