Chapter 79

Chapter 79

"You were meant to be a citizen of the holy city of David."

Xu Zhangying awoke from endless darkness.

It was the morning of the 14th day of his coma. He lay on a pristine white hospital bed, the familiar, monotonous beeping of medical equipment like white noise in his ears. Sunlight slipped through the curtain gaps of the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a glow across the room.

The moment he opened his eyes, Xu Zhangying felt as though he had fallen into a bizarre time tunnel. The long coma left him disoriented—he couldn’t tell if it was the summer he was 14, 21, or 24.

After what felt like an agonizingly slow half-hour, as the sunlight grew brighter, the door to the ward finally opened. Xu Zhangying’s gaze met that of the person who walked in.

When he saw those eyes—shocked yet brimming with overwhelming joy—Xu Zhangying, still bedridden, lost interest and looked away. So, it was the summer when he was 29.

Before Xu Zhangying could recall the specifics of what had happened before his coma, Tang Youning was already slumped over the bed, sniffling.

"Get out," Xu Zhangying said, his vision blurring as soon as he spoke. "I need water."

Because of hormonal imbalance and gland removal, Xu Zhangying’s body was fundamentally different from that of ordinary betas or alphas. As a result, unless treated by the specialized medical system of the experimental healthcare center, conventional treatment could even worsen his condition. This was precisely why Tang Youning had insisted on transferring him to Hong Kong for treatment.

The medical staff rushed in to examine him and found that Xu Zhangying’s vital signs were stable. His abdominal wound was healing after two weeks. They applied a new zipper-style dressing, sparing him the pain of suture removal later. However, the attending physician cautioned that he still needed close observation for the next 24 hours to prevent potential brain or abdominal hemorrhaging. After disconnecting some monitors, they left.

After two weeks in a coma, Xu Zhangying had lost a significant amount of weight and spoke weakly. Leaning against the pillows, he turned to Tang Youning and asked, "Was Zeiss badly injured? Did anyone else get hurt?"

"Not seriously," Tang Youning replied tersely, unable to help blaming Zeiss for Xu Zhangying’s injuries. "He checked himself out after a few days. No one else got hurt, Senior."

"Good," Xu Zhangying sighed in relief. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Tang Youning with a gentle tone. "It must have taken a lot of effort to transfer me here, didn’t it?"

Tang Youning, who’d been frowning moments earlier, suddenly buried his face in Xu Zhangying’s blanket with a muffled thud. "No effort at all," he muttered.

Xu Zhangying reached out to tousle his perfectly styled hair, but then he caught sight of his own arm—pale, gaunt, veins starkly visible. He paused before asking, "I’ve been asleep for so long. Won’t Qi Feng and the others come looking for me?"

He really wanted to ask about Xia Qing, but for some reason, his heart fluttered uneasily, so he only mentioned Qi Feng.

"They did, but I didn’t let them find you," Tang Youning smirked, tilting his head to show one teasing eye. "But I knew you’d worry about them, so I kept them updated on you."

"Good," Xu Zhangying nodded and fell silent.

"Senior, were you actually wondering if Xia Qing has been looking for us?" After a long pause, Tang Youning broke the silence, his voice faintly teasing.

Xu Zhangying lifted his gaze, only to meet Tang Youning’s amused eyes.

"Who knew I’d be this thoughtful? I can read your mind, Senior," Tang Youning straightened up, grinning.

"Xia Qing’s acting weird. At first, he kept tracking my IP, but just when he was about to pinpoint it, he stopped," Tang Youning mused, sitting in the chair beside the bed, chin in hand. "I made sure he only got updates from a day ago, so he shouldn’t know you’ve woken up yet."

Xu Zhangying frowned slightly. "Why send yesterday’s updates?"

Tang Youning tilted his head and smiled. "Because the moment you wake up, you’ll want to contact him, right? I know it’s all work-related, but your body isn’t in any state to handle work right now. So, just take an extra 24 hours to rest."

"I should’ve known," Xu Zhangying groaned and held out his hand. "Where’s my phone?"

"Destroyed. Probably in Guangzhou," Tang Youning looked away.

Only then did Xu Zhangying remember—right before the explosion, he had been holding his phone, reading a text. It was highly likely that it had been destroyed. But he needed to contact Xia Qing and the Major Crime Unit now. He turned to Tang Youning, who was deliberately avoiding his eyes. "Give me your phone."

"No," Tang Youning said, unusually firm, his eyes fixed on Xu Zhangying’s open hospital gown—right where the abdominal wound lay.

"Not until tomorrow at least," Tang Youning was dressed in a charcoal-gray formal suit today, giving the prime alpha a more serious air.

"Screw that, give it here now," Xu Zhangying frowned impatiently. "I just want to make a call and ask about the investigation."

Unexpectedly, Tang Youning seemed to have already made up his mind and stood his ground. Though Xu Zhangying could sit up now, getting out of bed to punch him was still a bit difficult, so he was left with no choice but to watch as Tang Youning stood guiltily yet stubbornly by the window.

"What's so great about work?" Tang Youning said with a mix of seriousness and indignation. "Those psychos at AGB won’t promote you anyway. Even if I got you a promotion through connections, you’d just scold me. There’s literally no career advancement for you—can’t we just quit and stop working for them?"

"I don’t work for titles," Xu Zhangying didn’t know whether to be amazed that Tang Youning was actually thinking about "career planning" or to jump out of bed in fury and beat him up.

"It’s just 24 hours," the prime alpha said flatly. "I’ve already compromised a lot."

Xu Zhangying had just woken from his coma and had lost all sense of time. To him, the last time he saw and spoke to Tang Youning was still "yesterday" in the underground garage. But now, as he carefully observed the prime alpha standing by the window, he noticed that his hair had noticeably grown out.

Two weeks—Xu Zhangying finally realized how serious this injury was. Even when he'd had his gland removed five years ago, he had only slept for half a month as well.

Xu Zhangying lifted his left hand, still attached to an IV, and lightly touched his face, only to feel the oxygen tube. Tang Youning noticed his movement and looked puzzled.

"Shit, how long have I been wearing this? I didn’t even notice," Xu Zhangying tugged at the other tubes on his body, then looked up at Tang Youning and sighed. "Fine, I get it. But you have to give me your phone by tonight at the latest."

Tang Youning blinked his large eyes, seemingly taken aback that Xu Zhangying had actually conceded. It wasn’t until Xu Zhangying tsked impatiently that he awkwardly sat back down by the bed.

"So, do you know if Xia Qing and Qi Feng have made any new progress?" Xu Zhangying couldn’t help but ask directly.

Tang Youning evasively rubbed his cheek. "I don’t know the specifics, but Xia Qing and a few from the Major Crime Unit just flew to Zhejiang today—probably to investigate a case there."

"Zhejiang?" Xu Zhangying was completely lost. From the 523 major case to the LEBEN case, he had never encountered any information or leads related to that region, making it impossible for him to guess why Xia Qing and the others had gone there now.

"Oh, one more thing about Xia Qing," Tang Youning added dutifully, like an eager underling. "About a week after your accident, their genetic translation experiment was completed. It's everywhere in the media now."

"Completed?" Xu Zhangying immediately sat up, only to wince as the sudden movement tugged at his wound, his face going pale.

Tang Youning’s expression also changed abruptly as he helped Xu Zhangying lie back down, grumbling, "If you keep this up, I won’t give you the phone tonight either."

"What were the results?" Xu Zhangying ignored Tang Youning’s complaint, gripping his arm urgently.

Tang Youning shrugged. "They’re not announcing it yet. It’ll be revealed at the LSA conference in October—must be pretty damn important."

Xu Zhangying’s anxiety eased slightly, but then he noticed something off and looked up. "So Xia Qing just finished such a major experiment and jumped right back into the investigation? His security should be tight right now."

"Yeah, but I don’t know the details," Tang Youning said flatly, as if anything related to Xia Qing didn't interest him in the slightest.

Xu Zhangying glanced at the clock on the wall—exactly 10 a.m. His mind was filled with doubt, curiosity, and this weird urge. For some reason, he suddenly wanted to see Xia Qing very badly.

But just then, Xu Zhangying remembered the text message before the explosion, and his stomach dropped, his expression shifting. Tang Youning, sharp as ever, looked up and asked, "What’s wrong, Senior?"

"Nothing," Xu Zhangying shook his head, only to feel a wave of dizziness. He realized he still couldn’t move his head carelessly and finally gave in and stayed put.

A hand pressed against Xu Zhangying’s forehead as Tang Youning murmured, "You’re awake, but your body’s still weak. Don’t move around."

Xu Zhangying didn’t respond. He simply closed his eyes briefly before opening them again to look at Tang Youning.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened on the prime alpha’s face, and he chuckled lightly. "Why are you dressed so formally today? Got some important event?"

Even Shao Qiaoqiao and others from the Major Crime Unit had gradually formed the impression that Tang Youning’s wardrobe was "loud"—pink, white, or yellow, every outfit bright and exaggerated yet perfectly suited to his face. That was why Xu Zhangying had felt something was off about Tang Youning today—it was this unusually normal charcoal-gray tailored suit.

Tang Youning froze for a moment before fidgeting slightly. "Today’s the last shoot for *Storm and Thunder*. There’ll be a press conference and a wrap party after."

Xu Zhangying had almost forgotten about *Storm and Thunder*, but now he remembered that his sudden reunion with Tang Youning had actually happened on the set of that film. He couldn’t help but laugh. "I remember the last scene is 56-2, the one where you fall into the sea—wasn’t that at Tianxing Pier? Shouldn’t you be heading there now?"

Tang Youning said softly, "I'm just the producer. I don't have to go."

"You really hate work that much, huh?" Xu Zhangying replied with an exasperated look, but then glanced at Tang Youning again. "You're dressed so nicely—what a waste not to go. Just sitting here with me is no fun."

"It’s not," Tang Youning muttered stubbornly, resting his head on the hospital bed.

Though still injured, Xu Zhangying acted like a strict teacher, giving Tang Youning a light flick on the forehead. "Go to work, or give me your phone."

Tang Youning let out an over-the-top whine, clutching his forehead and milking it for sympathy in the ward, but eventually left for work obediently before noon.

Only when the room finally fell silent did Xu Zhangying begin to feel the discomfort spreading throughout his body. He lay quietly on the bed, and a growing unease settled in his chest.

One thing he had deliberately avoided asking Tang Youning was—why had Xia Qing agreed to transfer him, severely injured, to Hong Kong?

Xia Qing was sharp enough to piece some things together, but without any clues about his own situation, he probably couldn’t figure it out.

As Xu Zhangying pondered, he seemed to confirm Tang Youning’s warning about overthinking. Before he knew it, he drifted off again.

But having just woken from a long coma, his sleep was fitful—almost like he was half-awake. He was acutely aware he was dreaming and managed to jerk awake right before the nightmare peaked.

A hand hovered barely a centimeter above his forehead. Caught off guard by Xu Zhangying waking up so abruptly, the hand froze mid-air. Xu Zhangying met a pair of deep, dark eyes, then frowned. "You? Why are you here?"

The young man in a short jacket and jeans stiffened, still bent over Xu Zhangying. His strikingly handsome face with mixed features cycled through shock, confusion, and irritation. "Why did you wake up so suddenly?"

Xu Zhangying blinked in bewilderment. "I woke up this morning. I was just napping."

The young man’s expression shifted several times before he finally ground out, "Tang Youning didn’t tell me you were already awake."

Xu Zhangying studied the stone-faced guy with confusion. "Why are you here? You and Tang Youning close now?"

"What about your brother? Tang Yingshao?"

Tang Yingshao didn’t answer. Instead, he straightened and took two slow steps back. Only then did Xu Zhangying notice his changed appearance—dressed in an all-black, no-nonsense outfit that made his pale face seem even more pale and brooding.

The tension didn’t last before the door opened, and a doctor accompanied by two nurses entered.

The doctor glanced at the young alpha by the bed, puzzled. "Are you family?"

Tang Yingshao neither nodded nor shook his head, wordlessly backing away. Xu Zhangying spoke up for him. "Yes, my younger brother."

The moment the words left his mouth, Xu Zhangying felt Tang Yingshao’s glare burning into him.

But he had no time to worry about Tang Youan’s weird little brother—the medical staff had come to remove his tubes.

Only the nasal oxygen tube remained. The nurses also took the opportunity to clear away some equipment, letting him breathe easier.

As the doctor examined Xu Zhangying’s healing wounds, he advised, "Mr. Xu, your physical condition is excellent. Just be careful with the abdominal wound and avoid sudden movements, or you might risk post-concussion symptoms."

Xu Zhangying nodded in agreement, occasionally catching sight of the dark-clad youth leaning against the wall, staring at him. He wondered if he had somehow offended Tang Yingshao.

"Please raise your hand," the beta nurse said softly. Xu Zhangying complied, lifting his left arm—and spotted the outline of a phone in her white coat pocket.

After a quick debate with himself, he finally worked up the nerve to ask, "Miss, could I borrow your phone? I need to make a call."

The beta nurse glanced at him, then at the doctor. Since it was just a phone call, all three seemed agreeable. She smiled gently while coiling wires. "Of course, sir. Just give me a moment to finish up."

Xu Zhangying let out a quiet sigh of relief, already figuring out how to bring up Xia Qing.

The beta nurse and the omega nurse finished tidying the equipment and were about to hand him the phone.

And in the very next instant, the entire room was abruptly filled with a series of "ding-dong" notifications.

The sound was eerily unsettling, as if emanating from different directions.

All four people in the room besides Xu Zhangying froze in place—because the sound was coming from each of them.

The attending doctor instinctively reached for his pocket, opening his phone screen alongside his two nurse colleagues.

"How strange, what is this?" the beta nurse said, turning to glance at the Omega nurse's phone before exclaiming in shock, "Hey, ours are identical—is this some group spam scam?"

At that moment, the young man in black leaning against the wall also pulled out his phone and froze when he saw the screen.

Watching the four of them receive the message simultaneously, Xu Zhangying couldn't help but ask, "What does it say?"

The beta nurse, being more outgoing, glanced at the doctor's phone before handing hers to Xu Zhangying on the bed with a faint smile. "It's the exact same text—it makes no sense. Probably a wrong group text."

Xu Zhangying took the phone, and the moment his eyes landed on the screen, his ears rang as a wave of intense electric dread surged through his entire body.

Slowly, he raised his gaze and locked eyes with the young man in black, whose face showed his own shock and terror.

Every screen in the room, including the one in Xu Zhangying's hand, displayed the same message:

(To the Honorable Duke Faustus:)

Act VII, which will be presented specially for you in 3 hours.

-Mephisto.