Chapter 65 Gray Flood Season

Chapter 65: The Gray Flood Season

"Typhoon Signal No. 9 continues to batter Hong Kong. The Observatory reissued a warning at 11:15 this morning, stating that Typhoon 'Butterfly,' influenced by a tropical depression in the South China Sea, is circling the southwestern Pacific Ocean with sustained hurricane-force winds of approximately 133 km/h..."

"This marks the highest-level typhoon warning issued by the Observatory in nearly five years. Mudslides have occurred on multiple island ring roads. Large to very large waves, 4-6 meters high, have appeared in the western Guangdong sea areas. The inner harbor has experienced flooding up to 2.27 meters, and storm surges in Chiwan have caused numerous shipwrecks in the inner ports."

"Currently, relevant departments in the inner ports have ensured that fishing vessels return to harbor for shelter. Evacuations have been organized for personnel working on offshore wind power construction platforms, fish farm rafts, and marine ranch operations..."

The entire main island has ground to a halt. Rainwater streaks down skyscrapers; gray gales snap the large crape myrtle trees outside the private hospital.

The quiet recovery room insulates them from the tempest outside. Several well-dressed men look exhausted—two keeping vigil by the bed, two in the suite's outer room. Some stare blankly, some rest with eyes closed, some frantically scroll through their phones, waiting in vain for the news they desperately seek.

Chen Wan is the first to notice Tan Youming open his eyes. He walks over softly, takes his hand, and whispers, "Youming," careful not to startle him.

Tan Youming blinks, taking a moment to adjust, as if returning from another world.

"You're finally awake! How do you feel?" Zhuo Zhixuan steps forward excitedly, grasping his other hand. Qin Zhaoting also moves closer, while Jiang Ying remains standing farther away.

Tan Youming moves his limbs, feeling no sharp pain—only a soreness in his spine from prolonged rest. His gaze gradually clears. He shifts, trying to change position and sit up halfway.

Chen Wan leans in to help adjust his pillow, saying gently, "Take your time, no rush."

"That's right," Zhuo Zhixuan adds, as if he himself had just survived an ordeal, smiling as he informs him, "The doctor just made rounds and said you have a strong constitution. We just needed to wait quietly for you to wake up. With some good rest, you'll be fine."

Tan Youming remains incredibly fortunate. The external injuries from the beating did not affect his bones or internal organs. During the violent collision between the cargo containers and the ship's hull, being completely shielded absorbed most of the impact, leaving him with only minor bruises and a concussion. However, he may require extended post-traumatic stress psychological therapy later.

He had briefly regained consciousness twice before, but only for very short periods. This is his first formal, conscious awakening.

Qin Zhaoting also breathes a sigh of relief, smiling faintly. "Your parents stayed with you for two days and went home this morning. I'll call them to say you're awake."

With such a major incident, there are many matters to handle: cooperating with the police investigation, hiring a legal team to prosecute the Zeng family, managing the news blackout and media relations, and dealing with company affairs. Once they confirmed Tan Youming was not seriously injured, Tan Zhongshan and Guan Kezhi had to divide responsibilities. Even Tan Qizheng and Tan Zuyi had to step in. For now, keeping watch at the hospital was left to this group of friends.

Although there are servants, drivers, bodyguards, and nurses, having relatives and friends nearby is more reassuring. Chen Wan had poured a glass of water, checked its temperature, and brought it to his lips. "Wet your lips first. Whatever you need, just tell us. Everyone has been working from home recently. We'll take turns staying with you."

Tan Youming takes a sip of water, finally gathering enough strength to speak his first words since waking: "Has Shen Zongnian woken up? I want to see him."

Chen Wan's hand, holding the cup, wavers slightly. "You just woke up. The doctor said it's better to rest for a couple of days and wait until you're stable before getting out of bed."

Tan Youming dismisses this. "I'm fine. Which room is he in?"

Chen Wan hesitates. Even after turning it over in his mind repeatedly these past two days and nights, he still hasn't figured out how to break the news to Tan Youming.

Tan Youming is perceptive, and slows down as he pushes the covers aside. "He hasn't woken up yet?"

Chen Wan looks at him, as if weighing his words. Tan Youming turns directly to Zhuo Zhixuan and presses, "Is he still in the operating room?"

Zhuo Zhixuan, who can't keep things to himself, just looks at Chen Wan helplessly. Tan Youming's mouth tightens. Not wanting to argue further, he decides, "Then I'll wait outside the operating room."

Shen Zongnian had probably been hurt worse than him. He was injured once in the Jeep collision on Chiwan Avenue, and Shen Xiaoguang's vengeful beating focused mainly on him. Later, during the chaotic gunfight, no one knows if he sustained further injuries. Tan Youming's heart tightens.

He moves more urgently to throw off the covers. Chen Wan and Zhuo Zhixuan hurriedly try to support him. Jiang Ying, who had been standing on the periphery without speaking, suddenly says, "He's missing."

The storm outside seems to fade for a moment. Both Chen Wan and Zhuo Zhixuan are startled. Tan Youming's head snaps up, his dark gaze piercing and intense. "What do you mean, 'missing'?"

Jiang Ying meets his eyes directly, a hint of suppressed, conflicted indifference in his gaze, and informs Tan Youming calmly, "Missing means he's disappeared. His whereabouts are unknown. The moment the black ship charged forward, he pulled you behind him and used his own body to block all the falling cargo containers. Now, he can't be found."

Tan Youming remains motionless. He didn't feel pain when Shen Xiaoguang was kicking and punching him, nor when the massive waves struck. It seems all the agony was saved for this moment, erupting all at once to claim his life directly.

He looks utterly stunned, broken, unable to bear it. Jiang Ying feels an indescribable mix of sorrow and perhaps a slight relief: "The police have expanded the search and salvage operation within a ten-nautical-mile radius centered on your ship. No survivors or bodies have been found. Maybe he fell into the sea and was washed away. Maybe he was crushed by the cargo containers. Maybe he's already—"

"What the hell are you saying!" Zhuo Zhixuan shouts in horror, trying to stop him.

"What, did I say something wrong?" Jiang Ying smiles coldly. "Isn't that what the police said? How long did you think you could hide it from him?"

It's still that saying: they're all friends, but some are closer than others. Seeing Tan Youming awake, Jiang Ying finally felt relieved. But seeing his parents by his side, relatives and friends doting on him, while Shen Zongnian's whereabouts are unknown—whether he's alive, injured, or suffering in some desperate place where heaven and earth offer no solace—he just...

No one here except him has seen the Shen Zongnian who was exiled abroad over a decade ago. How Shen Zongnian survived, how he endured humiliation and hardship, biding his time step by step to reach today—perhaps Jiang Ying feels it a bit more deeply.

Normally, when one is willing to beat and the other is willing to take it, that's one thing. But now, a life has been staked. Jiang Ying says quietly, "You all just spoil him. I always knew he would eventually be destroyed because of you, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. He's not even thirty yet—"

Zhuo Zhixuan stands up abruptly. Tan Youming, with downcast eyes, stops him: "Let him speak."

"Did I say something wrong? Tan Youming, you know what I'm talking about. Since childhood, you've always demanded that he revolve around you. Even when going to see a blind date, you needed him to drive you. How long must he repay your Tan family's great kindness by serving like a horse or an ox?"

"Damn it," Zhuo Zhixuan can't hold back anymore. He steps in front of Tan Youming to argue with Jiang Ying. "What nonsense are you spouting! What blind date? They were going to see Wang Simin to discuss matters about the Maritime Trade Association. If you don't know the facts, stop talking nonsense."

"Besides, this is a crime planned jointly by Shen Xiaoguang and the Zeng family. Crime, understand? The ones at fault are those scumbags. Shen Zongnian and Tan Youming are both victims. Don't you dare—"

"Get out of my way," Jiang Ying ignores him, shoves him aside with one hand. Each word hits home, targeting the heart of the matter, venting what he must say. "Which part did I say wrong? You know better than I do how he survived when he was young. You pride yourself on being the one who's best to him in the world. Do you think he's been happy for a single day in his life? When he wanted to be stationed in Europe for the energy business, you wouldn't allow it. When he wanted to buy Guangxun, you sold it at three times the market price. He would have been better off leaving back then—"

"Shut up! What do you know about other people's affairs?" Zhuo Zhixuan also loses his temper. When it comes to feelings, no outsider can really judge. Moreover, "He hasn't been found yet. The police haven't drawn any conclusions. We're all doing everything we can to search. Stop talking nonsense here—"

"Then have you found him? Have you?" Jiang Ying raises his voice. "Two days and nights! Crews have been working around the clock to search and salvage. Tell me, have you found him? You heard what the police said yourself: the chances are slim, be prepared. Those heavy containers, those raging waves, that deep sea—how many lives does he have to survive that? Telling yourself anything else is just self-deception, seeking comfort to feel better—"

"Fuck! You shut up—" Zhuo Zhixuan lunges forward. It's unclear who throws the first punch. The old friends suddenly shove and grapple with each other, as if unleashing all the pent-up frustration, anger, and gloom from these past days. In an instant, they are locked in a fierce fight.

"Ah Xuan, stop!"

"Jiang Ying, calm down!"

Chen Wan and Qin Zhaoting step forward, each pulling one back. Instead of resolving the dispute, they get hit a few times by the two furious men in the scuffle.

"What's going on!" The hospital room door swings open. Zhao Shengge, who rushed over from the police station, stands in the doorway.

He personally went to sea to oversee the search efforts, mobilizing all resources and personnel from Minglong to cooperate with the Tan family. After two days and nights without sleep, his usual composure is gone. Between furrowed brows and tired eyes, he still exudes authority. "This is a hospital room. Anyone who wants to argue, step outside!"

Zhao Shengge holds a high position and commands respect. His words alone quell the scene. Jiang Ying and Zhuo Zhixuan are restrained by Qin Zhaoting and Chen Wan respectively—one breathing heavily, the other chest heaving. Zhao Shengge strides to the bedside. Only then does everyone notice—Tan Youming's face is already streaked with tears.

He seems hollowed out, devoid of any color. Even Zhao Shengge is taken aback.

He has never seen his childhood friend like this—like a tree without roots, duckweed adrift, as if the storm outside could carry him away the next second.

He makes a solemn promise: "Focus on recovering. I give you my word, I will find him and bring him back."

Tan Youming remains unresponsive. His body, in a state of shock, has shut down its ability to receive and process information. His gaze is vacant, clouded.

Zhao Shengge frowns silently, takes something from his pocket, and places it in Tan Youming's hand. "Look, what's this?"