C20 Giving Ye Cheng's Phone

"Alright, I'll help you."

Ye Cheng, having been paid, rummaged through his belongings and pulled out the half bottle of water he had left from the morning. Holding it up to the light, the clear mineral water slowly turned red in the sunlight before reverting back to its original color.

"Drink this," Ye Cheng offered the water to Xu Xiaoxiao.

Xu Xiaoxiao, who had witnessed the entire event, hesitated as she took the bottle, "Can I really drink this?"

It was clearly water that someone else had already drunk.

"If you don't trust me, you don't have to drink it. I can just give you your money back," Ye Cheng said, making a move to retrieve the bottle.

"No, no, no, I'll drink it," Xu Xiaoxiao insisted, snatching the bottle from Ye Cheng and gulping down the water. After finishing it, she felt no different, neither ill nor particularly well.

Was it ineffective?

When Xu Xiaoxiao looked up again, Ye Cheng had disappeared without a trace. She thought to herself that since the money was already spent, she might as well see if it worked, regardless of her doubts.

Wang Anshi, who had been observing from the corridor, had seen everything. Could it be that Ye Cheng truly possessed some extraordinary ability, even capable of healing?

At that moment, Chen Yangguang, having just completed his tasks, approached and clapped Wang Anshi on the shoulder, "What are you watching?"

"I was observing Ye Cheng. Director Chen, did Ye Cheng exhibit any unusual behavior when he was here at the hospital?"

"Unusual behavior?" Chen Yangguang pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "Everyone here is a patient. I'm not really sure about any peculiarities among them. Their actions are often incomprehensible to those of us who are well."

Indeed, the actions of those with mental illnesses are beyond the understanding of the mentally sound. So why then did Xu Xiaoxiao believe what Ye Cheng said?

With this thought, Wang Anshi turned and quickly walked away. He caught up with Xu Xiaoxiao just as she was about to get into her car, "Xu Xiaoxiao, please wait a moment."

Hearing him, Xu Xiaoxiao paused and turned to see Wang Anshi approaching. She promptly greeted him with respect, "Director Wang."

Wang Anshi gestured for her to relax. "I just have a few questions for you. There's no need to be overly anxious."

"What would you like to ask, Director Wang?"

"I'm curious about why you abruptly requested leave and then showed up at the psychiatric hospital to see Ye Cheng?"

Xu Xiaoxiao was a bit sheepish when confronted with the question. It was, after all, a personal issue. "I apologize, Director, but I sought out Ye Cheng for private reasons. May I refrain from discussing it?"

"Xu Xiaoxiao, it's crucial that you're transparent with me regarding matters that involve Ye Cheng. He plays a significant role in the Supernatural Bureau. I insist that you share the details with me."

Feeling a surge of responsibility as a Supernatural Bureau agent, Xu Xiaoxiao complied. "Director, I approached Ye Cheng because he noticed a health issue with me. Medical tests confirmed his observation, so I turned to him for assistance."

This revelation raised the question: did Ye Cheng give Xu Xiaoxiao something to cure her ailment? Did he possess such a skill?

"Very well, rejoin the team once you've fully recovered," Wang Anshi concluded.

Xu Xiaoxiao's explanation only deepened Wang Anshi's intrigue about Ye Cheng.

Upon returning to the hospital, Wang Anshi was surprised to find Ye Cheng, shirtless and clutching the Purple Fox, tumbling across the courtyard lawn. He hardly fit the image of a healer.

Ye Cheng, having spent several days in the mental hospital, felt increasingly robust. Concerned that Ye Cheng might grow restless and wander, Wang Anshi had books delivered to him, not anticipating that Ye Cheng would take their content to heart.

Ye Cheng spent his nights sitting at the hospital entrance, basking in the celestial energies, or poring over those books without end.

But with a recent incident involving a ghost attacking someone, Wang Anshi reluctantly sought advice from Chen Yangguang.

Upon learning of the situation, Director Chen slammed his fist on the table, his anger palpable. "This is unacceptable! You've seen Ye Cheng's poor state these past few days. If he ventures out again, who knows what might happen?"

"Director Chen, this is a matter of utmost importance. I'm not trying to pressure you, but please give me one more chance. I assure you that what happened last time will not recur," Wang Anshi implored earnestly.

Despite Wang Anshi's pleas, Chen Yangguang's response was unwavering—a firm "No."

Left with no alternative, Wang Anshi reluctantly backed down for the moment. He couldn't afford to overlook Ye Cheng; without him, they would have been at a loss to resolve the incidents at the Supernatural Bureau.

Observing Ye Cheng from a distance in the courtyard, an idea suddenly struck Wang Anshi. He quickly had his staff purchase a new smartphone and, once it arrived, he wasted no time in seeking out Ye Cheng.

During mealtime at the psychiatric hospital, Wang Anshi took a seat across from Ye Cheng, who was enjoying his meal. Sensing the gaze upon him, Ye Cheng cautiously slid his food tray closer to himself.

"Why are you watching me eat?" Ye Cheng asked, wary.

Wang Anshi grinned, sliding the smartphone across the table to Ye Cheng. "I'm giving you this phone. It'll make communication much easier. I've pre-installed all the necessary apps for you. If you need anything, just give me a call."

"A phone?" Ye Cheng eyed the device with confusion. "Why are you giving me this? I already have one." With that, he pulled out a soap box from his pocket.

At a loss for words, Wang Anshi reminded himself to stay calm and not to get worked up over a misunderstanding.

With a strained smile, he explained, "This is a new communicator developed by headquarters. If you continue using the old one, you'll lose touch with them."

"Really?" Ye Cheng's face lit up with delight, and he promptly discarded the soap box, cradling the smartphone in his hands. "That's fantastic! Headquarters has finally upgraded my communicator. The old one had such a poor signal."

Of course, the signal wasn't the issue—it was Ye Cheng's mistaken belief that the soap box was a communicator. Wang Anshi couldn't help but silently criticize the mix-up.

"Well, I should be going now. Remember, just call me if you need anything."

Wang Anshi breathed a sigh of relief when Ye Cheng accepted the smartphone. With the device in hand, he could locate Ye Cheng even if he didn't answer calls, ensuring that they would never again face the issue of Ye Cheng going missing.

Yet, merely half an hour later, Wang Anshi was second-guessing his decision. He should never have given Ye Cheng the phone!

After his meal, Ye Cheng began toying with the communicator. Upon finding Wang Anshi's contact information, he eagerly dialed the number.

When Wang Anshi saw Ye Cheng's name on the incoming call, he assumed there was some urgent matter. But upon answering, all he heard was a voice saying, "T300 calling T100. Please respond if you hear this."

Frowning, Wang Anshi inquired, "Ye Cheng, is there something you need?"

A beep sounded as the call abruptly ended on the other end.