Xu Dayuan humd twice, pulled over a chair to sit down, and held up a tablet in front of Zhou Ning. He couldn’t lift the tablet himself; after all, it would strain the stitches on his chest.
"The poet you found has really impressive skills, unbeatable in his field. Through the characteristics of this paralytic shellfish toxin, he found a variation of blue-green algae caused by red tides that can accumulate in Yesso scallops. Then he found so literature identifying three locations around Qindao where the toxic Yesso scallops can be collected.
After screening, we ca up with a list of laboratories that can conduct extraction experints and calculated the amounts needed for extraction and procurent. We found a laboratory that used to collaborate with Qindao Marine University. I just went to inspect it this morning, and it’s already empty. We are currently conducting investigations in the surrounding area."
Zhou Ning tilted his head to look at Xu Dayuan. He didn’t contradict Xu Dayuan. Peng Shinian had a doctorate in botany and entomology, while PSP, or rather the vector Yesso scallops, are related to biology and toxicology. The only close connection is with blue-green algae.
However, since an investigation was being ntioned, it ant that there were no traces to be found here, and the lab’s location was so secluded that there were no surveillance caras to check, allowing one to perfectly hide their tracks.
Zhou Ning squinted towards the window. Besides the photos, the tablet contained various findings from their inspection. The report was very detailed and, after reading it, Zhou Ning began to put together all the information in his mind.
"So, the assailant who attacked is about my height, and while I can’t estimate their age, they are calm and collected, able to lie in wait for hours without moving, numbing their pain with narcotics, and they have a wound or even a serious illness on their leg—an incurable chronic disease at that.
Maybe the person supplying the narcotics has ties to Fang Shengping’s network, but the assailant had access to a powerful crossbow and such a high-end, custom-made, pure PSP toxin, which could not have been extracted by just one or two individuals. The cost of extracting this toxin is also extrely high.
Such planning and the fact that the lab was conducting extractions last year, not just before we got involved with the case, ans that the PSP was not originally intended to kill . Now it remains to be seen whether the people controlling the lab are connected to Fang Shengping or, to be more precise, the Huajin Group.
If they are related, then the attack I suffered has to do with Fang Jinquan of Huajin Group. If not, then this might be a personal vendetta against ."
After saying this, Zhou Ning fell silent. Although the narcotics from Jinhua were a precedent, sothing in his gut kept telling him that Wang Guanli was involved, but of course, there was no need to ntion this to Xu Dayuan.
Xu Dayuan sighed, hugged his arms, and after a long pause, he spoke:
"Alright, your main task now is to rest well and let your body recover. Don’t worry too much about the case. I’m telling you all this just to put your mind at ease. We’ve been busy these past two days. As for Fang Shengping’s case, we have subjected him to several surprise interrogations, and he has confessed to his cris.
However, the case file has not yet been transferred to the judicial authorities because you were attacked, and Liu Yufei is still hospitalized. Mr. Hu’s idea is that there’s no rush, after all, we have to give Fang Jinquan so ti to see whom he turns to and whether the Jinhua Group is involved in any other issues. If there’s a whole nest of them."
Zhou Ning nodded. Although it sounded simple, the task was anything but easy, especially since Huajin Group was no ordinary company, and many issues needed to be considered.
"Then I’ll just obediently recover, but don’t hide any progress in the investigation from . Can you also give my phone?"
Xu Dayuan laughed, as if he wanted to pat Zhou Ning’s arm but quickly put his hand down; right now, Zhou Ning was untouchable.
"Just focus on getting better for now. He Shancun said before that if you were awake and stable, you could be transferred to a general ward, but I won’t pull the guard off. As for the case and your phone, I’ll have to check with He Shancun before I give you an answer. Alright, I won’t disturb your rest anymore."
Zhou Ning did not ask him to stay, as he felt drowsy and soon drifted back to sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already dark outside, and his surroundings had completely changed. On his right, Xia Momo was lying there, her long hair spread across the bed—it looked like he had been moved to a general ward, but there was only one bed in the room.
Seemingly sensing Zhou Ning’s movent, Xia Momo sat up, rubbed her eyes, and gave Zhou Ning a gentle, tender smile.
"You’re awake. I’ve made so seafood porridge. Would you like so now?"
"Yes."
Xia Momo got up, happily served the seafood porridge, tested the temperature, and then spooned a biteful to Zhou Ning’s mouth. Zhou Ning was a little embarrassed to be fed like this for the first ti since adulthood, and Xia Momo rolled her eyes at him, saying with a laugh:
"Don’t be shy, you’re not a child. What’s there to be embarrassed about? Open up, I’ll feed you."
Zhou Ning’s stomach rumbled inappropriately. He quickly closed his eyes. It wasn’t just that he was really hungry now, but he also felt like his blood sugar was low, and he was quite dizzy. Reluctantly, he opened his mouth as the porridge reached his lips.
The warm porridge, with its perfect combination of carbs and seafood, stimulated Zhou Ning’s taste buds, and his stomach rumbled even louder. Without much need to chew, the porridge slid down his throat, seemingly soothing his sore throat considerably.
Zhou Ning opened his eyes and, forgetting his embarrassnt, continued to eat bite by bite. Before long, Xia Momo’s insulated container was nearly empty. She got up, looked inside, and started laughing happily.
"Your appetite seems good. Your aunt just texted asking what you want for breakfast tomorrow? He Shancun said that anything soft and mushy is fine, but rice is still off-limits."
Zhou Ning thought for a mont and shook his head slightly.
"I don’t know, maybe a seafood risotto? Aunt’s version is unmatched by any restaurant."
Momo held up a damp washcloth and gently wiped Zhou Ning’s mouth, then cleaned his face one more ti after washing it.
"Alright, I’ll ntion it to Second Aunt in a bit. My mom also asked if you could have so at tonight, she wants to stew oxtail soup for you. This treatnt seems almost like you’re on maternity leave," she said with a light chuckle.
It appeared that after being fed by Momo, Zhou Ning no longer felt so shy; he was literally lying flat, struggling to move even a little bit. Having had a bit of porridge, he felt a bit of strength returning.
"Don’t be jealous, this is the son-in-law treatnt. I love the soup, but it’s just too botherso, especially since your ho is so far away and bringing it here and back is exhausting."
Momo rolled her eyes, picked up her phone, and sent two voice ssages. The first was for her mother, Mrs. Xia, and the second for Second Aunt. Momo had also taken the liberty of deciding on the lunch nu. After setting down the phone, Momo stood up, mixed half a bottle of mineral water with hot water, thoughtfully inserted a straw, and handed it to Zhou Ning, the other hand holding an electric toothbrush.
"Co on, let’s rinse and brush your teeth."
"I can do it myself," Zhou Ning replied.
Momo pressed down Zhou Ning’s left hand.
"Stay put. He Shancun said no moving around just yet. Wait until after the check-up tomorrow. If the wound is healing well, you can try getting out of bed and moving a bit. But we need to minimize activity with your right hand for now."
Zhou Ning had a resigned look on his face but remained compliant while Momo brushed his teeth. After the cleaning, he felt refreshed all over. However, just accommodating Momo’s actions made him break out in sweat—his body felt weak after the surgery!
Just then, he felt an urgent need to urinate, which made him open his eyes and look around. He noticed the urinary catheter bag that had been beside him when he woke up was gone, which caught him by surprise and also made him more frantic. What should he do now?
When Momo ca back after cleaning the thermos, she saw Zhou Ning looking around as if he was searching for sothing.
"What are you looking for? I’ll help you find it," she offered.
Zhou Ning shook his head vigorously.
"Nothing, what ti is it? Has Mr. He gone ho? Call him for , ask him to rush over, I need to talk to him about sothing," Zhou Ning said, trying to deflect.
Momo looked at Zhou Ning with confusion, studying him closely.
"What do you need him for? You’ve been unconscious for almost two days; it was Mr. He taking care of you. When I got here, he was absolutely exhausted. He left after giving a quick update. Should I call the nurse if you’re not feeling well?"
Zhou Ning shook his head, feeling even more urgency to urinate under Momo’s scrutinizing gaze.
"Please stop looking. I’m in a regular ward, right? Director Xu said this afternoon that there should be a police guard at the door. Call a male officer in; it isn’t convenient for you."
Momo paused for a mont and then instantly grasped the situation.
"You need to use the bathroom, right? What’s there to be shy about? The catheter fell out when you left the ICU. He Shancun thought it was no longer necessary to keep it in. Also, he said that you can now try moving around beside the bed. I can help you to the bathroom. Of course, if you don’t think you can get up, I can assist you."
As she spoke, Momo crouched down, found a urinal, and began to lift the covers.
Zhou Ning was startled by her sudden move and flailed his arms, trying to stop her, but in his haste, he overstretched his wound, breaking out into a cold sweat.
"No, don’t... show you now. You wouldn’t understand a man’s anatomy. Please, Momo, go call soone from the door for . I can’t pee with you watching."
Momo let out a sigh, put the urinal down, and stood up to leave the room. She didn’t delay, as Zhou Ning had turned pale from his recent struggle.
Shortly after, a police officer that Zhou Ning didn’t recognize entered. Seeing Zhou Ning trying to recall who he was, the officer smiled, ran to Zhou Ning’s bed, picked up a pair of slippers, and helped Zhou Ning put them on after flipping back the covers. Then he carefully adjusted Zhou Ning’s sitting position and gently helped him lower his legs to the floor.
"Director Zhou, you can call Mr. Liu. I’m from the public security brigade. Mr. Liang sent to look after you, since everyone at your departnt is too busy. The previous case is still under investigation, and Liu Da is also hospitalized, so we are short on hands. Do you need to support you?"
Zhou Ning shook his head, wary of making any substantial movents with his arm.
"Thank you, I’m just not used to having my girlfriend take care of . Just lend a hand, I’ll try to stand up on my own."
Zhou Ning tried twice and finally managed to stand, albeit shakily. Perhaps it was because he had been lying down for two days, but his feet felt like they were stepping on cotton, and he kept wobbling. Mr. Liu was startled and yelled for assistance from outside the door.
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