Chapter 66 - 62: The Doctor
Building 8, Unit 2, Apartment 401.
Watching Qin Ziwu walk away, Zhao Shuheng looked at Zhao Pu. "Dad, it’s not dangerous, is it?"
Zhao Pu patted his son’s head. "We’re just moving something. What’s so dangerous about that? This is an opportunity."
A flash of worry crossed Zhao Shuheng’s eyes. "Dad, we’re moving a body! Didn’t you hear the noises from outside just now?"
Zhao Pu chuckled. "Your old man is a doctor. I’ve seen more dead people than all of you combined. What’s the big deal? The fact that they’re asking us to move a body proves they’re short on people."
Zhao Shuheng looked at his father’s white hair, pressed his lips together, and nodded.
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Building 8, Unit 2, Apartment 601.
The man’s voice trembled. "Honey, should... should we go? If we help move the body, won’t that make us accomplices?"
Although the woman was also a little scared, she gritted her teeth. "We’re going. We have to."
The man asked his wife, torn, "Why do we have to? There are so many residents in this building. If we don’t go, how would they even know?"
...
"I might not remember who showed up, but I’ll remember exactly who didn’t." Qin Ziwen handed Deng Guang a small notebook. "Brother Guang, please register the neighbors who came to help. We can’t let them help for nothing."
Footsteps sounded from downstairs. Xiao Xuemei walked in front, with Guo Xiaochun following close behind.
Upon seeing Qin Ziwen, the smile on Guo Xiaochun’s face grew even more enthusiastic. He quickened his pace, entered Apartment 602, leaned forward, and extended both hands.
"Brother Qin! Whatever you need, just say the word."
"Here, have a seat. You’re the one who sells information, right?" Qin Ziwen brought him a stool.
Only after Qin Ziwen was seated did Guo Xiaochun sit down. He said humbly, "Oh, I wouldn’t dare call it ’selling information.’ Let’s just call it ’information resource sharing.’"
Qin Ziwen laced his fingers together. "I’m sure someone is interested in what happened here today. I’m prepared to give you some first-hand, authentic information."
Guo Xiaochun laughed. "Haha, that would be wonderful."
Qin Ziwen then recounted the day’s events in detail.
Guo Xiaochun slapped his thigh repeatedly as he listened, filled with righteous indignation. "That’s outrageous! To think there are people like that! Instead of getting an honest job, they insist on being parasitic thieves. Then, after getting caught stealing, they try to kill the witness to silence them! It’s a good thing Brother Qin was a step ahead. Scum like that get what they deserve!"
Guo Xiaochun stood up and beat his chest. "Don’t you worry, Brother Qin. I’ll make sure the truth of the matter gets out there."
"That would be a lot of trouble for you." Qin Ziwen handed him a black plastic bag.
Guo Xiaochun took the plastic bag. It felt heavy in his hand, a weighty show of sincerity. He couldn’t help but proclaim, "I don’t have many virtues, but my sense of justice is off the charts. I just can’t stand to see good people wronged."
The two men looked at each other and smiled. Everything was understood without a word.
"Brother Guo, I’d like to ask about something. Are there any large groups or organizations in the Gated Community right now?"
Guo Xiaochun understood what Qin Ziwen was asking. He thought carefully for a moment. "I’m not sure what your standard for a ’large group’ is.
"But as far as I know, the folks over in Building Two have formed a Mutual Aid Association. Basically, most of the families in the two units of Building Two have joined. It’s over a hundred people in total. That group selling soil in the Gated Community recently? That’s them."
Realization dawned on Qin Ziwen. So the ’sell-soil’ campaign that had been causing such a stir the past couple of days was their doing.
Guo Xiaochun continued, "Besides the Mutual Aid Association, there are plenty of smaller teams, groups of a few families, maybe a dozen or so, banded together. The main issue, really, is trust.
"It’s not like it used to be. Before, if an old person fell, plenty of kind-hearted people would rush to help them up. Now, if an old person falls, everyone just whips out their phones to record it, to avoid any liability.
"When I was a student, I saw someone begging and even gave them some of my living expenses. Now when I see a beggar, my first reaction is that it’s a scammer trying to trick me out of money."
At this, Guo Xiaochun sighed wistfully. "This trust between people... I don’t know when it started, but it feels like it just vanished one day. Brother Qin, I can tell you’re a man destined for great things. I’m not one for flattery, but I truly believe that only someone like you—ruthless, with a kind face but a dark heart—can actually get things done."
Qin Ziwen’s face darkened. ’What do you mean, ruthless? What do you mean, a kind face but a dark heart? You’d better explain yourself clearly.’
Noticing the change in Qin Ziwen’s expression, Guo Xiaochun gave a sly chuckle. "Brother, I mean it as a compliment, really. I’m praising you. I’ve seen some big bosses, and the ones who make it are rarely simple-minded. The naive ones, the ’silly, white, and sweet’ types, they get eaten alive during the start-up process, not even a bone left to pick."
"Brother Qin, rest assured, I’ll be sure to pay extra attention to any information related to you in the future. I also hope to earn your friendship and, when the time comes, a bit of your protection."
Qin Ziwen extended his right hand. Guo Xiaochun quickly put down the bag and shook it.
After Guo Xiaochun left, Qin Ziwu came over. "Brother, it’s all taken care of."
"Where did you dump it?"
"In the river."
Deng Guang said grimly, "If you two keep this up, I won’t even dare to fish in that river anymore."
Qin Ziwen sounded a little nostalgic. "It has been a while since I’ve gone fishing."
In truth, what he really wanted to do was net fish. Fishing with a rod was too slow. ’If only I could get my hands on a wire mesh net, that would be much more efficient.’
Deng Guang handed the small notebook to Qin Ziwen. "I’ve registered everyone who came. Almost all the neighbors from our building showed up. Only Granny Li from 202 is too old and has trouble getting around, so Xiaowu didn’t let her come."
Qin Ziwen was a little surprised. "So no one actually refused to come?"
Deng Guang said, "At first, some people were just watching from the sidelines, but once more people started coming out, the rest followed suit."
Qin Ziwen understood. "Let’s go. Time to meet my neighbors."
In Apartment 801, residents were coming and going.
Some were carrying away a comforter, others had their eyes on pots and pans, and some were eyeing the electronics.
The bloodstains in the room had been cleaned, but traces of blood were still hidden in corners and crevices.
When they saw Qin Ziwen approach, some greeted him while others averted their gaze.
Zhao Pu walked over. "Hello."
Qin Ziwu whispered in his brother’s ear, "He was the first one to come out and help move the body. He’s got guts, doesn’t seem scared at all."
Qin Ziwen extended his hand. "Dr. Zhao, hello. Thank you for your trouble."
Zhao Pu took his hand, replying politely, "It was my duty. If the body was left out for a long time, it could breed bacteria and viruses, even cause a plague. This was for the good of everyone."
After a moment of deliberation, Zhao Pu looked steadily at Qin Ziwen and offered his services. "Mr. Qin, if I may ask, is your team in need of a doctor? I used to be an attending general surgeon."
Qin Ziwen seized on the key word. "Used to be?"
Zhao Pu lowered his eyes bitterly. "I resigned after a medical malpractice incident."
Qin Ziwen smiled faintly. "It doesn’t matter. ’To err is human.’ I’m sure you didn’t want that accident to happen, Dr. Zhao. Welcome to the team."
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