Forbidden Land – CH 124

When Zhang Chao returned, he forgot that he hadn’t gotten the answer as to why they were wearing black clothes and their faces were made up white. What did that have to do with a funeral procession?

However, he was too embarrassed to call Li Zheng rashly. After all, he was the boss of a large company. Even if Zhang Chao had no connection with him, such a title commanded respect in society, and he dared not call him casually.

The next day was Sunday. Zhang Chao slept until almost noon when the phone rang. He answered and heard a familiar voice. “Zhang Chao? This is Du Xuemin. Do you remember me?”

Zhang Chao replied quickly, “Of course, I remember, Professor Du. Why are you calling me?”

Du Xuemin said, “Last time you were at the hospital, you were halfway through a hypnosis session, and a part of your memory hasn’t returned. I’ve been busy these past few days and forgot about it. Would it be convenient for you to come over this afternoon?”

Zhang Chao was naturally eager to know what that forgotten memory was, but then he thought, wouldn’t it be quite awkward to see Chen Rong at the hospital? He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Is Chen…Chen Rong at work this afternoon?”

~

See less ads by logging in.

~

“Chen Rong?” Du Xuemin was taken aback. “Is something wrong between you two?”

Zhang Chao thought for a moment. He wasn’t familiar with Du Xuemin, so there was no need to discuss breakups or anything like that. He replied, “No, nothing.”

Du Xuemin said, “If anything’s wrong, just tell me. Chen Rong is on unpaid leave; she’s taken a long vacation, and she won’t say what she’s been doing. If you know anything, please tell me.”

Zhang Chao said, “Okay.” He gave a casual reply and arranged to meet in the afternoon. Then he got up to eat.

In the afternoon, Zhang Chao drove to the Seventh Hospital. Professor Du Xuemin was already waiting for him, and beside him was a man who looked to be around forty years old.

Professor Du Xuemin introduced him: “This is Professor Lin from the School of Medicine. He heard about your intermittent amnesia and found it quite strange. He’d like to conduct some research on it. If you don’t mind, we two can work together to treat you. Is that alright?”

Zhang Chao glanced at Professor Lin. The professor had a serious face, but his expression was surprisingly kind, and he smiled at Zhang Chao. Zhang Chao didn’t object, saying, “It’s alright; I guess this is my small contribution to the medical field.”

Du Xuemin nodded and, before entering the hypnosis room, asked again, “Zhang, what happened between you and Chen Rong?”

Although Zhang Chao had broken up with Chen Rong, he wouldn’t reveal her past; that would be tantamount to ruining her life. Suddenly, a thought struck him: what if Du Xuemin asked about Chen Rong during the hypnosis? If he blurted things out unconsciously, it would be terrible for Chen Rong. He quickly said, “Professor Du, this…this is my private matter. Is it alright if I don’t tell you?”

Du Xuemin said, “Hehe, if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to. Chen Rong is my student; I’m just trying to understand and care. Since it’s your private matter, you don’t need to tell me.”

Zhang Chao said, “During the hypnosis, you…you won’t ask me things like that, will you?”

Du Xuemin quickly smiled and dispelled his thoughts, saying, “Don’t worry about that. This has nothing to do with your illness, and we definitely won’t pry into your private matters. During the hypnosis, just relax, like last time, and don’t be nervous.”

Du Xuemin and Professor Lin led Zhang Chao into the hypnosis room and, following the usual procedure, hypnotized him.

First, they asked a few basic questions, gradually leading Zhang Chao’s thoughts into the scene of the School of Medicine. Then, Du Xuemin slowly said, “Now, you’re on the sixth floor of the School of Medicine, on the sixth floor of the School of Medicine, right?”

Zhang Chao answered, “Yes.”

Du Xuemin continued, “What do you see now?”

Zhang Chao’s expression suddenly became conflicted, and he stammered, “A woman, a woman in white…”

Du Xuemin said, “Where is the woman? ;

Zhang Chao said uneasily, “The corner, the corner…”

Du Xuemin asked, “Where are you standing now?”

Zhang Chao said with difficulty, “The stairs…the corner.”

Du Xuemin’s eyes lit up. “How far is the woman from you?”

~

See less ads by logging in.

~

Zhang Chao said in a trembling voice, “To my right, right to my right.”

Du Xuemin glanced at Professor Lin. “Do you smell anything?”

Zhang Chao’s face contorted in confusion. After hesitating for a long time, he said, “It stinks; it smells a bit.”

Professor Lin narrowed his eyes and looked at Du Xuemin. Du Xuemin nodded. “Where is the stench coming from?”

Zhang Chao said, “Beside me, the woman…”

Professor Lin seemed a little agitated. “Are you face-to-face?”

Zhang Chao’s expression was horribly distorted. He said in a trembling voice, “I turned my head, and she…she turned her head too. Ah!—” Zhang Chao cried out, jolting awake again. He was drenched in cold sweat.

Du Xuemin and Professor Lin quickly helped him sit up and poured him a glass of cold water. Zhang Chao gasped for breath, and after a long while, he finally said, “Professor Du, it seems…it seems I still can’t remember.”

Du Xuemin nodded understandingly and said, “It’s alright; it’s okay if you can’t remember. Calm down first.”

Professor Lin said, “You are too tired; you need to rest.”

Du Xuemin and Professor Lin led Zhang Chao to the office, and Professor Lin closed the door.

Du Xuemin poured Zhang Chao tea and offered him snacks, hoping he would calm down. Zhang Chao felt a little strange and abrupt being treated like this by two prominent professors, and he felt embarrassed.

Du Xuemin smiled and said, “Don’t be so polite. Xiao Zhang, I’d like to ask you a few questions, but I don’t know if it’s convenient for you to answer…”

Zhang Chao said, “Professor Du, please ask away. I’ll answer everything I know.”

Du Xuemin smiled, then seemingly casually asked Zhang Chao a question that shocked him greatly. “Recently, um, Xiao Zhang, have you had any sexual activity?”

~

See less ads by logging in.

~