Chapter 1042: Chapter 1012:
Chapter 1012:
Ye Chen relaxed his vigilance and followed the two as they walked out. A black military-plated Audi was parked outside the airport terminal building. Ye Chen, seeing this Audi, trusted nearly ninety percent of what the two said. He quickly boarded the Audi, and the three hurriedly left the airport.
The Audi sped along without any stops, even running red lights. When encountering traffic jams, it simply raced onto the sidewalk and sped down the pedestrian path. In Beijing, such privileged cars are numerous, but having a special military plate like that of the Audi is one in ten thousand. Of course, many people don’t have a deep understanding of privileged cars—they only know it’s a white plate with a string of zeros at the front. They recognize its uniqueness, but no one can say why it’s unique.
The Audi’s speed was swift, and in the blink of an eye, it entered an underground parking lot. The two led Ye Chen down a dark passage, heading into an elevator that locked directly onto the top floor.
Squeak…
The elevator started with a violent tremor and then rapidly ascended. The speed was quick.
This was a secret facility for Central leaders’ medical treatment. To prevent spies from other countries from discovering it, all Central bosses with specific military ranks are arranged to be treated here. It not only has advanced medical equipment but also top-notch doctors. They are specially trained by the country, wholeheartedly loyal and devoted to serving the nation. Their families are fully protected.
Soon, the elevator stopped at the top floor. Stepping out of the elevator, there were several armed soldiers at the entrance. A dark-skinned man took out a pass from his pocket and handed it over, saying, “This is the pass, please check!”
“Permission granted!” The soldier nodded.
The two men in black directly led Ye Chen into the corridor, walking deep inside. The lighting was good, but unfortunately, Ye Chen never had a chance to see the outside situation, and he didn’t even know the current location. From the way they walked, the location seemed remote, but that made sense, since it had to remain concealed to stay hidden.
Otherwise, regular entry and exit of vehicles would surely arouse suspicion, especially with soldiers appearing—it would definitely catch people’s attention. Ye Chen followed the two men until they stopped outside a ward. The dark-skinned man glanced at Ye Chen and said, “Mr. Ye, you should go in alone. Mr. Pang probably doesn’t want to see us!”
“Okay!” Ye Chen nodded and then pushed the door to enter.
The ward was spacious, surrounded by various medical instruments, large and small—some Ye Chen understood, others he didn’t. In the center of the room was a hospital bed. The farthest part of the ward had sofas, a coffee table, and a bookshelf filled with stacks of books. In that corner, there was a hint of home. Mr. Pang lay on the central bed, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, and Ye Chen wasn’t sure if he was asleep.
He walked over quietly, glanced at him, and said softly, “Old man, are you asleep?”
“Brat, I knew you were here when you first came in, cough cough…” Mr. Pang started coughing violently before he finished speaking. Ye Chen quickly raised the bed and began to pat his back. He grinned, “Old man, your temper is still fiery despite being so ill. Can’t you mellow a bit?”
“Humph, you brat!” Mr. Pang snorted coldly, “I’m not happy with you. Tell me, have you visited me all these years? Did you even call me during the New Year?”
Ye Chen was instantly dumbfounded. He indeed forgot to call Mr. Pang this New Year. Ye Chen smiled awkwardly, “Old man, I… I was wrong. Is that not good enough? Next year, I’ll definitely call you, and a lot, promising a call every day without fail!”
“Sigh…” Mr. Pang sighed, weakly getting down from the bed, and Ye Chen cautiously assisted him, advising, “Old man, your illness isn’t better yet, why the hurry?”
“Kid, I must tell you, I might not make it to next spring!” Mr. Pang confessed.
“Why?” Ye Chen was surprised, deeply shocked by Mr. Pang’s words.
“Why? Ha, because I have a terminal illness!” Mr. Pang walked a few steps and then pressed a remote control, the blinds slowly opened. His gaze was firm, never afraid of the pain and suffering from illnesses. He stood by the window, the light reflected his stance like a War God statue. This light quickly swallowed Ye Chen’s shadow.
“No, impossible, old man, you must be lying to me, right?” Ye Chen asked in amazement.
“Why would I lie to you?” Mr. Pang smiled lightly, “Stage-four lung cancer, sigh… some things arrive unprepared. I’m not afraid of death; I just have many things left undone. This country still needs me!”
“Old man, no… you’re lying! I don’t believe it!” Ye Chen shook his head vigorously.
“Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth!” Mr. Pang seriously looked at Ye Chen and said, “Today, I called you here to tell you something of great importance. Some matters need you to finish them. Can you do it?”
“You… say it!” Ye Chen tried to calm himself, but couldn’t accept Mr. Pang’s revelation. In his memory, Mr. Pang was a robust and healthy person, so he couldn’t accept it.
“Firstly, I must remind you again: the Church Court is your enemy who murdered your parents. They killed your father and mother.” Mr. Pang looked earnestly at Ye Chen, “Whether to avenge them is up to you. I’m just reminding you, ‘A father-killing hatred is irreconcilable under heaven.'”
“I… I understand!” Ye Chen nodded, “I will definitely avenge them!”
“Secondly, your reputation can completely deter the world!” Mr. Pang looked earnestly at Ye Chen, “So, I hope you can succeed me. Although I can’t immediately grant you a general rank, you can follow the protocol and succeed your father’s position. When I pass, I’ll ensure you genuinely succeed me. What’s your opinion?”
“No way!” Ye Chen shook his head firmly, “I’m not interested in being an official. I’ve seen through China’s political scene long ago!”
“Yes, you’re not interested. But some things aren’t decided by your own interest!” Mr. Pang sternly looked at Ye Chen, “There are many corrupt officials in China, indeed, but the Central is always tough on corruption. Your rise is a deterrent to many, so I hope you understand!”
“I’m too young!” Ye Chen shook his head.
“Youth is good. China’s political scene indeed needs fresh blood. As they say, ‘A newborn calf doesn’t fear tigers!'” Mr. Pang chuckled, slowly walking to Ye Chen and patting his shoulder, “Ye Chen, my time is short. Please consider!”
“You called me here for this?” Ye Chen asked with doubt.
“Yes!” Mr. Pang nodded.
“Actually, I’m more concerned about your illness than your power!” Ye Chen sighed, “Someone your ill might have many coveting your power, right? Are you handing it to me? Isn’t that pushing me into a pit of fire?”
“Ha, you’re clever, I believe you can get through it!” Mr. Pang laughed heartily.
“Who knows, if I don’t get through, won’t I come to meet you?” Ye Chen jested.
“Good, you brat, are you wishing me an early death?” Mr. Pang quickly got angry, though it was playful. Soon, Mr. Pang calmed down and said, “Forget it, I’m too an early death candidate. Perhaps I won’t make it to next spring!”
“No, old man, medicine is so advanced now, you can live to a hundred years!” Ye Chen quickly reassured.
“Even the best medicine can’t cure my illness!” Mr. Pang weakly sat back on the bed and lay down. Within moments, he was gasping heavily, stage-four lung cancer, it ultimately leads to death. No matter the medical advancements, there’s no cure for such a disease.
Mr. Pang didn’t want futile treatments; radiation and chemotherapy cause serious harm to the body, accompanied by immense pain, like struggling on the brink of death—pitiful, innocent. Mr. Pang never yielded to anyone throughout his life. He went to the battlefield, killed enemies, and, in the Korean War, killed more than ten American Soldiers.