Hospital 444
Chapter 187 - 14 Belief

Chapter 187: Chapter 14 Belief

Han Ming readily agreed to his request, leaving Dai Lin somewhat caught off guard.

"I haven’t even said what it is yet?"

"It doesn’t matter." Han Ming motioned for Dai Lin to sit, "Your coming to me implies that, for you, this matter is within my power to address, and at the same time, it is a choice made out of utter desperation. You could have reached out to me indirectly through someone else to avoid drawing attention from the Yiwuque Sect, but you chose to come directly to me, indicating the urgency of the matter. You should also know that you are very special to me."

"I am not part of your sect; I would not do anything to harm Vice President Yin Wuque. Apart from that, I can agree to any condition you might have," Dai Lin said, and after a moment’s thought, he added, "Including sending me on a mission as dangerous as the last one."

Han Ming started to size up Dai Lin.

"What is it you want me to do?"

"There are two patients; I’m not sure about the nature of the curse. I hope you can arrange for doctors to treat them outside the hospital."

If they were admitted for treatment, no matter what department they registered with, Lu Wen could easily find Luo Ren.

"Why not go to Vice President Yin? Why trust me over him?"

Dai Lin replied with neither servility nor overbearance, "I cannot tell you the reason, but I am in a difficult position."

To be fair, Dai Lin’s current actions seemed no different from those of an ingrate. Even though the Yiwuque Sect had been of great help to him, he preferred to turn to Han Ming.

But Dai Lin had weighed his options over and over... Liang Zhigao knew the secret of the mysterious patient code; he had no need to lie to Zhang Bei. Inside the Gao family villa, Gao Yunyi’s words had also greatly concerned him. There was also Lu Wen’s abnormal behavior and more...

Dai Lin couldn’t gamble with Luo Ren and his mother’s lives; otherwise, he would be letting down Dr. Luo!

Han Ming began to ponder.

Dai Lin did not urge him.

"Dai Lin."

"Vice President Han?"

"Answer me one question. Why do humans often know that what they are doing is wrong, even sinful, yet still proceed to do it?"

Although Dai Lin didn’t know why Han Ming would ask such a question, he still answered, "For the sake of interests, or hatred, people’s reason can be blinded."

"So you think a rational person would not make mistakes?"

"No... Of course not. Sometimes, people naturally hurt others for their own benefit."

"Then, how do you think the human heart crosses the line between... good and evil?"

As Han Ming spoke, he lifted his hand and softly traced a line on the desk with his fingertip.

"I believe that most people in this world..."

Han Ming pointed to the left of the line.

"... firmly believe they will always stand on this good side of the boundary, absolutely never crossing the middle line, firmly believing they are as far from all evil as heaven is from earth."

Dai Lin faintly sensed that Han Ming was about to ask him to do something that violated his conscience and morals.

"Vice President Han Ming, I’ve said that I won’t do..."

"So why do they so firmly believe they will forever stand on the good side of the line?"

Han Ming lifted his finger and slowly moved it to the right side.

"Because they fail to realize that what they loathe and reject is not ’evil,’ but rather all ’darkness’ that is not in their favor. The universal concept of evil is anything that potentially harms the interests of the majority."

Dai Lin could only patiently listen as Han Ming offered him this twisted pep talk.

"However, individual interests cannot always align with collective interests. When the public’s notion of evil aligns with their own interests, they will unconsciously slip to the other side of the line. Then, to rationalize their behavior, they create new boundaries between good and evil, followed by social Darwinism, Machiavellianism, traitors condemning nationalism, egoists highlighting supposed human rights, democracy, freedom..."

Han Ming then spread his hands and said, "You should understand, when you stare into the Abyss, the Abyss stares back at you. I’m just reminding you, once you slide to the other side of the line, there’s no turning back."

Dai Lin looked at the tabletop and suddenly laughed.

"Vice President Han seems to know a thing or two about philosophy. But the reality of human nature is far more complicated than you imagine."

"It’s not complicated. In this hospital, there is no middle ground. You are either a friend or a deadly enemy. Elsewhere, allies and enemies can transform into one another, but here, it’s impossible. You and Yin Wuque do not really share the same interests."

"I won’t..."

"This has nothing to do with Yin Wuque’s personal will."

Then, Han Ming stood up and said, "Tonight, a doctor will come to you and give you a letter. This letter can only be opened after my death. If you accept this letter, I’ll help you with all my might. That’s my condition. But once you open the letter, what you’ll see and on which side of this dividing line you’ll find yourself, I won’t tell you in advance. Of course, if I don’t die, you won’t need to open the letter, and naturally, there will be no price to pay. This is my only condition to help you."

"A letter?"

"Of course, you’re not the only one to receive this letter," Han Ming continued, gesturing for Dai Lin to leave. "You don’t have to rush your answer. The doctor coming tonight will give you the letter. Accept the letter, and he’ll provide free consultation for that patient. Refuse the letter, and consider all negotiations void. Of course... I can’t promise a cure. Now, you just need to tell me where my man can find you."

"Wait a minute, I haven’t described the patient’s condition yet?"

"You can rest assured about the person I’m sending."

...

Time passed.

Luo Ren’s mother had still not woken up.

At seven in the evening.

Dai Lin sat in a Western-style restaurant, waiting for the doctor dispatched by Han Ming.

Soon.

A person walked into the restaurant.

The identity of the new arrival was somewhat unexpected to Dai Lin.

Deputy Director of the Department of Fierce Spirits — Li Bolin!

He walked over to Dai Lin and took a seat.

"Director Li?"

Li Bolin held a Bible to his chest and said, "Dr. Dai, have you made up your mind?"

Dai Lin nodded.

"Give me the letter."

Li Bolin placed the Bible on the table and opened it.

The letter was within one of its pages.

"The way of redemption lies within," Li Bolin pointed at the letter.

"Um, Director Li..."

"Yes?"

"I’ve seen ’The Shawshank Redemption’."

"Good films always have many viewers. The Oscar jurors really lacked vision, insisting on awarding the prize to ’Forrest Gump’."

Dai Lin took the letter.

He had thought the letter would be sealed with lacquer, but it seemed it could be opened at any time.

"You won’t be able to open the letter before Vice President Han meets God," said Li Bolin.

"Director Li, I’ve accepted the letter. So... what about you?"

"Take me to see the patient," Li Bolin closed the Bible and made the sign of the cross over his chest, "May God bless him, Amen."

The reason Dai Lin had not agreed to meet at the hospital was that he still harbored some concerns. But seeing Li Bolin’s sincerity, he had no choice but to trust him.

That both deputy directors of the Department of Fierce Spirits had come to help him!

He himself found the situation beyond belief!