Chapter Summaries

Li Jun led Monkey and his unconscious sister Hou Xiaoya out of Ankang Hospital, forcing their way past doctors and security guards who tried to block them. The group left in a convoy of black Hummers, with Hou Xiaoya safely in one of the vehicles.

• Li Jun led dozens of men through Ankang Hospital as Monkey pushed Hou Xiaoya’s wheelchair.
• Doctor Qin and other doctors, backed by hospital security guards, blocked the route to the lobby and demanded that the group stop.
• Two of Li Jun’s underlings drew machetes and threatened the crowd, causing the guards and doctors to move aside.
• Li Jun led the group through the lobby and out of the hospital while Monkey followed with Hou Xiaoya.
• Monkey placed Hou Xiaoya in a black Hummer, and Li Jun’s convoy drove away into the city.

After Hou Xiaoya was transferred to Professor Liu Mingyuan’s hospital, Li Jun took Monkey away to keep him from drawing police attention and prepared a story explaining their connection. Police officers then found them at a restaurant and asked which one was Hou Jun.

• Li Jun and Monkey brought the unconscious Hou Xiaoya to Professor Liu Mingyuan, who arranged for her to be examined and admitted.
• Li Jun had two men guard Hou Xiaoya and urged Monkey to call his parents before leaving with him.
• Li Jun took Monkey to a restaurant, where he told him to claim that Monkey had borrowed money from him the previous September.
• Three Changyang Police Station officers entered the private room and asked which man was Hou Jun.

Police officers summoned Hou Jun and accused him and Li Jun of disrupting operations at Ankang Hospital, but lawyer Zhou Wenyuan arrived as they were about to take them in. The lead officer recognized Zhou’s law firm and realized the case might be more complicated than it seemed.

• The lead officer checked Hou Jun’s identity and ordered him to accompany the police for questioning about the incident at Ankang Hospital.
• The officer asked whether Li Jun had been involved, and Li Jun admitted he had visited the hospital but denied causing trouble.
• The lead officer checked Li Jun’s records and accused him of taking part in the disruption, ordering him to come to the police station.
• Zhou Wenyuan arrived, identified himself as a senior partner at Junyue Law Firm, and showed the officer his credentials.
• The lead officer recognized Zhou Wenyuan and became wary about taking Hou Jun and Li Jun away.

Lawyer Zhou Wenyuan challenged the officers’ authority to take Li Jun and Hou Jun to the station without warrants, so they agreed to question them at the restaurant. After Hou Jun gave the prepared account of his hospital visit and debt, Li Jun came in for questioning, appearing calm and defiant.

• Zhou Wenyuan asked whether the officers had a compulsory summons or arrest warrant and argued they could question Li Jun and Hou Jun at the scene instead.
• Captain Li agreed to conduct the inquiry at the restaurant and arranged to question Li Jun and Hou Jun separately.
• Zhou Wenyuan told his clients to cooperate, then left the private room.
• Hou Jun answered Captain Li’s questions, claiming he had visited Ankang Hospital with his creditor, Li Jun, and knew little about the men in black.
• After Hou Jun signed his interview record, Li Jun entered the room and sat down with a brazenly relaxed air, prompting Captain Li to expect a difficult inquiry.

Li Jun deflected Captain Li’s questions about Hou Jun’s loan and the hospital incident, producing an incomplete IOU and denying responsibility for the armed men. He left the interrogation confident that the evidence would not easily connect him to their actions.

• Li Jun claimed he could not remember meeting Hou Jun, then showed Captain Li a photo of Hou Jun’s eight-hundred-thousand-yuan IOU with no lender named.
• Li Jun said he had gone to Ankang Hospital to check whether Hou Jun had used the money to help his sister, and blamed the large group’s presence on employees acting on their own.
• Captain Li confronted Li Jun with hospital footage showing two men from the convoy carrying restricted blades and threatening staff and security guards.
• Li Jun denied knowing the two men and suggested they might have been employees’ children carrying prop knives.
• Li Jun relied on the two young men’s clean records and the lack of serious harm, believing the incident would be difficult to use against him.

Li Jun evaded the police’s questions, while his two young underlings received fines and warnings after turning themselves in. At the provincial hospital, Monkey learned Xiaoya did not have lymphoma but had suffered serious damage from unnecessary cancer treatment and deliberate drugging.

• Li Jun denied responsibility to Captain Li, who warned him to stay in the city and remain available for further questioning.
• Li Jun resumed his meal with Lawyer Zhou and Monkey while Monkey anxiously awaited Xiaoya’s examination results.
• The two underlings turned themselves in at Changyang Police Station and received verbal reprimands, education, and fines before their guardians took them home.
• Professor Liu Mingyuan told Hou Jun and his parents that Xiaoya did not have lymphoma but had sustained severe treatment-related damage at Ankang Hospital.
• Professor Liu revealed that high levels of anesthetic had been used to create the appearance of Xiaoya’s coma and critical condition.
• Monkey collapsed in anguish and sobbed as relief over Xiaoya’s diagnosis mixed with anger at Ankang Hospital.

After learning that Xiaoya had never had lymphoma and had been harmed by unnecessary chemotherapy and suspected deliberate anesthesia, Monkey's family turned to the police. The investigation began at Ankang Hospital, where missing records and damaged surveillance obstructed the officers, though they took Doctor Qin and two staff members in for questioning.

• Lawyer Zhou told Monkey and his parents that Xiaoya had never had lymphoma and that her unnecessary treatments had seriously damaged her health; the report also suggested deliberate anesthesia.
• Monkey's mother fainted from shock, and Monkey's father called 110 to report Ankang Hospital for harming Xiaoya.
• Changyang Police Station dispatched Captain Li's team to investigate the suspected medical malpractice and intentional injury at Ankang Hospital.
• The hospital's deputy director claimed Xiaoya's medical records were lost and ICU surveillance footage was unrecoverable, then disputed that the provincial hospital's report proved negligence.
• Captain Li opened an investigation and took Doctor Qin and two medical staff members to the station for questioning.

Captain Li questioned Qin Ming about Hou Xiaoya’s diagnosis, treatment, and attempted transfer, but Qin Ming admitted only to a possible misdiagnosis and denied deliberate wrongdoing. As Director Wang faced pressure from officials to treat the case as a medical dispute, he bought time for the investigation and resolved to keep pursuing the truth.

• Captain Li questioned Qin Ming about diagnosing Hou Xiaoya with lymphoma, administering chemotherapy and anesthetics, and obstructing her transfer, while Qin Ming defended his actions as medical judgment and standard procedure.
• Qin Ming maintained a consistent denial of deliberate harm, unlawful detention, and fraud, leaving Captain Li frustrated by the lack of evidence for more serious charges.
• Director Wang received repeated calls from officials urging caution and suggesting the case be referred to medical assessment or administrative mediation.
• Director Wang answered another call with careful assurances, avoiding a promise to scale back the investigation while buying time for his team.
• Director Wang reflected that the struggle around Ankang Hospital was only beginning and resolved to keep the truth from being buried.

Captain Li reported that Qin Ming denied criminal wrongdoing, while Director Wang revealed pressure from above but vowed to protect the investigation. He gave Li Weiguo twenty-four hours and the bureau’s full support to find conclusive evidence against Qin Ming.

• Captain Li told Director Wang that Qin Ming had admitted only to a misdiagnosis and that the existing evidence was insufficient to break through his denials.
• Director Wang said officials were pressuring the police to follow the law and hand the case to the health department, but he had rejected interference.
• Director Wang promised to shoulder the pressure and gave Li Weiguo twenty-four hours and access to every bureau resource to find evidence.
• Li Weiguo saluted and accepted the mission.
• Captain Li ordered officers to investigate Qin Ming’s connections, finances, communications, and assets, demanding results within twenty-four hours.

Captain Li uncovered Qin Ming’s dismissal from the Provincial First Hospital for professional ethics violations and used it to provoke him during questioning. Qin Ming attacked Captain Li, allowing the officers to restrain and handcuff him for assaulting a police officer.

• Captain Li found Qin Ming’s old personnel record showing that the Provincial First Hospital had dismissed him for violating medical protocols and professional ethics.
• Captain Li moved Qin Ming to interview room two and questioned him about leaving the Provincial First Hospital for Ankang Hospital.
• Captain Li accused Qin Ming of treating healthy people for cancer and harming a twelve-year-old child with chemotherapy drugs and anesthetics.
• Qin Ming lost his temper and punched Captain Li in the temple.
• Two officers restrained Qin Ming as Captain Li ordered the assault to be recorded and announced that criminal compulsory measures would be taken.

At Ankang Hospital, Mr. Wei learned Qin Ming had been detained for assaulting a police officer and ordered Deputy Director Qian to keep him from talking. He rejected compensating Hou Xiaoya's family, insisting the hospital would pay nothing unless compelled by a medical assessment or court ruling.

• Deputy Director Qian informed Mr. Wei that Qin Ming had been formally detained after striking a police officer.
• Mr. Wei called Qin Ming a fool and warned that his impulsive act could endanger the hospital and its associates.
• Deputy Director Qian assured Mr. Wei that Qin Ming could be controlled because the hospital had evidence of his misconduct.
• Deputy Director Qian suggested paying Hou Xiaoya's family to quiet their complaints, but Mr. Wei rejected the idea.
• Mr. Wei ordered Deputy Director Qian to deny compensation and instructed him to keep both Qin Ming and himself in line.

Zhang Hongyuan visited Xiaoya’s family on behalf of Ankang Hospital, denied responsibility for her treatment and threatened to delay their advance-payment refund if they pursued legal action. Monkey’s parents were left furious and despairing as Xiaoya continued recovering in the hospital.

• Zhang Hongyuan arrived at Xiaoya’s ward with a fruit basket and said he represented Ankang Hospital.
• Monkey’s parents accused the hospital of harming Xiaoya, but Zhang blamed possible differences in tests, equipment, and medical judgment.
• Zhang defended the sedatives and ICU transfer as responsible medical decisions and refused to discuss compensation before responsibility was established.
• Zhang threatened that legal action could delay the refund of Hou Jun’s advance payment for years.
• Zhang left the ward, while Monkey’s parents wept beside the recovering Xiaoya.

After Zhang Hongyuan threatened Monkey’s family over their legal claim, Monkey learned from Captain Li that building a case against Ankang Hospital would be difficult and slow. Feeling abandoned by the legal process, Monkey decided to expose the hospital publicly and began recording an accusation on Quick Sound.

• Zhang Hongyuan threatened Monkey’s parents with a prolonged legal fight and demanded repayment of the advance payment.
• Monkey heard what had happened, grew furious, and went to the city police bureau to ask Captain Li about the case.
• Captain Li recorded Zhang Hongyuan’s conduct but warned Monkey that Ankang Hospital’s defenses and legal team could make a conviction difficult and slow.
• Monkey left the bureau feeling helpless and resolved to expose Ankang Hospital through Quick Sound.
• Monkey began recording an accusation against the hospital on his phone.

Monkey’s video accusing Ankang Hospital of misdiagnosing and mistreating Xiaoya spread rapidly, triggering widespread public outrage. Other patients and families shared similar allegations, drawing media and authorities into the growing scandal as Ankang Hospital faced a mounting public backlash.

• Monkey’s video went viral on Quick Sound, and users condemned Ankang Hospital over its alleged treatment of Xiaoya and threats against her family.
• Independent media accounts edited the video into sensational posts, pushing accusations against Ankang Hospital onto trending searches nationwide.
• Former patients and relatives posted accounts alleging mid-operation price hikes, unexplained deaths, excessive charges, and other misconduct at Ankang Hospital.
• The growing number of similar accusations led users to suspect wrongdoing was systemic rather than limited to one doctor or department.
• Major media outlets followed the story, while complaint platforms and Ankang Hospital’s online accounts were flooded with reports and angry comments.

As public outrage over Ankang Hospital intensified, Mr. Wei devised a strategy to discredit Hou Jun and contain the scandal. He also ordered Deputy Director Qian to warn Qin Ming to keep quiet and prepare for an unspecified sacrifice.

• Deputy Director Qian told Mr. Wei that Hou Jun’s video had gone viral, former patients were speaking out, and authorities had made inquiries.
• Mr. Wei dismissed the public backlash and said the hospital’s records and procedures would withstand an investigation.
• Mr. Wei ordered Deputy Director Qian to hire an online water army to spread conspiracy theories and smear Hou Jun.
• Mr. Wei told Deputy Director Qian to send Qin Ming a warning to watch his mouth and be prepared.
• Deputy Director Qian left to carry out the orders as Qin Ming’s fate appeared to be sealed.

Deputy Director Wang and Captain Li struggled to build a case against Qin Ming and Ankang Hospital until Captain Li proposed investigating Qin Ming’s personal finances. Wang arranged for a provincial interrogation expert to arrive the next morning as the police prepared to pursue financial evidence and psychological pressure.

• Deputy Director Wang and Captain Li discussed how Qin Ming had used medical explanations and procedural loopholes to resist the investigation.
• Captain Li proposed checking Qin Ming’s assets and those of his immediate family for wealth beyond his legitimate income.
• Deputy Director Wang ordered Captain Li to coordinate with economic crimes investigators and examine Qin Ming’s finances.
• Deputy Director Wang called an old classmate at the provincial department, who agreed to send an interrogation expert the next morning.
• Captain Li began arranging the financial investigation while Wang prepared to pursue the case on two fronts.

Mr. Wei’s paid online astroturfers spread rumors and conspiracy theories to smear Hou Jun and muddy the controversy around Ankang Hospital. Public opinion fractured into a stalemate as people waited for the official investigation report, while Mr. Wei knew his reprieve depended on whether the police found decisive evidence.

• Mr. Wei’s astroturfing company seeded apparently neutral comments to cast doubt on Hou Jun and cool public anger.
• The accounts spread fabricated claims that Hou Jun had gambling debts, sought to extort the hospital, and was backed by a medical-dispute troublemaking team.
• Astroturfers attacked Hou Jun’s character and questioned his sister’s condition and the hospital director’s conduct.
• Netizens grew confused and hesitant, and calls to wait for the official investigation began to dominate the discussion.
• Mr. Wei watched the controversy become muddled, knowing the outcome depended on whether the police found irrefutable evidence.

Monkey was cornered by thugs outside the hospital, but Li Jun and his men intervened and dragged them into an alley. After Monkey left, Li Jun sent men to find out who had hired the thugs and teach them a lesson.

• Seven or eight thugs surrounded Monkey outside the hospital and blocked his way, provoking him while he considered calling the police.
• Li Jun arrived with more than a dozen men and ordered his subordinates to drag the thugs into an alley and beat them.
• Li Jun told Monkey that Brother Feng had ordered them to watch over him and his family, and Monkey left feeling safer.
• Li Jun sent a subordinate and two men to question the thugs about who had sent them and give them a memorable lesson.

A detailed online analysis linked Ankang Hospital’s equipment purchases, medication use, ICU transfers, and internal communications to suspected profiteering and kickbacks. The deductions ignited public outrage, overwhelmed the hospital’s accounts, and sparked a second backlash against Qiandu for promoting the hospital.

• An anonymous source circulated documents alleging that Ankang Hospital inflated equipment costs and accelerated depreciation to transfer funds.
• The analysis said Dr. Qin Ming’s department used certain drugs and medical consumables at unusually high rates, suggesting unnecessary treatment and kickbacks.
• The documents connected high ICU transfer rates and rising patient costs to suspected targeted overtreatment, and cited reconstructed internal-chat keyword patterns.
• Doctors, accountants, and data analysts publicly vouched for the deductions, fueling a surge of anger against Ankang Hospital.
• Netizens flooded Ankang Hospital’s website and Weibo account, forcing the platform to disable comments.
• Netizens found Ankang Hospital ads marked as verified in Qiandu search results and turned Qiandu’s accounts and app reviews into a second battleground.

Captain Li’s team uncovered a suspected money-laundering channel through Zhao Cheng, Qin Ming’s brother-in-law, whose account received more than 2.3 million yuan in unexplained transfers. Zhao Cheng admitted that he had provided his account and withdrawn cash for others, giving the investigators a lead to pursue toward Qin Ming and Ankang Hospital.

• Captain Li expanded the investigation into Qin Ming’s social connections after finding no suspicious assets among his immediate family.
• An officer found that Zhao Cheng had received regular transfers from shell companies and personal accounts that coincided with high-spending patients’ admissions or surgeries at Ankang Hospital.
• Captain Li ordered officers to locate Zhao Cheng, and they took him from his car to the bureau for questioning.
• Zhao Cheng claimed the money came from small-goods wholesaling but could not provide records to support his story.
• Under questioning, Zhao Cheng admitted that someone had paid him to provide an account, hold the money, and occasionally withdraw cash.
• Captain Li told his colleague to investigate the cash withdrawals and identify who collected the money and where.