Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 333 - 227

The man in the gray coat seemed to emerge from the mist, exuding an aura of mystery that was difficult to grasp.

His hair appeared somewhat gray, yet his posture was extraordinarily straight and tall.

Since entering the store, he hadn’t uttered a word, silently observing everything around him through the gaze hidden behind his round glasses.

Other than previously asking, "What does that assassin look like?" he merged with the background like a silent shadow, without a sense of presence.

Now, finally breaking his silence, it made the store feel even quieter.

The clock on the wall ticked, "tick-tock," "tick-tock."

Master Lin stared for a long time, some emotion seemingly surging deep within his eyes.

Then, he slowly adjusted his reading glasses, turned to look at Fang Cheng and the others, and said in a hoarse voice:

"You can finish work now."

The tone was calm, yet indisputable.

Fang Cheng slightly furrowed his brows.

Although unsure of the man’s purpose, he could clearly sense Master Lin’s emotional fluctuation.

Wen Huixi appeared hesitant, glancing at the two remaining customers in the store, murmuring:

"But..."

She also faintly sensed the unusual atmosphere, not wanting to leave the boss alone to face potential trouble.

Master Lin seemed to see through their thoughts, waved his hand, and his tone softened a bit:

"I’m enough by myself; I still need to handle some personal matters later. You can rest easy and head home."

Wen Huixi nodded helplessly, quietly tidying up the counter, then took Wen Xin by the hand.

Wen Xin looked bewildered but obediently followed her mother out of the clinic.

Fang Cheng understood that Master Lin probably had his own considerations.

He then took off his work clothes, washed his hands, and prepared to head home for the day.

As he passed the entrance, he brushed past the man in the gray coat.

The faint scent of tobacco wafted into his nose, and Fang Cheng instinctively glanced to the side.

He noticed that the man’s eyes looked different, profound as endless black holes, seeming to see through a person’s soul.

Seeing Fang Cheng staring at him, the man showed a slight smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Fang Cheng withdrew his gaze, then took large strides and quickly walked out of the store.

Half an hour later.

The night deepened, seemingly enveloping the entire street.

A sliver of light still emanated from Lin Fusheng’s Clinic.

Inside the room, an incandescent lamp hung overhead.

The warm-toned glow illuminated the room but couldn’t dispel the weighty atmosphere.

The man in the gray coat and Master Lin sat face to face, separated by a wooden table.

At this moment, both had removed the glasses that obscured their sight, placing them on the table, meeting each other’s gaze openly.

The light outlined the interplay of light and shadow on their faces, also reflecting the hidden gleam deep in their eyes.

Lin Fusheng broke the silence first, saying:

"Have you had cosmetic surgery?"

His gaze meticulously scoured the man’s face, attempting to find traces of the past in the unfamiliar contours.

"Yes."

The man in the gray coat slightly tilted his head; the lamp light reflecting off his profile appeared unremarkable, yet with a certain inexplicable quality.

"Those bloodhounds were on my tail so tightly. Without changing my face and starting anew, how could I possibly be standing here before you unharmed now?"

His expression was calm, like a deep lake, concealing turbulent past events within.

"Did you know, for this new face, I lay in a dark underground clinic for three whole months?"

"Every surgery felt like a walk near death’s door, enduring the excruciating pain of the scalpel cutting through flesh and the torment after the anesthesia wore off, all to avoid being exposed like others and captured."

"For those three months, it felt like I was forgotten by the world, accompanied only by endless darkness and pain, unsure if the future awaited. Perhaps it was this experience that allowed me to undergo a transformation."

The memories of suffering rolled off his tongue as calmly as water, as if he were merely recounting someone else’s story. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Lin Fusheng heard this, but remained silent for a long moment, his expression grave and complex.

The man in the gray coat straightened his collar, maintaining a composed demeanor:

"Let me introduce myself—now, my nickname is Professor."

He lifted the corners of his mouth into a subtle, barely there smile,

as if announcing a completely new identity, while also bidding farewell to his former self.

Then, his gaze swept over the room’s old but orderly medicinal cabinets, the faded almanac, and the photos on the wall.

He remarked with a sigh:

"Among the group of us back then, you were probably the luckiest."

"Lucky?"

Lin Fusheng gently sighed, his gaze somewhat distant:

"Perhaps, after all these years guarding this clinic, though having faced no great storms, I’ve seen the warmth and chill of humanity."

He paused, then his gaze tightened, locking onto his old acquaintance across the table:

"You didn’t come all this way tonight just to reminisce, did you?"

"Of course not."

Upon hearing this, Professor’s expression turned serious as he replied:

"You should know very well why I’ve returned to East Capital."

"All these years, drifting on the run while accumulating strength, aiming to one day return to the place of origin, reassemble companions, and continue past unfinished business, never giving up despite endless challenges."

As he spoke, he leaned forward, gazing intensely at Lin Fusheng:

"Tonight, I sought you out specifically to ask if you still have the same ambition and drive as before?"

Amid his words, the tranquil expression on his face finally showed ripples.

The light in his eyes suddenly blazed, as if intending to ignite the heavy air within the room.