Luo Yu slowly wiped the reagent off the back of his hand with a wet wipe. Hearing Song Lingyuan’s words, his mind became a chaotic mess for a moment.

“So.”

Song Lingyuan suddenly leaned slightly forward, instantly reducing the distance between them.

It was close enough that Luo Yu could even hear his gentle breathing.

“Who told you that you could die from an allergy?”

It was the Hypnos League.

Luo Yu sensed that something was off.

He couldn’t just sell out his partner before figuring out the truth, right?

He avoided Song Lingyuan’s question and, looking a bit tense, explained:

“President Song, no matter what you say, I really almost died after taking sleeping pills.”

“Just a week ago, while in a deep coma, in order to prevent others from discovering the cause of my illness, I nearly got sent for direct cremation by the doctor…”

“There are countless reasons that could lead someone to the brink of death, yet you choose to believe the least likely one.”

Song Lingyuan leaned back again, snorting coldly.

“Do you just believe whatever those people from the Hypnos League say?”

So even if he didn’t speak, Song Lingyuan already knew everything!

“Having reached college, do you not think for yourself when facing a situation?”

Luo Yu was stunned by the criticism:

“Why can’t you just speak nicely? Why do you suddenly attack me personally?”

“I…”

Song Lingyuan looked up, intending to say something, but when he met Luo Yu’s eyes, which were filled with grievance and unexpressed feelings, the person who was usually sharp-tongued and indifferent suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Luo Yu noticed that Song Lingyuan’s momentum seemed to inexplicably weaken, and he immediately mustered up the courage to retort:

“If it weren’t for the association’s directive, how could my attending physician violate regulations and rush to cremate me without even notifying my teacher?”

“There are plenty of power institutions in this world besides the association that can mobilize a mere doctor.”

Song Lingyuan irritably averted his gaze.

“Is the doctor’s behavior something the Hypnos League told you about?”

What else could these people do besides slandering the association?

Song Lingyuan realized he couldn’t continue to make eye contact with Luo Yu; it would only throw him off balance. Taking a deep breath, he impatiently pushed his chair back and stood up.

Luo Yu also stood up immediately:

“I experienced this firsthand. President Song, I woke up at the morgue entrance that day, and I heard the doctor say…”

“Enough.”

As Song Lingyuan walked behind Luo Yu, he interrupted him.

After briefly meeting Luo Yu’s gaze, he quickly looked away:

“Tell me the name of your attending physician back then, and I will send someone to investigate the truth behind your near-death experience.”

Luo Yu blinked: “You want to help me?”

Song Lingyuan scoffed, “I have no interest in letting rumors spread.”

“…” Luo Yu felt that this person was really annoying; it was as if he wouldn’t be happy unless he provoked him. Holding back his frustration, he replied, “A City Medical University Affiliated Sleep Hospital. His surname is Duan!”

Song Lingyuan was already hastily walking towards the door, his white gloves once again resting on the doorknob:

“Until the truth is revealed and the rumors dispelled, you stay here and don’t go anywhere.”

With a loud “bang,” the sound of the door closing echoed as Song Lingyuan left the room.

Luo Yu waited in place for a moment, not hearing the sound of the door locking. He quickly wiped away all his tears and emotions, then dashed to the door and peered through the peephole.

Two men dressed in black long sleeves stood at the door, their expressions cold and unmoving like statues guarding the entrance.

One of their arms was as thick as his thigh.

Luo Yu gave up on breaking out and took a few steps back to lie on the sofa.

“Administrator, help me!”

He called out in his mind.

Even though he was locked in here, it seemed there was no immediate danger to his life, and he could even eat and drink enough…

But it was almost midnight, and if he stayed here, he wouldn’t be able to sleep tomorrow!

Luo Yu looked at the red dots of the surveillance cameras in the corners of the room.

Sleeping at the headquarters of the association, he truly couldn’t do something so audacious.

Knowing the truth behind his original self’s death was certainly important, but for him, completing the task of sleeping was more crucial.

【You currently have 2 draws left in the space. Would you like to use them all?】

“Draw some items that can help me escape this place; my life is in your hands.” Luo Yu rubbed his face and sighed heavily.

【The 1st draw is in progress… Congratulations, you drew an A-level item: One Sleeping Card.】

【This card can be used on targets within three meters of the traveler, instantly putting them into deep sleep. Unless faced with life-threatening danger, they will not easily wake up. Duration: ninety minutes.】

“Great.” Luo Yu sat up suddenly, “This is good, let’s draw another one.”

【The 2nd draw is in progress… Congratulations, you also drew a Sleeping Card.】

“I knew you loved me; did you help me pull strings?” Luo Yu let out a sigh of relief, a slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth as he looked into the void.

【^ Your luck is through the roof.】

“In my situation, it doesn’t seem like I have much luck!”

But with these two Sleeping Cards, he could at least take down the two big men at the door.

Luo Yu climbed up from the sofa and sneaked over to observe the door.

He still remembered the way in: turn right at the main entrance on the first floor, turn right again, walk straight to the end, then turn left.

He hadn’t encountered anyone along the way.

If he was lucky enough, he would only have to deal with those two people from the lounge to the main entrance of the association.

Luo Yu hesitated for a moment, just as he was about to use the card, he suddenly spotted a third person coming down the corridor through the peephole!

The newcomer was wearing a white lab coat and a dark blue medical mask, with eyebrows that were as thick as markers drawn multiple times.

Seeing the white coat gave Luo Yu a bad premonition.

Sure enough, he heard the person in the white coat say to the guards at the door:

“It’s almost ten o’clock; the president instructed me to deliver anti-sleep meds to the person inside. Please step aside a bit so as not to delay the medication.”

After hearing the purpose, the guards exchanged glances and immediately cleared a path.

Luo Yu quickly retreated back to the sofa and lay down, sitting up in confusion only when he heard the door open: “Who are you?”

The person in the white coat squinted at Luo Yu, their eyes narrowing into a slit under the heavy brows, and the lips beneath the mask moved:

“Luo Yu, I’m here to supervise your medication.”

Saying this, he revealed a plate of pills in his palm, the white anti-sleeping pills sealed in an aluminum foil strip.

Luo Yu’s heart raced inexplicably: “Alright, just leave it here; I’ll take it myself later.”

“Later?” The person in the white coat shook his head, “That won’t do. President Song said I must ensure you take it. Let me personally feed you this pill.”

With that, he squatted down in front of Luo Yu and pried the pill out of the aluminum foil.

Luo Yu couldn’t tell if it was a psychological effect, but he felt that this pill seemed to be slightly darker in color than ordinary anti sleeping pills.

Maybe it was the lighting.

“No need, no need, you really shouldn’t trouble yourselves; it’s just taking medicine; I can do it myself.” As Luo Yu spoke, he reached for the pill.

But his wrist was suddenly grabbed tightly by the person in front of him!

The person in the white coat forcefully pinched the pill between his thumb and index finger and directly extended it toward Luo Yu’s lips:

“Open your mouth, student.”

Luo Yu felt his heart racing like never before!

The pressure of that finger seemed to want to pry open his lips without regard, roughly shoving the pill directly inside.

“Quick, use a Sleep Card!!!”

【Using… Completed!】

“Smack—”

Suddenly, the finger in front lost its strength, dropping limply to the side of the sofa.

The pill rolled and tumbled under the couch.

The white-coated man, with his cold and vicious eyes, was helplessly forced to close his eyes, his legs giving way as he knelt on the ground, his head falling onto the sofa cushion.

He fell asleep.

Luo Yu quickly moved his legs back, preventing the man from collapsing onto him.

That was close.

Luo Yu let out a sigh of relief, feeling his whole body relax as he slumped against the back of the sofa.

He had escaped, but had wasted a card.

After thinking for a moment, Lo Yu stood up, picked up the sleeping pills from under the sofa, and pocketed them. He walked to the door and knocked, adopting a panicked tone:

“Is anyone there? Someone here has fainted!”

The bodyguards outside quickly opened the door to the reception room, seeing the streamer inside trembling with fear, shaking as he pointed toward the sofa:

“He just fed me anti-sleeping pills, and then he fainted! Please, save him!”

Luo Yu thought that when the bodyguards rushed in to help, he might take advantage of the chaos to escape.

But he didn’t expect that the two bodyguards would exchange glances and—

Stand completely still.

Only one of them quickly dialed a number on the walkie-talkie in his hand.

“President, there’s been an incident in the reception room. The person you sent to deliver anti-sleeping pills has unexpectedly fainted.”

Lo Yu: …

You’re reporting everything to the President? Don’t you have any judgment of your own?

Besides, who’s the guest? Is there anyone more unfree than him?

What surprised Luo Yu even more was that there was a pause on the other end of the walkie-talkie for several seconds before a voice finally came through:

“I didn’t order anyone to deliver medicine.”

Song Lingyuan’s cold voice felt tangible, like a sharp ice blade cutting through the air.

The two bodyguards trembled all over.

Luo Yu blinked, not understanding what it meant.

After hanging up, one of the bodyguards stood guard at the door, while the other hurried inside and carried the fainted doctor in white out.

Luo Yu stood at the door, exchanging glances with the two bodyguards for five minutes.

Finally, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.

Luo Yu turned his head.

Song Lingyuan, with his deep blue eyes, walked straight ahead, stepping swiftly in his black hard-soled shoes from the end of the corridor to the entrance of the reception room.

The temperature in the entire hallway seemed to drop several degrees.

Behind him, assistant Li Rui hurried along, followed by two other men in black suits.

“President.”

The bodyguard at the door wanted to bow, but he was still carrying someone, so he couldn’t bow down.

Luo Yu stood behind them and couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth at the scene, but suddenly felt a gaze piercing directly at him from above.

It was Song Lingyuan, looking at him through the two bodyguards.

What’s he staring at? Uh, does he think I’m impolite for not calling for help?

“…President Song?”

Luo Yu hesitated and spoke softly.

Song Lingyuan examined him from head to toe, as if inspecting him, before withdrawing his gaze to look at the person the bodyguard was carrying.

Without hesitation, he raised his hand and pulled down the medical mask from the doctor’s face.

“This is Doctor Zheng, the head of the pharmaceutical production room…” assistant Li Rui exclaimed in surprise, “How did he faint here?”

But Song Lingyuan appeared calm, expressionless as he retracted his hand and turned to the people behind him:

“Take him to the interrogation room and lock him up. Notify me as soon as he wakes up.”

“Understood.”

“You investigate Doctor Zheng’s communications today. Find out who sent him here.”

“Got it!”

With a cold command, the two men in suits immediately responded, one of them quickly stepped forward to take the fainted Doctor Zheng away.

The crowded entrance of the reception room suddenly emptied.

The two bodyguards at the door were already drenched in sweat, and one cautiously said, “President, Doctor Zheng said he was acting on your orders, that’s why we…”

“Are you listening to him or to me?”

The bodyguards fell silent, trembling all over.

“Stay here for now, and go receive your punishment tonight.”

Hearing they were to be punished, the bodyguards’ anxious hearts finally sank: “Yes.”

Song Lingyuan waved his hand, and the two bodyguards immediately stepped aside to clear a path.

He entered the reception room.

Behind him, Li Rui wanted to follow but only saw the President slam the door shut.

Li Rui: …

Didn’t the President ask him to come along?

Why does he now feel so unnecessary?

Inside the closed room, Luo Yu instinctively took a few steps back when Song Lingyuan entered, leaning against the white wall.

Now it was just the two of them left.

“President Song, good evening. You’re back so soon. Have you already found out the truth about my near-death experience?” Luo Yu tilted his head and forced a smile.

Song Lingyuan stopped in his tracks, looking at him incredulously:

“Luo, I only left ten minutes ago. Are your expectations of the Council too high?”

“Yeah, I thought you could do anything…” Luo Yu bit his lip nervously and lowered his gaze, “So, why are you here?”

Song Lingyuan fixed his gaze on Luo Yu’s evasive eyes: “Hand over the medicine Doctor Zheng just brought you.”

Luo Yu’s heart jumped abruptly, and he braced himself: “I’ve already taken the medicine he just delivered. Do you want me to throw it up?”

“Is that so?”

Song Lingyuan, who was slightly taller than Luo Yu, had him cornered against the door and wall, and Luo Yu felt a strong sense of pressure enveloping him.

Moreover, the words spoken by Song Lingyuan just happened to hit on his hidden thoughts, making him feel even more exposed.

“Aren’t you allergic? How dare you take it?”

Luo Yu wished he could bury himself in the wall: “Didn’t you just test me to see that I’m not allergic?”

Song Lingyuan raised an eyebrow: “Don’t you not trust me?”

Luo Yu was at a loss for words: “I…”

Song Lingyuan coldly clicked his tongue: “Do you think I would let you continue to risk your life by taking medication, knowing that it could be fatal?”

Luo Yu looked up, a bit confused, his long eyelashes fluttering: “You… don’t want me to die?”

“What benefit would your death bring me?” Song Lingyuan narrowed his eyes, staring at him: “Just more rumors about how cruel the President of the Association is?”

Luo Yu was momentarily stunned.

“Give it to me. Don’t make me say it again.” Song Lingyuan appeared a bit impatient as he extended his hand.

Luo Yu had no other choice but to hand over the sleeping pill from his pocket, finally placing it into Song Lingyuan’s palm.

As the pill fell, Luo Yu’s warm fingertips brushed against Song Lingyuan’s palm.

Luo Yu’s motion was light, but Song Lingyuan felt a tingling sensation spread through his scalp, as if he had been jolted by electricity.

In that brief moment, Song Lingyuan regained his composure, naturally opening the door and handing the pill to Li Rui:

“Take this to the lab and analyze the drug’s composition.”

“Yes!” Li Rui, who had been waiting outside for quite a while, quickly took the pill and left.

Only then did Luo Yu realize: “Are you suspecting that the medicine sent over is problematic?”

“Luo, you might not yet understand the severity of the situation.”

Song Lingyuan turned and firmly locked the door, speaking in a low voice:

“At the Association’s headquarters, there are almost no one who would dare defy my orders.”

“And if such a situation arises, it means that the person has something they must accomplish behind my back.”

“For example, someone wants to silence you and is using him to do it.”

Luo Yu didn’t understand: “Isn’t the one who wants my life a person from the Association?”

“…” Song Lingyuan showed a momentary blank expression before he couldn’t help but grab Luo Yu’s shoulder tightly, full of anger.

He walked to the nearby sofa, stretched out his legs, and sat down unhappily.

Luo Yu, confused, rubbed his shoulder where Song Lingyuan had suddenly attacked him, grimacing slightly.

He sat down at one end of the sofa.

He was just a sleep Streamer, after all; who else would make things difficult for him besides the Association?

“President Song, what are we waiting for now?”

Song Lingyuan glanced at him and quickly returned to looking at his phone, ignoring him.

Luo Yu: …

Why did he feel like this person was sulking and giving him the silent treatment?

But soon Luo Yu understood what they were waiting for.

Song Lingyuan’s phone rang.

He answered it and pressed the speakerphone, where the voice on the other end reported to him without missing a beat:

“President, I have retrieved Doctor Zheng’s call logs for the past three days and sent them to your email.”

“The most recent contact was half an hour ago; Doctor Zheng had a call with the front desk of the Sleep Hospital affiliated with A Medical University.”

Song Lingyuan’s gaze turned colder as he looked at Luo Yu:

“You just said that the doctor who wanted to cremate you came from which hospital?”

Luo Yu, hearing the voice on Song Lingyuan’s phone, was startled and quietly said:

“It’s this one, A Medical University, affiliated Sleep Hospital.”

Song Lingyuan nodded, hung up, and was about to say something when his phone rang again.

“How coincidental.” He muttered, answering the call this time without using the speakerphone, listening expressionlessly to the report from the other end.

With a tone of expectation, he responded:

“I see. Send me his information first.”

Song Lingyuan ended the call and casually put his phone in his pocket:

“Luo, just now, after my people arrived at the A Medical University Sleep Hospital, they discovered that your Doctor Duan has already fled.”

Luo Yu’s eyes widened: “Fled?”

“If nothing goes wrong, the Doctor Zheng who came to deliver medicine today was acting under that Doctor Duan’s orders. They are afraid you might expose some secret…” Song Lingyuan pondered, “But it’s still unclear who is behind the doctor’s instructions.”

Luo Yu muttered: “Doctor Duan really isn’t a member of the Association?”

Song Lingyuan lowered his eyes, his deep gaze resting on Luo Yu’s face, each word deliberate:

“Our International Human Progress Association, since we dared to introduce anti sleeping pills that could fundamentally alter human development, has the responsibility to protect every member of humanity from the dangers posed by sleeping pills.”

Luo Yu nodded absently.

He was starting to believe that it wasn’t the Association’s doing, at least not Song Lingyuan’s.

But who could it be? Who had caused so many deaths with anti-sleeping pills?

Soon, Song Lingyuan’s phone emitted a “ding——” notification sound.

Luo Yu turned his head and saw Song Lingyuan’s previously expressionless face suddenly tighten with a frown!

He waited for a while before finally hearing Song Lingyuan speak in a deep voice:

“Luo, the truth you wanted has arrived.”