Li Chen, despite the whirlwind of mysterious events, returned home with a sense of routine. The day’s mysteries and revelations were temporarily set aside as he prepared for another aspect of his life – work.

After a quick shower to refresh himself, Li Chen descended the stairs to find Zhang Mei already waiting for him. Her question about his plans for the day prompted Li Chen to confirm, "Yes, I am heading to the office. Is there something you need?"

Zhang Mei hesitated before requesting a favor, "I need to fetch my mother from the hospital, and I thought it might be troublesome for her to take a cab. Do you mind giving us a ride?"

Li Chen’s response was swift and accommodating, "Not a problem. Just let me know when you’re ready."

"Thank you," Zhang Mei expressed her gratitude.

Li Chen, emphasizing their friendship, added, "That’s what friends are for, right?"

A subtle smile played on Zhang Mei’s lips as she nodded in agreement.

Together, they drove to the office, where Tang Ziyi and Xu Zonghao were already waiting. Li Chen, noticing Tang Ziyi’s delayed move to Pinnacle Estate, inquired about it. Tang Ziyi explained that he would be moving in that day after work.

Concerned about his family, Li Chen questioned, "And what about your family?"

Tang Ziyi conveyed his family’s reluctance, saying, "My mother said they don’t want to trouble you."

Li Chen, known for his persistence, insisted, "I said I’m not taking no for an answer."

Tang Ziyi, apologetic, admitted, "I tried talking to them."

Li Chen reassured him, "Just let them know my door will always be open for them."

"Thank you, Brother Chen," Tang Ziyi expressed his gratitude.

My apologies for the oversight. Let’s correct that:

As they delved into the workday, Tang Ziyi presented his progress report on the online game. Li Chen, always forward-thinking, inquired, "Do you think we can launch in December?"

Xu Zhonhao, the technical mind of the group, responded confidently, "Of course. But before that, we’ll need to find game testers to ensure the game’s stability before its public release."

Assigning tasks, Li Chen turned to Zhang Mei, saying, "I leave the task of finding testers to you."

Xu Zhonhao chimed in, "I know a group of testers, but I’ll talk to them. Zhang Mei can focus on her own tasks."

Li Chen nodded in agreement, allowing the team to distribute responsibilities efficiently. While the others immersed themselves in their respective roles, Li Chen, with trading affairs currently under control, had his sights set on the imminent launch of Chen Tech’s first game.

As the day progressed, Zhang Mei entered Li Chen’s office and asked, "Are you busy?"

Li Chen replied, "No, are you ready to go?"

Zhang Mei affirmed, "Yes, we can pick her up now."

Li Chen stood up, grabbed his coat, and they left the office together, setting out for the hospital to assist Zhang Mei in fetching her mother. The complexities of his professional life provided a temporary reprieve from the intricate mysteries that surrounded his personal journey.

They quickly arrived at the hospital, and Zhang Mei said, "You can wait here while I sort out the paperwork."

Li Chen nodded, "No problem." As Zhang Mei walked away, he found a seat in the waiting area and took out his phone, intending to occupy himself while she handled the necessary formalities.

However, as Li Chen sat there, an unusual sensation began to creep over him. It started as a subtle unease, a feeling that something was not quite right. The atmosphere in the hospital seemed to shift, becoming charged with an energy that he couldn’t quite put into words.

Glancing around, he noticed the usual activities—a nurse pushing a cart, a family chatting quietly in the corner—but beneath the ordinary scenes, a sense of foreboding lingered. It was as if an unseen force, dark and ominous, had descended upon the hospital, casting an unsettling shadow over the otherwise serene environment.

The ambient sounds, usually a backdrop to the hospital’s routine, now carried an undertone of something more sinister. Li Chen felt a tingling at the back of his neck, an intuitive warning that an unexpected and potentially threatening presence might be approaching.

Despite the hospital’s usual hustle and bustle, an eerie quiet seemed to settle around him, amplifying the feeling of impending danger. Li Chen couldn’t ignore the sense that evil was drawing near, an intangible force permeating the air and heightening the suspense of the moment.

As Li Chen sat there, he prepared himself mentally for whatever might come. Suddenly, the voice of the God of War echoed in his mind, urging him to leave as soon as possible. Li Chen responded, "You sensed it too?"

The God of War warned, "You are not safe."

Li Chen, determined, replied, "I have to wait for Zhang Mei. I will face whatever comes my way."

The God of War resigned, "Suit yourself."

Li Chen continued waiting, his senses heightened, and after an hour, Zhang Mei arrived, pushing her mother in a wheelchair. Madame Zhang’s condition had worsened since Li Chen last saw her. Li Chen stepped forward and said, "Let me push her."

Zhang Mei expressed her gratitude, "Thank you. I need to go to the registry to pay."

Li Chen nodded, "I will wait in the car."

"Okay, I’ll be out soon," Zhang Mei assured him.

Turning his attention to Madame Zhang, Li Chen asked, "How are you feeling today?"

Madame Zhang replied, "Oh, Li Chen, I’ve been worse."

As they made their way to the parking lot, Li Chen engaged in a small conversation with Madame Zhang, trying to offer comfort amidst the unsettling atmosphere he couldn’t shake off.

Zhang Mei swiftly completed the necessary paperwork and joined Li Chen outside the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, in a distant corner, an old man adorned in traditional attire wore an evil smirk. He approached the registry with calculated steps, revealing a face etched with malice. Keeping his hands behind his back, he muttered inaudible words to the lady at the desk.

The lady, struggling to hear his words, asked, "I didn’t hear that, sir. How can I help you?"

The old man repeated his request, "Would you please give me the address of the lady that was just here?"

Without hesitation, the lady complied, providing the requested address. The old man thanked her and strolled away. The lady snapped out of her trance when her colleague returned, inquiring, "What did that man want?"

The lady at the front desk replied, "Which man? Oh, I don’t recall."

Her colleague shrugged, and they continued with their work, unaware of the ominous presence that had just entered their surroundings.

Chen Lao, after obtaining the address from the hospital registry, retreated to a quiet corner. Retrieving his cellphone, he dialed a number. The person on the other end, Wu Chunlei, answered, "Master Chen, do you have good news for me?"

Chen Lao, with a triumphant tone, replied, "I have found him."

Wu Chunlei, filled with anticipation, declared, "I will be there."

Chen Lao hung up, a smug satisfaction evident on his face. He had spent nearly a month in the area, patiently searching for the successor. Although he was familiar with the successor’s face, acquiring his address had proven elusive. Chen Lao’s visit to the hospital, prompted by health concerns and the need for pain medication, had unexpectedly aligned with fate. Now, he believed, he would finally meet the chosen successor in person.

As Li Chen drove, he couldn’t shake the feeling that an invisible net was closing in around him, trapping him in a mystery he was yet to comprehend. Unbeknownst to him, the chess pieces were being moved in the shadows, and the game for the successor’s fate had just begun.