Chapter 146: A Visit
8:00 AM.
Eric was still lying flat on his bed, meditating.
This posture only yielded a fifth of the effectiveness of a seated meditation. If it weren't for the surveillance cameras, Eric would never have used this posture.
After his "act of justice" yesterday, Eric didn't find any "merit light" on himself. Even when using the "Eye of Truth," he saw nothing.
However, he wasn't disappointed. He believed in following his heart, regardless of the outcome.
At that moment, a voice came from the speaker in the corner of the room, "Mr. Eric, you have visitors. Please proceed to the reception room on the first floor."
It should be Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan, right?
Eric quickly washed up and got dressed before heading downstairs.
As expected, Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan were waiting for him in the reception room.
Both of them looked a bit haggard, indicating they hadn't rested well. Tang Feiyan's eyes were slightly swollen, likely from crying.
"Why don't you take better care of yourselves?" Eric frowned slightly, feeling a bit distressed. "I've already told you that I won't get into any trouble. Why don't you believe me?"
"Even if we believe you, we can't help but worry," Tan Ailing said, looking at Eric. "Eric, did you sleep well last night?"
"Not really..."
Eric's honest answer made Tang Feiyan's eyes redden again. "Eric, it's all my fault..."
"What's there to blame yourself for?" Eric patted Tang Feiyan's hand, smiling. "I came here voluntarily to gain experience."
"Experience?" Tang Feiyan sniffed, puzzled. "What kind of experience?"
This reception room, designated for "privileged individuals," didn't have guards standing by, only two cameras.
Eric didn't want their conversation to be overheard, so he set up a soundproof barrier at the start of their conversation.
Thus, he spoke freely, "I want to go through more experiences to temper my mind and see if it helps with my cultivation."
Having recently crammed some martial arts knowledge, Tang Feiyan curiously asked, "Does cultivating magic also relate to one's mindset?"
"Precisely because I don't know, I'm planning to test it out!"
Tan Ailing held Eric's hand tightly and asked, "Eric, how much longer do you plan to continue this experience?"
"This is just about enough," Eric smiled. "A day of such experience is sufficient. Any more wouldn't be useful."
"Alright, I'll call Uncle Jiang later and ask him to think of a way..."
Tang Feiyan, looking indignant, added, "I'll also go to the city committee and talk to my dad. If he doesn't get you out today, I'll give him a hard time..."
Eric chuckled and shook his head. "There's no need to contact them. I'll be out today anyway."
Tan Ailing was slightly surprised. "Are you planning to ask Eric Yun from the Medicine King Sect for help?"
Tang Feiyan immediately brightened up. "Yes, we should contact Eric Yun! The Medicine King Sect has extensive connections, much more influential than ours! Oh, why didn't I think of this yesterday..."
Eric smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.
Tan Ailing guessed again, "Are you thinking of having the Tibetan Sakya followers petition for you?"
Tang Feiyan, hearing this, became excited again. "Right, if Eric reveals his identity as a Living Buddha, the National Security Bureau would have to release him immediately..."
"You two..." Eric sighed softly. "You know I'm not really Eric Yun's grandson, nor am I the true Sakya Living Buddha. While I don't deny misunderstandings to create favorable situations for myself, I would never ask them to intervene on my behalf! This is a matter of principle, and it cannot be changed!"
Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan exchanged glances, knowing they couldn't persuade Eric. They could only ask, "Then what are you going to do? You won't... use magic to escape, will you?"
Their speculation made Eric laugh uncontrollably. "You two are really worrying too much! Especially you, Ailing. How could you forget professional protocol?"
With Eric's reminder, Tan Ailing suddenly realized, "That's right. No matter how tough the National Security Bureau is, they can only hold you for forty-eight hours at most. And with Feiyan and my connections, once the autopsy report comes out, they'll release you unconditionally."
Seeing Eric nod, Tang Feiyan knew Tan Ailing had hit the mark this time and immediately asked, "When will the autopsy report be ready?"
"Around seven or eight o'clock tonight, I suppose?"
"That's wonderful!" Tang Feiyan exclaimed happily. "We'll come to pick you up for a big dinner tonight!"
"Sounds good!" Eric was also pleased to see her finally relax.
"Sigh, I wish we could stay here with you, but the visiting time is only an hour..."
Tang Feiyan's complaint drew a playful scold from Tan Ailing, "Silly girl, it's not 'visiting a prisoner.' Eric isn't in jail. You should say 'visiting' or 'calling on.'"
Knowing she had misspoken, Tang Feiyan shot a placating smile at Tan Ailing and then snuggled up to Eric's arm as an apology.
The three of them then started to chat.
Of course, most of the time it was Tang Feiyan chattering away, while Eric and Tan Ailing listened quietly.
Time flies when you're carefree. Just as Tang Feiyan was in the middle of a lively story, a voice came from the speaker in the reception room, "Mr. Eric, your visiting time is up. Please escort your guests out."
"So annoying!" Tang Feiyan pouted, "How did time fly so fast..."
"Alright..." Tan Ailing smiled at Eric and, taking Tang Feiyan by the hand, said, "We'll see you tonight anyway. We can talk all night if we want."
"Yes, yes!" Tang Feiyan nodded eagerly. "We'll have a great time chatting tonight!"
As the three of them were leaving the reception room, the young man from last night came down the stairs yawning.
When he saw Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan, he was momentarily stunned, then disappeared in a flash.
His strange behavior left Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan puzzled, and they both looked at Eric inquiringly.
Eric shrugged and said calmly, "He might have some issues. Don't mind him, let's go..."
As Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan were about to leave the villa, intending to give Eric a goodbye hug, the young man reappeared and said in a deep, pleasant voice, "Ladies, please wait!"
The three turned to see the young man, his hair slicked back with wax, shoes polished to a shine, and wearing a perfectly fitted white suit, looking rather dashing.
"What's the matter?"
Ignoring Eric's question, the young man stepped forward and performed a Western-style bow to Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan, saying softly, "Ladies, my name is Li Penghao. May I have the honor of getting to know you?"
This guy talked to me for nearly an hour yesterday and never introduced himself...
Eric found it amusing and stepped aside, leaving Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan to handle it themselves. He wasn't the kind of man to get jealous if his women talked to other men.
"Sorry," Tang Feiyan said charmingly, smiling at Li Penghao. "Our fiancés wouldn't appreciate us getting to know boring men."
With that, they hugged Eric one by one, ignoring Li Penghao's calls, and walked away gracefully.