Chapter 106: Lu Xun’s Invitation |
【Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your sixth treatment course, reaching Level Seven status on Sixth Hospital’s patient forum.】
【Kudos on your stellar performance during treatment! You’ve bagged 3 basic points and 3 bonus points.】
【A big congrats for earning the esteemed title of ‘Bribery Connoisseur,’ granting you an additional 4 bonus points.】
Yu Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. Bribery? That sounded seriously sketchy. She knew full well that bribing was a big no-no in the hospital—a cardinal sin that could land you in hot water. How on earth did she end up with that title?
A surge of panic coursed through her. What if someone snitched on her? What if the hospital staff caught wind of it? She shuddered at the thought.
But titles were like tattoos; permanent and unchanging. She was stuck with ‘Bribery Connoisseur.’ What in the world was she supposed to do now?
【Hooray for snagging the title of ‘Ghost’s Pal,’ adding 4 bonus points to your tally.】
Yu Xiao blinked. ‘Ghost’s Pal’? That didn’t sound half bad. Actually, it sounded pretty cool.
A flicker of relief washed over her. With this title, she could defend herself if anyone accused her. How could giving gifts to pals be labelled as bribery? That was just fostering emotional bonds through goods exchange. That was just being a decent human.
A frown etched across Yu Xiao’s face as she muttered, “Sage…”
Though she faced some losses this time, sacrificing most of her talismans, she managed to sell a few in the instance and later in the mall, racking up a tidy profit of over two hundred points. Coupled with her previous savings, she now boasted a grand total of 741 points.
She stared at the numbers on the screen, a whirlwind of emotions stirring within her. She felt like screaming, crying, and laughing all at once. She urged herself, “Just keep pushing, keep earning more, and get the heck out of here.”
【Congratulations on clinching the top spot on the points leaderboard! You’ve snagged two bonus cards. Swing by the forum to claim your rewards.】
She clicked through, hoping for a stroke of luck. Alas, luck seemed to have taken the day off. She only scored one luck card and one stamina card.
She’d been burning through those cards like nobody’s business, hoping to beef up her odds of survival. But they weren’t cutting it anymore. She realised she needed to stockpile more cards to make any real difference as she advanced.
Yu Xiao grinned, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Not too shabby, right? Check out all these flashy titles I’ve racked up. You wouldn’t stand a chance against me in a bet.”
Zhou Xiao Zhen chuckled dryly. “Good thing we’re not betting then.”
Zhao Lan glanced at her own phone. “Wow, Precious, you’re killing it. Second place on the leaderboard, and I’m trailing in third. You’re a force to be reckoned with, Precious, unstoppable.”
“Thanks, just doing my thing.”
Yu Xiao showered after dinner and crawled back into bed, hoping for some much-needed shut-eye. But sleep remained elusive, her dreams a chaotic jumble of nightmares and memories. She was startled awake by her phone’s ringtone in the dead of night.
“I really wish I could live for another five hundred years~…”
Rubbing her eyes, she squinted at the dimming sky. The sun, playing its predictable game, had dipped beyond the horizon. It was a habitual ritual, day in and day out. The final glimmers of light sneaked through the window, casting a sickly yellow hue on her face.
Reaching blindly for her phone, still half asleep, she mumbled, “Hey?”
“Where on earth are you?” George’s voice barked through the phone.
Yu Xiao groaned, still tangled in the remnants of sleep. “George? Seriously, what’s up? I’m in the middle of a nap.”
“You’re sleeping?” George sounded surprised. “How can you possibly be sleeping right now?”
Yu Xiao blinked, feeling disoriented. “What time is it?”
“You were supposed to be my stand-in at St. Elizabeth’s, remember? Patients are circling the Dean’s office like vultures. Get your ass over here, now!”
Annoyance welled up inside Yu Xiao. She had just fallen asleep after a tiring day, and now George was interrupting her nap with his drama. She held onto her blanket, feeling like she had been wronged.
“Who’s calling? George?” Zhao Lan chimed in, tearing her eyes away from her phone. She was fully awake, scrolling through the latest scandal on the forum. “Are you going to St. Elizabeth’s again tonight?”
“Looks like it,” Yu Xiao confirmed, swinging her legs off the bed. She rubbed her face to shake off the sleepiness. “St. Elizabeth’s is my saviour. I have to keep that golden ticket in my pocket.”
Zhou Xiao Zhen added, “Want to grab some food before you go?”
Initially, Yu Xiao was going to decline, as her nap had killed her appetite. But then she changed her mind and nodded. “Sure, let’s grab a bite before I get back to work.”
She splashed some water on her face and joined the group for dinner. A feast was laid out before them, with a variety of dishes and drinks.
Zhou Xiao Zhen looked at the boxes of steamed bass and steak next to Yu Xiao. “What’s the deal with those, Smiley? Are you making a pitstop for a midnight snack at St. Elizabeth’s?”
Yu Xiao hesitated for a beat, then kept mum.
Zhao Lan smirked. “Remember, Precious? Smiley’s got a secret rendezvous in her office.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Yu Xiao retorted. “There’s only me in my office.”
“I know Nightmare isn’t a regular Joe,” Zhou Xiao Zhen replied, catching her drift. A hint of nostalgia clouded her expression. “Nightmare can transform into anything, right? He could be Leo DiCaprio if he felt like it. Or maybe he doesn’t need to. He was quite attractive as Shen Chuan, wasn’t he?”
Yu Xiao felt her jaw tense. “Can we please change the subject?”
Zhou Xiao Zhen shrugged. “Life’s dull without a bit of spice, isn’t it? Otherwise, what’s the point of sticking around?”
“…”
She had to give credit to Zhou Xiao Zhen. Out of the three of them, she was definitely the bravest and most straightforward. But Yu Xiao wasn’t going to follow her example; she had a reputation to uphold.
After finishing her dinner, Yu Xiao got up from her seat, put on her white coat, and grabbed her lunchbox. Glancing at her Nokia phone, she saw that it was fully charged. With no time to waste, she put it in her pocket and hurried out.
**
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital remained unchanged.
Upon arriving, Yu Xiao made a beeline for George’s office.
George was back in his chair, looking like nothing had happened. But Yu Xiao knew better. His body was still a mess, or else she wouldn’t have to cover for him.
“George, good evening,” Yu Xiao greeted, showing her concern. “You’re looking better. How are you feeling?”
George didn’t move or speak. He just glared at her with icy eyes.
“Seriously?” Yu Xiao rolled her eyes. “I forgave you for hurting me, and yet you continue to act like a jerk. You’re hurting my feelings, you know.”
“Have you been contacting other attending doctors?” George snapped.
Yu Xiao blinked, then snapped her fingers in realisation. “Ah, you mean Qing Shi?” She tilted her head, trying to understand George’s expression, which looked like a mix of sour lemons and prickly cacti. “What’s the big deal? I only reached out to him once.”
A surge of rage, frustration, and despair overwhelmed George. If only Qing Shi hadn’t discovered his connection to the ‘Deaf Descendant,’ he could have pretended to be dead and moved on with his life. But that crazy Lolita had spread rumours, labelling him as the ‘Deaf Descendant’s’ lapdog…
He yearned for revenge, to make her pay for the chaos she had caused him. Yet, he was still injured, still weak, still helpless. So, he kept quiet, fixating his gaze on the girl who had brought him to ruin.
Yu Xiao sighed, shaking her head. “You know, I was actually planning on having Tie Niu whip up some of his famous charcoal-grilled pork loin for you. But I guess your dislike for me won’t let you accept my offer. Oh well, it’s a shame because it’s really delicious.” She shrugged, wearing a sad smile on her face.
George: “…”
Yu Xiao walked away, feeling a twinge of regret nibbling at her. She’d extended every olive branch she could muster to George.
**
Outside the office door, he heard footsteps, breaking the silence.
A small yellow furball stirred from its nap on the comfortable chair, its eyes widening with anticipation.
As the door creaked open, Yu Xiao entered. But before she could say anything, the furball jumped on her, its claws snagging her clothes.
It was undeniably cute. Yu Xiao smiled and reached out to pet it. Then reality hit her. This was no ordinary kitten. She quickly changed her approach, holding it by the scruff and keeping it at arm’s length.
“Get off, you little furball.”
Nightmare looked at her sadly. “You left me hanging for so long.”
Rolling her eyes, Yu Xiao replied, “I had things to do, you know? I’m a busy girl.”
Nightmare whimpered pitifully. “It was cold and lonely here. I couldn’t even go outside or have any fun. All I could do was miss you every day.”
Yu Xiao’s left eye twitched. How could he say such things with a straight face? Well, he didn’t have a face. He was not a human.
Placing the cat and the lunchbox on the desk, she asked, “Are you hungry?”
The cat nodded eagerly, then looked at the lunchbox and then at Yu Xiao with hopeful eyes.
“Don’t tell me you want me to spoon-feed you. You’re not a real cat, you know.”
The cat’s gaze dimmed before it jumped off the table and turned into a young man wearing a crisp white shirt. He looked strikingly similar to Shen Chuan.
Taking a seat across from Yu Xiao, he opened the lunchbox with a smile. “You’re so sweet to me. This is all my favourite food.”
Yu Xiao raised an eyebrow. How did she manage to guess his tastes? She had only chosen fish and beef because she thought he was a cat. Was it just luck?
Curious, she asked, “What else do you like to eat?”
Nightmare looked at her earnestly. “Anything you give.”
Yu Xiao rolled her eyes. Note to self: Don’t ask stupid questions. She ignored Nightmare as he ate his meal.
With the patients not yet arrived at the Dean’s office, she reached into her pocket and took out an old Nokia phone. Although she wasn’t familiar with the brand or old school buttons, she was confident she could figure it out. After all, she considered herself a modern woman.
Yu Xiao turned on the ancient Nokia phone, observing a pixelated animation dance across the small screen before it finally booted up, prepared for action.
It felt like she was holding a relic from another era, with its tiny buttons requiring a squint to decipher their functions. But she quickly got the hang of it. This phone was as simple as it gets—calls and texts only. No games, no apps, no fun.
Opening the contacts list, she scanned through the names, none of which she recognized. Names like “Wide Sea and Sky” piqued her curiosity. Perhaps they were quirky nicknames from a time when the internet was still finding its feet, and memes were a rarity.
Among the unfamiliar names were “Mom” and “Dad.”
Curiosity tugged at her, urging her to dial “Mom’s” number.
The message indicating that the number was out of service didn’t surprise her. Yu Xiao sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy.
She had no idea what fate had befallen them after they were engulfed by the nightmare at the hospital. But she imagined it wasn’t good. If people were dropping like flies inside, it was likely that those outside were facing their own grim fate.
His parents had probably believed that he succumbed to some illness, unaware of the horrors he endured before his demise.
Yu Xiao closed the contacts and delved into the messages on the ghost’s phone. Something caught her eye—texts from his parents and friends. Most were from before he became trapped in the hospital’s horrors.
She tapped on a message from his dad.
【Hey, son. How are you holding up? I’ll bring some juicy pineapples for you this afternoon.】
Another message, this time from Teacher Jia.
【Take care of yourself in the hospital. If you need anything, just say the word. Your classmates miss you dearly. Can we expect you at school this Sunday?】
Then one more, from his mom.
【I’m so sorry, my dear. Maybe if I hadn’t left your father, you wouldn’t have fallen ill.】
A lump formed in Yu Xiao’s throat. She wondered if her own parents had ever shown such concern when she was unwell. Likely not. They were always too preoccupied, too wrapped up in their own lives to even visit her in the hospital.
Nightmare glanced up from his fish, his demeanour grave and sombre. He was a far cry from the playful cat who had sought her attention earlier.
Pushing aside the melancholy, Yu Xiao pressed on. There was no time to dwell. She sifted through the phone, uncovering a cache of unsent texts.
Most were intended for his dad, with a few for his mom.
She opened the first one.
【Dad, I don’t know where I am. It’s so weird here. I used to be a rational guy, but I swear I saw a ghost. I’m freaking out.】
The initial messages were frantic and confused. Yu Xiao scrolled through them one by one, noticing a change. The ghost’s tone had shifted.
【Dad, maybe this is some strange stroke of luck. Maybe when I finally escape, I’ll be healed and live a long, happy life. I understand now. I won’t bother you and mom about getting back together. You both deserve happiness, and I’m genuinely happy for you.】
【I miss you and mom so much. I did some rough calculations today—it’ll take at least twenty years to get out of here, if I’m lucky.】
The following messages were filled with hope and determination. He knew they would never reach his parents, but he wrote them anyway. He wrote for himself.
Things remained the same until he sent this text:
【Chen Yong died. The ward feels empty without him. He was the one who always made us laugh. Now it’s just Zhao Lei and me, but we hardly talk.】
Months went by without any more texts until a grim update arrived:
【Zhao Lei is gone too. I’m the only one left in this hellhole. I tried ordering our usual food, but it tasted like cardboard.】
After that, the messages became sporadic and desperate, filled with longing for home, family, and comfort.
Yu Xiao reached the final text.
【Last message:
I’m Teng Jing Zhi. I live at Block 12, Unit 501, Luoshui Garden, City X, Province X. If you’re reading this, then I’m gone. Please, take my phone with you. Maybe you can escape this nightmare and return to reality. All I ask is that you give my phone to my parents. Let them know I love them. I’m sorry I can’t do it myself. I owe you everything. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.】
Yu Xiao dropped the phone, covering her face with her hands.
Nightmare watched her, sensing the waves of pain coming from her. As a nightmare, he thrived on such emotions, but he couldn’t find satisfaction in hers.
“Need any help?” Nightmare asked. “I’m quite resourceful, you know.”
Yu Xiao let go of her clenched fists and took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “After being trapped in that nightmare for so long, do you have any idea what happens to those poor souls who die there?”
Nightmare shrugged. “No idea. I always die before they do.”
Yu Xiao shook her head. What was the point of knowing anyway? She just had to earn points.
She tucked her phone away and made a silent promise. She needed to earn enough points and needed to escape from this place. With Zhou Xiao Zhen and Zhao Lan by her side, they would flee from the Sixth Hospital. They would not just survive, but thrive!
Outside, the heavy sound of footsteps indicated the lateness of the hour.
Nightmare watched as Yu Xiao pulled out a sheet of paper from the drawer and wrote down a multiple-choice question.
“Do you hate George?” he asked, curious about her note.
“Hm? Why would you say that?”
“Last time, you wrote this. Beat up George and you can enter the office,” Nightmare said, tapping one of the options with his finger. “You did it again this time.”
Yu Xiao bit her lip. She remembered that George was recovering, and she was covering for him as the attending physician. Unable to use his name this time, she quickly changed some of the options.
**
【… A. Eat a kilo of Tie Niu poop. B. Let Tie Niu pick your body part to munch on. C. Have a one-night stand with Tie Niu. D. Pay with points.】
“Whoa,” exclaimed the crowd outside. “What kind of choices are these?”
“The Tie Niu is just bones. How could you even consider a fling with it?”
“…Seriously? Option C?”
“Gross!”
“So, what’s the plan? Which one do we go for?”
“What’s the least awful option if I’m not keen on paying with points?”
“I guess A. It’s gross, but at least it’s not lethal or crippling.”
“…”
**
In the end, everyone settled for option D, much to Yu Xiao’s delight. She racked up the points and felt a bit happier. Having dozed off earlier in the afternoon, she wasn’t exactly tired yet, but the night was progressing, and she needed her rest before dawn. Missing the morning news was not an option.
With her backpack zipped up and slung over her shoulder, Yu Xiao was eager to leave this eerie office. She stole a glance at Nightmare, who wore a pitiful expression like a sad puppy.
“See ya, buddy,” Yu Xiao said. “Try not to do anything reckless while I’m away.”
“Can I come with you next time?”
Yu Xiao stopped in her tracks. “Huh? Go where? To my hospital room? No way, Jose. That place is crowded enough as it is.”
“No, not there. To the instance,” Nightmare clarified. “I can lend a hand. I’m pretty handy in a fight.”
Yu Xiao massaged her temples, sensing a headache coming on. She knew Nightmare was a force to be reckoned with, possessing powers that could turn anyone’s life into a living nightmare. Literally. But…
“Are you out of your mind? You’re a fugitive, remember? If anyone catches sight of me with you, I’m toast,” Yu Xiao reminded him, giving his shoulder a sympathetic pat. “Sorry, buddy. It’s safer for you to stay put. I’ll bring you some snacks next time, okay?”
As soon as she left, the lights in the office flickered and died, leaving Nightmare in darkness. He remained seated, staring into the void, feeling a sharp pang of loneliness.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished, leaving behind a fluffy yellow furball perched on the chair.
The furball bounded onto the desk, sniffed around, then settled onto the director’s plush leather seat. It wrapped its tail around itself, closed its eyes, and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
**
Meanwhile, in the ward, Misty and Precious were already fast asleep. Yu Xiao silently approached the bed, gently tucking the vintage phone into the drawer. “Don’t worry,” she reassured, “I’ll bring the phone out.”
After freshening up, Yu Xiao crawled into bed, expecting a restless night. To her surprise, sleep swiftly enveloped her.
Yu Xiao found herself in a dream, walking down a stark white hallway lined with doors.
At the end of the hallway, a pool of blood stained the floor, with a mangled corpse lying within. Suddenly, the corpse stirred, its fingers twitching as it sat up.
The figure was that of a young man, with dishevelled black hair, wax-like skin, and a tear-streaked face peeking from beneath his bangs.
Raising his head, his eyes blazed a fierce, dark red. Unsteadily, he rose and staggered down the hallway, leaving bloody footprints in his wake.
Compelled by an unknown force, he entered a hospital room and closed the door behind him. Within the darkness, he found solace. Driven by primal instincts, he hunted for flesh day after day, year after year.
One day, as he enjoyed another delicious bite, sinking his teeth into the tender flesh and eagerly tearing away more once the struggles ceased.
Suddenly, a strange sound rang out.
Surprised, he looked around and noticed a small device beneath him. Remembering something faintly, he pressed the lime-coloured button. A woman’s voice came from the device.
“Hello? Hello? Little Jing, are you there?”
A shiver went down his spine, a strange yet familiar feeling coursing through him.
“Hehe…”
“What’s that noise? Little Jing, is that you?”
“Hehehe…”
“Little Jing, please, say something!”
“Heh…”
Ding dong~!
**
Zhou Xiao Zhen wriggled under her blankets, trying to evade the sunlight piercing through the window. With one eye half-open, she spotted Yu Xiao sprawled across the neighbouring bed, emitting soft snores. She flashed a mischievous grin and nudged her companion with her foot. “Hey, Smiley! You’re back, I see. How was your rendezvous with Nightmare? Did he survive your culinary experiments?”
Yu Xiao groaned, rubbing her eyes in protest. Blinking at Zhou Xiao Zhen, she scrunched her brows. “What rendezvous? What culinary experiments? You’re speaking in tongues.” She paused, a puzzled expression crossing her face. “You know what’s strange? I haven’t had any hearing problems in a long time. Maybe I’ve been magically cured.”
Zhao Lan walked in, holding a steaming cup of tea. She rolled her eyes at Yu Xiao’s comment. “Yeah, right. You’ve been eating stamina cards like candy. What good would they be if they couldn’t cure your deafness by now?”
“Good point…” Those cards seemed to have more benefits than just building muscles.
Zhao Lan glanced at the clock and gasped. “Oh, crap. The news is starting soon. Come on, let’s listen. I want to hear Precious’s title. She’s been hiding it from us for too long.”
Why did this scene feel familiar? Yu Xiao smirked and teased, “What’s the matter, Precious? Are you hiding your title because it’s something lame like ‘Cute and Innocent’ or ‘Sweet and Gentle’?”
Zhou Xiao Zhen scoffed, jumping out of bed dramatically. She tossed her non-existent hair and flashed a radiant smile. “How dare you, Smiley? My title is amazing. It’s ‘Youthful and Harmonious’. It suits me perfectly. I’m young, I’m stunning, and I’m in tune with the universe. What more could you want?” She winked at Yu Xiao. “If you’re so interested in me, Smiley, just say the word. I’ll be your male deity in a heartbeat. No need for bets. For our sisterhood, I’d make the sacrifice. Put on a wig, and I’ll transform into Erlang Shen in an instant. Or do you prefer foreigners? How about Tom Cruise from Interview with the Vampire? He’s hot, right?”
Yu Xiao couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Zhao Lan shook her head, pulling Zhou Xiao Zhen back onto the bed. “Enough with the theatrics, Precious. We love you just the way you are.”
A cheerful jingle played on the radio, followed by an enthusiastic voice.
“Good morning, listeners! It’s time for your daily dose of news. Let’s dive into the happenings at the hospital today~…”
“… Let’s start off with some exciting news from First Hospital. A patient known as ‘Wide Sea and Sky’ has been making remarkable progress in their treatment. They have even earned themselves the impressive title of ‘Madman That Scares Ghosts.’ Talk about spine-chilling! But in a good way, of course. Congratulations, Wide Sea and Sky. You’re a shining star…”
“… Moving on, we have some not-so-great news from Second Hospital. There was a bit of chaos yesterday when a patient went berserk and caused havoc on the hospital grounds. Needless to say, it was not a pretty sight. Several medical staff members ended up getting caught in the middle. Ouch. That must have been painful. The hospital is currently investigating the incident and working to resolve the situation. It’s a sombre day for Second Hospital. Let’s hope everyone can stay calm and positive during this difficult time…”
“… Now, let’s shift to something more uplifting. Due to the recent increase in disturbances, the hospital has decided to strengthen its security measures. They are looking for brave individuals who are willing to join the security team and protect both the hospital and its patients. Think you have what it takes? Sign up for the security team under Director Cerberus. He is tough but fair, and guaranteed to whip you into shape in no time…”
“… And now, for some unexpected news from Sage’s Hospital. They are in need of a janitor. Yes, you heard that right. A janitor. It seems they require someone to handle the mess left behind by the patients. And believe me, it’s no small task. No fancy qualifications required here, just a strong arm and an eye for cleanliness. If you are looking for an easy yet fulfilling job, Sage’s Hospital is the place to be. Apply now and thank me later…”
“Sage’s Hospital?” Yu Xiao couldn’t help but blurt out. “They’re hiring a janitor? Seriously? Who was doing the cleaning before?”
“… Now, let’s move on to some fantastic news from Fourth Hospital. The patient known as ‘Zhuge Liang burning the Spider Web Cave’ has once again impressed everyone with their outstanding progress. They have even earned the title of ‘Brother Who Loves Helping Ghosts.’ How cool is that? Let’s give it up for ‘Zhuge Liang burning the Spider Web Cave’, folks. You’re a legend…”
“Luo Jin always gets great titles,” Yu Xiao remarked. “I wonder how he does it. If only he wasn’t such a troublemaker, I would love to pick his brain.”
“Count me in,” Zhou Xiao Zhen chimed in. “That guy has some serious talent. I could definitely learn a thing or two from him.”
Zhao Lan shook her head, finding their admiration a bit silly. Titles were just labels, after all. But hey, the more, the merrier—that was her motto.
“… Speaking of titles, we have more news from Sixth Hospital. ‘Deaf Descendant’ has once again reached the top. Way to go, Deaf Descendant. You’re a shining star. And to add to their accomplishments, they have earned three impressive titles: ‘Bribery Connoisseur,’ ‘Ghost Pal,’ and ‘Sage’s Darling.’ Now that’s what I call impressive. Let’s give them a round of applause…”
Zhao Lan smiled proudly and nudged her. “Your titles are amazing, Smiley. They’re all very respectable. You should be proud.”
Yu Xiao looked confused. “How is being a briber respectable? Isn’t that a bad thing?”
Zhao Lan waved her hand. “No, no, no. Being a briber is a good thing. It means you’re smart and resourceful. You know how to get what you want. Compared to your other titles, this one is very respectable. Like a virgin who’s never touched a phone in his life.”
“…”
Yu Xiao blinked, not quite understanding the comparison. But she decided to roll with it. When she compared the titles, this one did stand out.
The radio droned in the background.
“…. From the Sixth Hospital, we have ‘Nickname Hassle’, who’s making serious strides in their treatment, earning the title of ‘Self-Sacrificing for Others’. Let’s give her a round of applause!”
Yu Xiao leaned towards Zhao Lan, her eyes shining with envy. “Wow, Misty, that’s one impressive title. It makes you sound like a saint, a real hero.”
Zhao Lan grinned modestly, feeling a swell of pride. “I think so too. If only everyone could forget about my previous titles.”
Zhou Xiao Zhen braced herself for her moment. She squared her shoulders and put on a serious expression, aiming for a sense of gravitas.
“… Next up, we have another patient from the Sixth Hospital, also known as ‘Braised Egg Girl 438’, who’s excelling in treatment, earning not one, not two, but three titles: ‘The Girl That Ghosts Chased Together in Those Years’, ‘The Girl That People Chased Together in Those Years’, and ‘The Girl That Four Evils Chased Together in Those Years’. Let’s give her a big cheer!”
(From what I understood, those are references to cheesy, cheap, silly love novels and film titles. While 四害 means “the four pests” and refers to rats, flies, mosquitoes, and sparrows. These were the targets of a campaign launched by Mao Zedong in 1958 to eliminate them as a way of improving public health and agricultural production. However, the campaign had unintended ecological consequences, such as the outbreak of locusts and the spread of diseases. The phrase is often used to describe people or things that are annoying or harmful.)
Clap clap clap…
“Amazing!” Yu Xiao cheered, clapping enthusiastically. “You’re a legend!”
“You’re doing great, Precious!” Zhao Lan chimed in, joining the applause.
Zhou Xiao Zhen felt her cheeks flush, but she dared not crack a smile. Those three titles were a total embarrassment for her. She’d rather be called a ‘Shit-Hole Destroyer’ than bear those titles.
Trying to shrug it off, Zhou Xiao Zhen forced a giggle. “No biggie, just the start, nobody’s even paying attention yet.”
“Exactly!” Zhao Lan gave her a cheerful slap on the shoulder. “Our ward has only had Smiley as our forum star until now. This time, you get to be in the spotlight. Our ward is on the rise!”
Zhou Xiao Zhen wished she could disappear. She didn’t want anyone to find out that she had been chased by a horde of rats and roaches.
Maybe this time, she wouldn’t be the centre of attention. Yu Xiao was thrilled about that and stayed in bed. She just lay there, scrolling through the forums.
She started with the Sixth Hospital forum.
The Sixth Hospital forum was on fire. Everyone in the Sixth Hospital knew that the top three on the leaderboard were from the same ward. They were used to seeing Yu Xiao snagging three titles every time, but Zhou Xiao Zhen’s three titles this time made them sit up and take notice.
【How are the top three on the leaderboard so freaking awesome!】
【I have nothing to say about the morning news this time. I just want to say, big shots, please take me with you! Deaf Prince Big Shot, Egg Prince Big Shot, Difficult Nickname Big Shot, please take me with you! I’m begging!】
【Please teach me your ways!】
【Begging +2.】
【I don’t care if you take me or not, I’ve already decided to build shrines for the three big shots in the ward, praying to them every day for some good fortune.】
【Hey, if it works, share it on the forum. I want to try it too…】
【…】
Zhou Xiao Zhen let out a lewd chuckle in bed. Nobody knew what she saw in the post, but it made her very happy.
Yu Xiao skimmed through the Sixth Hospital forum. There was nothing much to see, so she switched to the Fourth Hospital forum next.
【What’s up with the Sixth Hospital? They’re loaded with talent!】
【I’m not gonna lie. I’m dying to visit the Sixth Hospital. The newbies there are growing so fast, it makes us look like snails. I bet they’ll catch up with us soon. And I’m not talking out of my ass, okay? I was in a dungeon yesterday, and I ran into two guys from the Sixth Hospital. They were rookies, sure, but they were throwing talismans around like candy.】
【You wanna know why? The Deaf’s heir is a freaking genius at drawing talismans. She has a talisman shop in the Sixth Hospital’s mall, and she sells them for only three points each! Anyone can afford them!!!】
【Ha! I knew it! I’m the Dragon’s heir, and that Sixth Hospital chick doesn’t match those four words at all! Come on, people, get it right, she’s the Deaf’s heir, not the Dragon’s.】
【Wow! So Dragon Sis can draw talismans, no wonder she rocks!】
【Dragon Sis is gorgeous and sweet, selling talismans for only three points each. And what about our Fourth Hospital’s talisman shop? Don’t even think about ‘I’m Not Easy to Mess With’ or you’ll get the boot!!】
【They’re six points each! Take it or leave it!!】
【I’ve already made a deal with those two guys from the Fourth Hospital. I’ll buy talismans from Dragon Sis’s shop for me and then sell them to me. Even if it’s four points each, it’s still a bargain for me.】
【Me too, me too, can OP hook me up? I’m good with five points.】
【Same here!】
【OP, you’re a lifesaver.】
【Five points is half the price of the mall and one point cheaper than the ‘Don’t Mess With Me’ shop. Even one point cheaper is a big deal for me, I’m all for this buying service!】
【…】
Yu Xiao saw all this and thought she was about to make a killing. Then she started worrying about how much yellow paper she had left and if she could keep up with the demand from two hospitals.
It was a happy dilemma indeed. She might be able to score enough points to get out of the Sixth Hospital without any extra trips into instances.
Yu Xiao happily scrolled through the other posts.
【Looking for pricey items that make NPCs fall for you!】
【I confess, I’m super jealous of Dragon Sis, getting titles every time just because NPCs adore her. If there’s anything like that, please tell me, we can haggle points, but do get in touch!】
【I think the OP is nuts. Is Dragon Sis using items? As reported in the last news, ‘I’m Not Easy to Mess With’ already said, Nightmare liking Dragon Sis has nothing to do with items.】
【Even so, I still want that kind of item, but sadly, no points.】
【No points, sobbing…】
【Shouldn’t we call her Deaf Sis?】
【Deaf Sis sounds like one of those Jiangnan Seven Weirdos.】 (江南七怪, Jiāngnán Qī Guài): A reference to characters from a classic Chinese martial arts novel, implying eccentricity or uniqueness.
【Not very elegant at all.】
【I just want to know why Dragon Sis chose such a nickname…】
【…】
Pfft, a bunch of tasteless people! Yu Xiao kept scrolling through the posts when suddenly, a call came in, from Lu Xu’s number.
She doubted it was another order of talismans, right? Were they going through talismans that fast?
With a touch of suspicion, Yu Xiao picked up the call, “Hello.”
“Hi there~ Did you eat breakfast yet?” Lu Xu’s eager voice rang in Yu Xiao’s ear.
Pushing the phone a bit away, Yu Xiao said, “What do you want? Out with it.”
“Aw~” Lu Xu stalled, “You’re such a killjoy. Can’t I just talk to you for no reason? Help me cheer for Zhou Xiao Zhen. She rocked this time, got three titles in one shot. Do you guys have some kind of trick to getting titles? Teach me?”
“I’m hanging up now.” Yu Xiao said, “Three, two…”
“Wait!” Lu Xu cut in, “I really, I really hate your type, the girl with no sense of humour!”
“Psh, like I give a damn?” Yu Xiao shot back, “People who like me, and ghosts together, could pack your Fourth Hospital.”
“… ” Lu Xu, clueless about the truth, couldn’t come up with a comeback, so he switched to business, “I’ve got something good for you guys.”
“Yeah?” Yu Xiao lifted an eyebrow, “Let’s hear it.”
“We got a team card.” Lu Xu said, “Wanna join?”
Yu Xiao pondered the words ‘team card’ in her head for a while, “What does a team card mean?”
“Come on, you know everything, right?” Lu Xu said. “It’s a special card, can add patient nicknames. If the other side agrees, the next treatment session, the people on the team card list will enter the same instance.”
He went on, “Don’t act like we’re always messing with you, we also think of you when good things happen. You just go into the instance randomly, who knows what kind of teammates you’ll get? You know about me and old Luo’s abilities, teaming up with us definitely won’t disappoint you.”
But he sounded fishy, and Yu Xiao always had a bad feeling.
She asked, “Are we just five?”
“Uh, well, team cards are scarce, gotta use them well,” Lu Xu said, “Uh, yeah, there are three more people.”
Yu Xiao squinted her eyes, “Are those three also in the top ten of the leaderboard?”
“Um…” Lu Xu faltered, “Not really.”
Yu Xiao snorted, “Psh, forget it then, you guys have fun by yourselves.”
─── ❖ ── ☆ ── ❖ ───
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