Yu Xiao noticed two guys standing together, exuding youthful energy and looking quite young. They stood out from the rest, towering at least 185 centimetres in height. In addition to their height, their handsome appearances made them hard to miss.
Behind her, Zhou Xiao Zhen couldn’t contain her desire, audibly gasping.
The two handsome guys were dressed in unremarkable grey attire, scanning their surroundings before making eye contact with Yu Xiao’s group. A slightly older and more mature-looking guy walked over, confidently extending his hand. “Hello, I’m Lu Xun (陆寻 ), from the Fifth Hospital.”
(陆寻: “Land Seeker” or “One Who Searches on Solid Ground”)
He pulled the silent guy next to him, saying, “This is Luo Jin (骆瑾), he’s in the same ward as me.”
(骆瑾: “Camel Brilliancy”; “Precious Gem” or “Beautiful and Bright,”)
Looking at Lu Xun’s fair and slender hand, Yu Xiao shook it with a smile. “Hello, we’re from the Fourth Hospital. I’m Zhou Xiao.”
As Yu Xiao continued the introductions, Zhou Xiao Zhen and Zhao Lan simultaneously lowered their heads. Zhou Xiao Zhen interjected, clasping Lu Xun’s hand. “I’m Zhou Xiao Zhen, and the person behind me is Yu Lan. Nice to meet you.”
(TN: They switched with each others surnames)
Lu Xun smiled warmly, his sunny disposition evident as dimples appeared on his face.
“Nice to meet you.” After the pleasantries, Lu Xun withdrew his hand and turned to greet the other four people.
The other four individuals were also from the Fifth Hospital. The girl with short hair was named Zuo Qing (左卿), and the one with long hair was Sun Yun (孙云). The guy who seemed heavyset was Wang Yang (王阳), while the skinny one was Zhang Feng (张峰).
(左卿: “Left Noble” or “Distinctive Lord.”
孙云: “Grandchild of the Cloud” or “Descendant of the Cloud,”
王阳: “Kingly Sun” or “Bright Positive Energy”
张峰: “Rising Peak” or “Elevated Summit”)
Zuo Qing and Sun Yun shared a ward, while Wang Yang and Zhang Feng were roommates. Upon learning that Lu Xun and Luo Jin were also from the Fifth Hospital, they showed obvious warmth.
Nine people stood together, and Lu Xun, naturally friendly, quickly gained the initial trust of most of them.
At that moment, someone approached from the end of the dirt road leading to the village. It was a young man wearing a worn-out white Zhongshan suit, which, despite its age, made him look dignified and trim. He had medium-length hair that perfectly complemented his refined and handsome face.
(中山装: A Zhongshan suit is a type of traditional Chinese clothing that consists of a high-collared jacket with four pockets and five buttons, and matching trousers. It is also known as the Mao suit, because it was often worn by the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong)
“Hello,” he greeted everyone with a pleasant smile and a melodious voice, emanating an air of refinement. “I’m your attending doctor, Dr. Gu Shu.”
(古树: Ancient Tree)
Yu Xiao heard Zhou Xiao Zhen gasp again, barely audible.
Gu Shu and George couldn’t be more different in style. While George didn’t resemble a typical living person, Gu Shu, walking down the street, would easily blend in with the crowd.
“Let’s go, everyone. Follow me into the village,” Gu Shu urged, his words carrying the weight of a reluctant leader.
The nine figures fell in line, quietly following Gu Shu through the muted landscape. The village seemed to reflect the sombre atmosphere, with its worn-out thatched mud huts and occasional brick and tile structures.
As they walked along the dusty pathways, a few locals wandered by, their expressions filled with sorrow and occasional coughs breaking the silence.
When they reached the heart of the village, Gu Shu abruptly stopped and stood in solemn stillness for a moment. Then, turning to the others, he broke the silence with a soft question, “Now that we’re in the village, what are your impressions?” S~ea??h the N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Zuo Qing, with her short hair giving her a certain edge, crossed her arms and replied, “Poor, old, and falling apart.”
A chuckle escaped Gu Shu, and he glanced at the rest of the group.
Lu Xun, after a moment of contemplation, observed, “The locals seem to be unwell.”
“Correct,” chuckled Gu Shu. “This village is plagued, and the villagers are infected. Anyone who enters will contract the plague and die within seven days.”
A heavy silence descended, and the weight of this revelation was evident on everyone’s faces.
Yu Xiao couldn’t help but think, Are all these darn doctors just a bunch of swindlers? When they entered the village and they caught the plague? Gu Shu never mentioned a word about it before they arrived. These so-called ghost doctors probably used to work on construction sites; that’s why they’re so skilled at digging pits (挖坑: a slang expression often used on the internet in Chinese to refer to deceitful or misleading behaviour, particularly in the sense of setting traps or playing tricks on others.).
Breaking the silence, Gu Shu sighed, “I’ve been on a desperate search for a cure, but the source of this plague remains elusive. Without finding it, there’s no way to create an antidote. Outsiders, do any of you think you can lend a hand?”
“…”
Enough with the nonsense. To get straight to the point, in order to advance to the next level, they have seven days to find the origin of the plague.
After Gu Shu finished speaking, he pointed to a simple mud-brick shack and dropped the bomb, saying, “That’s where you’ll be staying. I won’t be babysitting you, so handle it yourselves.”
Without wasting any time, he turned and walked away. Yu Xiao shouted after him, “Dr. Gu Shu!”
Gu Shu turned back and asked, “Yes?”
“Where can we reach you if we need help?” Yu Xiao asked with a serious expression. “We’re new here. Can we contact you if we encounter any problems?”
Gu Shu grinned and replied, “Of course. If it’s within my abilities, I’ll help you out.”
He pointed to a brick-and-tile house and said, “That’s where I live.”
Gu Shu gave them the information and headed for home. Yu Xiao stopped him again, saying, “Dr. Gu Shu!”
Gu Shu turned around, his grin less noticeable. “Is there something else?”
“That woman.” Yu Xiao pointed at a middle-aged woman wearing a green and red floral outfit. “Why is she so happy?”
Gu Shu’s lips twitched slightly. He looked at the scene and explained, “Oh, she’s the wife of the village head. Her son is getting married, so she’s overjoyed.”
“Got it.” Yu Xiao thanked him sincerely, adding, “Thanks, Dr. Gu Shu.”
“No need for excessive gratitude.” Gu Shu turned around once more and headed home.
Then that familiar voice followed him, sighing, “Dr. Gu Shu is quite charming, isn’t he?”
Gu Shu’s gaze showed a hint of mockery.
And then, another voice chimed in, “”And easy on the eyes, with a pinch of mystery.”
“…”
Watching the two excited faces, Lu Xun chuckled and commented, “Most people treat the attending doctor with fear and hostility. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone call the big shot handsome.”
“Tch.” Zhou Xiao Zhen waved her hand and scoffed, “You guys from the Fifth Hospital are inexperienced. The veterans in our Fourth Hospital know that there’s nothing to fear from the attending doctor.”
“Really?” Lu Xun’s eyes widened in surprise. “Senior, you’re quite impressive!”
“Hahaha…” Zhou Xiao Zhen’s face lit up with joy. “Just a small effort, just a small effort (小意思:A modest way of saying “it’s nothing”).”
Sun Yun, the girl with long hair, seemed irritated by Zhou Xiao Zhen’s bragging and snapped, “Are you coming or not? Do we have to stand here and chat forever?”
The group of nine headed towards the modest adobe house that served as their temporary residence. As they approached the door, a woman with dark skin, holding a broom and a bucket, appeared from inside. Noticing them, she remarked, “The village doctor already mentioned that outsiders were expected today, and here you are.”
Stepping aside, she added, “I’ve tidied up inside. You can go in.”
With that, she walked away.
The structure seemed rickety, but Yu Xiao and the others went inside. The interior had indeed been scrubbed clean, with water glistening on the floor. The adobe house consisted of a kitchen, a restroom, and a spacious room with nine beds.
Having endured the mixed-gender ward with thirteen occupants at Saint Elizabeth, Yu Xiao and her companions were unfazed. The others also chose their beds without much fuss.
Lu Xun pointed towards the kitchen. “I see fresh veggies in there. It looks like we’ll be cooking dinner ourselves this time.”
Yu Xiao promptly raised her hand. “I can’t cook.”
“Me neither,” Zhou Xiao Zhen admitted.
Zhao Lan chimed in, “Count me out as well.”
Zhang Feng, the skinny guy, scowled. “Women can’t cook, so what exactly are you guys good for?”
“Hey, Old Zhang,” Fatso Wang Yang intervened with an awkward grin, trying to diffuse the tension. “Not everyone can cook. I can handle it. It’s getting dark, so I’ll prepare dinner for everyone tonight.”
No one objected to Wang Yang taking charge of the cooking duties.
Zhang Feng’s face darkened. “I’m going out for a walk.”
Sun Yun and Zuo Qing intertwined their fingers. “We’re gonna check things out too.”
In an instant, the trio disappeared. Lu Xun turned to Yu Xiao and the others. “Luo Jin and I are heading out for a look-see. Anyone else tagging along?”
Yu Xiao looked at him expectantly. “Are you inviting me to join you?”
“Uh.” Lu Xun, who is usually eloquent, found himself speechless.
Luo Jin, who had not said a word, chuckled and walked out alone.
Lu Xun scratched his nose awkwardly, smiling. “Well, it’s not out of the question. Let’s go together.”
“Ah, maybe next time.” Yu Xiao sighed softly. “I have plans to find Doctor Gu Shu. Going with others isn’t really my style.”
This surprised Lu Xun. “May I ask why you’re looking for Doctor Gu Shu?”
“He’s handsome, that refined type that I adore. I want to take a good look at him,” Yu Xiao said, giving him a meaningful glance before walking out on her own.
Left behind, Lu Xun struggled to keep his composure. Seeking confirmation from Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen, he asked, “Is she teasing me?”
“Nope.” Zhou Xiao Zhen remained unruffled. “That’s just Smiley for you; she enjoys admiring beautiful bodies.”
Lu Xun: “…”
Zhou Xiao Zhen added, “Even if they aren’t alive.”
Lu Xun: “…”
Yu Xiao didn’t fib; she genuinely intended to visit Doctor Gu Shu. En route to Gu Shu’s abode, Yu Xiao passed an old, crumbling house. By the low courtyard, she caught the sound of weeping—two women embracing and sobbing.
Beside her was someone equally curious. Approaching, she asked, “Hey, why the tears?”
The person she asked, a middle-aged man with an indifferent expression and dark circles under his eyes, replied coldly, “The village head’s son is marrying their daughter.”
Remembering the lively woman she had seen entering the village, Yu Xiao realised that it was the daughter of this family who was getting married. Curious, she asked, “Then why is she crying? Doesn’t she like the village head’s son?”
“What is there to like?” The man responded without emotion. “The village head’s son is terminally ill and on the verge of death. They’re getting married to bring some happiness. Who would willingly marry and become a widow so young?”
*
*
Gu Shu’s courtyard had a calm atmosphere, with a tall ancient tree casting a peaceful shade.
Yu Xiao stood beneath the tree and knocked on the door. It swung open, revealing a somewhat surprised Gu Shu. “It’s you. What’s the matter?”
“Can I come in?” Yu Xiao asked.
“Of course.” Gu Shu let her in, and the interior was tidy and organised. Sitting at a wooden table, Gu Shu poured tea. “What brings you here?”
“There’s something I’m curious about.” Yu Xiao hesitated for a moment. “But I’ve decided to come and ask you.”
Gu Shu smiled. “Go ahead, ask.”
Yu Xiao: “Do you have a wife?”