Chapter 113.1 – Life-and-Death Marathon (4)
◎ He couldn’t have been Zhuang Qingyan ◎
Tongwan, 119th Hospital.
The orthopedic outpatient department on the 10th floor, as an elite discipline of Alliance-level significance with an excellent reputation, has always been the most crowded area. Especially after enduring last night’s corpse tide, where hundreds of zombies escaped the nets and broke into the city, residents rose up in resistance, and many were injured. At this moment, apart from the radiation specialist on the 13th floor, the busiest department is the surgery department.
“Ding—” The elevator reached the 10th floor, and a figure in a white coat stepped out. The man had a slender figure, semi-long hair neatly tied at the back of his head. He walked swiftly and steadily through the corridor, stopping at the door of his former office.
He had arrived relatively early, yet to his surprise, a group of people was already waiting there, including several hospital leaders.
“Oh my God, oh my God… Fang, Dr. Fang!”
“Dr. Fang, it’s really Dr. Fang, you’re finally back!”
“Dr. Fang, we’ve missed you so much.”
The man in the white coat lifted his head, revealing a pair of mature, weathered eyes—it was Fang Zhixu.
The dean, who was aware of the situation, approached, grasping Fang Zhixu’s shoulder and examining his gaunt cheeks, saying softly, “I heard about the tragedy involving Nai Kang and his son. You… sigh, it’s a small comfort that they got what they deserved. Zhixu, it’s time for you to move on, stop torturing yourself.”
The dean wasn’t aware of Fang Zhixu’s relationship with V587 and assumed he was aware of Nai Kang’s death and had regained composure only after avenging it.
Lu Ning rushed down from the 13th floor and abruptly halted in front of Fang Zhixu. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Senior Fang…” The light she had been pursuing had returned. Lu Ning had no other thoughts; she just looked at Fang Zhixu and felt like crying.
Fang Zhixu removed his mask, nodded to his former leaders and colleagues, and said, “Dean, and everyone else, I apologize for causing you worry.”
“In a hurry, so I’ll be brief. There’s a patient with a unique condition needing immediate surgery. This operation must be done by me personally. Although I’m no longer a practicing doctor here, I’d like to request the use of the operating room…”
“What are you saying? I haven’t approved your resignation report; it’s still on my desk,” the dean scolded with a smile. “Having Dr. Fang perform surgery is a rare learning opportunity. Who among you will assist?”
“I’ll assist,” Lu Ning said without hesitation.
“I will! I-I-I’ll be the second assistant. I excel in traction and fixation!”
“I’ll help with handwashing and wiping sweat!”
“Can I… stand by and observe?”
“Zhixu, when do you need the operating room? I’ll coordinate the arrangements,” the dean asked.
“Sooner the better,” Fang Zhixu said in a low voice, “the patient can’t afford any delay.”
…
VIP Room 7.
Starting from the early hours, Zhuang Qingyan’s remaining right hand also lost sensation. This meant he could no longer move independently. His entire body muscles were atrophying, nerve cells decaying at a terrifying speed, gradually losing control over his own body.
Song Ke lowered her head, fingertips inching along Zhuang Qingyan’s right leg, exploring through the thin hospital gown. From the ankle, to the calf, slowly over the knee, and up to the thigh. While lying down, the defect in his right leg was particularly prominent. Compared to the robust left leg, it appeared more fragile and slender, visibly shorter, with a distorted and malformed shape, far from being aesthetically pleasing.
Zhuang Qingyan’s broken leg was severe from the start, worsened due to sloppy treatment, causing the broken bones inside to misalign and fuse improperly. During the time with Mu City, he, disregarding consequences, took two shots of powerful sealing agents in a short time, further worsening the injury.
Song Ke felt like a heavy stone was pressing on her heart, gasping for air in a suffocating manner. It felt as if she had swallowed an unripe orange, feeling astringent and swollen inside. She couldn’t quite explain why, but seeing Zhuang Qingyan like this made her feel more distressed than her own injuries.
Her worried expression resembled that of a young widow about to be widowed. Zhuang Qingyan smiled faintly, “Song Keke, are you taking advantage of me?”
“Huh?” Song Ke looked up in confusion.
“Come here.” Zhuang Qingyan blinked, signaling to speak in a hushed tone.
Glancing at Lin Youyou and Xu Xing on the other side of the ward, as well as Su Cha and Lu Xiaoyu by the window, Song Ke shuffled closer, lowered her head, and brought her ear closer to Zhuang Qingyan’s lips.
“Who said you could touch a man’s leg like that?” Zhuang Qingyan’s voice was light, carrying a subtle charm. “Do you think I’m too weak to resist now? Taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable state?”
Song Ke swiftly withdrew her hand, cheeks puffing up, clearly displeased.
Zhuang Qingyan initially wanted to touch her face in response but found his hands couldn’t lift. He paused, still with a smile on his lips, though his eyelashes drooped. “Rest assured, I’m very generous. After the surgery, I’ll let you touch as much as you want.”
Song Ke scoffed a couple of times. “I-I’m not interested.”
Zhuang Qingyan’s eyes were deep, filled with amusement as he gazed into her peach blossom eyes.
“The patient in VIP Room 7 can pay for the surgery now,” the head nurse reminded, knocking on the door.
“Coming.” Song Ke dashed out to make the payment.
As she left, the atmosphere in the ward instantly grew silent. Zhuang Qingyan’s smile disappeared, replaced by a touch of melancholy in his eyes.
The sensation of being unable to control his actions was something he had never experienced in nearly thirty years of life, and his pride didn’t allow him to accept such helplessness.
Lu Xiaoyu tinkered with his worn-out mechanical arm by the side, the constant “click-clack” noise echoing in the room.
“Can you quiet down a bit?” Zhuang Qingyan’s gaze was cutting.
“I’m fixing my leg,” Lu Xiaoyu deliberately emphasized the word “leg.” “Can I dismantle your wheelchair? Anyway, you won’t be needing it.”
“Don’t even think about it, even if I don’t need it, it’s still mine,” Zhuang Qingyan said icily.
Lu Xiaoyu fell silent for a moment. The “click-clack” noise grew louder.
Lin Youyou leaned on her chin, sighing, “I thought you had a good mindset, turns out it was all an act.”
Once Song Ke left, even the pretense was dropped, and all the hostility surfaced.
Zhuang Qingyan didn’t argue. He closed his eyes and whispered, “During the surgery, don’t let her wait outside.”
The young girl appeared innocent but had a heavy heart. He didn’t want her to worry, nor did he want… her to witness his most wretched state.
When Song Ke returned after paying, Fang Zhixu had already arrived with the medical assistants and anesthesiologist, ready to take Zhuang Qingyan to the operating room.
As she was about to follow, Lin Youyou stopped her with a hand, “Song Ke’er, I need to go to the Fifth Hospital. It’s chaotic outside. Will you come with me?”
Song Ke pointed to the tall figure standing nearby, “There’s Su Cha, it’s safe.”
Lin Youyou hesitated, realizing they hadn’t coordinated well and forgot to signal Su Cha, who had no clue about the plan.
“Captain, I need to buy materials,” Lu Xiaoyu suddenly spoke up.
“I gave you money already,” Song Ke held onto her terminal quietly. Lu Xiaoyu was like a money-devouring beast; her wallet was emptied once again.
“I don’t know the way,” Lu Xiaoyu said seriously.
“Huh? Do you want me to accompany you?” Song Ke asked.
“Hmm.” Lu Xiaoyu retracted the remaining four mechanical arms, settled back into the wheelchair, the silver hair resting quietly on their shoulders, resembling a frail youth.
Song Ke hesitated as she glanced at Lu Xiaoyu. True, Lu Xiaoyu hadn’t been to Tongwan, and claiming not to know the way seemed plausible, but something felt off to her.
Fang Zhixu vaguely sensed something amiss and advised, “I’m well aware of Zhuang Qingyan’s situation. The main difficulty in the surgery lies in repairing the broken bones, which will take a long time. You don’t need to wait at the hospital; we’ll contact you immediately once it’s done.”
Song Ke shuffled her feet on the ground for a while before responding, “…Okay.”
Leaving the hospital, Lin Youyou and Su Cha took a turn toward the Fifth Hospital. Meanwhile, Song Ke and Xu Xing accompanied Lu Xiaoyu to buy modified materials. After visiting only two stores, Lu Xiaoyu suddenly insisted on acting alone.
Song Ke paused the navigation projection, a hint of confusion in her eyes: Didn’t he claim not to know the way? Didn’t he want me to accompany him?
Lu Xiaoyu coldly remarked, “You guys are too slow.”
The four battered mechanical arms rose simultaneously—three on the left and pitifully only one on the right. Lu Xiaoyu, resembling a limping spider, didn’t need navigation at all. Skillfully navigating the streets and alleys, they swiftly moved away, one high and one low.
Song Ke: “…”
Suddenly, it dawned on her. Lu Xiaoyu, an S-level hacker, how could he not know the way? It was only she who didn’t know the way!
