AFPoFH ARC1 ☆ 11~15

四院病友交流论坛 

A Forum for Patients of Fourth Hospital

☆ 11 Sister, you smell so lovely

George concluded his speech and gracefully turned, walking away. The patients rose from their seats and formed a line, moving forward like wooden dolls controlled by invisible strings.

Yu Xiao and her companions trailed behind. Zhou Xiao Zhen gazed blankly at the spot where George had disappeared and whispered, "You know, George is quite dashing, like the vampires I'm fond of. Do you think he's human?"

"What do you think?" Zhao Lan replied wearily. "After listening to all these patients' stories, do you still believe there are any living souls left here?"

"Let's go. Follow them," Yu Xiao signalled to the others to catch up with the line.

The hospital was dimly lit, and the corridor was narrow. Thirteen patients shuffled along in a line, and no medical staff crossed their path.

Yu Xiao had found no information about St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital on the Fourth Hospital Forum. This was their first time entering a treatment instance, and they had no experience or knowledge of how to leave this place.

The girl standing in front of Yu Xiao, with twin pigtails, was named Qiao Qiao (巧巧:opportunely / coincidentally / as it happens / skillful / timely ). From her words, it was evident that her grandmother had drowned her in the river due to gender bias. 

Yu Xiao paused for a moment, contemplating this information, before gently patting the girl's shoulder.

Qiao Qiao turned her head, somewhat dazed, and saw the slender, milky-white hand resting there. Yu Xiao's words still lingered in her ears: "...like being slow-cooked in a brine pot for three days and three nights."

Qiao Qiao swallowed and looked up at Yu Xiao with a hunger in her eyes. "Sister, you smell so lovely."

Yu Xiao forced a smile and asked, "How long have you been here?"

Qiao Qiao's gaze became vacant, as if lost in time. She tilted her head and began counting on her fingers. "It's been over forty years, I believe," she finally said.

So this abandoned hospital had been devoid of life for at least forty years? Without hesitating, Yu Xiao continued. "Has anyone ever left this place?"

"Yes," Qiao Qiao replied, her gaze fixed on Yu Xiao. She moistened her lips. "People like you, who have such a sweet scent, often enter. But they don't stay for long. Will you also disappear, sister?"

"I don't know," Yu Xiao truthfully responded. "Is there a way to escape from here?"

"Why would you want to leave?" Qiao Qiao's wide eyes widened with confusion. "Once the illness is cured, you can go back home."

"And how do we cure the illness?" Yu Xiao inquired.

Qiao Qiao's expression grew cold. "If I knew, would I still be here?" she spat.

Yu Xiao fell silent. Her companions, Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen, exchanged a knowing glance. 

"The patients may seem simple, but they are not truly foolish," warned Zhao Lan. "We must be cautious and not let them discover that we are living people."

Zhou Xiao Zhen, carrying a mahjong set, nodded in agreement. "There are so many ghosts here," she complained. "Even with mahjong, we may not be able to ward them all off. Are your talismans enough, Smiley?"

"I thought so," admitted Yu Xiao, casting a worried glance at the ten figures ahead of them. "But I didn't expect to encounter so many ghosts in the first treatment instance."

"We must find a way out of here," insisted Zhao Lan.

"But didn't Qiao Qiao say that we can leave once our illnesses are cured?" interjected Zhou Xiao Zhen.

"How can we cure this illness?" asked Zhao Lan.

"How should I know?" replied Zhou Xiao Zhen.

"Somebody surely knows," said Yu Xiao.

Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen exclaimed in unison, "Who?!"

"Shhh..." Yu Xiao motioned for them to be quiet and whispered, "George."

Both of them ceased their exclamations and stared with widened eyes.

Zhou Xiao Zhen was so anxious that her eyelashes almost fell off. "Smiley, this is no laughing matter. I admit that I once mentioned George's certain charm, but he is clearly not human. What's the difference between seeking him out and seeking death?"

Zhao Lan recalled the way George had looked at her, and even now she felt a little afraid. "Perhaps we should consider an alternative."

Yu Xiao didn't understand why they were so nervous and gazed at them with a puzzled expression. "What are you so afraid of? The attending physician has a duty to inform the patient about the treatment plan."

The team turned right and arrived at the medication area. There, behind a window, stood a nurse with pale skin and white clothing, moving stiffly with lifeless eyes. In front of her was a tray displaying two rows of small paper cups. The left cups contained two capsules, while the right cups held water.

The patients lined up and each received a cup of water and a cup of capsules from the nurse. They swallowed the medicine and opened their mouths to show compliance.

Fortunately, Yu Xiao's team was at the back of the line. Unfortunately, sooner or later, it would be their turn.

"What should we do..." Zhou Xiao Zhen anxiously pinched Zhao Lan's striped hospital gown. "Do we really have to take that?"

It felt like an impossible situation. Yu Xiao glanced to her left and saw three nurses, standing rigidly like puppets. To her right, there were three more nurses, equally motionless. Who knew what the medicine they were given could do? Yu Xiao's arms and legs felt weak and powerless. She understood that if they fought back or tried to escape, they would eventually be caught. And she didn't want to think about what would happen to them then.

As the number of people in front of them dwindled, the three of them felt their hopelessness grow.

When there were only two people ahead of them, Yu Xiao knew they could no longer hesitate. She signalled to the other two with a wave of her hand and said, "Let's go."

The moment she spoke, she left the line. The six nurses on either side immediately moved towards them. Yu Xiao could see their blood-red lips, withered skin, and even smell their strange odour.

Yu Xiao stood before Zhou Xiao Zhen and Zhao Lan, raising her voice, "We insist on seeing Doctor George!"

However, the six nurses remained unresponsive, steadily advancing. The three of them started to retreat, with Zhou Xiao Zhen, in her desperation, seeking refuge behind Yu Xiao. She accused the nurses, "What do you think you're doing? We have the right to see a doctor. You're violating our fundamental patient rights... Ouch! Don't push me so forcefully, why are you so strong..."

Eventually, the three of them were forced back to the end of the line.

Zhou Xiao Zhen, on the verge of tears, asked, "What do we do now?"

In frustration, Zhao Lan clenched her teeth and stomped her foot, declaring, "I'll hold them off. You two run."

"Ah, how can you possibly hold them off, Misty?" Zhou Xiao Zhen clung onto her mahjong set. "Let's go together. Smiley, run faster and don't worry about us. You must live well for us, ah..."

Amidst her tears, Qiao Qiao turned to face Yu Xiao.

With eyes that exhibited both an empty stillness and an innocent childlike quality, Qiao Qiao asked, "Sister, don't you want to take the medication?"

Yu Xiao responded immediately, saying, "Yes. Do you know of any other way?"

Qiao Qiao licked her index finger with her tongue and stared at Yu Xiao's hand with hunger in her eyes. Saliva dripped from the corner of her mouth.

Understanding her intention, Yu Xiao clenched her teeth and said, "If you can find a solution for us to avoid taking the medicine, I'll give you one hand!"

Qiao Qiao's eyes lit up, and her mouth stretched into an ecstatic grin that seemed to split her face in two.

After rummaging in her pocket for a while, she finally produced three shrivelled and blackened fingers. The broken edges were jagged and uneven, as if something had gnawed them off.

The sight made Yu Xiao feel sick, and a wave of nausea washed over her. Qiao Qiao then took the water and capsule offered by the nurse with pleasure. Afterwards, she handed the three fingers to the nurse, pointing back at Yu Xiao and her companions.

The pale nurse held the fingers, sniffed them, and then showed a satisfied look. Her lips, painted a deep red, formed a stiff smile as she leaned down to clean up the tray. Without even a glance in their direction, she then walked away.

"..."

Yu Xiao suddenly realised that she had made a terrible deal. She could have achieved the same outcome with just three fingers, but she had paid the price of an entire hand.

She had been deceived...

The patients swallowed their medication and left the table, disregarding the bread and fruit. Yu Xiao considered her options as Qiao Qiao pulled on her sleeve, her hopeful expression tainted by a string of saliva.

Yu Xiao hesitated. "I'm sorry," she whispered, devastated. "I cannot give you my hand right now."

Qiao Qiao's face twisted into an angry snarl, revealing a set of sharp teeth.

Zhou Xiao Zhen's breathing wavered. 'Will I be the next one tormented by this little demon?' she wondered.

"Smiley," Zhou Xiaozhen interrupted, "let's play mahjong."

Yu Xiao shook her head and crouched down to Qiao Qiao's level. "I will be seeing Doctor George soon. What will he do if he finds out that I am missing a hand?"

Qiao Qiao clung to Yu Xiao's sleeve, oblivious to her reasoning. Yu Xiao raised her hand, intending to pat Qiao Qiao's head, but withdrew it when she noticed the greasy hair that appeared unwashed for the past forty years.

"Qiao Qiao," Yu Xiao said softly, "Doctor George won't worry about your hunger, but if he asks why I gave you my hand, I'll have to tell him it was so you could bribe the nurses."

Qiao Qiao's eyes widened with fear. She seemed afraid of George discovering the truth yet reluctant to let go of Yu Xiao's fragrant hand. After a moment of contemplation, she released Yu Xiao's sleeve.

"When you come back, give it back to me," Qiao Qiao muttered, wiping away the saliva with her sleeve. "I'll be waiting for you."

☆ 12 Are you dating Dr George?

Yu Xiao's lips curved into a subtle smile, neither nodding nor shaking in response. With a slight tilt of her head, she directed her gaze down the eerie hallway. "So, where is Doctor George?"

At the far end of the corridor, Doctor George's office beckoned like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.

Deciding to search for George alone, Yu Xiao had assigned Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen to look at the patients back at the ward.

As she strolled down the corridor, passing lit wards that hinted at occupied rooms, she noticed something strange. Apart from the ten patients she had seen earlier, there seemed to be no one else. Were others hiding, or did they not require treatment?

As puzzling thoughts filled her mind, Yu Xiao finally reached the end of the eerie corridor, facing a solitary door labelled "Doctor's Office."

Closing the distance, she gathered the courage to gently knock on the door. A series of knocks produced no immediate response, leaving her uncertain about the office's occupancy.

Frowning, Yu Xiao decided to knock once more, her knuckles echoing through the silence like a desperate plea...

And then it happened.

With a creak akin to a coffin lid opening, the door suddenly swung inward.

As Yu Xiao peered into the dimly lit office, she was met with the sight of George, seated motionless behind the desk. The room was shrouded in an unsettling calm, making it painfully clear that George was the sole inhabitant of this foreboding space.

Yu Xiao's smile grew wider upon seeing him. "Hello, Dr. George. I have something to discuss with you."

Although George didn't seem pleased by her visit, he maintained his manners. "Please, come in."

Taking the hint, Yu Xiao entered the room and found a seat across the desk from George. Leaning in, she asked, "May I sit here, Dr. George?"

"Certainly, miss," he replied, gesturing towards the chair on his right.

With a less-than-elegant screech, she dragged the chair across to the front of the table. Seated and composed, she met George's gaze with a bright smile.

"Doctor," Yu Xiao got straight to the point, "How do I get discharged?"

Adjusting his glasses, George replied, "Miss, you can only leave when you're better."

Persistent, Yu Xiao asked, "What does 'better' mean? Is it up to you?"

George paused, then explained, "The criteria for improvement are set by the Dean. Only their approval on the discharge report allows you to leave."

"And how do I meet the Dean?" Yu Xiao knew George had the answer.

"Ah, the Dean..." George chuckled. "I can't even see him."

Yu Xiao became tense. "Why? Isn't he here?"

"He is," George's smile turned sly. "But he's reclusive… The Dean is not the type of person you can casually meet with..."

"Thank you," Yu Xiao rose, grateful. "I won't bother you anymore."

George watched her walk away, wondering eagerly, what would she do now? How would she react when her hopes were dashed after meeting the Dean? Ah, her despair will be delicious.

"Oh, by the way," Yu Xiao turned abruptly, catching George off guard before he could hide his greedy expression. "Dr. George," she asked, "may I have your contact number? So I can update you on my condition and strengthen our doctor-patient relationship."

*

*

The hospital corridor was deserted as Yu Xiao emerged from the doctor's office, feeling perplexed because she didn't know the location of her hospital room.

As she walked down the hallway, every room had its lights on and they all looked the same. She paced back and forth in the empty corridor, even contemplating whether to call out for her sisters to come and find her. However, she dismissed this idea; who knows what calling out might attract.

With a surge of confidence, Yu Xiao swiftly opened the door on the left, her hand diving into her pocket. The faint "click" of the door lock reached her ears as it swung open, revealing a ward bathed in orange light.

Inside the room, a dozen people dressed in patient gowns stood in a neat line by the bed. Each one remained completely still, with unchanging expressions, in a state of motionlessness and silence.

Men and women of various ages stood as if at attention within the ward, causing Yu Xiao to shudder at the sight. Just as she moved to close the door, a nurse dressed in white appeared beside her, startling her.

"What are you doing?"

Yu Xiao promptly shut the door and took a few steps back. "I can't find my ward," she explained urgently.

*

*

Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen only realised this issue upon returning to the ward. What would they do if they couldn't find their way back? Luckily, their worry was short-lived as Yu Xiao quickly came back, waving gratefully at the nurse. "Thank you for bringing me back."

"— Smiley!"

"— Big Sis Yu!"

Their relief was palpable at her safe return, but Qiao Qiao's excitement was unmatched. She jumped off the bed and eagerly clung to Yu Xiao's sleeve, drooling profusely.

"Qiao Qiao, I'm sorry. I can't give you my hand right now," Yu Xiao apologised helplessly.

Qiao Qiao's expression immediately changed. "Are you going back on your word?"

Noticing the tension, Zhou Xiao Zhen compared Qiao Qiao's urgency to that of a dung beetle on a mission. Standing by Yu Xiao's side, she offered, "Should I bring the mahjong, Smiley?"

Unyielding, Yu Xiao bit her lip. "I don't want this either, but George doesn't want me to do it."

"..." Qiao Qiao: "?"

"I just visited George; he seemed very worried about me and wanted me to stay in his office a little longer. However, I didn't think it was appropriate, so I returned. He was still concerned and had a nurse accompany me back." Yu Xiao's cheeks turned slightly red. "Nevertheless, he was still worried and gave me his number, telling me to reach out if I needed anything."

Qiao Qiao, Zhao Lan, and Zhou Xiao Zhen remained silent, taking in the information.

"But I made a promise to you," Yu Xiao asserted firmly to Qiao Qiao, her teeth clenched. "I don't break promises. I will speak to George now, affirm my decision, and he will support me. You won't have any trouble, I assure you!"

In the midst of Qiao Qiao's disbelief, Yu Xiao quickly dialled the phone. George promptly answered, asking, "Who is this?"

"George, it's me," Yu Xiao replied sweetly. "I wanted to..."

"Smack!"

Qiao Qiao grabbed the phone with a death grip, staring at Yu Xiao, vigorously shaking her head, almost creating a blur.

In an attempt to calm Qiao Qiao, Yu Xiao smiled reassuringly, then snatched the phone back, ending the call abruptly. "Oh, everything's fine now. Goodnight~" The line went dead instantly.

After the call, she asked innocently, "Qiao Qiao, what's the matter?"

Qiao Qiao burst into tears after a moment of silence, collapsing onto the bed, her small body trembling. It appeared that she was genuinely devastated.

Yu Xiao, feigning innocence, said, "Why is Qiao Qiao so upset? It's as if someone has bullied her."

In shock, Zhou Xiao Zhen asked, "Are you dating George?"

Yu Xiao remained silent, grappling with her emotions.

They were in a spacious hospital room with thirteen beds arranged side by side, shared by both men and women. Each bed was labelled with a name assigned by Dr. George, and no one was allowed to switch beds without permission.

Yu Xiao's bed was the third one by the door, Zhou Xiao Zhen occupied the fourth, and Zhao Lan's was the innermost one against the wall. Among them, only Qiao Qiao continued to sob while the other patients appeared to be asleep, their eyes closed in the peaceful room.

Gathering around Zhao Lan's bed, they exchanged their thoughts. "As soon as I returned," Zhao Lan murmured, looking at the motionless figures around them, "it became like this. We tried to look for you, but the nurse restricted our movements."

Sharing what she knew, Yu Xiao added, "It seems that our only way out is by contacting the hospital Dean."

"But even George couldn't locate him," observed Zhao Lan, leaning against the corner. "I have a feeling that there is more danger lurking here, and our assigned beds were not chosen randomly."

"Currently, there is a nurse stationed outside," Yu Xiao chuckled. "Let's try to get some rest first and then seize an opportunity to search for clues."

The three of them returned to their respective beds. These beds had a peculiar smell, as if they were damp and hadn't been cleaned for a long time.

As Yu Xiao lay on her bed, the lingering scent prevented her from falling asleep. However, since it was still early and she knew there would be activities later in the night, she needed to rest in order to stay alert.

So, she closed her eyes and began thinking about things that brought her joy: delicious food, beautiful clothes, handsome men...

Three minutes later, Zhou Xiao Zhen started to sense that something was amiss. She opened her eyes and noticed that Liu Cui, the plump woman in the adjacent bed, was lying sideways and staring at her with wide-open eyes. Her drool had already drenched a significant part of her pillow.

"..." Zhou Xiao Zhen was frightened but didn't have the courage to take any action. She swiftly turned towards Yu Xiao and whispered, "Sister Yu, I'm really scared."

"— Sister Yu?"

Yu Xiao: "zzzzZ"

Zhou Xiao Zhen: "..."

No wonder she's called Smiley. Zhou Xiao Zhen lay flat on her bed, her eyes filled with envy, tears almost flowing out of her nostrils.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiao slept soundly during her nap. In her dream, she was swimming with several attractive men. They were all dressed in revealing attire that was soaked and clinging to their skin. She was also swimming, with two handsome men supporting her on either side.

As they swam, the waves grew larger, and one of the attractive men suggested, "Let's surf."

Yu Xiao chuckled, playfully replying, "Who surfs in a pool?"

Then, a wave crashed, startling her awake into complete darkness. 

Zhou Xiao Zhen whispered, "Wake up."

☆ 13 It's over. Smiley's gone mad.

"Where... where did that handsome guy go?" The slumber that enveloped Yu Xiao was rudely disrupted by the gentle shaking from the two sisters. Emerging from the depths of sleep, she struggled to discern the darkness of the room. "What's going on?" she murmured, her voice a mix of confusion and drowsiness.

"It's us, Smiley," Zhao Lan offered a helping hand, guiding Yu Xiao off the bed. "The lights are out now," she explained softly. "We haven't slept at all. A few moments ago, some medical staff entered and took away a patient from the bed furthest away."

Fumbling through the darkness, Yu Xiao made her way toward the door, disoriented from just waking up. In an inadvertent collision with the bedpost, a resonating thud echoed through the room, jolting her before the pain could fully register.

"Don't be scared, Smiley," Zhou Xiao Zhen reassured her. "Everyone is sound asleep. There wasn't even a stir when they took the patient from the outer bed earlier."

"I suspect it's related to the medication they received during the day," Zhao Lan speculated. "That might explain why we're unaffected."

The door to the ward creaked open slightly, prompting three pairs of eyes to sneak a glance outside. The corridor lay dimly lit, silent, devoid of any movement or sound.

Clutching the talisman tightly in her pocket, Yu Xiao took the lead. Zhao Lan followed closely behind, while Zhou Xiao Zhen trailed, holding onto a mahjong set.

In this eerie silence, even the slightest noise seemed to echo. The trio proceeded cautiously, stepping as softly as possible, veering to the left.

Zhou Xiao Zhen's voice barely carried, faint like a frail spider's thread. "Smiley, how do you know we should go left?"

"Are you daft?" Before Yu Xiao could answer, Zhao Lan's exasperation was clearly evident. "The right side leads to George's office."

Zhou Xiao Zhen remained puzzled. "But how can we be certain they didn't take the patient to George's office?"

Before Zhao Lan could offer a detailed explanation, Yu Xiao interjected, "The right side leads to George's office. Do you know what's on the left?"

"I'm not sure," Zhou Xiao Zhen admitted, shaking her head.

"Would you like to find out?" Yu Xiao asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Yes!" Zhou Xiao Zhen responded eagerly.

"Then let's investigate," Yu Xiao suggested.

"Okay!" Zhou Xiao Zhen's excitement was palpable. "Let's not waste any time!"

As they continued onward, Zhao Lan muttered something under her breath, her expression troubled. Then, suddenly, Yu Xiao halted, causing the others to tense.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Xiao Zhen whispered anxiously.

Yu Xiao pointed to a portrait hanging on the wall. The painting depicted a hospital scene, specifically St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital, just like the one Yu Xiao had seen before. However, unlike the previous painting, this one included people.

In the portrait, two rows of individuals dressed in white coats stood. The front row featured three figures - George, a tall, kind-looking old man in the center, and a plump middle-aged man.

In the tense and dimly lit hospital corridor, Zhou Xiao Zhen spoke with unwavering certainty, "It's the Dean, no doubt. Just look, he's right there in the center."

No one disagreed with her statement. Yu Xiao looked towards the back, where a group of ten women stood. Thirteen people made up the gathering: the Dean, George, the daytime medication nurse, six corridor nurses, and four unfamiliar faces - one man and three women.

Thirteen staff members seemed too few for such a large hospital. Yu Xiao wondered what other responsibilities they had.

She had visited a ward earlier that was full of troubled patients. Many wards had their lights on. There must have been many patients in each ward. How did so few staff members manage such a large number of patients?

Lost in her thoughts, Yu Xiao's attention was abruptly grabbed by a tug on her sleeve. Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen wore fearful expressions.

"Listen," they urged, "footsteps."

Yu Xiao paused, straining to hear the strange sounds. The footsteps were far from ordinary; they echoed as if they were being made by a large group of people - perhaps even more than a hundred.

Instinct told her to go back to the ward. But as she turned around, a chilling sight met her eyes: a dark shadow was approaching down the corridor, accompanied by a deafening noise.

"Run!" Yu Xiao urgently exclaimed.

This time, caution was thrown aside as the three of them sprinted away. But soon their path was blocked - there was an iron door on their left with the sign 'Operating Room', which seemed to loom menacingly.

"No way out!" Zhao Lan cried, terrified by the ominous entrance. "Should we take the risk and go inside?!"

The operating room, a place full of danger, had a notorious reputation - a source of peril similar to those seen in horror films. Some would choose death over stepping inside.

While scanning both directions as they ran, Yu Xiao suddenly spotted a solution. "Follow me!"

Guiding them, she led the frantic rush into the nearby storeroom.

The space was tight, cloaked in darkness, and filled with an oppressive sense of confinement. Avoiding illuminating the room, they quieted their breaths, nervously watching the floor.

Dim light seeped in from under the door, providing limited visibility. Any passing figure outside would cast revealing shadows.

Their hiding spot didn't give them much time to catch their breath before the loud footsteps grew closer. The number of people outside was more than they had expected, their shadows passing by continuously for a solid fifteen minutes.

Once the shadows finally disappeared, all three of them felt exhausted and worn out.

Zhao Lan's clothes were soaked in sweat, sticking to her skin. She struggled to breathe as her chest rose and fell heavily. "How many people could there possibly be? Are there really that many patients from all the rooms combined?"

Zhou Xiao Zhen was frozen with fear. She grabbed onto Zhao Lan's arm and whimpered, "Those aren't people. They're... they're..." She couldn't finish her sentence. "I don't want to die yet."

Being slightly older, Zhao Lan quickly composed herself. She noticed that Yu Xiao had been silent for a while. She asked, "Smiley, what are you thinking?"

Yu Xiao spoke softly, "Did any of you hear the sound of the door opening just now?"

"Nope." Zhou Xiao Zhen's voice trembled.

Zhao Lan carefully pondered for a moment and shook her head. "I didn't hear it either. Smiley, what's on your mind?"

"The storeroom we're in is very close to the operating room, less than ten steps away. Just now, there were so many shadows passing by the door. Even if they were queuing right by the operating room's door, there should have been a really long line, at least surpassing the distance from the operating room to the storeroom." Yu Xiao gestured with her hands, indicating the distance.

In the darkness, her hand gestures went unnoticed, but everyone understood what she meant.

Zhou Xiao Zhen asked, "Smiley, are you suggesting that all of them went into the operating room?"

Yu Xiao replied, "But we didn't hear the operating room door open."

"The operating room door is quite heavy," Zhao Lan agreed. "It usually makes a sound when it's opened."

"But they're ghosts," Zhou Xiao Zhen didn't understand why everyone was so focused on the door issue. "Don't ghosts just pass through walls?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Xiao Zhen broke it, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"...”

Another silence followed, leaving Zhou Xiao Zhen feeling frustrated. "Do you think what I said is wrong?" she asked.

"Spot on," Zhao Lan agreed. "So, if they're not outside, or in the operating room, and they didn't come back, where did they go?"

Zhou Xiao Zhen couldn't follow their logic and decided to give up. "Gosh, it stinks in here. Can we leave?"

Yu Xiao took out her phone and turned on the flashlight, revealing the messy storeroom.

They found themselves surrounded by blue and yellow bins, along with piles of black garbage bags that emitted a foul smell.

"Yuck," Zhou Xiao Zhen gagged. "Hospital trash is the worst."

Yu Xiao shared her sentiment and reached for one of the garbage bags, tearing it open.

Zhou Xiao Zhen turned pale in horror. "Smiley, you don't have to do this."

As the bag was opened, a wave of putrid smell overwhelmed them. Yu Xiao closed her eyes briefly, before regaining her composure. Peering inside, she saw half a foot - the bones stark white at the break, with flesh curling back, surrounded by yellow fat.

Now even Zhao Lan couldn't hold back. Both she and Zhou Xiao Zhen covered their mouths, trying to suppress the urge to vomit.

"Smiley," Zhou Xiao Zhen pleaded, "Please, get rid of it."

Yu Xiao nodded. "Okay, I'll get rid of it."

She opened the bag wider and rummaged inside. She pulled out a hand, an ear, and something else, and stuffed them all into her pocket.

"Oh my," Zhou Xiao Zhen trembled against Zhao Lan, "Smiley has lost her mind."

After pocketing a couple of human body parts, Yu Xiao securely tied up the bag and pushed it aside, saying to the two, "Let's get out of here."

There was no one outside, and the doors to the operating room were still closed. Yu Xiao touched the doors. They were solid walls on both sides, with no way to pass through.

"Where did they go?" Zhao Lan rubbed her temples, looking at the empty walls. "Smiley checked the right side of the corridor today, and we checked the left side together. There's no Dean's office anywhere."

Yu Xiao stared at the locked operating room door. "There's one place we haven't searched. I want to go in and see."

☆ 14 You've got the guts to steal a man.

(你有本事抢男人 (nǐ yǒu běnshì qiǎng nánrén)

Literal translation: "You have the ability to steal a man."

This phrase is an accusatory remark often used to challenge someone's audacity or assertiveness in pursuing or taking away someone else's romantic partner.)

The trio stood in front of the weathered and ominous door of the operating theatre.

Zhao Lan cautioned, "Let's not act impulsively. The patient who was taken away might be inside."

"But in order to escape, we need to take a peek," Yu Xiao said with a chuckle. "Who knows, maybe the Dean's office is in there."

"How do you propose we enter? Charge in?" Zhao Lan hoped that Yu Xiao wouldn't act recklessly.

"Do we really need to charge in?" Zhou Xiao Zhen quickly devised a plan. "Here's what we'll do: I'll dash in first and use mahjong to initially control three ghosts. After that, it's up to you to handle the rest, as I won't be of much help."

Zhao Lan hesitated. Should she praise Zhou Xiao Zhen's bravery or reprimand her audacity?

"That won't work. If we don't find the Dean's office, we'll be finished," Yu Xiao suggested. "How about this: you two lure out the medical staff, and then sneak back to the ward while I go in alone."

"No way!" Zhao Lan objected without hesitation. "What if they notice you're missing during their rounds?"

"I have a plan," Yu Xiao reassured them with a confident look.

*

*

In the eerie hush of the corridor, a woman wearing a striped patient's gown and a black plastic bag over her head, with only two eye-holes, stood in front of the imposing operating room. Suddenly, she lunged forward, pounding on the door with force.

"Open the door, damn it!"

Her high-pitched shrill voice echoed through the empty hallway, sending chills down the spine.

"Open it!" she persisted, continuing to bang on the door, her voice booming. "If you have the guts to steal a man, then have the guts to open this door!"

After a tense minute, there was stirring inside the operating room. The door trembled slightly, emitting a muffled creak. Then, a crack formed as the door slowly opened, revealing three nurses wearing caps.

At the sight of the person with a bag over their head and two piercing eyes, both sides locked gazes, momentarily frozen.

Quickly realising the situation, the person with the bag-covered head let out an odd cry and turned to flee.

The trio of nurses hesitated briefly at the door, then hurriedly followed suit, disappearing down the corridor. The sound of their sprint echoed as they disappeared into the distance.

After a stretch, another figure emerged from a nearby storeroom, also wearing a black plastic bag over their head. Approaching the operating room door, she banged on it.

"Open the door, damn it! If you have the guts..." Her sentence trailed off, perhaps out of shame or for some other reason. "Just open the door!"

Without hesitation, the operating room door swung open, revealing the head of a large man.

The person with the bag on their head recoiled and delivered a punch to the man's hefty head, causing it to snap backward. Swiftly, she turned and bolted. The heavyset figure roared, forgetting to close the door. With his flab jiggling, he grabbed a hatchet and gave chase.

Zhao Lan kept running until she saw four people sitting on the ground up ahead. One of them was wearing a head covering similar to hers, while the other three were wearing white coats and nurse caps. They were sitting in a circle, completely immersed in a game of mahjong.

The nurse with her back to Zhao Lan scratched her head and placed a tile on the table, saying, "Little Chicken."

(小鸡:  xiǎo jī — In Mahjong, certain calls are made to declare victory or signal what a player has. "Little Chicken" is one of these calls, signalling a specific combination or tile set. The term may vary in its meaning depending on the context and game situation.)

As she spotted Zhao Lan, Zhou Xiao Zhen's face immediately lit up. "You made it! I could barely keep them at bay!"

Pulling out her belongings, Zhao Lan commented, "We're almost finished; the one following me is getting closer!"

With a swift movement, she lunged forward, skillfully covering the heads of three nurses with pre-prepared black plastic bags. According to the rule of mahjong props, participants are protected from any harm during the game, but it doesn't mention anything about not placing plastic bags over people's heads.

At that very moment, Zhou Xiao Zhen touched a tile and erupted into laughter. "You're doomed!"

Quickly gathering the mahjong tiles, she stood up and singled out the nurse sitting across from her. "You're the one I choose for retribution!"

Having made her decision, she and Zhao Lan clasped hands and swiftly darted towards the ward.

Meanwhile, the portly male doctor finally caught up, while three nurses struggled to free themselves from the bags.

With a thunderous roar, the doctor's mouth widened, his lips tearing down to his neck, revealing a cluster of densely packed, sharp, darkened teeth within.

Amidst a deafening noise, a sudden thunderclap cracked above and struck a nurse standing at the front. Fat Doctor and two others trembled, instinctively covering their heads as they huddled against the wall in fear.

A moment of silence followed before they realised that there would be no second lightning strike. Slowly, they got up from the ground. The nurse who was hit by the lightning remained rooted in place, with her hair dishevelled and her upper body covered in soot, emitting faint trails of smoke.

Ignoring the smouldering nurse, Fat Doctor grabbed his axe and hurried forward with the other two nurses.

*

*

As the hefty ghost dashed out, Yu Xiao emerged from the storeroom. She cautiously pushed open the door leading to the operating theatre. Before stepping inside, she was overwhelmed by the strong smell of blood, causing her to instinctively cover her mouth and nose.

Inside the operating theatre, the lighting was dim. Yu Xiao cautiously walked forward, the floor hidden in darkness and sporadically marked by fresh blood stains. It appeared that blood had dripped frequently on the ground, with each layer of dried blood covered by a fresh layer, creating an eerie sight that had accumulated over the years.

Multiple beds were arranged inside, their sheets dirty, surrounded by a variety of knives, axes, and chainsaws. Among them, Yu Xiao spotted a familiar man, or rather, a familiar ghost. It was the same man who had spoken first earlier in the day, named Zhang Tao.

He was assigned the bed closest to the door, and now he lay there, unmoving on the operating table. His eyes stared blankly, his mouth slightly open. The curious part? His skull had been cracked open, and his entire head was flipped back like a lid. Yu Xiao peered inside, only to find emptiness. Her gaze then landed on a nearby tray that held a complete, pinkish brain still attached by gory threads.

Furrowing her brow, she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she scanned the operating room, hoping to find a hidden door that led to the Dean's office.

*

*

Within the ward, darkness and silence reigned. Suddenly, the door to the ward burst open, the noise echoing thunderously.

Oddly, there was no response from any of the ward's occupants. Out of thirteen beds, eleven patients lay there in silence.

A hefty figure squeezed through the door, dragging an axe along the floor, the harsh scraping noise filling the air.

Striding past the first empty bed, the figure halted at the foot of the second, reaching out to grasp the patient's foot. Slowly, the figure pulled the person out, turning them upside down as if handling a fish. Yet, despite the shaking, the patient remained completely unresponsive.

In a sudden movement, he flung his hand.

"Boom!"

The patient was forcefully thrown backward onto the bed, twisted in a manner that echoed the lifeless appearance of a gutted fish.

Advancing toward the third bed, he discovered it empty. Briefly pausing, he proceeded to the fourth bed.

Zhou Xiao Zhen lay still on the bed, blending in with the other patients. 

An icy, rough, sticky hand stealthily slid under her blanket, grabbing hold of her ankle and gradually dragging her off the bed's edge.

…

The room reverberated with a loud "Bang!"

Another patient was flung onto the bed nearby, as Zhao Lan lay motionless in the innermost bed. Fear gripped her, and she kept her eyes tightly shut, unaware of Zhou Xiao Zhen's situation. All she could do was feign stillness, hoping to pass off as someone in the throes of deep slumber, perhaps sparing herself.

*

*

Yu Xiao thoroughly searched the operating room, turning everything upside down in her quest to find the Dean's office, but had no success. It appeared that the Dean's office simply did not exist in that location. As for its possible whereabouts, she had no idea.

As time ticked on, Yu Xiao realised that she had stayed for too long. It was possible that they could return at any moment. Without wasting any time, she carefully placed the recently exposed brain in a hospital's high-quality insulated box, and promptly left the operating room.

*

*

Another loud "Bang!" reverberated through the room as Zhao Lan was thrown onto the bed, her limbs twisted, yet she remained eerily still, her breathing unchanged.

Finally, the heavy footsteps faded away. As the imposing figure disappeared beyond the ward door, Zhao Lan let out a long sigh of relief. She trembled, gasping for air, consumed by worry for Yu Xiao's safety. Whether Yu Xiao had escaped the operating room or found a way to freedom, Zhao Lan didn't know.

*

*

At the far end of the corridor, Yu Xiao stopped at Dr. George's office, located on the right.

"Knock, knock, knock," her knuckles thudded against the wooden door.

The door creaked open, revealing George seated behind his desk. His demeanour had the same daytime air, as if he hadn't moved at all, though a hint of surprise crossed his face.

George's tone remained cold. "What do you want?"

"I've missed you," Yu Xiao replied.

"..."

"I have something for you." She gestured to the medical-grade thermos box she held in her hand. "May I come in and talk?"

George's hazel eyes fixed on Yu Xiao as she held the box, his voice finally breaking the silence, "Come in, miss."

She entered, and the door closed just in time to shield her from the plump doctor wielding an axe, preventing him from catching a glimpse of her disappearing form.

Once Yu Xiao was seated again, George stared at her, questioning, "What have you brought? Let's be clear—I have very high standards." His lips formed a sneer on his pale face, a mocking smirk emerging. "If it doesn't meet my standards, I'll personally throw you out."

"It'll more than satisfy you," Yu Xiao placed the insulated box on the table and lifted the lid.

A fresh, tender brain lay before George. He was momentarily stunned before swallowing hard.

☆ 15 Dr George is such a good guy.

Yu Xiao locked eyes with George, her gaze widening as he elegantly consumed a brain, savouring each bite like a connoisseur enjoying a fine pudding.

"Not bad," George commented, using an exquisitely crafted handkerchief to wipe his mouth leisurely. "Very fresh."

Before Yu Xiao could respond, a resounding roar echoed from outside. Even through the door, she could hear the anger, pain, resentment, and hatred laced within the owner's voice.

Calculating the time, Yu Xiao knew that the hefty individual on the other side should have returned to the operating room. The realisation that the brain he had personally dissected was missing would undoubtedly strike him like a thunderbolt.

Yu Xiao blinked and humbly replied, "It's an honour for this brain to receive your appreciation."

George found her attitude pleasing. The unpleasantness of the day faded from his mind, and his cold countenance softened. 

Kindly, he said to Yu Xiao, "You're good, but as the attending physician, I must follow the rules and not provide any assistance beyond my responsibilities."

"It's alright, I won't put you in a difficult position," Yu Xiao pleaded, her gaze fixed on him. "If possible, can I stay here until dawn?"

George understood the reason behind her request, as well as where she had obtained the stolen brain. However, he remained indifferent. As the attending physician for this level, he was above the lowly NPCs. Yu Xiao's resourcefulness in presenting him with a fresh brain had earned her his goodwill.

"Normally, doctors don't have the authority to dismiss patients," George remarked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Miss, consider yourself free."

Taking his words quite literally, Yu Xiao shot him a grateful glance. "You're a real gentleman, with your principles intact."

Right in front of George, she nonchalantly shuffled three chairs together and settled down. As she reclined, she discovered that the office temperature hit the sweet spot. Even without a blanket, the chill didn't bother her much. The only hitch? The lights were glaringly bright.

Witnessing Yu Xiao's unapologetic demeanour, George suddenly regretted his earlier statement.

Soon enough, the woman lounging on the makeshift bed sat up. Just as George dared to hope that she might recognize her audacity, Yu Xiao piped up, "Dr. George, would you mind dimming the lights a bit?"

George's pleased expression froze, replaced by a minute-long silence.

"Click."

The lights obediently turned off, casting the entire office into darkness.

Yu Xiao expressed her gratitude, "Much obliged. You're a true gentleman, indeed."

*

*

As the imposing figure left the ward, Zhou Xiao Zhen found herself quietly succumbing to sobs. Zhao Lan, emitting a sigh of relief, gently inquired, "Precious, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," came Zhou Xiao Zhen's sniffling response. "Just scared. I was so afraid just now."

"Don't be scared; it's over now," reassured Zhao Lan, adjusting her position on the bed. "You're brave; I have newfound respect for you."

Encouraged by the praise, Zhou Xiao Zhen felt a surge of relief. She offered a smile while rubbing her back, saying, "The fall just now hurt so much. How about you, Misty?"

"I'm fine, thanks to Smiley giving me the stamina card. Otherwise, I might not have been able to hold up," Zhao Lan mentioned, rubbing the spot where she banged her head..

"I wonder how Smiley is doing," Zhou Xiao Zhen expressed concern. "That fat pig was terrifying."

Suddenly, a roar came from outside. The fat pig doctor had completely lost his sanity!

Zhao Lan's expression changed. "Don't speak!"

Throughout the night, heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor, accompanied by the ominous sound of an axe being dragged along the floor.

They stayed awake the whole night, only to wake up the next morning at 8 am, accompanied by the gentle sounds of music and the movements of other patients.

Qiao Qiao, upon noticing Yu Xiao's vacant bed, seemed to grasp something and let out a malicious laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" Zhou Xiao Zhen, with dark circles under her eyes, glared at her. "I'm telling you, if anything happens to Smiley, I won't let you get away with it!"

Confronted with the threat, Qiao Qiao wore her fearlessness proudly. Her eyes, in a defiant act, rolled back entirely to reveal white orbs. 

Zhou Xiao Zhen, brimming with the itch for a fight, shot an incredulous look at the provocateur. "She dares to provoke me!" she growled, fists ready for a skirmish.

Amidst the building tension, Zhao Lan, burdened with dark circles under her eyes, stood by Zhou Xiao Zhen. Her admonition cut through the charged atmosphere, "Don't start trouble. Smiley's safety is the top priority now."

As morning arrived, the patients, obedient like soldiers, formed a line and walked out of the ward towards the medication dispensary.

Zhao Lan, standing second to last in line, entered the corridor and spotted a tall, overweight doctor. His face, a mosaic of excessive flesh, held a predatory gaze that suspiciously lingered on the departing patients. To make matters worse, he greedily licked his lips with a long tongue, openly revealing his greed and cruelty.

With their heads bowed, they dared not meet the gaze of this hefty figure, fearful that he might unleash his anger. The whereabouts of Smiley remained unknown, and they prayed she wouldn't appear at this precarious moment.

*

*

The previous night, Yu Xiao enjoyed a peaceful sleep, a rare break from the restlessness that usually plagued her, especially since her brain cancer diagnosis.

Her peaceful slumber was interrupted by the sound of music, and she woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling. George, with his usual cold demeanour, sat sternly behind his desk.

Yu Xiao was genuinely impressed. Was his job simply sitting here? She was curious if his back hurt from sitting so much. 

"Good morning, Dr. George," Yu Xiao greeted, her hair messy.

George's eyes, once softened by the dinner of the previous night, now held a disdain that clung to Yu Xiao like an unwelcome shroud. The positive impression had vanished, leaving behind a tense atmosphere in the room. In this moment, all George wanted was for Yu Xiao to disappear, to fade away into nothingness, leaving no trace of her presence.

"You should leave," George advised, "or you will miss your medication for today."

The idea of Yu Xiao needing that medication seemed absurd, overshadowed by a more pressing matter at hand.

"Alright, I will leave now," Yu Xiao responded tentatively, her eyes searching George's for any sign of leniency, "Can you, Dr. George, take me back?"

George responded with a cold stare, silently questioning the absurdity of her request.

"Dr. George, I need you to take me back," Yu Xiao asserted with unwavering determination, "I hope you can agree."

A mocking smirk appeared on George's lips, "And what if I don't agree?"

Yu Xiao remained unaffected, her composure unbroken. She calmly took out her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen as she dialled the number for the Sixth Hospital's medical dispute office. 

With an innocent blink directed at George, she declared, "Then I will have no choice but to report you for accepting bribes."

"..."

In the hushed confines of the doctor's office, a heavy silence filled the air. George's once polished and attractive face contorted into a menacing expression. 

Leering at Yu Xiao, he asked, "Are you trying to threaten me?"

Yu Xiao bowed her head and spoke with a hint of sadness, "I don't have any other options." 

Leaving his seat, George took purposeful steps towards Yu Xiao. "Do you understand the consequences of reporting? Remember, you're the one who slipped those bribes."

"I can't say for certain," Yu Xiao looked up at George, her smile now laced with irony, "But... if we're going down, let's sink together!"

*

*

In the line, Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen waited, the queue slowly thinning. It seemed that avoiding taking the medication was a futile hope today.

Zhao Lan briefly considered a trick, similar to Yu Xiao's strategy with Qiao Qiao, but it appeared that Qiao Qiao had outsmarted them this time. She stood at the front, having already downed the required dose.

A weary sigh escaped Zhao Lan. At least luck was on their side; Yu Xiao had not shown up yet, a small silver lining in their unfortunate situation.

As the two of them pondered their predicament, a sudden change in the room's atmosphere caught their attention. The nurse, in the midst of her medicinal duties, trembled, and the cup she was holding slipped, making a soft 'plip' sound as it hit the floor.

Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen were bewildered. Looking around, they realised that everyone's attention had shifted to the corridor. Curiosity piqued, they turned to see and found themselves frozen in astonishment.

Emerging from the right side of the corridor was Yu Xiao, accompanied by George. They walked together, Yu Xiao's hand entwined with George's arm.

"..."

The sight was so astonishing that even the usually stern Fat Doctor momentarily forgot his severity, the axe in his hand hitting the floor with a resonant 'clang.'

In that surreal moment, both patients and medical staff stared,  transfixed. Under the scrutiny of numerous eyes, Yu Xiao reluctantly let go of George's arm.

Facing George, Yu Xiao's features softened with a sweet and reluctant expression, as if bidding a fond farewell. 

"Thanks, George. I had a good night's sleep," she said, smiling. "Just walk me to this point."

Turning, she cast a glance at Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen. 

With a shy tilt of her head, she added, "You had a hard time last night. Go back and rest. Don't worry about me; I won't tell anyone about what happened between us. Goodbye, George," Yu Xiao waved.

George, once graceful and composed, now coldly turned and left, his strides lacking their former elegance.

Yu Xiao stood her ground, watching George depart. After a while, she turned and curiously asked, "Why is everyone looking at me like that?"

Medical staff and patients shuddered, hastily averting their gaze, occasionally stealing glances.

Dr. Fatty caught on, suspiciously glaring at Yu Xiao for a long time. He then picked up the cleaver and walked away with heavy steps.

With a smile in her eyes, Yu Xiao approached Zhao Lan. "Thanks for saving my spot."

Excited, Zhao Lan met her gaze. "No need to thank me."

Standing in front of Zhao Lan, Yu Xiao scanned the surroundings, searching for a small figure. She spotted a silhouette pressed against the wall. "Qiao Qiao!"

Qiao Qiao's sneaky body froze. She heard that devilish voice, "Are you waiting for me to leave together?"

☆ | Next Chapter 

My other Translations Check out

☆In Virtual Reality☆ [Completed]

☆I’m A Little White Flower In An Escape Game☆ [Completed]