Plague (18): Special surprise

The person in charge repeatedly changed his story, prompting Tan Xiao to question, “Didn’t you say there were enough people before?”

That was because General Nie Cheng was commanding from a distance, but the person in charge took the blame. He quickly found a suitable excuse: “Our organization’s volunteers are indeed sufficient, but Huaxi Hospital has always been short-staffed. That place recently experienced a violent attack, and the danger level is quite high, so most people are unwilling to go.”

He confirmed with Tan Xiao again, “Just to see your boyfriend, are you sure? Right now, Huaxi Hospital is a high-risk area.”

With a smile and a face full of trust, he said, “Haven’t the riots been quelled? I believe the hospital is safe enough now.”

He had watched the news, and the riots were mainly instigated by outsiders. They say the most dangerous places are often the safest. At least for the next few days, the hospital shouldn’t have any more trouble.

The person in charge opened his mouth to speak: “It’s not the outsiders who are more dangerous; it’s what’s inside. There are tens of thousands of sick patients inside, and the hospital is filled with viruses that can infect people.”

If it weren’t for Nie Cheng’s request, he wouldn’t even be willing to take the risk of coming to the family community, after all, it was too close to Huaxi Hospital. In fact, the ones taking care of those high-risk patients in the hospital now, besides the medical staff, were the trained soldiers.

Tan Xiao nodded seriously: “It’s not just once, it’s been many days. I’ve reserved 100 sets of protective clothing for myself, and if we’re talking about danger, those doctors and nurses who directly contact the patients are in more danger.”

Although he didn’t need to take care of patients every day, they definitely needed to study patients when conducting experiments, and they also had to come into contact with the virus every day. If the experiment was mishandled, there was a possibility of virus infection.

His own Dr. Wen was in this high-risk situation every day. He didn’t know when the vaccine would be developed, but as long as the hospital remained closed, Tan Xiao planned to stay with him every day.

The person in charge had slightly red eyes, damn love. Was this what young people were like, willing to do anything for love? He wiped his eyes and said, “Are you sure, no regrets?”

Tan Xiao nodded, “This is a decision I’ve thought over deeply these past few days. Please help me arrange it. If the research team is short on staff, I hope to be assigned there. I will do the work a volunteer should do and won’t embarrass the rescue team.”

It was said that the research team didn’t lack people, and many of those helping out were experienced and excellent medical students. If Tan Xiao didn’t shamelessly ask the rescue team for help, he would likely be assigned to take care of patients.

“I will arrange for someone to deliver the volunteer’s identification as soon as possible.”

Today marked the fifth day of the city’s lockdown, and the 19th day of the game instance. The rescue team’s staff were more energetic and efficient than Tan Xiao had imagined. After the donated supplies were taken away, a pass belonging to the volunteer was delivered within an hour, with a small note written on it: Work Area—Research Institute.

Upon receiving the document, Tan Xiao saw the note and his face turned red with excitement. He clenched his fist happily: Great!

However, Tan Xiao did not immediately enter the hospital; he was busy in the kitchen, preparing a sumptuous meal.

In addition, he also needed to prepare a large suitcase, as volunteers were not allowed to come and go freely.

Five hours later, Dr. Wen from the research institute finished work.

Although Wen Yi was praised as a young genius, with the arrival of those renowned experts in the medical field, he naturally stepped back to a secondary position, appearing very humble and obedient.

This was quite normal. As the core of the game world, Wen Yi held more authority than Nie Cheng and possessed more memories. A project destined to fail, just completing it half-heartedly would suffice. Without him, these people could still research this data; even if they were a few days ahead of schedule, it would only mean a few days earlier despair. Such changes were not good for the citizens of S City.

Because Wen Yi consistently completed the tasks assigned to him with high quality, despite his lack of initiative, no one could really criticize him.

Today’s situation was particularly bad. After the lunch break, Wen Yi had been exuding a low-pressure aura. The air conditioning in the research team’s area was already set very low, but everyone still felt like they were in an ice cellar. Those researchers close to Wen Yi felt like their blood was almost frozen.

It was an esteemed old professor, the head of the infectious disease research project, who couldn’t stand it any longer and asked with great concern, “Wen, are you feeling unwell today? If you’re really uncomfortable, you shouldn’t work overtime today. You should leave at six and get some good rest.”

However, everyone still had their meals normally, after all, they had worked hard all day. If they didn’t eat something good and warm to soothe their stomachs, not to mention the physical toll, their emotions might collapse first.

Except for the sudden attack yesterday, everyone had been eating well every day. The team members had also gotten used to it; every time they had a meal, Wen Yi would take the time to go to the rooftop and video chat with his little boyfriend.

In fact, Wen Yi went to the rooftop not just because the air was good and the view was nice, but because from the highest point, he could see the balcony of that residential

But this afternoon, when Tan Xiao was chatting with him, he was very perfunctory, saying he had no appetite to eat and hung up after a few words. However, he clearly saw Tan Xiao preparing a large feast in the kitchen.

Tan Xiao was lying to him. He was still chatting with a strange man downstairs but didn’t mention anything about it to him.

Why, why keep it from him? Why lie to him? Had Tan Xiao fallen for someone else?

With his mind full of “whys,” Dr. Wen’s mood was in a violent state, and by the time he got off work, he was sullen and depressed.

Until dinner time, the person in charge of delivering the meals came over.

“The attack yesterday startled all the teachers. Today, General Nie Cheng specially arranged a calming banquet. He paid out of his own pocket to treat everyone to a good meal.”

Although it was still a meal-sharing system, judging by the size and packaging of the meal boxes, it was definitely going to be a lavish dinner.

Since several teachers in the research group had dietary restrictions, each meal box was actually labeled with a name during distribution.

All the meal boxes had been distributed, but when it was Wen Yi’s turn, there was one missing.

“Dr. Wen… the meals have already been distributed, there’s none for you here.”

The staff member responsible for distributing the food was intimidated by Wen Yi, and they took a few steps back, trembling.

Professor Zhao, who had a gentle demeanor, quickly came to the staff member’s aid. He raised the meal box in her hand: “Everyone is too busy, maybe the person delivering the meals made a mistake and forgot yours. Give my meal to Xiao Wen, the portion is too much for me to finish alone. Do you have any disposable containers? I’ll split it with him. Xiao Wen isn’t feeling well today, he really should eat something good.”

“No need.” Wen Yi no longer hid his true nature, rejecting Professor Zhao with a face full of hostility.

Needless to say, this must be the work of that bastard Nie Cheng. Yesterday’s incident and today’s meal—this was a provocation!

Whether he ate or not didn’t matter to him; he just wanted to find Nie Cheng and give him a beating.

“Dr. Wen’s portion is here.” A young new staff member suddenly said.

When he came in, he was responsible for distributing food at the corner, and he was completely wrapped in protective gear, with only a pair of eyes visible under the transparent shield, which happened to be in Wen Yi’s blind spot.

But just by looking at his eyes, everyone could tell he was a newcomer. After all, the kid was quite tall, walked very upright, and most importantly, he had a pair of particularly beautiful eyes, bright and full of vitality, like the stars in the sky, giving a sense of vigor and hope.

The atmosphere in the hospital was indeed oppressive, and at a glance, it was clear he was new here. Then, looking at the ID badge hanging around his neck, it was a blue volunteer badge.

Hope Rescue Team, Tan Xiao.

Gender: Male

Age: Eighteen

He was indeed a vibrant young man, a flower of the motherland, a hope for society, a bright morning sun.

Hearing this voice, everyone turned to look. This young boy was holding a large four-tier insulated food container. The light blue container was very beautiful, but it was clearly not the exquisite version provided by Nie Cheng at the hotel.

This boy seemed a bit silly; the food container obviously contained his own food. Xiao Wen was fastidious and indifferent. Everyone was prepared that if he made someone sad, they would comfort the little boy later. After all, volunteers work out of love and couldn’t let people feel disheartened.

As soon as he heard the voice, Wen Yi’s whole body froze. He looked over in disbelief; even through the protective suit and mask, he recognized his beloved at a glance.

The staff member carrying the lunchbox walked over and stood in front of Wen Yi, raising a big smile under the mask.

“Dr. Wen, it’s a bit inconvenient for me to hold the lunchbox. Could you give me a hug? I didn’t mean to avoid talking to you more this afternoon; I just wanted to prepare a special surprise for you.”

Wen Yi took a step forward and tightly hugged Tan Xiao. The murderous aura around him instantly dissipated, like a spring breeze melting the ice and snow, and the air was filled with dreamy pink bubbles.

The others who were waiting for Wen Yi to explode: ?…!

Dinner hadn’t even been touched, but suddenly they felt inexplicably full.

TN: Double update. Merry Christmas!