Chapter 112 – Seeing the Young Master Again

extra ko-fi chapter (9/12) for Shihane

love (*￣∇￣)

After returning from the mountain, Jian Mei went straight to Ping Ping’s house.

Ping Ping’s parents were both infected, and their conditions were quite serious. The first thing Jian Mei did when he came back was to brew medicine. The air in the house wasn’t circulating well, so he opened all the windows to let fresh air flow in.

The aroma from the brewing medicine slowly filled the room,not bitter at all, but even carrying a hint of fragrance. It brought some change to the somewhat stuffy environment, as if in this somewhat dark and oppressive place, a ray of different, hopeful light had sprung up.

Ping Ping came over and said, “Mei Mei, you worked hard all day yesterday. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

Jian Mei shook his head and said, “It’s okay, I’m not tired.”

He couldn’t rest for a moment, nor was he willing to stop.

The epidemic was spreading rampantly, and if he stopped for a moment, perhaps more people would leave this world because of it.

Ping Ping’s mother had been coughing and running a fever. Ping Ping kept changing the cool cloths for her. After Jian Mei finished brewing the medicine, he handed it to him and said, “Ping Ping, come and feed your mother the medicine. The medical department still needs me. There are some things I need to handle and I can’t stay here all the time.”

Ping Ping obediently nodded but said worriedly, “Mei Mei, please be careful.”

“I know,” Jian Mei touched the child’s head and said softly, “Remember, stay at home and behave. Don’t wander the streets, and don’t open the door for strangers.”

Ping Ping obediently agreed.

Once Ping Ping agreed, Jian Mei left and returned to the hospital.

On the way, sitting in the car, he saw people on the streets mostly hunched over, hurrying along, obviously avoiding something.

When he arrived back at the hospital, he happened to see Lu Yuncheng getting angry.

“What’s going on!” Lu Yuncheng’s voice was sharp with anger. “How come there are so few people on duty today?”

Someone replied nervously, “Some of them were infected yesterday, so they didn’t come today. They’re all at home.”

Lu Yuncheng’s anger flared up. Just as he was about to erupt, Jian Mei came over from behind, tugging at his sleeve and said, “Sir, arguing now won’t help. If we’re short-handed, we’ll have to make do with whoever can work today.”

Lu Yuncheng sighed and ordered most of the people to step back and return to their posts.

Jian Mei said, “Let me help too. I’ve learned the process these days, so I should be able to assist.”

Mei Mei, you’ve worked hard,” Lu Yuncheng rubbed his forehead. He had been quite stressed these days, with almost every little thing relying on him.

Jian Mei shook his head, simply saying, “Since we’re in this situation now, there’s no need for it.”

Lu Yuncheng smiled at that.

Previously, they all thought Jian Mei was still a student without experience and couldn’t be relied on. But now, it was this student, this child who stepped up, being more reliable than most people.

Jian Mei went to check on the patients in the ward. Now, quite a few civilians were also staying on makeshift beds in the corridors. He checked on each one and inquired about their recent recovery.

When he encountered a child, the child grabbed Jian Mei’s hand and said softly, “Big Brother.”

Jian Mei asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Is my illness going to cost a lot of money?” The child looked at Jian Mei, his voice already hoarse, but he persisted, “If it’s going to cost a lot of money, can I leave the hospital and not get treated anymore…”

Jian Mei furrowed his brow. “Why would you say that?”

The child was struggling to breathe, but he choked out, “Because it’s not easy for my parents to earn money. Staying in the hospital for a day is really expensive and will use up all the money at home.”

Jian Mei looked at the child in front of him. Though still young, the child looked frail, as if he could dissipate at any moment. There was no color in his face, and he held Jian Mei’s hand with a bit of force, as if it was his last strength.

“It won’t be that expensive,” Jian Mei reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead, saying softly, “And you’ll get better soon.”

A glimmer of hope appeared in the boy’s eyes as he asked softly, “Really?”

“Of course,” Jian Mei smiled gently. “I won’t lie to you.”

Although Jian Mei didn’t have a drug that would completely cure the epidemic, he didn’t want this child to lose his will to live. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, Jian Mei wouldn’t give up, nor did he want this child to give up.

…

In the evening, when Jian Mei was about to return to Ping Ping’s house, he was intercepted by someone.

It was the young master’s carriage. Upon hearing that Jian Mei had returned, he sent people from the mansion to pick him up. It had been over a year since he had returned to the mansion, and Jian Mei felt a familiar feeling permeating everywhere. These days, Lord Jia Si had been performing various rituals to purify the mansion of evil spirits.

As Jian Mei walked through a corridor, he saw a device emitting a red light. Walking underneath it, it seemed to spray a mist of water over him. Curious, he asked, “What’s this?”

Ms Li answered, “It seems to be installed by the master. He said this can disinfect and prevent the spread of the disease.”

Jian Mei nodded thoughtfully.

He hadn’t seen such an advanced device in the capital, but it seemed that Lord Jia Si, as stubborn as he was, had embraced some advancements.

Ms Li led Jian Mei through several twists and turns to the attic where the young master lived. As Jian Mei ascended the stairs, he saw the young man standing by the window, his back to him. He asked softly, “Young Master?”

The young master turned around. A year apart had matured his appearance. After seeing Jian Mei, he turned and smiled, “Mei Mei, long time no see.”

Jian Mei was slightly stunned, nodding gently. “Young Master, long time no see.”

“I missed you so much…”

Before Jian Mei could react, he found himself enveloped in an embrace. The young master was quick, so quick that Jian Mei hadn’t even seen his figure clearly before being embraced in a somewhat tender hug.

The young master whispered by his ear, “Finally, I see you.”

Jian Mei stiffened at first, but then smiled. When the embrace ended, he took a step back and looked at him, asking softly, “Is the young master’s health all right now?”

The young master nodded. “It’s fine. Thank you for your concern, Mei Mei.”

Jian Mei smiled lightly. “The young master is my friend, so of course, I’d be concerned.”

“Is that so?” The young master looked up at him, a hint of disappointment crossing his delicate face. “If you truly cared, you wouldn’t have gone these days without sending me a single letter.”

Jian Mei chuckled nervously. “But I’ve sent messages to the young master.”

The young master said, “Then it seems you still have me in your heart.”

Jian Mei nodded firmly.

“Mei Mei, with the epidemic so severe, why did you come back?” The young master pulled Jian Mei aside to a small balcony. There, Ms Li had prepared tea, and he poured a cup for Jian Mei, saying softly, “You shouldn’t have come back.”

Jian Mei briefly explained that he came back to trace the source of the disease, hoping to control the epidemic.

The young master chuckled softly after hearing it all.

Jian Mei asked, “What are you laughing at?”

“Laughing at you, it seems you’re still the same as before, unchanged at all.” The young master’s smile gradually faded, his voice growing more serious. “Mei Mei, listen to my advice. This epidemic is severe, and there’s a lot of danger behind it. This isn’t something trivial. Stop your research, okay?”

Jian Mei took a sip of tea and replied, “Have you forgotten, young master? I’m a doctor. I’ve seen more of this epidemic’s severity on the way here. I’ve seen many patients in the hospital, and I understand the dangers. But at this critical moment, if I were to stop, what would happen to those patients?”

The young master’s movements paused.

After a year, he thought that by going to the capital, to the best school, surrounded by people with divine power who were always high and mighty, it would change Jian Mei’s perspective. But he was wrong. Some people are inherently upright and kind.

Jian Mei sat on the balcony, from where he could see beyond the mansion. After a moment, he said, “The epidemic prevention measures mansion are well done. There are fewer people moving around, and that disinfection device is excellent. Do you know where Lord Jia Si bought it? I want the hospital to install some.”

The young master’s face showed a brief moment of unease but he replied, “I’m not sure, but I can ask my father.”

Jian Mei smiled, “Thanks, young master!”

The young master looked at the boy in front of him, unable to genuinely smile. They talked about many things, recent events and updates. As it got darker, Jian Mei said, “I need to go.”

The young master said, “You can stay here. You just got back and probably don’t have a fixed place to stay. Your room is still there.”

“I can’t. I need to go back to the hospital for my shift,” Jian Mei shook his head. “We’re short-staffed right now.”

Hearing this, the young master couldn’t insist on keeping him. But as he watched Jian Mei’s departing figure, he stood up and called, “Mei Mei!”

Jian Mei stopped and turned back, curious. Then, as if remembering something, he smiled, “Oh, young master, if you feel unwell, make sure to let me know. I’m working at the hospital now, so it’s convenient.”

The young master’s heart felt a sudden, unexplained pain, a feeling that was long and painful.

“Mei Mei, if you have any difficulties, make sure to tell me,” he added, almost pleading. “If you’re ever in danger, contact me immediately, okay?”

Jian Mei found this strange but nodded, “Okay.”