Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“A high fever?” Huo Shaoheng frowned. “Does she have an infection? Or did the bone not reconnect properly? Is there a lesion in the spine?”

Huo Shaoheng was able to list several possibilities in one breath. Chen Lie couldn’t help glancing at Huo Shaoheng. “You sure know a lot.”

“Cut the crap. Hurry up and diagnose her.” Huo Shaoheng leaned down and checked Gu Nianzhi’s temperature. It was too hot and her cheeks were unnaturally red—if it wasn’t for the fact that she was running a high fever, she looked exceptionally beautiful; even as she lay on her sick bed, she had the fragile beauty of a night blooming rose about her. Huo Shaoheng looked away and walked to the IV stand in the corner.

Chen Lie took out his instruments and connected it to Gu Nianzhi’s forehead then attached her to the IV for an infusion. However, he considered Gu Nianzhi’s body constitution and changed his mind. He pushed up the round glasses that were about to fall off his nose and smiled nervously before asking, “Boss, should we observe her for a bit longer? Nianzhi’s fever is still within a controllable range.”

Huo Shaoheng glanced at him and pointed to the number on the instrument. “Her fever is almost at 40 degrees Celsius and you’re telling me it’s still within a controllable range? Even though I didn’t study medicine, I know that a fever over 39 degrees is considered high. If it goes for too long, it can fry her brain. Are you trying to kill her?”

“No, no, no! Of course not! Am I that sort of person?” Chen Lie quickly refuted the accusation. “I watched Nianzhi grow up; how can I not be responsible for her?! But, you know about her condition: you remember the last time when she was inflicted by H3aB7? She was comatose for two weeks and had several high fevers, but I didn’t give her any transfusions. I let her bear through it!”

“What?!” Huo Shaoheng appeared uncharacteristically shocked. “How could you have dared to?! Did you forget the military order I gave you then?!”

“Of course I remember!” Chen Lie had always been very curious about Gu Nianzhi’s body constitution. As a medical genius, the fact that he had been able to hold back from dissecting a special case like Gu Nianzhi meant he cared for her like family. “Don’t forget though, we also reached a compromise for your mother’s illness’ sake.”

Huo Shaoheng grew quiet and looked at Gu Nianzhi then at Chen Lie. He put his hands in his trouser pockets and stood ramrod straight before Gu Niznzhi’s bedside silently for a long time before saying, “Keep it within 40 degrees. You will lower her body temperature if it gets any higher.”

“Of course, of course!” Chen Lie saw that Huo Shaoheng was acquiescing and nodded right away. “I’ll watch her personally. No one else will do it.”

Huo Shaoheng sat with his leg crossed and placed one hand on the armrest of the sofa, “We don’t need to bother the great Dr. Chen—I’ll watch her personally too.”

Chen Lie felt anxious because he knew Huo Shaoheng didn’t trust him. However, it was still a good thing because he didn’t even trust himself. With a medical miracle like Gu Nianzhi before him, could he really hold himself back from using her as a lab rat? At least with Huo Shaoheng’s supervision, he would never dare do anything to her. Chen Lie gave no objections and smiled. “Ok! Would you like some tea?”

“Don’t worry about me and go see how Nianzhi is doing.” Huo Shaoheng nudged his chin in her direction. Chen Lie sat behind of the instruments and began diligently recording the findings.

…

Chen Lie’s estimate was very precise. When the first rays of sunshine shone through the treetops and flickered through the blinds in the ward on Sunday morning, Gu Nianzhi woke up. Her body was entirely drenched, as though she had just come out of water. There was no strength left in her body and even speaking was difficult. She could only whimper because her throat was dry and her lips totally chapped.

Huo Shaoheng was sleeping with his head propped up with one hand, slouched in a single seater sofa. As soon as Gu Nianzhi made a sound, Huo Shaoheng woke up. Chen Lie, was still staring at the instruments. Huo Shaoheng went rigid for a moment, then opened his eyes and his gaze happened to fall on Gu Nianzhi. She lay on the bed in front of him and her long eyelashes trembled slightly. “Nianzhi?” Huo Shaoheng stood up and quickly went over to the bed to bend over and feel her forehead. He saw that her fever had broken but her forehead was covered in sweat, and her hair was tangled into knots, thready and damp. “Chen Lie? I think Nianzhi’s fever broke.” Huo Shaoheng turned to Chen Lie.

The doctor sat in front of the instrument with his eyes focused intently on it. His conscious was already blurred and he was half asleep. Huo Shaoheng called for Chen Lie some more before the doctor suddenly jumped up. “What is it? What happened? Do I need to give Nianzhi a transfusion?!”

Huo Shaoheng eyed him disdainfully: “Go wash your face with some cold water then come back to check on Nianzhi.” He gestured to Gu Nianzhi. “Her fever seems to be gone.”

Chen Lie shivered; he was now totally awake. He rushed to Gu Nianzhi’s bedside and began arranging his instruments to read the records from last night. They clearly indicated that Gu Nianzhi’s internal temperature had reached a record breaking 42 degrees Celsius! But it had fallen quickly soon after, eventually decreasing to a normal temperature. The whole process had taken about six hours. What made this so remarkable was that Gu Nianzhi’s condition had stabilized even though her fever had gotten high enough to almost induce encephalitis. Chen Lie’s heart hammered as he bent down to use the stethoscope on Gu Nianzhi’s chest. Thankfully, her heart rate was strong and steady—not only was she alive, but also very healthy. Checking her pulse again, he found that it was the same frequency as her heartbeat and displayed normal rates. He straightened up and his gaze inadvertently fell on Gu Nianzhi’s twisted left ankle. He was shocked to see that the previous swelling seemed to have recovered already. Healing from a fever that quickly was no reason for alarm, but having an ankle, swollen from dislocation and ligament strain, return to normal overnight was difficult to explain. Chen Lie scratched his head nervously then glanced at the exceptionally valuable records. He grit his teeth and said to Huo Shaoheng, “Boss, look at the records and then destroy them.”

“Why do they need to be destroyed?” Huo Shaoheng cautiously received the papers and glanced at them, then quickly crumpled it into a ball. “We need to burn it all.” He looked at the instruments. “Are there records inside these?”

“There should be, but I can’t extract them.” Chen Lie took off his glasses and wiped them anxiously.

“Can the manufacturer extract them?” Huo Shaoheng asked again as he walked up to the instruments and began playing with the buttons.

“Yes, I think so.” Sweat beaded on Chen Lie’s forehead once again. He was truly certain that these records could never be published. Not even the Supreme Military Council could ever learn of them. As soon as word got out, Gu Nianzhi’s freedom would definitely be lost forever.

“I see.” Huo Shaoheng said as his fingers dexterously fiddled with the power cord of the instruments and finally pulled out a red and a green wire. He put them together and they began to fizzle, then all the recording equipment in the room were burnt out from the short circuit. Plumes of black smoke rose and the burning smell from the power cord quickly permeated the room. The smoke detectors quickly sounded their shrill alarms and Huo Shaoheng turned to look at Chen Lie. “Can Nianzhi leave the bed now?”

Gu Nianzhi had a spine injury; normally, these type of patients couldn’t be moved, required to stay in bed for a few weeks. But seeing the rate of healing from last night, Chen Lie made a gesture and opened his mouth to reply weakly, “You can give it a try.”

The smoke detectors were still screaming and sounds of thundering footsteps from outside the hallway arrived at the door. It was the guards and hospital staff coming to put out the fire.

Huo Shaoheng made the executive decision to undo all the leather straps securing Gu Nianzhi, then carried her in his arms. “Nianzhi, bear with me a bit more, I’ll take you home.” He carried her and quickly strode out of the room towards the elevator. Chen Lie chased after him. A group of firefighters in protective gear passed by carrying fire extinguishers and mobile hoses. They began fiercely spraying at the burning instruments. When Huo Shaoheng carried Gu Nianzhi into the elevator, he looked up at the room across from the elevator to see the white foam from the fire extinguisher everywhere. The medical records were smothered in a cloudy white mix.

Chen Lie yelled, “What are you looking at? Do you know how expensive all those instruments were? They’re all toast now!”

“I’ll pay for them,” Huo Shaoheng replied succinctly. “A full set of Swiss medical equipment, brand new. I’ll personally fund it and not let the nation suffer losses.”

“Haha, I was waiting for you to say that!” Chen Lie playfully punched Huo Shaoheng on the shoulder. “I’ve wanted to upgrade them for a long time now. Thanks to Nianzhi, I have a new set of big guns!”

Huo Shaoheng glanced at him and was just about to say something when he felt a tiny tug at his collar. He looked down to see that Gu Nianzhi was awake. Staring at him with her huge doe-like eyes, she said weakly, “Put me down, I’m fine.”

Huo Shaoheng remained silent while Chen Lie interjected, “Nianzhi, does your back hurt? What do you feel? Can you move just a bit?”

Gu Nianzhi hugged Huo Shaoheng’s neck and adjusted herself in his arms to a more comfortable position. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m just really tired and my bones are sore.”

“That means you’re fine! This is normal after running a high fever.” Chen Lie wanted to dance in a circle and he grinned ear to ear. He cast Huo Shaoheng a look. “It’s all fine now. Boss, put her down and see if she can walk.” Seeing Huo Shaoheng’s unfriendly glare, Chen Lie immediately changed his tone. “Just let her stand by herself for a second. Just a second and then you can carry her back.”

Huo Shaoheng looked to Gu Nianzhi for her opinion. “Can you do it? Don’t force yourself; it’s fine if you can’t move. I’ll take care of you.”

Gu Nianzhi really didn’t feel any discomfort anymore, besides the fact that she was sore all over. Chen Lie told her that she’d had a high fever last night, so this was how she normally felt when that happened. Coughing lightly, she looked up at Huo Shaoheng. “I can try.”