A Forum for Patients of Fourth Hospital
Chapter 7: Open the door for delivery

“Ah this ……” Yu Xiao’s face twisted in confusion as she glanced at her phone screen. “What is this?” she asked, utterly bewildered.

Zhao Lan, glued to her phone, replied, “The forum has already updated the points ranking. I’ve received a few text messages about it. You ought to look at it.”

Yu Xiao navigated to the Sixth Hospital forumand discovered that someone had indeed posted the points ranking. Her username, ‘Deaf Descendant,’ occupied the top position. The player in second place went by the name of “Give me your heart,” while the rest had nicknames that were completely unfamiliar to her. It wasn’t until the ninth spot that she came across Zhou Xiao Zhen’s nickname, ‘Braised Egg Girl 438.’

“I made it onto the list! I did it!” exclaimed Zhou Xiao Zhen, her excitement almost causing her to jump with joy. “Wait a minute… Why isn’t Misty included? Her score should have been higher than mine.”

After carefully reviewing the points ranking, Yu Xiao began to analyse the text messages she had received.

【Congratulations on having an extraordinary night at the hospital. You have successfully become a level one member of the Sixth Hospital patient forum.】

【To acknowledge your accomplishment of making it through the night, we will award you a base score of three points. Additionally, thanks to your exceptional performance, you will earn an additional three points.】

【Congratulations on obtaining the prestigious title of “The Grudge of the Pretty Nurse” and receiving four points. With this, your total score now stands at ten points.】

【Congratulations on securing the top position on the points ranking. As a reward, you will receive two functional cards. Please claim them on the forum.】

【Lastly, we are pleased to announce that the countdown feature has been unlocked, allowing you to use your points to buy time at the mall.】

Yu Xiao felt an itch on her wrist, prompting her to roll up her sleeve. As she did so, a crimson display came into view on her skin, counting down the time left: “30 days, 08:34:06.” The ongoing countdown filled her with unease.

“This is the amount of time we have left,” Zhao Lan said, her complexion turning ashen. “When the countdown reaches zero, our lives will come to an end.”

Yu Xiao glanced at Zhao Lan’s wrist, which displayed only 21 days remaining, even shorter than her own.

“It’s not a problem,” reassured Yu Xiao, gently squeezing her friend’s hand. “We have points that we can use to buy extra time.”

“What are these special cards?” Zhou Xiao Zhen asked, her eyes fixed on her phone. “Do you have any? I have one.”

Opening the forum, she found two cards in her collection. The designs on the cards matched Zhou Xiao Zhen’s, only her friend’s had the words “Prop Card, Would You Like to Use?” written on a deep purple background.

“I have two cards,” Yu Xiao stated, showing Zhao Lan the message she had received about the cards. “I’m not sure what they’re for,” she added. “One says ‘Physical Fitness Card, Would You Like to Use?,’ while the other says ‘Luck Card, Would You Like to Use?’.”

Zhao Lan thought for a moment before suggesting, “Why don’t we try it out to see what it does?”

“Right, Misty,” Zhou Xiao Zhen replied confidently, selecting “yes” to confirm the use of the tool.

A card appeared on the screen, flipping over and reducing to four options.

【Select your preferred tool from the following options: A. toothpick. B. Enema. C. Mahjong. D. hair removal cream.】

“…”

After a brief pause, a sense of confusion filled the air.

Zhou Xiao Zhen muttered in disbelief, “What kind of tool is this? Do they actually believe I cannot have a bowel movement without an enema? My digestive system is perfectly healthy; I have regular and normal bowel movements.”

Yu Xiao tried to offer some comfort, saying, “There are other options available, such as a toothpick.”

Zhou Xiao Zhen countered, “My teeth are in excellent condition.”

Zhao Lan then suggested, “Hair removal cream…”

“Misty,” Zhou Xiao Zhen stared at her blankly, “do you really think we need even less hair on our bodies?”

Recalling Zhou Xiao Zhen’s shiny bald head and her own similar appearance beneath the hat, Zhao Lan struggled to find the right words to say.

“Mahjong is our only choice,” Zhou Xiao Zhen consoled herself, “at least it’s a hobby that can enrich our lives.”

Yu Xiaoan hesitated, “But we’re short one player.”

“…”

Zhou Xiao Zhen had already clicked on the mahjong set. Suddenly, fireworks exploded on the screen, creating a dazzling and magnificent display.

【Congratulations, you have obtained a permanent item: a mahjong set!】

【Instructions: When the number of patients and medical personnel reaches four or more, the owner of the item can initiate a mahjong game by force. During the game, all participants are immune to any harm. At the end of each round, the winner has the authority to punish any participant as they see fit.】

“…”

“Good Lord!”

“Good Lord!”

Yu Xiaoan and Zhao Lan gazed at each other, “Good Lord!”

“Good Lord!” Zhou Xiao Zhen’s face turned red. “I believe I’ve stumbled upon an extraordinary tool!”

“Absolutely!” Zhao Lan was also thrilled. However, as the oldest sister in the ward, she had to help her fellow patients maintain a calm demeanour. “But don’t become too dependent on the tool. Losing has consequences, after all.”

“Did you know, Misty?” Zhou Xiao Zhen grabbed a brush from Yu Xiaoan’s table and put the pen end in her mouth, exuding an air of sophistication and experience. “In our village, they call me ‘Mahjong Dad.’”

“You are a mahjong tyrant? Mahjong King?” Yu Xiao asked.

“No, no, no~” Zhou Xiao Zhen proudly smiled. “My father makes mahjong tiles!”

“…”

“Now you’ve gained some insight into my unparalleled gambling prowess, haven’t you?” Zhou Xiao Zhen boasted with a smug expression.

“…”

Zhao Lian took a deep breath and turned to Yu Xiao. “Let’s see what your function cards do, Smiley.”

“Sure,” Yu Xiao replied. She revealed two cards she had obtained: a luck card and a physical fitness card.

Considering that Zhou Xiao Zhen’s props card rewarded her with a prop when used, Yu Xiao speculated that her two cards might enhance luck and physical fitness.

After a moment of consideration, Yu Xiao opened the luck card.

【Congratulations! Your luck has increased by 30, achieving the coveted state of happiness to the soul.】

Luck was exactly what Yu Xiao needed. With fortune favouring her, she could enhance the likelihood of successfully drawing symbols. The fortuitous arrival of the luck card couldn’t have been more timely, and Yu Xiao couldn’t help but radiate with happiness.

Just as she was about to access her other card, she paused. Upon witnessing Zhao Lian’s genuinely delighted expression, Yu Xiao instead navigated to the trading interface.

“Misty,” Yu Xiao announced, “I’ve listed the physical fitness card for sale in the store.”

Zhao Lian was caught off guard. Yu Xiao was giving up her physical fitness card, and Zhao Lian wasn’t naive; she knew exactly what that meant.

“Misty!” Zhou Xiao Zhen urgently tapped her on the back. “Don’t just stand there. If you take too long, someone else will grab it, and then we would have wasted the card for nothing.”

Zhao Lian snapped out of her daze and quickly accessed the store. A card with a starry pattern was calmly displayed on the homepage, listed at 0 points.

After confirming her purchase, Zhao Lian stared at the function card that now belonged on her personal page and couldn’t help but shed tears. Despite her eloquence, she was the shyest and struggled to express herself. She had endured so much, but managed to hold back her tears and hoarsely thanked Yu Xiao. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me!” Yu Xiao grinned broadly. “We’re in the same ward and part of the same team. Only by strengthening everyone’s abilities can we make steady progress.”

“Misty, don’t just cry,” Zhou Xiao Zhen urged. “Flip the card quickly.”

“Very well,” Zhao Lian nodded solemnly, and unexpectedly pulled Yu Xiao and Zhou Xiao Zhen into a tight embrace. “Thank you…truly, thank you. Not just for the function cards, but for everything since I’ve been in the hospital. If it weren’t for you two by my side, I might have given up a long time ago… sniff, you guys are truly remarkable.”

Zhou Xiao Zhen also began to weep, saying, “Misty, I… I was diagnosed with cancer at such a young age and it really hurts. But I cannot show it in front of my parents. I am afraid it would sadden them. There are some things I can only share with you two…”

Yu Xiao wasn’t typically one to give in to sentimentality. The last time tears had welled up in her eyes was when her grandmother had passed away. But now, these two people had managed to evoke strong emotions in her, causing her nose to tingle.

“Alright, enough tears,” Yu Xiao consoled them, lightly patting their shoulders. “It’s time to flip the card. I heard the sound of a cart outside, so once we unveil the card, we can sit down and enjoy our meal.”

【Would you like to use the fitness card?】 Zhao Lan opened it.

【Your fitness has increased by 30.】

After a brief silence, Zhou Xiao Zhen inquired, “Is that it? Are there no achievements or anything of the sort?”

After contemplating for a moment, Yu Xiao concluded, “Maybe Misty’s initial fitness level was so low that even with the 30-point increase, there was no significant improvement past human’s natural.”

Zhao Lan appeared torn and helpless.

Yu Xiao inquired, “Do you feel any different?”

Zhao Lan paused for a moment, deep in thought, before making her way to her bed. She squatted down and firmly grasped the edge of the bed with both hands. With a gentle exertion of force, she effortlessly raised the bed a few inches off the ground.

“Wow, that’s impressive!” Zhou Xiao Zhen exclaimed, her voice tinged with envy. “With such strength, Misty could easily capture the attention of all the unmarried men in our village.”

Zhao Lan’s expression darkened at the flattery, and a sudden recollection crossed her mind. “By the way, where is your mahjong set, Precious?”

Zhou Xiao Zhen was taken aback. “Oh, right! My mahjong set! My incredibly cool mahjong set!”

Just as the three were lost in thought, they heard a knock on the door behind them.

“Thud thud thud.”

Wary of who might be on the other side, the three turned around. Could it be the food seller again?

“Open up! Delivery!”

The three were taken aback. Could they receive deliveries here?

Zhao Lan looked at the other two. “Who among you ordered a delivery?”

Yu Xiao furrowed her brow. “I… ordered quite a few things.”

“I did too,” Zhou Xiao Zhen added.

Although receiving a delivery was a pleasant surprise, no one dared to open the door. Who knew what they would find if they did?

The delivery man’s impatience grew. “Do you want the delivery or not? I’ll leave if you don’t!”

Zhao Lan inquired, “Whose delivery is it?”

“Is ‘Braised Egg Girl 438’ living here? It’s a delivery for a mahjong game. I’ll leave if not!”

Zhou Xiao Zhen’s body quivered with excitement as she dashed over like a tiger. “It’s here, it’s here. I’m Braised Egg Girl 438…”

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