Chapter 7: The Seventh Cup

Chapter 7: The Seventh Cup

Within the safety zone, especially near the Healing Center, people could occasionally be seen walking on the streets. Everyone seemed more relaxed here compared to when they were out in the wild, their postures clearly less tense.

The red banner hanging at the entrance of the Healing Center was particularly eye-catching—on the left, it read "United we stand, overcoming difficulties together," and on the right, "Protecting the people, fearless in the face of challenges." Despite being somewhat tacky with its red background and yellow text, it provided an unexpected sense of comfort, making one feel as if they had been pulled back into a bustling, vibrant world.

It seemed that no matter how bizarre this world became, there were always some things that remained unchanged.

The Healing Center was established by the authorities after their arrival. Anyone with less than half their health could receive free treatment. Of course, those with more than half their health could also be treated, but it would cost game currency.

Awakened healers were extremely rare. Among millions of players, currently, there were fewer than a hundred healers found, truly one in a million.

Some healers who could adapt to combat accompanied special operations teams on missions, while most stayed at the Healing Center.

After all, most of those who awakened healing abilities had some physical defects. Several well-known healers at the Healing Center covered a range from the elderly, the weak, the sick, the disabled, to pregnant women.

Someone like Xiaoxue, who was healthy except for her self-reported severe myopia, was already quite rare.

But perhaps because of this, her healing ability wasn't very strong.

If everything went as expected, Xiaoxue would eventually work here once she grew up a bit more.

However, Xiaoxue didn’t want to work at the Healing Center; she wanted to join a combat team. That’s why she went out with Long Teng and the others, planning to practice her combat skills on Slimes, only to encounter such an unexpected situation.

Qi Xue lowered her head and stopped at the entrance of the Healing Center: "I—I won’t go in. I can heal myself; going in would just cause trouble for everyone..."

Yi Luo glanced at her and suddenly said, "I remember your brother."

Qi Xue abruptly lifted her head, her eyes behind her glasses looking dazed: "Ah?"

Yi Luo nodded at her: "He was remarkable, protecting many people."

Qi Xue lowered her head again, trying not to cry in front of everyone, but tears still welled up uncontrollably. She wiped them away haphazardly, smudging her glasses and leaving them askew on her face. She kept her head down, her voice slightly choked but silent tears streaming down her face: "I’m sorry..."

Yi Luo patted her head, not gently, but the firmness of the gesture was oddly comforting: "Can you write a report?"

"Ah?" Qi Xue was taken aback.

"The combat team is short on people," Yi Luo smiled. "But they wouldn’t send someone like you out willingly."

Qi Xue stared at him blankly, and Yi Luo sighed. This child probably wasn’t too bright. The chubby kid beside her had caught on and jumped up: "Ah! I get it! They won’t ask, but you can apply! Write a report, tell your story, mention your brother, make the leaders cry!"

Yi Luo nodded approvingly: "Exactly. They won’t let you join the combat team immediately, but if you keep writing, they’ll eventually give you a chance to train."

Qi Xue slowly opened her mouth in surprise, and Yi Luo made a gesture signaling secrecy before patting her head again: "Don’t say I told you."

"Don’t bear everything yourself. You’re still young. Just ask the adults for what you need."

Qi Xue clenched her hands and nodded forcefully.

"Alright, now, all of you go inside and get checked," Yi Luo pointed inside, and the group of half-grown kids obediently lined up and walked in.

He Wuning lagged behind, seemingly unconcerned.

The receptionist at the Healing Center, an Awakened with the "Status Appraisal" skill, prioritized treatments based on severity. She was giving free treatments, usually prioritizing those with lower health. When she scanned He Wuning, his 9 points of health shocked her so much that her pen dropped.

A young woman in a white medical coat quickly emerged from the reception desk, grabbed He Wuning, and shouted: "Make way! We have a critical case here!"

He Wuning: "No, I don’t—"

Without a word, she slapped a respirator onto his face and shoved an oxygen tank into his arms, glaring fiercely: "Don’t talk!"

"Get the stretcher! On the stretcher!"

He Wuning was hustled onto the stretcher, wanting to protest that he was far from critically ill, but the woman didn’t give him a chance, carrying him straight into the treatment room.

The healer treating He Wuning was one of the "old, weak, sick, disabled, and pregnant" members—an elderly lady wearing reading glasses, with gray hair and a frail appearance. She looked strict, and He Wuning heard the young woman call her "Teacher Yan."

Teacher Yan glanced at He Wuning, then got straight to work: "Arm."

He Wuning rolled up his sleeve. Her healing ability required equipment assistance. She gave him an injection, and He Wuning barely moved a muscle.

Teacher Yan looked at him, then sneered: "You’re good at enduring pain, huh?"

He Wuning silently met her gaze, watching his health rapidly increase. But the old lady seemed displeased.

"Hmph." She turned her gaze away. "I’ve seen plenty of young people like you who like to show off. Let me tell you, in this world, those who pretend to be tough when they’re almost dead are the ones who lose their lives easily."

He Wuning: "..."

"Still not worried with so little health? Do we have to chase you to treat you?" The old lady scolded, exasperated. "Young and reckless, thinking it’s shameful to fear death?"

"Dying is shameful! Take care of yourself!"

Despite her harsh words, her actions were gentle.

He Wuning endured the lecture with a wooden expression, catching Yi Luo watching from the doorway, trying hard not to laugh.

He Wuning gritted his teeth.

Teacher Yan noticed him and shifted her ire: "Yi Luo."

Yi Luo stood straight: "Yes!"

Teacher Yan huffed: "What are you looking at? You’re the same! Be careful!"

She looked at everyone with disapproval, her stern face smoothing out her wrinkles, "What are you smiling about!"

"Ahem." Yi Luo reined in his smile, seemingly afraid of the old lady, but then he didn't seem to be when he spoke again, "I was just saying how much you two resemble each other, both with fiery tempers. The way you scold him is like scolding a grandson..."

He Wuning didn't retort to the old lady, but he wouldn't let Yi Luo off so easily. He lifted his eyes: "You're the one who's her grandson."

"In that case, I'm getting a good deal," Yi Luo leaned against the door, smiling. "If Teacher Yan likes our lonely old man at home..."

Teacher Yan looked as if she wanted to jab the syringe into Yi Luo's forehead: "Get out!"

"Got it." Yi Luo immediately turned around, "I'll go watch the little fatty cry next door."

He Wuning watched him leave silently, thinking, is this the demeanor of the beacon of humanity?

With the interruption, Teacher Yan didn't say anything more and swiftly finished the treatment, waving her hand dismissively to send He Wuning, her 'grandson,' back where he came from.

By the time Yi Luo returned from next door, smilingly leading the sobbing little fatty, He Wuning had already reached the entrance of the treatment center, opening the car door to get in.

Judging by the situation, if Yi Luo had been any later, He Wuning would have left without a word.

Yi Luo was taken aback: "You're not staying overnight in the safe zone?"

His posture clearly indicated he still planned to leave.

"Mm." He Wuning didn't look back, getting into the car with a nonchalant air.

The little fatty murmured, "He's really cool..."

Yi Luo glanced at him amusedly: "Not crying anymore?"

The little fatty scratched his head sheepishly, but the milk tea van outside the entrance had been idling for a while without moving.

Yi Luo looked curiously, suddenly realizing something. With a smile in his eyes, he walked to the front of the car and knocked on the window.

He Wuning reluctantly rolled down the window. Inside, Q-jam was animatedly giving instructions: "Listen to me, turn the wheel all the way! All the way! Don't step on the gas here; you can't drive recklessly! It's better to move slowly out..."

Yi Luo tried to hold back his laughter to avoid angering the man again, but after a slight effort, he gave up and leaned against the window, grinning: "Need help backing up?"

He Wuning's face darkened, but he didn't insist. Silently, he opened the car door and let Yi Luo in.

With his hands in his pockets, he stood on the steps of the treatment center. The little fatty sneaked up beside him, trying to console him in a mature manner: "Boss, even if you can't back up, you're still the coolest in my book!"

He Wuning: "..."

Yi Luo skillfully parked the car in front of him, the rear of the car making a perfect arc. Whether it was He Wuning's imagination or not, it seemed like a show-off move.

So what if you can drive a tank?

He Wuning felt a bit annoyed but, upon reflection, admitted it was indeed impressive.

Yi Luo smiled and rolled down the window: "Want a ride out of the city?"

"No need." He Wuning firmly refused, staring at Yi Luo for a moment, his expression conflicted.

By all logic, he should thank him, but... seeing the hint of a smile on this guy's face, he felt that if he said "thank you," his tail would probably reach the sky.

Yi Luo was quite adept at finding ways to save face, nodding at him. "No need to thank me; I'm here to serve the people."

He Wuning: "…"

He pulled out a roll of bandages from his pocket and threw it to him. Yi Luo caught it instinctively; it was a healing item.

"A token of appreciation."

Before Yi Luo could even react, He Wuning had already driven off.

Yi Luo's expression changed. "Oh no, I was so busy teasing him, I forgot to add him as a friend!"

Author's note:

A little drama with no obligations:

Yi Luo: He bought me a milk tea.

Bunny: You have to pay for it.

Yi Luo: He gave me bandages.

Bunny: That's what you saved from the treatment center.

Yi Luo: He actually doesn't hate me that much (certain).

Bunny: You're hopeless (certain).

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or watered the nutrient solution from 02:20:29 on July 31, 2021, to 00:37:58 on August 1, 2021.

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Mo Bugu 20 bottles; Gu Jiuxi 10 bottles; Xu Yu 6 bottles; Su Qingbai 5 bottles; Genuine Leather Little Fox 1 bottle;

I am very grateful for everyone's support, and I will continue to work hard!