A Forum for Patients of Fourth Hospital

Chapter 121: New Fiery Friend

In that instant, time seemed to stand still for him. His mind was buzzing, and when he regained his senses, he realised that he was sinking even deeper into the pool.

Yu Xiao casually walked over to the edge of the pool, peering into its depths. The water seemed like it could hide anything or anyone. Thanks to a tip from the Nightgown Ghost, she quickly spotted Ye Lang.

However, all she could make out in the water was a blurry figure. She couldn’t tell who it was, but she assumed it was Xue Rong Rong.

A chuckle escaped from Yu Xiao. She must have startled the poor gal.

“Hey, Xue Rong Rong, stop hiding. It’s just me, Yu Xiao,” she called out, her playful voice echoing.

But the figure in the water remained unresponsive. Ye Lang couldn’t hear her over the pounding of his own heart.

“Tsk.” Yu Xiao frowned. The water was calm. Was Xue Rong Rong in trouble? She turned to the Nightgown Ghost. “Can you fetch her out?”

The Nightgown Ghost acted without hesitation and quickly dove into the pool. As a ghost, she didn’t need to breathe, so swimming was effortless for her. Gracefully, she glided along the bottom of the pool towards the lad.

Ye Lang couldn’t see anything from the outside, but he sensed movement in the water. Holding his breath, he opened his eyes and was met with a horrifying sight.

Emerging from the depths of the pool was a ghostly figure, her hair flowing like dark seaweed in the shadowy water.

Caught off guard, he accidentally swallowed a mouthful of pool water, causing his lungs to protest vehemently.

Yu Xiao stood by the pool, scanning the surface with her gaze. Suddenly, the water stirred and she could barely make out someone struggling below. “What’s all the fuss about?” she wondered, finding the futile struggle quite amusing.

Just as Ye Lang lost consciousness, the Nightgown Ghost glided past and effortlessly pulled him to the surface.

When Ye Lang regained consciousness, he coughed and spluttered, his throat sore from the unexpected swim.

As he blinked his eyes open, he was greeted with a chilling sight—a female ghost with blood streaked across her features on his left, and a male ghost with an icy expression on his right.

Ye Lang tightly shut his eyes, desperately wishing it would all disappear.

“Why are you nodding off again?” a familiar voice asked impatiently. “I only have two hours here, and I didn’t come to watch you sleep!”

His eyes snapped open to the familiar face flanked by the spectral duo.

“You’re…” Ye Lang gasped in recognition. “Yu Rou?” (鱼肉: Fish Meat)

(余笑: Yu Xiao sounds similar to 鱼肉: yú ròu, which means “fish meat.” By replacing “肉” (ròu) with “丸” (wán), which means “ball” or “pellet, He called her “Fish Meat” and she retorted that she isn’t “Fish Balls”)

“My mistake,” muttered Ye Lang. “But why are you here?”

Noticing the ghosts beside her, he blurted out, “Ghosts! You can see them too, right? Or is it just me?”

Yu Xiao pressed a hand to her forehead, letting out a weary sigh. “Of course, I see them. They’re under my command.”

It took a moment, but Ye Lang realised that these ghosts were Yu Xiao’s “summons”. With newfound understanding, he regarded her with a mix of awe and bewilderment.

They exchanged info.

Confirming with a nod, Yu Xiao stated, “So your mission is to find a hundred gold coins in this manor, right? Have you seen anyone else around?’”

Ye Lang shifted nervously. “Just you. I can’t talk much; I need to find those coins quickly. If I don’t have a hundred by the end of tomorrow, the owner of the manor will have my head.”

“Don’t worry,” Yu Xiao reassured, motioning to the Fridge Ghost and the Nightgown Ghost. “You two, help him with the coins.”

After a moment of thought, she added, “I’m sure we’ll cross paths with the others. Want to join me in finding them?”

Ye Lang hesitated at the suggestion. “But the coins…”

“Keep at it,” Yu Xiao cut in, eyeing the clock. Less than an hour to thirteen o’clock. Lingering outside was risky now. “I’ll scout ahead,” she decided, “and circle back when I can.”

As she signalled for the ghosts to follow, Ye Lang made a plea, “Could you leave one of them with me?”

Yu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Sure, I could, but can you guarantee that they won’t turn on you once I’m gone?”

That made Ye Lang pause. He hadn’t considered that.

“I can give you a guarantee.”

“?”

Yu Xiao, with mischief in her eyes, showed her stack of talismans. “These are your key to keeping the ghosts away,” she explained. “And don’t worry about the cost—my talismans are a steal at just three points each.”

Ye Lang suddenly realised and pointed at her. “You’re the one from the talisman shop at the Sixth Hospital, undercutting everyone else’s prices!”

“Guilty as charged,” Yu Xiao admitted with a chuckle, taking out her phone. “Let’s swap numbers. If your mates at the Fifth Hospital need a bargain, I’m their gal.”

Ye Lang’s jaw dropped. “But how do you manage to sell them so cheap? Aren’t you worried about making a profit?”

Yu Xiao dismissed his concerns. “Profit? That’s not the game I’m playing. I’m here to ensure everyone can get talismans to survive these crazy times. I may be new, but I’ve seen enough of life and death to last a lifetime.”

Touched by Yu Xiao’s selflessness, tears filled Ye Lang’s eyes. The Sixth Hospital had its share of sorrow, but his own Fifth Hospital had also been deeply affected. They had recently lost one of their own in the ward.

“Thank you,” Ye Lang said gratefully. “You’re one of the good ones.”

Yu Xiao grinned. “Aw, shucks. So, how many talismans are we talking about here?”

As she left the villa, only the Nightgown Ghost remained. She left the refrigerator ghost to assist Ye Lang in his

“Deal,” she declared, reaching for the ghost heart.

The Fire Ghost hesitated, then added a few more smudged words to the wall.

Yu Xiao leaned in, reading the ghostly graffiti. “Remember… to return it.”

With a solemn stare from the Fire Ghost, Yu Xiao felt a pang of conscience—she hadn’t planned on giving it back.

“Sure,” she agreed a little too quickly. “It’ll be returned.”

The heart, cool to the touch and hard as ice, settled in her palm. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gently squeezed it. The Fire Ghost winced, its form flickering.

“Oops,” Yu Xiao winced in sympathy. “My bad.”

Using the heart as leverage, Yu Xiao watched as the Fire Ghost fully emerged, becoming a towering inferno of green flames. No fear touched her, not with its heart in her grasp.

She guided the Fire Ghost to the balcony, pointing towards the overgrown lawn. “I need to step outside. Your task? Fix this mess by four. If not, I’m in trouble—and I’ll take your heart with me.”

Understanding flickered in the Fire Ghost’s fiery eyes.

Yu Xiao motioned to the Nightgown Ghost, cowering in the corner. “Come on, time to roll.”

The Nightgown Ghost trailed behind her, shivering with every step. Yu Xiao cast a final glance back and saw the Fire Ghost already hard at work.

Green flames danced across the lawn, the once proud grass now writhing in a futile struggle. They had no chance, no escape—only the certainty of their fiery end.