Corpse Retriever

Tan Wenbin bent down and in a few swift motions hoisted Zheng Haiyang onto his back.

It was clear that even with all the time he spent studying, he hadn’t neglected the fundamentals of corpse retrieval under Runsheng’s tutelage.

This sequence of standardized movements was the proper technique for carrying a corpse.

He dashed downstairs with Zheng Haiyang on his back and reached the infirmary, only to find it locked—the school nurse had gone for lunch.

But truthfully, even if it were open and the nurse were there, it wouldn’t help much. The infirmary was mainly for taking temperatures, signing off on sick notes, or handing out over-the-counter remedies like Qinqingling and Banlangen. For an IV drip, students had to visit the township clinic outside campus.

Li Zhuiyuan reminded him, “Runsheng’s tricycle is out front.”

Tan Wenbin immediately ran toward the school gate with the boy on his back. The clinic was just down the same road as the school—not far at all. Asking a teacher to find a car would take longer than just using Runsheng’s tricycle.

Ah Li got off the tricycle and walked over to Li Zhuiyuan, taking his hand.

On the other side, after placing Zheng Haiyang into the tricycle, Runsheng began pedaling straight for the clinic.

Li Zhuiyuan and Ah Li walked slowly, steering clear of crowds. By the time they arrived at the clinic, Runsheng was already coming out.“Ah Li, you and Runsheng-ge go on home. I have something to take care of tonight.”

Ah Li nodded.

“Runsheng-ge, after you drop Ah Li off, bring our kit over.”

“Got it!”

“Where’d you learn that phrase—from TV?”

“I think it sounds more imposing.”

“Ah Li, there are books and worksheets in the bag. You can look through those for now.”

Ah Li climbed onto the tricycle, clutching the boy’s schoolbag in her arms.

After they left, Li Zhuiyuan entered the clinic. Just as he found out which room Zheng Haiyang was in, a flurry of footsteps sounded behind him—it was homeroom teacher Sun Qing rushing over with two other teachers.

A classmate had witnessed Tan Wenbin carrying Zheng Haiyang out of the school gate and reported it.

By now, Zheng Haiyang, who had seemed in dire condition earlier in the classroom, had clearly stabilized. He was hooked up to an IV, while Tan Wenbin stood beside him, holding a large ceramic jug and pouring water down his throat in gulps.

Sun Qing quickly asked a doctor about his condition. Upon learning there was no danger to his life, she sighed in relief. Entering the room, she glanced at the jug and asked:

“That tap water?”

Tan Wenbin nodded. “He’s really thirsty.”

The clinic had hot water, but lukewarm water was hard to come by. Zheng Haiyang kept pleading for water, so Tan Wenbin had fetched it from a faucet.

“More water... I need more.”

“You sure you’re okay?” asked Tan Wenbin. “You’ve already drunk so much.”

“Bin-ge, I’m still so thirsty.”

“Alright, I’ll go get more.”

After downing two more full jugs, Zheng Haiyang’s complexion finally looked better—not ghostly pale anymore, though he did appear a bit puffy.

Sun Qing asked, “Have you informed his parents?”

At her words, Zheng Haiyang’s face showed a mix of resistance and worry.

Tan Wenbin hesitated. “I haven’t—”

“I did,” said Li Zhuiyuan. “His grandparents should be on their way.”

“Good.” Sun Qing looked back at Tan Wenbin. “The doctor said he’s fine now. Go back to school. You’ve got an exam tonight.”

Tan Wenbin muttered, “An exam’s not more important than a friend.”

“Tan Wenbin! Now. Back. To. School!”

A young homeroom teacher had to keep a stern face—otherwise, students wouldn’t take her seriously.

Reluctantly, Tan Wenbin stood up, visibly unwilling to leave.

“No matter what, you can’t give up on yourself. Your parents still have high hopes for you.”

“Yes, teacher.”

It wasn’t that Tan Wenbin didn’t want to take the exam. He just remembered what Zheng Haiyang had said in his delirium—and how terrifying he’d looked earlier.

He knew that if he went back for the exam, he’d probably miss something important.

Wasn’t this why he studied so hard?

“Bin-bin-ge, go take the exam. Come visit after.”

“I…”

Hearing that, Tan Wenbin was almost certain—by the time he came back, the window of opportunity would be gone.

“Teacher Sun, you should go too. My guardians are on the way. I’ll stay with Zheng Haiyang until his grandparents arrive.”

“Xiaoyuan, are you sure?”

“I am. They’re almost here. If anything happens, I’ll call the school.”

He then rattled off the phone numbers for the principal’s office, Sun Qing’s staffroom, and the gatehouse.

Sun Qing nodded. She still had proctoring and grading duties tonight. Since the student was out of danger, she had no reason to linger.

“Tan Wenbin, you’re coming with me.”

“Yes, teacher.” Tan Wenbin slumped his shoulders and left with her.

As they exited, he gave Li Zhuiyuan a pleading look. But Li Zhuiyuan turned away.

The ward was now down to just two people.

Zheng Haiyang smiled. “Xiaoyuan-ge, I’m fine now. You can go home too.”

He knew Li Zhuiyuan never attended evening study hall.

“I didn’t actually call your grandparents.”

“Huh? Really? That’s good. They’re not in great health. I didn’t want to worry them.”

“Were you unconscious back in the classroom?”

“Well... I suddenly felt really sleepy, then lowered my head. When I woke up, Bin-ge was carrying me through the clinic. I was so thirsty. I just wanted water.

“Once I drank some, I felt fine again.”

“Do you remember anything in between? Any dreams?”

Zheng Haiyang shook his head. “No.”

“Try to recall. Anything at all.”

He furrowed his brow in thought but still shook his head. “I blacked out. I really don’t remember.”

“Alright. Get some rest.”

Li Zhuiyuan dragged a chair over and sat beside the bed.

As far as he could tell, Zheng Haiyang was back to normal. Any “walking the shade” attempt now wouldn’t show much.

Besides, Runsheng hadn’t arrived yet, and Li Zhuiyuan had become more cautious about walking the shade.

“Xiaoyuan-ge, when I passed out, did I say anything weird? Do anything strange?”

There’s a bastard buried under the sea. Whoever digs it up, their whole family dies!

“You mumbled some nonsense in your sleep. That’s normal.”

“Xiaoyuan-ge, I still feel uneasy. I keep worrying about my parents...”

Right now, seafaring jobs paid well, especially foreign routes—but high pay often came with high risk.

“What’s the point of worrying now? They’re far away. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself. That’s what your parents want most.”

“You’re right, ge. You really feel different from us. Kind of... like an elder.”

Li Zhuiyuan closed his eyes. He didn’t like that comment.

“Don’t say that to me again.”

“Oh, okay. Got it. I won’t.”

Runsheng arrived, carrying a set of tools on his back.

“Xiaoyuan, how is he?”

“So far, nothing wrong.”

Li Zhuiyuan pulled out the black canvas and unfurled it. He walked to the head of the bed and draped it over Zheng Haiyang’s face.

Though puzzled, Zheng Haiyang didn’t resist—didn’t even ask what was happening.

The black canvas didn’t react at all.

That meant there was no unclean thing on him.

Li Zhuiyuan then pulled out a talisman he’d drawn and stuck it to Zheng Haiyang’s forehead.

No color change.

Looks like everything really was fine.

“Xiaoyuan-ge, this is...?”

When the cloth had been laid over him, he didn’t feel much. But having a talisman slapped on his forehead—any normal person would find that unnerving.

“Local custom. Same effect as calling someone’s soul back with a needle.”

“Oh, I see.” Zheng Haiyang let out a breath of relief.

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