Apocalypse Escape: Day One of Survival

”Just put it here, this is perfect. Thanks, Ningning.” The little nurse waved at her happily, nodding again and again.

”We’ve had a few Space Ability Users donating equipment lately. It’s really helped us out of a tight spot.”

”Thank goodness everyone is pitching in to help. Otherwise, with all this work, our little clinic with its tiny staff wouldn’t be able to handle it at all.”

Xie Ning glanced at the round-faced little nurse. ”Been incredibly busy, huh? I see you’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”

”Oh, you bet. There hasn’t been a single day that wasn’t busy.”

”We’re all run off our feet, but what can you do? There are too many patients and not enough staff.”

The round-faced nurse was talking to Xie Ning when she saw a colleague helping someone over. She quickly rushed forward. ”What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

”Zhouzhou’s having stomach pains.”

”You skipped lunch again, didn’t you?” the round-faced nurse complained. ”How is your stomach ever going to get better? You’re always like this, not eating when you should. You get busy, lose track of time, and by the time you remember, you’re in excruciating pain.”

”I’m fine, I’m fine.” The nurse, Zhouzhou, clutched her abdomen and waved them off, forcing a smile. ”Go back to your work. I’ll be okay if I just sit for a little while.”

”What do you mean, okay? Hurry up and drink some water and take your medicine.” The round-faced nurse ran off to the side to get her stomach pills.

Xie Ning watched them—one moment putting a patient on an IV drip, the next preparing and dispensing medication, the next moment clearing away medical waste. They were running around in circles, clearly wishing they could split themselves in two.

With a sense of resignation, she took the pills from the round-faced nurse’s hand. ”I’ll take care of it. You go handle that other business.”

”Thank you,” said the nurse named Zhouzhou, her face contorted in pain as she forced a smile at Xie Ning.

Xie Ning handed her the medicine and got her a cup of warm water.

”Is the pain really bad?”

”It’s nothing, just the same old problem,” Zhouzhou said, waving a hand, though the pain was so intense that sweat was beading on her forehead.

Seeing her in so much pain, yet still trying to get up, Xie Ning put out a hand to stop her.

”You just sit here and rest properly. Tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you.”

”I’m sorry to trouble you, Captain Xie.” Zhouzhou thanked her, still clutching her stomach.

You could see she was trying her hardest to force a smile, but with her stomach churning, all she managed was a pained grimace.

Xie Ning found the sight both funny and exasperating. She used her spiritual power to rummage around in her Space.

She found some medicine specifically for stomach pain that she’d scavenged from a pharmacy earlier and pressed it all into the nurse’s hands.

Zhouzhou was incredibly grateful, clutching the medicine and thanking her profusely.

”You should rest for a bit. The work will never be done, so it’s not too late to do it once you feel better.” Xie Ning helped her over to a less crowded area to rest.

”If you collapse, Doctor Fang will be short one of his best assistants.”

’And then he’ll probably come after me again!’

Xie Ning thought to herself.

”Xiao Xie!” Doctor Fang came striding toward her, holding some films. ”Have you considered joining our clinic?”

’Well, speak of the devil...’

Xie Ning gave him a deadpan look. ”My major was in finance and management.”

’It has absolutely nothing to do with you medical folks!’

”That’s no problem! You’re so smart, you’d pick it up in no time. We don’t mind taking you under our wing and teaching you along the way.”

”That’s right, that’s right! Think about it, Ningning. There’s a future in medicine,” a few of the nurses chimed in, joining the fun while rushing about their work.

’What future?’ Xie Ning shot a glance at the people trying to rope her in. ’So I can be worked to the bone every day, just like you guys?’

’No thanks.’

Captain Xie felt she was busy enough as it was. It used to be she only had to worry about herself, but now she had this whole team to lead.

Although she was usually a hands-off leader, there were some responsibilities she just couldn’t shake, no matter how much she wanted to.

’Besides, has studying medicine become this casual?’

’A total rookie in finance like her could just be casually roped in...’

’It just goes to show how dire the medical situation is right now.’

Just look at Doctor Fang. Xie Ning felt like he was starting to show a bald spot on the top of his head.

’He must have been worn down by all the patients. Captain Xie was still young; she wasn’t so foolish as to follow in Doctor Fang’s footsteps.’

Doctor Fang seemed completely oblivious to Captain Xie’s reluctance, continuing his pitch with one-sided enthusiasm.

”You see, our Xiao Cai actually started out as a caregiver; she came on board without any formal training. After working in our hospital for a while, she gradually picked up some professional knowledge.”

”Uh, Doctor Fang, did you need me for something?”

Just as Doctor Fang finished speaking, the very Xiao Cai he had just mentioned came trotting eagerly toward them.

Doctor Fang froze for a second, then smiled and waved her off. ”It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Go on, back to your work.”

”Okay, okay.” Xiao Cai beamed and nodded at Doctor Fang. ”Just let me know if you need anything at all, Doctor Fang.”