Chapter 104
Chapter 104
Stepping out of the dormitory building again, Tu Nan felt a disorienting sense of displacement, as if a lifetime had passed.
Although it was only her second day at Fairy Tale Hospital, to Tu Nan, it felt like she had lived through half a lifetime.
He Ling stood beside her, looking up at the sky with a sigh.
“It feels like I haven’t seen the sun in a very long time.”
Ever since Yi Weichun passed away, she had lived in a daze, completely giving up her resistance against the erosion of the Strange Tales. Her entire being had been subjected to Assimilation, and she had lost all concept of time.
“I hope you can see the sun every day from now on,” Tu Nan said with a small smile.
*
After breakfast, Tu Nan went straight to see Priestley.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Priestley rose to greet her. “It feels good not having to dream, doesn’t it?”
Tu Nan’s lips quirked slightly. “Indeed.”
Priestley looked at her expression and likely guessed her reason for coming. He turned back to his seat, sat down, and spread his hands. “So, what brings you to see me now?”
“The item you promised,” Tu Nan went straight to the point. “I want an item that can eliminate Instance Contamination.”
Priestley frowned. “Are you contaminated?”
“It’s not me.” Tu Nan sat down across from him, choosing not to hide the truth. “It’s He Ling.”
The man across from her raised an eyebrow in surprise. “That is somewhat unexpected.”
“I believe you must have such an item,” Tu Nan said, watching him.
Priestley neither denied nor confirmed it. He crossed his fingers and said slowly, “Such items are rare and extremely precious…”
“What do you want?” Tu Nan frowned slightly. “Let’s get one thing straight: if it’s beyond my capabilities, I’m walking out immediately.”
Priestley burst into laughter.
“It’s a pleasure speaking with a smart person, especially a straightforward one like you.” He didn’t beat around the bush any longer. “I don’t lack items. What I need are partners.”
Tu Nan raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Partners?”
“Exactly.” Priestley crossed his legs leisurely. “Tang Yuan has organized a team of Players and has been looking for Players with potential. When entering an Instance, Players can team up with each other. On one hand, safety is better guaranteed, and on the other, the chances of clearing the Instance are higher.”
Tu Nan hesitated.
Priestley was right, but she didn’t have any intention of tying herself down just yet.
“You don’t have to be in a hurry to refuse me,” Priestley said, seeing through her thoughts. “It’s a good proposal. I think you should consider it carefully.”
“In the Strange Tales world, you can’t go forever without someone you can trust to watch your back.”
“To be honest, it’s hard for me to fully trust you. As for the organization you mentioned, I know nothing about it,” Tu Nan said honestly.
“I understand your concerns.” Priestley thought for a moment. “In that case, you can team up with the Players from our organization for the next game. Get to know each other first, then decide whether to join. Whatever your choice is, I will accept it.”
Joining the Player organization Priestley spoke of would be beneficial for her. Fighting alone would eventually lead to moments where her strength would fail her.
Tu Nan thought about it for a moment and chose to accept.
“I get to decide the time for entering the Instance,” she stated.
“Of course.” Priestley briskly took out an item and handed it to her. “This is the item that can eliminate Contamination. You may take it.”
“Oh, by the way, today is Visiting Day. Although it will be busy, don’t forget about York’s matter.”
Priestley reminded her with a smile.
Tu Nan nodded, her voice calm. “I won’t forget.”
Tu Nan returned to the fourth-floor Nurse’s Station and gave the item for removing Contamination to He Ling.
He Ling took the item with a look of utter disbelief, unable to imagine that Tu Nan had actually managed to find such a rare item for her.
“This… this is too precious.”
“If it can serve its purpose, then I believe it’s worth it.” Tu Nan winked at her. “I hope you can leave this hospital.”
He Ling gripped the item tightly. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and she took out a bracelet to hand to Tu Nan.
It was the Sleeping Beauty’s Bracelet.
“This is…” Tu Nan looked at the bracelet. “Actually, you don’t have to…”
“Please, you must accept it.” He Ling firmly pressed the bracelet into her hand. “Compared to what you gave me, this is nothing.”
Tu Nan looked at the bracelet in her hand, then looked up at He Ling.
He Ling’s gaze was resolute; if Tu Nan didn’t accept the bracelet, she wouldn’t accept the item Tu Nan had given her either.
“Then I shall accept it with gratitude.” Tu Nan smiled and took the bracelet.
Only then did He Ling break into a smile.
“Oh, right,” Tu Nan asked, “Today is Visiting Day. Do you know what usually happens on Visiting Day?”
He Ling had been in the hospital for a long time, after all, and was much more familiar with its inner workings.
He Ling nodded. “It’s actually nothing special. Some patients’ families can come to visit them this morning.”
“Patients who have visitors are accompanied by a nurse who cannot leave their side the entire time. Patients without visitors stay in their rooms, and everything proceeds as usual.”
It sounded like there really wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
Tu Nan nodded thoughtfully. She glanced at the time and realized it was already time for ward rounds.
She said her goodbyes to He Ling and hurried to the patient rooms.
*
After Tu Nan finished her rounds and confirmed that everyone was in their rooms with no abnormalities, she was about to leave when Maria suddenly called out to her.
Tu Nan was very enthusiastic toward this “partner” of hers.
“Is there anything I can help you with, Miss Maria?” She flashed a perfect eight-tooth smile.
“Your smile looks so fake,” Maria commented bluntly.
Tu Nan pulled back her smile and shrugged.
“My father and mother will definitely come to visit me today.” Maria reached out to pick up her black tea, gently blowing away the rising steam. She took an elegant sip before continuing, “They will try to coerce and bribe me, forcing me to marry the Prince of the Neighboring Country.”
Tu Nan gave an expressionless “Oh.” “Then what do you plan to do?”
Maria set down her cup and looked up at her.
“What do you think?”
“If you insist on refusing to marry, you won’t be able to leave the hospital. I believe you should agree to marry the Prince of the Neighboring Country.”
Maria didn’t rush to speak, waiting for Tu Nan to continue.
“Of course, this is just a temporary measure,” Tu Nan added. “No matter what the plan is, it can’t be carried out while you’re trapped in the hospital. It’s better to leave first and then make further plans slowly.”
Maria sat with her legs crossed, her finger lightly tapping her knee.
“I was thinking the same thing,” she said. “However, it’s not hard for me to get out… but as for you, how much longer will it take?”
Tu Nan looked into her eyes. “How long can you stall?”
“The wedding date can be delayed for a month at most,” Maria said in a low voice. “If you don’t show up after a month, then I’ll have to say I’m sorry.”
She smiled slightly and let out a sentence as light as a feather: “I’ll have no choice but to ask you to die.”
Tu Nan smiled as well.
“One month. That’s more than enough.”