Yu Xiao’s head swam. Her mind buzzed with questions, but the Director simply stretched, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “That’s enough for today. You may leave now.”

    “But wait…” Yu Xiao began, a wave of protest rising within her.

    “Goldie (旺财: Wang-Cai)!” the Director boomed, cutting her off.

    (A common name for dogs in China, humorously meaning ‘prosperity,’ often used ironically.)旺 (Wàng): To prosper, flourish, or be vigorous.财 (Cái): Wealth, money, or fortune.

    The door creaked open, revealing a three-headed dog. Each head glared at Yu Xiao with unsettling intensity.

    The Director casually waved a hand. “Escort Leader Yu out.”

    The dog strutted forward on its four legs, its gaze never leaving Yu Xiao.

    Frustration bubbled inside her. To be dragged here without warning, bombarded with unbelievable information, and then dismissed so casually? It was outrageous!

    “One last question,” she pressed, fixing the Director with a sharp look. “Why today? Why reveal all of this now?”

    He leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly. “You stumbled upon the hospital’s deepest secret, Leader Yu. Now, it’s time for you to make a choice.” With a dismissive gesture, he indicated her exit.

    As she reached the door, Yu Xiao paused, turning back. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell everyone what I know? Expose your secrets?”

    The Director merely raised an eyebrow. “Did I ever say you were my only candidate?”

    Cursing under her breath, Yu Xiao stalked out, the three-headed dog at her heels.

    **

    Back in the ward, tension crackled in the air. Everyone, except for ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ who seemed oblivious, waited on edge. Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen were practically vibrating with anxiety.

    Nightmare, curled up in a cardboard box, seemed lost in thought. The seven occupants of the room hadn’t dared to sleep, each rustle and creak in the room pointing their gazes at the door. Finally, as the first rays of dawn painted the sky, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

    Three raps on the door made everyone jump. A familiar voice called out, “I’m back.”

    “Smiley!” Zhou Xiao Zhen shot to the door, flinging it open as if she’d been launched from a cannon. Yu Xiao stood there, her composure as unruffled as ever.

    “You’re back!” Zhou Xiao Zhen cried, throwing her arms around Yu Xiao and pounding her back with relieved thumps. “We were so worried!”

    Yu Xiao chuckled, hugging her back and steering her gently into the ward. Zhao Lan moved forward, eager for a hug, but was intercepted.

    Yu Qing Lang expertly manoeuvred her and Zhou Xiao Zhen aside, her eyes scanning Yu Xiao from head to toe. “You look alright. What did they do to you?”

    “Nothing at all,” Yu Xiao replied with a hint of amusement in her voice.

    “Seriously?” Wang Dong Dong, along with several others, looked unconvinced. “They took Ah Fei last month, and he lost fifty points just for being in the wrong corridor! Not even a slap on the wrist for you?”

    “Of course not,” Yu Xiao said, a touch of pride creeping into her voice. “The hospital may be strange, but it’s not unfair. I eliminated the Countdown Ghost, remember? Saved countless lives. If anything, I deserve a medal.”

    She settled onto the edge of her bed, glancing around at the exhausted faces. “None of you slept?”

    “Sleep? With you whisked away in the middle of the night?” Zhou Xiao Zhen perched beside her, her brow furrowed with worry. “Misty and I were beside ourselves!”

    ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’, having just poured himself a glass of water, leaned back in his chair. “So? Tell us everything. What happened? What’s the Medical Dispute Office like?”

    “Yes, yes!” Zhou Xiao Zhen bubbling over excitedly. “And the three-headed dog! What’s it like? Are there loads of ghosts in there?”

    (冒泡 [mào pào; bubbling over]: Slang for being extremely anxious or agitated.)

    Yu Xiao laughed, a little awkwardly. The truth was, she hadn’t actually been inside the Medical Dispute Office.

    She needed to improvise. “Oh, the office itself is…well, it’s an office. But I did uncover the three-headed dog’s secret.”

    The word “secret” hung in the air, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention. Yu Xiao leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Its name…is Goldie!”

    Silence descended upon the room.

    “What?” Zhou Xiao Zhen was the first to break the stunned silence, her disbelief evident. “You’re teasing us!”

    Zhao Lan, too, looked entirely unconvinced.

    Yu Xiao held up her hands defensively. “I’m serious! Why would I lie about something like that? It’s really called Wang Cai. Trust me, I was surprised too.”

    Yu Qing Lang’s laughter filled the room. “Wang Cai! What a ridiculous name for that dead mutt!”

    The others couldn’t help but chuckle, the tension finally breaking.

    Stifling a yawn, Yu Xiao stretched out on her bed. “Right, I’m absolutely knackered. Anyone else joining me for a nap?”

    “Move over,” Yu Qing Lang said, squeezing onto the bed beside her with practised ease.

    Yu Xiao lay down, but sleep wouldn’t come. The Director’s words echoed in her mind. He had been manipulative, she knew that, but some of what he said… it rang true. Could she really prioritise her own survival above everyone else’s?

    Strangers were one thing, but Tang Xing Yin, Yu Qing Lang… the thought of them ending up like Teng Jing Zhi from Zhi Zhe Hospital, their minds lost, their bodies vessels for something else, was unbearable.

    The Director had mentioned someone who’d left. Someone who’d managed to harden their heart and choose their own life above all else. Yu Xiao couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

    Despite the turmoil, the information did shed light on some things that had puzzled her. Like why Teng Jing Zhi had retained his consciousness even after becoming a ghost.

    Ghosts, the Director had explained, didn’t have a physical form. An invasion of yin energy essentially meant a ghost taking over a human body. Teng Jing Zhi, in death, had become a vessel, housing not just one ghost, but countless entities, himself included. A dominant consciousness took control, and in his case, it had been his own.

    Those who went mad after becoming ghosts? Their dominant consciousness had been overthrown by other entities.

    Yu Xiao sighed silently. Even if she did become the next Director, could she truly save someone like Teng Jing Zhi? He was no longer just himself, but a collection of countless beings.

    The thought brought her no comfort. What difference would being the Director truly make? Could she really stop the ghosts from invading the living?

    The Director hadn’t said it outright, but she understood. He wasn’t all-powerful. Even he had to play by the rules, just like the Three-Headed Dog had said.

    To leave, the living had to earn points. And earning points meant agreeing to be susceptible to ghostly invasion at any time. That was the fundamental rule of the hospital, a rule even the Director couldn’t change.

    No, becoming the Director wouldn’t change anything. This was all just another one of his manipulations, and she didn’t have to agree to anything.

    With that thought, a wave of relief washed over her, and she finally drifted off to sleep.

    For the next few days, Yu Xiao pushed the incident with the Director to the back of her mind. Her plan remained the same: rack up enough points and get herself, Zhou Xiao Zhen, and Zhao Lan out of this place.

    The time for their next instance was fast approaching. The five patients from the Second Hospital, after days of mostly sleeping, seemed to have regained some of their spark.

    Yu Xiao pulled out a team card, carefully filling in their chosen nicknames. Everyone had one except ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed,’ whose blank space was now occupied by the name ‘Wide Sea and Sky.’

    Yu Qing Lang, peering over her shoulder, chuckled. “I recognise that name. Heard it mentioned in the news a few times.”

    “You’re well-connected,” ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ chuckled. “Even all the way over in the First Hospital, you’ve got connections.”

    Yu Xiao raised her eyebrows, a triumphant glint in her eye. She pulled out her phone and dialled a number. The line connected almost instantly. “Tang Xing Yin? I’ve sent the team card information.”

    “Received it,” came his gravelly voice.

    “Good. There’s something you should know. This instance…it’s a little different.” She went on to explain, as succinctly as possible, about the attending doctors she’d offended and their rather creative approach to revenge. “So, yeah, this one’s going to be a bit hairy.”

    A beat of silence from the other end of the line. Tang Xing Yin had been in the First Hospital for over two decades. He’d had his fair share of run-ins with attending doctors, but he’d never heard of anything quite like this.

    Yu Xiao, misinterpreting his silence, rushed to reassure him. “It’ll be fine, don’t worry. We’ve got this. Besides the three of us and you, we’ve got those veterans from the Second Hospital. They’ve all tangled with attending doctors before. We can definitely hold our own.”

    Tang Xing Yin’s only response was a deeper silence.

    The next morning, the seven patients of Ward 6 were ready for action. Yu Xiao, dressed in her usual practical attire, hefted a heavy backpack. It bulged ominously, filled with talismans, charms, and even a cat.

    “This is exciting!” Zhou Xiao Zhen, sandwiched between Yu Xiao and Zhao Lan, practically vibrated with anticipation. “It’s our first instance with such a powerful team!”

    “I’ve got some team cards saved up,” Yu Qing Lang announced, offering them around. “You can use them in the future.”

    Wang Dong Dong laughed. “You’re not fooling anyone, Qing Lang. We all know you’re just using them as an excuse to hang out in Sixth Hospital a little longer.”

    A flicker of nerves danced in Yu Xiao’s stomach, quickly replaced by excitement. She couldn’t wait to see the attending doctors’ faces when they realised they had underestimated her. Just the thought of it was deeply satisfying.

    The chime of eight o’clock reverberated through the ward, sharp and clear.

    A wave of dizziness washed over her, followed by a strange sensation of floating, as if drifting on a cloud.

    Wait. Something was wrong. This didn’t feel right. Why did she feel like she was lying down?

    Yu Xiao’s eyes flew open. She was in bed. Not a hospital bed, but an ornate wooden antique draped in gauzy curtains.

    (雕花木床 [diāo huā mù chuáng; carved wooden bed]: Traditional Chinese furniture known for its intricate woodwork and often used in historical or classical settings.纱帐 [shā zhàng; gauzy drapes]: Sheer curtains used around beds in traditional Chinese settings, adding an ethereal or dreamlike quality to the scene.)

    A quilt, embroidered with colourful magpies, lay heavily on top of her. Her hand, resting on the embroidered silk, was being held by someone.

    (喜鹊 [xǐ què; magpie]: In Chinese culture, magpies are symbols of good luck and happiness. Their appearance in embroidery often represents joy or a good omen.)

    Panic surged through her. She yanked her hand back and stared at the figure beside the bed, her breath catching in her throat.

    A young man, with pale skin and neatly combed hair, gazed back at her. He wore a long grey robe, his expression unreadable.

    Yu Xiao remained frozen, her mind racing. Who was this? And where were the others?

    “Young lady,” a small girl, dressed in a bright outfit resembling a New Year’s doll, popped up beside the man. “Are you well?”

    (年画娃娃 [nián huà wá wá; New Year’s doll]: Refers to traditional Chinese New Year images of children that symbolise prosperity and happiness.)

    What in the world was going on?

    “I am the doctor treating you,” the man in the grey robe spoke, his voice calm and measured. “My name is Qu Lian (曲莲: “Melodious Lotus” or “Bending Lotus”).”

    曲 (Qū) is a surname that can mean “melody” or “bend.”莲 (Lián) is a unisex given name that means “lotus.”Together, 曲莲 (Qū Lián) could be interpreted as “Melodious Lotus” or “Bending Lotus,” symbolising grace and beauty, often associated with purity and enlightenment in Chinese culture. The name evokes the image of a lotus flower swaying gracefully in the breeze, akin to a melody.

    Yu Xiao stared at him, a wave of apprehension washing over her. This was him. The main doctor of the scenario. Had Lolita gotten to him? Was he going to harm her?

    And where were the others? The big guns weren’t here!

    Her hand trembled as she patted the bed beside her, her fingers closing around the familiar shape of her backpack. It was still plump and soft – Nightmare was inside.

    Yu Xiao let out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. Nightmare was here. She wasn’t alone. Surely, even in this strange scenario, everything would be alright?

    Seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil, Qu Lian and the young maid continued their peculiar act.

    The doctor, his face carefully blank, announced, “Your young mistress has been poisoned.”

    “What?” Yu Xiao blurted out, completely bewildered.

    As if on cue, the maid’s face crumpled. She dissolved into theatrics, wailing, “Heavens! How could this be? Doctor, you must save her!”

    Qu Lian shook his head, his expression grave. “Impossible. Unless…unless I can determine the exact nature of the poison.”

    He sighed dramatically, adding, “Time is of the essence. We have seven days. Seven days to identify the poison and administer the antidote, or…” He trailed off, letting the unspoken threat hang in the air.

    Then, with a flurry of movement, he gathered his medical kit and bustled out of the room.

    Yu Xiao lay back against the pillows, taking stock of the situation. So, it seemed she had a role to play in this scenario – a young lady from a wealthy family, struck down by a mysterious ailment. Seven days to solve the mystery of the poison. Simple enough, right?

    She reached for the bedpost, intending to sit up, when a searing pain shot through her chest.

    The young maid was instantly by her side, her face a mask of concern. “Young mistress! You’re coughing blood!”

    Yu Xiao, between coughs, rolled her eyes. This whole situation was ridiculous. First things first, she needed to find the others. She finished her phone out from under the pillow and opened the photo album, showing the maid a picture of herself with Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen. “Have you seen them?”

    The maid shook her head, her expression blank. “I haven’t seen them before.”

    “Tsk.” Yu Xiao tossed the covers aside. It seemed she was on her own for now.

    “Young mistress, what are you doing?” the maid cried, rushing to her side. “You’re meant to be resting! You’ve been poisoned!”

    Yu Xiao waved her off, stumbling towards the edge of the bed.

    A thought occurred to her. If she was playing the part of a wealthy young lady, could the poisoning be an inside job? A family affair, perhaps?

    Yu Xiao blinked, her vision blurry. The room swam into focus, a dimly lit space with flickering candlelight casting long, dancing shadows across the walls. Where in the world…? She rubbed her temples, trying to get her bearings.

    “Have you always been my maid?” she asked tentatively, turning to the young girl beside her.

    The maid nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Indeed. I’ve served you since I was but five years old.”

    Yu Xiao felt a strange mix of relief and unease. “And I’m…the daughter of this household?”

    “The eldest daughter of the esteemed Yu family.”

    “Yu?” She raised an eyebrow. “So, we have the same surname?”

    Another nod. “You are Young Miss Yu.”

    Yu Xiao’s mind raced. She had to tread carefully here. “And my father…how many wives does he have?”

    The maid held up eight fingers, her smile unwavering.

    Yu Xiao felt a shiver run down her spine. This was getting complicated. “And children?”

    “Twelve in total.” The maid’s cheerful tone never faltered.

    Yu Xiao suppressed a groan. Talk about a complicated family dynamic. She took a deep breath.

    “Who…who in this house doesn’t get along with me?”

    The maid blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. Yu Xiao rephrased the question. “Who dislikes me?”

    “Oh, everyone, Miss.” The maid’s reply was instant, matter-of-fact. “They all find you rather annoying.”

    Yu Xiao gaped at her, speechless.

    This whole poisoning mystery could wait. Right now, she needed to find the others. Ignoring the maid’s token attempt to stop her, she pushed herself out of bed, grabbing her backpack on her way to the door.

    “Nightmare?”

    A muffled voice responded from within the bag. “I’m here.”

    “How’s your nose?” she asked quietly. “Can you sniff out the others?”

    The voice was indignant. “Just because I can turn into a cat doesn’t mean I’m actually a cat, you know.”

    “Alright, new plan,” Yu Xiao lowered her voice. “Can you sense the attending doctor?”

    “Not at the moment,” Nightmare replied. “But if he comes near, I’ll know.”

    That would have to suffice. Leaning heavily on the doorframe, Yu Xiao stepped into the hallway. Where were the others? It stood to reason that everyone would be experiencing the same situation. Did that mean they had all been poisoned too?

    The house seemed to stretch endlessly before her. Yu Xiao walked until her legs ached, but the exit was still nowhere in sight. Finally, gasping for breath and overcome with coughs, she collapsed onto the edge of a meticulously crafted flowerbed.

    “You know,” a voice from inside her backpack piped up, “you could just call them.” sea??h thё NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    “…” Yu Xiao slapped her forehead. Why hadn’t she thought of that earlier?

    She fumbled for her phone, quickly dialling Zhao Lan’s number. After only a couple of rings, the call connected. “Misty? Where are you?”

    A series of distressing coughs echoed from the other end of the line before Zhao Lan managed to gasp out, “I’m in…a thatched cottage. The attending doctor just left. Said I’ve been poisoned. Seven days to figure out what it is, or I’m dead.”

    “Same here,” Yu Xiao said solemnly.

    “Are you in a thatched cottage too?”

    “Nope. Landlord’s house. It seems I’m the despised eldest daughter in this scenario.”

    “Ah.” A beat of silence. “I appear to be the daughter-in-law of a cheating, drunken, wife-beater.”