Da Mei's basement was considerably cleaner than Min'er's.
To be precise, they weren't even in the same league.
The floor was covered in beige tatami mats, and there were many cute baby items scattered around.
Despite the lack of sunlight, the soft color scheme managed to evoke a sense of warmth.
After Zhan Bei Jue settled down, Da Mei even brought him a down comforter that smelled of laundry detergent.
For the first time in a long time, Zhan Bei Jue slept soundly.
The next morning, his head still hurt, and he woke up thirsty.
He didn't know how to address Mei Da, nor did he know if she would hear him, so he could only endure the dryness.
He waited for her to come down and find him.
After an unknown amount of time, Min'er's faint voice finally reached him.
A moment later, she and Da Mei entered the basement, chatting as they came.
When the light was turned on, Zhan Bei Jue felt a surge of emotion at seeing her again, thin and frail.
Min'er spoke softly to Da Mei.
"Is he not dead? Is he still running a fever? I just got off work, and I brought you money, and I wanted to check on him."
"Just got off work? You didn't sleep all night?"
"No, I found a night cashier job at a convenience store. Since I couldn't sleep well at home anyway, and it's quiet when there are fewer people there, I can even sneak in a nap. It's quite good."
Da Mei advised her with a sincere tone.
"Min'er, even though you're young, you can't keep doing this; you'll wear your body out."
"What can I do? I was unlucky enough to run into him. Let's save him first."
As she spoke, she squatted down and reached out to touch Zhan Bei Jue's forehead.
"He's so hot. The fever hasn't broken yet."
Da Mei held a syringe and gave Zhan Bei Jue an injection, then brought a cup of water and some pills.
"I've used all the medicine I could. Whether he can pull through now depends on his own physical condition and immunity."
"Don't be too scared. If it really doesn't work out, and he dies here, I'll help you keep it a secret."
"Then, when no one is around, we'll drag him into the mountains and bury him. I promise it'll be done without anyone knowing."
At this point, there was nothing else they could do but think this way.
"Here, wake him up and let him take his medicine."
Min'er patted Zhan Bei Jue's face with her hand and called to him.
"Hey, wake up, it's time for medicine."
Zhan Bei Jue slowly opened his eyes, looked at her, then at Da Mei, and slightly opened his mouth.
After taking the medicine and half a cup of water, he still felt thirsty.
"I need more water."
He said to Min'er in a hoarse, weak voice.
Min'er immediately stood up. "Wait, I'll pour you some."
"I'll go," Da Mei said, quickly taking the teacup and walking out.
Seeing Zhan Bei Jue's lips cracked and dry, his expression vacant, and his eyes hazy, looking like he was near death.
Min'er took the canvas bag from behind her and pulled out a tube of lip balm, applying it to his lips.
Then she cautioned him.
"Don't die. Be strong. No matter what happened before, since you've made it this far, just keep pushing through."
"I'll work hard to earn money to pay for your treatment. Otherwise, if you die here, I'll be in trouble too."
Zhan Bei Jue didn't understand his relationship with Min'er or why she was so afraid of him dying.
And why, if he died, she would have to dispose of his body outside.
He wanted to ask.
But his mental state didn't allow him to say much.
Just then, Da Mei returned with the teacup. Min'er carefully helped him drink the water and then told him.
"I have to go. I'll be out working all day and won't be back until tonight. Do you need to use the restroom?"
"If you do, I'll help you now. If not, you'll have to wait all day or find Da Mei. Choose one."
Da Mei's family was better off than Min'er's.
This time, a Coke bottle was not used.
Da Mei gave her a small plastic basin, and Min'er helped him use it.
Afterward, Min'er even enthusiastically showed the basin to Da Mei.
"It's so little, and so yellow. Does he need to drink more water? He hasn't eaten in days, should we get him something to eat?"
Da Mei said, "He definitely needs to drink more water. I'll make sure he drinks more today, don't worry. But as for eating..."
Min'er understood.
Da Mei was a single mother with three children after her divorce.
She gave up her job as a nurse in the hospital to take care of her children.
Now, she lived solely on subsidies and by treating neighbors, and her life was very difficult. It was impossible for her to help care for a patient for free.
"I'll bring lunch back at noon. Tell me what he can eat, and I'll bring it back."
Da Mei mentioned a few dishes, and as they chatted, they walked further away.
After taking his medicine, Zhan Bei Jue became drowsy and soon fell back into a deep sleep.
Min'er worked part-time at a Chinese restaurant. To save costs, the boss had her work as a waitress and also help wash dishes in the kitchen.
She only had a half-hour break at noon.
Fortunately, the restaurant was not far from home.
When her break time came, Min'er, without even eating her own meal, rushed back with some leftover food from the customers.
She divided some beef, lamb, and better-looking dishes among Da Mei.
Then, carrying a pigeon soup and some vegetarian dishes herself, she went down to the basement.
Zhan Bei Jue was woken by her.
Min'er opened the food containers, and the long-awaited aroma of food filled the entire basement.
She proudly waved the milky white pigeon soup in front of Zhan Bei Jue.
"I specifically made pigeon soup today to treat your wound. Get up quickly and drink it."
"You haven't eaten in days, you must be very hungry. There's also some rice, what do you want to eat first?"
His wound hadn't been properly disinfected after being stitched up, and Zhan Bei Jue's left cheek and eye were swollen.
He hadn't showered in days, his body smelled, and he hadn't brushed his teeth.
His face was swollen like a pig's head, and he was dirty and smelly. Yet, at this moment, Min'er didn't find him repulsive and was even feeding him?
The continuous high fever had made Zhan Bei Jue lose his appetite; he didn't feel hungry at all.
But his survival instinct told him that he had to eat something no matter what, to strengthen his immunity and fight the virus.
So, with great difficulty, he allowed Min'er to attend to him: "I want to drink it all."
Eating while lying down was troublesome, and the soup would inevitably spill from the corners of his mouth.
Just feeding him the soup and rice took up most of the time.
There were some miscellaneous side dishes left in the containers. Seeing that her break was almost over, Min'er shoveled them all into her mouth in less than 20 seconds.
Then she said to Zhan Bei Jue.
"I'm out of time, I have to go to work. Rest well. If you need anything, call Da Mei to help."
"I'll place a basin here by your hand. If you can't call her, just knock. She'll come down when she hears you."
After saying this, she placed a small stainless steel basin to the right of Zhan Bei Jue's hand.
Then she grabbed a discarded toy stick from the children off the floor and handed it to him.
"Okay, I'm leaving now."
It was the same pair of shoes, dirty and smelly.
But Zhan Bei Jue suddenly didn't feel disgusted anymore.
And he finally understood why she was so unhygienic.
Working twenty-four hours straight.
At such a young age, why was she so busy?