Chapter 402: Chapter 402 Frequent Accidents
The next morning, when they reached the next stopover, Gu Pan and her group found a middle floor, set down their things, and got ready to eat.
At that time, Zhang Manman started to cry and couldn’t see anything clearly.
Terrified, she cried and clung to Qin Qianqian, “Qianqian, what should I do? Am I going to die?”
Qin Qianqian, looking at her swollen eyes, grew scared as well, “Wait here, I’ll go find Uncle Zhang.” After speaking, she said to Gu Pan, “Sis, I’m going to find Manman’s dad.”
Gu Pan nodded, “Okay, be careful.”
Since the sun hadn’t risen yet, it wasn’t dangerous and Qin Qianqian was also wearing sun-protective clothing, so there was no need to worry about her.
After Qin Qianqian left, Gu Pan looked at Zhang Manman and really didn’t know what to do. There was no medicine or treatment available for now; all they could do was pray it wasn’t serious and that her life wasn’t in danger.
Gu Pan used water to rinse a clean towel and handed it to Zhang Manman, “Use this to cover it for now.”
Zhang Manman took the towel, “Thank you, sis.”
She started crying again because she was truly afraid, afraid of becoming blind. Surviving as a blind person was hard enough in normal times, let alone in the apocalypse. If she really went blind, she didn’t want to burden these good people.
In just a short while, she thought of a lot. Dying would be unfair to her mother and grandfather, who had given her the only ticket, but living, if blind, would make her a burden.
Gu Pan gently patted her back, “Don’t be scared, we are all here.”
Although she couldn’t be sure what would happen, she felt pity for this cheerful young girl.
Zhang Manman grabbed Gu Pan’s arm, “Sis, if I go blind, I won’t be a burden to everyone.”
Gu Pan said, “Don’t think too much for now. Let your father take you to see a doctor soon. If there’s anything needed, we’ll find a solution together.”
Zhang Manman nodded, “Okay, thanks.” As she spoke, her hands held on tightly to Gu Pan.
Gu Pan didn’t let go either, letting her hold on if it made her feel secure.
Beside them, Wang Ke sobbed quietly. She was scared too, afraid that she was also sick and it hadn’t shown yet. Unlike Zhang Manman, she couldn’t say she wouldn’t be a burden; she wanted everyone not to abandon her, and the more she thought about it, the more afraid she became, crying nonstop.
Finally, Qin Qianqian arrived with Zhang Manman’s father, Zhang Yang, followed by a doctor carrying a medicine box.
Zhang Yang rushed in, heading quickly towards Zhang Manman and crouching down, “Manman, Dad is here.”
Zhang Manman immediately hugged Zhang Yang, “Dad, I can’t see clearly, I can only see moving shadows, I can’t see specific objects.”
Zhang Yang’s heart sank, but he still tried to stabilize his daughter, “Don’t worry yet, let the doctor check you first, then we’ll figure something out.”
The doctor set down the medicine box and started examining Zhang Manman.
Everyone was too heavy-hearted to speak or wanted to speak. They were always more prepared than others, always wearing safety helmets and sun-protective shirts, and if they were out for long, they wore long-sleeved raincoats, wary of various disasters, so they were never directly exposed to the sun.
But Qin Qianqian and the other two girls had once been encouraged by an old man to sunbathe.
Now, these things couldn’t be said; Gu Pan could only hope that their past exposure wasn’t severe and wouldn’t lead to any cancerous changes.
After a while, the doctor had finally finished examining her and said to Zhang Yang, “Manman’s condition is mild, but we have no anti-inflammatory medications. If you can find any anti-inflammatories, even herbal ones, or dried dandelions from before the mutation, that could work. If not, just keep the area around her eyes clean and avoid heating it up. She might improve by conserving her strength, but I can’t be certain of anything more right now.”
The “anything more” he referred to was whether it could turn cancerous or not, something truly uncertain without further testing at the headquarters, where they have mobile surgical units, but it requires queuing.
Zhang Yang was aware of the current situation and said to the doctor, “Thank you, Dr. Sun.”
Dr. Sun nodded, “I’ll be heading back now. You can stay and talk with your daughter.”
Qin Qianqian turned to Zhang Yang, “Uncle Zhang, I’ll escort Dr. Sun out. You stay and talk with Manman.”
Zhang Yang gratefully responded, “That would be kind of you, Qianqian.”
Qin Qianqian escorted Dr. Sun out.
Gu Pan and the others also politely said goodbye to Dr. Sun.
After Dr. Sun left, Zhang Yang said to Zhang Manman, “Manman, don’t be afraid. Dad will do whatever it takes to get the medicine for you, by any means necessary.”
Zhang Manman grabbed Zhang Yang’s arm, “Dad, don’t take any risks. Getting anti-inflammatory drugs now is harder than getting firearms. I don’t want you to be in danger.”
Zhang Yang patted the back of his daughter’s hand, “If anything happens to you, life wouldn’t mean much to me anyway.”
After speaking, Zhang Yang stood up and said to Gu Pan, “Thank you for taking care of Manman. I’ve heard from her how good you all are. I really appreciate it. Could you continue to help me take care of Manman for the next couple of days? I need to figure out how to get the medicine.”
Gu Pan asked, “Do you have any leads or plans? It’s very difficult to get medicine these days.”
Zhang Yang was silent for a moment, “I think the private groups behind us might have some. Whatever it requires for a trade, as long as I can get it, I will make sure to get it for Manman.”
Hearing their conversation, Gu Pan felt moved. She didn’t want Zhang Yang to risk everything just for anti-inflammatory drugs, especially since Gu Ci and the others didn’t have much medicine left, making their venture fruitless.
Since fate had brought them together and because Zhang Manman was a delightful girl, always keeping their spirits up with jokes, Gu Pan also hoped to give this girl a chance to live in the light.
After thinking it over, she said to Zhang Yang, “We have some medicine and could spare a bit for Manman. Don’t take any risks, so she won’t have to worry.”
Upon hearing Gu Pan’s words, Zhang Yang quickly said, “I can trade any amount of goods or fulfill any demand. Just name it.”
Gu Pan responded, “Manman is also our friend, let’s not talk about that. But this matter must be kept secret, as these medicines are also for our own survival.”
Zhang Yang nodded earnestly, “I understand, I understand. Even if it ends up costing my life, I won’t reveal a word. I swear, if I leak any information, let me be struck down by thunder and die a horrible death.”
Gu Pan could see Zhang Yang’s determination, so she added, “We don’t have much, and it’s all expired, so we aren’t sure how effective it will be.”
Zhang Yang was very understanding, “I’m aware, having anything is better than nothing. The rest is up to fate. Thank you all, if there’s anything you need, I’ll face it head-on no matter the cost.”
Gu Pan took out a blister pack of anti-inflammatory drugs from her bag and handed it to Zhang Yang, “During this time, you should keep Manman close and take care of her. Try getting her registered for a medical check-up in the mobile units at headquarters. Qianqian and Wang Ke are young, they might not be able to care for her well.”
Zhang Yang’s hands trembled as he took the medicine, “Thank you, I truly appreciate it. No matter how Manman ends up, I am in your debt, Zhang Yang owes you.”
Gu Pan said, “Take advantage of the morning before the sun gets too high and hurry back with Manman.”
As she spoke, she took out a UV protective umbrella and handed it over.