The computer next to the console was on. Just as Huo Rou finished organizing her things and was about to start, Madam Ren video-called her through the computer.
"Xiao Rou, you!" Madam Ren's eyes were teary, her voice choked with emotion but also full of admiration, "Just like your mother, stubborn."
"Is that so?" Huo Rou lowered her head, tidying the tools on the desk.
Seeing her buried head and reluctance to speak, Madam Ren hastily tried to change the subject, "Um, Xiao Rou, there are some medicines on your desk. They have some effect. Take them if you feel unwell."
Huo Rou quickly tidied the desk and nodded vaguely in response.
Her movements were swift, her efficiency exceptionally high without any interference.
In the early hours of the third day, the tenth batch of herbal medicine purification was complete. She slowly stood up and tapped on the window.
"Teacher Huo, you should rest first. They are still waiting for experimental results over there, no need to rush so much." The young man quickly came over. Worried that Huo Rou pushing herself too hard would be detrimental to her health, he opened the window to retrieve the items while advising her.
His voice was more muffled than yesterday, as if something was stuck in his throat.
Huo Rou frowned, "Have you taken medicine?"
"Huh?"
"Your voice is not right."
Being cared for by Huo Rou, the young man's face under the protective suit felt much warmer. He cleared his throat, "Perhaps I ran too fast."
"Take medicine." Huo Rou was very firm, directly throwing a box of medicine out of the window.
"No, no, no, Teacher Huo, I have medicine. You need to keep this for yourself!" The young man picked up the medicine and was about to hand it back. The moment he stood up, his head felt dizzy and his vision went black. He leaned heavily against the wall, but no longer dared to return the medicine to Huo Rou.
Things were indeed not quite right.
He shook his head, and his vision began to overlap.
Seeing him like this, Huo Rou's heart tightened, and she pressed the emergency intercom in the room.
The person on the other end of the intercom was also very busy, their voice sounding distant and then close. They heard about Huo Rou's situation but couldn't send anyone immediately due to staff shortages.
"Teacher Huo." The young man supported himself against the wall and stood up. In just this short while, his voice had become much weaker, "I'll go to the isolation laboratory. Please be careful and disinfect quickly."
If he caused Huo Rou to be infected, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
Madam Ren's voice came from the computer, "Xiao Rou, it's a success! The new serum can effectively alleviate the symptoms of the illness!"
Although a complete cure had not yet been found, this successful serum had bought them time.
Huo Rou turned to look. In that instant, the young man's vision completely darkened. He collapsed heavily onto the ground. The purified medicine had already been placed on the windowsill before he fell.
"That's perfect, I need it here."
The serum's effect was very good. After they gave the young man some, the cold sweat on his forehead noticeably decreased.
Since Huo Rou had come into contact with the young man, Madam Ren also made her drink a tube of the serum.
Since the serum was effective, Huo Rou proposed moving her workstation to the large laboratory, teaching everyone the purification method to speed up the progress.
Although Madam Ren was worried, hearing the moans coming from the nearby hospital, she had no choice but to agree.
One person's strength was ultimately limited. She gained Qin Niushui's support and mobilized all the laboratories in Yizhou, big and small, to work together. In just three days, the critically ill patients in the hospital received the serum, their symptoms eased, and their pain relieved. Everyone saw hope.
The moans in the hospital had significantly decreased, and laughter could be heard occasionally.
"Xiao Rou, amazing!" Qin Niushui, returning from outside, made a special trip to see her. His voice was still hoarsely tired, but his smile was more pronounced.
Yizhou had hope.
Finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, Huo Rou leaned lazily against the wall, looking at the brightly lit military hospital with a pensive expression.
"Chief Qin, that Cheng Guozhong has woken up," someone reported.
Upon hearing the name, a glint flashed in the eyes of both Qin Niushui and Huo Rou.
"Xiao Rou, I have to go attend to some matters. Please rest well." Qin Niushui straightened his back, about to leave.
"Uncle Qin, wait." Huo Rou called him back.
"Hmm?"
"Can I go with you?" Although it was a question, her voice was firm and not joking.
Qin Niushui recalled the call he received before coming, and tried to soften his voice, "You stay here and rest. The hospital is dangerous..."
"I know him." Huo Rou took a step forward, "I can help you."
Zhao Hengyu stepped forward, "Uncle Qin, let her go."
He had witnessed how Huo Rou interacted with Cheng Guozhong. Perhaps she could indeed obtain more information.
"Go where?" Zou Xiaoxiao kicked the back of his knee, "Her? She'll go in and won't come out."
Zou Xiaoxiao was extremely disdainful and pulled Zhao Hengyu to leave.