Chapter 60: He Takes Charge

Zhong Xiao returned to the hospital and searched up and down several times without finding Zuo Lan. At last, she ran into her just outside the intensive care unit on the third floor, as Zuo Lan was coming out of the ward.

At this moment, Zuo Lan looked especially exhausted. After removing her mask, a noticeable flush colored the tip of her nose, and her fine brows were knit together in deep worry.

Zhong Xiao knew in her heart that it was most likely due to Commander Song’s condition.

She stepped forward and asked with concern, “Aunt Zuo, how is Commander Song doing?”

Zuo Lan looked up and saw Zhong Xiao. Some of the fatigue on her face was concealed as she forced herself to rally.

“His heart rate and breathing are still very low, and he’s still in shock. Right now, he can only rely on an oxygen tank and nutrient fluids. The most urgent thing is to find the cause.”

Zhong Xiao glanced into the ward.

The Commander who just days ago was full of vigor now lay unconscious in bed. Even as an outsider, Zhong Xiao felt a twinge of discomfort, let alone Zuo Lan.

From her woven shoulder bag, Zhong Xiao quietly took out a small box and handed it to Zuo Lan.

Zuo Lan opened her palm and looked.

It was gentamicin and doxycycline, two antibiotics.

In the current environment, these were Western medicines as precious as gold. Even half a box could potentially save several lives.

Zuo Lan did not have the energy to ask how Zhong Xiao had come by these drugs. She was more concerned with another question.

“Xiao Xiao, why are you giving me gentamicin? This medicine is used for—”

Zhong Xiao nodded at once, cutting her off and concisely explained the situation.

“Aunt Zuo, I strongly suspect that Commander Song has been infected with the plague virus. Taizhou Island may be on the verge of a significant outbreak. Many people are already showing symptoms, but no one’s paying attention yet.”

“Commander Song asked me to tell you to immediately set up an isolation area in the hospital, transfer patients with symptoms like dizziness, fever, fatigue, and coughing up blood to quarantine, and administer antibiotics as quickly as possible depending on the severity.”

“Medical staff who have been in contact with severe cases must also take doxycycline for prevention—including you, Aunt Zuo.”

Zuo Lan listened, dumbfounded, her expression growing increasingly grave.

“Shen’er told you to do this? So, he also thinks that Qingfeng and the other soldiers have the plague?”

Zhong Xiao nodded.

Zuo Lan looked at the medicines in her hand, then glanced at Song Qingfeng in the ward. She was just about to make up her mind when a female voice called out from down the corridor.

“Director Zuo! You absolutely cannot give Commander Song medication at random! He’s in shock right now—if you administer drugs blindly, the consequences will be unimaginable!”

Zhong Xiao’s brows furrowed instantly. She turned and, sure enough, saw Hou Manling, out of breath, hurrying over.

Hou Manling had been following Zhong Xiao ever since she saw her return to the hospital. She knew Zhong Xiao was up to no good and would use Zuo Lan’s trust to spread rumors and incite panic.

Hou Manling said, “Several of the unwell soldiers have already improved after taking antipyretics. It’s impossible for this to be an infectious disease! Director Zuo, this woman is just trying to scare everyone. I don’t know her motives, but I’m certain we can’t trust a word she says!”

Zhong Xiao was so furious she could have strangled this woman.

She strode up and shouted at Hou Manling, “I don’t care if you’re targeting me because of Song Tingshen—I only want you to know one thing! I have a clear conscience and not a shred of selfish intent! I’m not here to steal any man from you, nor do I care to! There are plenty of men in the world—I don’t need Song Tingshen!”

“If you keep letting your stupidity interfere with my work, don’t blame me for being rude!”

With that, Zhong Xiao turned to Zuo Lan.

“Aunt Zuo, this is urgent. The Commander’s sudden shock could very well be pneumonic plague, the deadliest form. He must take antibiotics at once, or it will be too late!”

Zuo Lan clenched the medicine in her palm, took a deep breath, and was about to make her decision when a tall figure appeared at the stairwell, his voice low and hoarse, yet firm.

“Do as Zhong Xiao says. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.”

It was Song Tingshen, who had returned to the hospital.