Chapter 31: Immemorial Words and Doctors
Editor: TheSloth
As the old door opened, its hinges made a ‘squeak’ sound.
An unpleasant smell filled his nostrils since no one had aired the room in a while.
The room was rather old-fashioned, which made sense since Asas was not of this century.
Due to respect or veneration for the former boss, You Ye didn’t follow Luo Qiu inside; she only stood by the entrance.
Of course it might have been due to some other reasons.
This room was a treasure trove to any historian. Actually, the entire club could be said to be a treasure trove.
Luo Qiu walked up to the window. The curtains were made of black gauze. A round table and a wooden sleeping chair were near it. Some scratches could be seen on the floor, most likely due to the chair being pulled out often.
Luo Qiu sat down on the chair and closed his eyes. He hoped to understand more about the previous boss when he sat there.
He wondered what would the former boss’s gaze be drawn to as he sat here?
A moment later, Luo Qiu stood up. He had not obtain any insights. Then he walked around the room. There was a tatty desk on the other side of the room but the drawer inside was empty.
As for the wardrobe in the room, there was only a suit in it. Besides that, all he could see were a bed and a bedside table with a candlestick on it.
Luo Qiu didn’t see the so-called wind-up music box which You Ye had brought up before.
He was depressed that he didn’t find anything. Just as he was about to leave, a thought came over him. He walked back to the round table, squatted and stretched out his head to peer beneath it.
He then did the same to the desk, and even upturned the bed and the drawer in it. Finally he moved the wardrobe aside. However all he saw was a crack on the wall and the back of the wardrobe.
“Nothing is left…Did I think too much?” Luo Qiu muttered to himself.
Finally, he gave up and put everything back in its place.
Without his noticing, it was already time for the sun to rise. The gentle breeze blew against the gauze, and sunshine entered through the stained glass window. Just then, Luo QIu discovered beautiful patterns on the floor due to the sunlight coming through the window.
The sunlight slowly brightened the room.
Luo Qiu walked over to the window and opened it. Outside was the familiar shopping street, devoid of any people at dawn.
When Luo Qiu closed the window, the patterns emerged again.
The patterns were arranged neatly in order. It appeared to be some kind of ancient language.
Luo Qiu took a few photos because it would vanish once the sun moved. However, at that moment, the words turned indistinct, then merged together and scattered..
Luo Qiu showed the pictures to You Ye. “You Ye, do you know these words?”
You Ye shook her head and showed a surprised expression.
She had never been into Asas’s room even though she had been working here for more than 300 years.
She didn’t recognized them. Perhaps it even older than 300 years.
Luo Qiu tried to get the answer using his identifying ability, but altar merely gave him such a reply.
---The contents have been damaged, do you wish to use a thousand years of lifespan to restore and retranslate the contents?
Then another message was sent from the altar again.
---You may also use ten years worth of lifespan to purchase the origins of the source.
“What the f*ck!” Luo Qiu blurted out these three words.
“Master?”
You Ye tried asking the silent Luo Qiu.
Luo Qiu took a deep breath, calming himself down. “I’m alright. At least it wasn’t all for nothing. Besides, now I’ve got a goal, which would motivate me.”
He then commanded You Ye to continue her work, then went back home.
At that time, Ren Ziling was still asleep.
It was ridiculous to exchange ten years worth of life for the origins of the source, so Luo Qiu copied all the photos onto his computer, then chose some clear ones and put them all together into one big picture.
Next, he uploaded the new picture onto the internet and asked, “Does anyone know what the language in this picture is?”
Now all he had to do was wait for a reply. If no one replied him, he might consider asking it on Quora.
If still no one replied…then he had no choice but to earn more lifespans.
When he thought of earning more lifespans, Luo Qiu glanced over the information of seven potential customers given by Black Soul No. 9.
In theory, the black cards with stamps should only be given out to whom they could profit from, after taking the discount into consideration.
After managing to close some deals, Luo Qiu knew that he too, was a customer of the club---the only difference was that he was its biggest one, and his life was the only transaction fee that could be used.
Most problems could be settled by paying a portion of his remaining lifespan, whether it be information on the customer, the identification of items, or even releasing the soul trapped in the white jade token, etc.
The next rule was storing the transaction fee in the warehouse---once an item was stored there, it would not be able to be tributed. In other words, Luo Qiu could select any of the items used as transaction fees and keep them by sacrificing the chance to gain more days to live.
The first white card appeared in Luo Qiu’s palm, then it broke and became a streak of light, enveloping his head like a bundle of mist.
Luo Qiu closed his eyes.
……
……
Jiang Chu went back to the hospital early.
He was a 40-year-old doctor well versed in neurosurgery, and also reknown for his gentlemanly attitude.
He had both wealth and fame. Plus with his talent and since he was currently divorced, many young ladies at the hospital adored him.
Jiang Chu made a cup of coffee, then sat down at his office table and prepared to check the medical records of his patients. Suddenly a black card with a strange golden pattern silently appeared between one of the several medical records…
Chapter 32: The Tremble
Editor: TheSloth
Jiang Chu was stunned by the sudden appearance of the black card. However, for some reason, he felt the need to possess it.
He gazed at the black card for almost ten minutes without moving. During this time, he seemed to hear a voice whispering to him.
“Doctor Jiang, the director wants to see you.”
At that moment, Jiang Chu was distracted by the voice of a lady. He could feel the back of his shirt soaked in sweat. Then he awoke from his trance and replied. “Ok…I got it, I’ll be right there.”
Jiang Chu quickly kept away the documents, after a moment of hesitation, he finally stuffed the black card into his pocket.
Several minutes later, Jiang Chu came to the director’s office.
The director appeared to be around 50, even though he just celebrated his 60-year-old birthday. He also seemed to be in much better health compared to others. As he saw Jiang Chu, who he held in high regard, he quickly revealed a smile, “Jiang Chu, I knew you would be at the hospital during this time.”
“Director, how may I help you?” Jiang Chu sat down.
The dean said, “There is a problem which I require your assistance.”
Jiang Chu responded confidently, “What’s the matter director?”
The Dean sighed, “I have an old classmate. An early staged tumor has been discovered in his granddaughter’s head so he came to me…I’ll check her current situation this few days, and then recommend you to him.”
The director was satisfied with Jiang Chu’s confidence even after hearing the situation. Nevertheless, he still displayed a serious expression. “The patient is not 5 years old yet, thus her cranial nerve is rather weak. You’re the only doctor I dare suggest to perform the operation.”
Jiang Chu suddenly said, “Director, I’ve asked for leave last week…”
The director said in a soft voice, “I know you’ve not had a good rest these few years. And I’ve authorized your vacations… Nevertheless, I have known this old classmate for dozens of years. If you complete the operation, I can even give you a month off.”
Jiang Chu said, “But director, it’s difficult to operate on little children…if in case…Wouldn’t it be a better choice to ask the more experienced Doctor Huang to do it?”
The director felt slightly annoyed and said, “This time we have to operate the anterior lobe. There is no better choice than you. Jiang Chu, I valued medical ethics and skills more than qualifications. If you managed to do well in this operation, I’ll promote you to be my assistant.”
Jiang Chu looked at the director in amazement.
The director said pleasantly but sternly, “I’ve been working hard many years and need a good rest. Jiang Chu, I appreciate your character and your ability. Trust me, you’ll be in charge of this hospital in the future after several more years of experience.”
Then the director walked to Jiang Chu’s side, patting him on the shoulder, “You have the ability, so don’t be nervous. Furthermore, my classmate has acknowledged the fact that you shall be the one to perform the operation. If you retreat at this moment, it would be rather troublesome.”
Jiang Chu frowned after he heard this, “Teacher, can you tell me who he is?”
“He’s a senior in Health Department. Even though he retired, he still wields a lot of influence.” The dean smiled, “Don’t stress too much about it. This operation may be rather challenging but it shouldn't be a problem for you. Don’t let me down.”
Jiang Chu had to choice but to say, “I want to read the information on the patient first.”
“No problem. I’ll send it to you soon.”
After saying that, the director left to patrol the hospital. Jiang Chu returned to his office, then sat in a daze at his desk, a worried expression on his face.
He suddenly looked at his hands for a long while. Then took out a knife from the pen container and held it, pretending it was a scalpel.
Nevertheless, just as he grasped it, his hand started trembling. Jiang Chu abruptly threw up his hands, flinging the scalpel onto the floor, then burying his face in those very same hands.
Trembling hands. Through his own preliminary diagnosis, he could no longer deny the harsh reality.
It was Parkinson's disease.
He didn’t know when his hands would start to tremble. if it happened during an operation, then…
Originally he had planned to apply for a long vacation abroad to visit his friend, who was also a doctor, to discuss and find the best method to treat his disease.
Bit on the other hand, the director had placed great hopes on him for this operation. He definitely understood the importance of this operation to his career in the future.
Nevertheless…
“It’s quite sarcastic…a chief surgeon loses his hands.” Jiang Chu revealed a bitter smile.
……
……
These two days were peaceful for the club. During this time, Zhang Qingrui had contacted Luo Qiu, saying that the they had found the stolen item, and have sent it back to him already.
She could only contact Luo Qiu by phone because she didn’t know his address.
Luo Qiu also didn’t want to expose his residence. So he chose Gu Yue Zhai as the meeting place.
He thought it would be that fat manager who would be sending the jade token back. However, it turned out that the boss of the auction took his place, returning it herself.
Her name is Dong Minghua.
“That lady didn’t come along with you?”
Zhang Qingrui was curious about the absence of that girl.
Luo Qiu said, “She is busy.”
Dong Minghua smiled, “It was a disturbing matter. You may not believe but the jade was sent back anonymously. Nobody knows what happened.”
This sentence was spoken for the benefit of Luo Qiu, because Zhang Qingrui seemed to have already known the situation.
So he pretended to be surprised and said, “That’s really bizarre.”
Dong Minghua apologized, “Mr. Luo, I am really sorry for the trouble last time. May I treat you and the lady you were with to a meal as an apology?”
However, Luo Qiu was a straightforward person, and didn’t like meaningless etiquette, “No, thank you. Ms. Dong. It is not necessary since I’ve got the jade back.”
Dong Minghua forced a smile, “All the more the reason I have to treat you to a meal.”
Luo Qiu had no choice but to say, “I'm busy today.”
This was Dong Minghua’s first time encountering such a person that held no regard for social cues. She had already asked twice, it would be embarrassing if she continued to make such a request. Therefore, she just gave a nod. “That’s a pity. Do inform me beforehand if Mr. Luo plans to visit my auction again, I’ll prepare some people to pick you up.”
Luo Qiu nodded, “Sounds good.”
After seeing this, Zhang Qingrui’s impression of Luo Qiu was that he was too inept at socializing, it would be hard to adapt to the society. However on the other hand, she appreciated his character that refused to suck up to anyone. It was rare to see a youth like him in today’s society.
“Oh…Ms. Zhang, I need to head back to the company now.” Dong Minghua said, “I’ll drop by to visit Mrs. Zhang next time.”
Zhang Qingrui made some small talk before sending Dong Minghua off.
Just then, Luo Qiu said, “Do me a favor.”
“Do you always ask for help in this tone?” Zhang Qingrui smiled reluctantly. “Do you know you have offended an influential person in the antique circle? Now you want to offend me too?”
Luo Qiu stared at her blankly, then said after a moment, “I have been lending you my class notes all this while, so…”
“…” Zhang Qingrui sighed, “Say it, what’s the matter?”
Nevertheless, after she said that, she frowned and said in a vexed tone, “You’re so petty, demanding my help after giving me such minor assistance!”
“But I really did lend you my class notes many times…”
“…”
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