Seeing that Xiao Cheng had given in so easily, one of the nurses sneered disdainfully: "A lunatic is a lunatic. Number 5 is so worried about her because of the disappearance of bed number 1, right?"
"Just because we can't find him doesn't mean others can't. He can't escape. Once the dean... no, as long as the doctors come back, they'll be able to dig that madman out sooner or later."
The two nurses stood guard at the door for a while longer. Seeing that Xiao Cheng was silent and seemed to be really asleep, they left one after the other and continued their patrol.
Xiao Cheng lay on the bed, sorting through the information she had just heard, her mind working unusually fast.
It is known that patient number 1 is missing, and the nurses cannot find him. The director of the mental hospital is temporarily unavailable, and apart from Fang He, he has not seen any other doctors.
Assuming the person in bed number 1 is a player, it means they have likely already found a clue to complete the game. If they are an NPC, they are also very likely the key to solving the puzzle.
So……
Xiao Cheng stared intently at the problem for a long time, but couldn't come up with anything; his train of thought was completely stuck.
Xiao Cheng: "..." I resigned myself to my fate. Using my brain was definitely not my thing.
But it doesn't matter, she can ask Fang He for help. He's so helpful, he definitely won't refuse her.
Su Xin looked at Xiao Cheng hesitantly, noticing her three different expressions in a minute, and became quite worried. So she went over and slipped her a note: "Are you alright?"
Xiao Cheng sat up, gave an OK sign to indicate that she was fine, then picked up a pen and wrote on the back of the note: "I will find an opportunity to see that player doctor."
As the saying goes, opportunity always favors the prepared mind. Xiao Cheng originally planned to tamper with the lock while the nurse was delivering lunch, and then sneak out that night.
Before we could even eat, Nurse No. 5 pushed a wheelchair in.
"Dr. B said your treatment went well yesterday, so you can be an exception and attend the group lunch." Nurse No. 5 looked quite displeased. Without saying a word, she grabbed Xiao Cheng, threw her into the wheelchair, and then quickly untied the restraints and fixed her limbs to the wheelchair.
Xiao Cheng: "..." This doesn't feel like you're taking me out for lunch, it feels like you're making me be your lunch.
But she, a weak and helpless mental patient, could not possibly resist the strong male nurse.
Under Su Xin's worried gaze, Xiao Cheng was wheeled out of the ward and headed straight for the cafeteria on the first floor.
The cafeteria is located in the center of the first floor, about the size of two hospital rooms. Tables are placed close to the wall, forming a complete circle, with the center empty. The floor is covered with a strangely patterned carpet.
When Xiao Cheng was pushed in, the cafeteria was almost full. About twenty faceless mental patients sat facing the wall, their backs straight, their hands neatly placed on their thighs, so quiet that you couldn't even hear their breathing.
Caregiver #5 chose the innermost seat for her, untied the restraints, lifted her off the wheelchair, and pointed to the stool for her to sit on.
“Behave yourself,” he warned menacingly. “Don’t let me find out anything like what happened yesterday.” With that, he pushed his wheelchair away again.
The cafeteria wasn't full yet, and the seats next to Xiao Cheng were empty. She waited for almost ten minutes before a second wheelchair was pushed in.
She was a player who looked a bit thin. She carefully observed the nurse behind him out of the corner of her eye. As expected, she looked almost exactly like number 5, with "Nurse for Bed 3" written all over her face.
The nurse in bed number 3 also noticed Xiao Cheng, her fingers trembling almost imperceptibly. She hesitated for a moment, then sat down in the empty seat to her right. Nurse number 3 said nothing, seemingly quite at ease with him, and turned to push the wheelchair away.
The patient in bed number 3 was very cautious, sitting upright like the other patients. After a while, he moved his fingers very slightly, his elbow inadvertently brushing against Xiao Cheng's arm.
Xiao Cheng lowered his gaze knowingly and saw his left index finger gently tapping his leg.
It's Morse code.
Xiao Cheng watched thoughtfully for a while, then moved her fingers and imitated him by stroking her own legs.
A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of the patient in bed number 3 as he deciphered the information Xiao Cheng was conveying, but the more he looked, the more his expression turned out to be off.
She wrote three words, stroke by stroke: "I can't."
Bed #3: "..."
He took a deep breath discreetly, decisively abandoned Morse code, and instead began to draw characters: "Player? The doctor sent me."
"Me too."
"He said you knew his plan and asked me to cooperate with you."
Xiao Cheng was completely bewildered. She had no idea what plan she knew about. But since this was Fang He's idea...
Just as she was thinking, the sound of a small cart came from afar in the corridor, followed by the rich aroma of food.
Two faceless, burly nurses walked in and started serving meals to the patients, beginning with the first patient. Xiao Cheng's conversation with the patient in bed number 3 came to an abrupt end. Not seeing Fang He, Xiao Cheng felt a vague unease and listlessly poked at the half-eaten braised fish in her bowl.
There was no time limit for group lunches, and nurses would collect the dishes after everyone finished eating. Patients were picked up one after another, and Xiao Cheng and Bed No. 3 also put down their bowls and chopsticks, sitting quietly in their seats, waiting for their assigned caregivers.
However, before the caregiver arrived, they were met with a deafening roar: "Who is it? Who stole my ID card and wore my white coat?"
A man rushed into the cafeteria, and the remaining patients and caregivers all turned to face him. Xiao Cheng and patient number 3 took the opportunity to turn their heads as well, observing him.
He was wearing a shirt and trousers, a mask and frameless glasses. His face was flat with no features, and three bold black characters were on his forehead.
Dr. B.
Xiao Cheng: "..." So you're the one who's actually Dr. B?
The expression on the person in bed number 3 was starting to crack: "Is this your plan?" He didn't even bother to gesture; he simply lowered his voice to the lowest possible level and looked at Xiao Cheng with pleading eyes.
Xiao Cheng: "Haha, plans can't keep up with changes."
Bed number 3 persisted: "Don't you have a Plan B?"
“There are no plans, or even any plans at all.” Xiao Cheng ruthlessly crushed his hopes.
The commotion in the cafeteria quickly attracted the attention of other nurses.
"Bed number 5! It's you again!"
Nurse No. 5 stormed in, pushing a wheelchair, and glanced at Xiao Cheng, who was sitting quietly in the corner. She was stunned for a moment, then looked at the noisy Dr. B and finally realized that this commotion seemed to have nothing to do with Xiao Cheng.
He walked around with lingering fear, pressed Xiao Cheng into the wheelchair, quickly fastened the restraints, bypassed Dr. B, and pushed her out.
"Damn it, they're all crazy, they're all fucking crazy." Nurse No. 5 muttered and cursed, "They dare to pretend to be doctors without ID cards and white coats. When the hospital director comes back, you'll all... hehe."
Xiao Cheng was completely bewildered. It seemed that Nurse No. 5 didn't know Dr. B? But seeing that he didn't seem quite right, she didn't dare to ask any more questions and quietly slumped in her wheelchair, pretending to be a mushroom.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
