As usual, the morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling every inch of the village. Those golden rays, like nature's gentle brushstrokes, lightly sketched the tranquility and peace of this small village. Lin Yue and Chen Yu spent a sweet night in their cozy little house. The morning sunlight on their faces felt like a lover's caress, bringing them boundless energy and anticipation for the new day.
As usual, Lin Yue arrived at the infirmary early. She gently pushed open the somewhat worn wooden door, and the familiar scent of herbs wafted out. She first carefully organized the few medicines available, the bottles in her hands like precious treasures, arranged with utmost care. Her gaze was focused and earnest, every movement filled with reverence for these medical resources. Next, she began organizing the medical instruments—tweezers, scissors, thermometers, and so on—each item wiped clean and placed in perfect order. Her methodical movements seemed almost ritualistic, a steadfast commitment to the mission of saving lives.
Chen Yu was busy in the courtyard, sunlight streaming in and outlining his strong figure. He was drying freshly gathered herbs, which carried the fragrance of earth and the morning dew. He carefully spread the herbs evenly on a bamboo tray, his movements gentle, as if afraid of damaging these hard-won herbs. He turned the herbs over from time to time, ensuring that the sunlight fully reached each leaf, guaranteeing that they would be stored in optimal condition for future use.
However, this tranquility, like fragile glass, was easily shattered by a series of hurried footsteps. Around noon, a young villager rushed into the clinic, his face contorted with panic. Sweat beaded on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks and splashing tiny specks of dust on the floor. His eyes gleamed with terror, as if some monstrous monster were following him. He gasped for breath, his voice trembling: "Lin Yue, something terrible has happened! Several households in the west end of the village have suddenly developed high fevers. They're delirious and constantly complaining of cold; it's terrifying!"
Lin Yue's heart clenched suddenly, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand. A sense of foreboding washed over her, instantly overwhelming her previous relaxed and cheerful mood. Her eyes immediately turned serious, and she stopped what she was doing. She put down what she was holding, strode over to the young villager, and asked gravely, "How long has this been going on? Are there any other symptoms? Like vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash?" The young villager struggled to calm his breathing and replied, "It started last night. Some people say they have terrible headaches and feel weak, like they're about to collapse after just a few steps. I haven't heard of any vomiting or diarrhea, and I haven't noticed any rashes either."
Lin Yue's brows furrowed, her eyebrows twisted like a rope. She quickly picked up the medicine box, which seemed incredibly heavy in her hands, carrying the hopes of the villagers. She called out to Chen Yu, "Let's go, let's go see!" Her voice was urgent and firm, without the slightest hesitation. Hearing Lin Yue's call, Chen Yu dropped what he was doing and ran with her towards the west end of the village. Their steps were swift, kicking up dust, like two cannonballs rushing towards the center of the crisis.
When they arrived at the western end of the village, it seemed shrouded in gloom, the once tranquil atmosphere replaced by tension and fear. Painful groans emanated from several houses, sounds like sharp knives piercing the nerves of everyone present. Relatives paced anxiously nearby, their eyes filled with helplessness and worry, like children lost in the darkness, unable to find their way. Some women wept softly, tears streaking their dusty faces; some elderly people sat in corners, silently praying, murmuring ancient words of blessing.
Lin Yue and Chen Yu entered one of the houses, the air thick with a stifling, sickly atmosphere. A young woman lay on the bed, her face flushed, the red like a burning flame, almost scorching her skin. Her lips were cracked, like parched earth, covered in fissures. Her eyes were vacant and unfocused, her body trembling incessantly, as if fiercely struggling against some unseen force. She mumbled incoherently, her words broken and incoherent, unintelligible to anyone else. Lin Yue rushed forward, first touching the woman's forehead; the burning temperature made her heart sink, as if plunged into an ice cellar. She quickly took out a thermometer, carefully placing it under the woman's armpit, and then began to examine the rest of her body. Her movements were gentle yet swift, her eyes sharp as an eagle's, carefully checking for rashes, swelling, or other abnormalities. Her brow furrowed even more, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she remained oblivious, all her attention focused on the patient.
During the examination, Lin Yue's expression grew increasingly grave, her somber look like the calm before a storm. She examined several other patients and found their symptoms remarkably similar: high fever, headache, fatigue, and chills. These symptoms were like the marks of demons etched upon the patients, sending a chill down Lin Yue's spine. Alarm bells rang in her mind, a strong sense of crisis spreading through her. She looked at Chen Yu, her eyes filled with worry, and whispered, "This situation is not good. These symptoms strongly suggest some kind of infectious disease. We must determine the cause as soon as possible; we can't let it spread in the village, or the consequences will be unimaginable." Her voice, though low, carried an undeniable firmness.
Chen Yu's expression turned serious, his previously gentle gaze now sharp as a cold star. He nodded. "I'll go inform Captain Li and have him organize the villagers to stay put and minimize contact. You stay here and continue your investigation, see if you can find any more clues." With that, he turned and strode away. His figure quickly disappeared outside the house, leaving only a trail of hurried footsteps echoing in the air.
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