◎Stealing Luck◎
Zhong Yao hadn’t yet reacted to how Dou Dou could suddenly call her when the voice continued on the other end of the line: 【Chen Zhu Jing’s recent streak of misfortune isn’t caused by ordinary reasons, nor is it simple bad luck, it’s because someone has been stealing his luck.】
Zhong Yao furrowed her brow. Although she only partially understood what Dou Dou meant, she could sense the gravity of the situation: “Stealing his luck, what does that mean?”
Dou Dou explained in detail: 【Everyone carries luck, and different people have different amounts. You can simply understand it as “fortune”, for example, people often call someone an “EU Emperor” when they have abundant luck, and a “Non-Exotic” when they have little luck.】
【Luck is very important for humans. While everyone has different levels, there is an average and a minimum threshold.】 Dou Dou’s tone grew more serious. 【Most people’s luck fluctuates around the average. Once it drops below the minimum threshold, it can even become life-threatening.】
It was easy to understand, if your luck is too bad, even a sip of cold water could choke you to death.
Chen Zhu Jing’s current situation, being hit by a car when going out and having his suspended leg suddenly fall, clearly put him below the average.
Zhong Yao probed cautiously: “So Chen Zhu Jing…”
Dou Dou spoke calmly: 【He has already fallen below the minimum threshold. His life is in danger at any moment.】
Zhong Yao held her breath: “You said his luck was stolen, so this isn’t an accident? Is there any way to save him?”
【Once luck is stolen, it can’t be restored. Right now, the only thing we can do is stop further loss of luck, that’s the way to save his life.】
Zhong Yao hurriedly asked: “How do we stop it?”
【Girl, are you happy? Are you fulfilled? Do you want to change your fate and reach the pinnacle of life? As the saying goes, “Young and eager to learn, like the rising sun, mature and eager to learn, like the midday sun, old and eager to learn, like the light of a candle①.” Others say, “Life is finite, but knowledge is infinite②”…】
Zhong Yao twitched at the corner of her mouth: “What nonsense are you spouting now?”
This finally felt familiar, surely the earlier moment when it admitted its limitations must have been an illusion.
Dou Dou cleared its throat: 【If you want to save someone, you must rely on yourself. I can teach you how, but it depends on whether you’re willing.】
Zhong Yao rolled her eyes in exasperation, this is a matter of life and death, and it’s still joking around.
“Just tell me how to save him,” she muttered. Too many words…
“Yao Yao, why are you standing outside the door?” Chen Xiang called out from inside the ward, unable to find Zhong Yao, only to realize she had been standing outside the whole time.
Only after Zhong Yao turned around did she realize the phone was still by her ear. She smiled apologetically and pointed toward the ward behind her, signaling that she would go in first.
【It’s not convenient to talk here. You should leave for now. Chen Zhu Jing isn’t in immediate life danger, and staying here won’t help, better go do your work and save lives.】
Zhong Yao pondered briefly and nodded, made sense.
She hung up. Inside the ward, Chen Zhu Jing’s leg had been re-suspended, and his complexion was no longer pale as paper. His condition had clearly stabilized, and the earlier chaos had calmed, returning the room to quiet.
This time, Chen Zhu Jing didn’t dare move recklessly. He sat half-up in bed reading, while Chen Xiang poured a glass of water and carefully tended to him.
“Ah Xiang, I have something urgent, so I need to go first,” Zhong Yao said, pursing her lips with some embarrassment. She hadn’t managed to do much after arriving, the only thing she’d done was cut two apples, and she’d almost choked Chen Zhu Jing.
Chen Xiang waved her off easily: “Then go ahead and take care of it.”
Chen Zhu Jing lifted his head shyly and smiled: “Uh… I still don’t get calculus. Can I ask you for help?”
Although his sister was brilliant at calculus, her temper was short, if she had to explain something three times and he still didn’t get it, she’d probably hit him in frustration.
Just now, Zhong Yao had glanced at the problem and instantly calculated the correct answer. Her scholar aura was undeniable, and she seemed far gentler than his sister.
Compared to the two, he would definitely choose Zhong Yao.
Naturally, Zhong Yao agreed: “Of course. If you have any questions, send me a WeChat or call me anytime.”
Her eyes curved in a smile, fully embracing her new identity as a “calculus prodigy.”
After saying goodbye to them, Zhong Yao turned and left the ward, walking down the corridor to the elevator. Luck was on her side, a lift was just opening. A tall boy, wearing a baseball cap and dressed in a stylish, cool outfit, stepped out.
Zhong Yao’s gaze brushed past him as she entered the elevator, pressed for the first floor, and waited for it to descend.
The boy stopped at the elevator, watching the doors close. Thinking of the girl he had just brushed past, he tilted his head slightly, a faint look of surprise flickering in his eyes.
He paused thoughtfully for a moment, then stepped toward a ward.
Pushing the door open, he lifted the corner of his mouth and waved the soda in his hand teasingly: “Chen Zhu Jing, your dad brought you some food!”