It had been nearly a week of consecutive insomnia.
In the early hours of the morning, the night was quiet. Tang Yun lay in bed.
Her head throbbed with pain; she was exhausted yet unable to sleep.
The New Year was approaching, and the latest design draft remained unfinished, leaving her mind in a state of constant agitation.
The watch ticked away, and for no apparent reason, she felt irritable.
Following her assistant’s recommendation, she had scheduled an appointment with a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for that morning.
Her thoughts were tangled and chaotic, and it wasn’t until dawn that she finally felt a heavy drowsiness, only to be awakened shortly after by the ringing of her phone.
“Xiao Yun, Aunt Wang’s son, Ah Zhan, will be coming back for the New Year.”
“Aunt Wang even asked if you were seeing anyone. Wang Zhan—do you remember him? You two got along so well as children.”
“He’s mature and steady now. I even have a photo of him; I’ll send it to you in a moment—”
Tang Yun sat up, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Mom, just say it straight. What’s this really about?”
“Ah Zhan has returned from studying abroad and plans to develop his career domestically. Since you’re still single, it’s perfect to meet up when he comes back for the New Year.”
Tang Yun, already dizzy and exhausted from insomnia, had no patience for matchmaking matters.
“Mom, don’t worry about this. Let’s talk when I come back for the New Year. I need to get to work.”
Tang Yun turned on the TV to the morning news and went to wash up. She rubbed her eyes, cupped a handful of water, and splashed it on her face. The light shone directly on her fair, delicate skin, outlining an exceptionally beautiful face.
“…Several dismemberment murders have occurred consecutively in R City. The true perpetrator has yet to be apprehended. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and minimize unnecessary outings.”
Tang Yun was shocked by the news. Just as she was about to leave, she paused to watch the LCD screen.
The scene shifted to R City’s bustling streets, where police cars and ambulances were parked.
The victim was carried out, covered with a white cloth that obscured the details. The live broadcast briefly flashed a glimpse of blood and flesh scattered on the ground.
“Knock, knock—”
“Teacher Tang, I’m here to take you to the traditional Chinese medicine hospital,” her assistant’s voice called out.
…
Outside the internal medicine department of the traditional Chinese medicine hospital, Tang Yun sat waiting for her number to be called.
“Number 69, Tang Yun, please proceed to A318 for consultation.”
Tang Yun pushed the door open and saw a male doctor in a white coat standing by the windowsill, drinking water. She had assumed the doctors here were generally older, mature, and steady, but this one was young.
He turned around and returned to his desk, gesturing for Tang Yun to sit down.
When Tang Yun saw the face with its faint, gentle smile, her heart skipped a beat.
Was it Lu Chuan? Her high school classmate, the star of the honor roll.
But Lu Chuan had always been aloof and cool; she had never seen his eyes smile so warmly.
The consultation began normally, until it came time to check her pulse.
Feeling his warm fingers rest on her wrist, Tang Yun wondered for a moment if he could sense her accelerated heartbeat.
After the diagnosis, he began writing a prescription. Seizing the opportunity, Tang Yun glanced at his name tag.
Attending Physician, Lu Chuan.
Rarely reunited, Tang Yun suddenly wanted to say a few more words to him. “Dr. Lu, what’s the cause of my insomnia?”
Lu Chuan didn’t look up. “Insomnia is referred to as ‘bù mèi’ in traditional Chinese medicine. Its causes mainly include external pathogenic factors, disharmony between the heart and kidneys, excessive mental strain and fatigue, or it may result from constitutional deficiencies, overexertion, or chronic illness.”
Tang Yun looked at Lu Chuan and said, “That sounds quite serious, Dr. Lu. Is there still hope for me?”
Lu Chuan looked up, smiling in surprise. “I’ll prescribe a formula for you first. It’s a seven-day course. Try to relax during this period. If there’s no improvement, come back next time for acupuncture therapy.”
“Dr. Lu, is there any way for me to fall asleep tonight?”
Lu Chuan pressed the next number while replying, “You could engage in intense exercise. Exhaustion will knock you right out.”
“Or, you could try running a few laps around the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.”
…
Tang Yun took her medical record and left the consultation room. After paying the fees, she sat in the waiting hall. Since she had opted for the decoction service, she decided to take the medicine before heading to the office, so she asked her assistant to drive back to the company to handle affairs first.
The large LCD TV in the waiting hall continuously broadcasted news, and Tang Yun watched it half-heartedly.
The screen switched.
On the street, people were openly brawling, choking each other’s necks and tearing at each other with their teeth, even brutally biting off flesh.
“…In the past 24 hours, multiple violent incidents have erupted nationwide.”
Tang Yun’s mind sharpened, sensing the severity of the situation. She quickly took out her phone and logged into a communication platform.
Many newly uploaded pictures were instantly blocked, with words like “rabies” and “zombies” frequently popping up.
The news reports and forum discussions made Tang Yun feel a sense of panic. Although she had practiced Sanda for over five years, she wasn’t sure if she could handle such bloodthirsty monsters.
Whispers filled the hall as people watched the news broadcast. Just then, the sound of an emergency ambulance came from outside.
“Ah, I heard the patient they just brought in has rabies.”
“It’s terrifying. Could that patient bite people like in the TV shows?”
“I’m leaving. I won’t stay. I’ll come back for my appointment tomorrow.”
Tang Yun immediately called her assistant but got no answer. Her assistant was always reliable and wouldn’t ignore her calls during work hours. Something must have happened.
“Boom!!!”
A deafening explosion echoed throughout the hospital, followed by screams.
Tang Yun made a quick decision and ran to Room A318. The situation outside was likely dire, and she needed a car to relocate to a safer place. The only person she knew here was Lu Chuan.
“Bang!” Tang Yun opened the door and immediately closed it behind her, meeting Lu Chuan’s surprised then cold gaze.
“Dr. Lu, something’s happened outside. Do you have a car to get away?”
“Bang! Bang! Bang!!!” The door of the consultation room was being rammed.
Tang Yun and Lu Chuan walked to the door and looked through the window.
Both took a sudden step back. Outside the window, a nurse had turned into a blood-covered female corpse, her purplish-blue fingers scratching and pounding against the door.
Lu Chuan pushed the desk against the door and said quickly, “My car is in the first-floor parking lot.”
Tang Yun helped push the desk to block the door. The consultation room door was being rammed loudly and wouldn’t hold for long.
Tang Yun walked to the window and looked down. Below was the back of the hospital, and for now, there were no people or zombies moving around.
The window could only open one-third of the way, and there was also a chain lock.
She picked up a stool and started hitting the window. Lu Chuan immediately grabbed a bedsheet and used scissors to cut and extend it into a long rope.
“Bang!” The window of the consultation room shattered, and a strong, foul stench wafted in.
With a massive crash, a zombie broke through the door from the window and charged inside.
In that critical moment, Tang Yun and Lu Chuan acted simultaneously.
Lu Chuan agilely used the bedsheet strips to restrain the zombie’s pouncing movements, while Tang Yun immediately grabbed the stool and smashed it hard against the zombie’s head.
“Thud!!!” Several dull thuds later, the zombie collapsed to the ground, losing its chance to bite anyone.
Tang Yun quickly closed the door and pushed the desk against it.
Both of them slumped against the door, panting heavily.
She rubbed her sore, numb wrist, thinking that if they had been any later just now, both of them would likely have been bitten to death by the zombies.
The foul, putrid smell filled the entire ward. Tang Yun felt sweat soaking his back, experiencing firsthand the terror of the apocalypse descending.