“The doctor said you have severe heatstroke, along with a fever. If not handled properly, it could be life-threatening.” Mrs. Bolton said with lingering fear, “Last night your condition was very dangerous. Not only did you get an antipyretic injection, but you were also put on two bottles of high-protein IV. Fortunately, the Bodhisattva blessed you, and good people are rewarded. You finally pulled through.”

Absolutely not heatstroke!

Ryan Walker clearly remembered that at the time, his chest was struck by a red beam of light, which then burrowed into his body, causing a burning pain in all his internal organs.

But now, the situation was unclear, and his body had undergone mysterious changes. To avoid danger and trouble, it was best to just go along with the doctor’s diagnosis for now. Even though that diagnosis seemed rather irresponsible.

Just then, the door to the hospital room was pushed open.

A nurse entered, walked over to ask Ryan Walker a few questions, removed the IV needle, and then put a thermometer in his mouth. She turned and instructed, “Granny, the three thousand yuan you paid yesterday has already been used up. You need to pay the balance, or today’s treatment can’t continue.”

With that, the nurse left directly.

“Grandma Bolton, did you pay three thousand yuan for me last night?”

“Mainly for all the tests and the protein, it was a bit expensive.” Mrs. Bolton winced in pain at the expense, forcing a smile, “Forget it, don’t worry about the money. As long as you survived, that’s all that matters. The doctor said your body is severely malnourished and your immune system is weak. From now on, you must eat properly and on time.”

“Don’t worry, Grandma Bolton, I’ll take good care of myself. I’ll also pay you back as soon as possible.” Ryan Walker nodded solemnly, though he was secretly puzzled. He was poor, but he always paid attention to nutrition. How could he be severely malnourished? Hmm, could it be that the red light transformed his body and consumed a lot of nutrients?

“Money isn’t important. You’re about the same age as my grandson—I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing, could I?” Mrs. Bolton looked much better, hesitated, and said, “Well, Little Ryan, you rest a bit more. I’ll be right back.”

“No need, Grandma Bolton.” Ryan Walker took out the thermometer and jumped out of bed, “I’m already fine. No need to waste more money. Let’s go handle the discharge procedures.”

After a bit of back and forth, Ryan Walker insisted on being discharged. After paying the outstanding fees, his savings of 1,300 yuan became 800.

“Grandma Bolton, I really can’t thank you enough. But I’ll need to trouble you to come back with me—I want to write you an IOU and leave my graduation certificate with you as collateral.” At the hospital entrance, Ryan Walker said apologetically, “I’ll repay the medical expenses you covered, with interest, within six months at the latest.”

If she hadn’t taken him to the hospital in time and paid for his treatment, he might have died on the street. She had saved his life, and Ryan Walker was deeply grateful.

“No need, no need, I believe you’re a good and kind child.” Mrs. Bolton waved her hand repeatedly, “If my grandson weren’t still in college and in need of money, I wouldn’t even take this money. I’ve done some things I’m not proud of these past two years, made some ill-gotten gains, and I know retribution will come sooner or later. Little Ryan, I really should be thanking you this time.”

At Ryan Walker’s insistence, he still wrote her an IOU.

After parting with the old lady, Ryan Walker returned to the place where the incident happened yesterday. The battered tricycle hadn’t been stolen; someone had pushed it to the roadside and locked it to the guardrail with a chain. But the last item of cargo on the tricycle was gone…

It was a box of condoms, worth several hundred yuan at wholesale price. If it was lost, it would be a big loss.

Huh? There was a note clipped to the chain lock. He picked it up and saw: “Item kept at Dapao Convenience Store.”

Ryan Walker was delighted—there were still good people in this world.

Looking around, he spotted the convenience store at the entrance to the market. The sign had the words “Dapao” written in huge, eye-catching characters.

Ryan Walker couldn’t help but twitch his lips. The shop owner’s taste was really something…

……

Chapter 0003: The Cold and Alluring Duo

……

The scorching sun blazed overhead.

The whole city felt like a furnace, the relentless heat warping the air into shimmering waves.

Willow trees drooped their branches listlessly, providing some shade for passersby. Summer cicadas screeched desperately. After years of silence underground, only in this final summer of their lives did they pour out their emotions, fulfilling the sacred mission of reproduction.

At the entrance to the market, the convenience store’s door was wide open, the awning casting a patch of shade.

A middle-aged man with a stubbly chin and bare chest lounged in a rattan chair, legs crossed, enjoying the cool. He lazily waved a battered palm fan with several splits, swaying his head and humming a tune: “Oh, when I touch the edge of sister’s face, half the dark clouds fly away…”

Ryan Walker was drenched in sweat. He looked up at the sign “Dapao Convenience Store,” then walked over with the note in hand and politely said, “Uncle, hello. May I ask, were you the one who locked up my tricycle and kept my goods safe?”