Monster in the Ward

Xiao Xiao felt a bit heavy-hearted, but this also strengthened his resolve to help in any way he could.

Therefore, even though he was clearly rejected at this moment, he was still unwilling to give up so easily.

"Uncle, Auntie, I know you might not believe me when I say this."

"But, perhaps I know why Lin Zhenzhen's face is like this."

"Really?!" Lin's father and Lin's mother said in unison.

"It's just a guess, so I'd like to go in and see Lin Zhenzhen." Even though Xiao Xiao had many uncertainties in his heart, he absolutely could not show the slightest bit of it now. His expression was only serious and sincere.

"Oh, oh, a guess..." Lin's mother's eyes, which had lit up, quickly dimmed again.

She was desperate, grasping at straws. How could this child possibly have a solution for an illness that even doctors were helpless against?

"Okay."

"Huh?" "...Honey?" Lin's mother looked at Lin's father strangely. In her opinion, this was just Xiao Xiao's excuse to visit Zhenzhen. She was grateful for Xiao Xiao's kind intentions, but she didn't want her daughter to be stimulated any further.

Lin's father pursed his dry, chapped lips, his voice hoarse, "The child is just being kind. What if..."

What if what? Lin's father didn't finish his sentence. Perhaps even Lin's father felt that this "what if" was a bit far-fetched.

"It's just a try, anyway."

"Just a try." Lin's father's voice grew lower and lower, repeating the words. Was he trying to convince Lin's mother, or himself?

"But..." Lin's mother hesitated, wanting to say something. She looked at Xiao Xiao, then swallowed her words back. Her eyes, however, clearly showed suspicion and disapproval.

"Xiao Xiao, do you really have any ideas about Zhenzhen's condition?"

However, before Xiao Xiao could answer, Lin's father hurriedly added, "Never mind, don't say it. If you want to go in and see her, then go ahead."

"But, lately, Zhenzhen's temper... hasn't been very good." Lin's father wiped his face. "Don't provoke her too much."

"Okay."

"But I want to speak with Lin Zhenzhen alone."

Lin's father and Lin's mother eventually agreed to Xiao Xiao's "insatiable" request.

Perhaps it was due to too many disappointments, or perhaps they had truly reached a dead end. Therefore, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, even if it seemed unreliable, they still wanted to try.

Moreover, Xiao Xiao's gaze was sincere and bright, carrying a sense of certainty and confidence that inexplicably made them want to try believing this young man, to try believing that he could really do something about their daughter's face.

It was just a try, anyway. They didn't hold out much hope, but they didn't want to miss even the slimmest possibility.

"Click~" Xiao Xiao applied pressure to the doorknob, and the door opened with a creak.

Without hesitation, Xiao Xiao stepped into the ward, closing the door behind him.

Because the curtains were drawn, the entire ward appeared dim and exuded a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

To Xiao Xiao's surprise, he didn't hear a girl's scream.

He had already prepared himself mentally.

Xiao Xiao looked towards the hospital bed.

A slightly raised quilt.

His gaze moved up, and a face wrapped in bandages came into view.

Honestly, even though he knew beforehand, Xiao Xiao still instinctively gasped.

The scene truly had a bit of a horror movie feel to it.

Huh? Before Xiao Xiao could carefully examine Lin Zhenzhen's condition, his heart suddenly jolted. He turned his head sharply, his sharp gaze shooting out following his intuition.

Soon, Xiao Xiao's eyes locked onto a corner of the ceiling near the window.

A strangely shaped bird was hanging upside down there.

Its color was a dull gray, almost blending into the shadows, making it inconspicuous.

However, its eyes were extremely peculiar, as if covered by a thick layer of gray mist, making them unclear. In the center, two points of eerie, flickering light seemed to sway in the wind, though there was no breeze, appearing unstable.

What kind of monster is this?

Xiao Xiao was already quite accustomed to encountering monsters at any time and place.

He just felt once again, with deep conviction, that he really needed to carry the Monster Compendium with him from now on.

At least then he would know what kind of monster he was facing.

And when facing an unknown monster, he wouldn't be so passive.

Neither the person nor the monster moved rashly. They simply stared at each other in silence.

Then, Xiao Xiao pretended as if he saw nothing and calmly and naturally turned his head back.

monster:...

Xiao Xiao knew very well that Lin Zhenzhen was the most important thing right now. Although her parents had agreed to his visit, he couldn't shamelessly overstay his welcome.

Even if he had the nerve, Lin Zhenzhen's parents would definitely kick him out.

So, time was pressing, and he had to seize every second. How could he afford to stare at the monster?

Most importantly, Xiao Xiao detected no aggressive aura from this monster of unknown intentions. Even though the aura it exuded was mixed with the malice of death, making Xiao Xiao feel like his back was covered in thorns, his hair stood on end involuntarily. Strands of chilling energy seeped into his skin, making him deeply uncomfortable.

However, at this moment, the monster's strange eyes revealed no dangerous information, only a playful curiosity.

Even though the monster looked a bit creepy, Xiao Xiao trusted his instincts.

This monster had no intention of attacking him for now.

Thus, Xiao Xiao, appearing rather clueless, exposed his back to the "unknown enemy" monster.

In reality, his heart was pounding.

It wasn't until he reached the bedside that he focused most of his attention on Lin Zhenzhen, who lay in the hospital bed.

Yet, a sliver of his mind constantly monitored the monster's every move.

Xiao Xiao leaned down slightly, moving closer. He was this close, and there was still no reaction...

She was indeed asleep, no wonder she was so quiet.

Xiao Xiao scratched his cheek.

This was troublesome. Not only did he have to wake her up, but he also had to figure out how to get her to remove the bandages on her face.

Sigh. Xiao Xiao mentally prepared himself, glancing at the monster in the corner of the ceiling. It was still hanging upside down quietly, but its eyes had turned, scanning back and forth between Lin Zhenzhen and him.

Xiao Xiao calmly swept his gaze over the two balls of ghostly fire before smoothly looking away. He surveyed the hospital room as if his initial intention had been to inspect the room.

Then, Xiao Xiao withdrew his gaze, stared at Lin Zhenzhen's bandaged face for a moment, and stepped forward to gently nudge her a few times.

During this time, Lin Zhenzhen hadn't been able to sleep properly, always being in a state of half-sleep, half-wakefulness.

So, she had actually sensed Xiao Xiao's approach as soon as he got close.

The moment Xiao Xiao pushed her, her mouth opened, and a scream burst out.

It was a sharp, hoarse sound, like a saw blade constantly scraping against rough wood.

In the blink of an eye, it filled the entire hospital room.