Lin Banxia panicked for just a brief moment before springing into action. She removed the clothes covering him and shone a flashlight over his body, gasping sharply. His wounds had long been soaked pale by seawater, and a ten-centimeter gash on his upper right arm was still bleeding. She should have noticed it yesterday, but the dim lighting had caused her to focus only on his limp.
A sudden high fever of over 38.5 degrees usually signals an infection, possibly from a cold, pneumonia, meningitis, or scarlet fever. In Yu Lei's case, it was likely due to his untreated wounds or the frequent dives without proper rest. Lin Banxia knew that a fever itself isn't a disease but a symptom, a warning that something is wrong in the body. In fact, a fever can be beneficial—it helps the body fight off infections by raising the temperature to kill bacteria. If the fever isn't too high, it's best to let the body sweat it out, as it aids in expelling toxins.
However, Yu Lei's condition was dangerous. His temperature was far too high, indicating a worsening infection. A prolonged fever could cause brain damage or dehydration, especially if it persists. Lin Banxia recalled the words of a doctor when she had cared for her younger brother during a high fever in childhood.
"Fever is one of the body's defenses against infection. By raising the temperature, the body mobilizes its immune system to kill off bacteria. Generally, bacteria die off at 39 degrees, shortening the illness and enhancing the effect of antibiotics. If you suppress the fever too early, the bacteria will go into a temporary dormant state, making them harder to eliminate later."
But now, she had no medicine at hand—let alone antibiotics.
She laid Yu Lei flat on the platform, tore a piece of his shirt to use as a towel, and began wiping his body with fresh water. She focused on cleaning his wounds thoroughly. She wasn't trying to waste precious water; cooling his body was the only physical way to lower his temperature. Using the limitless seawater below? That would only speed up his dehydration and death.
After carefully wiping the wounds, she tore his shirt into strips to bandage them, then wiped down his body with cold water before taking off her own pants to dress him. His upper body remained bare, and when she went to check the military coats hanging on the railing below, she found them still damp. In this underground missile silo, deprived of sunlight and unbearably humid, drying clothes was nearly impossible.
Returning to the platform, she noticed the Zippo lighter beside Yu Lei but quickly dismissed the idea of starting a fire. This missile silo was sealed—if she lit a fire, it would burn up all the oxygen, and they'd both suffocate.
What should she do? Was she just going to watch him die of fever and dehydration? Lin Banxia's eyes landed on some scattered balloons, and she made a decision.
She found Yu Lei's diving suit from yesterday, which had dried halfway, and placed it over him. Then she soaked a piece of shirt in water and laid it across his burning forehead.
After tending to him, she grabbed a few balloons and headed down the stairs. Even though it was a long shot, she had to try finding medicine underwater.
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Yu Lei felt as though he was being alternately roasted in a furnace and plunged into an icy abyss. He vaguely understood that he was ill, but he couldn't grasp his own consciousness—his body refused to obey him.
Thirst. He was unbearably thirsty, his throat parched as though consumed by flames.
How he wished someone would save him. Or perhaps, someone could simply end it all with a single blow, granting him relief.
Even in his fevered state, he knew that no one would come to his rescue. Had the world ended? No, he had survived the apocalypse. But why was he in such agony now?
He felt like driftwood tossed about on the sea, rising and falling, reaching out for something to hold onto, but grasping at nothing.
As he was about to sink into complete darkness, he suddenly heard a woman's voice anxiously calling his name, and just in time, a stream of cool water flowed into his mouth, quenching the fire in his throat.
Who was it? Yu Lei's fevered mind struggled to grasp the thought before he fell into unconsciousness again.
For a while, he remained in a state of semi-consciousness, always hovering between sleep and wakefulness. Each time he awoke briefly, he couldn't open his eyes, only managing to move a finger or slightly part his lips. No sound would come out.
He had never felt so weak, but he knew someone was caring for him. Every time he awoke, he heard a woman's voice calling him or murmuring softly, sometimes even singing.
It was a melody he knew well.
When he woke up, he would have her finish that song... Sometimes, Yu Lei thought like that.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he finally blinked his eyes open. As soon as he did, he was greeted by the flickering red light of the emergency lamp above, both familiar and strangely distant.
Where was he? He blinked weakly, his mind in a haze, and his body aching as though it had been crushed by several trucks, leaving him shattered.
Yu Lei's head throbbed violently, his brain feeling as though a horde of little men were beating drums inside. The pain forced a groan from him.
At that moment, he realized someone was beside him.
More accurately, he was being cradled by a woman, her face buried against his chest. From his angle, her long hair draped over him, and her warm, smooth body was pressed almost entirely against his, her curves rising and falling against him.
Yu Lei hadn't yet recalled why he was there, but upon seeing the unfamiliar woman beside him, he instinctively muttered, "Jinjin?"
His voice was so hoarse, as if it had been scraped across sandpaper, even he was startled by it.
Lin Banxia, who had just been excitedly lifting her head upon realizing he was awake, froze at his words and quickly lowered her head again.
Yu Lei, feeling awkward, hurried to explain, "Uh, sorry, I thought it was Jinjin..." His mind still reeling, he tried to recall if he had done anything inappropriate.