Dawn swiftly turned to dusk in Wine City. When the sun set, it happened to be 9 a.m. sharp over at De Carma.


    The Alliance Medical Board, as well as big and small media tforms alike, simultaneously released the news that Westshore Pharmaceutical, in coboration with Manson Group, had established treatment centres for the infection across major ster systems. Henceforth, medication for prevention and treatment was avable for the public to purchase.of2RC1


    That aside, reports also mentioned that all treatment centres were using old, abandoned buildings and barrennds that were virtually transformed overnight.


    While they were converted from old buildings, the facilities inside wereprehensive, its healthcare environment not losing out to any other, with a secure quarantine station and drug research institute to keep abreast of infections developments.


    Chrysanthemum Garden.


    Given the present severity of the contagion, this news did soothe the general popce. It wasnt even a stretch to call it uplifting to the spirit.


    For a time, procedural interfaces at quarantine stations in various hospitals saw massive congestion.There were too many who needed to be discharged or transferred, and amidst this, the worst affected was probably Spring Ivy Hospital.cK9MQB


    Both Old Fox, Devore Yves himself, and Eunice, who upied a prominent position in Spring Ivy Group, were flooded by all types of calls and emergency conferences.Even Young Master Joe, despite being widely known not to touch the family business, was fed up with the harassment.


    Although he was very vocal about staying out of anything that involved the family business, hisck of concern towards Spring Ivy Groups development, and his even morecking rtion to Old Foxwhen push came to shove, his heart still fluttered anxiously.


    Even over here on Wine City Joe stood in front of the windows with his hands on his hips, worry written all over his face as he spoke to Eunice overms. You dont have a clue how terrifying it was to see that the people at Wine Citys Old Kettle District had learnt how to queue up. Thend that the Manson brothers bought was far more than what our intel unearthed, at least three or four times more. They didnt even leave Wine City out. I marked them out on an electronic map just now to consolidate the information; the treatment centres can be matched exactly to the ces we circled before. There are essentially none that were left out.


    Right? Eunice huffed. De Carma, Redstone, Hn, Tian Qin there are so manys in the alliance; where wouldnt they be? Their numbers are about to catch up with Spring Ivy. From morning until now, I havent taken off my earpiece at all, and even if I take it off, I still hear droning in my ears. Im about to develop a trauma ofmunication calls.


    2L3DCV


    Do you need me to help out a bit? Joe waffled but still asked, What did Old Fox say? If you dont have enough hands, I can chip in as well.


    Though this young masters life motto was to eat, drink, and enjoy life without any lofty ambitions or goals, hed still umted some know-hows after having roamed independently over the years, and could also be of help at critical moments.


    Thats not necessary; dont stick your nose into it, Eunice refused without a second thought.


    Dont you even need to think? At least consider it for a couple of seconds before answering. Joe was annoyed but amused. I suggest that youd better ask Old Fox first, just dont let me hear it.JEfgNt


    Ask what? Theres no need to ask, said Eunice. Hes the least worried of us all.


    Least worried? Joe whipped his head towards the wide holographic screen in the living room.


    Ever since the press of Westshore and Manson Groups coboration was released, Gu Yan and the rest had set the holographic screen to the featured news section, constantly fed withtest updates on the situation at the infection treatment centres.


    Some reporters went directly to nearby treatment centres to livestream on-site, whereas a portion of them hounded bigshots in the medical field for interviewsnaturally, there was no way they could omit Devore Yves.ZAN2Ob


    After all, he was the one with thergest market share in the healthcare industry.


    When Young Master Joe looked over, the screen happened to be broadcasting a special report on Old Fox.


    The broadcast was at a hotel under their family name.


    In the lens, Devore Yves was dressed in simple yet smart leisurewear, even carrying a golf bag with him.Tr0oAK


    When blocked by reporters, his expression and tone remained gentlemanly and seemly, even directing a brief smile at them. He stated that he had been a little indisposedtely and was now enjoying a rare vacation at Springfield Vi Hotel, whilst calibrating his physical well-being. He was pleased with the news about the coboration between Westshore Pharmaceutical and Manson Group, and was proud that there were such excellent industry peers constantly pushing frontiers with cutting-edge research. He hoped that the patients affected by the infection would soon be alleviated from difort and be restored to health.


    How should one put it? Sure, his performance wlessly conformed with his usual image from start to finish, even exhibiting an aura of seniority.


    Please support our trantors at chrysanthemumgarden (dot)


    But the good ol media read a lot of information from between the lines. Say, when he said Im very happy, his smile only stopped at the corners of his mouth, but behind the clear visioncare sses, his grey-blue eyes were devoid of delight.


    Also, say, that his normally immactely groomed hair now had two stray strands falling loose, and there were faint shadows under his eyes. This suggested that he had lost sleep and wasnt as put together as usual when he stepped out this morningperhaps that he wasnt in the mood? At least, his fatigue was palpable.06VRht


    Furthermore, being indisposed now, of all times? What were the odds?


    Let alone the press, even his own son felt that Old Fox was forcing a smile.


    Joe expanded the audio range, so that Eunice could clearly hear this interview, then asked, Are you sure that Old Fox isnt worried?


    Eunice harrumphed, saying impatiently, Let me ask you. Have you ever seen dad stepping out to exercise all bright and early in the morning?JZPFek


    Nope.


    There you have it, said Eunice. He specially delivered himself to that horde of reporters for them to interview him. Did you seriously think that he was barricaded on the way out?


    Then his hair


    I watched with my own eyes him rake two locks down before he stepped out of the house.v2B6HX


    Joe, The dark eye circles?


    Qtfc P tjv ygfjxojra ojmf-ab-ojmf t tlw, tf vlvca tjnf atbrf atlcur.


    Abf, Qtja jybea atf yibbvrtba fsfr?


    Ktbeut atf gfvcfrr kjrca wemt, kjr frqfmljiis qgbcbecmfv jujlcra atf ugfs-yief bo tlr fsfr. Yo atf ojaluef atja kjr fzqbrfv, akb-atlgvr bo mjwf ogbw tfgf.Pea2Ym


    Qtb xcbkr. Ugbyjyis geyyfv lc.


    Young Master Joe was silent for two seconds, but was ultimately unable to restrain himself. You know what? I seriously want to roll my eyes right now.


    Eunicesughter waspletely t. Go ahead for all I care. Ive been rolling mine for the whole morning.


    So Old Fox is not worried at all right now, and all that was deliberately put on for the press to see?pOg7Fj


    Eunice considered it and said, Thats my understanding at least. But you must knowpresenting this to the press means that hes presenting it to the world.


    Which naturally included who this ruse was really put up for.


    So whats the situation now? Joe asked. Are you dealing with all the trouble thates along with it? Or appeasing the executive board?


    With Euniceying it bare for him, his little bit of worry disappeared without a trace, but he still had to ask.PqNlW2


    I was ving away dealing with some of it just now, Eunice said, irate, but Im free now.


    What? Youre done already? Joe was astonished. I thought that bunch of old grandpas would form a line outside your office to foam at the mouth and chew you out.


    How can that be done? Eunice said. But all of that stuff has been moved to Old Fo dad himself. Ive been ejected.


    Joe dug his ears. Youve beenwhat?bSQv7w


    Ejected from power, Eunice said. Still dont get it? Im a figurehead now. The affairs under my management have all been moved to dad.


    Whats he up to? All of a sudden, Joe felt a little jumpy.


    No idea, Eunice sounded bored stiff. I cant leave my office now, so Im just nestled in my sofa bed watching family videos saved in my childhood album and contemting life.


    Joe, d9xBzy


    On De Carma, in a vi hotel at Fa Wang District, Eunice had donned an elegant bespoke suit on her upper body in ordance with the hectic video conferences she attended earlierbut wore fluffy bedroom slippers on her feet.


    After being ejected from power, she simply did away with the slippers as well, sitting cross-legged on the sofa bed.


    This might be the slouchiest, yet also the most rxed, she had been in years.


    She put on her earpiece, snuggling a bolster. Suspended in front of the sofa bed, the holographic screen was automatically ying family video after family video.DqGUZN


    Right now, a clip she took at age six was currently ying. The lens was very shaky at first.


    Devore Yves voice rang out like background noise. In the future, you can do this to record memories that youd like to remember.


    The clip was taken nearly fifty years ago, of Devore Yves teaching her how to record a video diary.


    Eunice softly went ah.f9dVW6


    Over on the other end, her silly younger brother, thinking that something had happened, asked anxiously, What happened?


    Oh, nothing, Eunice said. I only just remembered that dad was the one whod nurtured my habit of recording a video diary I would have forgotten it if it werent for this video.


    Story tranted by Chrysanthemum Garden.


    Thanks to this habit, she still had an opportunity to refresh her memory on some trivial affairs that shed unknowingly forgotten.


    Huh. Ive never heard you tell me that before. When was that video taken? Joe went along with the flow of the conversation.Fb nzd


    Just a random one I took out, to be nostalgic about a dad who still doted on me, Eunice said. Back in the day, he and I wouldpete to see who could memorise a book faster and better. Hed hold my hand and correct my writing grip, and even unt his ability to write with his left hand whilst drawing with his right hand who would have thought that there woulde a day that he seized power from me.


    Joe, Ms Eunice, stop ying the pity card.


    Eunice cackled.


    In the holographic screen, Eunice at six years old didnt have long hair; it was bunched up as a spiky little tuft at the top of her head.6BfgyD


    Like this? Then I want to video myself drawing. It was a tad embarrassing to hear her puerile voice now.


    Thisdy had the same check this idiot out mentality even when watching her past self.


    In the video, Eunice was hunched terribly over the office desk. Devore Yves, who suddenly stepped into the frame, light-heartedly criticised her over it.


    He pinched the tiny tuft tied to the top of Eunices head, tugging it upwards. Lift your head. Youll have to change your eyeballs in the future if you keep sitting like this.Da16p


    Im not scared, Eunice huffed.


    Devore Yves snorted, though it was hard to tell if it was out of amusement or something else.


    After being criticised a few times, Eunice got a bit impatient, throwing her pen and flopping down over the table, refusing to draw anymore.


    Devore Yves calmly admired her sulky manner for a moment. Get up, lets have a match.8cRFjN


    Eunice perked up at the sound of that. What are wepeting in?


    Ambidexterity, said Devore Yves, holding a pen in each hand.


    A blizzard was hailing over Wine City, but this didnt impede the infected from flocking to the newly established treatment centres.I8fS Z


    The buzz wasparable to Spring Ivy Hospital at its zenith.


    The nearest one was situated at the intersection between Two Moon Street and the slums.


    Chrysanthemum Garden.


    Yan Suizhi initially nned to go to the nearest Spring Ivy Hospital to check some information concerning Mr Marcus Budd, the man whod appeared with his herdingbird. Theyde up with a new search method.


    But the crowd when they passed by a treatment centre still caught their eye.no9Rft


    Shall we go in to take a look? Yan Suizhi inclined his head towards the main entrance.


    Ever since discovering Yan Suizhis identity, Laura had been as meek as amb, behaving so meekly that even her reactions came a few beats slow. Her usual spunk and joviality was reined in, making her seem tamer than ever before.


    She was bundled up warmly, nodding her head and tapping her umbre along, saying in a muffled voice, Yes, yes, lets take a look.


    Anyway, as of yet, she hadnt said no the entire day.JcjCBd


    Done soliciting her opinion, Yan Suizhi looked back at Gu Yan.


    With a mask over his lower face and a pair of protective eyewear to block out the wind and snow, his attractive eyes were varnished with a sheen of light.


    This unwittingly drew peoples attention to his eyes.


    People such as Gu Yan.tdd0hr


    The distinguished Lawyer Gus gazended on the side of his eye. It wasnt clear what he was looking at, but he didnt immediately respond.


    What are you going into a daze for? Yan Suizhi snapped his fingers in front of Gu Yan. I hardly ever run a democratic vote, and yet youre still being uncooperative?


    Wait. Gu Yan angled the umbre to the side, suddenly reaching his thumb out to wipe the tail of his eye.


    Why? Yan Suizhi half-seriously but not-at-all-jokingly said, Ah, but if its that some dirt got on my face, then, for my sake, dont say it.fDuQEq


    Gu Yan rubbed it again, then looked at his fingers and said, Not that. Your mole has appeared again.


    Really? Yan Suizhi reached up to touch it as well, though it wasnt as if he would have been able to feel it at all. Is it obvious? Why havent I noticed it?


    Its very faint, Gu Yan said, but it wasnt therest night.


    Are you sure?UtZAvg


    Gu Yan was absolutely certain. If it was therest night, it would have been impossible for me to miss it.


    Fair enough


    Yan Suizhi recalled all of the intimate actions he and Gu Yan got up tost night, and he politely coughed behind a hand. Maybe times almost up. But didnt Dr Lin say that there are essentially no changes in thete-stage, only ring abruptly at the very end?


    Which is why its a little odd, Gu Yan said. We should ask Dr Lin about it.ASbkom


    At this time, Gu Yans smart device started to buzz.


    Who is it? Yan Suizhi asked.


    Gu Yan projected the hologram, checking it. Its Joe.


    Joe? Yan Suizhi gave a start. Did something happen at the hotel? Or is he rushing us?Px2Yq5


    Gu Yan epted the call.


    Joes voice rang out from the other end. Gu? Send me a copy of the signatures of the anonymous donor from before!


    He sounded extremely tense, but it was hard to tell if it was from nervousness or suppressed excitement.


    Will do. Why? Gu Yan asked.qm07eG


    My sis! Joe said, She was watching family videos when I was on thems with her just now. The holographic screen was shared with me and I saw something! I suspect


    Joe paused. Forget it. Let me double-check first before I say anything!


    He hung up right after.


    Gu Yan exchanged a look with Yan Suizhi, sending the files over.uiM7pP


    Has he got a lead? Yan Suizhi instantly caught on.


    Gu Yan, Well have to wait for him to confirm it. Lets go, we can talk inside.


    While speaking, he and Yan Suizhi walked one after the other towards the treatment centre, then turned their heads back to check on Laura.


    Thank god they looked back.ymudEh


    Because Ms Laura, for some reason, suddenly fell into a trance. She lifted her foot and missed a step, breaking her high heel with a loud crack.


    Watch out Gu Yan, walking ahead of her, was still taking off his earpiece with one hand, but his other hand managed to catch her in time.


    Story tranted by Chrysanthemum Garden.


    What happened? Hearing the disturbance, Yan Suizhi turned his head over and hurried over as well.


    The way Laura clutched Gu Yans arm to keep her bnce was as if she had stepped onto uneven parallel bars.dPWM1Q


    The shock startled her back into reality. She looked at Gu Yan, then at Yan Suizhi, gaping.


    Dont be a fish. What do you want to say? Yan Suizhi held her other arm.


    No I only just noticed Laura looked like she had been smited by lightning. The two of you are together????


    Lawyer Gu stared at her mutely for a while, unable to resist saying, Miss, its been a day.s4 SHm


    Yan Suizhi sighed, praising her with a wry smile, You sure are quick on the uptake, youngdy.