Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Artificial Soul 3

Kui Xin enjoyed the high-quality sleep she had longed for and did not dream at all that night.

Waking up in the morning, she stretched her body on the bed, hearing the joints crackling. Her entire skeletal structure felt refreshed.

After having breakfast and taking a short rest, she continued with her planned morning exercise.

Kui Xin ran along the embankment, from one end to the other. Another senior citizen was晨练的老大爷 matched her pace, almost silently competing with her. The elder struggled after the third lap while Kui Xin maintained her steady run.

Breathless, he said, “It’s rare to see young people out here exercising early in the morning. My granddaughter barely passed her PE exam for high school, and now she works all night, becoming even weaker. Climbing five flights of stairs makes her breathe heavily. I told her to exercise, but all she got was a gym membership she rarely uses! Why go to the gym when we have our own riverside to work out at?”

“Modern folks have a lot of stress… gyms are full of young adults, chatting and working out together… it’s great…” Kui Xin couldn’t handle the chatty senior and, after a brief chat, left the embankment to do stretching exercises.

At half past eight in the morning, Kui Xin finished her exercise routine. She needed to replenish her supplies, planning to head to the market for vegetables, fruits, and meat.

However, upon reaching the open-air market, she noticed a charred smell pervading the air. Water was splattered everywhere on the ground, and vendors had retreated from the center. Vehicles had crushed paths between stalls, making the scene chaotic as shoppers tried to navigate around.

Looking inside, several firemen were spraying water onto a gas cylinder, and smoke billowed from a couple of shops, partially obstructing her view.

Kui Xin felt uneasy; it was clear that a fire had broken out.

She had an old friend whose family operated nearby. Although the market area was large, she couldn’t pinpoint which stores had caught fire from where she stood.

“Quickly, everyone, disperse! No entry!” A municipal vehicle arrived, with loudspeakers calling out, “Don’t you see we’re cooling down the gas cylinders? Explosions could cost lives; move away! Get outside the market!”

Only then did vendors start moving their goods onto tricycles, trying to get out of the smoke-filled area, and spectators slowly dispersed.

Kui Xin bought some green vegetables and asked an elderly woman who had relocated for a stall, “What happened? Which shop caught fire?”

“The store selling grains caught fire. The flames were immense, and the smoke was thick,” the woman responded. “The fire spread to nearby shops. You can see how serious it is; the storefronts have come down. An ambulance just rescued several people, though they’re in bad shape.”

Kui Xin’s mood plummeted. “Is there news on the noodle shop next to the grain store? How is it?”

“It caught fire too. Those dry materials ignite easily,” the woman sighed, expressing sympathy, “The owner runs the business from upstairs, the windows are welded shut, and they can’t escape. Only the arrival of the fire trucks saved them. It started around six in the evening when there were fewer people about, and they were asleep…”

“Which hospital sent the ambulance?” Kui Xin asked urgently.

“I’m illiterate!” she replied.

“Thank you, Grandma.” Kui Xin straightened up and left, contemplating briefly that victims would likely be taken to the nearest hospitals, with severe cases potentially moved to the best facility downtown.

When she was still in elementary school, a classmate lived near her home. They attended the same school but different classes initially and ended up in the same class during junior high. Often they would walk together to school. Later, in ninth grade, the classmate’s grandmother fell ill with cancer; her parents sold their house and moved the entire family into the noodle shop.

The noodle shop, hit by the fire, used to provide free noodles occasionally to Kui Xin. She always hesitated to accept, often choosing instant noodles instead for guilt.

As time passed during their high school years, living apart and with different schools, Kui Xin seldom saw her anymore, as she was often occupied with summer jobs. They drifted apart gradually.

Yet, when Kui Xin lost her grandpa and grandma, this friend still visited and brought gifts—a box of sausage and very expensive milk.

Now with such tragic news about her friend, Kui Xin left the market with heavy feelings, buying some random stuff for dinner.

Exhausted from running, she quickly showered and dressed to visit the hospital.

In high school, except for academics, Kui Xin maintained no interactions; even social media links only came after she bought a smartphone. She considered almost everyone classmates, none close beyond her studies.

Kui Xin hurried to the nearest hospital, inquiring about patients brought over by ambulances that day. The security confirmed that they indeed had one patient from the market.

“Yes, that’s the injured person brought from the market. They are still in the emergency room, probably still under resuscitation,” the guard explained. “We could see smoke rising above the market from here.”

Kui Xin thanked him and proceeded towards the ER. She approached a nurse en route and reported the incident. The nurse promptly led her towards the emergency bay.

“How are things?” Kui Xin asked, agitated.

“Two adults didn’t make it. They were in critical condition when brought in,” the nurse softly replied. “One person is still unsteady but remains under resuscitation. Widespread burns covering their body, especially the face and limbs.”

“…”

“If you don’t know someone to notify the family?” the nurse questioned, “They have no ID or phone, no way of contacting them.”

“I don’t either,” Kui Xin replied. “She’s my friend… How grave is it?”

“Treatment for extensive burns, including facial and limb injuries,” the nurse stated. “Sorry, but as you see… we are doing our best to save them.”

The nurse departed. Kui Xin sat alone, staring at the closed door of the emergency bay, lost in thoughts.

She had seen deaths before, both grandparents passed on, and her parents were distant. These events had desensitized her to tragedy, allowing no time for mourning. She needed to focus on her studies leading to college and breaking from poverty.

Her life’s pace accelerated without pause even as neighbors continued passing away. The impact of these losses on her was minimal, a mere blip in her relentless pursuit.

Two hours later, the emergency door finally opened.

The attending doctor stepped out, drenched in sweat, stained gloves.

“Any family members present?” he questioned upon seeing Kui Xin alone.

“No. I’m her classmate. Have they pulled through? What is the situation?” Kui Xin inquired.

“A small door inside the emergency room leads to ICU. She might need amputation due to burnt fingers,” the doctor said. “Family must be involved for surgery and billing processes. There was no one available.”

Only authorized individuals could enter ICU. Kui Xin held no authority nor skills to assist otherwise. When she hesitated, a plain-clothed couple arrived hastily from the direction.

Immediately concerned, they questioned the doctor, neither aware nor noticing Kui Xin.

Listening silently beside them, she soon excused herself quietly.

Perhaps another time, she thought to herself.

…

Life continues. Kui Xin could not let such an incident disrupt her routine.

“Why do you seem distracted?” Kui Xin looked at Su Rong, asking.

“Distracted? I… Must be because I didn’t sleep well last night,” Su Rong responded, blinking her eyes.

“It’s been like this for days now,” Kui Xin remarked, “You’ve lost interest in studies? Are you sticking to your art career?”

Suddenly chilled, Su Rong responded fervently, “No… I’ll focus on studies from now!”

Yesterday was Tuesday, August 2nd, the return to the Second World. Today is August 3rd, returning to the First World. To others, Su Rong seemed preoccupied, yet she had experienced seven days in alternate realms between August 2nd and August 3rd.

She couldn’t discern dates. Upon each return, she first checked the calendar, realizing quickly she needed reminders. The realization struck her clearly.

She planned to write journals detailing every experience to keep memories intact amidst frequent temporal travels.

“You’re somewhat absent yourself as well,” murmured Su Rong.

“Well… a friend encountered a setback today,” Kui Xin vaguely replied, “Focus on your work, I’ll check it after.”

Su Rong struggled amidst complex problems.

By dusk, Kui Xin politely declined three invitations to have dinner at Su Rong’s place, heading home instead under the host’s warm farewell.

Walking home, Kui Xin looked at the red sky and sighed.

A beautiful sunset bathed the horizon today.

Standing a moment longer, about to continue walking, she sensed an illusion.

Clouds overhead reflected an image of a city, miragelike, softly appearing.

As lights shifted, the illusion faded, completing in roughly fifteen seconds.

“That was… a city?” Kui Xin widened her eyes.

Was that mirage reminiscent of the architectural style from the Second World?!