Chen Wei stared at the notification. The survival probability had dropped, even though he had successfully completed the objective. This meant he had either made a mistake or done something right that had backfired.
The medicine was a sedative. It meant Lihua had drugged him. Chen Wei lay back on the pillows, feeling drowsy.
I just need to not die. How hard can that be?
Chen Wei woke up to the sound of curtains being pulled open. He groaned and tried to pull the covers over his head, but Lihua was already tucking them around him.
"Good afternoon, Chen Wei." She said. "You slept for about four hours. The medicine worked perfectly."
Chen Wei's eyes snapped open.
Four hours?
Lihua stood beside the bed. Her hair was tied now. She wore a white coat over her dress, and looked like a real doctor.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, pulling out a small notebook from her coat pocket. "Any dizziness? Nausea? Unusual sensations?"
"I'm fine. Just groggy."
"Perfectly normal." She wrote something. "Your body was under a lot of stress from the spiritual exhaustion."
Chen Wei had no idea what spiritual exhaustion meant.
"I brought lunch." Lihua continued, gesturing to a tray on the bedside table. "Rice porridge with vegetables and a mild herbal tea."
The food looked normal.
"You should eat. You haven't had a proper meal since yesterday morning."
Chen Wei's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Lihua's smile widened.
"See? Your body knows what it needs."
She picked up the bowl of porridge and a spoon. Before Chen Wei could react, she scooped a spoonful and held it towards his mouth.
"I can feed myself."
"Of course you can. But you're still recovering. Let me help."
"How about this, I'll feed myself, but you can stay and make sure I eat everything. That way, you can monitor my recovery, and I can start to regain my strength."
"Fair point."
She handed him the bowl and spoon, then sat in a chair beside the bed. Chen Wei took a bite of porridge. It was delicious. But probably drugged, but he was too hungry to care.
"The academy has been asking about you." Lihua said as he ate. "Several students wanted to visit, but I told them you needed rest. The principal sent his regards, and your professors have been informed of your condition."
"How long am I supposed to stay here?"
"Until I'm satisfied with your recovery. Maybe a week."
A week? Trapped in this room?
"I appreciate the care but I really should get back to classes soon. I'm already behind on orientation."
"Your health is more important than classes. Besides, I can bring you the materials and help you study. You won't fall behind."
Private tutoring from a yandere who'd already drugged me once.
"That's very generous but I don't want…"
"I want to help you." She leaned forward slightly. "You collapsed right in front of me, Chen Wei. No one else seemed to care. But I made sure you were brought here. I stayed up all night monitoring your condition. I've been preparing meals and medicine and checking your vital signs every two hours."
She sounded sincere. But Chen Wei had played her route. He knew where this path led.
"I'm really grateful. But you have your own studies, and your own life. You don't need to spend all your time taking care of me."
"I want to." She replied and he relaized he couldn't argue with her anymore.
He just continued eating again.
"Good." She said when he finished his meal.
She stood up and picked up the tray, then pulled out a small bottle from her coat pocket.
"One more dose before I go. This one is for energy and immunity."
"What's in this one?" He asked.
"Ginseng, astragalus, goji berries."
The system popup appeared in his vision:
WARNING: Medicine contains mild stimulant and dependency inducing compounds. Long term consumption may create physiological reliance on provider.
Refuse: -15 Affection, possible conflict
Accept: +5 Affection, begin dependency arc
Dependency arc was one of Lihua's main routes in the game. She would gradually addict the protagonist to her medicines until he relied on her to live.
"Actually, I'm still feeling pretty tired. Maybe I should skip the energy medicine and just rest more? Let the sleep do its work?"
Lihua frowned.
"The medicine will help you rest more effectively."
"I know, but…" Chen Wei yawned. "I think my body just wants natural sleep right now. Is that okay?"
"Fine. If you're genuinely tired, then rest is okay. But if you start feeling uncomfortable, you'll tell me immediately?"
"Sure." Chen Wei replied.
CLEVER SOLUTION DETECTED
Affection change: +2
Dependency arc: DELAYED
Lihua Zhang: 38/100 → 40/100
She then left. Chen Wei immediately got out of bed. He needed information. He needed to understand the rules, and how to survive. He started with the desk.
The books were mostly medical texts. He found more notes tucked between pages in Lihua's handwriting.
Subject responds well to gentler approach. Aggression triggers defensive response. Maintain soft demeanor, and establish trust gradually.
Patient probably has memory issues from spiritual exhaustion. Exploitable.
Chen Wei's hands shook as he read. He flipped through more pages and found sketches of the academy's floor plans. One room was circled multiple times with a label:
Chen Wei - East Wing, Room 207 (after discharge).
She already knew where he'd be living. He put the books back, exactly as he'd found them.
A sudden knock at the door made him jump.
"Chen Wei?" A professional male voice called. "I'm Dr. Zhang. May I come in?"
Lihua's father? The head physician.
Chen Wei ran back to the bed.
"Yes, come in."
"You're awake. Good." He walked towards him with a medical bag. "I apologize for not checking on you sooner. I was dealing with an emergency in the lower campus. How are you feeling?"
"Better, sir. Your daughter has been taking excellent care of me."
"I'm glad. Lihua is very talented, but she can be intense about her patients. I hope she hasn't been too overbearing."
"She's been very professional."
"Good, good." Dr. Zhang pulled out a stethoscope. "Mind if I do a quick examination? Just to check your condition."
"Everything looks normal. You probably collapsed due to the stress of transferring and the magical energy on campus. Some students need time to adjust."
"So I can leave the infirmary?"
"Sure. But I'd like you to stay one more night for observation. Better safe than sorry. However, starting tomorrow, you can begin your academy life. Attend a class or two. Get familiar with the campus." He smiled. "Staying in bed too long is another problem."
"I'll do that." Chen Wei smiled.
"I'll inform Lihua of the plan." Dr. Zhang packed his equipment. "If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can talk to me directly. My office is in the west wing of this building."
"Thank you, sir. I'll remember that."
Then Dr. Zhang left. The system popup appeared again:
NEW INFORMATION UNLOCKED:
Dr. Zhang is aware of Lihua's tendencies but believes she can be managed through proper supervision. He will not interfere unless patient complains directly.
ALLY POTENTIAL: Dr. Zhang - MODERATE
NOTE: Reporting Lihua to her father may provide temporary relief but will increase her determination to prove herself and potentially trigger escalation.
Dr. Zhang was an ally option, but using him came with consequences. Chen Wei lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The door opened again. But it wasn't Lihua.
It was a young woman in a maid's uniform. She carried a tray containing fresh flowers.
"Excuse me, I'm here to change the flowers."
"Oh. Sure. Go ahead."
She replaced the wilted flowers by the window with fresh ones.
"Chen Wei?" She asked when she was done.
"That's me."
"I hope you feel better soon. The academy can be overwhelming for transfer students." She smiled. "If you need anything, the staff are here to help. Just ring the bell by your bed."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
She left quietly, and Chen Wei felt relaxed.
Finally, a normal interaction with a normal person. Maybe not everyone in this world is a yandere.
The system popup appeared.
CHARACTER IDENTIFIED: Kuro Tanaka
ROLE: Academy Maid
ROUTE STATUS: INACTIVE
AFFECTION LEVEL: 5/100
Chen Wei stared at the notification. That nice maid was actually Route 5. She was the one who had detailed records of everywhere the protagonist had been for six months.
Chen Wei pulled the covers up and closed his eyes.
One more night. Just survive one more night.