Chapter 58: The Source of the Epidemic

After the doctor in the laboratory finished speaking, the director of the Parasitology Department looked grim and continued questioning, “Then do you know who brought in that vial of mucus?”

“It was personally delivered by Assistant Li, Secretary to President Gu. I don’t know anything else. If you’re really curious, Director, perhaps you should ask President Gu yourself,” the doctor replied.

The director was stunned for a moment—he hadn’t expected that vial to have been brought by Gu Xiujin’s secretary, Li Zhao. That made the whole affair a bit odd.

Nevertheless, guided by his professional responsibility, the director decided to speak to Gu Xiujin in person to get to the bottom of it, because schistosomiasis was no trivial matter.

Decades ago, schistosomiasis had ravaged the south. Many were infected, yet no cure existed, resulting in entire villages becoming deserted—everyone succumbing to the disease one by one.

Schistosomiasis was not only infectious but epidemic; once discovered, it had to be contained at the source.

“President Gu, the director of the Parasitology Department at Gu Hospital wishes to speak with you,” Li Zhao said, holding out the phone to Gu Xiujin, who sat in his wheelchair.

Gu Xiujin nodded and took the phone. The director immediately began emphasizing the gravity of schistosomiasis and inquired about the origin of the mucus sample.

As the words fell, a faint frown appeared between Gu Xiujin’s brows. That vial of mucus had been given to him by Xie Qingtang, which reminded him of the patient in the rear courtyard of Cishan Hall.

“President Gu, schistosomiasis is extremely serious. Those infected are highly contagious. This must be handled properly. We also need to know the source to prevent a wider outbreak,” the director said, his tone edged with urgency.

Gu Xiujin considered for a moment before replying, “Very well. I understand. I will investigate and let you know the results.”

With that, he ended the call. The director in the hospital breathed a slow sigh of relief, but still instructed his department to prepare for a potential large-scale outbreak.

“President Gu, are you truly not planning to set foot in Cishan Hall again until you’ve finished the medicine?” Li Zhao asked in surprise.

Although the director of the Parasitology Department at Gu Hospital had just called and warned Gu Xiujin about the highly infectious schistosomiasis, Gu Xiujin still ordered Li Zhao to go to Cishan Hall and check on Xie Qingtang’s condition.

“It seems you’ve grown more talkative lately,” Gu Xiujin remarked coldly, glancing at Li Zhao as he penned a sharp character with his brush.

Li Zhao shuddered instantly, then quickly instructed the other bodyguards to protect Gu Xiujin well, while he hurried to Cishan Hall himself.

At that moment, within Cishan Hall, Xie Qingtang’s brow had remained furrowed ever since she learned that the man was suffering from schistosomiasis.

Even Zhou Jin Fan, standing by, could sense the oppressive atmosphere. He hesitated, mouth opening as if to speak, but closed it again, unsure of what to ask.

Time passed. At last, Xie Qingtang moved, picking up the brush to write a prescription, which she handed to Zhou Jin Fan. “Prepare the anthelmintic medicine. Boil it down from three bowls to one. Once it’s ready, administer it to the man. After three hours, call me.”

With these instructions given, Xie Qingtang strode out to the rear courtyard, returning to her room, her purpose unknown. Zhou Jin Fan, puzzled, carefully took the prescription and set about brewing the medicine as instructed.

Meanwhile, someone from the docks—Yun Niang—had come to care for her elder brother. But ever since Xie Qingtang learned how contagious schistosomiasis was, she had warned Yun Niang to be extremely cautious while tending to her brother: to avoid contact with any mucus he expelled, to wear long sleeves and trousers, even rubber gloves, to prevent becoming infected herself.

“Miss Xie, are you here?” Li Zhao arrived at the vast Cishan Hall, surprised to find the front hall empty. He called out again, and after a moment, Zhou Jin Fan, coughing, hurried in from the rear.

Seeing who it was, Zhou Jin Fan said, “Assistant Li, what brings you here? I just brought medicine to President Gu yesterday—surely it can’t be finished already?”

“Of course not. I’m here about that strange patient in the rear courtyard. When the director of Parasitology at Gu Hospital heard he had schistosomiasis, he warned us of the grave danger—it’s highly infectious, and a citywide outbreak could cause panic,” Li Zhao said seriously.

Zhou Jin Fan laughed and waved it off. “Don’t worry, Assistant Li. The boss knew from the start how contagious schistosomiasis is and has taken every precaution. At least here in Cishan Hall, this patient won’t infect anyone else.”

“That’s good to know. However, the doctors at the hospital also want to identify the source. Do you know where Doctor Xie picked up this patient?” Li Zhao pressed.

Zhou Jin Fan hesitated, but finally answered, “It was at the docks in the east of the city. The boss said schistosomiasis breeds most easily in water, especially in shallow areas. The patient works as a stevedore at the docks—he probably got infected there.”

With that explanation, Li Zhao understood completely and was about to leave when Yun Niang, pale and bloodless, emerged from behind the curtain.

“Doctor Zhou, did I hear correctly? If the source is in the water, does that mean my family and friends might get infected too?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Zhou Jin Fan could not lie. He nodded—after all, that was what Xie Qingtang had said.

“No, I have to warn my family and friends right away—not to go into the water again!” Without hesitation, Yun Niang made to rush from Cishan Hall back to the docks.

Seeing this, Li Zhao frowned slightly, grabbed her thin arm, and after a moment’s pause, said in a low voice, “I take it you know the way to the docks? Let me take you. I have a car—it’ll be faster. You can give me directions.”

“Yes, thank you,” Yun Niang replied at once, nodding in agreement.