Surviving the Apocalypse with the Young Miss - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Stealing

Song Ge thought they would head back immediately after finishing their business, but Tong Xiangyu kept walking forward.

Song Ge: “Are you giving those two space to spend time together?”

“No. We’re going to register for the medicine,” Tong Xiangyu said. “You told the doctor I started my period. If we don’t go get the medicine, we might be suspected. Besides, Yaoyao’s stomach hurts. I noticed she didn’t have medicine in her hand—she probably just took Ibuprofen. Getting a bag of Motherwort infusion to bring back is perfect for her.”

Song Ge raised an eyebrow, shoving her hands into her pockets. She felt a newfound respect for this young lady. In truth, Song Ge had planned to complete this “procedure” herself after dropping Tong Xiangyu off at the room.

Tong Xiangyu had her own selfish motives she didn’t dare mention, mainly fearing Song Ge wouldn’t agree.

The two arrived at the first residential building of the compound. Xiao Wei, the round-faced girl, was still sitting at the computer. This time, however, a woman was standing beside her talking; Xiao Wei nodded while quickly writing something down. Shortly after, the girl stood up and handed a book to the woman. The woman bowed gratefully, took the book, and walked out of the office.

As the woman passed, Song Ge’s gaze drifted inconspicuously toward the book. The top half of the title was obscured by the woman’s arm, but the large characters at the bottom were visible: …Dharma (Law).

Tong Xiangyu stood by the office door and knocked. “Hello.”

Xiao Wei looked up. Seeing Tong Xiangyu, her neutral expression instantly became warm. “Miss Tong, it’s you. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“It’s like this…” Tong Xiangyu put on a shy expression, lightly covering her lower abdomen. “My period started and my stomach hurts. The doctor said I could register here to get some Motherwort?”

“That’s right.” Xiao Wei pulled over an open ledger and began registering Tong Xiangyu, meticulously writing down her name, age, their temporary residence in Building 11, the room number, the time, and the type and quantity of medicine required.

Song Ge’s eyes fell on that registration ledger.

Xiao Wei asked, “Just Motherwort? Do you need Ibuprofen?”

Hearing this, Tong Xiangyu quickly added, “Xiao Wei, the grandmother in Building 9 fell down. Is there any medicine she can take?”

Xiao Wei’s hand paused. She turned to look at Tong Xiangyu. “Was your call for a doctor earlier for Old Yan?”

“Yes, didn’t Song Ge tell you?”

Xiao Wei: “She didn’t. The call from Building 11 only said someone fell and needed a doctor.”

Tong Xiangyu: “…” Song Ge, you unreliable person! She turned to glare, only to find Song Ge intentionally looking away, pretending to inspect the office.

“Don’t worry about Old Yan,” Xiao Wei continued her registration. “We will send someone over to treat her soon.”

Normally, Tong Xiangyu should have just said thank you, but she couldn’t help but ask one more question: “Will it be those same two doctors?” The attitude of those two was truly hard to compliment.

“No, rest easy. Old Yan will recover soon.” Xiao Wei finished writing, took a ring of keys from her drawer, and stood up. “Come on, I’ll take you to the warehouse.”

Tong Xiangyu wondered how Xiao Wei could be so certain she’d recover without even seeing the injury, but asking further would be rude. She instead asked, “You’re taking us? Is it okay for you to leave your post?”

Xiao Wei: “It’s fine. I’ll be back in a flash.” When they left, she only closed the door without locking it.

Tong Xiangyu and Song Ge followed Xiao Wei silently. Xiao Wei took the initiative to explain: “For other medicines, I’d just give you a slip to pick them up at the clinic. But we don’t use Motherwort much normally, so it isn’t kept there.”

Tong Xiangyu was puzzled. “Why isn’t it used normally? Does nobody get period cramps?”

Xiao Wei laughed, giving Tong Xiangyu a mysterious smile. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The sun was scorching, but that smile made Tong Xiangyu shiver. She looked at Song Ge, whose hands were in her pockets, showing no reaction.

Xiao Wei opened the warehouse and took them to the third floor. It was filled with medicine, mostly unopened. Xiao Wei told them to stay at the door while she went in to find the Motherwort. However, it seemed to be buried in some corner, and with so many supplies, she couldn’t find it for a long time. The upper floor was stifling without air conditioning, and Xiao Wei was soon covered in sweat.

Tong Xiangyu asked politely, “Can you find it?”

“I remember it was over here…” The supplies had been organized several times, and Xiao Wei had actually forgotten the exact spot. She rummaged around and eventually sighed in exhaustion. “You two come in and help.”

Most of the medicine was in sealed boxes. Since everyone was wearing thin summer clothes, they couldn’t really hide anything.

Tong Xiangyu stepped into the warehouse. Nana had shown them this place yesterday, but they had only seen the common medicines on the periphery. Now inside, she realized that was just the tip of the iceberg. The shelves were packed with opened and unopened boxes of medicine—the quantity and variety were staggering.

Tong Xiangyu remarked, “Did you guys hoard all the medicine from every pharmacy in Taiyun?”

“It’s the end of the world; things are different. Without a manufacturing chain, we have to stockpile,” Xiao Wei said as she flipped through more boxes. She gestured to an area. “It should be here. Check these boxes—they’re unopened, but I remember having it.”

“Okay,” Tong Xiangyu said.

Song Ge wasn’t as cooperative; she stood before the shelves inspecting the medicines. Xiao Wei glanced at her. Noticing this, Tong Xiangyu shouted, “Song Ge, don’t just stand there doing nothing. You search; my stomach hurts.”

Song Ge replied: “Mhm.” She walked to the cardboard boxes. She was strong, so even though they were full of medicine, she moved them easily. Seeing that she didn’t have to do the heavy lifting, Xiao Wei felt relieved and began directing her.

The warehouse was quiet. While Xiao Wei directed Song Ge, she occasionally glanced at Tong Xiangyu. She saw the girl in her lake-blue belted dress leaning lightly against a shelf, hand over her stomach. She was truly beautiful—fair skin, delicate features—clearly an innocent girl who had lived a pampered life. Xiao Wei looked away.

As Song Ge moved the boxes, she caught a glimpse of the words “Motherwort Granules” printed on a box in the middle of a stack. She pretended not to see it and kicked the boxes into a neater pile, covering the text.

Bored with waiting, Tong Xiangyu began looking at the medicines on the shelves. Her eyes suddenly stopped on a small box. It was a Liver Enzyme Inducer—enzymes that promote metabolism and can reduce the pharmacological effects of most drugs.

Her heart began to race. She pretended to look back naturally; Xiao Wei was still telling Song Ge which box to move. Tong Xiangyu looked back and, with her heart thumping like a drum, quickly stole a box and tucked it into the neckline of her dress.

Song Ge suddenly asked, “Is it this box?”

Tong Xiangyu froze in terror. Xiao Wei, who was about to look toward Tong Xiangyu, turned and walked over to Song Ge instead. Hearing the footsteps, Tong Xiangyu immediately shook her collar to let the box slide further down and adjusted her dress.

Xiao Wei looked at the box Song Ge pointed out and confirmed it said “Motherwort Granules.” She then looked back. “Miss Tong?”

“Ah.” Tong Xiangyu turned with forced composure. “Did you find it?”

“Yes. What were you looking at?”

“Just browsing. I’ve never even heard of most of these…”

“Right? I heard they moved the whole shelves along with the stock.” Xiao Wei smiled. Seeing Tong Xiangyu’s face was flushed and sweaty, she asked, “Miss Tong, are you very hot?” She didn’t even help, yet she’s sweating so much.

“Yes, I’m quite sensitive to heat, and it’s stifling in here.” Tong Xiangyu fanned herself with her hand. “I’ll wait outside while you guys finish up.”

She practically fled out of the pharmacy, her heart pounding in her ears. This was the first time in her life she had ever stolen anything. But before she could settle her nerves, a terrifying thought struck her—Oh no! She forgot that even the apartments had surveillance. Surely the warehouse had even more?!

She was overcome with anxiety. If the cameras had seen her, they might already be on their way to arrest her and Song Ge!

Before she could think further, Song Ge walked out. Seeing that Tong Xiangyu had left, Song Ge naturally stopped wasting time and “timely” let Xiao Wei find the box. Xiao Wei opened it and handed a bag to Song Ge. Song Ge took it and walked out without a word.

Xiao Wei felt annoyed by Song Ge’s rudeness. She closed the box and followed them out. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Tong Xiangyu looking nervous, her hands seemingly trembling.

Xiao Wei was puzzled. “You…”

Not only were Tong Xiangyu’s hands shaking, her lips were too. But her reflexes were fast; she immediately leaned against Song Ge, clutching her stomach. “Hurry, Song Ge, my stomach is killing me…”

Xiao Wei looked at her face—it was indeed pale and beaded with sweat. How delicate, she thought, and turned to lock the warehouse door.

Song Ge supported her, asking, “Do you want me to carry you?”

Tong Xiangyu shook her head quickly, hunching over slightly. Her neck was covered in cold sweat. She thought if Song Ge carried her, the box would be exposed! She was truly grateful for that push-up bra she’d found in a courier box; the medicine was completely hidden in her cleavage.

She said weakly, “Just support me…”

“Mhm.”

Xiao Wei locked the door and remarked, “Miss Tong, if your cramps are this bad, is there something wrong with your health?”

“The doctor said it’s ‘womb cold.’ I’m used to it. It comes in waves. It’ll pass. It might be the heat and the stuffiness in there too…” Tong Xiangyu fabricated a story through her panic.

Xiao Wei didn’t suspect her. “Then go back and take the medicine.”

Under Xiao Wei’s gaze, Song Ge helped Tong Xiangyu down the stairs. Xiao Wei watched them walk away and scoffed. People from Kecheng are so pampered… though they won’t be pampered for much longer.

Song Ge didn’t let go of Tong Xiangyu. Only when they were far away and Xiao Wei had left did she ask, “Do you want a back-ride now?”

Tong Xiangyu: “Yes, yes, please!”

Song Ge crouched down. Tong Xiangyu climbed on. She felt so nervous her palms were wet with cold sweat, and once Song Ge lifted her, she realized her legs had turned to jelly.

Song Ge, however, could still laugh. She praised her, “Nice psychological resilience.”

Tong Xiangyu’s mind went blank. “?”

Song Ge had seen everything. Although she had been in the corner moving boxes, she had been keeping a close watch on her surroundings and Tong Xiangyu’s movements behind her. The young lady’s sneaky, panicked looks and actions were clearly reflected in the metal shelving. If Song Ge hadn’t spoken up to create a distraction, she would have been caught.

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