142: Chapter 142 Riding a bicycle to the bar, saving where necessary and spending where appropriate.

I thought the difficult times had just passed, and there would at least be three or five masks left at home. As it turned out, in Brother Chao's place, let alone masks, there wasn't even a single hair left.

So...

"What are you staring at? Go downstairs and buy two masks." Chen Sheng waved his hand with disgust.

"There's no need for such a big reaction."

Brother Chao muttered aggrievedly, dragging his feet and refusing to leave. It was unclear if he was feeling resentful or just broke, but after a glare from Chen Sheng, he obediently took his keys and went out.

The two went downstairs. Brother Chao went into the supermarket at the entrance, spent two yuan to buy two disposable masks, and handed one to Chen Sheng. "There, satisfied now?"

"Satisfied?" Looking at the thin blue disposable mask, which practically had the words "Useless" written all over it, Chen Sheng immediately shook his head. "Forget it, you wait here, I'll go buy some."

Chen Sheng then drove around to several pharmacies before finding a place that sold N95 masks. He bought two, along with a bottle of indoor disinfectant. Only then did he put on a mask, pick up Brother Chao, and the two headed straight for the Provincial Hospital.

However, upon arriving at the hospital, another problem arose.

Brother Chao was messing with his phone for a long time, then suddenly blurted out, "WTF! Old Chen, do you think I should register for Dermatology or Urology?"

"WTF! You haven't even registered?" Chen Sheng was instantly stunned. "Big brother, this is Shu City! Do you think you can get an appointment on the same day at a place like the Provincial Hospital?"

This was just ridiculous.

"How would I know if I didn't try?" Brother Chao muttered aggrievedly. "Besides, I didn't know if you were coming today. I didn't have the money to register in advance anyway."

"No, you're a guy who lives alone with no dependents, you don't have any spare cash?"

"It's perfectly normal not to have spare cash. Besides, with my measly salary, it's already pretty good that I'm not in debt, alright? I just saw a report the other day saying that the number of people in debt has reached hundreds of millions." Brother Chao said this with complete self-righteousness.

Chen Sheng gave Brother Chao a thumbs up. "You're amazing!"

"You bet!" Brother Chao waved his hand. "Let's not talk about that. Old Chen, tell me, should I register for Dermatology or Urology?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? I don't have that disease!" Chen Sheng couldn't help but roll his eyes, pointing to the service desk not far away in the lobby. "Go ask the nurse at the service desk yourself."

Brother Chao fidgeted and said, "Old Chen, why don't you go?"

"WTF!" Chen Sheng opened his mouth, but finally waved his hand. "Forget it. Go find a quiet corner and stay there. Don't go bothering other people. I'll go ask for you."

Chen Sheng didn't feel embarrassed at all. After all, it wasn't him who had the problem, and besides, he was wearing a mask. Who would be able to recognize him?

He arrived at the service desk and stated his purpose directly. After listening to Chen Sheng's description, the nurse didn't have the intense reaction Chen Sheng had when he first heard it, nor did she look at him with prejudice. She suggested very professionally and gently, "For this kind of situation, I suggest registering for the Special Infectious Disease Department."

You could tell this nurse was experienced.

Not only did she give a recommendation, but she also had Chen Sheng log into the Provincial Hospital app on his phone right there and then, find the Infectious Disease Department, and then the H Infectious Disease Department. "It's this one."

"Thank you!" After thanking the nurse, Chen Sheng found Brother Chao, who was obediently hiding in a corner, and, following the nurse's instructions, had him register for the H Infectious Disease Department on the app.

I don't know if the H Infectious Disease Department is a niche department, or if the people who get that kind of disease are in the minority after all, but regardless, Brother Chao was lucky enough to get a same-day appointment, and a morning one at that.

Of course, don't even think about seeing a specialist, professor, or even an attending physician. After all, no matter how niche or rare it is, it depends on the location. This is the Provincial Hospital, with a sea of patients coming from all over the country every day.

Brother Chao had registered for a resident physician.

Even for a resident, the estimated consultation time was 11:20.

The two followed the information on the app to the floor corresponding to the H Infectious Disease Department and began what was, for Chen Sheng, a long wait.

It is known that the H Infectious Disease Department specializes in H infectious diseases, so it can be inferred that the patients coming here for treatment are, in all likelihood, people suffering from H infectious diseases.

Ask yourself, would a normal person feel psychologically burdened staying in a place like this?

The answer is definitely yes.

At the very least, when Chen Sheng walked into the H Infectious Disease Department, he felt uneasy.

Although he had just searched for H infectious diseases online and learned that there are three main transmission routes: sexual intercourse, blood, and mother-to-child, and that normal contact generally won't lead to infection, he still couldn't help but be afraid.

So, for Chen Sheng, this wait felt like every second was a year.

But looking at the cold sweat on Brother Chao's forehead, his pale lips, his hands rubbing back and forth, and his constantly shaking legs, he really didn't have the heart to leave him here alone.

Of course, he was also afraid that if he left him here alone, he might do something rash...

But he was also genuinely annoyed.

"I'm telling you, didn't you know to take safety precautions back then?"

"It was just a natural progression when the mood was right, and besides, that stuff costs several dozen yuan a box." Speaking of this, Brother Chao couldn't help but complain. "Damn it, everything is going up these days, except for wages which are going down. I was just thinking that saving a little bit here and there helps."

Chen Sheng was speechless and gave Brother Chao another thumbs up. "You're amazing. You never miss a monthly foot massage that costs hundreds or thousands, but you can't bear to buy a box of condoms that costs a few dozen. You really are 'riding a bike to the bar, saving where to save and spending where you must'."

"Absolutely." Brother Chao took pride in it rather than feeling ashamed.

"Sigh~" Chen Sheng gave a bitter smile... no, he was between laughter and tears. Brother Chao was indeed still that same Brother Chao. In short, it was hard to comment on.

The two chatted to pass the time. It was a struggle to make it to 11:30, but they finally heard the broadcast announce: "Please have patient number 32, XXX, proceed to Consultation Room 3. Patient number 33, Wang Chao, please prepare for your consultation."

It played three times in a row.

Chen Sheng quickly kicked Brother Chao, interrupting his endless recounting of the skills of every technician at his usual foot massage parlor. "It's almost your turn."

The two moved from the waiting hall to the rest chairs outside Consultation Room 3. After waiting for about five more minutes, patient number 32 pushed the door open and walked out. At the same time, the broadcast at the door sounded, prompting patient number 33, Wang Chao, to proceed for his consultation. Chen Sheng quickly pulled Brother Chao, who had started fidgeting again, and walked inside.

Entering the consultation room, the resident physician looked quite young, but was clearly an experienced person. After listening to Brother Chao's description without changing expression, and after a flurry of typing, a pile of lab requests was handed to Brother Chao. "Go pay the fees first, and then have all these tests done."

He checked the time and continued, "There is a virus test in there, which will take about three days to get results. Apart from that, once the other results are out, bring the reports back to me. I'll be on duty in this consultation room this afternoon."

"Okay, doctor." Chen Sheng took the papers and glanced at them. Good heavens, blood count, urine analysis... there were no fewer than a dozen tests, big and small.

The two left the consultation room. Chen Sheng thought for a moment and directly transferred five thousand to Brother Chao. "I've transferred the money to you. Get the tests done first."

It wasn't that he wasn't willing to transfer more; five thousand was enough to cover all the tests. If he really had that disease, they could deal with what came next later. If it was just a false alarm, for Brother Chao, he could pay it back by going to the foot massage parlor a few fewer times. If the amount was too large, it would become a burden. Not for Brother Chao, nor for himself. Never test so-called human nature, because human nature cannot withstand testing.

"Foster father, I cannot thank you enough for your great kindness. If you do not abandon me..."

Chen Sheng kicked him directly. "Stop acting like a clown, go pay the money quickly. I don't know how long a dozen tests will take."

As it turned out, a dozen tests really didn't take that long.

Most of the dozen tests were blood-related, all involving blood draws—it was just a matter of drawing a few more tubes.

Anyway, it wasn't his blood being drawn.

But as the saying goes, this is the Provincial Hospital.

Taking a number, waiting in line—by the time it was Brother Chao's turn, it was already past twelve o'clock.

Fortunately, as a large comprehensive Grade A tertiary hospital, the Provincial Hospital had nurses on duty even after closing time. However, only one service window remained open.

After finishing the tests, Chen Sheng paid the bill, and the two grabbed a quick, casual lunch nearby. Then they found an outdoor bench in the hospital's inpatient area and sat down to wait for the results.

At 3:00 PM, the test results came out. The two got the reports and returned to the H Infectious Disease Department, scanned in, and began waiting again.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye, and it was finally Brother Chao's turn.

The two pushed the door and walked into the consultation room. After stating their purpose, the doctor checked all the test results on the computer, then pointed to the bed nearby and said, "Go over there and take off your pants."