One second on stage, ten years of work backstage.
Though Hibiscus seemed to leave the rooftop easily, continuously activating time stop increased the burden beyond what she could handle to run home, so she simply removed her disguise and entered the hospital to rest temporarily. Nurses passing in the corridor saw the girl gasping for breath and thought she was ill, but as long as she didn't actively ask, better to mind one's own business.
Actually, high-frequency magic activation burden was far less than long-term activation burden, so after resting a few minutes she was in full spirits.
Beep!
[Completed advice "Provide Pre-Surgery Care For Jin Ruochu." Rewards distributed: 300 Exchange Points, Small Enhancement Potion ×1]
Hearing the system notification, Hibiscus breathed a sigh of relief. At least it proved her direction was correct. Jin Ruochu should get through this hurdle—after all, she had protagonist fate, absolutely tough enough. She also gained an enhancement potion as a trump card. Win-win. But the hospital deserved more attention.
She didn't leave immediately because the hospital carried the aura of Disaster Beast remains—too familiar, no mistake.
Because I have a piece hidden under my bed, practically hugging it like a pillow.
Changfeng Financial Group was the parent company behind Ningfeng Harbor's first private hospital. According to netizens' revealed settings, they mastered Disaster Beast remains fusion modification technology. Of course, several other companies had similar progress, just that the plot revolved around the protagonist so understanding was deeper. Having the ability to perform surgery on Jin Ruochu, their technical reserves must be solid, or they were bold enough—otherwise how would they make big money?
Hibiscus was quite interested in modification technology. After all, shouldn't she pay attention to future transcendent power components? If they became opponents, she should have contingency plans.
The work being called "Magical Girl of Light" didn't mean other forces were weak—still needed to be wary.
Unfortunately, after a full tour with maximum perception, she gained nothing.
If it were easily exposed, it wouldn't be Jin Changfeng. Never mind, she could contact the chairman's daughter later anyway. A perfect test subject—who understood better than you? No need to rush.
Just as the girl gave up and prepared to go home, she heard a call from behind: "Classmate Jin, what are you doing here?"
"My surname is Mu."[TN: "Hibiscus" is the accurate botanical translation of 木槿 (mùjǐn) referring to Hibiscus syriacus and aligns with floral naming conventions in magical girl genres, though transliterating as "Mujin" is also valid for cultural authenticity.]
The familiar address naturally received the familiar correction. She turned around and smiled at her childhood friend and classmate Nan Zhiyi, who was supporting an IV drip stand. They hadn't seen each other since the college entrance exam.
Hibiscus did have some classmates and friends she could talk to, but Nan Zhiyi was the most trusted.
This childhood friend was often sick due to an infection incident in childhood—not uncommon in this era. Even though she frequently took leave to go to the hospital, it didn't affect her brilliant talent of always scoring first place and winning various competition awards. More importantly, she was responsible for club and class activities—a rare organizer and manager. Ordinary family background, harmonious relationships, the apple of her parents' eye, and a gifted all-around expert. Reasonably speaking, didn't the childhood friend have more protagonist feeling than some unlucky princess?
"Are you here for a check-up and medication?" She proactively stepped forward to help Nan Zhiyi support the IV stand to prevent blood backflow.
"Right. Those exam days were too tiring. After checking answers and estimating scores were okay, I collapsed and dozed off. When I woke up my whole body ached and I had a fever—another episode."
"Coming from your mouth, 'okay' means top-tier university. Congratulations."
Nan Zhiyi smiled faintly without denying it, then put on a serious expression of concern: "How about you?"
"Medical university is secure."
"Though I congratulate you on that too, I want to ask about your parents' situation."
"...I'm living alone now."
Without Hibiscus explaining further, with Nan Zhiyi's sharp mind she understood everything. As expected, family troubles still occurred, but her good friend speaking about it openly proved the problems were basically resolved with remaining aftershocks. Rather, the information about living alone stirred the heart.
Suddenly Nan Zhiyi's legs pressed together slightly, face flushing, drawing a puzzled expression from the nearby girl. She said matter-of-factly: "I'm going to the restroom."
"Okay, I'll walk you there."
The two walked for a while to reach the restroom at the corridor corner. Separated by a door, Hibiscus held up the IV bag while the rubber tube extended into the stall, accompanied by slight water sounds that seemed deliberately controlled, taking some time.
Really unnecessary—under magical girl perception, even a trickle could sound like Niagara Falls.
Moments later, Nan Zhiyi came out blushing. The two chatted about school matters while walking to an open area, leaving the crowded zone where even the alcohol smell seemed to dissipate somewhat.
"Almost forgot to ask—Classmate Jin, why are you at the hospital? You've always been healthy, strong as an ox, and even grown taller."
"Don't make me sound like a muscle woman. Nothing serious, felt slightly unwell but recovered."
Hibiscus spoke truthfully. After all, during the college entrance exam days, Magical Girl Awakening nearly killed her and she almost missed life's springboard. Thinking back now still left lingering fear. Without those ridiculous netizens' guidance, she probably would have gotten stuck in a dead end and inevitably grown apart from Nan Zhiyi.
She smiled and patted the girl's head: "You should eat more and grow taller."
"Hey!"
The latter pouted unhappily and glared, making Hibiscus laugh and stop, then she said: "The doctor says their technology has new developments, so this treatment will be quick and smooth, won't take long. When I'm recovered, it'll be time to fill out college applications. Can we research together? If scores are similar, I could apply to the law program at your target school—we'd be studying together again."
"Of course. One more opinion means more confidence."
"I'll come see you within a week. Hurry back—hospitals have many infectious diseases, leave quickly." Nan Zhiyi issued an eviction order.
Rather than being immersed in the surprise of sudden encounter, she preferred each other's company in safe, undisturbed environments. The noisy hospital would only ruin the atmosphere.
"See you then."
Hibiscus waved goodbye openly, instinctively striding toward the stairwell planning to leap to the first floor, but caught herself and sheepishly went to squeeze into the elevator instead.
After seeing off the suspiciously acting girl, Nan Zhiyi supported her chin with flickering eyes. Strange, why did her classmate carry the scent of special disinfectant from the hospital's luxury ward area not open to the public? Quite strong.
Actually, she was also quite strange—how could she determine that the alcohol smell from the top floor was different from the alcohol smell on her floor? Dog nose?
The girl looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath.
Not only that, the hospital always carried an aura that made her uncomfortable, unknown in nature.
But these weren't worth mentioning. Always believing in science and having no interest even in unsolved mysteries or unscientific programs, Nan Zhiyi lacked curiosity, only caring about reality and too lazy to entrust herself to illusions. The only thing that could make her spend some thought was Hibiscus—and clearly her old classmate had experienced some transformative change.
Elegance, composure, and a sense of power focused on an 18-year-old girl—what great upheaval could cause this? She should both worry and feel proud.
Nan Zhiyi supported the IV stand and walked back. Just reaching the corner, she saw a fellow patient.
"Miss Jin, why are you out again?"
"The hospital boxed meals are too awful. I want fast food. What about you? I'll bring you something."
"Just some chips and snacks. Thanks."
This chairman's daughter remained lively, taking the elevator after Hibiscus and leaving. Though supposedly under closed treatment, it didn't affect her at all, wandering around until they bumped into each other the day before yesterday and got acquainted. Nan Zhiyi always felt the three of them shared some common aura.