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It's been a few days now since Baizhu had passed out in the kitchen. Qiqi stays close to him every time, doing everything that Baizhu told her to do. Even if of, for Qiqi, it seems new every time, Baizhu is getting familiar with it, but enjoy those little attentions like no one nonetheless. However, one less good thing happens since a few days: Liyue is discussing about his sudden disappearance
Qiqi is working hard to help Baizhu, not only trying to gather herbs - when Baizhu or Gui don't see, of course - but drying them, and selling them, with a... mixed success. But when Gui works in the counter and Qiqi is out, she can't help but to hear people being worried. Why isn't Baizhu there ? Did he left the harbour, letting Qiqi behind ? Is he sick? Is he dead ?
The last one never misses to makes Qiqi worried. She doesn't remember anything of those last days, except one that is stuck in her head : Baizhu collapsing on the ground. She tried to reassure her that it will disappear every day. But every day, the memory of it is still fresh when she wakes up and walks in her home, she dreads of seeing her caretaker unconscious
As she walks back home to the Bubu Pharmacy with herbs, and after getting lost, she continues to hear the rumors about Baizhu. An old lady sees her, and recognise the little zombie. With a sweet voice, she asks to her :
-Hello, little Qiqi
-Hello... Um...
-Ping, smiles the old lady, I'm sorry, I know you must be busy but... Can I ask you something ?
-Um... Yes, Qiqi nods mechanically
-Do you remember how Doctor Baizhu is ?
-Doctor... Baizhu... She thinks for a bit, trying to think of her last memory. After an entire minute, she answers back, He is sick...
-Oh... At least he is still alive. I hope he will get better
-Why did you needed to know that ? Asks Qiqi, with curious eyes
-I was worried, and one of my old friend, who didn't wanted to disturb Baizhu, as extremely worried that something happened to him, says the old lady. And you, Qiqi... Do you sometimes worry about Baizhu ?
Even if Qiqi could tell that this question was well-intended, it still feel like a punch. Baizhu, on the ground... What if he doesn't wakes up ? Qiqi knows how bad Baizhu is physically, but now that she saw it, it's even worse. The zombie tries to calm herself, and takes a deep breath :
-Qiqi wants to stay with Doctor Baizhu...
-I see, Ping smiles gently, I guess you are both lucky to have each other. Can I do anything to help you with it ?
-Qiqi don't know... Can you... Cure Baizhu ?
-I would like to, little Qiqi, she sighs
As Qiqi is on her way back home, she can only briefly hear "I will do my best to cure him temporarely, atleast..." from the old lady. Her head, full of thoughts that are hard to focus for such a little zombie, starts to spin. The sun is getting hotter and hotter, and after a hard walk, Qiqi felt her eyelids shutting down, and falling on the ground...
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I start to feel hungry... Um ? Weird. I never felt hungry before. I always eat when my caretaker has to eat too, but never by myself. Am I finally... Better ? Am I... Human ? Th... That's fantastic ! Quick, I have to announce it. I gently open the door, and start to run in the corridor. The corridor is quite big however. The more I run, the bigger and longer it gets. But... It seems so out of place !.. I'm sure that Baizhu has an answer. I just have to check every door of... The... Corridor...
I open one. It is my room again ! With my notebook, my confy bed, my plushie, and some story book that Baizhu r... I... Do I remember this too ? My memory is workin fine too ! My memory is working ! Do you hear it, cocogoat ?
"Yes, Qiqi"
I... I can feel that I am happy. I always thought that I would accept being like I was but... I feel so good to finally... Be normal. I must absolutely find Doctor Baizhu
"I am not sure you will like it, Qiqi", says the Cocogoat
But why ? I must find him and say everything I feel
I leave my room. The huge corridor is normal again. I have to find Doctor Baizhu. After a difficult walk, I open the door of his room. But he isn't there. Um, weird. I try to see if the bathroom is taken. I gently knock... No answer. I open the door. No answer. Weird. Why isn't Baizhu there? He is maybe in the kitchen
I walk towards the kitchen. Baizhu must be there, or in the living room. Or else, he mist be working. I try to call him
"Doctor Baizhu?"
I try again
"Doctor Baizhu ! Qiqi have great news"
A hand? Lying on the kitchen? Weird. I am just checking to see why is there... Oh no...
Doctor Baizhu... Lying on the floor. Pale as death. His skin cold as my vision. His heart being silent... No... No...
"Doctor Baizhu... Doctor Baizhu! Please... Don't let Qiqi alone... Please..."
I try to massage his heart like I can... I see in red... My body becomes boiling... I have to succeed. I have to bring doctor Baizhu... What would I become without him ? What will happen to Qiqi ?
I have lost count... My vision is blurry. Suddenly, a voice from afar stops me
"Qiqi... I am here... You are at home"
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"Qiqi. I am here. You are at home "
The zombie slowly wakes up, in her bed, with a lot of water and coco milk next to her. Close to her sits Baizhu and Gui, relieved to see Qiqi waking up. They were both very afraid, especially Baizhu, with tears running down his face :
-Qiqi... Is okay. How is Do-
-Qiqi, cries the doctor by taking Qiqi in his arms, Thanks Morax you are alright... I was so afraid...
-What happened?...
-You had a severe sunstroke. A Millelith founded you... I am sorry, I didn't even knew you were outside and... It's my fault
-I put you on bed while Baizhu prepared some drinks
-S... Sunstroke ?
-You overworked yourself in the sun... And your body couldn't handle it. In those situations, the best is to drink
She looks at the coco milk, and starts to drink it. After finishing five cups of milk and water, she starts to feel a bit better. Her head feels less heavy. Baizhu sighs out of relief again, he still seems sick however. The zombie starts to get up as she can, but the doctor slowly puts his hand on her shoulders:
-Qiqi... In your situation, the best you can do is to rest for a bit
-But... Qiqi brought herbs... For...
-Don't worry, smiles Gui gently, the Millelith bring them here with you
-And Qiqi must put...
-I put them on the dryer, smiles Baizhu
-So what can Qiqi do to help ?
-For now, the doctor kiss her forehead, stay here and rest
-But Qiqi must help! She says with a voice almost panicking - for Qiqi's standards
-You're doing too m...
-Or Doctor Baizhu will... Collapse again...
For a moment, everyone in the room stays silent. Baizhu takes her in his arms, letting Qiqi calming down. The zombie feels weaker and weaker, the doctor keeps her closely. He whispers gently :
-Don't worry, Qiqi... I will not collapse again. Last time... It was an accident
-Baizhu collapsed because Qiqi was sick...
-You are not my caretaker, he says with a warm voice thar calms Qiqi down, I just overworked myself. You are and will always be my priority
-So... No more collapse?
-No more collapse...
Qiqi is slowly feeling better. Baizhu's warm arms are protective, Qiqi could almost fall asleep again. Baizhu is putting her in bed again, smiling gently :
-Now, rest yourself. A sunstroke is never good, especially when your body has just recovered
-Got it. Resting... Doctor Baizhu ?
-Yes, Qiqi ?
-Qiqi... Qiqi is sorry
Baizhu keep his warm smile and kiss her head again, before letting the zombie fall into sleep. They both need some more rest. Baizhu sits down in the kitchen, drinking some tea. He is still extremely weak, and it will probably take some time for him to recover and finally get out of his bed. Gui leaves the room too, going back to the counter, still keeping an eye on the doctor
Baizhu gets back to his room, where Changsheng is relaxing, taking the sun. She looks at the doctor, weak :
-Ssssso, how isssss Qiqi ?
-Better, gladly... I was so worried... So, so worried...
-I am worried too, of coursssssse... But admit it. You cannot take care of her alone
-Changsheng... Gui cannot stay every day, every time, Baizhu seems exasperated
-Are you sssssure you want to ssssspend the ressssst of your dayssss alone ?
-Look at me... I feel like I am at my limit. It's been days since I left the Pharmacy. I can't ask to a friend to help me
-Alright. And if you finally sssssleep forever, who will take care of Qiqi ?
-Um... I...
-Even if you give me to her, I am a sssssnake. I love Qiqi, but I can't prepare mealssss, or anything. Ssssshe issss, and will probably sssstaysss a child forever. Sssso, who will take care of her when you'll sssssleep forever?
Baizhu doesn't answer... He never thought of it. Gui already has his own family... And despite being loved and respected, Baizhu doesn't have many close friends, even less that would accept to keep Qiqi and give to her the love that she deserves... He doesn't want to make someone else suffer from his dissapearance. He doesn't want to think about letting Qiqi alone... He has to find the secret of immortality. For his little zombie. But if he doesn't, maybe he would need someone to help him... Just to take care of Qiqi when he cannot