Influenza

"Doctor Ye, it's so itchy here, can you take a look for me..."

"Doctor Ye, I might have a heart condition—it feels so empty here, could you touch it?"

After routinely ushering out the flirtatious students from the infirmary, Ye Shuang finally felt a moment of quiet. He glanced at the time—it was a little past ten.

"Yu You and the others went to clean up the community park today. It should be fine since the school can guarantee her safety."

Thinking this, Ye Shuang didn’t seem too worried, though he wondered whether Yu You would return for lunch.

Sitting down, he unscrewed his thermos. Hot water with a few goji berries floated at the top.

Just as he blew on it and took a small sip, an urgent voice called from outside, "Mr. Ye!"

"Hm?" The familiar voice made him turn. It was Linlin and Zhixia—Linlin was supporting Zhixia, her face full of worry, while Zhixia beside her looked utterly drained, her face frighteningly flushed.

"What’s going on—?" Ye Shuang quickly set down his cup and walked over, reaching out to touch Zhixia’s neck and forehead. Her skin was burning hot.

He frowned, studying her intently.

[Character: Zhixia

President of Yinshan Academy’s Light Music Club. Gentle personality, excellent at household chores… Currently suffering from a high fever due to the flu.]

"She’s running a high fever. Linlin, help her lie down on that bed," Ye Shuang said.

"Got it!"

Seeing Zhixia still dazed after lying down, Ye Shuang handed a thermometer to Linlin. "Help her tuck this under her arm."

"Okay!"

Ye Shuang sat by the bed and gently touched Zhixia’s forehead again. "Zhixia, how are you feeling now?"

"My whole body aches… my head hurts so much…" Zhixia’s voice was faint.

Linlin asked anxiously, "Mr. Ye, is Zhixia okay? Should we call an ambulance?"

"Let’s check her temperature first. I have fever-reducing medicine here," Ye Shuang said before asking Linlin, "Has she been like this all morning?"

"Yeah, I noticed something was off when she came to school today. Later in class, she just slumped over and didn’t move."

Beep—

The thermometer sounded. Ye Shuang pulled it out and checked—nearly 40°C.

"A dangerously high fever," Ye Shuang muttered, then walked to the cabinet. "She needs a fever-reducing shot now. If there’s an infection, she might need a second one… possibly even a skin test."

"Oh… is it in the arm?" Linlin asked curiously.

Without turning, Ye Shuang replied, "The buttocks."

"Huh?"

"The muscle structure differs between the buttocks and arms. For small, non-irritating doses, the deltoid muscle in the arm can be used," Ye Shuang explained. "But for fever-reducing injections, the thicker gluteal muscles are better."

"Ah, got it," Linlin nodded.

"Alright, let’s have her lie on her side first." Ye Shuang gently lifted Zhixia to adjust her position, then asked Linlin to help pull her skirt down slightly.

"Mr. Ye, the school uniform skirt has buttons and a belt—you can’t just pull it down," Linlin said.

Ye Shuang clarified, "It’s not appropriate for me to do it. Linlin, you handle it."

"Mr. Ye… you can just pull my skirt up," Zhixia said weakly. "It’s okay, Mr. Ye. Don’t worry about me. You’re a doctor. Even if I’m a little embarrassed, I trust you."

Ye Shuang paused for a moment, then smiled gently. "Thank you."

Since Zhixia had said so, Ye Shuang had Linlin close the infirmary door before carefully lifting the girl’s skirt.

A pale yellow pair of bear-patterned underwear came into view, but Ye Shuang kept his gaze professional, gently pulling the waistband down slightly before administering the injection.

Once the medicine was injected, he pressed a sterilized cotton ball to the spot and had Linlin hold it in place. "All done. Rest for a while now."

"Linlin, undo Zhixia’s collar pin so she doesn’t overheat."

"Okay."

"Just one button is enough, no need to undo more."

"Got it." Linlin asked, "Should we bundle her up to sweat it out?"

"No need. Right now, cooling down is more important. The medicine should take effect soon," Ye Shuang said.

Since the flu was contagious, after settling Zhixia, Ye Shuang handed Linlin a mask and antiviral oral solution. "Linlin, wear this so you don’t catch it."

"I should be fine. I have a strong immune system."

"Wear it anyway."

"Alright."

After a while, Zhixia seemed to have fallen asleep, her breathing steady and silent.

"Linlin, go back to class. Zhixia can rest here with me," Ye Shuang said.

Linlin still looked concerned. "Will she be okay?"

"It’s probably just a regular flu," Ye Shuang reassured her before adding, "Are there other students in her class with similar symptoms?"

"Let me think…" Linlin pondered. "There was one. Zhixia was with her yesterday, but that girl stayed home today with a fever."

"Got it. You can head back now, Linlin."

"Okay."

After Linlin left, Ye Shuang returned to Zhixia’s bedside to check on her. Seeing her breathing evenly, he sat back down at his desk.

"Am I getting too good at this school doctor thing?" he mused to himself.

Mostly, it was because he could accurately diagnose and prescribe the right treatment. And lately, he’d been giving injections quite often.

"I hope the flu doesn’t spread through the academy."

……

……

Some time later, Zhixia slowly woke up. Thanks to the injection, she immediately felt much better—her forehead no longer scorching to the touch.

"Awake?" Noticing her stirring, Ye Shuang brought over a cup of warm water. "Here, drink this first."

"Mm, thank you."

Zhixia drank thirstily. After she finished, Ye Shuang asked how she was feeling.

"Much better. My head doesn’t feel as heavy," she said.

"That’s the strong fever reducer at work. You still need more rest," Ye Shuang said. "I’ll prescribe some medicine later, but you can’t take it immediately after the injection. You’ll have to wait a while."

"Okay." As she spoke, Zhixia noticed a small lunchbox on the bedside table.

"I got that from the cafeteria earlier. After a high fever, nutrition is important—it’s pork rib soup. Try to have some."

"Thank you, Mr. Ye." Suddenly, Zhixia understood why so many students had flocked to Ye Shuang’s lemon tea stand during the school festival.

"Zhixia."

"Yes, Mr. Ye?"

"You mentioned another student in your class has a fever. Can you describe their symptoms?"