"Undoubtedly, I am a Namekian," Su Jin replied with serene composure.
"Cousin, are you wearing human skin?" Fu Qingdai asked in a trembling voice.
"We Namekians look exactly like this!"
Hearing Su Jin's firm affirmation, Fu Qingdai felt a measure of relief, yet her mind remained inundated with countless questions.
After a moment's contemplation, she voiced her deepest uncertainty.
"Cousin... what exactly is going on in my dreams?"
"Truthfully, it's rather complicated; I'll keep it brief," Su Jin said thoughtfully. "There are many civilizations in the universe, and we are but one of them. According to our superiors' observations, your world has been targeted by a band of star pirates—the Trisolarans. These fiends commit unspeakable atrocities: they massacre all life on a planet, reduce it to fertilizer, and plunder its resources."
"Now these deranged Trisolarans have unleashed a virus into your atmosphere. Once most of your people perish, in a few decades they'll return to harvest what remains."
Fu Qingdai's delicate face paled instantly. "Why me? They should have notified the bigwigs, not someone like me... why would such a grave matter fall upon my shoulders first?"
Her distress grew, tears cascading down her cheeks.
It was terrifying—she was but an ordinary young woman, yet such a monumental fate had befallen her.
Seeing her break down, Su Jin's expression darkened, his heart aching in sympathy.
D*mn it, how he longed to understand why a fit, responsible, and capable young man like himself was caught in this mess!
"Don't cry, Qingdai," Su Jin said, restraining his frustration and soothing her gently. "The company chose you for a reason. Your body carries antibodies to the virus; as long as you live, we can study and develop a cure."
"Then hurry and research it! I'll cooperate with anything!" Fu Qingdai sobbed, extending her arm. "Or let's call the police. Cousin... if you contact them with your alien spaceship, they'd surely believe you!"
"That's impossible for now. When I arrived, I encountered the Trisolarans unexpectedly. My ship was shot down and crashed—I don't know where. My teammates are all dead; I'm the sole survivor. Disaster is inevitable; from here on, it's step by step. Your foremost task is to survive. If you die, everyone's doomed."
Those words struck like a crushing weight.
Fu Qingdai's face went pale, her expression vacant.
Su Jin quickly added, "You must adjust your mindset. Many events have yet to unfold. We still have time to prepare; things might not be as bleak as you fear."
Perhaps hardened by years of pressure, Fu Qingdai composed herself swiftly. In a husky voice, she stammered, "Brother... I still don't understand. Why do you come to save us?"
"It's simple: where there are villains, there are heroes. To prevent worlds from destruction, to uphold peace in the cosmos, and to embody love and righteous justice, we traverse the universe protecting civilizations."
"Moreover, the Trisolarans have launched several attacks against Namek. For that reason alone, we cannot stand idly by. We Namekians cherish peace, but those who threaten Namek—no matter how far—will be punished without mercy!" Su Jin declared with resolve, though his heart grew ever more somber.
Though he was so nervous he nearly wet himself, he still offered comforting words to ease another's burden.
Yet this young girl's plight was no less severe than his own.
"Sounds like you're not very fond of peace..." she quipped.
"We Namekians despise nitpicking!" he shot back.
"I won't ask anymore, brother—I was wrong," Fu Qingdai said, wiping away tears with a touch of grievance.
Just as Su Jin prepared to continue, a cold voice called from behind.
"Hey, Namekian, come with me."
Fu Qingdai ceased crying; Su Jin turned.
A stern-faced nurse, about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, stood silently behind him.
Su Jin exchanged a glance with Fu Qingdai before facing the nurse.
"Follow me," she said curtly, leading toward an open balcony.
Watching her retreating figure, Su Jin steadied himself.
Perfect timing—to negotiate with this nurse was a good chance to practice blending into society.
The nurse's gaze fixed on Su Jin. "Are you Fu Qingdai's relative?"
"I'm her cousin," Su Jin answered calmly.
"Her mother visited this morning. Have you registered your visit?"
"Of course. Is there an issue?"
"No issue per se, but the young lady is severely delusional. Continuing to indulge her fantasies will only hinder her recovery," the nurse warned. "You may visit, but please do not interfere with treatment."
"I believe there's a misunderstanding here. May I ask your name?"
"Ding Jia. What misunderstanding?"
"Qingdai and I are close; I've cared for her since childhood. We often played role-playing games, and this time I'm just helping her revisit those moments," Su Jin explained. "I just returned from abroad and planned a surprise at school, only to learn from her classmates she's hospitalized."
"How is her mental state? Is she adapting to life here?"
Just returned from abroad? That was unusual.
Ding Jia scrutinized him before replying, "Her condition isn't optimistic. She frequently suffers delusions, warning others about the apocalypse and urging preparedness."
"Yet, truth be told, her behavior is peculiar."
"In what way?"
"She's unlike other patients. Normally she seems lucid, but her words are absurd, as if she truly witnessed the end of the world."
Su Jin rubbed his forehead with a weary smile. "Her grades have dropped sharply lately, probably due to excessive pressure from her mother. Maybe her proclamations are self-justifications. Miss Ding, I have a delicate request—might you consider it?"
"What is it?" Ding Jia looked puzzled.
"I don't want her to stay here. Qingdai herself resists it; this environment only worsens her stress and hampers her studies. My uncle dotes on his daughter and wouldn't want her here either. The main obstacle is my aunt's refusal. Could you help me persuade her mother to take Qingdai home during her next visit?"
"That's absolutely impossible," Ding Jia replied sternly. "We have strict protocols. Unless her parents insist, we cannot discharge her."
"I understand. This is merely a plea. How about we exchange numbers?"
Su Jin smoothly produced a prized Xiaomi 6, its 1080P ultra-clear screen illuminating with quiet confidence.