The moment the phone appeared, Ding Jia's attention was instantly diverted, her face flushed with surprise as she asked,
"What is that?"
"A phone," came the reply.
"This is a phone!?"
Su Jin smiled effortlessly. "Sorry, I forgot to mention, this model hasn't yet been released domestically; it's quite unlike the ones you see on the market."
With that, he handed the Xiaomi 6 directly into Ding Jia's hand.
Momentarily stunned, Ding Jia held the phone without quite comprehending it. Su Jin gently took her finger and swiped across the screen.
He muttered a series of perplexing phrases—"ten-core dual processors," "thinner than a coin," "smoother with use," "far ahead of its time!"
"This is incredible! Are foreign phones all like this now? What language is this?" Ding Jia exclaimed excitedly, though the screen was filled with foreign characters she couldn't decipher.
Unaware that the conversation had veered far off-topic, she felt her right hand completely enveloped by Su Jin's.
Only when he retrieved the phone did Ding Jia suddenly realize, cheeks tinged pink, and she withdrew her hand shyly.
"Wakanda script."
"Wakanda? There's such a country? Which company is behind this marvel?" Ding Jia murmured to herself.
"Wakanda is a small nation, but its phone manufacturer is renowned. Take a guess," Su Jin smiled.
"Jumi?"
"Clever!"
"This phone even takes photos. Want me to take one for you?" Su Jin quickly changed the subject.
"Really?" Ding Jia was astonished.
Taking two steps back without hesitation, Su Jin raised the Xiaomi and snapped a photo.
He then stood still and opened a photo-editing app, retouching the image on the spot.
Ten seconds later, he presented a finely polished photo to Ding Jia.
Gazing at the phone, she saw herself digitally lightened by two tones, with all manner of beautification applied, and her heart skipped a beat as she exclaimed,
"Is this... really me?"
Su Jin gave a restrained smile and a dry chuckle. "Sorry... it's just a phone camera, can't compare to professional ones. Turning a ten out of ten beauty into an eight out of ten is normal."
"Ah?" A deep blush spread across Ding Jia's cheeks, her previously indifferent expression vanished. "No, no, this is already very good."
"Then... where can one buy this phone?"
"It hasn't yet entered the market. I only got mine through a friend's inside connection. Even when it's released, it'll likely be limited to a select few."
"Oh..." Ding Jia sounded somewhat disappointed before asking, "How much does it cost?"
"Not expensive, only twenty thousand," Su Jin said casually, fabricating the figure.
"Twenty thousand!" Ding Jia gasped, but quickly realized her reaction was a bit embarrassing, blushing as she added, "For such a good phone, twenty thousand... that's actually not expensive."
"Yeah, it's quite handy. Perfect as a gift for relatives and friends. I wanted to get a few more through my contacts but didn't manage to secure any internal quotas before returning."
Only twenty thousand... not expensive... a few more for relatives and friends?! How wealthy was he? So young, yet such connections... what was his background?
Ding Jia's thoughts churned until Su Jin's voice refocused her.
"Miss Ding, I believe we've strayed from the topic."
"Ah? Yes, yes," Ding Jia nodded hastily.
"Let's talk about Qingdai," Su Jin turned his gaze toward Fu Qingdai's position behind them, sighing with concern. "She used to be lively, but the pressures of life brought her here. Honestly, I feel quite sorry for her. I've observed her condition, and it seems this place isn't aiding her recovery much."
"Returning to a familiar environment would benefit her more. Miss Ding... do you truly believe she must remain here for treatment?"
"Actually... not necessarily," Ding Jia replied hesitantly.
Su Jin nodded. "That's my view as well. So, I hope you can do me a favor. Once she's home, I'll arrange someone to care for her. Even if she's not here, medication and guidance can be managed. Besides, you'll be there, right? Miss Ding, could I have your phone number?"
A phone number?
Ding Jia hesitated with her left hand in her pocket holding a pager, but eventually she shyly recited a sequence of digits.
"Alright, you write this down: 8008208820."
Su Jin pretended to press numbers on his phone, then feigned surprise.
"Oh no! I just returned to the country, and this phone number isn't active here yet. Could you give me your number instead? Once I sort out the procedures, I'll call you."
Without waiting for a response, he tore a sheet from his notebook and handed it to Ding Jia.
After receiving her number, Su Jin folded the paper carefully and slipped it into his pocket.
"Miss Ding, thank you for this favor."
"Hey? Did I agree to help you?" Ding Jia crossed her arms, a teasing smile on her lips.
Su Jin smiled faintly. "True, I was presumptuous. But regardless, I hope we can keep in touch and discuss Qingdai's situation. It's clear you're beautiful, kindhearted, and responsible. I must invite you to dinner sometime."
"By the way, if my uncle and his family come tomorrow, please don't tell them I visited. They don't know I'm back yet—I want to surprise them."
"You can refuse other favors, but this one you absolutely must help me with!"
"Don't worry, I will!" Ding Jia nodded firmly.
As their conversation ended, a voice called out from afar.
Ding Jia glanced back, then turned to Su Jin with some hesitation. "I have something to attend to—shall we pause here?"
Su Jin nodded.
Just as Ding Jia turned to leave, he raised his phone and called out, "Miss Ding!"
"Yes?" she looked back.
"Your photo's still on my phone... mind if I keep it? I'll print it out and bring it to you when I have time," Su Jin said, smiling warmly.
"Ah... sure, sure!"
"I'll call you. Take care!"
The blush on Ding Jia's cheeks deepened once again as she turned and briskly walked away, her steps light and youthful.
Watching her figure vanish, Su Jin's smile faded.
He pulled out the piece of paper with her number, balled it up, and casually tossed it into the nearby trash bin.
Striding quickly toward Fu Qingdai, he sat opposite her and spoke seriously, "Let's get straight to the point. This afternoon or evening, find Nurse Ding and chat with her. Tell her you want to be introduced to someone, you're trying to set us up. Keep it natural—you know what I mean!"
"When your mother arrives tomorrow, have Ding Jia plead on your behalf. Say you're better suited to recuperate at home. If she won't help, you can cry, cause a fuss—even fake a suicide attempt if necessary... but don't mention me in front of your parents. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" Fu Qingdai replied solemnly.
"Good. Now tell me your home address. I'll check things out today and try to settle close by as soon as possible. If I rent a place, look for the windows with two white papers taped on them—that'll be my home."
Fu Qingdai hesitated, biting her lip before asking, "Cousin... may I ask you something?"
"Speak."
"Are you only saving me?"
"Otherwise? How many people do you think I can save?" Su Jin answered without hesitation.
Fu Qingdai paled and recoiled. "No! You have to save my parents too! And my friends... You can't save me and just abandon them!"
Hearing this, Su Jin felt a headache coming.
"Don't give me so many demands. I'm in a bad mood these days—misandry, if you will."
"Then I might as well die... what meaning is there in me living alone?" Fu Qingdai trembled but stared defiantly at Su Jin.
Su Jin was speechless, pondering a plan.
After a brief silence, he said, "I can't promise anyone else yet, but your parents—I'll definitely save them. Is that enough?"
Logically, Fu Qingdai's parents must be saved.
A little girl cannot survive alone; her greatest support is unquestionably her parents.
This might even help him advance the mission.
Upon hearing this, Fu Qingdai's expression softened slightly and she nodded twice.
"I understand... just save my parents. Cousin, I know I have no right to ask for anything... but I'm really scared..."
Tears in her eyes, she reached behind and pulled out three notebooks, handing them over.
Su Jin took them with curiosity and flipped through them.
The first notebook documented all of Fu Qingdai's dreams, with meticulous detail—even unclear parts clearly annotated.
The second contained extensive practical knowledge and newspaper clippings.
The third held a map of Longshan City, marking key locations—grain stores, hospitals, police stations—and included a rough hand-drawn map of Fu Qingdai's home and the surrounding supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations.
"You recorded all this?!" Su Jin asked in astonishment.
Fu Qingdai nodded. "Cousin, I knew you would find me. I also guessed you might be an alien, so I prepared in advance."
"I have over ten thousand yuan buried beneath the big tree at my front door at home. There's only one tree, easy to recognize, and I marked a red dot on the trunk—right below that's where the money is buried."
"Ten thousand? Where did a student like you get so much money? Are you rich?" Su Jin was shocked again.
Fu Qingdai blushed, embarrassed to explain, then lowered her head. "I... borrowed it from over a hundred boys at school..."
"My goodness..." Su Jin was amazed. "So young, and already scheming to get money from men?"
"I didn't cheat them!" Fu Qingdai exclaimed indignantly, then her tone softened. "I never said I wouldn't repay. If they're alive, I'll definitely pay back—work, sell blood if I have to..."
"Good, good!" Su Jin praised repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.
A mere girl of ten, knowing the apocalypse was near, warned everyone despite skepticism and misunderstanding, took action, and never gave up even after being institutionalized.
Such remarkable resilience and resolve would put many adults to shame.
Her information and money were invaluable.
A saint... no, not just a saint—an angel.
A truly exceptional client... unlikely to ever hinder him.
Putting away the notebooks, Su Jin looked seriously at Fu Qingdai.
"Well done. Leave the rest to me. I'll be waiting outside... you're too thin—remember to eat more these days."
"I know... I'm counting on you, cousin."