8: Chapter 8 presents [Spirit Orchid] as a silent guardian.

Early the next morning, the sun shone brightly. Chen Fan carefully held the pot of Lingyun Orchid. He observed it closely and saw small seedlings growing at the base of the orchid's roots. Chen Fan was pleasantly surprised. He carefully dug out the seedlings, found a small bowl, and planted them.

Chen Fan carried the orchid through the streets. The orchid looked even more vibrant, its leaves a luscious green, and its serene aura made early morning strollers stop and take a second look.

His destination was the community hospital where Su Qingyue worked. The flu report on the news last night and Grandpa Wang's casual chat made him a bit more concerned about Su Qingyue, who was on the front lines. That pot of orchid had the effect of purifying and calming the mind; perhaps it could help her resist some viruses and improve her working environment.

Chen Fan first bought two boxes of cold medicine at a nearby pharmacy. Through the system's Amplification, they were amplified into Special Effect Cold Medicine.

The community hospital wasn't large, and at this time, there were already many residents coming for treatment, mostly elderly and children. Coughing and crying sounds rose and fell, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant, creating a slightly oppressive atmosphere.

Chen Fan inquired at the reception desk and learned that Su Qingyue was busy in the consultation room. Not wanting to disturb her, he sat down in the waiting area, holding the orchid. Just then, two nurses who had just finished their shift and were preparing to go home walked past him, taking off their white coats and conversing in low voices.

"Last night really scared me," a round-faced nurse said, patting her chest with lingering fear. "Walking to the alley entrance after the night shift, I felt like someone was following me. When I walked fast, they walked fast; when I walked slow, they walked slow. But when I looked back, I couldn't see anyone..."

"Ah? Are you alright?" another tall nurse asked nervously.

"Luckily, I was quick-witted and stayed at the nearby 24-hour convenience store for a while before daring to leave." The round-faced nurse sighed, "Sigh, I've heard of several such incidents recently. Our work hours are irregular, and it's at night, it's really too unsafe."

Chen Fan didn't listen closely to the rest. Stalking? Night shift? Su Qingyue?!

A mix of anger, worry, and lingering fear surged in his heart. He thought, what if Su Qingyue encountered such a situation? How would she cope?

A strong protective urge was ignited in his heart, and he wanted to do something.

He held the orchid and went to a nearby supermarket, where he found a bottle of Self-Defense Spray.

“Item detected: 1 bottle of Self-Defense Spray. Confirm Amplification?”

“Confirm!”

“Ding! Attribute Amplification 100 times. Acquired ‘Instant-Effect Potent Paralysis Spray’.”

After Chen Fan enhanced the spray, he rushed back to the hospital.

Just then, Su Qingyue walked out of the consultation room, her face showing the fatigue of being busy.

Seeing Chen Fan holding the orchid, she paused, then broke into a gentle and surprised smile: "Chen Fan? How did you find your way here?"

"I heard the flu was severe, so I came to see you." Chen Fan suppressed the turmoil in his heart and handed over the orchid, "Put this in your office; I hope it helps refresh you and purify the air."

Su Qingyue's eyes flashed with admiration and emotion when she saw the vibrant orchid. She could feel the refreshing aura. "This... thank you so much, it's truly beautiful." She took the orchid and carefully placed it on the nurse's station counter; the surrounding air seemed to freshen slightly.

Immediately after, Chen Fan handed the seemingly ordinary small spray bottle to Su Qingyue, saying with a serious and earnest expression:

"Su Qingyue, take this."

Su Qingyue looked at the suddenly appearing spray bottle, a little confused: "This is...?"

"It's for self-defense," Chen Fan said, word for word. "I just heard that things have been unsettled at night recently. Keep this with you. On your way home from work, if you feel anything is off, or if someone is following you, don't hesitate, don't look back, just aim at them and press the nozzle!"

"Okay, thank you." Su Qingyue was a little touched that Chen Fan would specifically come over and bring so many things to care for her.

Chen Fan feared Su Qingyue wouldn't take it seriously, so he specifically emphasized the spray's effect: "Its effect is very strong, enough for you to get away. When you go home at night, you must remember!"

Su Qingyue saw the worry and protectiveness almost overflowing from Chen Fan's eyes. Chen Fan's sudden concern made Su Qingyue feel a little overwhelmed, and she was also afraid of becoming a third party, so she immediately said, "Where's your girlfriend? I haven't seen her much recently."

This was also a reminder to Chen Fan that someone with a partner should be mindful of boundaries, and also a reminder to herself. In fact, after Chen Fan helped her catch a thief two days ago, her favorable impression of Chen Fan had been soaring.

"We broke up. I moved out of the community I lived in and now live in the suburbs," Chen Fan said.

Su Qingyue felt a flicker of joy in her heart when she heard Chen Fan had broken up, but at the same time, fearing he might be sad, she comforted him, "It's okay, out with the old, in with the new. An excellent person like you will find someone better next time."

"It's all in the past, and I've let go," Chen Fan said lightly.

"The flu outbreak these past two days has been really busy, I couldn't get away. I was thinking of treating you to a meal to thank you for helping me catch the thief," Su Qingyue said.

"You said it, I'm waiting for the call," Chen Fan said happily.

"Nurse Su, please come here." A colleague called out.

"Okay, coming right away," Nurse Su responded.

"Alright, I need to get busy now. I'll find you when I have time." Su Qingyue had to get back to work.

"Wait a moment, this is Special Effect Cold Medicine. Its effectiveness is dozens of times that of regular cold medicine, you should keep some too," Chen Fan said, handing the cold medicine to Su Qingyue.

"Okay, thank you." She took the medicine and put both the spray bottle and the medicine into her pocket.

"I suggest you take the orchid home. There are many people in the hospital, and things can easily get taken. Keep the spray with you, don't forget." Chen Fan somehow became a bit naggy.

"Got it, thank you for your kindness. I'm going to be busy now, so I won't see you out." Su Qingyue bid farewell to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan waved goodbye. He walked out of the hospital, and for the rest of his time, he would fully immerse himself in his "garbage enterprise."