16: Healing Angel, Specially Recruited into the Team

Lower-level civilian area.

The air was thick with a burnt smell, mixed with the pungent scent of disinfectant.

"Ah—! It hurts! My hand! My face!"

Shrill screams echoed in the narrow cabin, making one's scalp tingle.

Two girls were lying on temporary stretchers, rolling in agony.

They had just returned from a mission to clean the spaceship's hull.

Although they wore simple protective suits, those were just cobbled together from ordinary materials and couldn't block the high-energy radiation ubiquitous in space.

At this moment, their exposed skin—the backs of their hands, necks, and even half of their cheeks—displayed a terrifying purplish-red color.

Those were radiation burns.

The skin looked as if it had been cooked, rapidly blistering, ulcerating, and oozing yellow pus.

"Help... save me..."

One of the girls grabbed Zhao Min's pant leg, her fingers convulsing from the intense pain, her nails digging deep into the fabric.

Zhao Min's expression was grim.

She held a bottle of ordinary painkiller spray in her hand, but this stuff was useless against radiation injuries.

"Bear with it... I've already reported this to the Captain..."

Zhao Min's voice trembled slightly.

If this kind of injury wasn't treated in time, infection was only a matter of time.

In this lower level, lacking medicine and doctors, infection meant death.

A circle of girls gathered around.

Some covered their mouths, not daring to look; some trembled with fear; others had flickering gazes, feeling lucky they hadn't taken the mission.

"Move! Everyone move!"

Tang Xiaoxiao pushed through the crowd, carrying Chen Chuxia as she squeezed inside.

Chen Chuxia's face was still pale; she had been in a weakened state for the past few days.

But when she saw the miserable state of the two girls on the stretchers, her pupils constricted sharply.

It was too tragic.

The pain of ulcerating flesh was something one could feel just by looking at it.

"Chuxia, don't do anything reckless!"

Tang Xiaoxiao grabbed her, whispering urgently.

"Your body hasn't recovered yet! And these are radiation burns, your talent..."

"I'll try."

Chen Chuxia broke free from Tang Xiaoxiao's hand.

She walked to the stretcher and knelt down.

The smell of burnt flesh and bloody pus hit her nose, making her stomach churn.

But she didn't back down.

"Don't be afraid... it won't hurt much longer..."

She softly comforted the girl who was still screaming; though her voice was weak, it carried a strange, soothing power.

Then, she closed her eyes and held her hands over the wounds.

She took a deep breath.

She channeled the meager mental power that had just slightly recovered within her body.

[S-Rank Talent · Ode to Life]

"Hum—"

The air vibrated slightly.

A soft white light lit up from Chen Chuxia's palm.

It was faint at first, like a candle in the wind.

But soon, the light became steady and pure, even taking on a faint, life-filled green hue.

The light enveloped the ulcerated wounds.

A miracle occurred.

The wounds oozing pus actually began to scab and fall off at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The purplish-red skin slowly faded, revealing tender new pink flesh underneath.

The girl's screams gradually stopped.

She widened her eyes, looking at the back of her hand, her face full of disbelief.

"It doesn't hurt... it really doesn't hurt anymore..."

The surroundings were deathly silent.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at this scene.

Is this an S-Rank Talent?

Is this a Healer?

It's simply a miracle!

"There's one more..."

Chen Chuxia's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her body was swaying.

The effort just now had almost drained all her strength.

But she gritted her teeth and moved to the other girl's side.

She raised her hand again.

The white light lit up.

This time, the light was clearly much dimmer, flickering unsteadily.

Chen Chuxia's face was as pale as paper, and her lip was bitten until it bled.

"Chuxia! Enough! You'll die!"

Tang Xiaoxiao shouted anxiously, wanting to rush forward to pull her away.

"Don't move... it'll be... done soon..."

Chen Chuxia shook her head stubbornly.

The last trace of mental power was squeezed dry.

The second girl's wounds also finally mostly healed.

"Thud."

The light went out.

Chen Chuxia's vision went black, and she collapsed limply.

"Chuxia!"

Tang Xiaoxiao was quick and caught her.

The person in her arms was as light as a feather, her body ice-cold, with only faint breaths still rising and falling.

"Doctor! Is there a doctor! Help!"

Tang Xiaoxiao held Chen Chuxia, shouting helplessly.

But around her were only a group of equally panicked girls.

Just then.

The overhead broadcast suddenly crackled.

"Zzz—"

After the static, Gu Pingsheng's cold and majestic voice spread throughout the entire lower level.

"Chen Chuxia, Tang Xiaoxiao."

"Report to the upper-level Bridge immediately."

"This is an order."

...Upper level, Medical Room.

White walls, bright surgical lights.

The air was filled with a faint minty fragrance, instead of the nauseating mixed odors of the lower level.

Chen Chuxia lay on a soft medical bed.

She was covered with a white quilt, and next to her was an advanced life monitor in operation.

"Beep— Beep—"

Heartbeat steady.

Gu Pingsheng stood by the bed, holding a blue test tube.

[Mental Recovery Potion (Blue · Fine)]

[Description: A potent potion generated by a critical hit from the Hand of God. Can instantly restore 50% of mental power and repair the damaged Mental Sea.]

He pried open Chen Chuxia's mouth and poured the potion in.

The cool liquid slid down her throat.

A few seconds later.

Chen Chuxia's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

What met her eyes was an unfamiliar ceiling.

And the man standing by the bed, looking down at her.

"Awake?"

Gu Pingsheng casually tossed the empty test tube into the nearby trash can.

"Gu... Captain..."

Chen Chuxia tried to sit up but found her body still somewhat weak.

"Don't move."

Gu Pingsheng pressed down on her shoulder; the force wasn't great, but it was irresistible.

"Your mental power is severely overextended; although you've taken medicine, you still need rest."

He pulled over a chair and sat down, his gaze scrutinizing this seemingly frail girl.

"You did well down there just now."

"S-Rank Talent, it indeed didn't disappoint me."

Chen Chuxia was stunned for a moment.

She remembered what happened before she fainted.

"Those two girls... are they okay?"

"They won't die."

Gu Pingsheng said indifferently.

"Instead of them, you should care more about yourself."

He pointed to the monitor next to them.

"A bit later, and your Mental Sea would have collapsed. By then, you would have become an idiot."

Chen Chuxia shrank her neck back, feeling some lingering fear.

"But... I couldn't just stand by and watch them die..."

"Foolish kindness."

Gu Pingsheng snorted coldly.

"However, since you have this ability, your kindness has value."

He stood up, walked to the Medical Room door, and opened it.

Outside the door, Tang Xiaoxiao was pacing anxiously, like an ant on a hot griddle.

Seeing the door open, she immediately rushed over.

"Chuxia! How is she?!"

"She won't die."

Gu Pingsheng stepped aside.

Tang Xiaoxiao rushed into the room. Seeing the already awake Chen Chuxia, her eyes instantly turned red, and she threw herself over to hug her, starting to cry.

"You scared me to death... you idiot... who told you to show off..."

Gu Pingsheng leaned against the doorframe, watching this scene of sisterly affection without interrupting.

After they had cried enough, he finally spoke.

"Is the catching up over?"

The two immediately separated, looking at him somewhat nervously.

Gu Pingsheng pointed to a door next to the Medical Room.

"That is a double suite."

"It has a private bathroom, soft beds, and three meals are provided daily."

"From today on, that is your room."

Both Chen Chuxia and Tang Xiaoxiao were stunned.

Happiness came so suddenly, it felt like a dream.

"We... we can live up here?"

Chen Chuxia asked in disbelief.

"You are the team's only Healer."

Gu Pingsheng looked at her, his gaze direct and undisguised—it was the look one gives a rare treasure.

"Your life is more valuable than all thirty-some people down there combined."

"I can't let you live in a pigsty like that. If you get infected or sick, it would be my loss."

He then looked at Tang Xiaoxiao.

"As for you."

"A-Rank Flesh Overclocking, good combat power."

"From now on, you are her dedicated bodyguard."

"She lives, you live. She dies, you're buried with her."

"Do you understand?"

Tang Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain.

"Understood! Understood! I will definitely protect Chuxia! Whoever dares to touch a hair on her head, I'll kill them!"

As long as Chuxia can live a good life, never mind being a bodyguard, she'd even be a dog!

Gu Pingsheng nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good."

"Alice, take them to their room."

"And prepare two steaks for them, medium-rare."

"Yes, Master."

Alice appeared out of thin air and made a 'please' gesture with a smile...

Downstairs.

When the news that Chen Chuxia and Tang Xiaoxiao had been specially recruited and moved directly into a luxury suite on the upper level spread...

The entire civilian area exploded.

"On what grounds?! Just because she healed two people?"

"Nonsense! That's a Healer! She can save lives!"

"If I had known, I would have studied medicine too... sob sob..."

"Tang Xiaoxiao is so lucky to have latched onto someone influential; when one person achieves success, their whole circle benefits!"

Envy, jealousy, regret.

All sorts of emotions intertwined.

Those who previously mocked Chen Chuxia as trash and dismissed her as a burden now felt their intestines turn green with regret.

If only they had been nicer to her then... if only they had helped her back then... unfortunately, there are no 'ifs'.

Liu Ruyan sat in the corner, looking at the rock-hard compressed biscuit in her hand, and took a hard bite.

Her teeth almost broke.

"Damn it... damn it..."

While chewing on the tasteless biscuit, she cursed frantically in her heart.

Why could everyone else climb up, but not her?

She refused to accept it!

...Upper level, Bridge.

Gu Pingsheng stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the deep starry sky outside.

Footsteps came from behind.

It was Chen Chuxia.

She had changed into a clean set of white loungewear (prepared by Alice); her hair wasn't fully dry yet, emitting the fresh scent of shower gel.

"Captain..."

She walked up behind Gu Pingsheng and called out softly.

Gu Pingsheng didn't turn around.

"Something the matter?"

"That... thank you..."

Chen Chuxia's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of shyness and gratitude.

"Thank you for saving me... and for letting us stay up here..."

Although Gu Pingsheng's words were harsh and all about exchanging interests.

In Chen Chuxia's heart, he was her lifesaver.

The one who pulled her out when she was most desperate.

Gu Pingsheng turned around.

Looking at this girl who was as pure as a little white rabbit.

He suddenly smiled.

The smile was somewhat cold and playful.

He reached out and pinched Chen Chuxia's chin, forcing her to look up at him.

"Don't misunderstand."

"I just don't want my crew members to die an untimely death."

"Your life is now my asset."

"Since it's an asset, one must know how to maintain it and how to make it appreciate."

"Understand?"

Chen Chuxia was forced to tilt her head back, looking into those eyes that were as deep as an abyss.

Her heart skipped a beat for some reason.

An asset... even if just an asset, as long as she could be protected by him like this, it seemed... not bad?

"Under... understood..."

She answered softly, her face flushing red.

Gu Pingsheng let go.

His fingertips brushed against her delicate skin, leaving a faint warmth.

"Go rest."

"Starting tomorrow, your tasks will be heavy."

"I want you to train that [Ode to Life] to the Proficient level within three days."

"If you can't do it, get lost back to the lower level."

"Yes!"