“Fatty.” Jiang Cheng patted the latter on his shoulders, “Let’s go.”
Fatty widened his eyes, “Where?”
“The stone plate?” Realising he was being too loud, Fatty lowered his voice again. “Doctor, those people are trying to push us there.” Based on Fatty’s understanding, if they followed those things’ intentions, they would most likely die.
“This is no longer something we can decide,” Jiang Cheng said. Fatty knew the Doctor was right. Those things had started to surround them from all sides. If they didn’t want to be captured, they had to run deeper into the forest. However… this was no different from suicide.
As the sounds came more constantly around them, they started to hurry deeper into the forest. A few minutes later, a webbed palm of an amphibian creature smacked the rock where Jiang Cheng was resting earlier. It glowed with a sinister light. More creatures about three metres tall appeared from everywhere. They hurried along the small path. They left behind disgusting trails of liquid on the trees and stones.
Fatty and Jiang Cheng didn’t face any obstruction as they moved to the stone plate. When they arrived, the stone plate looked brand new. The bones, dead bodies and blood were all gone. If one didn’t know what the stone plate was for, one might assume it was a work of art. It was entirely white. The plate had a milky glow. Fatty studied the plate. Somehow, he had a feeling that the stone plate was alive. He controlled his gaze to look at the Doctor.
The Doctor scanned the stone plate slowly as if searching for something. Fatty really didn’t want to disturb him, but they didn’t have the time. Strange creatures started to appear around them. They had deep green skin. Some of them had sharpened webbed feet. Others had wings on their backs. However, based on their size, it was unlikely that they could fly. They slowly surrounded their prey.
At that moment, Fatty somehow calmed down. He took a deep breath. The pressure he had been under finally found a place to vent. “Doctor,” He smiled bitterly, “It’s over now.”
The Doctor looked like he was still thinking. He didn’t seem to notice the monsters that slowly approached them. Fatty felt sorry for this man. How could he still not give up at a time ? Even if he figured out something, it would be useless. They had no more time.
Strangely enough, Fatty was a very cowardly person. He was afraid of death and also pain. One time, he was chatting with the Doctor while he was cutting the ingredients. He accidentally cut himself. It was a small cut. Jiang Cheng wouldn’t wince if it happened to him. However, Fatty grumbled about it for a long time. He blamed the Doctor for distracting him. That day, he cooked one dish instead of the promised three.
However, he didn’t feel anything at that moment. He felt like he was merely going on another journey. He was so calm that he didn’t think he was being himself. He merely felt sorry, not for himself but for the Doctor.
For all his flaws, the Doctor was a great person. It was because of him that he managed to survive until now. He believed that if the Doctor hadn’t had to look after him, he would have left this mission already. After all, even Chen Ran and Su Xiaoxiao had fallen under the Doctor’s hands. Someone like him shouldn’t die. If he were given enough time, he might even figure out the secrets behind the nightmare realm. He had inexplicable confidence in the Doctor.
The Doctor shouldn’t die. If one should die, it should be a burden like him. After a long time, he still asked, “Doctor,” His throat was dry. Those things were very close to them. “Can you tell me your name?”
Jiang Cheng looked at him.
“I don’t mean anything by that, Doctor,” He smiled sadly, “We’ve known each other for so long. I still don’t know your name. It’s quite a shame.”
“I have no name,” Jiang Cheng replied, “I’m an orphan.”
“Then, your surname…”
“I picked a random one.”
Other than his brain, Fatty admired the Doctor’s ability to weave nonsense and disrupt people’s plans. He planned to say goodbye to the Doctor. In Fatty’s mind, they might even hug each other and die in each other’s arms. However, that disappeared with a few words from the Doctor. No wonder he was an orphan…
Some ridiculous thoughts crossed his mind. Fatty realised the Doctor had a huge influence on him. If this were in the past, he would have an issue just standing at this moment, much less trying to have a moment with the Doctor.
“Hmm?” Fatty seemed to realise something. He looked at the Doctor, who was still scanning their surroundings. The Doctor…
He asked, “Doctor, do you remember something?”
“I guess you can say that.” The Doctor pulled Fatty to his side because the things started to encroach on them. “I believe I’ve found a way.”
Fatty became excited. He was energised, “Then, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Jiang Cheng continued to look at him. Fatty saw something that he didn’t want to see in Jiang Cheng’s eyes.
It didn’t take Fatty that long to understand it, “Doctor…” He said tremblingly, “Is it…”
“My way can only ensure one person leaving,” Jiang Cheng said, “It might work for two people, but the risk will be very high. If it fails, no one will be able to leave.”
Blood drained from Fatty’s face. His hope was dashed again. His lips were blue.
“If you tell me you wish to go with me,” Jiang Cheng paused, “Then I’ll try to bring you with me, but I hope you’ll understand that it is very risky and not worth it.”
The monsters were so close that they could sense the stink on them. Jiang Cheng stared at Fatty. Then, he said in a very formal tone, “So…”
Fatty lowered his head.
“Doctor, you should go.” He raised his head. His expression was not one Jiang Cheng expected. Even though the sadness in his eyes couldn’t be hidden, he tried his best to smile. “I’m so happy to have known you, Doctor.”