Returning from the office, Wei Rong was already waiting at the door.
"I heard everything!"
"You’re going to visit Qu Ruorui, right? Let’s go together."
Wei Rong had a good relationship with Yue Qingqing, and when she came to find Yue Qingqing after class, she would also exchange a few words with Qu Ruorui.
Having not seen her for several days, she was somewhat worried.
Yue Qingqing actually had her own plans, but couldn’t find a reason to refuse on the spur of the moment.
Wei Rong talked to herself, "I am still the class life secretary, after all. I should care about my classmates’ lives."
Yue Qingqing could only agree, "Alright, let’s go together after school and home."
It was just to check on the situation anyway, and having a little tagalong wouldn’t hurt.
The two kids were still too young; naturally, their parents would not allow them to visit alone.
Yue Xiaofang happened to be free and became Yue Qingqing’s top choice for a companion.
Wei Rong arranged to meet her at the entrance of the neighborhood.
Before even getting close, she saw Wei Rong waving from a distance, "Qingqing! Over here!"
Her voice was as cheerful as a bird’s.
Wei Rong’s mother was a very tidy woman, with a very hearty personality.
"Rongrong always mentions you at home, saying what a pretty little girl you are."
Both women were carrying fruits, essential for visiting a patient, and Yue Xiaofang had also brought an extra can of malted milk.
The two women quickly became familiar with each other.
After chatting for a while, Yue Xiaofang took out masks from her bag and distributed them to the two kids and Wei Rong’s mother.
"We’re visiting a patient, so it’s better to be cautious."
After Wei Rong’s mother adjusted the mask on her daughter, she also dutifully put on hers.
"Yes, I don’t know what’s going on. I heard that there are many people sick at People’s Hospital, and they can’t figure out the cause, which is really unsettling."
Lately, many regular customers in the store were guessing it was a new flu outbreak, as there was always one around the time winter started.
But this year, there were no fevers, coughs, or sneezes, just a feeling of overall weakness.
Many people in the neighborhood had fallen ill, but if it was contagious, their families seemed unaffected.
However, for now, the symptoms were only dizziness and weakness, nothing serious.
Many were toughing it out without going to the hospital.
Only the kids were staying home, being carefully looked after by their parents.
The two continued their conversation as they walked toward their destination.
Youl Road was an old neighborhood; the walls of its buildings were mottled, looking even more rundown under the dim skies.
Heavy iron gates blocked each building, giving off a rusty scent.
Plastered on them were numerous "psoriasis" advertisements.
They advertised locksmith services, paperwork handling, and traditional Chinese medicine treatments for infertility.
Yue Xiaofang asked Yue Qingqing, "Which building and number?"
Yue Qingqing shifted her gaze, "Building 4, room 203."
Wei Rong’s mother pointed at the doorplate number, "That’s the right building."
Wei Rong quietly held Yue Qingqing’s hand and whispered, "Do you smell something?"
It was the time for dinner in every household, and the smell of various cooking fumes hit them in the face.
The ventilation in such old neighborhoods was poor, and the corridor was filled with the smell of food.
However, amidst these intense odors, there was a very distinct fragrance.
It wasn’t very strong, but it was clearly different from the kitchen smells and directly pierced into the nose.
"A bit fragrant?" Yue Qingqing wasn’t sure.
Wei Rong nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, could it be someone’s perfume?"
Children of their age were very curious about adults’ cosmetics and perfumes.
Many girls, when home alone, would secretly apply their mother’s lipstick or spray a little perfume, as if that would make them grow up faster.
Wei Rong’s mother ruffled her daughter’s hair, "Where did that perfume smell come from?"
She even purposely pulled down her mask to her chin and sniffed, chuckling, "Who’s making sweet and sour fish?"
All she could smell was the food.
That’s right, everyone was wearing masks, but that fragrance lingered around the nose, not dispersing at all.
What exactly was that smell?