Chapter 132: Pavel Korchazhang

"Detective, time for your temperature check," said Zhou Cui, the monitor of Class 2-4, as she shook a thermometer and handed it to Zhang Tan.

Zhang Tan tucked the thermometer under his arm and sat back down at his desk.

It was bound to happen eventually.

Shortly after the World Health Organization officially named the virus SARS, Ye Xin, a head nurse at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, died in the line of duty, becoming the first medical worker to sacrifice her life.

At that time, the virus causing SARS remained unidentified, and the outbreak could not be contained. Hong Kong had already seen dozens of deaths and had become the epicenter of the crisis. That which cannot be explained is the most terrifying, especially when it is capable of taking human lives. In a short period, table salt, vinegar, detergents, Ban Lan Gen, face masks, and protein supplements were sold out across the country.

Residents everywhere were frantically panic-buying anything purported to be life-saving, though most of these items were merely products of rumors spread by unscrupulous merchants.

Having enjoyed decades of peace and never having encountered such an epidemic, China was, in a sense, caught off guard; everything descended into chaos. Some officials, desperate to protect their positions, played with fire, choosing to conceal the outbreak. As a result, the SARS epidemic spiraled out of control, with even Beijing becoming a major disaster area.

However, once China's top leadership regained their footing, the advantages of the national mobilization system became immediately apparent. Health ministers and deputy secretaries of the Beijing Municipal Committee who failed to effectively prevent and control the epidemic were dismissed. A Vice Premier of the State Council personally took on the role of Minister of Health, and the campaign to combat the crisis began in earnest.

A large number of exceptional medical workers resolutely risked their lives to join the rescue efforts. More than 4,000 construction workers fought through seven days and seven nights of grueling labor to build the Xiaotangshan Infectious Disease Hospital, which boasted 1,000 beds. Over 1,300 soldiers from the People's Liberation Army were dispatched to Xiaotangshan under orders to maintain quarantine order and facilitate the treatment of patients arriving from all over.

At the same time, the government took a firm stance against online rumors, providing daily updates on the epidemic and preventive measures. They strictly cracked down on merchants spreading rumors for profiteering, implemented controls in large public areas, and conducted regular, localized disinfection to reduce the conditions for the virus to spread. A vast team of experts was organized to work day and night alongside the international community to crack the code of the SARS virus.

In a nationwide effort marked by unity and collective resolve, the terrifying SARS virus was finally contained. As long as it did not continue to spread, the remaining time would be spent developing treatment protocols.

However, as no corresponding antiviral medication had yet been discovered, prevention remained a matter of extreme urgency.

Anhui had also seen a few cases of SARS, but thanks to proper defense, it did not lead to large-scale transmission. Now, the entire province was strengthening its preventive measures, and Shuangdun Middle School was no exception.

Every day, students had their temperatures checked, followed by disinfection during the morning and afternoon breaks to nip any potential risks in the bud.

"Thirty-six point seven degrees. No fever."

Zhou Cui collected the thermometers one by one, recording each student's temperature. Zhang Tan was in perfect health.

However, the next person to be checked, Cao Yuchuan, was not so lucky.

Zhou Cui took the thermometer, glanced at it, and immediately cried out, "Thirty-eight point one! A low fever!"

*Swoosh.*

The students nearby instinctively recoiled.

"I kicked off my blanket last night; I think I caught a cold," Cao Yuchuan stammered, terrified and desperate to defend himself.

"Nobody move. I'm going to report this to the head teacher," Zhou Cui said decisively, running off to find the teacher.

The students left in the classroom stared at each other, unsure of what to do. But being young, they weren't so cowardly as to bolt, though they dared not get any closer.

"I'm not sick, why are you all hiding?" Cao Yuchuan asked, feeling deeply depressed.

"Better to stay far away. Old Cao, we’re still young—don't drag us into an early grave."

Cao Yuchuan was speechless. "I... you guys are just too shallow. Look at the Detective sitting next to me—he’s not afraid, so why are you?"

Before he could finish, he turned his head only to see Zhang Tan, who had been drinking yogurt, suddenly wearing a face mask. He had even pulled up his collar, wrapping his face tightly.

Seeing Cao Yuchuan turn toward him, Zhang Tan immediately blocked his face with his hand, turning his head as far away as possible. "Watch it, Cao. Don't face me directly when you talk. SARS spreads through droplets. It’s not that I don’t trust you; it’s that safety comes first. We’re all young; there’s no need for us to go down together."

*Thud.*

Cao Yuchuan slumped into his seat, dejected. "Why don't you guys believe me? I'm really not sick. I haven't gone anywhere..."

In truth, Zhang Tan knew that Cao Yuchuan likely didn't have SARS. There were only a few cases in the entire city of Hefei, and they had been quickly quarantined. In this remote rural area of Shuangdun Middle School, there was simply no chance of contracting the virus.

But he had never been the reckless type; the fear of death was an instinct. He wasn't willing to be careless about any sign of trouble.

Soon, Zhou Cui returned with the head teacher, Li Shengnan, accompanied by two other teachers responsible for patrolling. Under the gaze of the entire class, Cao Yuchuan was led out of the classroom, with the teachers coaxing him, saying, "It's fine, it's fine," and "We're just checking."

Li Shengnan stood at the door and said loudly, "Everyone, don't be nervous. Zhou Cui, maintain order and have everyone start self-study. It’s best if no one leaves the room until we confirm whether Cao Yuchuan has a fever. You aren't children anymore; you have your own judgment, so don't panic."

At that moment, Cao Yuchuan poked his head back in and said, "Brothers, wait for me! I shall return!"

Several of the class jokers immediately shouted, "Old Cao, rest in peace. We’ll think of you when we visit your grave during the Qingming Festival."

Before Cao Yuchuan could retort, he was dragged away by the teacher.

Once the teachers left, the classroom dissolved into noisy chatter. Zhou Cui, being a girl, couldn't get anyone to listen. Everyone was gossiping about SARS, guessing at the tragic fate that awaited Cao Yuchuan, though in reality, no one really believed he would be sick.

Zhu Dandan and Tao Jing turned to ask Zhang Tan, "Detective, do you think Cao Yuchuan will be alright?"

Zhang Tan shook his head. "Don't worry. There’s a ninety-nine percent chance he just caught a cold and has a fever. He'll be fine."

"Then why are you still wearing that mask?" Tao Jing asked with wide eyes.

Zhang Tan coughed. "Well, there’s still that one percent chance, isn't there?"

The two girls: "..."

After a while of noisy chatter, the topic went stale, and everyone quieted down, returning to their books. No one took the matter to heart.

And indeed, there was no need to.

Half an hour later, Cao Yuchuan returned. As soon as he entered, he yelled, "I told you I was fine!"

"Look at you, showing off! Alright, hurry up and sit down." Li Shengnan, who followed behind him, scolded him with a stern face, then added, "The teachers have a meeting today, so there will be no classes this morning. Stay here for self-study and try not to run around. Day students can head home early if they like."

With that, Li Shengnan left.

Because of the epidemic, school operations were far from normal. It was said that several schools in the city had already been locked down. Shuangdun Middle School was still relatively lenient, not restricting everyone's freedom.

After sitting down, Cao Yuchuan kept shouting to vent his emotions; he had been scared, too. If he had really caught SARS, it would have been a death sentence.

Zhang Tan took off his mask and patted Cao Yuchuan on the shoulder, signaling for him to move aside. Being a day student, he was getting ready to leave. "Good for you. I was just wondering whether I should burn a paper woman or just paper money for you when I visit your grave next year. It was quite a dilemma. Well, that's settled now; no need to be conflicted."

Cao Yuchuan watched Zhang Tan leave with a look of deep grievance.

As Zhang Tan reached the door, he looked back at the rowdy classroom. Suddenly struck by a thought, he returned to the podium and clapped his hands. "Everyone, be quiet. Listen to me for a moment."

As a prominent figure, he was given the floor, and the room quickly fell silent.

Zhang Tan spoke slowly, with genuine emotion, "The most precious thing in life is life itself. One only has one life to live. Therefore, one’s life should be spent in such a way that when one looks back on the past, one does not regret wasted years, nor does one feel ashamed for having accomplished nothing. Thus, when one is on the verge of death, one can say, 'I have dedicated my entire life and all my energy to the most precious cause—the struggle for the liberation of humanity.' We must cherish our time, for even a sudden illness or accident can bring life to an end."

When he finished, the classroom was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Zhang Tan smiled faintly, turned, and walked away.

It took a long time for a student to react: "Pavel Korchazhang!"