Chapter 684: Wendy Moves Out

The scorching sun lasted until the end of June. The base began organizing residents to dig for potatoes and sweet potatoes in the fields. Zoe and Annie were on vacation, so Quincy posted a "Closed for Business" notice on the door and shut down the clothing store.

In just one month, the two of them had already processed a third of the scrap fabric and old clothes piled up in the pocket dimension. Nearly every household in their small courtyard had come to Quincy’s to buy clothes and four-piece bedding sets.

The temperature in Eldoria had reached forty-two degrees Celsius. The base had to adjust work schedules, letting everyone rest during the day and work at night. Fortunately, the base had Solar Lamps. When they were turned on, the nights were no different from the days, so the residents’ lives weren’t significantly affected.

Wendy was about to start working rotating shifts, and no one felt at ease with her going to work. As a young woman traveling alone between the hospital and the courtyard every day, she could easily be targeted by someone with malicious intent. Last month, the base had reported missing persons and other incidents, with young women accounting for ninety-five percent of the victims—especially those who traveled alone.

But Wendy was stubborn. The hospital was a place that really forged a person’s character, and her growth in the past six months had been exponential. She was now a qualified doctor, and her departure would be a considerable loss for the hospital.

Officer Graham continued to support all her decisions. Because of this, the group suggested taking turns escorting her to and from work, but Wendy didn’t want to trouble everyone.

"I have a taser, a personal alarm, and pepper spray here. If you take these with you to work, you’ll definitely be safe." In truth, Wendy could handle herself pretty well. She had been learning a Self-defense Skill for years and was in good physical condition, so Evelyn Ford wasn’t too concerned about her personal safety.

Previously, when she went to work, Evelyn Ford had secretly slipped her a handgun.

Wendy looked at everyone, her hands clasped tightly over her knees. It was clear she was nervous. "Dad, Joy Ford, I want to move into the hospital dormitory. I’m now eligible to apply for a single room. I’ve been to see it; the doctors’ dorms are about ten square meters, which is very spacious. Commuting back and forth not only makes everyone worry, but it’s tiring for me too. It takes half an hour by tricycle to get from here to the hospital, and another half hour to get back. If I live in the dorm, I can save a lot of time."

Wendy’s words stunned everyone for a moment. Officer Graham furrowed his brow and remained silent.

"The conditions in the hospital dorms can’t compare to our place. It’s so hot right now, and with no fans or air conditioning, you won’t sleep well. Besides, you’d be all alone. We’re not comfortable with you moving out," Wyatt Vaughn said, breaking the silence when he saw that everyone else had fallen quiet.

Wendy shook her head. "I’m not a child anymore. Besides, the base is very safe, and I can protect myself. I have one day off every week, and I’ll come back on my day off."

Wendy looked at Officer Graham and said softly, "Dad, I just want to be closer to the hospital so I can get a little more rest each day. I won’t do anything reckless out there, and I can take care of myself. Please, believe in me."

"You’ve decided?"

"I’ve decided."

Officer Graham reached out and patted Wendy’s shoulder twice. "Children grow up and have to leave their parents. Go on."

"Dad, you..."

"I believe in you. Go on."

Tears welled up in Wendy’s eyes. "Thank you, Dad."

Wendy got her wish and moved into the hospital dormitory. On moving day, Evelyn Ford, Ronan Kendrick, and Officer Graham went with her.

The dorm room was relatively clean, but the smell of red brick mixed with cement was a bit pungent in the sweltering heat. Wendy’s room was 301 on the third floor. After helping her move her luggage and supplies into the dorm, Evelyn Ford and Officer Graham started cleaning and making the bed. Ronan Kendrick replaced the lock and added a chain lock on the inside.

While they were cleaning, the door to the next room opened, and a young female doctor walked over.

"Wendy Graham? Is that you? Why’d you move into the dorms? Don’t you live over in the courtyard?"

Wendy’s expression soured when she saw who it was. The woman often picked on her at the hospital because she was young. After learning she lived in the courtyard, she even got others to gang up and isolate her.

"It’s none of your business."

"We’re colleagues. I’m just asking because I’m concerned. Some people just can’t appreciate a kind gesture."

Wendy put down the broom in her hand and walked to the door. "I don’t need your ’kindness.’ Please leave."

"I’m standing in the hallway. You have no right to tell me to leave. It’s not like this is your house. Say, Wendy Graham, don’t tell me you all got kicked out of the courtyard?" Hearing the woman’s gloating voice from outside, Officer Graham, who was making the bed, felt his expression turn icy.

The woman was about to say more, but she paused when she saw Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick emerge from the bathroom. "Dr. Ford?"

Evelyn Ford, a rag in her hand, glanced coldly at the woman. "And you are?"

"I’m Lauren Ford from the emergency department. Dr. Ford, what are you doing here? Do you know Wendy Graham?"

"Are you taking a census?"

Lauren Ford quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I was just curious."

Evelyn Ford didn’t speak. Lauren Ford then looked at Ronan Kendrick. He was crouching on the floor, fixing a broom, and her gaze fell on him. "Wendy Graham, I didn’t know you had a brother. Is your brother a soldier?"

Wendy sneered. "Lauren, you keep looking at my brother-in-law like that, and you’d better watch your eyes."

Hearing the words "brother-in-law," Lauren Ford looked toward Evelyn Ford with a searching gaze. Wendy walked over, glared at Lauren, and then slammed the door shut. "Get lost."

"You have a problem with her?"

Wendy nodded. "She’s insufferable. She forms cliques at the hospital and gangs up with others to bully doctors or nurses who don’t have connections or are younger."

"Did she bully you?"

"She can’t stand the sight of me, but I’m no pushover. I always fight back. And just now, she was ogling Mr. Ronan Kendrick. ’I really want to punch her.’"

Evelyn Ford smiled. "As long as you don’t lose out, that’s what matters. The fan is installed. It’s summer now, so there are a lot of mosquitoes. Make sure to pull the mosquito net down."

"Okay, I’ll remember."

After the dorm was set up, Evelyn Ford, Ronan Kendrick, and Officer Graham prepared to head back. Wendy walked them downstairs. Just then, a young man approached from a distance. Seeing Wendy, he jogged over to greet her.

"Dr. Graham, are you on your day off? No wonder I didn’t see you when I went to the hospital to get my dressing changed."

Wendy looked at his arm, her tone reproachful. "Did you get the wound wet again? It’s already gotten infected several times. If you don’t start following the doctor’s orders, you can just wait for that arm to be amputated."

The young man grinned sheepishly. "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely follow the doctor’s orders this time. And these are?"

"They’re my family."

"Hello, everyone. I’m one of Dr. Graham’s patients. My name is Jonas Lucas."

Wendy added, "He’s a soldier from the base. He got injured a few days ago, and I treated his wound. He doesn’t follow doctor’s orders, so it keeps getting infected."

Jonas Lucas scratched his head. "Dr. Graham, I swear I won’t let it touch water this time."