Ning met Fan at the institute to review the cleansing plan. She had the stamped measurement sheet and her refinery notes in her own folder. Qinghe sat beside her. Yan waited outside until Ning asked him to join them.
“The first session is measured,” Fan said. “The residue test will guide the dose. If the coughing becomes too strong, you can stop.”
“Does that mean I can stop for the day, or only pause and continue later?” Ning asked.
“You can stop for the day. We’ll record how far you got and decide whether to continue at another appointment.”
Ning copied the schedule into her folder and asked to keep the original measurement sheet. Fan agreed. She had not begun treatment yet; the first cleansing session was scheduled for the following morning.
“Do you want to return to Ashfall after the session?” Yan asked. “The road is long, but we could go back together.”
Ning looked at the institute courtyard. A patient carried a cup of tea to a bench, and a nurse opened a window to let in air. “I want to continue treatment here. The equipment is nearby, and the worker cases are close. I feel relieved to sleep in a room that doesn’t smell of furnace smoke.”
