Madame Fu's footsteps approached quickly, uneven with worry.
"Why hasn't the medicine been brought yet?" she muttered, pushing aside the cabin flap. "What is taking so—"
Her words stopped short.
Her eyes landed on the bed, on Bia Ming lying pale and trembling, and on me seated beside her with my hand pressed to the girl's burning forehead.
"Su Long?" Madame Fu asked softly, shock and concern flooding her face. "What is going on?"
"She has a fever," I said calmly, not looking away from Bia Ming. "I found her in the corner. She was freezing."
Madame Fu moved closer at once, her usual sharpness replaced by worry. She reached out, touching Bia Ming's arm, then quickly pulled back when she felt the heat.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" she murmured.
"There was no time," I replied. "I'm handling it."
Madame Fu studied me for a moment. Seeing my steady expression, she nodded. She did not argue.
"What do you need?"
"Hot water. Herbs. Clean cloths," I said. "And the girls."
