Chapter 5: Meeting for the First Time in the Operating Room
Five years later, in Lin'an Hospital, City A.
Mu Xiaoxiao had just finished performing surgery on a cancer patient and was in the changing room, preparing to head home.
Suddenly, the door burst open. A nurse stood in the doorway, leaning against the wall and panting heavily. "Dr. Mu… there's…"
Mu Xiaoxiao frowned, walking over to help her catch her breath. "Take your time."
The nurse gasped for air but wasted no time. "There's a gunshot patient… he urgently needs surgery… and you're the only available doctor!"
Before the nurse could finish, Mu Xiaoxiao cut her off. "Lead the way. Prepare for surgery."
"Yes," the nurse said, hurrying ahead, with Mu Xiaoxiao quickly following.
Over the past five years, Mu Xiaoxiao had devoted herself to studying medicine, not only because she loved it but also because she wanted to help more people and save lives in their darkest moments.
As she approached the operating room, a line of bodyguards in tailored suits stood at attention outside the door. Their presence instantly reminded Mu Xiaoxiao of the events in Jing City five years ago.
She could never forget those cold, diamond-like eyes that glimmered in the darkness, devoid of emotion. Her body trembled involuntarily at the memory.
"Dr. Mu, hurry! The patient needs immediate care," the nurse urged, snapping her out of her thoughts.
With a deep breath to steady herself, Mu Xiaoxiao walked toward the operating room.
As soon as she stepped inside, her gaze locked onto a pair of intense, obsidian eyes. She froze, rooted to the spot.
The man on the operating table was otherworldly handsome—his sharp features, chiseled jawline, high-bridged nose, and sensuous lips gave him an almost demonic allure. It was the most striking face she had ever seen.
But she didn't notice the flicker of surprise in the man's eyes or the faintly wicked smile that tugged at his lips.
Interesting, Lu Yufeng thought. The woman who vanished under my nose five years ago… I've searched for her everywhere, and now here she is, in this unremarkable little hospital. Perhaps I should thank the assassin who brought me here.
His cold, commanding voice broke the silence. "Remove the bullet."
The chilling tone sent shivers down everyone's spine.
Mu Xiaoxiao snapped back to reality, quickly averting her gaze. She shook her head in frustration. Focus, this is no time to be distracted.
Steeling herself, she approached the nurses, who helped her don her surgical gown, mask, and gloves.
Lu Yufeng watched her every move intently. Even with her face partially covered, her beauty couldn't be hidden. The pale blue of her surgical scrubs seemed to radiate an angelic glow, though he knew firsthand how feisty she could be.
Memories of her biting his lip and cursing him flitted through his mind, stirring a faint smirk.
Mu Xiaoxiao felt a burning gaze on her back. Frowning, she glanced at the operating table but saw nothing unusual. She dismissed it as her imagination.
Standing beside him, she finally noticed the icy aura emanating from his body. The phrase "stay away from strangers" popped into her mind.
Who was this man? She had never seen him in City A before.
Shaking off her curiosity, she focused on her task. "Administer the anesthetic," she ordered.
"No need," Lu Yufeng interjected coldly. "Just take the bullet out."
His tone was icy, almost demonic.
"Without anesthesia, removing the bullet will be excruciating," she cautioned, meeting his gaze directly.
Lu Yufeng's eyes narrowed, and his lips curled faintly. "Didn't you hear me? Do it."
Still the same fiery woman from five years ago, he thought, amused. Her courage in meeting his gaze without flinching was rare and intriguing.
Respecting his decision, Mu Xiaoxiao nodded. "Begin the surgery."
If he didn't fear the pain, there was no point in her worrying. Her job was to save him, not coddle him.
Taking a scalpel, she began the delicate procedure, making a clean incision around the wound to extract the bullet with forceps.
She maintained unwavering focus, not sparing him a single glance. As a surgeon, any lapse in concentration could result in a fatal mistake, no matter how minor the operation. Her dedication was evident to everyone in the room.
But what truly amazed them was Lu Yufeng's stoic endurance. From the start of the surgery to the removal of the bullet, he didn't make a sound. The nurses couldn't help but admire him—not only was he incredibly handsome, but his bravery was captivating.
Even Mu Xiaoxiao found herself begrudgingly impressed. The only other person she had performed surgery on without anesthesia was her uncle, Mu Lingrui, and that had been a minor procedure.
The thought of her uncle brought a wave of sadness. She missed him dearly. After spending a year abroad together, he had left for business one day and never returned. She hadn't dared to go back to Jing City, fearing she would be captured by that man and forced to have his child.
"Dr. Mu, are you alright? You look pale," a nurse asked with concern.
Forcing a smile, Mu Xiaoxiao replied, "I'm fine. I'll rest after this." She removed her bloodstained gloves. "The rest is up to you. I'm leaving."
Without sparing Lu Yufeng another glance, she walked out of the room.
Lu Yufeng's hawk-like eyes followed her retreating figure. This time, you won't escape from me again.
Mu Xiaoxiao returned to the changing room, swapped her scrubs for her regular clothes, and headed home.
Her apartment was dark and empty. Sighing, she turned on the lights and kicked off her shoes. The loneliness weighed heavily on her. She could never forget the man who had ruined her life at eighteen, forcing her to bear his child.
After a quick dinner, she collapsed onto her bed and drifted into an uneasy sleep.