The cardiothoracic surgery department was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. A few nurses who had been huddled together talking softly immediately turned towards the entrance with startled expressions upon hearing footsteps.
Mei Ran’s gaze met several pairs of eyes tinged with red. She quickly scanned the room and asked quietly, "Is Dr. Zhou not here?"
The head nurse stepped forward and led Mei Ran towards the stairwell. "Dr. Zhou is right over there."
She let out a long sigh. "How could such a thing happen to him? The surgery was finishing smoothly... how could it suddenly... Dr. Zhou has such a bright future. If, like Dr. Sun... Dr. Mei, please have a good talk with him."
Mei Ran gave a soft "Mm" in response.
It was late, and the wind at the end of the corridor was strong. Pale blue curtains swayed like rows of piano keys catching the breeze, rising and falling, producing a "whooshing" sound. Soon, the air was filled with the mingled fragrance of osmanthus and magnolia blossoms.
Patiently standing in place, Mei Ran looked at the tall figure beside the stair railing and the faint, flickering red ember glowing between his fingers in the dimness.
A trace of faint bitterness arose in her heart.
"Why did you come?"
Zhou Yimiao turned and saw her. He took a deep drag, his handsome face blurring behind the hazy white smoke. He quickly snuffed out the cigarette.
Mei Ran walked over silently. "Senior Brother..."
"If you're here to comfort me," Zhou Yimiao interrupted with a bitter smile, "there's no need. Junior Sister, I'm not as fragile as you might think."
"That's not it," Mei Ran shook her head, pushing forward a lunch box and a pair of disposable chopsticks she had been holding. "I came to bring you these xiaolongbao. I made them this morning and haven't had a chance to get them to you."
Zhou Yimiao was taken aback, then smiled and accepted them. "Junior Sister is still the most thoughtful one. I've been in surgery all afternoon and am practically starving."
The buns, freshly warmed, still steamed. Zhou Yimiao picked one up with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. With a gentle bite, the plump, savory filling met his sensitive taste buds. He nodded. "Excellent."
He looked genuinely famished as he quickly stuffed another one into his mouth.
Zhou Yimiao praised repeatedly, "Junior Sister, I never imagined your buns would be this delicious. The man who marries you will be truly blessed."
I wonder... A shadow of melancholy flashed swiftly through his eyes. Is there any chance I could be that lucky man?
The words tinted Mei Ran's ears a pale pink. She lowered her gaze, saying nothing.
"Ah..." Zhou Yimiao sighed, dragging out the sound. "Having satisfied my appetite, if only I could have a sip of wine right now, my life would have no regrets!"
"That's simple," Mei Ran said as if performing a magic trick, pulling a can of beer from her white coat pocket and presenting it to him. Zhou Yimiao's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.
The bittersweet, cool liquid flowed down his throat. A sense of deep contentment rose from within, thoroughly dispelling the earlier heaviness in his chest. He tipped his head back and took another large swig. "No regrets now! No regrets!"
Although he had immediately cleaned the wound after the incident and consulted the hospital's occupational exposure assessment panel, taking prophylactic medication as recommended, who could guarantee that the minuscule possibility wouldn't land on him?
However, even if misfortune truly struck later, while walking alone along the riverbank of life, he would forever remember this gentle night and the woman beside him, whose smile was more beautiful than the moonlight outside the corridor.
"Senior Brother, do you regret it?"
"If it were you, would you have made the same choice?" he countered without answering.
Mei Ran said, "You know my answer."
"Then that's it," Zhou Yimiao smiled, suddenly feeling released. "It's my answer too."
The two smiled at each other in understanding.
I accept the noble title of Doctor and engage in the sacred medical profession. I pledge my loyalty to the healthcare cause, dedicating myself wholeheartedly to serving the people's health.
Back in the office, the little assistant trudged over with her head drooping. "Senior Sister, is Dr. Zhou alright?"
"He's fine."
"If something really happens, it would be such a pity! He's such a good person..."
Mei Ran glanced at her, her tone slightly stern. "Before anything is confirmed definitively, all baseless speculation is futile."
"Oh." Tian Tian guessed her mood might not be great either and didn't say more, sullenly returning to her data sorting.
Mei Ran opened a patient file, closed it shortly after looking, rubbed her temples, took out her phone, and opened a webpage search: "How likely are medical personnel to contract HIV from occupational exposure during surgery?"
Faced with numerous search results, she patiently scrolled through them one by one, her brow unconsciously furrowing tighter...
***
The next day, Mei Ran rested at home, sleeping until noon before getting up. After lunch, she cleaned every corner of her apartment.
On her way out from the morning shift, she happened to see a woman selling lotus flowers outside the hospital and casually bought two. One she placed in a shallow porcelain basin, and from the other, she plucked a few petals, washed them clean, and put them in a cup to steep.
Fresh lotus flowers steeped in water can clear summer heat, activate blood circulation, and stop bleeding.
Noon sunlight was abundant. Mei Ran brought over a chair, sipping her lotus petal infusion while working on her medical paper on her laptop.
As the sun began to set in the west, the sound of the front door suddenly came from outside. Mei Ran jumped up and hurriedly ran out. When she saw who had entered, her expression seemed slightly disappointed. "Brother, why are you here?"
"Who else did you think it would be?" Mei Liangzhi hung his suit jacket, expertly headed to her kitchen to raid her fridge, and pulled out a chilled bottle of honey pomelo tea, gulping down several mouthfuls.
The back of his white shirt was already damp with sweat. He must have been terribly hot.
"How many times have I told you," Mei Ran pursed her lips behind him. "You shouldn't drink cold beverages right after coming in from outside; it's bad for your health."
"Understood," he said, his charming peach-blossom eyes glancing up at her before he took another large swig. "Dr. Mei."
Mei Ran: "..."
She went back to her paper. Mei Liangzhi sat across from her and, without speaking, watched her for a good while, stroking his chin.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable under his gaze, Mei Ran asked, "Why are you staring at me?"
Mei Liangzhi grinned at her in his usual roguish manner. "Nothing, just admiring our famous A University star."
"What do you mean?"
He raised a brow in puzzlement. "What, you didn't know?" Swiftly pulling out his phone, he unlocked the screen, tapped a few times, and opened a page. "Here!"
Mei Ran took it, skimmed a few lines, and felt her cheeks begin to heat up.
So that artwork by the female student from the A University School of Fine Arts, having been awarded first in her department, was displayed on the college bulletin board for recognition. Unexpectedly, it wasn't the painter who gained fame but rather the model.
That painting was also posted on the school forum, quickly sparking a wave of heated discussion. Later, people connected the dots and discovered she was also an alumnus from the Clinical Medicine Department of A University, which completely blew up the comment section.
**小月夜**: So our century-old, academically rigorous A University also produced such a stunning beauty of grace and charm [sigh]. Born at the wrong time! Looks like I can't comfort myself anymore with "I'm ugly but I'm an A University product" [life is meaningless][waves goodbye manually].
**我想静静**: Heartbroken! Why rely on talent when you could clearly live off your looks!
**北极星的守望**: Forget the figure; just staring at that face, I could go three days without food!
**道貌岸然小碧玉**: Upstairs, stop being creepy! Pick up your dignity!
**床上有人**: BTW, can anyone estimate if her cup size is at least a C? [smirk]
**下雨的屋檐儿**: GTFO! My goddess is so pure and beautiful. Is she someone you creeps can fantasize about?
**北极星的守望**: PS gently: I'm a girl.
**行走的荷尔萌**: Hahaha! So my goddess appeals to both genders!
The entire page was overflowing with flattery. Mei Ran felt a little embarrassed. No wonder she had seen groups of university-aged young people outside the hospital these past few days, who would excitedly whisper when she appeared, "It's her! That's her..."
"Any thoughts?" Mei Liangzhi teased with a laugh. "My goddess?"
Mei Ran shot him a glare. "Should I have any thoughts?"
Finding himself rebuffed, Mei Liangzhi shrugged. "You've always been so low-key, yet this time you unintentionally stepped into the limelight. Doesn't that warrant some reflection?"
Mei Ran slowly shook her head, turning the tables instead. "Since you love attention so much, perhaps I should reply to that post telling them that the notoriously strict Professor Mei from A University's Economics Department and this self-proclaimed 'goddess' of theirs..."
"Don't!" Mei Liangzhi hurriedly snatched his phone back. Being chased by those female students every day was bothersome enough; he didn't want *that* kind of attention.
"Good thing your name wasn't assigned according to the clan genealogy," he then said. "Or outsiders could instantly guess our relationship."
Mei Ran smiled. "Mei Liang Xin? Isn't it?"
For their generation, descendants of the Mei family were given names following the character "良 Liang".
Mei Ran's assigned name was originally "Mei Liangxin". However, the homophone of those three characters sounded truly improper. Coupled with Mei Hongyuan's considerable influence within the family at the time, his daughter's name exceptionally deviated from the genealogical tradition, and was given the single character "Ran".
Ran: Describing the lushness of vegetation and trees, like the imagery in the verse: 'Green herbs grew luxuriantly, gracefully swaying.'
Given her daughter's frail health since childhood, the name Ran was bestowed hoping for vigorous vitality akin to plants and trees, wishing her a peaceful, fortunate life.
"You got lucky," Mei Liangzhi laughed self-deprecatingly. "I'm the only one in the entire Mei family with a clunky name. Wait, no! There's my older brother too!"
Older than Mei Liangzhi was his brother Mei Liangjue, currently working at the Moscow Embassy, married with children. However, due to his busy schedule, he hadn't returned for three years.
"True," Mei Ran agreed. "Brother Liangjue shares your plight. I wonder how he's doing now?"
"Probably fine," Mei Liangzhi replied. "Didn't he post a family picture of three on social media last night? Can't believe my niece has grown so big already."
"Really?" Mei Ran quickly took out her own phone to look. After seeing, her smile lit up her eyes. "Wow, the baby is so cute! All pink and rosy!"
"Pfft!" Mei Liangzhi scoffed softly. "If you like babies so much, you can just find a man and make one. Yours might be even cuter!"
As he said this, he lifted his cup for a drink, missing the sudden flush that bloomed on the face of the person opposite him, spreading all the way to her ears.
Her phone vibrated several times. Mei Ran opened the messages.
**Yu Sheng**: Ahhh! You two are really together?! Super quick! Can't believe I didn't see it coming!
**Yu Sheng**: Ansel! The Ansel so many singers dream of singing just one of his songs! You actually landed him?! Wait, does he know you're MR?
**Yu Sheng**: Plus plus! As the little sister-in-law, do I get the perk of asking him to write songs? OMG OMG, I can't contain the blood boiling in my veins! If one day Ansel and MR collaborate, god knows how many fans would weep their eyes out!!
"Who messaged you?" Mei Liangzhi asked curiously.
"Shengsheng."
"Your bestie?" Mei Liangzhi had some recollection. "That diva of Mandarin pop, Yu Sheng?"
Mei Ran nodded.
Mei Liangzhi then asked, "Didn't she also join *Chinese Singer* like Ranran?"
"Yes! I can't believe you know about all this, a person usually obsessed only with economic charts and oblivious to worldly gossip."
"Can't be helped," he finished the water in his cup. "Ranran mentioned it many times on the phone."
Speaking of this nominal sister, Mei Liangzhi couldn't exactly claim a deep emotional bond. They hadn't spent much time together. Mostly out of consideration for his father and grandmother's faces, and because of that incident years ago... that, coupled with both being in the same city, was why he looked after her more.
On the contrary, Mei Mengran seemed quite dependent on him as an older brother.
"So have you watched it?" Mei Ran asked.
"No." He set his cup down. "I should go. I have an evening lecture."
Mei Ran saw him out. "Be safe."
Mei Liangzhi slung his jacket over his shoulder, waved casually at her, and strolled into the elevator.
***
According to the regular schedule, tonight was Mei Ran's night shift. After dinner, she headed to the hospital.
Her little assistant bounced over like a rabbit. "Senior Sister, why are you so early?"
Mei Ran set her bag down. "There are still some reports I haven't reviewed."
Tian Tian diligently patted her shoulders a few times. "Thank you for your hard work! Thank you!"
"Excessive eagerness for no reason," Mei Ran gently tapped her forehead. "Alright, what do you need this time?"
"Hehehe!" The assistant grinned, showing her rows of white teeth. "Can I take leave on the 13th of next month?" She clenched her fist. "My male god has a sea swim race that day! As a devoted fan, how can I not be there to cheer him on?"
Mei Ran chuckled upon hearing this. After thinking, she said, "Granted."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Tian Tian happily skipped out.
Before official work hours, Mei Ran sat down and opened a report. Midway through reading, her phone rang. She answered absentmindedly.
"At the hospital?"
"Mm-hmm." Mei Ran responded absently.
A man's soft chuckle came from the other end, like a gentle spring breeze brushing her cheek.
Suddenly realizing, her long eyelashes fluttered a few times vigorously. "Ah..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Mei Ran took a deep breath. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
Before she could reply, he spoke again. "I'm outside."
"Oh." Mei Ran responded dazedly.
"Ran Ran."
Whenever he called her name in that low, resonant voice, Mei Ran couldn't stop her heart from racing wildly.
*Thump-thump! Ba-dump!*
"Come out for a moment. I'm waiting outside."
---
The twilight was still just a pale layer, but the street lamps were already shamelessly lit, casting an orange glow upon a tall, straight figure. The man stood leisurely beside his car. Passing people couldn't help looking twice, yet he seemed utterly indifferent.
Hearing approaching footsteps, he turned his head and looked over. A faint smile surfaced in his deep brown eyes.
Blushing slightly under his gaze, Mei Ran asked, "Why are you here all of a sudden?"
"I took the little fellow to change its bandages. Passed by," Fu Shijin opened the passenger door for her. "And just came to see you."
When he said the words "the little fellow," his tone carried a hint of indulgence.
Mei Ran got in, her lips curving up slightly, thinking to herself, *Liar. How is it on your way? The hospital and the vet are in completely opposite directions, right?*
The cat in the back seat gave a soft "meow," immediately capturing her attention. "We meet again, how are you feeling?"
The little creature extended a front paw to rub against her palm.
"The vet says the injury is quite severe and needs careful attention these next few days..." He really was taking very earnest care of this "token of love" she'd sent.
"Thank you."
The man leaned in close, his cool, fresh breath brushing her ear. "No more... substantial gratitude?"
The small space was instantly saturated with an unspoken, ambiguous atmosphere. Even the little creature opened its wide, round eyes to watch.
Blushing, Mei Ran quickly planted a kiss on his cheek.
Fu Shijin maintained his close posture. He was wearing a black shirt today, buttons still meticulously fastened, exuding a mysterious, distant, almost ascetic aura.
Yet his actions were telling a different story. Mei Ran could feel his warm breath densely wrapping around her, almost suffocating.
"Ran Ran."
Mei Ran's heart seemed about to pound its way out of her chest. A broad swath of faint pink rapidly bloomed across her neck. "Yes?"
"For my sea swim race on the 13th next month," his large hand gently cupped the skin below her earlobe, turning her face slightly towards him. "Will you come watch?"
"Of-Of course..." Mei Ran was now answering purely by reflex.
"Good," he chuckled softly. "Then... let's stamp it?"
Mei Ran reacted too slowly to grasp what he meant. The next moment, the man's lips were upon hers, lingering tenderly, his tongue tracing every curve of their softness before slipping past her teeth, instinctively finding her own tongue, twining, teasing, nibbling...
Her eyes flew open wide.
Ahhh! A frantic, flustered thought raced through Mei Ran’s mind. Didn’t he say... just stamp it?
As if punishing her distraction, his large hand cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss. Mei Ran felt utterly soft and pliant, letting him have his way.
---
The darkness outside the window had grown dense.
Gasping deeply for air, chest heaving, Mei Ran panted. The person beside her also seemed slightly breathless, a clear smile on his handsome face.
"It's time. I should go."
Saying so, she pushed open the car door and dashed off. Fu Shijin also stepped out of the car, leaning leisurely against the vehicle, watching her scurry through the night like a young deer lost in a deep forest. He couldn't help curling his lips into a smile. "Ran Ran, I think you're going the wrong way. Traditional Medicine is over there."
Blushing furiously, Mei Ran glanced back at him and swiftly ran in the correct direction.
Like escaping from a battlefield.
The man watched her figure recede, the smile in his eyes deepening.
Wonderful. I can keep looking at her like this forever now.
Best of all, for a whole lifetime.