Chapter 16: What If I Refuse?

Everything happened too quickly for Song Yin to react. A woman draped in jewelry approached and slapped her across the face.

The blow left Song Yin dazed; her head struck the wall, causing a wave of dizziness to wash over her. The woman snatched Song Yin’s bag, while a man stepped in to hold her steady, preventing any retaliation.

The woman pulled out a bank card, held it up, and glared at Song Yin. "Is this the money you got from Lu Guang? How many nights did you spend with him to have the nerve to ask for three hundred thousand?"

Only then did Song Yin realize who she was: Lu Guang’s legal wife.

"Did Lu Guang not tell you who I am?"

The woman crossed her arms and offered a contemptuous smile. "You’re just a shameless mistress. Do you really think I need to know who you are?" She took a step forward and slapped Song Yin again. "Consider this a lesson. Don’t let me catch you anywhere near Lu Guang again."

"And if I refuse?"

"You dare!" The woman raised her hand to strike again, but was suddenly stopped.

It was a young doctor, wearing wire-rimmed glasses, looking refined and handsome. He stepped in and said, "This is a hospital. If you continue this, I will call the police."

"She’s just a mistress. Can’t I teach her a lesson?"

"I don’t care about your reasons; you cannot do this in a hospital."

Nurses nearby began to notice the commotion. Mindful of the optics, the woman threatened Song Yin one last time before leaving. "Stay away from Lu Guang, or you’ll regret it." She gestured to the man beside her and stormed off with her bag.

As Song Yin tried to stand, she faltered. The doctor quickly reached out to steady her. "Miss, are you alright? Your forehead is bleeding—you should really have that looked at."

"I’m fine, thank you." Song Yin retrieved her bag and found her phone. Ye Huai thought she was calling the police, but instead, she dialed a number. "Hello, is this the bank? I’d like to report a lost bank card."

Seeing she didn’t need his help, the doctor walked away, heading straight into Dr. Zhu’s consultation room.

***

After finishing her call, Song Yin heard two nurses walking by. "Isn't Dr. Ye handsome? I heard he’s single. I bet half the nurse station is dying to get close to him."

"Forget it. He’s a top graduate from the medical school and Dr. Zhu’s prize protégé. I heard his family is incredibly wealthy; he wouldn't look twice at the likes of us."

Song Yin noted the useful information: the doctor who had just helped her was Dr. Zhu’s star pupil.

Soon, Dr. Ye emerged from the consultation room. Seeing Song Yin still there, he lingered for a moment. Song Yin looked at him and said, "Dr. Ye."

"Changed your mind? Ready to get that wound treated?"

Song Yin shook her head. "I’m fine. Dr. Ye, I know this is abrupt, but since you are Dr. Zhu’s student, could you please ask him to arrange a surgery for my mother?"

"Is my teacher unwilling to operate on your mother?"

"No, it’s not that. But the waitlist is already six months long. My mother’s condition isn’t great; I’m afraid she can’t wait that long."

"That is Dr. Zhu’s arrangement, and I’m afraid there is little I can do. You might consider other surgeons; he isn't the only one in the department."

"I know, but I was hoping it could be Dr. Zhu..."

Before Song Yin could finish, a sweet, high-pitched voice interrupted. A girl dressed in a cute pink dress approached Dr. Ye, carrying a lunchbox. Song Yin noticed Dr. Ye frown slightly.

"Brother Huai, I brought you lunch. I made it myself!"

"Yiyi, I saw you throwing away the takeout boxes last time."

Hu Yiyi looked embarrassed for a second before saying, "That was still a gesture of my affection."

"You really don't need to do this. The hospital cafeteria has excellent food."

"But I wanted to see you! Besides, Auntie hopes we can grow closer."

"Yiyi, I will talk to my mother. It is truly impossible between us."

"I don't care! We’re both single, and you don’t have a girlfriend—why can’t we be together?"

"Because he already has a girlfriend."

The speaker was Song Yin.

"What girlfriend? I’ve never heard of her! Who is she? Don’t talk nonsense!"

Ye Huai took the opportunity to point at Song Yin. "That’s her—my girlfriend." He stepped closer to Song Yin, standing right beside her, and tilted his head. "Yiyi, this is my girlfriend. So please stop doing this for me. Takeout is too oily; I really don't like it."

Hu Yiyi stomped her foot in anger. "Hmph, I won't give up!" With that, she shoved the lunchbox into Ye Huai’s arms and stormed off.

Once she was sure Hu Yiyi was gone, Song Yin picked up her bag and asked, "Is Dr. Zhu about to finish his shift? Why haven't I seen him come out?"

"Dr. Zhu left a while ago. There’s a back exit in his office."

Song Yin looked disappointed. "I see. Thank you anyway."

She walked toward the elevators. As she waited, Ye Huai suddenly stood beside her. Song Yin turned, looking at him blankly.

"Would it be convenient to let me see your mother’s medical reports?"

"Of course."

"I’ll discuss it with Dr. Zhu, but I can’t promise he’ll move up the surgery."

"Thank you, Dr. Ye. I am already incredibly grateful. I know Dr. Zhu is very busy, and he’s getting on in years; I’m asking a lot of him."

"Leave me your contact information. I’ll call you if there’s any news." He paused, adding, "Also, you should really tend to that wound. A young lady—especially one with such a beautiful face—should take care of herself."

Ye Huai’s tone was gentle and steady, like a warm spring breeze. Song Yin looked at him and nodded with a smile.