《The Murderous Diary of a Female Doctor》


 Chapter 1: The Beginning

    <h4>Chapter 1</h4>


    I want to kill someone, I must do it!


    If I don''t kill him, I won''t be able to sleep or eat in peace day and night.


    But I can''t ruin my whole life for this. It''s not worth it. I have to be like a goose leaving no trace, or a leaf falling silently. Get it done and move on, burying myself and my deeds deep.


    I know these words sound crazy, more like a dream I can''t wake up from. So just take them as my crazy dream words.


    And this dream, I''ve had it for 438 days. 438 days, 630,720 minutes.


    I''ve simted this dream in my mind hundreds and thousands of times, and I''m confident I can make it disappear.


    You think life is tenacious? No, it''s actually fragile. A minor cold, a little ident, intense exercise, a slight allergy...any of those could take a life away.


    Making him disappear is easy. The hard part is getting away clean.


    But in this world, there''s always a moment, or a person, that even just knowing of their existence, would make one feel like there''s a thorn lodged in the throat that must be removed, even if it means mutual destruction.


    The dark of night has fallen again. The lighting at the bar is just right, vaguely ambiguous, just right for debauchery, just enough for a willing woman to unleash her sexual allure.


    He walked over and sat next to me, swirling his wine, with a tired opening line: "Beauty, here alone?"


    I was aloof, my eyes dismissive. I know he likes the cold beauty type.


    Besides, I''m only here for a drink, ying the part of an ice queen.


    So when another peacock eager to spread his tail feathers sits to my left, arrogantly asking "Beauty, spare me a smile," I grab my purse, pay up, and walk out.


    The heels must be thin and sexy, don''t sway your hips, let your waist sway instead, not too much, shoulders slightly drooped, back straight, that''s how you walk beautifully. At the door, pause for a moment before stepping into the dark, flip your hair back slowly, turn around, look back at the bar, pause as if you forgot your phone, raise your left brow, head down, lips pursed to entuate their shape, smile slightly as your hair falls to cover part of your eyes, then turn and walk out flipping your hair.


    Get the pose right to highlight your 36D chest; act well, seduce your target wlessly.


    I''m sure as long as he sees me leave, next time we meet, he''ll remember me.


    The third time we meet will be the day it happens.


    I''m only allowing myself four chances to appear at this bar, any more would be overkill and a mistake.


    As I turn, I see him immersed in the lively bar atmosphere, looking just as disgusting as before except older.


    Surely he''s never seen the little pond from my hometown. So he doesn''t know, when a dying fish leaves the pond, it will flop violently onnd, mouth opening and closing, its life is in that pond, but now it''s trapped in a tiny spot onnd. Then it gradually stops moving, maybe eyes wide open, maybe not fully closed, maybe mouth half open...


    Time ruthlessly takes away its life force. Even if you throw it back in the pond now, it won''t change the oue.


    If left in water, after about three hours it will start to stiffen, after ten hours it will bepletely cold, then it will silently sink to the bottom and rot noiselessly and peacefully. It will produce various gases, asionally emitting a bubble or two, and finally float up bloated like a balloon. If left there, it will start to breed maggots.


    That''s how my sister died!

 Chapter 2: The Beginning 01

    <h4>Chapter 2</h4>


    My Elder Sister died this way.


    That year I was 7 years old, Elder Sister was 17 years old.


    That day was Elder Sister''s birthday.


    During that time, the atmosphere at home had been very strange. Although I was still little, I wasn''t stupid. Mom secretly cried when she thought I wasn''t looking. Elder Sister stayed in her room all day and didn''te out. Dad was home for longer than usual, which was rare.


    Grandmother no longer nagged about unimportant things. She was more self-righteous than ever in scolding Mom: "What use is a woman who can only earn a little money? You didn''t teach your daughter well and now she''s brought shame to the Liu family."


    She would also openly mock Elder Sister: "Pearl, pearl, you have to love yourself to be a pearl. If you don''t love yourself you''ll have wasted the name Pearl."


    When Grandmother wasn''t around, Mom and Dad would close the door and fight. They would howl and cry in the room without even eating.


    Elder Sister would just silently cook and then silently throw away the barely touched food, washing the dishes alone with her back to me.


    She hadn''t spoken properly to me for over ten days now. She was pale and thin, her school uniform hung loosely on her body like it was draped over a doll.


    Everything was very abnormal, but everyone was keeping it from me.


    On Elder Sister''s birthday, I used my pocket money savings to buy her a light purple birthday card with dark purple flowers on it. I didn''t know what flowers they were back then, I just knew Elder Sister liked them.


    After school, I didn''t wait for Grandmother to pick me up. I wore my schoolbag on my front like Mom did whenever she came home from the bank after withdrawing money - after all, I was also carrying a fortune.


    There was a stationery store in front of the school that had many beautiful cards. I knew Elder Sister would like this one as soon as I saw it.


    I carefully wrote my birthday wishes, using pinyin for the Chinese characters I didn''t know how to write.


    No one was home, including Elder Sister who hadn''t gone out recently. I secretly snuck into Elder Sister''s room and hid in her wardrobe, just like what she would do on my birthdays - jumping out from the wardrobe to surprise me, then giving me a present to make me happy.


    I hid very carefully until the door opened and someone came in - it was Elder Sister. I watched her through the gap.


    Suddenly someone started pounding loudly on Elder Sister''s door.


    Bang bang bang, bang bang bang...


    It kept banging for a long time.


    Elder Sister had taught me that knocking like this was rude.


    So I saw Elder Sister cover her ears and curl up on the bed.


    But I could hear Dad yelling outside: "Niuniu, let''s forget about it and not sue anymore okay? Dad will take you and your sister to Hangzhou, how about that?"


    Elder Sister didn''t reply.


    "You can go to school in Hangzhou from now on. Dad will take you to see West Lake, wasn''t that what you wanted most, to see Lady White Snake?"


    "And Broken Bridge and Thunder Peak Pagoda, we''ll go on a boat tour together."


    Elder Sister stayed silent, but I could see she had put her hands down so she must have heard Dad''s words. Yet she bit down hard on her lip, and a muffled sob escaped from her throat.


    I saw Elder Sister gasping for breath like a sick person, so she would open her mouth wide every now and then to gulp in air, then quickly cover her mouth again when she was about to cry out, withrge teardrops rolling down her pale cheeks.


    I didn''t dare scare her. I was terrified.


    So I quietly crawled out of the wardrobe and onto her bed.


    "Elder Sister," I put my arms around her neck, "Happy birthday Elder Sister."


    Elder Sister hugged me back, burying her head in my shoulder. Her head felt very heavy, pressing ufortably on me.


    But I didn''t want to move, because Elder Sister was crying into my shoulder like a fountain.


    I could still hear Mom and Dad arguing, ming each other.


    "It''s all your fault, all you do is make money day and night, you''re away from home for half a year at a time, leaving everything at home for me to handle..."


    "How is it my fault, it''s because you didn''t raise our daughter well as her mother, that''s why someone was able to trick Niuniu..."


    "Niuniu said they were just friends, he tricked her..."


    "Niuniu said, Niuniu said, then how did theirwyer produce love letters Niuniu wrote to him?"


    "Those weren''t love letters, they were assignments he made me copy out. I didn''t write those as love letters to him, he lied..." I didn''t realize when Elder Sister had stopped crying and sat up, also listening to our parents fight.


    I snuggled into her arms and looked up at her, "Elder Sister, what''s wrong?"


    "Younger sister, do you believe me? I''m not lying, he tricked me..." Elder Sister''s eyes burned like fire.


    "Elder Sister, I believe you. You never lie, I know that best..."


    "What should I do? How could this happen, what should I do?" Elder Sister held me tightly in her arms.


    After that the house descended into chaos, because Grandmother hadn''t picked me up so she rushed back in a panic. Everyone was in the living room, frantically yelling and looking for me.


    I really wanted to yell out that I was home, but Elder Sister was holding me as we slept soundly. Her arms hugged me firmly and I fell asleep along with her.


    When I woke up it was already the next morning. Elder Sister wasn''t in bed or anywhere in the house. Mom and Dad were also gone.


    Only our neighbor Aunt Huang told me that my Elder Sister had died, justst night, in that small pond.

 Chapter 3: The Beginning 02

    <h4>Chapter 3</h4>


    In my dream, let me say my dream words again. I want to kill this man, using the most skilled methods I have learned in my life to kill him!


    When I woke up, I told myself that I was a doctor.


    I had once devoutly read the Hippocratic Oath, and I would treat every patient who needed treatment carefully and responsibly.


    What I love most and am best at is curing diseases and saving people.


    "Dr. Liu, let''s go. There are referral patients in the outpatient clinic today!" Liu Chief Physician looked at me with a smiling face, just short of taking my hand.


    This respected olddy was about to retire soon. Rarely, she still had a young heart. In front of her, it seemed that only the sky falling down counted as a big deal. So no one in our department disliked her, and everyone respected her.


    I took paper and pen and took the medical record folder from Liu Chief Physician''s hand.


    "Where did you gost night? Why is your face so grey? Look, the ash on your face is thicker than the powder on my face." Liu Chief Physician pinched my face with her hand.


    "I was at home reading ancient Chinese medical texts." I said.


    "Young people who only read books instead of falling in love, I think you''re going to crash in our department. You won''t be able to marry then."


    She nced at the person across: "My big red envelope is waiting for Juan."


    The nurse Juan across wasn''t polite at all: "Okay, Chief Physician Liu, I''ve already said that if it''s not a four-digit number, I''ll cry right in front of you."


    Liu Chief Physician loved Juan''s frank and open way of chatting. Sheughed with delight: "Then you''d better hurry. That young man who treated us to dinnerst time wasn''t bad. Don''t let others snatch him away."


    Juan: "You''re wee to snatch. I wasining that he''s too clingy."


    Juan was the prettiest in our fifth floor obstetrics department. She had an optimistic personality, slender figure, harmonious family, and loving parents. I had eaten the braised pork ribs brought by her mother more than once. As the beloved only daughter in her family, she had confidence to say such things.


    The medical record in my hand was actually very thin, but I had to read it carefully. For referral patients, if I carelessly missed any test result, I might make the wrong judgment.


    The patient, Ms. Lin, was 42 years old, female, 14 weeks + 2 days post menopause, G2P1. Her first delivery was by cesarean section, resulting in scar uterus. Ultrasound showed the lower edge of the gestational sac was only 6mm away from the scar. Coagtion function, liver and kidney function, blood type, blood cell analysis, ECG and other results were normal. Tests for hepatitis B, AIDS antibody, syphilis antibody and hepatitis C antibody were negative. It was a simple case. Uterine artery embolization would be performed by the intervention department before artificial abortion, followed by artificial abortion.


    The reason for referral was that the ultrasound showed uneven echoes in the uterine muscleyer, with abundant blood flow signals visible.


    My heart skipped a beat. Just as I looked up, I saw Liu Chief Physician giving me a meaningful look. ¡°Do you know why a referral is needed?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary. Doing a panel of five tumor markers and color Doppler ultrasound would generally confirm the diagnosis.¡±


    Liu Chief Physician sighed. ¡°Yes, no referral is needed. So why a referral?¡±


    By the time Dr. Shen came over, the referral meeting was in her office. In addition to Dr. Shen, there was also Chief Physician Zhao, as well as the patient and family members.


    It was a middle-aged couple who were particr about their clothing. The man''s Rolex could probably buy a mid-rangepact car, so let''s call him Rolex. The female patient looked younger than her actual age, probably just over thirty.


    Rolex was very excited. ¡°This baby is my son. I¡¯ve been longing for him for years. This child must be kept anyway.¡± Chief Physician, I heard that many people have had children after cesarean section. How dangerous can it be as you said? "


    It seemed that in addition to the scarred uterus, suspected uterine saa had not been confirmed yet, so the patient had not been notified.

 Chapter 4: Shoot the horse before You shoot the Man.

    <h4>Chapter 4</h4>


    The Rolex kept making a fuss, insisting that the child in his wife''s belly had been hard to conceive. On the contrary, the woman was even more nonchnt, or rather wooden.


    Rolex kept insisting on protecting the pregnancy, and believed that the doctor had exaggerated the danger.


    Liu Chief Physician kept listening to him speak, asionally chiming in when he talked about irrelevant topics, and praising him a few times. This was Liu Chief Physician''s specialty, an attack on the heart. If you want others to understand and ept you, first you have to show that you understand and ept the other party.


    Perhaps because I hadn''t said anything, the woman passed me a note.


    Y chromosome detected.


    I see.


    I asked the woman, "What do you think?"


    "I wanted to ask, how likely is it that my uterus could rupture and cause massive bleeding?" She seemed a little hesitant, not as stubborn as Rolex.


    "If it doesn''t happen the probability is zero, if it does happen the probability is 100%. This is the biggestplication of a scarred uterus pregnancy." I didn''t mention the suspicious uterine tumor yet, I would wait for Liu Chief Physician''s arrangements.


    I casually drew a uterus on the paper, the scar on the woman''s uterus, the location of the gestational sac, 6 mm away, urate to 99%.


    "This is your current situation. And this one, was the location of your gestational sac on yourst ultrasound, from 7 mm to now only 6 mm. Best case scenario, it''s possible the gestational sac could develop away from the scar, in this direction. The danger would be slightly reduced, you might be able to make it to 6 months. If it continues to develop towards the scar, and imnts on the scar, you may not make it to 6 months. It''s very likely one day you would suddenly experience intense abdominal pain, diffuse pain, that would be your uterus rupturing."


    "So there''s still hope, right little doctor?" Rolex cut in to ask.


    I looked up to see Liu Chief Physician had stopped talking to Rolex, and they were both watching the patient and I.


    I really wanted to say back to him: Hope is doomed to be shattered. But I didn''t, that''s not something a doctor should say.


    Perhaps my hesitation was too obvious, Rolex became anxious: "Didn''t you just say, that there''s a possibility it could grow away from the scar?"


    He looked at me expectantly, as if I could decide things with one statement.


    I nced at Liu Chief Physician, she nodded slightly.


    I gestured for Rolex to sit down, and simply drew the development of the uterus and fetus from 3-6 months, connecting it with the earlier diagram of the gestational sac,ying them out one by one in front of him, "Generally speaking, if the gestational sac is 2 cm or more away from the scar, that is an absolutely safe distance. 1 cm or more, that is a rtively safe distance. Scarred uterus pregnancies with those distances, we can rule out effects from the scar tissue. Within 1 cm, they are dangerous distances. Your wife''s situation is like this."


    I pointed at the paper with my pen, showing him the distance between the gestational sac and the scar, "This is an extremely dangerous distance."


    Rolex was stunned, then suddenly erupted in anger, mming his palm on the table: "What woman doesn''t give birth? You''re afraid of pain, I told you to deliver naturally but you insisted on a C-section, you''re so delicate it''s infuriating, always dragging your feet!"


    We were all shocked, the patient looked on the verge of tears. Rolex got up and walked out the door, yelling as he left: "You were spoiled rotten by your parents, not like the women from my hometown at all. They know real suffering!"


    He didn''t look back, shouting: "Hurry up, do you need someone to help you walk?"


    I hurried to catch up: "I''m afraid hospitalization is necessary today."


    "I''ve waited over ten years just for a son, I''m willing to take this gamble!" Rolex said to me, face red.


    "Then hospitalization is still necessary. Being hospitalized is the best way to protect the pregnancy!" I raised my voice and said.


    When he heard being hospitalized would protect the pregnancy, Rolex paid for the hospitalization and surgery, and the patient was arranged to bed 12.

 Chapter 5: The Job of Killing Cattle

    <h4>Chapter 5</h4>


    Afterpleting the consultation, Chief Physician Liu went home. I declined her invitation for dinner at her home, since I have a night shift today.


    But I love working the night shift the most.


    In a hospital, working the obstetrics night shift means straddling the line between hell and heaven. Sometimes it''s frantically busy, sometimes bored to death.


    Whether busy or idle, I like both.


    But tonight, I hope it will be a little quieter.


    I had just entered the doctor''s lounge when someone knocked on the door as if on cue: "Don''t hide in there without making a sound. I know you''re in there. If you dare steal someone''s man, how dare you not open the door? Open up."


    It was Hu Li, whose drama queen personality was acting up again. Her voice always surprised people more than her looks - she was a typical Jiangnan beauty but spoke with a strong Northeastern ent, as if she was from the Northeast. Yet she had never been there at all, justpletely influenced by her boyfriend.


    Hu Li hade to invite me to her birthday party tomorrow. She said her boyfriend had been acting sneaky these past few days, and she guessed he might propose tomorrow. She hoped I coulde and witness it.


    When I didn''t answer, she cozied up to me and pulled my arm, coaxing me: "No way, such an important day! Anyone else might note, but you have to be there. We''re so close."


    "I''m working the night shift."


    "You choose to work 20 nights a month, it''s not mandatory. You have to be there tomorrow no matter what."


    I don''t like events like this. Actually, I don''t like any asion other than work and going home.


    But I nodded to indicate I would go. Hu Li happily rested her head on my shoulder again: "I knew you weren''t that petty."


    What does this have to do with being petty? I just don''t want to go.


    "It''s just a proposal, no big deal. Have younded the hospital director''s son yet? It doesn''t count as a victory until you''re married." Hu Li said.


    I didn''t understand: "You''ve fallen for the hospital director''s son again?"


    Hu Li immediately lifted her head and pped me hard: "I''m standing up for you! Don''t talk nonsense. If my boyfriend Cheng Peng heard that he''d be so jealous."


    I had things to do that required privacy. So I pretended to pick up a book nearby and start reading: "Shouldn''t you be getting back to work?"


    "Our chief is so easygoing, he gave me time off toe up. Don''t worry, it''s fine if I stay a little longer. Besides, our chief also loves the night shift. Since he''s here today, it doesn''t matter if I hang around more." She leaned towards the blinds and opened a slit to look outside. "Not a soul out there, what''s the rush? And between you and Qing Qing, what''s the big deal? It doesn''t count as a victory until you''re married to the hospital director''s son."


    I had no choice but to put the book down and ruffle her hair. Her short, silky hair made her look crisp and energetic. "No way. You''re my only friend."


    Hu Li seemed stunned for a moment. She didn''t often get a taste of her own medicine, so it was quite amusing to see her at a loss for words. She leaned her head on my shoulder again: "Oh wow, a rare sweet nothing from you, I''m so touched I could cry. Just don''t smudge my mascara!"


    "You should go, don''t affect your end-of-month review." I said.


    Hu Li hugged me: "Remember toe tomorrow!"


    I nodded: "Mm-hmm."


    Hu Li left briskly, her footsteps clip-clopping down the stairs, around the corner, past the corridor, down to the third floor, then straight ahead until I faintly heard the metal door of the Chinese Medicine Room ng as she entered her department.


    After waiting another 300 beats, I turned off the light.


    With the light source gone, the crystalline lens stopped reflecting, and people could no longer see. Ordinary people would begin to use their rod cells to start dark adaptation after about 3 minutes, and still be able to see in the dark.


    For me, it only took 1 minute and 12 seconds.


    I took out my bag that I keep with me at all times, and removed my tools, including a whole uncut pig leg weighing about 8 jin.


    My best subject is dissection.


    In my spare time, I have dissected an average-sized pig before.


    Apart from the bones, pig organs are not only simr in shape to human organs, even their genes are simr. Pigs with the PERV gene site inactivated are even better animal donors for human organ transntation.


    Especially pig hearts.


    I''ve cut open and taken apart a pig, dissecting out a pig heart with intact blood vessels and nerves from its body.


    Now, I wanted to try a higher level of difficulty - dissect and break down a 160-jin pig weighing about 160 jin into 20,000 pieces in the dark, within 2.5 hours.


    This was the n I devised after many trial runs. Of course, this was just the most basic step.

 Chapter 6: He’s the Chief

    <h4>Chapter 6</h4>


    Yesterday''s score was 1,050 pieces, zero errors, in 12 minutes and 52 seconds.


    I am very satisfied.


    At four in the afternoon, I received a WeChat message from Hu Li: "Bao Zhu, at five thirty, our department head will be waiting for you at the dorm entrance,e together, the location our department head knows, just follow along. Reply upon receipt."


    "Okay."


    "I n to wear that little ck off-shoulder dress today, remember to bring a light jacket of yours, in case it gets cold at night I can wear it."


    "Okay."


    At five fifteen, I went downstairs, making people wait would be impolite. One or two lc flowers managed to bloom before the end of the season, the faint fragrance lingered, more than half of the people in the hospital dormitory building were at work, so it was very quiet. I probably waited less than a minute when someone called to me: "Bao Zhu."


    A ck sedan was parked at the edge of the athletic field, and a young man was standing on the driver''s side.


    I hesitated a little: "Department Head Li?" I walked over quickly.


    He smiled broadly: "Don''t tell me you don''t recognize me?"


    I bowed slightly, "Seeing you in casual clothes for the first time, I didn''t recognize you for a moment."


    He gestured for me to get in the car, and seeing that he was already seated inside, I promptly got in the passenger seat.


    The hospital was soon left behind.


    The car ran very smoothly, I didn''t know what I should say, so I didn''t speak. Department Head Li also didn''t speak, it was very quiet in the car.


    But I enjoyed the quiet very much.


    "You don''t mind if I call you Bao Zhu directly, do you?" Department Head Li suddenly spoke.


    I turned to look at him, he also nced at me, smiling as he said: "Hu Li is always talking about you in the department, Bao Zhu this and Bao Zhu that, so I subconsciously started calling you that way too."


    "She does tend to talk a lot." I said.


    Li Zhiyuanughed somewhat helplessly, "That''s the point? Shouldn''t the point be whether or not I can call you that?"


    "Oh, that''s no problem at all, call me whatever you like! Thank you foring to pick me up today." I said respectfully.


    "Bao Zhu," Li Zhiyuan sighed, "I''m only seven years older than you, you''re treating me like I''m your uncle."


    I was a little at a loss for words.


    Li Zhiyuan said: "My full name is Li Zhiyuan, that ''zhiyuan'' from ningjing zhiyuan, or you can call me by my full name, anyway Hu Li and the others call me Li Zhiyuan too."


    I really hadn''t heard Hu Li call him that before. But I never give people trouble, so I readily went along: "Alright, Li Zhiyuan, thank you for picking me up."


    "You''re wee," Li Zhiyuan said. "Would you like to listen to some music?"


    I nodded.


    Music would be nice too, the flowing music means we wouldn''t have to speak.


    The car drove through streets and alleys, this city is very beautiful and clean, the economic conditions are much better than my hometown, the pedestrians on the road looked hurried, it was the evening rush hour, and there was congestion on many road sections. I looked at my watch, not even 5:30 yet.


    Department Head Li said: "Probably another 50 minutes or so. Don''t worry."


    Me: "I''m not worried."


    I really wasn''t worried, just reacting instinctively.


    Today''s 5:30, like every Friday before, my goal would be there on time.


    "Cheng Peng booked the Urban Manor by thekeside, dinner starts at 7, he booked the whole ce, eating and entertainment will be there." Department Head Li said.


    I nodded: "Oh, how thoughtful."


    Department Head Liughed again: "You sound just like a parent."


    Iughed too.


    "But you are family after all." Department Head Li said. "There''s not a day Hu Li doesn''t mention you. The first thing she does when she gets to work is look up to see if you''re in the office."


    He quickly nced at me, "You might be more important than Cheng Peng."


    Yes, that''s just like something Hu Li would do. Back in school, the first thing she did when she got back to the dorm was flip open my bed curtain to see if I was there.


    "You know you can see your office and lounge from our department if you look up, right?" Department Head Li said.


    I knew that, it was also one of the reasons I practiced dissections in the dark with the lights off.

 Chapter 7: The Feast Is a Good Feast

    <h4>Chapter 7</h4>


    The road ahead was congested.


    Li Chief turned his head to look at me: "Hu Li has been worried that you wouldn''te today."


    I said: "I don''t like crowds."


    Li Chief smiled again. He seemed to smile a lot. "That''s not the reason. Qing Qing wille today."


    I was very puzzled: "So what?"


    Wasn''t it normal for Qing Qing toe?


    With the same alma mater, having shared a dormitory before, andtering to the same hospital for internships, it was understandable that Hu Li, Qing Qing and I, the three of us, were close.


    "I heard Qing Qing is dating Song Qi," he said.


    I knew about this.


    "I heard it from Hu Li before," I said.


    I felt Li Chief nce at me again, so I looked back at him.


    He smiled again, his lips curled up in a big bracket. "Bao Zhu, you..." He paused for a moment, cleared his throat, "Cheng Peng ns to propose to Hu Li today."


    "That''s really great," I said sincerely.


    I probably always have the ability to end a conversation, so Li Chief didn''t say anything all the way to our destination, and neither did I.


    The music in the car was very nice, a very old English song:


    Allmybestmemorieebackclearlytome,Somecanevenmakemecry,justlikebefore...


    My best memories ended when I was seven years old. After that, I never had another birthday, because my birthday was followed closely by my sister''s birthday, which was also the anniversary of her death.


    When the car came to a stop, Li Chief smiled and said, "Bao Zhu, we''ve arrived. Go left after entering the lobby."


    I hurried out of the car to thank him: "Thank you, Li Chief."


    "Bao Zhu," Li Chief looked a little troubled, "if you call me Li Chief again, they''ll probably hear itter and make you drink alcohol as punishment."


    He said gently: "You go ahead first. I''ll park the car out back. Most of the people inside work with us."


    I didn''t wait for him to finish because Hu Li had already rushed over with a shout, grabbed my hand, and yelled at us: "You two sure took your sweet time! Are all superstars like this? Grand entrance, huh?"


    I was dragged along helplessly by her to the front. When I looked back, Li Chief nodded to indicate that we should go in first. I think I smiled at him before following Hu Li inside.


    Cheng Peng took great care with the dinner. The food was not only delicious but also exquisite. Even my stomach, which had pig''s trotters in white broth for lunch, couldn''t help indulging fully.


    Hu Li was very happy. Her carefully made-up cheeks were simply so rosy that one felt an urge to kiss them. Her eyes were bright and herughter was charming. She was the undisputed star of tonight''s event. There weren''t too many people, about half were colleagues from our hospital that I knew, and the rest seemed to be Cheng Peng''s friends who brought their girlfriends along.


    Qing Qing and Song Qi were also there. We greeted each other when they arrived, but didn''t sit together. Hu Li kept me by her side all along, making me feel as if I was the maid of honor tonight.


    A waiter brought out a cake decorated with roses. It was a three-tier cake with Hu Li¡¯s favorite character, the Blue Fairy, on top.


    I figured the ring must be inside the cake.


    So when they cut to the jewelry box, I wasn''t surprised, but Hu Li was clearly very excited. She covered her mouth, leaving only a pair of shining eyes. Those eyes overflowed with tears when Cheng Peng knelt down.


    I was truly happy for her. I didn''t feel envious or jealous at all.


    But I felt a little sad as I was reminded of a memory. Lying in bed with someone, listening to her drowsy voice say to me: ¡°Bao Zhu, I hope that one day, after we graduate from college together, he would propose to me as he said.¡±


    ¡°Sis, what does propose mean?¡±


    ¡°Oh you silly pig, you really are dumb. It means he wants me to marry him.¡±


    ¡°Like Mom married Dad? That doesn¡¯t sound very good.¡±


    ¡°You fool, not every man is like Dad.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s too early to think about this now. First I have to get into the best college.¡±


    She didn''t make it to college because she died, she died in a small pond.


    She decisively tied her favorite scarf around her feet and rolled into the pond, drowning herself.

 Chapter 8: Gaffe

    <h4>Chapter 8</h4>


    I felt my eyes getting hot. At such a happy and exciting moment for Hu Li, as her good friend, it was understandable that I lost myposure a bit.


    I knew my loss ofposure wasn''t because of her. No one could make me cry anymore these days.


    Someone came over to me and handed me a tissue. Her fingers were delicate, with nails painted an alluring purple that set off her fair hands, also somewhat attractively. It was Qing Qing.


    She loved decorating her nails, after all, as a doctor in the radiology department, she could have long nails, not like me with all ten fingers bare.


    "Can''t get married anymore? Feeling provoked?" Qing Qing said.


    As usual, I didn''t know how to respond to her words, so I just took the tissue from her hand and wiped my mouth.


    "If you don''t have ability, you can''t me others!" Qing Qing was very happy.


    I was about to ask her what she meant, when Hu Li stuffed a huge bouquet she was holding into my arms. It was quite a big bouquet, and she used quite a bit of force, so I was a bit flustered trying to properly hold the flowers. Qing Qing had already confronted Hu Li.


    "What do you mean? Shouldn''t this bouquet be given to me? She doesn''t even have a boyfriend, what''s the point of her catching the bouquet? Isn''t it my turn next?" Qing Qing said indignantly.


    Hu Li humphed, took the flowers back from my arms and stuffed them into Qing Qing''s arms, "Take them, take them, I wish you sess!"


    Qing Qing was furious now: "What do you mean? Giving it to her first then to me? I''m not some rag picker..."


    She wanted to say more, but Hu Li had already pushed her towards the cake, "Look at you, impatient again. This fairy drifting around in confusion all day, don''t fall t on your face when the timees..."


    I listened to their back and forth bickering, just like when we were in school. Qing Qing could never beat Hu Li, yet loved to provoke her. Hu Li effortlessly parried Qing Qing''s attacks, always striking her speechless.


    At this time, Song Qi walked over and handed me a cup.


    "I saw you liked this drinkst time," he looked at me, "I added two ice cubes like you said, see if it''s the taste you wanted?"


    He seemed a bit off, awkward and embarrassed, hmm, like being shy about asking to borrow money.


    But I didn''t think my sry would be enough for him to borrow and use for a few days.


    "It''s all my fault, don''t me Qing Qing, it was me..." He seemed to have trouble getting the words out.


    When talking about him and Qing Qing, Hu Li also acted a bit strange, so I was confused. Therefore, I took the cup, therefore I asked directly: "Mr. Song, is there some misunderstanding?"


    Song Qi was tongue-tied, stuttering: "I failed to live up to your kindness..."


    I did want to hear him finish, but he kept stammering. I wasn''t a worm in his stomach, I really couldn''t guess what he was trying to say.


    I wanted to go over to Hu Li.


    Luckily, Li Zhiyuan came over then to break the awkwardness.


    "Baozhu, Song Qi seems to have some misunderstanding with you." Li Zhiyuan looked at me and said, "Last time at Wangji Bar, when you two had a blind date..."


    Finally I understood, so I exined carefully: "Are you talking about when Chief Physician Liu stood me up? Chief Physician Liu wanted to keep up with the trends and took me to Wangji Bar to watch the NBA Finals streaming, but she had an emergency and didn''t go. I happened to meet Mr. Song there and we watched a game together."


    Song Qi''s expression was quite interesting, but it had nothing to do with me.


    So Chief Physician Liu didn''t stand me up, she was trying to y matchmaker.


    I didn''t need a matchmaker. All marriages in this world were exploitation and plunder of women, without exception.


    Moreover, I had a purpose for going there that time.


    Across from Wangji Bar was a person who was my target, my one unwavering target.

 Chapter 9: The Way Home

    <h4>Chapter 9</h4>


    Cheng Peng drank himself blind drunk, and the friends who hade to cheer him on had already given up and left before the party was over.


    Hu Li, on the other hand, held her liquor quite well. After seeing her friends off, she finally couldn''t hold on anymore either. She took off her high heels directly, standing barefoot on the floor. The ground was cool and slippery, so I had her wear my canvas shoes. I would stay here with her tonight, because she had to keep Cheng Pengpany.


    A phone call came in, from an unfamiliar number.


    "Bao Zhu, this is Li Zhiyuan," he said. "Cheng Peng has already taken hangover medicine. Tomorrow morning at 10:30, I''lle pick up you three. Please let Hu Li know, she didn''t answer my call just now."


    Since this had already been agreed upon with Hu Li, I only needed to pass on the message.


    In the middle of the night, Hu Li went crazy, insisting on squeezing in with me, unting the ring on her index finger that shone brightly. I was truly somewhat tempted to roll my eyes at her.


    Hu Li held her face in her hands, staring nkly with a smile: "I really wish we could get married tomorrow."


    I really couldn''t hold back and rolled my eyes at her, making her burst into giggles.


    The next day when Director Li came, Cheng Peng who had a pounding headache was arguing with him about wanting to drive himself. When Hu Li and I came out, those two were still locked in a standoff. Only Hu Li could stand his disgusting booze breath to persuade him. Director Li and I stood on the side watching the show.


    After much cajoling, Cheng Peng finally agreed to take Director Li''s car. He wanted me to drive his car back into the city.


    Hu Liined to him: "I already told you before, Bao Zhu can''t drive just like me."


    Cheng Peng guffawed and said: "Bao Zhu, is it true you failed the driving test three times? Wasn''t it said you used to have the best grades?"


    Hu Li chided him, pping his arm to get him to shut up. I said: "I guess I just don''t have the talent for driving."


    Cheng Peng tossed the keys to me. "Come on, I''ll teach you," he said, about toe over and pull me. I really didn''t want to smell the booze on him, so I took a small step back.


    Director Li happened to step over at that moment. "Are we going or not? I got up early and rushed over to treat you to lunchter."


    At his words, Cheng Peng hurriedly got in the car. "Let''s go then, I''m starving too. Didn''t eat anythingst night, just had some porridge from Li Li this morning. Now that you mention food, I''m famished."


    I held onto Hu Li to say goodbye to them, telling her I had to stop by my home first.


    Director Li wanted to drop me off first, but I politely declined. My home wasn''t far from here, I didn''t lie.


    When I was about 9 years old, dad brought mom and me from our hometown to move to this city, where we stayed for 21 years.


    Thekeside was a rtively quiet, remote area of the city. The bus went north, with each stop very far apart. To the right was almost all grasnd, interspersed with some vegetable plots people had reimed.


    This ce was originally the rural outskirts of the city, but waster requisitioned because a certain real estate group wanted to build a vi district here.


    The bus passed through the vi district, and the final stop was near my home.


    Along the way there were 12 surveince cameras. No one could perfectly avoid all the cameras. In this day and age, all your information is transparent, all your actions are monitored and grasped by big data.


    Luckily, I didn''t need to evade every camera, just two of them - one at the vige entrance, one at the bus stop by the vi district.


    The houses in the vige were all the same, built uniformly for all the vigers when the real estate group requisitioned thend. When grandma passed away, she left half of the old house to mom, so during the demolition and relocation mom got her own single building. After mom passed away, dad transferred the property directly to me in front of my aunt and uncle as witnesses.


    After that, I was alone, because dad took half of the demolitionpensation and left. The day he left, he gave me a card, a key, and some words.


    The road home seemed even longer now because of the memories. The path I was walking on, dad and mom had walked before, and I had walked before. My sister hadn''t - she was buried in our hometown. I had only gone back twice - once before grandma passed away, once after she passed away.

 Chapter 10: The House

    <h4>Chapter 10</h4>


    The grey-walled, ck-tiled, three-story house in front of me is my home.


    It is also the ce I have nned to annihte my target.


    I don''t have the keys. I gave them to my neighbor who is my third grandmother''s younger sister.


    The vige is inhabited by the elderly and children which is good. It means regr life routines and rest times. It also means the chances I''ll be spotted by others on the night I execute my n will greatly decrease.


    I got the keys from my third grandmother and gave her the milk and bananas I bought on my way back. My third grandmother is very old now, so old that she can''t cook anymore. She just eats some milk and bread every day, asionally cooking a meal or two.


    The house feels icy cold with no human presence, and has a particr musty smell of stale air, like the smell of impending death that lingers around the elderly.


    The only new thing in the house is the bathtub I custom ordered. I specifically ordered it from a German brand before preparing for action. Its advantage is high durability, rot-resistance and scratch-resistance. Even if I light a whole set of clothes on fire in it, it won''t damage the tub at all. A clean rag is enough to wipe away most traces on the surface.


    I just came back to check that the utilities, water tank on the roof, and sewer system have no issues.


    At noon, I cooked braised pork for my third grandmother, enough for her to eat for a few days. I put it in small containers in the fridge, bought her rice and noodles, returned the keys and went back to the city.


    I have the perfect location, just missing a few supplies. I''ve also rehearsed avoiding surveince many times. It''s close, really close now.


    I''m having a little trouble controlling my heart. It seems to be speeding up uncontrobly.


    I feel the impulse originating from the sinus node spreading through my whole heart, contracting, dting, powerfully pumping blood out of my heart.


    This excitement courses through my whole body. My fingertips tingle slightly from the blood flow.


    Maybe I can go to the bar again tonight.


    ck hair, red lips, little ck dress.


    Big wavy ck hair, ssic crimson lips, bare shoulder little ck dress, women are born knowing how to disguise themselves, change up the look, aura on full st.


    Night falls, evil creatures begin to stir, the air in the bar throbs with pheromones, men''s and women''s, like cats in heat, one cry after another, shallow yet tempting.


    I sit in my usual spot, order my usual drink, same posture. The shifting shadows of people around me have nothing to do with me. I just silently recite in my head: Viewing dragon light, knowing ancient swords, observing treasure air, discerning bright pearls. Therefore seasoned firewood is suitable for sale, if not bright day, how discover cave. His extensive learning termed magnificent, eloquence termed vigorous, analyzing treasure termed steady, also only morning star.


    The cold beauty persona emerges. The rest is fishing, and those who take the bait can have it.


    I''m only fishing for one.


    Hees, pulling out the barstool next to me first: "We meet again, beauty."


    I nce at him, still the same as 22 years ago, sincere smile, sincere lies, who knows underneath this face, what vicious arrogance is hidden, beneath the well-fitted clothes, what selfish, evil, cruel heart beats.


    Stab a long stiletto between his fifth and sixth ribs on the left chest. Feel the heartbeat with your hand, twist the de slightly, it will stop this heart from beating. Remember to leave the de in the body. The heart will rupture between the left and right atrium, lose all vitality, but won''t die immediately or have blood gushing out, just slowly seep a little from the wound at first.


    He''ll still think he can be saved, but his heart will soon cease beating, and he''ll realize his life ends right at this moment.


    Taking action this way would feel so gratifying, but with so many eyes around, people would panic and flee helter-skelter out of the bar. Police would arrive quickly, and even escaping the bar, the surveince camera fifty meters to the right of the door would capture you clear as day. There''d be no getting away.


    Only fools use this method.


    I draw my gaze back.

 Chapter 11: Persona non Grata

    <h4>Chapter 11</h4>


    He leaned in closer, slightly closer than a stranger would, but not yet dangerously close, ¡°Would you like to go see the wine cer? It¡¯s the biggest private wine cer in the area. There will be a tourter and five guests will be invited for the whole venue. Are you interested?¡±


    I looked up, ¡°Are you the boss?¡±


    ¡°One of the bosses,¡± he said.


    I lowered my eyes and opened my purse to pay the bill. The wary fear sudden trust without reason.


    He pushed the banknotes back, ¡°There really is an event at the bar tonight. Don¡¯t rush to leave yet, stay a while longer, you won¡¯t be disappointed.¡±


    ¡°What event?¡± I asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s a mystery box tonight. I can¡¯t tell you the contents ahead of time, it has to be mysterious,¡± he raised his eyebrows.


    Good-looking people tend to be somewhat narcissistic and arrogant, believing they can seduce anyone. Perhaps he thought he was seducing me, and I was willing to let him believe he had taken the initiative to seduce me.


    I put the banknotes on the table back into my bag.


    He smiled happily. A man in his forties truly at the peak of his charm. He gestured for the waiter to bring another drink and ced it in front of me, ¡°Do me a favor and try this. The bar is nning on using it for an event next month.¡±


    He spoke enthusiastically, his tone sincere, as if we were old friends.


    I was about to pick up the ss when a hand reached over and pressed down on it.


    It was Song Qi.


    My breath hitched for a moment.


    ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte,¡± Song Qi looked at me and said, ¡°I kept you waiting for a long time didn¡¯t I. Is this your friend?¡±


    He turned his head and looked at the man across from us, ¡°May I ask who you are?¡±


    ¡°My surname is Bo, Bo Rongqi. Wee to Ben Se Bar,¡± he said.


    Bo Rongqi, 44 years old, married, was once a high school intern teacher. The year he was an intern, my sister was in 10th grade.


    In his 7th month interning, my sistermitted suicide.


    In his 9th month, the court ruling came down.


    Defendant Bo Rongqi, not guilty of rape. The defendant and victim engaged in voluntary sexual rtions. The public prosecution has insufficient evidence that the defendantmitted rape, the charges do not stand, the defendant is released on site.


    ...


    I picked up the ss and drank it all in one go. The wine was too bitter, no need to keep any more. Today¡¯s ns had changed, I put away the cash, it was time for me to go.


    It would be best if Song Qi followed me and didn¡¯t chat more, in case he inadvertently revealed information about me.


    I heard him following me. Just as we were about to exit the hotel, I stopped and turned back again to look at Bo Rongqi, giving him a faint smile and nod goodbye.


    Song Qi pulled my arm and I followed him out. I would need a reasonable exnation for tonight.


    ¡°How did you end up here?¡± Song Qi asked.


    I looked at him, ¡°I can¡¯te here?¡±


    He frowned, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that, I just didn¡¯t expect to run into you here. Don¡¯t you usually stay home?¡±


    ¡°Then what are you doing here?¡± I asked.


    ¡°That bar we went tost time, Amnesia Bar, my brother and I run it, so Ie here to hang out 7-8 days out of 10,¡± he said.


    Hanging out here 7-8 days out of 10, you really do have an active nightlife.


    I sighed imperceptibly.


    Song Qi wanted to take me back to the dorms but I declined. I hadn¡¯t prepared for anyone from the hospital, including him, to see me in these clothes.


    ¡°Song Qi, can you help me with something?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Anything you need,¡± Song Qi straightened his back.


    ¡°Song Qi, if possible, can you please keep what happened today a secret?¡± I said with a smile.


    ¡°Was that guy...were you on a blind date?¡± Song Qi asked.


    ¡°No, he was a stranger,¡± I replied.


    Well, at least today¡¯s events let me know I can¡¯t make a move in this bar. I would need to change my n.

 Chapter 12: It’s Hard to Give Up

    <h4>Chapter 12</h4>


    Bo Rongqi''s disappearance n had already taken shape, what Icked was a perfect escape n.


    But now there are loopholes in the disappearance n.


    My n was to let Bo Rongqi evaporate from the bar ¡°Ben Se¡±. Afterwards, he would be a missing person, unsearchable.


    4 yearster, his wife could apply for his death certificate and inherit his estate to raise his children.


    I just need to kill one person and try to minimize the harm to others.


    The n went hand in hand. If I need to change this link, the next link also needs to be changed ordingly.


    Giving up is so hard. I need to think again!


    Ms. Lin''s tumor marker test and Doppler results were out. There was no reprieve. The one in a hundred thousand chance hit her.


    Chief Physician Liu was very sad. As an obstetrician who had seen the evil side of human nature, she was very worried about Ms. Lin''s family.


    But we are only doctors who can only cure diseases and cannot determine fate. Uterine leiomyoma and uterine fibroids only differ by one word, but mean the difference between life and death.


    At eight o''clock rounds, Ms. Lin was apanied by her daughter, a teenage girl, snuggling intimately on her mother''s sickbed.


    When Chief Physician Liu was examining, I took the girl to the office and notified her family.


    For malignant tumor patients, we usually notify the family first before informing the patient about the test reports.


    The girl was unaware of the sorrow. She happily yed games, asionally making crisp and pleasant sounds, with the coquettishness unique to a young girl.


    But how much longer could she maintain such happiness?


    Which is more painful, losing one''s mother as a teenager or losing one''s mother in childhood?


    It is said that because God could not be omnipresent, he created mothers. A mother is heaven to every child.


    Surgery was imperative. Uterine leiomyomas have unclear boundaries and are difficult topletely remove. If the removal is not thorough, it may stimte cancer cells and cause the condition to deteriorate rapidly. Currently, the best solution is to remove the entire uterus.


    If the cancer cells have not spread, then there will be three to five years of observation time after recovery.


    If there is metastasis, three to five months may be too much to ask for.


    When Chief Physician Liu returned to the office, her eyes were also red. People with too much empathy are like this, with shallow eye sockets that easily tear up when others cry.


    I had just finished writing the medical record when I heard amotion outside.


    "What are you doing? What are you doing in our hospital?" Ah Juan''s voice was urgent.


    It was the Rolex man. The crying girl had obvious finger marks on her face. Ms. Lin leaned numbly against the bed holding her daughter by the waist.


    "Get your doctor out here. My wife came here to protect the fetus. My good son, who I had difficulty conceiving, you want to abort for danger. Do you still consider yourself human? Where is your medical ethics? Be careful or I will report you!"


    The Rolex pped loudly. "We are leaving the hospital now, discharging now. We are going to Peking Union Medical College Hospital. What a lousy hospital."


    Me: "Discharging is allowed,e to the office with me to process the discharge."


    I signaled Ah Juan not to panic and asked her to check the girl''s face first. It is futile to try to instill your ideas when family members are emotionally agitated. It is better to go along with them first.


    The Rolex followed me into the office and sat across from me.


    "In fact, transferring hospitals won''t help you much." I said.


    His anger seemed to dete like a popped balloon, and the heightened rage flew away in an instant: "Little doctor, are you too young and have misjudged? Should we re-examine?"


    I asked, "You n to go to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, which is also fine."


    The Rolex didn''t speak, took out a cigarette from his pocket, his hands trembling a little, and his throat seemed a little choked up. Perhaps the rage was because he couldn''t ept the bad news he had just heard.


    I went on, "If you go, don''t take a ne, take a high-speed rail, it''s easier for your wife''s body to handle..."


    "I''ve really suffered a lot. Just when life was getting better and I was able to conceive a son, how could this happen? Did you get it wrong?"


    I slid the tissue box over, pretending not to notice his crushed cigarette dampened by tears in his hand.


    His reaction was beyond my expectation.


    "Making a trip to a higher-level hospital, as a doctor, I support you. The higher-level hospitals are superior to us local hospitals in all aspects. However, it would take a toll on your wife''s health. But it''s doable as long as she doesn''t overexert herself."


    "I don''t want to give up. I want my wife and I want my son too. Is there really no way?"


    No, there really is no way.


    Yes, giving up is so hard.

 Chapter 13: The Law of Peace in the world

    <h4>Chapter 13</h4>


    The nurse''s station indicated Bed 12 had called, then Ah Juan yelled to me, "Dr. Liu, pleasee to Bed 12 as soon as possible."


    Ms. Lin in Bed 12 had fainted. Her daughter was next to her, ceaselessly shouting "Mom!", looking anxious and helpless, which reminded me of my past self. The Rolex got in my way. I pushed it aside.


    Ah Juan had already ttened the bed. Ms. Lin''s heart rate was 92 beats per minute, blood pressure normal, pulse weak, breathing normal, no secretions from nose or mouth, pupils reactive, no pupil dtion, limbs soft...


    I told Ah Juan to bring glucose for the patient to drink. With my bent index finger I forcefully pressed the Chongyang acupoint. Ms. Lin opened her eyes.


    Low blood sugar during pregnancy.


    The girl hugged her mom, sobbing.


    I handled their discharge paperwork for them, and gave the medical records and test results to the Rolex, telling him to hurry to United to avoid dy.


    While the Rolex was going to handle the paperwork, Ms. Lin listlessly asked, "Dr. Liu, is there really no other way? How much time do I have left?"


    "I can''t answer that right now. There are still some tests that need to be done. You have to have faith. You also have to stay strong. You must eat whenever you can. Keep your mood calm..."


    I sounded too official. That was the truth too. If there was no metastasis, she''d need to eat well to keep up her strength. If it had already spread, she should do and eat whatever she wanted, and leave no regrets.


    What a pity for their daughter, Lisa. So young and confused, how could she ept such a merciless twist of fate?


    There are no perfect solutions in this world.


    Are there really no perfect solutions?


    How could I both lure Bo Rongqi out of Here Club and also ensure Song Qi wouldn''t possibly see?


    The reason for seducing him out of Here Club was because there was a road right next to it leading straight to the central square. Since the road was lined with ancient trees, the surveince cameras were blocked and useless.


    On the side of the road in the central square were rows of zombie cars, one of which was a modified car I had parked there three months ago.


    On my third visit to the club, I had nned to take Bo Rongqi with me. He would vanish from this world.


    Yesterday was my second time at the club, and I ran into Song Qi.


    I couldn''t foresee whether Song Qi might happen to be there that day. I needed 100% certainty, not allowing the slightest error.


    What I wanted was that no matter from interpersonal rtions, surveince footage or any other aspect, there would be absolutely no connection found between me and Bo Rongqi.


    Hurried footsteps in high heels came up quickly behind me. I was dragged forward powerlessly by a huge force. I turned to look, and was a bit surprised by Qing Qing''s sudden appearance.


    She pulled me around the corner and demanded, "What were you and Song Qi talking about?"


    I didn''t understand.


    "Pretending to be stupid? I saw you two chatting."


    Where? At Hu Li''s birthday party? Amnesia Bar?


    I didn''t speak. Silence was the highest level of disdain, which would also make the other person involuntarily say more.


    Qing Qing was about tobust. "Don''t think you can steal him back. He''ll only be mine."


    "No one necessarily belongs to anyone. He belongs to himself." I said.


    Qing Qing sneered contemptuously, "Liu Baozhu, stop putting on that pretentious face like you understand everything. I understand you better than you do yourself. You have nothing, so you pretend not to care about anything. I know what I want and will fight for it myself. It doesn''t matter what you said to him the other day. From now on, when you see him, stay away. I hate flies around my boyfriend."


    The other day, that was at Hu Li''s birthday party.


    As long as it wasn''t rted to the bar, then everything was fine. So I smiled at Qing Qing, "Sure."


    Qing Qing tidied my white doctor''s coat cor, her hand lingering on my chest. Her scent was very light, a smell I liked. I used to really, really like her, and still did now.


    "In a few days, I might ask you out for drinks again, to be my witness."


    "Sounds good." I felt a little dizzy.


    Her features were charming, her figure enviable, fashionable and youthful. She was nothing like me. No matter how many years passed, I would always be the country bumpkin she brought with her to experience the big city.


    Qing Qing was right. I had nothing, so I could only not care about anything.


    But no, that wasn''t quite right either. At the very least, I cared a lot about my identity as a doctor, and about my own life.

 Chapter 14: A Pretty Lady

    <h4>Chapter 14</h4>


    The midday sun shonezily upon people, or at least upon the alluring figure of Qing Qing walkingnguidly ahead, her ink-ck locks swaying out seductive curves.


    Qing Qing was a beauty, eye-catching as a star from looks to temperament.


    I suddenly lost my appetite for going to the cafeteria.


    I needed to take a walk.


    I walked very quickly that people who knew me would be greatly astonished. I went through the shaded path, the corridors. I needed to get out of the hospital.


    It seemed someone called out "Bao Zhu" from afar. I didn''t stop to listen, perhaps I misheard. I didn''t care.


    I arrived at the boxing gym, found the coach, changed into gear, put on gloves.


    I struck out with my right fist towards his eyes. The coach blocked it. I elbowed him below his ribs, the coach dodged it. I punched with my left fist towards his nose, the coach protected it. I tried to kick his knee joints. Not only did the coach avoid it, he took the chance to lift my leg and made me lose bnce and fall. On the floor, I fiercely elbowed his toes. He withdrew his body with all his might. I seized the chance to grab his leg and threw him to the ground like he did me. I twisted his right arm. The coach guffawed loudly: "Liu, not bad today, what a temper!"


    "Again," I said.


    After a few rounds, I was put down by the coach, pinned to the floor by his knee, unable to move. I gave up resisting and closed my eyes limply on the floor.


    Qing Qing was right, I had nothing. From that day, I started losing everything.


    That day, 6:30 AM, time to get up. The house was empty, not a soul inside, only Aunt Huang from next door sitting on the sofa wiping her tears. She told me my beloved sister, whom I loved most, had died.


    She really died. She had tied her feet together with her favorite scarf, bound her hands with duct tape, and rolled into a pond less than a meter deep.


    All she left was a letter.


    Everyone at home was in chaos, busy with things. It was as if they had all forgotten me.


    I had to find my sister. She was in the morgue of the hospital.


    I asked around and found my way to the hospital alone.


    But a seven-year-old girl could do so little. I couldn''t even get into the morgue.


    "Oh goodness! Shoo! Is this a ce for a little girl like you? Go find your mom!"


    No matter how I pleaded, they wouldn''t let me in.


    So I sat at the top of the stairs to the morgue and waited. From dawn till dusk fell at night. It was the morgue staff who called the police to report a little girl sitting guard here refusing to leave. My parents finally came to pick me up when the police contacted them based on my grandma''s missing child alert.


    I didn''t see my sister again until two dayster.


    My father finally brought my sister''s body home in a hearse for my grandma''s ce. My sister''s face was pale and swollen. I could barely recognize her looks but I knew it was my sister.


    When my mother changed my sister''s clothes at grandma''s house, I saw the ghastly centipede-like suture running from her lower right jaw all the way down her abdomen.


    It was the suture after my sister''s autopsy.


    My sister, whom I loved the most, was clean and cared about image, beautiful and graceful. Now she was sewn up like a ragged doll.


    I shrieked and wailed madly. I could hardly believe those piercing cries were from me.


    Lying there wasn''t my sister. My sister''s clothes weren''t fancy but always clean. Her sneakers weren''t stylish but always spotless white. She never lied to me or treated me like a child. She would save the sweetest part of the watermelon for me. Sheforted me when I was scolded by Mom for being clumsy...


    But she was murdered, even if shemitted suicide.


    She was murdered by Bo Rongqi.


    So Bo Rongqi should not exist in this world.

 Chapter 15: Missed Calls

    <h4>Chapter 15</h4>


    The physical exhaustion gave me a sense of mental relief.


    In the bustling city, who knows what everyone is thinking behind their masks. No one can empathize when love or hate gets entangled in one''s heart.


    I curled up on the ground, hatred drowning me like the tide.


    I want to make someone disappear, erase his existence from this world, thoroughly andpletely.


    There were two missed calls on my phone, from the same unfamiliar number. I didn''t call back.


    On my way back to the hospital through the tree-lined path, someone clearly called my name. I looked up and saw a man standing under the dense shade, wearing a white coat - the tall and slender Dr. Li from the hospital. As I got closer, it was Chief Li.


    I walked right up to him. "Chief Li?"


    "Bao Zhu," he hesitated, handing me a lunch box, "You haven''t eaten yet, right? Come, sit and have a few bites!"


    "Was it you who called me earlier? Sorry, I had something urgent to take care of then and didn''t pay attention."


    He smiled slightly. Under the shade, his features were gentle and refined, his eyes bright and clear - an unimposing man, cultured andposed.


    I took the lunch box and sat down on the bench, and he sat down too.


    "Thank you, Chief Li," I said.


    He gave a wry smile. "Bao Zhu, have you forgotten my name?"


    Me: "Of course not!"


    "Then call me by my name. When you call me Chief Li, I feel like I''m already seventy or eighty years old."


    I took a mouthful of rice mixed with beef soup: "Then thank you, Li Zhiyuan."


    The food was very tasty. Mypanion didn''t talk much either. The sunshine was pleasant, the breeze gentle. Sitting with this refined gentleman, exchanging a few casual words here and there, time passed by so quickly that I even tasted the skills of a master chef in the hospital cafeteria food. I finished everyst bit of the meal.


    After I finished eating, I closed the lunch box and put it away. "Li Zhiyuan, let me wash this and return it to youter." He gave a faint smile and nodded.


    I sincerely said "Thank you" and then went back to the ward.


    Juan said Lisa hade by earlier looking for me. Lisa is Ms. Lin''s daughter, recently discharged from the hospital. She waited about an hour, and left when she saw I wasn''t back.


    I guessed that the two missed calls were probably from her.


    So I called back: "Hello?"


    "Bao Zhu, what''s the matter?" His voice was low - it was Chief Li, Li Zhiyuan.


    "I saw some missed calls, so..." I said.


    "I saw you rush out earlier looking worried, so I wanted to ask if everything was alright," he said. "You didn''t look well then."


    I saved his number. It would be too rude otherwise next time.


    Juan vividly described Ms. Lin''s family affairs - Rolex had pped Lisa across the face right in front of Ms. Lin''s hospital bed, because Lisa talked back at him, using him of only caring about having a son and never caring about her or her mother, and that it was his mistreatment that caused her mother''s illness.


    Every family has its own troubles that are hard to fathom. People''s joys and sorrows do not intertwine. Each unfortunate family has its own unique misfortunes.


    The Obstetrics and Gynecology department witnesses much about human nature - some inspire hope and joy, others evoke fear and shock. You may marry someone who seems perfectly proper on the surface, only to uncover their true face when struck by a major illness.


    But I didn''t know why this little girl about to lose her mother wanted to see me.


    Dr. Li said, "What a tragedy unfolding again before my eyes!"


    Yes, life is a tragedy - more tragic thanic.

 Chapter 16: The Moon is dark and the Wind is High

    <h4>Chapter 16</h4>


    Human emotions do not intersect, no one can feel the same.


    Hu Li invited me to have dinner together tonight, but I refused. I have ns tonight.


    Before getting off work, I deliberately told Chief Physician Liu that I had a blind date. Chief Physician Liu was so happy, as if I was getting married tomorrow. He notified my colleagues in the department to not call me unless necessary, so as not to affect me. My goal was achieved.


    I turned off my phone, changed into running shoes, and put on ck running clothes. I melted into the night shadows.


    I took a taxi to near Central za, paid cash, circled the perimeter of the za twice, then turned into the small road, passed the car I had parked earlier, went through the small road, and the back door of Ben Se Bar was across from me.


    This was a street full of bars, with over twenty bars big and small on this street.


    Every building had its own separate exit. Bo Rongqi had an office on the third floor of Ben Se Bar. He and his partner had a system where they alternated shifts.


    When he was on duty, around midnight, he would first go back to the office, then go home. Because he had been drinking, he always walked home, about fifteen minutes past Central za¡¯s other entrance, to one of the best apartment buildings around.


    I had followed him many times before and never tried to enter the residential area, because there were too many surveince cameras around that could easily leave a trail.


    But today I have to closely observe the surroundings of the residential area to see if there¡¯s another suitable ce I can make Bo Rongqi disappear without anyone noticing.


    The office lights turned off.


    Two minutester, Bo Rongqi walked out humming a song while swinging his keychain. Was someone with him? Were they going the same direction?


    Three minutester, hispanion turned left at the second intersection onto another road.


    He kept humming as he walked.


    It''s been 22 years, but I still remember him humming as he bid my parents goodbye.


    22 yearster, not only has he not aged, but time has given him an attractive charm.


    In my memories, the sun was ring that day.


    Having waited at the courtroom entrance for too long, my eyes hurt opening them.


    When the doors crashed open, I saw him, his eyebrows dancing animatedly as he arrogantly told others, ¡°I believe thew is fair and would not wrongly use me...¡±


    While dad was being held back to prevent him from rushing forward to hit him, mom had already copsed crying into Aunt Huang¡¯s arms.


    No one noticed me, a seven-year-old, watching to the side as he triumphantly pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the courthouse walking out, clearly relieved of a burden, seeing my mother crying on the floor, he even walked over intending to help her up while uttering words I still clearly remember every single one.


    He said, ¡°What a pity. I was hoping to be able to call Uncle and Aunt mom and dad with Little Pearl, we had the affinity to be a family. Uncle and Aunt, take care.¡±


    After speaking, he bowed towards dad, who was using all his strength to break free. Watching dad howl like a wild beast, watching mom bawling loudly, only then did he back away as his family pulled him away.


    He even whistled a tune and started humming a song.


    Dad howled furiously like an injured animal, while momy paralyzed on the floor unable to get up.


    Perhaps since that day, when I was seven, a demon had moved into my heart.


    I hid in the shade watching him swipe his ess card to enter the residential area. It was a side entrance with a surveince camera aimed right at it.


    It would be easy to expose myself, I can¡¯t get in there. What to do?


    From the eastside, I jogged along the perimeter of the residential area inconspicuously while observing across the street. There were three entrances total: main entrance, east entrance, and west entrance. The east entrance was the one he had just entered, closest to the building he lived in. To the left of the entrance were a row of parking spots, five spots total. He lived on the 21st floor in apartment 2102 of building F. There were eight buildings total in theplex, 32 floors each, two units on every floor, and high upancy rates so high exposure risk.


    What to do? It would be very difficult to surreptitiously take him away.

 Chapter 17: A Touchy-fevey Angry

    <h4>Chapter 17</h4>


    Qing Qing was very angry. Ever since Hu Li''s engagement banquet, Song Qi had been somewhat distant with her.


    Yet Song Qi thought he was hiding it well.


    Qing Qing rolled her eyes. It must have been because of what he said to Liu Baozhu that night.


    She knew Song Qi had initially wanted to pursue Liu Baozhu. That was why Qing Qing had taken the initiative, since she rarely scored higher than Liu Baozhu academically but had never lost to her in attracting men.


    The results proved she was right. So look, whose boyfriend was Song Qi now?


    Song Qi wasn''t exactly a yboy, but he wasn''t devoted to one woman either. He didn''t have an undying passion for Liu Baozhu; it was more like a conqueror''s urge to seed where everyone else failed.


    Of course, his eptance of Qing Qing wasn''t the result of irresistible love either.


    Men from wealthy families were essentially spoiled children, till the day they died.


    Qing Qing took out her phone and called Song Qi.


    "Dear, are you free tonight?" Qing Qing didn''t need to deliberately soften her voice.


    It was naturally sweet. Liu Baozhu had once said her voice surpassed Lin Zhiling''s allure - Lin Zhiling could be cloying, while no matter how long one listened to Qing Qing, she remained lyrical and captivating.


    So on the phone, Song Qi quickly agreed to pick her up from work and take her back to his ce.


    Qing Qing raised her eyebrows. Little boy, if I can''t subdue you, my feminine wiles have been cultivated in vain.


    Such words and tone were highly reminiscent of Hu Li''s style, though Qing Qing actually admired it without voicing it aloud.


    When getting off work, Qing Qing deliberately dawdled to carefully dress up, timing it perfectly so that as she walked out, Liu Baozhu would be going from the 3rd floor down just as Song Qi pulled up at the entrance to wait for her. He always avoided parking at the radiology department building itself, fearing radiation exposure.


    Sure enough, Qing Qing noticed his gaze following Liu Baozhu for a bit as she headed towards the dormitory building before nonchntly looking away again. Qing Qing pretended not to see.


    They went to the city''s top-ranked Japanese restaurant.


    While waiting to be seated, they ran into the blissfully loved-up newly engaged Hu Li and her fianc¨¦, so the four ended up dining together.


    Hu Li was all smiles and good cheer today, chatting amicably with Qing Qing for once without any barbs or provocations. So when Qing Qing casually asked, "How were the blind dates for Baozhu?", Hu Li was so shocked she nearly bit her own tongue off.


    "Who told you Baozhu was going on blind dates?" Hu Li demanded, while the other two also looked to Qing Qing questioningly.


    "You didn''t know either?" Qing Qing said lightly. "I thought you would have heard. I overheard it from Director Liu - Baozhu asked for leave herself and told the director she was going on a blind date. She''s been taking fewer night shiftstely! She used to be so enthusiastic, working 29 out of every 30 days on nights if she could get them. But now she''s voluntarily cutting back to make time for these dates. Looks like things are getting serious!"


    "That sneaky girl," Hu Li grumbled. "Keeping things so hush-hush."


    "Well, I guess we''ll all have to wait for the wedding invitation to find out," Qing Qingughed.


    Hu Li rolled her eyes at her. "She just doesn''t like sharing private stuff about herself."


    "Maybe she doesn''t even know she''s being set up," Song Qi suggested.


    Bingo. Gotcha.


    "Oh, like that time you were set up with her without her knowing?" Qing Qing asked Song Qi.


    Hu Li was eagerly waiting for his reply, neglecting her food in anticipation of some juicy drama!


    Clearly not thrilled to be put on the spot about this, but unable to avoid responding after bringing it up himself just now, Song Qi admitted, "Yeah,ter I asked Director Liu and found out she''d told Baozhu it was to apany her to a basketball game, just to make sure Baozhu would show up."


    So you were sore about it, so close yet so far, and got restless again...


    Men are worse than dogs indeed.

 Chapter 18: A Touchy-feely Means

    <h4>Chapter 18</h4>


    Qing Qing asked: "I wonder who Bao Zhu''s matchmaking partner is? Did anyone from our hospital introduce them?"


    Cheng Peng smiled and pinched Hu Li''s puffed up cheeks, saying: "I feel like no matter who introduced them, it''s not going to work out."


    Hu Li yfully pushed his hand away: "How would you know? Is this your yboy''s intuition?"


    Cheng Peng pleaded: "Who''s a yboy? Song Qi, I''m not saying you, but you should learn from me and be steadfastly devoted."


    Song Qi: "Yes, we should erect a monument to your chastity to glorify your ancestors."


    Everyoneughed.


    Qing Qing said: "But I also think what Cheng Peng said makes sense, the matchmaking won''t work out, no matter who from the hospital introduced them."


    She used her charming little chin to point at Hu Li, "Bao Zhu likes older men, not just a couple years older, but ideally over ten or twenty years older, right?"


    Hu Li retorted: "Nonsense!"


    Qing Qing shrugged nomittally: "Believe it or not."


    Song Qi felt a little dizzy. Over ten years older, could it be possible?


    Wasn''t the man who approached them at the bar over ten years older, looking to be in his forties?


    Although Bao Zhu didn''t seem to chat with him for very long. For people Bao Zhu doesn''t want to talk to, even a few words would be too much.


    Hu Li red at Qing Qing: "How would you know? Stop spouting nonsense."


    Qing Qing was exasperated: "Who''s spouting nonsense? When we were in university, didn''t Bao Zhu have a scandal with the anatomy professor? The professor was over twenty years older than us at the time, right?"


    The two men were stunned.


    Hu Li was also frustrated: "Baseless rumors, and you''re helping spread them. She''s your cousin, what will people think of Bao Zhu when they hear this?"


    Song Qi forgot to eat the steak in front of her mouth, Cheng Peng almost spat out the water in his mouth.


    "Bao Zhu had a scandal with a professor?"


    "You''re Bao Zhu''s cousin?"


    The two spoke in unison: "That can''t be possible!"


    One bombshell after another, they were both dumbfounded.


    Hu Li angrily kept silent.


    Qing Qing answered Cheng Peng: "It''s true, I''m her blood-rted cousin. Our mothers are sisters."


    Song Qi said: "Howe we never heard you mention this before?"


    Qing Qing shrugged: "We''re not some big shots, just because we''re rted should we hold a press conference or something? That would be overdoing it." She chided: "That would make a mountain out of a molehill."


    Song Qi had no argument against that. If the two were actually prominent figures, they probably wouldn''t still be working at the hospital.


    "Bao Zhu really likes much older men? An Oedipusplex?" Cheng Peng asked Qing Qing.


    Hu Li fiercely grabbed his ear: "Stop spouting nonsense, it would reflect badly on her if others heard."


    She red at Qing Qing: "Don''t spread unverified rumors!"


    The two couples parted unhappily.


    Hu Li was still puffed up angrily in the car without saying a word. Even Cheng Peng''s teasing didn''t elicit any smiles.


    "If you''re worried about Bao Zhu, why not give her a call and ask directly?" Cheng Peng consoled her.


    The phone rang for a long time. Just as Hu Li was losing patience and about to hang up, it connected. "Hu Li," Bao Zhu asked over the phone, "What''s the matter?"


    "Bao Zhu, are you matchmaking? I ran into Qing Qing at dinner today, she said she heard from Director Liu that you were matchmaking. How could you not even tell me about it?" Hu Li felt very wronged. "Do I have to hear your personal affairs from other people now?"


    "It was an unimportant person, so I didn''t mention it."


    Bao Zhu''s voice was very gentle, speaking at an unhurried pace, with a power to quiet one down.


    "Who introduced you? How old is he? Is he reliable? How do you feel about it?" Hu Li fired off questions rapidly.


    "To tell the truth," Bao Zhu slowly said, "I''ve already forgotten what he looks like."

 Chapter 19: The Gossip of Baozhu

    <h4>Chapter 19</h4>


    Bao Zhu promised that in the future if there was a matchmaking meeting, she would tell Hu Li first and let Hu Li help screen for her. Only then did Hu Li reluctantly hang up the phone.


    Cheng Peng asked her, "Did Liu Baozhu really have a romantic rumor with a teacher at your college?"


    Hu Li rolled her eyes at him. "I told you it was an unsubstantiated rumor. Why do you have to learn all the bad stuff from that nosy Qing Qing?"


    At the same time, Song Qi was also asking Qing Qing.


    Qing Qing said, "I''m just gossiping with you, you must not spread it around, otherwise Hu Li will scold me again."


    It happened in the second semester of their freshman year. Qing Qing still remembered when the cadavers for the anatomy ss were first transported from the old campus to the new campus, the lingering smell of formaldehyde made her feel like her stomach was punched, wanting to vomit but nothing woulde out.


    On that day, about half of the food in the cafeteria was left uneaten. Other than Bao Zhu, it seemed not many girls went to eat. No matter what happened, Bao Zhu would always eat properly at mealtimes. It wasn''t because she was greedy. In fact, Qing Qing knew Bao Zhu didn''t care much for food. It was more like a ritual of survival that she always ate on time.


    Inter anatomy sses, whether theory orb, Liu Baozhu was always far ahead of all other students, boys and girls alike.


    Qing Qing still remembered that first anatomyb when the teacher asked a student to locate the appendix on the cadaver. As Bao Zhu answered the question, she calmly put on gloves and ced her hands inside the corpse to examine it. Herposure was almost creepy.


    That was also Qing Qing''s first and only anatomyb. Afterwards she applied to switch majors.


    Rumors between Bao Zhu and the teacher started circting around the second semester of their sophomore year. There were repeated sightings of Bao Zhu alone with the teacher in theb.


    In the drearyb permeated with the formaldehyde smell, seeing a youthful girl with a teacher twenty years her senior stirred up everyone''s imagination. It became the talk of campus for some time.


    Song Qi asked, "Were the rumors true?"


    Qing Qing dismissed it casually. "Probably not, but who knows? Bao Zhu could ess theb that others had to reserve time for."


    At the same moment, Cheng Peng was also asking, "Are the rumors reliable?"


    Hu Li denied it categorically. "Of course not. They were just jealous. In the professional skillspetitions, Bao Zhu always got first ce with perfect theory and practical scores. Her suturing speed broke records of past students. Those boys couldn''t take it and found an excuse to smear her reputation."


    What Hu Li didn''t say was that for a long time, Bao Zhu had a set of keys to theb.


    Even the department chair knew that if the anatomy teacher was away, theb could be opened by his student Liu Baozhu.


    So while the rumors were indeed sensational for a period, they didn''t cause much impact since those involved went about their business as usual.


    Hu Li said resentfully, "I feel like Qing Qing was up to no good tonight. Did she deliberately bring Song Qi here to stir things up? How malicious."


    Cheng Peng asked, "Aren''t they cousins? Why do they seem at odds with each other?"


    That was another story.


    What Hu Li didn''t say was that when she checked her moments fromst night about her ns toe to this steakhouse tonight, she resentfully said, "Do you think that wretch Qing Qing knew we''d be here tonight and arranged this ''coincidental'' meeting on purpose? See, she even liked my post."


    "Ha, she must be worried that Song Qi is up to no good regarding us."

 Chapter 20: The Fifth Stalking

    <h4>Chapter 20</h4>


    Today is the fifth day of stalking.


    Where to make a move? How to make a move?


    The only opportunity is during the ten-odd minutes after Bo Rongqi gets off work before he reaches themunity gate, under the dense tree shade.


    How to make a move?


    How to ensure a smooth and wless abduction without being seen by others?


    Move the car over and make a move when he walks by? That would require me to wait another three months.


    Three months is the time urban road monitoring videos are retained.


    I don''t have that much time.


    On the open highway, even if no one is around, how to ensure he won''t yell for help? And how to get him into the car without leaving any signs of struggle?


    At the third fork on this tree-lined path, Bo Rongqi will part ways with a colleague. That colleague will turn onto Linyuan Second Road here, leading to Hongqi Street. There is an annoying surveince camera at the corner that would capture the car te number, driver''s image, and Bo Rongqi''s image.


    No, too risky.


    "Bang!" Someone beside me identally knocked over the roadside railing.


    The wheelchair fell over, with its wheels still spinning.


    "Oh my, you gave me a fright wearing all ck like a ghost thiste at night. I didn''t even see anyone there!" An old man fell at my feet, yelling in pain.


    I quickly squat down to check if he has any external injuries first.


    He is a man in his sixties, still quite spirited.


    I lift the wheelchair up straight, then support him from under his armpits to help him onto the wheelchair.


    The old man frowns, "Wearing such dark clothes and walking without a sound thiste, you nearly scared me into a heart attack."


    I squat down with a hand on his pulse¡ªit''s strong and steady, not fast or slow. The old man is in good shape.


    "Sir, shall I take you to the hospital for a checkup?"


    From the corner of my eye, I see Bo Rongqi merely ncing back at themotion before continuing on his way.


    "Why would I go to hospital? I just got out of one, don''t want to go back there! Youngdy, let me tell you, hospitals are nasty ces!"


    "Is there anything I can help with then?" I don''t pry into why he''s pushing a wheelchair here sote. Everyone has their own story.


    "Could you please push me to the restroom inside? There''s a clog in my building''s sewage pipe at home, and I haven''t found anyone to fix it yet."


    I push him along the essible ramp. Surprisingly, this ramp is wide and smooth¡ªmost are too narrow and bumpy to be of much use to the visually impaired.


    "It''s dangerous for a youngdy like you to be out jogging thiste. Hardly anyonees here. If anything happens, you''d be alone with no help in sight."


    "But aren''t you here as well, sir?"


    "That''s different. What trouble could an old geezer like me possibly get into!"


    "Any person could be in danger." I say.


    There are perverts, robbers, people holding grudges against society, drunk drivers... No one is one hundred percent safe.


    I tell the old man I''ll wait for him outside the restroom and take him back home after. He doesn''t refuse. I can tell he feels quite lonely. He also doesn''t maneuver the wheelchair too well¡ªhis left foot is blocked by his pant leg, revealing a ster cast underneath.


    The night is very still. The hazy light from a distant streemp barely reaches us.


    But as we round the bend, I''m stunned to find this is the ce!

 Chapter 21: Originally Here

    <h4>Chapter 21</h4>


    So this was where it was.


    Across the street, in the dense shade of the trees, a car was parked.


    A Subaru Forester, ck, an old modified car, inconspicuous, license te MN520. The owner had already passed away four months ago.


    This car was the reward she had given me. Three and a half months ago, I had parked the car across the street. To make sure there was enough gas, two cans of gas were stored in the back, bought with the owner''s ID card from a gas station.


    I would use this car to bring Bo Rongqi back to my home, where I would tear him apart and turn him into pus.


    Another peaceful vige amidst the gloomy willows and bright flowers!


    Maybe I could avoid surveince and sessfully get Bo Rongqi into the car.


    I felt my palms sweating slightly. This was just too perfect.


    I dropped the old man off at the gate of his residentialplex. Turning out from the tree-lined path, there was a lively outside world beyond, different from the gloominess of the path, with shining neon lights and peopleing and going. Two distinctly different worlds coexisted within just a few hundred meters in the same ce.


    Some people''s worlds were noisy, others were serene.


    The inpatient department in the morning was very noisy.


    Meals were delivered to the patients one by one, the sounds of families washing up, patients walking along the walls...


    I was used to such liveliness, I also liked such liveliness.


    Ajuan told me someone was waiting for me in the doctor''s office.


    I pushed open the door. The girl in a duckbill cap looked up, her eyes meeting mine right away.


    Lisa, Ms. Lin''s daughter, with red swollen eyes and disheveled clothes. Seeing me was like seeing a lifesaver. She stood up, choking back sobs, "Doctor, my mom booked tickets for tomorrow toe back from Peking Union Medical College Hospital."


    I nodded. "Well, it''ll be morefortable taking the high-speed rail."


    "How much longer can my mom live?" She looked at me, with mes flickering in her pupils, perhaps the mes of despair.


    I looked at her. "Are the review results out?"


    She nodded.


    I said, "That''s hard to say. I have to see the checkup results and surgical records."


    Lisa lowered her head. "My mom didn''t get the surgery. She wants to make it to the seventh month of pregnancy before having a C-section."


    Absurd! Ignorant!


    I was at a loss for words.


    Lisa''s whole body shook. "Is the son so good and important that he''s more important than her own life?" She sobbed, "I don''t want my mom to be like this. Doctor, can you try to persuade my mom?"


    She didn''t mention her dad.


    "Okay, if theye." I said hypocritically. I would say it from the doctor''s perspective of caring for the patient. But unfortunately I wasn''t the one making decisions.


    But by saying this, it seemed that Lisa wasforted and assured. She wiped the tears and snot off her face in a frenzy and grinned at me with gritted teeth.


    I didn''t dare look into her glittering eyes that had been soaked in tears, so I had to look away.


    At lunch I wanted to return the lunch box to Director Li in the cafeteria, but didn''t see him there.


    In fact, few staff members would bring their own lunch boxes to eat in the cafeteria since the cafeteria had unified tableware that didn''t need self-washing and was strictly sanitized to put people at ease.


    This was obviously a personal lunch box, gray, threeyers, good instion and stylish design, well-made.


    Maybe I should have returned it to him that same day.


    I got my food and held the clean lunch box as I walked down the tree-lined path behind the hospital dormitory building. Maybe he was there.


    He was indeed there.


    Bathed in sunlight, the brown bench, the crisp white coat fluttering in the wind revealing messy hair. In the sunlight I could see his long curled eyshes clearly.


    I thought I might disturb him if I went over. So I stopped.


    But he had already turned his head. The sleek jawline, smiling lips.


    He turned out to be a very handsome young man.


    "Baozhu." He looked up at me with a smile, and stood up at the same time.

 Chapter 22: He looks good.

    <h4>Chapter 22</h4>


    "Bao Zhu," he said, "the sunshine is so nice today, let''s have a meal together."


    I walked over quickly. On the bench was another lunch box, the same style but a different color.


    So the meal I hadst time was indeed his personal one. No wonder it tasted so differently from the cafeteria food.


    "Chief Li, thanks again forst time!" I handed over the lunch box, "I''ve washed it clean."


    He opened the other lunch box, "Try the dishes I made today."


    The taste was great. The bean sprout tails were all pinched off uniformly, the beef was tender and smooth, and the slightly spicy vor was very appetizing. I picked up a few bites with clean chopsticks and put them in my own lunch box.


    "You are very skilled in cooking," I said. That was true. Apart from at Qin Qin''s house, I hadn''t had a proper homemade meal for a long time since my father left.


    I finished the cafeteria food in three or two bites, then thanked him again.


    Chief Li looked at me, "Bao Zhu, eating too fast is not a good habit, at least it''s not good for health preservation."


    Uh, this sudden preaching. I was at a loss for words.


    He looked at me and asked, "Do you like to eat onions?"


    I said: "It''s fine."


    It seemed I was not a picky eater.


    "I''ll make stir-friedmb with onions tomorrow and bring you a portion. Let''s eat together at noon," he said.


    "You are too kind," I said, "But I have ate shift tomorrow." So I politely declined.


    When I walked through the corridor and was about to lose sight of the tree-lined path, I looked back. He sat there, chewing slowly, acting and eating gracefully.


    No wonder Hu Li said he was a good-looking and kind chief.


    In the afternoon, I was covering Dr. Liu''s shift at the obstetrics outpatient clinic.


    The busy outpatient clinic was filled with pregnant women at different months, with big bellies. Some were there to set up medical records, some for prenatal checkups - measuring fundal height, fetal heart rate monitoring, blood sugar and blood pressure tests... Carrying a new life is a sacred and joyful thing. Most obstetricians and gynecologists love working at the obstetrics clinics the most. At the gynecology clinics, they often see many women with early pregnancies asking for termination. No OB/GYN could remain indifferent towards the termination of so many new lives. Last month on the 24th morning, Chief Zhao saw 25 women with early term pregnancy, and 24 of them gave up. When the only young girl happily said "I want to keep it," Chief Zhao said she couldn''t help butugh with the little girl.


    The birth of any life deserves expectation and joy.


    "Can you do me a favor and let me get checked first?"


    "Everyone''s lining up, if you want to be seen early thene early! Who isn''t waiting in line with pregnancy?"


    "Can you do me a favor and let me get checked first? The baby has stopped moving. Please help!"


    Her voice was very urgent. I signaled intern Li Na to go check on the pregnant woman first. In less than two minutes, Li Na shouted loudly, "Dr. Liu, pleasee over quickly!"


    I stopped and signaled for the other interns to continue examining the pregnant women in line. Then I immediately walked over.


    "The pregnant woman said she felt frequent fetal movement early this morning, but has not felt anything sincete morning," Li Na quickly exined. She also led the 36-week pregnant woman onto the exam table. No fetal movement, fetal heart rate 95.


    "Where is the family member?" I asked. Li Na immediately shouted, "** Family member, pleasee to the exam room immediately. Who is Ms. **''s family?"


    A young man lifted his head from his cell phone, "Me, I am."


    "The fetus is sufferingte term intrauterine distress and hypoxia. Emergency C-section is required immediately. I have your admission slip ready, please go pay the fees right away, do not dy," I said to the family member. "Go now!" "Notify the OR, prepare for surgery immediately!"


    I told the nervous and tearful pregnant woman, "We need to arrange an emergency C-section for you now. We''ll wheel you to the OR in a wheelchair. Don''t be nervous."

 Chapter 23: I Want to Be a Mother

    <h4>Chapter 23</h4>


    I arranged for other interns to immediately take the pregnant woman to the obstetric operating room.


    When the male family member came back after paying the fee, he asked me with trembling lips: "Doctor, is the baby okay?"


    I said, "There was hypoxia in the uterus. You need to be mentally prepared that the baby may..." I paused for a moment, "You should havee to the hospital earlier. I hope it''s not toote now."


    He regretfully pped himself, "It''s all my fault. I thought it was nothing and wanted to sleep a little longer."


    There was a fetal heartbeat, the fetus was still alive, but the impact of the hypoxia on the child in the future, no one could guarantee. Life is so fragile. His regret now was trivialpared to the potential after-effects on the fetus.


    The operating room called to say the other doctors were still in surgery. Chief Physician Liu directly arranged this surgery for me.


    The anesthesiologist was in position. I washed my hands, disinfected, put on sterile clothes, wore a sterile cap... The anesthetic started taking effect on the pregnant woman. The nurse prepared the sterile drapes. With scalpel in hand, I made an incision from 4-5 cm below the navel to the upper edge of the pubic symphysis, cut open the peritoneum, retracted the dder, and the round amniotic sac enclosing the fetus was exposed. Carefully avoiding the major blood vessels, I slowly cut open the amniotic sac. Juan immediately suctioned the amniotic fluid that came out with the rupture of membranes...


    The small round head that had not gone through the birth canal, eyes closed tight. I carefully lifted him out from his mother''s belly, a tiny life, now cradled in my hands.


    I turned and handed him to the midwife. I was the surgeon. My main task now was to deliver the centa and then suture the incision.


    The monitor showed the mother''s heart rate speeding up, blood pressure rising. Through my mask I said, "Don''t be nervous. The doctor is suctioning the baby''s airway. It''s a boy."


    "Why isn''t he crying?" the mother asked tearfully. As soon as she finished speaking, the newborn let out a faint cry.


    "Don''t worry. We''ll record everything, take good care of him, then bring him to you."


    Male, 2.3 kg. Transient respiratory distress. Skin pale. Weak cry. Poor muscle tone. Decreased throat reflex. APGAR score 7...


    Juan carried him over to the mother. "This is your mom. Come, lie on mom''s chest for a bit. Let''s let mom take a look at baby now." Juan gently spoke, softly directing the mother to look. "Now we''re putting on his wristband. We''ll take him to the incubator in a bit."


    "Is there something wrong with him? Doctor." The first-time mother asked anxiously.


    "He experienced hypoxia in your womb, his lungs aren''t fully developed yet. Don''t worry."


    Juan was very gentle. She had a kind heart, and was so gentle with the mother and baby. I really liked her a lot.


    Layer byyer I sutured the incision closed. Subcuticr suture. Reverse knots. In about 6 months the scar would fade to a faint mark.


    The newborny on his mother''s chest. The first-time mother smiled happily, with tears in her eyes.


    Where does the meaning of this work lie? Why choose to be an ob-gyn doctor?


    Perhaps it lies in this tearful smile!


    I don''t have high hopes for marriage, but I look forward to having my own child. I will love her with all my heart, which is also one of the reasons why I don''t want to take risks or sacrifice myself.


    I must, I have to be a good mother. I will tie her hair in pretty little braids, y dolls with her, tell her stories, I will give her all my love...


    Just like my sister took care of me when I was little.


    My sister, as pure and beautiful as a pearl, who killed herself to prove her innocence after being raped by intern teacher Bo Rongqi.

 Chapter 24: Honey Moxibustion and licorice

    <h4>Chapter 24</h4>


    The operation was over. I changed into a white coat. There was still an hour before the outpatient clinic ended. Dr. Zhang, who was working with me today, was 4 months pregnant and could not be too tired.


    Hu Li sent a WeChat message: "Let''s have dinner tonight."


    "No, just finished the operation, want to sleep early." I said.


    I needed to go scout again tonight.


    "No matter how tired, you have to go with me." The emoji Hu Li sent was puffy with anger.


    "What''s the matter?" I asked.


    "Let''s talk about it when we meet. Come to my office after you get off work and wait for me."


    Well, it would be fine to go scouting after dinner too, it would be better for digestion.


    The Chinese Medicine Room was on the first floor. Because it was connected to the Medicinal Preparation Room, it upied a wide area. There was also a small independent courtyard behind it.


    The hospital had invested heavily in the Chinese Medicine Room. After all, our hospital''s traditional Chinese medicine was famous both near and far, and the Chinese medicine was even more well-known. Every batch and production process was meticulously crafted.


    I had just gotten to the door when the door opened from the inside. Hu Li pulled me in.


    The day shift was off work now. There were only two people on duty in the Chinese Medicine Room. The Chinese Medicine Room had a strong fragrance of Chinese medicine, apanied by the sweet smell of honey.


    "I''ve felt stuffy these past two days, like I can''t breathe, the smell of medicine is getting stronger and stronger, more and more unpleasant." Hu Li fanned her nose with her hand.


    "Honey-fried licorice root, still okay, better than fried Aquria." I said.


    Hu Li made a nauseous expression, "Finally off work. This is the life of the working ss. I used to think I could tolerate it, but the past two days I feel it''s really particrly unpleasant."


    I took her wrist, the flow of qi was smooth, like beads on a string, like lotus bearing dew.


    "You''re pregnant!" I said.


    Hu Li let out a strange cry, pinching my four fingers, "You felt my pulse!"


    I nodded, "Should I get you a pregnancy test?"


    I bought Hu Li a pregnancy test strip, and she sneaked off to the bathroom, telling me to wait for her in the Medicinal Preparation Room.


    Just as I opened the door, Chief Li happened to open his office door at the same time, we looked at each other, and he smiled at me and nodded, "Here to find Hu Li?"


    "Yeah."


    "Are you going to the cafeteria for lunch tomorrow?" he asked.


    "I am." I said.


    "Then I''ll bring you a taste of friedmb with onions." He said it as if it were a given.


    "Wouldn''t that be too much trouble for sister-inw?" I said hesitantly. Not to mention it might give people the wrong idea.


    Chief Liughed very happily, eyes curving, "Bao Zhu, I don''t know if it would trouble your sister-inw, first, I cooked the dish myself," he looked at me, smiling before he spoke, "Second, I''m unmarried."


    I...


    "Bao Zhu," Hu Li shouted as she ran over.


    "Don''t run, walk slowly." I hurried to meet her.


    Hu Li secretly handed it to me, "Help me see if this is urate?"


    One dark and one light, two lines, heralding the arrival of new life.


    "Congrattions, congrattions." I said with a smile.


    "That''s great!" Hu Li cheered and jumped up, I pulled her back.


    "Don''t jump around, you have to be careful from now on."


    I heard Chief Li speak behind me, but I didn''t hear clearly. Hu Li happily said to him, "Chief, I won''t be able to work night shifts with you anymore."


    The sister working the night shift joked, "It''s okay, rain or shine, I''ll be here on night shifts to apany you, I''m the chief''s loyal fan."


    Everyoneughed.


    "Shouldn''t you tell Cheng Peng first?" Chief Li reminded her.


    Hu Li pped her forehead, "Oh right, I forgot about him. What do you think, will he cry orugh?"


    "He might run away." The sister joked.


    Hu Li went to make a phone call. We''d know tomorrow when Hu Li came to work whether it was crying orughing on the other end of the phone.


    Looks like she wouldn''t need me to apany her tonight, I could go ahead with my own ns.

 Chapter 25: Dead End of Surveillance

    <h4>Chapter 25</h4>


    My n is this: on a rainy night next month, on Bo Rongqi''s way home from work at BenSe Bar, at the third intersection where he parts ways with his colleague, I will take advantage of myself to lure him under the shade of a tree, and then take advantage of anesthetics to anesthetize him unconscious, and then use a wheelchair to push him all the way from the blind path extending from the toilet in the shaded path to the car I had prepared beforehand, and then disappear...


    Hu Li does not need to worry about Cheng Peng, because from beginning to end, Cheng Peng has given her enough sense of security. The two had already formally proposed to her, and getting married next is a matter of course.


    I put on sportswear and started jogging slowly.


    Today is not urgent, I have time to take it slow.


    Bo Rongqi gets off work on time every Friday and weekend at BenSe Bar, while his colleague who walks with him takes Friday off.


    I''m going to take him away unknowingly on a Friday night.


    There is still one problem that needs to be solved.


    The only surveince camera is hung high, silently recording everything.


    In fact, the best way is to destroy the surveince, use a child''s basketball or football, pretend to identally destroy it while kicking the ball. This can ensure that there is no video evidence.


    But then I would have to find a child I can trust enough with good enough aim to do this, and it would have to be at least a month in advance, and I would need to make sure that the government does not maintain or repair it during that month.


    Otherwise, there would be too many loopholes, and it would be easy to leave human evidence.


    I can only find the blind spot of the surveince.


    The four-meter-high, spherical high-definition camera has a shooting range with a diameter of about 200 meters. It is the only surveince camera in this tree-lined path.


    And this tree-lined path is located deep in the central square. Because it is remote, there are few pedestrians, but because you can turn into Hongqi Street afterwards, although there are few people usually, it is not without people.


    Legend has it that a bloody case happened here, where a young couple was brutally murdered, and the case remains unsolved to this day. Surveince was installed here after that.


    But because the case remains unsolved, the already remote tree-lined path has be even more deste.


    The sound of my slow jogging sounds abrupt here. The surveince can shoot the public toilet, and can also shoot the corners to the left and right of the public toilet, but after leaving the public toilet and turning left, under the cover of an ancient tree that looks like a giant umbre, the blind path is in the blind spot of surveince.


    When I saw this huge ancient tree, these lines of poetry shed through my mind.


    Then I smiled, I found the way!


    I just need to confirm one thing.


    I climbed up the ancient tree and found a hidden branch. It was hidden because you couldn''t see the tree from under the tree, but from the tree you could clearly see under the tree.


    And all these actions were blocked by the shade of the ancient tree, and the surveince knew nothing.


    Too good.


    Iy on the tree and took a deep breath. The air was fresh and refreshing, it was a good ce, and it wouldn''t be bad to sleep here for a long time.


    Sister, it''s almost here, the day I''ve been waiting for is about toe.


    Sister, it''s almost 23 years, do you already have your own happy life?


    Are you a cat, a dog or a flower now?


    Sister, I miss you so much!


    My tears trickled down.

 Chapter 26: The Clear Bar of Amnesia

    <h4>Chapter 26</h4>


    Qing Qing was going to get married.


    When Baozhu heard the news, she had to admit she was envious.


    At the same age and working in the samepany, Hu Li seemed to easily get everything she wanted - good job, boyfriend, marriage proposal, wedding, and even the friendship of Baozhu...


    Qing Qing thought sourly to herself: So what if she''s getting married, is her fianc¨¦ Cheng Peng better than my boyfriend Song Qi?


    Song Qi, the hospital director''s only child, young and promising, owns his own firm...tall, handsome and sessful.


    The only downside was, he hadn''t reached the point of believing Qing Qing was his one and only, and wanting to get married immediately.


    Qing Qing tidied up her make up and slowly walked out of the elevator, handbag in the crook of her arm. The first thing she saw was Song Qi, standing straight as a rod at the end of the hallway.


    Qing Qing smiled to herself and quickened her steps towards him. But Song Qi didn''t seem to notice her there, and actually walked in the opposite direction.


    Oh - that''s because Baozhu was approaching from that direction, head lowered as she perused some documents in her hand.


    Song Qi briskly walked up to Baozhu, meaning to surprise her mischievously. But Baozhu didn''t look surprised; she simply lowered her head further and stepped aside to walk around him. Song Qi persisted and moved to block her path again, identally causing Baozhu to run straight into his chest.


    "Ha ha, careful there," Song Qi said,ughing and supportively putting an arm around Baozhu''s shoulders to prevent her from falling.


    Qing Qing was furious but kept her smile pasted on.


    Baozhu apologized, "I''m so sorry, I didn''t realize it was you."


    Song Qi loosened his tie and casually said, "Too bad I didn''t startle you. Where are you headed?"


    "Just going for a walk after work," Baozhu replied.


    Qing Qing harrumphed to herself then called out loudly, "Baozhu, let''s go eat together. Song Qi and I were nning to have hot pot at Little Lamb tonight."


    "No thanks, I should get going," Baozhu demurred.


    But Qing Qing grabbed her wrist, "Come on Baozhu, don''t stand on ceremony. You''re practically family, Song Qi has to call you cousin!"


    Song Qi''s expression froze.


    Even Baozhu looked surprised. She looked Qing Qing up and down before replying, "I have other matters to attend to, maybe next time."


    After Baozhu left, Qing Qing teased Song Qi, "Mr. Song, this is serious! Someone openly threw herself at you right in front of me. Who knows what goes on when I''m not around to watch over you. Do you get flocked by admirers left and right?"


    For once, Song Qi was sensitive enough to question, "Hey, are you jealous? Is Baozhu the type to deliberately throw herself at someone?"


    Qing Qing thought to herself that his opinion of Baozhu was rather high - most men didn''t understand subtle maneuvers, and Baozhu was an expert tease amongst women. But of course she didn''t voice her thoughts aloud. She just smiled gently and shot Song Qi a sultry nce, "Not usually, but you''re different. I wouldn''t be surprised if lots of beauties are lining up to get your attention. You have excellent taste after all - in women and in me."


    Song Qiughed, clearly ttered that a woman as publicly recognized as gorgeous as Qing Qing would pay him such a sincerepliment. What man wouldn''t love that?


    After dinner, Song Qi brought Qing Qing to Wandering Thoughts Bar for the first time. As soon as they appeared, the bar erupted in whistles and hoots,


    "Yo Song Qi, you finally brought your woman to meet us!"


    "Wow, what a beauty! Where''d you find this flower, Song Qi?"


    Song Qi introduced Qing Qing, "This is my girlfriend, Qing Qing."


    Qing Qing basked in the tteringpliments, keeping a faint smile on her face - not too warm but not cold either, asionally bantering yfully with them.


    That is until someone came over to their table with a huge tter of alcohol. Song Qi formally introduced Qing Qing again, "Brother, meet my girlfriend Qing Qing."


    The man bore some resemnce to Song Qi - tall stature, sharp features, bespectacled with a casual studious charm.


    He adjusted his spectacles and reached for Qing Qing''s hand, "Pleased to meet you Qing Qing, I''m Song Qi''s cousin, Song Kai."


    Qing Qing was uncharacteristically nervous and self-consciously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.


    Song Kai sat down beside them. The bar had just opened and there were few patrons, mainly their group.


    Thoughtful Song Qi passed Qing Qing a cup of hot water, "You just ate, have some water first."


    The others banged the table in jest, "We''re at a bar and you serve her water? Song Qi you''re too strict on your woman!"


    "Now that I think about it," one of them eximed, "wasn''t the girl you abruptly hauled out of True Colors Bar that other time...your wife now?"


    Caught unprepared, Song Qi swiftly nced at Qing Qing. Unruffled, she smiled back at him then exined, "Song Qi knows I have low tolerance. He was afraid I''d embarrass myself in front of all of you!"


    The first guy continued, "Ah that makes sense. We were sitting here chatting when you suddenly rushed out looking bothered. So it was because you were worried! Song Qi you rascal, look at you now."


    Everyone cackled loudly.


    Song Qi''s grin was strained. His cousin Song Kai threw him an inscrutable look before urging everyone to drink. "This wine is a newly imported foreign brand, quite strong, give it a try."


    So the topic moved on to discuss the merits of alcohol...


    Qing Qing calmly matched the group''s pace, rxed and unhurried now that the earlier difort had passed. Song Qi also gradually unwound and prepared to start drinking.

 Chapter 27: Liu Baozhu Again

    <h4>Chapter 27</h4>


    While Song Qi was in the restroom and Song Kai was away from the bar counter, Qing Qing smiled at the person she was talking to earlier, ¡°Where did you see me that day?¡±


    The person called Fengzi pointed outside the window, and the words ¡°BenSe Bar¡± came into view across the street.


    ¡°You see, you can see BenSe¡¯s bar counter from here. Song Qi saw you from there and hurried over to drag you out.¡±


    Qing Qing covered her mouthughing, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it to be so close. I didn¡¯t know you guys hung out there regrly.¡±


    Fengzi said, ¡°We rarely see Song Qi so anxious either, so it left a deep impression. However, sister-inw, this is the third time I¡¯ve seen you.¡±


    Qing Qing was surprised and said, ¡°How could that be? This is the first time I¡¯ve met you!¡±


    Fengzi said, ¡°The first time was when you and Song Qi met for the blind date. Song Qi specifically arranged a private table for you two. You didn''t see me then. The second time was when Song Qi dragged you out of BenSe Bar, and you didn''t see me either. So this is the third time I''ve seen you, and your first time seeing me.¡±


    It was Liu Baozhu!


    When did Liu Baozhu and Song Qi get so close?


    Qing Qing gritted her teeth. From the corner of her eye, she saw Song Qi walking over, so she stopped the topic and asked some unimportant questions instead, without halting her chat with Fengzi. By the time Song Qi sat down, their topic had turned to embarrassing stories from Song Qi¡¯s childhood.


    Qing Qing covered her mouthughing while Song Qi fought back by recounting embarrassing stories from Fengzi¡¯s childhood upon hearing him expose Song Qi''s faults.


    The night passed just like that.


    On the drive home, Song Qi chatted with Qing Qing about his friends.


    Qing Qing suddenly asked, ¡°Who did you drag out of BenSe Bar that day?¡±


    Song Qi was caught off guard. He blurted out ¡°It was...¡± before catching himself, suddenly remembering his promise to Baozhu. He quickly changed his words, ¡°You don¡¯t know her. She was my former ssmate whom I hadn¡¯t seen in a long time. I happened to run into her so I went to say hi.¡±


    Qing Qing didn¡¯t say anything. She leaned her upper body against Song Qi. ¡°Why did you think to bring me to meet your friends today? You should¡¯ve told me earlier so I could dress up more.¡±


    Song Qiplimented her, ¡°You looked so beautiful today. You don¡¯t need to dress up to dazzle their dog eyes.¡±


    Qing Qingughed and slid her hand from his right arm down to his fingers. ¡°You say your brother has dog eyes. How about you then?¡±


    Song Qi parked the car under a tree by the roadside, took off his seatbelt, and leaned over to seal her giggling lips with his.


    After a brief murmur, Qing Qing lifted her head with her arms around his neck, letting him deepen the kiss.


    When Song Qi finally left her lips, Qing Qing passionately said, ¡°Song Qi, I¡¯m very happy today. This is the first time you¡¯ve brought me to meet your friends.¡±


    Song Qi pinched her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you over more often from now on.¡±


    In all the time we¡¯ve dated, this is the first time you¡¯ve brought me to meet them. Yet for the blind date you went through great lengths for Liu Director to arrange with Liu Baozhu, you arranged it here the very first time.


    I guess this is the difference between active pursuit and being pursued, Qing Qing thought.


    When Song Qi hinted that he didn¡¯t want to take her home, Qing Qing coyly rejected his further suggestions and insisted that he take her back to her rented apartment.


    After Song Qi had reluctantly left her almost an hourter, Qing Qing took off her high heels and changed into casual shoes. She took a taxi to the hospital dormitory.


    She was very angry, so when she knocked on Liu Baozhu''s door, she didn¡¯t control her strength well. The motion sensor lights on the entire floor turned on.


    But Liu Baozhu didn''t respond. She wasn''t at home. Out sote, the homebody actually wasn''t home!


    It was sote, yet the homebody showed up at a bar!


    The homebody actually went to a bar alone?!


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