Mister Li, the Heart Bandit

Nonetheless, Jiang Yigu played it down. “Doctor may appear a sacred profession to others, but who would know the hardship it holds?

“Saving and healing is definitely what doctors should do, but there would always be those convinced that you have to shoulder all outcomes just because you have the job, and that is why they would blame and curse without restraint. Perhaps I have run into a mental obstacle since there were some patients whom I couldn’t rescue lately, which is probably why I had the impulse to hit back.

“So, you don’t have to apologize. I didn’t do it for you.”

Jiang Yigu’s bruised face suddenly had a sickly handsomeness to it then—his voice was also indifferent, as if the problem has nothing to do with himself.

Tian Miaomiao’s eyes felt stabbed looking at his back as he left from the light reflecting off his white coat.

He did not turn back at all, and she felt a mysterious bitterness in her heart.

‘Jiang Yigu, which one is your true self?’

***

The dean’s office.

Jiang Yigu knocked on the door and entered.

The dean was seated on his office chair, flipping through trending news on his phone.

Especially videos of Jiang Yigu fighting.

The video was shaky, but it was not hard to tell that it was a fierce scene.

The dean smiled when he heard Jiang Yigu enter. “Oh, Yigu. Come, sit.”

Jiang Yigu merely stood before his desk. “I’m fine. Say what you need to say.”

The dean sighed. “Yigu, you’re a genius acknowledged in the medical field, and our top authority in our hospital’s neurology wing. But how could you do something so foolish?! You know that you’re a doctor, and patients come first in the hospital no matter what. Why would you commit such a low-class mistake?! I can’t protect you if this thing spreads!”

Jiang Yigu stayed silent.

“I know the patient’s father was wrong,” the dean continued, “But that does not mean netizens nationwide would know that. Things would not have escalated to this state if you just endured it. That man has already come to see me, saying that he would make a huge mess if I don’t settle this matter—don’t you know you’ve ruined your own future?!”

“I did nothing wrong.” Jiang Yigu’s voice was both cold and solemn. “A doctor’s duty is to heal and save, but they can’t save themselves. The patient’s father had publicly smeared our hospital by saying that our doctors would only do our job when we get bonuses, or is that acceptable? If I bear with it today, there would be thousands more families vindictively claiming damages. What would you do then? Reimbursements, just like today? Silence? Or are you letting them do whatever they want?”

“As the dean of this hospital, you should learn how to differentiate right and wrong—not indulgence, or single-minded compliance.”

Jiang Yigu took off his name tag then and put it on the desk, his voice becoming even colder. “I’m tired. I’ll submit my resignation tomorrow.”

The dean’s eyes widened and he rose in shock. “Yigu… are you quitting?”

Having already turned away, Jiang Yigu pause. “Or what?”

It appeared that the dean had not expected things to come to this, and therefore quickly rushed to Jiang Yigu and did his best to have him stay. “Yigu, I know you’re upset and I want to protect you too. But I’m not going to have it easy when the higher-ups complain… how about this? I’ll give you three months leave, and you could see—”

“No need.” Jiang Yigu briskly cut him short and left.

Pushing open the office door, he ran headlong into Tian Miaomiao.

She awkwardly scratched her head, while he brushed past her without a single glance and strode off.

The look from his back was cold, even chilling.

Around her, the nurses who were listening in on the conversation in the dean’s office were all upset.

“Poor Doctor Jiang.”

“Yeah!”

One of them even glared pointedly at Tian Miaomiao. “I heard that Doctor Jiang only got into a fight because he was protecting someone. But they are a coward who won’t even defend him!”

“It’s over… I’ve been chasing him for so long that he’s almost a part of my life. What should I do after he quits? How am I supposed to see him from now on!?”

Tian Miaomiao lowered her head, chiding herself while clenching her fingers at her sides.

It was true. Even if Jiang Yigu wouldn’t admit it, he had not retaliated from the start and kept holding back. It was until she got caught in the crossfire that he…

But was he lying or she imagining things?

Keeping her head down, Tian Miaomiao briskly made her escape. The nurses stared at her as she left, chattering away.

Outside the hospital, Tian Miaomiao went to the bus stop, but her rather quick pace slowed when she saw she saw the man there.

Jiang Yigu had already taken off his white lab coat, and was wearing a white shirt, black leisure pants and white sneakers.

He had a hand in his pocket and was leaning back languidly, his brow furrowed in slight unhappiness although his eyes looked empty.

Just as Tian Miaomiao thought about moving to another bus stop, the bus she was going to board had arrived.

The crowd swarmed, stuffing the bus door and squeezed inside.

Tian Miaomiao joined them—ignoring all else and rushing up, shoving her way inside and finally getting to throw her coin into the coin box.

She picked a standing spot near the window and looked outside.

But Jiang Yigu was already gone.

Eh? Where was he?

Could he have boarded the bus too?

While Tian Miaomiao scanned around her, she suddenly smelled a familiar scent swirling around her nose.

Pausing, she looked up to find Jiang Yigu just in front of her. Since it was very crowded, he was very close and almost touching her.

He kept one hand on the handle behind her, while staring down at her from above.

Tian Miaomiao felt her face go red instantly.

“Hi…” She greeted awkwardly.

Jiang Yigu turned away, acting as if he did not hear her.

Tian Miaomiao cursing him inwardly, and rolled her eyes in irritation when he suddenly smiled.

“Were you cursing at me just now?” He asked.

Tian Miaomiao felt her breath caught at the sight of his smile, and quickly stuttered, “W-who could be cursing at y-you!?”

He grinned but said nothing. Tian Miaomiao, left a little embarrassed decided to shift the topic. “Are you really quitting?”

“Yeah.”

“Where are you going after that?”

“Don’t know.”

“…You’ll starve to death without work. Better find another hospital.”

Jiang Yigu lowered his gaze at her.

Unlike before, Tian Miaomiao was dressed especially girly today. She also smelled faintly street perhaps because she had put on makeup, painting her usually masculine features with some degree of femininity.

He turned away. “I don’t plan to work anymore.”

“Huh?” Tian Miaomiao was shocked. “Why? Not working at such a young age, are you going for premature pensioning? You don’t look rich too, what if you have to pay the dowry for a daughter-in-law?”

In response, Jiang Yigu tapped her in the forehead with his index finger and middle finger. “You talk too much. So annoying.” He said a little feebly.

Tian Miaomiao took one step back as she felt her forehead burn. That was also when the bus swerved abruptly, and everyone onboard started to drop as if by habit.

Watching as Tian Miaomiao lose her balance and was about to fall, Jiang Yigu caught her just in the nick of time, pulling her into his arms.