The Surgeon's Studio

The red Volvo XC60 sped along the highway for more than 1,800 kilometers. The journey was long, and it took a little more than a day to reach Chengdu.

All the toll booths in Chengdu were open, and Xie Yiren slowly followed the flow of traffic through, passing them by.

Although she was very tired and it was already late at night, she did not intend on taking a break.

The colorful neon lights on the street were cut off by the car’s body as they crisscrossed through the window. The empty seat beside her was constantly illuminated in the darkness.

There was once a person sitting there. He was simple and uninteresting but full of strength. He was like a rock, hard but stable and reliable.

When they passed by the Fu River, there was a reflection of light spots in the water’s ripples that could not be stopped. It was unknown where the light source came from the moonlight or the people coming and going from the shore.

Xie Yiren suddenly hoped that after she picked up that person, she could continue driving and not stop halfway. The car steadily trudged through the passage of time, disappearing from the streets in the early morning once all the streetlights were extinguished.

Although the road was long, there would always be an end.

They drove all the way to Tian Fu Square. When they arrived at the agreed location, Xie Ning had already been waiting for her for a long time.

“Dad.” Xie Yiren got out of the car and reverted back to the obedient daughter that she was in the past.

Xie Ning rubbed Xie Yiren’s head and said, “You arrived so quickly. Didn’t you get any rest on your way here?”

“I slept for a few hours on the road. I’m not tired.”

Looking at her daughter who had grown up, Xie Ning sighed. He didn’t want her to come but she just had to come. Xie Yiren, who had always been an obedient daughter, had finally grown up.

“Dad, you’ve lost weight recently,” Xie Yiren whispered.

Xie Ning finally revealed a smile that was different from his usual. It was so friendly.

“What about you? Your dad is still young and energetic. I can still afford to go through some hardships,” Xie Ning said with a smile.

The father and daughter duo were silent at the same time. They quietly watched the flow of people donating blood and collecting donations within Tian Fu Square. A few days ago on the night of the earthquake, tens of thousands of people gathered here spontaneously.

The booming sound of the earthquake was akin to the sound of war drums, rumbling up in the heavens.

But now, the turmoil of emotions still had not disappeared. The sound still reverberated in their ears, turning the small ‘stream’ of people into a large river.

“The initial earthquake relief has basically ended,” Xie Ning said, “What’s left is some finishing work. It may last for a long time so I have nothing to do for the time being.”

“Are you going home?” Xie Yiren asked.

“No, I heard Zheng Ren mention something. I’m going to Europe,” Xie Ning said.

Xie Yiren didn’t ask him what he was going to do in Europe. It was a habit she had developed since she was young.

“You have a good eye. Zheng Ren is a responsible child. He’s hardworking and good.” Xie Ning used these few words to describe Zheng Ren.

To him, this was considered a very high evaluation.

Xie Yiren felt that her face was a little red but she did not lower her head. Her eyes were as clear as the bright moonlight amongst the clouds.

“He came down safely from the frontline and is currently undertaking surgery at Chengdu Provincial Hospital. You should go and look for Chief Chen. I’ll send his phone number to your WeChat,” Xie Ning said.

“Okay.” Xie Yiren nodded. “Go home early after you’re done.”

“I’ll head back immediately afterward. It’s just a preliminary investigation. Zheng Ren gave me a difficult problem to settle.” Xie Ning had a headache when he talked about this. He gently rubbed her temples.

“Dad, are you going with him?”

“Yes, I’m going to take a look on the way.”

“Then I’ll wait for you guys at home,” Xie Yiren said.

“Let Zheng Ren sleep for a while when he’s back. He hasn’t slept well these days. Although he’s young, don’t let him burn out,” Xie Ning warned.

“Huh?” Xie Yiren was stunned.

On the way, she guessed that Zheng Ren, who didn’t have any interest in life, probably didn’t know how to eat and even rarely drank water. However, she didn’t expect that the frontline was so tough that he didn’t even sleep much?

How could that be possible?!

Seeing the anxious expression on Xie Yiren’s face, Xie Ning said, “There are too many injured people that there’s a lot of surgery to be done. But your little boyfriend is the most capable one so he’s been persisting.”

Hearing Xie Ning say the words ‘little boyfriend’, Xie Yiren felt a little shy. However, hearing Xie Ning’s affirmation left a gratified smile on her face.

Xie Ning recognized Zheng Ren very much. When she called her father on the way, Xie Yiren had guessed as much.

At this moment, she had finally confirmed it.

“He’s just like that.” Xie Yiren’s voice was very soft, just like the night wind in Sichuan, gentle and sweet.

“You can’t wait anymore, can you? Do you not want to spend time with your dad? Do you want to see your little boyfriend right away?” Xie Ning asked with a smile.

“He’s already here so there’s no need to rush.” Xie Yiren simply said, “Dad, I missed you.”

Xie Ning smiled.

“Then I’m leaving. I’m going to pick up your mom first. I think she’ll be back in a month to half a month’s time. When the time comes, the two of you should return to the Imperial Capital to come and visit us.”

“Okay.”

“I’m leaving.” Xie Ning rubbed Xie Yiren’s head again. Her neat ponytail didn’t look fluffy and cute after he was done rubbing it. Instead, it gave off a valiant and refreshing feeling.

Xie Ning raised her hand and didn’t say anything else. She turned around and left.

On the roadside, a black Rolls-Royce was parked at the side. Xie Ning walked over and someone opened the car door.

He didn’t turn around and just got into the car. The black car silently disappeared into the traffic and into the night.

Xie Yiren watched Xie Ning leave. A minute later, her phone vibrated.

It was a message from Xie Ning. He had sent her someone’s contact details.

It should be Chief Chen from Chengdu Provincial Hospital. Xie Yiren still remembered what Xie Ning said.

Did he lose weight?

Was he tired?

What should she say once they met?

This bastard dared to lie to her and even turned off his phone. How was she going to settle the score?

Looking at Chief Chen’s cell phone number, Xie Yiren was stunned.

How would she feel now that they were so close to each other?

Xie Yiren felt as if she was still in the supermarket buying daily necessities for Zheng Ren and they had just been hit by the earthquake. She felt as if she had just called Zheng Ren and he had turned off his cell phone right then at that moment. There were a few times in her life when she scolded someone—Zheng Ren, you bastard!

After being stunned for a while, Xie Yiren smiled and turned her head, her ponytail swinging.

After making the call, Xie Yiren waited quietly.

After a few rings, the call was answered.

His voice was a little hoarse, as if someone had disturbed his dream.

“Who is it?”Chief Chen asked.

“Chief Chen, hello. My name is Xie Yiren, Zheng Ren’s scrub nurse. My father, Xie Ning, asked me to call you,” Xie Yiren said straightforwardly.

“Uh…”Chief Chen on the other side of the phone seemed to have just woken up. He couldn’t receive so much information at once.

But soon, he reacted.

“Xie Ning? Is it Xie Ning’s daughter?” Chief Chen asked hesitantly.

“Yes, Chief Chen.”

“Oh, then I understand. I’m at Chengdu Provincial Hospital. Come and find me. Wait for me in the emergency department when you arrive. I’ll go down to pick you up,” Chief Chen said.

“Thank you for your trouble.” Xie Yiren hung up the phone after she finished speaking.

She rubbed her face and tidied up her clothes. Then, she walked back to the red Volvo XC60 resolutely and drove herself all the way to Chengdu Provincial Hospital.