Chapter 13: Aunts and Uncles Can’t Be Together  

Tao Wanxing immediately climbed onto the resuscitation bed, straddling it as she leaned down to check the patient’s carotid pulse.  

“The patient has no major arterial pulse,” she practically shouted.  

She quickly loosened the patient’s clothing and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fighting for those critical golden minutes of rescue.  

The two medical staff who had brought the patient in also paled abruptly, hastily pushing the resuscitation bed toward the emergency room.  

By the time they reached the emergency room, Tao Wanxing was so exhausted she could barely catch her breath. Others stepped in to take over while she stood calmly by the bedside, verifying and executing medical orders.  

“5mg epinephrine, intravenous push.”  

Tao Wanxing responded, “Yes, 5mg epinephrine, intravenous push.”  

“Lobeline 10mg, intravenous push.”  

“Yes, Lobeline 10mg, intravenous push.”  

…  

The beeping of the electrocardiogram monitor sounded, and everyone looked up, relief washing over them as the vital signs gradually stabilized.  

Someone patted Tao Wanxing on the shoulder. “Good job.”  

She turned around, slightly embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Teacher Zhao. It was an emergency.”  

Zhao Tang looked proud. “I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have stereotyped you. You were excellent—calm, composed, and completely in control.”  

“Please don’t be upset with me.”  

Tao Wanxing smiled shyly and shook her head. “Teacher Zhao, I understand.”  

The two exchanged a smile, but before the moment could settle, a deep, commanding voice boomed from outside. “How is he?”  

The voice alone carried such authority that it instinctively evoked fear and the urge to submit.  

The soldier waiting outside the emergency room immediately stood at attention and saluted.  

“General!” His voice cracked before he could finish, tears already falling.  

The man waved a dismissive hand, his expression cold as he stepped forward to inquire—just as Tao Wanxing and the others opened the door to exit.  

Tao Wanxing froze at the sight of him, panic rising in her chest. Her first instinct was to flee.  

The man also paused, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. “Wanxing?”  

Her feet felt like lead. “B-brother-in-law.”  

Just her luck—the one person she least wanted to see.  

The moment the word “brother-in-law” left her lips, the entire emergency room staff seemed to stiffen in surprise.  

Tao Wanxing scrambled to organize her thoughts, already anticipating the questions her brother-in-law would ask.  

Fortunately, Meng Han had no intention of engaging in small talk at the moment. He merely glanced at her before shifting his gaze to the man lying on the bed inside. “How is he?”  

Tao Wanxing replied, “He’s out of immediate danger. We’re just waiting to transfer him to the inpatient ward.”  

Meng Han nodded.  

The soldier in uniform behind him stepped forward. “General, if it weren’t for her quick response today, Xiao Wei might have…”  

The burly man’s eyes were red-rimmed, his voice choked with emotion. Losing a comrade he’d worked alongside for years was unbearable.  

Meng Han’s gaze on Tao Wanxing held a hint of approval. “Wanxing, you did well. Does your sister know you’re back?”  

Tao Wanxing nodded, her fingers tightening nervously. “She does.”  

“Hm.”  

After a brief silence, Meng Han added, “Since you’re back, come over for dinner sometime.”  

His imposing presence, coupled with the same stern demeanor as Meng Chu, left Tao Wanxing no room to refuse. “Okay, Brother-in-law.”  

“Hm.”  

Meng Han turned away, then instructed the man behind him, “Take good care of Xiao Wei.”

Then they left the hospital.  

Only then did Tao Wanxing dare to take a deep breath, feeling like she could finally breathe freely again.  

The person who stayed behind took a step forward, forcing back tears as he smiled. “You don’t have to be afraid of our chief. He just looks intimidating.”  

“But to think you’re actually our chief’s sister-in-law—what a coincidence!”  

“My name is Chen Zhao.” His eyes flicked to Tao Wanxing’s name tag, and his smile brightened even more. “Hello, Wanxing, little sis!”  

“If you’re the chief’s sister-in-law, then you’re our little sister too!”  

His enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming, making Tao Wanxing so flustered that she quickly excused herself, saying she had something to do, and ran off.  

Chen Zhao watched her retreating figure, wondering if he had scared her.  

That girl’s really something.  

When she reached the treatment room, she saw Zhao Tang staring at her with a gossipy expression.  

“Wanxing, I had no idea! I remember you came from Cloud Province for training, but to think you’re actually familiar with such a high-ranking chief—and he’s your brother-in-law!”  

Tao Wanxing gave an awkward laugh. “Teacher Zhao, I—”  

Zhao Tang waved a hand with an understanding look. “Alright, alright, I get it. You want to keep a low profile.”  

Before she knew it, National Day arrived. During this time, Meng Chu must have been very busy, so he didn’t disturb her.  

Occasionally, he would send her a few messages, but Tao Wanxing didn’t feel like replying, usually just responding with an “Mm” or “Got it.”  

Maybe he was busy with work—or busy spending time with Zhu Yan—because he didn’t message her again either.  

Tao Wanxing finally felt at ease. During the holiday, she stayed holed up at home, working on the teaching ward round courseware, which gave her a headache.  

When the Meng family’s driver brought Xiao Tiantian over, her headache only got worse.  

Xiao Tiantian was the second child of her sister and brother-in-law. The little girl was only four years old, plump and fair-skinned, as adorable as a doll.  

With her hair tied into two little buns and big, blinking eyes, she looked like a New Year’s painting come to life.  

“Auntie, Auntie!” Xiao Tiantian called out as soon as she saw Tao Wanxing, her short little legs waddling toward her. “Look at the picture I drew!”  

Tao Wanxing’s eyes curved into a smile as she picked up Xiao Tiantian. “Let me see—who did our sweetie draw?”  

Xiao Tiantian excitedly held up her tablet. “This is Daddy, this is Mommy, this is Great-Grandpa, this is Brother, and this is you and Uncle!”  

Tao Wanxing’s expression froze. The secret buried deep in her heart surged up like boiling water, making her blood run cold.  

Suppressing her panic, she forced a calm tone. “Sweetie, why did you draw Auntie and Uncle together?”  

Xiao Tiantian’s beautiful eyes sparkled like they were filled with stars.  

“Because I like Uncle, and I like Auntie too! It’d be so nice if you two could take me out to play together.”  

“So I drew you holding hands—that way, you’re together!”  

Then, her eyes darting mischievously, she wrapped her arms around Tao Wanxing’s neck and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.  

“Auntie, Auntie, please say yes, okay? That way, we’ll always be best friends and never have to be apart!”  

A bitter smile tugged at Tao Wanxing’s lips as she gently stroked Xiao Tiantian’s soft cheek. “Sweetie, Auntie can’t be with Uncle.”