Chapter 15: Observation Period

ᰔ “So, in your eyes, is testing the same as pursuing?” ᰔ

It was late, and Yu Ran stayed with Shen Suhui to close the café before sending her home.

When they reached the building, Shen Suhui asked Yu Ran to wait for a moment.

Yu Ran agreed, lighting a cigarette to stay alert, looking through the car window at the lights on the seventeenth floor.

Shen Suhui returned quickly, carrying many things, with a few boxes of chocolate in her arms.

“Here.”

“That’s a lot.”

“Mm…” Shen Suhui bent down to talk to her, the white mist from her breath spreading in the air. “These chocolates, you should keep some in your pocket for when you’re busy. If you’re too tired, eat one whenever you need.”

“The bag has some gelatin paste I made, it’s good for replenishing energy and blood. Remember to drink a cup every night.”

“There are also a few bags of concentrated coffee in there, but don’t drink them too often. Make sure to rest properly. The rest… you can check at home.”

Yu Ran smiled. “Why the sudden gift of so many things?”

“You’ve been working too hard…” Shen Suhui repeated, adding, “And didn’t we agree? You need to test me a bit.”

“So, in your eyes, is testing the same as pursuing?”

“…Huh?”

“I think your actions are kind of like you’re pursuing me.”

Shen Suhui panicked for a moment, then softly said, “If you say I’m pursuing, then let it be.”

After all, being able to pursue Yu Ran was a fortunate thing.

At that moment, Yu Ran really wanted to touch Shen Suhui’s face but held back, fearing it might make her cold.

“Thank you, get some rest early.”

“Mm-hmm.” Shen Suhui waved reluctantly. “Goodbye.”

—–

The hospital was crowded before the New Year, with patients gradually being discharged to go home for the holidays. There were long queues outside every department.

Yu Ran’s visits to the café had been greatly reduced, from once a day to once a week.

During her busiest time, she received a message from Jiang Shiluo, saying she was free today and wanted to grab lunch with her during her break.

Yu Ran didn’t respond immediately; when the message came, she was still in the operating room.

Jiang Shiluo wasn’t upset. She had the day off and plenty of time to spend at the hospital. She also volunteered, helping elderly patients with their appointments.

As the end of the workday approached, Yu Ran still hadn’t replied. Jiang Shiluo decided to wait outside the orthopedic office.

“Excuse me, do you know where Dr. Yu is?”

Jian Ming took off her mask, looking tired. “You mean Yu Ran?”

Jiang Shiluo paused for a moment, glanced at her name tag, and then nodded slowly.

“She’s still in surgery. She had two surgeries this morning.” Jian Ming checked her watch. “But she should be done by now. You can wait here.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Jian Ming nodded and was about to pass by her when Jiang Shiluo felt something was off. As she turned, Jian Ming suddenly wobbled and collapsed to the ground.

“Be careful—!”

With her years of training, Jiang Shiluo swiftly caught Jian Ming. She quickly hooked her arm around Jian Ming’s leg and lifted her horizontally, rushing toward the emergency room.

“Make way, make way…”

The nurses at the emergency station recognized Jian Ming. They brought over a stretcher, and Jiang Shiluo gently laid her down.

She bent over, gasping for breath.

“Quickly check, is she fainted from exhaustion…”

“I’m fine.”

Jian Ming opened her eyes wearily. She wasn’t fainting, just lost her balance for a moment, but luckily didn’t collapse.

“Thank you.”

“Are you really okay?” Jiang Shiluo stood up and leaned over her, her gaze seriously falling on the five finger marks on Jian Ming’s neck. “Dr. Jian, I’m a good friend of Yu Ran, and I’m also a police officer. If you’re in any trouble, you can tell me.”

“Your name is Jiang Shiluo, right?”

Jiang Shiluo widened her eyes. “How did you know?”

“Yu Ran often mentioned you when she first came back to the country, but recently the department has been really busy, and we haven’t seen each other for a long time. You should wait for her in the office.”

“No rush, I’ll wait until you’re stable.”

The emergency doctor prepared some nutritional supplements, and the nurses wheeled Jian Ming inside.

“Thank you, Dr. Jian is fine, she just needs rest. You can leave now.”

Jiang Shiluo didn’t leave. Her duty as a police officer made her feel she couldn’t ignore the five finger marks on Jian Ming’s neck.

After a while, she finally received a message from Yu Ran, and Jiang Shiluo told her about Jian Ming’s situation.

“Why haven’t you left?”

Jiang Shiluo looked up, and Jian Ming had just come out, sitting next to her.

“I was waiting for you! Are you really okay?”

“I’m much better, just exhausted. Yu Ran, take care of yourself during this time too, don’t overdo it like I did.”

“I’m fine.”

Yu Ran calmly glanced at the five finger marks on Jian Ming’s neck, her eyes darkening.

“I think you should go home and rest.”

“Yeah, I’ll leave after eating. Want to eat with me?” Jian Ming glanced at Jiang Shiluo. “I’ll treat you, I really appreciate your friend’s help today.”

Jiang Shiluo didn’t hesitate and agreed right away.

The hospital cafeteria was decent. Jiang Shiluo ate quickly without caring about her image. After finishing, there was still food on the corner of her mouth, and Yu Ran looked at her with a bit of disgust.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Shiluo glared at her.

Jian Ming smiled, pointing at the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Shiluo immediately understood, wiped her mouth, and cursed Yu Ran: “How are you still as annoying as before!”

Jian Ming remarked, “You two seem to have a really good relationship.”

“Shut up! Dr. Jian, let me tell you, don’t be fooled by how Yu Ran looks, she’s sneaky behind your back. She’s not as gentle and elegant as she seems, you have to be careful around her.”

The meal went relatively smoothly, but with Jian Ming present, they didn’t get a chance to discuss what they intended to.

After sending Jian Ming off, Yu Ran and Jiang Shiluo headed to the ward. Jiang Shiluo leaned in to Yu Ran’s ear and whispered, “I didn’t expect your colleague to look gentle and intellectual, but actually plays so wild…”

Yu Ran stared at her: “What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you see her neck?! Those big finger marks! At first, I thought she had been beaten, but when I asked her, she looked all embarrassed. This is definitely not something innocent!”

~~

“Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“Is she a masochist? Does she have an M trait?”

“If you keep talking like this, you know someone else would have slapped you by now.”

“What do you mean, you dog? You want to slap me?”

“You shouldn’t gossip about others behind their backs. Can’t there be things they can’t talk about? Why is your mind so…”

“Who do you think you are? And I was just talking to you!” Jiang Shiluo lowered her voice, feeling guilty for doubting others behind their backs, “Don’t tell anyone, just pretend you didn’t hear anything, okay?”

“Mm.”

“Well, since you’re her colleague, do you know something about her?”

“I don’t know.”

“Tell me, maybe I can help.”

“I won’t tell you, Jiang Shiluo.”

Yu Ran stopped walking and looked at her. “You’ve been working in the police station for a long time, some things can be handled less immaturely. If you want to help or understand, just talk to Dr. Yu directly. It’s her privacy, you can’t just ask me and expect me to tell you.”

“Oh… So she really has difficulties?”

“Talk to her yourself, Officer Jiang.”