PDGUT - 18

The parking lot where Yan Ming’s car was located wasn’t particularly far from the hospital, but in such a stormy downpour, it felt exceptionally distant.

Yu Tian had long since stopped caring about Qi Sihao’s fate. Her dress, now heavy with water, dragged along as she trudged forward. “Isn’t there an underground parking lot at the hospital? Qi Sihao said employees have fixed spots there. Why is your car parked so far away?”

After she had rushed to deliver the umbrella, Yan Ming politely offered to drive her home. The two were now walking together toward his car.

“I do have a spot, but recently I’ve been letting a young patient use it. She’s a disabled child—her legs are paralyzed, and she suffers from severe eye conditions, including dry eye syndrome. She comes to the hospital daily for therapy or nebulization treatments. Since she needs a wheelchair, not being able to park close by would be incredibly inconvenient. Our hospital parking spaces are hard to come by, and she’ll need to visit frequently for treatment over the next few weeks. As someone healthy and mobile, I can manage the walk to the outdoor lot.”

Yan Ming’s voice was calm, as if this were just another ordinary, unremarkable act of kindness.

But it was precisely this lack of self-congratulation that made Yu Tian’s heart soften. Yan Ming might seem cold on the surface, yet he possessed an unexpected tenderness.

These seemingly contradictory traits blended seamlessly in him, making him all the more compelling. His rare displays of warmth were like flickers of light in the darkness, drawing her in and making her willing to endure his aloofness just to glimpse that hidden gentleness.

Yu Tian’s heart felt drenched by the rain, raw and sensitive.

She glanced at Yan Ming, who was walking a few steps ahead, and silently hoped they’d reach the parking lot soon.

Just as she began to relax, her peripheral vision caught sight of something alarming—a food delivery scooter losing control at the corner of the street. The rider’s face was filled with panic, but the brakes seemed to have failed. Before he could react, the scooter careened straight toward Yan Ming with terrifying speed…

Yan Ming’s umbrella obscured his view; he clearly had no idea of the impending danger.

The delivery rider, overwhelmed by the emergency, appeared to have forgotten to honk or warn pedestrians. He frantically fiddled with the controls, trying to regain control of the scooter.

In that split second, the scooter hurtled closer and closer.

Without hesitation, Yu Tian acted on instinct. There was no time to think, no chance to devise a perfect plan. She simply pushed Yan Ming out of the way with all her strength.

A sharp screech of brakes followed. The scooter crashed into the bushes behind Yu Tian, its momentum halted by the resistance. The rider tumbled into the shrubs but quickly got up, unhurt thanks to his helmet, and began attending to his scooter.

Yu Tian hadn’t been hit, but her arm had grazed against the handlebars of the scooter. The force of the impact sent her sprawling to the ground. Fortunately, it was only a minor abrasion, though blood seeped steadily from the broken skin.

As soon as she stood up, Yu Tian ignored her own disheveled state—soaked to the bone and injured—and instinctively turned to check on Yan Ming.

Thankfully, he was unharmed.

He seemed momentarily stunned but hadn’t fallen. However, mud and water from the puddle splashed onto him when the scooter collided.

Disregarding her own condition, Yu Tian rushed to Yan Ming’s side. She took his hands and carefully examined them, ensuring there were no injuries. Only after confirming he was fine did she feel a wave of relief wash over her.

“That’s good,” she said, her hair plastered to her face, utterly devoid of elegance but radiating pure relief. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

For a surgeon, a hand injury was nothing short of a career-ending catastrophe. Yu Tian knew this all too well—she had sacrificed her own dreams because of it. Yan Ming’s hands, those of an exceptional ophthalmologist, carried the hopes of countless patients for restored vision.

Having endured immense pain due to her own injury, she couldn’t bear the thought of something similar happening to another talented doctor. In that fleeting moment, she had only one thought: Yan Ming was an extraordinarily gifted surgeon, young and full of potential, capable of saving many blind patients. She, on the other hand, was merely a medical student unable to practice anymore. Yan Ming’s safety—especially the safety of his hands—was far more important than hers.

She would do anything to protect him and his hands.

And she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate the same tragedy unfolding before her eyes again.

Fortunately, Yan Ming was unscathed.

The delivery rider, guilt-ridden and flustered, approached with his scooter. Yu Tian noticed he was just a young man, likely a college student working part-time to make ends meet. His face was etched with remorse and awkwardness. He repeatedly apologized.

“I’m so sorry—I don’t know what happened to the scooter. It was inspected recently, and everything seemed fine. If there’s any damage, I’ll compensate you…”

People who worked delivery jobs in such weather were rarely from wealthy families.

Though he himself hadn’t been injured, the food orders strapped to his scooter had scattered. The cost of compensating for those lost deliveries alone would be significant.

Seeing his anxious expression, Yu Tian waved him off: “I’m fine. Just be careful on slippery roads.”

After repeatedly apologizing and confirming she was alright, the young man finally left.

Only then did Yu Tian begin to feel the stinging pain from her arm wound.

Yan Ming, noticing her injury, spoke with urgency and anger: “Yu Tian, do you realize how dangerous that was just now?”

His gaze locked onto her eyes: “Thankfully, it’s just a scrape this time. But if things had gone differently, you could’ve been seriously injured!”

However, Yu Tian brushed off his reproach with a smile. “It’s fine as long as you’re okay. I’m alright.”

She muttered under her breath: “If I’d been even a second later, you would’ve been hurt. Aren’t you going to thank me?”

Yan Ming’s voice grew low: “You should’ve shouted to warn me. I would’ve dodged it. If I hadn’t, that would’ve been my responsibility—not yours to push me away and put yourself in harm’s way.”

Yu Tian shrugged it off: “Anyway, you’re fine, and I only have a minor scratch. That’s all that matters.”

Recalling the scene, Yan Ming still felt a lingering sense of unease. He remembered how Yu Tian instinctively shoved him aside without hesitation, leaving herself exposed to danger. Beyond shock, he felt an indescribable stirring within him.

Yu Tian looked far from elegant at that moment. Her clothes were soaked through, every strand of hair—even her eyelashes—dripped with water. The sleeve of her injured arm was torn, clinging pitifully to her body. She shivered violently in the wind and rain, appearing fragile yet resolute. Her eyes were clean and earnest, resembling those of a stray puppy seeking affection but too timid to bark loudly.

It reminded Yan Ming of a stray dog he once owned.

Faced with those eyes, he found it difficult to continue scolding her. Averting his gaze, he took her hand, lips pressed tight, and led her directly to his car in the parking lot.

From the car, he retrieved a spare blanket and a towel, handing them to Yu Tian.

Shivering uncontrollably, Yu Tian’s movements slowed, her mind dulled by the cold.

She weakly acknowledged the items, attempting to dry her hair with both hands. But as she raised her injured arm, she realized it wasn’t just scraped—it was bruised and strained, making it impossible to lift freely. Switching to her other hand, she clumsily dried her hair while her thoughts wandered aimlessly.

Suddenly, the towel was snatched away from her.

Before she could question it, Yan Ming began drying her hair himself, his movements deliberate and firm.

“You’re too slow,” he said curtly.

With her vision obscured by wet hair and the moving towel, Yu Tian’s other senses heightened. Even the sensation of water droplets falling onto her skin as the towel rubbed against her scalp felt delicate and prolonged. In that haze, she likened herself to a tranquil lake disturbed by raindrops, each ripple expanding outward until it filled her entire being.

Yan Ming was much taller than her, so his voice should’ve resonated above her head. Yet somehow, perhaps to accommodate her height, he bent slightly, bringing his voice close—almost whispering in her ear.

Despite the chill from being drenched, Yu Tian felt as though she were split in two. Above her neck, warmth spread, especially in her cheeks, which burned as if steaming. Below, her body continued to tremble violently.

Yan Ming’s hands were large and warm, but his touch was gentle and careful.

He patiently dried her hair, then inevitably noticed the wound on her hand.

Taking her arm, he said: “Let’s go back to the hospital to treat that wound.”

Yu Tian dismissed it as trivial: “It’s just a scratch. No big deal…”

She smiled faintly: “Funny, it’s the same hand I injured last time. Do you see the scar? My whole palm nearly came off then—the wound went down to the bone…”

Yu Tian’s thoughts drifted back to that fateful day until Yan Ming’s voice brought her back.

“Yu Tian, that’s in the past.”

“Even if it’s just a small wound now, you shouldn’t neglect taking care of yourself.”

Yan Ming’s tone remained calm but carried an undeniable authority that compelled obedience.

“No more injuries in the future.”

His voice softened, tinged with something strange: “Not even for… someone you like. You shouldn’t get hurt like this for anyone.”

At this, Yan Ming glanced at Yu Tian before quickly averting his gaze. “Sometimes, sacrificing yourself for someone else is glorified in movies and TV shows—it moves people emotionally. But no matter how much you care for someone, no one deserves that kind of sacrifice.”

Yu Tian was baffled. How had they suddenly jumped to discussing someone she might like in the future? His train of thought seemed oddly scattered.

Fortunately, realizing he’d gone off-topic, Yan Ming appeared somewhat embarrassed and flustered. He handed the towel back to her: “Dry yourself off first. By now, my patient’s therapy session should be over, and my parking spot downstairs will be free. I’ll drive us back to the hospital underground lot. We’ll disinfect your wound, and then I’ll take you home.”

Pausing, he glanced at her: “We’ll also change your clothes.”

Yu Tian waved her hands dismissively: “No need, no need—it’s too much trouble.”

But Yan Ming was insistent: “It’s not about whether it’s troublesome or not.”

He paused, his tone slightly awkward as he added: “You’re not being very safe like this.”

Unsafe?

Yu Tian didn’t quite understand.

Seeing her slow reaction, Yan Ming looked exasperated: “Are you a woman, Yu Tian? Your clothes are soaked.”

Only then did Yu Tian glance down at herself, realizing that her pale yellow dress—now completely drenched—clung tightly to her body. While it wasn’t transparent, the outline of her figure left nothing to the imagination.

“Go to the duty room and change. The hospital has some spare volunteer T-shirts and pants. I’ll find a set for you to wear temporarily.”

Without waiting for her response, Yan Ming pulled her into the car.

“Let’s go.”

The rain was still pouring heavily, but with the car heater on full blast, Yu Tian felt warm despite being soaked. Wrapped in the blanket, she no longer felt as cold.

Unfortunately, plans rarely go as expected.

As soon as Yan Ming parked the car, his phone rang. After exchanging a few words, he hung up and turned to Yu Tian with a grave expression.

“Did something happen with one of your patients?” Yu Tian already knew what that look meant at this hour.

She generously reassured him: “Don’t worry about me—I can handle my wound myself!”

A doctor’s duty was to prioritize their patients’ lives and well-being above all else. As a medical graduate, Yu Tian held the same belief.

She urged him: “Hurry, Brother Yan Ming! I’ll take care of my wound and call a taxi to leave!”

Yan Ming didn’t say anything further because his phone rang again. After answering, he glanced at Yu Tian one last time before abandoning his usual composure and rushing toward the operating room almost frantically.

The emergency call was about a child patient who had been playing at their parents’ construction site when they were pushed over by a playmate. A steel wire had pierced through the child’s eyeball, causing severe rupture of the left eye. The wound extended from the center of the cornea to the sclera, and ocular tissue had prolapsed. The situation was critical, and the on-call emergency doctor couldn’t handle such a complex injury, so they called Yan Ming for help.

“Dr. Chen from neurosurgery is already in the operating room, Dr. Yan. Once you’re inside, assess whether enucleation surgery is necessary…”

After quickly changing into surgical scrubs, Yan Ming rushed into the operating room.

The patient’s condition was worse than he had anticipated. The wound on the eyeball was extensive and located directly in the center of the cornea. Enucleation surgery would undoubtedly be the safest option. First, the risk of complications would be minimal. Second, there wouldn’t be any postoperative sequelae associated with retaining the eye. Third, even if the eye were preserved through suturing, vision recovery after surgery was uncertain due to the size and location of the wound. Postoperative scarring on the cornea could impair vision and damage the aesthetic appearance of the eye. Most importantly, if an attempt to preserve the eye were made, the family’s expectations for recovery would be higher compared to outright enucleation—and if those expectations weren’t met…

Yan Ming understood all these points.

But the child was only twelve years old. If they didn’t even try to save the eye and simply removed it…

Pressing his lips together, Yan Ming ultimately chose the riskier and more time-consuming approach.

Debridement, suturing the eyeball…

Step by step, Yan Ming’s nerves were stretched taut.

Fortunately, it was worth it. The surgery was successful, and the child’s eyeball was saved.

When he finally stepped down from the operating table, exhausted, he realized the procedure had taken three hours.

Only then did Yan Ming remember Yu Tian.

The rain was still falling, and the sky was pitch black. But surely she had made it home by now?

Yan Ming took out his phone, intending to call and confirm—but soon realized it wasn’t necessary.

Because just a short distance away, in the waiting area outside the operating room, he saw Yu Tian sleeping against the backrest of a bench.

Her wound had been treated, but she hadn’t changed her clothes. They had dried, making the mud stains and dirt on her pale yellow skirt stand out even more clearly.

As Yan Ming approached, she seemed to sense his presence and opened her eyes groggily.

Once again, she had that endearingly clueless, puppy-like gaze.

When she saw Yan Ming, her spirit seemed to snap back instantly. Her eyes lit up like flickering flames, and if she had a tail, it might have wagged furiously.

“Brother Yan Ming! You’re back!”

She really did resemble the little dog Yan Ming had once owned.

Left alone at home all day, waiting eagerly for Yan Ming’s return, the dog would greet him enthusiastically at the door, dragging his slippers and gazing at him with expectant eyes, seeking affection and companionship.

Yu Tian’s hair had dried completely, though it lacked its usual smoothness, now frizzy and unruly. Her skirt was dirty, and her hand bore fresh bandages. She truly resembled a pitiful stray puppy.

Perhaps not precious, but her feelings were sincere and fervent.

She looked at Yan Ming with complete trust.

Instinctively avoiding her gaze, Yan Ming pretended to look out the window at the night: “Why didn’t you take a taxi home? You waited here this whole time?”

Three hours, without changing clothes, sitting in the noisy, less-than-ideal corridor outside the operating room. Yan Ming couldn’t imagine how Yu Tian had spent those three hours.

However, Yu Tian showed no trace of complaint or intention to elicit sympathy. Nonchalantly, she replied: “I tried, but maybe because of the heavy rain, no taxis were available. So I decided to wait here instead.”

“Did you eat?”

Yu Tian didn’t answer directly. She smiled faintly: “A nurse gave me some chocolate.”

Clearly, she hadn’t eaten.

In such heavy rain, there likely weren’t many delivery drivers taking orders either.

Yu Tian looked up at Yan Ming and smiled: “So, Brother Yan Ming…”

Her dark, wet eyes gazed earnestly at him, as if he were the center of her universe—radiating genuine trust and admiration.

Under such a gaze, Yan Ming instinctively felt he wouldn’t be able to refuse if she suggested they eat together next.

However, just as Yan Ming assumed she’d naturally propose sharing a meal, he heard her cheerful voice—

“Did that child get to keep their eye?”

Yan Ming hesitated, then nodded instinctively.

Yu Tian’s round eyes sparkled innocently yet carried a hint of charm and allure. Her features were strikingly beautiful.

With those eyes fixed on him, she exclaimed excitedly: “I overheard the nurses and interns discussing it! To save the eye under those circumstances—it’s incredible!”

“The thought that you preserved that child’s future world of light makes me feel proud and amazing too! Because half of your future achievements feel like my own accomplishments!”

Her tone was proud, tinged with self-promotion.

But she genuinely felt pride. After all, if she hadn’t pushed Yan Ming out of harm’s way earlier, ensuring he remained unharmed, he might not have been able to perform the surgery properly. If his hand had been injured—even if not as severely as hers—it could have disrupted his surgical schedule.

At the nationally renowned ophthalmology department of Rong City’s First Affiliated Hospital, beds were scarce, and many patients traveled from across the country, pooling resources to seek treatment. Any disruption to Yan Ming’s surgery plans would profoundly impact countless patients’ lives.

Thus, Yu Tian naturally claimed half the credit for Yan Ming’s success.

What she didn’t realize was that Yan Ming interpreted her words differently.

A beautiful girl staring at him with shining eyes, repeatedly hinting that his future successes would bear her mark…

This was more than a hint—it bordered on outright declaration.

But Yu Tian’s eyes were guilelessly pure. She always seemed fearless like this.

Though she appeared shy in other situations, she was surprisingly bold when it came to love.

Yan Ming wasn’t unfamiliar with persistent pursuits from patients, classmates, or colleagues. Yet most relentless advances left him feeling annoyed rather than moved.

But Yu Tian was different.

She was like a stray puppy—impossible to dislike.

While enthusiastic and impulsive, she also seemed obedient and well-behaved. Even if ignored, she could entertain herself for hours chasing her tail. She craved companionship but wasn’t clingy. If left alone, she wouldn’t hold a grudge; a simple wave would bring her bounding back with a wagging head.

Her concern was never for herself but always for him—for his well-being, for the people important to him, for his work.

He was her entire world.

Lost in thought, Yan Ming’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Yu Tian.

Despite being abandoned for so long, Yu Tian showed no trace of anger, smiling brightly instead. She chattered enthusiastically, asking about the surgical procedures and technical aspects of the operation that interested her.

Faced with such professional questions, Yan Ming naturally responded.

Back and forth, when he finally realized it, they had been sitting at a roadside stall discussing the intense surgery for nearly an hour.

This was practically Yan Ming’s weekly social quota, yet he didn’t feel tired at all.

To be frank, Yu Tian’s “stray puppy” demeanor made it hard for Yan Ming to stay distant. And if she were indeed a stray puppy, she’d certainly be a good-looking one.

She just liked him far too much—so much that she disregarded her own safety. That kind of selflessness verged on being overly humble.