PDGUT - 19

What should have been an ordinary day for Yu Tian became eventful because of the rain, though compared to Yan Ming’s surgery, her experiences seemed trivial.

She listened to Yan Ming recounting the details and procedures of the operation with almost insatiable curiosity.

Yan Ming’s words were concise, yet the heart-stopping moments—like discovering unexpected complications or making split-second decisions about whether to preserve the eye—left Yu Tian emotionally invested. She tensed and relaxed in sync with his narration, feeling as if she had personally participated in the surgery.

“Encountering unforeseen situations during surgery isn’t uncommon,” Yan Ming said earnestly when discussing professional matters. His eyes were focused and serious. “This happened a few years ago. Although I wasn’t new to the operating room at the time, my surgical skills and ability to handle emergencies weren’t as refined as they are now.”

“It was a cataract surgery for a patient with severe myopia. The complexity of the case was higher than that of a typical cataract patient, but the patient was adamant about undergoing the procedure. After a comprehensive evaluation, I decided it was feasible.”

“During the surgery, I encountered iris atonic syndrome for the first time in clinical practice. The patient experienced severe anterior chamber surge.”

Yan Ming’s tone remained calm and composed, but only someone like Yu Tian, who had studied medicine, understood the gravity of the term “anterior chamber surge.”

An ophthalmologist’s skill level is often judged by their performance during phacoemulsification—a critical step in cataract surgery. Anterior chamber surge occurs the moment the phacoemulsification probe clears the blockage in the patient’s eye, causing the instrument to rapidly aspirate fluid from the anterior chamber.

The surge happens instantaneously—perhaps on a millisecond scale—and the surgeon must react just as quickly to intervene. A delayed or inadequate response can lead to a drastic reduction in anterior chamber fluid, resulting in complications that damage the cornea, iris, or other structures. In some cases, the consequences are irreversible and catastrophic.

Not only did Yan Ming face a severe anterior chamber surge, but he also encountered iris atonic syndrome—a condition Yu Tian had only read about in literature.

Eagerly, she asked: “If the iris loses tension, the pupil size fluctuates dramatically during surgery, exacerbating the anterior chamber surge, right?”

Yan Ming nodded: “Yes. Fortunately, despite the initial panic, I immediately administered epinephrine into the patient’s eye, which significantly alleviated the symptoms. Though the surgery was fraught with danger, it ultimately went well.”

Yu Tian’s emotions rose and fell with Yan Ming’s account—soaring one moment and landing safely the next. Hearing that the surgery had succeeded, she felt more elated than the person involved: “That’s wonderful!”

“After stepping off the operating table, we learned that the patient had concealed their use of medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Some drugs used to treat BPH have pharmacological effects that inhibit the dilator muscle of the iris.”

Yu Tian was still hungry for more, but after glancing at the time, Yan Ming seemed surprised himself and stopped discussing professional topics.

Yu Tian assumed he stopped because he had other pressing matters and braced herself to settle the bill and leave.

But Yan Ming didn’t rush off either.

He glanced at Yu Tian twice, clearly wanting to say something.

Perceptive as always, Yu Tian encouraged him: “What do you want to say, Brother Yan Ming?”

Yan Ming pressed his lips together: “Nothing important.”

He looked at Yu Tian briefly before averting his gaze: “Do you know why that patient with iris atonic syndrome concealed their BPH treatment?”

“We specifically asked during the preoperative assessment, but he was accompanied by a woman he liked. For the sake of pride, he adamantly denied receiving treatment for BPH—even after we warned him that concealing his medication history could pose risks during surgery, potentially leading to failure or blindness. Still, he persisted in hiding it.”

At this point, Yan Ming fixed Yu Tian with a penetrating gaze: “After the surgery, he was ecstatic, believing he’d made the right gamble. He felt justified in risking his health for love, thinking that the potential risk of surgical failure was less significant than the possibility of his blind date rejecting him due to his urological condition…”

Yu Tian couldn’t help but frown: “Such a thing exists? Doesn’t he value his life enough? How could love be more important than one’s own life? Especially since it was just a blind date!”

Yan Ming paused, seemingly taken aback by her response: “Since you think this way… do you understand why I’m telling you this story?”

Of course, she understood!

Yu Tian nodded vigorously, her expression serious: “I get it!”

A good doctor not only diagnoses conditions but also strives to understand the patient’s personality, family background, and emotional state within a short time frame to assess whether there might be significant concealment of medical history!

Seeing her nod, Yan Ming appeared somewhat relieved.

He added delicately: “In truth, it’s easy to see things clearly when they happen to others, but when it’s our own situation, we often lose perspective.”

Wasn’t that the truth! As an observer, one might easily spot such issues, but when dealing with one’s own patients, doctors might overly focus on the symptoms described by the patient, overlooking other crucial details, thus causing oversights.

Yan Ming’s words were incredibly insightful!

She had learned so much!

Unable to contain her admiration, Yu Tian once again gazed at Yan Ming with shining eyes.

Yan Ming shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze: “All things considered, no matter how much you care for someone, boundaries must exist. Nothing should outweigh your health and safety. Before loving others, you must first love yourself.”

Though Yu Tian wasn’t sure how Yan Ming had transitioned into dispensing life lessons, she nodded repeatedly in agreement—though mostly out of politeness rather than genuine absorption.

She had stayed up late editing footage the previous night, woken up early to continue working, skipped her afternoon nap, and then rushed through the heavy rain to deliver an umbrella and clean up Qi Sihao’s mess. She ended up drenched, injured, and stranded at the hospital waiting for Yan Ming to complete the surgery.

While discussing professional knowledge, Yu Tian had remained spirited. However, Yan Ming’s sudden shift into elder-mode life philosophy left her struggling to suppress her drowsiness. Like sprouting seedlings watered by the dampness of the rainy season, her fatigue surged uncontrollably.

She had secretly stifled several yawns while Yan Ming wasn’t looking, tears welling up in her eyes. When Yan Ming noticed, he abruptly halted his philosophical discourse, paid the bill, and escorted Yu Tian home.

The journey home was enveloped in silence.

The atmosphere carried a hint of awkwardness, but Yu Tian was too exhausted to care.

She covertly stifled yawns one after another, her eyes brimming with tears.

Traffic was heavy due to the rain, and by the time Yan Ming finally dropped Yu Tian off at her place, she had passed the peak of her drowsiness and felt somewhat more alert.

She got out of the car to bid Yan Ming farewell, but before she could say anything, he interrupted—

“You don’t have to cry. I was just talking casually earlier; it didn’t mean anything. You don’t need to cry like this.”

His tone and expression were incredibly strained, and though his words were directed at Yu Tian, his gaze avoided hers, darting elsewhere.

As if chased by something, Yan Ming hastily added, “I’ve got some things to do,” before speeding off without waiting for Yu Tian’s explanation.

“…”

Yan Ming was always composed, rarely losing his composure even during the most challenging surgeries.

But today was different.

Even after returning home, his mind remained unsettled.

Yu Tian left him feeling helpless.

He seemed perpetually incapable of handling or responding to her properly.

She had a way of rendering him powerless.

A flicker of frustration stirred within Yan Ming. He picked up his phone and called Jiang Yuming.

“There’s a girl who’s been pursuing me,” Yan Ming said.

Jiang Yuming scoffed: “Isn’t there always someone chasing after you? What’s so special about this?”

An image of Yu Tian flashed through Yan Ming’s mind: “This one is different. She genuinely seems to like me—she thinks of me first in dangerous situations, even willing to risk her life for me. I’ve tried to subtly discourage her, being cold and distant, but she doesn’t seem to care.”

Jiang Yuming chuckled sarcastically: “Yan Ming, countless women have pursued you, yet I’ve never seen you troubled by any of them. Stop beating around the bush—is this one particularly beautiful?”

Yan Ming pressed his lips together, unwilling to admit it: “Though she is beautiful, what stands out is her considerate nature. She waited for hours outside while I operated, without a single complaint. Her temperament seems gentle, patient, and resilient. Objectively speaking, she’d make an excellent doctor’s spouse…”

“Is she as beautiful as Yu Tian?”

Even over the phone, hearing Yu Tian’s name made Yan Ming falter slightly. He mumbled, “More or less.”

“She’s already that beautiful, willing to sacrifice everything for you, and so caring! Why don’t you just give in?”

“But she seems too immature.” Yan Ming recalled Yu Tian’s tear-filled, pitiful expression. “I merely told her to prioritize herself first—I didn’t say anything else, nor did I outright reject her—but her eyes immediately welled up with tears, as if she was about to cry. A person should at least respect and love themselves.”

Instead of empathizing with Yan Ming’s dilemma or offering constructive advice, Jiang Yuming grew indignant: “It’s always the same story—some people get all the attention while others get none! Not a single woman has ever chased me!”

Meanwhile, after returning home, taking a hot shower, and changing into fresh clothes, Yu Tian found Qi Sihao practically bursting through her door as if on cue.

As expected, he launched into a tirade about his miserable ordeal, bitterly criticizing Yan Ming’s broken umbrella for leaving him and Gao Mei drenched.

“Isn’t Yan Ming’s family wealthy? Why doesn’t he just throw away such a useless umbrella?!”

Because he had stolen Yan Ming’s umbrella, Qi Sihao hadn’t bothered bringing his own. His plan had been clear—if there was only one umbrella, Gao Mei would have no choice but to share it with him.

Unfortunately, his calculations failed to account for the fact that Yan Ming’s umbrella was broken!

“As a result, Gao Mei and I had to duck into the nearest café to escape the rain. During our hour-long meal, all she talked about was Yan Ming!”

It was evident that Qi Sihao truly liked Gao Mei, his face reflecting genuine disappointment and frustration: “But Yan Ming really is outstanding. After listening to what Gao Mei said, even I think he’s perfect.”

Qi Sihao turned to Yu Tian earnestly: “Xiao Yu, be honest—if you weren’t potentially related to Yan Ming as future siblings, would you also fall for someone like him? Isn’t he irresistibly charming, making every woman want to date him?”

If it had been a few months ago, Yu Tian might have hesitated. But after tonight, she shook her head firmly.

“Yan Ming would make a great older brother, but not a boyfriend.”

Qi Sihao paused, deeply moved: “Xiao Yu, even though I know you’re just saying this to comfort me, your friendship touches my heart!”

“I’m telling the truth,” Yu Tian said, sipping her hot water. “As a brother figure, Yan Ming is nearly perfect—he’s tall, handsome, has a respectable job, is responsible, and excels professionally. Boasting about him would make anyone envious. He scores a hundred out of a hundred.”

“But.” She shifted her tone, recalling recent observations with lingering apprehension, “as a boyfriend, Yan Ming would fail miserably.”

“He’s so committed to his professional ethics that patients always come first, everything else pushed aside. If you were dating him, he might abandon you mid-date to rush to the hospital after receiving a call.”

“His life skills seem lacking too. He can’t cook—at all. The last time I visited his place, he served me instant noodles!”

“He also appears to be terrible at cleaning or organizing. It’s as if all his attentiveness is reserved for his patients.”

The more Yu Tian spoke, the more flaws she realized she had accumulated about Yan Ming through her recent interactions.

“Though he’s only a few years older than me, he talks like an elder.”

Even now, Yu Tian still felt bewildered: “You know what? Tonight, he lectured me endlessly about life lessons—self-respect, self-love—it was completely baffling…”

“And I think he’s utterly clueless and insensitive. After everything I endured tonight, I was so tired, yawning nonstop, and he mistook my exhaustion for tears brought on by his profound wisdom!”

No wonder they say that if you truly admire an idol, the best way to preserve that admiration is to maintain distance from their personal life.

For years, Yu Tian had regarded Yan Ming as her idol. But after frequent close interactions, she felt the idolized filter gradually fading.

While Yan Ming’s professional prowess remained as brilliant as ever—every time he discussed technical matters, Yu Tian couldn’t help but overflow with admiration—once stripped of his professional halo and reduced to an ordinary man, Yan Ming revealed plenty of flaws.

Of course, he wasn’t entirely ordinary. Yan Ming was far more handsome than the average man.

Given his level of attractiveness, even if he had several times more flaws, it wouldn’t diminish his allure to the opposite sex.

But…

“Good looks don’t fill stomachs,” Yu Tian muttered, wrinkling her nose. “And someone as good-looking as Yan Ming tends to have high standards. With his excellent background and wealthy family, he’s bound to be picky when choosing a girlfriend. His romantic relationships will likely follow a pattern where women chase and pamper him.”

“Moreover, given his profession and personality, he’s suited for a partner who’s entirely devoted to him—someone willing to sacrifice everything, obedient, resilient, and strong.”

Yu Tian blinked: “That kind of personality is completely opposite to mine. I can pretend to be obedient and compliant around strangers, but with people I’m familiar with, I’m anything but submissive. I’m spoiled, temperamental, and sensitive. So, between Yan Ming and me, if we analyze romantic chemistry, we’re utterly incompatible.”

She stated firmly: “If I were to look for a boyfriend, I’d never choose someone like him. He’s too outstanding in every aspect—it would put immense pressure on me, and I’d constantly feel insecure about maintaining my position as his girlfriend.”

Qi Sihao’s eyes sparkled with emotion: “Xiao Yu, so if you were Gao Mei, you wouldn’t choose Yan Ming—you’d definitely…”

Before he could finish, Yu Tian mercilessly cut him off: “I wouldn’t choose someone like you either.”

“…”

“I’ll stay away from cunning men like you two and focus on making money.”

“…”