PDGUT - 41

Yu Tian took a nap and woke up the next day to buy groceries and cook a meal, which she packed into a lunchbox to bring to the hospital.

As she prepared the food, Chen Xi hovered nearby, watching her with both suspicion and curiosity, as if gathering intelligence.

Chen Xi clearly wanted to try her hand at cooking but, lacking the necessary skills, could only watch helplessly.

Determined to irritate her, Yu Tian, just before leaving, mimicked Chen Xi’s tone with a teasing smile: “Brother Yanming has been busy all night, and he has surgeries scheduled for today—he must be so tired. This is exactly when home-cooked meals are most comforting.”

Chen Xi couldn’t hide her agitation: “Brother Yanming is extremely busy at work. He doesn’t have time to see you. Even if you bring food, you might not find him, and it could disturb his work.”

“Not at all. I’ve already arranged to meet Brother Yanming when he does his rounds in the ward,” Yu Tian replied sweetly before deliberately walking away with an exaggerated sway, carrying the lunchbox.

It was true that Yu Tian had arranged to meet Yanming in the ward—but not for personal reasons.

In fact, the primary reason she cooked today wasn’t even to give the food to Yanming.

Ms. Song Chunxiang had spent the night in the hospital, and her surgery was scheduled for today. Before the procedure, Yanming, as the lead surgeon, would go over some details with Yu Tian and have her sign the informed consent forms.

The light, nourishing meal in the insulated container was intended for her mother to eat after the surgery. Yanming’s portion was simply an afterthought.

In the ward, Ms. Song was in much better spirits. Although her eye injury still troubled her, being away from Lao Dai had clearly lifted a weight off her shoulders. She reassured Yu Tian not to worry, saying she had slept well the previous night.

No sooner had Ms. Song finished speaking than the little girl in the neighboring bed chimed in excitedly: “Yes, yes, Sister! Auntie snored last night—I heard it!”

Ms. Song looked slightly embarrassed and immediately scolded the girl: “You promised me this morning you’d keep it a secret!”

Ms. Song was staying in a three-bed ward. One patient had been discharged earlier that morning, leaving the bed empty, while the other roommate was this lively little girl.

“Sister, my name is Xiao Ling. I’m seven years old, but in a week, I’ll be eight! I hope I can meet Wonder Woman on my birthday this year!”

Xiao Ling’s left eyeball had been removed, and it was clear she now wore a prosthetic eye. But despite losing an eye, her cheerful and sunny disposition remained unaffected.

With Xiao Ling around, the atmosphere in the ward was light and relaxed. Both Yu Tian and Ms. Song felt their tension ease.

Soon, Yanming arrived in the ward.

This was the first time Yu Tian had witnessed Yanming at work in his capacity as a doctor.

He wore his white coat, followed by a group of rotating doctors and nurses, looking serious and authoritative.

Xiao Ling obviously knew him well. The moment Yanming entered the room, she waved enthusiastically: “Brother Yanming!”

Yu Tian had seen Yanming coldly reject advances from adult female patients before, but he was exceptionally gentle and patient with children like Xiao Ling.

He bent down to meet her eye level, asked her a few questions, then patted her head gently. “Xiao Ling has been very good today. I see you’ve remembered our agreement and haven’t given up. You’ve also been eating well every day.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a sticker from the pocket of his white coat. “So here’s a reward for Xiao Ling.”

Xiao Ling lit up with joy: “It’s a Wonder Woman sticker!”

The sunlight streamed through the blinds, bathing Xiao Ling and Yanming in its glow.

Yanming’s long lashes caught the light, and the corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile. His expression was warm and tender.

Though Yu Tian wasn’t standing in the sunlight herself, her face inexplicably grew hot. She instinctively covered her face with her hands and averted her gaze.

Yanming, in his professional mode, was undeniably, unfairly handsome.

After checking on Xiao Ling, Yanming quickly turned to inquire about Ms. Song’s condition.

When alone with Yu Tian, Yanming was expressive and full of personality, but in his professional capacity, he maintained a formal distance. His demeanor became cool and detached, almost aloof.

He methodically asked a few questions, provided some instructions, and informed Yu Tian that the surgery would proceed as planned. He didn’t utter a single unnecessary word, treating her with the same professionalism he would any stranger. Yu Tian responded accordingly, addressing him formally as “Dr. Yan.”

Iris root suturing wasn’t a major surgery, but since it involved her mother, Yu Tian couldn’t help feeling nervous.

“Yan…”

Just before entering the operating room, Yu Tian had intended to ask Yanming to do his best.

But at the last moment, she hesitated, worried that such a pre-surgery reminder might place undue psychological pressure on him. She stopped herself.

Yanming, however, turned around. His voice was calm and steady: “Instead of overthinking, why don’t you think about how to repay me later?”

Yu Tian was taken aback: “The surgery hasn’t even started yet. We don’t know how it will go. Isn’t it too early to talk about repaying you?”

“It’s not too early. It will succeed.”

Yanming glanced at Yu Tian. “Because I dare not fail.”

He pressed his lips together. “Because if I fail, I doubt your repayment would be pleasant—it might involve violence.”

Yu Tian immediately protested: “I wouldn’t hit you.”

Yanming lowered his gaze. “Hard to say. Who knows if you’ll turn on me? After all, you’re not exactly reliable.”

He added lightly: “You said you wanted to call me ‘Brother,’ but you never did.”

“...” How could this man remember such trivial things?

Yu Tian couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. “Can’t you say something comforting right now?”

Yanming paused, looking slightly surprised.

Yu Tian hadn’t expected him to actually comfort her—it was just a passing remark.

But just as she was about to ask more about her mother’s condition, Yanming cleared his throat, shifted his gaze, and spoke—

“Then be good today.”

His expression remained neutral as he added: “Just wait quietly outside.”

He stared at the hospital wall, speaking as calmly as if addressing it: “I’m not used to comforting adults. I only have experience with children. Consider this a gesture—it’s all I’ve got.”

Though there was still some time before the surgery began, Yanming, having spoken, turned abruptly and hurried off, saying he needed to prepare for the operation…

Yu Tian didn’t say anything further because, suddenly, she didn’t know what else to say.

Faced with Yanming, she always lost her usual composure and social finesse without effort.

Her heart was a mixture of nervousness, anticipation, and bittersweet emotions—a complex blend akin to an intricately crafted perfume, with distinct top, middle, and base notes. Beneath trust and reliance lingered a subtle undertone of fluttering attraction and allure.

And who would have thought that the source of all this was simply the faint smell of disinfectant lingering on Yanming as he left.

“The surgery was successful.”

Two hours later, Yanming emerged from the operating room, his expression weary but his eyes bright. He teased Yu Tian with a smirk: “Looks like I won’t be getting beaten up after all.”

He walked up to Yu Tian, who was still sitting dazed in the family waiting area.

“Although it was a local anesthesia surgery, it will take about two hours for vision to recover post-operation. Full recovery will take longer.”

After speaking, Yanming pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Yu Tian: “Pick one.”

“Huh?”

“Aren’t you supposed to sit quietly and wait like a good girl?” Yanming’s lips twitched slightly, his voice momentarily unnatural, but he quickly regained his composure. “Your reward sticker—I promised you earlier.”

Despite saying this, Yanming didn’t actually give her a chance to choose.

“Forget it, I’ll pick one for you.” Yanming smiled, clearly in a good mood after the successful surgery. He glanced at Yu Tian casually and added: “I’ll pick one you’ll like.”

Without waiting for her response, he peeled off a sticker and stuck it onto Yu Tian’s back before turning to leave.

With her mother’s surgery a success, Yu Tian’s heart finally settled back into place.

She didn’t pay attention to the sticker on her back. As soon as she heard the news that her mother was being brought out of the operating room, she rushed after the nurse, following them as her mother was transferred back to the ward.

Knowing that Ms. Song’s surgery had gone well, the accompanying nurse couldn’t stop smiling behind her hand. Other medical staff, patients, and family members they passed also greeted her with friendly smiles.

However, so many people were smiling at Yu Tian that by the end, even she felt a bit uneasy.

It wasn’t until Qi Si’ao, who had just returned from observing another surgery, came to visit Ms. Song in the ward that Yu Tian finally noticed something amiss—

“Xiao Yu, why is there a ‘Heartbreaker’ label on your back?”

“...”

When Qi Si’ao peeled off the sticker and showed it to her, Yu Tian finally realized what had happened.

Yanming had chosen a “Heartbreaker” sticker for her.

This was the so-called appropriate sticker he had picked for her.

Yu Tian now understood perfectly why everyone had been smiling at her.

Qi Si’ao burst into uncontrollable laughter: “Who gave this to you? Why does it feel so tragic? Did you break someone’s heart?”

How childish of Yanming!

Yu Tian felt utterly speechless but couldn’t help finding it a little amusing.

However, she soon forgot about the sticker because her mother, now back in the ward, was calling for her.

After the effects of the local anesthesia wore off, Yu Tian’s mother complained of some eye pain, but all indicators were normal—the surgery had indeed been a great success.

Feeling tired, Ms. Song chatted with Yu Tian for a while before deciding to rest.

Yu Tian placed the insulated lunchbox she had prepared for her mother on the bedside table, waved goodbye to Xiao Ling, and quietly left the ward with Qi Si’ao.

“It’s almost time for lunch. I saw that Dr. Yanming’s surgery just ended. Let’s go. Didn’t you bring food to butter him up? I’ll take you to the cafeteria—he usually sits in a fixed spot with Dr. Jiang.”

Without waiting for her reply, Qi Si’ao dragged Yu Tian toward the hospital cafeteria.

In the hospital cafeteria, Yanming was indeed eating at the usual spot Qi Sihao had mentioned. However, instead of Jiang Yuming, an uninvited guest—Chen Xi—was seated next to him.

Yu Tian hadn’t expected that in such a short time, Chen Xi would have beaten her to it.

Yanming’s table was already filled with multiple insulated lunchboxes containing a variety of dishes that looked incredibly appetizing. Chen Xi, wearing a perfectly calculated shy smile, was chatting animatedly with Yanming.

Seeing this scene, Qi Sihao’s tone turned sour: “I’m really envious of Senior Yanming. Is the cold and aloof vibe really trending now? There’s always someone chasing after him. In the past, he rejected everyone—even a social media influencer with millions of followers who came to see him for an allergic reaction to contact lenses begged for his contact info, but he firmly refused. What kind of woman is this? She even managed to get Senior Yanming to sit down and eat her food. Looks like their fates are aligned.”

After finishing his lament, Qi Sihao immediately turned his attention to Yu Tian: “Since your Brother Yanming already has someone feeding him, why don’t you give your meal to another hardworking doctor…?”

But before Qi Sihao could finish his last word—”me”—he saw Yu Tian clenching her lips and furrowing her brows, striding toward Yanming with defiance written all over her face.

Qi Sihao only caught the last sentence Yu Tian muttered through gritted teeth—

“The food I made, Yanming will eat whether he likes it or not!”

Yu Tian herself didn’t know why she was so angry.

She had anticipated Chen Xi’s actions, but actually seeing her sitting across from Yanming still stirred up unhappiness within her. Her prepared mindset did nothing to alleviate her discomfort—it only made her angrier.

In fact, she felt even angrier.

Yu Tian adjusted her expression, putting on a gentle, radiant smile.

The seat across from Yanming was already occupied by Chen Xi. Without hesitation, Yu Tian placed her lunchbox next to Yanming and sat beside him.

“Brother Yanming, I’ve been looking for you,” Yu Tian said in an intentionally sweet voice. “My mother’s surgery went smoothly, and it’s all thanks to you. Iris root suturing is such a minor surgery—something you probably don’t usually do, right? If it weren’t for me…”

The latter half was pure speculation on Yu Tian’s part, but regardless, Yanming had indeed saved her mother’s eye. It wasn’t a major surgery—basically entry-level for a senior ophthalmologist.

Given Yanming’s personality, he would likely humbly deny any special favoritism, clarifying that he simply did what any doctor should do.

After all, Yanming was the type of person who spoke frankly and professionally during work.

Yu Tian had already drafted her response in her mind. Once Yanming finished speaking as she expected, she planned to praise him extravagantly. She would extol his benevolence as a doctor, treating her just like any other patient. Surely, flattering words wouldn’t be hard to come by?

However, Yanming’s reply disrupted her carefully planned rhythm.

He lifted his eyes slightly and said calmly: “Yes, I don’t usually do such simple surgeries. It was indeed because of you.”

Yu Tian was completely unprepared for this answer. For a moment, she froze, her heart jolting as if the elevator she was in had suddenly lurched. She experienced a brief sensation of weightlessness.

The hospital cafeteria was always bustling with noise. Yu Tian stared at Yanming’s profile, questioning whether her hearing had failed her.

Fortunately, Chen Xi’s words pulled Yu Tian back to reality—

“Brother Yanming, you’re so kind. I never knew something like this happened. Although Sister Yu Tian’s mother and Uncle Yan broke up some time ago, I heard they didn’t date for long. So Sister Yu Tian must not be very close to you, yet when she asked for help, you were still so patient and enthusiastic, personally performing the surgery for her mother.”

With an innocent expression, Chen Xi added: “You truly are the best doctor in my eyes!”

“A while ago.”

“Not close.”

Yu Tian understood Chen Xi’s subtle jab implying that she shamelessly sought Yanming’s help.

Not only that, but Chen Xi had also stolen the flattery Yu Tian had planned to heap on Yanming!

Facing Yu Tian’s glare, Chen Xi remained calm and continued: “Brother Yanming, thank you so much for rushing to my aid last night despite the danger. After settling me in, you immediately returned to the hospital to work overtime. Exhausted as you must be, today you even performed surgery on Sister Yu Tian’s mother. You must be so tired—you need to recover your strength.”

“This morning, after Uncle Yan heard I stayed at your place last night, he sent a driver to take me home. My mother prepared this feast for you—I must insist you eat it. You have to show your appreciation, or my mother will be heartbroken.”

Just moments ago, Yu Tian had been brimming with confidence. But now, staring at the spread of food on the table, she began to feel defeated.

From afar, it hadn’t seemed like much, but up close, Yu Tian realized how meticulously crafted each dish brought by Chen Xi’s mother was. Even the presentation was exquisite.

Out of consideration for her mother’s need for bland post-surgery meals, Yu Tian had kept her cooking equally light. By comparison, Chen Xi’s mother’s dishes appeared far richer and more elaborate, featuring several hearty entrees.

Side by side, Yu Tian’s meal seemed somewhat inadequate.

Her mother needed bland food due to her surgery, but Yanming didn’t. Having worked tirelessly from last night until now, he genuinely needed nourishment.

Chen Xi had clearly known Yu Tian prepared light dishes and deliberately brought this lavish spread to pressure her. Now, feigning innocence, she asked: “Oh? Sister Yu Tian, did you bring a lunchbox too? Did you make it to thank Brother Yanming?”

Chen Xi smirked softly: “Though I’ve brought quite a bit, your effort is also meaningful. Why don’t you take it out and we can all share?”

Without comparison, it might have been fine, but now, wasn’t this just meant to make Yu Tian’s meal look inferior?

Yu Tian wasn’t foolish; she fully understood Chen Xi’s intentions.

But she refused to let her win.

Stiffening her neck, Yu Tian retorted: “It’s not for Yanming—it’s for me. I brought my own food.”

She decided to withdraw from this “competition,” refusing to play by the rules Chen Xi had set. If she didn’t provide a stage for this woman’s dramatic performance, let her act her one-woman show alone.

Having said that, Yu Tian intended to stand up and find another seat. But at this hour, the cafeteria was packed, and after scanning the room, she found no available spots.

Meanwhile, Chen Xi watched Yu Tian smugly, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Her expression screamed, “Let’s see how you’ll get out of this.”

This ignited Yu Tian’s competitive spirit.

If she couldn’t leave, she might as well stay.

Yu Tian sat down decisively, took out her lunchbox, and began eating alongside Yanming and Chen Xi as if nothing was amiss.

She didn’t plan to provoke Chen Xi directly, but when pushed too far, she wouldn’t back down either.

Why should she give Chen Xi and Yanming their private world?

No way!

While they indulged in their elaborate feast, Yu Tian stuck to her simple, bland dishes.

What Yu Tian didn’t expect, however, was that as soon as she opened her lunchbox, Yanming reached over and casually took one of her dishes.

Facing both Yu Tian and Chen Xi’s stunned expressions, he glanced at them calmly.

“My stomach isn’t feeling great—I’d prefer something lighter.”

He turned to Chen Xi: “Please thank Auntie for me. Her cooking is incredible. One of my former young patients in the ward has been begging for a feast, and I think her dishes are almost worthy of a royal banquet. Would you mind letting that little patient have them?”

Looking at Chen Xi, Yanming smiled faintly: “I assume neither you nor Auntie would object, given how compassionate you both are.”

With this compliment, Chen Xi couldn’t refuse without appearing ungracious. Awkwardly, she replied: “Of course, whatever Brother Yanming says. It’s an honor to contribute to charity. Thank you for giving us this opportunity!”

Still, Chen Xi wasn’t satisfied. “But since your stomach isn’t well, you really should stick to simpler food. Once you’re better, I’ll have my mother prepare something delicious for you.”

At this point, she glanced at Yu Tian’s lunchbox: “But isn’t this too bland? Brother Yanming, will you really be full from this? What if you have another surgery tonight? Will this give you enough energy?”

Yu Tian was furious.

There was no way she’d let Chen Xi insult her without retaliating.

And…

If Yanming had to suffer for it, so be it.

Acting on impulse, Yu Tian didn’t think twice. She picked up the communal chopsticks, grabbed a piece of green pepper, and extended it toward Yanming.

“Brother Yanming, you’ve been performing surgeries for so long—your hands must be tired. Let me feed you. This green pepper is a bit far from you.”

Chen Xi’s provocations demanded retaliation. Yu Tian decided to fight fire with fire.

Truthfully, Yu Tian only intended to make a show of it to deflate Chen Xi’s arrogance. The chopsticks were still far from Yanming’s mouth, hovering vaguely in front of him. She was mentally prepared for rejection.

Yanming looked at her gesture, his brow furrowing slightly.

Almost as soon as Yu Tian saw his expression, regret flooded her mind.

Chen Xi’s veiled insults had upset her, but that didn’t mean she should embarrass Yanming…

This was too cloying.

After all, Yanming was innocent.

Normally, Yu Tian wasn’t impulsive. Even when Zheng Tingfu’s girlfriend publicly taunted her, she had managed to stay composed despite her anger. Yet whenever Yanming was involved, she became clumsy, like an elementary schooler unable to control her emotions.

The slight wrinkle in Yanming’s brow felt like a starting pistol in a race. Yu Tian almost wanted to flee.

Why bother?

Was it worth it?

She shouldn’t have paid attention to Chen Xi.

She should have walked away and spared herself the sight.

Across from her, Chen Xi watched the scene unfold with gleeful anticipation, thoroughly enjoying the drama.

Just as Yu Tian steeled herself to face Yanming’s cold reaction, he finally spoke.

“Bring it closer.”

His voice was calm and steady. When Yu Tian failed to react, he continued: “How am I supposed to eat if you hold it so far away? Do you want me to stretch my neck out?”

Yu Tian was momentarily stunned.

Chen Xi, losing her composure for the first time, gaped in disbelief.

Yanming’s dark eyes were deep and serene, reflecting a summer’s brightest daylight, shimmering with flecks of light like stars.

Almost instinctively, Yu Tian obediently extended the chopsticks further.

Yanming naturally ate the green pepper Yu Tian offered.

Then, without skipping a beat, he resumed eating his own food.

Every movement flowed effortlessly, leaving no trace of hesitation.

After a few bites, Yanming glanced at Yu Tian again.

Seemingly exasperated, he rubbed his temples and said succinctly: “Green pepper.”

“Huh?”

With a calm expression, he stated: “Didn’t you say the green pepper was too far for me to reach comfortably?”

“...”

Yanming lowered his gaze: “It really is inconvenient.”

The cafeteria table wasn’t large, and Yanming, standing at least 185 cm tall, could easily reach anything on it…

But since she was the instigator, Yu Tian had no choice but to reluctantly pick up another piece of green pepper for him.

She originally intended to place it directly on Yanming’s rice and be done with it. However, as the green pepper approached his mouth, Yanming naturally tilted his head slightly and ate it directly from the communal chopsticks Yu Tian held.

The cafeteria buzzed with noise, the air thick with the aroma of today’s featured dish: spicy chicken. Behind Yu Tian, doctors passionately debated a hospitalized patient’s surgical plan.

Everything was vividly alive and bustling.

Yet this vibrant liveliness suddenly felt precarious and unstable, teetering on the edge of collapse, like a virtual world built from maps and NPCs in a video game. The gap between this reality and the real world began to crumble.

Yu Tian suddenly found herself unsure.

Was the Yanming who naturally ate the green pepper from her chopsticks real, or was she trapped in some kind of virtual world?

Yanming was like an unexpected summer shower in Rong City, promising cool relief while simultaneously causing anxiety about getting drenched. He represented dreams, admiration, and longing, but also distance, illusions, and inaccessibility.

Yu Tian knew she should remain calm, but she couldn’t stop herself from becoming clumsy.

Her once-light heartbeat grew heavy and intense, clamoring to assert its presence.

She became nervous and flustered, then angry.

Yanming, having eaten her green pepper, appeared utterly natural and composed, as though he’d done nothing unusual. His gaze didn’t linger on her for even a second.

In contrast, her own emotions were tangled like a ball of yarn played with by a mischievous cat.

Why?

Yu Tian bit her lip, forcing herself to appear calmer and more composed than Yanming.

If the initial provocation had come from Chen Xi, her current competitiveness was fueled entirely by Yanming’s overly calm and natural demeanor.

If he could act so confidently, why should she lose her composure?

This was no longer a contest between her and Chen Xi—it was now a duel between her and Yanming.

Yu Tian steadied her resolve, unwilling to show weakness.

Just as she managed to regain her composure, Yanming seemed intent on unsettling her again.

In all the meals they had shared before, Yu Tian had never noticed Yanming’s particular fondness for green peppers.

But today, Yanming was clearly fixated on them.

Not long after finishing the previous one, he looked at her again.

This time, he skipped the formalities and simply said:

“Green pepper.”

Gritting her teeth and unwilling to concede, Yu Tian reluctantly picked up another green pepper for Yanming. This time, she quickly placed it on his rice.

“I performed surgeries—it was exhausting,” Yanming said, glancing at the green pepper before looking back at Yu Tian. “I barely slept last night, and early this morning, I performed your mother’s surgery along with another one. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but my hands are truly tired. Even picking up chopsticks feels tiring.”

“...”

Yu Tian knew there was no need to express gratitude explicitly. From diagnosis to surgery, her mother’s recovery was largely thanks to Yanming.

Resigned, she willingly continued playing the role of personal chopstick assistant.

The first time she fed him, no one paid much attention. But as she kept feeding him, Yanming’s striking appearance—the hospital’s poster boy—quickly drew the attention of other medical staff in the cafeteria.

By peak dining hours, the air conditioning was cranked up, and cold air blew out of the central vents, illuminated by the sunlight.

But the subtle gazes around her carried palpable heat, making Yu Tian feel unbearably hot despite the AC’s efforts.

Yanming remained composed.

Even the simplest homemade dishes were eaten with deliberate slowness and elegance. While Yu Tian had always admired this refined dining etiquette, she now sensed an underlying challenge.

Still, she couldn’t help but notice that Yanming was unusually persistent about the green peppers today.

Not long after finishing one, he looked at her again.

This time, he skipped all pretenses and simply said:

“Green pepper.”

Clutching her determination and refusing to admit defeat, Yu Tian reluctantly picked up another green pepper for him. This time, she swiftly placed it on his rice.

“My hands are tired from surgery,” Yanming said, glancing at the green pepper before looking back at Yu Tian. “I barely slept last night, and early this morning, I performed your mother’s surgery along with another one. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but my hands are truly tired. Even picking up chopsticks feels tiring.”

“...”

Gratitude didn’t need to be spoken. Yu Tian knew her mother’s recovery—from diagnosis to surgery—was largely thanks to Yanming.

Reluctantly, she continued feeding him.

At first, no one paid much attention, but as she kept feeding him, Yanming’s striking features—the hospital’s poster boy—quickly drew the attention of other medical staff in the cafeteria.

By peak dining hours, the air conditioning was cranked up, and cold air blew out of the central vents, illuminated by the sunlight.

But the subtle gazes around her carried palpable heat, making Yu Tian feel unbearably hot despite the AC’s efforts.

Yanming remained composed.

Even the simplest homemade dishes were eaten with deliberate slowness and elegance. While Yu Tian had always admired this refined dining etiquette, she now sensed an underlying challenge.