Chapter 128: Outside the Operating Room

Zhang Xiaoli was still giggling when they arrived at the school. Watching Liu Yunfei bicker with the policewomen never made her jealous; in fact, she found it quite amusing. It was clear those two young officers despised him. Besides, she reasoned, as long as Liu Yunfei didn't abandon her, whatever he did with them was his business. Her expectations were simple: she knew the gap between them was too vast for her to monopolize him, so she was content just to be by his side every day.

"Still laughing? We’re at school now. Don't you see the sign at the gate about being serious, lively, and upward-looking?"

"Fei, how did you become such a rascal? You weren't like this before. Look at how you’ve tormented those poor girls."

"She wrote that ticket herself; I didn't force her hand. Do you prefer me good or bad?"

Zhang Xiaoli pretended to ponder for a moment, then leaned in close, blinked, and whispered, "I like you bad in the daytime and good at night. Stop harassing me now."

Looking at her flushed face and inhaling her youthful fragrance, Liu Yunfei was tempted to "arrest" this adorable girl right then and there. He couldn't resist stroking her soft hair and leaning in to brush his lips against hers.

She quickly pushed him away. "No! We’re at school; it’s too embarrassing if people see. I’ll let you kiss me when we get home."

"Hey, didn't you just say you wanted me to be bad in the daytime? Why can't I now?"

Seeing the "wolf" ready to pounce again, Zhang Xiaoli giggled and scrambled out of the car. "I didn't mean that kind of bad. You’re just being a pervert—a pervert in a police uniform."

Liu Yunfei prepared to get out, but just as he unbuckled his seatbelt, his phone rang. "Damn it, how annoying. Why is it like this every day?" He had wanted to show off a bit; he hadn't even stepped out of the car yet, and no classmates or teachers had even seen his glorious arrival. Who was bothering him? He hoped it wasn't that detestable Zhu Heitan—hadn't they agreed on tomorrow?

"Hello, who is this?" Liu Yunfei asked gruffly, not even checking the unfamiliar landline number.

The person on the other end was clearly intimidated by his tone and remained silent for a long moment.

"Who is it? If you're not going to talk, I'm hanging up."

"Wait, wait! It’s me, Little Liu, it’s me." A rough, middle-aged woman’s voice spoke up just as he was about to disconnect.

Liu Yunfei’s mind raced, but he couldn't place the voice. Still, since she clearly knew him, asking "who are you" would be awkward. "What’s the matter?" he asked noncommittally.

"My old man, Dong, is having surgery this morning. I was hoping you could come by if you have the time. Qianqian hasn't been in a good mood lately, and I'm worried she's too anxious."

"Oh, it's you, Auntie. Of course I have time. Such a major event—I'll be there right away. Don't worry, I'm here for everything." Realizing it was Dong Qianqian’s mother, his tone shifted instantly, becoming as sweet as a songbird.

"Xiaoli, you go to class. I can't make it today after all. A friend’s father is undergoing surgery." Liu Yunfei fastened his seatbelt again. Every time he did, he thought of the policewoman, but the hospital was in the opposite direction, so he didn't have to worry about her catching him.

The Jiangbei People's Hospital was close by. After two turns, he arrived. The Dong family was sitting in the ward, with nurses moving about, prepping Old Man Dong for surgery.

When Auntie Dong saw Liu Yunfei, she was startled—*Why is a police officer nodding at me? I don't know him.* But a second look revealed it was her future son-in-law. Her panicked heart instantly calmed; she felt this young man was like a guardian deity sent to help their family. Whenever he appeared, everything seemed to fall into place.

Dong Qianqian hadn't expected Liu Yunfei to show up. She realized her mother must have slipped out earlier to call him. She had been miserable lately—the family was overwhelmed with trouble, her boyfriend had betrayed her, and she had no one to talk to or share her pain with.

After his chance encounter with Liu Yunfei, Chen Zhiqiang had known things were turning sour. Being timid and guilty, he hadn't dared to approach Dong Qianqian to explain. Naturally, she hadn't sought him out either. Their relationship was effectively over, though neither had said it aloud; they simply pretended not to see each other when they crossed paths at school.

Yet, Dong Qianqian felt deeply resentful. She had chosen the least attractive and poorest man after rejecting so many handsome, well-off suitors, only to be betrayed by him. Was she really that inadequate? Was she such a failure? Was that young socialite who seduced him really that much more charming or beautiful? Or was it just money? Was her own appeal really that much weaker?

She had been considering one last attempt to save the relationship, but the news her mother had shared made her hesitate. The money for her father’s surgery had been donated by Liu Yunfei. What was she to do? No one gives away that much money for nothing; his intentions were clearly to win her over.

She had once thought about "selling herself" to save her father, as in those newspaper stories—marrying whoever provided the funds. But did she really want to be with Liu Yunfei just because he gave the money? She used to think he was a helpful young man, but now she saw him as despicable and shameless, a man who played dirty behind people's backs. First, he had come to tattle and sow discord, then he had secretly let her mother know he was the benefactor. If he were truly selfless, would he have tipped off her mother? He was just a spoiled, petty man using his wealth to toy with the poor.

Seeing him enter, Dong Qianqian didn't know what to say. She didn't greet him or even look him in the eye.

To be honest, Liu Yunfei didn't spare her a glance either. He was still irritated. He had no words for someone who treated kindness like a burden, and he felt spiteful enough to want to find even prettier girlfriends just to spite her.

Liu Yunfei walked straight to the bedside. He hadn't seen Old Man Dong in a few days, but the old man’s condition had improved significantly; he could even speak now. Seeing the young man, he felt a genuine fondness for him.

Old Man Dong had heard Liu Yunfei’s name so often lately that his ears were practically calloused. His wife had told him everything: how he helped their family, how he donated money anonymously, and how he had arranged to move the hospital bed from the hallway into this private room.

In his heart, Old Man Dong had already accepted this man as his son-in-law. He grabbed Liu Yunfei’s hand and said, "Little Liu, I’m old, and I thank you for everything. If I don't pull through this, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to keep looking after them." He choked up, unable to continue, simply patting the back of Liu Yunfei’s hand.

Auntie Dong sat to the side, wiping her tears, while Dong Qianqian was sobbing uncontrollably. "Dad, don't say that. You’ll be fine."

Old Man Dong composed himself, took Dong Qianqian’s soft hand, placed it into Liu Yunfei’s, and looked at him intensely. "I’m leaving Qianqian to you."

Liu Yunfei knew the old man was making final arrangements, but it was also a way to find peace—unburdening himself of all worries so he could face whatever lay ahead.

He placed his other hand over theirs. "Uncle, go into that operating room with peace of mind. Leave everything at home to me. Heaven will protect a good man."

Watching the old man being wheeled away, Liu Yunfei didn't stop to comfort the mother and daughter. Instead, he went to find the chief surgeon and handed over a thick envelope. He had only one request: the chief surgeon had to perform the operation personally. In this day and age, too many patients were ruined by incompetent interns.

The time outside an operating room is always a long, agonizing wait—a heart-wrenching fear for the loved ones inside. The scent of disinfectant hung in the air, spreading a solemn, sorrowful mood that crawled into everyone’s nostrils and tightened their nerves. No one spoke loudly; they merely encouraged each other with glances and tightly clasped hands.

Suddenly, a cheerful, jarring ringtone broke the silence, startling everyone. Liu Yunfei felt a bit embarrassed. He quickly pulled out his phone, answered it, and walked toward the window. Because Dong Qianqian didn't want to sit near him, she had been standing by the window; seeing him approach, she instinctively moved a few steps further away.