Exclusively For You: Chapter 1

 

Chapter 1: Extremely Inhumane

NOTES BEFORE YOU READ:

1. Each chapter will be LONG, but I don't want to cut it.

2. No schedule of updates: I will try 😂

3. There will be small medical terms in this novel and I'm not confident that it will be translated correctly but I will try my best.

4. The author said the age gap is within 10 years, but they're both adults and I don't think their age was mentioned in the novel so it doesn't mean much.

5. and lastly, HAPPY READING! 💗

✧༝┉˚*❋ ❋*˚┉༝✧ 

When Song Li was five years old, she got lost in Beijing.

By nighttime, the streets were chaotic, and several ruffians at the alley's entrance whistled menacingly, giving her an unclear, assessing look.

Back then, she was so frightened that she ran away.

In the maze of Beijing alleyways, the lane she hid in had a new black car parked by the gate, with ivy creeping out of the building.

Song Li had no idea who lived in this courtyard.

But it was strange - the ruffians didn't approach anymore, as if an invisible palace wall separated the area, distinguishing it from the rest.

Song Li was young at that time and didn't dare to venture out. She squatted at the stone pillar by the door, her eyes red. The night was dark, and the wall lamp beside the eaves silently cast a circle of dim light.

It was October 14th, and autumn in the city was desolate.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, and the gusts of wind felt like ice shards scraping against her skin. It was so chilling that if she bled, it might have frozen.

This heart-chilling cold nibbled away at her emotions. She slowly lost control, hugging her legs and sobbing softly.

Before long, a bicycle approached leisurely.

Startled, Song Li abruptly stopped crying, drawing her trembling legs close, her face wetter than if she had been caught in the rain.

The young man riding the bike noticed her and furrowed his brows.

He stepped on the brakes, swung his long legs over, leaned the bicycle against the wall, with one hand gripping a single-strap backpack, and the other hand in his pocket, he walked over, casting his tall shadow upon her.

"Who's this little kid?"

The young man had a cigarette between his lips, and his native Beijing accent was quite pleasant to the ear.

He was wearing the blue and white uniform of Beijing No. 1 High School. He was somewhat obscured in the darkness, but his tone was nonchalant, and he appeared impatient.

As he spoke, he turned his face slightly, and in the dim orange glow, she could faintly see a band-aid slanting on his brow, a shallow bloodstain on his nose, and a hint of blood at the corner of his mouth. It seemed like he had been hurt.

A bit rotten, that was Song Li's initial impression of him.

Choking back her sobs, Song Li picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it at him, along with a few choice words telling him to go away.

Her soft Jiangnan accent was evident, her tone still childish. Even if she tried to sound tough, she couldn't sound threatening.

The young man chuckled, pointing at the door, "I..."

Before he could say "home," the second stone hit his leg, causing no real pain.

He paused for a moment, extinguishing his unlit cigarette.

About to speak, the young girl pursed her lips. Her teardrops fell like rain, each one plump and round, glistening as they rolled down.

"..." He hadn't even scolded her yet?

The young man impatiently took a deep breath, "Did you get lost or not?"

Song Li ignored him, trembling lips still sobbing.

"I'm talking to you."

His tone was far from friendly, even bordering on being rude. Startled by the provocation, Song Li couldn't hold back a whimper.

"...If you don't stop, I'll kick you out." He finished with an affected tone of interest, "You're quite pretty, I could probably fetch a good price for you."

Song Li abruptly fell silent, as if a mute button had been pressed on her mouth. She clenched her lips tightly, unable to withstand the threat, her eyes timidly looking at him.

The atmosphere settled, and the young man's temper improved a bit. He sat on the stone pillar beside her, "Where do you live?"

Before she could answer, he took out his phone from his pocket.

"Do you remember your phone number? We'll call your parents."

Song Li remained silent for a moment.

The child, with a heavy nasal tone, hiccupping intermittently, whispered softly, "Mom... gone."

The young man stopped and turned to look at her. "And Dad?"

Song Li lowered her head deeply, shaking it quietly.

He didn't say anything further.

After crying, the night turned colder. Song Li's nose was bright red from the cold, her eyes glistening with tears. A few strands of her hair were damp with tears, clinging to her delicate face.

She had the kind of tenderness and charm that a child her age should have, looking very lovely. If she were his daughter, anyone would want to show her off in the streets and alleys.

Especially that cute little cinnabar mole on the right side of her nose.

The only thing out of place was her white dress and loose hair, crying softly in the quiet night.

Someone who didn't know might mistake her for a little female ghost.

A mini version.

The young man licked his injured lip and suddenly let out a low laugh. He took off his school uniform jacket and threw it at the little female ghost.

Song Li's vision darkened, she removed the jacket and saw him dialing the police station, telling them that a little girl needed to be taken home.

"Put it on, don't scare anyone else."

He only had a short-sleeved shirt on top, casually throwing his backpack on the ground. He sat with his legs wide open, playing with his cigarette like teasing a cat. "Big brother is here to keep you company. Can you stop crying?"

...Who was scaring whom?

Song Li cautiously raised her head and glanced at the young man.

He was much taller than her when sitting, his profile bathed in the soft light, his expression relaxed, and his hostility somewhat diminished.

Song Li sniffled and spoke in a childish voice, "Um..."

She hid her hands in his jacket and quickly felt warm. Tired from crying, she began to feel drowsy, her eyelids drooping, her face resting on her legs as she hugged herself.

Click, the lighter snapped open.

The young man gathered the red and blue flames that jumped out, brought them close to the cigarette, about to light it, but then he stopped and looked sideways at the weeping Song Li.

His long, narrow peach-blossom eyes carried a touch of charm but were also somewhat desolate, like a sky covered in thick clouds.

Dark and aloof.

Hidden in the shadow of the light source, it seemed as if he was indifferent to everything.

But in the glance he gave her within the firelight, there was a barely noticeable, incongruent trace of sympathy.

Snap, the metal case closed, and he never lit that cigarette in the end.

He couldn't quite explain whether it was a momentary act of kindness or if he simply felt that leaving this poor child unattended was inhumane.

"Don't wipe your snot on my clothes... Alright, wipe it."

"Um..."

"What's your name, little one?"

"..."

Song Li was about to fall asleep, and the young man's bored voice, along with his sharp profile, gradually dissipated like mist.

"Li Li, Song Li!"

Someone lightly pinched her face and whispered her name in her ear.

Song Li's eyelashes trembled twice, and in her drowsy state, she opened her eyes and looked at the bright ceiling.

The faint scent of tobacco instantly vanished.

The only scent that permeated her nose as she breathed deeply was the strong smell of disinfectant.

Song Li turned her head and saw the three big characters on the glass door with a green background and white text.

Infusion Room.

After a moment of hesitation, Song Li came out of her dream and returned to reality—she was receiving an IV in the hospital. She was allergic to mangoes, and her best friend had accompanied her to the emergency room overnight.

She had sleepy, rosy cheeks.

"Seeing handsome men?" Su Tangnian sat beside her, her gaze lingering suggestively.

Song Li was still a little groggy.

"A spring dream!" Su Tangnian pointed at her with certainty.

"..."

"Blushing! I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? Come on, tell me, how intense did it get with General Jin? We're not strangers." Su Tangnian's excitement was tinged with lewdness.

"Not him." Song Li rubbed her eyes and sat up.

Su Tangnian straightened her back in shock, as if she were witnessing a grand affair of a wealthy CEO's fiancee having an affair.

As a civil servant at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Su Tangnian instantly imagined a million-word urban novel titled "Substitute Upward Mobility: After Dying, General Jin's Little Sweet Wife and New Lover Run Away."

Seeing her exaggerated expression, Song Li felt embarrassed and glared at her with a hint of annoyance. "My dream was perfectly legitimate."

With that said, she pointed to the IV drip.

"No more wild thoughts, keep an eye on that."

"Oh..." Su Tangnian sat upright reluctantly and stared at the nearly empty IV drip for a moment, then furrowed her brow and asked, "What happened between you two tonight?"

Song Li pretended not to understand, "What?"

On this topic, Su Tangnian's displeasure welled up, "Jin Shiwen, he took you out, put mango in your mixed fruit juice, and didn't even accompany you back, letting you go by yourself?"

After a moment of silence, Song Li took a deep breath, and the pungent smell of disinfectant momentarily filled her lungs, jolting her nerves.

No, it hadn't ended yet; she had left early due to an allergic reaction.

Jin Shiwen hadn't actually sent her home. There were so many people at the dinner table, and he was busy socializing, so he didn't even have time to attend to her mango allergy, let alone escort her to the hospital.

After all, everyone attending the dinner tonight was a prominent businessman in Nan Yi.

"It's also my fault for being too careless." Song Li downplayed the issue.

Su Tangnian really wished she could extract all the obedient cells from her body with a syringe, and sighed, "A few days ago, you said Jin Shiwen's mother had chosen a date for the engagement?"

"Yes." Song Li lowered her eyes, her hand not holding the needle, pulling at the small fuzz on her white sweater. "It's next month."

"So soon!"

Su Tangnian was astonished, "My dear, you just lived with them when you were a child, not his stepdaughter. Are you really willing to marry Jin Shiwen?"

Song Li turned her head, "Shouldn't you be asking him?"

Su Tangnian and she locked eyes, with an unbelieving look on her face, "He hasn't thought about it yet? Why did he pursue you back then? It can't be just because you're beautiful and take you out to show off, right?"

Song Li remained silent, gazing at her.

Su Tangnian's voice stopped abruptly, and she gradually looked dumbfounded, "Don't tell me it's really like that."

After a moment of dead silence, Song Li's laughter finally broke the tension, and Su Tangnian breathed a sigh of relief at her long-anticipated reaction.

"Scared me... If Jin Shiwen dares to play with your feelings, I'll grab a hoe and challenge him overnight!"

Song Li chuckled, "You're overreacting."

Su Tangnian's talkative factor rose sharply, and she chattered endlessly about tonight's events, expressing strong disapproval. But at that moment, Song Li had stopped listening.

Song Li leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.

She recalled that in the late autumn of her fifth year, she was brought back to Nanyi by the Jin family from the police station in Beijing. Jin's mother was a close friend of Song Li's mother, and Jin's father was meticulous in caring for Song Li, as was Jin's mother.

However, Song Li never asked for much; she just wanted to grow up quietly and peacefully, without asking for anything else.

Early independence, no trouble added.

So, facing Jin Shiwen, who was a few years older than her, Song Li used to keep her distance.

This change in attitude occurred when Song Li entered the middle school where Jin Shiwen was located, the same year she moved up to her first year of high school.

Separated by two buildings, he was in the high school section, and she was in the junior high school section.

Song Li clearly remembers the day she finished her night self-study and was on her way home when her bicycle tire got punctured by some gravel halfway. She had no choice but to push her bike to a nearby repair shop.

The repair shop was less than twenty square meters and was crowded with a jumble of old bikes. It was so small that even standing was tight, so she had to wait by the side of the road.

It was getting colder due to the sudden drop in temperature, and the night wind was chilling. The street was deserted, with only one dimly lit street lamp struggling to provide inadequate light, flickering weakly.

After an unknown amount of time, the sole source of light seemed to give up, and suddenly went out completely, never to flicker back on.

The surroundings became pitch black, so dark that she couldn't see her hand in front of her.

In that year in Beijing, she had experienced something unpleasant, and she was scared of the dark. At that moment, her heartbeat and breathing rapidly increased, and she instinctively made a stress response. She couldn't move, so she hugged herself and sat on the ground, crying.

But her despair didn't last long because Jin Shiwen appeared promptly at that moment.

He led her to a well-lit area, draped his school uniform jacket over her shoulders, and wiped away her tears with a tissue, saying, "Don't cry, I'll keep you company."

- Big brother is here to keep you company, okay? No more crying, alright?

A highly similar scene made Song Li think uncontrollably of the boy she had met in Beijing all those years ago, in that very moment. It felt like a dream.

Later, Song Li learned that on that day, Jin Shiwen had been out for a casual walk with his girlfriend and happened to pass by. Seeing her in distress, his consideration for her might have been because Jin's mother had told him to take care of her.

But it must be acknowledged.

Song Li's fondness for Jin Shiwen also began at that time.

However, at that time, Song Li only considered herself to be daydreaming. It wasn't until last year, when she graduated from Beijing Medical College and returned to Nan Yi, that she saw Jin Shiwen again after a long absence.

During her high school years, Song Li had skipped grades and was admitted directly. Although she had obtained her medical degree, she was only twenty-two at the time.

Girls at this age are in the prime of their youth. Her irises were the color of chestnuts, clear and gentle, her skin as white as frozen milk, and the mole on her nose was shallow, making her look even more innocent.

Actually, Su Tangnian was a bit inaccurate.

Jin Shiwen couldn't be considered pursuing her; he simply asked her one rainy night, a few days after they reunited, as he was driving her home, if she was dating anyone.

She discreetly pinched her fingers and softly said no.

"Want to try with me?" The man, sharply dressed, sat in the driver's seat and looked at her affectionately.

So, their relationship began smoothly.

For Song Li, it was her first love, and she had overly idealistic expectations of love. But Jin Shiwen was different; he had been in and out of relationships for a long time, and it was no longer new to him. He no longer pursued love as recklessly as he did in his youth.

For this reason, in just one year, he unintentionally brought frequent heartaches and disappointments to Song Li.

Like tonight.

The overhead incandescent light was somewhat dazzling. Song Li half-closed her eyelashes and, without warning, said, "He's usually pretty nice to me, not like this."

"Very disappointing."

Just think of it as self-numbing.

Su Tangnian watched from the sidelines and nodded in agreement, saying, "Hmm, if he's not bad to you, he's actually quite good to you."

"..."

"If he doesn't care about you anymore, you should seriously reflect on yourself."

Song Li came to her senses, finding it hard to understand. "What's wrong with me?"

Su Tangnian put on a professional fake smile and said, "Reflect on why you only have him as a boyfriend. No one takes you to the hospital when you have an allergy."

"..."

"Inexperienced people are easily taken advantage of. For safety's sake, you should have a therapist to guide you on emotional issues," Su Tangnian continued, flirting gently. "I happen to know one. How about I send you his WeChat? He's a handsome young man!"

There's no need for that.

Song Li raised her doe-like eyes and replied with a smile that said, "I'll give you a look to interpret yourself."

The two chatted about various topics, and Song Li's mood improved a bit.

After finishing the IV drip, as they left the emergency department, an ambulance with sirens blaring rushed back, attracting quite a crowd of on-duty staff at the entrance and causing a commotion.

It seemed there had been a car accident.

They didn't linger and walked out of the emergency building side by side.

Outside, they saw red banners hanging from the hospital's main building, fluttering in the night breeze, creating a spectacular scene.

"Resolutely resist the privatization of Grade 3 public hospitals."

"Strongly condemn the Sheng Corporation for seizing state-owned assets."

"Capitalists, get out of Nan Yi Second Hospital."

And so on, similar slogans were written on the banners.

Su Tangnian stretched her neck to look, incredulous and speechless. "Your hospital is really making a big fuss."

"These capitalists are full of bad intentions, always trying to fleece the common people," Song Li said without looking up, heading directly for the parking lot.

Su Tangnian followed her. "They say online that the Sheng Corporation is too hardcore, and the acquisition of the Second Hospital is a foregone conclusion. Will this protest make any difference?"

Song Li shrugged. "Not at the moment."

Perhaps the other side had no intention of listening at all. After all, the hospital's leaders hadn't spoken up, and the banners were all put up by the medical staff spontaneously. Throwing stones into an empty pond wouldn't make any ripples.

"The Sheng family in Beijing, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, they were already a wealthy and influential family. Later, they also participated in military affairs. They were one of the first families in the late 19th century to focus on industrial development. This scale, it's breathtaking!" Su Tangnian couldn't help but reveal her farmer's identity, sighing again.

She asked, "Did you see the hot topics from a few days ago?"

Song Li tucked her hands into her sleeves. "Which ones are you talking about? The performance art after getting drunk, or the guy stealing a phone and hiding on the balcony to watch TikTok and laughing too loudly, getting caught?"

Su Tangnian said, "..."

Su Tangnian was incredulous. "The third eldest of the Sheng family came to Nan Yi in person, and you didn't see the big fuss he caused?"

"Who?" Song Li met her gaze.

"Sheng Mu Ci!" Su Tangnian lowered her voice, "He's a military academy graduate, a retired officer, and the man who inherited the family's billions. There are no photos of him online, but they say his looks and physique are such that even Liu Chuyu would want to come back from the dead for another round!"

"..." This description is over the top.

"Remember now, he's a second-generation rich kid."

"..."

"In the words of Mary Sue's high-end melodramatic novels, he's the legitimate prince of the Beijing circle. Are you really that indifferent?" Su Tangnian leaned in, trying to discern the hidden meaning behind her expression.

But Song Li remained calm and replied, "I don't think so."

She doesn't seem to want to pay attention to it at all.

Song Li walked steadily down the dimly lit road ahead, with neither sorrow nor joy.

She only noticed a subtle change in her expression when she heard the two words "Beijing circle."

"You think he must be meddling with hospital matters," after a brief moment, Song Li seriously analyzed the situation, saying, "Roughly speaking, he's our arch-nemesis."

Su Tangnian hesitated.

Oh, right.

She raised her thumb, "Wake up, my friend. You've always been indifferent to men, so when were you enlightened by Ji Dian?"

(Ji Dian: Reaching the Peak of Achievement; He was a Tiantai Buddhist monk, born with the surname Li, who was ordained at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. To help spread the teachings, he pretended to be eccentric and traveled widely, hence the name "Ji Diān." )

Song Li smiled, casting a sidelong glance at her. Gazing ahead at the misty road, her voice carried a hint of emptiness in the night wind, "You know, these privileged offspring of heaven, they played in the lap of luxury from a young age, never fretted about anything, didn't even bother with an MBA or something, just returned to take leadership positions and live a life of comfort. But now, he went to military school. What's the motive behind it?"

"You're right; it does sound a bit strange." Su Tangnian was deep in thought.

A moment later, it dawned on her, and she nudged Song Li's arm, leaning in to whisper, "I heard that Sheng Mu Ci's mother initially had an affair with Mr. Sheng. She was young and beautiful, and used her tactics to rise in status. Everyone thought the eldest son of the Sheng family would end up with a wicked stepmother, but you won't believe it; she treats her stepson and stepdaughter like treasures while neglecting her own biological son! And rumor has it, She also wants Sheng Mu Ci to give up her position as the leader of the Sheng family!"

Song Li had a moment of doubt, but she was used to controlling her curiosity. She replied casually, "No way."

"I heard it through the grapevine."

"So, it might also be a eunuch symposium," Song Li said nonchalantly as she walked ahead.

Su Tangnian didn't quite understand the logic. "Eunuch symposium? What's that?"

Song Li glanced at her, suppressing a smile, and took advantage of her distraction to reach out and pinch her waist. "It's just a 'cockless' discussion!"

Su Tangnian, ticklish, bent over, laughing and dodging.

The two continued their playful banter for a while before taking a break.

Returning to the main topic, Su Tangnian covered her mouth and whispered to Song Li, "But seriously, Sheng Mu Ci is handsome, but if he really comes to the hospital, you have to be careful. Don't provoke him. I heard this third Sheng is particularly ruthless!"

"If he dislikes someone, he could make the grass grow in a graveyard!"

Just as these crucial words were spoken, Song Li's phone suddenly chimed.

Chen Danyu: [Song Li]

Chen Danyu: [The car accident patient from the emergency room will be transferred to the orthopedics department for inpatient treatment tomorrow. You're responsible for the initial assessment.]

Chen Danyu: [Information is sent, do your homework in advance.]

Chen Danyu: [This patient is important.]

The patient from the recent car accident? The king has descended, huh? Even VIP access isn't this quick.

Breathing slightly faster, Song Li replied promptly: [Am I the only one?]

Chen Danyu: [I don’t have any objection if you can do half of it.]

Song Li: "…"

Tugging at the corner of her lips, Song Li replied: [But, Dr. Chen, isn't it the hospital's rule that the initial assessment should be handed over with the attending physician for the patient's condition?]

Chen Danyu: [Special circumstances, just go.]

With a slightly resentful sigh, Song Li replied with a calm "Okay."

Chen Danyu was the Chief Resident of their Orthopedic Department, a woman in her middle age, inclined to go with the flow, and feared the strong. The Deputy Chief Resident, who was supposed to mentor Song Li, was currently in the United States for a six-month overseas training and wouldn't return soon, so she became the soft target.

Chen Danyu: [Emergency report.jpg]

Chen Danyu: [VIP 901]

Song Li checked the image and quickly noticed the report's date.

10-13.

She had a sensitive reaction and murmured softly, "It'll be the 14th tomorrow."

"Yes," Su Tangnian replied, curious about her reaction, "Is there a holiday on the 14th of October?"

Song Li paused for a moment and then smiled, "No."

She continued to read the report and preliminarily concluded that there were bone injuries in the lumbar spine and shoulder joints.

Her gaze slowly moved upwards.

Name: Sheng Mu Ci.

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