Exclusively For You: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Dr. Song, Be Gentle

✧༝┉˚*❋ ❋*˚┉༝✧

Song Li had never been through this before. On the first day after the breakup with her first love, she didn't react as some emotional bloggers had described, she didn't break down amidst the changing weather; instead, she stood by the bedside of another man.

Listening to him calling her 'heartless.'

She gazed at him relentlessly, a face filled with innocence and injustice.

What did Wan Yao do to upset him so much?

Based on the context, Song Li kindly asked him in a soft voice, "Why are you not happy?"

As the words fell, someone's resentment grew even deeper.

That gaze was as if accusing her, saying, "Song Li, do you have a heart?"

"..."

Maybe it was better not to ask any more questions.

Song Li put down the tray, put on gloves, and routinely said, "You were about to be discharged. Running out like that yesterday could easily worsen your condition. After changing the medication, let's get a CT scan..."

Perhaps that day, her face was less cheerful. After all, she had cried a lot the day before. Now, she couldn't manage a smile, spoke softly, and displayed indifference towards him.

Before she could finish her sentence, he interjected, "Can't I stop running around recklessly?"

Reluctantly.

Song Li was surprised to hear this and slowly looked at him.

"Stay here until I'm discharged," he said with a stern tone in the latter part of his statement.

The tone made Song Li belatedly connect to the phrase 'leave him to someone else.'

And then, she realized.

Did he misunderstand that she was angry with him for leaving the hospital on his own? Was this compromise due to concern for her feelings?

It felt like making amends after an argument.

Song Li smiled instinctively, suppressed the urge to grin, and deliberately asked, "Is that so?"

Her voice was warm and slightly hoarse, not as clear as usual, a remnant of the grief from yesterday.

Sheng Mu Ci bit the cigarette butt and mumbled a vague "hmm."

This response confirmed Song Li's guess, and without much reaction, she 'hmmed' in return.

"So, will it be you tomorrow?"

Sheng Mu Ci, accustomed to arrogance, became gradually more forceful after a short while.

They say where there's oppression, there's resistance. It would be a shame to miss the chance to extort a capitalist. Song Li pushed the question back to him.

"Can you try to wake up a bit earlier?" 

With her naturally pure and innocent face, she couldn't possibly have ulterior motives.

"A bit?"

"...A bit?"

One dared to ask, and the other dared to answer.

Sheng Mu Ci raised his head and gave her a glance.

Song Li admitted that she had taken advantage of the situation, but she just hoped to have more time for a satisfying nap. That's all.

In that moment of eye contact, Song Li's heart raced, but within seconds, Sheng Mu Ci averted his gaze.

"I'll try my best," he said.

Song Li was stunned, confirming that she hadn't misheard.

He actually agreed for real.

In that moment, a thought suddenly popped into Song Li's mind - she wanted to have Su Tangnian as her surname. Who said Third Young Master Sheng was not approachable? He was clearly quite reasonable!

Inside Song Li's heart, celebratory fireworks went off, but she didn't show it on her face. She whispered, "You just scared someone to tears a moment ago."

Sheng Mu Ci coldly scoffed, "I didn't beat her. She has no reason to cry."

'...'

Song Li thought, you might as well have given her a good beating. Maybe she would be feeling better now.

The unlit cigarette was making Sheng Mu Ci more and more restless. Seeming to grow tired of it, he flicked the cigarette into the trash can.

Then, like yesterday, he opened his palm and beckoned her with his fingertips.

However, Song Li didn't understand and blinked, asking, "What?"

"Candy," Sheng Mu Ci glanced at her white coat's pocket and then back at her, "Didn't bring any?"

Song Li was momentarily at a loss for words.

Had he really gotten so used to her giving him candy that he could act so self-assured like this?

Never mind.

This person indeed had no need for a name.

After finishing the examination, Song Li left, and in the kitchen, Xu Yan secretly observed these two. Xu Yan finally peeked his head out, hesitating as he approached. His mouth opened and closed, struggling to speak, acting like a shy girl.

Sheng Mu Ci, with his patience nearly worn out, asked, "Are you free?"

Under his stern gaze, Xu Yan was momentarily startled and quickly scurried away.

Xu Yan returned to the kitchen and discreetly messaged Cheng Gui, describing the situation with those two individuals in vivid detail. In the end, he concluded:

Lord Xu of North City: [Lao Cheng, Third Brother is acting strange.]

Lord Xu of North City: [He's even harsh with me, unlike with Doctor Song!]

Cheng Gui: [......]

Cheng Gui: [If you're really free, wash the two pairs of socks hanging at your bedside.]

Lord Xu of North City: [Lao Cheng, I'm not joking! You saw it that day too, Doctor Song is getting married, and Third Brother's behavior is dangerous!]

Lord Xu of North City: [He's my third brother, not the third party!]

Cheng Gui: [Facepalm.jpg]

Cheng Gui: [Value your life, don't meddle in your Third Brother's affairs.]

Cheng Gui: [Wait until he's discharged from the hospital before moving in again.]

Lord Xu of North City: [Stunned.jpg]

-

First love always holds a special significance; when it comes to first love, people often exhibit endless tolerance and repeated forgiveness. In various online forums and search results, there are countless high-traffic posts, indicating that many have experienced these emotions.

How can one forget their first love?

What to do if you regret breaking up with your first love?

Is it possible to reconcile with your first love after parting ways?

In truth, Song Li had unconsciously browsed through these questions in the past. Even though her relationship with Jin Shiwen seemed unshakable at the time, she had a habit of preparing for the worst, like always packing her charger, ID, keys, and even sanitary napkins in her bag before heading out.

With a clear path behind her, she wouldn't feel helpless.

With hindsight, she realized that she had never really considered the possibility of breaking up with Jin Shiwen.

Even yesterday, she briefly felt that she might not be able to escape the tragic fate of a breakup.

But that day, after work, passing by a girly jewelry store, they were playing a piano piece inside. It was an unknown song that Song Li had never heard before, but she was drawn in by its gentle melody.

She paused by the shop window, the last piece of candy remaining in her mouth, left over from Sheng Mu Ci.

On the display table, there was a handmade music box, and the main character inside the crystal ball was spinning in circles to the music.

Song Li felt like she was the same as that music box.

In the past, she had always been cranking the winding key, but now her hand had let go, and the music played on.

Just like unfulfilled expectations, once given up, they no longer torment you. The candy was always sweet, and winter remained beautiful.

From that day on, it was the start of something new.

In the next half month, Song Li gradually forgot about Jin Shiwen.

And while Sheng Mu Ci's bad reputation persisted, Song Li was no longer as wary of him.

He had his charming qualities.

For example, when it came to things he promised her, he never broke his word. He would stay put in the hospital room without running around, and even when he was very tired, he could always make it to the living room on time for her.

When Song Li changed his medicine, she could always see him squinting, unable to open his eyes completely, his short hair disheveled, scattered across his forehead. He would furrow his brows in irritation, looking like a little lion.

Lack of sleep and morning grumpiness.

At that time, Sheng Mu Ci didn't exhibit a fierce or hostile attitude.

Every time, Song Li could see the resemblance to the character "Madara" from "Natsume's Book of Friends." Its prototype was incredibly handsome and imposing, a high-level youkai coming close to the realm of gods.

When it was sealed within the beckoning cat, it was irresistibly cute.

And the just-awoken Sheng Mu Ci was strikingly similar at times. Sometimes, Song Li couldn't help but tease him.

But that was just it.

Because most of the time, he was mischievous, always carrying a bit of mischief in his every move.

Song Li remembered one day when she brought the follow-up report to Sheng Mu Ci's hospital room. The bandage on his side had long been removed, and all he needed was some ointment for the faint scar.

Song Li squeezed the ointment into her palm, warmed it up, and then gently applied it to his side, massaging for absorption.

A girl's hands are soft, but a man's muscles are rugged. However, Song Li focused intently and didn't touch any inappropriate places.

However, this man insisted on staring at her as if he couldn't see clearly.

Sensing his gaze, Song Li gradually felt uncomfortable, and the atmosphere became somewhat indescribable. She slowly swept her bangs to the back and continued with her work, ignoring him.

Sheng Mu Ci chuckled and suddenly called her, "Dr. Song."

"... " Song Li's ears warmed slightly, and she had to lift her head and meet his gaze. "What's wrong?"

His narrow, peach blossom eyes had an upward curve at the corners, fixating on her, and he said with a hoarse voice.

"Be gentle."

"..."

Up until that day...

The entry 'Sheng Group's Project Director Chen Geng was assaulted by protesters in Nan Yi' suddenly trended.

That night, Song Li was on the night shift in the duty room.

Her phone received an unfamiliar call at first, and Song Li answered it without much thought, typing on her keyboard and wondering who it was.

After a while, there was silence.

Song Li lowered her head to check the screen. The call hadn't been disconnected, and she gently inquired, "Hello?"

"I dialed the wrong number."

The voice on the other end was cold, and after speaking, they hung up directly.

Song Li held her phone to her left ear, her right fingertips resting on the keyboard. It took her a while to come to her senses, recognizing that familiar yet unfamiliar voice.

It was Jin Shiwen.

After a moment, Song Li set her phone down in silence and continued writing patient records, not concerning herself with the matter.

During a break, she saw the trending topic.

The issues within the hospital group restructuring had been ongoing, but in Nan Yi's case, it was far from a rational solution.

Public opposition was escalating, and the reputation of the Sheng Group was now being questioned.

Song Li didn't know why Sheng Mu Ci appeared at the Yue Lai Hotel that day, but she had an intuition that Sheng Mu Ci and Chen Geng were not the same kind of people.

Moreover, nearly half a month had passed since Chen Geng's visit to Nan Yi and Jin Shiwen's meeting. The sudden rise in this hot search was so suspicious that Song Li couldn't help but suspect that someone was manipulating things behind the scenes.

That night, after finishing her late rounds, Song Li went to find Sheng Mu Ci.

She examined Sheng Mu Ci's latest CT scan, and his lumbar spine and shoulder joints had healed very well, and his lung contusion had mostly recovered.

If he were in a regular ward, he should have received a notification from the hospital today to complete the discharge procedure.

In fact, when she went there that evening, Song Li didn't have any questions in mind. She was just there for her routine evening rounds and to discuss the follow-up results with him.

That night, he was in the bedroom.

The bedroom was dimly lit, with only an orange desk lamp glowing.

He was sitting on a high stool with his legs apart, the window partially open, holding a cigarette between his fingers. The crimson glow at the tip of the cigarette had burned halfway.

In the half-light, Song Li saw him take a deep drag from the cigarette and then raise his chin, exhaling towards the outside.

The smoke dispersed over his sharp jawline as he gazed at the smoke slowly blending into the night. He squinted his eyes slightly, lost in thought.

That was the first time Song Li had seen him smoke, rather than just absentmindedly chewing on it.

That day, he seemed to be burdened with something.

In Song Li's eyes, Sheng Muci was someone who expressed three and concealed seven emotions, but when she saw this scene, she realized she was wrong.

Perhaps the person you see is not even a fraction of his true self.

"Knock, knock, knock --," Song Li knocked on the door three times.

Sheng Mu Ci turned his face slightly, perhaps not expecting her to come at this moment, paused for a moment, and let his hand hang down.

He didn't speak, but Song Li, out of habit, walked in.

Sheng Mu Ci didn't look at her, just calmly extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray beside him, and said, "Stand there."

His throat, raspy from smoking, had a low, magnetic tone.

"..." Song Li suddenly stopped in her tracks, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Fortunately, Sheng Mu Ci didn't make her feel awkward for too long. He stood up shortly after, opened the window to the maximum, took a sip of tea, and then walked up to her.

"Is it too smoky? If not, come on in." He resumed his lazy demeanor, teasing her.

In fact, the room didn't smell strongly of smoke; it was just a faint scent carried by the cool breeze, rich but mild.

"...It actually smells quite nice," Song Li honestly replied.

Sheng Mu Ci looked at her for a while, helpless, and raised the corner of his lips, saying, "Alright," and pointed behind her, saying, "Look over there."

Behind her was a wall clock.

Song Li turned around, "What's the matter?"

"Read."

"12:35."

"12:35..." Sheng Mu Ci deliberately drawled, his voice low and lazy, "Just casually entering a man's bedroom."

"..."

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