Exclusively for You: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Love SS

✧༝┉˚*❋ ❋*˚┉༝✧ 

An unexpected question.

Song Li's mind short-circuited for a moment, lowered her eyes, avoiding eye contact with him, looking like a student in training.

"In Beijing... I went to school," she answered softly with an apologetic tone and some respect, in a low voice.

Sheng Mu Ci glanced at her for a few seconds and nonchalantly said, "Oh."

The girl's eyes and demeanor seemed familiar to him, as if saying one more word might make her burst into tears the next moment. So, he refrained from asking further.

Moreover, it had been a long time, and everyone had probably forgotten.

"About your injury..." Song Li doubted she might have pressed on his wound just now, clutching the blue folder board carefully, she wanted to ask if he needed an examination.

"It's fine," he said in a low voice, narrowing his eyes.

"Alright," Song Li nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like she had been granted a pardon.

"I'll have a nurse bring some protective gear for you later," she spoke softly, lowering her head to flip through the cardiac surgery report, looking at Xu Yan, "Mr. Sheng also has minor lung abrasions. You should avoid smoking and drinking and pay special attention to your diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and high protein. You can join the patient's WeChat group at the nurse's station for more information."

Xu Yan, puzzled, quickly agreed.

He scratched his buzz cut, wondering when his third brother had become so easy-going. At one point, he thought he was going to die here today.

After checking the room, Song Li was about to leave but was stopped by Xu Yan. He picked up a fruit platter specially prepared for her on the coffee table and smiled, inviting her to stay a while.

She glanced at it; the platter was filled with bright yellow mangoes.

Song Li politely declined.

But Xu Yan was insistent, acting as polite as an old lady raising pigs.

"But I'm allergic to mangoes and can't eat them. Thanks, though," Song Li gave her reasons for not complying, and it was working hours; she didn't want to be scolded by Chen Danyu because of this.

Once Song Li left, there were only two people in the living room.

"Third brother, I'll add you on WeChat and order some food for you later," Xu Yan recognized the fact that he had crossed the line with him, and his attitude was overly servile.

Sheng Mu Ci originally had no interest in engaging in conversation, but the phone on the bedside table had been quiet for a few minutes and now started vibrating again.

"Answer it," he said impatiently.

Xu Yan quickly returned to his original position.

"Turn it off," Sheng Mu Ci said, closing his eyes and frowning.

Xu Yan obeyed.

In no time, Xu Yan's phone in his pocket rang. He took it out and, after checking, hesitated for a moment. "Third brother, it's... Sheng Yanxiao."

Sheng Mu Ci took the phone from him and said, "Hello."

The voice on the other end was quite familiar to him, calling his name with confidence, with a mature and steady tone, "A Ci."

"Brother," Sheng Muci responded indifferently.

"Why didn't you answer the call?" The man asked calmly, clearly knowing the answer.

Sheng Mu Ci had no intention of making small talk and casually replied, "Lazy."

The other party didn't seem to be angry, laughing lightly and mysteriously. "How is your injury?"

Sheng Mu Ci chuckled and drawled, "Almost dead. Do you think that's a pity?"

The man didn't respond to his words and chuckled intriguingly.

"Don't just focus on dealing with the Second Hospital acquisition case; also take care of yourself. The security in Nan Yi is not as good as in Beijing. Remember that..." The other person intentionally paused for two seconds, speaking slowly with hidden meaning: "Don't meddle in things you shouldn't."

Sheng Mu Ci's dark eyes gradually grew gloomy, as if soaked in icy water.

He figured out something, licked his lips, and let out a low, sardonic laugh, slowly moving his phone away from his ear.

Xu Yan saw a dark shadow in front of his eyes, then suddenly heard a loud "bang." He watched as his phone was brutally smashed against the wall, and the phone case split in two on the ground.

"..."

"Third Brother."

Xu Yan widened his eyes, his expression shifting from shock to fear and gradually turning despondent, looking on the verge of tears. "My phone..."

He could only mutter quietly, not daring to sob loudly.

The situation was unexpected, yet not entirely surprising. When someone had just failed to stay calm, there was usually a high risk factor. Once they approached, it could be life-threatening.

But at least he could vent this anger, better than holding it in. Losing one phone could be considered an honor.

"So, can I use your phone, Third Brother?" Xu Yan cautiously inquired, mindful of not disturbing his sleep.

Seeing that he wasn't scolded, Xu Yan discreetly pocketed his phone and tiptoed out.

After reaching the nurse's station group chat, Xu Yan walked out of the hospital building.

As he glanced at the group chat named "Nan Yi Second Hospital Inpatients Communication Group 3 (469)," he made his way to the parking lot.

Love Whoever: [You've joined the group chat by scanning the QR code]

Xu Yan shook his head and sighed.

Third brother is just Third brother, even his online alias is manic.

At this moment, a group announcement popped up in the chat box.

【This group is for medical consultation, and the duty doctors are available 24/7 for answering questions. Unless there are special circumstances, please refrain from adding medical staff to your WeChat!】

Xu Yan scanned the front row of group members without much interest, and his eyes seemed to be drawn like a magnet, fixing on Song Li's name.

He paused, and his gaze instantly brightened.

He clicked on the profile.

Nickname: ss.

Group nickname: Song Li - Orthopedic Resident Physician

The profile picture was a pure white kitten with a round face and sapphire-like eyes gazing innocently.

Kiyo meow meow, just as cute as Dr. Song herself!

Xu Yan's heart raced, and he couldn't help but reveal an auntie's smile, completely captivated.

Thinking of the group announcement, he looked up at the sky for a brief moment and then quickly copied Song Li's WeChat ID, quietly exited the group chat, and sent a friend request.

After doing all of this, he suddenly realized something was amiss.

Wasn't this third brother's phone?

Song Li had a busy morning, and after having lunch with her colleagues in the cafeteria, she went straight back to her office to rest.

As soon as she sat down, she received a call from Jin Shiwen.

The office was empty, with only Song Li there, and she was too tired to move, so she answered at her desk.

"Li Li, what time will you get off work?" Jin Shiwen's words were concise.

Song Li hesitated for a moment.

After a brief pause, she replied in her usual tone, "I have to take an emergency shift, as I told you."

"Shall I help you request time off with Director Wan? I have a social event tonight, and I'll take you with me." In the phone call, Jin Shiwen's tone wasn't one of negotiation; it sounded more like he was bestowing a favor.

Another social event.

Song Li really didn't want to go anymore.

"However, the emergency department is short-staffed and will be too busy. I won't be able to accompany you tonight," her voice contained warmth and helplessness.

In that kind of gathering, everyone minded their own business. Jin Shiwen didn't have time for her. Those who came were all from wealthy families. They laughed and talked freely, with topics ranging widely, occasionally getting vulgar, but they all enjoyed it.

Last night, Song Li felt very uncomfortable.

The women around them who were laughing were all seductive, and they were all open-minded.

But she was too obedient.

Amid the fragrance and glamour, in the luxurious banquet, she clearly didn't fit in.

Girls in love, who wouldn't want to spend more time with their boyfriends? Song Li didn't want to accumulate grievances. Since Jin Auntie suggested they get engaged, she agreed, preparing to seriously nurture this relationship.

But not in that kind of situation.

Jin Shiwen didn't force her, he just said, "Li Li, you can quit your job."

Song Li was a bit confused, "Why?"

"I can more than support you. Besides, how much salary can you save working at the hospital? Or if you want a different job, I can arrange it for you, so you can have more time to be with me."

Clearly.

Accompanying meant accompanying him to these social events.

In front of her career, Jin Shiwen obviously lacked appreciation and understanding, but when he said this, his smile was gentle, like a mesmerizing potion, making Song Li unable to get angry.

Her heart suddenly felt as if it were being pressed by a huge stone, making it difficult to breathe.

After some thought, Song Li lightly teased, "So, all these years of studying were for nothing?"

"With a medical doctorate, why would it be for nothing?"

She studied this profession but didn't work in the field, only bragging about it. Why wouldn't it be for nothing?

Song Li thought this way but didn't say it. Jin Shiwen's words made her wonder if she was being overly sensitive.

But Song Li had a strong belief since childhood.

A piece of suspended transparent glass, no matter how modern or valuable it is, will shatter if it falls. Girls are the same way. Who can you expect not to complain and carry you on their shoulders for a lifetime?

Born where, married to whom, none of that is as reliable as oneself.

This was the lesson her mother taught her throughout her life.

Song Li didn't want to shatter in this world of vanity, so she couldn't resign.

"This has nothing to do with the depth of feelings." 

Song Li pursed her lips and said, "No need. I think it's important to have my own job."

She rarely argued with Jin Shiwen, but she was exceptionally firm at that moment. Jin Shiwen couldn't persuade her, and he naturally felt frustrated.

His response carried a dissatisfied snort, probably busy with handling millions of contracts for the company, and didn't want to waste time arguing with her.

"Up to you," Jin Shiwen replied indifferently.

Did she make him angry? Song Li paused for a few seconds without saying anything.

Jin Shiwen probably felt that his tone had been a bit too harsh earlier. He softened his voice, "Alright, take your time to think. Let's have lunch together tomorrow, be a good girl."

After a moment of silence, Song Li softly replied to the latter part of his sentence.

Jin Shiwen's attitude left Song Li with a heavy sense of isolation and powerlessness. After ending the call, she sat quietly for five minutes but couldn't dispel the oppressive feeling of not being understood by her boyfriend.

She took a deep breath and opened a chat with Su Tangnian.

Song Li: [Slapping someone suddenly.jpg]

Su Tangnian replied instantly: [Baa baa baa?]

Song Li carefully chose her words: [When you were feeling unwell before, did your ex-boyfriend ever ask if you were feeling better?]

Su Tangnian: [He didn't]

Song Li: [What if you had different opinions, would he try to understand you?]

Su Tangnian: [No]

Song Li, with little experience in love, was somewhat shocked: [So, is this all normal???]

Su Tangnian: [Of course not]

Su Tangnian: [That's what dog-like men do]

Su Tangnian: [Otherwise, how could he be an ex-boyfriend!]

Song Li: [....]

Just a moment ago, Jin Shiwen completely ignored it, and they had differences in values.

Song Li gave up thinking about it: [I might... really need guidance from an emotional counselor]

Su Tangnian replied with a GIF of "The sea laughs once."

Suddenly excited: [Wait, I'll have my little brother add you. Girls who take the initiative lose value!!]

Song Li: [... Wait, I haven't decided yet]

Su Tangnian: [You have to say goodbye to the wrong ones to meet the right one!]

Su Tangnian: [Touch your chest and say, I've always thought that Jin Shiwen doesn't deserve our fairy baby's love! He's too domineering. Isn't he just holding you in his palm?]

Song Li automatically ignored the rest of the message: [Where should I touch? [Pinching your face.jpg]]

Su Tangnian: [Gradually awakening a sleeping soul.jpg]

Su Tangnian: [You are a woman who holds the script for thousands of admirers! How many male classmates pursued you in middle school and high school! But in your eyes, there's only one! Your! Brother! Shi! Wen! Do you know how many boys you've hurt?]

Song Li: [....]

Song Li: [I'm not that amazing [Smiling.jpg]

Su Tangnian: [Gently awakening a sleeping soul.jpg]

One minute later.

Su Tangnian: "I told the little brother, but he's currently traveling in Canada, so there might be a time difference. Just wait, and it'll be ok."

Song Li actually just made a casual joke, but she thought about it. Having a ready-made lesson in love, there's nothing wrong with learning.

Su Tangnian: "Kid, I have a feeling that your real Apollo is on his way!!"

The next topic seamlessly continues: "Have you met Sheng Mu Ci?"

When this name caught her eye, the cold yet affectionate face instantly appeared in her mind. Song Li's heart suddenly pounded heavily. Her first reaction was to feel grateful for having survived a disaster.

His charisma was overwhelmingly strong. In front of him, she felt like a small, vulnerable rabbit facing the king of the forest, weak and afraid of death.

Song Li seriously typed: "I've met him."

Su Tangnian: "How credible are the rumors?"

Song Li honestly admitted: "Regarding looks and physique, the information is accurate."

Just the confirmation of "accurate" made Su Tangnian excited and break into a string of excited screams: "Investigate more! Get more information!"

Su Tangnian couldn't stay calm: "This is a legendary figure!!! Next time, secretly take a photo for me to drool over! Don't make me kneel down and beg you!!"

Song Li: "Do you want to see my name on Waterdrop Fund?"

Su Tangnian: "I'll donate! Definitely!"

Song Li: "..."

Song Li was very tired at the time, so after chatting with Su Tangnian, she went straight to her recliner for a nap. But before turning off her phone, she noticed a little red dot on her WeChat contact list, a new friend request.

It was from someone who added her by searching her WeChat ID.

Their nickname was "Love Whoever."

The profile picture features a mature German Shepherd dog, solemnly sitting in front of a shooting target, wearing military protective gear, looking very handsome.

The traveling psychologist, right? Quite prompt.

Song Li didn't think much, and passed the verification.

But she fell asleep first, recharging for her afternoon work, without opening a conversation at the moment.

When she woke up, Song Li was busy again. Before the afternoon rounds, as she passed the nurse's station, there was a young nurse chatting.

Song Li unintentionally overheard that Sheng Mu Ci's private doctor had arrived.

That person probably didn't need her to go over, but just to be sure, Song Li still went to see Chen Danyu and asked her, "Teacher Chen, do we still need to do the rounds for 901?"

Chen Danyu was sitting in front of the computer, the mouse clicking incessantly. She didn't even look at Song Li, using the same indifferent tone as ever, "If you want to get scolded, go ahead, am I stopping you?"

"..."

What's with the attitude?

Is it so hard to say something that people can understand?

Can Sogou even find you?

If you have nothing to say, then don't say anything.

After venting in her mind, Song Li maintained a smiling face and replied, "Okay."

She worked the night shift in the emergency department until dawn the next day.

Song Li couldn't find a moment to rest throughout the night, and after handing over her duties, she immediately returned to the hospital wards for rounds, not finishing until noon.

When she got home, Song Li didn't even have time to eat lunch. Dragging her tired body, she took a numb shower and collapsed on her bed, falling asleep.

Upon waking up again, night had fallen once more.

Song Li was too tired to cook and ordered takeout. While waiting, she sat cross-legged on the living room sofa, starting to tidy up the various clothes piled on top.

Song Li had just moved into this suite a week ago and hadn't had time to organize it properly; the room was still messy.

Before college, Song Li lived with Jin Shiwen's family, but after graduating, she rented a place near the hospital on her own.

Despite Aunt Jin's repeated persuasion, Song Li still insisted.

For her long-term plan, Song Li purchased this two-bedroom, one-living-room fully renovated new house this year, using the card her mother left her.

The initial amount on that card wasn't low.

As she was tidying up, Song Li pulled out an old coat from the pile of clothes.

The blue and white school uniform of Beijing No. 1 Middle School.

She paused, and in her mind, she revisited that distant memory.

In one's lifetime, which is so long, it's hard to remember every face forever. She was young at the time, and her memories had become hazy.

But a certain moment, a feeling for a certain person, much like aged wine, no matter how distant the years, it still brews.

Song Li could always recall the orange glow of the streetlight that night, the wind that seemed to carry destiny into Baihua Alley...

And the young man squatting outside the courtyard, with a cigarette and a wounded look.

He was like a charismatic villain from an anime, exuding beauty and wildness.

In her memory, villains often liked to play the carefree bad guy, embellishing the darkness in their stories. She wondered if he was the same.

Even though she was so young back then, she remembered the loneliness in his eyes at that moment.

Sometimes, Song Li wondered if she was bewitched.

It's like you can never forget the first person who gave you water in the desert; you'll always remember the moment of salvation. Everyone else afterward seemed to carry his shadow.

Song Li was thinking about Jin Shiwen in this way, but the moment she thought of him, she couldn't help but feel dejected.

Song Li sighed softly, halting her thoughts.

Coincidentally, she thought of the young consultant, whom she had rudely ignored all day. So, Song Li quickly grabbed her phone and took the initiative to greet him.

After sending the message, Song Li stared unblinkingly at the top where "Love Whoever" was written, feeling that something was slightly off.

Her nickname was "ss," which meant Song Song, and it seemed normal when viewed on its own, with nothing special.

But once it was alongside "Love Whoever," it felt... strange.

While the chat box remained silent, Song Li contemplated and, like covering her ears to steal a bell, she added a self-introduction: [By the way, my name is Song Li.]

At the same second, a notification tone sounded.

EatingChildrenAlive: [?]

In one go, she couldn't make heads or tails of it. 

She thought a travel-loving counselor would typically be a lively, optimistic young person, but this "?" was brimming with an air of arrogance.

It felt difficult to get along with.

Song Li's brows furrowed, suddenly unsure of the appropriate way to communicate with him.

Suddenly, she noticed again.

This "Love Whoever" had changed his nickname at some point.

New nickname: "EatingChildrenAlive."

"..."

It was incredibly eerie, making Song Li feel like she was deliberately targeted.

Creepy.

There was no way to continue the conversation that day. Song Li bit her lip, regretting adding him on WeChat.

Now, with nothing happening, perhaps it's still... not too late?

Song Li hesitated, contemplated, and then clicked on the military dog profile of the other person.

With determination.

Deleted the contact.

Removed this toxic online friend from her list.

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