Humming a tune, Chi Mu stepped out of the elevator and greeted a nurse walking toward her. “Good morning!”
The nurse, scurrying by, froze in her tracks, her face flushing. “G-good morning, Dr. Nie.”
“Have you eaten yet?” Chi Mu asked.
“Yes, yes!” The little nurse clutched her tray, head bowed, and hurried away.
Chi Mu pushed open her office door and beamed. “Morning!”
“Morning,” Lu Nianyun said, standing up from her chair. “I bought you some breakfast.”
Chi Mu, who had already eaten, gave Lu Nianyun a thumbs-up. “How thoughtful. I actually haven’t eaten yet.”
She opened the paper bag to find bread and coffee. Taking a sip of the coffee, she arched an eyebrow. “Unsweetened mocha. Not bad.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Lu Nianyun said with a smile. “I guessed that Alphas probably don’t like sweets, so I didn’t add any sugar.”
Chi Mu set the coffee down and turned on the computer. “Thoughtful indeed. Your father didn’t scold you when you got home last night, did he?”
“No. Since he knew I was out with you, he was quite relieved.”
“Ah.” Chi Mu nodded. As expected, the Director had his eye on Nie Yijun. She decided she would vet the girl on Nie Yijun’s behalf and lend a helping hand while she was at it.
Lu Nianyun looked at her. “Dr. Nie, what is my schedule for today?”
Work schedule.
Chi Mu opened WeChat to check the message Nie Yijun had sent her this morning.
“Rounds for several wards. The details are in the spreadsheet; don’t ask me again if you can help it. As for Lu Nianyun, take her with you during rounds so she can observe. I’ve pushed the high-difficulty tasks to tomorrow. Even if I told you more, you wouldn’t understand. Just don’t cause trouble for me.”
Every word was a jab.
Chi Mu clicked the spreadsheet. Nie Yijun truly didn’t trust her; she had written out detailed profiles for every patient and specific instructions on how to conduct the rounds.
She had to admit, Nie Yijun was incredibly dedicated. This spreadsheet had likely been prepared late last night.
Chi Mu threw on her white coat. “Let’s do the rounds.”
This was Chi Mu’s second time doing rounds, but fortunately, the meticulous Nie Yijun had made the instructions foolproof. Chi Mu simply followed the script.
“Have you felt any abdominal pain or nausea after taking the medication?”
“Was there any bleeding from her wound last night?”
“Keep an eye on his blood pressure. Inform me immediately if anything changes.”
With the nurses’ cooperation, the rounds went smoothly. Chi Mu carried herself with the air of a formidable doctor. Passing by a glass fire equipment cabinet, she caught her reflection. In a white coat, Nie Yijun’s height and features exuded a sharp, professional aura. Her clean, short hair only added to the “expert” look.
Tsk tsk tsk. She wondered what her own body would look like in a white coat. She’d have to try it given the chance.
“You look good,” Lu Nianyun suddenly remarked beside her.
Chi Mu jumped, having briefly forgotten Lu Nianyun was still there. She replied smoothly, “Not as good as you.”
“That’s not true,” Lu Nianyun said, following her down the stairs. “I saw your photo before coming to the hospital, the big group photo. You were the best-looking one; I spotted you instantly.”
Chi Mu nearly tripped on a step. she glanced back at Lu Nianyun, who had stopped and was smiling at her. “Really, I’m not lying.”
Chi Mu had associated with many Omegas and knew exactly what they looked like when they were interested in someone. This Lu Nianyun had likely fallen for Nie Yijun’s face before they even met.
“You shouldn’t judge people by their looks,” Chi Mu said. “What kind of person Nie Yi—I am depends on the heart.”
Lu Nianyun nodded. “True. But after spending time with you between yesterday and today, I’ve found you’re different from how my father described you.”
Chi Mu suppressed a smile and continued walking. “How so?”
“He said you were extremely hardworking, brilliant, and upright, but that you didn’t smile much,” Lu Nianyun said. “But I find you very interesting and quite fond of smiling. You’re not nearly as dull as my father said.”
“Dull.” Chi Mu laughed. Nie Yijun was indeed an incredibly dull person, the “bursting-with-boredom” type.
“Um, my father didn’t actually use the word ‘dull,'” Lu Nianyun said, sounding a bit embarrassed. “That was just the conclusion I drew in my head based on what he said. Don’t be angry; you’re a wonderful person.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Chi Mu waved it off, feeling quite pleased. “What you said isn’t without merit.”
Nie Yijun, oh Nie Yijun. No wonder you’re 29 and haven’t dated. I guess I’ll help you out and win this girl over.
Working with a beauty was pleasant. For the first time, Chi Mu finished a serious day of work and felt that it wasn’t so painful after all.
However, the thought of turning back into herself tomorrow and going to work at Morse brought back the misery.
Walking to the parking lot with Lu Nianyun, the latter seemed very happy. “See you tomorrow then, Dr. Nie.”
See you tomorrow.
Chi Mu chewed on those words. The one she’d be seeing tomorrow would be the real Nie Yijun.
“Lu Nianyun,” Chi Mu called out.
Lu Nianyun turned, her long hair sweeping in a graceful arc. “Yes?”
“I, uh, have a bit of a quirk,” Chi Mu said. “Sometimes when the workload is heavy, I don’t like to talk much, and I might be in a bad mood. I might say things that sound a bit punchable. Don’t take it to heart.”
Lu Nianyun laughed. “How could I? I’m counting on your guidance, Dr. Nie.”
“I’ll certainly give it,” Chi Mu smiled.
As Chi Mu reached her car, the window of the car next to her rolled down. She looked over; it was Dai Yin.
Chi Mu remembered people by their scent, but thanks to Nie Yijun’s keen eyes and the fact that Dai Yin had a squinty-eyed, annoying look that was hard to forget, she recognized him instantly.
“Off work, Dr. Nie?” Dai Yin smiled. His eyes practically vanished when he grinned.
“Indeed. Are you on the night shift, Dr. Dai?” Chi Mu got into the car and tapped the address the class monitor had sent for the party.
Dai Yin stepped out of his car and walked over. “Going on a date?”
“Is there a problem?” Chi Mu buckled her seatbelt and shot him a glance.
“None. Just surprised that Dr. Nie, who usually practically lives at the hospital, would go on a date.” Dai Yin adjusted his tie. Chi Mu rolled her eyes internally. It was August, mid-summer, and this doctor was dressed like a corporate CEO.
Even her own CEO father didn’t dress like that.
“Excuse me, move aside,” Chi Mu gave a fake smile. “I have a date to get to.”
Dai Yin stepped back, remembered something, and said, “Oh right, four months left. Good luck, Dr. Nie.”
Chi Mu didn’t understand what he meant, but she wasn’t one to be out-talked. “Of course. I might not be good at much, but I’m great at ‘fueling up.'”
With that, she hit the gas and sped past him.
The location for tonight’s gathering had been chosen by the class monitor, Ji Chang. Likely because Chi Mu had footed the bill for his birthday party last time, he felt a bit awkward and wanted to return the favor.
Following the navigation, Chi Mu arrived at a mid-range restaurant.
Ji Chang was waiting at the entrance. Seeing her pull up, he immediately came over with a smile. Chi Mu parked in a spot in front of the restaurant and glanced at the other cars. Her own car wasn’t there; Nie Yijun hadn’t arrived yet.
“Was the traffic okay?” Ji Chang asked.
“Not bad,” Chi Mu said. “Nie- I mean, Chi Mu isn’t here yet?”
Ji Chang led her inside. “I didn’t invite her.”
Chi Mu paused. “Hmm?”
She thought back. It was true, she had seen the invitation message on Nie Yijun’s phone yesterday.
“Don’t you two have a bad relationship?” Ji Chang smiled. “I didn’t invite her so we wouldn’t have any awkwardness at the party. I’ll treat her to a separate meal another time.”
“Oh,” Chi Mu responded. Something felt off. Last time, Ji Chang had acted like a peacemaker, urging her to get along with Nie Yijun. This time, he simply hadn’t invited her.
The gathering was in a private room. Several other classmates had already arrived. It was a small group, six people including her and Ji Chang.
However, Chi Mu couldn’t recall a single one of their names. Even with Nie Yijun’s nose, she couldn’t recognize their scents. Fortunately, because of Nie Yijun’s status, everyone introduced themselves.
They were all people Chi Mu had been indifferent to during school—so indifferent that she hadn’t bothered to remember them.
The party was incredibly boring. Had she known Nie Yijun wasn’t coming, she wouldn’t have come either.
Ji Chang opened some wine, but Chi Mu waved it away. “I’m driving.”
“Call a designated driver,” Ji Chang said. “I’ll call one for you.”
Chi Mu still refused. “Not tonight. Maybe next time.”
Ji Chang gave an awkward smile, set the wine down, and picked up the teapot. “Alright, we’ll do as you say. We won’t drink either; we’ll have tea.”
Chi Mu moved her hand, and Ji Chang filled her cup.
She narrowed her eyes. Her relationship with Ji Chang was decent; they had stayed in touch after graduation. A few years ago, when Ji Chang’s brother was sick, she had lent him money interest-free and told him he could pay it back whenever he could. To this day, not a cent had been returned, though she didn’t blame him for that.
Ji Chang hadn’t been out of his PhD program for long, and his salary before graduation wasn’t high. Not everyone was a “freak of nature” like Nie Yijun, finishing their studies at such a young age.
But the “Chi Mu” that Ji Chang thought was okay had become, in his eyes, someone who would “ruin the mood” of a party.
She took a sip of the tea—plain barley tea, nothing special.
Halfway through the meal, Ji Chang finally got to the point. “I wonder how hard it is to get into the Central Affiliated Hospital.”
Chi Mu peeled a shrimp, her tone casual. “I don’t know. The Director personally came to the school to recruit me. I’m not sure how hard it is for others.”
She was feeling a bit annoyed, so her words were intentionally blunt. Ji Chang, however, nodded in agreement. “True. You were always the best among us. Even now, you’re still securely in the top three of our medical university’s outstanding student representatives.”
Flattery.
Chi Mu didn’t say anything. Ji Chang continued, “Nie Yijun, we’re old classmates. Look, could you do us a favor? Could you help put us in touch with Director Lu at your hospital?”
The other classmates chimed in. “Yeah, if you make the introduction, it’s sure to work.”
So that was the purpose of this dinner.
Chi Mu swallowed the shrimp, wiped her hands, and checked her vibrating phone.
Nie Yiyun: Where is the party? I never received an invitation.
The meal was nearly over before Nie Yijun even remembered the gathering. Who knows what she’d been busy with?
Chi Mu sent her the location.
Setting her phone down, Chi Mu said, “I’ll mention it when I get the chance, but I’m not related to the Director. I can’t guarantee it’ll work.”
“Right, thank you, thank you,” Ji Chang said, clinking his cup against hers. “As long as you’re willing to help, we’re truly grateful.”
Chi Mu raised her cup. “We’re classmates; there’s no need to be so formal. I actually just invited Chi Mu to come over. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Huh?” Ji Chang froze for a second before letting out a laugh. “Of course not. I was just worried because you two don’t get along.”
He leaned closer to Chi Mu and whispered, “Haven’t you two always been on bad terms? She always gets angry the moment your name comes up. Since when did things get better?”
“She gets angry the moment I’m mentioned?” Chi Mu was genuinely taken aback.
It wasn’t a feign; she was truly surprised. It was true that her temper flared whenever Nie Yijun was brought up, but she hadn’t seen Nie Yijun in the seven years since graduation. No one had dared to mention Nie Yijun to her face, not even her best friend, Qi Shu’er. Over time, Chi Mu had put the woman out of her mind entirely until that last reunion.
Where did this idea of her “getting angry at the mention of Nie Yijun” come from?
“Well, her temper has always been like that, so don’t take it to heart,” Ji Chang said. “Commoners like us are different from Chi Mu. She doesn’t have to work after graduation and never has to worry about food or clothes, unlike us, struggling just to survive. Sigh.”
Thud. Chi Mu set her cup down. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling in her chest. Plenty of people said things like that to her, envying her family background, envying that she had everything without trying, but hearing it from Ji Chang’s mouth left a bitter taste.
For the first time, she took a long, hard look at this old classmate.
By the time Nie Yijun arrived, the dinner was just ending. Chi Mu, Ji Chang, and the others walked out of the restaurant and spotted Nie Yijun by the entrance.
“Chi Mu!” Ji Chang stepped forward, clapping an arm around Nie Yijun’s shoulder with his usual warmth. “I didn’t call you today because I was planning on treating you separately next time. Anyway, have you eaten?”
“I have.” Nie Yijun took a step to the side, trying to create some distance.
Ji Chang seemed oblivious, keeping his arm draped over her shoulder like a close friend.
Chi Mu felt a wave of disgust. She pulled Nie Yiyun toward her. “The two of us have things to do. You guys head out first.”
“Alright,” Ji Chang said, glancing at Chi Mu. “I’ll leave that matter in your hands, then.”
Chi Mu didn’t say a word. If she weren’t currently wearing Nie Yijun’s skin, she likely would have snapped at Ji Chang right then and there.
After seeing the classmates off, Chi Mu got into Nie Yijun’s car, and Nie Yijun followed, sitting in the passenger seat.
“Did anything go wrong today?” Nie Yijun asked.
“No!” Chi Mu gritted her teeth. Dammit, Ji Chang!
Nie Yijun didn’t notice anything was wrong. “Nothing happened on my end either. So, shall we try?”
Chi Mu turned her head. “Well, lean in! You’re so far away!”
Nie Yijun swallowed hard. She was more accustomed to Chi Mu initiating the kiss; having to lean in herself made her incredibly nervous.
Even though they were “kissing,” it felt entirely clinical to her. Nie Yijun was far from used to this kind of intimacy.
She braced her hand on the center console and leaned over. Chi Mu was more direct; she met her halfway, pressing her lips against Nie Yijun’s.
Nie Yijun’s hand instantly balled into a fist, her lips feeling numb.
Chi Mu counted the seconds in her head. Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two. Suddenly, a beam of light swept through the windshield.
Chi Mu tilted her head slightly and saw Ji Chang standing outside the car, staring at them with his mouth hanging open.