Zhong Nian stared at him, dazed. His gaze was sharp, cruel, like a blade drawn from its sheath, carrying frost and blood. A cold smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
A sudden breeze stirred from somewhere, lifting the hem of his white coat. The fabric fluttered in the air, brushing against Zhong Nian’s lower body.
A wave of inexplicable fear rose in her chest, and she instinctively pushed him away.
Liang Yifeng staggered a few steps back, leaning against the wall, his expression unreadable.
The hospital corridor’s dim lighting cast shadows. His head dipped slightly; his eyelashes threw delicate shadows over his eyelids, his jawline sharp and smooth as a blade.
Could it be that hell truly exists in this world?
And he was a demon sent from it.
Zhong Nian clenched her hands, her voice trembling as she spoke, “Liang Yifeng…”
“Scared?” He chuckled softly, surprisingly gentle in tone.
Zhong Nian said, “Some things are best left untouched.”
She was reasoning with him—remarkable, since from the day he was born, no one had ever reasoned with Liang Yifeng before.
Interesting.
He curled his lips slightly, expressionless.
Watching her nervous stance, part of him was amused, part irritated—but all of it melted into pity.
When he would gladly die for her, she regarded him only as a former friend, or at best, with polite formality.
She asked him to stay the night to repay a long-ago favor to her family.
Her concern seemed casual, offhanded. Her ministrations with the ointment appeared forced—he compelled, she complied.
All of it… evoked profound pity.
Liang Yifeng lowered his gaze to the clean floor.
He said, “You should report it to the police.”
“Hm?” Her pupils widened slightly.
He lifted his head. “Your decision was the right one, Zhong Nian.”
Her tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she offered a faint smile. “Thank you.”
“No need,” he replied.
He stood, leading her to the nearby conference room. He opened the door to reveal two policemen, Liang Zhaozhao, and a hospital leader. They sat facing each other, while the disruptive middle-aged man, handcuffed, sat nearby.
Liang Yifeng scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Director Liu. “Director.”
Director Liu raised a hand in greeting. “You’re here—please, sit down.”
Liang Yifeng and Zhong Nian exchanged a glance, then moved to an empty seat.
·
Half an hour later, the conference room door opened.
The police escorted the middle-aged man away, and the hospital leader smiled as they left. Once the man was gone, the smiles vanished, replaced by serious expressions directed at Liang Yifeng and Zhong Nian.
Liang Yifeng usually paid little attention to hospital affairs. Yet his medical skill was exceptional among peers, and with his influential background, no one could dismiss him.
Zhong Nian was an outsider, and a journalist at that—an identity not to be trifled with.
Director Liu waved dismissively. “Let’s go, let’s go.”
Liang Yifeng stopped her. “Wait—”
“What’s wrong? Isn’t it done as you wished? He’s been locked up for a few days. No payment, no private settlement… now what?”
Liang Yifeng asked, “Zhong Nian, do you need material for your report?”
At the mention of her name, she looked up at him.
Director Liu’s expression changed instantly. He stepped forward, pleading, “This can’t go public! A doctor beaten by a drunken man… it’s outrageous! And—” Before the police arrived, Liang Zhaozhao had even kicked the man. If this got reported… the hospital would be in trouble!
The man had been drunk, anxious over his child’s fever, and acted recklessly.
Some things… simply have no justification.
Liang Zhaozhao muttered beside him, “You should’ve hit him back!”
Director Liu: “Hey, hey, hey!”
Liang Zhaozhao smiled. “I’m talking to myself, Director Liu.”
“……Oh.”
Director Liu turned to Zhong Nian. “If you wish to report, you could frame it differently, perhaps—”
“No.” Zhong Nian cut him off decisively. “I won’t report it. Don’t worry, Director Liu.”
A pleased look appeared on his face. “Really?”
She nodded. “Really.”
“That’s good, that’s good. Thank you, Reporter Zhong.”
“No need.”
Satisfied, Director Liu exited.
Liang Zhaozhao turned to Zhong Nian, indignation on her face. “You should report it! Why not? We doctors see so many patients every day, patiently smiling, speaking gently. Yet when a drunk man attacks us, we suffer in silence.”
Zhong Nian smiled. “But you fought back, didn’t you?”
Bringing this up made Liang Zhaozhao feel a bit guilty. “Well… I was furious! Who hits my third brother?!”
Huh? Zhong Nian looked at her, puzzled.
Liang Zhaozhao realized she hadn’t introduced him yet.
She gestured casually at Liang Yifeng. “This is my third brother, Doctor Liang Yifeng.”
Zhong Nian looked at Liang Yifeng. He lowered his head, rubbing his brow, only acknowledging her gaze with a nod.
She hesitated. “Do you have a younger sister?”
“Yes,” he said. “My uncle’s daughter.”
Zhong Nian squinted. “She’s your cousin studying abroad?”
Liang Yifeng gave a dismissive “hm.”
Liang Zhaozhao protested, “Hey, Brother, you’re really dismissive! I went through nine years of compulsory education, and I was an advanced Young Pioneer!”
“……”
Zhong Nian turned her face, smiling awkwardly.
His sister seemed… intriguing. Unlike him.
Liang Yifeng said, “Enough.”
Liang Zhaozhao: “Brother, show some face in front of outsiders!”
“She’s not an outsider.”
“What?”
“Not an outsider.”
Zhong Nian looked up sharply at him.
He remained his usual cool self, but his features softened under the dim lighting, his side profile gentle.
He glanced at her, then said calmly, “Zhong Nian is not an outsider.”
Liang Zhaozhao grinned mischievously. “Oh? Not an outsider… then an insider? Hmm?”
Zhong Nian panicked slightly. “No…”
Liang Yifeng replied with calm assurance, “She is Aunt Shen’s daughter.”
Liang Zhaozhao’s parents were often absent. She had no one to cook for her at work and often went to Liang Yifeng’s house or Zhong Nian’s mother, Shen Wei, for meals.
Zhong Nian is Shen Wei’s daughter?! Liang Zhaozhao looked at her with delight. “So you are Aunt Shen’s daughter!”
Mentioning her mother, Zhong Nian’s smile was gentle, charming. Her tone soft, tinged with warmth: “Yes.”
Liang Zhaozhao almost clung to her. “Then… can I come over to your house the day after tomorrow? I have a day off.”
“?”
Zhong Nian didn’t quite understand. She looked to Liang Yifeng for help.
He sat calmly, saying, “She often eats at your mother’s house.”
“Oh, oh, oh,” Liang Zhaozhao nodded eagerly. “Aunt Shen’s cooking is amazing!”
Zhong Nian smiled. “It really is.”
“Then… can I come over the day after tomorrow?” she asked again, hopeful.
Zhong Nian, unaccustomed to such closeness, subtly brushed her bangs and gently pulled away.
Liang Zhaozhao, a little disappointed, quickly added, “If not convenient, can I at least invite you to eat?”
“Hm?” Zhong Nian struggled to keep up with her train of thought.
Excitedly, Liang Zhaozhao said, “My third brother cooks so well. Zhong Nian, I want to treat you to his cooking. Right, Brother?”
Liang Yifeng adjusted his glasses, then smiled, revealing sharp white teeth. “Heh.”