The scene startled both the attending physician and the specialist from the Capital Hospital who had just arrived.
“What happened here?”
Dr. Liu, an elderly physician with a head full of white hair, adjusted his glasses. He looked at Li Guilan, who was rolling around like a madwoman, then at Su Jiuyue, who stood nearby looking flustered, her eyes slightly red.
“Patient in Bed 16, what’s wrong? Are you feeling worse? Has your condition deteriorated?”
Truth be told, he had never believed the woman needed hospitalization. She was as strong as an ox. Yes, there were some liver problems, but certainly not liver cancer.
Yet earlier that day, the Capital Hospital had sent over her medical records along with a specialist, stating that she had been diagnosed six months ago with liver cirrhosis carrying a high risk of progressing into liver cancer.
Having worked in medicine for decades, Director Liu could tell exactly what was going on. Someone was obviously trying to use a serious illness as an excuse to secure the patient’s release on bail. As long as it wasn’t his responsibility, he wasn’t interested in digging any deeper.
That was why he had politely invited the Capital Hospital specialist for a joint consultation.
Who would have expected the patient herself to cause such a commotion?
Did this really look like someone who was terminally ill?
“Director…” Su Jiuyue spoke timidly, looking as frightened as a startled fawn while nervously twisting the corner of her shirt. “Aunt Lan said she was hurting all over and insisted I massage her a little… But I barely touched her before she started screaming like this. Could it be… could it be that her illness has gotten worse?”
Worse?
The patient in Bed 16 certainly knew how to put on a convincing performance if she wanted bail.
Director Liu frowned and picked up the medical chart hanging beside the bed.
Along with it was the “authoritative diagnosis” the specialist had delivered earlier:
Primary liver cancer with multiple bone metastases.
“There is indeed a possibility of rapid deterioration.”
He turned toward the Capital Hospital specialist.
“Dr. Ma, what do you think?”
Dr. Ma had come after receiving prior instructions. Naturally, he intended to paint the condition in the gravest possible light.
He sighed heavily before looking sorrowfully at Li Guilan, who was still writhing on the floor.
“This is a classic case of breakthrough cancer pain.”
“The patient’s severe pain, combined with her mental confusion, indicates that the cancer has already spread into her brain and bone marrow.”
“This is likely a final rally before death… a sign that the end is near.”
“What?!”
Li Guilan had been in so much pain she wanted to smash her head into the wall.
Hearing those words, she forgot to scream altogether.
I’m faking it!
I’m not sick!
“Doctor! I’m not sick! Those medical records are fake! I was pretending!”
She shouted desperately, trying to explain.
But every doctor and nurse in the room merely looked at her with sympathetic pity, as though she were insane.
“The patient is already experiencing delirium and hallucinations.”
The specialist shook his head and waved his hand.
“Give her a shot of Demerol for the pain.”
“Then notify the family to prepare for the funeral.”
“Given her condition… I’m afraid she won’t make it through the night.”
“No! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!”
Li Guilan completely broke down.
The lingering waves of agony, combined with the doctor’s “death sentence,” convinced her she truly had terminal cancer.
Two nurses rushed forward, pinned her onto the bed, and forcibly administered the injection.
Amid the chaos, Su Jiuyue slowly walked over.
Pretending to straighten the blanket, she bent down and whispered into Li Guilan’s ear so softly that only the two of them could hear.
“Li Guilan… didn’t that person tell you?”
“If you offend me, when I decide you’ll die at the third watch of the night, even the King of Hell wouldn’t dare let you live until the fifth.”
“The pain you’re feeling now…”
“…will stay with you until your very last breath.”
Li Guilan’s pupils shrank violently.
Looking at the breathtakingly beautiful face inches away—one that now seemed more like a devil’s than a human’s—the last shred of her psychological defenses collapsed.
Fear overwhelmed both the pain…
…and her greed for wealth and luxury.
“G-Ghost!!”
The setting sun painted half the sky crimson, casting a rosy glow over the hospital’s red brick walls.
The moment Su Jiuyue stepped outside, she froze.
The military-green jeep was impossible to miss.
Even harder to ignore was the man leaning against it.
Huo Zhixing, dressed in casual clothes, rested casually against the hood while absentmindedly twirling an unlit cigarette between his fingers.
His long legs were crossed lazily, radiating an icy aura that practically declared:
Keep your distance. Even acquaintances should think twice before approaching.
Passing nurses couldn’t help stealing glances at him.
Not one of them dared walk over.
The instant he spotted his wife, Huo Zhixing flicked his wrist, neatly dropping the cigarette back into its pack.
He strode toward her, naturally took the cloth bag from her hands, slipped his other arm around her slender waist, and asked softly,
“Tired?”
“Not really. My hands are just a little sore.”
Su Jiuyue tilted her head up with crescent-shaped smiling eyes, looking exactly like a mischievous little fox waiting to be praised after pulling off a successful prank.
Ever since that rainy night and their visit to her mother’s grave, the distance between them had gradually disappeared.
Huo Zhixing opened the passenger door, helped her inside, then drove the jeep smoothly into traffic.
Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he looked ahead, though the smile tugging at his lips refused to disappear.
“I heard your stepmother is critically ill now. They’re already saying the family should start preparing her funeral.”
“The whole hospital’s talking about how Dr. Su is the model of filial devotion.”
“You skipped your lunch break just to take care of your wicked stepmother, only to get cursed out by that shrew.”
The story had already spread throughout the military hospital.
Of course, Su Jiuyue hadn’t spread it herself.
It was only her first day on the job; she had neither the influence nor the opportunity.
The real reason was simple.
Li Guilan had offended practically every doctor and nurse who had cared for her.
Nobody had a single nice thing to say about her.
Guard Xiao Zhang had vividly described to Huo Zhixing how Li Guilan fled barefoot while crying hysterically, while Su Jiuyue innocently explained that “the patient’s condition had worsened.”
Huo Zhixing had nearly burst out laughing.
It was immensely satisfying.
And…
Very much to his taste.
He had originally worried that his wife—a village girl whose hospital position had been arranged through connections—might be ostracized on her first day.
Instead, she had instantly won everyone’s goodwill.
Naturally, that made him happy.
“Well, of course.”
Su Jiuyue rubbed her wrist as she answered cheerfully,
“My tendon-resetting technique is meant to stimulate the meridians.”
“Who knew she couldn’t handle it? Yet she insists I was trying to hurt her.”
“Commander Huo, don’t you think it’s hard being a good person?”
Huo Zhixing’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He glanced sideways at the crafty gleam shining in her eyes.
For some reason, he suddenly remembered that rainy night.
Thankfully…
She had shown him mercy.
Stopping at a red light, he reached over and vigorously ruffled her soft hair.
The silky touch made his heart itch.
“You did well.”
“When dealing with outsiders…”
“…the harsher, the better.”
“That tendon-resetting technique is impressive.”
“I’ll have to learn it myself someday.”
“What for?”
“So next time someone dares make your life difficult…”
“…you won’t even have to lift a finger.”
“I’ll personally peel their skin off.”
His eyebrows lifted with unmistakable roguish confidence.
“If the sky falls, your man will hold it up.”
“So go ahead and make trouble.”
Warmth flooded Su Jiuyue’s heart, as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa.
She hugged his arm and rubbed against it affectionately.
“Then you’d better be ready to hold it up.”
“I’m afraid…”
“…this is only the beginning.”
Bonus Mini Theater
Commander Huo: “Wife, are your hands sore? Let me massage them.”
Su Jiuyue: “Not really. I’m just tired from giving too many acupuncture treatments.”
Huo Zhixing’s gaze darkened.
“Perfect. I’ve got a case of ‘manic depression’ that needs your treatment too.”
“Let’s handle it in bed. There’s more room there.”
Su Jiuyue: “…Get lost!”
On the surface, Jiuyue looks like a gentle, delicate little deer.
In reality?
She’s a ghostly miracle doctor who decides life and death.
Who can resist that contrast?
Commander Huo still has no idea just how extraordinary the wife he married really is.
By the time he finds out…
His jaw will probably hit the floor.
Be sure to keep reading!
Once Jiuyue’s true identity is revealed, the entire capital will be shaken.
She’s no poor village girl.
She’s the real heiress of one of the nation’s most powerful elite families, lost and raised outside the family all these years.
Stay tuned as Jiuyue and Commander Huo return to the capital together…
…and astonish everyone they meet!