A Bad-Hearted Doctor is Unbearably Beautiful - Chapter 47

“Turn off the microphone,” Lu Xiao said coldly.

The conference room fell into a silence that lasted two full minutes. To everyone present, the boy’s whimpers and gasps under the blade felt like a literal knife—a sharp edge hanging over their heads.

Good… or evil…

“I don’t agree…”

Shen Zhao gave Lu Xiao a meaningful look, yet he stubbornly shook his head.

“I have to go. You don’t have any other choice, do you?” Shen Zhao scanned the room, a flicker of compassion in his eyes mixed with a desolate, bone-deep despair.

Lu Xiao’s face remained grim. “I’ll find another way to stall for time. We really shouldn’t have to go this far.”

Shen Zhao erupted with an unprecedented resolve: “And what if I told you that I want to go?!”

“Shen Zhao! Saving that child isn’t your responsibility!”

“I have truths I want to uncover. Don’t try to persuade me anymore; it’s useless.”

Aside from Lu Xiao, everyone was glancing around and exchanging looks, their eyes filled with confusion and tension. Lu Xiao’s expression was deep and unreadable.

The ghostly voice drifted from the speakers once more: “Why is it so quiet? Are you whispering secrets you’re afraid for others to hear?”

“Stop stalling. I won’t do anything to Doctor Shen; I’ve been waiting for him for a long time…”

The kidnapper’s voice was lingering and cloying, forcing everyone into a mental retreat. Lu Xiao stared at the screen, clenching his teeth as he struggled with the decision. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Shen Zhao stood on his tiptoes and leaned in, his warm breath brushing against Lu Xiao’s ear:

“I’ll wait for you to come save me.”

A warm whisper, yet it spoke of a cold parting.

Lu Xiao remained silent for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind and signaled Zhang Zhen to turn the microphone back on. He closed his eyes and spoke in a heavy voice: “Fine. But Doctor Shen is still running a high fever; we need time. During this period, you must guarantee the child’s safety!”

A long, jubilant laugh erupted from the other side of the screen. “Fine. But I’m only giving you one day. Tomorrow at 3:00 PM, Shen Zhao needs to be at the location I send you, waiting to board the vehicle~~”

“Remember, he must be alone. If you try anything else, that child will truly… breathe his last~~”

The audio cut off. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. The child was safe for now, but the upcoming mission to rescue Doctor Shen would likely be far more treacherous.

Shen Zhao sat in the corner, his face pale, his hands still trembling slightly as he gripped his cup. Lu Xiao glanced at him but said nothing, immediately turning his attention to the room. “We have one day left. Everyone, give me your input.”

Lin Xue took a deep breath and stood up, her gaze steady. “The kidnapper requested Doctor Shen to provide on-site treatment. Although we don’t yet understand his true intentions and the risks are unpredictable, it is indeed the fastest and most effective way for us to make contact with him.”

She sat back down, the image of the boy’s terrified face still haunting her.

Old Zhou added, “That’s right. Since it’s come to this, we must put everything into our tracking and rescue operations! We have to guarantee Doctor Shen’s safety!”

The others echoed their agreement, though their eyes were filled with worry for Shen Zhao.

Lu Xiao nodded. “Listen up! Everyone, stay sharp. Give it 120%. We’re splitting the rescue operation into three teams:

Team One will handle tracking. Use satellite positioning, road surveillance, drones, and vehicle tailing. Use every means necessary to track the target and the GPS on the target person. Stay alert for any smoke screens the kidnapper might deploy to lose us!

Team Two will handle medical rescue and remain on standby. Whether it’s the child, Doctor Shen, or our own colleagues, anyone could fall into danger at any moment.

Team Three: Zhang Zhen, you take all the technical staff and focus entirely on tracing the live stream signal. If we can crack it before Shen Zhao enters, we’ll consider a breach!”

The team nodded. Lu Xiao continued, “We also need a 3D model of the kidnapper’s room layout by tonight. If a firefight breaks out, we must follow a set evacuation route to get the hostage out quickly!”

Lu Xiao paused, looking at Shen Zhao. “And most importantly… if it comes down to it, you may temporarily abandon the child. You must bring Shen Zhao back.”

The room fell into silence once more.

“Alright. Everyone, get ready for a hard fight. We have less than 20 hours until 3:00 PM tomorrow. It’s going to be a long night. Dismissed.”

The conference room emptied. Shen Zhao sat in the shadows, clutching the hem of his shirt, silent for a long time as if the darkness were about to swallow him whole.

Am I walking into hell again? Are my hands still shaking?

Lu Xiao closed the door softly and walked over to him. He reached out a hand, his voice gentle. “Tonight, you’re coming home with me.”

Shen Zhao looked up, startled, not quite understanding his meaning.

Lu Xiao’s lips curled into a slight smile. “I hope this night allows us to build a bit of foundational chemistry.”

The wind outside hissed through the trees as Lu Xiao drove in silence. A storm seemed to be brewing in the depths of his eyes. He drove all the way to the mountainside on the south side of the city.

“Is your home this far?”

“I don’t usually stay here during the work week, only on breaks. It’s quiet here. And safe.”

The city’s noise and lights faded as they entered a gated, high-end residential area. Shen Zhao’s breathing finally began to steady.

“Actually, I could have just gone back to my own place tonight. It wouldn’t have made a difference,” Shen Zhao said.

Lu Xiao gripped the steering wheel, suppressing the urge to light a cigarette. “It makes a difference to me.”

The mountain road wound upward through an ink-black night. Lu Xiao’s home was a detached villa, clearly well-maintained. Two maple trees in the yard were decorated with New Year’s lights, looking incredibly warm.

When the door opened, warm light flooded the room. The interior was decorated like a luxury model apartment.

“Do you always live alone?” Shen Zhao asked.

Lu Xiao thought for a moment. “Not exactly. I have two… hamsters living with me. They’re at the old house; I’ll bring them over to show you next time.”

“Okay…”

“Sit down. Are you hungry? I’ll make something to eat.” Lu Xiao pressed Shen Zhao onto a soft leather sofa.

Shen Zhao shook his head, but Lu Xiao went into the open kitchen anyway. Luckily, there was still some food in the fridge.

“It’s too late to call a chef to make what you like. When I bring you back, I’ll make it up to you.”

Lu Xiao emerged with two plates of pasta. “Let’s open a bottle of red wine and make do with this.”

The house was quiet, save for the sound of silverware against plates. They both ate slowly. Shen Zhao looked down, twirling the pasta around his fork.

Lu Xiao asked softly, “Are you afraid?”

Shen Zhao swallowed a bite of pasta and shook his head. “I’m okay right now.”

Lu Xiao let out a lazy chuckle. “What should I do? I’m afraid.”