Dr. Chi’s Mission: Seduce Officer Su - Chapter 16

Early in the morning, during the routine ward rounds at the hospital, Chi Jue led a group of intern doctors through the corridor in a grand procession.

Her steps were brisk and purposeful. Before seeing any patients, she rarely engaged in conversation with the accompanying doctors, leaving everyone immersed in the oppressive aura of her commanding presence.

As they entered the first ward, the patient’s family, who had been waiting for a long time, hurriedly handed over the newly taken X-rays.

“Director Chi, please take a look. Is surgery absolutely necessary? Can’t it be treated with corrective methods instead?” The family member, not well-versed in medical matters, was concerned about the risks of surgery and sought a more conservative treatment option.

Chi Jue took the X-rays and examined them carefully against the light. Before she could even explain, the intern doctors behind her were already poised with their notebooks, ready to take notes.

“Your son’s scoliosis has already exceeded 45 degrees. Wearing a brace for correction won’t have any effect. This was explained to you when he was admitted. Spinal fusion with screws and osteotomy is the most direct and effective solution.” As she spoke, she passed the X-rays to the people behind her for them to review.

The child’s mother expressed her concerns, “But this involves the spine. What if the surgery fails and he ends up paralyzed? He’s still so young…”

“No doctor can guarantee a 100% success rate for any surgery. If it had been detected earlier, it could have been corrected through painless exercise and training. The problem is, it wasn’t discovered or addressed early. As you said, he’s still young. If we don’t operate now, the complications will only worsen, and the risks will be even higher in a few years.”

Chi Jue’s voice was calm and cold. She wouldn’t opt for conservative treatment just because the patient was a child in his teens.

To her, only those who truly needed surgery were admitted, and she took full responsibility for their care.

Unable to get a guarantee from the attending physician, the child’s mother grew increasingly anxious. “This matter… I need to discuss it further with my family.”

Chi Jue was flipping through the patient’s physical indicator reports and seemed satisfied with the data. She reminded them, “During this period of hospitalization and recovery, the child’s indicators have met the criteria for surgery. You can take some time to consider it, but don’t delay too long. I need a definite answer.”

“Hmph, an answer? I know exactly what you doctors are up to. You get a commission for performing surgeries, don’t you?”

A crude, low voice grumbled from the doorway, drawing everyone’s attention to the ill-intentioned newcomer.

The man was carrying a thermal lunchbox, clearly the child’s father.

He stormed up to Chi Jue, pointing at his son lying in the hospital bed. “Before, you said he should be hospitalized for observation and that surgery wasn’t certain. Now you’re changing your tune? Seems like you stand to make a hefty sum from a single surgery!”

Faced with such baseless insults, Chi Jue ignored the ridiculous ignorance on display.

“From the first day you transferred from the Department of Orthopedic Medicine to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, I repeatedly emphasized that surgery wasn’t guaranteed. That’s entirely different from saying surgery might not happen. At the time, I insisted on hospitalization for observation and explained repeatedly that it was because the child’s physical indicators didn’t meet the surgical standards. Now that they do, whether you proceed or not is up to you as the parents. I’m merely providing the most reasonable treatment plan.”

“Stop playing word games with me! You tricked us into going through the hassle of hospitalization, and now you’re trying to trick us into surgery. And you can’t even guarantee the success rate? Do you think ordinary folks like us are easy to fool?”

“If you insist on refusing the surgery for your child, you’re free to discharge them. Beds are in high demand and I’m very busy. You might as well try your luck at Zhouhai Medical University’s Orthopedics Hospital.”

Chi Jue’s response was neither submissive nor arrogant, which made the man lose his temper. “What do you mean ‘beds are in high demand and you’re busy’? What kind of attitude is that?”

Xiao Minghao, the deputy chief physician accompanying her, subtly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Try to avoid direct conflict. If this gets reported to the inspection department, it’ll just mean endless trouble.”

Chi Jue paid no heed to the warning. She lifted her gaze to the red-faced man and said calmly, “My attitude is that I stand by the surgical plan.”

She didn’t want to waste time on pointless arguments and turned to leave with her team in tow.

After completing her rounds, Chi Jue hurried to the orthopedics outpatient clinic and happened to run into the head nurse.

The head nurse hurried after her, calling out anxiously, “Hey, Director Chi, wait a moment.”

Chi Jue turned back with a puzzled look. “What is it? Don’t tell me the hospital director is looking for me again?”

“No, no. The reception desk just received a bouquet of flowers for you, a huge bunch of roses.” The head nurse, who was around the same age as Chi Jue, flashed a knowing smile on her plump cheeks.

In the inpatient department, it wasn’t unusual for patients to receive flowers, but this was the first time she’d seen a doctor get a bouquet, and such a vibrant one at that.

For Director Chi, who was notoriously detached from romance, this became the gossip of the century.

Chi Jue’s expression darkened slightly, categorizing An Jiaqin’s behavior as harassment. She replied coldly, “Take them apart and distribute them to the patients. Tell them it’s Dr. Chi’s wish for their speedy recovery.”

Hearing that the flowers were to be dismantled, the head nurse was taken aback. “What a shame to take them apart. Such a large bouquet is so beautiful.”

“A bouquet that big is just taking up space at the reception desk, isn’t it? I have to rush to the clinic.” Chi Jue made an excuse and quickly walked away.

On her way to the outpatient building, she took a moment to dial an unfamiliar number, one that didn’t even deserve a spot in her contacts.

Chi Jue found it bitterly amusing that this number was etched deep in her memory. After all these years, she hadn’t forgotten it, and the person hadn’t changed it either.

An Jiaqin answered the phone almost the instant it started ringing. “Good morning. Did you get the flowers?”

The sudden initiative made her voice rise a few notes, unable to contain her excited delight.

Chi Jue’s eyes filled with immense disgust. “Do you think this is romantic?”

“Isn’t it only right to give flowers to someone you love?” This confrontation was exactly what An Jiaqin had expected; she wanted this kind of reaction.

Whether it sparked anger or disgust, at least it could be interpreted as some form of emotion. What she feared most was Chi Jue’s indifference and lack of response.

Chi Jue scoffed. “What is belated affection? Does it mean you’ve finally come to your senses? Why are you still so self-righteous?”

“Belated affection? I just want to make up for the empty years. Give me a chance to start over. I don’t want us to become regrets for each other.”

An Jiaqin’s reply was slow, spoken as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but to Chi Jue, it sounded like a fantasy.

‘Life is always full of regrets, but we can reward ourselves.’

In her mind, Su Qiao appeared, holding an ice cream cone, her cheeks flushed red from the cold.

That light, drifting self-consolation had the power to part the clouds and reveal the sun, abruptly breaking into Chi Jue’s heart and granting her immense courage.

She paused silently in her steps, tilting her head to gaze at the sky outside the window, where she could faintly see the light desperately forcing its way through the clouds.

Everything was materialized in reality.

Yes, we can reward ourselves for looking forward, why dwell on the past?

“To me, you are not a regret, just a part of my past. You’ve probably forgotten, but you were the one who initiated the breakup. Now, after all these years, you want to rekindle things? Don’t you find that laughable?”

The receiver was silent.

After a brief pause, An Jiaqin laughed self-deprecatingly, “I must look like a clown in love, don’t I? How could it not be laughable? I brought this upon myself.”

Chi Jue stared at the clouds, now pierced by sunlight, and said resolutely, “It’s impossible for us. In this lifetime, it’s impossible. Let’s preserve some dignity and part on good terms.”

…

Su Qiao sat dazedly in front of her computer, lost in thought, while the other officers went about their tasks methodically. The hustle and bustle of the world around her seemed to have nothing to do with her.

The thorny case-within-a-case had already been transferred to the prosecution. Since she had joined midway, Ji Nanxing hadn’t assigned her too much paperwork.

At this moment, she resembled a forgotten, isolated island.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone passing by tapped on her desk. She looked up distractedly at the newcomer, her gaze sharpening momentarily in surprise.

Ao Yu looked down at her expressionlessly, pausing briefly before stating his purpose, “Chief Zheng wants you in his office. Someone from the Traffic Police Headquarters is here.”

“Okay, thanks!” Su Qiao murmured her gratitude, wondering why someone from the Traffic Police Headquarters had come. Could it be they wanted to take her back?

Not daring to delay, she hurried to the chief’s office.

Inside, the leader from the headquarters and Chief Zheng were chatting amiably, the atmosphere as relaxed as a tea party.

The head of the Traffic Police Headquarters spotted Su Qiao and patted the seat beside him with a smile, beckoning her, “Xiao Su, come in and sit.”

Su Qiao offered a warm smile. “Chief Wang, what brings you here?”

Chief Wang, with his dark skin, grinned, making his teeth appear especially white, and laughed heartily. “How are you settling back into the Criminal Investigation Division?”

“Pretty well.”

Chief Wang nodded in satisfaction and lavished praise in Chief Zheng’s direction, “Xiao Su is a promising talent for traffic police work. If the Criminal Investigation Division weren’t short-handed, I’d truly be reluctant to let her go…”

Zheng Chongsen replied politely, “We’ve relied on your care these past two years, but this time, you won’t be able to poach her.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Nanxing strode into the chief’s office with an imposing air, not even bothering to knock.

Chief Wang turned to look and quickly greeted her, “Oh, Captain Ji, long time no see. I heard you just returned from injury and already cracked another case. Truly worthy of being Chief Zheng’s successor.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Ji Nanxing waved her hand modestly, her smile not entirely genuine. “What brings the head of the Traffic Police Headquarters here?”

“Hey! I’m not here to poach anyone,” Chief Wang caught the implication in her words and promptly explained his purpose. “The transfer procedures aren’t fully settled yet, so Xiao Su still technically belongs to our Traffic Police Motor Unit. With Spring Festival approaching and the incident of her rescue on the national highway causing quite a stir online, we’ve received instructions from above. To promote positive energy, and coincidentally, the People’s Hospital also wants to collaborate, both sides plan to shoot a couple of videos for publicity.”

Ji Nanxing breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t about poaching, anything was manageable. “If it’s a task assigned from above, of course, we’ll cooperate actively.”

Su Qiao hadn’t intended to speak up, but when she heard “People’s Hospital,” her curled fingertips tightened imperceptibly.

Hiding her delight in subtle details, she feigned ignorance and asked, “Chief Wang, will someone from the hospital be joining the shoot too?”

“Of course! We already discussed it with the hospital director yesterday. The one participating in the filming is Dr. Chi. You probably know her, right? She’s very easy to talk to and agreed right away.”

“I’m fine with it, ready to report anytime.” Hearing that her partner was Chi Jue, Su Qiao agreed without hesitation, afraid her boss might change his mind.

Mischievously, she thought to herself, the red thread of fate tied by the workplace was layered with unbreakable buffs, even pliers couldn’t cut it through.

After all, when it comes to romance, what heaven arranges is the greatest, isn’t it?

At that moment, her heart was blooming with joy, and she no longer had the mind to listen to her boss’s chatter.

Suddenly, a small grievance surfaced: Dr. Chi had known about the filming arrangements all along, so why hadn’t she told her yesterday?

Hmph, really!

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