No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 71

“You look very young. Are you an intern?”

Shu Luo used his stethoscope to examine the teenage girl in front of him as he answered her question. “I’m just a clinical student observer. I’m here to learn how to be a doctor, but I’m not quite an intern yet.”

The girl looked disappointed. “Does that mean you have to leave soon?”

Shu Luo rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. “Yes, my observation period ends the day after tomorrow.”

“You’re a student at McGill, right?”

“Hm? How did you know?”

The girl blushed slightly. “Actually, I asked Dr. Senna about you. She said you were a student there.”

Why is she blushing? Shu Luo wondered. Did I do something?

“I see. Dr. Senna is very kind,” he replied, though he felt a faint sense of foreboding.

“Luo, my name is Angel. Actually… I really like you. Even though you’re Chinese, you’re so incredibly handsome. I like guys like you—you’re so bright, sunny, and warm. I’ve been hospitalized for two years, and for the first time, having you here made the hospital feel less scary.”

Hearing the girl’s sincere confession, Shu Luo’s mind raced. It seems I really am too handsome. My charm knows no borders, and apparently, neither do my pursuers.

“Angel, I don’t think we’re a good match,” he said gently. “I won’t be staying in Canada long-term; I’m going back to China after graduation. This isn’t my home. Plus, the cultural difference is quite significant. Since fate brought us together, let’s just be ordinary friends.”

Angel lowered her head, looking dejected; even the freckles on her cheeks seemed to dim.

Shu Luo quickly glanced at her English medical chart: Congenital Heart Disease. Oh boy, he thought, I hope I didn’t stress her out. He fumbled in his pocket and found a chocolate bar he’d tucked away that morning. It was a bit melted, but it would have to do.

“Here, Angel. Have some chocolate. I hope my words didn’t upset you too much.”

Angel looked at the chocolate in surprise, a smile returning to her eyes. She looked up and gave him a soft grin. “Thank you, Luo. Actually, you’re the first boy I’ve ever liked. You’re so sunny… I don’t even know if you have a lover?”

Shu Luo nodded. “Yes. I’ve known him for nearly ten years.”

“He?! Not she?” Angel stared at him in shock. How could such a wonderful boy…

Shu Luo rubbed the back of his head and stuck out his tongue playfully. “Sorry.”

Seeing his cute expression, Angel simply felt it was a pity. “Well, I suppose I was just being sentimental.”

“Don’t say that. You’re so lovely; I’m sure there’s a guy out there much better than me who will like you.” Shu Luo didn’t want to crush the young girl’s spirit.

Angel shook her head. “I don’t know when I’ll have surgery, or when my body will finally give out. Maybe… I won’t see the sun tomorrow.”

Shu Luo fell silent. It was true; Angel had already undergone a ventricular septal defect closure, but the results were poor and complications had arisen. Now, surgery was her only option, but she hadn’t reached the target weight required for the procedure. She was currently undergoing routine treatment while trying to gain weight.

“That won’t happen. Your illness can be cured,” Shu Luo said, gently stroking her hair. “You have to stay positive. You’re still young. It’s no good being so gloomy before your life has even truly begun.”

“I’d really like it if you were the one to perform my surgery,” Angel said quietly.

“Me? I don’t have that kind of ability yet. There are many excellent doctors in this hospital.”

Angel didn’t speak again, but in her heart, she truly meant it. Shu Luo offered a few more words of comfort before moving on to the next ward.

Dr. Senna’s surgery lasted nearly five hours. By the time she returned, Shu Luo was starving. It was now 8:30 PM. He was currently devouring a plate of Bolognese pasta Senna had quickly whipped up for him.

Senna watched him with amusement. “Luo, you’re truly adorable when you eat like you haven’t seen food in days. Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Cough—cough—!” Shu Luo choked. Could everyone please stop asking that while I’m eating?

Senna handed him some water. “What? I was just asking.”

“Haha… your pasta is delicious.” Shu Luo gulped down the water. What is with today? Is it Spring? It’s clearly Summer.

“Luo, how do you feel about these past few days? Don’t you think being a surgeon is quite good?”

It was true. The surgical department was better than internal medicine; it had comfortable air-conditioned offices and many like-minded, talkative seniors, though it was mostly men.

“It’s good. I can adapt.”

Senna propped her chin on her hand. “Have you considered joining us after graduation?”

“I have to return to China.”

“Oh? That’s a shame. The benefits for doctors in Canada are excellent.”

Shu Luo knew that. He saw the respect doctors received during rounds; every patient smiled when a doctor entered. But his heart was back home. If he didn’t return, Jiang Mu might actually pick a stormy day to fly over and ensure they “died together.” He wasn’t that brave.

“Dr. Senna, what do you think of me?” Shu Luo asked, mirroring her pose.

Senna laughed. “You’re great. Gifted, handsome, sunny, and very 潇洒—carefree.”

“Carefree? No one has ever used that word to describe me before.”

Senna took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t see any burdens on you. You live very freely. It seems you grew up in a very beautiful, harmonious family, yes?”

Thinking of the family he hadn’t seen in two years, Shu Luo smiled softly. “Of course. They are my most precious treasure.”

“Okay, then. It’s a pity; I really hoped you could be my student.”

“Aren’t I yours for these seven days, Teacher?”

Senna straightened her lab coat and stood up. “Alright, go home for today. You’re on overtime. Get some rest; tomorrow, I’m taking you into the operating room.”

“The operating room?!”

Shu Luo felt incredibly lucky. Getting into an OR as a fourth-year was a rare opportunity.

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. I’ll be quizzing you on your knowledge at any moment. Be prepared.” With that, she walked out of the lounge gracefully in her high heels.

When Shu Luo drove back to the apartment, he found it pitch black.

“Chen Cheng? Are you back?”

Only his own voice echoed. Strange. Chen Cheng was usually home by 5:00 PM. He called Chen Cheng’s phone, but there was no answer. He then called their mentor, Lin Ruicheng.

“Teacher, is Chen Cheng with you?”

“Chen Cheng? I saw him heading over to Christon’s place when I left school this afternoon.”

Christon was the owner of the dog Chen Cheng walked—a doctoral supervisor at the university. After hanging up, Shu Luo couldn’t sit still and went out to find him. Something was wrong.

He drove toward the suburbs, where the eccentric professor reportedly lived alone in a large estate. Upon arriving at the address, he saw the lights on in a detached villa.

In reality, Chen Cheng had met with an accident. While walking the dog, the Tibetan Mastiff’s strength was so great it had yanked him straight into a lake. Chen Cheng couldn’t swim and nearly drowned; it was Christon who had saved him.

“Professor, I should really head back. My roommate will worry if he can’t find me,” Chen Cheng said, still feeling unwell. His phone was lost in the lake, he hadn’t memorized Shu Luo’s number, and the apartment had no landline.

The man sitting beside him was dressed in formal attire, watching him expressionlessly. Chen Cheng shrank back slightly; this man was far too cold. He had assumed “Dr. Christon” would be a middle-aged man, but the professor was only twenty-nine—an incredibly young Doctor of Psychology.

The handsome, frigid face suddenly turned toward the door. “It seems your roommate has found you.”

His deep voice echoed through the quiet villa, strangely pleasant to the ear. The doorbell rang, and a maid opened the door.

“Hello, is Chen Cheng here?”

“Shu Luo, I’m in here!”

Hearing Chen Cheng’s voice sound strained, Shu Luo rushed inside. He found Chen Cheng sitting on the sofa, looking pale and frail. Then, Shu Luo noticed Christon. He was startled for a moment but quickly regained his composure with a smile.

“Hello, Professor Christon. I’m Chen’s roommate, Shu Luo. My apologies for the late intrusion.”

Christon’s gaze lingered on Shu Luo for several seconds. “Chen was injured because of my dog,” he said flatly. “I have an obligation to care for him.”

Chen Cheng thought silently: Actually, you don’t have to! I’m terrified!

“Injured? Where?” Shu Luo stepped forward, worried.

“I’m fine, I just got pulled into the water by the dog. No big deal,” Chen Cheng muttered in Chinese.

“…” Shu Luo was speechless. Pulled into the water by a dog…

“It is late. Do you still intend to return tonight?” Christon asked without emotion.

Shu Luo nodded. “Yes. Thank you for looking after Chen, Professor. I drove here, so we can make it back.”

Chen Cheng immediately stood up, but his haste caused his vision to go black, and he slumped to the side. Christon caught him. Shu Luo’s eyes darkened slightly at the sight.

“Careful,” Christon said.

Hearing the voice so close to his ear, Chen Cheng stood up straight instantly. That voice felt like it pierced through his heart, making him tremble. “Th-thank you, Professor.”

Shu Luo put an arm around Chen Cheng’s shoulder and smiled. “It seems Professor Christon isn’t quite as the rumors say. Thank you, Professor. We won’t disturb you any longer. See you at school.”

Christon merely nodded. “Get home safely. Luna, see the guests out.” He turned and walked deeper into the house.

His silhouette was like a mystery—elegant, noble, and cold. His blonde hair and blue eyes left a deep impression on Shu Luo; there was something hauntingly familiar about him.

In the car, Shu Luo waited for Chen Cheng to buckle his seatbelt before driving off.

“Shu Luo, I lost my phone. You must have been worried.”

Shu Luo shot him a look. “You’re even more fragile than I thought. Getting pulled into a lake by a dog… honestly. You need to exercise more. Maybe walking the dog is good for you after all.”

Over the past two years, Shu Luo had been a regular at the gym; he had developed visible muscle and a much better physique.

“How was I supposed to know Nord was acting like he was on stimulants? His strength was so great I couldn’t hold him…” Chen Cheng was too embarrassed to continue. “By the way, why didn’t you tell me Christon was so young?”

“You didn’t ask.” Shu Luo paused. “Is he Canadian?”

“No. He’s French.”

“French, huh…”

The night was deep, and the white sports car gradually vanished into the beautiful darkness.