Running Towards You - Chapter 1

Ji Yin hadn’t set foot in a hospital for nearly three years. She never expected to take such a hard fall right at the end of the year.

Outside, the world was freezing, but the orthopedic department was bustling with activity.

It was said that during winter, orthopedic wards were always packed to the brim, slippery roads led to accidents, and sports like ice skating and skiing contributed their fair share of injured patients.

Seated in a wheelchair, Ji Yin was being pushed forward by Dong Xiang.

The corridor was crowded, nearly causing a traffic jam.

Dong Xiang would push her a few steps, pull her back, wait for the path to clear, then push again only to yank her back abruptly.

“Are you trying to parallel park me or something?” Ji Yin said, exasperated.

“Almost missed it. Should be here, right?” Dong Xiang backtracked a meter and stopped in front of a consultation room, checking the doctor’s name on the appointment slip. “Exam Room 7, Lu Jiahe. That’s the one.”

He glanced at the photo on the door and raised his brows in surprise. “Huh, a female doctor?”

“What’s wrong with a female doctor?” Ji Yin asked.

“Female orthopedic surgeons are rare. Surgeries are physically demanding long hours, intense labor. It’s tough work, so orthopedics is mostly male-dominated. That’s what my uncle, a doctor, told me,” Dong Xiang explained.

“Well, this doctor must be pretty impressive then,” Ji Yin remarked.

With no empty chairs left, Dong Xiang squatted beside her. After a while, he patted his pockets. “Yin-jie, I need a smoke.”

“Go away.”

“Got it.” Dong Xiang immediately scurried off to the smoking area.

Left with nothing to do, Ji Yin idly looked around, tilting her head up to study the display screen above the door.

The screen showed the doctor’s name and a professional photo, one that was strikingly eye-catching.

Bright eyes, radiant smile, and an air of youthfulness.

But Ji Yin knew better. These photos were often heavily edited; few doctors actually resembled their pictures.

“Goodness, this doctor looks so young. Has she even graduated yet?” An elderly woman nearby was also eyeing the photo, her voice laced with concern. She couldn’t help but feel more reassured by the usual balding, seasoned doctors.

“Miss, Dr. Lu is excellent, gentle and meticulous,” a middle-aged woman chimed in from her seat, holding the hand of a girl around ten years old. She smiled warmly. “My daughter had her surgery done by Dr. Lu and recovered beautifully. She adored Dr. Lu during her hospital stay and isn’t even scared of hospitals anymore. In fact, she was excited to come back for her check-up today.”

“Yeah! I get to see Dr. Lu again! I’m going to show her my drawing!” The little girl shook her backpack excitedly, sending a small plush toy swinging right into Ji Yin.

“Sorry, sis!”

“No worries.” Ji Yin eyed the little yellow duck plush and asked casually, “Where’d you get this?”

“Dr. Lu gave it to me.” The girl clutched the duck protectively, as if afraid Ji Yin might snatch it. “If you’re brave during surgery, Dr. Lu will give you one too.”

Just then, the PA system called Ji Yin’s name.

It was her first time in a wheelchair, and she fumbled awkwardly with the wheels, struggling to control the force. She veered sideways, crashing into the door which swung open from the impact.

The person inside looked up, meeting her gaze. They stared at each other in stunned silence.

Ji Yin wished she could crawl into a wallet and disappear.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but notice Dr. Lu was even more striking in person than in her photo, her expressions far more natural. Especially the way she was clearly holding back a laugh, lips pressed together, dimples peeking through.

Lu Jiahe observed for a moment and, seeing no one behind her, immediately stood up to help, pushing her wheelchair inside.

“Quite a unique way to enter. Did you come alone?”

Ji Yin: “There’s also a dog.”

“Where?” Lu Jiahe looked outside in surprise.

“In the smoking room.”

“?”

As soon as the words were spoken, Dong Xiang came running in: “I’m here, I’m here!”

Lu Jiahe caught a faint whiff of smoke on him and, recalling the patient’s words, couldn’t help but smile. She returned to her seat and asked, “Name?”

“Ji Yin.”

Lu Jiahe glanced at the name in the system and nodded, then looked at the woman oval face, striking features, a clean and defined jawline, and a crisp, no-nonsense voice.

“What seems to be the problem?” Lu Jiahe asked.

“Had a minor car accident. Went to the ER, got an X-ray, and then they sent me here,” Ji Yin replied.

“Did you bring the X-ray?”

“Yes, yes.” Dong Xiang immediately handed it over, his eyes practically glued to the doctor. While she examined the X-ray, he whispered to Ji Yin, “Holy smokes, this doctor is really good-looking!”

Ji Yin shot him a glare: “Don’t embarrass me.”

After reviewing the X-ray, Lu Jiahe found no obvious fractures, which was likely why the ER had referred her here for further examination.

She turned her attention to the wounds on Ji Yin’s hand. “How did the accident happen?”

“Someone cut me off in traffic, almost hit a pedestrian. I swerved and ended up crashing into the greenbelt.”

“You were riding a bike?”

“Yeah, a motorcycle,” Ji Yin said.

Lu Jiahe nodded in understanding and pressed her fingers against Ji Yin’s knee. “Does this hurt?”

“No.”

“What about here?”

“No.”

“Doc, she usually never admits to pain,” Dong Xiang chimed in.

“It’s fine, I can read her expressions,” Lu Jiahe said, pressing another spot. “Does this hurt?”

Ji Yin winced slightly. “…Yeah.”

“Could be a meniscus injury. You’ll need an MRI to check the specifics.”

“Alright.”

Not like she knew any better whatever the doctor said went.

“Have the other external injuries been treated?” Lu Jiahe asked, eyeing the abrasions on Ji Yin’s hand.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Go schedule an MRI first.”

As Ji Yin and Dong Xiang left the examination room, they heard a little girl skipping in cheerfully: “Dr. Lu, I’m here!”

“Long time no see.”

Ji Yin glanced back just as the door was being closed by a parent, catching only a fleeting glimpse of Dr. Lu’s smile through the gap.

–

After seeing a dozen more patients, Lu Jiahe checked the time and took a moment to text her mom.

[Lu Jiahe]: What’s for dinner tonight?

[Mom]: Meeting up with an old classmate. We’re having hotpot at home.

[Lu Jiahe]: Which old classmate?

[Mom]: My husband. You know him.

[Lu Jiahe]: What a coincidence.

[Mom]: What do you want to eat?

[Lu Jiahe]: Beef brisket with potatoes, beef brisket with potatoes, beef brisket with potatoes…

[Mom]: You look like a potato yourself.

[Lu Jiahe]: That’s a genetic issue.

[Mom]: You look like a stunning beauty.

Lu Jiahe chuckled. After finishing with the last few patients, she drove straight to her parents’ place.

On days with regular outpatient hours, her schedule was a bit more flexible, and she could leave work without too much delay, perfect for mooching a meal.

Even though her parents lived just one neighborhood away.

“It smells amazing.” The aroma of beef brisket hit her the moment she stepped inside. She changed into slippers, squirted some hand sanitizer at the entryway, and rubbed her hands together all the way to the dining table.

“With all the time you took, the food’s gone cold,” her mom said.

“As if you’d ever let me eat cold food?” Lu Jiahe cradled the warm bowl in her hands, grinning with satisfaction.

“Been busy with surgeries lately?” her dad asked.

“Yep, even outpatient procedures have picked up.”

“Your aunt took a spill while biking a few days ago. She’s planning to come see you at the hospital soon.”

“Biking? Please don’t tell me it was a motorcycle?” Lu Jiahe reflexively asked. Just today, she’d already seen two patients who’d crashed their bikes.

“Does she look like someone who’d ride a motorcycle? She can barely handle an e-bike.”

Lu Jiahe chuckled. “Alright, tell her to come in sooner rather than later. She always waits until she can’t stand it anymore before seeing a doctor.”

After dinner, with time to spare, Lu Jiahe decided to hit the gym. In her line of work, good stamina wasn’t optional.

“It’s cold out put on more layers before you go,” her mom called after her.

“I’m already bundled up.”

Driving out, she didn’t expect the short distance to be clogged with traffic. Then, in the rearview mirror, she caught sight of a determined figure hobbling forward. As the person drew closer, the face looked vaguely familiar.

Beep!

A sudden honk from beside her startled Ji Yin, who whipped her head around, ready to snap, only to pause when she recognized the driver.

“Dr. Lu?”

“Where’s your wheelchair?” Lu Jiahe craned her neck to ask.

“Returned it.”

Her injury wasn’t serious, and she could still walk. But Dong Xiang and Yanzi had made a fuss, insisting on renting her a wheelchair. She couldn’t maneuver it well herself, and she wasn’t about to have Dong Xiang at her beck and call 24/7, so she’d returned it.

“Where are you headed?”

“Got some errands.”

“Where to?” Lu Jiahe eyed her leg and repeated the question.

“Yanhua Supermarket.”

“Hop in. I’ll give you a lift.”

Ji Yin hesitated. “No need to trouble yourself. It’s just up ahead.”

“It’s on my way. Come on, if you take a fall now, you might actually need surgery,” Lu Jiahe said.

“Well, thank you, Dr. Lu.” Ji Yin steeled herself and got in, wincing as her knee throbbed when she sat down.

“Does it hurt most when bent?” Lu Jiahe asked.

“Yeah.”

“Did you schedule an MRI?”

“Got one for the day after tomorrow.”

“Rest at home these next two days. Don’t move around too much. Come in for a checkup as soon as you get the scans.”

“Okay.”

It was Ji Yin’s first time catching a ride with a doctor, and she felt awkward, unsure where to put her hands. She stole a glance at Dr. Lu before quickly looking away.

The cars ahead finally began to move.

Silence settled in the car. Should she say something to break the tension?

“Dr. Lu… do I have some serious condition?”

Lu Jiahe: “??”

“The ER said I didn’t have a fracture, but they told me to see your department. And now you’re sending me for an MRI. Is there some hidden major issue?” Ji Yin asked.

“X-rays don’t show the finer details inside the knee. Since you feel pain when pressure is applied to your meniscus, we need an MRI to assess the extent of the damage and check for ligament issues,” Lu Jiahe explained patiently.

“I see… Will surgery be needed? I’ve heard some people just go for conservative treatment without needing surgery.”

“We’ll have to decide after looking at the scans.”

Ji Yin sighed. She’d been so busy lately, if surgery was required, it would really eat into her time.

At a traffic light, Lu Jiahe glanced at her and noticed she was sitting very properly, hands on her knees, back perfectly straight. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you sitting so formally, like you’re in class?”

Hearing this, Ji Yin relaxed slightly. “Not at all, I’m never this proper in class. Don’t let appearances fool you, I’m all about cola and fries in private.”

Lu Jiahe burst out laughing.

After turning a corner, they arrived at Yanhua Supermarket.

“Thank you, Dr. Lu.” Ji Yin opened the car door and carefully stepped out, supporting her injured leg.

“Your boyfriend is okay with letting an injured person go out alone?” Lu Jiahe asked, sounding concerned.

Ji Yin froze for a few seconds before realizing. “Oh, you mean Dong Xiang? He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my younger sister’s boyfriend.”

“My apologies, I misunderstood,” Lu Jiahe said with an awkward smile.

“No worries.”

Ji Yin bid Dr. Lu goodbye and tiptoed toward the supermarket entrance. When she turned back, she noticed his car had reversed and was heading back the way they came.

This wasn’t just a casual ride, he’d clearly gone out of his way to bring her here.

“Yin-jie, why didn’t you just stay home? If you needed to come, you could’ve called me, I’d have picked you up,” Dong Xiang said, rushing out in his supermarket uniform.

“Perfect timing. Go get me a commendation banner, I want to give it to Dr. Lu.”

“You haven’t even started treatment yet, and you’re already giving him a banner?” Dong Xiang was baffled.

“Just do it.”

“Alright, what should it say? ‘Miraculous Hands Restoring Health’?”

Ji Yin thought for a moment. “Hmm… ‘Touching China, A Model for Our Generation.'”

Dong Xiang: ???