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Chapter Text

The music pulsed through the room, reflecting the colorful lights dancing on the walls. The nightclub was packed with people lost in their own enjoyment—laughing, dancing, sipping their drinks without a care. Amidst the lively atmosphere, a girl stood awkwardly, clutching the strap of her small purse in front of her body.

Chen Yuzhi looked like a little deer lost in a dark forest. Her round eyes, as bright as the morning sun, shimmered with confusion as she scanned the room. Her long, soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, with a few strands falling across her face, adding to the innocence she couldn't hide. She wore a simple, pastel-colored knee-length dress, draping her figure gracefully yet modestly. Every time she frowned or gave a small, embarrassed smile, her dimples appeared faintly, enhancing her natural charm.

It was her first time stepping foot in a place like this, and she had no idea what to do.

A sly-looking man approached her, grinning as he pushed a drink toward her. "Alone?" he asked, his voice friendly but laced with hidden intent.

Chen Yuzhi swallowed, trying to stay calm. "Ah… no, I'm just waiting for my friends," she replied, her voice slightly trembling despite her efforts to sound confident.

The man smirked. "Then keep me company for a while. Don't worry, I don't bite."

Chen Yuzhi's heart pounded. She took a step back, but the man only moved closer. Before she could figure out how to escape, a firm, low voice cut through their conversation.

"I don't think she's interested."

Chen Yuzhi turned and saw a woman approaching.

She exuded authority in her effortlessly elegant casual outfit. A slightly loose black shirt draped over her frame, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing slender but strong wrists. Her long hair was left down in a slightly tousled manner—not messy, but rather giving off a relaxed and captivating aura. Her features were sharp, her gaze piercing as if she could see right through someone in a single glance. Despite her minimal makeup, there was something about her that felt alluring—an aura that made it hard to look away.

The man scoffed quietly, glancing at the woman before finally walking away in annoyance.

Chen Yuzhi let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you…" she murmured, still feeling a bit awkward.

The woman smirked slightly, her eyes still observing Chen Yuzhi with interest.

"You look like a lost deer. This isn't a place for someone like you."

Chen Yuzhi's cheeks warmed. "I've never been to a place like this. My friends forced me to come," she admitted softly, feeling a little embarrassed.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "And now they've left you? What kind of friends are those?"

She took a slow sip of her drink before extending her hand. "Jiang Yuelou."

Chen Yuzhi stared at her hand for a moment before shaking it. Her touch was warm.

"Chen Yuzhi."

"A sweet name," Jiang Yuelou said, looking at her with an unreadable expression.

"A student?"

Chen Yuzhi nodded. "How did you know?"

Jiang Yuelou smirked, a smile as alluring as a rose—beautiful yet thorny. "I have sharp instincts."

"Don't just stand there. Sit," Jiang Yuelou said casually, patting the empty seat beside her.

Still feeling a little unsure, Chen Yuzhi finally complied. She felt safer with this woman than being alone in a room full of strangers.

"What are you drinking?" Jiang Yuelou asked, glancing at the menu.

"I… don’t drink alcohol," Chen Yuzhi replied softly.

Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly. "Good. Alcohol isn't something you should try in a place like this." She waved to the bartender and ordered, "One special fruit juice."

Chen Yuzhi was slightly surprised when the drink arrived in an elegant crystal glass, decorated with fresh fruit on the rim. It was clearly not just an ordinary juice—this was premium, undoubtedly expensive.

"I-I can pay for it myself," she said hesitantly.

Jiang Yuelou chuckled. "Consider it a treat from your savior tonight."

Chen Yuzhi looked at her for a moment before giving in. She took a sip and had to admit—it tasted amazing.

"So," Jiang Yuelou gazed at her with that same unreadable expression, "what brought you here?"

Chen Yuzhi sighed. "My friends forced me. After finishing our final exams, they said I should learn to enjoy nightlife. I told them I couldn't and didn’t want to, but one of my friends tricked me. This isn’t the art exhibition she promised."

Jiang Yuelou shook her head and scoffed. "They're not good friends."

Chen Yuzhi fell silent, realizing that the woman had a point. She had never been good at socializing, often quiet and alone, with books as her only loyal companions. She couldn’t even count how many true friends she had—maybe none. Except for a few childhood friends from elementary and middle school. As she grew older, she found it harder to meet people who shared her mindset.

Chen Yuzhi remained quiet for a long time, her eyes reflecting a sadness only Jiang Yuelou seemed to notice.

"Ahem. A place like this isn’t for someone like you," Jiang Yuelou interrupted, her voice gentler. "Don’t wander into places like this alone. Not everyone will be kind to you."

Chen Yuzhi lowered her gaze, stirring her juice with the straw. There was something serious in Jiang Yuelou’s tone—as if she knew more about this place and the dangers of the world outside.

Slowly, their conversation shifted. Chen Yuzhi shared that she was a medical student on a full scholarship, and they talked about Jiang Yuelou’s favorite wines. What started as an awkward exchange turned into a comfortable conversation, as if they had known each other for a long time. Chen Yuzhi had never met a woman as intriguing as Jiang Yuelou—whether it was the way she spoke or the way she looked, everything about her was captivating. She wanted to know more about her but figured they were just two strangers who happened to meet, only to part ways. She didn’t dare to ask too much.

Until, at the end of their conversation, Jiang Yuelou handed her phone over. "Exchange numbers? In case you need someone to save you again."

Chen Yuzhi smiled slightly, secretly pleased. Even if they never met again, they could at least exchange messages, and she could consider Jiang Yuelou a friend. Without hesitation, she handed her phone to Jiang Yuelou. When she returned it after typing her number, their fingers brushed slightly.

Something about that brief touch sent a faint tremor through her chest, making her heartbeat quicken for no reason.

"Don’t wander around places like this alone again," Jiang Yuelou warned, her voice soft but firm. "I won’t always be there to save you."

Chen Yuzhi nodded. For the first time, she felt like someone genuinely cared about her safety.

After a moment, Jiang Yuelou glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. I'll take you home."

Chen Yuzhi was startled. "You don’t have to—I can—"

"Go alone?" Jiang Yuelou interrupted with an amused smirk. "You don’t even know how to get home at this hour, do you?"

Chen Yuzhi bit her lip. She really didn’t. She wasn’t sure if there were still buses or taxis this late.

Jiang Yuelou stood, but before leaving, she glanced toward a woman standing in the corner—a tall woman with neatly cropped hair, dressed in a dark suit, exuding a cold, expressionless demeanor.

Chen Yuzhi watched as Jiang Yuelou walked up to her. They spoke briefly, and although she couldn’t hear what was being said, the other woman’s expression remained unchanged.

But what confused Chen Yuzhi the most was how she addressed Jiang Yuelou.

"Understood, Boss."

Boss?

Chen Yuzhi looked at them in surprise. Jiang Yuelou didn’t seem like someone who had subordinates. But from the way the woman spoke, there was clearly a hierarchy between them.

Jiang Yuelou returned to her with a relaxed smile. "Let’s go."

Chen Yuzhi glanced at the cold woman once more before finally following her out of the club.

As they walked along the sidewalk, Chen Yuzhi's heart was still filled with confusion.

"If I may ask, what is your actual job?" she finally asked.

Jiang Yuelou turned to her and gave a mysterious smile. "I'm just someone who gets bored easily and looks for entertainment."

Chen Yuzhi frowned. That answer was clearly avoiding her question.

But for some reason, she believed that Jiang Yuelou was not a bad person with hidden malicious intentions toward her.

However, she also felt that this woman was hiding something she didn't know.

And she was curious.

Chen Yuzhi stood at the edge of the road, hesitating before getting into Jiang Yuelou's black car. The night air was slightly chilly, and the city lights reflected on the car's slightly fogged-up windows.

Jiang Yuelou looked at her for a moment before gently opening the door from inside. "Get in," her voice was calm, but there was a hint of warmth in it.

Chen Yuzhi nodded slightly and sat down, feeling a little stiff. However, before she could reach for the seatbelt, Jiang Yuelou had already moved first. With a smooth motion, Jiang Yuelou pulled the belt and leaned in slightly to fasten it on Chen Yuzhi's side.

Chen Yuzhi froze. She could faintly catch the fresh scent of musk and amber from Jiang Yuelou’s body. It was a unique fragrance, something she had never smelled before. She assumed Jiang Yuelou was using an expensive perfume that not just anyone could buy.

With their proximity and Jiang Yuelou’s scent filling her senses, her heartbeat felt slightly faster than usual.

"Done," Jiang Yuelou said, pulling back slowly. She gazed at Chen Yuzhi’s face for a moment before raising an eyebrow with a slight smile. "If you feel uncomfortable, I can loosen it a bit."

Chen Yuzhi quickly shook her head, feeling her face heat up. "N-no, this is fine."

Jiang Yuelou started the engine but, before driving, glanced at Chen Yuzhi again. "Are you comfortable?"

Chen Yuzhi nodded, biting her lip. "Mm." She was afraid Jiang Yuelou would notice her unusual behavior.

Jiang Yuelou gave a small smile, then began driving. Chen Yuzhi turned to look at Jiang Yuelou, her eyes observing the woman's sharp profile. Deep inside, she felt warmer than she expected.

Jiang Yuelou glanced at Chen Yuzhi briefly while keeping her focus on the road. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."

Chen Yuzhi, still sitting neatly in the passenger seat, answered softly, "Shou Xi Apartments."

Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Shou Xi?" She chuckled as if finding something amusing. "I have an apartment there too."

Chen Yuzhi turned to her, her eyes widening slightly. "Really?"

Jiang Yuelou nodded casually. "But I rarely stay there. I always have business that keeps me away most of the time." She smirked. "Maybe that's why I've never seen you before."

Chen Yuzhi nodded in understanding. "I don't go out much either. Usually just to campus or Zhan Hospital, where I intern."

Jiang Yuelou glanced at her briefly before returning her focus to the road. "In that case, next time when I'm not busy, I'll stop by your apartment, and we can have tea together."

Chen Yuzhi was silent for a moment, feeling slightly nervous at the way Jiang Yuelou said it. "Only if you really have the time," she said softly.

Jiang Yuelou gave a small smile, the corner of her lips curling with confidence. "Of course. I’ll definitely come."

. 

That night, after closing the door to her apartment, Chen Yuzhi leaned against it for a moment, feeling the lingering warmth from their encounter. She stared at her phone, her fingers hesitating to type something in the contact she had just saved—Jiang Yuelou.

But in the end, Chen Yuzhi typed a single sentence: "Thank you so much for everything tonight. I'll repay you another time."

She looked at the screen, the message she had just sent still unread. She bit her lip slightly, feeling a bit awkward. Maybe she shouldn't have sent a message so soon? But it felt rude not to express her gratitude.

Placing her phone on the table, she tried to ignore the strange feeling beginning to surface. After all, Jiang Yuelou would surely be very busy after this. She had seen firsthand how occupied the woman seemed earlier—whatever she was dealing with, it was clearly not something trivial.

"Don't overthink it," she murmured to herself.

Yet, as she lay down and pulled the blanket over her, her thoughts kept circling back to Jiang Yuelou. The woman’s sharp yet warm gaze, the subtle smile that was too captivating…

Chen Yuzhi let out a long sigh. "Why do I keep thinking about her?"

Jiang Yuelou had been so thoughtful, even reminding her not to stay up too late. It was such a small thing, but somehow, it made her chest feel warm. Maybe this was what it felt like to have a friend who truly cared.

But Chen Yuzhi didn’t want to expect too much. They had just met—perhaps Jiang Yuelou was simply being kind, nothing more.

Still… if only they could meet again.

Unknowingly, a small smile formed on her lips as sleep gently embraced her.

Chapter Text

For an entire month, Chen Yuzhi had been completely absorbed in her routine—interning at the hospital, assisting Dr. Li, studying surgical techniques, and honing her skills.

Her busy schedule left little room for thoughts outside of work—or at least, that’s what she believed.

Jiang Yuelou hadn’t contacted her in a long time. After that last sweet reply, there had been nothing. At first, Chen Yuzhi would glance at her phone often, wondering if Jiang Yuelou would send another message. She had hoped to receive a text saying she would visit her apartment soon. She had even sent a brief message asking how the woman was doing. But after weeks of silence, no response, and no sign of Jiang Yuelou, she finally decided to stop hoping.

"Maybe this is for the best."

She couldn’t keep thinking about someone who wasn’t even a real part of her life. Jiang Yuelou was surely busy with her work—whatever that was. Besides, they had only met once.

However, as she was preparing a case report for Dr. Li in the assistants’ room, a nurse suddenly rushed in, panic evident on her face.

"Chen Yuzhi! Get to the emergency room, now! We have a gunshot victim!"

Chen Yuzhi immediately stood up, her heart pounding. A gunshot wound? That was rare in this hospital. She quickly gathered the necessary equipment and hurried toward the ER.

The moment she arrived, her eyes widened in shock.

On the hospital bed, dressed in a white shirt that was dirty and slightly torn, lay a woman with blood-soaked hands. Though her face was pale from blood loss, Chen Yuzhi recognized her instantly.

Jiang Yuelou.

Chen Yuzhi froze in place.

After spending a month trying to forget about her, Jiang Yuelou had suddenly reappeared—in the most unexpected way.

She quickly pushed aside her emotions. This was not the time to get caught up in feelings—Jiang Yuelou needed help.

"What’s her condition?" Chen Yuzhi asked urgently, slipping on a pair of sterile gloves.

"The bullet is lodged in her upper arm. It didn’t hit a major artery, but the bleeding is severe. She lost a lot of blood on the way here," another doctor answered tensely.

Dr. Li arrived shortly after, taking control of the situation. "We need to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding immediately. Chen Yuzhi, you’re assisting in the operation."

Chen Yuzhi’s heart pounded. This was her first time dealing with a case like this firsthand. But she steeled herself—this wasn’t just any patient. This was Jiang Yuelou.

As they moved Jiang Yuelou to the operating room, Chen Yuzhi caught a glimpse of her pale face. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing shallow and weak. A part of her wanted to reach out, to hold her hand—but now wasn’t the time.

The operation was swift yet nerve-wracking. Dr. Li skillfully extracted the bullet while Chen Yuzhi controlled the bleeding and closed the wound. She executed every task flawlessly, yet deep inside, an unspoken fear gnawed at her.

After two tense hours, the surgery was complete. Jiang Yuelou had survived.

As they wheeled her into the recovery room, Chen Yuzhi stood by her bedside, gazing down at her face. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, as if the weight of the world had momentarily lifted.

Chen Yuzhi let out a long sigh, feeling a strange heaviness in her chest.

A month of silence, and now she suddenly appeared like this…

She clenched her fingers tightly.

Jiang Yuelou, just who are you?

.

When Jiang Yuelou finally opened her eyes, her vision was still a bit blurry. The bright white hospital lights were dazzling, and her body felt heavy. However, a soft yet firm voice immediately caught her attention.

"Jiang Yuelou?"

Jiang Yuelou turned slightly, and there stood Chen Yuzhi, her face filled with worry. The girl was wearing her white lab coat, her hair neatly tied back, but faint dark circles were visible under her eyes. It seemed she had been here for a long time.

"You're awake," Chen Yuzhi's voice carried a hint of relief. She took her stethoscope and began checking Jiang Yuelou's condition, ensuring her heartbeat and blood pressure were stable.

In the corner of the room, a man dressed entirely in black sat silently, observing with a calm yet concerned expression. His gaze was sharp, like someone accustomed to living in the shadows. Chen Yuzhi glanced at him briefly before refocusing on her patient.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

Jiang Yuelou let out a slow breath, her lips curving slightly. "Like I got hit by a truck, but still alive."

Chen Yuzhi frowned. "That's not funny. You lost a lot of blood."

Jiang Yuelou gazed at her softly, then suddenly sighed. "Chen Yuzhi… I owe you an apology."

Chen Yuzhi raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Jiang Yuelou shifted her body slightly, feeling the sting in her arm. "I wasn’t honest with you when we first met. I hid a lot of things. I didn’t even get the chance to reply to your message last month."

Chen Yuzhi was silent for a moment. She had been wondering about it since earlier—what exactly happened? How did Jiang Yuelou end up in the hospital with a gunshot wound?

Jiang Yuelou continued in a quieter voice, "I'm not an ordinary person, Yuzhi. I'm a detective handling drug cases. My life is always in danger."

Chen Yuzhi’s eyes widened. She never imagined something like this. So… Jiang Yuelou wasn’t just a charming woman who happened to save her at a nightclub. She was a cop. A detective.

Chen Yuzhi felt a tightness in her chest. She didn’t know what to say. A slow fear crept into her heart.

"Are you shocked?" Jiang Yuelou asked softly.

Of course. How could she not be? Someone she thought was just a new friend was actually leading a life filled with danger. If that bullet had hit a more critical spot today… Jiang Yuelou might never have woken up again.

But in the end, Chen Yuzhi simply sighed and said gently, "I don’t mind that, Yuelou. I just hope you’ll always be safe and healthy."

Jiang Yuelou stared at her for a long time, as if assessing the sincerity of those words. Then, for the first time since waking up, she smiled happily.

Chen Yuzhi bit her lip, trying to suppress the emotions swirling in her heart. Then, with a slightly lighter tone, she said, "Do you remember? We still have plans to drink tea together."

Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly. "So you still remember?"

"Of course."

Jiang Yuelou looked at Chen Yuzhi with an unreadable expression, but her gaze felt warmer. This girl was truly sincere…

For the first time in the past month, Jiang Yuelou felt a sense of peace.

For five days in the hospital, Jiang Yuelou truly experienced what it was like to be cared for by Chen Yuzhi firsthand. The girl volunteered to be her personal nurse, ensuring the wound on her arm healed properly, changing her bandages with precision, and always checking her condition seriously.

Every time Chen Yuzhi tended to her, Jiang Yuelou would remain silent, attentively watching the way she worked. There was something in the way Chen Yuzhi carefully touched her arm, how her fingertips felt so gentle against her skin when checking her temperature, how her gaze was always filled with concern and sincerity.

"Yuzhi," Jiang Yuelou called her after she finished changing her bandages on the fifth day.

"Hm?" Chen Yuzhi lifted her face, meeting her eyes—those beautiful eyes that always left Jiang Yuelou speechless for a few seconds.

Jiang Yuelou gave a small smile. "You’re going to be a great doctor."

Chen Yuzhi let out a small laugh. "I don’t dream of working in a big hospital. I just want to open my own clinic."

Jiang Yuelou raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why?"

Chen Yuzhi sat at the edge of the bed, checking Yuelou’s blood pressure as she explained, "I want to help more people, especially those who can’t afford medical care. If I work in a big hospital, I might not have the freedom to do that."

Jiang Yuelou stared at her for a long time. People like this… were so rare.

From the first time they met, Chen Yuzhi had drawn her in with a pull she couldn’t explain. Her captivating round eyes, her sweet smile that always felt warm, and her sincere nature made Jiang Yuelou feel something strange in her heart.

Jiang Yuelou wasn’t someone who cared for just anyone. She never randomly offered rides or saved someone in a nightclub out of pity. But with Chen Yuzhi, everything felt different.

It was as if I had met her before…

Jiang Yuelou didn’t believe in fate, but this feeling was so real.

If reincarnation existed, if parallel worlds were real, then maybe Yuzhi and I have a deeper connection than I can explain.

She wanted to protect this girl.

And maybe, without realizing it, she also wanted to stay by her side for a little longer.

The day of Jiang Yuelou's departure arrived. Two people who had been seen around her finally introduced themselves.

The chubby, bald man with a friendly face who had recently appeared was named Sun Yongren, while the tall woman with a serious expression was Song Rong. Both of them addressed Yuelou as "Boss" with great respect, confirming that they were not just ordinary colleagues—they were Jiang Yuelou's subordinates.

"Thank you for taking care of our Boss, Dr. Chen," Sun Yongren said cheerfully as he helped pack Jiang Yuelou's belongings.

Song Rong simply nodded politely before speaking in a more serious tone, "Without your help, the situation might not have turned out this well. We owe you."

Chen Yuzhi quickly shook her head. "I was just doing my duty. Besides, I’m not even officially a doctor yet."

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuelou stood beside her bed, trying to put on her long coat despite the lingering pain in her left arm. She attempted to hide her discomfort, but Chen Yuzhi's sharp gaze caught everything.

"Don’t push yourself, Yuelou," Chen Yuzhi reminded her with concern. "You need to rest properly until your wound heals."

Carefully, Chen Yuzhi took the black coat and helped Jiang Yuelou put it on, ensuring that every movement wouldn't cause her pain.

Jiang Yuelou chuckled, gazing at the girl in front of her with growing interest. "Alright, alright. I understand, Dr. Chen."

"No, you don’t understand," Chen Yuzhi interrupted, her face serious. "No working, no staying up late, and no strenuous physical activities. If you break these rules, I won’t take care of you again."

Sun Yongren stifled a laugh, while Song Rong looked slightly surprised by Chen Yuzhi’s firmness.

Jiang Yuelou, on the other hand, simply smiled, finding it amusing. This girl… wasn’t she initially shy and awkward? Since their first meeting at the nightclub, Jiang Yuelou had assumed Chen Yuzhi was a gentle and somewhat naïve girl, not someone who could be this strict. But it turned out that when it came to health and recovery, Chen Yuzhi became incredibly disciplined and attentive.

Jiang Yuelou leaned slightly against the side of the bed, looking at Yuzhi with a soft gaze. "You really care about me, don’t you?"

Chen Yuzhi fell silent for a moment before looking away. "I just want to make sure my patient recovers well."

Jiang Yuelou’s smile widened. "Is that so?"

Chen Yuzhi merely cleared her throat to hide her nervousness, then extended a small box. "This… it's herbal medicine for healing. I bought it for you. You can take it regularly at home."

Jiang Yuelou was surprised and took the box carefully. She stared at it for a moment before turning to Chen Yuzhi with a gentle expression. "Thank you. I’ll definitely take it."

Chen Yuzhi smiled softly—so sweet, just as Jiang Yuelou had always remembered in her heart and mind. The only smile Jiang Yuelou ever wanted to see for the rest of her life.

As Jiang Yuelou finally left with Sun Yongren and Song Rong, Chen Yuzhi stood at the hospital entrance, watching the figure of the woman gradually fade into the distance.

They hadn’t even truly started their friendship.

But why did something inside her heart feel so empty?