After signing the critical condition notice, Wang Yu and Liu Yunyun waited outside the emergency room for nearly two hours before the patient was finally wheeled out.
Fortunately, under the skilled hands of Dr. Lin Ren, half a life was saved—only half, because she was still in critical condition and needed intensive monitoring.
To prevent infection, no one was allowed to get close—not even Wang Yu. The patient was taken straight into a sterile ward by the specialist team.
From afar, Wang Yu could only see her entire head wrapped in gauze, with just her nostrils and mouth exposed. The pitiful sight was like a knife through his heart, but his eyes were filled with hatred.
"Family of the patient," a voice called. It was the same doctor who had earlier asked Wang Yu to sign the critical condition notice.
Wang Yu stepped forward anxiously. "Doctor, how's my mother?"
"She's still in critical condition and needs further observation, but at least her life is temporarily out of danger," the doctor replied, visibly relieved.
"Thank you, doctor," Wang Yu said gratefully.
"No need to thank me. If you must thank someone, thank Dr. Lin. Without her skills, there would've been nothing we could do," the nurse interjected.
"Alright, I won't keep you. You need to go handle the hospitalization procedures and pay the fees. I recommend preparing a large sum. Treating both of your parents—especially your mother—will cost no less than a million yuan," the doctor reminded him.
"What?" Liu Yunyun exclaimed from behind. "A million?"
A million might not mean much to the wealthy, but for someone like Wang Yu, even ten thousand was a struggle, let alone a million.
"Alright, doctor. I understand. Thank you," Wang Yu responded calmly, far more composed than Liu Yunyun.
After the doctor left, Liu Yunyun asked curiously, "Wang Yu, where are you going to get a million yuan? I've saved a hundred thousand over the years—I'll give it all to you. But we're still nine hundred thousand short!"
Wang Yu turned and gently held Liu Yunyun's hand, touched by her kindness. "Yunyun, thank you."
Blushing slightly, Liu Yunyun didn't pull her hand away. "No need to thank me. What are we to each other, after all?"
"You're right," Wang Yu smiled. "We've been like siblings since we were little."
"Siblings?" Liu Yunyun froze, her blush fading. A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed her heart. Is that all I am to him? Just a sister?
"I'd better go take care of the hospital paperwork," Wang Yu said, not noticing her change in expression as he released her hand and turned toward the payment office.
As he passed the emergency room, he noticed a group of doctors clustered around someone, talking intently.
Wang Yu walked past them without a second glance.
But before he got far, a voice full of surprise and joy called out behind him.
"Wang Yu! Wang Yu, wait!"
He stopped in his tracks and turned around in surprise. A tall, elegant female doctor, around 1.78 meters in height, was hurrying toward him.
"It really is you, Wang Yu!" The doctor's eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached him.
"It's you..." Wang Yu was stunned.
"Yes! Lin Keting. Don't you recognize me?" She pulled down her surgical mask, revealing a familiar yet pale and exhausted face.
Lin Keting had once been the youngest and most skilled surgeon at the military hospital where Wang Yu served. She had earned numerous honors for her outstanding skills and had already achieved the rank of Captain at a young age. She had been considered one of the most promising doctors in the military.
Wang Yu couldn't understand why she would give up such a promising future to work at a third-tier city hospital in Yunzhou.
"Dr. Lin, weren't you working at the military hospital? What are you doing here?" Wang Yu asked, full of confusion.
Just as Lin Keting was about to reply, she suddenly swayed and collapsed.
Reacting quickly, Wang Yu rushed forward and caught her by the waist. "Dr. Lin, are you okay?"
"Dr. Lin!" Several doctors rushed over in alarm.
One of them said, "She's probably exhausted. Two surgeries last night, and now another one today. It's too much for anyone."
"Don't panic. Get Director Lin to a resting room and give her a nutrient IV!"
"Everyone calm down. I'm fine," Lin Keting said weakly, clutching Wang Yu's shirt tightly, as if afraid he would vanish.
"Wang Yu... I'm really glad to see you again. I... I have something to tell you..." she whispered.
"Dr. Lin, please, save it for later. You need to rest now," her colleagues urged.
"They're right. Get some rest—we'll talk later," Wang Yu said firmly, gently passing her into their care. "Take good care of her."
"I'm fine..." Lin Keting murmured as she was led away, too weak to resist.
Watching her leave, Wang Yu finally understood—she was the doctor who had saved his parents. Without her, especially for his mother, the outcome could have been devastating. He couldn't even bear to imagine it.
"Wang Yu, you two know each other?" Liu Yunyun walked up behind him, her tone laced with jealousy.
Wang Yu nodded. "We served together. She was a military doctor—we were comrades."
"Why would a military doctor end up in a remote place like Yunzhou?" Liu Yunyun asked suspiciously.
Wang Yu smiled faintly. "I'd like to know that too."
As they spoke, a strong wave of perfume wafted over from behind.
The scent was unmistakable to Wang Yu—he had smelled it many times during undercover missions. It was Calvin Klein, a luxurious international brand known for its intense fragrance. Just a single spray could linger for meters, often used by elites as a symbol of wealth and status.
The wearer was usually someone of significant means.
A well-dressed man in a tuxedo, holding a bouquet of bright red roses, walked past them.
"Hello, Mr. Zong! Bringing flowers for Dr. Lin again?"
A female doctor walking from the opposite direction greeted him playfully.
"Hello, Dr. Ou. Good to see you!" he responded warmly. "Is Dr. Lin in her office?"
"She's not there," Dr. Ou replied.
"Where has she gone?" the man asked, a hint of urgency in his voice.
"Mr. Zong, don't worry," Dr. Ou smiled. "To be honest, Dr. Lin fainted from exhaustion. She's resting in the lounge now."
"This is your golden opportunity. I think you know what I mean."
Mr. Zong's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Dr. Ou. I understand. I understand completely!"
"Then hurry—this might be your chance," she said with a smile.
"Of course! I'll be sure to thank you properly," he replied as he rushed off.
Wang Yu watched Mr. Zong's retreating figure, his brow furrowing deeply.