Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 73
by Little PandaThe Meeting
She made it through.
The surgery took longer than everyone had anticipated, but Wei Hui could only endure for a limited time, so the first operation wasn’t entirely successful. After stepping down from the operating table, Doctor Bai took two steps back, his face covered in fine beads of sweat. The pressure he bore was greater than anyone else present.
Wei Hui was his most complex patient to date. Due to her prolonged illness and numerous complications, unlike other patients who only needed simple targeted treatments, she required two surgeries, each carrying high risks.
This was why he had initially been reluctant to take her case. Though physicians should be benevolent, scholars of their caliber also valued reputation. He had almost never had any accidents in his lifetime, succeeding every time. If he were to damage his reputation with Wei Hui’s case, he knew exactly how the outside world would view it – it would cause a storm in the medical community.
But this was a living person’s life. By his conservative estimate, globally, he was probably the only one capable of performing such surgery on her.
In his youth, he was passionate and ambitious, willing to try even without capability. Now that he was older, he had become more cautious. Fortunately, his decision to take Wei Hui’s case allowed him to experience that youthful audacity once again.
The person heaven wanted to take, he would stubbornly snatch back!
“Teacher,” his assistant wiped his sweat and said, “President Wei is in the observation room now, with four hours of anesthesia remaining.”
Doctor Bai nodded, “Monitor any changes during these four hours closely. Contact me immediately if there are any abnormalities.”
The assistant, having worked with him before, nodded, “I understand.”
Given Wei Hui’s special condition and the incomplete success of this surgery, the next operation would need to happen soon. Doctor Bai returned to his office for a brief rest, then decided to call Su Ziyan, knowing they were waiting for his response.
It was past 1 AM, while in Jiangcheng it was noon. Just as Su Ziyan left the ward, he saw that familiar phone number. He stared at it for a long time, his palms sweating, his heart racing up to his throat, blocking his voice. The nurse behind him, confused, urged, “Doctor Su, your phone is ringing.”
Su Ziyan snapped out of his daze and nodded, “Yes, yes.”
His voice sounded unnatural as he placed the phone against his ear with his clammy palm, his trembling finger pressing the green answer button: “Hello, this is Su Ziyan.”
“Hello, Doctor Su, this is Doctor Bai. We just completed President Wei’s first surgery.”
Su Ziyan gritted his teeth: “I know. The surgery results…”
Doctor Bai took a breath: “They’re fairly good, but we need to observe for four hours first. If there aren’t any issues during these four hours, we’ll proceed with the second surgery…”
He used many medical terms, but Su Ziyan, despite being a professional doctor himself, felt like a novice at that moment. His ears only caught a few key phrases: surgery completed, no problems, four-hour observation, second surgery. These words combined into one message: Wei Hui was temporarily safe. Thinking this, he leaned against the white wall and drew in a breath: “Thank you, Doctor Bai, for your trouble.”
Doctor Bai shook his head, remembering Su Ziyan’s earlier stubbornness: “No need, this is my duty.”
After hanging up, Su Ziyan’s entire body was drenched in sweat, feeling chilly in the breeze. Without delay, he contacted Shiyi, who, like him, must be in emotional turmoil right now.
Since returning to Jiangcheng, Shiyi’s heart had never been at ease. Wei Hui’s early departure and surgery had pushed her emotions to the breaking point. Wei Hui sending her abroad for further studies and grooming her now seemed like a joke. Without news of Wei Hui, she was like a walking corpse, emotionless. The entire Wei Tian was also on edge. After the shareholders’ meeting, Shiyi successfully replaced Wei Hui as acting vice chairman, handling all company affairs. Regarding Luo Zhouping’s dismissal, no one dared raise objections. Though Luo Zhouping had caused trouble several times, Shiyi both tactfully dealt with him while actively searching for evidence of his company betrayal.
His secretary, seeing his inevitable downfall and unable to protect his own company, voluntarily confessed to Shiyi, but was stopped by Pei Tian. Such people wouldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary.
People who changed faces too quickly couldn’t be trusted.
Shiyi thought the same. Luo Zhouping’s influence had been too great, and his overconfidence had left many traces. Catching him wasn’t difficult; it wasn’t necessary to go through his secretary, though that would certainly yield faster results.
But what use was speed to her now?
Shiyi shook her head. She just wanted to keep herself busy, even busier, so she wouldn’t constantly think about Wei Hui. She didn’t have the luxury of being willful; she still needed to support Wei Tian.
“President Wei, please look at this…” Pei Tian was standing at her desk, but just as he began speaking, a phone rang. Shiyi turned her head, her gaze frozen.
It was Su Ziyan.
Calling at this hour.
Was there news about Huihui?
Good news? Or bad?
When Shiyi’s hand quickly touched the phone, it felt like touching fire and she pulled back, her fingertips feeling scorched. A dense pain began drilling from the tip of her heart, like a tender sprout breaking through soil, instantly taking root in her heart and blooming into a flower of sorrow.
Her fearful emotions didn’t last long. After the ring tone had sounded for about ten seconds, she answered the phone with trembling hands: “Hello.”
After two sentences from the other end, Shiyi’s expression changed dramatically, and she immediately stood up: “Are you serious!”
“Is it true?”
Su Ziyan reassured her: “That’s what Doctor Bai just said.”
“I’m flying over immediately.”
Su Ziyan was startled: “What about your company?”
“The company matters can wait; there’s still Pei Tian.” After the last board meeting, those with different allegiances should know which side to stand on. Now everyone at Wei Tian was compliant with her, and having Pei Tian manage things was feasible.
Pei Tian seemed to realize she was talking to Doctor Su about Wei Hui. He looked at Shiyi, seeing her nod solemnly to him, apparently entrusting Wei Tian to his temporary management. He nodded, silently saying: “Alright.”
Shiyi blinked, her previously clear eyes now covered with tears. She said to Su Ziyan: “I’m going back to prepare now, taking the evening flight at the latest.”
She wasn’t there for the first surgery, but this time, no matter what, she would be by her side.
Su Ziyan noticed her stubbornness was just like Wei Hui’s. He shook his head: “Fine then, I’ll go prepare too and go with you.”
“Let’s meet at the airport in an hour.”
Shiyi sighed with relief: “Okay.”
After hanging up, Pei Tian looked at her and heard her say: “Huihui’s first surgery went well.”
Pei Tian’s usually serious face showed a different expression, seemingly delighted. Having been by Wei Hui’s side for so long, he had gradually learned to contain his emotions. Such obvious happiness looked somewhat unnatural on his face.
Shiyi instructed: “The major projects can wait until I return, or we’ll hold online meetings. You’ll temporarily handle other minor company matters.”
Pei Tian composed himself, becoming serious: “Rest assured, I know what to do.”
Shiyi trusted his work capability. She said: “Thank you, Pei Tian.”
Pei Tian paused for a few seconds, lowering his head: “President Wei, no need to thank me, I just want…”
He raised his head as he continued: “I just want you to bring Third Miss back.”
Shiyi’s nose stung at these three words. She nodded: “Alright.”
“I will.”
Shiyi left in a hurry, making a stop at the Wei family home before driving directly to the airport. Su Ziyan hadn’t arrived yet. She sat on a bench, imagining what Wei Hui would look like. She must have lost weight, with tubes inserted in her body. Shiyi couldn’t bear to imagine such a scene; it was heart-wrenching just to think about it. Just as she was supporting her head with her hand, she heard Su Ziyan’s voice: “Shiyi.”
Shiyi looked up: “You’re here.”
Su Ziyan held his ticket: “Did you buy yours?”
Shiyi handed him her ticket to see. They looked at each other, both silent.
Soon they boarded the plane. By the time they reached Weiss, it was already night. More than two hours had passed since Doctor Bai’s mentioned four-hour window. Su Ziyan directly led Shiyi to the research institute, but they were stopped at the entrance. Doctor Bai and his assistant were busy with surgery, and without passes, they couldn’t enter. Shiyi was arranged to wait in the rest room. She stood by the window, the sky outside pitch black. Her hands hung at her sides, tightly clenched, her back straight, yet sweat seeped through her thin clothes. Su Ziyan beside her was equally anxious, waiting with a worried expression.
Security staff came periodically to report: “Sorry, Doctor Bai just entered the operating room. You still can’t go in.”
Shiyi hadn’t expected to come all this way only to not even see Wei Hui. Her body swayed slightly, and Su Ziyan immediately reached out to support her shoulder, saying softly: “Stay strong.”
Shiyi turned her head, face deathly pale, her breathing uneven as she spoke urgently: “You said Huihui…”
“She’ll be fine.” Su Ziyan continued: “Take deep breaths, don’t overthink.”
Su Ziyan had experienced how severe Shiyi’s stress responses could be. He had been monitoring her health these past two days, truly worried that when Wei Hui returned, Shiyi might collapse. Fortunately, she was stronger than he had imagined.
It was faith – faith that Wei Hui would definitely return.
Hearing this, Shiyi followed his advice and started taking deep breaths. Her pale complexion improved noticeably, and her body stopped trembling, though fine sweat continued to form on her forehead, increasing despite being wiped away. Seeing their state, the security staff guessed they must be waiting for a relative in surgery, and their attitude softened considerably. They even brought in two cups of tea. Shiyi took hers with both hands, wanting to drink some hot tea, but her hands were shaking so much that she didn’t manage a single sip, spilling it all on her suit jacket.
Su Ziyan wanted to say something more to Shiyi, but in the end said nothing, just pulling her to sit in a chair.
Time passed second by second, minute by minute. Shiyi kept checking the watch on her wrist: one minute, ten minutes, half an hour, one hour, two hours, three hours.
The longer time dragged on, the more uncertain Shiyi became. Knowing nothing about the situation inside, panic gripped her heart – every movement brought soul-piercing pain!
“Ding—”
The doorbell suddenly rang, and Shiyi reflexively stood up. She watched the security guard walk over and call into the phone: “Doctor Bai.”
She urgently stepped forward, snatching the phone from the security guard’s hand. Pressing it to her ear, she called out in a voice so soft she could barely hear herself: “Huihui, Huihui she…”
Doctor Bai’s voice was tired but relaxed: “The surgery was very successful. She’s fine now.”
These words completely drained all strength from Shiyi. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. Her nose stung, her eyes grew hot and red, the corners completely flushed. Su Ziyan walked to her side and heard her say through choked sobs: “She made it through.”
“Huihui made it through.”
“She made it through!”
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