Chapter 1: I met a puppy on the operating table. Is he big?

After a chance encounter with a scheming puppy on the operating table / Jiang Wenxia

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"I love myself and I love you."

*

"Mom, I really didn't desert my post. There was a major car accident on Haining Road, and the hospital asked me to go back and help out."

When Cheng Guo received Yu Muying's call, she was having the driver turn around and head to the hospital. She glanced at her watch and whispered to the driver, "Driver, let's take Qingyun Street. It's not congested there at this time."

Yu Muying on the other end of the phone fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'll send you Xiaoyuan's phone number. Add him on WeChat first, and we'll meet in a few days."

"Okay," Cheng Guo agreed.

A short while later, the phone buzzed twice. Yu Muying sent a string of numbers and a name. Cheng Guo glanced at it and turned off the screen, turning to look at the street scene rushing past the window. "Master, please hurry up."

Late June in Licheng was the height of summer. After several rain showers, the air was stifling and oppressive. Several ambulances were driving into the hospital's emergency room, their sirens blaring more anxiously than the cicadas' chirping.

Cheng Guo pushed open the back door of the taxi and got out, then jogged all the way. When she entered the hospital, the cold wind blew away the hot sweat on her body, making her shiver violently.

Tonight she was going on a blind date, and the necklace and earrings that Yu Muying had specifically told her to wear were now a burden. Cheng Guo took them off as she walked, and then took out the black hair tie that she always kept in her pocket. When she stepped through the first door of the operating room, her long hair that had been falling over her shoulders was now neatly pinned up behind her head, revealing a clean and pretty face.

She was assigned to Director Li of the Department of Cardiac Surgery as the second assistant. The patient undergoing this operation had suffered severe injuries in a recent car accident and had multiple injuries throughout his body. The most serious one was a ruptured right atrium. The pericardial tamponade was compressing the heartbeat and his life was hanging by a thread. Emergency surgery was required.

Opening the chest and pericardium to release accumulated blood, quickly locating and repairing any damage or rupture, the success rate of heart and major blood vessel surgeries is less than 10%. In life-or-death moments, no one in the operating room utters a word except for giving instructions.

Cheng Guo's sterile gauze was stained red countless times, and the suction device tightened with the last stitch in Director Li's hand.

The atmosphere in the operating room only eased after the cardiopulmonary bypass machine stopped and the patient's heart started beating again, and voices gradually began to emerge.

What are we going to do later?

"What can I do? Go home and sleep. I have to go to work tomorrow."

"When I got home a while later, my wife and children were asleep again."

It's common for doctors to work overtime to perform surgeries, especially for cardiac surgeons. After chatting for a while, the conversation turned to Director Li, who said he didn't want his children to study medicine. His child was taking the college entrance exam this year and had just submitted his application. When someone asked which school he applied to, Director Li sighed and knew that his child had applied to medical school.

Cheng Guo listened silently and occasionally added a sentence. Unexpectedly, the topic turned to her.

"After two years of talking about it, we've finally managed to get Xiao Cheng out of our hearts. Are you taking the doctoral entrance exam this year? I'll still save my doctoral spot for you."

This wasn't the first time Director Li had asked her this question. Cheng Guo smiled and said, "Director, please don't let my teacher hear you say that, otherwise he'll not only be angry with you, but he'll also be angry with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the anesthesiologist burst out laughing. The others who were closing the chest dared not laugh. The assistant said quietly, "After doing a few surgeries with Xiao Cheng, my ability to suppress laughter has improved."

Teacher Cheng Guo's surname is Guo. She is the director of the cardiac surgery department at the First Affiliated Hospital. She and Director Li are fellow students. After completing her residency training at the First Affiliated Hospital, Cheng Guo did not stay at the hospital but instead joined the Third Affiliated Hospital. In the end, she went to general surgery with her residency certificate in cardiothoracic surgery. This made her teacher very angry. Every time she called, she would ask her to come back to school for further studies. When they met, she would also nag her a few times. This continued until she was about to go to the cardiac surgery department of the Third Affiliated Hospital. Then, the person being nagged was added to her list—Director Li.

Director Li has guided Cheng Guo through several surgeries. For multidisciplinary collaborations like today's, he would have her come over as a second assistant.

The reason is not just because of her relationship with her teacher.

Cheng Guo is technically skilled, good at communication and collaboration, responsible, and resilient under pressure; she is a rare and promising talent.

Seeing that the hospital had hired Cheng Guo, Director Li had other ideas. "Little Cheng doesn't have a boyfriend yet, right?"

Cheng Guo gave a soft "hmm," and her assistant chimed in, "Did Xiao Cheng go on a blind date today?"

"A blind date?"

"I see you're wearing makeup."

The doctors at the hospital were all sharp-eyed; no change could escape their notice. Cheng Guo could only hum in agreement again.

Director Li: "Did calling you back at the last minute ruin your blind date?"

“No,” Cheng Guo’s lips curved into a smile beneath her mask. “I hadn’t even arrived at the restaurant when the hospital called.”

"You haven't had dinner yet. Don't worry, come have a midnight snack with us after this," Director Li comforted her. "This man today is not meant to be with you. Let me introduce you to him."

The surgery lasted more than five hours and ended at 1 a.m. Cheng Guo was on the night shift in the general surgery department today, from midnight to 8 a.m., which was a seamless shift. She could only try to get a late-night snack from Director Li another day.

After leaving the operating area, Cheng Guo ordered a cake roll and yogurt from a 24-hour convenience store. She strolled slowly toward her office, praying that the patient would recover from a minor illness tonight and that there would be no surgery. As she turned the corner, she almost bumped into Shu Shu.

Cheng Guo met Shu Shu after he arrived at the Third Hospital. The two had similar personalities and their friendship evolved from being just dinner partners to becoming revolutionary friends. When he saw that Cheng Guo had finished her work, he pulled her along and they walked briskly.

"Hurry, the patient we just admitted with acute appendicitis is in so much pain he's almost fainting and specifically requested that you be the surgeon!"

After saying this, he raised his eyebrows and looked at her with a suspenseful look.

Appendicitis isn't a major surgery, and Cheng Guo didn't think her fame was enough to warrant someone specifically requesting her presence. Looking at Shu Shu's eyes, she felt like she should know someone.

She followed her lead and asked, "Who is it?"

Shu Shu exclaimed excitedly, "Chen Zhui!"

Popular male star.

Cheng Guo paused in his tracks.

"Come on, Guo'er!" Shu Shu was eager to get back and catch a few more glimpses of the big star. Seeing that Cheng Guo was slowing down, she dragged her forward. "Can't you have some of the fine qualities of a modern woman? Be more enthusiastic about looking at handsome guys! When I came over, those big yellow girls in the nursing department were playing rock-paper-scissors, arguing over who would shave his skin!"

"..."

What's so interesting about a handsome guy lying there naked?

Cheng Guo didn't know how to argue, so she followed Shu Shu and asked, "Where's Dr. Feng?"

Two attending physicians are scheduled to be on duty tonight. Dr. Feng is the other one, and his seniority is higher than Cheng Guo's.

"He went to have surgery for acute intestinal obstruction, just now." Shu Shu glanced at her. "Shen Zhui really specifically asked for you. After he heard your name and Dr. Feng's name from the emergency room, he immediately asked if you could do the surgery."

"You two know each other?" she suddenly asked, leaning closer.

Cheng Guo remained calm, "I've seen a clip from the movie he made his debut."

"That's strange, then why did he specifically mention you?"

"Just pick whichever is first in line."

"You think everyone is like you?" Shu Shu pouted, her tone gradually rising, with a hint of accusation. "If I ask you which you want, a Sichuan pepper burger or a spicy burger, you say Sichuan pepper. If I ask you which you want, a spicy burger or a Sichuan pepper burger, you say spicy. You're quite something, you don't have a problem with making choices."

Cheng Guo snapped out of her thoughts, thought about it carefully, and then laughed: "Am I like that?"

Shu Shu glared angrily: "You are!"

Cheng Guo smiled and stopped arguing.

Shu Shu got off work at midnight today. She originally planned to say hello to Cheng Guo after her surgery before going home, but unexpectedly she ran into a big star who was seeing a doctor. So she volunteered to go and inform Cheng Guo. When the two of them returned, the surgical assistant was explaining the informed consent form to Shen Zhui.

Shen Zhui was listening with his eyes down. The black mask covered most of his face but could not hide his superior bone structure. Sweat was dripping from his forehead and his black T-shirt was damp with sweat. Cheng Guo could tell that he was in a lot of pain, but he still maintained a relaxed sitting posture and his aura of not wanting strangers was still there.

He was always the kind of person who would stand out in a crowd, and after becoming famous, his charisma became even more outstanding. Now, sitting next to Ichisuke, who is also a guy, there seemed to be something between them—

"There really is a gap between celebrities and ordinary people," Shu Shu sighed.

Cheng Guo nodded inwardly, pulled her to stand outside the door without going over, and asked in a low voice, "Did he come alone?"

"He brought an assistant and went to handle the hospital admission procedures."

Shu Shu leaned against Cheng Guo and looked inside for a while, then sighed, "He's even more handsome in person than online, a real feast for the eyes. How lucky you would be to be his girlfriend, don't you think?"

"Gurgle."

Cheng Guo didn't answer, but her stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment, as if raising her hand in agreement.

Shu Shu looked at her with surprise, turning her head to ask, "Didn't you eat enough during your blind date tonight?"

As soon as Ichizuru finished speaking, the room fell silent, and Shu Shu's voice carried further than usual.

Feeling a gaze steadily fixed on her, Cheng Guo's lips moved slightly, "...I didn't go."

"I'm going to get busy now, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

After dismissing Shu Shu, she straightened her back and walked into the consultation room, her hands in the pockets of her white coat. When she stood in front of the table, she met the gaze that had been following her.

Cheng Guo smiled gently and calmly, giving the patient the greatest sense of security as always. "Hello, I am your surgeon, Cheng Guo."

The boy in front of her raised his head, and when his cold gaze met hers, his eyes flickered slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed lightly, and he nodded before looking away.

As Cheng Guo got closer, she could see that his eyebrows and the corners of his eyes were also soaked with sweat, his eyes were drooping, and the small mole on his lower eyelid had become even lighter, but his eyes were still very bright.

A disheveled little dog trying to put on a brave face.

Cheng Guo didn't waste any more time. She emphasized the risks again and pointed to the patient's signature area, saying, "Sign here if there are no problems."

The pen on the table was picked up, and the tip stopped 0.5 centimeters in front of her fingertip.

Cheng Guo quickly withdrew her fingers, curled them into her palm, and finally returned them to the safe pocket of her white coat.

Shen Zhui's handwriting was elegant and unrestrained. With just a few strokes, the plain ring on his middle finger gleamed coldly under the lamp. His name was already signed. He handed the pen to her and pushed the consent form towards her as well.

Cheng Guo silently took the pen, quickly signed her name, and told everyone to go to the operating room. As she left, she brushed past Shen Zhui's assistant.

"Do you have any male nurses here?" the assistant asked.

"Please rest assured," the nurse who came to take Chen Zhui to the operating room said in a gentle and clear voice, her excitement barely concealed, "medical staff will not leak the patient's privacy or personal information."

"Alright then. Bro, what are you looking at?"

"Our Dr. Cheng?"

No one answered, and Cheng Guo didn't know if the gaze on her had moved away, so she quickened her pace and left.

Preoperative preparation takes some time. Cheng Guo rubbed her empty stomach and turned back to her office. She took out a chocolate from her drawer, chewed it slowly, and swallowed a mouthful of water.

What does "沈骓" mean?

There are so many hospitals in Licheng.

The Third Hospital is not close to his school.

Cheng Guo sat in the chair for a while, lost in thought.

It's best to avoid contact with him.

After eating another piece of chocolate, Cheng Guo estimated that it was about time and headed towards the operating room. She routinely changed into her scrubs and washed her hands, but was taken aback when she entered the operating room.

Shen Zhui, who should have been under anesthesia and asleep, was taking off his shirt and looking at her with his forehead turned to the side.

*0*

Cheng Guo was woken up by a phone call.

She had three surgeries last night, and her legs felt like lead after standing all night. She took a taxi instead of her usual 15-minute walk home. When she went upstairs, she felt like her soul was floating in front of her and her feet were pounding at the bottom. After breakfast, she lay down on the sofa in the living room and fell asleep immediately.

Even in my dreams I can't find peace, a little dog is constantly nudging me.

With a layer of sweat on her forehead and her pajamas soaking wet, Cheng Guo glanced at the air conditioner that was on, answered the phone, picked up the air conditioner remote, and pressed down a few degrees.

It's useless.

The air conditioner is broken.

She got up and went to the bedroom, turned on the air conditioner, lay down on the bed, and closed her eyes again.

"Guo'er, wake up," Shu Shu called to her from the other end of the line, "You have the day shift tomorrow."

I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Cheng Guo grunted in response, her eyes still closed, and spoke weakly, "The last five minutes."

"One minute."

"Two minutes."

"OK."

Still half-asleep, not sure how much time had passed—maybe thirty seconds?—Shu Shu asked her, "Tell me about your blind date yesterday."

"No appearance."

"Then you should talk to Shen Zhui."

...Who should I talk to?

A steed?!

Cheng Guo suddenly opened her eyes, her mind clearing instantly. "Are you dreaming?"

A burst of laughter came from the other end of the phone. "Are you awake now? I really wasn't dreaming."

Shu Shu lowered her voice, "I heard that Shen Zhui fell in love with you at first sight yesterday, and his eyes have been glued to you ever since."

"..."

Cheng Guo leaned against the headboard, grabbed a pillow, and hugged it to her chest. "How was he today?"

"You have feelings for him too, don't you?"

"...I was his surgeon."

"Haha, I get it. If such a young and handsome guy kept staring at me, I would also feel my heart flutter."

"...I wasn't aroused."

"Okay, okay, you're not flirting. He said he wants to ask you out."

“...Speak like a human being.”

He asked you when you start work; he needs to see his surgeon.

Shu Shu's words evoked feelings of longing and romance.

However, as the chief surgeon, she needs to monitor Chen Zhui's postoperative condition.

"Alright, now that we've finished talking about business, let's chat about some gossip." Shu Shu's tone was relaxed, starting the conversation with the tone of someone who wanted to have a deep discussion.

Cheng Guo smiled and asked, "What were you talking about just now?"

"That's nothing, Guo'er. Let me tell you, our floor was really lively today. Shen Zhui is so popular! People were coming and going outside his room. Everyone who passed by would glance inside. When his assistant came over to ask if there were any single rooms available, the head nurse flew into a rage and gave the nursing department a good scolding before things calmed down. Now everyone is envious of the person who performed the surgery on Shen Zhui last night."

The Third Hospital's inpatient ward has always been short of beds; even big stars like Shen Zhui would stay wherever there was an empty bed.

"When I went to check on the patients today, I noticed something... wow, Shen Zhui's physique and looks are truly exceptional. By the way, guess what I saw?"

"What?"

A new message came in on her phone. Cheng Guo switched out of the call window to check. It was a notice from the Third Hospital's Department of Cardiac Surgery that she had been hired and needed to come over today.

While you're at it, go check on Shenzhui; the sooner you do, the better.

"Chen Zhui's phone screen shows 'Woke up from general anesthesia, completely naked,' hahaha, is he concerned about how much of himself is being seen?"

"..."

"Guo'er," Shu Shu lowered her voice again, "I won't ask anything else, just tell me—"

Is he big?

A note from the author:

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Bring Cheng Guo and her Samoyed to meet everyone! This is a story of "I love myself, and I love you too".

This is my first time writing a male protagonist who's a big, cuddly puppy, so I'm a little nervous.

If you like it, please leave lots of comments! I especially love reading your messages and reviews! [starry eyes][starry eyes]

The series is free to read during the serialization period. There aren't many drafts yet, so updates are tentatively scheduled for every other day at 6 PM. You can also follow Big Eye for update updates.

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The medical information is sourced from research and consultations with friends. Please kindly point out any inaccuracies. Thank you!