Shine on Me

"Taking you home is no problem, but..." Lin Yusen hesitated. "Shouldn't you say goodbye to the professors first?"

I stiffened in his arms for a few seconds before cautiously peeking out. Three elderly gentlemen were watching us with amused smiles.

On the way back, Lin Yusen cheerfully explained the backgrounds of these professors. Hmm, normally it would take ages to get an appointment with any one of them, yet I'd just met three at once.

When I heard one was a leading neurosurgery authority from Beijing, I immediately became alert: "You're not going to Beijing, are you? No, that's too far!"

Lin Yusen laughed. "No, no."

Then I felt a bit guilty—how could I interfere with his career prospects? Even if he was my boyfriend, that wasn't right. So I reluctantly added, "If it's an exceptionally good opportunity, you could consider it."

"Oh? Then what about you?"

What else could I do?

I declared heroically, "I'll work here to support you in Beijing."

Lin Yusen: "...Thank you."

"You're welcome. So, are you planning to return to university for research?"

"Just introducing me to some connections, that's all."

Though he said "that's all," my imagination was already running wild... Lin Yusen in a white lab coat conducting experiments, Professor Lin lecturing at the university...

"I think it's a great idea," I enthusiastically affirmed. "You'd look incredibly handsome as a researcher or professor. I could sneak into your lectures..."

From the medical student who charmed the entire medical school (as per Senior Su's accounts) to the professor who would charm the entire medical school—and this person was my boyfriend... Wow~ Just thinking about it made my vanity soar.

Lost in my daydreams, I barely registered Lin Yusen saying something. After a few seconds, I asked, "Did you say something just now?"

Lin Yusen sighed. "I said, speaking of looking handsome, I have a video of what might be the most impressive moment of my life. Want to watch it with me?"

Of course I did!

Encouraged by my enthusiasm, Lin Yusen drove a little faster. When we reached his place, he led me straight to his study, opened his laptop, and clicked on a video.

And then I was stunned.

The whole way, I'd been imagining what his most impressive moment could be—a student representative speech? His Ph.D. graduation? Some high-profile event?

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect it to be a surgical recording—and a rather bloody one at that...

Lin Yusen swiftly closed it. "Wrong one. This is from the middle."

He moved the cursor to click on another video in the folder.

"Wait!" I eyed the seven or eight videos in the folder suspiciously. "Are all of these surgical recordings?"

"Yes, from the same surgery. It's quite long, so it's split into parts."

"How long?"

"Nearly ten hours."

First, I clapped. "So impressive!"

Then, lowering my hands, I stated firmly, "Can we just skip to the end?"

Lin Yusen: "..."

I encouraged him, "The moment you step away from the operating table—that must be incredibly handsome."

"If that's what you want, the beginning might work too—it's the pre-surgery rehearsal. You just want to see me, don't you? Xiguang, how could you?"

Me: "..."

Is it wrong that I don’t want to watch blood vessels and brain tissue?!He shook his head with a sigh and clicked on the first segment. The opening shot was a striking side profile of Dr. Lin in his white coat. He appeared to be in the doctor's office, standing in front of a lightbox displaying MRI scans, speaking to family members and other doctors.

If we disregard his previous act in my hospital room, this was the first time I truly saw him in his role as a doctor. My gaze was instantly captivated by this unfamiliar yet professional demeanor.

"He's explaining the surgical approach."

Lin Yusen's expression immediately turned composed as he began explaining softly by my ear, "This was one of my most successful surgeries. The patient's recovery exceeded expectations. Today, my mentor mentioned it during dinner, and a professor asked me to send him the video. It made me want to revisit it myself."

"Was the surgery very difficult? Why was it recorded?"

"Extremely. The hospital was compiling some public footage at the time, which could partially reduce medical expenses. I obtained the patient's consent and actively requested this opportunity from the administration."

I nodded, quietly listening alongside him as Dr. Lin in the video elaborated on the surgical approach.

After about ten minutes of preoperative discussion, the scene shifted to Dr. Lin disinfecting his hands, then donning surgical attire with the assistance of a nurse, followed by his mask and gloves.

The video was meticulously detailed, even showing the surgical instrument verification process. Once all preparations were complete—

"Let's begin."

Dr. Lin in the footage spoke calmly as he stepped toward the operating table.

Though I knew the surgery must have been successful, tension suddenly gripped me. Just as the camera focused on the sterilized area of the patient's brain, Lin Yusen moved the mouse and closed the video!

I immediately turned to him. Lin Yusen raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you only wanted to see the beginning and end?"

Well, yes... but...

Before I could formulate a response, Lin Yusen had already opened the final video and skipped to the postoperative conclusion.

"It's too long. You need to sleep early—just watch the ending," said Lin Yusen beside me.

"The field is completely clear. I'm stepping away from the microscope now," announced Dr. Lin in the video.

By this point, the handsome Dr. Lin looked considerably less dashing. Though his tone and hands remained steady, beads of sweat covered his forehead, and his voice had grown hoarse and strained.

The scene then cut to him exiting the operating room, speaking with the patient's elderly, silver-haired family members about the outcome. His words were cautiously measured, yet the relatives' faces shone with unrestrained joy. After a few sentences, the plainly dressed but neat elderly couple broke down in tears of happiness, covering their faces.

"They weren't local to Shanghai. They'd exhausted all resources seeking treatment here, physically and financially drained. Their emotional reaction was understandable after the success. The patient has since regained normal function. Before New Year's, I received his email saying his parents were healthy, he'd recovered enough for light work, and expects to clear their debts in another two years."

My heart ached with sympathy before warming with relief. I stole a glance at Lin Yusen—he was intently watching the screen, a faint smile touching his lips as he spoke, unaware of my gaze.

Onscreen, the utterly exhausted Dr. Lin also wore a relaxed smile. He gently guided the family to sit, patiently answering their questions with endless reassurance. His entire demeanor radiated the profound satisfaction of having given his absolute all.It suddenly occurred to me—is this what he meant by "the unparalleled joy of fully dedicating yourself to accomplishing something"?

It must be.

But I've never seen him look so satisfied and fulfilled at any other time.

My Dr. Lin, once one of the most diligent and responsible doctors in the world, can no longer operate now. Yet he's planning to do other remarkable things.

He should return to the medical field as soon as possible, not waste his time in places he has no interest in.

This thought abruptly pierced my consciousness.

But I didn't voice it, because such words would be meaningless. Lin Yusen wouldn't just casually abandon the company—he would only leave once it was fully on track.

That's just the kind of responsible person he is.

But how long would that take? Half a year? A year? What if something else happened by then that kept him tied down?

Sometimes I wonder, what does Lin Yusen like about me?

It seems he took a liking to me at my godmother's banquet, and later, because of the car accident, developed an obsession.

But isn't that a rather fragile foundation?

Although he's incredibly lucky—I really am quite a catch—and theoretically should grow to like me more over time, I do have some minor flaws. Like being a little lazy... though that's not exactly a flaw... But Lin Yusen is such a driven and hardworking person, the kind with both talent and diligence. Over time, might he think I lack ambition?

Even though I'm certain he would never hurt me no matter what, matters of the heart shouldn't rely solely on the other person's character. That wouldn't be fair to them either.

The video had reached its end, the final shot a blurred image of Lin Yusen and the nurses walking away.

Lin Yusen closed the video and began packaging the email to send to the professor.

I watched him work silently, and for some reason, a sudden urge to strive harder welled up in my heart.

Not just because of him, and not just to help those around me achieve their goals sooner, but because I myself wanted to become a little more capable.

I wanted to experience this joy of giving my all, to earn more praise and recognition, to one day have Lin Yusen look at me with the same sparkle in his eyes as I had while watching him in the video. I wanted to be with someone so radiant, but I couldn't just let him dazzle me forever.

Hmm!

I abruptly stood up. "Lin Yusen, let's not stay in Shanghai tomorrow. We'll go back to Suzhou right after breakfast."

Lin Yusen, who hadn't finished sending the email yet, looked at me in confusion. "Weren't we going to that restaurant your classmate recommended?"

"Next time."

"Why the sudden urgency to go back?"

"I need to go back and work overtime!"

Perhaps my determination was too firm, because Lin Yusen made his next suggestion cautiously. "We could still make time for a meal...?"

"No! You don't understand me—if I wait too long, this drive will fade!"