chapter 4: first time

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the narrow windows of Longwei Medical's subbasement, casting a soft glow over the sterile, white-washed corridors. Dr. Han Mina, despite having spent the night performing one of the most challenging surgeries of her career, looked remarkably composed. Her movements were methodical, her eyes sharp as she reviewed the post-operative notes.

She had just finished checking on the patient, who was still sedated but showing stable signs of recovery. The rare genetic defect had been addressed, and the cascade of systems failure had been halted. It was a victory, but the battle for the patient's health was far from over.

Mina exited the recovery room, her mind already cataloging the next steps in the patient's treatment plan. As she walked down the hallway, the quiet was suddenly interrupted by a chorus of excited whispers from the nurses stationed at the reception desk.

"Look! It's Liang Chenxiu!"

"He's even more handsome in person..."

"Is he here to see someone? He rarely visits the hospital."

"Maybe he's here for Director Jiang or a high-profile patient?"

Mina glanced in the direction of the commotion and saw the source of their awe. Liang Chenxiu, CEO of Tianyi Group and one of the most powerful men in the country, strode purposefully down the hallway. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that emphasized his tall, athletic build. His jet-black hair was perfectly styled, and his chiseled features radiated an almost unreal level of perfection. Yet, it was his eyes that drew the most attention – cold, calculating, and impenetrable, they betrayed none of his thoughts or emotions.

Despite the admiration evident in the nurses' eyes, Chenxiu's demeanor remained distant and aloof. He walked with the grace of a predator, his expression set in a stoic mask that kept everyone at arm's length.

Mina had heard of him, of course – who hadn't? His reputation for being ruthless in business was legendary, and the rumors of a tragic past only added to his enigmatic aura. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the man behind the cold exterior as he approached.

Their paths intersected near the elevator, and Mina felt a momentary flutter of nerves – an unusual reaction for her. She composed herself quickly and gave a polite nod as she stepped aside to let him pass. To her surprise, he stopped and turned to face her.