Rebirth of the Villainess: Young Master Lu’s Wicked Wife

After meeting Su Xiaofei and hanging out with her and Shen Jiao, Xi Qian returned to Su Xiaofei's apartment, where she was residing, and quickly changed into her work clothes. She checked the time on the wall clock in the living area before wrapping her scarf around her neck and pulling out a pair of shoes to complete her attire.

Once she was satisfied with her appearance in the mirror near the front door, she picked up her purse and made sure to lock the door before leaving. Xi Qian felt that it had been a good decision for her to see Su Xiaofei and Shen Jiao today, as she felt better compared to the last few days when she was quite busy with work and reviewing.

She rushed to the train station, hoping she would be able to board on time because if she missed the seven o'clock ride, it only meant that she wouldn't be able to arrive early at the hospital for work.

Xi Qian panted as she ran towards the platform, clutching her bag on her chest as people alighting the coaches crowded the place. As her eyes swept around, she thought that she was still alone and empty inside.

Although she had friends to rely on, Xi Qian still felt a gaping hole in her chest that she had tried to ignore over the years. She knew that Su Xiaofei was aware of it, but the latter never mentioned it to her nor made any comment about it, which Xi Qian deeply appreciated, for she knew that she wouldn't be able to answer her best friend if she did.

When she was young and started to become conscious of her surroundings, Xi Qian had gotten used to her parents arguing late at night to the point that they would hurt each other physically. Xi Qian could only curl on her bed, shut her eyes and pretend to be sleeping, feigning ignorance about her parents' marital problems.

She knew at a young age that her father had a mistress and Wang Peilan had given birth to her half-brother, whom their father doted on the most. At such a young age, Xi Qian felt that she was unwanted by anyone.

Perhaps it was the same reason why she was able to understand Su Xiaofei and befriend the latter because she also knew what it felt like being alone despite having people around them.

Xi Qian struggled to understand her purpose of living. Her parents didn't love nor care for her, and her grandmother, who loved her the most, had already passed away.

During her second year at the university, she wondered what was the point of her studying pre-med, wanting to become a doctor. She had once claimed that she wanted to become a doctor to treat ill patients when she was younger, but as she looked at her acquaintances, she realized that she really didn't know what to do with her life.

Xi Qian arrived at the hospital an hour before her shift started. She left her belongings in her locker and chose to go up to the roof deck of the hospital to clear her mind before she started working. It wouldn't be good to be distracted with such thoughts while taking care of the patients.

She rested her arms on the railings of the roof deck and glanced down at the city lights in Guangshang. Unlike Qiying City, Guangshang was more developed with so many high rise buildings, which catered to numerous large corporations and businesses. It was too bad that she wouldn't be able to gaze at the stars as the thick clouds and the black fog hovering over the city blocked her view from them.

A soft crunch and light footsteps could be heard after the metal door closed behind her with a low thud. She jerked her head and turned her eyes to see who it could be, as not many were allowed access to the roof deck, and most were used by the hospital staff instead.

Xi Qian sucked in a breath when her eyes saw a tall man, joining her at the roof deck. The man was breathtakingly beautiful. She thought that it was impossible for her to be starstruck, given how she was used to seeing Su Xiaofei and Lu Qingfeng, whom she considered the most beautiful people she knew in her life. However, seeing this man, Xi Qian felt that she was proven wrong.

Something inside her stirred as her brows frowned in confusion. It wasn't because of this man's appearance, Xi Qian was sure of it. The man had a pair of piercing dark eyes, a tall nose and a pair of thin lips. The coat and his clothes underneath were tailored to fit his form, which was strong and lean.

Xi Qian felt that standing near him at the roof deck of the hospital made her look like a rag doll compared to him. She didn't dare to chase the man away and inform him that he was in an off limits area, because she noticed the expression on his face. He seemed to be struggling too, like her.

The man seemed to take no notice of her, and Xi Qian didn't dare to bother him in return. She thought that perhaps he was a relative or a kin of one of their patients and just wanted some time for himself to clear his mind.

They stood there for what felt like hours, though Xi Qian learned that it only had been half an hour. Slowly, the man started walking towards the exit, leaving Xi Qian in silence. As Xi Qian watched him go, she said a small prayer in her heart, hoping that whatever that was bothering him would be resolved soon.

Xi Qian then returned to the nurse station and clocked in to start her shift. Her colleagues thought that she was kind enough to give them their nights off, but to be honest, Xi Qian had volunteered to take the night shifts as she had trouble sleeping at night.

While her partner at the station left for her break, Xi Qian was left to file out reports and check on their patients later. Once she started walking in the hallway, Xi Qian fought the urge to yawn, telling herself that she cannot afford to doze off and take a break at this point.

Most of their patients were elderly, each visited by either their spouse or adult children. Because of this, Xi Qian easily got along with them, as both were yearning to have some company during their stay.

When she checked the next private room on her list, she was surprised to see the man she saw on the roof deck seated on a chair next to the patient's bed. The patient was a sixty-year-old man who had just undergone an open-heart surgery, and had a cardiac arrest while he was on the operating table.

It made sense to Xi Qian now why the man had such an expression on his face earlier. He must be worried sick about the patient. It was obvious that the stress of seeing the patient like this was driving him insane.

Xi Qian quietly moved in the room and did her task without a word. When she took the patient's chart at the corner, it was only then the man lifted his head and looked at her with scrutiny.

"You? What are you doing here?" His tone was accusing, but deep and cold at the same time. However, when he caught sight of her uniform and a stethoscope around her neck, he sighed in relief. He had seen her earlier, despite her false assumption that he didn't.

Xi Qian was still wearing her coat and scarf when she went to the roof deck earlier, and he assumed that she was also a visitor of a patient just like him.

"Apologies. My mind must have been clouded with worry." The man murmured. "Stupid old man. Just wake up and stop making us worry." He hung his head with his hands holding the sides of his head.

Although he said such mean words, Xi Qian could hear the worry in his tone. He clearly loved his father despite his cold countenance.

Xi Qian gently placed a hand over his right shoulder, catching not only herself but also the man off guard with her actions.

His eyes met her kind ones, seeing a small smile gracing her lips.

"It will be okay." Xi Qian murmured, hoping that she wasn't giving him false hope.

It was hard to tell whether his father would recover soon or not. Xi Qian knew that doctors and nurses like her were no Gods. They can't give their patients assurance that they would be okay, however, Xi Qian couldn't help but console the man from his worries.

She patted his shoulder once more before walking away, leaving the man to sit with his father.