Chapter 3: The Hospital In Bloom
505 Words
The hospital lobby smelled faintly of orchids — a touch Li Wei had personally chosen, hoping it would soothe patients. On most days, he passed unnoticed, blending in as just another doctor in a white coat. Only a handful of people in the hospital knew he was the CEO.
But today wasn’t most days.
He had reviewed the incoming patient list that morning, half-distracted until one name hit him like a cold wave: Mei Lin.
Age: 25.
Condition: Autoimmune disorder, requiring long-term observation.
Referred from overseas.
He froze. Could it be her? It couldn’t be. There were many people named Mei Lin. It was just coincidence, right?
Still, he assigned himself to her case.
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Mei Lin walked into the hospital with a sketchbook in hand, her fingers trembling just slightly. Her heart raced — not from illness, but from the strange feeling of returning to her homeland after so long. The air felt different, heavier with memory. The hospital was modern and bright, with soft music playing in the background.
She reached the front desk. “I’m Mei Lin. Here for an appointment with Dr. Zhang?”
The receptionist looked up. “Ah, there’s been a change. Dr. Zhang had an emergency. You’ll be seeing Dr. Li today.”
“Dr. Li?” she repeated, blinking. The name stirred something deep — a whisper in her bones — but she brushed it off.
She was led into a private consultation room. Inside, it was peaceful, filled with potted plants and gentle lavender light. Then the door opened.
He stepped in slowly — white coat crisp, stethoscope slung around his neck — and wearing a black surgical mask. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
Mei Lin looked up at him politely and smiled. “Hello, Doctor.”
He nodded. His voice was calm but lower than usual, carefully disguised. “Miss Mei Lin?”
She tilted her head. “Yes. Have we met before?”
He shook his head once. “No… I just… read your file.”
She smiled again, unaware of the storm beneath his calm surface. “You look young to be a specialist.”
“I… studied early,” he said, quietly.
She laughed softly. “You remind me of someone I used to know.”
His heart ached. She didn’t recognize him.
Not yet.
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After the session, Mei Lin sat in the hospital garden sketching flowers while waiting for her test results. Meanwhile, Li Wei watched her from the upper floor window — like someone glimpsing a dream too fragile to touch.
The years had changed her. Her face was more defined, her hair longer. But her eyes — they were still the same. Still filled with starlight.
He pulled out the old letter again from his coat. He never stopped carrying it.
Now that she was here, he had to decide:
Would he tell her who he was?
Or would he protect her from the past — and himself?
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- Writer
