Awareness of the Heartbeat (1)
In the observation room, Luo Lan finished reading all the examination data and beamed, “We can prepare to celebrate Zeni’s 19th birthday. ”
In a split second, cheers reverberated in the rooms. Some laughed loudly, some wiped their tears quietly.
The battle finally had its closure. Although, legally, all the crimes were pinned to Luo Lan, they, as “accomplices”, had been losing sleep under the great pressure of the verbal abuse from the people of the Federation.
While softly clapping his hands, Chu Mo asked Chen Sha, who was strangely quiet, beside him, “What’s in your mind?”
Chen Sha stared at Luo Lan in the middle of the crowd. “I killed a lot of people on the battlefield. It’s great that she saves people instead.”
Chu Mo sighed with emotion, “My Father watched the replay when the Princess performed the operation. He commented that she is precious, even more than her genes.”
“Indeed.”
Chen Sha replied so solemnly with his Commander’s tone that Chu Mo was taken aback for a while. He soon laughed it off, “I will deal with those wild groups outside.”
“Thank you!” Chen Sha thanked earnestly.
Chu Mo sighed again, “Who could be blamed that when we were young and ignorant, you carelessly sleep anywhen and anywhere? We have slept together, of course, I will be responsible for you.”
As luck would have it, the cheers and laughter in the observation room just quieted down and they got to hear Chu Mo’s words clearly. They were all stricken dumb, like someone pressed the pause button on them.
Isn’t the Commander married?
I heard it’s a political marriage!
Ah, no wonder there aren’t any women near Doctor Chu Mo. Turns out there is a sadomasochistic drama behind all this!
Yi[1], the object of the political marriage seems to be in this room……
Everyone appeared to know something they should never know and bowed their heads low, feigning to be immersed in their work, “”Hey, about the patient’s…”
Only Luo Lan stared back and forth at Chen Sha and Chu Mo with starry eyes, as if she had discovered a brand new world.
Chu Mo smiled and patted Chen Sha on the shoulder. He waved his hand and left without elaborating further.
Chen Sha clarified to Luo Lan at once, “It’s not what you think.”
“I understand! I understand! Of course, it’s not.” Luo Lan glanced at the people around them and nodded considerately.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowds, Chen Sha didn’t say more. Thus, he turned on the holographic screen—
A press conference at the hospital.
Chu Mo was gentle and refined in front of the passionate reporters. No matter how sharp and rude the reporter’s questions were, Chu Mo was courteous.
Yesterday, another news broke out, the mysterious female doctor who performed the operation turned out to be Ying Xian Luo Lan, the wife of the Commander, also the Princess of Aerdes. The public immediately went into a frenzy.
The media fanned the flames, from Luo Lan’s unauthorized operation, the police’s failure to arrest Luo Lan, even they attributed the Research Institute’s refusal to disclose Luo Lan’s data to the Commander’s abuse of power.
Early this morning, the people marched and rallied, demanding an explanation from the government.
After Chu Mo pacified everyone’s wrath, he started to explain the Cause and Effect of the matter.
Starting from Zeni’s life experience, an orphan who had no parents, lacked care and was sick all year round.
In the combat with his disease, he gradually weakened. Almost all gene-repairers believed that his genes were beyond saving. He was doomed to die.
As if a pie fell from the sky, a gene-repairer was willing to operate on him. The gene-repairer considered that the probability of success was high.
Yet, as if Fate was playing a joke on him, right before the operation, the gene-repairer was injured and couldn’t perform the operation. It was too late to arrange another gene-repairer to perform the operation. Poor Zeni’s life was at stake. For the sake of saving Zeni, Princess Luo Lan, a trainee gene-repairer, risked the future of her cherished career and even committed a capital crime.
Luo Lan murmured, “When he said it so, how come it sounds like a heartfelt movie?”
Her identity that was originally faulted abruptly became the most dramatic touching point. A Princess who lacks nothing selflessly sacrifices everything for an orphan who had nothing. In this way, if she wanted to, she could apply for the Interstellar Peace Award.
Still, after being moved for a while, the reporter’s sanity was still there. They still doubted the whole incident.
Chu Mo connected a call to Feng Lin.
In the holographic screen, Feng Lin was wearing a royal blue suit with good spirit. She sincerely apologized to the public, “I should have been the one that performed the operation, but I can’t do it because of unforeseen circumstances. I’m very relieved that Madam Commander can complete the operation in my stead. She has my utmost gratitude.”
Feng Lin was the National Goddess of the Odin Federation. Everyone understood that the operation must be a dangerous one. It was an operation that other gene-repairers could not and dare not do. It’s totally unplanned that the Commander’s wife did it in Feng Lin’s stead.
Everyone was astonished and ultimately accepted Chu Mo’s explanation.
However, an operation at that scale was not something that can be done with just courage and compassion. Madam Commander may be brave and compassionate, but she was too reckless……
The video then changed to the ward. Everyone was familiar with the teenager lying on the hospital bed. It was Zeni, the person under the limelight of the media for the past few days. Due to the strict supervision of the hospital, they were unable to get close to Zeni by any means. Thus, they could only rely on Zeni’s previous photo. This was truly the first time they really saw Zeni.
The young man in the hospital bed opened his eyes. He was still wearing a breathing apparatus and couldn’t speak, but he slowly lifted his hand and raised his thumb, like a soldier successfully returning home from a fatal injury on the battlefield, he made a gesture of victory to everyone.
Chu Mo cut off the video, but let the frame freeze on Zeni’s picture of “thumbs up to indicate his victory”.
Chu Mo resumed, “I know that everyone present has been following this matter attentively and still have doubts. Some people use laws as their consideration, some use the system. But we, as doctors, prioritize life over everything. Zeni will celebrate his 19th birthday, as well as his 29th, 39th, and 49th birthdays. This is what all us doctors strive for.”
Chu Mo finished his words and no longer answered any questions. He turned around and left the press conference.
“Wow! So handsome! So handsome!”
There was crackling applause in the observation room, with pink hearts seeming to float all around.
Luo Lan also applauded, sneaking a glance at Chen Sha from the corner of her eyes.
In their ways of handling things, Chen Sha was sharp and tough, and Chu Mo was his contrast. One was a master at being hard and one was a master at being soft, both could wield their words to reach the outcome they desired.
No wonder Feng Lin fell for Chu Mo. He had the capability, he succeeded in protecting Zeni during the critical period; He had tricks under his sleeves, even Zong Li, who was headstrong, was convinced and was inclined to oblige his words; He had a great mind, a press conference erased all the turbulent winds and waves from before. The main point was, when he did all of this, he did it beautifully, a humble gentleman with an outstanding demeanor. Zi Yan was no worse when it came to tricks and mind. Only, his image was far from positive.
“What is it?” Chen Sha noticed Luo Lan’s peeping and tilted his head to ask.
Luo Lan scanned the surroundings. Everyone was still losing their minds over Chu Mo. She hooked her index finger to Chen Sha.
Chen Sha leaned over and Luo Lan tiptoed. One of her hands was on his shoulder, and the other was near his ear. She closed the distance and whispered in his ear, “You and Chu Mo are a good match.”
Obviously, it was his ears that got gently brushed by the soft breath, but his heart was the one that got itchy. Faced with a strange feeling he had never experienced before, Chen Sha couldn’t resist hiding from it.
As a 3A, every move was as fast as lightning. Luo Lan’s hand on his shoulder lost its support and she lost her balance, plunging straight to the ground.
Chen Sha realized his mistake and was about to help Luo Lan, but Luo Lan had stabilized herself, stepping lightly and twisting around as if she was dancing. She stopped in front of him, rolling her eyes and showing a contemptuous look.
Chen Sha lost his chance and awkwardly stood there, silent.
Luo Lan mumbled under her breath, “Just speak frankly if you find me repugnant. Isn’t it unnecessary to let me trip on purpose in front of everyone.”
————·————·————
Chu Mo dismissed all the reporters. Deeming he could have his peace back, he hummed joyfully as he returned to his office, only to see Luo Lan was waiting outside.
“What’s the matter?”
“Feng Lin did not commit any treason, or, at least, she is not the one who colluded with the Dragon Blood Corps.” Chen Sha had warned her to mind her own business, but there were some things that she really couldn’t ignore, especially because this matter was related to her.
Chu Mo asked with interest, “And, where is the evidence?”
“I have no evidence, but I firmly believe that she will not collude with the Dragon Blood Corps to harm me.” Luo Lan beseechingly looked at Chu Mo. “You must have a way to help Feng Lin. Please, help her!”
Chu Mo laughed, “Feng Lin treats you as a friend regardless of your identity, and it seems, you haven’t failed her. About this matter, you don’t have to worry so much. Someone already helped her. So, I don’t need to do anything.”
Luo Lan sensed Chu Mo’s tone was a bit odd. She hurriedly asked, “Who?”
“Our Chief Justice, Zuo Qiubai, has ordered Zong Li to release Feng Lin on the ground of the lack of evidence. If Zong Li wishes to convict Feng Lin once again, he must find stronger evidence.”
Zuo Qiubai? Feng Lin’s first love and boyfriend?! Luo Lan was amazed. This ex-boyfriend was worthy of applause!
“Then… Why is Feng Lin still in prison?”
Chu Mo smiled helplessly, “Feng Lin herself refused to come out. She demanded Zong Li to kowtow[2] to her as an apology.”
Yi? Goddess Feng Lin herself actually refused to come out of prison… No wonder she was in a good spirit just now! Was abusing Zong Li so refreshing?
Chu Mo added, “If Feng Lin’s work is delayed because of this, this matter will come out sooner or later. If you can help Zong Li to get Feng Lin out of the prison, Zong Li will certainly be indebted to you.”
“Mn,” Luo Lan mulled over it and seriously voiced her answer, “I prefer to watch Zong Li kneel down and apologize.”
Chu Mo sighed and muttered, “This is why no one should offend a woman.”
Luo Lan peeked at Chu Mo and she forgot to brake her words, “If you want to help Zong Li, you can be the one to intercede. Feng Lin always gives you face, after all.”
Chu Mo only smiled.
Luo Lan couldn’t decipher his smile. Was he aware of Feng Lin’s feelings for him? Was he not?
She remedied half-jokingly, “Oh, that’s right. So, truthfully, do you like men? Women? Or perhaps… Both?”
Chu Mo’s smile remained on his face as his fingers swiftly tapped his personal terminal.
Soon, he said to Chen Sha at the other side, “Come here and pick up your wife. She’s overly noisy!”
Footnotes
咦 – yí. Expression of surprise.↵
叩首 – kòushǒu/kòutóu; Kowtow, lit. Knock Head. act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and knocking his head to the floor. Can be used to express profound gratitude, apology, to beg for forgiveness. etc.↵
Amoeba’s Corner
Someone disappeared again without news? Who? Definitely not me.
————·————·————
Dig ah. Continue digging the pit, all of you.
Sneak-a-Peek
From behind, the Consul’s voice came, “Time heals all wounds.”
Luo Lan didn’t look back. She sneered, “Your Excellency has so many unsightly wounds on himself. I hope time can heal your damned wounds!”
Obligatory Closing
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This chapter words count (excluding title, footnotes, and TL’s corner): 2048
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Liar liar pants on fire.
Oh, thank God nothing weird like Zeni suddenly dying happen.