Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

We turned and looked back at Chu Jie running towards us.

"Sis!"

"Chu...Jie…"

"Arf!"

Cocoa seemed really happy to see him again.

Chu Jie looked at me, shocked. "Sis, did you just talk?"

I said, "I will... explain all that…*cough* later, but tell me first. Who...are you talking about?"

"Oh, yes! Sis, I am talking about bro Long Hu! He was trapped with sis Yue, Cocoa, and me."

I blinked my eyes.

Wait, that man who was with them?

Lin Zihao hurriedly asked, "I know him. Xin Zhen brought out all the hostages. That's when I saw him. But how can he help us?"

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind.

Long Hu...Long Hu…I feel like I have heard the name before.

"When we were trapped in that school, bro Long Hu said to us once that he is an ophthalmologist. I heard your conversation just now. You need an eye doctor, right? Bro Hu can help us!"

I widened my eyes.

Wait a minute…

Long Hu! That Long Hu!

"I know him…" I murmured.

Dad asked, "You do?"

I slowly nodded. "I think he is...the same Long Hu... about whom I have...read articles. He is a renowned ophthalmologist and...has treated many... seemingly impossible cases. Everyone in the... medical field knows him. He has excelled beyond...in his specialization."

"But how didn't you recognize him?"

I tried to recall, but I guess I never saw him.

"He never...made many public appearances. There are only articles, not pictures of him."

Chu Jie seemed shocked. "Wow...I didn't know bro Hu is so famous! But that is good news, isn't it? We got the best doctor right here! I just came from his ward. His treatment has just gotten over."

The surgeon gasped. "Oh, my God...I cannot believe that Dr. Long Hu is here! Who doesn't know him? He is an excellent doctor, and Dr. Si, whom I just told you about, treats him as his idol! If he is here, then we don't have to worry about Mr. Bai Li. We should quickly talk to him!"

---

We quickly headed over to his ward.

Long Hu looked at us, surprised. "Hey. Thank God. You are all safe."

I urgently said, "Long Hu. We need your help."

He blinked his eyes. "What's wrong?"

The surgeon came forward.

"You are the famous Long Hu, right? The ophthalmologist?"

He scratched his cheek. "Well, I am not sure about the famous part, but you got the second part right."

He nodded. "That's why we need your expertise." Then he explained the situation.

Long Hu said nothing for a while. He seemed focused and in deep thought.

"I see…"

I said, "Please help with Bai Li's surgery."

He seemed to snap out. "Of course, I will. You didn't need to ask or request me. I would have helped him anyway. It's my job as a doctor."

"But bro Hu's right hand…" Chu Jie worriedly looked at his arm.

That's right.

His right arm was all bandaged because it was dipped in boiling water, and it will take a lot of time to heal.

How can he perform surgery with one hand?

I bit my lip.

"Ah, that is alright," Long Hu said. "I can still do the surgery."

"Huh?"

"Yes. Thankfully, it's my right arm that's hurt. I am a lefty. Plus, my arm is not invalid. I can still move and use it. But I will still need help in assistance during the surgery."

"Really?"

"Of course. But like I said, I will need help."

"I will do it!" I said.

Everybody looked at me, shocked.

"Lei Lei…" Dad said, "I know that you are capable enough to help him, but operating on someone close to you is hard."

I was about to say when Bro cut me off. "It's a different case if a stranger is lying on the bed, but in Bai Li's case…"

I shook my head. "I can do it. If I...can help Bai Li then...I really want to."

I smiled. "I know what you are... worried about. I want to save him. I will...not let myself get weak and be...a hindrance. I will assist Dr. Long."

Long Hu said, "I am fine with it. But before we head to the surgery, can I know how Bai Li lost his sight?"

Su Weiyuan said, "It was five years ago on a mission. He was caught in a bomb blast that hurt his eyes, and after that, he was unable to see anything."

Long Hu's brow slightly raised as if he was contemplating something.

He murmured something which I could faintly hear.

"Then I guess it's a good thing what…"

He must have noticed my shocked expression, to which he said, "Oh no-no. I didn't mean it that way. I guess you will see it yourself during the surgery."

I furrowed my brows.

He said, "Let's go. We must not waste any more time."

---

I changed into the surgeon's uniform and put on my mask and gloves. I stood before the mirror and let out a deep breath.

Bai Li. I promise you will be fine. I will not let anything happen to you.

I slowly entered the OT and saw Long Hu all ready.

My sight fell on Bai Li, and for a moment, I was taken aback.

The scar on his face was nasty. It stretched diagonal from the top of his left temple to his right cheek, and that passed through his eyes.

I felt myself tremble.

'A scrap of metal struck his face, particularly his eyes...'

I recalled what Dad said.

That must have hurt like crazy. Even if it healed, it would definitely leave a scar.

But I quickly wiped the corner of my eyes.

No. No. I cannot fail here. I will not fall weak.

He smiled. "Xin Lei. I am asking once again. You will be fine, right? You cannot lose your calm."

I nodded.

"I am...ready."