Chapter 7 — From now on, mountains and rivers do not match each other

“It's no coincidence,” he admitted, “I followed you here.”

I frowned.

“Don't misunderstand,” he said immediately, “I just wanted to see what you normally do.”

“See now?” I picked up the stack of books I had chosen, "Can you let me browse the bookstore in peace?"

“Vu Vi,” he stopped me, “Can we… talk like normal people?”

“We are not normal people.” I looked at him, "You are the Chairman of Luc Thi Group, I am a medical doctor at an Oriental medicine clinic. It's one world, one world, why do we have to force ourselves to find an intersection?"

“What if I say,” he lowered his voice, “I want to get to know this ‘abyss’ world of yours?”

This was said somewhat jokingly, I started to feel annoyed.

"Luc Tram Chu, do you know that your statement is very offensive to others?"

He froze.

"My world may be ordinary, but it is absolutely not lowly. I have my patients, my students, my life - these things may be 'abyss' in your eyes, but for me, it is a real, passionate life."

“I didn't mean that…”

“No matter what you mean,” I walked around him, “Please stay away from my world.”

When paying, Lam Nguyet ran to hold my hand.

“Sister, who is this uncle?” The girl whispered and asked.

Luc Tram Chu looked at Lam Nguyet, his eyes softened a bit: "Are you Vu Vi's sister?"

"I'm her student's younger sister." Lam Nguyet puffed out her chest, "She is my family member and my brother."

“Family member…” Luc Tram Chu repeated this word, his eyes complicated.

When he walked out of the bookstore, he was still standing at the door.

“Vu Vi,” he said, “I will not give up.”

I didn't turn back. But I understand clearly in my heart that there are some things that cannot be avoided anymore.

—

Late at night a few days later, I was awakened by a loud knock on the door. Opening the door, Lam Da was soaked, carrying a comatose man on his lap.

"Miss Vu Vi! Save people quickly!"

I helped that person into the clinic. When I saw his face clearly, I was shocked. It's Luc Tram Chu. His face was pale, his lips were purple, and on his chest was a patch of dark red blood.

“Why is this?”

“I saw his car parked at the beginning of the alley. When I got closer, I realized he had been hit!” Lam Da's voice trembled, "I don't dare take him to the hospital, I'm afraid there will be danger..."

“Hit the bullet?!” My scalp was numb.

Cut open the shirt, in the left chest near the heart there is a bullet hole, blood is still leaking out. But fortunately the bullet missed half an inch and missed the heart.

“Prepare surgical tools,” I took a deep breath, “Also Ma Phi Tan (anesthesia), hemostatic powder, and sewing needles.”

Lam Da quickly finished preparing. There was no lamp to cast shadows, so I had to use the brightest table lamp. Without an anesthesiologist, I had to rely on Ma Phi Tan and my acupuncture technique. This was the most difficult surgery I have ever performed. If the bullet is stuck between the ribs, moving even a little can cause massive bleeding. Sweat soaked my clothes, but my hands were still as steady as stone. Two hours later, the bullet was removed and the wound was stitched. Luc Tram Chu's breathing has stabilized and his pulse is a little stronger. I collapsed on the chair, my whole body was limp.

"Why did he get hit..." Lam Da's face turned white, "Ms. Vu Vi, Have we gotten ourselves into trouble?”

I looked at Luc Tram Chu who was in a coma. This face once captivated me, and also broke my heart. Now pale and weak, life and death hang by a thread.

“Wait until he wakes up and then ask him clearly.” I said tiredly, "Don't tell anyone about tonight, not even Nguyet Nguyet."

We took Luc Tram Chu to lie down in the Western living room. Lam Da stayed up for the first half of the night, I stayed up for the second half of the night. At three o'clock in the morning, when I changed his medicine, he woke up.