Chapter 11: Complicated Substitute

Translator: Tim; Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

Su Mei likely believed that inviting Ye Mo to dinner absolved her of any obligation; he would be the one indebted to her. Ye Mo disliked such self-centered girls.

“So, you're inviting me to dinner because you feel you owe me?” Ye Mo asked flatly.

“Yes, exactly!” Su Mei was relieved by his understanding.

“How much are you willing to spend?” Ye Mo’s question momentarily flustered Su Mei.

“Um… I was thinking of Ju Wei restaurant; it should cost around $300…” She reacted, though unsure of his motives.

“Do you have $200 cash?” Ye Mo remained expressionless.

Su Mei scoffed inwardly. He's playing cool, but just wants to borrow money! Those flowers were for someone else. He’s acting like this because I took his flowers. She debated whether to still invite him after the loan, not expecting repayment.

“A $300 meal, and I’ll eat about two-thirds, or $200 – the amount you’re giving me. That means you’ve already paid for dinner. We're even. Don't bother me again!” Ye Mo took the money and left.

“You…” Su Mei finally grasped the situation. She was furious. “Who does he think he is?! A pathetic man acting superior! Has he forgotten he’s impotent?!”

Ye Mo was surprised he hadn’t been followed after eating at school. He doubted Zheng Wenqiao would let it go: “He’s certainly patient.”

Returning to his residence, he found a worried Xu Wei pacing outside his room. “Xu Wei, what’s wrong? You look frantic.”

“Ye Mo, you’re back! I need your help! Something urgent came up, but I promised to cover Zhou Yun’s night shift.” Relief washed over Xu Wei.

“What can I do?” Ye Mo asked.

“I was supposed to cover for Zhou Yun, but now I can’t. Could you take my shift? It’s just a few hours, finishing at midnight,” Xu Wei pleaded.

Ye Mo was speechless. “I’m unemployed, and you want me to take your hospital shift? Are you feverish?”

“You know some medicine, right? Even if you don’t, it’s easy. My night job is mostly taking patients’ temperatures. Give them thermometers, they take their own readings, you record them, and add them to the waiting list if needed. I’ll call Xiao Wu; she’ll teach you. It takes minutes,” Xu Wei said hopefully.

Ye Mo, having a favorable impression of Xu Wei from a previous dinner, agreed. “I’ll help, but what if a manager finds out?”

“Don’t worry; managers don’t go to reception at night. Even if they check, it’s usually the specialized wards. Plus, you’ll wear a mask; no one will know,” Xu Wei assured him.

Ye Mo thought, Of course I wouldn't worry; I wouldn’t be the one punished.

Xu Wei gave Ye Mo her ID card and rushed off, clearly in a bind. Just in case, Ye Mo took his small medical kit – unused until now.

As planned, Xiao Wu greeted Ye Mo at Li Kang Hospital reception. “You’re Ye Mo. Wear this gown. It’s easy; here’s the record book and thermometers. I’ll handle the rest.”

The job was indeed simple, with few night patients. Xiao Wu could likely have managed alone.

“We were worried about a sudden rush; I couldn’t handle it alone. Complaints are serious, especially with Zhou Yun still on probation. It’s mostly children with colds or fevers at night,” Xiao Wu explained, seeing Ye Mo’s confusion.

Ye Mo understood: they needed him to avoid complaints from patients about understaffing; otherwise, someone would face severe consequences.

Xiao Wu, a friendly girl with dimples, was right. After 6 pm, patients increased, mostly children with colds or fevers. Xiao Wu alone would have struggled.

Around 11 pm, things calmed down. Xiao Wu said, “I’m grabbing something to eat; night shift is long. Want anything?”

Ye Mo declined. While Xiao Wu was out, he went to the restroom with his medical bag, knowing its value and the constant traffic in reception.

A middle-aged doctor stopped Ye Mo exiting the restroom. “Come with me; I need help.”

Ye Mo hesitated, but fearing repercussions if his cover was blown, complied. The doctor took him to the emergency ward. “What ward are you from?”

Ye Mo, fearing exposure, started to explain when the doctor’s phone rang. He argued fiercely, eventually shouting, “Then get a divorce, you shameless…”

He then left without another word to Ye Mo, abandoning his shift. Ye Mo was astonished by the doctor's unprofessional conduct. As he stood there, a nurse and young woman rushed in with a frail elderly man.

“Who are you? Where’s Doctor Cui?” The nurse, noticing Ye Mo wasn’t Doctor Cui, was concerned.

“He left. I’m covering for someone…” Before Ye Mo could finish, the nurse interrupted.

“Examine him quickly! He’s in terrible pain, can barely speak…” The nurse helped the elderly man onto a bed.