Scarred Hearts — A Girls' Love Tale - Chapter 55

The girl glanced at the wardrobe, then carefully tucked the money away inside a pocket on the inner side of her clothes. The doctor could see her movements through the gap in the wardrobe door. The girl seemed to sense the doctor’s gaze and shyly smiled in her direction. The doctor didn’t look directly, but could clearly feel the kindness from her.

The doctor’s heart was still pounding with nervousness. Those people appeared in just a blink.

Sure enough, as soon as the girl turned around, a group of men appeared. One of them called out to the sky a few times, then shouted at the girl, “Stop right there.”

The girl stiffened and nervously looked at them. Kuai Shou (Quick Hand) scolded the man who shouted, “Don’t scare her like that.” Then, trying to sound friendly, she asked, “Did you see a young woman pass by here just now?”

The doctor suddenly tensed, trying hard to control her breathing, not daring to relax even a bit, eyes fixed on the scene outside.

The girl shook her head in confusion and clutched her clothes tightly, looking very nervous. The doctor didn’t hear her speak, which eased her mind a little.

“Who are you trying to fool?” A man slapped the girl hard across the face, and the sound reached the doctor’s ears. The doctor thought, this was a fatal mistake. These people must be ruthless killers who wouldn’t hesitate to use all sorts of methods to get the truth.

Stay calm. Stay calm. The doctor silently repeated, but her palms were sweaty.

“You live right on this corner. How could you not see anyone passing by?” The man said irritably, threateningly raising the gun in his hand. Kuai Shou’s expression turned cold. “No beating around the bush. Tell me, which way did she go?”

The girl’s body trembled as she kept shrinking backward, her eyes darting around. Seeing this, the man raised his leg and kicked the girl hard in the soft belly. The girl cried out in pain and slowly squatted down, letting out soft, sad sobs. The sound was like a curse, clearly reaching the doctor’s ears, and somehow, the doctor felt guilty.

“Speak.” Kuai Shou’s voice softened, “If you tell us, we’ll let you go.” The girl pushed herself on the ground, stepping back repeatedly. The kick to her belly had been strong, causing her to cough violently and spit a mouthful of fresh bl00d onto the floor, spreading like a dark flower. The girl looked stunned, covering her bleeding mouth, hands shaking uncontrollably.

The doctor looked at her with sympathy, feeling a sudden surge of pity and tenderness.

“I…” The girl dry-heaved, “I didn’t see anything.” Kuai Shou shook her head in disappointment. She spoke to the sniper through a radio, “Looks like she really didn’t see.”

The sniper’s voice was low and steady: “Then what should we do? Split up and search?”

“Forget it!” Kuai Shou said roughly, “Who knows where she’s gone by now? We’ve wasted enough time. The Yi family will probably be here soon. Let’s retreat.” Hearing this, the doctor’s heart relaxed a lot. Kuai Shou took two steps forward, then suddenly turned back and said to the sniper still standing there, “Clear anyone who shouldn’t have seen us.”

The doctor’s bl00d ran cold, but she could only cower in the wardrobe, watching silently as a man raised his gun, aimed at the girl sitting on the ground, and pulled the trigger. The girl’s upper body froze mid-air for a few seconds, then collapsed heavily onto the floor.

The doctor didn’t dare move, biting her lip hard, watching the girl fall. She didn’t dare come out immediately, leaving the girl lying there while the spreading bl00d looked shocking.

But soon enough, just as the enemy had said, the Yi family’s people arrived. The doctor pushed open the wardrobe door and staggered to the girl’s side, ignoring how dirty she was, quickly checking her injuries. Luckily, the Yi family’s men had brought enough medical equipment and an ambulance to prevent accidents. The doctor lifted the girl, who felt very light in her arms, requiring little effort.

When Ying Sha woke up, the first thing she saw was the ornate chandelier on the ceiling. The intricate decorations all around showed the wealth of the place’s owner.

Squinting, she turned her head slightly. Various machines were hooked up to her body, making it hard to move. The room was dark, with thick curtains blocking outside light, so she couldn’t tell if it was day or night. The room was empty and silent, except for the beeping machines.

Looks like the plan worked, Ying Sha thought, relieved. This had to be the Yi family’s place. After they saved the Yi family’s young lady’s life, it would be hard for them to kick her out.

The injuries really weren’t in vain. Ying Sha was still wearing a nasal oxygen tube, and her wounds were serious. One small mistake in handling the sniper’s shot would have meant the end for her.

She closed her eyes, feeling exhausted, with no energy left to observe the surroundings.

Faintly, she sensed the door opening and someone walking over. Still with eyes closed, she pretended to be asleep. The person gently lifted the covers off her, and Ying Sha blushed immediately. Her gunshot wound was in her chest; it had been bandaged but left uncovered for air, so this exposure felt embarrassing.

The room’s temperature was just right, so she wasn’t cold. She peeked open one eye slightly and saw the doctor standing by her bed, holding a medical cart.

The doctor’s slightly cold fingers brushed over her skin, sending a shock through Ying Sha’s body. Goosebumps rose. She wanted to tremble but knew she couldn’t keep pretending asleep anymore. So, she lightly moved, acting like she just woke up.

When the doctor stopped, carefully looking at her, Ying Sha slowly opened her eyes and forced a faint smile.

The doctor smiled gently back without saying much. “You’re awake?” she said softly, then carefully helped Ying Sha sit up and changed her dressings and bandages.

Ying Sha had to admit, the doctor’s soft touch made her shiver again. Could it be she liked her? The thought popped into her head and felt very dangerous. No, that was absurd. Getting emotional — especially for a target — was a big no.

Ying Sha steadied herself. The anesthesia was still working, so she didn’t feel much pain. The doctor cleaned and dressed her wounds while chatting.

“What’s your name?” the doctor casually asked.

Ying Sha shook her head. “My parents died when I was born. No one named me.”

The doctor paused, then quietly said, “I’m sorry.”

Ying Sha smiled weakly. “It’s okay. It’s all in the past.”

“You didn’t have a good life,” the doctor sighed.

“Oh right,” Ying Sha tried to stop the heavy topic, “People on the street call me Xiao Xi.”

The doctor smiled, “That’s an easy name.”

“Yeah.” It’s easy. Just something said on a whim. Ying Sha thought sadly. She actually believed it.

“You have a lot of injuries,” the doctor hesitated but said it anyway. How could an ordinary street kid have so many scars?

Ying Sha lowered her head, her voice calm. “When I was little, my parents were killed. I almost died too. But I’m tough—heaven won’t take me.”

She smiled bitterly, half joking.

“Don’t get me wrong. I mean no offense,” the doctor quickly explained.

“I know,” Ying Sha replied softly. “Later, you know what? A family took me in. They treated me well. But when I was fourteen, they got involved in a gang fight and were killed right in front of me. They wanted to kill me too, but I survived.”

Her voice grew low, filled with deep sorrow. “Someone like me, cursed, destined to be alone. Why should I drag others down? If I die this time, at least it’s clean. No more pain or guilt.”

“That’s not your fault,” the doctor said firmly. “You saved me. You’re not cursed.”

“Yeah. I saved you.” Ying Sha nodded, then muttered as if to herself, “I saved you, but I can’t save myself.”

The doctor was silent. Ying Sha suddenly snapped back to reality. Her words, mixed with lies and truth, only she really understood.

After a long pause, Ying Sha broke the silence, looking at the doctor who was now sitting beside her bed and said, “I don’t belong here. When I get better, please let me leave.”

“Leave?” The doctor was surprised. “Go back to that garbage heap?” Then realizing her mistake, she awkwardly smoothed her hair. “Sorry, I mean, why would you want to go back there?”

“Where else would I go?” Ying Sha smiled bitterly. “You want me to live in your home forever?”

The doctor seemed suddenly enlightened and nodded, “That would be fine.”

“Would your family be okay with it? Feeding me for nothing. Even if I saved you, they wouldn’t keep a useless person forever. Besides, you gave me money before I saved you.”

Ying Sha seemed uninterested and took a step back, testing how much the doctor cared about her.