Lauren Shaw arrived at the hospital alone, and to her surprise, Yancy Shaw was there too.
Dr. Qiu hadn’t expected that both times Yancy Shaw came to the breast department, it was because of a woman.
Yancy Shaw had an impressive reputation in the hospital—doctors from every department showed him respect. After all, you never knew when you might need Dr. Shen’s help. Geniuses like him didn’t come around often—it never hurt to build a little goodwill.
“Dr. Shen?” Lauren Shaw looked at him, startled.
He wasn’t wearing a white coat today, but a black trench coat—somehow even more composed and serious than in his usual lab coat.
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help thinking this man was a natural clothes horse; everything looked good on him.
Yancy Shaw wouldn’t tell her that he was actually off today, but after hearing about her surgery yesterday, he came early to be there for her.
He nodded. “Mm, I had some things to deal with.”
Dr. Qiu: “……”
It seems Dr. Shen is still chasing after this girl. These days, it’s not often you get to watch a handsome man and a beautiful woman fall in love. Dr. Qiu was reminded of her own romance back in the day.
“Where’s your family? Why did you come alone?” Dr. Qiu asked.
Lauren Shaw’s expression stiffened. “I didn’t tell my family.”
“Then Dr. Shen, please look after her for a bit. It’s always good to have someone by your side during times like this,” Dr. Qiu said meaningfully, glancing at Yancy Shaw.
Lauren Shaw glanced at Yancy Shaw at the same moment he looked at her. Their eyes met and she felt a sudden spark, her face burning.
After the surgery, Lauren Shaw returned to her hospital room, Yancy Shaw steadying her and helping her lie down.
“Why didn’t you tell your family about this?” Yancy Shaw asked quietly, eyes downcast.
“A lot has been happening lately. I didn’t want them to worry,” Lauren Shaw said. She felt this was something she could handle on her own.
Yancy Shaw didn't say more. Watching her stubborn expression, he couldn't help but smile. She really hadn’t changed.
A nurse came in to change her IV. Giving Lauren Shaw a look, then an equally meaningful one to Yancy Shaw, her tone playful.
“Dr. Shen is so considerate to his girlfriend.”
The nurse’s words left Lauren Shaw awkward and flustered. “Actually, I…”
“Let me do it,” Yancy Shaw interrupted, getting up to handle the IV change himself.
The nurse realized she was now playing third wheel. She gave the two a meaningful glance before heading out to gossip with her colleagues.
“Did you see the way Dr. Shen looked at that young lady? He couldn't take his eyes off her.”
“I've never seen Dr. Shen so attentive to anyone before! Clearly, he's fallen for her. I really envy that girl.”
“Aren’t you all supposed to be working? What are you gossiping about?” Mona Lane snapped, coming over with a scowl.
The group fell silent immediately.
Mona Lane glanced at Lauren Shaw’s room. She’d overheard their earlier chat—‘Dr. Shen has fallen for someone’? Just a tiny rumor, and they could spin so much gossip. Truly idle.
But as soon as Mona Lane left, the group started chattering again.
“She’s just jealous, you know. Everyone in the hospital knows she has a thing for Dr. Shen. She lords it over people just because she’s the director’s daughter.”
“Right? I bet you a milk tea, Dr. Shen would never like her.”
“Count me in. Dr. Shen isn’t the type to stoop to power plays.”
****
Lauren Shaw was drifting to sleep on her hospital bed.
Yancy Shaw sat quietly nearby, the only sound in the room their steady breathing.
When Lauren Shaw woke, Yancy Shaw was gone. She sat up, noticing several missed calls from Claire Xu.
She threw back the covers and got out of bed.
Just then, Yancy Shaw returned. Seeing she was up, he immediately went over to steady her. “If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll help you.”
Lauren Shaw felt moved. Even a near-stranger had treated her better than Yvonne Sung. Thinking of Yvonne Sung filled her with disgust—he always put on a façade of decency, but deep down, he was rotten.
“I just need to use the bathroom,” Lauren Shaw said, a little embarrassed. Her surgery was on her upper body; her legs were fine—she wasn’t as fragile as everyone seemed to think.
Even knowing how strong she was, Yancy Shaw still supported her to the bathroom. Before leaving, he gently reassured her, “I’ll be right outside. Call for me if you need anything.”
Lauren Shaw nodded, looking at him gratefully.
Thinking about it, she and Yancy Shaw had only met a few times, but it seemed every time he saw her at her most vulnerable.
Climbing back into bed, Lauren Shaw called Claire Xu. The phone rang just once before it was answered.
“Babe, where are you?” Claire Xu’s voice made it obvious she was back.
Lauren Shaw explained she was at the hospital. Half an hour later, Claire Xu burst into the room.
“That shameless jerk, Yvonne Sung—I already went to his company and gave him a piece of my mind,” Claire Xu said indignantly.
As soon as she got off the plane, Claire Xu heard what happened to Lauren Shaw and stormed into Yvonne Sung’s office, making a scene and threatening to expose his misdeeds unless he publicly apologized.
Yvonne Sung feared Claire Xu. He wasn’t worried about Lauren Shaw—he knew she loved him, was soft-hearted, and wouldn’t really fall out with him. At worst, a few sweet words and things would return to normal after this blew over.
But it was different with Claire Xu. She’d hate him without hesitation.
Claire Xu sighed. “If Hugo Pierce hadn’t told me, were you planning to keep this from me?”
“No, I just hadn’t figured out how to bring it up with you.” So many things had happened all at once. Lauren Shaw wanted to get through the surgery first, then deal with the rest. Nothing was more important than her own health.
She knew exactly where this mess started. Let the other party feel smug for a little while—soon enough, she’d let her taste the bitterness of being gossiped about.
Suddenly, Claire Xu’s eyes lit up. “By the way, when I got here, I saw a really handsome guy sitting outside your room—tall, great jawline, even better-looking than any model I’ve seen.”
Hearing that, Lauren Shaw immediately guessed Claire Xu must have seen Yancy Shaw.
“You know him?” Claire Xu, her best friend of over ten years, could read her cues instantly.
Lauren Shaw nodded. “That’s Dr. Shen. He’s a doctor here, and he’s the one who took care of me during my surgery.”
Claire Xu’s eyes widened as if she’d made a groundbreaking discovery. “Girl, how could you not tell me about something this huge? Be honest—don’t make me interrogate you.”
“Honestly, there’s nothing to misunderstand—I’ve only met Dr. Shen a few times.”
But Claire Xu gave her a dubious look, obviously unconvinced. What man would go to all this trouble for someone he’d only met a handful of times? Especially staying with her through surgery!
Seeing her disbelief, Lauren Shaw explained how she had met Yancy Shaw.
After hearing the full story, Claire Xu nodded. “Sounds like Dr. Shen is a pretty good guy.”