Volume One Chapter 57: I Will Accept Whatever Punishment You Decide
Seeing that Huo Mingting kept a stern face and remained silent, Huo Cong felt uneasy inside.
“Dad,” he looked up and asked, lips pursed, “may I wear this hat?”
Huo Mingting gazed into his son’s clear, dark eyes. His gaze was thoughtful, yet he remained mindful of his son's feelings, afraid to upset him.
He patted his son's head, placed the hat on him, and allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
“Your mother knitted this hat for you. Of course you can wear it.”
He tapped his son's forehead with two fingers. “You look handsome.”
Huo Cong broke into a joyful smile.
—
The following morning, Ye Sheng was preparing for rounds when Secretary Lin from the director’s office approached. “Director Ye, the hospital director would like to see you.”
Ye Sheng asked, “Now? Is it urgent?”
Before Secretary Lin could reply, a doctor behind them suddenly exclaimed. Everyone turned to look.
—Ye Sheng was trending again.
Ye Sheng picked up her phone and saw the trending topic: #Haici Hospital’s beautiful director openly smokes in the VIP ward#, accompanied by several high-definition photos of her sitting in a chair, enveloped in smoke.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
They all knew Ye Sheng had gone to the VIP ward to save a patient and had heard about her smoking, but for such a minor incident to make the trending list seemed exaggerated.
“Wow, our hospital’s name is right there too.”
—
Within the crowd, Qin Minshu suddenly spoke up, “No wonder the director is anxious. Director Ye, maybe you should go right away.”
Ye Sheng glanced at her coolly. Qin Minshu met her gaze, her eyes full of schadenfreude.
Everyone in the hospital now knew the two former classmates were at odds; there was no need to pretend otherwise. With the Qin family and Huo Group backing her, Qin Minshu was fearless—she was a privileged heiress experiencing ordinary life, unafraid of offending leadership.
Ye Sheng handed the phone back to her colleague and asked Secretary Lin, “Is this what the director wants to see me about?”
Secretary Lin nodded. “…Yes.”
“Then I’ll go later. The hospital has its rules. I smoked, so whatever penalty is due, I’ll accept.”
Unfazed, Ye Sheng spoke calmly and headed off to do her rounds. She cared little for such matters; her work was more important.
The trending topic included not only Ye Sheng but also Li Mo.
Li Mo appeared in the background; as clear as Ye Sheng’s face was, his was blurred, yet the resourceful netizens managed to identify him.
Early that morning, Li Mo's social media inbox was flooded.
Li Mo had some internet fame; his delicate looks had landed him roles in several productions since childhood thanks to his mother, making him a semi-celebrity. Even though he wasn’t very active, he had nearly a million followers.
Many people messaged him with concern, asking if something was wrong, if he was ill…
Li Mo stared at Ye Sheng’s profile for a long time.
He had always disliked others smoking; even his parents wouldn't smoke in front of him.
But somehow, Ye Sheng’s way of smoking didn’t make him feel repulsed. Her posture was lazy, yet she exuded a sense of strength.
When she blew smoke while gazing at him, it was as if she’d thrown him over her shoulder like on the training mat.
Bold and refreshing.
—
Li Mo’s throat tightened; he pulled the quilt higher, saved the photo, and muttered, “Who did she offend, to keep trending every day?”
After rounds, Ye Sheng endured a scolding in the director’s office.
She was also officially reprimanded within the hospital.
Regardless of her intentions at the time, her behavior failed to set a proper example and deserved criticism.
She accepted it.
Ironically, the head nurse who had admonished her that day came over to comfort her, appearing more outraged than she was. “I’ll find out who took those photos and posted them online. This is an inside job!”
Ye Sheng smiled and told her not to worry.
Returning to her office, Mia intercepted her at the door, handing over her phone. “Mr. Su is calling.”
Ye Sheng took the call and greeted, “Brother Su.”
Standing at the end of the corridor by the window, she heard Su Xing, the general manager of Huatai Pharmaceuticals in Greater China, say a name.
“You know this person, don’t you?”
Ye Sheng’s lips curved soundlessly, her eyes calm and cold.
“Yes, I do.”