From the chest of this body holding her, Yu Tian could feel the regular vibrations when Yan Ming spoke, feel the warmth transmitted from this man’s body, and also feel a courage and strength of fighting side by side.

“Yu Tian couldn’t possibly be your mistress. She doesn’t have time to waste on your good husband Zheng Tingfu. On those nights you accused of hotel visits in your flyer, Yu Tian was with me.”

Zhao Xinxin recovered from her brief panic. She sized up Yan Ming and quickly sneered: “You? What can you prove? Who are you to her? Lying like this to defend her…”

Who was Yan Ming to herself? Yu Tian couldn’t answer either. Brother? It didn’t seem right, but anything else was even less so.

That Yan Ming was willing to step forward in this situation was already moving enough for Yu Tian.

In today’s society, beating up mistresses seems like a kind of political correctness. Sometimes it didn’t even require any concrete evidence—just a legitimate wife’s image of being a devastated, weak victim was enough to launch private punishment against another woman and stigmatize her.

Unless they were close family or friends, no one wanted to get involved in such disgusting affairs.

As a doctor at the First Affiliated Hospital, Yan Ming wasn’t like a passerby without a psychological burden. The moment he stepped forward, familiar medical staff were already looking his way.

Who would want various messy rumors in their workplace?

Yu Tian instinctively wanted to help Yan Ming clear himself of all this. She almost urgently said: “This is my brother…”

In the earlier chaos, Yu Tian’s phone had also been knocked to the ground by Zhao Xinxin’s group. While trying to clarify, she lifted the white coat Yan Ming had draped over her, planning to pick up her phone and call the police.

But before she could finish speaking, she heard Yan Ming interrupt her first—

“I’m Yu Tian’s boyfriend. I don’t need to lie.”

Yan Ming’s lips were flat, his expression stern, his eyes deep, carrying some pressure and an unapproachable quality.

Boyfriend?

Yu Tian’s heart began racing rapidly.

Because of his exceptionally striking appearance, Yan Ming’s entry into the battle obviously triggered more enthusiastic onlooking from passersby. Besides that, there were also his colleagues passing by who looked over in surprise when they heard this statement.

Yan Ming said she was his girlfriend.

Strangely, all the helplessness, anger, and grievance in Yu Tian’s heart seemed to vanish instantly.

Only chaotic heartbeats and overwhelming emotions with nowhere to settle remained.

“She’s been with me these past few nights, especially during the hotel times in your chat records. My own girlfriend’s time—do you have more authority than I to point fingers?”

Yan Ming’s voice was cold and steady. Zhao Xinxin looked completely deranged, but he showed no retreat whatsoever.

“You’re now making trouble at the hospital. First, this involves disturbing public order, affecting patients who need medical care. Blocking people in the lobby might delay emergency patients if you block their path.”

“Second is the personal attacks and slanderous defamation against my girlfriend. I’ve had my colleagues record this and will sue. We won’t tolerate you, and if anyone filmed and uploads videos, we’ll pursue additional lawsuits.”

It was then that Yu Tian finally managed to suppress her emotions, got her phone, and called the police.

Compared to the fury and rage on Zhao Xinxin’s face, Yan Ming’s expression remained calm throughout. However, his composure seemed especially precious in this chaos. Yu Tian felt like a small boat battered by storm waves that had finally found a precious safe harbor.

His words not only deterred the instigator Zhao Xinxin and her group, but also deterred the onlooking crowd.

Anyone who uploaded and spread videos of Yu Tian being beaten and scolded—his attitude was clear—he would pursue legal action for all of them.

No matter when, Yan Ming could always think so thoroughly and meticulously.

Throughout, Yan Ming’s hand never left Yu Tian’s hand. He protected her behind him, as if afraid she might suffer even the slightest harm.

But Zhao Xinxin was caught in an obsession. She couldn’t listen to Yan Ming’s words at all, quickly targeting his weakness. She stared fixedly at the white coat on Yan Ming: “You’re a doctor at this hospital?”

After confirming this, Zhao Xinxin began becoming hysterical again: “This doctor just hit someone! The doctor hit a pregnant woman! A doctor from the First Affiliated Hospital hit a pregnant woman! Everyone, help me judge this!”

Yu Tian’s heart beat wildly—nervous yet fluttering, fearful yet worried. She didn’t know what she might bring to Yan Ming, didn’t know what would happen between herself and Yan Ming.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Because Yan Ming was here, because Yan Ming was always calm.

But soon, Yu Tian realized that Yan Ming wasn’t as calm as he appeared either.

“First, I didn’t hit you. I only stopped your violence, which is lawful self-defense. Second, if you dare touch her again or spread one more word of slander, I can’t guarantee I won’t hit you.”

Zhao Xinxin seized the opening: “Look! This doctor is threatening to hit me!”

Yan Ming stared at Zhao Xinxin, saying word by word: “Doctors absolutely cannot hit people, not even the most outrageous psychiatric patients. But before becoming a doctor, I’m Yu Tian’s man first.”

His voice was stern: “If I can’t even protect my girlfriend, what’s the point of being a doctor protecting patients?”

“Your precious boyfriend Zheng Tingfu chose to abandon Yu Tian during the medical dispute, leaving her alone to protect the patients he should have protected, letting Yu Tian’s hand get injured and forever lose the chance to become an excellent surgeon. But I will never abandon Yu Tian under any circumstances, will never let her suffer such humiliation and harm. This is how I differ from Zheng Tingfu.”

Yan Ming said this while looking at Yu Tian, his voice becoming gentle and soft: “Yu Tian, do you mind?”

He didn’t say more, but Yu Tian knew what he meant.

She shook her head: “I don’t mind.”

Yan Ming said nothing more. He smoothly raised Yu Tian’s right hand that he was holding: “This is the hand that protected a patient, injured by violent troublemakers. Yu Tian never used this to pester Zheng Tingfu, never even sought compensation or demanded he take responsibility.”

“My girlfriend graduated from Rong City’s best medical school, is my schoolmate, had excellent grades, and aspired to become a surgical doctor. But because of her injury, she lost the chance to become an excellent surgeon. Five years of medical undergraduate study, so much effort and dedication, all went down the drain. But she never felt sorry for herself, much less would she pester the person who abandoned her and caused her injury.”

“After all, who would cling to scum after seeing their true face?”

“Yu Tian hadn’t met me before, but now she has me. She won’t and couldn’t possibly look at your good husband Zheng Tingfu again. Don’t slander Yu Tian just because a flirtatious WeChat ID contains ‘fish’—this is already ridiculous victim-blaming.”

These words made Zhao Xinxin’s face even more twisted, but faced with Yan Ming’s speech, she really couldn’t say much else.

The public opinion that had originally supported her because of her vulnerable status as a pregnant legitimate wife instantly turned to Yan Ming and Yu Tian’s side.

Yan Ming was too handsome and was a doctor—such a respectable profession. Anyone watching would think having such a boyfriend would be cause for secret joy—how could there be any thought of cheating?

The truth about Yu Tian’s hand injury made the onlooking crowd discuss among themselves—

“The poor girl, did you see that hand? It looks like it was completely severed initially. This girl is studying medicine too. Medical school admission scores are so high, the program takes so long, and the coursework is so difficult. For an ordinary family to support a doctor is not easy. Such a shame…”

“So it was that the pregnant woman’s husband caused it. That man is not a decent person.”

“Think about it—who would want a man who abandons you and runs for his life at dangerous moments? This girl’s boyfriend is more handsome and gives more sense of security!”

Seeing public opinion turn, Zhao Xinxin’s face couldn’t hold up for a moment. But with developments reaching this point, she still didn’t believe it—didn’t believe this mistress wasn’t Yu Tian.

After all, if not her, then who?

Zhao Xinxin had originally brought this large stack of flyers, rushing into the First Affiliated Hospital on impulse.

Zheng Tingfu avoided seeing her and unilaterally blocked all her contact methods. Zhao Xinxin changed phone numbers several times to send him threats, trying to pressure and coerce him into continuing their marriage and taking responsibility. But all messages seemed to sink into the ocean.

With no other option, Zhao Xinxin thought of blocking him at the hospital where he worked. If he didn’t see her, she’d make a big scene, see his leaders, and have his leaders pressure him to return to the right path.

But Zheng Tingfu didn’t come out to deal with it. Instead, she unexpectedly learned Yu Tian was actually at the hospital, which further convinced Zhao Xinxin of her judgment—that the mistress was indeed Yu Tian! Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? What were the odds of running into her at the hospital?

Unable to find Zheng Tingfu, the grievance and helplessness, the anger and unwillingness from betrayal made Zhao Xinxin decide to grab Yu Tian and vent thoroughly.

But now everyone said she wasn’t the mistress?

Zhao Xinxin didn’t want to think deeply. She’d rather believe this mistress was Yu Tian. After all, Yu Tian had indeed been injured because of Zheng Tingfu. Zheng Tingfu felt some guilt or other emotions, which she exploited to climb up—this was barely acceptable to her.

She didn’t believe Zheng Tingfu could meet some other new woman and cheat so easily…

Stop thinking about it.

Zhao Xinxin decided to go down this path to the end.

She stared at Yu Tian with red eyes: “It’s her. I won’t be wrong!”

Zhao Xinxin argued: “Tingfu was scared at the time and ran to call the police. Because he’s too kind-hearted, he’s always felt guilty about this and wanted to compensate her. She tasted the sweetness of getting money from Tingfu, asking him for money every few days, making Tingfu have no money to buy things for me and our unborn child…”

Yu Tian gradually recovered from her initial shock and panic. Yan Ming gave her the strength to calm down. She rubbed her temples, unable to listen to Zhao Xinxin’s nonsense anymore: “I’ve never used a penny from your good boyfriend. He did borrow a few yuan from me once when he took the bus without his card or cash, which he still hasn’t returned. I hope he hurries up and pays me back. My money doesn’t come from thin air. Thinking about a few yuan wasted on such a person makes me sick.”

“As for whether your boyfriend is kind-hearted, I don’t know. But he’s good at running. When the troublemakers came that day, he was like a sprinter—no hesitation at all. In a blink, leaving only a gust of wind, the person was gone. His surgical skills are pretty mediocre, though. I suggest he quit being a doctor and become a professional runner instead.”

“So you see, I got nothing good from your boyfriend except losing a few yuan and ending up with this disabled hand. Your boyfriend never even mentioned sharing even one penny of my surgery costs out of humanitarian concern. This kind of man, I, Yu Tian, look down on him completely. Didn’t before, don’t now, and will never in the future.”

“This kind of man isn’t my ex-boyfriend, isn’t my ambiguous partner, doesn’t even deserve to be my friend. I couldn’t possibly want to develop anything with him. So rein in your projection—stop thinking everyone considers him some hot commodity worth fighting over.”

After Yu Tian finished, Yan Ming almost immediately responded. He nodded, his tone quite approving: “Indeed, dung beetles like rolling dung balls and always think others want to steal their dung balls, forgetting not everyone is a dung beetle.”

If she hadn’t experienced it herself, Yu Tian would find it hard to imagine Yan Ming could speak so harshly.

But at this moment, she still couldn’t help almost laugh inappropriately.

Right—who would want Zheng Tingfu, such a dung ball?

Yu Tian gripped the flyers that Zhao Xinxin’s group had thrown at her earlier: “You came to the hospital and distributed all these flyers without posting your boyfriend’s photo, but put out my photo and personal information. That’s fine though—now these flyers are evidence. Black and white on paper. I’ll have a lawyer secure the evidence, notarize what needs notarizing. You go home and wait for the court summons.”

Zhao Xinxin still wanted to persist in pestering, but it was at this moment that her “dung ball” arrived belatedly.

Zheng Tingfu, looking like he was here to scold someone, had just come from the operating room. Hearing the news, he rushed over and roughly grabbed Zhao Xinxin from behind without any pity: “Are you crazy?! What are you doing? Making a spectacle of yourself in front of so many people!”

Seeing Zheng Tingfu, Zhao Xinxin’s eyes immediately filled with tears: “Honey…”

Unfortunately, Zheng Tingfu avoided her like a snake or scorpion: “Who’s your honey? We never registered for marriage. Half a month ago, I made it clear to you—we broke up!”

Zhao Xinxin touched her belly: “But our child…”

Zheng Tingfu’s expression could be described as gnashing teeth: “I told you to abort the child long ago! Zhao Xinxin, this child is something you schemed for. I said long ago there’s no possibility between us! Your temper is too bad! Everything has to go your way! I’ve been fed up with you for ages!”

Zhao Xinxin’s eyes reddened. Even at this point, she surprisingly hadn’t given up on Zheng Tingfu: “But you used to say you’d love me forever. When I had tantrums before, you coaxed me and said you loved my little temper. Your job was also thanks to my dad…”

“Don’t bring up those irrelevant things. Get out of here and stop embarrassing yourself! There’s no cheating between us. I started dating a new girlfriend, normally after breaking up with you.”

Zheng Tingfu glanced at Yu Tian, then uncomfortably looked away: “It has nothing to do with Yu Tian either.”

Zhao Xinxin instantly transformed from a cheated-on legitimate wife to a clingy, haunting ex-girlfriend. Now, let alone empathy, most people withdrew even their original sympathy.

Unfortunately, the more he said it wasn’t Yu Tian, the more Zhao Xinxin believed it was: “You’re still protecting this bitch even now?!”

When Zheng Tingfu spoke, he didn’t dare look at Yu Tian and Yan Ming much. But he didn’t give Zhao Xinxin more time either, directly dragging her roughly out of the hospital, obviously planning to communicate and resolve things privately between them.

It was then that, after Yu Tian called the police, officers arrived on the scene. They took Zheng Tingfu and Zhao Xinxin aside, requiring them to communicate, and arranged with Yu Tian to give a statement later.

Without Zhao Xinxin, her girlfriends also scattered into the crowd. The hospital lobby restored its calm and order.

Yan Ming checked his watch: “I have something to do in a bit, so I’ll go first. We’ll contact by phone later and have lunch together. I just messaged Qi Sihao to come to accompany you soon.”

He said this, but his hand holding Yu Tian’s didn’t let go.

The hospital had restored calm, but Yu Tian’s heart still beat chaotically. She didn’t dare look directly into Yan Ming’s eyes.

After a moment, Yu Tian surrendered first. She looked at the ground and coughed: “Then let go and go handle your business.”

But Yan Ming didn’t let go: “You seem eager for me to leave.”

This man stated calmly, “When you were scared just now, you held me so tightly. Now that you don’t need me, you tell me to hurry up and let go.”

“…” Yu Tian didn’t know what to say.

“Alright, don’t be afraid anymore.” Yan Ming somewhat awkwardly patted Yu Tian’s head. “Be good. I’ll be at the hospital all day today. Call me directly if anything happens. I’m here.”

After he finished speaking, his phone rang.

Yan Ming wasn’t doing an outpatient clinic today, nor did he have surgeries scheduled. Instead, he had some research meetings. He looked at Yu Tian again, confirming Qi Sihao would arrive soon, then walked away while answering his phone.

Not long after Yan Ming left, Qi Sihao indeed quickly came running over, looking hurried and worried.

He was out of breath from running: “I was stuck at the clinic giving eye pressure tests to several patients and couldn’t get away. I heard Zhao Xinxin came to make trouble. Are you okay, Xiao Yu?”

Yu Tian waved her hand: “I’m fine.”

It was now lunch break, so Qi Sihao enthusiastically invited Yu Tian to go to the cafeteria for a meal to calm her nerves.

“I, I’m waiting for Yan Ming…”

“I’ll send him a message, we’ll meet at the cafeteria later. Let’s go grab seats first!”

Qi Sihao didn’t take no for an answer and pulled Yu Tian along.

As someone well-informed, he had obviously collected and integrated information rapidly in a short time and was already clear on the inside story. Once seated, he started gossiping with Yu Tian.

“I saw in our small group chat that Zhao Xinxin is completely crazy now. Wasn’t Zheng Tingfu transferred to the First Affiliated Hospital through her dad’s connections? Zhao Xinxin had her dad arrange everything for him. They were originally planning a wedding in six months, but not long ago, Zhao Xinxin’s dad got in trouble and was suspended for investigation. Zheng Tingfu is disgusting enough—he immediately started postponing the wedding and preparations, obviously not wanting to marry.”

“Later, he probably hooked up with someone new, finding a backup while still with her, then quickly broke up with Zhao Xinxin. How could Zhao Xinxin agree to break up? She pestered him for a while, then discovered she was pregnant and definitely couldn’t let go.”

“Her family is in chaos now, and she’s pregnant with Zheng Tingfu’s child. She’s treating Zheng Tingfu as her future lifeline and long-term meal ticket.”

While talking, Qi Sihao looked at his phone and immediately widened his eyes: “Speaking of the devil—Zheng Tingfu’s new girlfriend is a little rich girl. She just heard about Zhao Xinxin making a scene at the hospital, quickly drove her sports car over, and my friend says she just cornered Zhao Xinxin at the hospital entrance, cursing her for being the mistress and pulling her hair in a fight.”

Qi Sihao shook his head with lingering fear: “Evil people need evil people to deal with them. Everyone gets the pot they deserve.”

“Too bad I came late, otherwise I would have helped you point and curse at Zhao Xinxin. It’s ridiculous. Being around me every day and seeing someone of my caliber, who would look at someone like Zheng Tingfu!”

“But.” Qi Sihao’s eyes turned as he looked at Yu Tian curiously, “I just heard from an old lady who came to watch that although you were at a disadvantage, once your boyfriend arrived, the situation immediately reversed.”

He looked at Yu Tian expressionlessly: “So where did this boyfriend come from? When did you get a boyfriend?”

“Did you meet him at the rotating doctors’ gathering? You established a relationship so quickly?” Qi Sihao seemed very confident in his guess. “It must be! I heard the old lady say he’s a doctor! Among the rotating doctors from our hospital who attended that gathering, is it Du Yilin? Or Zhang Tianhou?”

“Both seem very possible. Du Yilin asked me for your contact info long ago, hinting that I to help set you up. Zhang Tianhou has complimented your looks to me at least five times.”

While Qi Sihao was talking to himself, he looked up and saw Yan Ming walking toward them. He immediately waved enthusiastically: “Senior! Over here!”

Yan Ming’s expression was normal as he sat down next to Yu Tian.

He glanced at Qi Sihao: “What are you talking about? You seem so happy.”

Qi Sihao was quite cheerful: “Talking about Yu Tian’s boyfriend.”

“Oh—”

Yan Ming drew out his tone, glancing at Yu Tian.

Yu Tian suddenly became nervous. She started frantically making eye signals at Qi Sihao, but unfortunately, Qi Sihao paid no attention to Yu Tian, only speaking with animated excitement.

“Senior, you don’t know who Yu Tian’s boyfriend is yet, right? I’m also guessing—did she get together with Du Yilin or Zhang Tianhou from our hospital? I support Du Yilin more because he’s taller and looks better matched standing next to Xiao Yu. Du Yilin’s personality is also gentler—he’s that type of warm guy who’d make a good boyfriend.”

“Do you support Du Yilin?” Qi Sihao asked carelessly. “You’re both Yu Tian’s senior and like half a brother to her. Why don’t you help us screen Yu Tian’s choice?”

Yan Ming had just prepared to eat the food he’d gotten, but hearing Qi Sihao’s words, he indeed stopped. He put down his chopsticks, looked at Qi Sihao, and said in a low voice: “I don’t support Du Yilin.”

Qi Sihao was somewhat surprised: “Then you support Zhang Tianhou? Zhang Tianhou is also good—he looks like an honest person and has a pretty good family background…”

“I don’t support Zhang Tianhou either.”

Qi Sihao paused: “Ah…” He looked at Yu Tian.

Yu Tian covered her face with her hands, not wanting to be friends with this oblivious Qi Sihao anymore.

“I support myself more.”