In the glittering metropolis of Shanghai, two destined souls navigate their paths through privilege and purpose. Dr. Lin Mei Hua, a 24-year-old aspiring military doctor, carries the weight of her father's legacy in every step she takes. Her father, the former chief director of the Chinese military medical division, left an indelible mark on both the nation and his daughter's heart when he passed away fourteen years ago.

On the other side of the city, Zhang Chen lives a life of carefully cultivated carelessness. As the heir to ZhangTech Entertainment, one of China's largest media and entertainment conglomerates, he prefers the precision of his fencing blade to the precision of business contracts. His natural charm and good looks make him a favorite among Shanghai's elite young women, but he maintains a careful distance, having seen too many fortune hunters in his social circle.

Chap : 01 ****

***                                                A Champagne Encounters:***

At Shanghai's fanciest hotel party, Lin Mei Hua stood watching people in expensive clothes from the side. She wore a red qipao that showed off her fit body. Her mom made her come to this business party to find donors for the military, but all Mei Hua could think about was her medical test tomorrow.

“Stop thinking about medical stuff,” her brother Wei said, giving her a glass of champagne. “Your face gets all scrunched up when you do that.”

“I wasn't scrunching,” she said, taking the drink. “I was just reviewing brain injuries.”

Wei laughed. “Of course. I know you want to study, but try to have fun. Dad would have—”

“Stop,” Mei Hua said softly. “Dad would want me focused on becoming a great doctor.”

“A great military doctor,” Wei said proudly. “Hey, have you heard about the Zhang heir?”

“The rich guy who does fencing? What about him?”

Before Wei could answer, people started stirring near the entrance.

Zhang Chen had arrived late, looking handsome in his perfect suit. His sister Min followed him, looking annoyed at all the attention he got.

“Look who's here,” Wei said quietly.

Mei Hua took a drink. “He looks like he's never worked a day in his life.”

“Well, he's good at spending money and flirting.”

She almost choked on her drink laughing. “Such great skills.”

Right then, Chen looked right at her. Their eyes met briefly, and she noticed he looked smarter than she expected. Then he winked at her, ruining the moment.

“How annoying,” she muttered.

Later, while trying to leave early, Mei Hua stepped backward and bumped into someone, spilling her champagne on their expensive suit jacket.

“I'm so sorry—” she turned and found herself looking at Zhang Chen.

“What a way to meet,” he smiled. “Though it's our first time.”

Mei Hua blinked. “We haven't met before.”

“No, but I've watched you avoid people all night. You're very good at pretending to think about medical stuff.”

She got defensive. “I was actually—”

“Thinking about brain injuries?” His smile grew when she looked surprised. “I can read lips. Especially pretty ones wearing lipstick.”

Mei Hua blushed. “I'll pay to clean your jacket.”

“Don't worry.” He took off his jacket. “I have more. But you could dance with me instead.”

“I don't dance with strangers.”

“I'm Zhang Chen,” he held out his hand. “Fencing champion, famous flirt, and now your champagne victim. Now we're not strangers.”

Mei Hua almost smiled. “I'm Lin Mei Hua. But I can't dance. I have a medical test tomorrow.”

He looked surprised and interested. “The military medical test?”

“Yes. How did you—”

“Mei Mei!” Wei called. “Mom's looking for you.”

Chen's eyes lit up. “Mei Mei? Cute.”

“Don't.” She glared.

“Too late, it's adorable. Good luck tomorrow, Dr. Lin.” He came closer and said softly, “Though I bet you don't need it.”

He disappeared into the crowd, leaving Mei Hua thinking there might be more to him than she thought.

That night, Chen sat in his fancy apartment, looking at a military medical application on his computer. He had also searched for “Dr. Lin Wei Xiang: Military Medical Corps Chief (Deceased).”

“Interesting,” he said to himself, thinking about Mei Hua. “Very interesting.”

One week after the fateful gala night and that champagne incident, Mei Hua stood in front of her bathroom mirror, adjusting her newly pressed white coat. The military hospital ID card clipped to her pocket caught the morning light – “Dr. Lin Mei Hua, Military Medical Resident.” She'd passed the licensing exam with top marks, just as she'd hoped, though thoughts of a certain insufferable playboy had tried their best to distract her during her studies.

“Focus, Mei Hua,” she muttered to herself, thinking back to that night. Zhang Chen's mysterious interest in her medical exam still puzzled her. She'd tried to dismiss their encounter as just another rich heir's attempt at flirtation, but something about his genuine reaction to the military medical corps had stuck with her.

The morning sun cast long shadows across the military hospital's pristine corridors as Mei Hua hurried toward the staff locker room. One week had passed since her licensing exam, which she'd passed with flying colors. Today marked her first official day as a military medical resident.

“Dr. Lin!” A nurse called out, waving a file. “The new residents' orientation starts in ten minutes.”

“Thank you!” Mei Hua quickened her pace, her practical heels clicking against the polished floor. She'd arrived an hour early, but somehow time had slipped away while she'd been familiarizing herself with the emergency ward layout.

The orientation room was already half-full when she arrived. She chose a seat near the front, arranging her notepad and pens with military precision – a habit her father had instilled in her since childhood.

“Is this seat taken?”

Mei Hua froze. She knew that voice. It had been haunting her dreams for the past week, though she'd never admit it. Slowly, she looked up.

Zhang Chen stood there in a crisp white coat, looking completely different from the playboy at the gala, yet somehow even more handsome. His usually perfectly styled hair was slightly more professional, and his expression held none of its usual mischief – well, maybe a little.

“You?” She managed to say. “What are you—”

“Good morning, new residents!” The chief resident's voice boomed through the room. “Please take your seats quickly.”

Chen smoothly slid into the chair beside her, his cologne – more subtle than at the gala but still noticeable – teasing her senses.

“Surprise,” he whispered, pulling out his own notepad. “Though I have to say, your shocked face is even cuter than your study face.”

Mei Hua stared straight ahead, trying to focus on the chief resident's welcome speech. But her mind was spinning. The playboy heir to ZhangTech was here? As a resident?

A small paper airplane landed on her notepad.

She unfolded it carefully:

“Stop thinking so loud. You're missing the orientation. - Your favorite champagne victim”

She scribbled back: “Why are you here?”

The note returned: “Same as you. To save lives and look good in a white coat. Though you're winning at the latter.”

Mei Hua felt her cheeks warm. She wrote: “Be serious.”

His response came quickly: “I am. Dead serious about both points.”

“Dr. Lin!” The chief resident's voice made her jump. “Since you and Dr. Zhang seem to be such eager communicators, you can be partners for the emergency response simulation this afternoon.”

Chen's delighted grin made her want to throw her pen at him.

After orientation, Mei Hua cornered Chen in the hallway. “Okay, explain. Now.”

He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “Would you believe me if I said you inspired me?”

“No.”

“Harsh.” He clutched his chest in mock pain. “But fair. Truth is, I've wanted to be a doctor since I was twelve. Father wanted me to take over the company. We compromised – I agreed to get my business degree first, waste a few years being the perfect heir, then do what I really wanted.”

Mei Hua studied his face for any sign of deception. “The playboy reputation?”

“Excellent cover for studying medical texts instead of acquisition reports.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I'm actually quite boring. I spend most nights reading about surgical procedures.”

“You're not boring,” she said before she could stop herself.

His eyes lit up. “Dr. Lin, was that almost a compliment?”

“It was an observation.”

“A positive observation.”

“Don't push it.”

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Have lunch with me? I promise to tell you the whole story. Including why I chose military medicine specifically.”

Mei Hua knew she should say no. He was distracting, frustrating, and definitely not part of her carefully planned career path. But... “Fine. But we're eating in the cafeteria, not some fancy restaurant.”

“Deal. Though I should warn you – I've heard the pudding is dangerous here.”

“Then why did you pick this hospital?”

His expression softened. “Because it's the best. And because someone once told me that if you want to be the best doctor you can be, you go where you're needed most.”

The words – her father's words – made her breath catch.

“Your father was a great man, Mei Hua,” Chen said quietly. “His lectures on military medicine changed my life. I just didn't know his daughter would change it again.”

Before she could respond, their pagers beeped simultaneously. Emergency trauma coming in.

“Ready, partner?” Chen's playful smile was back, but his eyes were serious and focused.

Looking at him then, white coat on and ready for action, Mei Hua saw past the playboy facade to the dedicated doctor underneath. It was… attractive. Extremely attractive.

“Try to keep up,” she said, already moving toward the emergency ward.

“Always,” he called after her, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

As they rushed to receive their first trauma case together, Mei Hua had a feeling that Zhang Chen was going to complicate her life in the best possible way. And maybe, just maybe, she was looking forward to it.

At the emergency bay doors, he caught her arm. “Just so you know,” he said quickly, “that gala champagne? Best dry cleaning accident ever.”

Despite herself, Mei Hua smiled. The incoming siren wailed, and together they pushed through the doors, ready to face whatever came next – as doctors, as partners, and as something that felt surprisingly like the beginning of a very interesting story.

The emergency bay doors burst open as Mei Hua and Chen rushed to attend their first trauma case together, just as they had been doing for the past three weeks since that fateful orientation day. Their partnership, despite Mei Hua's initial reservations, had proven surprisingly effective – even if Chen couldn't resist flirting at the most inappropriate moments.

“Attention, all medical staff!” The hospital intercom crackled to life. “Emergency deployment required. Tsunami warning in Yangjiang coastal area. All designated emergency response teams report immediately.”

Chen caught Mei Hua's eye across the corridor. “Looks like we're taking our show on the road, partner.”

“This isn't a performance, Chen,” she said, but couldn't hide her small smile at his enthusiasm.

Within an hour, they were aboard a military helicopter, part of the first response medical team. The chopper bounced in the turbulent air as they approached the disaster zone. Mei Hua gripped her medical kit tighter, reviewing protocols in her head.

“You're doing the scrunch thing again,” Chen leaned in close, speaking over the roar of the rotors.

“I'm preparing,” she shot back.

“You're worrying.” His hand found hers, giving it a quick squeeze. “We've got this. Together.”

The helicopter landed in what used to be a school playground, now transformed into a makeshift landing zone. The scene that greeted them was chaos – houses partially submerged, debris everywhere, and people being brought in on makeshift stretchers.

“Dr. Lin, Dr. Zhang, take the triage station!” their superior ordered.

They worked seamlessly together, assessing patients and directing them to appropriate treatment areas. Despite the gravity of the situation, Chen managed to maintain his spirit.

“You know,” he said while wrapping a child's injured arm, “this isn't exactly how I planned to sweep you off your feet.”

Mei Hua rolled her eyes while preparing an IV line. “Is everything a pickup line to you?”

“Only with you,” he winked, then immediately turned serious as a critical patient arrived.

Hours blended together as they worked tirelessly. The rain hadn't stopped, making everything more challenging. They were soaked to the bone, but neither complained.

“We need to check the outer zones,” Mei Hua said, looking at the map. “There might be people trapped who couldn't reach us.”

“Lead the way, Dr. Beautiful,” Chen grabbed extra supplies. “Though I should warn you, I look even better in rain-soaked scrubs.”

“You're impossible,” she said, but found herself smiling despite the situation.

They made their way through the flooded streets, helping where they could. Chen proved to be more than just talk – he was strong, capable, and completely focused when needed. It was… attractive, though Mei Hua would never admit it out loud.

“Help! Please!” A voice called from a partially collapsed building.

They found an elderly woman trapped inside, water rising around her. The entrance was blocked by debris.

“We need to find another way in,” Mei Hua said, assessing the situation.

Chen was already removing his medical coat. “There's a window on the side. I can climb through.”

“It's not stable—”

“Trust me.” His eyes met hers, serious for once. “Like you trusted me in that first trauma case.”

Before she could protest, he was moving. Mei Hua's heart jumped to her throat as she watched him navigate the precarious structure. He managed to reach the woman, but getting out proved more difficult.

“I require your help,” he called. “Ready to be my hero, Dr. Lin?”

Working together, they managed to create a safe passage. As they helped the woman out, part of the wall collapsed, sending Chen stumbling. Mei Hua caught him, and they ended up pressed together against the remaining wall.

“My hero,” he whispered, rain dripping from his hair onto her face.

“Shut up and help me with the patient,” she muttered, ignoring how her heart raced at their proximity.

They worked late into the night, finally returning to the main medical camp exhausted but satisfied. As they sat together, sharing a thermos of hot coffee, Chen turned to her.

“You know what I realized today?”

“That not everything needs a flirty comment?”

“No,” he smiled softly. “That I've never been more certain about choosing military medicine. Or about choosing you as my partner.”

Mei Hua felt her cheeks warm despite the cold rain. “We were assigned as partners.”

“Destiny, then.” He bumped his shoulder against hers. “Admit it, we make a great team.”

Looking at him – rain-soaked, muddy, still somehow managing to look unfairly handsome – Mei Hua had to agree. Not out loud, of course, but the small smile she gave him said enough.

“Next time I ask you to dinner,” he said, standing up to check on their patients, “remember how heroic I looked today.”

“Next time you ask me to dinner, try not doing it in the middle of a disaster zone,” she called after him.

He turned, walking backward with that infuriating grin. “Is that a promise of a 'yes' under better circumstances?”

Before she could respond, another emergency call came in. But as they rushed back into action, Mei Hua realized that somewhere between the gala night and this moment, Zhang Chen had become more than just an annoying playboy or even a capable colleague.

He had become someone she trusted with her life – and maybe, just maybe, with her heart too.