The Midnight call

Chapter 1: The Midnight Call

The dim glow of the hospital hallway lights reflected off the polished floors as Dr. Xiao Zhan leaned against the counter of the nurse’s station, absently flipping through a patient’s file. It had been a long shift, and exhaustion tugged at the edges of his mind, but he had learned long ago to ignore it. In his profession, fatigue was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

“You know, for someone who preaches work-life balance, you practically live here.”

Xiao Zhan looked up to see Dr. Lan Huan, a fellow surgeon and one of the few colleagues he actually tolerated. Lan Huan smirked as he placed his coffee on the counter, giving Xiao Zhan a knowing look.

“I do have a life,” Xiao Zhan replied flatly.

Lan Huan scoffed. “Oh? When was the last time you did something that wasn’t hospital-related?”

Xiao Zhan didn’t answer. Before Lan Huan could press further, the hospital intercom crackled to life.

“Emergency inbound—multiple gunshot wounds. ETA: Five minutes.”

Xiao Zhan’s expression hardened instantly. The weight of the conversation disappeared as his focus sharpened.

“Who’s on trauma duty?” Lan Huan asked, already pushing away from the counter.

“I am.” Xiao Zhan was already moving, pulling on his gloves as he strode toward the ER.

“Of course you are,” Lan Huan muttered, following him.

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The Emergency Room

The automatic doors slid open as paramedics rushed in, pushing a stretcher forward. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the sterile hospital air. Nurses moved quickly, clearing space as Xiao Zhan stepped forward, assessing the patient.

“Male, late twenties. Special forces soldier. Multiple gunshot wounds—one to the abdomen, another through the shoulder. Blood pressure’s dropping. Possible internal bleeding,” a paramedic reported.

Xiao Zhan’s eyes locked onto the unconscious man. His uniform was torn, soaked in blood. His face, though pale from blood loss, was striking—sharp jawline, furrowed brows as if he were still fighting, even in unconsciousness.

“Name?” Xiao Zhan asked briskly.

“Wang Yibo.”

Xiao Zhan barely reacted, but something about the name sent a flicker of recognition through him. He pushed the thought aside. Right now, his only focus was saving this man’s life.

“He’s in hypovolemic shock. We need to stabilize him, now,” Xiao Zhan ordered. “Get him to the OR.”

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The Operating Room

Bright surgical lights beamed down as the team worked with swift precision. Xiao Zhan stood at the operating table, hands steady as he examined the damage. The gunshot wound to the abdomen was the biggest concern—there was severe bleeding, likely from a damaged artery.

“Clamp,” he ordered, holding out his hand. A nurse immediately placed the instrument in his palm.

Lan Huan, assisting him, spoke up. “Bullet’s lodged near the liver. It’s risky, but we need to extract it fast.”

Xiao Zhan nodded. “We don’t have time to be careful. If we don’t stop the bleeding, he won’t make it.”

The room was tense, filled with the soft beeping of machines and the steady, controlled movements of the surgical team. Xiao Zhan’s focus narrowed. One mistake, one hesitation, and the man on the table would be gone.

“Forceps.”

Sweat trickled down his temple as he maneuvered carefully, finally locating the bullet. It was dangerously close to a major artery. One wrong move, and—

A monitor beeped loudly.

“Blood pressure dropping!” a nurse warned.

“Damn it,” Lan Huan muttered. “He’s losing too much blood.”

“Keep the transfusion going,” Xiao Zhan ordered, his voice calm despite the tension. “I’m almost there.”

For a brief second, time seemed to stretch.

Then—success.

Xiao Zhan extracted the bullet, swiftly moving to control the bleeding. His hands worked efficiently, closing the wound with practiced ease. The heart monitor stabilized.

A breath of relief passed through the room.

“He’s stable,” Xiao Zhan confirmed, stepping back. He exhaled, finally allowing himself a moment of exhaustion. “Monitor him closely. He’s not out of danger yet.”

As the team moved to clean up, Xiao Zhan glanced down at the man he had just saved. Wang Yibo. A soldier. A fighter.

To be Continue....

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