CHAPTER 553: CHAPTER 537 UNEASE

Wang Huan was pleasantly surprised to hear that he and Jiang Xiaoxiao had come out on top in their group, qualifying for the next round of eliminations.

"Xiaoxiao, did you hear that? We won, and we advanced to the next round with the first place in the group."

Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled, "Senior heard it too, this is all thanks to you."

Wang Huan wasn’t thick-skinned enough to claim this credit.

In that moment of anxiety and panic, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s calm and serene voice cleansed his mind; otherwise, without her guidance, how could he have performed the surgery flawlessly?

He feared that with the first incision, he would have sliced off half of the rabbit’s kidney.

Seeing the rabbit, now able to lift its head, Wang Huan realized that the rabbit had survived.

Whether it would live to a ripe old age was uncertain, and there was no guarantee against complications!

But at least right after the surgery, the rabbit’s condition was fairly good.

"Don’t make fun of me, if it weren’t for you guiding me, there’s no way I could’ve finished this surgery. The rabbit would have long been deceased in my hands."

Wang Huan genuinely admired Jiang Xiaoxiao.

There was a time he somewhat felt superior due to his seniority and having learned more than Jiang Xiaoxiao, seeing himself as a senior role model.

But now, even the last bit of superiority was completely shattered by Jiang Xiaoxiao.

"Senior, even if I was beside you directing, it was your skill that made the surgery so perfect. We were a well-coordinated team, both essential; we should say we’re a very harmonious combo."

Jiang Xiaoxiao wouldn’t take all the credit.

As a novice, Wang Huan completed the surgery steadily, thanks to his usual medical practice and diligent preparation, which Jiang Xiaoxiao certainly wouldn’t overlook.

As an experienced teacher who has mentored countless students, Jiang Xiaoxiao knew how to inspire and motivate her students.

When they changed clothes and walked out, they bumped right into the judges across the hall.

"Hello, teachers!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Wang Huan greeted respectfully.

Respecting teachers, especially in medicine, was paramount.

Teachers are like guiding lights.

"You must be Wang Huan! You did an excellent job with the surgery. It shows careful thinking, steady hands without arrogance. Performing with such steadiness and carefully observing cases is rare. Young man, you have great potential."

"Wang Huan, you really excelled in today’s surgery. We all awarded you the highest marks. Keep up the hard work; your future is very promising."

"Yes! Do your best! We all have high hopes for you."

The judges, who were always seen as distant and serious, surprisingly greeted Wang Huan with warm smiles, making him feel both flattered and astonished, despite being usually unfazed by authority outside.

But the friendly manner was a stark contrast to their usual aloofness.

Who wouldn’t want to be the center of attention? This feeling was overwhelming for Wang Huan, an indescribable mixture.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain that the credit was actually Jiang Xiaoxiao’s, but before he could say anything, the judges had already patted Jiang Xiaoxiao’s shoulder.

"Jiang Xiaoxiao, you’re impressive! It’s a shame we didn’t see you operate today, but your expertise was evident. Without your coordination, this wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. It seems despite your ages, both of you have achieved great things due to immense effort and hard work that’s beyond others’ imagination."

Such praise was exhilarating, noticing details others might miss shows the sharp sight of those judges.

Wang Huan excitedly grabbed Jiang Xiaoxiao’s arm, intending to articulate a modest thank you speech, but the judges left.

Wang Huan opened his mouth, full of regret, silently lamenting.

He hadn’t shown himself yet.

Alas!

Why did he become speechless after a mere compliment?

"Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao, look at us, we were praised by so many people publicly for the first time. I feel so excited, I ... Xiaoxiao..."

Wang Huan was a bit incoherent, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s arm hurt from his grip, "Wang Huan, let go."

Wang Huan only then realized he was losing control, too excited to contain himself.

"Xiaoxiao, but tomorrow, tomorrow..."

"Don’t get overly excited; there’s tomorrow’s competition too. A calm mindset will take you further."

Jiang Xiaoxiao patted Wang Huan’s shoulder; the child was so excited he could barely contain himself.

There’s still a competition tomorrow!

Jiang Xiaoxiao went home to look after Tang Yuan.

With Song Moting not around, she had to take care of Tang Yuan.

Exiting the school, under a cloudless sky, summer’s heat gradually faded, with winter’s chill yet to arrive.

Jiang Xiaoxiao stood at the gate, feeling uneasy, staring into the azure sky as if she’d never seen the sky before, lost in her gaze.

She had indeed never seen such a blue sky.

She had never encountered such a shade of blue.

No sky should be so deep and incomprehensibly blue.

Yet on this clear day, as the haze between earth and cosmos faded, she felt an unprecedented closeness to the universe’s edge, so close she thought she might be pulled into the endless blue.

Her eyes blurred.

It seemed like she saw something, yet she hadn’t looked directly at the sun, thinking the sky was brighter than she imagined as her eyes adjusted.

She blinked, then squinted for a closer look.

That thing, both solid and elusive... it was an apparition.

An apparition of Song Moting leading a group with difficulty, vanishing in a blink.

The deep blue sky suddenly pressed down as if to engulf her, leaving her dumbstruck at the sight.

Jiang Xiaoxiao chuckled lightly, thinking she must be hallucinating from worrying about Song Moting.

How could she possibly see Song Moting?

Thinking of Song Moting, his face flashed in her mind, accompanied by an unusual unease.

They say intuition signals something wrong; could Song Moting be in trouble?

No!

Jiang Xiaoxiao immediately shook her head; Song Moting had prepared his peach wine, and wouldn’t die unless absolutely necessary.

Nothing would happen.

But she knew something was happening, yet uncertain what it was.

She felt helpless, with Song Moting gone for a while, she was utterly distracted by a man.

This wasn’t her.

Yet she couldn’t suppress the continual anxiety.

That night, holding the chubby, white Tang Yuan’s body as he slept, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s restless heart finally calmed down.

Song Moting, come back soon!

Please be safe.