1 Red Socks_1

Just after a heavy snowfall, the entire city was clad in sparkling white.

The cold wind was biting, and the occasional snowflakes fell from the sky, blending in with the thick layer of snow.

Stepping out of the warm taxi and into the cold air, Nian Yuyu instinctively zipped her down jacket all the way up.

Despite it being the first day of the Lunar New Year, the hospital was busy as ever, with people wearing either grim or sorrowful expressions—clearly, the festivities and liveliness of the New Year seemed to have little to do with this place.

Nian Yuyu found the self-service registration machine and got her appointment number—

Orthopedics Department, Clinic 201, 5th floor of the Comprehensive Building, Number 11.

While searching for the elevator, she received a call from her best friend, Jiang Jingyun.

"Babe, are you alright? Do you want me to come to the hospital to keep you company?"

"It's nothing," Nian Yuyu said as her gaze followed the signs in search of the elevator, "My dad is overreacting because he's afraid I've hurt my bones, so he insisted I come in for a check-up."

It was just sheer bad luck that morning; while going downstairs, she replied to a message and missed a step, spraining her ankle. At the time, she didn't think much of it and only iced it, but within half a day, her foot had swollen up.

"Luckily it was only three steps." Jiang Jingyun scolded her with a mix of frustration and concern, "Let this be a lesson for you—don't look at your phone when you're walking down stairs. Be aware of your safety."

Nian Yuyu readily admitted her fault on the phone. Her best friend was a high school teacher and sometimes spoke with a seriousness that was almost second nature, making Nian Yuyu feel as if she had returned to her student days and becoming especially obedient.

After making a few more promises that she would not make such a careless mistake again, she hung up the phone and exhaled deeply.

Hurriedly, she squeezed into the elevator with the crowd.

She got out of the elevator, found the reception desk, and handed over her registration form.

The nurse took it and glanced at it, then curiously sized up Nian Yuyu.

The girl before her was wearing a long black down coat, a natural face without makeup, and casually tied-up shoulder-length hair. Her face was petite, her round eyes were clear and bright, her nose dainty, skin fair, and lips a light cherry pink—she looked lovely and harmless.

The nurse couldn't help but inwardly remark, Yet another one has come!

"Hello, what seems to be the problem?"

Nian Yuyu felt that the nurse's gaze had been odd, but she didn't think much of it and spoke the truth, "I twisted my foot when I missed a step going downstairs this morning."

Hearing it was a twisted foot, the nurse slightly raised an eyebrow, then, as though used to it, glanced at the computer and said, "There are three people ahead of you. Just come here when you hear your number called."

After thanking her, Nian Yuyu took her registration form and turned to sit in the waiting area.

She couldn't help but grab her phone and text her best friend about the nurse's strange reaction.

Nian Yuyu: [The nurse at the guidance desk was so weird!]

Jiang Jingyun: [???]

Nian Yuyu: [She asked me what was wrong, and I said I sprained my foot going downstairs.]

Nian Yuyu: [She looked like she was laughing at me!]

Jiang Jingyun: [Is that something to be proud of?]

Nian Yuyu: […]

Suddenly not in the mood to chat anymore, she opened her social media app to catch up on the latest entertainment gossip.

By the time she put away her phone, the clinic number being served on the large screen had just switched to number 10.

"Please prepare, patient number 11 of clinic 201."

Nian Yuyu quickly stood up and walked in the direction the nurse had indicated.

The clinic door was closed, concealing what was inside. Nian Yuyu glanced twice then shifted her attention to her surroundings.

Nearly every clinic had a patient waiting outside, and being on the orthopedic floor, the guy next to her even had his arm in a cast, hanging with a sling.

Lost in thought, she was jolted back to the present by a voice trying to start a conversation.

The guy with the cast and sling chuckled at her, "Miss, did you also come especially for Dr. Chu You's consultation? You've really got determination, coming here during the New Year!"

"What?" Nian Yuyu was taken aback.

"Ah, Dr. Chu You!" The guy nodded with an 'I understand everything' look.

"These days, young ladies all like good-looking ones," he said while touching his own face with his good hand and murmuring, "though we, the ones with inner beauty, aren't too bad either."

Nian Yuyu was confused, but before she could clarify, the clinic door suddenly opened and a beautiful young woman with long curly hair quickly walked out, head down.

"Go on in, girl! Don't be shy!" The guy next door got excited again, "Go for it!"