185 - I Don’t Want to Be Turned Into the Female Protagonist by the System

# Chapter 185: Regret Beyond Measure In this world, there exist numerous professions, each carrying its innate responsibilities and a certain air of authority that commands respect. Among these are teachers, police officers, and lawyers. If one were to stretch the list, doctors might be included as well. Upon regaining consciousness, Su Qi found herself unclothed, with a nurse drawing her blood nearby. For a moment, she thought she had been taken to a research facility. It wasn't until she locked eyes with the calm and steady gaze of Dr. Shen Wen that her heart finally eased. "Your blood sugar levels are low, and this time your menstruation has been quite heavy. We'll give you a glucose IV soon, but don't worry, it doesn't hurt at all," said Dr. Shen Wen gently. Su Qi, her innocent eyes twinkling as she earnestly regarded Shen Wen, prompted an even tenderer tone from the doctor. The surrounding nurses were stunned. Wasn't Dr. Shen known for her sternness? Yet, there was no denying the charm of this adorable little girl who naturally elicited tenderness in others. A junior nurse approached with a blanket, overwhelmed by the sight of Su Qi, who had woken and now lay curled up in a cute ball. "Here, little one, let big sis cover you up," she said softly as she draped the blanket over Su Qi. Gazing at the nurse who was roughly her own height, Su Qi, who had once been a grown man, couldn't fathom being referred to as "little one" by this young woman. Mid-thought, she attempted to rise in protest. However, no sooner had she begun to move than everyone was shocked to see the belt mark on her skin oozing blood, prompting them to quickly help her lie back down. Feeling a bit dizzy from the sudden motion, Su Qi said, "I’m not a little one!" Her soft, sweet voice with its girlish innocence was endearing, drawing enthralled looks from both the nurses and Dr. Shen Wen. This little one was truly adorable! A nurse brought over a bag of IV fluid, while the junior nurse prepared the iodine-dipped cotton swab and was about to apply it to Su Qi. But as soon as she felt Su Qi’s cool little hand, she set the needle aside. Did this mean no injection? Just as she began pondering, warmth enveloped her right hand. Two warm hands gently cradled Su Qi’s palm and back, soothingly rubbing them. The slightly plump nurse had soft, warm hands, and for the first time, Su Qi understood why people warmed their hands before a handshake—it provided immense comfort. This was Su Qi's first experience of a nurse’s gentle touch, leaving her heart warmed. The junior nurse, despite wearing a nurse’s uniform in the summer heat with insufficient cooling, found the touch of Su Qi’s refreshing hand like a soothing piece of cool jade, utterly pleasant. After quite some time, the junior nurse finally managed to bring out the veins in Su Qi's small, cool, white hand, into which she then inserted the slender needle after swabbing with iodine. Contrary to the expectations of many, the soft-spoken little girl did not cry, leaving a few nurses somewhat disappointed. Then, the junior nurse filled a plastic bottle with hot water, carefully winding the IV tube around it, which alleviated the cold sensation for Su Qi. Outside, Lu Ran anxiously awaited Su Qi, who had been taken into the emergency internal medicine department and hadn't emerged for a while. "Ciheng, shouldn’t you go in and see what's happening?" she asked worriedly. Su Ciheng shook his head. Firstly, Shen Wen had taken over, and secondly, handling family medical treatment can be fraught with emotional involvement. Moreover, the condition bore no risk. Typically, for a case like Su Qi's, waking her would be straightforward; the simplest method involved a glucose push. However, pushing glucose was not without its challenges. Years ago, large glass syringes and sizable needles were utilized; though needles have since become smaller, the glucose push remains arduous, often awakening the patient through pain. Given the time elapsed, it was evident that Su Qi had already awakened. Smiling, Su Ciheng reassured, “No worries, the little brother—oh, I mean little sister inside is probably already awake!” This assurance helped ease Lu Ran's mind, while nearby, Su Lujun, who had been secretly eavesdropping, also relaxed. Deeply anxious to see the lively Su Qi, he couldn't help but feel that, considering his recent actions, he was perhaps not even deserving of showing concern. The door to the internal medicine examination room swung open, and Shen Wen locked eyes with Su Ciheng. Although stationed in different emergency sections—one in the internal and the other in external medicine—they were well acquainted. “Your sister?” she queried, and upon receiving a nod from Su Ciheng, Lu Ran stepped forward to ask, “Is everything alright?” Nodding to offer reassurance, Shen Wen then gestured towards a room on the right, suggesting they talk there, telling Su Lujun, "You're the child's father, right? Please, join us." Once the trio entered, Shen Wen firmly shut the door behind them, causing it to emit a resonant clash. Su Ciheng had never before seen this side of Dr. Shen, sensing her current anger. Indeed, she was truly upset. Growing up with a twin brother in a family that favored sons, Shen Wen had often watched her brother receive better treatment, while her parents' indifference left her under a cold emotional shroud, echoing with Su Qi's cries of fear a poignant reminder of her own childhood tears under the covers. Yet as a doctor, how much could she intervene in the private affairs of others? Only subtle hints were within her remit! “Currently, the patient is experiencing emotional instability due to shock coupled with physical pain, which disrupted her menstrual cycle. If her emotions become too volatile, there's a significant risk of inducing a recurrence.” Although she didn't finish her sentence, everyone present understood the implications. "Moreover, during our treatment, the patient expressed a profound fear of her father. For the sake of the patient’s emotional well-being, could you…” Staring at the young female doctor in front of him, Su Lujun, who had been a military officer since the age of fifteen and had risen to a division-level officer, couldn't remember the last time someone had spoken to him so candidly. Under normal circumstances, Su Lujun’s impulsive nature would compel him to argue, even with a girl. But in this moment, the truth of her words resonated deeply within him. After all, he was the one who struck Su Qi, turning a deaf ear to her pleas. For the first time, Su Lujun experienced the overwhelming taste of regret. Slowly, he nodded, then looked up at Dr. Shen and asked, “Was the mark I left severe?” In that instant, Shen Wen realized that this middle-aged man might not be as detestable as she thought; enveloped entirely in guilt, he seemed somewhat pitiable. Yet, recalling the tender cries of ‘I’m scared’ from the soft little girl on the bed, Dr. Shen resolved to deliver one last truth. “The mark is deep. It’s likely to leave a scar.” Upon hearing these words, Su Lujun stood there, motionless, a torrent of self-blame surging through him.