Chapter 1 See You In The Next Life

• “Li Hang, I don’t know if you’ll receive my message, but this is my first time texting you and it may very well be my last.
• “Li Hang, I don’t know if you’ll receive my message. This is my first time texting you, and it may very well be my last. I’ve promised to be your bride but I’m sorry, I’ll have to go back on my word. See you in the next life...”
• The gloomy operating theatre was filled with the reverberations of Xu Muqing’s trembling voice. She laid frozen on the operating table, as the pungent stench of antiseptic surrounded her.
• She had gotten her surgeon to relay her words to Li Hang, before she was to undergo her cardiac surgery.
• For a countless amount of tries, Xu Muqing had dialed his number, but it was futile, as she could not reach him.
• Filled with despair, Xu Muqing entered the operating theatre. The text message, still fresh in her mind, had highlighted her anticipation for her next life, offering her a glimpse of hope in the midst of her woeful state.
• After the anesthesia settled in, she gradually shut her eyes as a lone drop of tear slid down her porcelain cheeks.
• However, unbeknownst to her, her message was never sent. In fact, not a single word had been typed on the phone.
• Accompanying Muqing was a tall, perfectly sculpted man, who held a steady gaze.
• The man had set his fervent gaze on Xu Muqing, who was unconscious, while he removed his surgical mask, only to reveal a charming face.
• He muttered under his breath, “We do not need to wait for the next life. I have returned, my dear.”
• Li Hang put on his surgical mask as he readied himself to begin the procedure.
• He revealed his skill and agility through his hand movements, which made it seem as if his fingers were dancing beneath the surgical lamps.
• It was at this moment, that a pin drop silence had engulfed the operating theatre. There were no less than ten of the best cardiology experts edging around the table in observation.
• Within the crowd, there were many people sporting different colors of hair; black, blonde, brown, and even a mix of black and grey.
• Despite the stark difference in nationalities, every single individual shared something in common. They were all female!
• The moment that they had received news of the surgery, they had immediately decided to abandon all matters at hand to attend the operation procedure. One of them had even rejected the Queen’s invitation, flying in from across the globe without hesitation.
• All this was sacrificed for the once in a lifetime opportunity, to witness the Medical Prodigy live in action. That itself, was an honorable thing for a medical practitioner. After all, Li Hang was deemed to possess the “Hands of God” in the surgical field.
• As easily as the Hands of God could save, it could easily do the opposite.
• With these hands, he would reign above all, amassing the wealth that was comparable to that of a nation.
• He had brought order to the chaotic Red Sea, acting as a guardian.
• He was greatly revered, worshiped by many.
• That being said, why would the mighty guardian of the Red Sea appear in such a puny operating room?
• It had all dated back to 16 years ago, when Li Hang’s biological brother had suddenly lost his life.
• Worse still, soon after, he had been driven out with his critically ill mother, by his father. From then on, they had roamed about before deciding to settle in Ning Province.
• After the passing of his mother, Li Hang had nowhere else to turn to and eventually, he had resorted to sleeping on the streets.
• One day, he was chased away by a frenzied stray canine. Just as he was caught in his bleakest and most vulnerable moment, a young lady dressed in an elegant floral dress appeared before him.
• Wielding a make-shift rod in her slender hands, she fought courageously, chasing away the mad dog.
• After the incident, she had even brought Li Hang back to her home.
• While Xu Muqing’s family was not the wealthiest, they hadn’t faced any issues in accommodating a little beggar like Li Hang.
• It was Xu Muqing and her family that had re-instilled Li Hang’s will to live.
• The time that he had spent in this family had remained to be one of his warmest and happiest moments in life.
• With each interaction, the small buds of love had begun to blossom amongst the two young children. They had secretly vowed to stay together for the rest of their lives.
• Not long after, Li Hang had met a beggar, who would soon become his teacher in the future.
• This old beggar had revealed to him that Xu Muqing was suffering from a congenital heart disease, which meant that she would never make it past the age of 25.
• These had been the words that had fueled a passion within Li Hang, to study medicine. He was absolutely resolute in saving his friend, no matter the circumstance.
• Following soon after, Li Hang had then boarded a ship, with the intention of sailing off to faraway lands with the old beggar.
• As they parted, Xu Muqing had then given him her most treasured chocolate tin.
• In return, Li Hang had given her his late mother’s contact details. With that, he repeatedly reminded her to call him, had anything happened.
• He swore repeatedly that he would be sure to return to her side!
• Then, he left with the old beggar to explore the Red Sea.
• Being a relatively rich nation, the Red Sea was a very vast land.
• Concurrently, it was also a land of chaos in which war could break out at any time.
• However, within five years, Li Hang had clawed his way to the top, going up against some of the most powerful opponents, in the Red Sea.
• He had accomplished this mind-blowing feat at the tender age of fifteen.
• When Li Hang had turned eighteen, he had all but eliminated the obstacles standing in his way.
• At that moment, he had finally established his status as the strongest in the Red Sea, towering over the others, as if he were a God.
• Since then, his scalpel had almost never left his hands as he worked hard to treat the people.
• He had treated civilians and pulled the aristocrats out of the hands of death.
• Even the filthy rich or the Presidents of Nations were subjected to his mood swings when they had booked an appointment with him.
• Through many years of practice, he had gained an unparalleled reputation for himself globally.
• Medical Prodigy!
• Guardian of the Red Sea!
• With a stomp of his foot, the world had trembled at his mercy!
• Now, he had returned!
• ...
• A gentle breeze had snuck its way through the snow-white window.
• Caressing Xu Muqing tenderly, the breeze had swept through the end of her silky hair.
• Upon observing Xu Muqing who laid sound asleep, Li Hangs lips had found themselves lifting up at their corners, forming a sweet smile.
• The operation had brought about a resounding success, as Xu Muqing’s condition had received a temporary form of relief.
• Having a heart disease that was congenital, Xu Muqing could simply never rely on a surgery to cure her existing condition.
• The only way that she could strengthen her body was by going through a steady rehabilitation program, which would have required her to undergo constant monitoring.
• As such, the Guardian of the Red Sea would now have to accompany her, at all times.
• However, Li Hang was required to live an anonymous life, as his departure from the Red Sea had been meant to be top secret.
• After all, it could attract unnecessary attention if the news were to be leaked to the public.
• Subsequently, Xu Muqing would suffer from the unwarranted criticism, as she may have been seen as a public enemy!
• This could have the potential to turn into a source of much unnecessary stress and headaches, especially for Xu Muqing.
• In conclusion, revealing his identity would definitely hinder her chances of having a recovery,
• Secondly, Li Hang had returned for another purpose too.
• Before passing on, the Old Beggar had revealed his dying wish to Li Hang, hopeful that the latter would help him to fulfil his will, in his stead.
• Therefore, until he had completed this mission, he could not reveal his identity.
• As he resumed his pondering, Li Hang fished out a chocolate tin, the one that had accompanied him for a long period of 16 years.
• Xu Muqing had given him her prized chocolate, that year, as they had parted.
• She had hoped that this tin would serve as a reminder of the promise that they had made to each other.
• Taking out a chocolate from the tin, Li hang began to throw the chocolate into his mouth, slowly chewing it.
• His favorite chocolate had changed over time but the tin that had carried them had never once been replaced.
• Be it in times of happiness, or in times of anxiety, chocolate would always be his primary source of comfort.
• That velvety texture, filled with sweetness had never failed to warm the cockles of his heart.
• At this point, he didn’t know whether he was feeling happy or anxious, as he took a piece of the chocolate.
• Li Hang’s mouth gaped slightly as he stretched his hands towards Xu Muqing’s flawless cheeks.
• “Kacha!”
• The doors to the ward had suddenly been swung open.
• A middle-aged couple was seen to be making an entry.
• A man had been sitting in a wheelchair, while he had been wheeled in by a woman.
• These were Xu Muqing’s parents.
• Xu Muqing had definitely inherited some of her virtues from her parents.
• Following closely behind was the Director of this private hospital.
• Merely two days ago, Li Hang had managed to acquire the ownership of this hospital, by spending a hefty sum of twenty million,
• He had been set on procuring a comfortable and conducive environment for his fiancée’s rehabilitation.
• The success rate of her operation was a meagre five percent!
• Before she had entered the operating room, everyone was aware of the slim chance that she would have, to survive.
• Who knew Li Hang would be able to work magic with his expertise?
• If not for the presence of the outsiders, the Director would have kneeled down before him, right on the spot!
• He must be God!
• “Doctor, why is my daughter still asleep?”
• Xu Xiaoyang appeared to be frail and dispirited.
• He had been prevented from getting a proper rest, in his home for almost half a month, due to the tumultuous events that had taken place.
• Li Hang felt his eyes twitch, as he fixed his gaze on Xu Xiaoyang’s legs.
• He was able to diagnose Xu Xiaoyang’s condition with a quick glance, as he had concluded that there was a cure for Xu Xiaoyang’s legs.
• “Hmm, she should wake up in no time.”
• Just as he had spoken, a soft groan had begun to sound from the bed.
• “Mhmm.”
• “My daughter’s awake!”
• Xu Muqing’s mother, Liu Yufen immediately rushed over to her bedside.
• Long eyelashes quivering gently, Xu eyes had fluttered open.
• “Mom?”
• “Qing, my precious baby!”
• “Finally, you are awake!”
• Due to Li Hang’s extraordinary stitching technique, Xu Muqing found that she hadn’t felt much pain, upon waking up.
• On the contrary, she had never felt more energetic.
• Xu Muqing’s eyes narrowed onto Li Hang.
• Similarly, Li Hang’s eyes met with hers as he put on a subtle smile.
• A huge wave of memories had swept through Xu Muqing upon seeing his smile.
• That smile… Looks oddly familiar.
• “You, you are...”
• “I’m Li Hang.”
• Li… Li Hang?!
• Xu Muqing stared at Li Hang, paralyzed with shock.
• “You… You are Li Hang?”
• Is… Is he back?