Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

She had thought about such moments many times, in her mind, in her dreams, and on those sleepless nights when she lay alone in her dormitory bed, tossing and turning.

But when the moment actually arrived, she was still so nervous that she didn't know what to do.

Chen Ping's strength was frightening, completely different from the gentle and composed Dr. Chen he usually was. He was like a caged beast out of control, his fingers burning hot, the thin calluses on his palms scraping against her bare skin, arousing a shiver.

She struggled symbolically for a few moments, then stopped moving, buried her face in the pillow, closed her eyes, and her body was taut like a fully drawn bow.

Chen Ping's fingers hooked onto the bra strap of her bra, and he pulled it down roughly and urgently.

The shoulder strap dug into her shoulder skin, and Cui Ying took a soft breath.

Just then, Chen Ping's hand suddenly stopped, and he froze, as if he had been electrocuted.

Then he suddenly jumped off her, staggered back two steps, and slammed his back against the wardrobe door with a dull thud.

He stood in front of the wardrobe, raised his hand and slapped himself twice. The two slaps were crisp and loud, many times harder than when the young man had hit him during the day.

Red marks immediately appeared on his face, the effects of the alcohol dissipating somewhat after those two slaps.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Cui Ying..."

His voice was hoarse, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he were desperately swallowing something, his eyes reddening, and he avoided looking at her.

Cui Ying propped herself up on the bed, her face still flushed.

A few stray hairs fell beside her cheeks, and her chest rose and fell gently with her rapid breathing.

She watched silently as Chen Ping turned, opened the door, and walked out, without calling out to him.

Her loungewear was open, several buttons were on the floor, one shoulder was exposed from the torn neckline, and the bra strap was hanging crookedly on her arm.

A cool breeze blew in from outside, and she instinctively raised her arm to cover her chest, while using her other hand to gather her open front.

The sound of a tap being turned on came from the courtyard, the gurgling water sounding especially loud in the quiet night.

Chen Ping stuck his head under the tap, and the icy water poured over his head and face, down his neck and into his collar, making him shiver all over.

He slapped the back of his head with his palm, letting out a few muffled growls from his throat. The sound was suppressed and hoarse, like the suppressed roar of a caged beast, echoing in the empty backyard.

Zhou Xiaohe wandered around the front yard for a bit, and just as she returned to the backyard gate, she heard those roars.

She was startled and quickly ran over. She saw Chen Ping squatting next to the tap, soaking wet, his hair sticking to his scalp and dripping water. He looked utterly disheveled.

She wanted to go up and ask what was wrong, but she didn't dare. After hesitating for a moment, she quickly walked to the dormitory door and pushed it open.

Cui Ying was still sitting on the bed, her head down, buttoning her clothes. She had to pry her fingers open several times before she finally managed to fasten the last button.

Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were wrinkled, and there was a tear in the collar.

She looked up and saw Zhou Xiaohe standing at the door, her expression a mixture of panic and astonishment.

"Sister Cui Ying, what's wrong? Dr. Chen, he..."

Zhou Xiaohe ran to the bedside and saw the buttons scattered on the floor, Cui Ying's disheveled clothes and reddened eyes. Her voice trembled, "He hit you?"

"no."

Cui Ying reached out and pulled Zhou Xiaohe to her side, patting her hair. "He drank too much, he didn't mean it. Don't be afraid."

Zhou Xiaohe bit her lip, her eyes reddening, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

The door to the dormitory next door opened.

Zhou Jie and Sun Xiaoyan were awakened by the commotion in the yard. They ran out in their slippers and saw Chen Ping squatting next to the tap, soaked to the bone. The autumn night wind made his lips turn purple from the cold.

"Dr. Chen?" Zhou Jie quickly went over, bent down, and carefully touched his arm. "What's wrong?"

Chen Ping looked up, his face flushed, the color indistinguishable as water or something else.

He wiped his face with his hand, his voice hoarse and low, "It's nothing, I drank too much, my stomach feels uncomfortable, pouring some cold water makes me feel better."

Sun Xiaoyan stood behind Zhou Jie, frowning as she looked at Chen Ping. Her face remained indifferent, but her hands were gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.

Zhou Jie hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran back to her dormitory. When she came back, she was holding a carton of milk. "Dr. Chen, drink some milk first. It'll help protect your stomach."

Chen Ping took it; the milk carton was warm, and it felt slightly hot in his hand.

He looked down at the carton of milk for several seconds, then said in a barely audible voice, "Thank you."

His legs were still weak when he stood up, and he slowly walked back to his dormitory while holding onto the wall.

The door closed, and the sound of the latch being pushed in came from the inside.

Zhou Jie and Sun Xiaoyan stood in the courtyard, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Zhou Jie opened her mouth as if to say something, but Sun Xiaoyan shook her head and pulled her back to the dormitory.

Chen Ping leaned against the door panel, slowly slid down, and sat on the cold ground.

He placed the milk carton on his lap, lowered his head, and buried his face in his hands.

The smell of alcohol and iodine mingled on his hands, along with the warmth of Cui Ying's skin.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, leaving several red marks.

If he hadn't suddenly snapped out of it at that moment, he doesn't know what he would have done.

If he really did that to Cui Ying, Chen Ping would never forgive him.

Although Cui Ying likes him, he understands Cui Ying's feelings, and everyone knows Cui Ying's feelings for him.

But even so, Chen Ping couldn't do anything to betray them.

Taking advantage of someone's drunkenness to sleep with them, what do you call that?

That's called being irresponsible.

Chen Ping sat on the ground for an unknown amount of time until his legs went numb.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and saw it was a message from Cui Ying.

"I'm fine. Go to sleep early and don't overthink things."

Cui Ying sent this message perhaps because she was afraid Chen Ping would overthink things.

After all, any young woman would be furious and embarrassed if a man took advantage of her like that, and might even call the police.

This constitutes sexual harassment and is punishable by imprisonment.

But of course, Cui Ying wouldn't call the police, or even get angry. She sent a message to Chen Ping to show her attitude.

Chen Ping stared at the words on the screen for a long time before replying with a "Okay".

The poplar leaves outside the window rustled in the wind, and a sliver of moonlight peeked through the clouds, shining on his soaked clothes.

He leaned against the door to stand up, drank the milk, and the cold liquid slid down his throat, easing the burning sensation in his stomach slightly.

He threw the empty box into the trash can, took off his wet clothes, lay down on the bed, and quickly fell asleep.

But Cui Ying, who was next door, lay in bed for a long time without falling asleep.

Although she was a little scared at first, she now felt disappointed. If Chen Ping had been more impulsive and bolder back then, they would be a real boyfriend and girlfriend tomorrow.