Romantic Cavalier: Warfare

Chapter 1

"How's the surgery, Doctor Xiao?" Doctor Zhuo Feng had just come into his office. He was leaning at the back of his swivel chair when his secretary informed him that the older doctor wanted to talk to him.

"Hmm, it was successful, Doc Zhuo." He gave him a faint smile. Doctor Zhuo knows well why he was still sad when they talked about surgery and saving people's lives.

"Good job, Doc Lawrence. You are the best doctor we have here. But don't you just think of trying something new in this field?

"Like what?"

"Medical mission? You have been stuck in this hospital for five years now, am I correct? How about you try it outside and you might find your soon-to-be girlfriend there." The older doctor then winked at him.

Lawrence Xiao laughed, softly. He was comfortable with the older doctor, for he was like a father to him although he still looked young even though he was already 47 years old.

"Girlfriend? Hmm, I don't think so Doc? I have no plans for having a girlfriend yet. She might just complain if I had no time for her. I'll wait for a person who will understand my profession and what life I have." He responded with a smile plastered on his face.

"Hmm, you are right anyway. I met my wife when I was ten years in service. I had girlfriends before her but it mostly took only for a few months because they only took to understand me. They were always demanding too much of my time." The older doctor chuckled as he remembered his past relationships.

"I'm still young though, so I don't need to be in such a hurry," Lawrence Xiao replied, laughing.

"Anyways, is there anything you need, Doc? Why did you visit me?"

"Well, the board of directors had a meeting yesterday and we discussed the request of the army battalion for a team of doctors and nurses to do a medical mission where their camp is situated. There's a dengue outbreak happening right now, affecting those residents and there is a lack of doctors and nurses and some are afraid to volunteer because the militants are still lurking in that area and they are afraid that another clash between the military and the terrorists will happen again."

"So you mean Doc Zhuo, you're asking me to volunteer?"

"You don't like it?" The older doctor smiled, weakly, as if trying to put me amid of conscience.

"But doc, why me? There are a lot of doctors there, but why did you choose me? You know a lot of patients are always looking for me." Lawrence Xiao wanted to know the reason why Doctor Zhuo chose him.

"Well, I know you are the best doctor here and I trust you. I know how dedicated you are towards your work." He truthfully said, trying to convince Lawrence Xiao.

"I'll think about it Doc." He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose, a gesture that said he was having a second thought. Various consequences might welcome him there, who knows.

"Well, tomorrow there's another meeting and I want you to attend. I want to know your answer too, tomorrow." The doctor smiled, hoping that the young man would oblige.

"Okay, Doc. I will!"

"I'll take my leave now, Doc Lawrence. Looking forward to your positive answer." Doctor Zhuo then left with a smile on his face.

Lawrence Xiao heaved a sigh. He said he'd think about it but to immerse himself on a mission where he could remember his brother was quite difficult for him. It's not like he didn't want to remember his brother, but to see how his life being a soldier and how he fell on and wasted his life brought Lawrence Xiao into deep thought. "Am I ready? What if..." he heaved another deep sigh again. So many what-ifs were running around his mind.

-

The next day, as Doctor Zhuo had told him. Lawrence Xiao with the other doctors and nurses who received a memo to attend the meeting were currently waiting for the director to arrive.

"Doctor Xiao, will you accept this mission?" Johnny Chen, who was a nurse, asked him.

"Let us hear the proposal first, for the information is vague enough- and I want to know what this medical mission is all about."

"If you go, I will go also," Johnny Chen said, enthusiastically.

"Silly! You have to decide on your own. Don't depend on me." Lawrence Xiao slapped his hand gently, earning an 'ouch' from him.

"That's my final decision and it is to follow you." He wiggled his eyebrows back and forth, mocking him playfully.

Johnny Chen was a male nurse who was one of those who were so close to Lawrence Xiao. He admired Lawrence Xiao much because, at his young age, he was already known as the best doctor in that hospital. Most of the patients were always looking for him and his clinic always had a long queue. His handsome, pretty face was a bonus according to his patients, who always made him laugh when they would tell him about his looks, nonchalantly.

They went silent as the head director went onto the platform that served as a stage in that small function hall of the hospital.

"Hi everyone. I think you already have an idea why we called this meeting." Everyone nodded.

"A few days ago we received a letter from the military, asking for our help. They need some doctors and nurses to help the residents, because they are now facing a dengue outbreak. Even some of our soldiers are infected. There are already a few numbers of fatalities, mostly children. Z Province, as we all know, is an isolated place where militants are always present and the clashes between them and the government troops take place. The doctors and nurses from nearby provinces are scared to accept the requested assistance needed, so we are the only option." The attendees started buzzing like bees because some of them were against the idea of sending them to Z Province.

"I am asking everyone to please keep quiet." Then they all went silent again, giving the director the spotlight to continue his formal orientation.

"Yesterday, all the board of directors and some military officials had a meeting and we discussed the said request and we came up to choose Doctor Lawrence Xiao to lead the team." Everyone quickly turned their gazes to Lawrence Xiao, some with mouth agape, some widened their eyes in surprise. Lawrence Xiao just shrugged his shoulders off.

"Everyone, I need your attention, please. I think Doctor Zhuo has already informed Doctor Lawrence Xiao so he can decide whether he will accept it or not. Doctor Xiao, pardon me, but may we have your decision please." The director then looked at him with hopes gleaming in his eyes.

Lawrence Xiao got up from his seat and spoke.

"I know as a doctor I don't have a weapon to defend myself like our soldiers, but I have my tools and knowledge to save lives. If soldiers are brave to sacrifice their time, even their lives, to protect the people of this country. I, as a doctor, am ready to sacrifice myself to save lives according to my knowledge and capability, and that is my sworn promise as a doctor. I, Lawrence Xiao, have decided to accept the offer to lead the medical team to Z Province. Whoever will follow me shall be appreciated for his will and bravery, and will be my companion... Good luck to us all." Lawrence Xiao smiled when he finished his speech about accepting the job.

"Thank you so much, Doctor Xiao. We made the right choice, we know. Whoever wants to join him in this mission, I need you to raise your hands." Some nurses and doctors raised their hands.

"Okay, we'll count you in, Li Han, Johnny Chen, Irene Tay(a doctor who has a big crush on Lawrence), nurse Yu (an old maid nurse)..." the director continued naming the volunteers.

"Dex, don't you want to go?" Lawrence Xiao nudged his cousin who was also a doctor in that hospital. His cousin rolled his eyes. "Director, Doctor Dexter Zhuo, volunteers to come too." Lawrence Xiao smiled widely when he told it to the director. Dexter glared at him as he looked back at him. Lawrence Xiao only responded with a toothy grin.

"Now, I think we have enough volunteers on our lists. Those who didn't volunteer are dismissed and go back to their work. Then volunteers stay and we will discuss things that we need to get ready before we

send you off to Z Province."

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