Chapter 279 Long Time No See

Chapter 279 Long Time No See

She thought of the beach in her dream, of those happy faces. She knew the suffering before her wasn't over yet, and the challenges remained severe: the plasma hadn't been delivered, the infected wounded needed careful care, and the supply transport route was still full of unknowns. But the warmth from her dream intertwined with this moment's good news, forming the strongest force to support her moving forward.

Zoey clenched her fists, quietly hoping in her heart that Chase's samples would pass the review smoothly, that the first batch of supplies would arrive soon, that every injured life could be healed, and that this land that had been through so much could finally welcome the peace and beauty of that beach dream.

She straightened her uniform and walked back into the medical tent. What she needed to do next was to carry this hope and determination, continue fighting against suffering, and stand guard for life, until all her hopes gradually became reality.

Fortunately, headquarters approved it quickly. The day the supply vehicles arrived, the camp had unusually pleasant weather. Matthew waited at the camp entrance early, so excited he could barely speak.

In the distance, three SUVs marked with the Doctors Without Borders logo came driving up in a cloud of dust. As soon as the vehicles stopped, the first person to jump out was wearing light outdoor gear, standing tall and straight, with some travel-worn fatigue between his brows, yet still gentle and steady.

Zoey was cleaning a post-surgery patient's wound when she heard the cheering outside, and the forceps in her hand nearly dropped onto the tray.

She looked up and met the eyes of the person standing at the tent entrance looking her way. The moment their eyes met, they both froze.

Chase's gaze fell on her face, from her skin tanned honey-colored by the desert sun, to the fine lines at the corners of her eyes and brows, to the calluses worn on her fingertips—each change was like a fine needle, gently pricking his heart. His Adam's apple bobbed hard, and a surge of heartache rushed up uncontrollably, all restraint crumbling in this moment. He could barely control himself as he stepped forward, and before Zoey could react, he reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms.

The instant their chests pressed together, Zoey could clearly feel the drumming heartbeat in Chase's chest, rapid and burning hot, shaking her until the blood in her body almost stood still. His grip was strong, carrying a hint of fear at recovering what was lost and an impulse suppressed for too long, as if he wanted to meld her into his bones and blood.

"Chase?"

Zoey stood frozen in place, still holding the forceps she'd been using to clean the patient's wound. The scent of his light cologne mixed with dust filled her nose, and for a moment she forgot to struggle.

Only then did Chase realize his loss of composure. He slowly released his hands, his fingertips still retaining the rough texture of her white coat, his ears turning red, his tone carrying a barely noticeable sigh:

"Long time no see, Zoey. Are you... okay?"

Chase's voice caught. He looked her over carefully, checking repeatedly to make sure she hadn't been injured.

Zoey saw the lingering concern in his eyes, and a complex warmth swept through her heart. She steadied herself, gently smoothed out her wrinkled clothes, and asked softly:

"I'm fine. But why did you come yourself? I thought you'd send a team."

After handing off the wound cleaning to a volunteer in the tent, Zoey walked out side by side with Chase.

"I heard you were here. How could I feel comfortable sending someone else?"

As Chase spoke, he pulled two heavy canvas bags from the back seat:

"This delivery mainly consists of nutritional injections for post-surgery and weak patients. The formulations are all adjusted based on the patient conditions you reported, delivered as complete sets, ready for immediate clinical use. There are also some antibiotics and portable surgical instruments—all things you urgently need."

He looked at the heavy canvas bags in his hands:

"These are for you."

Zoey opened the bag, and a rich milky and cocoa aroma hit her face. Inside were several bars of high-calorie chocolate, a large piece of vacuum-packed dry cheese, and a box of colorful fruit candies.

In the past, these things would have been completely ordinary. But on this land where supplies were scarce, these were treasures that could quickly replenish energy, and those candies were top-tier luxury items in the children's eyes.

"Too precious."

She carefully tucked the candy box into her white coat pocket, and when she looked up at Chase, her eyes were brimming with tears:

"The children will definitely love them. I thank you on their behalf."

"After you left, I lost all information about you. I was very worried about you, but none of the emails I sent you got any reply."

Chase watched her movements, a gentle light rippling in his eyes:

"You left in such a hurry, you didn't even tell me where your battlefield was."

His voice was soft and slow, carrying a hint of persistence:

"I checked the Doctors Without Borders website almost every other day, hoping to get some news about you. But there was nothing. I saw that your supplies were also very scarce, and I kept trying to contact your headquarters, hoping to do something for you, and for them."

Chase looked toward the children laughing and playing in the yard:

"Thank God you recommended me to the organization. It gave me the chance to work with you. When negotiating the partnership, I specifically asked the organization for detailed patient lists and supply needs. I know what's lacking here, and I also know... what you need."

Zoey's heart trembled sharply, and she stared at him in a daze. So he had quietly done so much, so that seemingly precise supply allocation had such thoughtful care behind it.

Just then, Matthew and Elias walked over together.

Elias looked at the markings on the supply vehicle and excitedly shook Chase's hand:

"Mr. Anderson, thank you so much! This batch of nutritional injections came at just the right time! Many post-surgery patients are recovering very slowly due to malnutrition. With these, their chances of recovery are so much better!"

"It's what I should do."

Chase's gaze moved from Zoey's face to those busy volunteers and the patients' faces visible in the tents, his eyes taking on a more solemn look:

"As a pharmaceutical company, being able to do our part for the lives here is my responsibility."

Matthew had already had people start unloading supplies. Boxes of clearly labeled nutritional injections were carefully moved down, and the volunteers' cheers rose one after another. Zoey watched those neatly stacked boxes, warmth layering upon warmth in her heart.

"Dr. King, why don't you show Mr. Anderson around our camp!"

Elias could tell Chase wanted to be alone with Zoey, so he actively created an opportunity for the two of them.