NovelBookChapter 34
Since then, we quickly becfamiliar with each other.
Joseph was extremely popular. His medical skills were exceptional, and he was incredibly reliable during critical
moments. At the stime, he was humorous and always managed to make everyone around him laugh. With
him around, even my interview subjects would becmore talkative, willingly sharing more than they normally
would.
| enjoyed being around him.
One day, | was following him as he sprayed cholera prevention chemicals around the camp. Suddenly, a sharp
cry for help cfrom an empty tent. We rushed over and pulled back the flap, revealing a man pinning a young
girl to the ground, tearing at her clothes.
My face turned cold instantly, and | rushed forward to push the man away. He stumbled back but quickly
regained his balance, cursing as he raised his fist to strike me.
Before he could land a blow, Joseph pulledbehind him, shieldingfrom harm, and held up his work ID.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"If you don't want to lose access to medical care, you'd better leave now!"
The man hesitated, his gaze landing on the red cross on Joseph's badge. Muttering curses under his breath, he
hastily pulled up his pants and fled.
We took the girl to the UNHCR office and requested that they relocate her to another tent. After everything was
settled, Joseph patted my shoulder gently and said, "Don't be upset. You did well."
| froze for a moment. "I'm not upset."
Violence and croften accompany refugee camps, something I'd long been aware of.
But Joseph tilted his head and studied me. "You look upset."
His words caughtoff guard. | raised a hand to touch my face, as if to confirm his observation.
Then, out of nowhere, he grinned and playfully pinched my cheeks. "Your emotions aren't just written on your
face, you know!"
It seemed he'd found a new source of amusement. From then on, every twe met, he'd observefor a few
seconds before commenting, "You're in a good mood today," or "Who made you angry this time?"
| couldn't help but laugh, both exasperated and amused. "How do you even figure these things out?"
Leaning back with his hands behind his head, he replied with a smirk, "I have a younger brother, and in some
ways, you're alike. You both like to hide your feelings."
The mention of family made my smile falter, and | fell silent.
"What about you?" | asked hesitantly. "Don't your family worry about you being here?"
His expression turned calm, almost indifferent, as he shook his head. "We've cut ties."
"What? Why?" | was stunned.
"Because | wouldn't do as they said." His voice carried a note of resignation. "They were incredibly controlling.
Growing up, they forcedto do this and that, and if | ever resisted, I'd get beaten.
"I followed their wishes, studied medicine, and got a job at a hospital. But it was never enough—they kept
pushingto climb higher, to make a nfor myself,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
to bring them glory. But | didn't want that kind of life anymore.
"With Doctors Without Borders, | can focus purely on what being a doctor is about -saving lives. | enjoy that."
He sighed heavily. "Honestly, | feel bad for my younger brother."
| looked at him in confusion. He gave a bitter smile and explained, "When |
wouldn't cooperate, they had my brother, as a backup plan in case | turned out to be a failure.
"After | left, they forced him down the spath | escaped. He's obedient on the surface, but | know he's just as
suffocated as | was.
"I heard he later fell in love with a carefree girl, but my parents got in the way and broke them apart..."
It was the first the'd spoken about his family, and | hadn't expected such a heartbreaking story.
We sat in silence for a while before he broke it with a question. "What about you? Why did you chere to
work as a doctor?
Doesn't your family worry about you?"
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