Chapter 88: 第 88 章

'I give up on you,' Chi Jiahán said through gritted teeth, tending to Xu Ze's wound. 'Why didn't you go to General Surgery to get it dressed, let the whole 195 Hospital know that Lu Heyang bit you—'

'Jiahán,' Xu Ze couldn't help but stop him, to keep the whole floor from hearing.

'You shut up. I'm going to find Lu Heyang tomorrow and spill everything about you two in high school, so it's not all murky and unclear. What is this now?'

Xu Ze changed the subject with rather blunt force: 'He Wei, it seems he's not getting married.'

The Dental Department's new-generation doctor, famed for his steady hands, suddenly pressed the cotton swab onto Xu Ze's wound with unsteady force. He realized it almost at once and immediately pulled it away. Fortunately, Xu Ze was not very sensitive to pain; he didn't even frown, only asked, 'What's wrong?'

'What does it matter to me whether he gets married or not.' Having answered the previous question, Chi Jiahán finished applying the medicine and began tidying up.

'What about you,' Xu Ze asked.

Though Chi Jiahán's parents were not in the Capital City, their urging had never ceased; they constantly demanded he attend various banquets, trying to arrange a match with an Alpha from a suitable family in their circle. Chi Jiahán consistently ignored this, but over time, it inevitably brought weariness and irritation.

'What about me, I'm not getting married,' Chi Jiahán said expressionlessly.

'If they force you,' Xu Ze considered some realistic possibilities.

With a physician's compassion, Chi Jiahán said, 'Then I'll kill them all.'

Following this answer, Xu Ze thought it through with very linear logic: if Chi Jiahán had to kill his parents over this, He Wei would happily hand him the gun, then with perfect justification urge Chi Jiahán to elope with him — absurd, but perhaps exactly the sort of thing those two would do.

'Okay,' Xu Ze nodded.

Chi Jiahán was amused by him, then said, 'Why don't you and I get a marriage certificate.'

It was clearly said in jest, yet Xu Ze thought for a moment and replied, 'That would be fine.'

He had never thought of marrying anyone, nor would he ever fall for an Omega or a Beta. If getting a certificate could help Chi Jiahán solve some problems, Xu Ze was willing to go along.

Now it was Chi Jiahán's turn to be caught off guard. After a good while he said, 'Forget it. I'm afraid Lu Heyang will suddenly recover his memory someday and kill me.'

Xu Ze buttoned his shirt and smiled faintly. 'He won't.'

Chi Jiahán knew the 'he won't' was in answer to the matter of Lu Heyang recovering his memory.

Over the past two days, Song Yuke had come to Xu Ze's office three times, front and back, to discuss whether the injury Xu Ze had sustained from Colonel Lu's unconscious attack during his Susceptibility Period constituted an on-the-job injury, and the matter of compensation from Military Headquarters.

'It's fine, I just bumped into something by accident,' Xu Ze stated for the third time.

Song Yuke had no idea what one could bump into to get a wound shaped like a bite mark — he'd certainly never heard of such a thing — but he was relieved that Doctor Xu's face, which could grace the center of 195 Hospital's promotional board, hadn't been disfigured; only his lower lip had suffered a minor injury. Song Yuke comforted him: 'It's alright, Doctor Xu, we'll follow procedure. First compensation, then after the colonel's Susceptibility Period ends, I'll explain the situation to him, and the colonel will come to express his apologies to you.'

Xu Ze could neither imagine nor accept such a scene. He refused earnestly: 'Really, it's not necessary. It's just a little broken skin, no compensation needed, and no need for the colonel to apologize. Please don't take it to heart.'

Moved by the white-robed angel's magnanimity, Song Yuke secretly resolved to definitely tell the colonel about this, have him give Doctor Xu a proper account.

'Alright, then we'll listen to Doctor Xu,' Song Yuke said. 'By the way, the Endocrine Department has already placed the colonel's ward under isolation, with daily specialized monitoring and care, strictly controlling personnel entry and exit. The day before yesterday the colonel's father came by and couldn't even see the colonel. These next few days, Doctor Xu, you'd better not go over, save yourself a wasted trip. When the situation improves a bit, I'll let you know.'

'Okay, thank you.'

In fact, Xu Ze had already heard the news: originally Lu Heyang could have weathered this Susceptibility Period with a few days' rest, but because he took two doses of Inhibitor and went to a meeting, it ultimately sent his Pheromone out of control, triggering severe fever and coma. For this, the hospital urgently formed a team to take charge of Lu Heyang's Susceptibility Period treatment.

He Wei found out and cursed Gu Yunchi for having no conscience, for harming others deeply, for being struck by lightning sooner or later.

There was also a doctor from Respiratory Medicine on the team. Every time he came back from the Endocrine Department these past few days, Xu Ze would thicken his skin and ask, ask about Lu Heyang's condition, to the point where the other man sincerely exclaimed, 'You and Colonel Lu really are good brothers.'

After being Colonel Lu's 'good brother' for four days, Xu Ze was finally informed by both his colleague and Song Yuke simultaneously that Lu Heyang's Susceptibility Period was nearing its end, and the ward had been released from isolation.

'Perfect, then you go for me today, just some routine checks,' the colleague said. 'Yesterday the respiratory fever symptoms were basically gone already. You check again in a bit, if there's no issue he can stop the medication.'

'Okay.' Xu Ze picked up a penlight and stood up.

'Hey hey hey, what's the hurry, the medical record, the medical record.'

'…Oh, right.'

'When did our Doctor Xu become so careless, it's too much.'

Xu Ze only smiled, said nothing, took the folder and walked out.

The Endocrine Department was a bit livelier than usual, with military personnel in uniform or training gear constantly coming and going. Xu Ze waited a few minutes outside the ward door, confirmed with the guard that Lu Heyang was not currently working, then pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the ward the curtains were drawn open, bright and tidy, no excessive Pheromone scent — Xu Ze only caught a faint floral fragrance. There was the sound of conversation; the reception area was empty. Xu Ze walked to the bedroom doorway. Lu Heyang was sitting propped against the bed; the bouquet of broken-ice blue roses on the bedside table was half-blocked by the Omega's back.

Lu Heyang wore hospital pajamas; he seemed a little thinner, his complexion somewhat pale, his hair untended and falling over his forehead — Xu Ze suddenly felt a daze, remembering the last time he had seen Lu Heyang, many years ago.

Noticing Xu Ze, Lu Heyang placed the document in his hand on the table and looked toward him.

After meeting Lu Heyang's eyes for only half a second, Xu Ze looked away. He had told Lu Heyang to forget what happened a few days ago, but really, the one who most ought to forget was himself.

'Sorry to disturb you, I'm here to perform your examination today.'

Lin Yumian turned at the sound and smiled at Xu Ze. Since Lu Heyang hadn't uttered a word, he answered on his behalf: 'Alright.'

Xu Ze nodded, took a tablet from the foot of the bed, walked to the other side of the bed, took Lu Heyang's temperature and recorded it, then opened his penlight to examine Lu Heyang's throat. Finding no abnormalities, Xu Ze asked: 'Does your throat still hurt?'

'No.'

The voice sounded normal. Xu Ze placed three fingertips against Lu Heyang's Adam's apple. 'Please swallow once.'

Lu Heyang complied. After confirming there was no issue, Xu Ze ended the examination and made electronic and paper records.

As he lowered his head to write, Lu Heyang asked: 'Has the wound healed.'

The pen tip paused. Xu Ze stopped writing. 'A very small wound, it's fine now.'

'Song Yuke said your blood stained the entire shirt red,' Lu Heyang's tone gave no hint of fluctuation. 'Sorry.'

'It wasn't that serious.' Lu Heyang indeed seemed not to remember the incident, yet Xu Ze felt strangely uneasy about this calm. He said, 'It was just a minor injury.'

'Mm, thank you for your trouble, Doctor Xu.'

Xu Ze looked at the screen, blinked twice, then saved the record. 'It's my duty. Then I'll be going now, please rest well.'

His gaze swept a circuit between Lu Heyang and Xu Ze. Lin Yumian smiled. 'Thank you for your trouble.'

Xu Ze gave him a nod, returned the tablet to its place, and walked out of the ward.

'Why are you angry,' Lin Yumian said after Xu Ze had left. 'You frightened Doctor Xu.'

'Where am I angry.'

'Lashing out at someone isn't the only way to be angry. Polite indifference counts too. You rarely act like this.'

Lu Heyang offered no response to this. After a few quiet seconds, Lin Yumian suddenly said: 'I need some time to accept this.'

'I hope it won't trouble you too much,' Lu Heyang's expression remained as usual. 'When Uncle Wen finishes handling matters, please ask him to come by.'

'Mm.' Lin Yumian was uncharacteristically distracted. He leaned back in the chair and pressed his temples before asking, 'Is it convenient to tell me, was it after returning to the Capital City this year? What is the current relationship?'

'High school,' Lu Heyang was succinct. 'Ex-boyfriend.'

Lin Yumian gave a slight start, then smiled. 'I really am a terribly unqualified father.'

'Xu Ze, going to the gym?' Someone from Anesthesiology knocked on the door. 'You haven't had dinner, right? Are you on duty?'

Xu Ze, who had been staring blankly at a book, lifted his head somewhat sluggishly. The other man widened his eyes and snapped his fingers. 'Stunned from reading? Come on, I've only got an hour.'

'Okay.' Xu Ze closed the book and the pen cap.

195 Hospital had a sports facility specially equipped for staff. Xu Ze didn't exercise often; he only came to remedy things when discomfort appeared in his shoulders, neck, or lower back.

'Hey, I heard you're starting at the Research Institute next semester?'

Xu Ze adjusted the treadmill speed. 'Mm.'

'How long for?'

'Should be a year.'

'Will you come back after that? Your military doctor appointment is with 195 Hospital, right?'

'Don't know yet, we'll see later.'

'Our Doctor Xu, you must be a Buddhist, the way you just go with the flow.'

Xu Ze actually gave this some thought, then replied, 'I'm not religious.'

His colleague staggered two steps, nearly falling off the treadmill. He waved a hand. 'Alright, let's stop talking.'

After exercising he went to shower. Coming out and pulling on his shirt, his colleague blocked Xu Ze's hand as he dressed and peered curiously at his collarbone. 'What happened here? Looks like a bite. Which Omega plays that rough? Are you seeing someone?'

'No, I bumped into something.'

His colleague wore a smile that said he knew better, sizing Xu Ze up again. 'When will I ever get a body like yours?'

Not feeling his physique was anything special, Xu Ze said, 'Shouldn't you be aiming for Doctor Zhang from Orthopaedics?'

'Him? No, that's a bit exaggerated. Like a bullfrog. Yours is the best kind.'

A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. Doctor Zhang's voice came from behind. 'Who's a bullfrog?'

The changing room plunged into dead silence. Xu Ze finished dressing soundlessly, picked up his things, and said, 'I'm leaving first.'

Downstairs he ran into Qiu Cheng, who had just come out of the badminton hall, and the two walked back to the hospital building together. From a distance, a good ten meters away, Xu Ze spotted Lu Heyang standing at the entrance to the lobby, a jacket draped over his shoulders. Before him was an old Commander in military uniform, probably here to visit him.

The two exchanged a few words. The old Commander patted Lu Heyang's shoulder, likely offering some final advice. Lu Heyang nodded with a smile, then saw him off to his car.

'Doctor Xu.' Just as he was about to turn and climb the steps, Song Yuke saw Xu Ze approaching and called out to him.

Lu Heyang turned his head. His gaze lingered briefly on Xu Ze's face, then glanced at Qiu Cheng beside him.

His original intent had been to use the greeting as an opener, then hand the conversational reins over to Lu Heyang and Xu Ze. But he found that neither of them seemed inclined to speak. Song Yuke was baffled, could only smile at Xu Ze and say, 'We'll head up first.'

Xu Ze gave a low 'Mm.'

'Isn't that Colonel Lu who came to your dorm before?' Qiu Cheng remembered that commemorative badge vividly. 'What's going on with you two?'

He wanted to say 'nothing,' but the words wouldn't come. Xu Ze shook his head.

Walking back into the lobby, on the way to the private elevator, Song Yuke asked, 'Did you and Doctor Xu have some unpleasantness?'

He felt Xu Ze had wanted to say something, and Lu Heyang also knew Xu Ze had been injured because of his Susceptibility Period. No matter what, their attitude shouldn't have been like this.

'No,' Lu Heyang answered.

Song Yuke studied Lu Heyang's expression in the elevator mirror and asked again, 'Then why did you just now…'

'I'd like to know too,' Lu Heyang countered. 'What do you think?'

Song Yuke paused, then spoke as if nothing had happened. 'Command sent over a few documents, I put them by your bedside. Also, there might be a few calls you need to return.'

'Alright.'

At ten in the evening, the other night-shift colleague went to the duty room to sleep. Xu Ze stayed alone in the office. After confirming he truly couldn't study as efficiently as usual, he closed his book.

His mind turned over a great many things, yet it also felt like he was thinking of nothing, because he could reach no conclusion. When he came back to himself, Xu Ze was already in the elevator, the button for the ninth-floor Endocrine Department glowing.

'Is the colonel resting?' At the door to the ward, Xu Ze asked the guard.

'Shouldn't be, someone brought documents over not long ago.' The guard opened the door, confirmed the light in the reception area was on, and nodded to Xu Ze.

Xu Ze murmured 'thank you' and went in. Only one floor lamp was lit in the reception area. Lu Heyang sat on the sofa beside it, a stack of folders and document pouches resting on the edge of the coffee table before his knees.

In the shadows outside the circle of orange-yellow light cast by that lamp, Xu Ze stood quietly, until Lu Heyang finished reading the last line and signed.

Lu Heyang closed the document. The slender fingers of his left hand rested on the folder. He looked up naturally, not seeming surprised by Xu Ze's arrival, and only asked, 'It's so late, Doctor Xu. Is there something you need?'

Empty-handed — no medicine, no patient chart, no test results, not even a stethoscope or a penlight. If he claimed he'd come for work, it would be sorely lacking in credibility. Xu Ze found himself in the same predicament as so many years ago, braving the pouring rain to buy a Sand Cake for Lu Heyang, acting on impulse without thinking, and in the end unable to give a decent answer when asked the reason.

So he could only be direct. Xu Ze asked, 'Are you unhappy?'

He had told Lu Heyang to forget that incident, and Lu Heyang had truly done so. Yet Xu Ze felt uneasy, unable to sort out his thoughts. Only at the moment he asked did he finally realize his unease was because Lu Heyang seemed angry — but why would he be angry?

Lu Heyang tossed the question back to Xu Ze. 'Why do you ask?'

'Is it because I entered your ward that day?' The tone wasn't strongly interrogative, more like a statement, because this was the cause Xu Ze had settled on. He thought his initiative that time was very likely a mistake; Lu Heyang might not have needed it. That kind of behavior would only make their relationship ambiguous, which was not good, in short.

Having thus unilaterally completed a reasonable line of logic, without even waiting for Lu Heyang's answer, Xu Ze went on, 'I'm sorry.'

Lu Heyang stared at him for a dozen seconds, then suddenly asked, 'Did Doctor Xu bring a blood pressure monitor?'

'No. Is something uncomfortable?' Xu Ze took two steps forward into the light, trying to discern if something was physically wrong with Lu Heyang.

'Just feel like my blood pressure might be a bit high right now,' Lu Heyang said. 'It's fine.'

Xu Ze had seen all the test reports; Lu Heyang had no blood pressure issues. He didn't know why this condition would suddenly appear. Concerned, Xu Ze said, 'I'll notify Cardiology right away.'

'Don't.' Lu Heyang placed the file back on the coffee table and stood up, walking over to stand before Xu Ze. 'Doctor Xu just needs to apologize a few less times.'

Very concerned that Lu Heyang wore only thin patient garb, Xu Ze glanced at the temperature control screen on the wall and felt slightly reassured.

'Are you angry?' Xu Ze persisted, asking again.

Lu Heyang said, 'A little.'

Xu Ze wanted to say sorry again, but considering Lu Heyang's blood pressure, he ultimately swallowed those three words. He lowered his eyes and nodded. 'Alright, I understand.'

'Understand what? Can you tell me?' Lu Heyang sought his instruction.

'I shouldn't have entered your ward during your Susceptibility Period.'

Lu Heyang's tone held a touch of helplessness. 'Maybe we should contact Cardiology after all.'

Unable to confirm if this suggestion was serious or not, Xu Ze lifted his eyes. 'If it's needed—'

Before he could finish, the moment their gazes met, Lu Heyang cupped Xu Ze's right cheek, leaned down, and kissed him.

It was just lips brushing lightly against lips, a shallow touch. Yet Xu Ze was slow to react, like opening an exam paper and finding he couldn't do the very first question — incredulous and utterly bewildered.

After kissing for a few seconds, Lu Heyang straightened up. Xu Ze caught his sleeve, eyes wide as he looked at him.

'You were the one who took the initiative that day, yet afterward you told me to forget it,' Lu Heyang began. 'I never thought Doctor Xu was such an irresponsible person.'

Xu Ze hadn't thought so either — hadn't thought that one day he'd be saddled with the label of a scoundrel. He was momentarily speechless, with no way to explain.

'There's already so much I've forgotten,' Lu Heyang said slowly. 'Why ask me to forget this too?'

This was the second time he held back from saying 'I'm sorry.' Xu Ze pressed his lips together and asked, 'So that's why you were angry?'

Skipping the answer, Lu Heyang offered comfort. 'It's alright, don't take it to heart.'

But he had already taken it to heart for a whole day. Xu Ze thought for a long time before coming up with something appropriate. 'It won't happen again.'

Lu Heyang curved a faint smile. 'I hope Doctor Xu keeps his word.'

'Mm.' Xu Ze nodded, even though there might not be a next time.

'Is the wound healed?'

Lu Heyang had already asked this question in the morning, but Xu Ze sensed something different in it now. His answer remained the same. 'It's healed already. It's fine.'

'Would it be convenient to let me see?'

Impossible to refuse — there was nothing inconvenient for Xu Ze when it came to Lu Heyang. He reached to undo his buttons, baring his collarbone. The light wasn't enough; Lu Heyang leaned in to look, the pad of his index finger brushing over the wound. 'The scab has mostly fallen off.'

The place he'd touched felt warm. Xu Ze looked at Lu Heyang's nose bridge and eyelashes, so close at hand, breathing with restraint. He had the urge to cover Lu Heyang's ears, to prevent him from hearing his own heartbeat.

The communicator pinned to his white coat chose an inopportune — or perhaps a very opportune — moment to flash red. Xu Ze started. 'It's from Emergency.'

Lu Heyang buttoned his shirt for him. 'Go.'

'Mm.'

Xu Ze walked toward the door. Just before stepping out of the ward, he couldn't help but look back. Lu Heyang was still standing there. Xu Ze suddenly recalled his initial thought after meeting Lu Heyang again: he had hoped he was just an ordinary, unimportant passerby, someone who could be forgotten with a turn of the head. But now Lu Heyang was remembering him anew.