Don't Reconcile Too Quickly - Chapter 45

At noon, Shen Shixu arrived at the ward with the nutritionist. As long as there was no chemotherapy, Chen Jiazhi was in good spirits and didn’t complain about pain.

“Why did you eat so little?” Shen Shixu frowned. “Did you sneak something again?”

Putting down his chopsticks, Chen Jiazhi leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach slowly, feeling a bit puzzled. “Maybe I ate too much for breakfast. I don’t feel hungry.”

“Did you finish all your breakfast?”

The disbelief was evident in his tone.

“What kind of look is that? Do you have no trust in me at all?” Chen Jiazhi rolled his eyes. “If you don’t believe me, ask the caregiver!”

“I never said I didn’t believe you. Why are you being so defensive?” Not only defensive but also a bit argumentative, Shen Shixu asked, “What else did you eat?”

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Mingyang came this morning and brought me some rice cakes from home.”

“Rice cakes?!” Shen Shixu’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. “That stuff is hard to digest. Why eat that?”

“Oh, don’t worry! I know, I know! Mingyang said it was made from rice, not glutinous rice, so I ate it.”

“How many did you eat?”

“Four pieces in total, I ate them all.”

Four rice cakes made from rice, thankfully, wouldn’t burden the digestive system.

“And what else? Why did he come to see you?”

“He didn’t do much, just chatted for a while, then went back to take care of his grandmother.” Chen Jiazhi looked at him, hesitantly asking, “You… don’t like him? He said he’d bring more tomorrow, and I…”

The rest of the question hung in the air-can I still eat what he brings?

“What do you mean like or dislike? I don’t even know him.”

Chen Jiazhi didn’t dare speak further, timidly responding with an “oh.”

Being alone in the ward could be boring, especially with no friends around. Finally, someone his age came along.

Sigh…

“If you feel bored, you can chat with him.” Shen Shixu’s expression was serious. “But from now on, anything he gives you, you must ask me before eating.”

“Got it. You’re really nagging now.” Chen Jiazhi rubbed his stomach. “It’s so bloated…”

“You’re a rascal who never learns.” Watching him rub his stomach, Shen Shixu sighed. “Fine, eat if you want, but absolutely no glutinous rice cakes, understand?”

He didn’t say the rest. When chemotherapy starts again, he won’t be able to eat anything.

Since he skipped lunch, Chen Jiazhi quickly felt hungry in the afternoon and ate a bunch of snacks.

When Shen Shixu returned from work in the evening, he saw the snack wrappers in the trash. “If you were hungry, why didn’t you ask the nutritionist to bring you food?”

The snacks in the ward weren’t ordinary; they were truly additive-free and nutritious, some even suitable for infants.

“It’s too much trouble, and eating alone isn’t fun.” Putting down his book, Chen Jiazhi jumped onto Shen Shixu, hooking his arms around the collar of his white coat. “You look really good in this, like a handsome gentleman, you know, a handsome gentleman!”

Putting the report on the cabinet, Shen Shixu held him as they sat on the bed’s edge. “Stop it, I know you.” He shook his leg, causing Chen Jiazhi to bounce slightly. “You don’t want dinner, do you?”

“Hehe, you really know me well.” With a silly grin, Chen Jiazhi said, “I ate too many snacks, but I’ll keep you company for dinner.”

“Starting tomorrow, if you don’t eat meals, you won’t get rice cakes either.” Shen Shixu placed him on the bed and went to the small table to eat dinner. With a glance around the room, he could tell what Chen Jiazhi had been up to that afternoon. Still, he asked, “What did you do today? It’s time for your daily report.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up when you left for lunch?” With pillows stacked behind him, Chen Jiazhi complained, “I woke up, and the room was empty…”

“If I wake you, you’ll throw a fit, whining for ages before letting me leave.”

“Are you tired of me?” Chen Jiazhi turned to watch Shen Shixu eat slowly, whispering, “You look really good eating.”

One sentence, and Shen Shixu was delighted. He swallowed his food and urged, “Come on, report.”

“Alright, I woke up and started reading, replied to my aunt’s messages, and she even video-called me. I hid in the bathroom to answer, and she said I’ve gained weight.”

“By the way, when do people delete friends?”

Shen Shixu coughed, drank some water, and asked calmly, “What friend did you delete?”

“You know, the director from Zhongheng Publishing you met before. For some reason, he suddenly disappeared from my friend list.” Chen Jiazhi shook his head, muttering, “It’s strange. I remember before I transferred wards, he sent me lots of messages, and after the video call with my aunt, I found he deleted me.”

“Is it because I didn’t reply promptly and he got mad?”

“Should I add him back and apologize?”

“It feels awkward…”

“But he’s so petty, deleting me over that. I barely have anyone on WeChat.”

After another cough, Shen Shixu dismissed it, “Why bother adding such a petty person? Haven’t Hao Xi and Chu Ziyou added you on WeChat and even pulled you into their group?”

“Not satisfied? I’ll buy you a batch of followers.”

“…”

“Then don’t add him, haha. Speaking of which, the ‘Debate Club’ is lively.”

Their group of five brothers now had six members.

“Even if I don’t speak in the group, just reading their chat feels educational.”

These guys could talk about anything from the sky to the ground, but they wouldn’t say anything inappropriate, so learning bad habits wasn’t a concern.

Chen Jiazhi continued, “They even sent me big red envelopes this afternoon, but you didn’t grab any!”

Shen Shixu pulled out his phone, tossing it to the far end of the bed. “Grab them now.”

“Why throw it so far? I have to get up to fetch it.”

Swallowing his food, Shen Shixu turned his head, seeing… Chen Jiazhi using his foot to hook the phone. He sighed again, “Afraid of hitting you, lazy pig.”

Chen Jiazhi chuckled, entered the password, and was stunned by the WeChat interface.

“Why do you have so many groups!”

“So many unread messages!”

“I’m so jealous, three thousand people.”

“Hehe, even though you set me as a top contact.”

Hospital notification groups had to be joined, along with other department groups, sometimes calling for doctors to help.

There were also patient messages, spanning all age groups.

Though Shen Shixu seemed like someone who wouldn’t add anyone on WeChat, he agreed whenever patients requested to add him, asking about their conditions or post-surgery care.

After all, saving a life is more valuable than building a seven-story pagoda.

Of course, those who pretended to inquire about medical conditions just to flirt were deleted, and messages without any notes, like “Sea Urchin Steamed Egg,” were ignored.

Chen Jiazhi wouldn’t pry into privacy. He scrolled down the chat interface to find the Debate Club, his finger pausing for a second when he saw “Brother Shixu, can I play with brother Jiazhi tomorrow?”

“You have Mingyang on WeChat? Why are you so cold to him when you have his contact?” He looked at Shen Shixu. “He even asked if he could play with me, and you didn’t reply.”

“Why ask me if he can play with you? Shouldn’t he ask you?” Shen Shixu’s tone was icy.

“Isn’t it because you’re too stern? He tried talking to you, but you ignored him, and we don’t have each other’s contact, so he had to ask you!” Chen Jiazhi quickly scrolled away. “It’s annoying. When you’re at work, I have no one to talk to!”

He rambled on, scrolling through yesterday’s chat records, feeling dizzy. He simply typed the group name to find it, grabbing red envelopes with a flurry. “I knew they’d all send two hundred each. Four envelopes, and I got you a hundred yuan.”

“How will you thank me?”

“Transfer it to yourself for candy.” Shen Shixu chuckled helplessly. “The payment password is the same as the unlock password.”

“I don’t want it. Keep it for yourself.” Putting down the phone, Chen Jiazhi started rambling again. “Were you holding my report earlier? Tell me about it.”

“Everything’s good, indicators are normal.”

“Will I continue chemotherapy?”

Reaching the crux of the matter, Shen Shixu put down his chopsticks, turned around, and patted his thigh. Chen Jiazhi slipped on his slippers and sat across his lap, shyly asking, “How can you eat like this?”

“You’ll continue chemotherapy, and at the end of next month, you’ll undergo radiotherapy. After that, you’ll have surgery, and you’ll be fine.” Shen Shixu applied some pressure, pressing his head.

So, Chen Jiazhi obediently rested on his shoulder, after a while, softly asking, “Is it hard to treat?”

“Don’t you trust me?” Shen Shixu drank some soup, finding it quite tasty. He lifted Chen Jiazhi, offering it to his mouth. “Harvard Medical School is the world’s top-ranked medical school, not bought with money but earned through hard study.”

“The international and domestic awards over the years weren’t won for nothing.”

“Do you look down on me or look down on me?”

“That’s amazing! How did you get in?” Swallowing the soup, Chen Jiazhi smacked his lips. “I’m so envious. I didn’t even go to college, didn’t graduate high school.”

“So what? You’re not cut out for that.” Shen Shixu mercilessly teased while wiping his mouth with a tissue. “You don’t need a degree to show your excellence.”

Saying this twisted his heart. Why didn’t he go to college, why didn’t he graduate high school?

But he had to keep it light, not wanting Chen Jiazhi to recall any bad memories.

As for the investigation, it could wait.

Perhaps, deep down… he was also resisting the truth.

“I knew it, if you don’t say something about me, I won’t be able to sleep!” Chen Jiazhi complained, “So annoying!”

“Alright, alright, I’m annoying. You’re good, you’re good, just drink the soup. You skipped lunch and dinner, and if you skip tomorrow, Chen Jiazhi, you’ll definitely get scolded.” Shen Shixu offered the soup again, watching him drink, quickly shifting the topic from illness and college. “Don’t overthink, don’t believe what others say, only trust me, okay?”

Chen Jiazhi pouted, “Not very trusting.”

Shen Shixu pinched his cheek, forcing a smile. “Why are you pouting again?”

“That day, you tricked me into taking painkillers, saying only ten minutes had passed when it had been all morning.” Pushing his hand away, Chen Jiazhi sulked, “You lied to me, and I didn’t know. The medical barrier is so thick…”

Lying back on his shoulder, he softly said, “Even if you give me the report, I wouldn’t understand it.”

“Knowing you don’t understand, stop messing around. Do what you’re told, and if you search online, you won’t be allowed to use your phone.” Shen Shixu threatened, “As doctors, the most annoying thing is when patients come for a check-up and ask us-”

“What do they ask?” Chen Jiazhi reacted quickly, squinting, “If you tease me like last time, I’ll throw a fit!”

“Many patients, when they first fall ill, don’t seek a doctor but instead search online based on their symptoms. After all the searching, they mostly come across ads from quack hospitals. Not only does this delay their treatment, some even get scammed.”

“By the time they turn to us out of desperation, and when the test results are out, they question why the information online advised differently, suggesting one treatment before another.”

“They too are desperate and seek any possible solution…” Standing up straight, Chen Jiazhi looked into Shen Shixu’s eyes, “They are mostly elderly, vulnerable to deception because they don’t understand. If they come to you for treatment, you should speak kindly to them, not so harshly.”

“…In your eyes, what am I, a cold-blooded creature? Don’t I have the emotions that humans should have?” Finishing the last bit of soup, Shen Shixu leaned back into his chair and raised an eyebrow, “Seems like you’ve misunderstood me a bit?”

“As a doctor, you can’t have too much empathy, you know.” He decided against explaining further, instead making a slight jab, “Like you, could never be a doctor.”

Chen Jiazhi was curious, “Why not?”

“Because in this world, there are many patients and doctors too find themselves helpless at times. There are many things beyond our ability to aid.” Warm fingers traced his cheek as Shen Shixu tenderly caressed the corner of his eyes, “If you were a doctor, you’d cry for two days, be sad for three days, be of hindrance for four days, and by the fifth day, you’d resign.”

Chen Jiazhi burst out laughing, “Why aren’t you a comedian?”

“Such extinct behaviors aren’t shown to outsiders.” Shen Shixu quipped nonchalantly, “Too excellent, afraid others might get jealous.”

Chen Jiazhi collapsed into laughter on him, “Has anyone else seen this side of you? So sloppy.”

“I’ve only shown this to you.” Shen Shixu shook his leg, prompting Chen Jiazhi to do the same. Sitting up straight, their noses touching, they gently rubbed against each other, and he asked, “What will you show me in return?”

“What should I show?” Chen Jiazhi perked up his ears, “Do we need to show each other? I don’t have anything good to show you, you know everything about me, and I’ve no secrets.”

“Alright.” Cradling him up with one arm and hooking the bathroom door with his leg, Shen Shixu said, “Let’s see what color the underwear you picked last night is.”

“…”

“I washed and picked one to wear last night, but I still don’t know what color it is.”

“!! Shen Shixu, you’re too much!!”

“Don’t yell so loud.”

“…”

“I request a temporary pause on our relationship! Until you are…”

“What until?”

Quiet for a long time in the bathroom, only to hear after a while, “When it softens, we can resume.”

“I said I’d come back this morning for a touch, no backing out!”

After fooling around in the bathroom and watching a movie in bed, Shen Shixu absentmindedly caressed the rounded shoulders beneath his palm, “You’ve gained a bit of weight; even pushing against the wall feels different from before.”

Chen Jiazhi’s face was still red, “Stop it!”

Shen Shixu suddenly pinned him down, and in the shadowed embrace, he asked, “Just touching with hands makes you this shy; what will you do later?”

“I don’t know…”

“Tie you up, hmm?”

“Shut up, I’m going to sleep.”

“It’s only seven, you think you can sleep? Won’t you just fantasize on your own?”

Chen Jiazhi covered his ears.

“Pig.”

Every few minutes, Shen Shixu would repeat the call.

Chen Jiazhi kicked him, “I heard you!”

After a moment, a deliberately suppressed laugh echoed around the room.

Seconds later, Chen Jiazhi realized what was happening, grabbed Shen Shixu’s arm, and bit down hard, exasperatedly saying, “Let’s break up directly, I can’t live like this another day.”

The consequence of nonsense was a slap on the buttocks, carefully avoiding the right arm, as Shen Shixu forcefully pulled him into his embrace, “Dare say that again.”

Realizing his mistake, Chen Jiazhi settled down, earnestly resuming their movie, but his eyelids drooped in mere moments, quickly succumbing to sleep.

Even with the most meticulous care, his cancer-ridden body, though recovering well, still couldn’t match a healthy person.

After Chen Jiazhi fell asleep, Shen Shixu laid his hand on his wrist, feeling the strong, steady pulse under the skin.

Then he calmly looked at the projector, unaware of what movie was playing.

Early risers wake early.

Just after five in the morning, as it barely began to brighten outside, Chen Jiazhi awoke, gently removing the arm around his waist. Barely moving, Shen Shixu also woke and promptly propped himself up, asking, “Are you uncomfortable?”

His voice was deep, still heavy with sleepiness.

“No discomfort, keep sleeping, don’t mind me,” Chen Jiazhi whispered.

“Where were you about to go?”

“Just need to pee.”

Thus, Shen Shixu let him go, and when Chen Jiazhi returned from the bathroom, a pair of hands from under the covers pulled him back into the embrace, first checking his forehead temperature, then holding him tight, “Put your right arm up.”

The right arm with the medical tubing.

Positioning his right arm along his waist, Chen Jiazhi whispered again, “It’s only five, keep sleeping.”

“Don’t wander off, wake me in an hour if needed.”

Thinking he couldn’t really escape with such a tight embrace, he reconsidered and kept quiet, curving his lips and closing his eyes.

Outside, the sky gradually brightened, streetlights along the roads blinked out, traffic on the overpasses increased, and the sun peered over the horizon. Activity began at the hospital’s main entrance, vendors setting up breakfast stalls, passengers alighting from taxis.

The nutritionist arrived at the ward, seeing Chen Jiazhi fetching breakfast, and asked, “Isn’t Dr. Shen here?”

“He’s taking a shower, do you need something?” Chen Jiazhi asked with a smile.

“Nothing urgent, just my first time seeing you. You don’t look like a patient, which means you must be recovering well,” the nutritionist said with a gentle smile.

After a brief exchange at the door, they said their goodbyes. Chen Jiazhi returned to the suite, setting the meal tray on the small round table just as Shen Shixu, dressed in pajamas, emerged from the bathroom.

“The nutritionist just said I don’t look like a patient,” he chirped like a bird with good news, “Said I’m recovering well. Am I close to being cured?!”

“Excited this early in the morning?” Shen Shixu walked over, patting his head, “Even got the bowls set up, tell me, what do you want to be praised for?”

“I don’t want praise, I just hope… you don’t wake up so startled when you sleep.” His eyes were bright, his tone earnest, “I won’t leave again, I’ll always be by your side.”

His heart felt searingly hot, almost painfully so.

Before Shen Shixu could say anything, possibly unable to find the words, he heard Chen Jiazhi continue, “My passport seems to be missing, it’s… just keep it with you, take good care of it. I hope you’re still here when I need it next.”

“Understood,” Shen Shixu murmured softly, watching him, “Selling cuteness so early in the morning…”

“I want a painkiller.”

Just can’t have a moment of peace.

His tone turned cold, Shen Shixu said, “Don’t even think about it!”

“Fine, fine, I won’t take it then,” Chen Jiazhi sat down, rubbing his stomach, “Chameleon.”

…

Exasperating to the core!!

After a long silence, Shen Shixu finally spoke:

“Hao Xi and the others are coming to see you later, stay calm, they’ve bought something for you.” He pushed the porridge towards him, placing the spoon in his hands, and instructed, “Don’t pout, eat your food properly.”

“Why are they buying me something, what is it?”

“A manuscript.”

“What kind of manuscript, a comic?”

“…” Shen Shixu said irritably, “It’s Kafka’s.”

“Really?!!” Chen Jiazhi jumped up, his eyes wide, even clattering the meal tray, pointing at himself, “For me?”

Shen Shixu pulled him back to sit down, lifting his shirt to check where he had bumped into the table, indeed reddened.

“What’s the rush, look at you-”

“Don’t touch, don’t touch!” With Kafka’s name mentioned, Chen Jiazhi brushed aside any divine intervention, already dazed, sitting down, and after several minutes of contemplation, asked in horror, “Am I dying?”

“You damn-!” Unable to tolerate it, Shen Shixu fiercely pinched his face.

“Ow ow ow ow, it hurts, it hurts.”

“Chen Jiazhi, if I hear another word from you, you can go sleep on the streets.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it,” rubbing his face, he excitedly and curiously asked, “Why would they send me this? These items usually go to auctions, they’re very expensive.”

Already frustrated enough, Shen Shixu pulled him onto his lap, “Sit still.”

“Don’t bother paying them back, just stop causing a fuss and that’ll be the best.”

“But nobody’s money comes from the wind, why-” At this, his gray-blue eyes suddenly froze, Chen Jiazhi staring straight at Shen Shixu, torn between asking and fearing the answer.

Amused by his cautious demeanor, Shen Shixu stroked his back, “Go ahead, you’ll burst otherwise.”

“It wasn’t Chu Ziyou who bought it.” His words faltering, he asked hesitantly, “You bought it… for me.”

Shen Shixu raised an eyebrow, “How come you figured it out so quickly this time?”

Upon hearing this, the person on his lap froze for a few seconds, then suddenly jumped up and buried his head in the bed, only to pop up again and run screaming around the room.

Rushing back to the small round table, he hugged himself from behind the chair, kissing wildly at his eyebrows and nose.

Smacking and pecking noises filled the air.

“I really love you!!!” Chen Jiazhi couldn’t stop praising him, “How can you be so good to me!! I’m so happy, I love you so much, wuuu wuuu wuu.”

“Let go, got your energy back, huh?” Being strangled, Shen Shixu coughed a couple of times.

Chen Jiazhi immediately handed him a water cup, devoutly, as if offering his very life.

“I love you so much, was the gift you mentioned the other night this? Weren’t you going to use my name?”

“Can a manuscript be engraved?”

“Or was the auction money supposed to be donated to charity in my name?”

This impatient nature was truly vexing, Shen Shixu pulled him onto his lap, “Just sit down.”

“Don’t ask about the rest, just enjoy the manuscript.”

“Got it, got it!” Chen Jiazhi leaned on his shoulder, giggling foolishly for a while before suddenly remembering to ask, “How much did it cost?”

“Why worry about all that?” The person on his shoulder kept fidgeting, making it impossible to eat properly. Shen Shixu wrapped him in a single-arm embrace, threatening, “Keep it up, and your backside will be in trouble.”

Sure enough, Chen Jiazhi quieted down, murmuring, “I haven’t spent a dime since I was admitted to the hospital, and you’ve bought me so many things. Now you’re giving me a manuscript. Can I give you all my money?”

Hearing this, Shen Shixu reached into his pocket and handed him a piece of yam cake. “Save it to buy yourself some candy.”

“No way, how can you be the only one giving? Don’t look down on me; I’m actually quite wealthy!” He mumbled through the yam cake, “I’ll give you all my money!”

“Shut up and chew slowly.”

After swallowing the whole piece of yam cake, Chen Jiazhi asked, “What do you like? Is there anything you want? I want to buy something for you too.”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Don’t you like me?” he teased.

“If you don’t eat, I don’t like you.”

“Alright, you don’t have to tell me, but I actually know what you like.” Crawling up from his embrace, Chen Jiazhi whispered in Shen Shixu’s ear, “You like watches, I know.”

“You’re guessing. Stop trying to be cute.”

“Ha, do you believe I can tell you why?”

Shen Shixu had no doubt about Chen Jiazhi’s observational skills and waited expectantly.

“This suite is almost entirely filled with my stuff-food, clothes, games, all things I like.” He glanced around the suite, counting on his fingers as if listing treasures, “Only the clothes, shoes, and toiletries in the bathroom are yours, but!”

“The twist is the highlight!”

Shen Shixu watched his antics and lightly scolded, “Fool.”

“But!” Chen Jiazhi emphasized again, pointing to the cabinet under the TV, “But the bottom row of that cabinet has a row of watch winders. I saw lots of watches, different styles, just like at Guoyue’s house.”

“You’ve never slept on the 25th floor; how do you know?”

Chen Jiazhi looked down sheepishly, “Promise you won’t get mad.”

Shen Shixu asked knowingly, “Why would I get mad?”

“Actually, the first day Jiabao ran out, when you asked me to get canned food from the 25th floor, I sneaked into your bedroom to look. There were lots of watches in the glass cabinet. That was before we made up, but I just wanted to see how many pillows you slept with. I even opened the shoe cabinet and tried on your slippers.”

Despite visiting the 25th floor so many times, he hadn’t noticed the house had surveillance…

Shen Shixu sighed, “How can you be so naive, not even realizing if someone sold you?”

“Sell me to you, you buy me.” Knowing Shen Shixu wouldn’t take his money, he said blissfully, “You like watches, I want to buy you one!”

“Let me be clear, if you don’t let me buy it, I’ll make a fuss!”

Honestly, it’s hard to explain…

“Can you behave for three seconds?”

“No, I want to buy.”

“Alright, alright, buy, buy, buy.”

Only then did Chen Jiazhi get off him, went to the drawer to check which brands were prevalent, what series were already there, then grabbed the tablet from the bedside and ignored him, scribbling for ages, “Hey, there’s a couple’s set, I want that too.”

Shen Shixu didn’t pay attention to him, quickly finished breakfast, and while picking up food, suddenly thought of something, glanced at the person on the bed, and asked casually, “How did you know there were watches in the bottom drawer?”

The cabinet had four drawers.

The first layer was medicine, easy to access.

The second layer was game cards, also easy to access.

The third layer was books not often read, requiring bending over.

The fourth layer was watches, requiring squatting down.

How could a lazy person who uses their foot to hook their phone squat down to open a drawer?

“Lucas, I’m asking you.”

“Yesterday I was looking for medicine~~~~” Before finishing, his voice blurred.

Shen Shixu frowned, “Answer.”

Chen Jiazhi had already stood up, swinging his arms as he walked to the outer room, “Ah, I’m so full, I’m going downstairs for a walk.”

“Stop.”

“Come back.”

“Hurry up, don’t make me angry.”

Chen Jiazhi returned to the small round table, sitting opposite. Shen Shixu looked at him, “Were you secretly looking for painkillers again?”

“Yes.” He slumped his shoulders, “I was wrong.”

“Let me make it clear, there’s no such thing in the room. Without my prescription, you can’t get it from the pharmacy. I know the pharmacies around the Municipal Hospital. If anyone tells me you’ve bought medicine outside, it won’t just be your backside in trouble. You better think carefully.”

After speaking, Shen Shixu stood up, and Chen Jiazhi quickly grabbed him, looking up pitifully, “You haven’t finished breakfast; you can’t waste food.” He stammered, “You’re angry…”

Shen Shixu said nothing, just pulled his hand away and strode out.

“It’s over, I’m done for.” With no mood to look at watches, he grabbed his phone and frantically sent messages.

-I was wrong, I won’t dare next time.

-Please forgive me, I didn’t find anything.

-I won’t buy outside, really won’t.

-I love you, I love you, I love you.

Followed by a long string of hearts and emojis.

Just out of the ward, the phone vibrated like crazy. Unlocking it, he locked the phone again.

Shen Shixu decided firmly, this time he would let him stew for a few days!

See if he dares again!

In the ward, Chen Jiazhi waited a while, but Shen Shixu didn’t reply. As it was work time, he didn’t dare send more messages to disturb him. Under the caregiver’s watch, he took his medicine and sat on the sofa, worrying.

Not long after, Mingyang arrived, around the same time as yesterday.

“Brother Jiazhi, what’s wrong today? Not feeling well?”

Chen Jiazhi was so worried he barely ate any of the rice cakes Mingyang brought. With no one to confide in, he spilled everything.

“Brother Shixu is only worried about you, that’s why he’s angry. I just saw him in the hallway, looking at his phone while walking. Don’t overthink it; maybe he’s replying to someone else. He’ll reply to you soon.”

“So he saw it, but he hasn’t replied…” Chen Jiazhi looked even more dejected, “It’s all my fault. I’ll sneak down to find him later.”

“I advise you not to go. Wait until he’s calmed down. What if he’s still angry when you go? Besides, you said he’s at work.”

“Oh, you’re so thoughtful. Why am I always bothersome, sigh…” After complaining for a while, Chen Jiazhi ate another rice cake Mingyang handed him, slowly saying, “How’s your grandma’s health? Is she better?”

Mingyang smiled shyly, “Much better, thanks to Brother Shixu. If it weren’t for him arranging special care and talking to grandma’s Attending Physician, he helped a lot.”

What nonsense about talking, just normal greetings between colleagues.

“Hehe, I know. He seems cold, but he’s really kind.” Finally smiling, Chen Jiazhi proudly said, “Last night, I saw many patients asking him about their conditions, and he replied so carefully.”

Mingyang froze a bit, “He even lets you see his phone.”

“Yeah, I helped him grab red envelopes.” Chen Jiazhi chuckled twice, then asked, “By the way, what’s the relationship between your families? Are you relatives? I hear you always call him brother.”

“Ah…” Mingyang paused, explaining, “It’s just that Brother Shixu’s mom, Aunt Ye, is very close to my Aunt. They always go shopping and do beauty treatments together.”

“He’s two years older than me, so I’ve always called him brother.” He added, “The first time I went to his house, I stayed for a few days. It’s Lushan, have you been?”

Chen Jiazhi paused, enviously saying, “No, his parents probably dislike me. I don’t dare go.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well… it’s hard to explain in a few words.” Chen Jiazhi encouraged himself, “When I get better, I’ll apologize in person!”

“Haha, Brother Jiazhi, you’re so funny. Aunt Ye and Uncle Shen are really nice. When I went, they said I could stay and play. Uncle Shen even gave me a pen to encourage me to study hard.”

Chen Jiazhi couldn’t laugh anymore, pouting, “I want one too.”

“Look, it’s this one.” Mingyang enlarged the photo on his phone, “I’ve used it for many years.”

“It’s nice, you take good care of it. The paint hasn’t chipped at all.”

“Yeah, it’s been about ten years.”

“Ten years ago you went to his house…” Chen Jiazhi felt even more envious, “So jealous.”

Mingyang said, “You’re already sleeping with Brother Shixu. He’ll definitely take you to Lushan.”

Talking about this made Chen Jiazhi a bit shy, recalling many times on this bed, Shen Shixu holding him, or guiding his hand to help. Those suppressed breaths and teasing words echoed in his ears.

He sat quietly for a while, staring at the bed, his face quickly heating up.

Until Mingyang exclaimed, snapping him back to reality. He touched the back of his head, asking in panic, “What happened? Did a bug fly into my hair?!”

“No, no…” Mingyang hesitated, pointing to the back of his head, “Brother Jiazhi, there’s a bald spot on your scalp.”

His expression shifted from panic to bewilderment, then to blankness.

After a long time, Chen Jiazhi touched it, and when he lowered his hand, he found many hairs between his fingers. “Could you… take a picture for me?”

“Brother Shixu didn’t tell you?” Mingyang stood up, taking photos while anxiously asking, “There’s more here, and here.”

“He wouldn’t tell me, afraid I’d be upset.” Even knowing the reason, Chen Jiazhi felt sad about losing hair, “Is it a lot?”

“It’s not too bad. Your hair is a bit curly, so it’s not noticeable unless you look closely. Maybe Brother Shixu hasn’t noticed.”

The phone was handed to him, and seeing the clear, direct photos made Chen Jiazhi even sadder. He looked down for a long time before saying, “I’m going to look ugly.”

“It’s okay, chemotherapy patients often lose hair. Some people shave it all off right away, so they’re not afraid of losing it.” Mingyang said.

“Shaving it must look worse…”

“It won’t, Brother Shixu definitely won’t mind.”

“Don’t be sad, Brother Jiazhi. Have a rice cake.” Mingyang picked up the insulated container, “It’s getting cold.”

Not really wanting to eat, Chen Jiazhi shook his head, “Thank you.”

Just then, the ward door knocked twice, and a somewhat small, carefree voice came in.

“Where’s Jiazhi baby?”

Another lower voice, “Fool, would you dare call him that in front of Shixu?”

It was Hao Xi and Xu Minghe’s voices. The manuscript must have arrived, and Chen Jiazhi instantly cheered up, shouting, “I’m inside, come in quickly.”

“Coming, coming.” Hao Xi carried a box of cherries, and beside him, Xu Minghe carried a large box into the suite.

“There’s a friend here.” Hao Xi looked at Mingyang for a few seconds, “Hey, you’re from the Ming Family…”

“Yes, hello.” Mingyang stood up to greet them, “I’m…”

Before Chen Jiazhi could speak, Xu Minghe interrupted, noticing Chen’s eager expression. He lifted the box with a playful grin, “Guess what your husband bought for you.”

“Oh, come on, can you not be so gross?” Hao Xi kicked Xu Minghe lightly. “Lucas, look what I got for you.” He held up a bag of cherries like a treasure, “Freshly picked, sweet as can be. Want some?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Chen Jiazhi jumped up, though he was most excited about the manuscript. Xu Minghe placed it on the table while Hao Xi went to wash the cherries, leaving Mingyang ignored.

“You guys chat, I’ll head out-”

Chen Jiazhi turned around, enthusiastically inviting, “Don’t go, stay and have some cherries with us!”

Mingyang sat back down.

The code-locked suitcase opened to reveal a complete manuscript wrapped in cling film, nestled perfectly in a custom-made foam frame.

“Oh my gosh!” Chen Jiazhi squealed, clutching his face, “A whole book!”

Xu Minghe, who wasn’t much of a bookworm, might ask if Kafka was a Japanese.

“How much is this?!”

Yet, being a company heir, Xu Minghe held up two fingers.

Chen Jiazhi burst out in German, “Oh, mein Gott!”

After gesturing, Xu Minghe noticed there were still some rice cakes left in the insulated container. He grabbed one, “Jiazhi, mind if I have a piece of your rice cake?”

“That’s not mine.” Too engrossed to spare a glance elsewhere, Chen Jiazhi shouted without turning, “It’s Mingyang’s, ask him.”

Xu Minghe wasn’t great with names but could recognize alcohol brands. He stared at Mingyang for a while, unsure what to call him. Mingyang, having returned his gaze from the manuscript, said hesitantly, “Brother Jiazhi hasn’t eaten yet, you…”

“I don’t want it, you guys eat!”

Hao Xi returned with the washed cherries, “Seriously, Xu Minghe, are you a reincarnated hungry ghost? Every time you come here, you snatch Chen Jiazhi’s food.”

Chen Jiazhi, still fixated on the manuscript, shouted again, “That’s not mine.”

Xu Minghe had already started eating the rice cake, “Mind your own business. Shixu always buys him the best stuff. Jiazhi baby, got any more snacks? Give me some. I woke up early and haven’t had breakfast.”

“In the cabinet, help yourself.” Chen Jiazhi finally had his fill of the manuscript, closed the box, and asked with a smile, “Why is it just you guys here? Where are the others?”

Xu Minghe found a spot on the sofa with a few bags of snacks, tearing open a wrapper, “Chu Ziyou is running the company, Xu Zhouye is working as a security guard in his neighborhood, they’re all busy…” He sighed like a lonely old man, “Busy is good, busy is good…”

Hao Xi scoffed, first offering the cherry-filled plate to Chen Jiazhi. Chen took two, “Mingyang hasn’t had any.” Hao Xi passed the cherries to Mingyang, who took two and politely said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Hao Xi didn’t bother with formalities, turning back to chat with Chen Jiazhi, “Wow, you were so down a few days ago, but now you’re looking much better.”

“Hehe, I’m happy.” Chen Jiazhi chuckled, then touched the back of his head and stopped smiling, “I’m losing hair…”

Both Hao Xi and Xu Minghe looked at him. Xu Minghe was indifferent, “Is that all? It’s not even as big as my fingernail…”

Hao Xi said, “Even if you go bald, Shixu loves you to bits. Besides, it’s just a little hair loss, why panic?”

“Before we came, he specifically told us not to disturb you if you were sleeping, but if you weren’t, to check if you were upset.”

“So, did you guys have a fight?”

“No, I just made him mad.”

“So what? What’s the big deal? Does he dare to get angry with you?”

After some comforting words, Chen Jiazhi felt much better and carefree again.

Xu Minghe, still unsatisfied after the snacks, ate the last piece of rice cake from the insulated container and asked Mingyang, “This glutinous rice cake is pretty good, where did you get it?”

Chen Jiazhi explained, “It’s not glutinous rice, it’s rice.”

Mingyang was slightly taken aback, “Yes, it’s rice.”

“Oh, did I eat it wrong?” Xu Minghe smacked his lips. Hao Xi wanted to try the rice cake to see what it was made of but found the insulated container empty, angrily scolding Xu Minghe, “A pig can’t appreciate fine food.”

As the three started chatting, Mingyang hurriedly left with the insulated container.

After he left, Hao Xi asked, “Are you close with him?”

Chen Jiazhi explained how they met.

“Since Shixu is helping their family, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“But his attitude is odd. He’s helping, but he doesn’t seem to like Mingyang, doesn’t even talk to him.”

“That’s normal. His brain has been clear for 29 years, and it only has room for you.” Hao Xi laughed, then cautiously added, “Don’t eat anything Mingyang gives you without checking with Shixu first. I only know there’s someone like him in the Ming Family, nothing else.” He thought for a moment and continued, “It’s wise to be cautious. If you eat, ask Shixu first.”

Chen Jiazhi laughed, “I’ve already told him.”

“That’s good.”

So, Hao Xi didn’t call Shen Shixu to confirm, and Xu Minghe assumed he had eaten incorrectly.

Of course, Chen Jiazhi hadn’t realized that there could be such malicious people in the world.