Hospital.
“He’s allergic to mangoes,” the doctor said, glancing at the omega receiving an IV drip on the hospital bed before turning to Fu Yanshi. “As his boyfriend, you should have stopped him. Severe allergies can be life-threatening.”
Fu Yanshi didn’t offer much explanation, bending his tall frame respectfully before the doctor. “It’s my fault for carelessly feeding him.”
“Let’s observe his condition after a day of IV fluids,” the doctor said, noting Fu Yanshi’s sincere attitude and refraining from further criticism.
“Alright.” Fu Yanshi saw the doctor out and sat down beside Shen Zhinan’s hospital bed.
Red rashes had broken out around Shen Zhinan’s lips, cheeks, and chin, looking rather alarming.
The most severe area was his neck, where he had scratched until a large patch of skin was inflamed. Another wave of itching hit, and Shen Zhinan reached to scratch the already swollen, red skin on his neck.
Fu Yanshi caught his restless hand. “Stop scratching. It’ll only make it worse.”
Shen Zhinan pouted, his large eyes fixed pitifully on Fu Yanshi. “But it’s so itchy.”
The allergic reaction had made Shen Zhinan’s voice unusually hoarse, amplifying his pitiable state.
Hearing his raspy tone, Fu Yanshi felt a pang of sympathy. He squeezed Shen Zhinan’s hand reassuringly. “Be good and don’t scratch. Try to bear with it. I’ll step out for a moment and be right back.”
True to his word, Fu Yanshi returned quickly, breathing heavily as if he had run. He carried a plastic bag from which he pulled out an ice pack and a towel. Wrapping the ice pack in the towel, he gently pressed it against the red rash on Shen Zhinan’s neck.
“Does that feel better?” Fu Yanshi asked urgently.
“Yeah,” Shen Zhinan nodded, his voice still rough. “A little better.”
The intense heat and itching subsided somewhat.
His face wasn’t as itchy, but his neck was the worst. Feeling embarrassed about having Fu Yanshi hold the ice pack for him, Shen Zhinan tried to take over.
Fu Yanshi tucked his hand back under the blanket and said softly, “Get some rest. You won’t feel so uncomfortable once you fall asleep.”
Shen Zhinan thought Fu Yanshi’s voice sounded incredibly gentle, as if coaxing a child.
A phone ringtone interrupted them, and Fu Yanshi finally released his hand. “I need to take this call.”
He stepped just outside the hospital room to answer.
Shen Zhinan noticed the thin layer of sweat on Fu Yanshi’s forehead and the frown that appeared as he took the call.
Something must be going on.
It was late, and after Shen Zhinan’s sudden allergic reaction, Fu Yanshi had already gone above and beyond by bringing him to the hospital.
Ultimately, it was his own fault for eating carelessly. This was his first time trying mango, and he hadn’t known he was allergic.
Fu Yanshi was usually quite busy. On weekends when Shen Zhinan visited, he often saw him handling work emails. So when Fu Yanshi returned from the call, Shen Zhinan said, “It’s late. You should go back and rest. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Shen Zhinan was well accustomed to receiving IV drips alone.
Since childhood, he had lost count of how many times he had been hospitalized by himself.
He didn’t consider this a big deal he’d probably be better by tomorrow.
Fu Yanshi didn’t respond, staring at him for a long moment before pulling out a green-packaged wet wipe from the plastic bag. He opened it, bent down, and began gently wiping Shen Zhinan’s face.
Fu Yanshi’s cool fingertips brushed over Shen Zhinan’s skin, sending a tingling, slightly itchy yet rather pleasant sensation.
Shen Zhinan felt somewhat embarrassed. “What are you doing.”
Fu Yanshi glanced down at him and explained, “This is a makeup removal wipe. You still have makeup on your face.”
Although Fu Yanshi couldn’t tell the difference between this wipe and any other, the shop assistant had assured him it could remove makeup. He had originally gone to buy an ice pack, remembered halfway through, and rushed back to get this.
Shen Zhinan had almost forgotten he was wearing makeup that day.
He fell silent for a moment before slowly uttering an “Oh.”
After a quick wipe, Fu Yanshi opened a fresh one, pinched Shen Zhinan’s chin, and carefully wiped his face again. When he finished, he remarked, “You look better without makeup anyway.”
Shen Zhinan knew exactly how he looked right now his face was undoubtedly red and swollen. The foundation had at least covered it up a little, but now, after being wiped clean, it was completely exposed and even uglier.
“Better looking? My face is probably as red as a monkey’s butt right now, utterly hideous,” Shen Zhinan mumbled hoarsely, his eyelids drooping.
Truth be told, Shen Zhinan wasn’t usually all that concerned about his appearance. He’d had plenty of moments uglier than this like during finals week, when he pulled all-nighters and looked as if all the life had been drained out of him, so ghastly it was “a tragedy beyond compare.” Even then, he’d braved a lecture hall with hundreds of students, sporting what looked like a face drained of vitality.
He didn’t care what others thought, but he really didn’t want Fu Yanshi to see him in such a wretched state.
It was just too ugly.
Fu Yanshi propped his chin on his hand, squinted, and scrutinized Shen Zhinan’s face with feigned seriousness, even humming thoughtfully a few times. “I’ve never seen a monkey’s butt, but I’ve seen yours.” He chuckled. “Though if any monkey’s butt were this good-looking, it’d be a stroke of incredible luck for their ancestors.”
Shen Zhinan: ?
Seriously! Is that how you compliment someone?!
His voice already hoarse beyond recognition, Shen Zhinan couldn’t help but roar, “Fu Yanshi!”
Fu Yanshi just laughed and gave him a thumbs-up. “Your voice is as majestic as a lion’s.”
Shen Zhinan retorted, “And you’re as annoying as a mosquito that needs swatting!”
“Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.” Fu Yanshi imitated a mosquito’s buzzing, leaning close to Shen Zhinan’s ear to tease him, mimicking the sound perfectly. “I am the Mosquito Prince. Surrender gracefully, Lion Princess! I’ll go propose to your father, marry you, and bring you back to our mosquito tribe to help us flourish and multiply!”
What kind of nonsense is this?!
Shen Zhinan tried to imagine a lion marrying a mosquito and broke out in goosebumps all over.
If Hans Christian Andersen heard such a fairy tale, he’d probably rise from his grave in fury, travel to this world, and slap Fu Yanshi across the face.
Speaking on Andersen’s behalf, Shen Zhinan said, “If children heard a fairy tale like that, their entire childhood would be ruined. Their lives would be over.”
Fu Yanshi burst out laughing. “Then I’ll tell it to my little brother someday.”
“What did your brother ever do to deserve that?!” Shen Zhinan lamented.
He genuinely felt sorry for Fu Yanshi’s younger brother. This awful story would haunt him like a ghost in his midnight dreams, ruining his entire life.
After hearing it, Shen Zhinan felt he might have nightmares tonight.
Fu Yanshi stopped teasing him, pulled back the covers, and lay down on the bed naturally, even thoughtfully tucking in the corners of Shen Zhinan’s blanket. “Goodnight, Your Highness.”
Shen Zhinan: ?
“Your Highness, go back to your two-hundred-meter-wide bed. Why are you squeezing in here with me?”
Fu Yanshi replied in a matter-of-fact tone, “I’m afraid you’ll have nightmares after hearing that story. I’m keeping you company.”
Shen Zhinan was successfully sidetracked and muttered, “What am I afraid of? I’m not a kid.”
Fu Yanshi looked at Shen Zhinan with one eye open and the other closed. “I’m seven years older than you. If I say you are, then you are. Kid, go to sleep now.”
With that, Fu Yanshi closed both eyes.
Shen Zhinan:
Are all domineering CEOs this free these days!
Forcing their way into beds, huh!
Outside the window, the light rain pattered softly, as if it intended to last until dawn. Occasionally, a few drops hit the windowsill, the sound particularly distinct.
Shen Zhinan stared at Fu Yanshi’s face. It felt as if a raindrop from outside had drifted in and fallen into the tranquil pond of his heart, which had remained undisturbed for many years, stirring ripples across its surface.
Suddenly, Fu Yanshi opened his eyes. Shen Zhinan unexpectedly met his gaze, and his heart trembled slightly.
“Caught you,” Fu Yanshi’s voice was a bit hoarse. He chuckled and covered Shen Zhinan’s eyes. “Go to sleep now.”
The familiar scent of cedar filled Shen Zhinan’s nostrils, bringing him an inexplicable sense of calm. Shen Zhinan, who usually struggled to fall asleep, soon drifted into slumber.
He had a bizarre dream.
In the dream, he was wearing a pristine wedding dress, while Fu Yanshi, not far away, was dressed in a white suit, looking exceptionally handsome, just like a prince.
Fu Yanshi waved to him, “Shen Zhinan, come here.”
Shen Zhinan lifted the voluminous skirt and walked toward him.
“Da-da-da-da! Da-da-da-da!”
Suddenly, the Wedding March began to play. Shen Zhinan shouted loudly, “Where is that music coming from?”
He realized his voice was deep and rough, almost like a lion’s roar.
Fu Yanshi said, “Don’t worry about that now. Come here and say your vows!”
Shen Zhinan ran to his side. After the priest recited the classic, timeworn lines, he asked Fu Yanshi if he was willing.
Fu Yanshi replied with deep affection, “I do.”
“Oh, darling, you look absolutely beautiful today. My lovely princess, from this day forward, whether in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, I will stay by your side, inseparable, through life and death.”
Only then did Shen Zhinan realize something was wrong. He exclaimed, “But I’m a man! I can’t marry you! I’m straight, not gay!”
“What era is this? Let gender go to hell!” Fu Yanshi tightly grasped his hand. As he spoke, his face gradually transformed into that of a mosquito.
Shen Zhinan, seeing a six-foot-three mosquito, broke out in goosebumps all over. He leaped up and slapped it fiercely. “Damn mosquito, go to hell ”
Smack!
A crisp slapping sound, louder than any alarm clock, jolted both of them awake in bed.
Shen Zhinan saw his hand pressed against Fu Yanshi’s face.
Wait,
Ahhhhhhh! Wasn’t he dreaming?!
“I didn’t mean to!”
“Shen Zhinan!”
They spoke almost simultaneously.
Shen Zhinan hung his head in shame and said, “I’m sorry.”
That slap was far from light. Being jolted awake so early in the morning, anyone would be in a foul mood.
Fu Yanshi clutched his swollen right cheek, hissing in pain several times. Grimacing, he said, “Shen Zhinan, don’t you think you owe me some compensation for this?”
Shen Zhinan felt utterly guilty and nodded emphatically. “I’ll compensate you, I will! I’ll give you anything you want!”
Fu Yanshi’s mind stirred, and he decided to seize the opportunity.
He cleared his throat, straightened his expression, and said earnestly, “How about you compensate me with yourself?”