Ten minutes later, Shen Yu emerged half-soaked.
His gray sweater and white casual pants were drenched, with tiny water droplets clinging to the tips of his long eyelashes. His expression was tense. His thin lips pressed tightly together until they were nearly white.
“Is that young man inside alright?” a concerned elderly patient asked. “I heard what sounded like a fall just now.”
Shen Yu paused before replying, “…He should be fine.”
“You look quite young yourself. I bet you’re not very experienced in taking care of others,” the old lady remarked while peeling an apple. She prattled on, “Ah, you young people these days don’t know how to care for others. Why not hire a nurse? It costs money but saves you the trouble.”
Shen Yu fell silent.
It was the first time he realized he didn’t know how to take care of someone.
For over twenty years, Qi Fang had always excelled at “taking care of Shen Yu,” which led Shen Yu to mistakenly believe that these seemingly ordinary tasks were something anyone could do well.
——That was what Shen Yu had thought until he accidentally dropped Qi Fang headfirst into a plastic bucket moments ago.
Tonight’s unexpected blunder left him feeling unusually disappointed.
And harboring some indescribable feelings towards Qi Fang.
The plastic bucket was damaged, but fortunately, there were no external injuries. Shen Yu went to the nurse’s station to get a new bucket, only to return and find that Qi Fang had already bathed himself.
Seeing Qi Fang sitting nonchalantly on the edge of the bed in his hospital gown, Shen Yu paused in his tracks.
Knowing what Shen Yu was puzzled about, Qi Fang casually added to his own backstory, “Only one leg is broken. I can still hop around.”
Shen Yu’s gaze fell on Qi Fang’s two legs dangling off the bed, his expression thoughtful.
Luckily, at that moment, Assistant Xiao Lin pushed open the door, carrying two thermal food containers.
“Boss,” Xiao Lin set down the containers and extended his hand to Qi Fang, “231.5 yuan. Personal matters can’t be expensed through the company.”
Qi Fang asked, “Can’t you just deduct it from my salary?”
Xiao Lin replied, “No, that way the money won’t reach my hands.”
Qi Fang: “…”
Before Xiao Lin could say anything more, Shen Yu tapped a few times on his phone and then told him, “I’ve transferred the money. Thank you for taking care of Qi Fang this week.”
Xiao Lin checked his phone and saw a transfer of 5,000 yuan. His eyes lit up behind his glasses.
Professor Shen was so efficient, transferring money without a second thought. How wonderful!
Unaware that his image had further diminished in Xiao Lin’s eyes, Qi Fang invited Shen Yu to have dinner together, then asked Xiao Lin, “Have you eaten yet?”
Xiao Lin pushed up his glasses, eager to join the friendly Professor Shen for dinner and strengthen their relationship. He replied, “No, I haven’t.”
“Oh,” Qi Fang said, “Then go find something to eat elsewhere. Don’t disturb me and your Professor Shen.”
Seeing Xiao Lin glaring at him, Qi Fang thought for a moment, then mimicked Shen Yu’s action and transferred 50 yuan to Xiao Lin.
“Go on now,” Qi Fang urged kindly.
Xiao Lin: “…”
For the sake of the money, he decided to let it go and not quarrel with his annoying boss.
*
After dinner and helping Qi Fang with a simple wash-up, Shen Yu took a taxi back to their apartment complex, arriving before nine o’clock.
The apartment was pitch dark. Shen Yu entered and stood motionless by the shoe cabinet for a good while.
Nearly an entire wall of the living room consisted of floor-to-ceiling windows. With the lights off, one could see the brilliant nightscape of the riverside not far away through the clear glass.
Cars flowed endlessly, cruise ships glided slowly on the river, and faint sounds of music and dancing drifted up from afar. Along the riverside path, groups of people strolled and took photos.
The beautiful and lively river view was the main reason for the high price of apartments in this complex.
Yet as Shen Yu stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
Away from the hospital room filled with chattering elderly patients, away from Qi Fang who always found topics to discuss, this expensive and comfortable apartment seemed a bit too… quiet.
And too spacious.
After half a minute of silence, Shen Yu abruptly switched on the living room lights. The bright, warm light flooded every corner, finally dispelling that sudden feeling of loss.
He regained his usual composure and methodically went about showering, writing reports, and reading literature. He even spent half an hour before bed studying “A Guide to Home Rehabilitation Care for Traumatic Fractures.”
At midnight, Shen Yu turned off the lights and went to sleep right on schedule.
*
The next day, while teaching at the university, Shen Yu received a call from Li Congming.
“Is it convenient to talk?” Li Congming asked cautiously.
In fact, Shen Yu was standing at the podium, but the class was nearing its end. The students sat quietly in their seats, hands on their textbooks, waiting for Professor Shen to dismiss them so they could pack up in a whirlwind and rush to the cafeteria for lunch.
After receiving the call, Shen Yu paused and glanced at the clock on the classroom wall—there were still three minutes left in the class.
“Class dismissed,” Shen Yu said coolly to the students below. “Go eat lunch early.”
The students were collectively stunned for a moment. As they fled the classroom, they whispered to each other, “Something’s off today… He didn’t keep us until the last second? Has Professor Shen’s obsessive-compulsive disorder been cured?”
“Maybe he has an urgent matter… We’ve never seen him answer a phone call during class before.”
In the classroom, Shen Yu walked to the window at the other end. The students had quickly dispersed, leaving only a few behind. The room was particularly quiet.
Shen Yu asked Li Congming, “What’s the matter?”
Li Congming’s tone seemed cautious as he replied, “Ah… it’s nothing major. I just transferred Qi Fang to our hospital today. I arranged a private room for him, Room 601 on the 6th floor of Building D. If you have time, you can come and take a look.”
Shen Yu said, “Alright, I’ll head over now.”
Li Congming responded, “That works. We can have a meal together. I’ll send you the location shortly.”
After hanging up, Li Congming’s feigned composure instantly crumbled. He paced anxiously, asking Qi Fang, who lay on the bed, “How about it? I invited my psychologist friend to join us for lunch. Will Shen Yu be upset? I remember he’s always disliked interacting with strangers…”
Qi Fang lay flat on the hospital bed, his left calf wrapped twice with discarded bandages from the hospital. He truly resembled a mummified corpse. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, “Shen Yu’s personality is no longer the same as it was in high school.”
“Shen Yuyu is doing well in his job now,” he continued. “He has good relationships with his colleagues and students. Everyone is…”
Qi Fang suddenly recalled the young male student standing close to Shen Yu in the laboratory. A twinge of jealousy surged in his heart. After a brief pause, he finished, “Everyone likes him very much.”
“You needn’t worry about Shen Yu’s ability to handle interpersonal relationships,” Qi Fang told Li Congming. “He simply doesn’t enjoy interacting with strangers; it’s not that he can’t.”
Li Congming pondered for a moment before asking curiously, “Why do I feel like that whole speech of yours was just a roundabout way of praising Shen Yu?”
Qi Fang nodded solemnly and replied, “You have a high level of understanding. You’re quite teachable.”
Li Congming’s gaze shifted from Qi Fang’s face to his bandaged leg. He felt a twinge of irritation, considering using his scalpel to turn Qi Fang’s fake fracture into a real one.
“Alright,” Qi Fang’s smile faded as he grew serious. “I’m actually unsure of Shen Yu’s current situation, so please ask your friend not to let anything slip. I don’t want Shen Yu to…” He paused for a moment before continuing softly, “I don’t want him to overthink things.”
Understanding the urgency of the situation, Li Congming gave an OK sign and assured, “No problem. I guarantee it’ll be handled discreetly.”
*
Shen Yu arrived at a Chinese restaurant near Li Congming’s hospital.
After providing the private room name, he was led to the second floor. Upon entering the room, his gaze shifted, betraying a hint of confusion.
Inside sat Qi Fang in a wheelchair, Li Congming, and a young woman with minimal makeup.
“Professor Shen, hello,” she stood up first from beside Li Congming, extending her hand to Shen Yu with a slight smile. “I’m Chen Ke, a friend Li Congming met during his studies abroad.”
Shen Yu entered the room, closing the door behind him. He remained silent for a moment before facing Chen Ke. His fingertips briefly and lightly brushed against her outstretched palm before withdrawing. He nodded and said, “Hello.”
Afterward, he chose to sit next to Qi Fang, facing Chen Ke—a polite yet distant position for meeting a stranger.
Although Shen Yu didn’t ask, Qi Fang knew he must be confused internally. So, he volunteered an explanation, “Chen Ke now works at the same hospital as Li Congming. She’s also quite knowledgeable about orthopedics. She’s here to discuss how to treat my leg.”
Li Congming chimed in, “Yes, yes, that’s right.”
Shen Yu thanked Chen Ke.
“You’re welcome. I’ve heard Li Congming mention his childhood friend for a long time. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Chen Ke replied.
Chen Ke’s smile was radiant, easily putting others at ease. She picked up the nearby teapot, poured a fresh cup, and slid it towards Shen Yu.
“Try this. It’s the shop’s signature tea, said to have a secret recipe.”
Shen Yu nodded slightly in gratitude, his fingers lightly resting on the cup’s rim without lifting it to drink.
As the waiter brought out several dishes, Qi Fang saw his opportunity and signaled to Li Congming, who grew nervous upon receiving the cue.
“Um…” Li Congming began, “Shen Yu, actually… I’m not quite sure how Qi Fang got injured. Could you tell us when you first noticed his broken leg?”
Qi Fang: “…”
Li Congming’s ability to lie remained as terrible as ever. He shouldn’t have expected much.
Sure enough, Shen Yu’s brow furrowed as he looked at Li Congming. “Yesterday morning. Car accident. I remember telling you about it.”
Li Congming froze.
He had never been good at lying, always the first to be eliminated when playing Werewolf. Now, suddenly tasked with probing Shen Yu, his mind worked even slower than usual. He stammered, “Ah… well…”
Shen Yu’s frown deepened as he scanned the faces of everyone in the private room. “Is there something you want to ask me?”
Having failed in his mission, Li Congming could only turn his pleading gaze to Chen Ke beside him.
Chen Ke remained calm. She set down her chopsticks, thought for a moment, and asked Shen Yu, “Professor Shen, what if we told you that Qi Fang’s leg isn’t actually broken?”
Shen Yu paused, then countered, “Are you saying it’s his arm that’s broken instead?”
Everyone else: “???”
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