At the company, Qi Fang grabbed a small bowl and carefully transferred the dishes from the takeout box.

Braised beef brisket, stir-fried pork liver, ginseng and jujube stewed chicken, scrambled egg with tomatoes… Qi Fang glanced at the food and a strange thought occurred to him – didn’t all these dishes seem to be blood-nourishing?

He rubbed his nose, wondering if a dementia patient even needed to replenish their qi and blood.

But these were trivial matters. As the first complete, edible meal Shen Yu had… ordered for him since they got married, Qi Fang’s appetite was exceptional, and he ate with great relish.

A few minutes later, his phone vibrated with a message from Chen Ke: [I’ve received Dr. Watson’s email reply. He wrote a detailed case report and proposed treatment suggestions. I’ll forward it to you.]

[I heard from him that Shen Yu has become suspicious of his own symptoms. Has he shown any other reactions in the past few days?]
[Qi Er Shao? (In love?): Does sending me a lovingly prepared lunch box count as a special reaction?]
[Chen Ke: …Anything else besides that?]
[Qi Er Shao? (In love?): Shen Yuyu hugged me on his own initiative.]
[Chen Ke: Alright, let’s move on to the next topic. Dr. Watson’s treatment plan differs from the cases I’ve previously researched. He suggests you maintain stable contact with Shen Yu. In daily activities, you can…]

She sent a long message summarizing Dr. Watson’s plan, which included microdose drug therapy, positive psychological suggestion, and long-term companionship and care.

Qi Fang read through the entire email content Dr. Watson had forwarded via Chen Ke before replying: [No problem. I’ll provide you with regular updates on the situation. You can communicate with Dr. Watson.]

[Chen Ke: I’ve already written a prescription for Shen Yu’s medication and had the pharmacy prepare it. Li Chongming paid for it. He’ll bring it to you this afternoon.]
[Qi Er Shao? (In love?): Oh, I happen to have some souvenirs from our trip. I’ll give them to him at the same time.]

As Qi Fang chatted, he finished the entire lunch box. Feeling a bit thirsty afterwards, he drank a few sips of the accompanying ginseng soup.

For the rest of the afternoon, Qi Fang appeared energetic and spirited.

After following him through three business meetings, Assistant Xiao Lin reasonably suspected that his boss was planning to sell the company and run away, which explained his unusually enthusiastic behavior, as if he were preparing for one last big score.

At five o’clock, Qi Fang began preparing to leave work.

Assistant Xiao Lin had gone to the marketing department. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he could secretly take the CEO’s private elevator to leave work. As long as Xiao Lin didn’t discover him, he wouldn’t be recorded for leaving early and fined.

Qi Fang quickly reviewed and approved work emails. Just as he was about to shut down his computer, he suddenly heard a knock on the office door. A moment later, the door opened a crack, and a head peeked in.

“It’s me,” said Li Congming.

He entered, closed the door behind him, and handed Qi Fang the bag of medicine he had brought. Then he asked curiously, “Why do you look… so rosy-cheeked?”

“Because I’m extremely happy right now,” Qi Fang replied.

Seeing that he was about to break into song, Li Congming panicked and hastily interrupted his spell-casting. “I’ve delivered the medicine to you. Where’s my souvenir?”

Qi Fang’s impending speech was cut short, leaving him somewhat disappointed that he couldn’t share his recent joyful experiences with his friend. He pulled something out from under his desk and tossed it to Li Congming, saying:

“Shen Yu and I bought it together. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not. What’s important is that it embodies the loving moments Shen Yu and I shared…”

Li Congming unwrapped the package and incredulously held up the palm-sized, skull-shaped seashell carving. “This is the crystallization of your love?”

“It’s a memento of our loving moments,” Qi Fang corrected him, then added, “Don’t you like bones? It’s right up your alley. You can take it home and fiddle with it on your bedside table every day.”

Li Congming: “…”

Friends today, enemies for life.

“Oh, here’s something for Chen Ke too,” Qi Fang produced a set of skincare products made purely from “sea salt”. “Please help me give this to her and tell her I wish her radiant beauty and eternal youth.”

Li Congming stormed off, clutching the skull and the sea salt skincare set.

*

When Shen Yu arrived home with a bag of meat and vegetables, he found that Qi Fang had already returned and was about to head to the kitchen after changing his shoes.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and Qi Fang spoke first, feigning nonchalance. “…Off work so early?”

He noticed the bag Shen Yu was carrying and raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What did you bring back?”

Shen Yu changed his shoes and placed the bag on the table. “Groceries.”

His bangs were slightly disheveled, and a rosy hue colored his pale face. Qi Fang sensed something was amiss and opened the bag, immediately spotting three pounds of beef.

Qi Fang: “…Shen Yuyu, did you buy groceries for the entire week?”

Shen Yu, who had carried the bag all the way home and was taking shallow breaths to calm his rapid heartbeat, replied in confusion, “Is it too much for one meal?”

Qi Fang: “.”

“What made you suddenly go to the supermarket?” he changed the subject.

Shen Yu helped him unpack the meat and vegetables from the bag, his lashes lowered as he said, “I bought some blood-nourishing foods for you.”

Meanwhile, Qi Fang looked puzzled at the table full of beef, carrots, pork liver, and black fungus…

“Comrade Xiao Yu,” he began, asking, “Do I look like someone with qi and blood deficiency?”

Shen Yu nodded and stated matter-of-factly, “You’ve had several nosebleeds.”

Qi Fang: “That was because—”

—I was aroused by your beauty!

Qi Fang silenced himself just in time.

Having eaten these very dishes for lunch today, Qi Fang stared at this all-encompassing tonic meal and still tried to resist. “Li Congming told me that dementia patients can’t eat these foods!”

Shen Yu: “…”

Seeing Shen Yu’s hesitant expression, Qi Fang felt uneasy and asked another question. “Am I still suffering from dementia?”

“You…” Shen Yu paused for a moment before speaking. “Is there something wrong with my thinking?”

Qi Fang was stunned for a moment, no longer concerned about the groceries, and hurriedly asked, “What are you thinking now?”

Shen Yu absentmindedly fiddled with a vegetable leaf, his voice soft. “Last time, Dr. Watson left his contact email. He told me I could try to delve deeper into thoughts that seemed off to me.”

“Your behavior isn’t really similar to that of a dementia patient,” Shen Yu paused before slowly continuing: “I feel… that my previous judgment might have been somewhat flawed.”

Qi Fang was overjoyed. Could he finally shed the “dementia” label?

Unexpectedly, Shen Yu’s next words were “But I still think you need to nourish your blood.”

Qi Fang: “Huh?”

*

[Qi Er Shao? (Low HP version): Good news, Shen Yu finally realized I’m not demented.]
[Li Congming?: How is that good news? Thinking you’re demented probably made life happier, smile.jpg]
[Chen Ke: It shows that the psychological intervention has had a positive effect, and Professor Shen’s symptoms are improving. What’s the bad news?]
[Qi Er Shao? (Low HP version): Shen Yu thinks I have anemia.]
[Li Congming?: …]
[Chen Ke: …Anemia is better than dementia. How is Professor Shen ‘treating’ you?]
[Qi Er Shao? (Low HP version): He fed me beef and pork liver all day. Now I feel my heart racing, my body overheating, and I’m more fiery than a forest fire sprite.]
[Li Congming?: Sharing a purchase link for Wangxiaoji¹I could not find Wangxiaoji, but I found Wanglaoji or Wong Lo Kat, which is a herbal tea that is often used as Chinese folk remedy. herbal tea.]
[Chen Ke: Well, if it’s just a diet change, it’s not too serious. Why don’t you drink some herbal tea?]

Qi Fang closed his phone, lay in bed for a while, but still felt uncomfortable. So he got up and took a cold shower.

After leaving the bathroom, Qi Fang pondered for a few seconds, then opened the door and went downstairs, intending to get a cold cola from the fridge.

There was no herbal tea at home, and it wasn’t convenient to order takeout in the middle of the night. As Qi Fang walked downstairs, he opened his phone and pre-ordered a whole case of Wangxiaoji herbal tea for delivery tomorrow.

Just as he put his phone back in his pocket, Qi Fang reached the kitchen door and his sharp eyes suddenly caught a figure moving inside the dim room.

Qi Fang frowned, quickly reached out to turn on the light, and simultaneously shouted, “What demon dares—!”

Shen Yu, who was bent over the kitchen counter grabbing a lemon with his bare hands, was momentarily blinded by the sudden light and instinctively turned his face away, blinking.

“Mmm…”

Qi Fang was stunned. He first turned to look at the clock on the living room wall: 3:30 a.m.

Then he looked at Shen Yu’s posture: wearing pajamas, hair slightly disheveled, left hand holding a lemon, right hand holding a fruit knife.

Qi Fang: “…Shen Yuyu, are you dismembering bodies in the middle of the night?”

Shen Yu turned his head, his profile seemingly a bit flushed. He didn’t answer Qi Fang’s question, just pursed his lips, his gaze returning to the phone on the counter.

Qi Fang then noticed that Shen Yu had placed a phone nearby, its screen still lit, vaguely showing “Complete guide to making summer lemon water to reduce internal heat.”

“…” Shen Yu uncomfortably shifted his stance, put down the fruit knife, and said softly, “I was thirsty, and I came out to drink some water.”

Qi Fang: “.”

It seemed Shen Yu had also developed internal heat after accompanying him in that tonic-filled meal.

The two stood quietly in the kitchen for a moment. Qi Fang was torn between laughing and crying, while Shen Yu asked confusedly, “Did I wake you?”

“No,” Qi Fang said helplessly. “I woke up and came to check. Leave the lemon; I’ll cut it.”

But Shen Yu shook his head and said softly, “I want to do it myself. Is that okay?”

He looked at Qi Fang with those dark eyes. Perhaps due to the relaxed nighttime atmosphere, the usual cool sharpness in Shen Yu’s expression had vanished, naturally drawing attention to the upward curve of his eyes, unknowingly exuding a gentle allure.

Qi Fang froze on the spot.

Seeing no reaction from him, Shen Yu washed the fruit knife and lemon, placed them on the counter, and was about to cut when he felt a warmth on the back of his hand – Qi Fang had come over and grabbed it.

“I’m still a bit worried,” Qi Fang said. “Shen Yuyu, can I cut it with you?”

Shen Yu paused, not understanding why cutting a lemon warranted such concern, when he felt Qi Fang press against his back, intently holding Shen Yu’s hand while steadying the lemon’s pointed end, saying:

“Look, you can’t grip it with your whole hand; you might cut your fingers that way…”

He guided Shen Yu’s hand, slicing a few lemon wedges. Unexpectedly, he applied too much force, and a few drops of lemon juice splattered out. Qi Fang instinctively raised his left hand to shield Shen Yu’s face, neglecting his own, and by chance, got some in his eye.

“Hiss.”

Qi Fang stepped back, blinking hard. Before he could react further, he suddenly felt warmth on his face.

——Shen Yu had raised a hand to cup his cheek.

“Did it get in your eye?” Shen Yu asked, frowning as he examined Qi Fang’s expression.

Then he watched as Qi Fang’s face changed from pale to red, like a Peking opera face-changing act.

Shen Yu paused, his brow furrowing deeper. His fingertips brushed Qi Fang’s closed eye, rubbing it uncertainly as he softly asked, “…Should I call an ambulance?”

“I want to kiss you, Shen Yuyu,” Qi Fang said with his eyes closed.

“…” Shen Yu: “If we need to call an ambulance, I’ll go now…”

“I’m going to kiss you, Shen Yuyu,” Qi Fang finally opened his eyes and repeated.

Shen Yu saw his slightly reddened eyes and wondered uncertainly if this was serious.

Though it didn’t look very severe, it seemed to be getting redder. What was happening…

Qi Fang took a deep breath, staring at Shen Yu’s face less than twenty centimeters away, and asked one last time. “Can I kiss you, Shen Yu?”

“…” Shen Yu was stunned.

They stared at each other for several seconds. Finally, Qi Fang could no longer hold back. He abruptly wrapped his arms around Shen Yu’s waist from behind and, in this awkward position, quickly lowered his head to plant a kiss on Shen Yu’s lips.

It was truly just one kiss, and in that fraction of a second, countless scenarios flashed through Qi Fang’s mind.

These included, but were not limited to, singing “Tears Behind Iron Bars” in a detention center for misconduct, being taken to the Civil Affairs Bureau by Shen Yu for divorce and stubbornly refusing to sign, kneeling at Shen Yu’s father’s grave and slapping himself, and making a public self-criticism with a microphone at the company building’s entrance…

Dozens of terrifying outcomes raced through Qi Fang’s mind but ultimately converged into a single thought: He wanted to kiss, so he did it, and that was that!

It was just like when five-year-old Qi Fang had seen Shen Yu walking to school alone, been awestruck, chased after him, and caused Shen Yu to fall and chip his baby tooth.

He simply loved this person so much that, in some moments, his mind would go blank and he’d act on impulse, like a conditioned reflex.

Shen Yu felt a fleeting warmth on his lips, then Qi Fang straightened up and said softly, “I’m sorry, Shen Yuyu.”

Shen Yu seemed a bit confused, licked his lips, and asked, “Is that all there is to a kiss?”

Although Professor Shen lacked practical experience and didn’t watch many dramas, he often saw couples at school kissing passionately below classroom buildings or dormitories.

In Professor Shen’s stereotypical understanding, “kissing” was something that should last for at least several minutes.

“No…” Qi Fang explained, “I was afraid you’d be angry, so I only kissed you once.”

Shen Yu nodded and said, “I’m not angry.”

Qi Fang: “?”

The kitchen fell silent again for a moment before Qi Fang belatedly asked, “Then can I kiss you again?”

Shen Yu turned his face away, not speaking.

In the past, Qi Fang would have certainly backed down at this point, but tonight, whether due to borrowed courage from several Li Congmings, Qi Fang’s blood was up. He took a light breath and lowered his head once more.

After more than a minute, Shen Yu made a slightly uncomfortable sound. Qi Fang pulled away to see that Shen Yu’s lips had turned a moist red.

Reflecting on the kiss for a few seconds, Shen Yu posed a question, “Why did you bite me?”

Not only biting, but also…

Shen Yu felt that Qi Fang had treated him like jelly, licking and biting as if he found it quite delicious.

“I don’t know,” Qi Fang’s face was flushed. “That’s what Qin Xiaosa used to say.”

Shen Yu nodded, about to ask something else when he suddenly stopped speaking and lowered his gaze.

There seemed to be something hard behind his waist…

He looked down, and Qi Fang instinctively followed his gaze, not understanding for a while. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Yu shook his head, turned around with the fruit knife in his right hand, wanting to take a closer look—

Qi Fang watched wide-eyed as the glinting fruit knife approached. His thoughts raced like lightning, suddenly understanding what had happened.

“Shen Yuyu!” He jumped back, avoiding the fruit knife in Shen Yu’s hand, his eyes wide with shock. “It was just two kisses, are you going to castrate me?”

Seeing Qi Fang’s alarm, Shen Yu realized something and put the fruit knife on the counter, saying, “Sorry.”

“Are you hurt?” Shen Yu’s gaze swept down to Qi Fang’s waist, saying, “Let me see.”

Qi Fang: “?”

Qi Fang: “???”

“No, Comrade Shen Xiaoyu,” Qi Fang was bewildered, “What do you want to look at?”

TL Notes

• 1
  I could not find Wangxiaoji, but I found Wanglaoji or Wong Lo Kat, which is a herbal tea that is often used as Chinese folk remedy.