When Qi Fang returned with the cupcakes, he sensed an odd atmosphere in the consultation room.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Qi Fang asked, puzzled. “Is there something on my face?”
Chen Ke remained silent; Li Congming made meaningful facial expressions while Shen Yu stood up, took the cupcakes from his hands, and distributed them to the others.
“What were you just talking about?” Qi Fang raised an eyebrow and said, “You all look like you have something difficult to say.”
Li Congming & Chen Ke: “…”
It was indeed very difficult to explain.
They finished the cupcakes, each lost in their own thoughts. Chen Ke wrote up the day’s consultation report, adjusted Shen Yu’s daily medication dosage, contacted doctors from other departments, and issued an examination order for Qi Fang.
“?” Qi Fang was confused. “What do I need to be examined for?”
“You can print the examination order at the self-service machine on the first floor of the outpatient department,” Li Congming said.
Utterly baffled, Qi Fang first accompanied Shen Yu to get his medication. While queuing to pay, he went to print out the examination order.
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): (Image) (Image)]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): Can someone explain to me what these blood tests, ** ultrasound, and ** vascular color Doppler mean?!]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): Why does my **1These are originally censored in the raws. need to be examined?!!! @Chen Ke @Li Congming]
[Li Congming: …You should ask yourself. What did you do to make Shen Yu think you need an examination?]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): ? What could I have done? I didn’t do anything!]
[Li Congming: It’s precisely because you couldn’t do anything that you need an examination!!]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): I mean I haven’t done anything yet, not that I can’t do it. I’m not impotent!]
[Li Congming: Whether you’re capable or not, only Shen Yu knows. covers mouth and laughs]
[Chen Ke: Shen Yu thinks you have erectile dysfunction. He didn’t want to upset you by saying it directly, so he asked me to help arrange an examination.]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): …Why? Hasn’t Shen Yuyu’s condition already improved?]
[Li Congming: So you’re saying you really are impotent.]
[System: ‘Li Congming’ has been removed from the group chat]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): It seems Shen Yu’s condition hasn’t fully recovered, right, Dr. Chen?]
[Chen Ke: …I’m inclined to think so.]
[Qi Er Shao (In Love): Thank you, I’ll go get examined right away and use facts to prove to Shen Yu that I’m perfectly healthy. smile.jpg]
[Chen Ke: …]
*
Before lunch, Qi Fang finally received all his examination reports.
On the way home, Shen Yu carefully examined each report, using his phone to research relevant medical literature. He eventually frowned slightly, seeming somewhat puzzled.
At every red light, Qi Fang stole countless glances at Shen Yu. Seeing his confusion, he finally seized the opportunity, cleared his throat, and said, “Shen Yu, don’t you think you owe me an explanation for today?”
Shen Yu: “…?”
“Why did you ask Chen Ke to arrange these tests for me?” Qi Fang demanded indignantly. “What made you think I have some kind of functional disorder?”
Shen Yu opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Qi Fang continued, “Just because I didn’t let you touch me? Is this your revenge? Can I let you have your way when we get home?”
Shen Yu: “?”
Shen Yu: “No touching.”
Qi Fang immediately said, “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t think I want that!”
Shen Yu: “.”
“You have all the test results in your hands,” As the light turned green, Qi Fang stepped on the gas, not forgetting to point at the stack of reports with one hand. He said righteously, “Look, which test shows any problem?”
Shen Yu was quiet for a moment before saying, “Sometimes… psychological factors can have an effect.”
Qi Fang turned his head in shock, nearly driving off course. “Shen Yuyu, why are you falsely accusing me like this?”
Shen Yu made a confused sound and said, “Am I falsely accusing you?”
These past few days, he often saw Qi Fang engaging in strange activities at home. Sometimes, he’d be excited but then become dejected shortly after. More importantly, whenever Qi Fang hurriedly returned to the bedroom, he’d come out ten minutes later as if nothing had happened.
Combined with Qi Fang’s evasive behavior towards him this morning, Shen Yu felt that Qi Fang must have some unspoken difficulty.
They arrived home. Qi Fang slammed on the brakes, ready to engage Shen Yu in a lengthy argument, when Shen Yu’s phone rang at the perfect moment.
“Hello,” Shen Yu answered, paused, then suddenly switched to English.
Qi Fang turned off the engine and listened for a while. When Shen Yu hung up, he asked, “Was that from N Island?”
“Mm,” Shen Yu said. “The paperwork for moving Dad’s grave is complete. They want me to go bring him back.”
Faced with this important matter, Qi Fang set aside his personal issues and asked with concern, “When are you planning to go? I’ll accompany you.”
Shen Yu opened his phone to check flight times.
There were no direct flights to N Island. The fastest route involved a transfer in a major city, taking over ten hours in total.
“We’ll leave tonight,” Shen Yu said. “And return Sunday night.”
Qi Fang felt somewhat helpless, understanding this was because Shen Yu didn’t want to miss work on Monday.
“Let’s go home,” Qi Fang said. “We’ll book the tickets first, then I’ll pack our bags.”
*
While packing, Qi Fang noticed that when he walked away, Shen Yu seemed to hide something at the very bottom of the suitcase.
Qi Fang dug around and then stared at the box of kidney-strengthening medication in his hand, falling into a long silence.
…When did Shen Yu buy this thing?
He decided to stuff the item under the bed.
Their flight was scheduled for 7 p.m., so they needed to check in early. Qi Fang took Shen Yu to eat at an airport restaurant. While waiting to board, he noticed Shen Yu constantly checking his phone.
“?” Qi Fang sensed something amiss and asked, “What are you looking at?”
“…” Shen Yu instinctively put away his phone, turning his face away. “Nothing.”
Qi Fang: “???”
Shen Yu was lying now! Something was definitely up!
So he pretended to casually sit beside Shen Yu, playing Snake on his phone while sneaking glances at Shen Yu’s screen.
He saw an AI male doctor’s portrait and a large Qiandu Medical headline.
Qi Fang watched as Shen Yu asked the AI doctor online:
[Married for two years without having sex, I suspect my partner has an incurable male problem. What should I do?]
The AI instantly replied:
[If there’s been no intimacy for a long time, first have an open conversation to understand the reasons… If you suspect erectile dysfunction (ED) or similar issues, refer to the “Diagnosis and Treatment Guide for ** Function Disorders” for professional diagnosis and treatment… For specialized treatment, consult Dr. Zhang, Chief Physician of Urology at XX Hospital, contact number xxx]
Qi Fang: “…”
Next, Shen Yu opened an authoritative medical website and began carefully reading and bookmarking articles based on the AI doctor’s response, occasionally making notes.
Seeing Shen Yu so focused, Qi Fang found himself reluctant to disturb him.
…Forget it, Qi Fang thought hazily. Let it be.
Every man has some days when he can’t perform.
If it’s acceptable to be impotent at 90, why can’t it happen at 20-something?
Is that age discrimination?
With this thought, Qi Fang suddenly felt enlightened.
Shen Yu finished reading the articles just as the boarding announcement came over the airport speakers. He put away his phone and stood up to see Qi Fang holding their luggage. His furrowed brow finally relaxed, exuding a faint sense of acceptance, utterly serene.
“Let’s go, Shen Yuyu.” Shen Yu saw Qi Fang reach for his hand, saying in a composed tone:
“Sheep’s tail2Impotence can’t be cured in a day. We’ll take it slow. No rush. Get some sleep on the plane and stop looking at your phone. It’s bad for your eyes.”
Shen Yu: “…”
*
After a layover, they finally arrived on N Island close to noon the next day.
Shen Yu had previously arranged a time with the cemetery staff. Upon arrival, they presented their IDs and relevant documents. The manager then led them to Chen Ziqiu’s grave.
He said in English, “You can stay here for half an hour. The urn is placed in front of the grave. When you’re ready to leave, come to our office to sign some papers and pay the relocation fee.”
Shen Yu: “Thank you.”
“Oh, by the way,” the manager was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and added, “A few days ago, someone came to visit Mr. Chen’s grave. After you relocate the tomb, remember to inform her.”
Qi Fang asked curiously, “Who was it?”
“A lady surnamed Shen,” the manager replied.
Shen Yu paused for a moment before telling Qi Fang, “It’s Mom.”
After giving instructions, the manager left, leaving Shen Yu and Qi Fang alone.
The weather today was typical of the island’s beautiful season – clear skies without clouds, sunshine not overly intense, and occasional sea breezes carrying the salty scent of the ocean. Shells were scattered on the beach, and in the distance, a few people could be seen taking photos in shallow water.
Qi Fang bent down to arrange the snacks and fruits in front of the grave.
The burial site had been cleaned, with a black square box placed neatly in front of the headstone. Having been shielded from the elements, the box looked relatively new, in stark contrast to the cracked and dusty tombstone.
“Uncle Chen,” Qi Fang said after arranging everything and stepping back to stand beside Shen Yu, “Shen Yu has brought me to take you home.”
A sea breeze whistled past, bringing a soft humming sound.
Shen Yu bent down, his fingers wiping away the dust on the headstone to reveal the slightly blurred engraved text.
Qi Fang and Shen Yu visited this place every year. Qi Fang knew Shen Yu preferred not to talk at such moments, so he quietly kept him company.
After cleaning the dust from the tombstone inscription, Shen Yu stood up and suddenly said, “I never thought they would divorce.”
Qi Fang thought for a moment before saying, “I actually didn’t notice either; we were too young then. But even if they divorced, it’s not anyone’s fault. Shen Yuyu, don’t be sad.”
Shen Yu said, “I’m not… very sad.”
He slightly lowered his head, his profile pale in the sea breeze, lips pressed lightly together, gaze fixed on the tombstone.
“I just feel…” Shen Yu paused, seemingly unaccustomed to such moments of inner revelation, his words slow, “that they didn’t take good care of their relationship.”
Nor did they protect their marriage well.
Qi Fang, sensing something, instinctively asked, “So after you came back, did you think that we also…?”
Shen Yu nodded very slightly.
“You’re very good to me,” Shen Yu said. “Since I like you, I should be good to you too.”
It was because of this thought that he started paying attention to Qi Fang and subsequently became concerned about Qi Fang’s health.
Qi Fang was stunned for a moment, not yet recovered from the joy of finally finding the cause of Shen Yu’s condition, his attention first caught by something else: “Wait, Shen Yu, do you mean you’ve liked me for a long time—”
Hearing his question, Shen Yu frowned in confusion and asked back, “Otherwise, why would we get married?”
When two people get married, isn’t it because they have mutual feelings for each other?
Seeing Qi Fang’s blank expression, Shen Yu asked again, “Was it… not obvious?”
Qi Fang: “…”
Wait a minute, then his two years of lonely endurance, polite demeanor, respectful concession, day and night longing but dutifully not daring to enter Shen Yu’s bedroom door, what was that all about???
TL Notes
- 1These are originally censored in the raws.
- 2Impotence
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