Li Xuan pushed Su Xingchuan away and fled in a panic.
His lips still tingled slightly.
He leaned against the elevator wall, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. Seven years ago, when he faced the straight Su Xingchuan, he could kiss him without hesitation, but now, all he wanted to do was escape.
Seven years had truly changed so much.
Xu Zhengdong had already arrived at the old house when he received Li Xuan’s call, asking him to come back.
Twenty minutes later, Xu Zhengdong found a teary-eyed Li Xuan at the entrance of Xincheng Residence. He quickly got out of the car, bent down, and asked, “Xuan, what happened?”
He had clearly heard the sound of kissing over the phone.
It was an intense kiss; Xu Zhengdong recognized the sound—he had enough experience to know. Understanding what was happening, he had tactfully hung up the phone. On the way, he couldn’t help but think: Who’s the pig that’s gotten their hands on my little cabbage again?
But it seemed the broken mirror hadn’t been mended, and now Li Xuan was crying his eyes out. Xu Zhengdong helped him up, asking, “Who bullied you?”
Li Xuan just shook his head.
He couldn’t believe what he had done—kissing Su Xingchuan, knowing full well that Su Xingchuan had a partner.
If he had done something like that seven years ago, he wouldn’t have thought much of it, but he was no longer the same person he was back then. He understood how much his rudeness, immaturity, and stubbornness could trouble others, so he had vowed not to do anything that would affect others.
But now he had done the most immoral thing.
Although Su Xingchuan had initiated it, he had responded, actively engaging in the kiss.
They had kissed countless times before; Su Xingchuan would definitely know that he was reciprocating.
He felt ashamed of himself.
Curled up in the seat without saying a word, Xu Zhengdong patted his head gently. As he continued, Li Xuan suddenly asked, “Uncle, are people born gay? Or is it possible that someone just falls for a person, regardless of gender?”
Xu Zhengdong had never encountered such a situation but tried to comfort him, “It’s possible, I guess.”
Even his experienced uncle didn’t have a definite answer.
It seemed the idea that Su Xingchuan had been “turned” gay by him was false. Even without Li Xuan, Su Xingchuan would have met someone else, maybe a Wang Xuan or a Chen Xuan, and eventually realized his orientation, falling for a guy.
Li Xuan wasn’t special to Su Xingchuan at all.
“I’m selfish,” Li Xuan said, lowering his head.
“How so?”
Li Xuan wiped away his tears and looked at the passing crowds outside the car window. “I was the one who broke up with him, yet I still hope he doesn’t fall for someone else. I’m the most selfish person. No wonder he said what he did.”
“Has he fallen for someone else?”
Li Xuan nodded.
Su Xingchuan had someone he liked. That person had even stayed at his place and had their own pair of slippers.
Seven years ago, when Su Xingchuan took him to hotels, he often said that he’d buy a big house someday.
Back then, Li Xuan would nestle in Su Xingchuan’s arms, playing with his fingers. He would look up and naively say, “I already have a house. My mom invested in a property for me at Jiangwan No. 1.”
Hearing this, Su Xingchuan’s expression would dim, and he would pull Li Xuan closer, saying, “I know I can’t give you as much as your parents, but I’ll still try my best.”
“I don’t need you to give me anything. I can give you things!”
The twenty-year-old Li Xuan only knew how to enjoy love and couldn’t understand the deep-seated insecurities in Su Xingchuan’s heart. He hugged Su Xingchuan tightly, telling him how much he liked him. Su Xingchuan would only stroke his back and softly say, “When I buy a house, I’ll decorate it the way you like and put your name on the deed.”
Li Xuan already had so much love, but Su Xingchuan still wanted to give him more.
To Su Xingchuan, Li Xuan was like a beautiful Christmas tree, and he wanted to decorate it with as many gifts as possible.
Li Xuan didn’t understand why Su Xingchuan was so fixated on buying a house, but he was happy nonetheless.
To him, the happiest thing was cuddling with Su Xingchuan in a warm room during the cold winter, imagining their future life together.
Sometimes, Li Xuan would even make promises: “Don’t worry. I’ll work hard too. I’ll buy the furniture, so you don’t have to do it alone.”
Su Xingchuan would tease him, “Little Dr. Li, doing eight surgeries a day to support me—how about that?”
Li Xuan would nod earnestly, “Sure.”
Later, Su Xingchuan bought a house, and Li Xuan became a doctor.
Everything had unfolded as planned.
But nothing could go back to the way it was.
Thinking about it, Li Xuan’s eyes welled up again.
Xu Zhengdong looked puzzled, “If you liked him so much, why did you break up?”
Li Xuan shook his head and murmured, “I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to break up with him.”
Xu Zhengdong pressed further, but Li Xuan remained silent.
Seeing that Li Xuan wouldn’t say more, Xu cautiously asked, “Xuan, how about I introduce you to someone?”
“No.”
“This guy’s pretty good—around your age, good-looking, with a nice personality. He works in investment banking. Want to meet him? I can set it up—”
“No!”
Li Xuan finally understood his feelings. “I don’t want anyone, no matter how great they are.”
He only wanted the twenty-year-old Su Xingchuan.
Or the twenty-seven-year-old Su Xingchuan whose heart still belonged to him.
.
At around midnight, Xie Liang received a call from Su Xingchuan.
Su Xingchuan’s voice was hoarse, “I think I have a fever. I can’t hold on. Could you take me to the hospital?”
Su Xingchuan was usually the one offering help, always there for Xie Liang whenever he needed something, even in the middle of the night. In the six or seven years they’d known each other, this was the first time Xie Liang received a call for help from Su. Even though he was groggy with sleep, he quickly threw off his blanket and got up. “No problem, hang tight. I’m coming.”
When Xie Liang arrived at Xincheng Residence, Su Xingchuan was already downstairs, wearing a mask and looking pale.
Xie Lang hurriedly helped him into the car.
“What happened?”
Su Xingchuan shook his head.
“Is this because of your ex? I’ve noticed you’ve been really up and down emotionally since you two reunited.”
Su Xingchuan didn’t deny it, simply responding with a weak “Mm.”
Who else could make him feel so conflicted but Li Xuan?
At three in the morning, Xie Lang took Su Xingchuan to the hospital.
He had a high fever—39°C.
The cause was exposure to the cold. After Li Xuan left, Su Xingchuan had sat at his open door for over an hour. Coupled with his recent sleepless nights due to post-surgery pain and his weakened state, his immune system had given out.
Xie Lang suddenly remembered, “Doctor, he just had surgery for kidney stones a few days ago. Could the wound be infected? That could cause a fever, right?”
The doctor checked Su Xingchuan’s wound. “No infection.”
Xie Lang felt relieved.
Su Xingchuan groggily opened his eyes, “Thanks. You can go. I’ll just rest here and get some IV fluids.”
“Why are you always so polite? Don’t worry about it.”
Xie Lang pulled up a chair next to Su Xingchuan’s bed and sat down, sighing, “Boss Yan’s been in a foul mood lately. It’s probably because he couldn’t land that Zhongjin project and got jerked around by Xu Zhengdong. He’s been taking it out on us. I’m about ready to quit.”
“I don’t want to work on Zhongjin’s project anymore.”
Xie Lang was surprised. “Why? You’ve been working on it for nearly three months. You’ve almost cracked this tough nut.”
Su Xingchuan stared at the ceiling, smiling bitterly. “Do you know who Li Xuan’s current boyfriend is?”
“Who?”
Su Xingchuan turned to him. “Xu Zhengdong.”
“What?” Xie Lang’s eyes widened. “Zhongjin’s Xu Zhengdong?”
“Who else?”
Xie Lang sighed deeply, “No wonder… I’d heard rumors that Xu Zhengdong was gay, known for being quite the playboy when he was younger. Always at the clubs, with a reputation that precedes him. And now he’s into your ex—a clean, pretty boy. I never would’ve imagined.”
Xie Lang saw Su Xingchuan clench his fists, and he quickly got up to stop him. “Hey, hey, take it easy, man. Your health matters.”
Su Xingchuan forced himself to calm down.
Xie Lang sighed, “If it’s Xu Zhengdong, what will you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you still hoping to get back with your ex?”
“You think I still like him?” Su Xingchuan scoffed. “Why would I chase after someone who dumped me? Am I that pathetic?”
Xie Lang squinted. “Yes.”
“…”
“And that’s perfectly normal. Little Dr. Li’s looks,” Xie Lang rubbed his chin, smirking, “are definitely worth fighting for.”
“I’m not fighting for anything.”
It was late, and Su Xingchuan was starting to feel drowsy. Xie Lang stayed by his side, sleeping on a nearby bed.
The next morning, after Su Xingchuan’s IV drip, he regained his energy.
As he prepared to leave the hospital, he suddenly remembered, “I might as well get the catheter removed today. I’ll go get a consultation.”
Xie Lang feigned ignorance, “Whose consultation?”
Su Xingchuan’s face was calm. “The surgeon’s.”
Xie Lang chuckled, “Got it.”
Today, Li Xuan was on duty in the urology outpatient clinic.
Su Xingchuan quickly registered, finding that there were two patients ahead of him. Xie Lang stepped out to make a call, and when Su Xingchuan was about to head in, Xie Lang suddenly said, “I’m coming with you.”
“Why?”
Xie Lang grinned mischievously, “As your companion, it’s perfectly normal for me to go in with you, right? I’ll go in there and mess with him a bit. Besides, he has Xu Zhengdong, and you have me—”
Su Xingchuan looked at him sternly.
“Fair fight,” Xie Lang said confidently.
Su Xingchuan was speechless.
They went to Consultation Room No. 3. Su Xingchuan knocked.
“Come in,” Li Xuan’s voice called out.
Just as Su Xingchuan was about to push the door, Xie Lang rushed ahead, pulling Su Xingchuan along as he boldly entered the room.
Li Xuan looked up, momentarily stunned when he saw the two of them.
Xie Lang, in full dramatic mode, played the role of a companion, resting his hand intimately on Su Xingchuan’s shoulder. “Dr. Li, we’re here for Su Xingchuan’s catheter removal.”
“…It’s a stent removal,” Su Xingchuan corrected.
Xie Lang chuckled awkwardly, “Oh, right. Stent removal.”
Su Xingchuan immediately regretted telling Xie Lang about Li Xuan and Xu Zhengdong. This was beyond embarrassing.
Li Xuan hadn’t slept well, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. Seeing Xie Lang cling to Su Xingchuan, his expression darkened even more. Su Xingchuan noticed the tight set of Li Xuan’s lips.
He thought, Li Xuan has really grown up.
In the past, Li Xuan would have shown his emotions immediately, regardless of who was around. If he was angry, he’d show it; if he was unhappy, it’d be clear.
Now, Li Xuan had learned to hold back.
Su Xingchuan didn’t feel relieved; he felt heartache.
He would rather Li Xuan remain as immature as ever.
Li Xuan put on his mask and gloves, preparing the medication and the cystoscope. “Lie down over there,” he instructed.
Su Xingchuan still felt uneasy seeing those tools in Li Xuan’s hands. He cleared his throat, wanting to say something to lighten the mood, but faced with Li Xuan, he hesitated. In the end, he followed the instructions and lay down as directed.
Xie Lang couldn’t resist stirring the pot: “Dr. Li, how long will it take for him to be able to resume… physical activities?”
Li Xuan’s hand paused.
Su Xingchuan, reflexively feeling guilty, quickly swatted Xie Lang’s sleeve to shut him up. Xie Lang, oblivious, held Su Xingchuan’s hand, saying, “It’s okay, don’t worry.”
“…” Su Xingchuan cursed internally.
Li Xuan glanced at their hands, his eyes showing a hint of sadness. “About a month.”
Xie Lang was about to respond when Su Xingchuan couldn’t take it anymore. “You need to leave.”
Xie Lang responded with a surprised “Huh?” but insisted, “I’m staying right here with you.”
Su Xingchuan was about to argue when Li Xuan’s cold voice interrupted, “Don’t move.”
Su Xingchuan turned his head and met Li Xuan’s gaze.
Li Xuan’s eyes remained cold.
The tension from last night still lingered.
Su Xingchuan felt a mix of regret and guilt, but seeing Li Xuan in his white coat stirred something else—a sense of attraction, as if he couldn’t resist the allure of the uniform. His thoughts drifted back to the night before: the closeness, the passionate kisses, the crumpled jacket, and their bodies pressed together…
Su Xingchuan couldn’t help but savor the memory.
He mischievously thought: I should’ve bitten Li Xuan’s lip last night, left a mark for Xu Zhengdong to see.
The atmosphere between them grew heavy with tension and the thrill of “forbidden intimacy.” Su Xingchuan liked seeing Li Xuan’s expression change because of him; it at least meant that this relationship wasn’t a one-sided act.
He could tell Li Xuan was jealous.
But the feeling didn’t last long.
A sharp pain shot through him moments later.
The pain of removing the stent was even worse than the catheter. Su Xingchuan gripped the edge of the bed, veins bulging on his hand. He could tell Li Xuan was being rough.
Why did it hurt so much?
He groaned, “Li Xuan, I admit what I did last night was wrong, but you can’t take revenge on me.”
Li Xuan shot him a brief glance and continued working.
The pain was excruciating, and Su Xingchuan, desperate, blurted out, “Baby.”
Li Xuan’s eyes flinched.
That was the term Su Xingchuan used when begging for mercy. Li Xuan, with his intense jealousy, would often vent his anger on Su Xingchuan. Su Xingchuan, caught between laughter and frustration, would say: “Baby, I’m sorry.”
Su Xingchuan hadn’t expected the term to slip out, and it made things awkward.
Just then, Xie Lang pulled back the curtain and stepped in, playing along, “Baby? Su Xingchuan, are you calling me?”
Su Xingchuan: “…”
Li Xuan’s expression darkened, his hand applying more pressure.
Su Xingchuan’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat, his lips pale from the pain. Shaking, he lifted his hand and pointed at Xie Lang. “Get out.”
