Chapter 3
Long Yu waited at the door and walked out with him. Fang Jing Yao felt a little awkward in that quiet atmosphere. He took a couple of steps to speak but was interrupted.
“Your phone number.”
“What?”
“Give me your number.”
Fang Jing Yao said “Oh” and fumbled for his phone. Swiping it open, he saw a bunch of unread messages, mostly from Luo Yi. He ignored them, exchanged numbers with Long Yu, and stored it. Smiling, he said, “That’s good. At least I have a contact at home—my mom’s waiting too!”
Long Yu simply nodded and left quickly.
Fang Jing Yao didn’t think much of it. He had been pursued before and had pursued others himself. At the time, he thought it was more than friendship but less than love; now he realized it was just someone teasing him. He deleted Luo Yi’s long messages, blocked him on WeChat, without even glancing. He wasn’t in the mood for old pursuits anymore.
Back home, his mother excitedly grabbed him for questioning. The four of them, including Baby Huang, gathered around. Standing at the door, Fang Jing Yao faced their wide-eyed stares. “So? Did it work out?”
He chuckled nervously. “You’re exaggerating. We just met. How can there be an outcome? We just had a meal and exchanged numbers.”
His mother smiled. “You exchanged numbers? Good. Call Long Yu a few times, be proactive.”
Fang Jing Yao mumbled, “He’s a doctor. Calling too much might affect his work.”
His mother was undeterred. “Then text him! Say good morning and good night every day. Compliment him. Over time, he’ll remember you. That’s called letting time reveal the heart.”
Fang Jing Yao’s mouth twitched. “Maybe later.” He wanted to pursue, but Dr. Long’s distant demeanor made it clear he wasn’t easy to approach.
His mother lectured him on proper courting techniques, extremely pleased with Long Yu, wishing Fang Jing Yao would marry him tomorrow. Cheerfully, she said, “I’m rooting for this boy. Jing Yao, make me proud. Don’t let anyone snatch him away!”
Fang Jing Yao casually scooped a second bowl of rice.
His mother slapped his hand away. “Did you hear me?!”
He obediently said, “Yes, yes, I’ll text him right away, every day!”
Satisfied, she let him eat.
But only a few days passed before she lost her temper again. Fang Jing Yao had stopped contacting Long Yu entirely, secretly doing his own thing.
Fuming, she grabbed the spare key and went to his room, ignoring Huang. She pounded on his study door. “You brat, come out!”
Fang Jing Yao saved his drawings, emerged a bit dazed, glanced at his watch. “Mom, it’s only 3 PM, not even mealtime.”
From behind, she whipped his legs twice with a feather duster. He jumped!
“All you do is eat! Can’t even text? What’s the use of raising you!” Her eyes reddened. “Where are your texts? If it weren’t for Long Yu’s mother calling me, I’d never know what you’ve done!”
He dodged and said, “Mom! It hurts! I sent one! Just a goodnight!”
“And why didn’t you answer when Long Yu called? He wanted to meet, couldn’t find you, and his mom had to call me… There aren’t many good families like that. A boy like Long Yu could be snatched away if you’re careless! Why don’t you make anyone worry-free!” She shook his shoulder in frustration.
Fang Jing Yao clutched his stylus, feeling guilty. Coming out had been easy; his parents accepted him immediately. But his mother, straightforward and spicy, genuinely cared. She treated him like any other child, arranging a match, even imagining his wedding, doing everything parents could.
His face warmed slightly. Softly, he said, “Mom.”
She sniffled. “Don’t call me Mom—I don’t deserve it!”
Fang Jing Yao coaxed her into a smile. “Mom, I’ll call Long Yu tomorrow—no, right now! Invite him for dinner tonight?”
She scolded, “I don’t care about young people’s affairs!”
Fang Jing Yao froze. So it wasn’t her who scolded me earlier…
He called Long Yu. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t answer. His mother watched him type every word of a text arranging time and place, and only left after seeing it sent.
Fang Jing Yao found his mother adorable. By extension, he felt a bit affectionate toward Long Yu too—after all, she approved. He also liked Long Yu’s face. Feeling the earlier text was too formal, he sent another:
“Dr. Long, remember to rest during work~ waiting for your reply (smiley face).”
He whistled, returned to his study, unmuted his phone, and even set a special notification sound for Long Yu. He eagerly waited, afraid to miss a reply.
Around six, Long Yu replied briefly, as always: “Just finished surgery. Got it. On call tonight. See you tomorrow.”
Fang Jing Yao sent a smiley back. Long Yu’s “seen” status lingered as he typed, then nothing—peace returned.
Fang Jing Yao stared at his phone and smiled.
This date would be more formal than the last. Long Yu changed into a suit, still carrying the faint smell of disinfectant, obviously rushing over. Sitting down, he glanced at the time. “Sorry, I’m late again.”
Fang Jing Yao poured him a cup of tea, smiling kindly. “Just a few minutes, no problem. I understand you’re busy. By the way, are there any foods you avoid?”
Long Yu looked at him. “Sea cucumbers, peony shrimp, and most eggs.”
Fang Jing Yao was surprised. “What a coincidence! I’m allergic to the same ones… though eggs aren’t really an allergy, I just haven’t liked them since I was a kid, haha.”
Long Yu said nothing further, lifting the cup to sip the hot tea slowly and swallowing.
Fang Jing Yao shamelessly stared at his Adam’s apple for a moment, his face flushing and heart racing. He even wanted to reach out and touch it. Forcing himself to look away, he called the waiter over to order. After picking two dishes, he handed one to Long Yu. Fang ordered meat dishes; Long Yu chose a vegetable dish and okra carp soup—a well-balanced mix of meat and vegetables.
Since Long Yu had driven here, Fang Jing Yao didn’t plan to drink alone. He ate and chatted casually, relaxing more than before. The conversation flowed, and Long Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile twice. Fang Jing Yao felt a sense of accomplishment; seeing Long Yu smile made him want to tease him further, hoping to see a few more smiles.
Later, Fang Jing Yao suddenly exclaimed, surprised. “You went to No. 1 High too? Me too! I’m class of 2007. How about you?”
Long Yu paused mid-bite, then said, “Class of 2005.”
Fang Jing Yao laughed. “That makes you my senior!”
Long Yu didn’t smile. He finished the remaining food on his plate with a stiff expression and immediately reverted to the distant demeanor from their first meeting, no longer eager to talk.
Fang Jing Yao found it odd. Usually, he observed details meticulously when drawing. Sitting just a head’s length from Long Yu, he naturally noticed the agitation and restlessness in his eyes. Long Yu was clearly upset about something, yet he restrained himself from speaking—like the first time they met at the airport. Back then, he had a newspaper to flip through; now he had nothing, just his chin slightly raised, lips pressed together, projecting an untouchable aura.
After they finished eating, Fang Jing Yao politely saw him off at the door. Long Yu turned and left again. Fang Jing Yao took a couple of steps, then smacked his forehead and ran after him. “Dr. Long, could I trouble you with something?”
Long Yu stopped and looked at him. “What?”
Fang Jing Yao smiled. “Could you give me a ride to the bar on Xisi Street? I have an urgent matter with a friend, and it’s hard to get a cab right now.”
Long Yu studied him, his gaze so penetrating it made Fang Jing Yao’s chest tighten, as if saying that if he hadn’t asked, he’d miss something important.
Slowly, Long Yu said, “Get in. I’ll take you.”
Once inside, they fell silent again. The car was quiet, awkwardly so. Fang Jing Yao glanced at Long Yu’s straight lips and impulsively said, “I’m not going to the bar to flirt. That bar belongs to a childhood friend. He’s proposing to his girlfriend today, and I’m helping paint a mural for him.”
He immediately regretted it, almost wanting to bite his tongue. What if Long Yu was upset for a different reason? Why rush to explain?
Long Yu’s expression softened slightly and he only said, “Mm.”
Fang Jing Yao breathed in the cool fragrance in the car, unsure if it was menthol or something else, but it smelled similar to Long Yu himself. He said, “Dr. Long, if you’re not busy, do you want to come along? We’re all young—it’ll be lively, and it’s not every day you see a proposal.”
For some reason, Long Yu seemed touched by something he said. After thinking for a moment, he nodded. “Alright.”
Author’s note:
Changed the previous “white lotus” character’s name to Luo Yi—no big changes. He can’t affect the couple’s story, so everyone relax =w=
Fang Jing Yao (singing): “I feel like we’ve met somewhere before~”
Long Yu: “Think carefully.”
Fang Jing Yao (continues singing): “Do you remember~~?”
Long Yu (smirks coldly): “The one who forgot is you.”
