Chapter 42
Long Yu kissed him again. Fang Jing Yao, eyes closed, wrapped his arms around Long Yu’s neck, instinctively pressing closer. Long Yu gently bit his lip and said, “No, I have to go.”
“Where are you going?” Fang Jing Yao asked softly, with a slight nasal tone.
“On a business trip. I told you yesterday,” Long Yu replied, patting his back gently like he was comforting a child.
Fang Jing Yao let out a soft “Mmm” and, still sleepy, felt Long Yu kiss the tip of his nose. “I’ll be back in a few days, the meeting will end quickly, so wait for me at home,” Long Yu said, then quietly slipped out.
Once the door closed, Fang Jing Yao became fully aware of the time—it was past nine in the morning.
Having reconciled with Long Yu just yesterday, and after their emotionally close night, Fang Jing Yao felt a sudden emptiness. Thoughts of Long Yu, especially about childhood memories they had shared, lingered, making him long for his company even more.
Unable to lie down and rest, Fang Jing Yao washed up quickly and wandered around the room. Everything looked just like it had before, clean and tidy, in Long Yu’s usual style. He noticed a tie on the floor near the door—probably dropped yesterday. Fang Jing Yao took a photo of it and sent it to Long Yu, jokingly labeling it: “Crime scene.”
Long Yu replied with his usual careful tone: “Keep the evidence safe; we’ll deal with the culprit when I get back.”
Fang Jing Yao tidied up the room, feeling reassured that the place was otherwise orderly. As he did, he noticed a small square jewelry box on the cabinet. It was the ring he had retrieved for Luo Yi—the same ring he had almost impulsively set aside. The surrounding area was clean, but the small spot around the box had a thin layer of dust, which made him chuckle. Even Long Yu’s meticulously clean home had this small imperfection—he must be sulking like a child.
Fang Jing Yao opened the box and looked at the jade ring. It was from several years ago, simple but elegant. Holding it in his hands, he sighed and muttered to himself, “Why are you so beautiful…? Seeing you just makes me frustrated. I should have given you to Long Yu from the start…”
An idea suddenly struck him, growing in his mind until it consumed all his attention. He quickly put the ring back in the box, slipped it into his pocket, changed his shoes, and called Chen Xi.
“Chen Xi, I need a favor. I’m coming over, and I need you to help me sell something!” he said rapidly.
Still half-asleep, Chen Xi yawned and asked, “Sell what? A house?”
“Forget the house! I’m selling a ring!” Fang Jing Yao replied.
Chen Xi was confused but listened as Fang Jing Yao explained. He examined the jade ring, recognized its quality, and nodded appreciatively.
“I want the money today,” Fang Jing Yao insisted.
Chen Xi was exasperated but went upstairs to get an envelope full of cash, enough to cover what Fang Jing Yao needed. Fang Jing Yao blew him a playful kiss and insisted he keep the rest.
Chen Xi laughed, joking about Fang Jing Yao’s boldness with Long Yu, and Fang Jing Yao left, telling him he’d catch up later for a meal.
Fang Jing Yao hurried to the airport, buying the earliest flight to Hainan. Feeling carefree, he even splurged on a first-class ticket with the money he got from the ring.
On the way to the boarding gate, the lights were bright and mirrors lined the corridor. Fang Jing Yao walked quickly but couldn’t help noticing the marks on his neck from the previous night—Long Yu had been rougher than usual, leaving them almost embarrassing to show in public. His skin was thick, but even so, it was shameful. Spotting a clothing store nearby, he quickly went in, bought a scarf, wrapped it around his neck, and continued on his way.
Long Yu had accompanied the leadership from the city hospital. Their flight had been slightly delayed, so it took two to three hours longer than planned to retrieve their luggage after landing.
One of the accompanying doctors was coordinating with the people picking them up while carrying their own luggage. “…Yes, several flights arrived at the same time, so the baggage got mixed. Director Wang’s luggage hasn’t come out yet—please wait a bit longer, okay? Thank you!”
Long Yu was also waiting for his luggage. As usual, he wasn’t very talkative, but this time, as soon as the plane landed, he sent a message to Fang Jing Yao. Not knowing if Fang Jing Yao was still asleep, he received no reply. After a while, he glanced at his phone a few more times, and though silent, a smile crossed his face.
It was a fleeting smile, unnoticed by those around, but people could tell that Long Yu was in an unusually good mood today.
Soon, Long Yu’s luggage appeared. Just as he picked it up, his phone rang—it was Fang Jing Yao.
He answered immediately: “Jing Yao…”
“Don’t talk yet! Long Yu, where are you? Are you at Meilan Airport?” Fang Jing Yao’s voice sounded breathless.
Long Yu paused for a moment. “Yes, I am.”
“I’ll wait for you at Gate 3, right opposite the exit. There’s an advertisement board… and a Burger King!” Fang Jing Yao spoke quickly, scanning the area.
Long Yu was surprised and slightly off balance. “What? Jing Yao, you’re here too?”
“Yes, hurry and come out!” Fang Jing Yao replied with a laugh.
Long Yu told his colleagues he would go first, quickly leaving the baggage area.
Some bystanders were confused. “Why is Dr. Long in such a hurry?”
Director Wang, who had worked with Long Yu for a long time, also noticed the unusual behavior. Even in surgery, Long Yu never changed his expression. Shrugging, he said, “Never mind, help me find my suitcase—we’ve kept people waiting long enough.”
Meanwhile, Fang Jing Yao had already arrived at Gate 3, leaning against an advertisement board, dressed lightly with a scarf around his neck. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and smiled warmly at Long Yu. “Dr. Long, I couldn’t sleep at home, so I decided to come over. I hope you don’t mind?”
Long Yu stood before him for a moment, feeling his chest tighten and heart race. He stepped forward, embraced Fang Jing Yao, and whispered softly into his ear.
Fang Jing Yao’s ears warmed, and he shyly rubbed his nose. “I missed you too.”
