Chapter 49
“…Back then, during heavy rain, the dorm conditions were terrible. His mom brought him, and they had several small plastic buckets at home. By the time I went back, I’d collected half a bucket of water,” Professor Long reminisced. “She was really resilient, never complaining, raising her child well. He’s just like his mom—looks like her, has a bit of her temper, just not as sharp-tongued. You wouldn’t believe it, your aunt was tough in her youth. Long Yu used to always be first in class, but one troublemaker tipped his desk. When his mom found out, she immediately enrolled him in Taekwondo, and he trained for years. Probably hasn’t stopped yet.”
Fang Jing Yao laughed: “Your aunt has quite a temper—almost like my mom!”
Professor Long got a bit interested: “Oh? Did you face bullying as a kid? Did you learn any self-defense?”
Fang Jing Yao said: “No, my mom was my coach. I was mischievous as a kid, always dodging sticks, got beaten a lot. Looking back, my mom had it tough—she probably didn’t expect her son to be so mischievous.” He patted his chest: “But don’t worry, normal people can’t get near me. My dodging skills are top-notch!”
Professor Long laughed at him.
After chatting a while, the old man felt having another person around made the house feel more like home. He ended up sharing more family stories, inevitably talking about his ex-wife. It was clear he still felt nostalgic; otherwise, he wouldn’t have remained single all these years.
Fang Jing Yao noticed two framed photos on the TV cabinet in the living room. One was a family photo when Long Yu was five or six, well preserved; the other was Professor Long with his ex-wife in their youth, neatly placed beside it. The frames were clean, showing the owner’s care.
Fang Jing Yao couldn’t help but glance at the photos a few more times.
Professor Long chuckled: “Talking to you about these things might be boring, a bit dull.”
Fang Jing Yao smiled: “Not at all! I love hearing these stories. I draw comics, and all my material comes from real life. You’re giving me a lesson on events from the ’90s—I’ve already forgotten most of it.”
Professor Long brightened again, taking him to see the flowers outside: “Yesterday we got some new orchids, so beautiful. Want to see?”
Fang Jing Yao followed him out, grinning.
Professor Long lived alone, which was lonely, and had no hobbies except tending flowers and his little garden. After seeing the new orchids, he showed Fang Jing Yao the other plants, pointing out details. Even though he hadn’t stayed here for over half a year, he had people carefully tend the garden. A few days ago, he noticed the two-year-old climbing vine looked a bit weak. Too old to climb the ladder, he had Fang Jing Yao help inspect it.
“…The leaves are curling, seems like insects,” Fang Jing Yao said from the top.
Professor Long asked: “What kind of insects?”
Fang Jing Yao demonstrated and plucked a leaf. Professor Long immediately recognized it: “No problem, I’ll mix some pesticide and spray—it’ll be fine.”
Fang Jing Yao said: “Okay, hurry. I’ll wait here. It’ll be done soon.”
Professor Long went in to prepare the solution, soon returning with a small long-nose sprayer, looking professional and neat—like Long Yu, a bit of a neat freak. Fang Jing Yao sprayed the climbing vine in the yard, with Professor Long giving instructions and having him spray the nearby plants as well.
While the old and young tended the plants, someone arrived at the door, knocking twice: “Excuse me, is this Professor Long’s house?”
Professor Long was a little surprised and went to open the door. He asked, “Yes… who are you looking for?”
Standing at the door was none other than Feng Shaotao. He held a box of gifts in his hands and, seeing Professor Long, immediately smiled politely: “I came to visit you, Professor.”
Professor Long barely recognized him at first, but still politely invited him into the yard to talk. After chatting a few sentences, he realized that this young man, Feng Shaotao, was also a medical student at the military hospital—not one of the students he had been mentoring recently, but someone he had guided at the clinic many years ago, for about a month or two.
Professor Long said: “We can’t really call it teacher-student. It was just some exchanges.”
Feng Shaotao, however, wouldn’t accept that downplay. He spoke very politely, calling the old man “Professor” repeatedly. Wishing to flatter him, he smiled and talked about past events, mentioning things from long ago—he remembered it all. Professor Long remained cheerful, nodding occasionally and saying a few words, which made Feng Shaotao feel a little smug.
Feng Shaotao said, “Recently, I published a few papers. The rest weren’t that good, but one of them really lived up to your guidance—it had some insights.” He mentioned it casually, but Professor Long reacted indifferently and didn’t praise him. Feng Shaotao then recalled a viewpoint that Dr. Long Yu had presented at a recent conference and summarized it, highlighting its core. He had read extensively and had never seen Long Yu’s speech published, assuming it was just for the meeting, but he brought it up now to save face.
After all, the former hospital director had praised Long Yu’s work at the time, not his own.
Sure enough, Professor Long looked up and asked, “Did you bring this up?”
Feng Shaotao didn’t dare speak too confidently and adopted a humble expression: “Sort of. I discussed it with a young doctor once, we got along well, and we explored it together. I handled the core, he handled the references—it was a joint effort. Coincidentally, at the Haikou conference the other day, I met that doctor again. He even shares your surname—Long Yu.”
Professor Long paused but didn’t comment.
Seeing no response, Feng Shaotao continued flattering him, describing the work in more detail. The more he spoke, the stranger Professor Long’s expression became.
Before the old man could speak, Fang Jing Yao, perched on a wooden ladder watching Feng Shaotao, furrowed his brow and asked again: “Are you sure? I remember that paper being older. I heard Long Yu had been working on this topic during his PhD abroad, and from what I hear, your directions weren’t the same—how could you have co-authored it?” Fang Jing Yao even casually mentioned the journal number: “This one, right? Your internal references should have it recorded.”
He clearly remembered Long Yu being very happy that day—after publishing the paper, they had gone out for hot pot to celebrate.
Feng Shaotao’s expression soured. He glanced at Fang Jing Yao, seeing him dressed casually in a T-shirt and shorts, sun-kissed skin, holding a small sprayer, and momentarily thought he was just some household helper. Anger and embarrassment rose: “I’m speaking with Professor Long! Do you even understand? Can you distinguish between artificial heart valves, atrioventricular valves, and semilunar valves, or an atrial septal aneurysm with defects?”
Before he could finish, Fang Jing Yao, perched on the ladder with the sprayer tucked under his arm, made a heart with his hand and said casually: “I don’t understand. You’re so knowledgeable about the heart—then you explain it!”
Feng Shaotao was furious but was left speechless. He had been able to argue with peers before, but this kid was just shameless!
Fang Jing Yao shrugged off his doubts and went back to work. Feng Shaotao, determined to save face in front of his professor, pressed on, frowning: “Are you a doctor too?”
Fang Jing Yao said: “No.”
Hearing this, Feng Shaotao realized Fang Jing Yao didn’t understand the terminology and probably hadn’t even attended medical school. He sneered: “You don’t even understand this—how could you know I’m wrong? Do you know Long Yu? How do you know we didn’t collaborate…”
Fang Jing Yao shrugged: “Actually, I mainly take care of the doctor’s daily life.”
Professor Long laughed softly at the side. He was kind-eyed; Fang Jing Yao was referring to Long Yu, but Feng Shaotao assumed he was talking about household staff. He couldn’t show anger but tried to maintain dignity: “Next time, speak politely. Not everyone can insult science.”
Fang Jing Yao, sitting high on the ladder, looked down at him with pity.
Feng Shaotao had never met anyone like this—a single glance could make him angry!
Professor Long, still smiling, asked: “Young Feng, that Long Yu you mentioned, did he also attend the Haikou conference?”
Feng Shaotao respectfully replied: “Yes, we went together, but he’s at another hospital and doesn’t interact much with us. We’ve only met a few times before. It’s just that…”
Professor Long asked: “Just what? Was he not performing well at the hospital?”
Feng Shaotao smiled: “Not really. It’s just that this Dr. Long is different from you—he’s not very sociable and rarely interacts with others.”
Professor Long nodded. Feng Shaotao relaxed slightly, but then Professor Long asked: “So how did you collaborate?”
Feng Shaotao stammered: “Well, I have more clinical experience, he has more theory. We discussed it together… haha… discussed it together.” He was nervous, sweating from the forehead.
Professor Long, intrigued, asked: “What content did you propose?”
Feng Shaotao nervously recited a memorable segment. Long Yu had impressed at the conference; though Feng Shaotao was resentful, he had to acknowledge the young man’s talent—he was indeed capable and innovative.
After listening, Professor Long shook his head: “Impossible.”
Feng Shaotao froze. “Why?”
Professor Long smiled: “I proposed it.”
Feng Shaotao was dumbfounded, almost speechless: “You? Impossible… how… it was you?!”
“Yes, me,” Professor Long said cheerfully. “Long Yu was thinking about this topic in Germany. I gave him the direction—it’s this. But from what you said, he seems well-prepared already, pushing forward from the Yangtze.”
Feng Shaotao still couldn’t believe it, suddenly forming a bold guess in his mind, but too afraid to accept it. His face went pale. He was about to speak when a soft sound came from the doorway—the “unsociable, taciturn” Long Yu walked in.
Long Yu looked at him briefly, then turned to Professor Long, handing over a set of keys: “Dad, I’ve checked the house. They plan to do uniform decoration. Since we’re busy, just let them handle it. Keep the keys and check it when you have time.”
Long Yu didn’t resemble Professor Long much, leaning more toward his mother’s features—sharp, slim, handsome. His expression was cold when silent, but Professor Long’s friendly nature gave him good relations. The father and son, living apart with no business contact, hardly looked related.
Feng Shaotao stood awkwardly, wishing he could disappear into the floor. He embarrassingly set down the gifts: “Elder… sir, I’ll go first. Some matters to attend. We can talk later.” He almost fled.
Long Yu glanced at him, puzzled, but didn’t care much. Professor Long laughed, and Fang Jing Yao on the ladder had a clear view, laughing at Feng Shaotao almost bumping into a lamppost on his way out—too funny!
Professor Long went inside to place the keys. Long Yu stayed outside, seeing Fang Jing Yao wobbling on the ladder, half angry, half amused. He stepped forward, steadying the ladder while giving him a light smack on the butt: “Naughty.”
Fang Jing Yao, still smiling, asked: “Did you just see that guy?”
Long Yu nodded, asking: “Who was that?”
Fang Jing Yao laughed: “The one we had a meeting with a few days ago. You spent half a month there and didn’t recognize him? And you said I had a bad memory, haha!”
Long Yu’s hand lightly tapped his butt again, urging him down: “At that time, I was only thinking about you. I didn’t notice anyone else.”
Fang Jing Yao jumped down from the ladder, pecked him on the lips from side to side: “Me too!”
Long Yu frowned at the perfunctory kiss, a little jealous: “But you’ve changed. I feel you treat my dad better than me now.”
Fang Jing Yao said: “Don’t joke. I just sprayed the pesticide—I haven’t washed my hands yet! Oh, by the way, don’t you think uncle seems lonely? I saw pictures of aunt in his room.”
Long Yu thought for a moment: “So?”
Fang Jing Yao said: “You broke up but still keep pictures of your ex and look at them every day?”
“They probably can’t say certain things because of pride,” Long Yu shrugged, a little lost in his eyes. “I just don’t understand them.”
Fang Jing Yao smiled: “It’s fine that you don’t understand. Come on, let’s go wash up and eat. Other things we can’t control—just do our filial duty.”
Long Yu followed him inside. As they stepped onto the stairs, he looked a bit dissatisfied. “What about me?”
Fang Jing Yao made a heart shape with his hand and mimed a shooting motion—a signature move from a cartoon he loved as a child, one he had never forgotten.
Long Yu glanced at him, then looked at the doorway to see his dad hadn’t come out. He made a gesture as if borrowing something and putting it into his pocket, smiling with his eyes.
