Before he could think of something, the Wang couple started talking.
"Yul had said that he met you at the camp and someday he'll show you to us," Mrs Wang said smiling, "Well, Yul sure has many handsome friends. Moreover, he never had a friend from the medical field. You must be special, A'Zeng."
Yul rubbed the back of his neck. The truth made Zeng blush so much that he tried his level best to not let the colour reach his cheeks but failed.
"Um… are you okay, dear. Your face is a bit red," Mrs Wang asked with concern. Zeng laughed nervously, "I am fine. I just… I am not that good with the afternoon heat."
"Ah," Mrs Wang grimaced, "Well then, let's get going. You can join us, A'Zeng. We'll first go to Yul's apartment and keep his things there and then head for a celebratory lunch."
"Yeah, he's coming with us," Yul answered on Zeng's behalf and Mr Wang arched an eyebrow in a certain observation. Zeng noticed that the older Wang was catching up and being anymore with them would surely lead to some slip-ups and he didn't want that, at least not now.
"I would love to but I am so sorry, I'll have to pass," Zeng refused politely. "My shift will be resuming soon. I should go."
Mr Wang smiled, an odd one, "I heard interns have quite a tight schedule. Despite that, you made time for our Yul. You two must be close." He glanced back and forth between Yul and Zeng.
The words were heard as just a casual talk. Yul didn't notice anything weird in the way his father worded it. Mrs Wang was simply happy to meet a loyal friend. However, the way it sounded to Zeng's ears made him uncomfortable.
"I- I should really get going," he muttered nervously. Yul's face fell but he couldn't expect anything more. Zeng had come to see him despite all odds. He was satisfied with just that.
Mrs Wang sighed, "Ah, it really can't be helped seeing your job. But do come for lunch the next time we visit, okay?"
Zeng nodded and took his leave. He so desperately wanted to take the full picture of Yul in his uniform before leaving. But Mr Wang's presence was frightening enough for him. He couldn't take the risk.
How odd, Zeng thought. The Wang father and son were almost similar in appearance and the aura they exuded. Mr Wang's presence was dominating and suffocating and Zeng felt like a cornered prey. But Yul's presence was always so light as air whenever he was around. Zeng wondered if he was among the few people to whom Yul showed this gentle side of him. He knew the answer and it made him feel warm and special.
The upcoming Tuesday, when it was Zeng's day off, Yul had come to visit him uninvited. Zeng took him in. The police officer was still in his uniform. He had come there directly from work.
"Your number," Yul said as soon as he entered inside and placed a smartphone in Zeng's hand.
"You came here like this just for my number?" Zeng frowned. He wasn't ready for a surprise visit. The doctor always liked to look presentable and right now, he thought he looked like a mess with those comfy pyjamas he was wearing.
"I don't have your number," Yul said after handing over the phone to Zeng and flopped on the sofa. "I couldn't wait any longer. My academy days are gone so at least I own a phone now and could talk to you whenever I want." He said with his eyes closed and head resting back. He was tired from the day's work.
Zeng sighed. He went to the back of the sofa and stood behind Yul, one hand caressing his hair and the other punching in the numbers. He placed the phone near its owner after saving his number.
"You can't call me whenever you want though," Zeng informed. "My phone's mostly in the locker during surgeries and other times, I can't talk to you on-duty hours. Messages are fine. I'll send you my schedule so we talk during breaks."
Yul just hummed in response with closed eyes.
"You look tired," Zeng said, massaging his shoulders. "Is the work tough?"
The younger man hummed, "It is. They bombarded us juniors with so many case files and we wrote FIRs half of the day." He then opened his eyes and smiled at Zeng from below. He took the older man's hands and guided him to sit beside him.
Zeng obeyed and sat beside him. Yul put his head on Zeng's narrow shoulder who stroked his hair.
"And what did you do for the other half of the day?" Zeng asked as he sensed that Yul wanted to share his work life with him. Yul perked up a little.
"For the other half, we went for field inspection. It was a bit exciting but frustrating as well. Firstly, the person who filed the FIR was such a di¢k. He wasn't answering anything I asked and started rambling on his own. Then when our senior asked us to come along for an inspection of the house robbery case. I thought we were going to solve it then and there. I immediately knew the culprit after the initial questioning of the relatives. It was the son! But that tough motherfu¢ker kept lying and the process went on for so long and we had to run back and forth. It was so fu¢king exhausting."
"Hm, that sounds quite energy-draining," Zeng commented.
"It really was!" Yul whined, "This day was better than yesterday though. After the first day, I couldn't even move a muscle. I was knocked out once I had hit the bed . . . So fu¢king exhausting!"
Zeng huffed, sweeping Yul's hair back, "You are cussing, Yul."
"Am I?" Yul mumbled, "Sorry."
"It's alright," Zeng kissed his forehead in forgiveness and got up. Yul was already having a hectic day adding more stress because of a few cuss words wasn't what Zeng wished for him. "Are you staying for dinner?" He asked instead, ruffling his hair.
Since Yul's day was exhausting, in the very least, Zeng could at least make dinner for him. He wanted to cheer him up with some good food. Zeng didn't want to see that tiredness on his handsome face. He was surprised at his own thoughts.
Since when did he start caring for this guy so much?