Chapter 32 - Visiting Yul's Place

The traffic started building up as they neared the hospital. Zeng had to unwrap his hands from Yul's waist and held the bike's rear end. The sweet, safe space had vanished as people invaded it. Yul felt the loss of contact and asked Zeng if he was alright.

"I am fine," he said, suddenly more aware of people's eyes on him.

"Thanks for the ride," he said, getting down and unbuckling the helmet, "It wasn't as bad as I expected," he complimented, smiling.

"No problem," Yul removed his helmet too, to talk without a barrier. He put the object on the area before him and leaned ahead. Zeng had to avert his eyes somewhere else, blinking. He wasn't much used to this side of Yul. Zeng was getting more conscious around him. The Yul when they both were alone in his apartment or in the car, was adorable. He was cute and somehow predictable. However this Yul, when he was outdoors, was challenging and unpredictable. It was like Zeng was experiencing a new side of him and he somehow liked it.

He liked how this boy managed to be everything, how he could pull off to make him comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Not that he would ever tell Yul or maybe he would since he liked being honest with the boy without any fear.

"So," Yul began, drawing Zeng out of his thoughts, "Would you like to visit my-"

He was cut off by the loud siren of an ambulance. Zeng jerked his head in the direction and saw some familiar wardboys ready to receive the patient. "Gotta go!" He said hurriedly and ran off. Yul saw him disappearing as patients, their relatives and other doctors cut the view off.

"Bye," he said to nobody in particular. If he was thinking of dating a doctor, he should get used to this; things like Zeng leaving everything midway to look after someone unknown; like waiting for Zeng to spare some time for him or expecting a goodbye which would never come.

Sighing, Yul wore his helmet and drove off to work.

They couldn't meet after that for a few days but survived on phone calls and messages. Yul had managed to ask Zeng to visit his place. They decided to do it that Sunday when Yul would be having his holiday and Zeng would come from his duty.

"Why are you so nervous?" Zeng asked as they walked from the elevator to Yul's apartment.

"It's your first time visiting my place. Of course, I'll be nervous." Yul wasn't fidgeting neither did he look nervous. He was just being goofier than usual and Zeng picked it up. He had become good at reading the police officer.

Yul opened the door and gestured to Zeng to go ahead. It was bigger than Zeng's apartment but almost like his. Zeng hummed as Yul closed the door behind them. Being a single child, the Wang family had never hesitated to spend for Yul. He had the latest gadgets and an all equipped apartment in a more expensive part of the province. The place almost looked too big for one person. Or maybe Zeng thought so as he had been living in a smaller place since years.

Yul showed him the house and Zeng was definitely impressed by the interior. Upon further review, the inside was crispy clean as if someone had taken their time to make the room look more presentable and it did.

"I specially did the laundry, sweeping and dusting early because you were coming," Yul said honestly, proving Zeng right. The younger man looked at the doctor with expectant eyes, which to Zeng seemed like he was waiting for a compliment.

He chuckled at the honesty. "Not bad. It's nice," he said. That was enough to make Yul beam. Zeng walked further to the balcony and Yul followed him. The view was nice from the balcony. Yul even kept a plant there. A cactus. According to him, cactuses were easier to maintain since they didn't demand much attention.

"Zeng ge, will you stay the night?" He asked, his hand rubbing the back of the neck.

Zeng almost choked at the words he heard but upon looking at Yul's face, he didn't find any malice or other meaning. Zeng felt apologetic, "Sorry, I have to study so I won't be able to stay."

"Oh," Yul nodded, all his air of excitement vanishing. He had prepared spare comfy clothes for the doctor, planned a movie and a sleepover after talking about his experience at work in the larger bed. Now it wouldn't be happening. Seeing the bummed out boy, Zeng hugged him and Yul leaned in like a puppy. "Sorry, Maybe some other day."

The police officer hummed.

"Hey, do you have something to eat? I couldn't eat much during my lunch break," Zeng complained, putting away his bag.

"Should we order something?" Yul asked instead.

"Nah," Zeng rejected, "Don't you have any groceries? I wanna feed you healthy food."

"I have some in the fridge."

They both went to the kitchen. Upon opening the fridge, Zeng saw a variety of untouched vegetables stocked in it. Three trays of eggs were also stacked up with some of the spots empty and some cartons of milk. He guessed the boy only had boiled eggs and milk as usual for breakfast.

Zeng raised an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes at Yul, "Mr Wang, did you even eat anything from these?" He enquired, hands crossed over his chest.

"Yes I did!" Yul said proudly, pointing at a half empty section, "Carrots and cucumbers! I can make good salad. Tasty, healthy and doesn't require cooking!"

Zeng shook his head and took out some vegetables of each type. When he was chopping the vegetables, Yul sat on the countertop and rambled about the week's work, about Subin who had often sent him sappy messages, the police station, his seniors, the cases he solved, the new things they learnt and also his expectations versus the reality.

Often Yul would take the chopped cucumbers and toss them in his mouth, then again continued rambling. Zeng had to slap his hand away multiple times to prevent him from eating it all. Yul would give a cheeky smile and hold his eyes. Zeng rolled his eyes and gave him one final slice of cucumber before putting them away which made Yul sulk.

Why was Yul such a child? Zeng thought. But then again, he wasn't complaining. He found it extremely adorable. Yul saw everything with a new light, a new view, a new experience. Something Zeng had lost over the years and it was satisfying to hear someone talking about something amazing and enjoying it at the same time.