CH 41

“Really?”

Ge Xing observed his expression, absentmindedly poking at the lamb chops with his fork, causing the tender and juicy meat to become distorted as it hung on the bone, on the verge of falling off.

At times, Ge Xing felt that his old friend was good in every way, except for the fact that he was overly mature and rational. Among young men in their early twenties, how many weren’t a bit reckless? Yet Jiang Heng had maintained the same demeanor for years, gentle and courteous, forgiving and kind hearted. Even when he had a falling out with someone, he would remain friendly and try to leave room for reconciliation.

Such a person was good to have around, but over time, it was easy for people to overlook his own needs and take advantage of him.

“I still have to remind you,” Ge Xing said, “Little Ji’s family only has one son. Even if it seems like he’s completely estranged from his family now, things might change in a few years.”

Ge Xing was still the same as before, simultaneously playing matchmaker and tearing people apart, whether he wanted to bring people together or make them back off was still unclear.

“If his parents happen to fall ill or something major happens, he would go back to them, a child can never be so heartless to abandon his parents” Ge Xing said, “I believe you’re not one to fall into the same pit twice, considering your personality. But who can predict what will happen afterwards?”

Two people who still had feelings for each other reuniting was a simple matter, but if years later, Ji Yao faced a choice once again, between his parents and his lover, that pit might reappear in front of them. At that time, whether they charged in headfirst, had another fallout, or politely parted ways, it would still be another instance of heartache.

“I’m aware,” Jiang Heng said, “I know what I’m doing.”

He took a sip of the soup, seeming to find it a bit bland, so he added some black pepper to his soup bowl.

Ge Xing knew that Jiang Heng had made up his mind, so he stopped trying to persuade him.

“But I’m still curious, what do you like about him?” Ge Xing couldn’t figure it out, “You’ve never been the type to hold onto someone like this.”

When Ge Xing asked this question, an image suddenly popped into Jiang Heng’s mind – a bowl of bitter porridge. Memories intertwined with reality, and even his tongue seemed to recall the bitter aroma.

Jiang Heng instinctively licked his lips, as if recalling that taste.

“Just small things,” after a moment, Jiang Heng smiled and said softly, “They’re all easy things to do, but only he does them willingly—or rather, I only want to experience them through him.”

Ge Xing had seen many relationships in his time, so when it came to playing matchmaker, he was exceptionally wise, to the point of being almost all knowing.

With a single listen, he understood that Jiang Heng’s feelings for Ji Yao were not some casual fling.

Ge Xing recalled the random 200-yuan red envelope he had received in his WeChat contacts. Suddenly, he thought that three years later, maybe their story would have a different ending.

“Well, I won’t say anything more,” Ge Xing said carefreely, “If things work out, remember to send me a red envelope.”

Jiang Heng chuckled as he heard this, “You really are… How about I send you a box of red-skinned eggs?”

“Sure, why not?” Ge Xing raised an eyebrow, “I’ll gladly accept them.”

Ge Xing had already turned his pitiful lamb chop into a piece of torn cloth, completely inedible. He put down his knife and fork, deciding not to push himself, and let go of the lamb chop.

“By the way, I’m planning to stay in Shanghai for a few days,” Ge Xing’s tone changed as he spoke, “I’ll be around. If you guys have anything fun to do, just give me a call.”

When investigating the case involving Li Linghua, Jiang Heng had once used Ge Xing’s connections to retrieve vehicle records for Li Wen from the race car club. Jiang Heng still owed him a favor for that.

“Sure,” Jiang Heng said, “How about I treat you and we meet at Qingbo’s?”

“That works too.” Ge Xing thought for a moment, took off his coat from the back of the chair, and stood up, saying, “But I have some things to take care of these days. I’ll call you after I’m done.”

Jiang Heng stood up as well, saying okay.

“Where are you going?” Jiang Heng asked, “Shall I drive you?”

“No need.” Ge Xing said, “You focus on your tasks. We’re friends, no need for formalities.”

Ge Xing waved his hand casually and left.

He took the elevator downstairs and walked along the road for quite a while, finally flagging down a taxi by the side of the road near the Oriental Pearl Tower.

The taxi driver spoke in Shanghai dialect, asking him where to go. Ge Xing accepted the red envelope that Ji Yao had sent him via WeChat while absentmindedly swiping his phone, then casually said, “Go to Fushou Garden.”

Half a minute later, Ji Yao’s phone received a new WeChat notification. He was momentarily nervous when he saw it, but upon opening it, he realized it was a record of Ge Xing receiving the red envelope.

“Keep up the good work,” Ge Xing’s message followed closely, “I believe in you.”

Ji Yao responded with a question mark, and Ge Xing quickly sent him a voice message.

“I’m in Shanghai,” Ge Xing’s voice held a hint of amusement, “Just met Jiang Heng. Heard you two have hooked up again.”

Ji Yao: “…”

Ge Xing’s choice of words was very much like him.

Ji Yao wanted to say that they hadn’t hooked up, but for some reason, he didn’t say that. Instead, he changed the subject somewhat ambiguously.

“Why are you in Shanghai?” Ji Yao asked, “Do you want me to host you?”

“I’m here to check on my matchmaking services in Shanghai.” Ge Xing laughed, “Our matters aren’t urgent; we can meet again in a few days.”

It seemed like Ge Xing’s only hobby in life was matchmaking. Ji Yao almost choked on his coffee as he read those words.

He didn’t engage in meaningless conversations with Ge Xing anymore. He exited the chat and returned to his list of contacts.

Over the next few days, Ji Yao’s work settled into a routine, and he became busier than ever.

However, his texting with Jiang Heng increased slightly, and they occasionally chatted about random things. They defaulted to a friendly relationship where they could share bits of their daily lives. Calling them ordinary friends might not be completely accurate, but they were far from being in an “intimate relationship.”

After all, they had shared the same bed for two and a half years. Even if their relationship had ups and downs, their communication and habits were deeply ingrained.

On Wednesday, Jiang Heng came to the hospital for a follow-up on his post-operative condition, and coincidentally, it was during Ji Yao’s outpatient hours.

Ji Yao was unusually busy that morning, and Jiang Heng’s visit was close to noon. So Ji Yao took a quick sip of water and asked him to wait outside while he finished up with the last patient.

Since Jiang Heng was free, he nodded, sat in the waiting area, and waited for Ji Yao.

This department saw all kinds of patients, and Jiang Heng had barely been sitting for five minutes before a young man with a cast on his arm approached him. Jiang Heng stood up and gave the student his seat.

Jiang Heng was restless wherever he stood, so he finally ended up standing near the door of the consultation room.

The consultation inside Ji Yao’s office was still ongoing. There was one last family left, and the door wasn’t closed completely, allowing Jiang Heng to observe from the hallway.

The injured person was an elderly woman, surrounded by a group of young people, seated on the examination table in the middle. She held her left hand, trembling in pain. Ji Yao had a gentle expression as he bent down and sat on a stool in front of the elderly woman, carefully examining her injury.

He was wearing a white coat and looked very patient. Leaning slightly, he pointed at the X-ray images while speaking to the elderly woman.

Jiang Heng leaned against the wall across from the consultation room, observing him with interest for a while. He suddenly realized that Ji Yao had grown up – this change was particularly apparent when he wore his white coat. He seemed to have shed his student-like innocence and transformed into a responsible adult.

Since the consultation room door wasn’t fully closed, Jiang Heng stood too close, and he could even hear bits of their conversation. He didn’t intend to eavesdrop on someone else’s privacy, so he moved a bit farther away and bought a coffee from a vending machine in the lobby on the first floor.

When he returned, the group of patients had already left, and Ji Yao had finished his outpatient hours. He was speaking to the hospital receptionist, inquiring about Jiang Heng’s whereabouts.

Jiang Heng approached him from behind, holding the coffee in his hand.

“Drinking coffee on an empty stomach?” Ji Yao took the unopened coffee from him without hesitation, saying, “I’m confiscating this for the sake of your health.”

Jiang Heng clicked his tongue lightly and smiled, “Dr. Ji, there are surveillance cameras.”

“I’m responsible for your health, even if it means being filmed,” Ji Yao said, “Where are the X-ray images? Give them to me.”

Jiang Heng handed the stack of blood test results and imaging films to Ji Yao. Ji Yao flipped through them and asked, “Why did you only get the imaging done? What about the results of the endoscopy?”

“I was alone, so they wouldn’t let me do it,” Jiang Heng said.

An endoscopy required general anesthesia, and the hospital’s regulations required that patients be accompanied by someone. Ji Yao furrowed his brows slightly and bundled the examination results together, saying, “Let’s go, I’ll accompany you.”