[I’ve run into him downstairs in the complex so many times, and not once has he acknowledged me. I guess good men really don’t exist, not in real life and not in this damn game either. sob sob sob sob sob I’m switching to the doctor route.]
[Take it from someone who’s been burned—do not pursue the doctor! He’s got full-on scumbag energy. I’m torn between loving him and hating him…]
Okay, I’m not the most miserable one. That’s… oddly comforting.
***
After successfully scaring Jiang Yi, Zhou Yanxing returned to his office looking calm and composed. But the moment he pushed open the door to the break room, his steps came to a sudden halt—for reasons even he couldn’t explain.
A faint scent of medicated oil lingered in the air.
Because of the building’s orientation, this break room didn’t face the sun. With the thick velvet blackout curtains fully drawn, the light in the room was dim. The black shirt Chi Zhan wore had been pushed up, exposing his waist—and the stark contrast between his pale, delicate skin and the vivid, alarming bruises made the injuries all the more shocking.
They were both men, sure. But Zhou Yanxing couldn’t help but avert his eyes the instant he saw that slim, one-hand-grip waist, as if the sight had scorched him.
He quickly recomposed himself and looked toward his friend.
“How is it? Is it serious?”
Chi Zhan, hearing the door open again, didn’t immediately react. He instinctively tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed back down by Cen Chi.
“Don’t move,” Cen Chi said gently. His voice had that steady, soothing cadence unique to doctors—quiet, yet inexplicably comforting.
It was just the lightest touch of his fingertips, even separated by the thicker fabric of Chi Zhan’s clothes. And yet it instantly called to mind the heat of Cen Chi’s fingers during the massage just now.
Even through the latex gloves, that warmth had still come through.
It was… very strange.
Familiar, yet also strangely unsettling.
But the man’s touch was completely professional—utterly devoid of any sensual undertones—so Chi Zhan forced himself to focus. When Cen Chi’s fingers pressed down on the bruises, any stray thoughts vanished completely.
Seeing how hard he was trying to endure the pain, Cen Chi’s eyes dimmed slightly. Half of Chi Zhan’s face was buried into the blanket, only part of his elegant jawline still visible. His body trembled slightly, but he made no sound.
Cen Chi’s hands grew even gentler.
That was when Zhou Yanxing walked in.
Cen Chi pulled his hands back.
“No internal injuries. But he’ll need bed rest—anywhere from three days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly he heals.”
Zhou Yanxing didn’t look satisfied.
“Then why does it hurt this much?”
“He might just be sensitive to pain. If it’s still bad tomorrow, bring him to me for a follow-up.”
The two men exchanged words easily, as if Chi Zhan weren’t even there.
Can you both maybe let me put my shirt down before continuing this conversation?
“And now? He still can’t walk.”
“He needs another round of massage,” Cen Chi said, pulling off his gloves. “But he’s clearly afraid of the pain. The medicated oil hasn’t dried yet, so don’t put his shirt down just yet. Let him rest a bit first. If he still can’t move by the end of the day, give me a call. I’ve got a full schedule.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
At the words ‘afraid of the pain’, Chi Zhan flushed slightly, his face tinged with embarrassment.
So much for pretending I was fine…
From their easy back-and-forth, it was obvious Zhou and Cen were quite close. Cen Chi was packing up his medical kit when Chi Zhan softly asked, “Thank you. How much do I owe you for the medicine and treatment?”
His voice was faint—probably due to the pain—and only Cen Chi heard it. Zhou Yanxing, meanwhile, was busy searching for the A/C remote.
“No need to be so formal. You’re with Zhou Yanxing, which makes you a friend of mine,” Cen Chi said just as softly. “But we should at least exchange contact info, in case you need anything later.”
Chi Zhan blinked in surprise, then nodded. He’d been planning to ask for Cen Chi’s contact info anyway, but hadn’t expected him to bring it up first. He reached for his phone while Cen Chi scanned his QR code.
Still… what did he mean by “you’re with Zhou Yanxing”?
Chi Zhan had been joking when he said it. But Cen Chi’s tone…
…sounded like he meant it.
Cen Chi leaned down slightly to scan the code, and the cool edge of the fine chain around his neck brushed lightly against Chi Zhan’s cheek. A soft, fleeting touch—like a dragonfly skimming water.
It tickled a little.
Ding! The scan went through.
“Massage is still your best bet for healing quickly—just don’t be afraid of the pain,” Cen Chi said, straightening up and giving him a brief, polite smile. “See you next time.”
Chi Zhan didn’t have time to reply before Zhou Yanxing, clearly out of patience, cut in.
“What the hell are you two whispering about? If you’re so busy, get going already.”
Cen Chi left.
The door closed behind him, leaving only Zhou Yanxing and Chi Zhan in the room.
Zhou Yanxing raised the temperature on the A/C a few degrees, making the room noticeably warmer. Then came the soft rustling of movement—Chi Zhan had no idea what he was doing, and couldn’t turn his head to check.
He tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“President Zhou, about my resignation letter—”
Thud. The remote landed on the table with a quiet clatter. Zhou Yanxing’s voice was unreadable.
“Chi Zhan, do you really want to quit?”
It sounded casual, almost like an offhand remark. But Chi Zhan was taken aback.
That wasn’t like Zhou Yanxing at all—he was always direct and forceful, not someone who asked if. And he hadn’t called him “Secretary Chi.” He’d used his full name.
A strange feeling stirred in Chi Zhan’s chest.
“But I already—”
Zhou Yanxing cut him off.
“Just answer me. Do you want to quit, or not?”
Chi Zhan hesitated for a moment, then mumbled, “No.”
Zhou Yanxing looked pleased.
“Good. That’s more like it.”
***
After Zhou Yanxing’s explanation, Chi Zhan finally understood the situation—or at least, he thought he did.
Apparently, the company’s internal system had been hacked, and the hacker posted a fake job listing.
It all sounded… unbelievably absurd.
