Chapter 15: Lovesickness

Lucian sat on the floor cushion by the bed, watching Sebastian sleep.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow across his face. The patterns of light and shadow shifted gently with each breath he took.

He looked much more agreeable asleep than awake.

In sleep, he didn't say those irritating things, nor did he flash that infuriating smirk... he was actually quite cute.

Lucian averted his gaze and pulled out his phone.

There were over a dozen messages waiting from Chen on WeChat.

[Chen: Where are you???]

[Chen: Why didn't you come to school today?]

[Chen: Did that old man drain you dry or something?]

[Chen: ??? Speak to me!!!]

[Chen: If you keep ignoring me, I’m coming to bang on your door!!!]

Lucian rolled his eyes and typed a reply.

[Lucian: Can’t make it.]

[Lucian: His back is still shot. Have to take care of him.]

The reply came back instantly.

[Chen: ...]

[Chen: You actually became a freaking nanny?]

[Lucian: Shut up.]

[Chen: Don’t even get me started. I took a leave of absence, too.]

[Lucian: ?]

[Chen: Heartbreak.]

[Lucian: ??]

[Chen: Xavier—that doctor from last time. He’s so busy he’s constantly dizzy. Won’t acknowledge me at all.]

Lucian watched the screen, his lip twitching.

[Lucian: Probably because you're so noisy.]

[Chen: You just wait!!! I’ll win him over eventually!!!]

[Lucian: Sure.]

[Chen: ...Can you give me a little bit of a reaction, damn it?]

[Lucian: Good luck.]

[Chen: That’s more like it.]

Lucian set his phone down, glanced at the man on the bed, then picked it up again.

[Lucian: He’s actually a pretty good guy.]

[Chen: Who?]

[Lucian: Xavier.]

[Chen: Obviously!!!]

[Lucian: I meant when he came over that time. He was quite reliable.]

[Chen: ...Why are you praising him? Have you set your sights on him, too?]

[Lucian: Piss off.]

[Chen: Hahahahahaha.]

Lucian couldn't be bothered to respond further. He muted his phone and set it aside.

——————

Chen set his phone down and started the car.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the hospital parking lot and strode inside with purpose.

On the directory in the outpatient building, the departments were listed in dense rows. Standing in the elevator, he looked at the floor buttons, hesitated for a second, and pressed "5"—Urology.

At the registration window, he said with a straight face, "Urology. I’d like an appointment with Dr. Xavier."

The nurse gave him a look and handed him a slip. "Afternoon session. Wait for your number to be called."

Chen took the slip: Number 37.

They were only on Number 12.

He sat on a bench in the hallway and began to wait.

While waiting, he pulled his phone out, put it away, and pulled it out again. An elderly man sitting next to him watched him with a look of sympathy.

"Don't be nervous, young man," the old man said. "First time? It’s alright. Medical science is very advanced these days."

Chen froze, then realizing the implication, his face flushed bright red.

"No, sir, I’m not... it’s not like that..."

The old man patted his shoulder with an "I understand, I totally understand" expression.

Chen gave up on explaining.

At four in the afternoon, his number was finally called.

When he pushed the door open and walked in, Xavier was looking down, writing something.

His white lab coat was perfectly neat, buttoned to the very top. His hair was meticulously styled, and his face was devoid of expression.

Chen sat in the chair and beamed at him.

"Hello, Dr. Xavier."

Xavier lifted his head and gave him a glance.

The look was no different from how he viewed any other patient—professional, clinical, and utterly devoid of emotion.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Chen braced his arms on the desk, leaning in a bit closer.

"Lovesickness."

Xavier’s pen faltered.

He looked up at Chen, his gaze dropping two degrees in temperature.

"This is Urology," he said flatly. "Go to Psychiatry for lovesickness. Exit and turn left."

"I don't want to," Chen said with a grin. "I registered for your clinic specifically."

Xavier stared at him for two seconds before looking back down to continue writing.

"Next patient."

"Hey!"

"The automated system has already called the next number," Xavier said without looking up. "You can leave now."

Before Chen could say another word, the door was pushed open. The next patient walked in and blinked in surprise at the sight of him.

Chen had no choice but to stand up and walk out.

At the door, he turned back.

Xavier was already speaking to the new patient, not having looked up once.

Chen gritted his teeth and left.

——————

At seven in the evening, Xavier took off his white coat, changed into his own clothes, and prepared to head home.

Just as he stepped out of the department, a voice came from behind him.

"Dr. Xavier, care to grab dinner?"

He turned around. it was Dr. Zhang from the same department, a man in his early thirties with glasses and a warm smile.

Xavier looked at him, then glanced toward the end of the hallway.

Chen was leaning against the wall, looking over expectantly.

He retracted his gaze and gave Dr. Zhang a nod.

"Sure."

Dr. Zhang smiled. "Let's go then. I know a pretty good Japanese place nearby."

The two of them walked side by side toward the elevator.

A set of hurried footsteps followed immediately.

"Wait up!"

Chen caught up, squeezing himself between them with a radiant smile.

"Let’s go together! I'm hungry too."

Dr. Zhang was taken aback and looked at Xavier.

Xavier’s face remained expressionless.

Chen quickly added, "I'm a friend of Dr. Xavier. He helped me out with something last time, and I've been wanting to treat him to dinner to say thanks. Since we've bumped into each other today, why don't we all go?"

Dr. Zhang looked at him, then at Xavier. He couldn't quite read the situation, but he gave a polite nod nonetheless.

"Alright, let's go together then."

Xavier didn't say anything; he just kept walking forward.

Chen followed closely, whispering into his ear.

"I’ll take your silence as consent."

Xavier turned his head and gave him a look.

Chen didn't mind at all, maintaining his shameless grin.

The elevator doors opened, and the three of them stepped inside.

Standing next to Xavier, Chen caught the faint scent of disinfectant clinging to the man, and a sense of giddy satisfaction filled his heart.