The boundary-crossing remark made Huo Youqing angry, but at the same time, he sensed that something was off. This morning, he saw Gong Lang at the hospital, though he had no idea where Gong Lang had gotten the information about him being there. Now, Qiu Wenfei was confidently claiming that he saw him together with Dai Yixin.
How could it be such a coincidence? Besides, with Dai Yixin’s skills, he shouldn’t have been found by Gong Lang, let alone been seen by Qiu Wenfei.
While Huo Youqing was lost in thought, Qiu Wenfei spoke again, “You shouldn’t do that kind of thing. Hotels are dirty, and if you’re with him… neither of you has had a health checkup. If you rush into things, it’s very easy to catch diseases. You don’t understand how terrifying those illnesses can be. Just look at something like genital warts…”
Although he didn’t understand every term, Huo Youqing could grasp the meaning of what Qiu Wenfei was saying, and his expression darkened. Qiu Wenfei, however, seemed oblivious to Huo Youqing’s reaction or simply didn’t care. “Having relations between men is already high-risk behavior. Did you… last night…”
“Enough.” Huo Youqing cut him off coldly. They were on campus, right outside the dorms, and people were passing by at any moment. “I seriously wonder why you people don’t seem to understand simple words. Our relationship was only ever as roommates, and now, not even that. What right do you have to come here and say these things to me?”
Qiu Wenfei, with his typical scholarly appearance—delicate features and glasses that gave him a refined look—pushed up his glasses. Behind the transparent lenses, his eyes briefly flashed with pain. “I’m only trying to help you. You should go to the hospital now and get checked. Who knows what kind of diseases that creep might have? HIV has a window period, you know. You need to get tested now, and then again in three months.”
Suddenly, Huo Youqing laughed, and Qiu Wenfei stopped, his expression growing cautious, like he had been jolted into clarity by that laugh.
“Why did you stop?” Huo Youqing prodded lightly. “What else should I do after the retest?”
Qiu Wenfei’s eyes flickered. “Take preventive medication before the test.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
After a brief silence, Qiu Wenfei continued, “If you really… did it with him, you’ll need to apply ointment. I can help you with that.”
“Disgusting,” Huo Youqing spat out the words.
Qiu Wenfei froze, speechless.
Huo Youqing went on, “Stop fantasizing about me. It’s truly revolting.”
With that, he walked past Qiu Wenfei without looking back. Not long after, his phone rang—Dai Yixin was calling.
Dai Yixin, now awake in the hospital, had used the hospital’s phone and asked if Huo Youqing could come see him.
“What do you need from me?” Huo Youqing, still angry, snapped. But then he softened and changed his tone, “Wait for me at the hospital. I’ll come by later.”
An hour or so later, Huo Youqing arrived at the hospital. Dai Yixin was staying in a private room. When Huo Youqing walked in, Dai Yixin was standing by the window, looking down as if searching for something. As soon as he entered, Dai Yixin turned and, despite his pale face, smiled.
Huo Youqing was somewhat astonished by Dai Yixin’s resilience. Even after having his stitches redone twice, he was up and moving the same evening. When Dai Yixin approached him, Huo Youqing quickly said, “Stop right there.”
Dai Yixin obeyed, but his gaze stayed locked on Huo Youqing.
Ignoring his stare, Huo Youqing closed the door and asked, “Gong Lang and Qiu Wenfei’s actions today—are they related to you? Did you deliberately let them know we were together?”
He expected a yes, but Dai Yixin shook his head. Huo Youqing was surprised by the answer and looked at him skeptically, trying to gauge if he was being lied to.
After a moment, Huo Youqing changed the subject, “Have you eaten dinner? If not, I brought you some congee.”
Along with the congee, Huo Youqing had also brought Dai Yixin’s luggage and phone from the hotel. Dai Yixin barely had a few sips of the congee before the night nurse arrived to set up his IV.
While the nurse was administering the IV, Dai Yixin’s phone lit up on the bedside table, the name “Dai Yuan” flashing on the screen.
Huo Youqing glanced at the name and then at Dai Yixin, whose view was blocked by the nurse. After thinking for a moment, he silently picked up the phone and stepped out of the room.
After walking a few steps down the hall, he answered.
“Hey, brother. Are you having fun back in the country?” Dai Yuan’s voice came through. “Dad wants to know when you’re coming back.”
Huo Youqing didn’t respond, hoping Dai Yuan would continue talking and perhaps reveal something useful. But, unexpectedly, Dai Yuan quickly realized the person on the other end wasn’t his brother.
“You’re not my brother. Wait… You’re Youyou, right? Why are you answering his phone? Where’s my brother?”
“He’s getting an IV,” Huo Youqing replied.
“Oh,” Dai Yuan said, seemingly unconcerned about why his brother was receiving treatment. Instead, he started chatting about how lonely he felt in the U.S. and how he envied his brother for being able to visit Huo Youqing.
“I wish I could come see you too,” he drawled, his tone oddly wistful.
Sensing something off, Huo Youqing asked, “Did you have something to do with this?” The question seemed to come out of nowhere, but Dai Yuan clearly understood.
He laughed—a childish, innocent-sounding laugh. “What are you talking about, Youyou? I don’t understand a word you’re saying.”
“You do understand,” Huo Youqing pressed. “You know about Gong Lang and Qiu Wenfei, don’t you? And, did you have anything to do with Dai Yixin’s injury?”
Dai Yuan was silent for two seconds before answering gleefully, “You’re being so mean to me, Youyou. Why are you always siding with my brother? I’m getting mad.”
Huo Youqing ignored this and asked again, “What are you trying to do?”
“What am I trying to do? Nothing really… I just want you to be fair.” Dai Yuan chuckled softly. “Whatever my brother gets, I want too. The way you treat him, that’s how you should treat me too. Hmm, maybe start by licking the hand? I can be a good little puppy for you too.”
