OCU Chapter 9

Especially when Ning Qingze casually mentioned, “This is the Urology Department,” Qin Minggong couldn’t help but think of that balding doctor’s exasperated face back in the day.

“You should handle that over there,” Ning Qingze directed, gesturing toward the examination bed.

While Qin Minggong maintained a composed facade, inwardly, he was spiraling.

Who reunites with their high school crush and starts off with… this?

As he lay on the bed, staring at Ning Qingze’s sharp jawline and dark eyes, his thoughts ran wild. Was this about to turn into some kind of spark meets dry tinder moment? Scenes from the comics he’d read flashed through his mind. This position… Damn it, was he really destined to be the “bottom”?

Back in high school, those dreams he had about Ning Qingze always felt odd. It wasn’t just one part of him reacting; his entire being was affected. Maybe that’s why he hadn’t dared to approach Ning Qingze back then.

After all, what young man wanted to be on the receiving end?

Just as he was grappling with these thoughts, Ning Qingze bluntly said, “You didn’t lay down on the disposable bed cover.”

The remark made Qin Minggong want to throw a punch. Couldn’t this guy read the room? Did he have to be so uptight all the time?

Resigned, Qin Minggong handled things himself, staring hopelessly at the anatomical chart on the wall. Who could possibly stay interested with this thing staring back at them? By the end, he was more deflated than anything else.

He lay there, gazing at the ceiling, trying to calm down. Meanwhile, Ning Qingze, separated by the curtain, kept chatting casually about random things.

When he told him to “call out if you want to,” Qin Minggong couldn’t help but silently repeat the name in his mind.

Ning Qingze. Ning Qingze. Ning Qingze.

Success.

And disaster.

Both thoughts hit him simultaneously.

When he finally emerged, wiping his hands, he saw Ning Qingze scrolling idly through his phone. Gritting his teeth, he thought, That’s right, Ning Qingze. You’re done for. You’re stuck with me now.

“Off work at six? Let’s grab dinner,” he asked, testing the waters.

“Six o’clock.”

“I’ll pick you up after work.”

“Sure.”

Before leaving, he turned back to glance at Ning Qingze one more time.

He looked even more handsome after all these years.

At six on the dot, Qin Minggong arrived to pick him up. They didn’t talk much in the car, but the atmosphere wasn’t bad.

At a red light, Qin Minggong decided to be bold and asked, “Why did you choose this specialty?”

“Because back in high school, you had prostatitis. I wanted to treat you,” Ning Qingze replied matter-of-factly.

Qin Minggong wanted to rewind time and slap himself for asking such a stupid question. This was the worst answer he could’ve imagined.

Ning Qingze had chosen urology because he’d noticed his prostatitis? Back then?!

He was stunned.

What was even more ridiculous was how flustered Ning Qingze looked afterward, turning his head to the window and stammering through an explanation. Some things never changed—he always got like this when he was upset.

While the whole thing wasn’t exactly heartwarming, once he accepted the urology context, it wasn’t that bad.

Fine. He was… touched, wasn’t he?

After repeating this to himself a few times, he finally came to terms with it. Still, it was a hard pill to swallow, and he felt the urge to vent his frustration. But he held back—he couldn’t let Ning Qingze storm off on him now.

A few lighthearted words later, Ning Qingze’s dimples appeared again.

Sigh. Urology it is, then.

Who else could say their boyfriend studied urology for them?

Qin Minggong took Ning Qingze to an upscale private dining restaurant. Watching Ning Qingze curiously look around, he couldn’t help but laugh. Good choice.

When it came time to order, he recalled the dishes Ning Qingze used to rave about in the school cafeteria. After ordering those, he added a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

Dinner was quiet but pleasant. Qin Minggong figured he’d start slow, gradually closing the distance between them.

He served Ning Qingze a piece of eggplant, one of his favorites.

Ning Qingze obediently ate it, cradling his bowl like a well-behaved kid. The sight put Qin Minggong in a great mood.

Then, Ning Qingze reciprocated, serving him a piece of cucumber. “I remember you like cucumbers,” he said innocently.

Fine, he could handle that. But when he noticed Ning Qingze hesitating and trying to take it back, he wasn’t having it.

What’s this? Serving me food and then changing your mind?

The resulting tug-of-war led to the cucumber slipping and landing… in his lap.

Veins popped on Qin Minggong’s forehead. This day just keeps getting better and better.

Ning Qingze, clearly embarrassed, grabbed a tissue and offered to help. Maybe out of spite, maybe out of curiosity, Qin Minggong didn’t stop him.

But as Ning Qingze wiped at the spot, a spark of irritation and something else ignited in him.

Ning Qingze, oblivious as ever, finished his meal and tried to slip away.

This repressed idiot—what gradual progress?

On the drive back, Qin Minggong grabbed Ning Qingze’s hand, pulling him close and kissing him. Enough waiting. If he wanted to deal with Ning Qingze’s stubbornness, he had to go all in.

“Remember the pillow you bought me in high school? It’s still on my bed. How about coming to my place to see for yourself?”