He didn’t know why he had mentioned that he was underage, but seeing Doctor Ji’s bewildered expression made him realize that other points seemed less important. He gave a playful smile.
“What, do I not look like a high school student?”
That wasn’t it.
Bo Xinghang’s appearance made it easy to believe he was in his first or second year of high school. But in Ji Wenzhen’s view, this handsome, rebellious kid was more of a dropout who spent his time at bars. The last time Ji Wenzhen had teased him about “studying hard,” it had been just to get under his skin.
Who would have thought he was actually a third-year high school student?
This was unexpected for Ji Wenzhen, but not entirely hard to accept. To him, Bo Xinghang was still just a child, now accompanied by an urge to… discipline him.
This thought was subtle and dangerous.
Ji Wenzhen stopped dwelling on it. Although he felt it was unreasonable for a third-year high school student to be working part-time, he recognized it was a private matter and didn’t feel the need to pry.
So he changed the subject. “It’s already 6:30. Will you be late for school?”
Bo Xinghang’s face showed annoyance. He was irritated by the school’s schedule but answered honestly, “I have to be at school before 6:50. Since it’s already too late, I’ll definitely be late.”
“Where do you go to school?”
“Hmm?” Bo Xinghang didn’t think much of it. It was just a school, after all. It wasn’t like it was a big deal. “Provincial Experimental High School.”
“Provincial Experimental?”
Hearing the hint of doubt in Doctor Ji’s voice, Bo Xinghang immediately put on a fierce expression and pointed his finger at him. “What, do you look down on me? Can’t I study at Provincial Experimental?”
Doctor Ji stared at the slender finger and shook his head with a smile. “I didn’t mean that.”
He certainly didn’t mean that; the kid was just overreacting.
It was just… a coincidence. Provincial Experimental High School was close by, within a ten-minute walk.
“Hmph, you’d better not.”
Bo Xinghang got up, walking around shirtless in front of Ji Wenzhen.
After washing up last night, he hadn’t changed into pajamas. Ji Wenzhen probably didn’t have any extra clothes, so without thinking, he just took off his shirt.
It was so casual that it didn’t come across as gay.
Bo Xinghang swiftly stood up, unconcerned about the person around him. He grabbed his clothes, stretched his arms, and revealed a long, slender waist. The contrast between his pale skin and the black shirt was striking.
Even though Ji Wenzhen knew the boy wasn’t doing it on purpose, he couldn’t help but feel—it had to be intentional.
After changing clothes, Bo Xinghang noticed Doctor Ji’s subtle expression. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” Ji Wenzhen shook his head and headed toward the living room but couldn’t help asking, “Why didn’t you ask me for pajamas yesterday?”
“Ask, my ass.” Bo Xinghang followed him to the living room, saying casually, “Would you even have any?”
… Indeed, there were none.
No wonder there was such a racket early in the morning. Doctor Ji had made breakfast. The table was set with a simple meal: two bowls of porridge, toast, and eggs.
Quite simple.
It was probably because he didn’t know Bo Xinghang’s appetite that he made a bit of everything. But Bo Xinghang was never picky, so he casually picked up a piece of bread.
“You cook for yourself?”
This wasn’t meant as a professional bias, but most doctors were too busy to cook and usually ordered takeout.
“I can handle simple things like this.” Ji Wenzhen watched as Bo Xinghang leisurely started eating breakfast and glanced at his watch. “You’ve got fifteen minutes until you’re late. Aren’t you in a hurry?”
“You’re joking.” Bo Xinghang looked at Doctor Ji with disdain, as if he had just heard a joke, and pointed at himself with his chopsticks.
“Check out the Provincial Experimental forum. I am the school bully at Provincial Experimental.”
He even spoke with a boastful tone.
Ji Wenzhen: “……”
But even school bullies have their moments of surrender.
Ji Wenzhen coldly reminded him, “You have thirteen minutes left.”
Bo Xinghang continued fearlessly biting into his bread.
“You have ten minutes left.”
Bo Xinghang picked up a spoon and took a sip of porridge. It was tasty.
“You have nine minutes left.”
“You have eight and a half.”
“Eight minutes and twenty-five seconds.”
“Twenty-four seconds.”
Bo Xinghang: “……”
Damn it!
Bo Xinghang slammed his bowl onto the table. He frowned irritably. “Can you shut up?”
“No.” Doctor Ji remained unfazed. Seeing that the young man had finished eating, he walked toward the door. “Come on, I’ll take you to school.”
“……”
Bo Xinghang was so angry he almost laughed, his voice carrying a chill. “You have that much free time?”
Doctor Ji opened the door and saw that Bo Xinghang didn’t even think about moving. He sighed helplessly and patiently coaxed him, “Be good, go to school.”
Bo Xinghang had never been coaxed like this before. It felt like throwing punches at a soft pillow—completely ineffective and without any real impact.
Bo Xinghang wasn’t the type to act on a whim. He understood Doctor Ji’s good intentions, but he still didn’t get it. Being late wouldn’t cause much trouble; at most, he’d get scolded or have to stand in class. Doctor Ji’s unusual insistence made him reluctantly concede.
Fuck. He had never suffered this kind of loss before.
Bo Xinghang tried to bargain. “I’ll go to school if you come with me to the office.”
“Huh?”
Seeing Doctor Ji’s puzzled expression, Bo Xinghang frowned and pressed, “Just tell me, will you do it or not?”
Ji Wenzhen crossed his arms, unimpressed by the tactics. He asked calmly, “Tell me why first.”
Bo Xinghang met his gaze without dodging. “Actually… this story goes back a few days.”
Ji Wenzhen: “……” What kind of game is he trying to play now?
Bo Xinghang rambled on, starting from the second mock exam and going through to falling asleep, trying to explain everything he could. Doctor Ji focused on the main points and concluded that it boiled down to needing him to pretend to be his brother to explain.
Doctor Ji realized that the kid was deliberately dragging out the story, just to tell him—There’s no time left, I’ll definitely be late.
Sigh.
Doctor Ji smiled helplessly.
There was some responsibility on his part in this situation. Ji Wenzhen thought about the time and said, “I might not have time today. I have a lot of surgeries scheduled. Can I go next week?”
The young man’s delicate brows furrowed, but saving lives was more important. He nodded understandingly, snapped his fingers, and smiled happily. “Okay.”
–
Every day after starting senior year seemed to fly by so quickly. It felt like, in the blink of an eye, the countdown had dropped from over 200 days to just 99.
Here, whether they were top students or underachievers, disciplined or relaxed, everyone gradually got caught up in the atmosphere and unconsciously immersed themselves in it.
There were the sounds of studying at five in the morning, the scratching of pencils under desk lamps late at night, and the spirited chants on the sports field.
The passion was electrifying, and everyone shone brightly and was precious.
By the time Bo Xinghang finally got a break, a week and a half had already passed.
Today was the last time the third-year students would organize the flag-raising ceremony. From now on, apart from the daily morning run, they won’t need to attend any more activities.
All the students became particularly excited.
“This is the last time in our lives!”
“Yeah! After this, we’ll never be together like this again or listen to the disciplinary announcements from the loudspeakers—”
After hearing this, many people fell into deep thought.
One girl started crying, “Will I ever see my dream guy again…?”
“I’ll never hear our homeroom teacher’s booming voice mocking us again.”
“Me neither…”
Bo Xinghang stood at the back of the line, listening to the chatter around him. He kept his hands in his pockets and maintained a laid-back demeanor. He had no particular attachment to this school, nor any feelings of reluctance. He believed that no one could stay in one place forever. Knowing this, he didn’t see the point in lingering.
The flag-raising ceremony began.
When the national anthem played, everyone straightened their posture and looked forward.
The feeling was quite special.
Especially since everyone knew this was the last time, each person was particularly attentive. As the flag was hoisted up the pole, many people’s eyes turned red.
Arise, ye who refuse…1the Chinese National Anthem
…
All the third-year students looked up at the flag and sang along with the broadcast earnestly. Whatever they thought of, some began to cry, and soon countless students were in tears.
Bo Xinghang frowned, listening to the crying mixed with the national anthem. Suddenly, he felt a dryness in his throat, and his whole body felt hot. He pinched his fingertips, feeling uncomfortable.
He craved a cigarette.
The national anthem ended, and the leaders and teachers picked up their prepared speeches, ready to take the stage.
The homeroom teacher waddled over and whispered to Bo Xinghang.
“The principal said your incident caused panic among many students and is detrimental to their studies at this critical stage. He wants you to go on stage and apologize at the end of the speeches to put this matter to rest, so you can focus on your studies.”
Bo Xinghang: “……??”
The homeroom teacher sighed and explained, “I can’t make the decision on this. I tried asking the principal to downplay the situation, but unfortunately, he’s unusually persistent this time.”
“I understand,” Bo Xinghang replied. “But does it have to be in front of the whole school?”
The homeroom teacher knew it was a bit excessive but had no choice but to pat Bo Xinghang on the back.
“Can’t help it, kid. Hang in there.”
Bo Xinghang feebly lifted his eyelids, looked at the distant principal, squinted, and gave a faint smile. “Sure, it’s nothing. What grievances could I possibly have?”
As they spoke, Bo Xinghang’s phone vibrated inside his school uniform jacket. He pulled it out without hesitation, ignoring the teacher’s gaze, and unlocked it with his fingerprint.
The WeChat message was from Doctor Ji, with whom he hadn’t chatted for several days. Since learning that Bo Xinghang was a student, Doctor Ji had only replied in the evenings. Today’s message came at an unusual time. Bo Xinghang raised his eyebrows in surprise and opened it.
—I’m switching shifts this morning. I’ll accompany you to the office today.
—Wait…
The timing was too coincidental; just as the principal had finally forgotten about needing testimony, Doctor Ji conveniently managed to free up his schedule.
Then Doctor Ji’s words completely dashed his hopes.
—I’m running late. I’ll be there soon.
The phone screen reflected in his amber eyes. It seemed like the young man suddenly thought of something, giving a faint smile.
—OK, come on over.
