At the end of February, Dr. Alessio came to China specifically to examine Zuo Chi and plan for gland repair surgery. To obtain all the necessary gland data, it took half a day to complete seven to eight examinations.
Sheng Li was there throughout, carefully reviewing each data report and asking the doctor to explain its contents. He didn’t speak German; he had to rely on a friend for communication in Switzerland last time, so this time he specifically hired a translator.
Sheng Li asked a question, the translator relayed it, and the doctor responded, back and forth.
Zuo Chi smiled; Sheng Li didn’t seem like an accompanying person but rather an intern there to learn.
After the data checks, Dr. Alessio analyzed the report. Although Zuo Chi’s glands had been damaged for some time, the side effects from medication and no external impacts allowed for surgery. He asked for Zuo Chi’s decision, who promptly agreed and discussed the surgery time with the doctor.
Previously, Zuo Chi chose gland rehabilitation primarily because there were too few successful gland repair surgery cases domestically, making the associated risks too high. He had planned to reconsider surgery based on treatment outcomes in a couple of years, but now a renowned Omega specialist was right in front of him, he had no reason to refuse.
The surgery was scheduled for a weekend, and Sheng Li and Zuo Chi went to the agreed hospital together. Before the surgery, Sheng Li reassured Zuo Chi not to be afraid, but he seemed even more nervous than Zuo Chi. He told Zuo Chi he would be anesthetized, just sleep through it, and relax, but stuttered twice in a short sentence.
“You fool, gland repair surgery is done under local anesthesia, you won’t be asleep,” Zuo Chi relaxed, touching the collar on his chest, thinking how unlucky he had been last year.
In terms of feelings, he had been engaged to Sheng Li last year, but Sheng Li did not accept their engagement. He barely managed to call off the engagement, then immediately re-engaged, and then canceled again. Career-wise, he was forced to give up the position of CEO of the Zuo Group headquarters, and his relationship with the Zuo family became strained. Health-wise, he first discovered his gland damage, then had a car accident.
But now, the car accident was in the past, and Qin Xuan had received the punishment he deserved. He had severed ties with the Zuo family, his company was gradually getting on track, he was about to undergo gland repair surgery, and Sheng Li was by his side.
He believed everything would get better.
No accessories could be worn during the surgery. Zuo Chi took off the collar and put it in Sheng Li’s hand: “Keep it for me.”
Sheng Li nodded and watched as Zuo Chi entered the operating room.
Gland repair surgery usually took about half an hour, but due to the complex gland structure, each cut must be precise, demanding high professionalism from the doctor.
Sheng Li felt that half an hour was unusually long, even though he knew the success rate of the surgery was very high. He was still anxious outside the operating room, pacing back and forth, sweating in the five to six-degree weather.
When the operating room door opened, Sheng Li couldn’t help but step forward and ask, “How is it?”
Dr. Alessio took off his mask and said something in German.
The translator had gone to the restroom, and Sheng Li didn’t understand, so he anxiously looked inside.
“I’m okay,” Zuo Chi suddenly spoke.
He got off the operating table, with two layers of gauze on the outside of his glands.
Sheng Li breathed a sigh of relief, went over to support him, and Zuo Chi slapped his hand away: “My legs aren’t injured.”
Sheng Li asked, “Does it hurt?”
Zuo Chi replied, “Not too bad.”
It was a lie that it didn’t hurt at all. Although he had been anesthetized, he wasn’t completely numb. During the surgery, he remained conscious throughout, enduring the particularly painful moments for a few minutes, gritting his teeth through it. Now, he only felt sore and swollen.
“That means it hurts,” Sheng Li used to wonder why Zuo Chi wouldn’t show weakness or yield, but subconsciously hoped Zuo Chi would depend on him. Now he only felt heartache. Regardless of whether Zuo Chi would cry out in pain or how strong he was, he wanted to accompany him through everything. He just hated that he couldn’t share his burden.
Because he needed to be observed for a while after the surgery, Zuo Chi sat down on a chair in the corridor. He looked up at Sheng Li: “I feel like having some candy today.”
Sheng Li said, “Okay, I’ll go buy some. Hard candy? Soft candy? Gummy bears? Which brand? What flavor?”
“…,” Zuo Chi hesitated, “Anything is fine, just buy whatever.”
The result of ‘anything is fine’ was that Sheng Li bought a big bag with all kinds of candy. Zuo Chi picked soft candy, took a bite, and peach-flavored cream oozed out, sweet and fragrant.
Sheng Li asked, “Is it good?”
“Mm,” Zuo Chi didn’t like sweets, but occasionally eating a piece of candy could satisfy his taste buds.
Sheng Li sat down next to him, his nose twitching: “Ah Chi, why can’t I smell your pheromones?”
Zuo Chi replied, “The surgery temporarily stops the release of pheromones. Once they return to normal, I can leave and schedule a follow-up with the doctor in a week.”
Sheng Li said, “After the surgery, your heat period won’t be so difficult to endure.”
Zuo Chi glanced at him with a smile, “If my glands no longer secrete pheromones, would you accept it?”
Sheng Li was surprised by his question, “I hope you’re healthy and safe. If not secreting pheromones doesn’t affect your body, I might feel a bit regretful at most. As long as you can accept it, then of course, I can too.”
Zuo Chi deliberately said, “But without pheromones, maybe there would be a lack of sexual attraction.”
“That won’t happen,” Sheng Li lowered his voice, “Even in dreams without pheromones, I still dream of you every day.”
They had only slept together once, but it was unforgettable, providing Sheng Li with countless inspirations for later dreams. Dreams were illogical, bold, and unrestrained; he dreamed of things that had never happened, like one moment playing basketball with Zuo Chi at school, the next hiding in the equipment room in jerseys, kissing.
Zuo Chi chuckled, “What did you dream about?”
Sheng Li replied, “Certainly something indescribable.”
“…Have you no shame?” Zuo Chi’s gaze shifted downward. “Are you sexually frustrated?”
“Don’t look,” Sheng Li gently covered his eyes, whispering, “We’re still in the hospital; if I get hard, I’ll embarrass myself later.”
“Can just looking make you hard? Seems you lack self-control,” Zuo Chi teased.
Sheng Li was about to defend himself when Dr. Alessio’s assistant called Zuo Chi into the observation room for a check-up.
“Keep holding it in; you brought this upon yourself,” Zuo Chi provocatively patted Sheng Li’s cheek before heading to the observation room.
They spent three hours in the hospital; the check-up results were normal. Before leaving, Dr. Alessio reminded them again of post-operative precautions. Walking out of the hospital, they both felt relieved.
Zuo Chi asked, “Want to grab dinner?”
“Sure. What do you want to eat?” Sheng Li replied.
“Not far from here is the school. How about the noodle shop outside the school?” Zuo Chi suggested.
“Yeah, I’ve been craving beef noodle soup,” Sheng Li smiled. “We’re quite in sync.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Zuo Chi replied.
They arrived at the noodle shop near the school gate, where there were few people as it was past dinner time.
The owner recognized them after a moment, greeted them warmly, “Ah, it’s you two! Haven’t seen you in ages, it’s been years since you graduated!”
He counted on his fingers, “It’s been seven or eight years, time flies! I remember you used to come here for lunch often.”
“Your memory is sharp,” Sheng Li put his arm around Zuo Chi’s shoulder, “Have we changed much?”
The owner studied them for a moment and nodded, “You’re no longer kids.”
Sheng Li pondered over that comment for a while and asked Zuo Chi, “How old do I look?”
Zuo Chi didn’t even look at him, “Twenty-five or twenty-six?”
Sheng Li replied, “I haven’t aged, right?”
“Twenty-five or twenty-six and you’re worrying about aging?” Zuo Chi scoffed.
“With my busy work recently, staying up every night, I have to worry a bit,” Sheng Li said.
“You don’t rely on your looks to make a living,” Zuo Chi said.
Sheng Li teased, “With so many rivals for your affection, if my looks deteriorate, wouldn’t you look at someone else?”
“Am I that superficial?” Zuo Chi tilted his head. “Wait… I think liking you before, indeed shows I’m quite shallow.”
“…,” Sheng Li was speechless.
Soon, their food arrived. A bowl of beef noodle soup, a bowl of seafood rice noodles, both generously portioned.
Sheng Li took a bite with his chopsticks, “The taste hasn’t changed.”
The last time they came to the school was for the anniversary celebration, and before that, for couple photos, both unpleasant experiences. But in reality, they had many shared memories at school—they played basketball on the playground, rehearsed cultural performances together, ran during breaks, bought drinks at the canteen. Regardless of good or bad memories, they were proof of their companionship.
Looking at the school gate, Zuo Chi sighed softly, “Yes, it still tastes the same.”
…..
A week later, Zuo Chi went back to the hospital for a recheck, and the indicators were normal. The next check-up would be in a month, as Dr. Alessio was returning to Switzerland first.
Sheng Li thanked the doctor and also inquired about the progress of glandular secretion fluid research.
They saw the doctor off at the airport and then went to a hotel for a celebratory dinner.
Sheng Li successfully completed a major project he led, with substantial returns. He had invited Zuo Chi in advance to the celebration, and Zuo Chi initially refused, “I’m not your employee, I wasn’t involved in the project, why go to the celebration?”
“You forgot? You’re an external consultant,” Sheng Li said.
“They don’t know me; it’s not appropriate for me to go,” Zuo Chi said.
“Many employees bring their families; not knowing someone isn’t strange,” Sheng Li said. “Ah Chi, I want you to come.”
Zuo Chi softened and agreed.
The celebration was set in a separate banquet hall at the hotel, elegant and comfortable, with luxurious and delicious dishes, palace-style lighting, grand and atmospheric.
Zuo Chi followed Sheng Li into the venue; their engagement hadn’t been a secret, and many people actually recognized him. Those who knew him privately speculated about his relationship with Sheng Li, while those who didn’t know him boldly teased Sheng Li, “President Sheng, is this your partner?”
“Not yet,” Sheng Li responded generously, “I’m still pursuing him.”
Zuo Chi nudged Sheng Li with his elbow. “Cut it out.”
“I’m just telling the truth,” Sheng Li said confidently.
Sheng Li was always generous with his friends and equally willing to spend money to reward employees. He had opened over a dozen bottles of champagne, each priced at over ten thousand yuan. The atmosphere at the celebration was lively; employees ate heartily and drank happily, clamoring for Sheng Li to speak.
“President Sheng, say a few words!”
“President Sheng, on such an occasion tonight, you must say something!”
Sheng Li hadn’t prepared a speech; he felt eating and drinking were the most real celebrations, and saying anything more wasn’t so important. But since everyone pushed him onto the stage, he didn’t mind making an appearance.
He took the microphone handed to him by the hotel staff and said, “Good evening, everyone.”
“First of all, this project was successfully completed, and every colleague who participated deserves credit. On behalf of the company’s board of directors, I sincerely thank each of you.”
An employee shouted loudly, “That’s too official!”
“President Sheng, say something else!”
Zuo Chi gazed at Sheng Li, who was dressed in a suit, feeling a myriad of emotions. The private Sheng Li was naive and lacking in insight, but in public settings, he had undergone a profound transformation.
Just as Sheng Li often watched him give various speeches and reports from the audience, Zuo Chi also paid attention to Sheng Li among the crowd. The youth who used to be lifted high by teammates after winning a game had now become the leader of a project, still full of vigor.
He liked seeing Sheng Li full of spirit, and liked the youthful energy emanating from him.
Sheng Li said, “Personally, I am aware of my lack of experience at work. The tolerance and help from all my colleagues have benefited me greatly. It’s been a pleasure working with everyone on this project, and I hope we can create more possibilities together in the future.”
The employees applauded enthusiastically.
“And…” Sheng Li looked at Zuo Chi. In that moment of eye contact, Zuo Chi felt his heart skip a beat.
Sheng Li smiled, “Everyone will receive a bonus.”
The applause grew even louder.
Descending from the stage, Sheng Li walked straight to Zuo Chi. “I didn’t finish what I was saying just now.”
As he prepared to speak, he hesitated, thinking that saying something meant for Zuo Chi alone in front of so many people might pressure him.
Zuo Chi: “Hmm?”
Sheng Li looked directly at him, “Thank you, too. Not just for your guidance outside of work, but for helping me find my direction. I used to be idle and unfocused because I couldn’t find meaning in my work. Now I’ve realized that completing a project can bring a sense of achievement. I don’t work to impress you anymore, but to become stronger for myself.”
“But I also hope you can see me for the person I have become.”
