OFBL Chapter 21

“My stomach hurts.” Zhang Yuze responded to him but deliberately turned his face away to avoid Xu Li’s eyes because of the way he looked at him… Xu Li looked at him with eyes full of worry, extremely sincere, just like the watery eyes of a puppy who cared about his master. All in all, his eyes were so hot that Zhang Yuze was embarrassed to look straight at him.

 

Xu Li frowned and sighed. “Old Bi is not a good thing. The things he drinks are never low in alcohol. It’s all my fault. If I had known this, I wouldn’t have insisted on taking you with me. Just wait for a little bit.”

 

The mattress under him moved as soon as Xu Li lifted the quilt and sat up. He went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet, doing who knows what.

 

Anyway, Zhang Yuze was not in the mood to open his eyes. He was still curled up, covering his stomach and trying to identify the cause of the fine pain. When Xu Li came back, Zhang Yuze felt that the mattress on the side of his body sank. The next second, a hot palm stroked the hem of his pajamas.

 

With a fever in both his head and stomach, Zhang Yuze subconsciously held his hands and asked in surprise: “What are you doing?!”

 

“Don’t move around. I’ll rub it for you.” Xu Li pulled his hand away and continued to feel him up. Zhang Yuze felt that his stomach was warm, and Xu Li’s hands were hot, covering the most painful spot with extreme precision. He even rubbed it clockwise, with a little force pressing down.

 

He should have soaked his hands in hot water when he went to the bathroom just now… The temperature of his palms was higher than usual, and covering Zhang Yuze’s stomach almost immediately relieved his pain. Poor Dr. Zhang relaxed his eyebrows comfortably and trembled.

 

“Is this better?” Xu Li turned sideways, held Zhang Yuze from behind, and continued to rub his stomach carefully and professionally.

 

Truth be told, Zhang Yuze felt much better. He nodded gently but had no strength to speak.

 

Xu Li turned off the bedside lamp, lay down again, and whispered in his ear: “Go to sleep. I’ll rub it for you.”

 

Zhang Yuze had never been lying so close to others in that position, making him feel a little uncomfortable. He simply asked: “Why not bring me a warm patch?”

 

“No, a warm patch will only scald your body.” Xu Li mumbled something else, and his body leaned even further, with his arms getting tighter. “Don’t worry, boyfriend, I won’t get any thoughts about your eight-pack abs.”

 

“Shameless.” Zhang Yuze didn’t have the strength to curse but still scolded him softly.

 

“Don’t worry, boyfriend.” Xu Li smiled and kept moving his hands. “This is a compulsory course for us in nursing. I’m a professional.”

 

The distance between them was so close that it almost felt like grinding their bodies together. Zhang Yuze could clearly feel the heat slowly exhaling from behind his ears, making the sensitive skin on the back of his neck tingle.

 

He felt something was wrong, but he couldn’t say exactly what…

 

… Fortunately, the lights were off, so Xu Li couldn’t notice his embarrassment.

 

“Did you use this set of tactics on your little lovers before?” Zhang Yuze asked.

 

Xu Li was amused by that question, giggling in his ear for a long time. The male vixen even sounded like a fraud, especially when he laughed softly, sounding oh so very gentle.

 

However, Dr. Zhang was even more uncomfortable. Compared to his stomach ache, he now cared more about his ears potentially getting burned off.

 

Xu Li finally laughed enough, restrained his smile, and answered: “You can inquire casually. See who else has made me treat them so carefully except for you?”

 

“Shameless.” Zhang Yuze replied to him.

 

After a while, Xu Li came up again, looking like he wanted to tease Zhang Yuze a little bit more. He smiled evilly and said: “Oh my god, my boyfriend has such a good figure that I won’t lose anything if I rub his stomach.”

 

However, Dr. Zhang didn’t say anything more.

 

Xu Li got up curiously, only to realize that Zhang Yuze had fallen asleep at some point. Maybe his stomach was still uncomfortable since his eyebrows frowned slightly, looking like he slept restlessly.

 

Xu Li looked down at him, aided by the little light that came from outside the window. Dr. Zhang was sleeping with his face sideways, and his clear jawline looked both exquisite and excellent. The neckline of his pajamas was very loose, revealing the white collarbone and chest that fell down with his breath, quiet and calm.

 

Xu Li had never observed other people’s sleeping faces from such an angle. After looking at it for a while and finding it pleasing to the eye for a while longer, he felt his body starting to react.

 

“You still have such a cold face even when asleep.” Xu Li curled his thin lips and looked over gently. “It’s so good-looking.”

 

…………

 

Zhang Yuze was awakened by the smell of fragrant rice porridge. Sitting up, he felt that the alcohol from last night was still in his mouth. Fortunately, his stomach was much better.

 

The memory of going to bed yesterday gradually came back, and the feeling of Xu Li’s hand on his body was still vivid… However, Zhang Yuze snared, put on his slippers, and stood up, forcing himself to promptly forget about it.

 

“You’re awake?” Xu Li poked his head out of the kitchen. “You have to eat something before going to work. Is your stomach feeling better?”

 

“Much better.” Zhang Yuze rubbed his neck but still felt sleepy, dragging his steps into the bathroom to wash.

 

Back in the kitchen, Xu Li had already served a bowl of rice porridge and several refreshing side dishes. He even thoughtfully fried an egg for his handsome boyfriend. And yet, Zhang Yuze glanced at it and commented: “These things should be harmless to humans and animals. You didn’t poison it, did you?”

 

Oh well, too bad that Xu Li was not annoyed by his question. He pulled over a chair and sat opposite him, smiling. “There’s no need to feel bad about wanting to try my cooking. Just eat, the taste should not be bad. I’ve followed the recipe on the Internet.”

 

“You really love the Internet.” Zhang Yuze picked up a spoon, scooped up a little bit of rice, and put it in his mouth. The taste was really not bad, but it was just a bowl of white porridge. No matter how bad it was, it couldn’t be unpleasant.

 

Xu Li didn’t eat, only looking at him and nagging: “Drink more warm water and take a tablet of magnesium carbonate when you get to the hospital.”

 

“I know, I’m also a doctor, okay?” Zhang Yuze was speechless by his unwanted care.

 

“Oh.” Xu Li pretended to sigh and continued: “I rubbed your stomach for so long last night… What’s with the attitude you have towards me right now? It’s really Mr. Dongguo and the wolf, Lu Dongbin and the dog, the farmer and the snake, Hao Jian and the old lady, Xu Li and Zhang Yuze¹All of these are traditional Chinese folk tales about the ingratitude of an animal/person after being saved.”

 

That… Was really hard to accept. Zhang Yuze took a paper napkin and covered the corners of his mouth, afraid that he might spill his porridge with laughter.

 

“Why is your head full of so many stupid things all day long?” Zhang Yuze scolded him with a smile.

 

After finishing his breakfast, Zhang Yuze went back to the bedroom to change his clothes. Just as he was about to leave, he remembered that his beautiful, new coat was in serious need of washing. Opening the wardrobe to look for a new one, he found that he had no other suitable clothes, with all his jackets being either too thin or too thick.

 

After turning around, he shouted out of the door: “Xu Li, do you have any coats for me to wear?”

 

Xu Li was still in the kitchen, so he answered from afar: “You can take whatever you want. You don’t need to ask if you want to wear mine.”

 

Well… Zhang Yuze thought to himself. It seemed that they didn’t distinguish between each other.

 

However, he was never polite to Xu Li, so he picked a less coquettish plaid coat from his side of the wardrobe. Since his figure was similar to Xu Li’s, it was unexpectedly suitable to wear.

 

Before leaving for work, Xu Li saw him wearing his own clothes, watching him for a long time with interest.

 

However, Zhang Yuze was upset by the heat in his eyes: “What are you looking at?!”

 

“Can you keep on wearing my clothes in the future?” Xu Li smiled brightly. “I find you so sexy.”

 

“Get out of here!” Zhang Yuze had a headache so he promptly closed the door, nipping the subject from the bud.

 

…………

 

As soon as he arrived at the underground parking garage of the community, Zhang Yuze remembered that his license plate was restricted that day, so he had to drag his tired body to the subway station and trek to the hospital in the morning rush hour, so crowded that he couldn’t breathe.

 

And to make matters worse, right as he walked into the Cardiology Department feeling all kinds of messy, Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie began to make fun of him again. One of them even held fried dough sticks in one hand, preparing to gnaw on them while gossiping.

 

Zhao Xiaole: “Xiao, let me tell you, I just saw Dr. Zhang coming by the window, wearing Assistant Xu’s brown and navy checkered coat.”

 

Xiao Jie: “Damn, they’re so sweet, exchanging clothes like that…”

 

Zhang Yuze swayed and stood behind them. Neither of the two noticed his existence, fully absorbed in gossiping and looking more and more like two blind people.

 

Zhao Xiaole took a bite of the fried dough sticks and said while chewing: “That’s not the point. The point is that Assistant Xu asked his mistress to come to the hospital last time. I thought Dr. Zhang must have dumped him, but the two of them turned around and made up. How outrageous is that?”

 

Xiao Jie sighed: “Alas, Dr. Zhang must really be in love. I sincerely hope Assistant Xu won’t let him down.”

 

Zhao Xiaole booed, looked around, and whispered: “Let’s lower our voices. I guess Dr. Zhang is coming up.”

 

Xiao Jie: “Okay, okay, let’s gossip in secret. Don’t shout.”

 

Zhang Yuze, who was less than two meters away from those two, very simple people: “…”

 

He stepped up, bent down quietly, and poked his head out from the center of Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie. Pulling the corners of his mouth, he whispered: “The devil has entered the village.”

 

Two pig-like screams resounded through the Cardiology Department.

 

After teasing Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie, Zhang Yuze walked into his office and took off Xu Li’s coat. As soon as he finished, he sat down and saw a text message from Xu Li: Have you taken your medicine? What about drinking more water?

 

“…”

 

Nagging again.

 

Zhang Yuze was disgusted, but he still stood up obediently, poured a cup of hot water, and took a stomach tablet.

 

Zhang Yuze: Ate, drunk.

 

Xu Li replied to him quickly: Good boy~

 

Zhang Yuze raised his eyebrows and typed fiercely: Don’t talk to me in that tone.

 

Xu Li: [aggrieved]

 

So damn coquettish! Zhang Yuze laughed and scolded him for a while, before putting away his mobile phone.

 

…………

 

When it was almost time for the lunch break, Zhang Yuze received the news that the old dean wanted to talk to him. He had to leave the department in advance, so he told Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie that they didn’t have to wait for him to eat, and then walked towards the dean’s office.

 

The old dean really had business to do with him, throwing over an application form for an abroad exchange program and saying with a smile: “Dr. Zhang, our hospital has a counterpart quota for next year, so you can go to Switzerland for further study in cardiology. This opportunity is the most suitable for you, please think about it carefully.”

 

Zhang Yuze looked down and browsed the registration form. The exchange program went on for quite a long time, about three years.

 

The old dean continued: “You’re still young and have a bright future. In addition, you don’t have a wife and children, so you’re very suitable for going abroad for exchange. This opportunity is rare. Going to Switzerland for further study is equivalent to putting a layer of gold on your academic qualifications, which is helpful for your future promotion and development.”

 

Zhang Yuze couldn’t help but look up, desperate to realize that his first thought when he heard about that opportunity was: “Then what about Xu Li?”

 

Later, he realized that Xu Li had both hands and feet, so he could survive very well on his own.

 

Seeing his hesitation, the old dean sighed and continued: “Xiao Zhang, I wanted to tell you before that young people need to care more about their future. I still remember offering you this opportunity last year as well, but you gave it all up for Xu Li. Look at those who went in your stead… It’s such a pity that you gave up on your promotion and a better salary.”

 

Zhang Yuze was stunned for a moment. A year ago, he had not yet transmigrated into this novel. Saying that he gave up the opportunity to study abroad for Xu Li… It must have been the work of the Little Bottom, that stupid novel’s original protagonist.

 

Of course, Zhang Yuze despised that kind of behavior very much, so he patted his chest and promised the dean: “Don’t worry, I’m not the kind of person who can’t handle it. I’ll cherish this opportunity.”

 

“That’s good.” The old dean smiled happily, and his old face looked rosy.

 

Zhang Yuze walked to the door while reading the registration form and suddenly stopped. The small words below said: “The academic degree of this overseas exchange study program is equivalent to the domestic undergraduate degree. Those with excellent grades can choose a double degree at their discretion.”

 

He suddenly remembered what Xu Li told him about the past, how he missed going into Clinical Medicine because he failed the college entrance examination, so he turned to Nursing. For his entire career, he could only be a surgical assistant, marking the eternal regret of his dream to become a surgeon.

 

And so, Zhang Yuze suddenly turned around and asked: “Dean, if I don’t go to this exchange, will this opportunity go to another department, or will it be reserved for another excellent surgical assistant in Cardiology?”

 

The relieved expression on the dean’s face froze, and the rosy hue of his skin turned blue and purple. He pondered for a moment and said: “You can say Xu Li directly.”

 

“…”

 

“There is only one surgical assistant in your department.”

 

“…”

 

Zhang Yuze broke the jar and nodded as if he was already dead: “Then Xu Li.”

 

The old dean was silent and said after a long time: “I’m old. I vaguely remember that someone just told me that his brain was not full of love, so he would cherish opportunities. Alas, I’m too old. Why did I forget it at a glance?”

 

However, Zhang Yuze was stubborn, smiling with a very ugly grin on his face.

 

The old dean sighed for a long time again, feeling like the worries of his life seemed to have been thought about today. Finally, he nodded to Zhang Yuze and said: “If you don’t go, we can consider Xu Li, as long as he can pass the Clinical Surgery written examination and his grades are good enough.”

 

“Thank you.” Zhang Yuze left thoughtfully.

 

The old dean lay tiredly on the office chair, raising his hand and pinching his eyebrows. In the end, he turned on his mobile phone and posted a message on his page.

 

God rewards diligence: After 40 years of medical practice, I used to think that with the continuous development of human medicine, there are few diseases without any treatment. Until today. I have finally realized that there’s no medicine for a love brain.

 

Zhao Xiaole quickly gave a thumbs-up, followed by Xiao Jie.

 

The old dean sighed again, wiped the corners of his eyes, took a screenshot of his post and sent it to the head nurse.

 

Heaven rewards diligence: Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie play on their phone during working hours.

 

 

The author has something to say:

Zhang Yuze of the past: Anyway, he’s just a scumbag. It doesn’t matter.

Current Zhang Yuze: The first thing that came to mind is that scumbag boyfriend of mine.

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  All of these are traditional Chinese folk tales about the ingratitude of an animal/person after being saved