PTGWD Chapter27: Husband

Lu Jianchuan is going crazy.

 

His eyes were bloodshot as he uncontrollably shoved the blood-soaked toast into his throat, not even bothering to chew but swallowing it whole. He then extended a tentacle from behind his arm to lick the remaining blood from the plate clean. The intense burning pain mixed with the ecstasy of fervent love made his whole body tremble with happiness.

 

The embryo in his stomach was elated.

 

All the flesh and blood nourishment over the past half month seemed inferior to this piece of blood toast from another body. Lu Jianchuan’s abdomen was burning fiercely; the embryo was almost pushing up against his stomach, wanting to break through the stomach wall and directly fight for the blood inside.

 

Lu Jianchuan took a deep breath, his face flushed, and he collapsed onto the sofa, clutching his stomach for a long time without moving.

 

During the few minutes of ingesting fresh blood, his brain was in a state of ecstasy-like blankness.

 

It was as if he had returned to the days when he lived in the fish tank, and Xiao Fang Xingzhou always slept with his hands up, exposing two sections of white, fragile, and fragrant wrists to Lu Jianchuan, like a bad angel deliberately tempting the devil to fall.

 

He breathed heavily, repeatedly licking the corners of his mouth, savoring the delicious memory.

 

It took over half an hour.

 

He indulged himself in it until the last drop of blood was absorbed, and the overwhelming guilt and remorse finally followed, dispersing all the passion.

 

Realizing what he was doing, Lu Jianchuan’s expression gradually solidified, his limbs began to feel cold, and he looked anxiously at the empty plate.

 

The plate was so clean it looked as if it had been washed, leaving no trace of blood, serving as evidence of the harm he had done to his lover.

 

His heart pounded, and he covered his forehead in frustration, stood up from the sofa, and began pacing around the dining table, gradually becoming insanely worried about Fang Xingzhou’s physical condition. He wondered where exactly Fang Xingzhou had cut himself to produce so much blood, enough to soak an entire toast.

 

The more he thought about it, the colder his body felt.

 

His wife left in such a hurry, probably without treating the wound properly. If he had to work all day with an injury and couldn’t hold up, what would happen? He was just a fragile human, but he always liked to show off!

 

Lu Jianchuan’s face darkened with worry, unable to bear it any longer.

 

He must be the most failed husband in the world… and the most useless father.

 

Unable to protect his lover or feed his child.

 

Defeated, he hastily shoved the dishes into the dishwasher, went to the bedroom, and picked out a white coat from Fang Xingzhou’s closet that he wore to work. Then, he adjusted his features and body shape in front of the mirror to cover his outstanding height and appearance, disguising himself as an ordinary young doctor in his early twenties.

 

He grabbed the car keys and left.

 

Lu Jianchuan was already very familiar with the road from home to the hospital.

 

Not only that, but he also knew Fang Xingzhou’s hospital well, even how many corpses were in the morgue.

 

So, after arriving at the hospital, Lu Jianchuan effortlessly entered the outpatient building, went up to the sixth floor, walked into the surgery clinic, and smoothly saw Fang Xingzhou sitting behind the consultation desk.

 

The moment he saw his familiar figure, both he and the embryo in his stomach relaxed simultaneously.

 

Lu Jianchuan’s pupils, hidden behind glasses, rotated rapidly, and his nose sensitively caught the lingering smell of blood on Fang Xingzhou, coming from… the abdomen.

 

The heart that had just settled down rose to his throat again.

 

He was eager to check the wound, but this was a bustling clinic, and Fang Xingzhou was very well-known. Having just started work, many people were already waiting outside the clinic, and the consultations wouldn’t finish until at least noon.

 

Lu Jianchuan even seriously considered whether to make everyone, including Fang Xingzhou, lose two minutes of memory.

 

Just as this thought crossed his mind, someone behind him said, “Hmm? Who are you? Why haven’t I seen you in the department?”

 

Lu Jianchuan turned around and saw a man in a white coat with the name “Intern Doctor Qin Hongbo” pinned on his collar.

 

He was holding a large stack of documents and, seeing Lu Jianchuan’s silence, said again, “Please move aside, I need to deliver these documents to Dr. Fang.”

 

While speaking, the consulting Fang Xingzhou heard the noise, looked up in their direction.

 

Lu Jianchuan quickly stepped aside, turned his back to Fang Xingzhou, smiled at Dr. Qin, and changed his voice, “Sorry.”

 

Fang Xingzhou’s gaze lingered on his back for a long time.

 

Dr. Qin, holding the documents, went to the consultation desk and soon said, “Dr. Fang, these are the records for bed number eight this week. I think he’s ready for discharge. His family members were just here, waiting outside, insisting on discharge…”

 

In the silence, there was the sound of flipping through documents, and Lu Jianchuan heard Fang Xingzhou say in a low voice, “Hmm, he can recuperate at home in his current condition.”

 

Dr. Qin: “Got it, I’ll handle it. By the way, do you know the person at the door?”

 

Fang Xingzhou’s eyes locked on Lu Jianchuan’s back again. Lu Jianchuan instinctively tensed his shoulders, wanting to leave quickly to avoid being discovered by his wife.

 

Before he could move, he heard Fang Xingzhou calmly say, “The HR department told me a few days ago that a new intern researcher would join my team, from the same school as you… it should be him.”

 

Lu Jianchuan: “…”

 

Dr. Qin was a bit surprised, “This early for interns! Junior, come say hi, don’t be shy.”

 

Feeling awkward and nervous, Lu Jianchuan had to turn around, walk to Fang Xingzhou, and almost called out “darling,” but managed to stop himself in time, “Da…dear teacher.”

 

Fang Xingzhou merely glanced at him.

 

“Your name?”

 

“…” Lu Jianchuan made up a name, “My surname is Wang.”

 

Fang Xingzhou smiled faintly.

 

He didn’t pay much attention to the “new” intern, telling his student, “Hongbo, I’m still seeing patients here. Take Xiao Wang around to familiarize himself with the department.”

 

Dr. Qin: “No problem, I’ll show him around.” Then, he put his arm around Lu Jianchuan’s shoulder and led him towards the department, “Let’s go, junior. My surname is Qin, third-year grad student at C Medical University. I should be your senior, right?”

 

Lu Jianchuan had to keep up the act, “Nice to meet you, senior.”

 

“You seem introverted, like you’re afraid of people,” Dr. Qin laughed, “Relax, everyone in the department is very nice, especially Dr. Fang. He’s skilled and kind, not so strict.”

 

Lu Jianchuan quickly nodded in agreement, “Yes.” Xingzhou must be the best doctor in the hospital!

 

“I’ll give you a tour…”

 

Dr. Qin began seriously showing Lu Jianchuan around the hospital.

 

He was supposed to sneak in to treat his wife’s wound but ended up pretending to be an intern all morning, led around by the enthusiastic “senior” twice around the entire hospital. When they finally returned to the clinic, it was already noon.

 

Fang Xingzhou had just finished seeing his last patient and was tidying up the desk, seemingly ready to have lunch.

 

Lu Jianchuan’s eyes lit up, thinking of taking this chance to knock him out and check the wound.

 

Just as he stepped into the clinic, Fang Xingzhou suddenly called out, “Xiao Wang.”

 

Lu Jianchuan hesitated before realizing he was being addressed.

 

“Teach… teacher,” he stammered, “Is there something?”

 

Fang Xingzhou smiled slightly, “You don’t have a meal card yet, right? Come eat with me.”

 

Normally, at the mention of “eat,” Lu Jianchuan’s stomach would cramp reflexively, feeling extreme hunger.

 

But today was different. With the blood toast filling his stomach and the other body nearby, the embryo in his stomach was peacefully asleep, not causing any fuss.

 

To avoid spending too much time together and blowing his cover, Lu Jianchuan declined, “I’m not really hungry, you go ahead. I’ll wait here for you.”

 

Fang Xingzhou: “Wait for me?”

 

“Yes, wait for you. After you eat, you can give me some tasks so I can quickly get into the work mode.”

 

Fang Xingzhou’s smile deepened.

 

He ignored Lu Jianchuan’s words, walked over, gently grabbed his arm, and said calmly yet firmly, “Let’s go eat.”

 

Lu Jianchuan had no resistance and complied.

 

He anxiously followed his wife, joining the crowd heading to the hospital cafeteria. He watched Fang Xingzhou order a char siu set meal and then handed Lu Jianchuan the meal card, “Get whatever you want, use the card.”

 

Lu Jianchuan: “I’m really not hungry…”

 

Fang Xingzhou acted as if he hadn’t heard and said, “The braised pork here is really good.”

 

Lu Jianchuan couldn’t resist; his nose twitched, and he secretly eyed the greasy, shiny, fragrant braised pork in the window…

 

Five minutes later.

 

Lu Jianchuan went and got three bowls of rice, two portions of braised pork, one serving of soybeans with pork trotters, one serving of mapo tofu, one steak, and three desserts… and then sat down facing Fang Xingzhou to start enjoying the hospital lunch.

 

Fang Xingzhou wasn’t lying.

 

The braised pork here was indeed delicious!

 

He didn’t dare to say much, just focused on devouring the food. Fortunately, Fang Xingzhou didn’t seem to want to chat either, eating his own portion at a leisurely pace.

 

Midway through the meal, colleagues passed by intermittently, greeting Fang Xingzhou and laughing, “Professor Fang has a new graduate student again?”

 

Fang Xingzhou just smiled and said, “Yes, just started today.”

 

Each time this conversation occurred, Lu Jianchuan would lower his head a bit more, wishing he could bury his head in his bowl.

 

If they found out that the intern was actually him in disguise, he would be kicked out of the house, right?

 

In this state of unease, he finished the entire meal, wiped his mouth, and looked up, feeling guilty as he met Fang Xingzhou’s eyes.

 

Fang Xingzhou had already finished eating a while ago and hadn’t urged him, patiently waiting instead.

 

Lu Jianchuan felt a bit embarrassed, “I ate a lot, did I delay your lunch break?”

 

“No worries,” Fang Xingzhou said, “Are you full? If you want more, feel free to get it, my card is with you.”

 

Lu Jianchuan: “I’m full, really full, thank you, Professor.”

 

Fang Xingzhou smiled, “Then let’s go, let’s take a nap upstairs.”

 

He led Lu Jianchuan back to the consultation room. Qin Hongbo had already finished eating and was setting up a chair for a nap. Seeing Fang Xingzhou, he greeted, “Professor Fang, you’re eating late today.”

 

Fang Xingzhou: “I was showing Xiao Wang the way to the cafeteria.”

 

Qin Hongbo, sleepy and yawning, mumbled to Lu Jianchuan, “I told you Professor Fang is nice. Last time I interned at another hospital, I didn’t even get a meal ticket or a meal card for days…”

 

Before long, his mumbling turned into soft snores.

 

In the consultation room, only Fang Xingzhou and Lu Jianchuan were still awake.

 

Fang Xingzhou gave the “intern” a chair to recline on, brought a quilt and pillow from the cabinet, and said, “Make do and sleep here for a while. There’s only one surgery this afternoon, we’ll be done after that.”

 

Lu Jianchuan whispered, “What about you? Where will you sleep?”

 

“I have my own space,” Fang Xingzhou said, “..or do you want to sleep with me?”

 

Hearing this, Lu Jianchuan’s ears turned red. As he blushed, he sensed something was wrong and his face turned pale. He moved his lips but couldn’t smile.

 

—Why would Xingzhou be so kind to a new intern, even inviting him to nap in the same space?

 

His gaze fixed intensely on Fang Xingzhou’s face, “No, Professor, you’re wearing a wedding ring, you must be married. I can’t sleep in the same space as you.”

 

Fang Xingzhou: “…”

 

His lips twitched as if suppressing a smile. He nodded, grabbed some iodine and gauze from the desk, and went into the private space, “Then you sleep, good afternoon.”

 

Lu Jianchuan’s gaze followed him as he left.

 

The door to the private space closed, Fang Xingzhou exhaled, looking tired, and gently locked the door.

 

He leaned back on a lounge chair, unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a gauze-covered wound on his waist, still slightly bleeding.

 

He stared at the wound for a moment, thinking of his ever-hungry lover outside, his expression softened.

 

—Deer pretending to be an intern is so cute, to disguise so well, he must start his makeup as soon as I leave, right?

 

He lifted the gauze, took a sterilized test tube from the side, and calmly squeezed the wound, letting fresh blood flow into the test tube until it was full.

 

After finishing, his face turned slightly pale. He sealed the test tube and put it in his briefcase.

 

The wound, starting to heal, reopened, exposing some fresh red flesh, looking frightening. Without changing his expression, he poured iodine to disinfect and began stitching himself up.

 

Halfway through stitching, the room, with the heater on, inexplicably started to get cold.

 

He thought it was a symptom of blood loss and didn’t pay attention. Gradually, the cold seeped into his bones, the air became thick, and an indescribable smell lingered in the room. Even… a heavy, painful breathing sound moved closer and closer, finally pressing against his ear.

 

Warm liquid dripped onto his collarbone, forming the world’s smallest artificial lake, salty.

 

Fang Xingzhou paused.

 

In that moment of distraction, something soft and boneless wrapped around his wrist, taking away the bloodstained alcohol and suture thread. His heart started pounding, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a beautiful tentacle slowly winding around his waist, wrapping the bloody wound…

 

He almost screamed.

 

Not out of fear, but for some deeper reason he couldn’t understand. His heart pounded so fast it seemed to leap from his throat. Instinctively, he reached out with his other hand to grasp the dream-like tentacle—

 

The next second, a warm palm covered his eyes.

 

“Good afternoon, darling.¹the ‘good afternoon’ here is more like a ‘good night’ thing than a ‘hello’ thing(?), because chinese have the habit of having a 1-2h afternoon sleep, usually from 12pm-2pm. so it has a double meaning as in ‘hey its me’ and ‘have a good nap break’” A voice, wet with tears, whispered into his ear.

 

Fang Xingzhou’s hand froze in midair, his breathing stopped abruptly. He fell softly into the arms of the person behind him, quickly losing consciousness.

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  the ‘good afternoon’ here is more like a ‘good night’ thing than a ‘hello’ thing(?), because chinese have the habit of having a 1-2h afternoon sleep, usually from 12pm-2pm. so it has a double meaning as in ‘hey its me’ and ‘have a good nap break’