When Ding Qi received the delivery, he had just changed his clothes and was about to head out.
He put down his glossy black motorcycle helmet, took the parcel from the delivery person, thanked him, and shut the door. Turning back, he felt for the knife on the entryway table and opened the package right there at the door.
Inside was a box of freshly dated rose pastry and a postcard printed with an image of the Yonghe Temple. Turning it over, there was a message written in small letters.
The handwriting, honed by practice in hard-pen calligraphy, was neat, but the message itself was rather irritating.
“I’ve made a vow to the Bodhisattva on your behalf, you’ll find your destined partner soon. Try not to take Xing Chen out too much, no need to thank me.”
Xing Chen, a friend from high school to now, despite having a lover, still often gathered with friends. This time, he didn’t forget to send a souvenir back from his trip.
His interactions with Ding Qi had left Xing Chen’s significantly younger partner quite displeased.
The reason being, she thought Ding Qi looked like he’d heartlessly played with a double-digit number of girls and could strike at anyone at any moment.
Little brat.
Ding Qi casually tossed the postcard on the entryway table and went downstairs with his helmet.
A pure black Kawasaki motorcycle ascended from the underground garage to the surface. The rider, clad in a black riding jacket and work pants, matched the bike perfectly and looked exceptionally cool. However, he couldn’t speed up within the residential area and had to ride slowly like an old car.
Once on the main road with no restrictions and after ensuring the traffic conditions were safe, Ding Qi was ready to speed up. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a cat dart out from the greenery.
Ding Qi’s heart squeezed tight, and he braked hard. The cat bounced off the bike’s front wheel, which had swerved to the side, and flew out.
As the cat landed, Ding Qi also fell from the unbalanced bike and tumbled into the bushes.
Thankfully, the helmet was sturdy. It seemed to have hit something, but he wasn’t hurt. Ding Qi clambered up, feeling a fiery pain on the back of his hand, but otherwise, he was alright.
Looking down, he saw a red abrasion on his hand, which had scraped off some skin. Ding Qi, not too bothered, shook his hand and brushed off the dust from his pants.
Luckily, he always abided by the rules and didn’t speed in the city.
Ding Qi righted his motorcycle and crouched down to check it. As expected, the paint had been scratched in a few places. Glancing at the limping kitten nearby, he scratched his head and clicked his tongue.
In the end, he picked up the cat and took out his phone to look for the nearest pet hospital.
“
Ai Jun Bao… Pet Hospital.”
Entering the hospital, a chime sounded as Ding Qi carried the cat in. The receptionist at the front desk looked up.
Seeing the calico cat in his hands, the nurse seemed excited and repeatedly called for “Doctor Yan” inside.
When the mentioned Doctor Yan appeared, Ding Qi paused for a couple of seconds. His motorcycle helmet obscured most of his face, revealing nothing.
Doctor Yan was not particularly tall, but his proportions made him appear slender and well-built. His hair was slightly long, tied at the back of his head, with stray hairs framing his face, yet it didn’t look messy. His face was clean and fresh, his eyes and eyebrows gentle.
Realizing it might be impolite to keep staring, Ding Qi took off his helmet and looked towards him, asking, “Doctor?”
Doctor Yan nodded, “I’m the vet here, please follow me.”
Ding Qi: “Wait, is there a towel?”
Curious, the receptionist asked, “What do you need a towel for?”
Doctor Yan headed towards the consultation room without looking back: “Just give him one.”
Receiving a disposable towel from the receptionist, Ding Qi picked up the cat again, holding it at arm’s length as if reluctant to make more contact.
His movements showed disdain, though he didn’t express it facially.
Most visitors to a pet hospital are pet owners or animal lovers, but the receptionist had never seen someone so “cold-hearted.”
No matter how handsome, she felt hesitant to speak to him.
Following Doctor Yan into the consultation room, Ding Qi used the towel to hold the cat by the nape, keeping it at a distance.
Doctor Yan glanced at the abrasion on Ding Qi’s hand but said nothing.
“Please wait a moment.” Doctor Yan put on gloves, picked up some disinfectant, and quickly sprayed and wiped the examination table. “What’s your surname?”
“Ding.”
Once Doctor Yan said it was okay, Ding Qi, relieved, set the cat on the examination table.
Doctor Yan asked, “What happened?”
“I was riding my motorcycle and accidentally hit it,” Ding Qi said, defensively adding, “It suddenly darted out. I’ll cover the medical expenses, don’t worry.”
Doctor Yan conducted a physical examination without comment: “No need. It had just run out from here; we are at fault for not keeping a closer watch. We should be thanking you for bringing it back.”
Leaning against the door, Ding Qi responded, “Out of humanity, I’m responsible for as much as is necessary. I’m not entirely blameless.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to take responsibility.”
“And it’s the first time I’ve seen someone refuse payment.”
After finishing the check-up, Doctor Yan looked up to meet Ding Qi’s gaze and smiled, “Good news, it’s not injured. We don’t need to keep insisting.”
Ding Qi didn’t respond, realizing he had been staring and averted his eyes.
“That’s good. I’ve got other things to handle, I’ll be going.”
“If you’re not in a hurry, I can treat the wound on your hand.”
Caught by Doctor Yan’s call, Ding Qi turned back: “A vet treating people?”
“It’s just a skin injury; a simple disinfection is doable since, technically, humans are animals too.” Doctor Yan’s gaze dropped, “Or is your skin exceptionally thick? That doesn’t seem to be the case.”
Ding Qi laughed and extended his injured hand.
His skin was several shades darker than Doctor Yan’s, with rough, large joints and calloused palms, sturdy and unflinching as Doctor Yan treated him with a gentle touch.
Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning, followed by some iodine, Doctor Yan handled it swiftly and gently.
“You fell from your bike; you might want to get that checked at a hospital,” Doctor Yan suggested.
Ding Qi took his hand back, “Hmm.”
The receptionist opened the door to take the calico cat upstairs to its cage, when a Ragdoll cat squeezed past her feet.
“Ah! Peach, don’t come in!”
At her exclamation, the Ragdoll cat began enthusiastically greeting every customer.
After a few head rubs, it left a noticeable layer of cat fur on Ding Qi’s black work pants. Ding Qi stood still, just watching.
The receptionist was shocked again; this man seemed to have a heart of stone! How could he resist petting a kitten that was literally throwing itself at him, and not even make a move to touch it?
Was he recovering from an addiction?
Ding Qi looked towards Doctor Yan, “What does it mean when it keeps bumping against my leg?”
His genuine confusion was evident, and Doctor Yan was quietly surprised at his indifference and cluelessness.
Even the beautiful and soft-furred Peach had met someone who could ignore her charms.
“It’s trying to be affectionate with you, hoping you’ll pet it,” Doctor Yan explained.
“Is that so?” Ding Qi said noncommittally, watching the diligently affectionate Peach from above, “I prefer people.”
The receptionist: “…”
She burst forth with surprising agility, carrying the calico in one arm and the heavy Ragdoll, Peach, in the other, swiftly heading upstairs.
“Doctor Yan, are you free after work? I’d like to invite you to dinner as a thank you,” Ding Qi said, raising his iodine-treated hand.
Doctor Yan looked at him for a few seconds, surprised, then responded, “I get off at eight.”
“I’ll come find you after I’m done,” Ding Qi said, then walked out.
As he returned to the lobby, the receptionist was just coming down the stairs.
Ding Qi paused to greet her and asked an unexpected question.
“Does your Doctor Yan have a girlfriend?”
The receptionist was dumbfounded, not even having time to process the question before Doctor Yan’s voice came from behind, “Wouldn’t it be better to ask the person directly?”
Caught in the act, Ding Qi was silent for a moment before speaking again, “So, does he?”
“It’s a personal matter I’d rather not disclose, sorry,” Doctor Yan smiled, his eyes curving into an ambiguous arc.
Ding Qi stared at him, then strode out.
Clearly, he didn’t.
