DMPSA CH 4

Chapter 4: He’s Mine

February, just after the Lunar New Year holiday. The celebrations weren’t even over yet, with the Lantern Festival still ahead, but the hospital was already bustling again.

After performing three surgeries in a row, Yue Qi’s legs were sore and aching. The moment he finished his duties, he headed straight to his destination.

To relieve stress and fatigue, there’s nothing better than cats.

Yue Qi was now comfortably seated at the Night Owl Teahouse, happily stroking the cats. But perhaps due to post-holiday blues, Qin Yang on the other side wasn’t in such a great mood. His handsome face was long and sullen, and in the quiet hours of the late night, when there weren’t many customers, his movements were loud and rough. He clanged and banged while cleaning up, tossing dishes and cups into the sink with little care. Su Qing had called out to him several times, but Qin Yang ignored him, his temper flaring like wildfire.

By the third time Yue Qi glanced up due to the racket Qin Yang was making, Su Qing, who usually wore a sunny smile, could no longer maintain his cheerful demeanor.

He gently pulled Qin Yang aside and whispered to soothe him, “Xiao Yang, Xiao Yang, don’t be mad anymore. If you want to go, just go. I won’t stop you.”

Qin Yang froze for a moment before shouting in excitement. He picked Su Qing up and spun him around twice in the air, then eagerly leaned in to kiss his cheek. Su Qing, flustered, pushed him away with a hand, but Qin Yang didn’t seem to care.

Overjoyed, he clung to Su Qing, jumping and yelling, “Qing-ge, you’re the best! I knew you’d agree!” Completely ignoring the fact that there was still a customer in the store.

He also overlooked Su Qing’s helpless, bitter smile and resigned expression.

“All right, enough, let go,” Su Qing finally patted Qin Yang, unable to bear it any longer, urging him to release him.

I should’ve stayed in my car instead of sitting in this store, watching the two of you flaunt your affection.

“Hey, Boss, can I pack this cat up and take it outside? I’ll go stroke it elsewhere!” Yue Qi grumbled, enviously watching their display of sweetness.

Since Su Qing’s words, “If you want to go, just go,” Yue Qi had seen less and less of Qin Yang in the teahouse.

In the late hours, the teahouse, apart from the chef who remained locked away in the kitchen, keeping himself away from the customers, often only had Su Qing, Yue Qi, and the three lazy cats relaxing in the soft, calming music of the room.

“Where’s your little boyfriend? I haven’t seen him around lately,” Su Qing brought over a pot of calming chamomile tea and a plate of baked cookies. Yue Qi seized the opportunity for a little chat.

Su Qing’s face turned slightly red, then he slowly said, “Xiao Yang signed a contract with an agency recently. They’ve scheduled all his time, so he’s been spending less time at the teahouse. I’ve been thinking if I should hire another server.” Su Qing sighed, feeling down about the increasing time he spent away from Qin Yang.

“The competition only just entered the top 20, right? I think I saw it on TV last week,” Yue Qi was surprised. “For someone just entering the top 20, they’re already being scouted? The TV station sure works fast.”

Su Qing shook his head and smiled. “He actually didn’t sign with the TV station.” Su Qing sat down, ready to talk about his own worries. “The TV station only signs with the top three. Right now, some of the contestants are starting to worry about being eliminated early. Once you’re labeled as a possible elimination, no one will sign you, so when record companies start scouting, the contestants who don’t have a chance to break into the top three get signed up instead.”

“But Xiao Yang seems pretty stable. Why isn’t he confident?” Yue Qi asked.

“I said the same thing,” Su Qing smiled helplessly. “But he says there are rumors that the top three are already predetermined, and he doesn’t want to be cannon fodder, so he wants to take action first. His agency is very aggressive, and they already have a plan for his career after he leaves the competition.”

“He’s planning to leave the competition?” Yue Qi was confused. “Why? Isn’t that wasting so much time?”

“His manager analyzed it, and with his abilities, he should easily make it into the top eight. By that point, he will have already built a strong fan base, but since he knows he can’t make it into the top three, they’re planning to have him leave the competition right after he enters the top eight, before he gets eliminated. They’ll come up with an excuse about being unwell, take a few photos of him looking weak in the hospital, and apologize to the fans and the show. This way, not only can he leave the competition smoothly, but it will also stir up sympathy and attention from the fans.”

Su Qing noticed Yue Qi’s surprised and disapproving expression and realized he had said too much. “Ah, the entertainment industry is too complicated, I don’t really get it. Just pretend you didn’t hear any of that, okay? Don’t go telling anyone.”

“Don’t worry.” Yue Qi took a sip of tea. Su Qing could tell that Yue Qi wasn’t the type to gossip, so he wouldn’t spread any rumors.

Shifting his mood, Su Qing changed the topic and pointed to the plate of cookies. “Forget about him. Look at these cookies I just developed, please give them a taste,” he smiled eagerly, “and give me some feedback.”

“Aren’t you not supposed to be in the kitchen?” Yue Qi looked at the head chef, who was hiding in the kitchen, watching a drama on his phone, then cautiously asked.

“I’m not cooking anything, using the oven to make desserts is fine!” Su Qing clicked his tongue and urged Yue Qi, “Hurry up and try it.”

Yue Qi claimed to be not picky with food, but in truth, there were many foods he disliked. His so-called lack of pickiness was simply a result of his mother’s patient guidance when he was young, teaching him to finish all his food. Now, as he looked at the green cookies, he had a very bad feeling.

“Is this…?” Yue Qi hesitated, then asked hopefully, “Matcha flavor?”

“Matcha is too ordinary,” Su Qing said proudly, “Take a bite first and guess what it is.”

Just as Yue Qi was stuck holding the cookie, unsure whether to eat it or not, the glass door of the teahouse was pushed open, and a tired-looking Qin Yang appeared.

Su Qing was delighted and greeted him, “You’re here so early today?”

Yue Qi let out a sigh of relief and put down the green cookie. He looked around secretly, hoping to quickly wrap the five cookies in a napkin and slip them into his pocket, creating the illusion that the cookies had already been eaten.

“I practiced dancing until my legs cramped, and Sister Ling let me leave early. She said I can sleep in tomorrow morning.” Qin Yang pouted and explained to Su Qing. He glanced at Yue Qi, then lazily leaned on Su Qing. “Qing Ge, I’m so hungry. Is Da Wang still here?”

Even with his legs cramped, Qin Yang only got half a day off. Su Qing felt heartbroken, settling Qin Yang down at the bar counter. “You’ve worked hard, I’ll massage your legs later. What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“Sister Ling said I can’t have any oil. Ask Da Wang to make me some boiled vegetables.” Qin Yang slouched on the counter, feeling weak.

“Sister Ling again!” Su Qing grumbled, “How can eating this every day be enough nutrition… Boiled vegetables? You want Da Wang to make it? I’ll cook it for you.” He muttered as he went into the kitchen to prepare the meal.

“Hey,” Qin Yang called out to Yue Qi as he leaned there.

Yue Qi, feeling guilty about hiding the cookies, nervously looked up when he heard Qin Yang’s call. “Did you call me?”

“Yeah, I’m talking to you.” Qin Yang glared at Yue Qi, pointing first at the kitchen and then at himself. His tone was unfriendly, “He’s mine. Don’t get any weird ideas.”

(To Be Continued…)

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