PD Chapter 11: The Miracle Worker Doctor Wen

He Linzhou frowned as he looked at the missed WeChat call on his phone. He was a bit surprised that Wen Xunchuan would call at this hour—or that Wen Xunchuan would call him at all, really.

He couldn’t help but think back to the flirty voice message Wen Xunchuan had sent him that morning, along with the breakfast he’d bought for him. He actually found the food quite tasty and had even looked up the address from the bag online, only to find that the place was infamous for having a massive line just to get their buns…

He tapped on Wen Xunchuan’s profile picture a few times with his thumb, wondering, What’s he playing at? Playing hard-to-get?

Just as he was mulling over the odd behavior, his phone rang again.

Seeing the familiar profile picture light up on his screen, He Linzhou felt a hint of smugness. Clearing his throat, he answered with a purposefully impatient tone, “What do you want?”

But his smugness didn’t last even a second before a bright male voice came through on the other end: “Young Master He, sorry to bother you. Brother Chuan got a bit drunk over here, and we were wondering if you could…”

It wasn’t Wen Xunchuan.

He Linzhou’s brows knitted together, and he interrupted, “He’s drunk—so what’s that got to do with me?”

“Young Master He, could you come pick him up? We’re about to close up here.”

“You’re asking me to pick him up?” He Linzhou’s voice raised a full octave in disbelief. “What am I, his chauffeur? Just because you asked, I have to go?”

The person on the other end chuckled knowingly. “Everyone’s been talking about it; no need to hide it. You might as well come and get him…”

“What’s everyone talking about? What could I possibly have with him?” He Linzhou asked, feeling more and more confused.

“Ahem.” The voice on the other end gave a little cough, sounding as though he was choosing his words carefully. “They’re saying Brother Chuan has you all wrapped around his finger. For love, you’re supposedly… making all the sacrifices…”

“…”

He Linzhou’s face darkened, and he clenched his back molars so hard they nearly cracked.

“Young Master He? So, about Brother Chuan…”

“Brother Chuan my ass!” he shouted into the phone, unable to hold back his anger. “Let him die there for all I care!”

“Young Master He? Hello? Young Master He? —Beep beep beep.”

He hung up and opened the WeChat chat with Wen Xunchuan. Just as he was about to blacklist him, his finger paused as he saw the voice message Wen Xunchuan had sent him that morning.

Without even thinking, he clicked on it, put his phone to his ear, and listened.

A lazy, raspy voice came through, vividly clear in his ear: “Mmm… where are you? Can we meet up?”

—

Standing outside the bar, He Linzhou looked at the crisscrossing neon lights and thought to himself, I’ve done so many good deeds; what’s one more? Let’s just consider this as adding to my karma.

It was almost closing time, and the dance floor’s flashing lights had already been turned off. The once-busy club now felt quiet and serene, bathed in warm light around the bar. Soft, mellow piano music drifted from the speakers, creating an atmosphere that practically screamed for everyone to go home.

As soon as He Linzhou stepped inside, someone waved him over. “Young Master He, over here.”

Wen Xunchuan was sitting on a barstool with his back slightly turned, slumped over the bar. The hem of his sweater had ridden up, revealing a sliver of his pale lower back.

He Linzhou tore his gaze away from that exposed bit of skin and walked over. As he got closer, he could smell the thick scent of alcohol clinging to Wen Xunchuan.

“Hey.” He scanned the empty bottles on the counter beside Wen Xunchuan and hesitantly patted his back. “Wen Xunchuan?”

“Hmm?” Wen Xunchuan struggled to lift himself, squinting as he gazed at He Linzhou under the warm overhead lights. “Oh, it’s you.”

Seeing the flush on Wen Xunchuan’s cheeks and the hazy mist in his eyes, He Linzhou pointed at the bartender behind the counter. “…He’s the one who called me.”

The slim bartender in a tailcoat shrugged, handing He Linzhou a bill. “Brother Chuan’s tab: two thousand seven hundred.”

Damn, was I the one who drank it?

Suppressing a complaint, He Linzhou pulled out a card from his wallet and handed it over.

After paying, the bartender placed a small box on the bar, glanced between the two, and nudged it toward Wen Xunchuan. “Tonight’s promotion: spend over two thousand and get a free box of Durex. Safety first, folks. Be smart, don’t break hearts.”

After saying that, the bartender made a hasty retreat, dodging He Linzhou’s murderous glare.

Wen Xunchuan, however, didn’t seem curious about why He Linzhou had suddenly appeared. His head felt leaden, so he slumped back over the counter, resting his chin on his folded arms and glancing sideways at He Linzhou.

The warm yellow glow around the bar cast a gentle golden light over He Linzhou’s profile, tinting even the lashes drooping over his eyes in a soft, golden hue. His gaze was a little tipsy and sparkling under the light.

He looked at He Linzhou with a smile in his eyes. “Hey, kid.”

“Kid, my ass.” He Linzhou retorted automatically, only to realize arguing with a drunk person was pointless. He pulled up a stool beside Wen Xunchuan, glanced at him, and asked, “Why did you call me?”

“Got a cigarette?”

He Linzhou took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his coat pocket, tossing them onto the bar.

Wen Xunchuan laughed, propping himself up to reach for the cigarettes. “Such a little brat. And you’re already picking up smoking?”

Watching Wen Xunchuan fiddle with the free condom box as if it were a cigarette pack, He Linzhou rolled his eyes and grabbed the box from him, handing him the actual pack of cigarettes. “Brother, you’re this drunk, and you still want to smoke?”

“Smoking’s bad.” Wen Xunchuan mumbled, sticking a cigarette between his lips. “Smoking is bad for your health.”

Wen Xunchuan’s words were still coherent despite the alcohol, though He Linzhou almost doubted he was actually drunk when he saw him trying to light the cigarette from the wrong end for half a minute. With a sigh, He Linzhou muttered under his breath, “I must be crazy,” as he took the cigarette from Wen Xunchuan, lit it, and held it out to him.

Apparently, Wen Xunchuan’s usual pickiness had been erased by the alcohol. He took the cigarette, blew a ring of smoke directly at He Linzhou’s face, and peered at him through the smoke with a smug grin. “Smoking’s not for kids. Bad for the kidneys.”

He Linzhou’s face darkened as he angled his head away, only to hear Wen Xunchuan chuckle and say, “Oh, right. In your case, there’s probably not much to ruin anymore.”

He Linzhou glared at him, gritting his teeth. “Do you really never get punched for running your mouth like this?”

Before he could finish, another wisp of smoke hit him square in the face.

“You’re a pain.” His eyes stung, and he leaned back, trying to escape the drunkard’s antics.

Then, a sudden arm wrapped around his waist, bringing the strong scent of alcohol and a familiar tobacco fragrance up close to his nose.

He Linzhou’s eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring into a pair of slightly misty eyes, shining with a strange light.

“Hey, are you feeling better?” Wen Xunchuan’s narrow, seductive eyes narrowed even further, filled with tipsy allure as he leaned closer. “Want me to fix you up?”

He Linzhou’s breathing hitched as his Adam’s apple bobbed. He gave a token struggle and asked, “How…?”

Wen Xunchuan’s handsome face loomed closer, his cool hand wrapping around He Linzhou’s nape as their breaths intertwined. His lips brushed close.

Just before their lips completely touched, He Linzhou heard him chuckle softly and say, “I’m a professional.”

This kiss was nothing like the last teasing one at the bar. Wen Xunchuan had no intention of stopping this time.

His tongue slipped between He Linzhou’s parted lips, prying them open with ease. The taste of bitter tobacco mixed with the fresh sharpness of alcohol, as if he were conquering every inch of He Linzhou’s mouth.

The intoxicating mix of flavors made He Linzhou a little dizzy. Discontent with being on the receiving end, he gripped Wen Xunchuan’s shoulders, trying to turn the tables.

Wen Xunchuan didn’t resist, letting him push his tongue back. The two drew even closer, their breaths turning hotter…

A sudden pain flared at He Linzhou’s lower back, along with the faint smell of something burning. He came back to his senses and quickly pulled away Wen Xunchuan’s hand, still clutching the cigarette.

Wen Xunchuan, released from his grip, swayed for a moment before steadying himself on the bar.

He Linzhou avoided his gaze, awkwardly hunching his back as he pulled off his jacket to inspect the burn mark on the back. Under his breath, he cursed, “Damn it.”

Wen Xunchuan propped his head on his hand, leaning on the bar as he looked over and muttered, “You’re hard.”