Xu Li’s ability to navigate conversations with wit and charm often left an impression, and this time was no different. Smiling politely, he replied to Li Chenghong: “Thank you for your kind words.”
Leaning his chin on his hand, Li Chenghong asked curiously: “I remember hearing about you from Han Jinhang. You studied nursing at our university, right? How did you end up working as a surgical assistant?”
Typically, hospital career tracks aligned with one’s field of study. Clinical medicine mainly focused on training doctors for outpatient and surgical specialties, while nursing programs emphasized patient care, physiotherapy, and bedside support.
In the operating room hierarchy, the chief surgeon was supported by several surgical assistants. The first and second assistants required substantial clinical experience, while the rest of the assistants were generally tasked with managing instruments. Less demanding but still essential.
For someone from a nursing background, moving into a first or second-surgical assistant role would normally be out of reach.
Xu Li paused thoughtfully before answering. “I’ve wanted to work in the operating room since I was a kid. I wasn’t satisfied with just being a nurse. So, after graduation, I pushed for further training, suspended my study time in favor of work, and eventually got the chance to step into the operating room. From there on, I worked my way up to where I am now.” He then smiled self-deprecatingly and continued: “I might not be a full-fledged chief surgeon like you guys, but at least I’ve managed to achieve my dream.”
“That’s inspiring.” Li Chenghong said with a sigh.
However, Zhang Yuze didn’t say anything. He knew Xu Li’s story well, but hearing about it still moved him every time. As someone who had navigated the same system, he understood the challenges Xu Li had faced. Shifting disciplines, enduring setbacks, and working tirelessly to reach his current position. And throughout it all, Xu Li had also carried the weight of supporting his family.
“Alright, all done.” Xu Li announced, snipping the last suture on the pig’s heart with a precise cut.
Li Chenghong quipped: “Congratulations, you can inform the pig’s family. The operation was a success!”
As Xu Li cleared the table, Zhang Yuze removed his gloves. “Have you eaten yet?” He asked. “Xu Li and I haven’t either. How about you join us for dinner?”
“What are you planning to eat?”
“Stir-fried pig heart.” Dr. Zhang replied, deadpan.
Li Chenghong’s face twisted. “I’ll pass. You two enjoy your meal. I’ll just sit here and wait until my wife calms down.”
Dr. Zhang didn’t insist. Picking up the pig’s heart, he began prepping it for cooking. But as he bent his fingers to grip the knife, a sharp pain shot through his wrist. The delicate, prolonged suturing earlier had left his hand feeling stiff and numb.
Noticing his discomfort, Xu Li took his hand and intertwined their fingers, gently massaging the tendons.
“This should help.” He said softly.
Dr. Zhang, unfazed, let him continue. Xu Li lived in his home after all, and serving the benefactor was part of the deal… Or so Dr. Zhang told himself. He even leaned into his shoulder, casually requesting: “Pull my fingers too. They hurt and I can barely feel them.”
Xu Li obliged without hesitation.
Watching the scene unfold, Li Chenghong grinned mischievously. Taking out his phone, he even dared to snap a picture. “Second Bro, you’ve really found yourself a good boyfriend! I don’t recall Shen Mo ever doing this for you back in college…” Realizing what he’d just said, Li Chenghong froze, his gaze darting nervously to the corner of the living room where Shen Mo was sitting.
Thankfully, Shen Mo seemed engrossed in his TV drama and gave no indication of having heard the comment.
Dr. Zhang, however, shot his friend a glare. “Chenghong, I’m begging you. Forget those years of stupidity.”
Laughing, Li Chenghong raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll let it go. You’re doing great now. That’s all that matters.”
Dr. Zhang then turned his glare on Xu Li, his expression dripping with feigned disgust.
Xu Li, ever quick to mock him, raised an eyebrow. “What? Not happy anymore?” He asked.
“Oh, I’m thrilled…” Dr. Zhang replied dryly. “I’ll be even more ecstatic the day you and Shen Mo stop hanging around in my house.”
“Sure, you say that, but your heart says otherwise.” Xu Li teased with a grin.
After enduring their banter, Li Chenghong leaned back, feeling like he’d consumed a full meal of dog food just from watching the couple flirt. When his wife finally sent him a peace-making message, he promptly stood up, put on his coat, and left without overstaying his welcome.
Thinking that it would indeed be a waste to throw away all of those pig hearts, Zhang Yuze decided to cook dinner himself. However, his kitchen hadn’t been stocked in years. There were no vegetables, rice, or noodles. Not even the most basic of seasonings.
After washing his hands, he announced: “I’m going to the supermarket.”
Xu Li, unwilling to stay home alone with Shen Mo, immediately followed. “Wait for me! I’ll come with you!”
…………
Walking to the supermarket, the two braved the chilly winter air. Zhang Yuze hunched into his coat, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets, trying to stay warm. Beside him, Xu Li strolled gracefully wearing only a leather jacket, looking like he belonged to an entirely different season.
“I told Shen Mo to go out and find a job today.” Xu Li said with casual disdain. “But it’s probably hopeless.”
“Why do you even bother?” Dr. Zhang asked, glancing at him.
Xu Li shrugged. “It’s not like it’s such a huge effort. But let’s be real. Getting a job in the medical field these days is tough, even for fresh graduates. And Shen Mo? With his record of causing a medical accident? No one’s going to hire him.”
Dr. Zhang nodded thoughtfully. He couldn’t deny it either. After all, both connections and exceptional talent were often necessary to survive in the field.
“If I couldn’t work in the operating room, I’d rather just quit entirely.” Xu Li said with a grin. “Imagine me back as a nurse… Ugh. That’s not living, that’s barely surviving.”
“Good thing you don’t have to worry about that.” Dr. Zhang replied lightly, not taking the comment too seriously. “I only care about when Shen Mo’s finally going to move out. I can’t deal with both him and Old Bi showing up to cause trouble.”
Xu Li hummed in agreement.
In the supermarket, Dr. Zhang methodically searched for essentials while Xu Li pushed the cart. Passing by the vegetable aisle, Dr. Zhang called out: “Come here and weigh these. I’ll grab some tofu.”
“Got it.” Xu Li replied, maneuvering the cart toward the scale. As he stood in line, he glanced at his phone.
Ah Huo: Brother Xu, weren’t you too impulsive today?! You’ve put up with Old Bi for so long, why lose your cool now? You know how he is.
Xu Li typed quickly.
Xu Li: Of course, I know what Old Bi’s like.
Ah Huo: ??? Then why poke the hornet’s nest?! You should stay away from the bar from now on.
Smirking, Xu Li replied.
Xu Li: Who cares about his crappy bar? I’ve moved on. Staying home with my boyfriend is so much better.
Xu Li: And besides, Old Bi always retaliates when provoked. That’s why I made sure to confront him first. Better he comes after me than targeting Zhang Yuze.
Xu Li: He can come for me all he wants, but he’d better keep his hands off my Dr. Zhang.
A moment later, Ah Huo replied with a meme.
Ah Huo: [A hundred years of good fortune!]
Xu Li chuckled, pocketing his phone as he returned to his task.
Walking home, both Xu Li and Dr. Zhang trudged through the snow. The streetlights cast long shadows on the ground, showcasing their forms weaving together in the soft glow.
Dr. Zhang’s gaze lingered on the entangled shadows. Just a few months ago, his life had been solitary—coming and going as a lone figure, lost in his own world. He’d convinced himself that his isolation was comforting, even preferable.
Then Xu Li appeared, chaotic and disruptive, and the trajectory of Dr. Zhang’s life had been unceremoniously disturbed ever since.
Yet now, watching their blended shadows move in tandem, he couldn’t help but feel an unfamiliar warmth. Perhaps this relationship wasn’t so bad after all.
As they turned a corner near the alley leading to their apartment, the shadows in front of them became muddled and indistinct. A sudden obstruction blocked the light.
Dr. Zhang glanced over his shoulder and saw that three figures were suddenly trailing behind them, each man with garishly dyed hair: green, yellow, and red, all of them carrying a menacing air. Their exaggerated hairstyles and mismatched faces made them look ridiculous, just like three angry pineapples.
“Hello there!” Said the yellow-haired one in the middle, his tone dripping with false bravado. He puffed out his chest, tongue flicking against his cheek, looking at them with poorly feigned arrogance.
Dr. Zhang narrowed his eyes, suppressing a laugh. He stopped walking and said flatly: “First of all, my name is not ‘Hello.’ It’s Zhang Yuze.”
Xu Li snickered. “Look at you, learning how to talk back.”
“Blame your stupidity for rubbing off on me.” Dr. Zhang muttered.
The pineapple brigade wasn’t expecting to be mocked, turning visibly bristled. Yellow Pineapple, trying to regain control over the situation, reached to unzip his jacket in an effort to flex his muscles, trying to look intimidating. However, he quickly realized that it was freezing outside and soon abandoned the move.
Zhang Yuze finally spoke up: “Alright, what’s the deal? We don’t have time for your comedy routine.”
Clearing his throat, Yellow Pineapple said: “We’re here on Old Bi’s orders, looking for Xu Li. This has nothing to do with you, so move along.”
However, Dr. Zhang didn’t budge.
“Hey!” Yellow Pineapple snapped. “Why aren’t you leaving? I said this doesn’t involve you!”
Xu Li tugged at Dr. Zhang’s sleeve, whispering: “Let me handle this. They’re here because of me.”
In truth, Xu Li had anticipated this. Confronting Old Bi earlier had been a deliberate choice to redirect the man’s vengeance away from Dr. Zhang. But Dr. Zhang shook his head, handing Xu Li the grocery bag and instructing him: “Here, hold this. Don’t let them break my eggs.”
Xu Li blinked in surprise as he took the bag. Before he could protest, Dr. Zhang stepped forward right in front of him, his posture straight and unyielding.
Facing the three men, Dr. Zhang said coldly: “I’ll handle this. You’ve got an issue? Talk to me.”
Yellow Pineapple sneered. “Oh, I’ve never seen someone beg for a beating before.” He turned to his companions with a laugh, their exaggerated postures looking even more absurd under the streetlights.
“What’s your relationship with Xu Li anyway?” Yellow Pineapple asked, his tone mocking. “You’re his new sugar daddy?”
“No.” Dr. Zhang replied, his breath forming white clouds in the cold air. “I can reluctantly call myself his boyfriend. Now hurry up and do whatever you came here to do. I’ve got stew cooking at home and no time for this nonsense.”
