TL: Hua
Yu Qingtang’s heart felt like it was tightly bound by a rubber band, stretched and distorted. This Doctor Xu wasn’t just handsome; his voice was also captivating.
It was a very deep male voice, with a natural reverberation.
Perfect for broadcasting, reading important documents, or portraying a handsome, ascetic alpha male in an audio drama.
He really was a subwoofer[mfn]Used when describing a man with a deep, magnetic voice. [/mfn].
Xu Baizhang: “My apologies, I’m late.”
Yu Qingtang looked down at his watch; the minute hand had just pointed to six. “No, Doctor Xu is perfectly on time.”
He took the opportunity to introduce himself. “My name is Yu Qingtang, twenty-nine years old. I work at the provincial television station’s news channel.”
Xu Baizhang: “Mm, I know you.”
Yu Qingtang: “You do?”
“I have a habit of watching the news.”
“Oh, right.” Yu Qingtang chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Look at me, I was so nervous I forgot about that.”
Xu Baizhang pushed up his glasses with his middle finger. “Nervous about what?”
“My first blind date.” Yu Qingtang’s gaze was still fixed on the other’s fingers, which were long, with prominent knuckles and veins.
“It’s my first time too.”
The waitress handed them menus, easing a bit of the stiffness.
Yu Qingtang ordered an iced Americano.
Xu Baizhang looked at the menu for a long time before ordering waffles and a fruit salad, instructing the waitress to replace the pears in the fruit salad with apples.
The staff member nodded and asked, “Sir, would you like an Americano as well? The shop has a promotion: the second cup is half price.”
“No, thank you.” Xu Baizhang handed the menu back to the waitress.
Yu Qingtang guessed that the other wouldn’t order a drink; he’d noticed upon arrival that Xu Baizhang had brought his own thermos.
Typical of a TCM doctor, so health-conscious.
Xu Baizhang spoke little; he seemed to be a quiet person, which coincidentally Yu Qingtang also preferred.
When the desserts arrived, Xu Baizhang handed him a fork.
Yu Qingtang said thank you and picked at the fruit. “Does Doctor Xu not like pears?”
It was the first time he’d seen someone ask to change the fruit in an order.
Xu Baizhang’s gaze fell on the corner of his mouth, which was smeared with yogurt. “No, it’s just not suitable for Mr. Yu to eat today.”
Yu Qingtang tilted his head. “Me?”
“Your spleen and stomach are damp and deficient, and your middle qi is sunken. It’s a cold condition, so warmer fruits are more suitable,” Xu Baizhang glanced at the irritating iced coffee, “but pears are very cold.”
Yu Qingtang felt a warmth from being cared for by someone he had just met. “No wonder people often say TCM doctors can diagnose by looking at your face. I believe it now.”
Xu Baizhang: “I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“Not at all, thank you, Doctor Xu, for your thoughtfulness.” Yu Qingtang held his cold coffee cup. “Is this probably better not to drink?”
Xu Baizhang: “Coffee is acidic and irritates the stomach.”
Yu Qingtang silently pushed his coffee away and switched to warm water. He subtly observed the other man, who was not only wearing a suit but also had neatly combed hair. First impressions were very positive.
However, Yu Qingtang noticed the sweat on his temples and the dampness around his collar. “Doctor Xu, are you very hot?”
It had rained that morning; it was even cool enough to wear long sleeves.
Xu Baizhang loosened his tie. “It’s fine. I ran here. I’ll be fine in a bit.”
Yu Qingtang secretly wondered.
Running in a suit and leather shoes?
Xu Baizhang: “There was a bad traffic jam on the way. I left the driver and came on my own.”
Yu Qingtang chuckled. “The driver let you go?”
“I gave him five hundred yuan.”
“That driver made a huge profit.”
Xu Baizhang: “It was my oversight; I didn’t expect a traffic accident.”
“That intersection is always like that; I’ve been stuck there many times too,” Yu Qingtang said. “The car is cramped and stuffy. If I wasn’t driving myself, I’d want to abandon the car and run too.”
The casual chat made the atmosphere more relaxed. Yu Qingtang looked for the third time at the other’s hand, which was trying to grab a tissue but hadn’t touched it.
It’s said that most doctors are germaphobes, and the tissues folded neatly on the table corner had been touched by many hands.
Yu Qingtang pulled out a handkerchief. “Would you like to wipe? I haven’t used it.”
As soon as he spoke, Yu Qingtang began to regret it. He wasn’t sure if a handkerchief would be considered clean in the other’s eyes.
“Thank you.” Xu Baizhang didn’t hesitate.
Sweat smudged the grey-and-blue checkered cotton cloth, creating a darker outline. Xu Baizhang held the thin cloth, and Yu Qingtang’s embarrassment dawned on him belatedly.
Giving such a personal item on a first meeting seemed to cross a line.
But it was already given and used.
Yu Qingtang’s tongue glided over his lips. “I have many handkerchiefs.”
The implication was that it could be thrown away; no need to return it.
Xu Baizhang tightened his grip, stuffing the handkerchief into his suit pocket. “Mm, thank you.”
The scene returned to a state where no one asked questions and no one answered.
Yu Qingtang thought he could handle it easily, but the pleasing voice still unsettled him slightly. He hadn’t felt this way in a long time.
Yu Qingtang took a sip of warm water, and Xu Baizhang unscrewed his thermos.
It had a strong herbal scent, so bitter that one could taste it at the tip of their nose, but Yu Qingtang found it surprisingly pleasant.
Curious, he asked, “Do all TCM doctors do this, prepare their own medicine to drink?”
Xu Baizhang screwed the lid back on. “Personal preference.”
Although Yu Qingtang didn’t understand TCM thoroughly, he had a general grasp of their theories. Most people were in a sub-healthy state; if you consulted a TCM doctor, they could usually prescribe something.
He pointed at the black matte lid of the thermos. “What does yours treat?”
Xu Baizhang: “Calming the mind, settling the qi, soothing the spirit, clearing heat, and cooling the blood.”
“Someone like you still needs to calm your mind and qi?”
It felt like he’d freeze if he got any calmer.
Xu Baizhang tried to shift his gaze from Yu Qingtang’s tongue and lips. “Very much so.”
Yu Qingtang smiled. “Can I drink this kind of medicine too?”
“Mr. Yu has more suitable medicine.”
Yu Qingtang was quite interested in the method of diagnosis without a consultation or pulse-taking. “I really hate bitterness. I’ve resisted drinking traditional Chinese medicine since I was a child.”
“Not all prescriptions are bitter.”
“Really? Well, when I have time, I’ll definitely try to get an appointment with you.”
Xu Baizhang: “My appointments are difficult to get. We can connect privately, and I can see you anytime. TCM conditioning requires a process; you must persist and not be inconsistent.”
Yu Qingtang had only spoken casually, but he didn’t expect such sincerity from the other person. Seeing a TCM doctor wasn’t just about the consultation; the complicated brewing process was the most troublesome part, and he didn’t have that much energy.
But he still said, “Okay, I’ll contact you if I get the chance.”
Yu Qingtang stirred his yogurt with a spoon, suddenly realizing that Xu Baizhang had ordered the fruit salad yet hadn’t eaten a single bite, and the bowl was already empty.
“Doctor Xu, have you had dinner?”
“Not yet. How about you, Mr. Yu?”
“I’ve eaten.” Plus a fruit salad and waffles, Yu Qingtang felt even fuller. “How about we find a restaurant?”
“No need, I’ll eat when I get back.”
Regardless, it felt inappropriate to leave someone who hadn’t had dinner in a coffee shop.
Yu Qingtang said, “How about we end it here for today? You should go back and eat soon.”
“Alright.” Xu Baizhang stood up. “I’ll just use the restroom.”
Yu Qingtang called over a server to pay the bill, only to be told that the other person had already paid.
Xu Baizhang had been under his watchful eye from the moment he arrived until he left. When had he paid?
The server, holding a tray, circled Yu Qingtang several times, finally unable to resist. “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, are you Yu Qingtang? The evening news anchor?”
Yu Qingtang nodded. “Yes, that’s me.”
The server showed her small canine teeth. “It really is you! As soon as you came in, I thought it might be you. You’re even more handsome in person than on TV.”
Yu Qingtang: “Thank you.”
The server saw that he was very friendly and approachable, so her gossipy heart couldn’t be contained. “Excuse me, is the gentleman who came with you your boyfriend?”
“No, just a blind date.”
“Oh.” The server’s heart thumped. “He’s so handsome and so tall.”
Yu Qingtang’s smile was gentle and soft. “Thank you on his behalf.”
The server scratched her face, bit her lip, and still blurted out, “I think you two are a great match.”
“Thank you.”
The server rattled on, “That gentleman is super thoughtful. Not only did he come specially to choose a seat, but he also paid a deposit in advance!”
Listening to the server’s explanation, Yu Qingtang realized that Xu Baizhang had visited the coffee shop that morning and reserved table number three, which had the best view, specifically paying a 2,000 yuan deposit.
This was just an ordinary coffee shop, with an average spend of less than a hundred yuan per person.
“Our manager told that gentleman he didn’t need to pay so much, but he insisted the manager take it, saying it was a deposit, more or less to be settled, just in case.”
“And he paid in cash.”
In an era where mobile payments were commonplace, very few people carried cash.
Yu Qingtang listened to her without showing much reaction, but it was impossible that he was not moved inside.
Leaving the coffee shop, both of them stopped at the door coincidentally.
Xu Baizhang said, “Mr. Yu, are you going home now?”
“Mm.” Yu Qingtang pointed to his left. “My home is in that residential complex.”
“Shall I see you off?”
“Let’s go.”
The night wind was damp and cool, with the scent of soaked leaves. They exchanged a few words, yet it felt unexpectedly warm and comfortable, making the ten-minute walk feel short.
“We’re here.” Yu Qingtang stood at the entrance of his building. “If there’s an opportunity, I’ll treat you next time.”
“Good.” Xu Baizhang was as calm as plain water.
Through his glasses, Yu Qingtang saw Xu Baizhang’s eyes, like a bottomless sea. He looked down at his shoelaces and fiddled with the ends of his hair. “I’m going up now.”
Xu Baizhang remained rooted, still catching his eyes in the night. “Goodbye.”
Yu Qingtang pulled out his phone. “Should we add each other on WeChat? For easier contact.”
“Apologies, I don’t have WeChat.”
Yu Qingtang could hear his own awkward heartbeat.
Was he being subtly rejected?
Immediately after, Xu Baizhang unlocked his screen. “Can we exchange phone numbers first?”
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