OFBL Chapter 48

After their reunion, everything seemed to suddenly fall into place. Xu Li couldn’t immediately return to Yanjing with Zhang Yuze, as he still had unfinished matters to settle in Shuizhen. He still had to stay behind for a while to tie up loose ends.

 

Before leaving, Dr. Zhang casually tossed his salary card onto the table in front of Xu Li.

 

Completely stunned by the sudden development, Xu Li picked it up with a blank expression. “What’s this supposed to mean? The big CEO wants to raise his little wife now?” He asked, feigning indignation, but not before hugging himself dramatically and batting his eyelashes, before continuing with his role: “You can buy my body with money, but you’ll never have my heart!”

 

Hearing how stupid he sounded, Zhang Yuze hit him squarely in the face with a pillow, eager to stuff his mouth with it. “Good. I don’t want your heart. Just keep your body in good condition and do a better job serving me.”

 

Xu Li grinned, pulling the pillow away. “Just kidding. My body and heart are both yours. Play with me however you want. Don’t hold back just because I’m such a delicate flower.”

 

“Oh, just shut up already…” Zhang Yuze muttered, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.

 

As soon as Dr. Zhang returned to Yanjing, Xu Li clutched the salary card as if it were a talisman, feeling warmth spread through him. Back home, his mother greeted him with a curious look. “Why didn’t you come back last night? Where did you stay?” She asked.

 

Xu Li placed the card on the table, giving her a mischievous smile. “See? I told you Dr. Zhang isn’t the type to abandon me! Look, he even gave me his salary card to help me get through this mess.”

 

Mother Xu stared at him, completely stunned. After a long silence, she gave up on her useless son and muttered: “Honestly, I always thought you two were just fooling around. I thought you said you didn’t believe in love.”

 

Xu Li scratched his head, briefly recalling his own youthful bravado. Back then, his relationship with Zhang Yuze really had begun as a casual experiment, almost a game…

 

…And look how far they had come.

 

In the end, he laughed and declared: “How could you think that?! We’re the truest love in the entire world!”

 

…………

 

Another month passed, and during that time, Xu Li frequently traveled back and forth. Once he had wrapped up the situation in Shuizhen, he and his mother finally moved back to Yanjing. By then, the media frenzy had died down, and the public seemed to have developed selective amnesia. People who once clamored for Xu Li’s destruction now barely remembered him. The harsh whispers were replaced with indifference: “Oh, wasn’t there a doctor involved in some controversy? I don’t remember the details…”

 

With the case no longer in the spotlight, Xu Li and his golden lawyer, Li Weiwei, finalized their efforts. The lawsuit against the rumor-mongering media was successful, clearing Xu Li’s name and promising him a hefty monetary compensation. The court also confirmed that Xu Li was not legally obligated to support his father who had neglected his responsibilities as a parent. However, he couldn’t get back the money that had already been gambled away, and Xu Hai’s inheritance, if it could be called that, was used to settling the gambling debts he had left behind.

 

Additionally, the illegal gambling operation in Xu Hai’s neighborhood was also shut down, and those responsible faced legal consequences.

 

On the day the verdict was delivered, Dr. Zhang waited outside the courthouse, leaning against the sunlit wall. He looked calm, but his eyes spoke the truth, nervously scanning the crowd for a familiar face. When Xu Li finally emerged, his expression radiant, Zhang Yuze knew everything had gone smoothly.

 

Xu Li spotted him from afar and broke into a run, his excitement palpable. He reached his boyfriend in just a few strides, throwing his arms around him so forcefully that Zhang Yuze almost lost both his balance and his life.

 

“Can you not embarrass me like this?!” Zhang Yuze muttered, trying to peel Xu Li off him while glancing at the crowd.

 

“Nope!” Xu Li replied cheerfully, hugging him even tighter. “Thank you, boyfriend,” he murmured with his face buried in Zhang Yuze’s shoulder.

 

Dr. Zhang pretended to be annoyed, pushing him back slightly. “Damn it, your oily face got all over me…”

 

… But the corners of his mouth betrayed him, curling into a smile he couldn’t suppress.

 

Zhang Yuze’s prim and proper mother, who had witnessed the entire scene, shook her head but couldn’t hide her satisfaction. She was glad her son finally had someone worthy of him. Steady, loyal, and deeply caring. Even though Xu Li’s past relationships had been fleeting and shallow, time proved he was now genuine.

 

“Alright, enough hugging. Let’s go home, and you two can continue hugging there,” she interrupted, walking past them.

 

Xu Li reluctantly let go, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Why didn’t you tell me she was also here?!” He whispered to Zhang Yuze.

 

Zhang Yuze shot him a pointed look. “I told you not to embarrass me. You just didn’t pick up on the hint.”

 

Xu Li then chuckled awkwardly, turning to Mother Zhang. “Hello, Auntie.”

 

The Empress Dowager acknowledged him with a merciful nod, then said: “Now that the court ruled in your favor, it’s time to rebuild your reputation. I’ve arranged for an interview with a major outlet, The Sunshine Daily. They’ll publish a piece titled Against Internet Violence. It’ll help set the record straight and expand the positive impact of your case.”

 

“That’s amazing…” Zhang Yuze interjected. “I was trying to figure out how to spread the word, but this is even better. Thank you, mom.”

 

Xu Li also nodded earnestly. “Yes, thank you so much! I owe you both for everything. Let me buy you a meal to show my gratitude.”

 

However, Mother Zhang gave him a reserved smile. “It’s nothing. Just focus on moving forward and remain as you are. One day, we’ll sit down for a formal meal together. You can thank me then.” Her tone hinted at something unsaid, but neither Xu Li nor Zhang Yuze could decipher what she truly meant.

 

…………

 

As soon as the Sunshine Daily article was published, things finally began to settle. After an extended session of laughing and chatting in the hospital’s courtyard, even the scruffy yellow dog that had been loitering at the gate decided to join in. It wasn’t until Zhang Yuze, growing impatient, ruthlessly reminded the group of their purpose that the conversation finally steered in the right direction.

 

And so, the old hospital dean cleared his throat. “So, what’s the situation now? Xu Li’s been cleared of all wrongdoing, huh? I suppose we should consider bringing him back, right?”

 

“Oh?” Zhang Yuze replied with biting sarcasm. “Wasn’t it you who so eagerly signed off on his resignation in the first place?”

 

The poor and decrepit dean stammered, before weakly continuing: “No, hold on! That was a very difficult time! The hospital was under a lot of pressure from public opinion! Do you think I didn’t regret losing such a talent? But I had no other choice but—”

 

“Sure, sure,” Zhang Yuze interrupted him with a smirk. “Your acting was a bit fake, sir, but still, quite the performance. Managed to fool all of us quite well…”

 

The director sighed deeply, feeling both tired and cornered. “So what now? Are you saying he just won’t come back?”

 

“That’s not entirely impossible,” Zhang Yuze said, his shamelessness finally reaching new, previously uncharted heights after being with Xu Li for so long. “But the salary will need to be increased, the previous months must be counted as paid leave, and you’ll need to fund his study abroad program. Non-negotiable.”

 

The old dean looked like he wanted to explode but held himself back. He gritted his teeth, muttering something about kicking all of those brazen doctors out of his hospital.

 

Meanwhile, the anonymous crowd on the Internet that had screamed the loudest when slandering Xu Li was nowhere to be found, and not a single apology surfaced. Dr. Zhang was incensed on his boyfriend’s behalf, but Xu Li was remarkably unfazed. He had always been easygoing, with a heart too big to harbor grudges.

 

“I don’t care about them anyway,” Xu Li said with a smile. “What matters is that I’m back to my old life, able to stick to my boyfriend every day. That’s enough for me.”

 

Six months later, life had finally returned to normal. Xu Li finally received the monetary compensation he had won in court, sold that old relic of a house in Shuizhen, and was no longer living under financial strain. The study abroad opportunity came through as well.

 

Surprisingly, it was Zhang Yuze who was more anxious about it. He kept pacing and showering Xu Li with questions about his preparations every day, to the point he almost developed a new OCD fixation.

 

“Are you ready? Did you go over everything?” Zhang Yuze fretted.

 

Xu Li, ever so calm, smiled and reassured him. “Relax, boyfriend. Even though I lost some time in Shuizhen, I haven’t slacked off for a single day. I’ll do just fine on the exam.”

 

“You’d better!” Zhang Yuze grumbled, though his concern was obvious.

 

Amused, Xu Li took his boyfriend’s hand and gave it a playful squeeze. “Not only will I pass, but I’ll come out first in the exam as well. Believe me?”

 

However, Zhang Yuze raised an eyebrow skeptically.

 

Seeing his disdain, Xu Li grinned. “If I do come in first, what will you give me as a reward?”

 

“You can have whatever you want,” Zhang Yuze answered distractedly, not realizing he’d walked right into Xu Li’s trap.

 

The results came back weeks later, and lo and behold… Not only had Xu Li passed, but he had indeed secured the top spot in his cohort. None of the other candidates, even those with stronger clinical backgrounds, had outperformed him.

 

Zhang Yuze, now regretting his earlier promise, asked begrudgingly: “So, what’s this ‘reward’ you wanted?”

 

However, Xu Li leaned back smugly. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I think of something.” Hearing said with a smile.

 

…………

 

As the end of the year approached, Dr. Zhang found himself reflecting on everything that had happened since Xu Li came into his life. It had been a whirlwind, but somehow, the chaos had only made him appreciate his relationship more.

 

Before the Spring Festival, Zhang Yuze decided to take an extended annual leave, giving himself more than 20 days off—a rare luxury in his demanding field. As he packed up his office, his colleagues, Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie, peeked in through the door, brimming with curiosity and envy.

 

“Dr. Zhang,” Xiao Jie called out, “are you going to Geneva to visit Assistant Xu?”

 

Zhang Yuze paused, a soft smile spreading across his face. “Yeah.” He simply admitted. “His training has a two-week holiday. We’ll explore a couple of cities in Europe together while we’re at it.”

 

Hearing that romantic plan, Zhao Xiaole sighed dramatically: “I’m so envious! Unlike the two of us, stuck here with the boring annual meeting… Just sitting there, listening to the dean drone on with his speech… Absolute torture.”

 

Xiao Jie glanced around nervously and whispered: “Be careful, you’re too bold! Someone might overhear you.”

 

However, Zhao Xiaole waved it off, completely unconcerned. “Relax, this is our own department. Who’s going to complain about us?” She then grinned mischievously and added: “Oh, I still remember when everyone complained about us, back when Dr. Zhang was at the center of the storm in this hospital. Things were so chaotic back then. Who would’ve guessed that today, he’d be flying halfway around the world just to see his boyfriend?”

 

Xiao Jie chuckled. “Yeah, remember when they had that big fight right here in the Cardiology Department? Scolding each other like enemies, and look at them now!”

 

Before the teasing could continue, the two were promptly kicked out of the office by Dr. Zhang. As they left, Zhang Yuze smirked and called after them: “Looks like both of you have such a good memory, huh? Luckily, you’ll be able to use it during the annual meeting’s Q&A. You two go and represent the department well! Bring some glory to the field of Cardiology!”

 

…………

 

When Zhang Yuze arrived in Geneva, Xu Li was already waiting at the airport. The moment they saw each other, Xu Li couldn’t help but hug and kiss him, causing Dr. Zhang to flush slightly. Thankfully, no one around even gave them a second glance.

 

During the holiday, they traveled across Europe, visiting picturesque towns and iconic landmarks. On New Year’s Eve, they found themselves at a cozy café on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, sipping coffee on the balcony with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.

 

The twilight sky of Paris was painted in shades of soft pink, and the city exuded its famous romantic charm. As the golden sunlight bathed the Seine, Xu Li leaned on the railing, staring into the distance with a dreamy expression. To his eyes, the scene seemed almost surreal.

 

Zhang Yuze broke the silence, sipping his coffee: “How’s everything going? Is your training going well?” He asked.

 

“It’s fantastic,” Xu Li replied, full of confidence. “No one in my class is doing better than your boyfriend!”

 

Zhang Yuze smirked, trying to mask his pride. “Good. It’s about time you lived up to your potential and my expectations.”

 

The warm light of the setting sun framed Xu Li’s profile as he looked out over the city. After a moment, he turned back to Zhang Yuze and casually asked: “Boyfriend, should we get married?”

 

And just like that, Zhang Yuze nearly spilled his coffee straight over the balcony, right on the unsuspecting pedestrians.

 

For a moment, his mind flashed back to a long-ago evening when Xu Li had unexpectedly asked: “How about we start dating?” It looked like the man never change his habit of blindsiding him with big questions.

 

Seeing Zhang Yuze’s stunned silence, Xu Li grinned mischievously, ready to cash in on the reward Zhang Yuze had promised months ago. But before he could even start negotiating, his boyfriend smiled faintly, his lips curling into a small smirk. Without hesitation, he said: “Sure. Let’s go tomorrow.”

 

Xu Li blinked, stunned by the immediate answer. Then, his face lit up with a brilliant smile. He rested his chin on his hand, his gaze soft and filled with warmth as he looked at Zhang Yuze. The man sitting across from him had gone from being an old rival to his boyfriend, and now, his fiancé.

 

Who could’ve predicted this?

 

Zhang Yuze noticed Xu Li’s gaze lingering on him and raised an eyebrow. “So… do you believe in love now?”

 

And yet, Xu Li shook his head. “Nope. Still don’t.”

 

“Then why the hell are you marrying me?!” Zhang Yuze shot back, incredulous.

 

“Only fools believe in love, you know…” Xu Li teased, leaning in closer. He stretched lazily, draping an arm around Zhang Yuze’s shoulders in an almost cat-like manner. Their proximity created an intimate, almost playful tension. However, Xu Li’s tone turned serious and his eyes shone with sincerity as he continued: “I don’t need love, but I do need you.”

 

Zhang Yuze’s face softened as he looked at him, though he couldn’t resist rolling his eyes. “Idiot,” he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

 

(End of main text)