PTGWD Chapter 58: Lovers

They arrived at the hospital just in time.

Lu Jianchuan’s ears were still burning red. In the locker room, he changed into his work clothes alongside Fang Xingzhou, finally donning his white coat and official name tag: “Intern Wang.”

The oversized white coat conveniently concealed his unusually large belly. Before starting work, Fang Xingzhou gently touched his pregnant belly and asked, “Is the baby behaving?”

“Yes,” Lu Jianchuan replied. “It’s been well-fed and content lately, as docile as a watermelon.”

The embryo heard this.

Its language skills seemed to be improving. To express its dissatisfaction with its father’s description, it kicked out a bulge in Lu Jianchuan’s belly.

Fang Xingzhou chuckled. “I’ll give you my work card. If you get hungry, you can go to the cafeteria anytime.”

Lu Jianchuan nodded. “Go ahead and start your work.”

Fang Xingzhou openly brought him into the consultation room.

There were five minutes left before the clinic opened. Qin Hongbo was tidying up the desk. When he saw Fang Xingzhou, his eyes lit up, and he took two large strides over. “Good morning, Director Fang!”

Fang Xingzhou’s gaze fell on the unusually enthusiastic smile on Qin Hongbo’s face. “Morning. It seems you have something to discuss?”

Qin Hongbo chuckled and lowered his voice. “Doctors An and Li from downstairs both called in sick today.”

Hearing this, Fang Xingzhou was momentarily stunned. He instinctively glanced at Lu Jianchuan behind him, feeling a bit guilty. “Ah… what a coincidence. I’ll visit them later.”

Qin Hongbo continued, “And I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how your partner came to the hospital last time and happened to see Doctors An and Li. His true identity is quite mysterious, almost like…” Qin Hongbo hesitated here, seemingly unsure of the right words.

Fang Xingzhou helped him out. “A hermaphrodite? A transgender person? A non-human?”

Qin Hongbo forced a laugh. “Something like that. The rumors are getting out of hand, Director. Maybe you should clarify things? It’s all so bizarre.”

Lu Jianchuan took a deep breath and looked at Fang Xingzhou with concern. But the latter remained calm, showing no signs of being offended. In fact, there was a faint smile on his lips as he said, “They’re not wrong. My partner is indeed quite unique.”

Qin Hongbo was baffled. “Huh?”

Fang Xingzhou patted his shoulder. “Well, rumors don’t come from nowhere.”

Qin Hongbo stared in shock as Fang Xingzhou walked behind the consultation desk, his eyes widening in disbelief. “That can’t be! The rumors are way too wild! Director, maybe I should add you to the group chat so you can see for yourself…”

Fang Xingzhou waved it off. “No need. If it gives our colleagues some entertainment during their breaks, that’s fine. Hongbo, let me formally introduce you to your junior and our colleague for the next few months—Intern Wang.”

Only then did Qin Hongbo notice the person behind him. He turned around and came face-to-face with a beaming “Intern Wang.”

For some reason, Wang seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, his gaze fixed intently on Director Fang. His eyes were so sticky and affectionate that Qin Hongbo couldn’t help but shudder.

“Hello, Wang,” Qin Hongbo said, instinctively stepping in front of Fang Xingzhou. “Long time no see! Where have you been all this time?”

Before Lu Jianchuan could answer, Fang Xingzhou explained, “He’s been unwell and took a long leave to recover. He just came back recently.”

Qin Hongbo nodded. “Oh. At such a young age, you really need to take care of your health. How are you feeling now? Want to join me for rounds later?”

Lu Jianchuan smiled. “Hello, senior.” Then he tilted his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on Fang Xingzhou, as if waiting for his instructions.

Fang Xingzhou smiled and asked, “Do you want to go?”

Lu Jianchuan: “A little. I want to see what you do every day.”

Fang Xingzhou: “Then go ahead. Let Hongbo guide you. Come back before noon for lunch.”

Lu Jianchuan: “Dar—Director,” he almost slipped up, “then focus on your work. Call me if you need anything.”

Fang Xingzhou: “Alright. If you feel unwell, come back.”

The two chatted back and forth like this for two minutes, making Qin Hongbo’s skin crawl. His eyes kept darting between them, growing more and more puzzled.

Wait, since when were they so lovey-dovey? Shouldn’t they be strangers?

Finally, half a minute before the clinic opened, they finished their conversation. Lu Jianchuan turned to Qin Hongbo and smiled. “Thank you, senior. Let’s go.”

Qin Hongbo coughed lightly, averted his gaze, and said awkwardly, “Let’s go.”

The two left the consultation room, leaving Fang Xingzhou alone to start seeing patients. The clinic had been especially busy lately, and Fang Xingzhou was so swamped that he didn’t even have time to use the restroom. By the time he looked up again, it was already lunchtime.

Lu Jianchuan returned to the consultation room in high spirits with Qin Hongbo and reported to his partner, “Director Fang, we’ve checked all the beds. The patients are recovering well. I helped treat the wounds of a few who looked particularly bad.”

Fang Xingzhou nearly knocked over the water cup beside him.

“You helped treat wounds?” he asked in shock, frowning at Qin Hongbo. “Why would you let an intern handle wounds directly?”

Qin Hongbo gulped down water, looking utterly confused. “When did he treat wounds? I just took him around for rounds.”

Fang Xingzhou’s temple twitched.

“Hongbo, go ahead and have lunch,” he said. Then he grabbed Lu Jianchuan and rushed to the inpatient ward.

Seeing Fang Xingzhou’s serious expression, Lu Jianchuan felt both confused and anxious. He instinctively explained, “I really just quietly treated their wounds, darling. I didn’t do anything else bad.”

Fang Xingzhou led him quickly to the inpatient ward.

He currently had three critically ill patients, all of whom had undergone surgery in the past few days. One had just been transferred from the ICU to a regular ward today.

Fang Xingzhou pushed open the door to the most severe patient’s room. The patient, who had suffered multiple fractures, internal bleeding, and broken ribs, was doing calisthenics in his single room. During the last round, he had been lying in the ICU, unable to speak or move, relying on a feeding tube for sustenance.

Hearing the door open, the patient turned around. When he saw Lu Jianchuan, his entire face lit up as if he had seen a god. He rushed over, knelt down, and hugged Lu Jianchuan’s leg, weeping profusely. “Miracle worker! You must be a Bodhisattva sent to save us mortals! In my lifetime, I’ve actually met a real god!”

Fang Xingzhou: “…”

Lu Jianchuan sneakily glanced at Fang Xingzhou’s expression, then guiltily pulled his leg away. He coughed twice and said politely, “I’m glad you’re recovering. I’m just an intern, not a miracle worker. You must have mistaken me for someone else.”

Fang Xingzhou took a deep breath, calming himself for a few seconds. He called a nurse, ordered a full-body checkup for the patient, and then pulled Lu Jianchuan to the next critically ill patient’s room to see what other miracles he had performed.

The second patient was an unfortunate teacher who had slipped on the stairs, tumbled down dozens of steps, and ended up with broken arms and a severe concussion.

Fang Xingzhou, not wanting to shock the patient again, didn’t enter the room but peeked in from outside.

The patient, who had been crying for stronger painkillers just yesterday, was now bouncing around the room, shaking his head in disbelief, laughing and crying as if he had witnessed a true miracle. His physical condition looked excellent, though his mental state was concerning.

Fang Xingzhou glanced at Lu Jianchuan.

Lu Jianchuan silently averted his gaze.

Next, they went to the adjacent room, where a college student who had fainted from low blood sugar while showering and had fallen heavily, shattering the glass door and requiring dozens of stitches, was staying.

The stitches from two days ago had already healed, leaving no scars. She was excitedly taking selfies, seemingly wanting to show her family the miraculous recovery.

After seeing these three critically ill patients, Fang Xingzhou let out a long sigh. He patted Lu Jianchuan’s shoulder heavily and picked up his phone to call Li Xuan.

Li Xuan answered immediately. His first words were, “Dr. Fang, I was just about to contact you. The magnetic field on Xiangxing Street has been so intense these past two nights that it’s almost producing auroras. What kind of games are you playing over there?”

Fang Xingzhou: “…Ah, my apologies. We were just discussing some biological knowledge.”

Li Xuan: “Biological knowledge…?”

Fang Xingzhou quickly changed the subject. “Yes, we’ll be more careful in the future. Officer Li, are you on duty today? We might need your assistance.”

Hearing the word “assistance,” Li Xuan immediately tensed up. “What’s wrong? Where are you? Is there any danger?”

Fang Xingzhou: “No danger. Just a few lucky patients who witnessed a miracle and need some scientific enlightenment.”

Li Xuan: “…Huh?”

…

Five minutes later.

The  Unconventional Research Institute’s response was as swift as ever.

Li Xuan brought his professional cleanup team, took a look at the three critically ill patients who were now lively and active, and his expression was indescribable.

After a long silence, he couldn’t help but sigh. “This is the first time I’ve encountered such a kind-hearted special entity. Mr. Lu, you truly live up to the title of ‘Hero Citizen’… You did a great job, but please don’t do it again.”

Lu Jianchuan: “Ahem, sorry for the trouble.”

Li Xuan led the patients, whose mental states were somewhat abnormal, away.

Left alone, Fang Xingzhou and Lu Jianchuan looked at each other for a moment. Lu Jianchuan cautiously took Fang Xingzhou’s hand and whispered, “Darling, I just wanted to help share your workload…”

Fang Xingzhou smiled and said nothing, only replying, “Let’s go eat. We’re running out of time for lunch.”

Lu Jianchuan obediently followed his partner to the cafeteria. After lunch, they returned to the consultation room to prepare for their nap. Qin Hongbo was already drowsy, hugging a pillow. He glanced at the two of them and mumbled, “Director, where did you go? Why are you only coming back now?”

He pointed to the folding bed beside him. “I got one for Wang too.”

Fang Xingzhou: “Thank you. Go ahead and sleep. Good afternoon.”

Qin Hongbo: “Good afternoon…”

He collapsed onto the pillow.

Fang Xingzhou pointed to the folding bed and silently mouthed, “You sleep here.” Then, under Lu Jianchuan’s intense gaze, he went into the adjacent room.

He locked the door, took off his work clothes, lay down in the chair, and closed his eyes.

Then, he slowly counted the seconds in his mind… Tick, tock. Before he reached the fifth minute, the temperature in the room dropped eerily, the lock clicked open, and something quietly “slid” in. The underside of the tentacles rubbed against the floor with a soft, terrifying rustle, then slowly coiled up the steel legs of the folding bed until the cold, sticky sensation wrapped around Fang Xingzhou’s ankles.

Fang Xingzhou turned over, lying on his side, and opened his eyes to meet a pair of beautiful, light-colored pupils.

The four tentacles wrapped around his ankles grew bolder, quickly entangling his limbs like a twisty rope. Their human torsos pressed closely together, leaving no gap except for the bulging belly in the way.

Fang Xingzhou held the tentacle and gently stroked it.

Lu Jianchuan’s cheeks were slightly red as he nuzzled Fang Xingzhou’s ear with his lips, whispering, “…Was I in trouble this morning?”

Qin Hongbo was sleeping outside, and the room’s soundproofing was poor. They kept their voices low, creating an indescribable sense of secrecy.

“I wasn’t angry,” Fang Xingzhou said, pressing close to him. “But don’t do it again.”

Lu Jianchuan nodded, his eyes clear, as if he didn’t fully understand what was wrong with his actions.

Fang Xingzhou sighed softly. “Deer, you need to accept and respect the natural cycle of life and death in human society, including me. It’s impossible to live forever…”

His words were cut off as something resembling a tongue—but definitely not a tongue—pried open his teeth, wrapping tightly around Fang Xingzhou’s tongue while still having enough room to suck and explore every familiar spot in his mouth. Only when Fang Xingzhou’s breathing grew rapid did it relent.

Lu Jianchuan looked down at the blush on his partner’s cheeks and said, “I won’t interfere with the natural cycle of life and death for humans, but you’re the exception.”

He spoke very seriously, his tentacles tightening further, squeezing Fang Xingzhou until he could barely breathe.

“Don’t say things like that to a pregnant man, darling,” he complained softly, sounding a bit aggrieved. “It makes my stomach hurt.”

Fang Xingzhou was momentarily stunned and looked down at the highly noticeable belly between them.

The compression from the morning seemed to have made the baby quite uncomfortable. Lu Jianchuan had reverted to his original form during the nap, and his belly had returned to its terrifying size, stretched to the limit and burning hot to the touch. The little one inside was squirming around, as if it might burst out at any moment.

Fang Xingzhou placed both hands on the belly, soothingly stroking it. He didn’t continue the earlier topic, only saying, “Alright, you can experiment on me however you like.”

Lu Jianchuan frowned unhappily, about to retort, but Fang Xingzhou cut him off, asking, “Are you sure you don’t need to revert to your true form? The baby seems like it can’t stay in a human body much longer.”

Lu Jianchuan: “It’s fine. I think I can hold on for a few more months. If it gets too bad, I’ll just eat less and slim it down. Xingzhou, about what you said earlier…”

“Shh.” Fang Xingzhou interrupted him again.

The two stared at each other from an extremely close distance, their pupils clearly reflecting each other’s images.

Fang Xingzhou’s hand left the belly, no longer paying attention to the restless baby. Instead, he accurately found the tentacle he had examined in the car earlier.

“I’m not sleepy yet,” he said. “Do you want to come in?”

This topic change was exceptionally effective.

Lu Jianchuan’s breathing hitched. He stared at Fang Xingzhou in a daze, not even having time to speak before the tentacle in his grasp revealed its mating appendage, ruthlessly exposing his excitement.

“I…” he murmured. “You… this afternoon…”

“Think about it for three seconds,” Fang Xingzhou said with a smile, kissing the tentacle. “Three, two…”

Before he could count to one.

Two tentacles slid slickly and swiftly into his collar…

…

Qin Hongbo had an unusually peaceful nap that afternoon.

When the alarm went off, he was still in the middle of a blissful dream. Reluctantly, he turned over, turned off the alarm, and sat up groggily.

Then, still in that position, he saw Fang Xingzhou and “Intern Wang” emerge from the adjacent room at the same time. Director Fang’s walking posture seemed a bit off, his lips unusually moist, cheeks faintly flushed, and his usually sharp, calm eyes softened, eyelashes seemingly damp with moisture.

“Intern Wang” was practically glued to the director, buttoning up the top button of his shirt for him and whispering something.

Fang Xingzhou nodded, pushed him away, and looked up to meet Qin Hongbo’s gaze.

Qin Hongbo: “…”

He must still be dreaming, he thought. Oh no, oh no no, he’s hallucinating!

He quickly turned his head away, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

Soon, he heard Fang Xingzhou speak, his voice hoarse and soft. “I’m going to wash my face. Wang, you’ll stay in the consultation room with me this afternoon.”

Wang: “Do you want me to go with you?”

Qin Hongbo broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, his Director Fang was a man of principle and refused without hesitation. “No need.” Then he went to the restroom alone.

Qin Hongbo let out a long sigh of relief. Only when the footsteps faded did he turn back to look at Lu Jianchuan, his expression complicated.

Lu Jianchuan, looking thoroughly satisfied, watched Fang Xingzhou disappear into the restroom before finally turning his attention to the other human in the room, meeting Qin Hongbo’s conflicted gaze.

He was momentarily stunned. “…Huh? Senior, why are you looking at me like that?”

Qin Hongbo stood up, patted his shoulder, and said with deep meaning and a complicated expression, “Director Fang… is married.”

Lu Jianchuan understood.

He smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“And, well… I heard his partner is about to give birth, though the gender is a bit mysterious…”

Lu Jianchuan: “Not quite about to give birth. I think there’s still some time left. The pregnancy is only about halfway through.”

Qin Hongbo’s eyes widened.

“You know he has a family!”

Lu Jianchuan also patted his shoulder.

“Of course, senior,” he said righteously. “I know Director Fang’s partner. He’s a tall, handsome, outstanding, wealthy… and intelligent family man. He and Director Fang grew up together, have deep feelings for each other, and after a twenty-year love marathon, they finally tied the knot. Although they haven’t had a formal wedding yet due to an unexpected pregnancy, once the baby is born, they’ll definitely have a grand engagement party followed by a city-shaking wedding!”

His eyes sparkled as he spoke. “So, by human standards, they’re the perfect model couple. No one can take Director Fang away from him. If anyone tries, they’ll be chopped into pieces and eaten.”

Qin Hongbo: “…”

After a long pause.

He looked at Lu Jianchuan with pity, sighed, and sincerely suggested, “You should make an appointment with the psychiatry department. Director Li is the best. He only took two days off and will be back for consultations tomorrow.”

Lu Jianchuan smiled even brighter, expressing his deep regards to Dr. Li, and cheerfully replied, “Sure, I’ll definitely go when I have the chance.”