Unfortunately, in the past few months, Ye Zhengchen and I hadn’t sparked any romantic interest. Our vibes just didn’t match. I didn’t like his type of man, who was available to everyone, while he didn’t like me, a girl pretending to be pure and wanting responsibility before intimacy.
However, the lack of intimacy didn’t diminish our friendship, which was built on national and class solidarity. I cherished this feeling, hoping it would cultivate into something more meaningful in this unwelcoming Japanese environment. I often thought that if I grew old and reminisced about these days, I would smile sincerely, grateful for having met such a special man during my loneliest time.
One afternoon, while in class, Ye Zhengchen suddenly called, saying he was injured and in the emergency room. My mind went blank as I rushed to the emergency department. His right arm was extensively scraped and bleeding. After confirming he had no fractures, I slumped in the chair beside him, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
I asked with concern, “What happened to you?”
“Just accidentally fell,” he replied casually.
A grown man scraping his arm to that extent? Only a fool would believe that. I looked at him sideways and asked, “Did you get into a fight while trying to steal someone’s girlfriend?”
He just shook his head. “You really know me!”
“Don’t tell me I actually guessed right?” I mused. He was speechless, which likely meant I had guessed correctly.
“Who were you trying to steal a girlfriend from? How could they be so vicious?” He sighed and said, “It was the yakuza. A boss caught me in bed with his woman and was furious, sending over a dozen people to beat me up. Luckily, I ran fast and jumped from the second floor to escape, or I would have lost my life.” “Oh my god, that’s brutal!” I said, breaking out in a cold sweat. “I’ve heard that Japanese yakuza are especially terrifying. You must be careful. If they find you again, they won’t let you off…” “Of course not. They said that if they see me again, they’ll chop me into pieces and feed me to the sharks!” “Let’s call the police,” I suggested quietly. “The police can’t protect me 24 hours a day.” “What should we do?” I asked, feeling anxiety and wiping my cold, sweating palms on my skirt. “Don’t worry, Osaka is big. It won’t be easy to run into trouble,” he comforted me. I remained worried and advised him, “There are so many beautiful nurses in the hospital for you to date; why associate with those shady women? Stay away from izakayas… What about your family if something happens…” I realized I was sounding like my mother and felt self-disgusted. But he didn’t seem bothered at all and listened with interest. “I’m sorry!”
A soft Japanese voice interrupted my words. I turned around and saw a young Japanese woman bowing deeply, saying, “Thank you, thank you so much! I thank you again on behalf of my husband and family.”
She pulled out a four or five-year-old boy from behind and pushed him forward. The little boy bowed politely. “Thank you for saving me… I’m sorry for causing you injury!” He then said two words in awkward Chinese: “Thank you!”
Ye Zhengchen replied, “No need to thank me. Be careful when crossing the street next time, and hold your mother’s hand. Got it?” The boy nodded.
After the mother and son expressed their gratitude numerous times, they went to pay Ye Zhengchen’s medical expenses. I glared at Ye Zhengchen, who was barely holding back his laughter. “You tricked me!”
“I can’t help it if you see me as a low-level pervert,” he said.
“You!” I was so angry I couldn’t speak. “Are you crazy? Coming to Japan to play hero? Risking your life to save a Japanese child? When the Japanese committed the Nanjing Massacre, they didn’t even blink! And now you risk your life for their descendants? Do you think you’re a national hero? Aren’t you afraid millions of Chinese would spit on your grave?!”
tYe Zhengchen looked aggrieved after my scolding. “I regretted it afterwards, but it was instinctive… I didn’t have time to think.”
“Instinct?!” I suppressed the urge to curse. “Instinct is for survival, and you used it to save someone?! You deserve to be hit!”
Seeing my angry expression, he reached out to touch my head, stroking my hair. “Are you worried about me?”
“Who would worry about you?!” I forced a laugh.
As the doctor came to treat his wound, I stood up and turned to leave.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Buying pig trotters and ribs to make soup for you at home!”
“Make plenty!”
“Got it!”
Stepping out of the emergency room, I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, and tears fell uncontrollably.
Seeing the doctor disinfect his blood-covered arm, I felt heartbroken. His suppressed pain choked me.
This man is breaking my heart!
A hand brushed away my tears, gentle and warm.
“Silly girl… Why are you crying? I’m not dead!”
I cried, burying my face in his shoulder, feeling vulnerable and in need of his broad shoulders. He embraced me tightly with his uninjured arm, his body smelling of alcohol and blood, with a hint of his own scent. I breathed deeply, falling in love with it.
“Ye Zhengchen, you’re not allowed to get hurt again. If you dare to, I’ll never let you off!” I warned.
He whispered, “Okay! I promise you!” His hot breath sent shivers down my spine, leaving my mind blank.
“Girl! Stop crying; you look terrible!”
I didn’t respond.
“You’re beautiful when you smile!”
I laughed in anger and lightly punched his chest. “Pervert!”
The next afternoon, I had two classes. After class, I couldn’t stop worrying about Ye Zhengchen’s injured hand. Unable to focus on the research lab, I left school early to buy ribs and fruit.
After putting things down at home, I took the fruit to check on him next door. I rang the doorbell twice, and he answered, “Door’s unlocked.”
I entered and saw him washing his hair, his right hand wrapped in thick bandages, awkwardly splashing water on his head with his left hand. Water droplets flowed down his bronze-colored back, revealing his strong back muscles, unlike those of a gentle doctor.
A blurry silhouette flashed before my eyes – wearing a white doctor’s coat and military green woolen pants, perfectly straight. A hint of a light green shirt collar was visible.
This silhouette was tall and built like Ye Zhengchen. I shook my head, dismissing the thought.
Putting down the fruit, I walked over and took a towel to wipe the water from his back. “Let me help you.”
“You’re back so early? Aren’t you afraid the professor will skin you alive?”
“He’s already skinned me twice, I’m not afraid of being skinned again.”
“You couldn’t bear to leave me alone at home?” he winked.
“Stop talking nonsense!” I glared at him, pulling up a chair. “Sit down!”
He obediently sat, and I mimicked a dry wash like at a salon, wiping his hair and applying shampoo while massaging. His hair was soft against my palm, reminiscent of silky chocolate.
My gaze shifted to his half-naked upper body. It was a striking sight—not thin or overly muscular, but firm and strong. Very masculine!
“Senior,” I finally asked, “Did you really graduate from Peking University Medical School?”
“Hmm.”
“Have you ever been a soldier?”
“No!”
Ye Zhengchen opened his eyes and looked at me. Except when facing patients, I rarely saw him so focused. “Do you think I look like a soldier?”
“Yes! You do things cleanly and efficiently; your life is simple and organized. Soldiers are like this.”
“Maybe from studying medicine for too long, I have a strong sense of time and a bit of cleanliness obsession.”
“You really love the national flag. Only soldiers understand cherishing it.” I recalled when a small Chinese flag fell on the ground in front of the apartment. Ye Zhengchen picked it up, wiped off the dust, and placed it on the railing.
