The moment felt suspended—like the world had hit pause just so Ning Wen could sit there, sipping apple juice with that quiet smile.
Tang Zeyan didn't move. Didn't breathe much either. His whole focus narrowed to the curve of Ning Wen's lips, the tiny glint of light in his eyes. Somewhere between heartbeat and heartbeat, Tang Zeyan found himself wishing time would just stop—right here, right now—so no one could ever take that smile away.
Unfortunately, fate had a sick sense of humor.
"WEN WEN! WEN WEN!"
Liang Yue's voice practically shattered the peace as he barged in, Tang Ruihan right behind him looking as confused as ever.
Tang Zeyan and Tang Ruihan exchanged a silent look—one that basically translated to of course it's him.
Liang Yue opened his mouth like he was about to deliver a dramatic announcement, then froze when he noticed the Tang brothers. His eyes flicked suspiciously between them before lowering his voice. "Where's your phone?"
Ning Wen instantly understood.
Liang Yue scowled, waving his own phone like it was contaminated. "That Jerk's been calling me nonstop. I thought he hated me and blocked me for a long time ago, but apparently, since you didn't pick up, I'm the backup victim. My poor phone needs an exorcism now." He slapped the screen dramatically, pretending to toss it onto the couch—then, realizing what he'd just done, immediately scrambled to retrieve it and slip it into his pocket, hoping no one saw. Tang Ruihan saw. Of course and chuckled lightly.
Meanwhile, Ning Wen calmly opened the drawer, pulled out his phone—always turned off during work hours—and powered it on. The screen flashed with over twenty messages and several missed calls. His hand froze for a second. Then he inhaled sharply, composure returning in a blink. Without a word, he stood, excused himself, and walked out to return the call.
Inside the tent, the air turned heavy.
Tang Zeyan's earlier warmth, his soft smile—gone. His entire expression darkened. His jaw was tight enough to crack teeth, fists clenched so hard the veins stood out. The gentle sparkle in his eyes had been replaced by something cold and sharp. If looks could kill, the person on the other end of Ning Wen's call would already be buried six feet under.
Tang Ruihan sighed quietly and gave his brother's shoulder a light pat. "Calm down. Your face is screaming murder."
Tang Zeyan didn't respond. Just stood there, chest rising and falling too fast.
Tang Ruihan leaned closer, whispering under his breath, "Chill, or do you want him to find out already?"
That hit home. The secret—their secret—was something only the two of them knew, and it was the only reason Tang Zeyan didn't explode right there and storm out after Ning Wen.
He ran a hand down his face, forcing himself to breathe. Slow. In, out. Again. His pulse still pounded like thunder, his knuckles still white, but after a few seconds, his gaze softened a fraction.
Because even angry, even jealous beyond reason, Tang Zeyan's mind circled back to the same thought: Don't scare him. Don't ruin what you've earned.
He exhaled hard and muttered low, mostly to himself, "I'm calm… I'm calm."
Tang Ruihan gave him a look that said, 'Sure, and I'm the Tooth Fairy,' but stayed quiet.
Even though Tang Zeyan claimed he was calm, the veins on his temple said otherwise. He looked more composed than before, sure, but the air around him still screamed danger. Tang Ruihan sighed quietly. If he didn't step in now, someone was going to end up traumatized — most likely poor Liang Yue. He certainly didn't wanted that.
Tang Ruihan stooed and walked over, "Let's go eat," he said, nudging Liang Yue lightly by the arm.
Liang Yue blinked, confused. "But Ning Wen… I need to check on him."
"You can talk to him later," Tang Ruihan said smoothly. "Let Zeyan handle it for now. We'd only be interrupting."
Liang Yue frowned suspiciously. Why exactly did Tang Zeyan need to be the one handling Ning Wen? The way Tang Ruihan said it made it sound… personal. He opened his mouth to ask, but Tang Ruihan was faster.
"Unless you don't want donuts and cookies," Tang Ruihan added casually. "My treat."
Liang Yue froze mid-thought, all concern for Ning Wen momentarily erased. "Wait—really? You're treating?" he asked, narrowing his eyes, pointing a finger, "You're not gonna back out, right?"
Tang Ruihan's lips curved, a quiet smile softening his usually sharp expression. He reached out, gently lowering Liang Yue's hand that was still accusingly pointing at him. Their fingers brushed, then intertwined almost naturally.
"I don't take back my words," Ruihan murmured. His voice was low, warm, the kind that left a faint echo in the chest.
Liang Yue's breath hitched. For a second, it felt like his brain stopped processing anything. The way Tang Ruihan's long fingers brushed his palm was enough to send static racing up his arm. The air felt too quiet, too still. Tang Ruihan's eyes were steady on him — and somehow that was worse.
Liang Yue snapped out of it, jumping back as if he'd touched a live wire. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to act casual. "Y-yeah, whatever, let's just go. I'm starving."
Tang Ruihan looked down at his now empty hand, flexing his fingers slightly before letting out a quiet laugh. "Alright," he said, following after Liang Yue — the faintest ghost of a smile still playing on his lips.
Under the starry night, the cold wind cutting through the silence, Ning Wen stood a few paces away, fists clenched, listening to the other's loud, angry voice.
Jiang Kaishan's words came sharp and merciless. "Did you think I'd give you permission to go to that damn camp just to ignore my calls and messages? Where the hell have you been?"
Ning Wen rubbed his forehead, keeping his voice steady, his patience stretched thin but intact. "Kai Shan, the ride was long. I was tired and couldn't inform you. And how many times do I have to say this? My job isn't a vacation — I can't sit idle waiting for your calls or messages."
Jiang Kaishan scoffed, a harsh laugh cutting through the wind. "Oh, so now you're teaching me, huh?"
"I'm not teaching you," Ning Wen replied evenly. "I'm merely reminding you that I'm not on a holiday."
"Oh, wow… impressive," Jiang Kaishan said, his tone dripping with mockery. "Not even twenty-four hours away and you're already talking back like that. Who have you been with, huh? What have you been doing?"
Ning Wen felt patience slipping like sand through his fingers. "Jiang Kaishan, I am not like you — wandering around with a crowd doing questionable things. Don't assume I'm up to the same nonsense you are."
"Ning Wen!" The shout cut through the night, sharp and terrifying, and Ning Wen flinched despite himself.
"Don't you dare say that. You know what I hate, Ning Wen. You also know what I can do," Jiang Kaishan threatened, his voice low and dangerous. "You really don't want me to show up there and ruin that little reputation you care about, do you?"
Ning Wen swallowed hard. His reputation and pride — everything he had worked so tirelessly for — suddenly felt vulnerable. He had always obeyed, always kept his head down around Jiang Kaishan, because he knew exactly what the other was capable of. And right now, with that threat hanging in the cold night air, Ning Wen's mind raced with worst-case scenarios: what if he actually came? What if everything he had built, everything he stood for, was destroyed in an instant?
Ning Wen's voice trembled, edged with fear and exhaustion. "Jiang Kaishan… calm down, please. You know I'm not doing anything like that. I've been busy checking patients… I was just tired, that's all. You shouldn't accuse me of something I'm clearly not doing…" His eyelashes fluttered, lips pressed together from biting back, and a quiet, painful sadness lingered in his eyes. "I… I'm sorry."
For a moment, Jiang Kaishan's tone softened, almost imperceptibly. "Fine, dear. I'll forgive you this time… but don't repeat this mistake next time, okay?" There was gentleness there, but it felt like a taunt, a reminder of Ning Wen's place. Ning Wen simply hummed softly, swallowing the sting, trying to steady his emotions.
The call ended, Jiang Kaishan's voice replaced by the silence of the night. Ning Wen's fingers clenched around his phone, then loosened with a heavy sigh as he fought to compose himself.
A presence stirred behind him. Slowly, he turned, and in the pale moonlight, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
"Tang Zeyan?" Ning Wen's voice was softer than he expected, carrying a quiet vulnerability he didn't fully understand. Somehow, just seeing him there felt… reassuring.
Tang Zeyan stiffened at the sound of his name — it was the first time Ning Wen had called his name. A chill ran down his spine, but it only sharpened his focus. His gaze softened as he stepped closer, determined to erase the sorrow from Ning Wen's face and bring back the beautiful, gentle smile he treasured so much.
Tang Zeyan immediately brightened, a wide, sparkling smile lighting his face as he stepped closer. "Brother Ning, what are you doing here all alone? What if a wild animal comes and takes you away? What would I do without my caretaker?"
Ning Wen blinked, his voice gentle, calm. "That won't happen, so don't worry. You'll do just fine—I'm here."
Tang Zeyan felt his heart skip, beating faster than usual, and silently blamed Ning Wen for it.
"Brother Ning… I feel… uncomfortable," Tang Zeyan said suddenly, his tone serious.
Ning Wen's brow furrowed slightly. "Why? What's wrong?"
"I don't know… I feel sick. Can you check me?" Tang Zeyan held out his wrist. Ning Wen calmly slipped his phone into his pocket and took Tang Zeyan's wrist, gently checking his pulse.
Tang Zeyan couldn't help enjoying the brief contact, then spoke again, innocent but teasing. "How about you check my chest too… with that?" He pointed at the stethoscope hanging around Ning Wen's neck.
Ning Wen hesitated for a moment, uncertain of Tang Zeyan's intentions, but he followed, stepping closer as he placed the stethoscope over Tang Zeyan's chest. Almost immediately, he felt it—Tang Zeyan's heartbeat, wild and erratic, loud in the quiet night.
He blinked, heart racing slightly, and met Tang Zeyan's gaze. Those soft, honeyed eyes, deep and gentle, held him in a way that made Ning Wen's own pulse skip. Tang Zeyan's lips curved in the gentlest, most genuine smile, full of emotions hidden beneath its surface.
Stepping back awkwardly, Ning Wen said, "You… you seem fine."
Tang Zeyan pouted, eyes still soft. "But… how is that possible? Isn't my heart beating too fast? There must be something wrong."
Ning Wen rolled his eyes lightly, hiding the curve of his smile. "If that's the case, go see Liang Yue," he said, turning to walk ahead.
Tang Zeyan immediately followed. "But I only want you to treat me!"
"I'm not in the mood," Ning Wen shrugged, holding the stethoscope, voice calm yet teasing.
"How can you? You're so serious and kind with your patients… but so mean to me," Tang Zeyan pouted, cheeks tinged pink.
Ning Wen stopped, turning to face him, lifting the stethoscope lightly to tap Tang Zeyan's head. "When was I ever mean to you, hmm?" His voice was gentle, soft, with a teasing undertone that made Tang Zeyan's ears burn.
Tang Zeyan's smile curved up despite himself. "Since you aren't mean… then be my doctor."
"Then be a proper sick person," Ning Wen replied, turning to walk ahead again.
Tang Zeyan's eyes followed him closely. "Brother Ning… you want me to be sick?"
Ning Wen shook his head, answering faster than he intended. "No."
Tang Zeyan's curiosity was piqued. "Then why not?"
Ning Wen's voice deepened slightly, calm and gentle but threaded with care and subtle tease. "If you're sick, you won't be able to run around me as you please. Would you?"
Tang Zeyan froze, heart pounding so fast it felt like it might burst. Ning Wen's words hit him like sweet lightning, and he felt a shiver run through him, fingers lifting to cover his face. Then, unable to resist, he broke into a grin and ran after Ning Wen, chasing him as though he were the only light and purpose in the world.
No matter how far, no matter how fast, Tang Zeyan would follow Ning Wen forever.