Back in their hotel room, Ning Wen freshened up and changed into comfortable, loose clothes. He sat cross-legged at the table, flipping through his notebook with quiet focus.
Tang Zeyan had just stepped out of the shower, drying his hair with one hand, and now sat on the bed, quietly watching him.
"Stop staring," Ning Wen said without looking up, turning a page.
Tang Zeyan's gaze drifted from Ning Wen's long legs to his eyes. "Why not? Can't I admire my amazing caretaker?" He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "Or does my gaze make you nervous… or shy?"
"I said it before—don't get weird ideas," Ning Wen replied, tossing a pillow at him. Tang Zeyan caught it effortlessly, hugging it to his chest with a laugh.
A knock came at the door. Ning Wen guessed immediately who it was and went to open it.
"Wen Wen!" Liang Yue's voice echoed down the hallway.
"You… calm down first," Ning Wen said, covering Liang Yue's mouth and pulling him inside.
Tang Ruihan followed calmly, sharing a quick glance with Tang Zeyan as he entered.
"Wen Wen! Now tell me what that jerk said? No, wait—forget it, I have a plan! I wanna kill him!" Liang Yue exclaimed, eyes blazing.
Ning Wen blinked, startled. "Liang Yue, you're a doctor—you shouldn't say stuff like that."
"Why not? If I can save a thousand lives, then killing one wouldn't matter. Would it?" Liang Yue shot back, serious.
"Oh… wow. Calm down. Did he drink?" Ning Wen glanced at Tang Ruihan, who shook his head.
"He only had… well, a bunch of cookies and donuts, then rushed here while saying some… things about you and your… partner," Tang Ruihan said carefully, keeping his tone polite.
Ning Wen exhaled, not mad, just a little worried—he didn't want Liang Yue stressing over him. "He didn't say anything. We just had a small talk. What do you think he could do to me, hmm?"
"Stop acting like he's done nothing! Everything he's done has left proof. I know it all, so don't dare hide it from me," Liang Yue ground his teeth, anger clear—but when he noticed Ning Wen's hesitant eyes, he immediately softened.
"Sorry… I was just worried," Liang Yue admitted, calming down and showing a more serious expression.
Ning Wen smiled, teasing lightly. "At this point, you're just my overprotective, worrying mother."
"That doesn't sound bad… but hey, don't change the topic," Liang Yue pouted. "I'm serious here—are you okay?"
Ning Wen's eyes flicked toward Tang Zeyan briefly before looking away, then he replied, "Yes. Really. I feel fine."
"Really?" Liang Yue pressed, still overthinking.
Ning Wen reached for his bag and pulled out a lollipop, offering it to Liang Yue.
"Ning Wen, how many times have I told you to stop carrying these? I'm not a kid anymore," Liang Yue grumbled.
"Yes, but this is the only way to calm your overthinking mind. Want it or not?" Ning Wen raised an eyebrow.
"I won't waste food. Never—that's my rule." Liang Yue took the lollipop, unwrapped it, and nibbled happily. "I feel better… I'll get going now, I'm sleepy."
Ning Wen nodded.
"Little Han, let's go," Liang Yue said cheerfully, walking out while finishing the lollipop.
Tang Zeyan blinked, caught off guard by the nickname Liang Yue had used for Tang Ruihan.
Tang Ruihan started to follow but paused, glancing back at Ning Wen. "Do you have more of those?"
Ning Wen blinked, realization dawning. He handed a few more lollipops to Tang Ruihan, who smiled and left the room.
Once the door closed, silence returned. Ning Wen noticed Tang Zeyan's earlier frown had softened, replaced by a calm, quiet expression. Ning Wen smiled to himself, content.
"What happened, hmm?" Ning Wen asked softly, turning slightly to glance at Tang Zeyan.
Tang Zeyan hesitated, his gaze flickering for a moment before dropping to the sheets. He'd been thinking over it for a long while, gathering the courage to speak, and finally let it out. "The call from earlier… and the one Brother Yue keeps talking about… That's your lover… isn't it?" His voice carried a mix of worry and a depth of emotion he didn't usually show.
Ning Wen's eyes softened, but he remained careful. "Yeah… but it's alright. Little Yue has a habit of overthinking everything, that's all."
Tang Zeyan's brow furrowed, serious. "He wouldn't act like that if there wasn't a valid reason, right?"
Ning Wen froze for a moment, then looked away, keeping his expression calm. "It's fine. Don't sweat over it. Come on, let's sleep. I'm tired." He stretched and laid down on his bed, deliberately avoiding Tang Zeyan's gaze.
Tang Zeyan watched him, not wanting to disturb his mood. He forced a bright smile over his darker thoughts and worries. "Brother… don't you think Brother Yue is adorable?" He lay down on his own bed, flat on his chest, eyes quietly on Ning Wen.
"Yes… he always has been," Ning Wen replied with a small, gentle smile.
"You two are so close… you know each other really well," Tang Zeyan added, curiosity and warmth in his tone.
"We've been together since middle school," Ning Wen said, settling in comfortably. "You and your cousin seem close too."
"Do we?" Tang Zeyan wondered aloud.
"Yes. You may not be the talkative type together, but I'm sure you two have your own way of communicating—it's what makes you close. Don't you think?" Ning Wen asked, eyes soft.
Tang Zeyan blinked, thinking it over, then nodded. "That… sure makes sense."
"That's good. Now sleep." Ning Wen turned off the lights, the room plunging into darkness.
Even in the dark, Ning Wen felt the intensity of Tang Zeyan's gaze on him. His fingers gripped the sheets lightly as he closed his eyes, trying to drift off.
Tang Zeyan finally lay down properly, staring into the shadows of the room. He breathed in deeply, reminding himself that getting angry wouldn't help now—he needed to stay calm, to not ruin anything between them.
On the other hand, Liang Yue had finished his lollipop, lying flat on the bed.
"Do you think I'm just overthinking things?" he asked, glancing at Tang Ruihan, who calmly placed the lollipops he'd gotten from Ning Wen into his bag before looking back at Liang Yue.
"It's alright," Tang Ruihan said, settling onto his own bed with a composed posture, exuding that quiet charm he always carried. "You're only worrying because you care about Brother Ning. That's a good thing. You two have a really strong bond."
Liang Yue's cheeks tinged pink. "We've been together for so long… it's normal for us to be close. Ning Wen is amazing… I just want the best for him. His fate… it's cruel, surrounded by so many bad people… except me, of course."
Tang Ruihan gave a soft smile, his eyes fixed on Liang Yue.
"Oh, would you like to know how we met? Our first meeting was like a drama—really interesting, really… cool," Liang Yue began, his voice trailing off with a yawn, eyes heavy with sleep.
Tang Ruihan picked up a pillow in his lap, ready to listen attentively. But by then, Liang Yue had already slipped into a deep, restless sleep, lips slightly parted, body sprawled comfortably across the bed.
Tang Ruihan paused, a bit startled at how easily Liang Yue had fallen asleep mid-sentence. His gaze softened, filled with a quiet adoration he didn't bother hiding. Without thinking too much, he gently rose, careful not to disturb him.
He removed his jacket and laid it over Liang Yue before adjusting his position on the pillow, tucking the blanket over him, making sure everything was comfortable.
Liang Yue continued to sleep, drifting through dreams, oblivious to Tang Ruihan's careful attention. Tang Ruihan lingered, standing there for a long moment, his heart tightening in a way he couldn't fully explain—a sweet, almost aching clench he felt whenever Liang Yue simply existed near him.
His hands itched to touch, to hold, and he pressed his lips together, resisting the sudden urge swelling inside him. Yet, he couldn't stop himself from gently cupping Liang Yue's fluffy cheeks, his fingers brushing softly over the skin.
Liang Yue stirred slightly, frozen in his sleep under the gentle touch.
Tang Ruihan caught himself, loosening his hold and merely caressing Liang Yue's cheek once more before setting him back down, ensuring he remained comfortable.
He sighed softly, laying down on his own bed and staring at Liang Yue for a few more moments before switching off the lights, waiting patiently for sleep to claim him as well.
The sunlight poured over the campsite, bright and warm, the morning sky a crisp, refreshing blue with just a hint of coldness in the air.
Before the camp officially started, people were already gathering, chatting, gossiping, and having breakfast.
At a small table, four of them sat together, busy with their meal. Liang Yue, of course, was the loudest.
"I'm really hoping Wu Anya visits me again," he said, nibbling on his bread. "She's the one who made me realize I should've studied to be a love guru instead of a cardiologist." He spoke with mock seriousness, clearly reliving their conversation from yesterday.
Ning Wen nodded, maintaining a serious expression at first. "For that, you'd need some real-life experience…" His voice dropped, teasing, and a smirk played on his lips. "Which you… have absolutely none of."
Liang Yue's eyes went wide. "Ning Wen! How could you tease me like that?" he gasped, dramatically clutching his chest as if betrayed.
Ning Wen chuckled quietly, clearly amused by his reaction.
Tang Zeyan, sitting beside Ning Wen, didn't bother intervening. He simply stared at Ning Wen, barely paying attention to his own breakfast.
Tang Ruihan, on the other hand, kept a careful eye on Liang Yue, making sure he didn't collapse from all the over-the-top drama—something that was equal parts hilarious and endearing.
Tang Zeyan sipped his apple juice, pretending to enjoy it. He wasn't sure if he should be glad that Liang Yue could make Ning Wen laugh so easily… or jealous that he wasn't the one doing it. Either way, his face stayed in a tiny frown through the entire breakfast.
When the camp officially started, Ning Wen was setting up his desk inside the tent when he finally noticed the boy's quiet sulking.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly, looking up.
Tang Zeyan sat cross‑legged, his expression small and pouty. "Brother Ning, I'm sad."
Ning Wen blinked, immediately worried as he stepped closer, eyes scanning him for any signs of illness. "And why's that?"
Tang Zeyan looked down, twisting the strap of his bag between his fingers. "I want to know more about you."
Ning Wen frowned slightly. "Why's that?"
"I just… want to be closer to you. Enough to make you smile too—like Brother Liang Yue does."
Ning Wen froze for a second, realization dawning. "Are you upset about me and Liang Yue's relationship?"
"No, not upset…" Tang Zeyan's lips pressed together. "Just…"
"You're jealous then?" Ning Wen couldn't help but chuckle lightly, the sound soft but teasing.
Tang Zeyan puffed his cheeks and nodded, eyes downcast.
"There's nothing to be jealous about," Ning Wen said gently. "We've known each other for years. You've only known me for a day, Zeyan. It's normal."
Tang Zeyan finally looked up, locking eyes with him—and something in that gaze made Ning Wen's words die in his throat.
"But people can get close in a few days too," Tang Zeyan said quietly, stepping closer. His voice dropped, sincere, almost trembling with the weight of something unnamed. "And I want to be closer to you too."
He paused, then added, softer, "I just… want to be someone who makes you happier."
For a moment, Ning Wen forgot to breathe.
Tang Zeyan didn't hide the heaviness in his gaze. He stepped closer, eyes never leaving Ning Wen.
"Brother Ning, I have a question."
Ning Wen looked away, focusing on his papers. "What is it?"
"Do you think someone can ever forget their first love?" His tone carried too many layers—some hidden, some bleeding through.
The question caught Ning Wen off guard. "I… I don't know. I guess it depends on the person—whether they want to forget or not."
"Really?" Tang Zeyan tilted his head slightly, voice low but sharp with interest. "So if someone wants to forget, they can?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. I'm not an expert in that… if it's not related to health, don't ask me," Ning Wen muttered, trying to bury himself in his files like the conversation never happened.
Tang Zeyan's lips curved slowly. "That's good, then. I'm relieved." He took a step closer, his shadow falling over the desk. "I need to make someone forget their first love—so I can take that place. Do you think I'll succeed?"
Ning Wen's fingers froze mid-page. He didn't answer.
Tang Zeyan leaned in slightly, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. His voice softened, but the intent behind it pressed like heat against skin. "Brother Ning… will I succeed?"
Ning Wen's reply came quicker than he meant. "Yes. You will. You'll succeed."
Tang Zeyan's eyes lit up, the corners of his mouth curling into a satisfied smile, the kind that looked too beautiful and too dangerous all at once. "Thank you, Brother Ning. Make sure to remember that."
He stepped back, composure returning just as a patient entered. The interruption cooled the tension in the air; Tang Zeyan's expression softened, almost innocent again. He excused himself quietly, but his gaze lingered a moment longer before he turned to leave.
Ning Wen exhaled only after the tent flap fell shut. His heartbeat was loud enough to drown out everything else.
As Tang Zeyan left, the tent fell silent. Ning Wen finally realized how unsettled his mind was. His fingers trembled slightly on the paper, the words blurring in front of him.
The patient calling his name snapped him back to reality. He straightened up, offering a soft, professional smile.
"Yes. May I know your name and what's troubling you?"
With that, he buried himself back in work—steady, diligent, the perfect doctor once again. But somewhere in the back of his mind, Tang Zeyan's voice still echoed, every word clinging to him like static.
Outside, Tang Zeyan leaned against a tree, sipping from a small box of apple juice. The breeze played with his hair, sunlight filtering through the branches over his sharp profile. His hazel eyes drifted toward the sky, far away but dark with thought.
Ning Wen's startled face, his soft tone, his smile—everything replayed in Tang Zeyan's head until it hurt. He couldn't stop thinking about him; he hadn't been able to for a long time.
He looked down at the juice box in his hand, gripping it tighter. The thought that flickered through him was possessive, almost dangerous. He wanted to hold on—so tightly no one else could ever reach.
Realizing how dark that felt, Tang Zeyan exhaled and forced a small laugh, loosening his grip. He smiled faintly, almost tenderly. "Gentle first," he murmured under his breath, eyes glinting, "and once it's mine, I'll make sure no one dares touch it."
His quiet chuckle was swallowed by the wind, leaving only the rustle of leaves and a lingering sense that his calm wouldn't last long.