The morning passed faster than Ning Wen expected. Checking patient after patient wasn't usually a problem for him. He'd always been the type who separated work and personal life with clean, straight lines.
But today those lines were smudged beyond repair.
Every time he tried to focus on taking a pulse or writing notes, Tang Zeyan's face kept invading the edges of his mind. That stupid bright smile kept flashing behind his eyes like a sun he couldn't escape. It annoyed him, mostly because it had never happened before.
And the universe didn't make it easier.
The moment a patient stepped out, the tent flap would lift and Tang Zeyan would poke his head in like some cheerful puppy.
That blinding smile again.
Followed by:
"Brother Ning, is the fan okay? You look warm."
Or,
"You need help with anything? I can fix it."
Apparently, the electric fan "wasn't functioning well." Before Ning Wen even registered the complaint, Tang Zeyan had already notified a senior and brought back a brand new one with double the power.
Then there was the file incident.
Ning Wen had stretched on his toes to reach a folder from the top shelf. He didn't even hear footsteps. Just suddenly—Tang Zeyan was there, close enough Ning Wen smelled the faint sweetness of apple juice.
"Let me," he said, calm as ever.
Their fingers brushed when he handed the file over. Just the briefest touch, but Ning Wen swore the spark shot straight up his arm. He pretended it was nothing. He pretended he was nothing.
Meanwhile, inside, he was burning.
He forced himself to continue diagnosing the next patient, keeping his voice steady even though his thoughts were all over the place.
It was getting ridiculous.
He'd handled hundreds of people, dozens of emergencies, literal chaos before. Not once had someone's presence dragged at his focus like this.
And the worst part was…
Tang Zeyan wasn't even trying.
He was just existing.
Which somehow made everything harder.
Ning Wen finally stepped out of the tent when noon break arrived, rolling his shoulders until they cracked. Fresh air felt like mercy.
Then a cold bottle appeared in front of his face.
Tang Zeyan, of course.
Ning Wen accepted it with a small smile, murmured a soft thank you, and took a sip. The cold hit his throat instantly, refreshing enough to make him sigh. It also made him wonder, for the tenth time today, how Tang Zeyan always seemed to know exactly what he needed. It was getting weird. And unsettling. And… nice.
Which only made things worse.
He tightened his grip on the bottle, turning slightly away because looking at Tang Zeyan was dangerous. The man stood there with arms crossed, hazel eyes soft, lips tilted up like Ning Wen was something worth watching.
Ning Wen refused to meet that stare. He knew the second he did, his heart would pull that stunt again — the uncomfortable, fluttery twist he knew all too well and absolutely did not want returning.
He needed a distraction. Anything.
Then salvation arrived screaming his name.
Liang Yue barreled toward him, waving his arms dramatically. Ning Wen had never been so grateful for chaos.
"Wen Wen, guess what happened!" Liang Yue yelled.
"You tell me," Ning Wen said, gentle and calm like he wasn't dying for this rescue.
"The girl I told you about, Wu Anya? She confessed. And the girl she likes said yes!" Liang Yue practically vibrated, cheeks squished between his palms. He looked more excited than the actual couple probably was.
Ning Wen blinked. "Really?"
Liang Yue nodded so hard his hair bounced. "I'm so happy for them. They have my full blessings."
Ning Wen chuckled and patted his head. "That's good of you."
Liang Yue's face fell dramatically. "But now I feel terrible... Why doesn't anyone confess to me? Am I that bad?"
"No, you're just dumb!" Zhang Kai yelled while walking by.
"Shut up!" Liang Yue fired back, flailing.
He turned to Ning Wen instantly, eyes teary. "Really? Am I dumb? I mean, I wouldn't be a doctor if I was dumb, right?"
"You're not dumb," Ning Wen soothed. "He's messing with you. Someone will show up for you soon. Be patient."
Ning Wen's eyes slid, almost unconsciously, to Tang Ruihan — who was standing there silently, gaze locked onto Liang Yue like he was the sun and Ruihan had been living underground his whole life.
Ning Wen sighed internally. He didn't know if his suspicion was right, but it definitely looked like something.
Liang Yue kept sniffing and whining until a hand suddenly appeared in front of him holding a lollipop.
He blinked, looking up at Tang Ruihan.
"You! I told you to stop acting like this! I'm the elder here, older than you, so you're not supposed to give me things!" Liang Yue complained loudly — while taking the lollipop anyway and immediately sucking on it before running off dramatically.
Tang Ruihan's lips curved, eyes soft enough to melt steel, as he followed after him.
And behind them, Tang Zeyan still hadn't moved. Still watching Ning Wen. Still unreadable.
Still dangerous.
Tang Zeyan didn't move, letting Ning Wen look away, but his gaze lingered. There was a calmness to it, yet it wasn't casual—it was sharp, almost predatory in its intensity, but softened by the faint warmth of a smile that never left his lips. He tilted his head slightly, as if studying Ning Wen like a painting he could never stop admiring, the sunlight catching the subtle golden flecks in his hazel eyes.
Ning Wen felt a faint shiver run down his spine despite the bright day, his fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the table. He told himself it was nothing, that Tang Zeyan was just being… observant. And yet, every time he dared to glance up, the younger boy's eyes seemed to pierce straight through him, unraveling thoughts he didn't want to acknowledge.
"I… I should get back inside," Ning Wen finally said softly, forcing his voice steady.
Tang Zeyan's smile widened, slow and deliberate, unthreatening but full of intent. "If you want," he replied, his tone light, but his eyes stayed fixed on Ning Wen for a moment longer than needed, as though memorizing the curve of his lips, the tilt of his head, every subtle movement.
Ning Wen turned back inside the tent, telling himself firmly to focus on the patients, on the files, on anything—but even as he walked, he could feel Tang Zeyan's gaze still there, warm and intense, following him like a shadow he didn't mind being near.
Tang Zeyan leaned casually against the tree again, hands in his pockets, the faint breeze teasing the edges of his hair. A small, satisfied smirk lingered on his face, because no matter how much Ning Wen tried to ignore it, he already had his attention. And Tang Zeyan had no intention of letting it go.
Ning Wen kept his gaze lowered, careful not to meet Tang Zeyan's still-watchful eyes. Their moment of quiet attention was broken when a small figure came running toward them—a boy, maybe six or seven, with a scraped and bleeding knee.
"Big brother! Big brother! You're wearing white—are you a doctor?" the boy called out, eyes wide and bright, though pain tugged at his expression.
Ning Wen quickly handed the juice bottle back to Tang Zeyan and knelt to meet the boy at eye level. "Yes, I am. Can you tell me what happened? How did you get hurt like this?" His tone was calm and gentle, designed to soothe the boy rather than alarm him.
"I fell while running," the boy said, pouting, wincing at the sting.
"I can see that," Ning Wen said softly. "Can you come inside with me?" He reached out a hand, and the boy grasped his finger with his tiny hand, letting Ning Wen guide him into the tent.
Tang Zeyan exhaled lightly and followed, watching Ning Wen kneel as he treated the boy's knee. The child sat in the chair, fiddling with the stethoscope Ning Wen had handed him, distraction enough to dull the sting of the injury.
"And your name?" Ning Wen asked, applying ointment carefully.
"Xiao Yu," the boy replied, completely absorbed in turning the stethoscope's dial.
"So, Xiao Yu… why did you come here instead of to your mother?" Ning Wen asked, unwrapping a bandage.
"Mom would scold me if she saw the blood," Xiao Yu explained, a small grin forming despite the pain. "I knew there were doctors here, so I ran straight to you. Don't tell her, okay? Later I'll say it was just a tiny scratch."
Ning Wen couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's cleverness. The idea was both mischievous and adorable—exactly the kind of moment that made his heart lighten despite the busy day. Seeing Ning Wen's smile, Xiao Yu fiddled nervously with the stethoscope. "Wow, big brother, you're good looking."
Ning Wen blinked, caught off guard, then returned a soft smile. "Thank you… you're no less handsome yourself, little man."
"Really?" Xiao Yu's eyes sparkled. "Then we should get married!" He said it so suddenly that Ning Wen froze completely.
Tang Zeyan, who had been silently watching, frowned. "He's taken you, lil' brat."
Xiao Yu scrunched his face, glaring at Tang Zeyan. "Who are you?"
"Your dad," Tang Zeyan said, rolling his eyes.
"What? No, you're not! My dad's at home with momma," the boy protested, making Ning Wen blink in disbelief at their childish banter.
"Tang Zeyan, be quiet," Ning Wen said firmly, finishing bandaging Xiao Yu's knee and helping him to stand, gently holding his hands to stretch his leg.
Xiao Yu flinched at the pain but replied innocently, "I just… my friends said that if two people find each other pretty, they marry."
Ning Wen chuckled softly. "Yes, but that's not the only thing you need to get married, okay?" He ruffled the boy's hair affectionately.
"What else do you need?" Xiao Yu asked, eyes wide.
"Well… you need many things. First, you need to love them too, spend time with them, trust them, and be devoted to them. Then, if you feel you can't live apart from them, that's when you plan to marry them." Ning Wen explained calmly, his voice gentle.
Xiao Yu nodded seriously, as if he had just understood the biggest secret in the world. "I understand!"
Ning Wen smiled, ruffling his hair once more, and then glanced ahead—only to meet Tang Zeyan's eyes.
His heart skipped a beat. Those hazel eyes weren't just deep with emotion—they held a desperate, intense longing, something raw and undeniable. Ning Wen froze, chills running down his spine, every nerve alert as Tang Zeyan's gaze held him completely.
Ning Wen quickly looked away, chest fluttering as he continued talking casually with Xiao Yu. The boy, feeling safe and comfortable, began sharing stories about his usual routine and the games he liked to play with friends. Ning Wen listened attentively, a soft, gentle smile on his face, nodding and humming along. Every so often he asked a question that made Xiao Yu beam even brighter, excited to keep talking.
Tang Zeyan watched silently from the side, arms crossed, posture relaxed, his head tilted slightly. His hazel eyes followed Ning Wen with a mix of amusement, adoration, admiration… and something far deeper. Every breath Ning Wen took, every movement, Tang Zeyan's gaze tracked, unblinking. He'd been watching quietly as Ning Wen treated the boy with such softness, such care. It was no wonder anyone around him would feel comfortable, safe… just like Tang Zeyan did, too, both in the last and in present.
His chest tightened suddenly, gripping with an intensity that made him pause. That feeling—warmth, security, a kind of comfort only Ning Wen could give—flooded him. It was addictive in a way words couldn't explain, a pull that made Tang Zeyan ache without realizing it. And it wasn't just Ning Wen's gentleness, his warmth, or his care—it was Ning Wen himself. Entirely, completely, inescapably… someone one could get addicted to.
Take Tang Zeyan as an example.
Ning Wen nodded along to Xiao Yu's chatter, unaware of the turmoil Tang Zeyan was silently enduring nearby. Gently, he patted the boy's hair and spoke, "You know, Xiao Yu, you're very brave for not letting your wound go untreated and coming to me for help. That was both brave and smart of you."
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up with pride. "Really? I'm brave? I'm smart?"
"You are," Ning Wen confirmed, giving the bandage one final gentle press before securing it carefully. "Now, this will help it heal quickly. But you have to promise me you'll be a little more careful when running around, okay?"
Tang Zeyan's lips curved in a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, his eyes fixed on Ning Wen. The way Ning Wen's voice softened when speaking to the boy—the gentle lilt, the soothing tone—struck him like a balm, leaving his chest tight and mind restless.
"I promise!" Xiao Yu said, looking up at Ning Wen with wide eyes, as if he were a hero. "Thank you, doctor!"
Ning Wen chuckled softly, brushing the boy's hair back. "You're welcome. And remember, if you ever get hurt again, come straight to me. Deal?"
Xiao Yu nodded eagerly, already bounding off despite the lingering ache in his knee. Ning Wen smiled at the boy's energy and pulled a snack from his bag, handing it to him. Xiao Yu's grin widened, and before running back to play with his friends, he rolled his tongue at Tang Zeyan in playful mischief, waving happily as he went, already sharing the snack as Ning Wen had suggested.
"Brother Ning, this isn't fair," Tang Zeyan said, his voice quiet but carrying an unmistakable weight.
"What isn't?" Ning Wen asked, glancing up from adjusting his coat.
"You treated that kid so well… yet you treat me so meanly."
"There you go again. And when did I ever treat you mean?" Ning Wen asked, though his chest tightened at the genuine hurt in Tang Zeyan's tone.
"Just now. That kid mocked me, and you said nothing." Tang Zeyan's lips formed a small pout, his eyes soft and almost vulnerable—like a sad little puppy.
Ning Wen's heartstrings pulled at the sight. For someone like Tang Zeyan—always confident, always composed—this display of adorableness struck him deeply.
Ning Wen chuckled softly. "He's just a child. You aren't. Why let yourself get upset over his little antics? Besides, you were ready to argue with him yourself earlier."
"I had to… he was saying weird stuff," Tang Zeyan muttered, looking down.
"And what weird stuff?" Ning Wen asked, crossing his arms, a soft smirk tugging at his lips, his eyebrows raised teasingly, long eyelashes fluttering slightly. Tang Zeyan froze for a moment, then steadied himself, voice a little shaky.
"He… he said he'd marry you…" Tang Zeyan whispered, almost breaking the words out like they were dangerous.
Ning Wen's lips pressed into a straight line, frowning slightly. A tightness coiled in his chest as he processed the words. He coughed lightly and smoothed his coat. "He's a child. It's normal for him to say silly things. Don't get worked up over it, okay? Besides, you already told him I have a partner."
Tang Zeyan's eyes flickered—serious, tense—and he leaned slightly forward, voice firm yet quiet. "No. I said you're taken."
Ning Wen froze, his chest fluttering uncontrollably. Those two simple words carried more weight than anything Tang Zeyan had said before. He didn't mention the partner, didn't acknowledge them—he only stated that Ning Wen was already claimed, and the implication was clear.
Ning Wen turned his gaze away, heart hammering, not daring to meet those dark hazel eyes again, trying to steady the sudden rush of emotions.
Tang Zeyan remained still, fists clenching at his sides, lips straight, eyes locked on Ning Wen's back where his ears and the tip of his neck tinged faintly red, betraying the intensity he refused to voice.