Don't Give Your Heart to Your Nemesis - Chapter 13

It was a day off. According to Yan Ruixing’s arrangements, Wen Xiaomian was required to undergo continuous 24-hour EEG monitoring. He was not allowed to leave the house or engage in strenuous exercise.

While there were no restrictions on daily activities, having things glued to his head was, after all, uncomfortable.

During this period, Wen Xiaomian held an online meeting and handled some work. Afterward, he went silent.

By the time Yan Ruixing realized it, there was no one in the living room or the bedroom. He finally found Wen Xiaomian in the bathroom, vomiting uncontrollably and looking deathly pale.

Normally, though Wen Xiaomian was annoying and loud, his clothes were always clean and pressed. Now, his shirt was covered in wrinkles from his struggle, clinging to his body, soaked with sweat.

Yan Ruixing helped him back to the sofa and handed him some water.

The brain is a dense network of neural structures. A neuroma exerts continuous pressure on surrounding brain tissue, triggering various symptoms of discomfort.

Even with strong willpower, it is difficult to endure such physiological pain. Wen Xiaomian rarely showed such a vulnerable side.

Yan Ruixing took back the glass. His bandaged palm hesitated for a few seconds before he finally reached out, gently wiping the sweat from Wen Xiaomian’s forehead and neck. “Are you feeling any better?”

Wen Xiaomian hung his head, his usual mischievous smirk gone. He managed a slight nod.

“You can trust me,” Yan Ruixing said.

Wen Xiaomian replied, “You can also mock me.”

Ingrate.

Yan Ruixing did not want to argue with him. “You are in this state, and you still want to participate in Formula One?”

“They are two separate things.” Wen Xiaomian leaned back, pressing the electrodes on his temples. “How much longer does this thing have to stay on?”

“Two hours.” Yan Ruixing supported his arm. “Shall I help you to bed to lie down for a while?”

To Wen Xiaomian, the word help was synonymous with being a weakling. He was experiencing some pain, but not to the point of needing to be helped.

Wen Xiaomian pushed his hand away and tugged at his sticky collar. He hated looking pathetic, especially in front of Yan Ruixing. “No need. You can leave now.”

Yan Ruixing did not leave. Instead, he picked up the remote and sat down beside him. “What do you want to watch?”

“Two men alone in a room, and you sit beside me with an invitation.” Wen Xiaomian endured the lingering pain, trying to restore his usual demeanor. “Doctor Yan, are you seducing me?”

Wen Xiaomian’s forehead was still dripping with sweat, but his words were utterly obnoxious.

Yan Ruixing noted this in his mental grudge book but spoke gently. “You are not choosing? Then I will.”

Wen Xiaomian stood up and turned off the light, attempting to hide his disheveled state. He stealthily wiped away his sweat and stood by the sofa. “It is a long night and the atmosphere is so good. Why not watch a movie?”

Their gazes connected in a single line. From this angle, he could not smell Wen Xiaomian’s natural scent, but he could identify the lemon mint on his breath.

“What genre do you like?” Yan Ruixing asked.

Wen Xiaomian had brushed his teeth using Yan Ruixing’s toothpaste. “Of course, the more stimulating, the better.”

The scent wafting over and the words spoken both carried a hint of ill intent and restlessness. Looking a bit lower, the teeth marks on his collarbone were clearly visible.

Yan Ruixing looked away first, then used the remote to nudge Wen Xiaomian’s chin aside as he changed the channel.

On the television, the narrator’s voice was deep and steady: “Spring has arrived, and all things are reviving. It is once again the season for animals to mate. The mountain air is thick with the scent of hormones.”

Yan Ruixing had provoked him on purpose, and now he was intentionally taunting him. “Is this genre stimulating enough?”

“…”

Wen Xiaomian scrutinized Yan Ruixing as if looking at an idiot.

Stimulating, my foot!

However, his energy was depleted, and Wen Xiaomian could not find the strength to fight him. He temporarily endured it and watched the animal movie with Yan Ruixing.

Halfway through the film, Yan Ruixing received a call.

It was Chen Wen.

He stood up and went to the window to answer.

That morning, Yan Ruixing had sent Wen Xiaomian’s case files and monitoring data to him. He had not expected Chen Wen to finish reviewing them so quickly and immediately organize a neuroelectrical analysis report.

Chen Wen said over the phone, “I happen to be passing by your house. Should I bring it up to you?”

“No need. I will come to see you at work tomorrow.”

“Ruixing, I am downstairs at your place.”

Yan Ruixing glanced out the window, then back at the person in the living room. “I am coming down. Please wait a moment.”

After hanging up, Yan Ruixing put on his jacket and went to the door to change his shoes. “I am going downstairs for a moment. Call me if anything happens.”

Wen Xiaomian, with a dusty expression, was watching two Ceylon leopards flirting on screen. “Good riddance.”

Yan Ruixing confirmed the time. There were twenty minutes left until the monitoring ended. He hurried downstairs.

Because of the confession incident, Yan Ruixing always wanted to avoid suspicion, but Chen Wen’s achievements in neurosurgery were very high. He needed his help for the surgery.

Compared to a life, personal matters were too light to even consider.

Yan Ruixing took the document folder. “Director Chen, this is too much trouble for you.”

“Do not mention it.” Chen Wen knew how much he valued this surgery, but he still offered some kind advice. “I suggest you consider this carefully.”

This surgery, which was not encouraged or favored domestically, was incomplete and would be the first of its kind in the country. If any accident occurred, Yan Ruixing would face immense pressure and condemnation. He did not need to take the risk.

Yan Ruixing shook his head. He wanted to try, and he had no other choice.

The Yan Ruixing he first met was serious, rigorous, and conventional. But after getting to know him better, he discovered there was a restless soul living inside him, someone who dared to fight, strive, and experiment. All that rigid caution was merely a disguise for his impulsive and passionate nature.

He had a free and adventurous heart that had been frozen by rules and shackles.

Once Yan Ruixing decided on something, it was hard to sway him. His persistence was like a moth to a flame. In the end, Chen Wen could only say, “If you need anything, contact me anytime.”

“Thank you, Director Chen.” Yan Ruixing checked the time. There were less than fifteen minutes until the monitor could be removed. “I am going back up now.”

“Wait a moment.” Saying that, Chen Wen took several boxes of medicine from the car. “You probably need these.”

Nilotinib sustained-release microsphere preparation.

It was a targeted treatment for chronic granulocytic leukemia, a modified form of a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This drug had precise targets and very low side effects.

It was the original research product produced by a German company last year, approved for sale only in the European Union. It was unavailable through domestic channels.

Yan Ruixing clenched his fist, his nails digging into his fingertips. “Director Chen, is it, is it Sang Han?”

“Do not misunderstand. It has nothing to do with her. It is hard to keep secrets when you are doing checkups at the hospital,” Chen Wen said quickly. “I know what you are thinking. Rest assured, I will not say anything.”

“Thank you.” Yan Ruixing did not take the medicine; he was still hesitating.

“When it comes to saving a life, do not be polite with me.” Chen Wen stuffed the medicine into his hands. “I happen to have some connections at home, and it is not as if I am not asking for money.”

Yan Ruixing finally accepted it. “Thank you, Director Chen.”

Chen Wen gently patted his shoulder. “Take care of your health, too. Do not get too tired.”

Counting eight floors up from the ground floor entrance, Wen Xiaomian was standing by the window. He could not hear their conversation, but the hand resting on Yan Ruixing’s shoulder was clearly visible.

Wen Xiaomian tugged at the annoying wires on his head, watching the two of them chatting happily downstairs.

Just a moment ago, he was sitting beside me, handing me water, wiping my sweat, and even inviting me to watch a movie. Now he goes downstairs and is chatting away with someone else.

Wen Xiaomian looked at his watch again. Eight minutes and fifty-seven seconds had passed. Is he still not coming up? Compulsory education clearly failed to teach you how to cherish time.

Why be a doctor?

Go back to school and start over!

In the night air, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Yan Ruixing made an excuse to go back upstairs. Animal World was still playing on the television, but the sofa was empty.

The bedroom was dark, but there was a human shape on the bed.

Wen Xiaomian was lying flat, as if he did not realize Yan Ruixing had returned.

Yan Ruixing sat on the edge of the bed. When the countdown ended, he removed the electrodes and patiently wiped away the remaining sweat from Wen Xiaomian’s forehead, neck, and chest.

There was an empty medicine blister pack on the nightstand. Wen Xiaomian kept his eyes closed the entire time and did not move. It was unclear if he was pretending to sleep or was upset about something.

Once the sweat was wiped clean, Yan Ruixing looked at the person on the bed and scolded him silently: If you ever dare to get into my bed without showering again, I will break your legs.

He tucked Wen Xiaomian in and said goodnight in his heart.

The next day was a workday.

After breakfast, Yan Ruixing instructed him: “You have a follow-up checkup today. I have registered you and prepared the forms. You can go directly to the second floor.”

“I am not intentionally making things difficult for you. Pre-operative tracking is routine.” Yan Ruixing hesitated for a moment and then added, “If your family’s hospital can do it, you can also get checked there. Just bring the results back to me.”

“What for?” Wen Xiaomian poked at a piece of tasteless fried chicken breast. “Suddenly so attentive. Do you have another ulterior motive? Is it S.M. this time? Electric shock passion? Or bondage play?”

Yan Ruixing could not be bothered to chat with him. He picked up his car keys. “I will bring you some melatonin when I get off work, so you do not have to daydream with your eyes open during the day.”

“Remember to buy a more comfortable pillow,” Wen Xiaomian added. “Also, buy me a set of pajamas. Yours are too short. I want the same style as yours.”

Yan Ruixing: “…”

Shameless.

Wen Xiaomian bit into his tasteless breakfast and continued assigning tasks. “Do you have anything important to do after work?”

Yan Ruixing shot him a glare. “Does buying a pillow and pajamas for a dog count as important?”

“Of course, it does.” Wen Xiaomian looked smug. “I will pick you up at six-thirty. Once we finish the correction business, we can go pick them out together.”

“What business?”

“Accompany me on a blind date.”

Yan Ruixing maintained his distant and cold reaction. “Given our broken and incomplete relationship, I am not qualified to participate in your major life events.”

“You are indeed not qualified.” Wen Xiaomian rested his chin on his hand, trying to hide the upward curve of his lips. “But you are perfectly suited to play the role of the obsessed, unrequited former boyfriend who ruins my blind date.”