EWH 42

Yang Moshou tilted his head, clamping the phone between his ear and shoulder, while peeling a lychee.

Suddenly, a roar blasted through the phone, so loud it startled him. The peeled lychee slipped out of his hand and rolled onto the floor.

“Fuck you, get your ass to ask for leave!”

Yang Moshou squatted down to pick up the lychee, blew off the dust.

“I cannot…”

“Who the hell is your supervisor? I’ll fucking kill him!”

Yang Moshou tried blowing the dust off again, but it would not come clean. With a bit of regret, he shook his head and tossed it in the trash. When he looked back at his phone, the call had already been disconnected.

He was not sure if he had accidentally hung up or if Xu Wanhe had hung up himself.

Yang Moshou thought about calling back after he finished eating the lychees, since his hands were sticky and it was inconvenient.

But after finishing, he forgot completely and went straight downstairs to cover Xiao Hu’s shift.

Meanwhile, Xu Wanhe sat alone at home, by the window, bathed in the orange light of the setting sun.

The gold watch on his wrist shimmered brightly. The hour hand pointed at six.

Xu Wanhe had smoked through an entire pack of cigarettes.

If nothing had gone wrong, the two of them should have been sitting in a fancy restaurant right now, waiting for the sky to darken, then setting off fireworks, and having a beautifully romantic confession.

But now, here he was, sitting alone, smoking cigarette after cigarette, ashes falling all over his pants.

Fucking pathetic.

The underling nearby watched it all and leaned over slightly.

“Xu-ge… since Yang-ge has to work tonight, we could still set off fireworks outside the hospital. After all, the dinner was not really the main point anyway.”

The tight knot between Xu Wanhe’s brows loosened slightly. He lifted his eyelids.

“That could work.”

“When it gets dark, we’ll have someone call Yang-ge outside. Me and the guys will set off fireworks out front, maybe play some music. Wouldn’t that be an even better surprise?”

Xu Wanhe felt a lot better hearing that. He stood up abruptly and crushed his cigarette out in the ashtray.

“That’s the plan!”

—

After his shift officially started, Yang Moshou began his night duty in the ER.

He originally thought it’d be pretty chill, but it turned out to be the complete opposite.

Thankfully, he was pretty familiar with the doctors and nurses in this department. He’d visited often enough that his emergency room skills weren’t too bad. He handled a high fever case and one with external injuries. By the time everything was done, it was already way past dinner time.

Night fell. The lights outside the hospital came on, blending like stars into the city’s neon glow. Dazzling and chaotic.

Yang Moshou figured he’d sneak out to grab something to eat.

But just as he stepped out the door, he crashed straight into a man in a suit.

“You blind or what!” The guy had a long scar across his face and a nasty attitude.

But the moment he saw Yang Moshou’s white coat, his tone changed completely.

“Doctor, quick! Save him!”

Yang Moshou backed up a step and quickly made way. More men poured in through the doors. One of them was carrying an old man on his back.

The last to enter was a man in a blue shirt.

His vibe was completely different from the others. He looked to be in his thirties, with a buzz cut and a poker face, carrying a sharp, dangerous air about him.

Yang Moshou quickly led them all into the emergency room, thinking that dinner would have to wait.

The patient was sixty-nine years old and had suffered from heart disease for years.
After dinner, he started feeling chest pain and discomfort. By the time they got him to the hospital, his lips were already cyanotic and the ECG was a flat line.

The attending doctor lifted the eyelids and checked the pupils.

“Start making funeral arrangements.”

One of the men lunged forward and grabbed the doctor by the collar.

“Fuck your mother, say that again?”

The doctor looked confused.
“How can you be so unreasonable? The patient was already dead when you brought him here. It was a sudden heart attack. Too much time has passed. The window for effective resuscitation is long gone.”

The man stepped forward and slapped him across the face.

“Fuck you! If you do not bring him back, do you believe we will shoot you right here?”

Yang Moshou’s heart gave a jolt.

So they were gangsters after all.

He wondered whether Xu Wanhe might know them.

He was just about to call Xu Wanhe when another man came up and kicked the phone right out of his hand.

“What the fuck are you trying to do?
If you do not want a beating, sit the fuck down and stay quiet.”

The man with the buzz cut had been silently smoking on the side the whole time, without saying a single word.

It was only when a younger guy bent down and whispered to him,
“Yang-ge… this…”

Yang De tossed his cigarette onto the floor and crushed it underfoot.

Then he took a few steps forward and stood by the hospital bed, lowering his gaze to look at the man lying there.

One of the other guys lost it and slapped the doctor across the face several times. “Fuck your mother, can’t even save a goddamn life. What kind of bullshit doctor are you?”

The rest of the men blocked the door, pointing at the remaining doctors and nurses.

“Stay the fuck where you are.
If anyone dares to call for help, I will fucking kill you.”

Yang Moshou felt miserable.

At this rate, he had no idea when he was going to get a chance to eat.

Yang De stood silently by the body, not saying a word. The younger guys around him had already started crying.

“Yang-ge… Yang-ge… please, do not be like this… It hurts just to see you like this…”

“Yang-ge… if you want to cry, just cry…
You do not have to hold it in…”

Yang De let out a quiet sigh. A single tear fell from his eye.

“Dad…”

Outside, there was a loud boom as fireworks exploded, lighting up the sky in brilliant colors.

Everyone inside heard it, but not a single one of the guys dared to look. They were all drowning in their grief.

Yang Moshou also wanted to look outside, but he was afraid of getting hit, so he forced himself to stay still.

Yang De’s grief had started to subside, but his expression was still stiff.

“Dad…”

Boom boom boom. Three more loud booms in a row, followed by the sudden blast of a marching band starting up.

In the little clearing behind the emergency building, a group of people were running through an early rehearsal.

“Fuck your mother, why the hell did you bring a whole marching band? Weren’t we supposed to get a violinist?”

“What? Speak up!” One of the guys covered his ears and shouted toward the band. “Stop banging that shit, I can’t hear a goddamn thing!”

“I said… I just lit a cigarette earlier, and I think I accidentally flicked the ash onto a firework. It went off. Is that a problem?”

“What? I can’t hear shit!” That same guy covered his ears, then walked over and kicked the trumpeter. “You dumb fuck, can’t you see the drummers already stopped? And you are still blowing your fucking horn right next to my ear? You trying to blow my fucking head off? Fuck you and your goddamn donkey trumpet!”

—

Xu Wanhe was sitting in the car, just about to call Yang Moshou and tell him to come outside, when he saw the fireworks going off early.

He immediately got pissed.

“Fuck? Who the hell set them off?”

The underling beside him frowned too.

“Xu-ge, hold on, I will call and find out.”

Three more explosions went off, followed by the faint sound of a marching band.

Xu Wanhe’s face turned extremely dark.

“Where the fuck did a marching band come from?”

The underling was already sweating.
“Xu-ge, give me a second. I called several times, but nobody is picking up. Maybe they can’t hear it…”

Xu Wanhe raised his leg and kicked him. “Get the fuck out and go find them! You think sitting here on your phone is gonna fix this?”

The guy did not dare say a word and rushed out to handle it.

Xu Wanhe checked the time, then called Yang Moshou several times.

Not a single call went through.

A wave of fear rose in Xu Wanhe’s chest.

He was terrified that stupid brat had gotten caught up in something.

That thought alone made his chest tighten. He opened the car door and stepped out immediately.

Two guys followed quickly behind. “Xu-ge, where are you going?”

“I’m going into the outpatient building to find him. His phone’s not going through.”

Then he paused and added a quick order to one of them.

“Find out who the fuck ordered that marching band. It’s tacky as shit. Get rid of them now. Just keep the fireworks. Wait for my signal. Don’t fucking set off the rest before I even open my mouth.”

Right after saying that, Xu Wanhe’s phone rang. It was that same underling from earlier.

“Xu-ge, shit went down here. The other side’s got over ten people. They look like underworld guys. Real ruthless. They even started beating up the marching band.
But the band guys are innocent…”

Xu Wanhe’s chest tightened. “What about the fireworks?”

“The fireworks are fine… But the guys setting them off got the shit kicked out of them… I am hiding nearby watching right now…”

“Can you find out whose men they are?”

“This might be a little tough… But I think our guys must have already mentioned your name… And even so, it still turned into a fight like this… Must be some deep grudge… Xu-ge… what should we do?”

Xu Wanhe let out a cold snort.

“You call this a problem? Stay put.”

After speaking, he lowered his eyes, found a number, and dialed it.

“San-er, bring ten carloads of people over to Central Hospital. Bring everything we might need.”

The person on the other end did not even ask any questions, agreeing immediately.

Xu Wanhe hung up and stormed straight toward the outpatient building.

The hospital was open-access. The outpatient and emergency buildings were built near the front gate, side by side.
If you wanted to go to the inpatient wards, you had to pass through the main gate,
but heading to the outpatient building or emergency department, you could go straight without passing through the main entrance.

Seeing that the outpatient building was completely dark, Xu Wanhe turned toward the emergency department instead.

—

Several people had already left the ER. Yang Moshou kept his head down, feeling kinda bad for the family.

One side was mourning while the other was setting off fireworks. Whoever did that shit must’ve had no soul. Maybe it was some kind of revenge.

Suddenly, the door opened. A guy stepped in, pale-faced.

“Yang-ge, things aren’t looking good.”

Yang De’s face went stiff. He looked at him. “What happened?”

The guy blurted, “It’s Xu Wanhe’s people.”

Yang Moshou immediately choked on his water.

The guy glanced at him. “At first, we heard it was him, and didn’t plan to do anything. But you know, Yang-ge, his boys are way too arrogant. The guys could not stand it anymore and just started swinging… Luckily, there were not too many of them.”

Yang De’s face stayed dark. “He did it on purpose. I’m sure of it.”

Just as he finished speaking, there was a soft knock at the door, and before anyone could even give permission, someone pushed it open.

A skinny little guy peeked inside and immediately froze.

One of the men by the door raised his hand, reaching to grab the little guy by the collar.

“Who the fuck are you?”

But before that hand could grab him, it immediately dropped back down.

The skinny guy stepped aside, and a figure dressed in bright red stepped forward, a cigarette dangling from his lips, the gold watch on his wrist catching the eye.

Yang De’s eyelids twitched slightly.
His hands clenched into fists.

Xu Wanhe was genuinely surprised to see Yang De there.

He thought Yang Moshou was the only one inside. Didn’t expect a crowd.

Speaking of Yang De, their history went way back.

Back when Xu Wanhe was just starting to make a name for himself, this bastard Yang De was still somewhere getting smacked around.

They were about the same age, but Xu Wanhe had gotten famous much earlier.
Yang De had always been running around behind Old Mo, trying to scrape together some respect. Even back then, Old Mo had to show Xu Wanhe some deference.
As for Yang De, he did not even count.

What the hell was he anyway?

Was not it just because he poisoned his own boss to death that he barely managed to claw his way up in this area, enough to be called a rival to Xu Wanhe?

Not too long ago, he even tried to suck up to Xu Wanhe by sending over some jade as a gift, but Xu Wanhe had sent it right back.

He absolutely looked down on this guy.

There was no need to even talk about being afraid.

Xu Wanhe raised his eyebrows slightly.

“So you are here.”

Yang De looked at Xu Wanhe, dressed in such a festive bright red, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Yeah. My father just passed away.”

Xu Wanhe glanced around the room,
but did not look at Yang Moshou.

“Even if your father passed away, it does not mean you have to beat up the doctors like this.”

Yang De took a deep breath.

“Xu-ge, your people setting off fireworks and playing music outside… isn’t that a little much for someone’s funeral?”

Xu Wanhe’s expression turned cold.

That was a nasty thing to say.

But right now, he was outnumbered. It was not the time to pick a fight. Even if he was furious, he had to swallow it down.

He casually turned to the little nurse nearby and gave a few instructions, then faced Yang De again.

“Old Yang, you are being unfair. Do you really think your Xu-ge is that fucking brainless? Even if I were crazy enough to want to celebrate, you think I would show up with just two people to get myself killed?”

Behind him, the doctors and nurses slipped away one after another. Yang De caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and started feeling something was off.

If they called the police, it would be a real pain in the ass.

Xu Wanhe did not want to stir up any more shit either.

“Today was bad luck. Really just a coincidence. Next time, I will buy you a meal and properly apologize.”

Yang De did not say anything, clearly hesitating.

Xu Wanhe was burning up inside. Seeing that Yang Moshou had already gotten out safely, he just wanted to leave and did not care about losing a little face here.

But just as he turned around, one of Yang De’s men reached out to block his way.

“My Yang-ge did not say you could leave yet.”

Xu Wanhe stepped forward and slapped him across the face, blood spraying from the guy’s nose.

“Your boss did not stop me, who the fuck are you to?”

Yang De tossed his cigarette onto the floor, his eyes turning dark.

“Don’t leave.”

Xu Wanhe felt his heart sink.

This confession he had worked so hard for,
now felt like he was about to confess with a goddamn funeral wreath in hand.

—

After Yang Moshou ran out, he called the police.

He was wondering why Xu Wanhe still had not come out, when a group of more than ten people suddenly rushed into the corridor, charging straight toward him.

One of Xu Wanhe’s underlings turned pale, pointed to the side.

“Xu-ge is inside.”

A few of them kicked the door open, and before long, Xu Wanhe came out from inside.

His arm was torn, blood seeping from a deep cut.

Yang Moshou’s heart twisted at the sight of it.

“What happened to you?”

Xu Wanhe ignored him and turned to the others.

“That is enough. Stop fighting. Get the fuck out of here. “

Then he grabbed Yang Moshou. “Move.”

Yang Moshou stared at his arm.
“Wait, let me treat it first…”

“Treat your mother’s cunt.” Xu Wanhe yanked him by the collar and dragged him toward the door. “I still have shit to do.”

Yang Moshou figured Xu Wanhe must be running from the cops, so he hurriedly scrambled into the car with him.

Outside the hospital, more than ten cars were already waiting. Someone stepped forward to link up, helped Xu Wanhe into a car, and quickly drove away.

No one knew where the convoy was headed. Everyone in the vehicle was tense. No one said a word.

Yang Moshou, still wearing his white coat, sat beside Xu Wanhe.

“What the hell is going on?”

The man next to him shot him a sideways glance, his face hidden in the shadows, his features sharp.

“This is all your fucking fault. Had to fucking insist on working night shift. Work work work, almost got me fucking buried too .
Fuck. If I end up a fucking vegetable again, you better get ready to spend your life as a fucking widow.”

Yang Moshou blinked. “What do you mean by a widow?”

Xu Wanhe looked like he had been reminded of something. He lowered his head and started fumbling through his pockets.

After a long time, he realized the key was gone.

The key to the little shop he had prepared for Yang Moshou had been lost during the fight.

All that work for nothing. Everything ruined.
And he got his ass kicked on top of it.

Xu Wanhe sat there in silence for a long time. His nose stung.

He said nothing, just quietly lit himself a cigarette.

The guy in the passenger seat answered a call.

“Xu ge, San-ge said everyone’s pulled out. Cops showed up, and Yang De ran off too. Left a few of his men behind to take the fall.”

Xu Wanhe didn’t say a word. His cigarette burned bright, sparks flying.

Yang Moshou glanced over at him. “So where are we going?”

Xu Wanhe snapped back, annoyed. “Go wherever the fuck you want.”

“Alright then. Let’s go eat plum blossom cake. I haven’t had dinner yet.” Yang Moshou looked around the car. “I know a place. Really good. Just stop at the next intersection.”

The driver looked toward Xu Wanhe. “Xu ge… is that okay?”

Xu Wanhe flicked some ash off his cigarette, voice low and worn-out. “Buy it and take it to go.”

Yang Moshou nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll eat it at home with sugar.”

The driver got the hint and hopped out to grab the plum cake, then drove them both back to Yang Moshou’s place.

By the time they got everything done, it was already late.

At home, Yang Moshou cleaned up Xu Wanhe’s wound first, then warmed the plum blossom cake in a steamer and set out a small dish of white sugar.

They sat under the air conditioner, eating while the cakes were still hot.

On the small green plate, a row of soft, steaming white cakes was neatly arranged.

The orange light spilled over the cakes, making them look like they were glazed in honey, gleaming temptingly.

But none of it was as tempting as the man reflected in Yang Moshou’s eyes.

Yang Moshou sat on a small stool, swinging his legs while eating cake, watching the man across from him on the sofa smoking with a gloomy expression. His heart felt warm and full.

So warm that the delicious flavor in his mouth faded, leaving behind nothing but pure sweetness, so sweet it almost made him dizzy.

He walked over with the plum cake and sugar dish. “What’re you thinking about?”

Xu Wanhe’s heart felt ice-cold.

When he realized he had smoked the last cigarette, he got even more depressed.

“Bad fucking luck.”

Yang Moshou looked at him drooping and slumping there, and part of him wanted to tease him. But then he thought about how Xu Wanhe had shielded all those doctors and nurses today like a real man, so he decided to let him off for once.

“It’s okay. Your wound is not deep.
It will heal up soon. Besides, you saved a bunch of doctors and nurses today. That is some serious good karma.”

“You do not know shit! That is not it!”
Xu Wanhe’s eyes were even a little red.
“Bad fucking luck…”

Yang Moshou dipped his cake into the sugar.

“What bad luck?”

“Look… I have been a boss for so many years… and there is still no one by my side…
Feels like a fucking failure…”

Yang Moshou paused for a second.

He kept eating with a grin. “Go on. Finish saying it. I will help you solve it.”

It was like something suddenly clicked in Xu Wanhe’s head.

He sat up straight and stared at Yang Moshou.

“Fuck…”

Yang Moshou kept smiling, thinking,
let’s see what kind of nonsense this dark-skinned idiot can come up with next.

“No fucks unless you finish what you are saying.”

Xu Wanhe stared at Yang Moshou, feeling a heat rise inside him that made no sense.

For the first time, he realized he had never loved Yang Moshou’s foul little mouth as much as he did right now.

This sudden feeling of clarity was no less intense than the time he had once thrown himself in front of a knife for Tang Ziyan.

But he did not want to throw himself in front of knives anymore. If he could be with this little doctor, there would be nothing left to be afraid of.

Xu Wanhe looked at Yang Moshou and suddenly felt like there was nothing hard to say after all.

“Xiao Yang… why don’t you be my boyfriend?”

Yang Moshou grinned and said nothing.

Xu Wanhe’s face flushed dark red.
He turned his face to the side and cursed softly.

“Fuck.”

“Alright,” Yang Moshou said.

After that, both of them went quiet. The air was a little awkward, but warm in a stupid kind of way.

They sat there for a long while, not saying anything.

Finally, Xu Wanhe opened his mouth.

“Is it good?”

“It’s really good.”

“Can I try?”

Yang Moshou held out the plum cake. “Here. Try it.”

Xu Wanhe didn’t take it. Instead, he pushed it aside and pulled Yang Moshou right into his arms.

The sugary sweetness and the rough taste of cigarette smoke tangled together, clashing awkwardly but somehow perfectly.

After a long, lingering kiss, Yang Moshou tossed the rice cake aside and pounced on him.

Xu Wanhe pinned him down onto the sofa.

“You’re not gonna eat it while it’s still hot?”

Yang Moshou licked his lips.

“Aren’t I already eating something hot?”

-THE END-