Chapter 26 (1/2)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Shi Jin,” he replied solemnly, “if you have some time to spare, I suggest you undergo a psychological evaluation.”

Shi Jin looked at him calmly and muttered, “Get lost!”

Hmm… Finally, I get to witness Shi Jin talking tough.

It appeared that anyone who even mentioned the person in the photo was considered a trespasser into Shi Jin’s private affairs.

Disappointed, Xu Qingbo said, “Don’t forget that we’ve known each other for almost eight years—two of which were spent sharing bunk beds.”

Eight years prior, when Shi Jin had appeared out of nowhere and joined the team, Xu Qingbo had drawn the short straw and ended up sharing a bunk bed with him. Since then, he still hadn’t managed to step out of the shadow of this talented shining star.

Sighing, Xu Qingbo continued. “And yet, you are asking me to get lost without sharing any information. How superficial was our relationship?”

Xu Qingbo reached out to touch Shi Jin’s shoulder and was embarrassed when Shi Jin sidestepped him and left his hand hanging in midair. With a pained look, he watched as Shi Jin stripped off his coat and threw it in the bin before retrieving anti-bacterial spray from his pants pocket and spraying it at the exact spot on his shoulder.

Lifting his head, Shi Jin said calmly, “Just because we have known each other for eight years and shared a bunk bed for two does not give you the right to touch me as you please.” In his usual elegant and polite manner, he added, “Very dirty.”

Xu Qingbo was speechless.

Dammit. That hurt!

Suddenly, Xu Qingbo was reminded of a time during their bunk-bed days when he had accidentally stepped on Shi Jin’s bedding while trying to climb into his bed on the upper deck. Without uttering a word, Shi Jin had immediately removed the bedding, cleaned the affected area with antiseptic, and taken out the trash. It had all been quite clinical, like a major disinfection exercise. Shi Jin had moved out three months after that incident. It was a stretch to claim that they had shared the bunk bed for two years. It had definitely been a superficial relationship!

Taking a deep breath, Xu Qingbo asked a nurse who was passing by, “Nurse Liu, have you got a pair of scissors?”

Flustered at being summoned by the playboy of Tian Bei Hospital, Nurse Liu replied, “What? Oh, yes.”

Xu Qingbo walked to Nurse Liu’s medical trolley, retrieved a pair of scissors, and picked up the coat that Shi Jin had discarded from the bin. Without hesitation, he cut into the coat.

Looking at Shi Jin, he said, “Slashing our friendship!”

Shi Jin glanced briefly at him before turning his attention to the entrance of the radiology department. Feeling as if he was fighting with no one but himself, Xu Qingbo started to speak, only to see Shi Jin’s profile softening with a slight smile.

Taking a step forward, Shi Jin asked, “Does it still hurt?”

“Not really,” Jiang Jiusheng replied, gently moving the fingers of her left arm, which was secured in an arm brace. She didn’t sound weak, but Shi Jin was not convinced. She was beginning to believe that Shi Jin was indeed her secret fan.

“Don’t move. Your hand has not been put in a cast,” said Shi Jin.

Jiang Jiusheng nodded, her face covered with a surgical mask and her lower profile masked by a deep green scarf. Xu Qingbo recognized that scarf as belonging to Shi Jin.

Adjusting her mask and scarf to cover half her face, he said, “Wait in my office. I’ll go pick up your results.”

“Oka.”

Xu Qingbo was astounded to realize that, like a paranoiac fixated on certain people, Shi Jin the clean freak was obsessed with Jiang Jiusheng.

As they marched out of radiology toward the elevator, they encountered Xiao Linlin.

“Doctor Shi,” she said with a smile.

Nodding his head slightly, Shi Jin responded, “Doctor Xiao.”

Courteous but distant—his usual style.

Xiao Linlin did her best to conceal her disappointment as she looked at the person next to Shi Jin. “And this is?” she prodded.

“A friend,” he said.

No introduction or further explanation—just a polite response not revealing much.

Changing the subject to a professional one, Xiao Linlin asked in a tone tinged with femininity, “Are you available after six today? I’d like your opinion on a case.”