As he spoke his final thoughts, he carefully placed the thermos on the nightstand by the bed.
Once Zhang Wei was finished with his diagnosis and prescribing, he packed up his bag and promptly left. He spoke without restraint, and though he knew it was for the benefit of the patient, Dong Yingming was still a terrifying force in his eyes! Even if he hadn't said anything, Dong Yingming's very being radiates danger and murderous intent!
Once out the door, Zhang Wei let go of his breath he had unknowingly held as he made his escape. He hoped with how detailed his analysis was and his treatment plan, Dong Yingming wouldn't be so reckless with this young man's life!
He could not stress enough the fragile state Yao Ziyang was in. He had used precious herbs and his master's decoction for that sick young man, and he'll be dead and buried before he lets his, not so, hard work, and those herbs go to waste!
…
The sky gradually darkened, and the afternoon sun became replaced with the rising moon. Dong Yingming was becoming restless, he went about his day as normally as he could— changing into his tailored orange prison jumpsuit, placing orders for Yao Ziyang's new clothes, adding changes to the menu, along with his daily exercise routine and regular work load—he still felt a sense of unease. Dong Yingming sat beside Yao Ziyang on the bed, clutching a book he had intended to read but couldn't bring himself to even glance at it. Yao Ziyang had yet to move since he fainted and ended up skipping lunch.
As night was fast approaching, Dong Yingming was thinking of how to feed his man if he still didn't wake up. Luckily, that wasn't necessary as Yao Ziyang began to stir in his blanket cocoon. Dong Yingming first noticed his long lashes flutter open.
Dark ocean blue eyes—deep, endless—locked with vivid black voids that shimmered like the night sky without stars. One held sorrow and depth, the kind that carried centuries of silence and pain; the other, a darkness so complete it could swallow the world, yet somehow softened in this moment by something gentle… something 'achingly human.'
They stared at each other, unmoving.
The space between them vanished—not with touch, but with understanding.
A connection not made with words or promises.
Just a look.
A sudden heat rose in Dong Yingming, but he pushed it back. His tensed muscles released their coil as he went towards the door and knocked.
The meal was a light porridge with warm golden milk. On the same tray, to the side was a simple sandwich and salad. As Dong Yingming made his way back towards the bed, Yao Ziyang was making an attempt at unraveling himself.
The ache in his arm is what first caught his attention. Releasing it, Yao Ziyang sees some light bruising around a small pinprick hole. Did he get some sort of shot? When did that happen?
Dong Yingming noticed Yao Ziyang's concerned look as the latter stared at his arm. The bandaid that was once there had been discarded when he had taken Yao Ziyang's clothes off for the bath. After the quick series of events that took place during the bath and after, it made sense how Yao Ziyang didn't notice he had been stuck with a needle. However, it was the reason for this wound that worried Dong Yingming.
How could he tell Yao Ziyang he had taken his blood for a DNA test without his consent? Dong Yingming had already claimed this man as his lover in his heart, and he did not want to scare him off or cause him doubt. Without batting an eye, as Dong Yingming places the tray of food on the nightstand, he comments unceremoniously.
"You worried me when you fainted. I called for Zhang Wei, my personal doctor here, to oversee your health. He gave you an IV drip and some herbal decoction and pills to take that will improve your immune system and cure your cold. He says you have to take some additional medicine and stay warm. No cold drinks and get plenty of rest, so just stay in bed and eat what I give you."
After speaking, Dong Yingming takes a pill from the jade bottle and places it onto Yao Ziyang's pursed lips. Without much thought, it made its way in and melted, spreading its bitter taste throughout his mouth. The intense bitterness brings Yao Ziyang back from his wandering thoughts. He didn't know the pills he was taking came from Dong Yingming's personal on-site doctor! To be given such treatment by Dong Yingming really touched his heart.
However, who was this doctor? He was never mentioned in the original book. If he were, then the original Yao Ziyang wouldn't have suffered so much pain after doing the deed with Dong Yingming. Thinking about it more carefully, perhaps it was due to the details of the novel getting vaguer and vaguer, a lot of things were happening that were never stated. Such as his high fever, his surroundings, and the people that are around him.
Dong Yingming saw Yao Ziyang's mind begin to wander again and couldn't help giving a self-deprecating smile. This cutie was really troublesome. Here he is, personally giving Yao Ziyang medicine to treat his cold and even feeding him, yet Yao Ziyang couldn't even focus on him. Dong Yingming really wanted to go into the youth's mind and see what was so interesting that took his focus away from him. He was feeling petty and took a full spoon of the porridge he had blown cool, placed it by Yao Ziyang's lips but instead of feeding him, changed directions, and gulped it down.
This series of actions brought Yao Ziyang back from his speculating thoughts. As he watched Dong Yingming enjoy his food, his stomach couldn't help but protest as it gave a room shattering growl. Seemingly angry at having lost this one spoonful of food, it continued to groan and growl. Yao Ziyang felt his face flush. Usually, he wouldn't care about having a noisy stomach, afterall it's a natural response to having not eaten in a while. Yet in front of this man, for some reason, Yao Ziyang wanted nothing more than to gouge out his belly for being so loud and crawl into a hole for the rest of his life! This was far too embarrassing for him!
Hearing the menacing growl, Dong Yingming felt immediate regret. How could he take food meant for his sick lover? So what if he wanted to dream of something else? As long as his body stayed by his side, did anything else matter? Quickly, he dips the spoon into the porridge and scoops out half a spoonful. This time, after it had cooled, he lifted it to the chapped lips Yao Ziyang was currently nibbling on.
Seeing them turn slightly red itched Dong Yingming's heart. It was both mesmerizing yet heartaching. He didn't want to see Yao Ziyang getting hurt, but the shade of red was really too alluring! Pushing back his rising urge, Dong Yingming nudges the spoon of porridge against these sinful lips. It easily slips past, and the moment Yao Ziyang gets a taste, his hunger for more is all he could think about.
His gaze fixes itself onto the bowl, silently wishing for more. This change in behavior brings a sense of relief for Dong Yingming, and he continues to feed his hungry minx. Once the porridge was done, he placed the empty bowl on the tray and took the golden milk. While putting in the order for new clothes, he had taken the chance to switch the honey water to this warm milk, which is better for his body.
Seeing the yellowish creamy drink, Yao Ziyang was a bit turned off by the dish. He had never heard or saw golden milk before and wasn't too keen on trying it. However, when Dong Yingming brought the small bowl to his lips, the tantalizing aroma completely brought down his defenses. Yao Ziyang closed his eyes, expecting a horrible taste but was pleasantly surprised by its unique flavors! He had never tasted anything like it. It was so tasty! He wanted another bowl immediately. Soon, it was all done.
Watching Yao Ziyang drink the last drop, Dong Yingming soon felt his own hunger surfacing and wished to satiate it. He takes the empty bowl, stacking it upon the porridge bowl, and begins to eat his own food. Though ordinary looking, the bread was freshly baked mere moments ago. The deli meat was not from a deli but came straight from the butchering farm along with the leafy greens.
Every ingredient was carefully picked and prepared by professionals and gourmet chefs. However, to Yao Ziyang's untrained eyes, this indeed looked like an ordinary and plain dish compared to his own. He thought back to when Dong Yingming had taken a taste of his food and finally understood the meaning. He resolutely promised to share his food with the man next time without complaint.
'Sharing good food with someone you care about can help improve the relationship! This can be considered another way of pleasing Dong Yingming, right?'
Yao Ziyang thought as he watched Dong Yingming eat. The silence that encapsulated the room was comfortable and warm. Neither had to speak to enjoy the other's presents. Just by having one by the other, it was as if nothing in this world could ever go wrong.