BURN Chapter 4

Translator: Abo Dammen

Fu Nan’an hadn’t planned to make a move on Chi Zhao, and Chi Zhao didn’t have any ulterior thoughts about Fu Nan’an either.

The mature and gentle professor was pleasant to be around, and Chi Zhao had a bit of a fondness for him, but that was as far as it went. Deeper feelings were hard to come by, and Chi Zhao only occasionally sent Fu Nan’an messages, reminding him to adjust his clothing according to the weather. Additionally, since Zou Anhe had mentioned Zhi Zhi’s condition to his parents, who didn’t pay much attention to it, Chi Zhao would send Fu Nan’an daily updates about Zhi Zhi’s behavior and condition, just in case something unexpected happened.

A week passed in this manner. One morning, after finishing his rounds, Chi Zhao sat in an empty consultation room reading when he suddenly received a message from Fu Nan’an.

[Are you busy now?]

Chi Zhao’s eyes lit up when he saw the message.

They had chatted before, but it was usually Chi Zhao who initiated the conversations. It was rare for Fu Nan’an to reach out first. Chi Zhao quickly replied, “I’m free,” and Fu Nan’an’s response came almost immediately.

“Can you help me deliver a report? It’s with Director Zou.”

Professor Fu wasn’t the type to trouble others, so if he was asking for help, it must mean he was genuinely busy. Chi Zhao didn’t mind, he was free anyway, and running an errand was no big deal.

[Sure, Professor.]

Chi Zhao replied promptly and got up to head to Zou Anhe’s office. As he walked, he couldn’t help but think that this was the first time Fu Nan’an had actively sought him out. He wanted to make sure he did a good job.

Zou Anhe wasn’t in his office, so Chi Zhao started looking through the piles of documents on his desk. After sorting through the mess for a while, he finally found the report Fu Nan’an needed. He grabbed it and hurried out, not noticing that someone had entered the room.

“What’s the rush?” The person who had just walked in waved a hand in front of Chi Zhao’s face, snapping him out of his thoughts. Chi Zhao looked up and realized it was Zhong Yangqiu.

“I’m delivering a report to Professor Fu,” Chi Zhao said, waving the document in his hand.

At the mention of Professor Fu, Zhong Yangqiu grinned. Ever since his successful prediction last time, Zhong Yangqiu had taken to teasing Chi Zhao about Fu Nan’an, treating them like the leads in a romantic drama. “Since when did you and Professor Fu get so close? Did you climb the ranks that quickly?”

“What are you talking about?” Chi Zhao chuckled, not understanding why Zhong Yangqiu had such a vivid imagination. “I’m just helping him and Director Zou with a document. How does that make us close?”

“You don’t get it,” Zhong Yangqiu said mysteriously, shaking his index finger. “Professor Fu may seem gentle on the surface, but he’s actually quite aloof. When has he ever asked someone else to deliver something for him?”

Chi Zhao followed his train of thought. “So you’re saying I’m special?”

Zhong Yangqiu nodded emphatically. “Absolutely! Our Xiao Chi is so impressive. I wish you two a speedy marriage!”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough. There’s nothing going on between us,” Chi Zhao laughed, bumping Zhong Yangqiu’s shoulder.

Although he knew Zhong Yangqiu was just joking, Chi Zhao still enjoyed the banter. He didn’t think he was particularly special to Fu Nan’an, he just happened to be around him more often lately, leaving a slight impression.

But since he did have a bit of a crush on Fu Nan’an, Chi Zhao liked talking about him. He was laughing and joking with Zhong Yangqiu when suddenly, Zhong Yangqiu’s expression changed.

“What’s wrong?” Chi Zhao asked, still smiling, not realizing what was happening. “Why that look?”

“Chi Zhao,” Zhong Yangqiu whispered, tugging at Chi Zhao’s white coat. “Look over there.”

Zhong Yangqiu’s voice dropped, and he gestured with his eyes. Chi Zhao’s right eyelid twitched inexplicably, and when he looked up, he saw Fu Nan’an standing not far away, leaning on his cane in front of Zou Anhe’s office, watching them with a faint smile.

He must have heard their conversation!

Zhong Yangqiu gave him a look that said “good luck,” and Chi Zhao tugged at his collar, walking over to Fu Nan’an awkwardly. “Professor Fu, when did you get here? Didn’t you ask me to deliver the report to you?”

“I just arrived,” Fu Nan’an said with a smile, his expression unreadable. “I had some free time, so I thought I’d come over… Do you have the report with you?”

“Yes, I do,” Chi Zhao coughed awkwardly and quickly handed over the report. “Here it is.”

“Thank you.”

Fu Nan’an nodded and took the report. Chi Zhao was still feeling awkward and hesitated, wondering if he should apologize. Before he could say anything, Fu Nan’an’s phone rang.

“Hello… Yes, I understand… Give me three minutes.” Fu Nan’an hung up, his expression turning serious. He turned to Chi Zhao and said, “I have something urgent to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”

The usually gentle and composed Professor Fu now exuded a decisive air. He took the report from Chi Zhao, gripped it in one hand, and with his cane in the other, he walked away quickly, his steady steps belying his blindness.

“Goodbye, Professor Fu!”

Chi Zhao didn’t have time to say anything else and could only watch as Fu Nan’an walked away.

After returning from Zou Anhe’s office, Chi Zhao couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, still thinking about how Fu Nan’an had overheard his conversation with Zhong Yangqiu.

They hadn’t said anything too inappropriate—Chi Zhao had stopped Zhong Yangqiu before it went too far—but being caught by Fu Nan’an still made him feel embarrassed. Professor Fu was too good, and saying anything in front of him felt disrespectful.

Chi Zhao was in an empty consultation room with a few interns, all of whom were busy writing medical records or studying. The room was quiet, but Chi Zhao’s mind was in turmoil. He opened a medical record and started writing, but after two pages, he realized he had made two typos. Sighing, he tore out the page and decided to stop writing for now. Writing medical records was a serious task, and every mistake had to be corrected with a signature and the time of the correction. If there were more than three errors on a page, the entire record had to be rewritten. He couldn’t afford to be careless in this state.

No, Chi Zhao thought, he had to apologize to Professor Fu.

Whether or not Professor Fu had heard, talking about someone behind their back wasn’t right.

Once he made up his mind, Chi Zhao’s thoughts gradually settled. He went out to wash his face and calm down, then slowly finished writing the rest of the medical records.

By seven in the evening, Chi Zhao figured that Fu Nan’an’s urgent matter had been resolved. He handed the completed medical records to Zou Anhe for review and then went to the hospital entrance to buy two cups of porridge.

Doctors often forgot to eat when they were busy, and Chi Zhao knew this all too well. Bringing porridge wasn’t a big deal. It was just a subconscious gesture to make Professor Fu feel more comfortable.

With a cup of porridge in each hand, Chi Zhao made his way to the psychology department. Fu Nan’an’s office door was slightly ajar, and after hesitating for a moment, Chi Zhao pushed it open. Fu Nan’an was sitting inside, not giving him a chance to hesitate further.

“Professor Fu,” Chi Zhao called softly.

Fu Nan’an looked up and put down the book he was holding. “Chi Zhao? What brings you here?”

“I’m sorry, Professor,” Chi Zhao said, walking over to Fu Nan’an and placing the porridge on the table. “I came to apologize.”

Fu Nan’an frowned slightly. “Apologize?”

“Yes, about earlier this morning,” Chi Zhao said in a low voice. “My friend and I were talking without much restraint, and mentioned you and me…”

Chi Zhao couldn’t bring himself to repeat the exact words, so he skipped over them and continued, “We were just joking. I hope you don’t mind.”

Chi Zhao was rarely this nervous. He stared intently at Fu Nan’an, afraid that he had truly upset him. One second, two seconds passed, and Chi Zhao’s heart was in his throat. But Fu Nan’an simply nodded and said, “It’s nothing.”

His expression was calm, and his tone gave nothing away.

That’s it?

Chi Zhao’s heart didn’t settle. Instead, he grew even more anxious.

He had always admired Fu Nan’an’s composure, but now, it made him even more nervous. Professor Fu’s response was too neutral, making it impossible to guess his true feelings. Was he really not angry, or did he just not want to talk to Chi Zhao anymore?

“Really?” Chi Zhao finally asked.

His mind was a mess, but overthinking wouldn’t solve anything. Chi Zhao curled his fingers, his fingertips brushing against the still-warm porridge. He pushed the porridge into Fu Nan’an’s hands and said hurriedly, “Then have some porridge. I bought it specially for you, as an apology.”

Fu Nan’an’s fingers twitched slightly, and Chi Zhao, afraid he might refuse, quickly pushed the porridge forward, his fingers brushing against Fu Nan’an’s hand. The brief touch was warm, and Fu Nan’an chuckled softly.

“I’m really not angry,” he said. “There’s no need to be so nervous.”

Fu Nan’an had overheard some of Chi Zhao and Zhong Yangqiu’s conversation earlier that morning, but he truly didn’t mind.

Friends teasing each other was normal, especially at their age. Fu Nan’an often heard students joking around like this when he taught at the medical school. After taking the report, he had quickly forgotten about it and hadn’t expected Chi Zhao to come and apologize so earnestly, as if he were afraid of upsetting him.

It was like… a clumsy, fluffy puppy trying to win over a human.

For some reason, this strange metaphor popped into Fu Nan’an’s mind.

“Professor, you’re smiling!” Chi Zhao exclaimed in surprise, then scratched his head sheepishly. “So you’re really not mad at me?”

“No, I’m not mad,” Fu Nan’an said. “It’s just a small thing.”

“That’s great,” Chi Zhao said with a relieved smile. “Then have some porridge. I just bought it; it’s still warm!”

The porridge was indeed warm, heating up his palms. Fu Nan’an’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Alright.”