Before the lab report was printed, the doctor, feeling unusual, examined the results. The report revealed that Tao Ran was not only healthy, but also had no fever symptoms.
After contemplating in the office for some time, the doctor finally appeared in Tao Ran's ward.
Si Shao asked, "Should he still receive an IV today?"
The doctor responded, "We'll discuss that later." He pulled out a thermometer from his pocket and said, "Let's take another reading, and I'll watch over you."
Tao Ran:"......"
Under the doctor's sharp gaze, Tao Ran silently held the thermometer and said, "Why bother to measure again? It’s a hassle"
The doctor inquired, "Do you find it troublesome? Why don't I get you a thermometer meant for children?"
Tao Ran immediately shook his head like a drum, "No no no, it's okay."
The thermometer that children use is inserted into the ass, and he cannot bear it. During this time, Tao Ran tried many ways, but the doctor remained indifferent. Finally, when the thermometer was taken out and checked, the doctor smiled slightly at Tao Ran and said, "Oh, the fever has subsided so quickly?"
Tao Ran laughed awkwardly and replied, "Haha, yes."
The doctor added, "Unfortunately, you can't stay in the hospital anymore."
Tao Ran: "......"
Si Shao appeared confused and asked, "He had a fever this morning. How did he get better so quickly without taking any medicine?"
The doctor knew what was going on but didn't want to reveal the truth. He replied, "Young people are generally healthy and recover quickly."
Si Shao nodded and prepared to help Tao Ran leave the hospital.
After Si Shao left to attend to his work, Tao Ran sat on the bed in a tangled mess, "How did it get exposed so quickly?"
The patient struggled to get out of bed and advised, "If It's exposed, then let it be. You can't pretend to be sick forever."
Tao Ran stated, "I only wanted to buy a few days' time. Where did I think of being sick for a lifetime?"
Seeing his sick friend pour himself a glass of water, Tao Ran remarked, "Look at you. You should have asked me to do it for you."
The sick friend took a deep breath and replied, "Can you help me for a lifetime? I'd rather do it myself."
Tao Ran frowned and couldn't help but say, "What a sin! You'd better avoid eating spicy snacks."
The patient responded, "I'll try my best."
Suddenly, a popping sound echoed in the room, resembling a fart. Tao Ran quickly looked at the patient's face, only to see him petrified and motionless with fear.
Tao Ran was surprised and pointed at his sick friend's butt, stuttering, "Damn, it was you..."
Patient: "What's wrong?"
Turning his head with difficulty towards the direction pointed by Tao Ran, the patient saw that the hospital gown between his legs was gradually turning red, with the bloodstain spreading and getting larger.
The patient let out a whimper, "Oooh..."
Tao Ran immediately went over to help him and said, "Look at you, why were you moving around, huh? You're too… Should I call the nurse?"
The patient, feeling humiliated, replied, "It's too embarrassing. Help me lie down, I can't lie down on my own now."
"Okay, okay." Tao Ran helped him lie down, facing his bloodstained ass even more directly.
The patient requested, "Please help me get a pair of pants from my closet."
Tao Ran fetched a loose pair of pants and, seeing the desperation on the patient's face, said, "Never mind, I'll help you take them off."
Just as he was taking off the sick friend's pants, Si Shao walked in and said, "It's alright, we can leave now."
The scene in the ward was a bit shocking for her, and her eyes fixed on the sick friend's bloodstained pants. Tao Ran and the sick friend were stunned and they maintained their position for a while.
Then Tao Ran reacted quickly and backed away from the patient. Then he realized it was inappropriate for the patient to be naked, so he threw the pants he was holding onto the patient's butt.
Si Shao looked in a trance, "You guys......"
Tao Ran replied, "Let me explain."
Si Shao asked, "Is it because I left last night?"
"No, it's not that. Let me explain. It's not what you think," Tao Ran clarified.
At that moment, a nurse entered the room and asked, "What's wrong?"
Tao Ran pointed to the patient and explained, "He farted and his wound burst open, splattering blood all over his pants. Can you help him?"
The patient buried his face in the pillow, emitting an air of helplessness.
The nurse scolded him, "Why can't you be more careful? Didn't the doctor tell you to be gentle even when you fart?"
Tao Ran turned to Si Shao and smiled, "Well, he had a hemorrhoidectomy."
Si Shao's expression remained blank as she said, "Oh."
"Is everything taken care of now?" Tao Ran asked. "Can I leave?"
"Yeah, let’s go," Si Shao said. "Are you hungry? Grab something to eat before you head back to school."
"Okay," Tao Ran agreed and followed behind Si Shao, giving the impression that they were truly like an older sister and younger brother.
When the two of them walked out of the hospital, Tao Ran suddenly stepped forward and took Si Shao's hand.
Si Shao was startled and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. She then tried to pull her hand away while asking, "What are you doing?"
Tao Ran held onto Si Shao's hand tightly and replied, "Don't move, I just want to hold your hand."
Si Shao stopped moving and blushed. She said, "Don't do this."
Tao Ran asked, "Why not?"
"You know why," Si Shao replied.
Tao Ran still held onto Si Shao's hand tightly and said, "Do you really not like me?"
"It's not a matter of like or dislike," Si Shao said. "Your mother won't approve of us being together."
Tao Ran paused for a moment before responding, "How can you know without trying? If you're not with me, I might remain single for the rest of my life."
Si Shao replied angrily, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm not speaking nonsense," Tao Ran defended himself. He considered that the worst aspect of the system was that he couldn't leave ahead of time without any accidents, and he couldn't even commit suicide. He came here for Si Shao and to prevent any incidents where Si Shao might become evil in the future, he must stay close to her frequently. If he were to be with other girls or even get married, he couldn't be sure if they would accept his excessive concern for her. Additionally, even if he remained single forever, not to mention his family's feelings, even Si Shao's future husband wouldn't be happy with his concern either.
Tao Ran took Si Shao's hand and said, "I genuinely like you, can't you feel it?"
Si Shao gazed at Tao Ran with a blank expression, suddenly feeling like crying. "Why? Is it just because of those two coincidences? You are younger than me and so handsome, there must be a lot of girls who like you. What if you regret it later? Have you thought about how it would affect me? What would people think of me if we were together?"
Tao Ran placed his arm around Si Shao and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm here, I'm here."
"What's the use of you being here? You're just a student, you can't even take care of yourself." Si Shao collapsed and said, "Why do you keep pushing me?"
"Okay, okay," Tao Ran replied. He hadn't anticipated Si Shao's reaction to be so intense. "Don't cry. If the worst happens, I'll give up on you and won't pursue you anymore."
To his astonishment, Si Shao burst into even louder sobs at these words.
Tao Ran was at a loss and asked, "Why are you crying again?"
Si Shao responded, "How can I trust you if you give up so easily?"
Tao Ran understood that because he couldn't provide her with a sense of security, even if Si Shao already liked him, she still didn't have the courage to be with him. With this in mind, Tao Ran took Si Shao's hand and said, "You can be confident that I will not change. Believe in me, or wait for me a little longer. I will demonstrate to you that I am dependable."
Si Shao looked at Tao Ran with red, teary eyes and wiped away her tears. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I'm very serious," Tao Ran said. "Do you want me to speak with your mother? We can go back and tell her now."
"It's probably best not to," Si Shao said. "I'm not ready to tell everyone yet."
Tao Ran smiled and replied, "It's up to you. I can do it anytime. Just let me know when you're ready."
Si Shao also laughed and suggested, "Then... let's go grab a bite to eat."
Tao Ran asked, "Would you invite me over to your place for a meal?"
He said it casually, but Si Shao seriously considered it and responded, "I learned two dishes from my mother last night when I got home, but I'm not sure if they taste good."
Tao Ran said, "Alright then, let's go to your place."
Si Shao hesitated, "Wait, let me ask my mother if she's home."
After calling, Si Shao discovered that her mother wasn't at home. She then took Tao Ran to her house.
Tao Ran quipped, "It feels like we're having a secret affair. It's quite exciting, isn't it?"
Si Shao blushed and retorted, "Stop it. Let's go to the supermarket first to buy groceries."
Tao Ran followed Si Shao, jokingly remarking, "I'm so fortunate to have Miss Si Shao buy groceries for me."
Si Shao turned around and glared at him. "You're so good at talking, I guess all your previous obedience was just pretending."
"I don't care. You've already booked me anyway, and there's no return policy."
"Humph!"
Si Shao stomped a few steps forward, then turned back and asked, "What would you like to eat? Hurry and tell me."
Tao Ran looked at her and said, "Anything is fine."
"Don't say anything."
"How about fish-fragrant eggplant then?"
"Change it. I don't know how to make it!" Si Shao replied.
"Then just buy whatever you know how to make. I'm fine with any dish that doesn't have vinegar."
"Why are you being so perfunctory?" Si Shao asked.
"......"
Seeing that he didn't speak, Si Shao stretched out her hand to pull him, "Let’s go, aren't you hungry?"
Tao Ran watched as Si Shao pulled along a petite girl with neat, short hair. He stood there for a long time, unable to recover from the moment.