Chapter 11 Song Jingmo Is a Double Standard Dog

The atmosphere at the breakfast table had grown a little awkward because of the “childhood sweethearts” topic.

Lu Er kept his head down, sipping his porridge, trying to hide the turmoil inside. His neck felt sore and stiff, a prickling discomfort that made him let out a soft “hiss” and instinctively twist it a little.

This small movement didn’t escape Song Jingmo’s eyes, and his fingers tightened slightly around the spoon.

He wanted to ask, “Are you uncomfortable?” but the words caught in his throat.

He feared showing too much concern might seem intrusive, and he feared even more that it would annoy Lu Er.

Right now, he seemed to have lost the right to express care.

Observant Bai Zhi noticed Lu Er’s unusual demeanor: “What’s wrong with your neck? There’s a big stunt scene with wires this afternoon—you can’t have any accidents.”

Lu Er frowned and moved his neck slightly: “I don’t know… I woke up feeling sore, even turning my head is difficult.”

His professional instincts made Song Jingmo speak automatically: “It’s probably a stiff neck. Sleeping in a bad posture or using the wrong pillow can easily cause it.”

Bai Zhi immediately contradicted him: “Impossible! The pillow and mattress were specially ordered from Italy to be ergonomic. Brother Lu has been sleeping on it for six years and never had a stiff neck.”

Her gaze flickered suspiciously between Lu Er and Song Jingmo.

With a mischievous smile: “Could it be that you overdid it with exercise last night and accidentally hurt yourself?”

“Pfft—cough cough cough!”

Lu Er almost spat out the porridge he had just swallowed, choking and turning bright red, even the tips of his ears blushing.

He waved his hands frantically and protested: “It’s early in the morning! What nonsense are you talking about!”

His mind was full of lewd thoughts.

He stole a glance at Song Jingmo and, seeing that he wasn’t angry about the joke, finally relaxed a bit.

“I slept on the sofa last night.”

Leng Keyan looked puzzled and asked sincerely: “Uncle, your bedroom bed is three meters wide. It could easily fit four people. Why make things difficult for yourself and sleep on the sofa?”

Lu Er was speechless, internally muttering a classic curse.

He wanted to sleep in the bed, but he didn’t dare…

Could he really say that out loud?

He rolled his eyes: “Because I’m kind.”

Song Jingmo’s eyelids lowered, hiding the fleeting complexity in his gaze.

Bai Zhi: “Do you want to go to the hospital and get it checked?”

Leng Keyan casually said: “Why bother going to a hospital? Besides, registration is such a hassle!”

Then he looked at Song Jingmo: “Isn’t Teacher Song the best doctor? Let him take a look at Uncle, and we’ll save a registration fee too.”

Bai Zhi gave a thumbs-up: “You really know how to save money.”

Leng Keyan proudly said: “Of course! I need to save some for Uncle’s future wife.”

Song Jingmo looked up at Lu Er, his expression calm, carrying a hint of inquiry: “Is it convenient? I can check for you.”

A hidden corner of Lu Er’s heart stirred with a faint anticipation.

He answered vaguely: “Mm.”

Song Jingmo stood and walked behind Lu Er.

The faint scent of shower gel mixed with his cold, cedar-like aroma reached Lu Er, making him instinctively tense.

“Relax.”

Song Jingmo’s voice sounded in his ear, low and soothing.

His slightly cool fingers pressed gently on the sore, stiff muscles of Lu Er’s neck, searching for the painful spots.

Where Song Jingmo touched, Lu Er felt an electric-like tingle, spreading from his neck down to his spine.

He could only grit his teeth to keep from making any strange noises.

Song Jingmo pressed and rubbed a particularly stiff knot, and while Lu Er wasn’t paying attention, he supported his jaw and the back of his head, performing a precise, quick rotational adjustment.

Click.

“Ah!”

Lu Er let out a short shout, then realized the trapped feeling in his neck had vanished instantly.

“Feels so much better.”

“Yes, a minor joint misalignment. It’s corrected now.”

Song Jingmo withdrew his hands, his fingertips still warm from Lu Er’s skin. He lowered them without a sound: “Avoid sudden head turns and strenuous exercise for the next few days.”

His tone remained calm, but if one listened closely, it was slightly gentler.

The skin-to-skin contact unconsciously reminded them both of that night six years ago, the air thick with unspoken intimacy.

Lu Er’s cheeks flushed; Song Jingmo also averted his gaze, sipping the now lukewarm soy milk, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

“I’ll drive you to work later. It’s peak traffic now, hard to hail a cab.”

Bai Zhi, usually responsible for errands, paused for a moment and reminded with a stifled laugh: “Remember to wear masks and hats—don’t let the paparazzi snap you.”

Lu Er picked the most low-profile white sports car from the garage.

Leng Keyan opened the passenger door, only to be glared at fiercely: “Sit in the back.”

He sulked, letting out a soft “Oh,” and obediently climbed into the back seat.

Song Jingmo opened the passenger door and got in.

The car’s interior was cramped, and Song Jingmo’s crisp aura became more palpable.

Lu Er drove skillfully, weaving through the morning traffic, timing every overtake and lane change perfectly, slicing through congestion like a knife.

Finally, arriving with five minutes to spare before work, he executed a smooth drift, stopping precisely at the hospital entrance.

“We’re here.” Lu Er removed his sunglasses and looked at Song Jingmo.

There was a subtle pride in his eyes, like a kitten who completed a difficult task and sought praise.

Song Jingmo unfastened his seatbelt, his tone calm but with a trace of indulgent helplessness: “Drive slower, pay attention to safety.”

As soon as he stepped out, his colleagues noticed.

Today’s gray casual outfit, so different from his usual meticulous professional attire, highlighted a completely different style.

It made him look broader and taller, less severe and more bright, almost like a college student on campus.

“Doctor Song looks so handsome today—anything going on?” the head nurse joked.

“Nice outfit. New? Not really your usual style, is it?”

Surrounded by colleagues, Song Jingmo looked a little helpless.

He was the worst at handling this kind of teasing.

To avoid causing trouble for his Uncle, Leng Keyan laughed and draped an arm around Song Jingmo’s shoulder: “Hello, teachers. Teacher Song stayed at my place last night. We’re mentor and student, so naturally close.”

Leng Keyan wore the same brand casual T-shirt as Lu Er.

Seeing the two in expensive matching outfits, colleagues’ expressions turned suggestively curious.

“Leng, nice eye for fashion!”

Everyone laughed good-naturedly, imagining a story of “strict mentor and sunny intern.”

“Of course! My taste in mentors is excellent.”

Back then, he had only picked Song Jingmo, leaving no other choice.

Fortunately, Song Jingmo had also chosen him—a true mutual pursuit.

Leng Keyan, oblivious to everyone’s subtext, smiled foolishly, proud for saving both Song Jingmo and Lu Er.

Song Jingmo: “……”

He wanted to explain but found there was no way to do so.

Seeing Leng Keyan’s “look how clever I am” expression, he could only rub his temples helplessly.

Through the car window, Lu Er watched the group teasing Song Jingmo and Leng Keyan outside the hospital.

Especially that brat Leng Keyan, who boldly draped an arm over Song Jingmo’s shoulder.

“What eye for fashion! That kid hasn’t even grown hair yet.”

Lu Er muttered in frustration: “Double standard dog. Cold to me, but gentle to that brat.”

After spending the whole night on the sofa, he thought bitterly—he should’ve made Song Jingmo sleep on the sofa instead.