Chapter 14 Rose’s Confession

“No going back.”

Those three words stirred a thousand waves in Lu Er’s heart.

Song Jingmo still cared about him.

But that fleeting joy was shattered within seconds by Song Jingmo’s follow-up: “I’m on the night shift tonight.”

The smile on Lu Er’s face froze instantly. So, he hadn’t stayed intentionally to accompany him—he was just on duty.

Song Jingmo noticed Lu Er’s reaction but didn’t explain. Instead, he sent a message to the head nurse:

[Schedule all the night shifts this week for me.]

The head nurse quickly replied:

[Are you serious? No one in the hospital wants night shifts, and you’re volunteering?]

Song Jingmo typed back calmly:

[There are a few critical patients that need close monitoring.]

In the ward, Leng Keyan clung to Lu Er. “Uncle, I’ll stay tonight to take care of you.”

“No need,” Lu Er waved weakly. “Intern work is already tiring. What if staying to look after me affects your work?”

Leng Keyan immediately looked pitifully at Song Jingmo. “Teacher Song, for my uncle’s sake, can you go easy on me?”

Lu Er smiled bitterly in his heart. There was no ‘face’ left for him now.

As expected, Song Jingmo’s expression was serious. “In my dictionary, there is no such thing as favoritism.”

Leng Keyan pouted in objection: “Then calling the hospital director to use your privileges to schedule the operating room—doesn’t that count as favoritism?”

Lu Er was stunned by this.

He had thought the hospital’s attention was because of his top-tier celebrity status—but it was because of Song Jingmo.

Song Jingmo’s expression darkened. “Showing favoritism toward your uncle was to save lives. Showing favoritism toward you would be life-threatening.”

Leng Keyan was silenced and could only leave reluctantly.

During dinner, Lu Er indulged in Song Jingmo’s gentle care, drinking a lot of porridge.

Soon, he needed to use the restroom but felt embarrassed to ask.

Song Jingmo noticed his uneasy expression and asked proactively, “Do you need to go?”

Lu Er’s face flushed immediately.

“Holding urine too long can cause urinary tract infections, and in severe cases…” Song Jingmo began a serious medical lecture.

“I know!” Lu Er interrupted, embarrassed. “I graduated from medical school—I know this much.”

Song Jingmo looked at him slyly: “Do you want to go?”

In the end, Lu Er was helped by Song Jingmo to the bathroom.

Standing at the toilet, he still couldn’t go.

Back in high school, they had often showered and used the bathroom together, even childish competitions over size.

But now, just thinking about Song Jingmo waiting outside made him feel completely uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” came Song Jingmo’s voice from outside.

“N-nothing!” Lu Er stammered, both annoyed and anxious.

He couldn’t help but wonder if the events from six years ago had left a psychological shadow on him as a straight man.

Finally finishing his business, Lu Er flushed with embarrassment as Song Jingmo helped him back to bed.

“I want to shower,” Lu Er sniffed at his sweat, frowning. “Shooting today made me sweat a lot.”

“No,” Song Jingmo refused firmly. “Your wound cannot get wet.”

Lu Er looked at Bai Zhi, who had come in carrying clothes, hoping she would speak on his behalf.

Unexpectedly, Bai Zhi sided with Song Jingmo: “Dr. Song is right. You just have to endure a little longer.”

“Bai Zhi!” Lu Er groaned. “Whose assistant are you? Do you even know who pays your salary?”

Bai Zhi blinked innocently. “But Dr. Song is just looking out for you.”

At nine in the evening, after rounds, Song Jingmo came to Lu Er’s room.

He told Bai Zhi, “You go rest. I’ll watch over him for the second half of the night.”

Bai Zhi nodded gratefully and left quietly.

Moonlight poured through the window onto Lu Er’s peaceful face. Song Jingmo sat at the bedside, his gaze soft.

He gently tucked the blanket around Lu Er, his fingertips brushing his face unconsciously, with a gentleness even he hadn’t realized.

The next morning, Cong Jinyue entered the ward carrying a large bouquet of blue roses.

He had dressed carefully, wearing a well-cut beige sweater that made his already handsome face even more striking.

“Brother Lu!”

His cheerful voice set the expensive flowers on the bedside table, their fragrance immediately filling the room.

“Brother Lu, I’ve thought about it for a long time. You got hurt saving me, and I was very moved.” His voice lowered, and his ears flushed.

Lu Er’s heart skipped a beat—a bad premonition rose.

“So I’ve decided,” Cong Jinyue lifted his head, eyes burning as he stared at Lu Er. “Until you recover, I want to take care of you.”

Lu Er waved his hands quickly. “No, no, saving you was just instinct. You really don’t need to take it to heart.”

Cong Jinyue seemed not to hear, peeling an apple by himself. “Brother Lu, just enjoy my service.”

Lu Er was at a loss for words.

After peeling the apple, Cong Jinyue cut a small piece and brought it to Lu Er’s mouth: “Here, try it.”

Lu Er instinctively resisted. “My hand’s fine. I can do it myself.”

“You still have an IV in your hand,” Cong Jinyue insisted. “Let me feed you so you don’t get it dirty.”

Reluctantly, Lu Er took a few bites.

Cong Jinyue noticed Lu Er’s resistance and his expression dimmed. “Brother Lu, do you dislike me?”

Lu Er shook his head.

Dislike? Not exactly.

“I want to take care of you not just because of guilt, but because I like you.”

Lu Er widened his eyes. “Don’t joke about this.”

“I’m serious.”

Cong Jinyue was eager. “From the first day on set, I was drawn to you. You’re truly a very, very good person.”

Lu Er instinctively recoiled, a movement that pained Cong Jinyue. He babbled on, listing evidence of his feelings.

Lu Er sighed. “I helped you with scenes, guided your acting, just to finish work earlier. If I caused you a misunderstanding, I’m sorry.”

“No…”

Cong Jinyue’s eyes welled with tears. “You clearly treat me specially. Everyone can see it.”

His tears fell as he spoke: “The online CP fandom, our team’s publicity… you’ve always let me ride your traffic.”

Lu Er muttered: “My agent won’t let me clarify.”

If it weren’t for Jiang Qingyan saying it was for new drama promotion, he would have scolded him outright.

Cong Jinyue’s voice was filled with grievance: “If you don’t like me, why did you risk yourself to save me?”

Lu Er was left speechless. Seeing Cong Jinyue’s gaze growing hotter, he blurted out: “I’m homophobic. I don’t do same-sex relationships.”

The words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the light in Cong Jinyue’s eyes.

At that moment, the ward door opened. Bai Zhi pushed it in. Song Jingmo stood there, holding his rounds notebook.

His gaze swept between them, finally resting on Lu Er with a deep, unreadable expression.

Lu Er felt inexplicably nervous, swallowing hard, and looked at Bai Zhi for help.

Bai Zhi, munching on chips, watched the scene. “This face of yours… truly deadly to both men and women. Let me count… how many confessions is this now…”

Feeling the room’s pressure rising, Lu Er ground his teeth: “Your monthly bonus is fully docked.”

The chips in her hand suddenly lost all appeal.