Chapter 160 Did You Come Here Just to Help?

The atmosphere in the private room was lively.

Liao Xubai quietly watched Song Jingmo and Lu Er sitting side by side at the main seat.

Lu Er had just been teased into drinking a glass of juice by everyone and was now leaning against Song Jingmo’s shoulder with a faint blush, quietly complaining about something.

Song Jingmo tilted his head to listen, a faint smile on his lips, and casually brushed the stray strands of hair from Lu Er’s forehead behind his ear.

The gesture was natural and intimate, as if he had done it a thousand times before.

He understood completely.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t good enough, or that he didn’t try hard enough.

It was just that the order in which people appear in life is already written into the script.

Lu Er had entered Song Jingmo’s heart back in high school, at that youthful, spirited age. A single flutter of the heart then lasts a lifetime.

So anyone who came later, no matter how much effort they put in or how much they accompanied him, it was like trying to add brushstrokes to a painting that was already finished.

No matter how careful they were, it would only look out of place.

Liao Xubai remembered the years abroad.

Song Jingmo was always alone, rejecting any ambiguous possibilities.

When someone jokingly asked if he had someone in his heart, Song Jingmo never denied it.

At that time, he thought that time could change everything.

He stayed up late helping Song Jingmo with experiments.

He watched over him all night when Song Jingmo had food allergies.

But it turned out that someone had already moved into his heart; the ones who came later couldn’t even knock on the door.

Liao Xubai tilted his head back and drained his glass.

That was fine.

A complete farewell to the past.

At least he no longer had to cling to hopeless expectations, banging against a wall over and over.

Dr. Liu: “Come, come, the cake is here!”

A waiter pushed in a delicate two-tier cake, the cream pristine white.

It was decorated with blueberries and mint leaves, and the top layer had “Happy Birthday” written in chocolate sauce.

“Director Song, make a wish!” the head nurse shouted, leading the cheering.

Song Jingmo was guided to the cake. The candlelight flickered, highlighting his deep features.

He closed his eyes, long lashes casting a small shadow beneath them.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles.

“What did you wish for, Director Song?” Tang Lan asked gossipingly.

Song Jingmo smiled without answering and simply took the cake knife, pulling Lu Er’s hand to hold it together.

“Click, click”—someone took a photo.

Lu Er felt embarrassed and tried to pull his hand back, but Song Jingmo held it firmly.

“Hiding from what?”

Song Jingmo whispered in his ear, “It’s only natural for a boyfriend to help cut the cake.”

Lu Er’s ears turned red, and he mumbled softly, “But so many people are watching…”

“Then let them watch.”

Song Jingmo raised an eyebrow and leaned closer on purpose. “I want to announce it to the whole world.”

His voice was just the right volume for those nearby to hear.

Dr. Liu immediately exclaimed: “Oh my, Director Song is showing off his love!”

Lu Er blushed even more and quickly cut a piece of cake to feed Song Jingmo: “Eat your cake, stop talking.”

Song Jingmo had his mouth full but didn’t get annoyed, chewing leisurely.

Once he swallowed, he leaned close to Lu Er’s ear, speaking so only he could hear: “Not as tasty as last night.”

Lu Er was stunned: “We ordered from the same shop, even with your usual seven sweetness level. How could it be different?”

A meaningful curve appeared on Song Jingmo’s lips. His eyes glanced down: “Wrong position.”

“What position…”

Lu Er’s words froze halfway.

Last night, Song Jingmo had spread cream over his collarbone, chest, and lower abdomen…

His entire body had been covered in cake.

And it was Song Jingmo, leaning over, licking it off bit by bit.

It took hours to finish the cake.

“You!”

Lu Er’s face turned bright red instantly, spreading down his neck. In the warm light of the private room, he looked like a ripe apple.

He glared at Song Jingmo, flustered, but the tears glistening in his eyes made it look more like a coquettish act than an intimidating one.

Song Jingmo chuckled lowly, in a great mood, and took another bite of cake.

Lu Er walked over to Liao Xubai, offering a piece of cake.

His gaze was sincere: “I hope you find your own happiness soon.”

“That time in the hospital, when he had a fever, he called your name,” Liao Xubai said with a tired finality. “I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty.”

He looked at Song Jingmo, the side of his face softened by the warm light. “I just want to tell you that he loves you very much. You two… really suit each other.”

Even Liao Xubai was surprised by his own words.

So this is what it feels like to be at peace—not a euphoric liberation, but a calm fatigue, like walking a long way and finally being able to stop and notice the scenery along the path.

Lu Er nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Dr. Liao.”

Soon, Song Jingmo came over.

His arms wrapped around Lu Er’s waist from behind, warm breath on his ear: “What are you talking about?”

Lu Er relaxed into his embrace. “Talking about you. What were you just talking with Dr. Liu about?”

“Dr. Liu insisted on giving me some tips on keeping love fresh,” Song Jingmo said, his voice playful. “Gave me a headache listening.”

The banquet continued, full of laughter and cheer.

Around nine o’clock, Lu Er checked the time and whispered, “I should go to the airport; there’s an early shoot tomorrow.”

Song Jingmo nodded, standing up: “I’ll take Er Er to the airport. You all continue enjoying yourselves—I’ve already settled the bill.”

“Leaving already?”

Tang Lan looked a bit disappointed. “We were thinking of going to karaoke later.”

Dr. Liu understood: “Alright, alright. He has work tomorrow, let’s not delay him.”

Everyone got up to see them off at the door.

Just as they left the private room, Leng Keyan’s phone rang.

After a brief conversation, his expression turned serious: “Okay, I’ll head back immediately.”

He hung up and told everyone: “The ER is short-staffed. I need to go cover.”

“Still work this late?”

“Yes, the on-duty doctors tonight are too busy.”

Leng Keyan hurriedly put on his coat.

They exited the restaurant and said their goodbyes at the door.

Lu Er rolled down the window to wave at everyone; the car quickly merged into traffic.

Dr. Liu asked, “Really going to karaoke?”

“Forget it. Two surgeries tomorrow.”

The head nurse yawned. “Go home and sleep.”

Everyone dispersed in taxis.

Leng Keyan stood on the roadside waiting for a ride; the night wind was chilly.

Just as he took out his phone to call a car, familiar footsteps sounded behind him.

Turning around, he saw Yin Siyao walking out as well.

“Teacher Yin?” Leng Keyan was surprised.

“Hm.”

Yin Siyao responded briefly and stood next to Leng Keyan. “Calling a car?”

“Yes, back to the hospital.”

Leng Keyan casually asked, “Aren’t you going home to rest?”

Yin Siyao glanced at his phone. The light from the screen softened his face: “Dr. Luo from the ER is on marriage leave. They asked me to cover for a week.”

“Oh…”

Leng Keyan nodded, a small, inexplicable hope stirring in his heart. “Did you come here just to help?”

The ER is so busy; the fact that Yin Siyao was willing to cover—does it also mean… he cares a little?

Yin Siyao looked up and glanced at him: “Double pay.”