Chapter 55 Can You Like Men?

The surgery in H City was very successful. Song Jingmo stayed behind to monitor the patient’s recovery over the next 48 hours and to exchange professional insights with the other doctors involved.

Originally, the follow-up work was to be shared between him and Liao Xubai, but Song Jingmo pushed all the tasks that required going out and long discussions onto Liao Xubai.

“The postoperative monitoring and data analysis will be up to you. Also, please represent our team and lead tomorrow afternoon’s experience-sharing session.”

Liao Xubai frowned. “Jingmo, according to protocol, this should be done together.”

Song Jingmo glanced toward the person sitting on the sofa, holding a tablet and playing games. “I have some personal matters to take care of. Thanks for your hard work.”

Lu Er was practically overjoyed. He tried hard not to laugh out loud, pressing his lips together while randomly tapping at the screen.

Inside his mind, a tiny version of himself was already dancing wildly—Song Jingmo had sent Liao Xubai away just to stay with him.

Rounding it up, wasn’t this basically a date?!

That afternoon, Lu Er had an indoor scene to shoot. When he heard Song Jingmo was willing to accompany him to the set, he was so happy he almost walked with both hands and feet moving in sync.

At the set, Lu Er was pulled away by the makeup artist for styling, while Song Jingmo found an inconspicuous corner and quietly waited.

With his tall posture and cool, refined aura, Song Jingmo stood out even in simple casual clothes amidst the bustling set.

Before long, a middle-aged director with a beer belly and a baseball cap noticed him, his eyes lighting up.

With a sharp, predatory gaze, he immediately recognized Song Jingmo as a rare catch. After sizing him up, admiration and calculation flickered in his eyes.

Putting on a smile, he handed over a business card. “Sir, have you ever considered entering the entertainment industry?”

As he spoke, his hand began to drift toward Song Jingmo’s shoulder.

Song Jingmo frowned and stepped aside, his expression instantly turning cold. “No interest.”

The director persisted, stepping closer and lowering his voice suggestively. “Don’t reject it so quickly. With the right connections in this industry, earning hundreds of millions a year isn’t a dream.”

Just as Lu Er finished filming a scene and came down, he saw the man’s hand about to touch Song Jingmo. His temper flared instantly.

He strode over and slapped the man’s hand away without hesitation.

“Director Wang!”

Like a leopard defending its territory, Lu Er glared fiercely. “Even if you lack basic decency, there should be a limit. He’s not from this industry—keep your tricks to yourself.”

Publicly humiliated, the director’s face shifted between green and white. He shot them a resentful look before slinking away.

Lu Er turned back immediately, concern written all over his face. “Are you okay?”

A trace of warmth stirred in Song Jingmo’s heart. He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

After a pause, he looked at Lu Er with a hint of concern. “Do you encounter this kind of thing often? Have you ever suffered because of it?”

With a face as striking as Lu Er’s, it was inevitable that he would attract unwanted attention in such a mixed environment.

Lu Er curled his lips. “There are always a few blind fools. But don’t worry—I don’t suffer losses.”

“If anyone dares to touch me, I’ll chop off their hand. Just cursing them out is already being polite.”

If things really got out of hand, his brother would step in to clean up the mess anyway.

Thinking of the previous incident, Lu Er added, “At that celebration banquet last time, I was just careless—but only that once.”

Looking at Song Jingmo’s silent profile, Lu Er felt a bit uneasy.

Carefully, he asked, “Do you… also dislike my profession? Do you think the entertainment industry is dirty, and the people in it aren’t clean?”

Song Jingmo replied calmly, objectively, “I don’t think that. Every industry has corners untouched by light, and people who still hold onto their principles.”

“The medical field is the same. On the surface, it saves lives, but behind the scenes… I’ve personally run into several married colleagues fooling around in the parking garage.”

Lu Er let out a sigh of relief. Then he lifted his chin slightly, a hint of pride in his tone. “I may be in this industry, but I’m very clean.”

“At most, I go to bars with friends and have a few drinks. I’ve never messed around with anyone.”

His cheeks flushed slightly as his voice dropped. “I’ve only ever slept with you… and kissed you. With others, it’s just polite arm-linking during events.”

Seeing how eager he was to clarify, something in Song Jingmo softened.

Recalling a still he had seen before, he couldn’t help but ask, “Then what about when you kissed the female lead in that drama? Doesn’t that count?”

Lu Er froze for a moment, then broke into a sly smile. “That was just camera angles—it wasn’t a real kiss.”

Afraid Song Jingmo wouldn’t believe him, he impulsively grabbed his wrist. “I’ll show you.”

He pulled him into a more secluded corner, standing face-to-face.

Tilting his head slightly, Lu Er slowly leaned closer—then stopped at the last possible distance, their noses brushing.

Just a little closer, and their lips would meet.

“See? Like this,” Lu Er whispered, his warm breath brushing over Song Jingmo’s lips.

Their breathing intertwined, each acutely aware of the other.

The posture was far too intimate.

Lu Er could clearly see Song Jingmo’s long eyelashes. The faint scent of cedarwood surrounded him, and his throat bobbed.

Song Jingmo’s body stiffened. A powerful urge surged within him—to close the gap and claim the softness so close at hand.

Both of them restrained the impulse, their hearts pounding like drums.

After a long moment, Song Jingmo finally stepped back half a step, putting distance between them.

Lu Er’s ears were red as he avoided eye contact. “Now you get it, right? That’s how it works.”

Suppressing the turmoil in his chest, Song Jingmo looked at his flushed face and spoke in a low, hoarse voice. “Weren’t you homophobic?”

“Doing this with me… doesn’t it disgust you?”

Lu Er paused, then lowered his head.

His toe unconsciously rubbed against the ground as he muttered, “I’m not anymore.”

After a moment, he touched his nose and added softly, “With you… I don’t feel disgusted.”

That answer made Song Jingmo’s heart skip a beat.

After a brief silence, he asked, “Is it because you know Keyan is pursuing Doctor Yin?”

“I’ve known for a while,” Lu Er said, looking up. “I’ve even been helping him—gave him plenty of advice.”

Song Jingmo’s tone grew meaningful. “Why help them?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Lu Er countered naturally. “He likes Doctor Yin, and Doctor Yin doesn’t seem to dislike him. I’m not going to break them apart, am I?”

Song Jingmo’s gaze turned complicated as he tested him with a desperate kind of courage.

“What about you? Can you like men?”

Lu Er stiffened, avoiding his burning gaze.

His voice came out dry, filled with struggle and helplessness. “I can… but my family won’t accept it.”