Jingting watched Liu Sheng's expression when seeing his baby and he couldn't help himself but to say: "I'm not so shabby anymore, huh?" And got down from his horse. He knew it was petty for him to say it, but it hurt… It hurt, especially from Liu Sheng. Yet, he couldn't look Liu Sheng in the eyes, so he quickly put the veiled hat from his back up on his head, concealing his identity, and walked inside the clinic.
"Mister?" The servants by the door stopped him, before welcoming him. But Jingting showed him his seal. And was left inside the part unavailable to commoners. But he stopped his tracks.
"There is a third rank official behind me. Let him in and send him to the private room," at first he wanted to keep being petty, but he just couldn't. Liu Sheng wasn't at fault that Jingting felt inferior sometimes. Especially when he saw the nobles. Nobles he could also be if born differently. Now, he was just a fugitive commoner. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his aloof personality. The composure he built while seeing people dying.
He walked into the back rooms, nodded every time people bowed to him. He was the boss. He was the miracle doctor. Usually he lived more here in the clinic than up in the mountains. Here he could save more lives. But since he saved Liu Sheng he was reluctant to leave for longer periods of time. So he came and went the same day.
But that was okay since his students were taking care of people. Sometimes with better care than he would. He really trained them very well, so once he leaves this world, they will be able to save everyone. Or so he wished.
"You have mail here," Binbin said. Today was his day of overseeing. He was the senior student. He was actually on the same level in theoretical healing as Jingting, but Jingting was practically better. His operations had a better chance of survival. So usually they called him. But when taking a pulse, Binbin was really good.
And that was what he was doing now. While Jingting was reaching for the letters, he grabbed his hand and without Jingting's consent he was feeling his pulse.
"You have to sleep more. Work less and worry less. Also, eat more cold food. I'm getting worried. You don't look so good…" If Jingting wasn't so damn tired and didn't see himself in the mirror he would get offended but he knew… he was still sick and overworking himself wasn't helping.
Jingting took the letters and walked with a slight smile on his face that immediately disappeared when he read the one letter addressed to him. There was another one addressed to Liu Sheng and thanks to his own letter he understood what could be there. Thankfully he let him in his private room, because this was really bad to read in public.
He walked inside, Liu Sheng was already seated but he was still looking around, actually stunned. But when he saw Jingting his amused smile lowered a bit. He walked to Jingting and tugged on his sleeve.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were shabby. I meant that my other clothes I had there were too shabby to walk next to you. I think too highly of you to offend you. Or to even say a bad word about you." He was pouting and there was something slightly adorable about it. He nodded.
"Sit down. I have a letter for you," he said and waited until Liu Sheng was really seated. Then he handed him the letter. Jingting nudged the veil aside so he could better see Liu Sheng's reactions. He worried a lot.
Liu Sheng slowly read the letter and his pouting, the spark in his eyes slowly faded. He suddenly had no expression. He was just staring down at the paper that after a few seconds fell down on the floor.
Jingting bent to pick it up, but once he was down, a hand clasped around him. He looked up and saw eyes that felt hollowed, yet they glistened with unshed tears.
"I know. But Xuhua thinks I can't do anything… I can go with you, but that doesn't mean he will survive," Jingting shared the sad reality. He was no god. And he believed Xuhua. Her diagnoses were as good as Binbin's. The hand that held him fell back down and Jingting stood there with the letter in his hand. He read it briefly just to know it said the same thing as his letter said.
Liu Sheng's father was mortally wounded and poisoned during one of the attacks by Northerners.
Jingting didn't know what to do. Yes, he knew how painful it was to lose parents, but he was bad at comforting people. He decided to do what Xuhua usually did when he felt sad.
Jingting kneeled down to be the same height as Liu sheng and whapped his arms around him. He patted his back, hugging him.
At first nothing happened, Liu Sheng was just a cold statue in his arms, but after a few moments he burrowed his hand into Jingting's neck. He could feel the wetness on his neck and heard the muffled sobs. Something inside Jingting broke. His inside hurt so much, his heart felt like it was torn apart. He never felt something like this before. It felt as if his own father died.
They kept hugging each other for a long time. So long, that Jingting thought that Liu Sheng fell asleep in his arms because he got quiet. But no. He was still awake but he was reluctant to let Jingting go. He needed at least this support.
The door opened. Jingting moved his head so he could see who it was, but he shook his head once he saw it was Binbin. There was nothing that could make him leave Liu Sheng now. He was too fragile.
"You do it," he said knowing fully Liu Sheng was listening because he tensed once the door opened.
"I can't. It's a five year old girl. He got stabbed in the belly. I'm not confident I can save her…" the urgency in Binbin's voice was too real. Jingting wanted to shake his head once again, but Liu Sheng had let go and actually helped Jingting up, whose legs were giving up because of the kneeling.
"Can I go and watch?" Liu Sheng asked. At first Jingting was reluctant but then he nodded. Maybe Lu Sheng needed to see someone live, maybe that was why he suggested it.
Jingting will do everything he can to save the little girl. But somehow inside he felt bad it wasn't for the girl, but it was for Liu Sheng who was standing behind him and watching his every move.
And he saved her. At least her, he could save…