QT: The Host is Listless

1.10

"What?" Eason said aloud, looking at his friend. He looked baffled.

Ye Xiao was very quick to compose himself, "What? It's a genuine question, only people who are interested in the field and want to dabble in it would know you, meaning they're interested in you for your theories, no?"

It was clear to Shen Yi that he didn't mean any of what he said, but that quick response convinced everyone else of its validity. With a growing amusement brought by that observation, Shen Yi didn't realise that the tolerance he had for Ye Xiao began to grow slightly. Lan Xing gripped his sleeves, a silent question asking for elaboration.

"Doctor Eason Lim is the person who rediscovered an easier cure for drug-resistant tuberculosis, also he has recently begun posting theoretical theses on the matter of curing SLE," Shen Yi explained calmly.

Lan Xing furrowed her brows, "Hm, sounds really familiar but I still can't seem to put my finger on it..."

"You should've seen him before once on the news, three months back, where he was filmed saving a woman from cardiac arrest."

"Oh!" Lan Xing immediately recalled that news report. She remembered telling Shen Yi how impressed she was by it and hearing an agreement from him.

"You read my theory on SLE?" Eason sounded excited.

His hand gestures became rather frantic, words filled with enlightenment as he spoke, "What are your thoughts? I swear, everybody other than Ah Xiao has said that my theory is just a waste of paper because it's more like a wishlist than a theory. But if you really read it, which of course you did, you're mentioning it. Since you've read it, then you know that the theory I proposed isn't a fool's dream but something with actual basis-"

Ye Xiao blinked and immediately realised that this conversation was going to head down a path that was not very appropriate to speak in public where anyone and everyone could overhear. Quickly, he placed a hand to cut in between Shen Yi and Eason and gave a wide-eyed look.

"Ming'er and Sister Xing, how about we head to a more private area for a chat? You must be tired from all the standing," Ye Xiao asked, shamelessly changing the way he addressed Shen Yi and Lan Xing.

Lan Xing froze, did this guy just call her 'Sister Xing'? And call her baby brother that precious nickname that only a few of them could use? The audacity? Just as she was about to square up and give Ye Xiao a dressing down, Shen Yi spoke up.

"Alright, let's head to that cafe down the streets, the second floor provides private rooms," Shen Yi suggested, pointing in a particular direction.

Then, without waiting for a response, he reached out to pull Lan Xing as he made his way to the cafe in long strides.

Eason who was left behind with Ye Xiao had a mocking smile on his lips, "Ming'er?"

"Shut the fuck up."

"I didn't even say anything~" Eason had an expression of schadenfreude.

"Shut up before I make you shut up."

...

The Cafe they entered was quiet, with dim lights and soft jazz music playing in the background. The coffee aroma hanging in the air was a welcome gift for them, stepping into the cafe was almost as if they had entered an area protected from the noise of the outside world.

Shen Yi walked up the stairs as Ye Xiao requested a private room for the four.

"Ming'er, what do you want to drink?" Lan Xing asked, reading the menu. "I'll go down and order it, they have quite the selection of drinks and desserts."