The Yao Emperor and His Human Doctor.

Chapter 78 - Doubt

Su Ning and An Shu soon prepare to return to the clinic. The doctor left the collar of his blouse closed and pulled his hair so that it covered a little more of his neck. He noticed changing in front of the mirror that Qiang Yong left a trail of hickeys and bites that were difficult to cover up all over his body. There were even purple finger marks on his wrists, arms and waist. And other places he couldn't see.

He didn't know what to say if someone saw it and asked what it was. However, Black Orchid didn't need to see these marks to know what had happened. She alone had already noticed the doctor's reserved behavior, hiding his nervousness inside. It was typical of someone who had his first contact with the relationships of love. She, however, maintained her low profile despite being very pleased with her success. Their plans for unity never failed.

I hope I'm invited to the wedding, she laughed to herself, because knowing the emperor's temperament, he wouldn't calm down until he got the doctor completely. But she was confident, that morning she received a generous payment in gold, with a note from Qiang Yong specifically thanking her for making the room available to them.

Su Ning said goodbye to Chuan Zuo and then her. The Orchid waved the fan, breaking into smiles.
"I'm really grateful, doctor. Come back whenever you want to get some rest. I can always reserve that room for you, it has the biggest bathtub in the house."
Su Ning gave a brief smile.

Mentioning the bathtub reminded him that Qiang Yong took the time to clean him and with that came the memory of him rubbing him under water and twisting his fingers in that opening to let the viscous liquid come out.
The doctor turned away before they noticed his embarrassment. "Ah, I appreciate your hospitality. There's no need for that."

"Uhm... doctor, in this life there isn't just work. And there are things that it's better not to think about too much, better to follow according to your heart's desires." She smiled enigmatically. It would be good to try to implement some kind of advice to guide the doctor. Maybe he didn't realize it, but he felt something for the emperor. In this, Qiang Yong was smart. He gave a small taste of what he felt to Su Ning and walked away.

In this way, the doctor who had nothing, tried a little of what he could have and now it has been taken away from him. He would definitely miss it and realize what he truly wanted. However, this would only work if he actually had some affection for the dragon. Qiang Yong decided to risk everything or nothing on this move. He also strongly feared that Su Ning would disown him right away, so faking an urgent call was strategic.

Qiang Yong realized that he forced the situation and he couldn't bear to be frowned upon by the doctor. Now he was in his fortress, reminiscing about his good times from the night before and praying to the gods that his beloved would accept him. Two days. Two very long days!

Su Ning was already suffering the effects of this period of reflection. He returned to the clinic in the morning and all the information that Han Chia gave him about the latest events of these days went in and out of his head without leaving a trace. Fortunately, as an experienced doctor, he treated his patients with his usual impeccability. However, he did not feel hungry, and in the afternoon, when the movement slowed down and even An Shu took a nap, Su Ning's torments began again.

He sat alone in front of a stone table in the yard and lowered his head in thought. Did Qiang Yong really like him? He was so careful with him, before and after... And him? Did he like the emperor in a romantic way or not? What was it like to love someone? He was confused like he had never been in his entire life. Their defenses and certainties crumbled before their eyes.

Han Chia watched him for a while, it was the first time he had seen Su Ning so upset. What could have happened in this last incident? The old fox approached him and sat on the bench opposite. He brought along a tray of soothing tea. Su Ning immediately raised his head, seeing the tea he thought he was being pampered a lot this day. In any case, he accepted the courtesy very willingly.

"You came back different from the province... did you have any other problems?"
"Umm... I... there was someone who came to me... uh... out of love." He made up an excuse. Han Chia smiled. Su Ning was a denial when it came to love matters, which was why he was depressed like this.
"Oh! It was a hard case then."
"This person received a confession but doesn't know if she really likes the other person or not. She wanted advice."

"And what did you say?"
Su Ning was caught this time. He was also terrible at making up lies.
"He said that... if he truly loved, this person should be everything to her, that she would do anything to see him well and happy." He suddenly remembered a phrase from his mother, his only reference for to matters of the heart.
"That was a good answer! Why are you so unhappy?"

"It seems so superficial! It's as if it were a ready-made sentence, without any basis!" But my mom said that and she really loved my dad... why do I feel this way???
"For those of you who haven't had a relationship, it's a good size." The fox laughed. After thinking that this might be offensive, Han Chia tried to amend it.

"I mean, you've always seemed oblivious to these worldly desires, but your understanding of them is quite... grounded, yes. Love... you only live for that person, you only think about them, you only want to be with them... "
"Did you have any crushes, Dr. Han?" Su Ning asked curiously,  but innocently. The fox turned red.

"To tell you the truth, I was once married."
Su Ning looked at him interestedly. "And you liked her a lot?"
"Ah, yes. I loved that fox very much. But in the end she ran away with someone else and to this day I haven't been able to forget her." He laughed sadly. "See? Love is so pathetic."
"I'm very sorry." Su Ning didn't know what to say.

"It's not a problem to tell this to a friend. You must be careful, Dr. Su. Love is a treacherous thing, you may not notice it right away, but when it takes root in the heart, it is a path of no return, like a garden taken for weed."
He let out a long sigh. Su Ning was quiet. Could something like this have infiltrated him? He would like to open his own chest and search to the bottom.

He then received a message request on the communication matrix. He was the leader of the Medical Sect. Su Ning stopped to answer and then turned pale.
"What was it this time?" Han Chia drank his last sip of tea.
"Ce Han and an army of cultivators invaded the imperial city and besieged it. They want to depose the human emperor." He replied, as white as paper.

Author's Note:

Dr. Su spent the day working like a zombie at the clinic 😅, luckily he already does everything almost mechanically, so he can suture wounds without any problems, with his mind floating in the memories of the previous night.

Mini Theater

Black Orchid: "Next time you come, I'll leave this room reserved for you, Dr. Su."

Su Ning: "No need... what am I going to do alone with such a large and luxurious room?"

Black Orchid: "Ah, the Emperor who asked for it has already paid for it. He said that as soon as you have to attend here, it should be left clean and tidy for both of you."

Su Ning: "........"

Ren Loo: "So Dr. Su, it was very helpful, wasn't it? I told you! Dragons are the best partners there are!"

Su Ning: "......................."

The doctor suddenly dug and buried himself in a hole in the ground out of shame.