A CERTAIN SOMEONE ( THE ON1Y ONE )

Chapter 106 - Branches

I’m Gonna Starve to Death Soon, Dr. Jiang. Won’t You Spare Me Some Food?

Zhang Chao arrived at work on the normal dot, and saw that that a certain workaholic seriously wasn’t there. More asking led to the discovery that he had taken leave, and so he was instantly a little worried. He hurriedly sent a message on WeChat to check up on him. However, he waited for nearly an hour before he got a single sentence in reply.

I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: accidentally fell asleep again just now, just saw this

Zhang Chao was a little confused. Not only did the workaholic rarely request leave from work, the frequency of him sleeping through this time was miniscule too. That particular word “again” stood out, causing him to worry more.

Zhang Chao: Are you alright?
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: I’m fine, just a little unwell
Zhang Chao: Oh, I saw that your particular leave is for personal matters. Why didn’t you ask for sick leave if you’re unwell?
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: too lazy to go to the hospital

Zhang Chao: Are you kidding me? Why aren’t you going there?
Zhang Chao: Don’t you dare treat this lightly
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: ?

Actually, Zhang Chao did have his reasons for asking this. After all, Sheng Wang used to not take sick leave even though he was running a high fever — he did eat his medicine with much self awareness though, and even put up a whole act of being picky with the components of the medicine and its side effects. Zhang Chao would be filled with annoyance every time he saw that, and would attempt to persuade earnestly “going back for a nap and skipping out a couple of those bottled ice water and that would be better than any medicine”. Sadly, the other person would not listen.
In lieu of all that, he had obediently asked for leave without him nagging away at all — how sick must he be?

Zhang Chao made up all sorts of scenarios in his head, and got increasingly worried — until the other person took a picture of the thermometer.
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: see this yet? Perfectly normal temperature, I’m really okay
Zhang Chao: Then which part of you is unwell?
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: …….
I No Longer Want This Hand Of Mine: I sprained my ankle

Zhang Chao was about to send something else when the other person flung over three memes of bowing in a row, and then asking him: aren’t you busy today?
He wanted to say “Funnily I really am not that busy”, but the moment he said that, karma instantly came for him. He was summoned away by two emails and a phone call, and no longer had the energy for gossiping.

Sheng Wang stared at the screen for a while, made sure that there was nothing else from Zhang Chao’s end, then tossed the phone aside, getting up. He went to take the third shower he would be taking counting from yesterday night to today.
He wore loose black jogging pants, and just as he went to look for a clean T-shirt in the closet while drying his hair, he heard the door to the house open. Jiang Tian was already back.

Sheng Wang shot a glance outside of the room, and set the towel at the side as he passed by, picking a grey T-shirt. After he got the sleeves on and was now tugging the shirt down through his head, Jiang Tian had already walked in, and rested a hand on his waist.

Sheng Wang only got half the shirt on, and the muscles of his waist, exposed to thin air, tightened up subconsciously under his touch. He hurriedly pulled the shirt down, and grasped Jiang Tian’s fingers, saying, “No more no more, I don’t want to ask for leave two days in a row.”
Jiang Tian: “......I only wanted to ask if you’re feeling unwell.”
Sheng Wang silently turned back to look at him. “It wouldn’t be this spot that is unwell.”
Jiang Tian’s gaze darted down. Just as he was about to switch to a different place, Sheng Wang immediately held him down, “Fine, it’s alright, I don’t feel unwell at all. Stop moving already.”
Just as Jiang Tian was about to open his mouth again, Sheng Wang continued, “Ge.”