Chapter 60 "Help! I declare this couple is locked!" (Excessively sweet...)
The golden glow of the setting sun shines through the window at the end of the corridor, giving the cold hospital tiles a warm color.
After a busy day, the pediatric clinic finally quieted down, with only a few patients and nurses packing up to go off work.
At the door of the clinic, several young nurses who had not left yet gathered together, chatting and laughing in low voices, but their eyes frequently drifted towards the entrance of the corridor.
A tall and straight figure appeared there, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.
Lu Yu hadn't told Lin Che he was coming to pick her up. He had just left an important meeting and was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit and a thick black wool coat, which made his shoulders broad and his legs long, giving him an imposing presence.
The dark color scheme makes his cold and deep facial features more three-dimensional. His thin lips are slightly pursed, showing a hint of fatigue after work, but it does not detract from his natural dignity and aloofness.
He walked towards Lin Che's clinic with steady steps, his right hand casually tucked into his coat pocket, while his left hand held a paper cup with the coffee shop's logo printed on it, with a wisp of steam still rising from the rim.
"Wow... Damn... So handsome..."
A clear gasp and a suppressed exclamation came from the nurses' station. Several young nurses and the young patient's family were stunned, their faces flushed unconsciously.
Nurse Xiaoyu was the bravest. She suppressed her inner excitement and infatuation and walked up to him quickly with a professional smile on her face, but her voice was several degrees sweeter than usual: "Hello, sir, which doctor are you looking for? The outpatient clinic is closed now. If you don't have an appointment, you can only go to the emergency room if you need to see a doctor." As she spoke, she couldn't help but glance at Lu Yu's face.
Lu Yu's gaze did not linger on Xiaoyu for too long, but fell directly on the doctor's profile board hanging next to the door of Lin Che's clinic.
It contained a standard photo of Lin Che in a white lab coat, looking elegant and gentle. Next to it were the words "Doctor Lin Che." His gaze lingered on the photo for two seconds, a subtle, gentle warmth flickering across his eyes.
He then tilted his head slightly, his right hand still tucked into his coat pocket. He raised his left hand and casually pointed his slender fingers in the direction of the introduction sign. He spoke concisely in a low, pleasant voice, "I'm looking for Doctor Lin."
"Ah! Looking for Teacher Lin!" Xiaoyu's eyes lit up surprisingly instantly, and the smile on her face could no longer be suppressed. With an excitement of "as expected" and "I got it for real", she nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay! Teacher Lin should still be packing up in the clinic. Please wait a moment, I'll help you check!" After she finished speaking, she almost jumped around and knocked on the door of Lin Che's clinic, her back revealing joy.
In the clinic, Lin Che had just taken off his white coat and hung it up. He was bending over to sort out the medical records on the table. When he heard a knock on the door and turned around, he heard Xiaoyu's voice, which was obviously louder and more excited than usual.
"Teacher Lin! Someone is looking for you!"
Xiaoyu pushed the door open a crack from the outside, and she stuck her head in with a dazzling smile on her face. She winked and mouthed silently, "It's—your—family!" Then she quickly retracted her head to make room.
Lin Che was stunned. Before he could fully digest Xiaoyu's overly expressive expression, a familiar figure appeared at the door, blocking the light outside.
Lu Yu walked in and gently closed the door, blocking out the curious and excited eyes outside.
The clinic was not big. When Lu Yu's tall figure came in, the space suddenly seemed a little cramped. He also brought with him the refreshing scent of cedar, which instantly dispelled the smell of disinfectant.
Lin Che looked at the man who had suddenly appeared. The fatigue in his eyes was instantly replaced by surprise and uncontrollable joy. With his eyes shining, he subconsciously stood up straight. "Why are you here? Didn't you say the meeting would last until late?"
"It ended early." Lu Yu's words were concise, but his gaze seemed warm as he carefully scanned Lin Che's face, checking his condition. When he saw the faint blue shadow under Lin Che's eyes, he frowned almost imperceptibly.
He walked up to Lin Che and handed her the cup of hot drink he had been holding. "I brought this for you."
Lin Che looked down and saw that it was the same coffee shop he had been to when he went to Lu Yu's company. It should be a new product, as it didn't seem to be available when he was there before.
It was a taro bubble tea with extra milk frosting, something he rarely drank. The warmth spread through the paper cup to his palm. A warm current instantly spread from his fingertips to his heart, dispelling all fatigue and coldness.
"Thank you." Lin Che took the milk tea, his fingertips accidentally brushing against Lu Yu's slightly cold fingers. He looked up at Lu Yu, the smile in his eyes genuine and soft. "It's cold outside, right? Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"Just arrived." Lu Yu's eyes fell on Lin Che's face, as if he couldn't get enough of it. He raised his hand and gently touched the dark shadow under Lin Che's eye with his fingertips, his action showing undisguised heartache. "Are you tired?"
"Not bad." Lin Che tilted her head slightly, rubbing her cheek against Lu Yu's fingertips, like a small animal seeking comfort. He held a cup of warm milk tea, and the sound of the straw piercing the milk cap was particularly clear in the quiet clinic.
Lu Yu looked around the small clinic, and finally landed on Lin Che's backpack on the chair and the scarf draped over the back of the chair.
He walked over, picked up Lin Che's backpack and slung it over his shoulder very smoothly, then picked up the smoky gray cashmere scarf and unfolded it with familiar movements.
"Come here." He said in a low voice.
Lin Che walked over obediently and stood in front of him.
Lu Yu lowered his head slightly, and just like when he left home that morning, he carefully wrapped the scarf around Lin Che's neck, one circle at a time. His movements were gentle and focused, ensuring that every inch of skin was properly wrapped. His fingertips occasionally brushed against Lin Che's jaw and earlobes, bringing a subtle tickling sensation.
Lin Che held the milk tea in her hand, tilted her head slightly, and let Lu Yu fiddle with it. A smile played on her lips, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at the handsome face so close to her.
Lu Yu's drooping eyelashes, focused expression, and the cautiousness with which he treated him as a treasure all softened his heart.
"Alright." Lu Yu tucked the last corner of his scarf in place, took a step back with satisfaction, and surveyed his "work." Then, naturally, he reached out and grasped Lin Che's hand, the one not holding the milk tea. His palm was large and warm, completely enveloping Lin Che's slightly cold hand.
"Let's go home." His voice carried a sense of stability and satisfaction after everything had settled.
The door of the clinic opened.
Outside the door, several nurses and patients who had not left far were pretending to be busy, but their eyes were all fixed on this side.
The powerful, almost knee-deeply handsome "family member" helped Dr. Lin carry his bag with one hand while tightly holding his hand with the other. Dr. Lin, bundled up tightly, clutched a cup of milk tea, his face adorned with a rare warmth and relaxation, a feeling of well-cared-for and pampered care.
The two walked side by side through the quiet corridor, the afterglow of the setting sun stretching their shadows very long.
"Oh my God...this scene is so beautiful!" A young nurse held her face and stomped her feet excitedly.
"The way the handsome guy looks at Teacher Lin...it's so devastating!" another screamed softly.
"Wow, Teacher Lin looks so cute when he is being led away! Teacher Lin is usually so calm at work!" Xiaoyu covered her face and felt that her life was complete.
"Mom, that uncle is so handsome! The brother holding hands is so handsome too!" A little girl tugged at her mother's clothes and summed up innocently.
It wasn't until the two figures disappeared at the elevator entrance that the suppressed whispers of excitement in the corridor finally broke out.
"Holy crap! Family! I saw Teacher Lin's legendary husband! He's ten thousand times more handsome in person than in the photo!!"
"I see it, I see it! Holding hands, holding hands! Teacher Lin is so good!"
"This isn't about picking someone up from get off work, this is about showing off your love! So sweet!"
"Help! I declare this couple locked up! Mr. Lu swallowed the key himself!"
————
The train car was heated to full blast, insulating it from the bitter cold outside. The warm, sweet aroma of the taro bubble milk tea filled the small space. Lin Che held the tea in his hand and took another sip with satisfaction. The silky milk cap and soft taro paste melted on his tongue. The sweetness Lu Yu had bought was just right.
He looked at the rapidly receding street outside the window, and a thought flashed through his mind. He tilted his head and asked, "By the way, I've always wanted to ask you, what did you do with my car after I was injured last time?"
Lu Yu focused on the road ahead, his slender fingers resting on the steering wheel. Upon hearing this, he replied calmly, "Cheng Yi had the insurance company write it off."
Lin Che nodded in understanding, recalling the car's miserable state—the front end was dented, the windows shattered. It was truly beyond repair. "Yeah, that's right, it was in such a state after the crash." He calculated the balance on his card and the upcoming bonus. "Guess I need to save some more money and look for a suitable used car later..."
Before he finished speaking, the car stopped steadily at a red light.
Lu Yu didn't look at the traffic light. Instead, he reached out and gently pinched Lin Che's chin with his warm and dry fingertips, turning his entire face around and forcing him to look directly into his deep eyes.
"Don't even think about buying a car." Lu Yu's voice was low, but it carried a resolute tone. His eyes locked onto Lin Che sharply. "Aren't the cars parked in the garage at home enough for you to drive?"
Lin Che was caught off guard as he pinched her chin and turned her around. She still had half a mouthful of milk tea in her mouth. Her eyes were wide open, and she was surprised and a little embarrassed at having her thoughts seen through. "You...how do you know what I'm thinking?"
He was clearly just calculating quietly in his mind.
Lu Yu hummed softly, and his thumb unconsciously stroked the delicate skin of his chin before he let go and looked forward again.
The green light came on, and he started the car smoothly. His deep voice flowed through the car, carrying an unquestionable arrangement: "It's almost deep winter, and the road will be icy and slippery. I'm worried about you driving alone."
He paused, his tone slowed down, but became more determined, "Besides, even if you buy it, I may not let you drive it."
Lin Che was about to retort that his driving skills were fine, but Lu Yu stopped him short with his next words: "I'll try my best to take you to work every morning." He glanced sideways at Lin Che, catching the worry that suddenly welled up in his eyes. "I know your clinic hours are 8:30, so you need to arrive early. Don't worry, I can get up and make time for it."
"But……"
Lin Che frowned, the sweetness of her milk tea seeming to fade. "It takes at least 40 minutes to drive from home to the hospital during rush hour. After dropping me off, you have to go back to the office. It's too much trouble. You're so busy at work, and you often have social engagements in the evening..."
He felt sorry for Lu Yu's hard work and didn't want to add any extra burden to him.
The most practical option is to buy yourself a cheap car for transportation.
"Trouble?" Lu Yu interrupted him. There was no emotion in his voice, but his hands gripping the steering wheel tightened.
He was silent for a few seconds, as if he was choosing his words. The only sound in the car was the low roar of the engine.
After a moment, he spoke again, his voice low and clear, "Compared to asking you to squeeze into the subway before dawn in the cold winter or drive a car that I don't trust, what's this little trouble?"
He stared straight ahead, his tone unquestionable, "Lin Che, your safety is more important than anything else. Just treat that little bit of time this morning as some exclusive time I've reserved for myself, okay?"
He paused, his voice softening with a subtle hint of coaxing, "Or, do you want me to be worried every morning, wondering if you've arrived safely at work?"
These words accurately hit Lin Che's soft spot.
Lin Che held the milk tea in his hand, feeling the warmth of the cup wall with his fingertips. He sighed softly and turned to look at Lu Yu's tense profile with a bit of helplessness. He knew that once Lu Yu made a decision, it would be difficult to change it, especially when it came to his safety.
"...Okay." He compromised, his voice as light as a sigh, but with a hint of dependence that he himself had not noticed, "Then... I'll trouble you."
He lowered his head, stirring the heavy taro paste bubbles at the bottom of the cup with a straw, and added, "However, if you are really too busy or wake up late one day, I can take a taxi or the subway by myself. Don't force it."
Hearing his compromise, Lu Yu's tense jawline seemed to soften slightly. He didn't say anything else, but reached out his right hand and grasped Lin Che's left hand, which was resting on his lap. His palm wrapped around his fingers with warmth and strength.
"Yeah," he responded, tightening his fingers.
————
The heating in my house was turned on in advance, so I was already feeling hot when I got home.
Lin Che finally finished the cup of heart-warming taro bubble milk tea and licked the remaining milk on her lips with satisfaction.
He took off his heavy down jacket and the smoky gray cashmere scarf that Lu Yu had carefully tied around him, and only wore a soft white long-sleeved sweatshirt. He instantly looked refreshed and homely.
He sat cross-legged on the soft sofa, picked up a soft pillow and wrapped it in his arms, took out his mobile phone and began to reply to follow-up consultation messages from several outpatients.
From the kitchen came the sound of the refrigerator door opening and closing, followed by the sound of Lu Yu walking back after changing into home clothes.
He changed out of his crisp suit and coat and put on a comfortable and soft dark gray cashmere sweater and trousers of the same color. His sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his smooth forearms.
Without that overwhelming business aura, he now appears more lazy and gentle at home, but the uprightness and concentration in his bones still remain.
"What do you want to eat?" Lu Yu stood by the center island of the open kitchen, sorting the fresh ingredients that had just been delivered to the refrigerator, and asked Lin Che who was sitting on the sofa. His voice was particularly clear and soft in the quiet and warm room.
Lin Che looked up from her phone screen and belatedly realized, "Huh? It seems like I haven't seen Aunt Qu for a while?"
Lu Yu took out a few vegetables from the fresh-keeping layer, without even looking up, and said in a natural tone: "Well, the weather has been too cold recently, so I told her not to run back and forth every day. I just sent her fresh vegetables twice a week. It will save her the trouble."
He placed the selected ingredients on the counter with swift movements.
"Oh, I see..." Lin Che bit the last bit of air in the milk tea straw, making a slight hissing sound, and nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's cold and the roads are slippery, so this arrangement is a good one."
Lu Yu looked at the dazzling array of ingredients in the refrigerator—emerald green lettuce, plump tomatoes, tender chicken breast, and a box of sterilized eggs… He pondered for a moment, then turned to ask Lin Che for his opinion again: "Then I'll just make something casual? Tomato and egg noodles? Or a simple stir-fry?"
He knew that Lin Che had been busy in the clinic all day and had just drunk milk tea, so her appetite might not be very big. She needed something light and stomach-warming.
"Anything's fine." Lin Che put down his phone, hugged his pillow, and rested his chin on it. He looked at the man in the kitchen with bright eyes, who had rolled up his sleeves and was about to cook for him. His face was filled with complete relaxation and trust. "Everything you cook is delicious."
This is not a compliment, it is the truth from the heart.
Lu Yu's cooking skills, especially this kind of quick home-cooked dishes, can always accurately satisfy his taste buds.
Upon hearing this, the corners of Lu Yu's mouth curled up slightly, and he was obviously very pleased with this unreserved affirmation.
He didn't waste any more words and directly chose the target: "Then let's have tomato and egg noodles, hurry up." Lu Yu took out the tomatoes and eggs neatly, and took out a bunch of green onions and placed them next to the chopping board.
Lin Che quietly tiptoed behind Lu Yu in her socks, folded her hands and rested her chin on the back of her hands, and lay on the table with her bright eyes, watching Lu Yu busy in the kitchen.
Lu Yu's slender fingers lifted a tomato and rinsed it under the tap. The water washed over the plump fruit, sending up tiny droplets of water. Then came the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables, the tomato being evenly chopped into small pieces. The crisp, sharp sound of beating eggs, the chopsticks whipping the egg mixture into a uniform golden color in the bowl.
The soft light from the refrigerator outlined Lu Yu's focused profile. He lowered his head slightly, and the warm yellow ceiling light shone on him, casting a warm halo on his upright shoulders.
The soft material of his home clothes neutralized his usual coldness and hardness. At this moment, there was only concentration in his eyes.
The phone screen had long gone dark, and Lin Che had casually set it aside. In the kitchen, there was the gentle clatter of pots and pans, the pleasant sizzling of ingredients being put into the wok, and the subtle scraping of Lu Yu's slippers against the floor as he occasionally walked.
The tomatoes fried in the pan create a rich and tempting sweet and sour aroma, which gradually spreads into the living room, whetting people's appetite.
Lin Che sniffed and watched Lu Yu skillfully pour in boiling water, cover the pot, and then start preparing to fry the eggs.
He didn't need to do anything, just watch and wait.
Lu Yu skillfully placed the cooked noodles into two warm bowls. The golden poached eggs rested on the bright red tomato soup. He picked up the two bowls of noodles with satisfaction and turned around to prepare to invite Lin Che to eat.
"Cheche, the noodles are delicious..." Before he could finish his words, he was stunned.
The sofa was empty, and the figure hugging the pillow was gone.
His eyes subconsciously turned to the dining table next to him, and Lu Yu's heart instantly softened.
Lin Che had sat down at the dining table without anyone noticing. He was lying on the smooth tabletop, his head resting on his arms folded on the table. His face was slightly tilted to one side, half of his cheek was pressed down, and his chin rested softly on the back of his hand.
The warm yellow light fell on him, and his long eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, trembling slightly with his even and shallow breathing.
The soft white sweatshirt made him look like a defenseless, quiet and well-behaved kitten.
The corners of Lu Yu's mouth silently curved into an extremely gentle arc. He walked over with light steps and carefully placed two bowls of steaming noodles on the table without making any sound.
He walked over to Lin Che, but didn't wake him up immediately. He just watched him quietly for a few seconds.
As he fell asleep, Lin Che lost the calmness and composure he had at work, and the agility he had when he was awake. Only a sense of complete relaxation and dependence remained, which made people's hearts soften.
Lu Yu leaned down, leaning close to Lin Che's ear. His warm breath brushed against Lin Che's earlobe, and his low voice was extremely soft and gentle, "Baby, wake up. Eat your noodles before you go back to sleep."
As he spoke, his fingertips, covered with thin calluses, gently rubbed Lin Che's cheek, which was pressed against the back of his hand, in a very natural and soothing manner, feeling the warm and delicate touch of the skin.
Lin Che's eyelashes trembled violently several times, and her eyelids struggled to open a crack. Her confused eyes focused for a long time before she could see Lu Yu's handsome face with a gentle smile that was so close to her.
"...Hmm?" He responded vaguely, his consciousness obviously still lingering on the edge of the dream. Looking at Lu Yu's face, he smiled and put his nose close to rub Lu Yu's chin.
"The noodles are ready, eat them while they're hot." Lu Yu gently touched his cheek again, his voice still low and soft, full of patience, "Eat and then have a good sleep, okay?"
Lin Che blinked, trying to shake off the sleepiness, and let out a slow "Oh." He leaned against the table, straightening up with some difficulty. He rubbed his cheek, which had been slightly bruised by pressure. His eyes were still wet with sleepiness.
Lu Yu felt so soft-hearted when he saw him looking confused and trying hard to stay awake.
He pushed one of the bowls of noodles towards Lin Che and considerately placed his chopsticks beside the bowl. "Here, this is yours."
Lin Che subconsciously picked up the chopsticks, his eyes falling on the fried egg in the bowl that was fried to a golden and crispy texture with slightly curled edges, and then looked at the identical one in Lu Yu's bowl.
He sniffed, the rich aroma of tomato soup completely awakening his stomach. He picked up a small handful of noodles with his chopsticks, blew on it, and placed it in his mouth. The warm, sweet and sour broth, wrapped around the chewy noodles, slid into his stomach, instantly soothing his tired body and his long-awaited taste buds.
"Delicious..." He muttered vaguely, picked up another small piece of fried egg, and took a bite with satisfaction. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong egg aroma.
Lu Yu sat across from him and picked up his chopsticks as well, but his gaze remained tenderly fixed on Lin Che, watching him eat the noodles in small, sleepy mouthfuls, his cheeks puffing slightly as he chewed, like a greedy and sleepy hamster.
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