Afternoon.
"Doctor Ye, right here... it hurts here."
"Ah, just reach in already. You can't check properly from that angle."
Ye Shuang was conducting routine health checks in the school clinic as usual, surrounded by flirtatious students cooing "Doctor Ye" in sugary tones. He couldn't shake the feeling of being devoured piece by piece—like Tang Sanzang stumbling into the Kingdom of Women. The comparison might be exaggerated, but that's exactly how Ye Shuang felt.
What surprised him was An Shiyu's absence. Normally, she'd be lounging on the last sickbed during this time, lazing around as usual. But after witnessing her jump from the second floor that morning, she'd seemingly vanished since lunch break.
"That girl probably twisted her ankle after that stunt," Ye Shuang mused. Yet he couldn't figure out how she'd instantly reappeared behind him afterward. It wasn't like she had superpowers—unless she had Doraemon's Anywhere Door, which was downright unscientific.
Then again, Ye Shuang wasn't in any position to talk about what was "unscientific."
Just as he finished seeing off the students, a teacher unexpectedly walked into the clinic.
"Anyone here? Huh..."
"That's odd... Teacher Bai, why are you wearing the school doctor's uniform?"
It was Class C's homeroom teacher, Shen Jiaojiao. Compared to other faculty members, she was relatively young—a 25- or 26-year-old master's graduate with glasses and a ponytail, giving off a pure and innocent vibe. She blinked in confusion at Ye Shuang's presence.
"Oh, I found teaching too exhausting, so I switched to being a school doctor. They happened to be short-staffed," Ye Shuang replied casually with a smile.
"It is exhausting, but Yinshan Academy isn't as bad as other schools with their endless performative demands. I heard some primary schools in the bay area won't even approve marriage leave, and when teachers complain, higher-ups ignore it. Meanwhile, they keep inviting officials over for appearances, dumping all the pressure on the faculty. Can you imagine?"
"Indeed," Ye Shuang responded, though he wasn't particularly interested in these all-too-common grievances. He simply asked, "What seems to be the problem, Teacher Shen?"
"Well, it's kind of..." Shen Jiaojiao hesitated, especially under Ye Shuang's gaze.
Recognizing her discomfort, Ye Shuang discreetly checked her information.
[Character: Shen Jiaojiao
Homeroom teacher of Yinshan Academy's Class 3-C. Recently suffering from uterine cold, experiencing heavy menstrual flow.]
Ah.
No wonder she was embarrassed. She probably thought the school doctor was a stranger. Still, maintaining professionalism, Ye Shuang smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, just treat me as a regular doctor. No need to feel shy."
Shen Jiaojiao considered this and nodded, pressing a hand to her abdomen. "I've been having terrible discomfort here lately... and, well, my period has been unusually heavy."
"Let me check your pulse."
"You can do that?" Shen Jiaojiao had only come because the pain was unbearable—otherwise, she would've gone straight to a hospital if not for her teaching duties.
"A little."
Ye Shuang had no real pulse-reading skills; this was purely for show. Placing his fingers on her wrist, he closed his eyes in mock concentration before recalling medical texts on uterine cold.
"Do you often wear crop tops? Or consume cold foods during your period?"
"I do," Shen Jiaojiao admitted, surprised by his accuracy. "Pulse-reading is that precise?"
"Yep. The wonders of ancient Eastern medicine," Ye Shuang said. "Your condition is uterine cold. I'll give you some medication, but long-term care is more important."
He stood and retrieved blood-nourishing and womb-warming herbs from a cabinet, adding, "Avoid cold foods during your cycle—especially ice cream—and keep warm."
"If left untreated, severe cases can lead to infertility," he added bluntly, causing Shen Jiaojiao's face to pale.
"That serious?! I don't even have a boyfriend yet..."
"Exactly. So take good care of yourself," Ye Shuang said with a smile.
"Right, I will." Shen Jiaojiao pocketed the medicine, then glanced at him again. "My students kept saying the third clinic's doctor was amazing. Seems they were right. Why didn't you become a hospital physician, Teacher Bai?"
"I prefer a more relaxed job."
A year ago, Ye Shuang—who once believed wasting time was wasting life—would never have said such a thing. Besides, he wasn't even a licensed doctor. An Shiyu had basically smuggled him in to laze around.
Yet somehow, he'd gradually gained a reputation. Many students now saw him as a reliable school doctor, even consulting him for mental health issues.
"Thanks," Shen Jiaojiao said, tucking away the medicine.
"Don't mention it."
"Oh, Teacher Bai..."
"Hm?"
Blushing slightly, she mustered her courage. "Are you free for dinner? I know a fantastic restaurant."
The man before her was handsome, gentle, and around her age—an irresistible temptation for a perpetually single woman in her mid-twenties. This was a rare moment of boldness.
Ye Shuang's dark, ink-like eyes remained unreadable. He smiled faintly. "Sounds lovely, but I already have plans. Promised to have dinner with my partner. Sorry about that."
"O-oh, what a shame. I'll get going then." Shen Jiaojiao wasn't dense—his rejection was clear. She forced a smile and left it at that.
"Take care."
After seeing her out, Ye Shuang slumped back into his chair.
Just as he stretched, his phone buzzed on the desk. A message from Fugui lit up the screen:
Fugui: yOOOOOOOO… Wanna grab drinks tonight? Combustible oolong tea, spiked with 98% Everclear.
Ye Shuang noted it was a group chat. Another message popped up immediately.
Chen Hai: Ugh, tough luck. The missus is on a rampage—says if I go drinking, she's coming too.
Fugui: Pfft~ You're not even from Sichuan. Since when do us southerners become henpecked?
Chen Hai: Bullshit! I just pamper my wife. When it counts, I’ve got her wrapped around my finger.
Ye Shuang tapped out a reply—
Ye Shuang: Screenshot taken. Sending it to your wife now.
Chen Hai: Bro, BRO, I take it back!
Fugui: @Ye Shuang Bring your kid along. Let’s see if you’ve fattened them up nicely.
Ye Shuang: Definitely healthier, if not much rounder. At least their complexion’s improved.
Ye Shuang: Tonight?
Fugui: Duh~ Didn’t I say "soon" last time? If not tonight, when?
Ye Shuang considered it. It could work, but driving after drinking was out of the question.
Better hail a cab.