Dong Yingming entered the infirmary ward of the prison. Having been far too familiar with its layout, he gets the on duty guard to get his usual private doctor.
After a minute, a strikingly handsome, middle-aged man with an air of quiet confidence and intelligence rushes out of his office and goes to greet Dong Yingming. Though it's clear he's far older than Dong Yingming, he humbles himself when approaching and speaks rather too politely.
His features are sharp yet warm—high cheekbones, a strong jawline lightly dusted with stubble, and kind, almond-shaped eyes that seem to instantly put patients at ease. Little did his patients know, it was merely a facade, as he held no real kindness for anyone. His hair is thick, neatly styled with just a touch of salt-and-pepper at the temples, hinting at both experience and elegance.
He wears a crisp white coat over a tailored shirt and tie, always immaculately put together. There's a calm steadiness in his voice, as he speaks.
"Mr. Dong, to what do I owe this great honor of you visiting little old me? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you feel unwell? Please, come and sit and I will do my utmost to heal you."
Dong Yingming couldn't help his eyebrow from twitching. What was up with this blind doctor? Couldn't he see the sick person was the man in his arms? Should he fire this guy and get a new private doctor? What if this quack couldn't help Yao Ziyang and he ended up dying instead!
"Zhang Wei, can you cure a cold?"
Zhang Wei was puzzled by this question. Wasn't that too easy an illness to cure? Is he questioning his qualifications as a highly respected master of the medical arts? Even a mother can cure a common cold for their child, let alone someone of his high caliber! However, Dong Yingming didn't appear to be sick, was he planning on getting sick later then?
Seeing that Zhang Wei was still not understanding his question, he reveals Yao Ziyang's head from under the blanket. His messy hair, coupled with his heavy panting and deeply flushed cheeks gave him an alluring charm. Truly claiming the title of 'a sickly beauty', if he were in better health, Dong Yingming would have no qualms taking him into a private room for himself to enjoy.
Pushing that thought to the back of his mind for later, Dong Yingming explains to the doctor more clearly this time.
"I want you to take a look at Yao Ziyang. I found him with a high fever. Can you cure him or am I going to have to find a new private doctor?"
His voice was ice cold, it was clear he was holding back his rage. He really wanted to bash this quack's head in, however the shivering patient in his arms prevented such movements at the moment.
Scared out of his wits, Zhang Wei pales as he finally notices the young man in Dong Yingming's arms. Most of his body is wrapped tightly in an ugly coarse blanket, the standard issued ones handed out to new or poor inmates. However, his face was quite good looking even to an old man like himself. It was no wonder Dong Yingming pushed this young fellow to his limits in the bedroom with a face like that!
Feeling Zhang Wei's scrutinizing stare, he really considers looking for a new doctor. He unceremoniously stomps on Zhang Wei's foot, not enough to break it but just enough to leave a nasty bruise as a way to warn him.
"Ouch! Ah-ahem! Please bring the patient over towards the bed. I will go make some medicine."
Zhang Wei, finally getting the hint, makes his way towards an empty room. He watches from the side as Dong Yingming carefully places Yao Ziyang onto the bed and takes a seat next to him.
His eyes never left Yao Ziyang's face as Dong Yingming gently strokes his hair into place, making him look more presentable. It was obvious Dong Yingming was trying to keep an aloof face and it was good for the most part. That is if it weren't for his tightly knitted eyebrows, giving his aloof look a more somber feel to it.
Zhang Wei couldn't tell right away but it almost seemed like Dong Yingming was caring a bit too much for this boy. Perhaps he was overthinking this. After all, no one wanted to have sex with a sickly body that could die at any moment!
"Also Doc, do a DNA test. Find out who he's related to."
Clatter
This took Zhang Wei by surprise, he nearly broke a beaker just now! A DNA test! Was he checking to see if they are related!? Or perhaps they have a secret child he didn't know about! Oh but…they're both men…
Dong Yingming once again felt this quack needed another warning. Glaring fiercely at the old man, he slams his open palm onto the side table. This not only shook Zhang Wei out of his delusion but also the unconscious Yao Ziyang even shuddered from fear and let out the cutest whimper. In a more hushed tone, Dong Yingming spoke again.
"Just do what I say and they won't be dragging your body out from the river. Save your thoughts for when you're off the clock!"
"Y-Yes, Mr. Dong, I-I'll keep that in mind."
Focusing back on making the traditional chinese medicine for a cold, it only took him mere minutes to complete the pills. Truly, this was child's play to a master like himself. Very carefully he places all but one of the pills into a jade bottle and puts it in his lab coat pocket. Filled with pride over this simple matter, Zhang Wei takes the one pill he had left out then a syringe and makes his way over to Yao Ziyang and Dong Yingming.
Seeing the sharp pointed needle, Dong Yingming immediately became defensive and glared murderously at the approaching Zhang Wei. He tightly clutches his knees as it's the only way to prevent him from impulsively crushing the syringe and throwing Zhang Wei over his shoulder.
A sudden chill comes over Zhang Wei, which he promptly ignores and continues his way until he reaches Yao Ziyang. First he pries open Yao Ziyang's mouth and slips the pill in effortlessly. Its contents melted immediately the moment it touched Yao Ziyang's tongue. This action alone makes Dong Yingming wish he could chop off Zhang Wei's hand that dared to touch his man's pretty mouth!
Unperturbed, Zhang Wei moves on to the next step, getting the blood for the DNA test. While a hair sample is usable, blood is far more accurate and reliable. A buccal swab would've been most ideal, however, given how he'd just given Yao Ziyang oral medicine, the sample could end up coming back inconclusive.
Lifting his limp arm from under the blanket, he finds it difficult to pinpoint a strong enough vein. Feeling slightly embarrassed and a bit annoyed, Zhang Wei begins to squeeze and rub Yao Ziyang's arm in an attempt to get the blood flowing.
This action irritated Dong Yingming even more and the longer it went on the more pissed he became. How dare this old fart touch his man like that! And in front of him! Can't he do his job without molesting the unconscious man!? After a full 2 minutes, Dong Yingming couldn't suppress his boiling anger and harshly reprimanded Zhang Wei.
"Do you have to be so handsy with him! Just take his blood for god's sake or it'll be your blood that gets spilled!"
Zhang Wei flinched in surprise and fear, nearly dropping the syringe before it could even touch the skin. Calming his nerves, he carefully steadys his hands and finally inserts the needle into Yao Ziyang's arm. Vivid red blood rushes into the empty vial.
After Zhang Wei was finished, he quickly patched Yao Ziyang up with a bandaid and headed over to the other side of the bed, towards Dong Yingming. He held out the jade bottle with the rest of the pills and spoke as he handed it to Dong Yingming.
"Make sure he takes one pill again when he wakes up, then one in the morning and another in the evening until he's no longer sick. Luckily he got treatment early, so the medicine should cure him in just a day or two. Meanwhile, I'll have the results of the DNA test by tonight."
Taking the jade bottle, Dong Yingming carefully puts it away in his pocket and goes to lift Yao Ziyang up, intending to take him back to his cell.
Before he could step out of the recovery room however, Zhang Wei suddenly remembered some extra instructions he felt Dong Yingming needed to know. Somehow, he sensed this was Dong Yingming's first time taking care of a sick patient and thus needed to tell him how to care for said person.
"Ah. Before I forget, since he's got a fever, it'd be best if he stays in a warmer environment. Also, make sure he eats only light foods such as porridge or congee. Hot baths are also helpful."
Dong Yingming nodded and began to mentally make plans to accommodate Yao Ziyang until he's gotten completely over his cold. Once Zhang Wei stopped speaking, Dong Yingming swiftly left and began to make his way to his own cell with Yao Ziyang snuggled comfortably in his arms.