I Don’t Care
6:10 PM.
Old Liu’s Private Kitchen.
Xia Xinghe sat alone by the window, waiting for Yanmai to arrive.
The restaurant’s name sounded rustic, but it was actually one of the city’s top-rated establishments. It specialized in unique, self-developed dishes, and had a heartwarming backstory: the owner’s son returned from studying abroad to revive his family’s nearly-defunct traditional restaurant and bring it to new heights.
Yan Cai had always loved this place. He was close with the owner and had gathered all the behind-the-scenes gossip. Xia Xinghe didn’t care much for such stories, but after hearing Yan Cai repeat his favorite line over and over—“The food here’s so good you’ll want to eat your fingers”—he’d always been curious to try. This time, he finally got the chance.
The interior decor was distinct: to the left were leather sofas, and the chandeliers had angular, coffee-colored glass shades—very Western in style. To the right were round tables with wooden stools, the tissue boxes on the tables were intricately carved wood—a traditional Chinese aesthetic. The bold stylistic clash didn’t feel awkward at all; instead, it achieved a surprisingly delicate balance.
Initially just glancing around out of boredom, Xia Xinghe was quickly intrigued by the unique décor. He studied every detail carefully. But when his gaze drifted back to the window, he suddenly froze.
The person across the street… that side profile looked a lot like Bai Qingzhou?
Xia Xinghe didn’t have time to think it through when a young woman in her early twenties hurried up to him.
“Table 5… Excuse me, are you writer Bamboo?”
Xia Xinghe nodded and looked her up and down. “…Yanmai?”
Yanmai looked just like her online avatar—ponytail, big eyes. Though she wore a sleek pencil skirt typical of a professional woman, she still exuded a youthful vibe. She had taken quick little steps on her way in and was slightly out of breath.
“Hello, writer Bamboo! I’m Yanmai!” she smiled brightly.
“Hello, I’m Bamboo.”
Xia Xinghe hurriedly invited her to sit down and handed her the menu. “Take a look—see what you’d like to eat?”
“I’m fine with anything.” Yanmai politely picked a few dishes while chatting casually with Xia Xinghe. At the same time, she kept glancing at him intentionally or unintentionally. Though there was no malice in her gaze, it was still noticeable.
After this happened a few times, Xia Xinghe blinked in confusion.
“Is there something on my face?” he asked.
Yanmai quickly shook her head. “No, no.” Then, after a pause, she gave an embarrassed smile. “It’s just that you… you…”
Xia Xinghe understood and smiled, finishing her sentence for her: “Don’t look the way you imagined?”
Yanmai gave a small “mm” and, worried that he’d misunderstand, quickly added, “I just wanted to say—you’re really handsome!”
Due to her work, Yanmai had met a number of authors in real life. She knew that many internet-famous writers were pretty average-looking in person. Since Xia Xinghe had never shown his face online, she had assumed he looked ordinary. So when she first saw him sitting at the table, she didn’t even dare to recognize him.
Ordinary? He could easily pass for a newly debuted idol!
Xia Xinghe was wearing a navy-blue blazer that highlighted his long legs and slim waist. His skin was even fairer than Yanmai’s. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, his gaze clear as spring water, and the creamy golden hair added a lively spark to his look.
Yanmai’s tone and eyes carried no ill intent, so Xia Xinghe smiled and replied, “Thank you.”
The service at this private restaurant was excellent—dishes arrived quickly. Within just a few exchanges, steaming hot food was already on the table.
Yanmai had eaten here before and picked out some of their specialty dishes. One was a satay beef and vermicelli hotpot, rich and aromatic, with juicy slices of beef paired with cilantro’s unique scent. Another dish was “Three-Cup Chicken,” first pan-fried then simmered, with a strong garlic aroma that burst with flavor in each bite.
Knowing Xia Xinghe had just recovered from a cold and couldn’t eat oily or spicy food, Yanmai had thoughtfully ordered a light stew for him. The broth was almost clear but had a rich, layered flavor—chicken’s freshness, pork’s savoriness, vegetables’ sweetness, and other aromas Xia Xinghe couldn’t even describe. It was simply delicious, fully deserving of Yan Cai’s classic review: “So good it makes you want to swallow your fingers.” Xia Xinghe hadn’t had much of an appetite, but after tasting this soup, he couldn’t help drinking two bowls.
Yanmai was eloquent online, and in person, she was just as articulate. Despite it being their first meeting, she didn’t come off as distant at all. Since they had known each other for a while and had plenty in common, their contract discussion went smoothly. After signing, Yanmai cheerfully steered the conversation all over—from the internet to real life.
Halfway through, she suddenly remembered something, picked up her phone from the table, and blinked playfully. “Oh right, can I take a picture with you?”
Her eyes held eager anticipation. Xia Xinghe didn’t mind and agreed without hesitation.
“Sure.”
“Thank you!”
Beaming, Yanmai scampered over to his side, leaned down a bit, and threw up a peace sign in front of the camera.
“Three, two, one—cheese!”
Xia Xinghe, affected by her cheerful smile, also held up a peace sign just as she clicked the shutter.
Once the photo was taken, Yanmai smiled sweetly, visibly pleased. “Writer Bamboo, you’re so cute!”
Xia Xinghe pressed his lips into a slight smile and replied with another “Thank you.” Satisfied, Yanmai skipped back to her seat, and the two continued eating.
But just then, Xia Xinghe suddenly felt a chill behind him. When he looked up, a tall man was walking past him.
The man had a brisk stride, wearing a baseball cap pulled low over his face, and he quickly moved out of sight. But something about his cold and aloof back reminded Xia Xinghe of Bai Qingzhou.
Still, that didn’t seem likely. The restaurant was at least a 30-minute drive from the hospital. That man was also carrying several takeout bags. Knowing Bai Qingzhou’s personality, it didn’t make sense for him to go this far just to pick up food for someone.
Xia Xinghe shook his head and dismissed the thought.
……
When Nie Xingchao pushed open the cardiothoracic office door, several doctors and nurses were neatly seated at the table.
It was dinnertime, but none of them had gone to eat. Even Director Rong Zhiguo was sitting at his desk, as if they were all waiting for something. Nie Xingchao looked around but didn’t see Bai Qingzhou.
“Wow, working so hard?” Nie Xingchao raised an eyebrow and found a seat. “It’s already dinner—no one’s gone to eat?”
“We’re waiting for food,” said a young doctor.
Nie Xingchao nodded and asked, “Is Bai Qingzhou not here?”
Rong Zhiguo chuckled. “Xiao Bai said he’d bring us food. He should be back soon.”
Nie Xingchao furrowed his brows, incredulous. “Xiao Bai? Bai Qingzhou? He’s bringing you food?”
The doctor next to Rong Zhiguo chimed in, “Yes, you heard right—Dr. Bai.”
“What’s the occasion? Is your department punishing you or something?” Nie Xingchao asked. “Bai Qingzhou actually has time for this?”
Bai Qingzhou was known for being aloof and independent. He was always busy, constantly on the move, doing everything alone. A guy like that, who found even group meals a waste of time, was now voluntarily bringing food for others?
Rong Zhiguo laughed. “No, he offered. Said he had something to do near there, so it was on the way.”
Nie Xingchao paused and seemed to understand. “Was it at that private restaurant—Old Liu’s?”
Rong Zhiguo looked surprised. “How did you know?”
Nie Xingchao just smiled and said nothing.
After a few minutes of small talk, Bai Qingzhou finally returned. He pushed the office door open with his elbow, carrying two large white plastic bags filled with takeout containers.
“Wow! The food’s here, the food’s here!”
A few young doctors quickly gathered around to take the bags from him.
“I’ve heard of this restaurant for ages—finally get to try it today!”
“Me too!!! It’s just way too far, and I never feel like going there alone.”
“Today, Dr. Bai is two meters tall! Dr. Bai is a god!”
Even Rong Zhiguo walked over, gave Bai Qingzhou a satisfied pat on the shoulder, and said, “Not bad, Xiao Bai, today you did a good thing for the department.”
Everyone picked up their own meals, and one portion was left on the table. Bai Qingzhou took the white coat from the coat rack, buttoned it neatly, returned to his seat coldly, and opened his computer to write a medical case. He showed no intention of touching the food on the table.
Nie Xingchao walked over and leaned on the desk beside him. “You brought it all the way back, and now you’re not going to eat?”
Bai Qingzhou didn’t even look up from the screen and answered concisely, “Busy.”
Nie Xingchao asked, “You went to that restaurant just for Xiao Xia?”
Bai Qingzhou shot him a cold glance and replied stiffly, “No.”
Nie Xingchao didn’t argue and continued, “Did you see him?”
Bai Qingzhou didn’t respond.
Nie Xingchao chuckled, “You two still haven’t made up?”
Still no answer.
Before, when he saw Xia Xinghe acting all awkward, Nie Xingchao didn’t think much of it. Bai Qingzhou might be cold usually, but he was always reliable and serious—Nie Xingchao never thought he’d actually get upset with someone.
But when Bai Qingzhou remained distant for days, Nie Xingchao started realizing something was off. It had already been two or three days, and Bai Qingzhou hadn’t gone to see Xia Xinghe once.
Nie Xingchao thought of Bai Qingzhou as a junior, and he also liked the sunny boy Xia Xinghe. He felt it was his duty to talk some sense into them. Sometimes people in the middle of a situation get all stubborn and prideful, when in reality, it could all be solved with just one sentence—but both sides refuse to say it first.
Nie Xingchao said, “If you don’t go check on him soon, he’ll be discharged. How long are you planning to keep this up?”
Bai Qingzhou kept staring at the computer screen like he didn’t hear, then suddenly muttered something low and fast: “He doesn’t even remember.”
Nie Xingchao didn’t catch it. “What?”
Bai Qingzhou lowered his eyes, his tone going back to that usual indifferent flatness. “Nothing.”
He added, “Don’t ask me about him anymore. Whatever happens to him, I don’t care.”
Just as the words fell, a young nurse burst into the room, panting. “Dr. Nie! Is Dr. Nie here?”
Nie Xingchao immediately stood up. “What is it?”
The nurse was still breathless from running. “That patient from bed 26—he’s in the ER now. Seems like a food allergy. Please come quickly!”
“Bed 26…”
Nie Xingchao blurted out, “Xia Xinghe?”
Bai Qingzhou’s brow furrowed instantly.