In the Turbulent Spring of Youth, Only You Captivate (4) Part 2

Lu Huaizheng held it to his ear. With his other hand, he wiped away her tears, his thumb gently sweeping under her eye. Then he spoke to Professor Han on the other end, "Professor Han, this is Lu Huaizheng."

The professor hummed in acknowledgment on the other end. "Is the girl badly frightened?"

Lu Huaizheng looked up at her, pulled a tissue from the side, and carefully wiped her face clean. "She's a bit scared. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Who would have thought that upon hearing him say, "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Her tears started to well up again without warning.

His gentleness made her heart ache.

Lu Huaizheng found that he couldn't wipe them all away, so he gave up. He tossed the tissue aside, dropped to one knee on the floor, and rested his elbow on his other knee, holding the phone and looking up at her, letting her cry her heart out.

Professor Han asked, "Has the wound been treated?"

Lu Huaizheng looked down at the back of his hand. "It's been treated simply."

Professor Han gave a few simple instructions. "Don't you worry for now. I'll call your superior first. It shouldn't be a big problem. You have a strong constitution, so you're not easily infected."

Lu Huaizheng knew these were just words of comfort. At the military clinic, Shao Feng had already explained the severity of the situation to him. The other person was confirmed to be an AIDS patient. When Ma Zhiming's body was carried onto the vehicle, Shao Feng had specifically checked his gums; the ulceration was extensive. Moreover, there had been a past case where a police officer was bitten by a fugitive with AIDS during an arrest and ended up being infected.

After Yu Hao left and he went to have his wound treated, Li Hongwen had called him, saying that he had already contacted the local hospital. They would send a helicopter from the local military unit with the Post-exposure Prophylaxis. Taking it within seventy-two hours of exposure would be effective. Shao Feng said that even with the medication, it wasn't one hundred percent effective; it could prevent ninety-five percent of infections.

The remaining five percent was up to fate.

In the face of scientific probability, even the strongest constitution had to yield.

He lowered his head and smiled, telling Professor Han, "Please don't worry about it. My superior has already made arrangements." At this, he glanced at Yu Hao, who had her head down like a little girl who had done something wrong. "And she called you from so far away."

They chatted for a few more moments, his attitude remaining humble.

"It's a small matter, you don't need to worry."

"I will take good care of her and won't let her cry anymore."

Then, the call ended.

Lu Huaizheng placed the phone on the nightstand and remained squatting, looking at her.

Yu Hao kept her head down and asked in a muffled voice, "What did the professor say?"

Lu Huaizheng didn't answer. He just gazed at her fixedly, as if admiring a rare treasure—pious, serious, like a majestic, distant mountain.

The curtains were drawn tight, and not a sliver of light entered the dim room. His captivating gaze was intoxicating, and his voice even more so. "Scared?"

Yu Hao wanted to stick her neck out and say no.

But seeing her own state, she knew he wouldn't believe her.

So she simply kept her head down and didn't answer.

Lu Huaizheng pinched her cheek.

"Speak. Don't pretend you can't hear me."

"A little."

She admitted frankly.

But Lu Huaizheng suddenly stood up and sat on the edge of her bed.

Yu Hao felt the bed beside her dip slightly. The next second, she was pulled into an embrace. The man's firm chest was pressed tightly against her. She was held sideways in his arms, her ear against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.

His breath was on the top of her head, a warm puff against her ear, more intense than when they kissed.

Lu Huaizheng turned his face and gently nuzzled the top of her head.

Yu Hao found a comfortable position in his arms. They held each other tighter and tighter, the warmth gradually rising in her face. She closed her eyes, and tears slowly trickled down her face again. He had taken off his jacket, leaving only a camouflage t-shirt, which was soaked by her tears in no time.

On his chest were her tears.

On his back was his sweat.

The body between them was warm, powerful, carrying a trace of heat.

When they were young, they used to fool around too, but Lu Huaizheng was mostly well-behaved. He liked to tease her with words but rarely got physical. Besides, back then he had a teenager's build, slender and handsome—the type that was nice to look at but not very useful.

But the one holding her now was a mature man with an impeccable physique. His chest was so hard that it made the side of her face a little numb.

The man's chest vibrated slightly as he gently stroked her shoulder and arm, his palm warm.

"Seeing you cry like this makes me think, maybe I should let you stay far away from me. But I can't bear to let you go. So, Yu Hao, I'm not a good person. I'm actually very selfish."

Yu Hao, muffled in his embrace, took a soft breath and clutched his t-shirt, pulling several creases into the collar.

"I'm not a good person either. You know what I was thinking in the auditorium just now."

He cut her off, looking down at her. "I know. I understand completely."

"I was thinking that if they all died, wouldn't the women in this town be free?"

"You were just thinking it, but my hands are truly stained with human lives. I understand you completely, Yu Hao. I have a dark side too." Then she heard him continue, his chest vibrating as his voice deepened, "If I'm really this unlucky, let's just call it quits between us. If not, let's get married, okay?"

The room was dim.

In the gloom, they could make out each other's faces, but only as silhouettes. Only their eyes were clear and sparkling, shining with a brilliant light in the darkness. He looked down, she looked up, their gazes entangled, neither willing to look away.

Yu Hao felt that this man's eyes were always filled with deep meaning, making it difficult for her to control herself. Between his raised brow and lowered head, whether he was saying 'let's just call it quits' or 'let's get married,' his eyes held years of scenery she had never seen before.

Scenery that would make even gods and Buddhas turn to look.

Author's Note:

Oh no, I'm about to fall in love with Lu Lu.

A quick explanation: the story is set in 2016, when many technologies were not as advanced as they are today.