Chapter 66: The Married Beta Gives Tea Bags

Chapter 66: The Married Beta and the Ginger Tea

The two arrived at the infirmary, where the warm, dry air inside provided a welcome barrier against the falling snow outside.

The school doctor cut open Bai Yu's pant leg to examine the wound—a two-finger-long gash on his left leg, fortunately not severe.

Song Huaiqian stepped out to reschedule the assessment and inform the counselor about the incident.

As the school doctor cleaned and disinfected the wound, removing waterweed and bloodstains, Bai Yu gripped the edge of the bed.

"Does it hurt a bit?"

"Yes."

"I'll be gentler," the school doctor said, switching to a fresh cotton swab and glancing up at Bai Yu.

The young man's cheeks were pale, his wet hair clinging to his brow. Droplets traced a path from the corner of his eye down to his jaw, his lower lip tightly bitten.

For a fleeting moment, the school doctor entertained an improbable thought: he was so beautiful he didn’t look like someone who had fallen into the water, but rather like a seductive water spirit luring people to their doom.

After a brief look, the school doctor continued treating the wound, teasing, "You're really brave, jumping into the lake in such cold weather."

Bai Yu wiped the water from his cheek. "The hard drive I needed for the assessment was in my backpack. I had to get it back."

"But now you still can't take the assessment, can you?"

"...But I got the hard drive back."

"You're lucky to be alive."

Bai Yu fell silent, though inwardly he disagreed. In the past, he always carried a small knife or a pen—items that could help him escape even if he got tangled in something underwater.

But since moving into Yanting, his clothes changed daily, and some outfits had no pockets at all. Gradually, his sense of danger had diminished.

It seemed he had truly grown complacent, like a domesticated house cat that no longer knew how to catch mice—he had lost his vigilance.

After bandaging Bai Yu’s wound with gauze, the school doctor stood up. "I think your body temperature might be a bit high. Let me check it."

Bai Yu watched as the school doctor picked up the infrared thermometer from the table, but the screen remained dark.

The school doctor tapped it a few times and said to Bai Yu, "It might be out of batteries. I’ll go get a mercury thermometer."

Bai Yu sat on the bed, waiting for the school doctor to return with the thermometer. Just as he reached out to take it, the school doctor didn’t hand it over.

Instead, the school doctor held his chin. "Open your mouth."

Bai Yu was surprised but complied, opening his mouth. "Ah."

The school doctor placed the thermometer under his tongue. "Don’t bite it. Wait three minutes. I’ll find you some dry clothes to change into."

With the thermometer in his mouth, Bai Yu nodded obediently.

Not long after, the school doctor returned with a set of blue-gray outdoor gear. "Make do with this. It’s our spare set for the infirmary. You can wash it and bring it back after you go home."

Unable to speak with the thermometer in his mouth, Bai Yu simply nodded to the school doctor and took the clothes.

The school doctor pulled the curtain closed around Bai Yu and left again.

Bai Yu took off his wet clothes and gently moved his injured leg.

Song Huaiqian finished his call and walked in, looking for Bai Yu. "Bai Yu?"

Still with the thermometer in his mouth, Bai Yu wasn’t sure if the time was up and didn’t dare remove it. He glanced toward the door and hurriedly began putting on the clothes.

Hearing no response, Song Huaiqian walked over to the bed where the school doctor had treated Bai Yu and pulled open the curtain. Suddenly, his breath caught, and he immediately turned away.

"Sorry, I didn’t hear you. I thought you’d left."

Song Huaiqian tried desperately to erase the image from his mind, but it only grew more vivid and uncontrollable.

Bai Yu’s back, the bird tattoo, his slender waist and graceful hip curve, the tremble of panic when he heard the curtain being pulled open.

Song Huaiqian’s heart pounded violently. To calm himself, he silently recited a passage from Genesis about Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Eden and being punished by God.

Once he regained his composure, Song Huaiqian said, "The exam schedule for all subjects is very tight recently. I could only reschedule it for the next class. Will you still be able to take the assessment?"

Bai Yu finished putting on his clothes, figured the time for the thermometer was up, and took it out of his mouth. "Yes, I can."

Just then, the school doctor returned, completely unaware of the changed atmosphere in the room. "Finished with the thermometer?"

Bai Yu opened the curtain and handed the thermometer to the school doctor. "Done. 36 degrees."

The school doctor checked the thermometer. "Normal. If you develop a fever after going back, you’ll need to go to the hospital. Also, keep the wound dry—don’t shower these next couple of days. Just wipe yourself down."

"Okay."

The school doctor’s outdoor gear was a bit too big for him. As Bai Yu adjusted the clothes and pant legs, he suddenly noticed Song Huaiqian was still wearing his wet outfit.

"Professor, aren’t you going to change?"

Song Huaiqian looked down at his wet clothes, which had almost dried from his body heat amid all the rushing around. "Haven’t had the chance yet. I exercise regularly, so I won’t catch a cold."

The school doctor eyed Song Huaiqian’s well-built physique enviously. "Professor Song, are you really never going to get married? You’re more alpha than some alphas."

Song Huaiqian showed the silver ring on his left pinky finger. "I’m celibate."

The school doctor shook his head and clicked his tongue. "What a waste."

Song Huaiqian helped Bai Yu gather his wet clothes and backpack. "Let’s go. I’ll take you back to the dorm first. The lake water has a lot of weeds and impurities. Use hot water to clean yourself, then head to the classroom."

Bai Yu nodded lightly. "Okay."

He didn’t want to go to the next assessment drenched, so he had no choice but to clean up at the dorm.

Bai Yu walked a bit slowly but could still manage.

On their way to the dorm, Song Huaiqian glanced at Bai Yu’s clothes, which were stained with green waterweed and still damp. "Is your sweater made of pure wool?"

Bai Yu said, "Yes."

The clothes delivered by the styling assistant were all made of high-quality fabrics, especially the winter wear, which often featured wool, goose down, or duck down.

Song Huaiqian tugged at his own clothes. "Mine too. If you don’t mind, I can send your clothes to the dry cleaner along with mine. That way, you won’t have to take wet clothes home."

"Sure, but..." Bai Yu pointed to his discarded pants, which had a faint bloodstain and a cut. "These are already torn. I should just take them back."

Song Huaiqian said, "Let’s send them to the dry cleaner together. If it can be fixed, I might even be able to repair them for you."

Bai Yu looked at Song Huaiqian in surprise. "You know how to mend clothes?"

"Is it strange?" Song Huaiqian glanced down at the pants in his hand. "These are just life skills."

"No, I just feel like you're different from the rumors." Bai Yu looked at the man beside him, growing increasingly curious.

Song Huaiqian said, "People who study theology still need to eat; we can't survive just by reading the Bible. Besides, I'm single—living alone requires a lot of life skills."

Bai Yu thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Did you choose to be single, or did you become single because of your theological studies?"

"It's a bit of both. I suppose, in this world, there hasn't yet been someone who could make me willingly give in to romantic desires." Song Huaiqian showed Bai Yu the silver ring on his left pinky finger.

Bai Yu nodded, still somewhat puzzled. "Professor, in the review you gave me during the music composition competition two years ago, why did you write that my music lacks romantic feeling?"

Song Huaiqian walked slowly, matching Bai Yu's pace. "Music is a different matter. Love in music is an emotion, and emotions can be heard. Just because I'm committed to celibacy doesn't mean I can't understand emotions in music. But as the creator, you can only produce such emotions if you've experienced them yourself."

Bai Yu pondered Song Huaiqian's words. "So... to you, every piece of music is like a confession of feelings? You can understand love, but the music you create carries a sense of divinity and an otherworldly quality, almost never featuring words of romance or ambiguous melodies. Is that also why?"

Song Huaiqian paused briefly before admitting, "Yes."

Bai Yu suddenly understood. "So that's how it is."

Song Huaiqian pointed to the faculty housing ahead. "I'm heading there."

"Okay."

Bai Yu and Song Huaiqian parted ways, and Bai Yu entered the dormitory building.

Not long after, Bai Yu finished a quick cleanup in his dorm and went downstairs, ready to head to the academic building. Surprisingly, Song Huaiqian was waiting outside the dormitory.

Song Huaiqian had changed clothes, still wearing a silver cross pendant around his neck. His expression was calm and detached, standing outside the dormitory like a dignified, solemn statue.

A few students came in and out of the dormitory, greeting Song Huaiqian softly. He nodded in acknowledgment but did not smile.

When he saw Bai Yu, Song Huaiqian's expression softened slightly.

Bai Yu smiled at Song Huaiqian. "Let's go, Professor."

The two walked to the academic building together. As they approached the classroom, the noisy sounds from inside spilled out—students playing games, gossiping, and roughhousing, with no one maintaining discipline.

Song Huaiqian entered first and stepped onto the lectern. The students below immediately fell silent.

Bai Yu, carrying his backpack over one shoulder, calmly walked to the back row.

Everyone glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Bai Yu's changed jacket and damp hair, then at Song Huaiqian's slightly wet hair, whispering among themselves.

"Did Professor Song and Bai Yu jump into the lake together to retrieve the backpack?"

Song Huaiqian tapped the desk. "A student fell into the water earlier, which delayed us. I've already informed Teacher Bai about this, and he will have someone investigate. The assessment has been rescheduled to the next class. For this period, everyone should review here."

Mu Qingkong, sitting in the front row, calmly looked down at his book and glanced subtly at Pei Wenliang. "Is everything going to be alright?"

Pei Wenliang twirled his pen and whispered, "It'll be fine."

Bai Yu sat next to Fu Yusheng and took out his hard drive.

Fu Yusheng shared half of his book with Bai Yu. "Is your injury okay?"

Bai Yu pulled up his pants to show Fu Yusheng. "It's a minor injury, nothing serious. It's been taken care of."

Fu Yusheng only caught a glimpse of pale, smooth skin, white gauze, and slightly pink knees before quickly urging Bai Yu to pull his pants down. "You might catch a cold."

"Alright." Bai Yu lowered his pants.

Fu Yusheng asked quietly, "Do you think the school will find out anything?"

Bai Yu didn't speak, only shook his head.

*

The bell for the third class rang, and everyone quieted down.

Song Huaiqian, holding a scoring sheet, sat in the first row. He called students up one by one according to their student IDs to give their presentation, while he observed and asked questions from below.

When it was Bai Yu's turn to present, Song Huaiqian fired questions at him as usual. Fortunately, Bai Yu was well-prepared and unaffected by the earlier lake incident, answering all of Song Huaiqian's questions smoothly.

As for what score Song Huaiqian would give, Bai Yu didn't know, but Song Huaiqian's expression seemed satisfied.

After the assessment, Bai Yu walked out of the classroom, hesitated for a moment, then turned and went to the supermarket near the first cafeteria to buy a packet of ginger tea.

Returning to the classroom, Bai Yu saw that one student was still presenting, so he waited by the door.

After Song Huaiqian finished scoring, he dismissed the student and began packing up.

Bai Yu walked in softly. "Professor."

Song Huaiqian looked up at him. "Why are you back?"

"This is for you." Bai Yu handed Song Huaiqian the packet of tea with both hands. "To prevent chills."

Song Huaiqian stared at the hands holding the packet, momentarily dazed. "Take it back."

Bai Yu withdrew the tea. He had intended to thank Song Huaiqian for pulling him out of the water, but if he didn't want it, what should he do?

Song Huaiqian left the first row, walked to the lectern to turn off the projector, and closed the desktop with a crisp sound, preparing to leave.

Bai Yu tore open the packaging, took out two ginger tea packets, and said, "This is my way of sharing with you. Please accept it, Song Huaiqian."

Song Huaiqian looked at Bai Yu, his gaze lingering on his face. "Alright, give it to me."

He didn't actually have a habit of drinking tea, but trying ginger tea wouldn't hurt.

Song Huaiqian reached out to take the tea packets, his fingertips accidentally brushing against Bai Yu's left hand. In that instant, it felt as if an electric jolt shot from his fingertips through his entire body.

Vivid images flashed through his mind: the Big Bang, stars rotating, the emergence of life, asteroids striking Earth, Noah's Ark floating on the Great Flood, Jesus crucified for humanity's salvation and resurrected on the third day, Mahler's "Song of the Earth," flowers blooming and withering, a butterfly fluttering its wings in a heavy rain...

Finally, the scene in the infirmary reappeared before him—the young man's bird tattoo, slender waist, and graceful hip curve.

Without any warning.

He got hard.

Bai Yu didn't notice the subtle change in Song Huaiqian's expression and politely asked, "Shall I go now?"

Song Huaiqian replied hoarsely, "Okay."

After Bai Yu exited the classroom, Song Huaiqian looked down at the silver ring on his left pinky finger and remained silent for a moment.