[The Grad Student Taken Down by Wild Mushrooms vs. The Doctor Who Secretly Bumped Up His Crush's Viral Forum Post]
Fang Quan is one of those grad students who just barely scraped by, and he's been lucky for as long as he can remember.
The last box of delicious candy, the very first roast chicken fresh out of the oven, a difficult exam question he guessed correctly in a last-minute flash of inspiration... The list goes on and on.
But Fang Quan has his unlucky moments too, or so he thinks.
As a grad student researching wild mushrooms, he accidentally eats a poisonous one and reunites in the ER with Xie Yingzhi, his childhood friend, whom he hasn't spoken to in five years.
Fang Quan is resolute: I can retake the course.
Fang Quan's first reaction to seeing Xie Yingzhi isn't great. He rolls right off the hospital bed.
He grits his teeth and struggles to get back up, only to plunge straight into Xie Yingzhi's arms.
Fang Quan: ...I'm so useless T T
Xie Yingzhi: .
Before they can even properly say hello, Xie Yingzhi pinches his cheek and presses him back onto the bed, using him as a cautionary example while explaining the dangers to his students.
After the students leave, Xie Yingzhi gently tugs his ear. "How are you feeling? Any better?"
Fang Quan hides by the window to catch the breeze, his ears bright red.
Not better at all.
-
Fang Quan thinks this is just an accidental reunion, and that they won't get another chance to see each other.
But three days later, he goes with his professor to take part in a science outreach program and spots Xie Yingzhi at the live broadcast.
After hearing the people around him talking, he learns that Xie Yingzhi has been invited to join the regular medical team as the living mascot of Jiang City Central Hospital.
Fang Quan keeps a straight face. "Who said we wouldn't get another chance to meet?"
Without even looking up, Xie Yingzhi hooks an arm around him and pulls him close. "If I hadn't said that, you'd go right back to avoiding me."
Fang Quan chokes on his reply, retreats to his professor's side, and sulks.
Beneath his fluffy short hair, his ears are even redder than last time.
-
The path to the mushroom-picking grounds is no picnic. Along with the educational commentary, there's plenty of bickering and commotion to keep things lively.
Fang Quan runs excitedly toward a poisonous mushroom, but Xie Yingzhi stops him.
Fang Quan diligently gathers a pile of poisonous mushrooms, only for Xie Yingzhi to crush them underfoot.
Fang Quan glares at him. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Xie Yingzhi is unmoved. "A hundred ways for a wild-mushroom grad student to test poison on himself and end up in the ER?"
Fang Quan: ...
Fang Quan is a little angry, and keeps his distance from Xie Yingzhi for days.
Later, Xie Yingzhi secretly hands him a whole basket of fresh mushrooms.
Xie Yingzhi bends his head to coax him. "These are safe to eat, and I know you like them. Don't be mad, okay?"
"Huhhhhh?"
"What is it that you like?"
"When did Dr. Xie pick so many? Did anyone see?"
"Everyone upstairs, please head over to the hot thread on the forum next door: A Little Flower."
Five minutes later, a brand-new post marked "Viral" appears out of nowhere on a certain forum.
[Come Hear the True Story of My Medical Prodigy Roommate's Secret Crush / A Heart]
The full story is being written...
Inspired by an idea from 2023/8/29
This blurb was screenshotted on 2023/11/18
Theme: The most enchanting things are the most dangerous.
