Don’t Poke Me!

[2025 Short Story] Versatile couple, lighthearted and goofy sweet romance.

On a social media app, a newcomer to the world of needle-felted crafts gained tens of thousands of followers in three months with superb craftsmanship and seemingly endless patience.

Oh, and he's a nimble-fingered young man, too!

Ling Shu Crafts: Here's the first doll in my latest herbal medicine series. Can anyone tell what it is?~

Regular Netizen A: Huh? No idea, but it's pretty, so that's all that matters! Teacher, you're the best!

Know-It-All Commenter B: Angelica! Cnidium! Du Huo!

Snowy Fleece, He's So Handsome: Umbelliferae! Umbelliferae! They're all Umbelliferae!

Ling Zhishu, behind the Ling Shu Crafts account, glanced at the comments and thought, If you don't know, then you don't know. Why keep showing off when you only know half the story? I've seen this guy countless times, always confidently saying, "It's been half an hour. Even workhorses don't take breaks like this. Lingbao, hurry up and post an update!"

The needle in his hand kept ruthlessly stabbing into the wool.

.

Ling Shu Crafts: Ten-thousand-follower giveaway! Scan the code to enter and leave your account name. I'll select the winners fairly and randomly through the platform. First, two mini dolls from the herbal medicine series will be given away at random. Then I'll randomly choose one lucky fan to meet me and try DIY crafting. There'll be a surprise gift, too. This meet-up is only available in H City!

The mini dolls were soon awarded to two familiar-looking followers, but the third draw...

Ling Zhishu's eyelid twitched. Why was this guy the first pick, and now the second one, too?

But the screen was being recorded, so he had no choice but to announce the result and message the winner.

Ling Shu Crafts: Hi, Rongrong. Are you free this week? Would you be able to meet at the Ling Shu Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in the southern district?

Snowy Fleece, He's So Handsome: Yes! I'm on my way!

Ling Zhishu: ...

Honestly, I don't really want to meet you.

.

No one guessed that this young man, who seemed to do nothing but stab wool with needles, was also remarkably skilled at acupuncture.

Obviously, people can't be stabbed into balls of felt, but you can definitely stick them full of needles.

Xu Zhaorong was twisted by the arm and pinned onto the treatment bed, on the verge of tears.

Help! I thought I was meeting my online crush in person to pursue him, so how did I end up pinned down instead?

"You're a needle-felting artist! Ah... How dare you... ugh... stick needles into people at random!"

His voice even trembled.

Ling Zhishu stuck in another gleaming needle.

"I have a medical license."

After a moment, he spoke again.

"If you don't get this treated, it'll soon be more than just muscle and bone injuries. You'll end up impotent sooner or later."

Xu Zhaorong felt a chill run through him and didn't dare move a muscle. "Please save me, divine doctor!"

"...Honestly, you should have your brain poked instead."

Gentle, dependable needle-felting artist and decisive acupuncturist Ling Zhishu x amateur plant enthusiast and sunny, crafty goofball Xu Zhaorong. Versatile couple, cheerful short story.

*Medical content is for entertainment only. Please don't take it seriously.

Blurb first drafted in February 2025.

Theme: Romance should be fun and joyful