CHAPTER 31: HIDING UNDER THE DOCTOR’S DESK

He had thought about it earlier and decided that it would be better to thank Dr. Ding in person.

So, for the first time in both his lives combined, he did something completely out of character, he snuck out during self-study period.

For someone as well-behaved as Rong Xingyu, skipping class felt thrillingly rebellious. His palms were slightly damp with nervous sweat.

"No need to be so polite," Dr. Ding said as he sat behind his desk, the faint smile in his eyes visible even through his clear lenses. "I just mentioned it to Professor Lu. He’s the one who likes to get involved in everything."

Rong Xingyu sat obediently on the small stool, his back perfectly straight. He shook his head firmly. "No, I still have to thank you."

Dr. Ding looked at him.

At that serious and polite expression, he found him utterly endearing.

Such a proper little thing, he thought with amusement. All these formal thanks, how adorable.

"Do you want to stay for a while?" Dr. Ding asked casually.

Rong Xingyu didn’t even know why, but he nodded.

Then, realizing what he’d done, he felt awkward again. To cover it up, he started looking around the infirmary, pretending to be relaxed.

He didn’t remember ever coming to this place before.

It looked like any other school infirmary—plain but tidy, with a faint smell of disinfectant in the air.

Yet, there were vases of fresh flowers on the shelves, which gave the room a hint of warmth.

The window was half open and a soft breeze lifted the edge of the white curtain.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the door.

Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!

Rong Xingyu had already been tense since sneaking out of class, terrified that someone would catch him.

The loud knocking made his brain completely freeze in panic.

I can’t let anyone see me here! he thought in alarm.

Before Dr. Ding could react, Rong Xingyu dove straight under the desk in a flash.

Dr. Ding: "..."

By the time Rong Xingyu realized what he’d just done, his mind went completely blank.

Oh no! What did I just do?!

Can I just disappear from this beautiful world right now?!

It’s okay, Rong Xingyu, he told himself frantically, life is short, just close your eyes and this moment will be over soon!

The knocking continued. Rong Xingyu clenched his fists, finally summoning the courage to peek his head out just a little from under the desk.

He heard Dr. Ding’s calm voice say, "Come in."

Rong Xingyu: ...

He quickly pulled his head back in again and closing his eyes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ding leaned back lazily in his chair. Perhaps on purpose, his long legs were bent just enough to block the only exit from under the desk.

Rong Xingyu: "..."

The knock on the door came from two students, both of them were girls. One of them had her arm over her friend’s shoulder while clutching her stomach with the other hand. She walked in slowly and bent over in pain.

However, the moment she looked up and saw Ding Yixin, she froze completely.

Her mouth was still open, but she forgot to say anything.

She turned to exchange a quick look with her friend both of them saw the same thing in each other’s eyes: pure amazement.

Oh my god! Since when did the school have such a ridiculously handsome doctor working here?!

Where was the camera? Was this some celebrity secretly filming a reality show?

Ding Yixin smiled gently at the girls and motioned for the injured one to sit down. "Please, have a seat. Where does it hurt?"

The girl feel like she wants to screamed internally!

He looks even more dangerously charming when he smiles! And his voice... it’s so nice!

She quickly removed her arm from her friend’s shoulder, sat up straight on the stool and even reached up to fix her hair nervously.

"My stomach..." she began weakly.

For some reason, after seeing such a handsome man, her stomach didn’t seem to hurt as much anymore.

Meanwhile, ever since the two girls had entered, Rong Xingyu, who was hiding under the desk had gone completely stiff like a bowstring pulled tight.

He hugged his knees quietly, barely daring to breathe.

From where he sat, all he could see in front of him were Dr. Ding’s long legs wrapped neatly in suit pants and the legs of the chair he was sitting on.

Rong Xingyu could only stare at Dr. Ding’s pant leg, his ears pricked as he listened carefully to the sounds in the room.

Dr. Ding was asking the girl about what she had eaten recently. His voice, as always, was calm and patient.

Suddenly, a pen rolled off the desk, hit the floor with a light clack and continued to roll, straight toward Rong Xingyu.

He jumped slightly, his breath catching in his throat.

"I’m worry, give me a second," Dr. Ding said.

The moment Rong Xingyu heard his voice, he saw those long legs move slightly as the chair rolled back just a bit.

Then, to his shock, Dr. Ding bent one knee, lowering himself into a half-squat.

In an instant, his entire figure came into Rong Xingyu’s view.

Rong Xingyu froze completely, his eyes wide as he stared at Dr. Ding’s perfect face that it looked flawless from every angle.

Dr. Ding raised a finger to his lips and looked directly into Rong Xingyu’s eyes with a faint smile playing at his mouth as he made a soft shh gesture.

"...," Rong Xingyu nodded his head blankly, his face burning.

Dr. Ding leaned down further, reaching for the pen that had rolled right to Rong Xingyu’s feet.

But the closer he came, the less space there was between them. Closer, and closer still...

Rong Xingyu instinctively leaned backward until his entire back was pressed flat against the wooden panel under the desk, there was nowhere left to retreat.

The space beneath the desk was narrow and forcing them to get closer.