Zrash! Water poured from the showerhead, soaking Tian’s body from the top of her head to the tips of his toes.

“Brr!” It was really cold this morning. If Tian hadn’t turned off the air conditioner at midnight, he might’ve turned into a frozen ice sculpture by now.

Trring, trring! The phone ringing on the bedroom table caught Tian’s attention.

‘Who’s calling this early in the morning?’ he wondered.

Click.

“Morning, doc. I’ll pick you up in five minutes. Get ready.”

Beep, beep...
The call ended.

‘Tch.’ Tian clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Damn you, I didn’t even get a chance to answer and you already hung up,” he muttered.

He spent fifteen minutes getting ready. Ten minutes ago, the sound of a car horn reached his room, signaling that he had arrived.

.

.

.

“Tian, over here!” he shouted.

Tian clicked his tongue, still annoyed by how he was treated earlier that morning.

“You really didn’t have to bother picking me up, Hyung.”

Cklak! Tian got into Hyung’s 2025 Porsche Taycan, his face sulking as he let out a sigh—clearly still upset.

“What’s going on? Why does TianAi look like that? Come on, smile~” he coaxed playfully.

Tian didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the road.

.

.

.

Vroom! The car suddenly sped up, startling Tian.

“Damn you, Muyang!” he snapped.

Ah yes, that was the name of the friend—Muyang, Tian’s longtime companion who had been by his side since the day he was born. They were five years apart in age. They had always been together, to the point that people often mistook them for siblings.

“Congrats, Ai. After work, let’s grab dinner, okay?” Muyang said. Tian didn’t respond. He was lost in his own thoughts.

Muyang understood. It was Tian's first day of work—of course he was nervous.
But... it had been fifteen minutes, and he still hadn’t said a word.

Wait—he had that unhappy look on her face earlier. Could it be...?

“TianAi, be honest with me. Who made you mad?”

Truthfully, Muyang cared deeply for Tian. He had always seen his as a little brother.
Though sometimes... he could be a bit oblivious.

.

.

.

“Enough, Mumu. I just don’t feel like talking to you right now.” Tian finally responded. But what was going on? Muyang still didn’t understand.

“Bǎobèi~, come on, tell gēge~,” Muyang teased, refusing to give up.

Damn it. All those pet names were only making Tian even more annoyed.

“If you still want to drive me every morning, then shut up.” His tone was firm.

Muyang didn’t dare say another word. When Tian said something like that—it was final. No room for negotiation.

.

.

.

Screech! The tires squealed sharply. Every head turned toward the car they were in. ‘Who’s that?’ — that was likely the thought running through the minds of those who saw it. 

Click! The car door opened, and Muyang stepped out—right foot first, then left.

Tian was still inside, making final adjustments. Muyang walked around to the right side of the car, intending to open the door for Tian.

Click. He opened the door once again. Tian slung his tote bag over his right shoulder, then stepped out of the car. Tap, tap. He quickly made his way toward the hospital entrance.

But then…

“Lǎogōng! Don’t forget tonight!” Muyang shouted from a distance.

Tian paused for a moment…
then raised his middle finger at Muyang before continuing on.

Ai = Love

Bǎobèi = Baby

Gēge = Brother

Lǎogōng = Husband