When he reached home, the porridge was ready. Fatty looked through the lid. He went upstairs to wake up Jiang Cheng. When he was only halfway, he heard sounds from the bathroom. When he turned around, the bathroom door opened, and Jiang Cheng walked out with his hands on the top of his pants.
“Doctor,” Fatty greeted him happily, “You’re up so early. Have you had breakfast?”
Jiang Cheng raised his head to stare at Fatty’s face. A few seconds later, he glanced at the open bathroom door and asked, “What do you think?”
Fatty believed Jiang Cheng misunderstood him. He quickly corrected, “Doctor, that’s not what I meant.” He added, “I made porridge for you in the morning. Then, we’ll have ribs in the afternoon.” When he heard the word ribs, Jiang Cheng’s expression brightened. At first, he wanted to use Chen Yao’s name to scare Fatty even more, but considering all that he had done, Jiang Cheng decided against it. “Fine. I’ll give you face and eat some porridge.” Jiang Cheng said, walking towards the office. Perhaps they were having ribs in the afternoon. Jiang Cheng didn’t finish the pot of porridge on his own and left quite a lot for Fatty.
“Doctor,” Fatty swallowed the porridge in his mouth and waved his hands. “I have enough. I really can’t eat anymore.”
“Porridge is good for your body.” Jiang Cheng grabbed Fatty’s bowl and filled it up again. He personally placed it before and said, “It’s better than eating meat.”
Fatty sensed something and asked sincerely, “Doctor, are you worried that I’d fight you for ribs in the afternoon?”
Jiang Cheng acted angrily. “Ridiculous! I am a respected doctor, an angel in white! How can I do something like that?” Fatty was taken aback. In his heart, he knew how abnormal Jiang Cheng was. If he could stay away from triggering him, it was the best. Or else, he might take about his glory in the KTV centre again.
“Doctor,” Fatty interrupted him and led the topic in a direction Jiang Cheng would be interested in. “Doctor, do you want the ribs braised… or stewed with vegetables?” After he dropped that question, Jiang Cheng’s expression changed. He slowly sat down and thought deeply. Fatty took a long sigh. Jiang Cheng was never this serious in the nightmare realm.
Fatty nodded. “Yes. I have some leftovers from the last time I bought them.”
Jiang Cheng decided, “Then, I’ll have them with stew. Peel the garlic, wash them and dice them. Add some soy sauce and vinegar. There’s also a bottle of fragrant oil in the fridge.” He mumbled, “That’s a good dip.”
“Do you want spring onion and cilantro?” Fatty recorded in his notebook.
Jiang Cheng tapped his chin. “A little goes a long way. However, remember to stir-fry the spring onion to emit its fragrance first.”
Fatty put down his notebook and stared at him, “Doctor, don’t you think you’re asking for a bit too much?”
“You have to understand,” Jiang Cheng admitted openly, “We’re different. After all, I depend on my face. If the sisters abandon me for the acne on my face…”
Fatty left before he could finish. Soon, he returned to clean up the dishes on the table. The faucet ran freely.
Jiang Cheng walked to his office and sat down before his computer. He found the familiar website and surfed through it happily.
Fatty poked his head out of the kitchen, “Doctor, are you free later?”
Jiang Cheng closed the site and answered, “Tell me what you need from me, and I’ll decide whether I’m free or not.”
Fatty placed the plates, bowls and chopsticks back in their places. He was very detailed. He cleaned up the kitchen to prepare for lunch. He used the tablecloth to wipe down the surfaces. He cleaned and dried the cloth. After he was done with that, he walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands.
“Do you want some coffee, Doctor?” Fatty asked.
Jiang Cheng tapped his finger on the office table, “A cup of hazelnut cappuccino, thank you.”
Fatty hissed, “Doctor, are you still asleep? Do you not know about your own condition?” His voice floated out of the kitchen. “Even for the instant coffee, you only have one pack left.” Fatty shook the pack and stressed, “You’ll have half, and I’ll have half.”
Fatty sat across from Jiang Cheng. He held up the cup and sipped on the coffee, “Doctor,” he asked curiously, “I don’t think this is how you should live. Could it be…” He seemed to understand something. He huffed indignantly, “Are the rich ladies not paying you for your pimping services?”
“I repeat,” Jiang Cheng sat up and uttered seriously, “I am doing what I’m doing out of concern for their mental health. Please do not desecrate my holy occupation with your ugly words.”
Jiang Cheng lowered his head. He stirred the cup before pulling the spoon out and placed it to the side. He held up the cup and took a ginger sip. Then, he moaned with great satisfaction.
“Doctor,” Fatty said awkwardly. He licked his lips and pointed at Jiang Cheng’s cup, “It’s just a cup of instant coffee that’s 7.50 per pack. I don’t think it deserves such a treatment. Of course, if you think you need a sense of ceremony in your life, forget I said anything.”
Jiang Cheng gave him a side-eye. “You won’t get it. After all, I…”
“Alright.” Fatty stopped him in his tracks. He looked at the door and then turned back to Jiang Cheng. He suddenly became serious and lowered his voice, “To be honest, Doctor, there’s one thing that I don’t understand.”
“What is the thing that those people were searching so hard for in the nightmare realm?” Jiang Cheng blew on the coffee and continued casually.
Fatty couldn’t help but widen his eyes.