Super Doctor - Chapter 60

Poor Xu Ze read the entire forum post twice, scrutinizing every word, before confirming with relief that his name wasn’t mentioned. The eavesdropper must not have heard clearly.

Glancing at his roommates—Fatty and Gangzi, who were engrossed in World of Warcraft—Xu Ze slipped onto the balcony and called Sun Lingfei. He needed to back out of this “fake boyfriend” arrangement now. If things escalated, he’d be scapegoated by 20,000+ jealous male students at Xingda University. Goodbye, peaceful life.

The phone rang several times before Sun Lingfei’s drowsy voice answered, “Xu Ze…? Why so late?”

Hearing her groggy tone, Xu Ze sighed. “Seriously? You’re actually sleeping right now?”

“Mmm… If there’s nothing important, I’m going back to sleep…” She sounded seconds from hanging up.

“Wait!” Xu Ze blurted. “Did you check the university forum today?”

“Mhm… I saw it. Why?”

“You—you saw that post and you’re still this calm?!” Xu Ze’s voice cracked. “How are you not panicking?!”

Sun Lingfei finally roused slightly, her tone languid but amused. “What’s the big deal? Let them gossip. It’ll help scare off that leech Li Feng.”

“Not a big deal?!” Xu Ze nearly choked. “They exposed our ‘date’! If this blows up, your fan club will skin me alive! Just handle Li Feng yourself tomorrow—don’t drag me into this!”

The moment he tried to retreat, Sun Lingfei’s voice sharpened to icy clarity. “Oh no you don’t, Xu Ze.” Her tone dropped to a threatening purr. “You will show up tomorrow and play your part. Or else… let’s just say ‘Big Sis’ here won’t let you off easy.”

“Big Sis?” Xu Ze almost laughed. She was younger than him! But the menace in her voice was real. “You’re really determined to drown me with you, huh…?”

Sun Lingfei, sensing victory, switched to a smug chuckle. “Oh please. Most guys would kill to be my fake boyfriend. You should be grateful.”

Xu Ze gave up. “Fine, fine. I surrender. Go back to sleep—and pray this doesn’t get worse.” Hanging up, he groaned. Of course Sun Lingfei wouldn’t let him escape.

Returning to the dorm, Xu Ze froze. Luo Zi—his roommate—was now at the computer, intently reading something.

Oh no. He’d forgotten to close the forum tab.

Before Xu Ze could react, Luo Zi spun around, eyes gleaming like a wolf spotting prey. “A-Ze…” He pointed at the screen. “Since when are you so interested in our campus goddess?”

Xu Ze’s sweat turned cold. Stay calm. “Hah…? Why would I—“*

Luo Zi cut him off with a sly grin. “That ‘mystery man’ at UBC Café… Was it you?”

“Wha—no! Of course not!” Xu Ze grabbed his towel and clothes, edging toward the door. “I’m gonna shower—”

“Pfft. Typical.” Luo Zi shook his head, suddenly morose. “You save a damsel, but where’s your fairy-tale ending? Ah, forget Sun Lingfei. She’s out of our league. Someone like Li Yan would be more—”

Xu Ze blinked. Wait. Luo Zi thinks I’m heartbroken over Sun Lingfei ‘dating someone else’? The misunderstanding was so absurd he almost laughed.

“…Thanks for the ‘comfort,’” Xu Ze muttered, escaping to the shower. “This guy’s hopeless.”

…

That night, instead of studying, Xu Ze lay in bed running energy cycles—critical for maintaining the system and his progress toward Level 2 Medic.

His speed had improved: six cycles per hour now, with a max of eleven consecutively. Still short of the eighteen needed to advance, but he estimated a year or less to bridge the gap.

As energy particles flooded his cells, strengthening muscles and bones, Xu Ze’s breathing steadied. Twenty-two cycles later, he slipped into the virtual training space, dreams humming with latent power.