The Central Hospital’s in vitro fertilization technology might not be the best in the world, but it was certainly the most developed in Hua Country. The hospital had the most advanced equipment and the largest pool of specialists. The doctor examining Yuan Xia was a middle-aged American named Eric, a highly experienced physician who was also one of the doctors in charge of Yuan Xia’s case.
Before going inside, Yuan Xia warned Wang Cheng that Eric had a rather strange personality. Whatever happened later, Wang Cheng should not be surprised; it would be over soon enough.
Wang Cheng understood. Geniuses often had their eccentricities. It did not take long, however, for him to discover that Eric was not merely eccentric. He was positively obsessed.
Eric was a tall, charismatic man in his forties with brown hair, and he must have been handsome when he was young. At the sight of Yuan Xia, his handsome face immediately broke into a gentlemanly smile. His easygoing manner could quickly put a patient at ease. He became more focused when discussing medical matters, but never severe. The important thing was to keep patients from getting too nervous.
After standing quietly beside them and listening for a while, Wang Cheng had to admit that Dr. Eric was attentive and patient. He explained every one of Yuan Xia’s questions without the slightest hint of annoyance.
A little later, Eric arranged for an assistant to take Yuan Xia for his examinations.
Those procedures did not require Eric’s personal attention. Wang Cheng was about to follow Yuan Xia when the doctor stopped him.
“Mr. Wang, might I have a word with you?”
Wang Cheng turned around in confusion. “What would you like to discuss, Dr. Eric?”
Eric smiled but did not answer immediately. After inviting him to sit, he made him a cup of hot coffee. “Have a taste. This is hand-ground cat-poop coffee, or kopi luwak, specially shipped in from Indonesia. A cup during the workday does wonders for fatigue.”
Cat poop?
Out of politeness, Wang Cheng accepted the coffee despite having certain reservations about its name. He had drunk coffee before, just not very often. Chu Yifeng drank it regularly, so he occasionally joined him, though he did not like bitter coffee. “Is there any sugar in it?”
Eric paused for a moment, then smiled. “No, but I have some here. How many pieces would you like?” As he spoke, he took a small jar of sugar cubes out of a cupboard.
The cubes were rather small, so Wang Cheng asked for four. After taking a sip, he found that the coffee really was not too bitter anymore. “Thank you for the coffee. It’s very good.”
“It’s an honor to receive your praise,” Eric said with a smile.
Wang Cheng took another sip. “Now that I’ve had the coffee, Mr. Eric, can you tell me what this is about?”
Eric did not answer right away. His index finger stroked the rim of his cup while his bright green eyes remained fixed on Wang Cheng. He seemed to be sizing Wang Cheng up, or perhaps admiring him, and every so often a hint of satisfaction appeared in his gaze. Just as Wang Cheng was about to lose patience, Eric finally spoke.
“I’m very interested in you.”
Wang Cheng froze. He remembered what Yuan Xia had said earlier. Was this the eccentricity he had meant? Making what sounded like a confession to someone he had only just met?
Noticing the misunderstanding, Eric clarified, “To be precise, I’m very interested in your body.”
Wang Cheng: “…”
He would have been better off not clarifying! If Chu Yifeng heard that, he would kill this man in a heartbeat. No explanations necessary!
This time, Eric failed to notice that Wang Cheng had misunderstood him again. He launched into a long, enthusiastic explanation of why Wang Cheng’s body fascinated him, even wearing an expression of pure delight.
“Your body is the most perfect I’ve ever seen. And by perfect, I don’t mean only its proportions or the definition of its lines. As you know, I’m an IVF specialist. I’ve loved this profession since I was young because I believe helping parents who cannot have children create new life is a wonderful thing. I once devoted myself to a research question: how could one create the most perfect life? Life comes from parents, and their genes determine their child’s genes. Of course, genetic mutations can occur, but the probability is very low. That is why my lifelong dream is to create a truly perfect human life. Over the years, I’ve encountered countless men and women, both in other countries and here in Hua Country. Yet, to my disappointment, in twenty years I have never found a maternal candidate who satisfied me. I thought I would never find one in Hua Country. Then I met you.”
The excitement on Dr. Eric’s face as he stared at Wang Cheng gave Wang Cheng goose bumps. He looked as though he had discovered a priceless treasure. Wang Cheng could understand the doctor’s devotion to his profession, but he had never once considered becoming a man who got pregnant!
“You’re homosexual, aren’t you?” Eric asked, startling him all over again.
Wang Cheng’s eyes widened. “How do you know?”
Eric gave him a charming smile. “Because I can smell the enticing scent of male hormones coming from you. It’s a scent that can attract women as well as men. More importantly, you’re wearing a ring. While I was speaking with Mr. Yuan, you unconsciously stroked it countless times. You were clearly listening to our conversation and considering whether what we discussed was possible. So I guessed that your boyfriend gave you the ring. After all, here in Hua Country, it’s usually men who give rings to women.”
Wang Cheng had to hand it to him. The man had been watching him the entire time he was speaking to Yuan Xia, and Wang Cheng had not even noticed. “You guessed correctly. My partner is indeed a man. But just by looking at me, how can you be so sure I meet your standards?”
Eric smiled proudly. “Because I have eyes that can perceive every detail of a person’s physical condition. One glance is all I need to judge whether someone is healthy. I’m certain I wouldn’t be wrong.”
“Even if they’re wearing thick clothes?”
“Not necessarily in that case.”
Wang Cheng conceded defeat. “Okay, Doctor, I’m impressed. Unfortunately, I have no plans to give birth to a child myself at present, so I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
Eric was not discouraged. He shook his head with a smile. “That doesn’t matter. If you ever change your mind, please come to me. I know it’s an impertinent request, but I genuinely hope that perfect baby can be brought into the world through my hands. Would you?”
“All right, I promise. But there’s something I don’t understand.”
“Go ahead.”
Wang Cheng said, “You said the quality of a baby’s genes depends on its parents’ genes, but you’ve only seen me. Even if I agreed, how could you know my man’s genes are as perfect as mine? If he has some flaw, or simply isn’t as perfect as you imagine, that perfect child you’re hoping for might never be possible.”
Eric burst out laughing when he heard Wang Cheng’s reasoning. “You’re right. But I trust your judgment.”
“What?” Wang Cheng did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“Mr. Wang has an extraordinary bearing. I’m sure any man capable of keeping someone like you in line must be exceptional himself.” Eric had already lived in Hua Country for five or six years and was a quick learner. If it were not for his appearance, no one listening to him would have suspected he was a foreigner.
Wang Cheng suddenly said with a perfectly straight face, “Actually, I’m the top.”
Eric: “…”
Yuan Xia finally returned. The test results would not be available until the following day. He noticed that the atmosphere in the office was rather different from when he had left. As they departed, Dr. Eric enthusiastically saw them out.
Once they were outside the building, Yuan Xia was about to ask about it, but Wang Cheng spoke first. “Yuan Xia, when you met Dr. Eric for the first time, did he say anything strange?”
Yuan Xia nodded. “He did. Did he say something to you, too?”
Wang Cheng nodded helplessly.
“The first time I met him, he made me stand there while he looked me over from every angle. Then he kept saying things like ‘what a pity.’ I thought he meant there was something wrong with my body and that I couldn’t undergo IVF treatment. It was only later that I learned Dr. Eric has always wanted to find the best genes and create the most perfect baby.” Yuan Xia looked at him curiously. “What about you? What did he say to you?”
Wang Cheng cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Well, would you look at the time? It’s almost noon. Jiang Xuan must be waiting to hear from you. You should get back.”
“There’s no hurry. Jiang Xuan won’t be here to pick me up for a little while.” Yuan Xia smiled knowingly. “Your attempt to change the subject is far too obvious. Let me guess. Did Dr. Eric say you were the most perfect maternal candidate he’d ever seen and try to persuade you to have a child of your own?”
Wang Cheng sighed. “Being too perfect really is a burden.”
Yuan Xia: “…” Fine. He should not have teased him. Wang Cheng was still every bit as thick-skinned as ever.
A phone rang, but it was not Yuan Xia’s. Wang Cheng took out his own phone, saw that Chu Yifeng was calling, and answered at once.
“I ran into Yuan Xia at the hospital, and I’m with him now. But everything’s taken care of. I’m heading back. We’re not cooking? Where are we eating lunch? All right, see you in a bit.”
“Looks like you have plans. I won’t take up any more of your time. We’ll talk again,” Yuan Xia said, guessing who had called.
“I’ll be off, then.” Wang Cheng put away his phone and waved goodbye.